Chapter 267: Love Has Its Near and Far; People Have Their Gatherings and Partings

She left, just like that, silently and without a sound.

She left no explanation, gave no reason, leaving only a single thin sheet of letter paper with three simple words written on it—I am leaving.

These three words were like a sharp blade, piercing Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo's hearts precisely. They looked around in confusion, yet could no longer find Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's figure.

She departed without saying goodbye, leaving no trace, and vanished just like that. The sentry at the city gate, bewildered, said that at noon she had set off alone on her return journey, seemingly heading back to her hometown, Cangzhou.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu returned to his room but had no heart to sleep. He picked up the letter Zhang Zhang Jiaqi had left and examined it carefully once more. He wanted to find a clue, a hint, a shred of emotion. Yet, he found nothing, only those three words, coldly stabbing into his heart.

He did not understand why Zhang Zhang Jiaqi had done this, why she had suddenly left, why she had been so heartless toward him. Was there not even a shred of feeling between them?

They had weathered storms together, walked through hardships together, and shared joys together. Their feelings, though not eternal, were sincere and flawless.

He admitted that his love for Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was not as great as his love for Liu Liu Yifei. He admitted that his trust in Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was not as great as his trust in Tu Tu Kesiluo. He admitted that his loyalty to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was not as great as his loyalty to himself. He admitted that his responsibility to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was not as great as his responsibility to the people. He admitted that his future for Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was not as great as his own future.

He admitted that, toward Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, he was not enough.

Yet, he had not been unkind to her. He had not been uncaring toward her. He had not been inconsiderate toward her. He had not been ungentle toward her. He had not been unwilling to give to her. He had not been unattached to her.

Toward her, he also had feelings.

He recalled the day they met, he recalled the period when they came to know each other; Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was a loyal companion. He fought to defend his territory, she fought to support his cause. They fought side by side, they shared weal and woe, they supported one another.

He recalled the moment they parted; he was a worried commander, she was a resolute woman. He prepared for the war about to arrive, she prepared to complete her mission. They parted with tears in their eyes.

He recalled the night they met again; he was a joyful lover, she was a sorrowful lover. He celebrated his victory, she concealed her pain.

He recalled the night they lost each other; he was a helpless decision-maker, she was a silent leaver. He announced his marriage to Liu Liu Yifei, she ended her love with him. They faced each other in silence, they gazed at each other coldly, they went their separate ways.

He recalled, he recalled everything of theirs, he recalled their sweetness, he recalled their sorrow, he recalled their joy, he recalled their pain, he recalled their love, he recalled their hatred.

He recalled, he recalled too much, he recalled too much, he recalled too much.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a sense of loss and could not help but ask himself if he had done something wrong, hurting Zhang Jiaqi's heart? But then he thought again; his marriage to Liu Yifei was already set, with no other choice. The warmth he could give was ultimately limited.

Perhaps this was the will of heaven. Perhaps she was destined to be like a gust of wind, suddenly bursting into his life, then silently and without a sound departing.

He sighed, forcibly suppressing his emotions, and focused his mind on the great undertaking before him. The people needed him; he had no time to indulge in self-pity.

With a heavy heart, he could only silently bid farewell to the memories of Zhang Jiaqi. The past between them had ultimately become like mist and smoke. He could only wish her a bright future and happiness and health.

The bright moon in the sky, with its cold, vast light, was just like the loneliness of that moon in his heart. Tomorrow, he would still raise his long sword under this moonlight, don his armor, and shoulder the expectations of a region. They were destined to be separated by the heavens, yet her shadow would forever remain in his heart.

Love has its near and far; people have their gatherings and partings. He had made his choice, and she had gone according to the will of heaven. For now, he could only rely on a pure heart and continue walking forward.

The moonlight was like water, cold and quiet. Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood outside the tent, gazing alone at the hook-shaped moon, his heart filled with deep worry. Early tomorrow morning, he would lead this army of fifty thousand, marching toward the direction of Jingcheng.

