Chapter 926: First Volume, Chapter 926: Wu Lao Acts

First Volume, Chapter 926: Wu Lao Acts

Chen Si had no reply; the very thing he feared had finally come to pass.

At that moment, Ning Hu rushed back, nodded to Qin Feng, signaling that the messenger had already been dispatched and Chen Si's personal attendants outside the city had been calmed down; now, they only needed to follow the original plan: kill Chen Si and return to Changshui County in orderly fashion.

To be honest, Qin Feng hated to kill Chen Si; if one were to look across all of Northern Di, the only person who could truly be called Qin Feng's opponent was Chen Si alone.

Moreover, in a certain sense, Chen Si was even Qin Feng's life mentor—he had taught Qin Feng how to separate war from life.

One must not let personal feelings sway war, nor let the grief of war spill into life.

Qin Feng deeply appreciated Chen Si's guidance, but now he had no choice but to kill Chen Si; the stronger Chen Si was, the less Qin Feng wished to face him on the battlefield.

"Grand General Chen, do you have any last words?" Qin Feng looked at Chen Si with profound sincerity and asked softly.

Chen Si shook his head, his eyes revealing a touch of sorrow, but mostly defiance.

Not just because he was lured and assassinated in Qingshan County, but because Lü Li's personal grudge had dragged the entire nation into the abyss.

Had everything gone smoothly, according to Chen Si's plan, if they could just hold out until next spring, when all things revived, Di Kingdom would not be so helpless against Qin Feng—or even against the entire Liang Kingdom behind him.

Too bad…

Heaven's timing, geographical advantage, human harmony—Chen Si and Di Kingdom had none of them.

Was it all already destined? Was Heaven determined to destroy Great Di?

"Qin Feng, dying in your hands is not unworthy—but I pity the countless lives of Great Di…"

"Faced with this once-in-a-century cold snap, the people were already suffering terribly; now, after enduring this Winter War, how many more will die this winter?"

"Qin Feng, didn't you keep saying you wanted to leave the late Emperor's Princess a strong and prosperous Di?"

"Have you… changed your mind?"

Qin Feng's gaze was resolute: "I'm simply cutting through the chaos with a swift blade."

"When spring comes, your nation's strength will gradually recover; if we fight then, the war will only grow longer and more brutal. The faster your nation loses, the less suffering your people will endure."

"If your Monarch would willingly surrender through Shan Rang, it would be a great blessing for your people."

At these words, Chen Si burst into loud laughter—it was the funniest joke he had ever heard in his life.

For the King of Northern Di to surrender through Shan Rang?

Didn't Qin Feng know how the King of Northern Di seized the throne? He was never a benevolent ruler; even if he bled out his last drop, the King of Northern Di would never bow.

At that moment, Ning Hu gave Qin Feng a glance, signaling that time was short—act quickly.

It was already dawn; the troops outside the city had set up their temporary garrison and were changing shifts to rest, while the townspeople and county guards were fast asleep—this was unquestionably the best moment to strike.

Qin Feng sighed softly, no longer hesitating; with his weary body, he slowly rose and bowed to Chen Si.

"Big Brother Chen, may your journey be peaceful."

Chen Si had accepted his fate; he stood up, head high and chest out, showing no fear.

Even knowing death was imminent, Chen Si spoke not a single word to his opponent Qin Feng; as for farewell words—forget it. Between Chen Si and Qin Feng, there was only national enmity and family hatred, no bond of loyalty or affection.

Under Qin Feng's gaze, Chen Si turned away coldly.

In the County Yamen courtyard, Chen Si stood tall at the center, gazing up at the bright moon overhead, and said firmly: "Commandant Ning, swing your blade—you will not see this general kneel or offer his neck."

Ning Hu's eyes also showed a trace of reverence; such a general, wherever he stood, deserved respect.

To grant such a man a swift death was the greatest honor.

Ning Hu drew his sword from his waist, gripped the hilt with both hands, and aimed the blade at Chen Si's nape.

Feeling the chill against his nape, Chen Si closed his eyes.

Just as Ning Hu swung the blade, a sharp "ding-dang" rang out—the sword was severed mid-air by a flying iron needle!

"What?!"

Ning Hu froze, then looked down at the iron needle lying at his feet, his face turning pale with shock.

"No good!"

In an instant, Ning Hu reacted—he swung his sword again, even though its blade was now severed halfway, leaving only half a blade; he poured every ounce of strength into slashing at Chen Si's neck.

But before the blade struck Chen Si, Ning Hu felt a searing pain in his shoulder—then a tremendous force exploded from it, throwing him off balance and crashing him to the ground.

He turned his head and saw an iron needle embedded in his shoulder, blood gushing out.

"Assassin!"

As Ning Hu screamed, a black shadow leapt from the County Yamen roof, seized Chen Si's shoulder, and sprinted away.

The Tianji Camp Guards arriving at the Door were struck by the Black-Clothed Man's palm to the chest, flying backward; another Tianji Camp Guard was hit by three iron needles thrown by the Black-Clothed Man—two were blocked by his chest armor, but one slipped through the gap in his shoulder armor.

Just as the Black-Clothed Man was about to burst through the Door, Qin Feng's low voice came from behind.

"Wu Lao! I've helped you time and again, yet you keep sabotaging my plans—do you truly believe that being a mountain-recluse master gives you license to act as you please?"

"Chen Si is my greatest enemy; if you save him, our grudge is settled!"

At these words, the Black-Clothed Man paused slightly, then turned to face Qin Feng.

After a moment, he replied coldly: "Chen Si is a hero of Great Di; from the moment you moved to kill him, our grudge was already settled!"

"You want to come after me? I'll be waiting."

With that, Wu Lao carried Chen Si away without looking back.

Ning Hu rose from the ground, about to chase, but Qin Feng stopped him.

Ning Hu's eyes widened in fury: "Brother Qin, how can you let them leave so easily? Wu Lao may be powerful, but if I lead the Tianji Camp Guards to pursue him, we can surely leave him here!"

Hearing this, Qin Feng sighed: "If we rashly pursue, even if we kill Wu Lao, how many lives will we lose?"

At these words, Ning Hu, who had been raging moments before, fell silent.

Qin Feng had not lost his reason; even if Chen Si lived, he would become a grave threat later—but the overall situation was already settled, and now, beyond chasing Chen Si, there were more urgent matters to attend to.

"Ning Hu, you're wounded—return for treatment. Send the messengers out: strike first to gain the upper hand!"