Chapter 222

Tukesulu and Meng Fujun led their troops on a frantic run for dozens of li, finally reaching a hill outside Zhangwu County. The mountain wind whipped their robes, and sweat dripped down their faces. The midday sun blazed fiercely, as if determined to dry them out.

Tukesulu leapt from his horse, wiped the sweat from his brow, and cast a cold glance at Meng Fujun before him. He said in a low voice, "Did you remember everything my elder brother told you?"

Meng Fujun's heart jolted—he sensed the killing intent in Tukesulu's eyes. He quickly dismounted and bowed deeply, stammering, "General Tu, rest assured. I've memorized every word and will carry out your lord's orders exactly."

He knew full well: Tukesulu had brought over five thousand elite troops not only to execute the plan, but also to monitor these surrendered soldiers. Especially just now on the road, Tukesulu had personally slain the traitor Su Zimo—a clear warning. This beautiful-faced man was ruthlessly cruel, showing not the slightest mercy.

Meng Fujun silently rejoiced that he had done nothing out of line, that his loyalty to his elder brother remained unshaken. Otherwise, today would be the day this black-faced giant chopped him into minced meat.

Seeing Meng Fujun's compliant demeanor, Tukesulu shed the frost from his face and returned to his usual warm, jade-like smile. He said, "Since we're both my elder brother's men, let's move out."

Meng Fujun exhaled in relief, his awe of Tukesulu deepening further. He thought to himself: on this journey, he must stay obediently behind this elder brother, never provoke him. Saving his own life was the only thing that mattered.

Tukesulu and Meng Fujun led their five thousand troops in a rapid charge, arriving before Zhangwu County's walls in no time. They wore civilian uniforms and flew Li Bolun's banners, appearing fully surrendered.

The guards on the city walls grew alert at once. They shouted loudly, "Who are you? Take one more step forward, and you'll taste my lord's arrow storm!"

Meng Fujun knew this was his moment to act. He leapt off his horse and looked up at the guards. "Brother, don't be alarmed—I'm a Thousand-Commander, Meng Fujun. The strategist's plan succeeded. We've returned to report good news to our lord. Open the gates quickly!"

The guard on the wall wasn't foolish. He cautiously peered down. The men all wore civilian uniforms; though some faces were unfamiliar, dozens surrendered daily—he couldn't possibly know them all. He relaxed slightly, then asked, "Then why didn't you bring back the strategist? And weren't you twenty thousand strong when you left? How come only you remain?"

Meng Fujun had already prepared his answer. "Jiang Mingyu's forces have been utterly crushed. The strategist is chasing him down with the remaining troops. We seized countless supplies—we need men to guard them."

He added impatiently, "Brother, stop wasting time. If you delay our lord and the strategist's mission, don't blame me when our lord punishes you. Open the gates now!"

Li Bolun had only fifty thousand troops—Thousand-Commanders were high-ranking officers. Seeing Meng Fujun's fierce expression, the guard hurriedly said, "Brother, don't get angry—I'm just doing my duty. I'll notify our lord right away—he's been told the strategist sent men to report good news."

Then he shouted to the soldiers controlling the iron gate, "What are you standing there for? Open the gate now!"

As the iron gate slowly creaked open, revealing a narrow gap, Tukesulu smiled inwardly. He thought: Zhangwu County—today is your end.

Meng Fujun led his troops into Zhangwu County. Before they'd taken ten steps, they saw their lord, Li Bolun, approaching. The lord stood nearly two meters tall, with a chest spanning nearly one and a half meters, radiating martial vigor. He had fought Meng Fujun many times and spoke to him directly.

"I've heard the news—did you really destroy Jiang Mingyu?"

His eyes sparkled with excitement and admiration. Jiang Mingyu commanded sixty thousand troops; Su Zimo had led only twenty thousand against him—no one else could have pulled that off.

Meng Fujun lowered his head and nodded.

"My lord is right—we've seized Jiang Mingyu's grain supplies."

"The strategist is leading the remaining men to pursue Jiang Mingyu. He has no time for anything else. My lord, hurry and gather your troops to transport the grain."

Hearing his certainty, Li Bolun burst into laughter.