Jingcheng, a place full of power and conspiracy. It was like a tumor, viciously eroding this once prosperous and flourishing nation. And now, this tumor had reached the point where it must be cut out.

The great army quieted down in the night, with only the occasional sound of military horns breaking the silence. A determined light flickered in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes; he knew clearly what he was about to face. This was a life-and-death battle, a fight for ideals, a fight for the nation.

Early the next morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu woke up early. He hastily ate breakfast and then came to the main camp. There, the fifty thousand troops were already ready, fully equipped and prepared to depart.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood on a high platform, looking down at the camp below the city. His eyes were firm, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly, revealing a smile of confidence. He knew this was the most important battle of his life, and also the final battle of his life. With this battle, he would draw a perfect conclusion for his nation, for his lover, and for his brothers.

He recalled the night before, his farewell with Liu Liu Yifei. He held her, gently kissed her forehead, and said, "Tomorrow, I will go to attack Jingcheng. This is my final mission; once I complete it, I can live a stable life with you. Wait for me to return, okay?"

Liu Liu Yifei tightly grasped his hand, tears sliding down her cheeks, and said, "You must be careful, you must return safely. I will wait for you forever, I will love you forever; no matter what happens, I will never leave you."

Moved, Jiang Jiang Mingyu held her hand and said, "I love you, I will return, I promise you."

They embraced and slept, not knowing if this was their last meeting.

He spoke loudly, "Soldiers, we are about to embark on a battle that will decide the fate of the nation. This is the final moment for us to destroy the Great Feng Dynasty, and also the most critical battle. Many of you have followed me since the Battle of Linzhang, having ventured through the wilderness of life and death with me. Tens of thousands of comrades sacrificed greatly along the way; today we can finally fulfill our wish, defeat Fei Hou, and overthrow the Great Feng!"

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, the camp erupted in enthusiastic cheers. These sounds were like towering waves, stirring the passion in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart. He continued, "In this battle, we must capture Jingcheng and seize Fei Hou! The entire army, move out!"

With a single command from Jiang Jiang Mingyu, the fifty thousand troops surged out of the city like a flood. Their steps were firm and powerful, their eyes determined and resolute. At this moment, they were true warriors, true heroes.

During the march, an adjutant suddenly asked Tu Tu Kesiluo, "Where did your sister-in-law go?" Tu Tu Kesiluo instinctively glanced at Jiang Jiang Mingyu and said irritably, "It's none of your business; why are you prying?" Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face remain expressionless, the adjutant dared not speak again, shrunk his neck, and closed his mouth.

After a moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice, "Increase the speed; meet with Zhu Ge Yu sooner; time is pressing!" Upon hearing this, all the soldiers tacitly quickened their pace. The great army swiftly traversed mountains, rivers, and valleys like a gale, heading straight for Jingcheng.

During this long march, what Jiang Jiang Mingyu worried about was no longer his own grudge of national destruction, but the lives and deaths of his soldiers. They were his brothers, they were his comrades. They viewed him as their supreme leader, and they were willing to face fire and water for him. Their eyes were filled with a thirst for victory, and their hearts were filled with loyalty to the nation.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt the burden on his shoulders growing heavier. He must lead the army to victory; he must fulfill their wishes. He could not let them down; he could not let them make futile sacrifices. He must use his wisdom and courage to lead them onto the path of victory.

At this critical moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already placed his personal emotions and grievances in a secondary position. There was only one thing in his heart: use his strength and wisdom to capture Jingcheng and kill Fei Hou! He had no time to attend to anything else, not even Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's whereabouts. In his eyes, there was only that high and mighty Jingcheng, that Jingcheng symbolizing the power of the Great Feng Dynasty. There lay his enemies, there lay his goal.

Before him was only one goal—capture Jingcheng and kill Fei Hou! This was Jiang Jiang Mingyu's only goal at this critical moment; he had placed personal emotions at the lowest position. He must concentrate all his strength to lead this army to victory. This was his responsibility, and it was his honor. This was for those soldiers who fought for the nation; this was for that once-prosperous nation!