"Good! Good! When I return with the grain, you boys will all be rewarded!"

He turned to lead his men out of the city when suddenly, a voice echoed beside him.

"My lord, please wait."

Li Bolun, in high spirits, turned to see who spoke. A black-faced man stepped forward from the crowd. He didn't recognize him—but something about him felt familiar.

"What is it, brother?"

No sooner had Li Bolun spoken than he felt a chill at his neck. He looked down—there, the man held a long sword pressed against his throat.

The black-faced man's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Listen well—don't move a muscle."

Li Bolun froze in shock.

"Brother… what are you doing?"

Brother?

The young man glanced at him coldly, sneering.

"Li Bolun, you're mistaken. I'm not your brother."

He swept his gaze over the five thousand men and spoke in a low, commanding tone.

"Meng Fujun—why wait? Move now."

Hearing those words, Meng Fujun's heart lurched. He looked up at Li Bolun's face—pale with disbelief and shock. Panic surged through him; instinctively, he drew his weapon.

"My lord… I'm sorry."

Li Bolun finally understood. His fingers trembled as he roared in fury.

"You defected to Jiang Mingyu?"

Meng Fujun kept his head lowered, speechless. He could only nod helplessly.

Li Bolun's face turned deathly pale.

"So… Su Zimo defected too?"

He had treated Meng Fujun well—but this betrayal stabbed him like a blade through the heart. He felt his soul shatter.

At that moment, tens of thousands of troops from within the city surged forward, surrounding Tukesulu and his men. The leading Thousand-Commander drew his sword with a sharp clang.

"Release our lord, and I'll let you walk away. Otherwise, you'll all be buried here today."

Tukesulu laughed heartily.

"Kill me? You'd need the strength."

As Tukesulu spoke, the Thousand-Commander's face turned ashen. Before he could kneel and beg, he collapsed backward. His body fell heavily. Tukesulu vanished from his spot, reappearing instantly before Li Bolun, expression unchanged—as if killing had required no effort at all.

Others witnessed Tukesulu's terrifying power. The Thousand-Commander was among their best—slain in a single strike. Yet Tukesulu remained unharmed, calm and composed. His movements were lightning-fast, his swordplay razor-sharp. His aura was piercing, unbearable to meet. One warning silenced Meng Fujun and his men. One strike sent the entire city into terror. Who could stand against such a master? Even the whole city's strength might not suffice.

Seeing the others still hesitating to surrender, Tukesulu's eyes flickered with impatience. He stared coldly at Li Bolun, letting the tip of his sword graze his neck. A drop of blood fell, striking the ground with a crisp sound. Li Bolun's face turned ashen, sweat beading on his brow. He felt death's breath hovering beside him.

"What do you want?" Tukesulu said coldly. "Your lord is in my hands. Do you still wish to hold this city? Let me make it clear: today, you have only two choices—surrender, or watch your lord die on my blade. Choose."

A roar of chaos erupted. Some shouted, "My lord! My lord! Hold on! We'll save you!" Others wept bitterly, "My lord! Don't die! You're our pillar!" Some roared in rage, "Tukesulu! You vile scum! If you harm our lord, we'll fight you to the death!" Others trembled in terror, "Tukesulu! You devil! Don't push us too far—or we'll take you down with us!"

Meng Fujun secretly rejoiced. He knew these men were Li Bolun's loyalists, utterly devoted to him.

Seeing their lord in peril, they would surely waver.

Once Zhangwu County fell, he could report his success to Jiang Mingyu and claim his reward. He plotted silently: after this was done, he'd use Tukesulu's strength to secure even greater gains for himself.

Li Bolun heard his soldiers' cries and felt a surge of emotion. He knew they were willing to die for him. He understood Tukesulu's goal—to force surrender. He refused to let them suffer Tukesulu's cruelty or see Zhangwu County fall into enemy hands. He resolved to trade his life for their safety and freedom.

He raised his head, meeting Tukesulu's eyes. Those eyes were cold and sharp, like twin blades piercing his soul. He felt no fear, no regret—only resolve. He smiled faintly at Tukesulu and said, "You want my life? Then take it."

With that, he lunged forward, thrusting his throat onto Tukesulu's blade.