Chapter 149

Xiexiezi heedless, grabbed the horse and prepared to leap onto its back, only to be seized in one arm by the arriving Military Advisor.

Young master, from Shuo Fang to Guangwu Jun at least requires two days on the road; never mind whether they'd help, even if they did, we couldn't wait for reinforcements.

Xiexiezi naturally understood this simple truth, but at this moment he had no other recourse, and in his haste he lost his composure.

But… I can't just stand by and watch my father walk to his death!

Xiexiezi clenched his fists and, as if venting anger, punched the tree beside him, speaking sentence after sentence.

What's the point of showing off? Knowing you'll die and still going—that's just incompetence.

You really want to die? Isn't living better?

Why bother caring about the life or death of those disobedient bandits?

……

The Military Advisor silently watched all this, letting Xiexiezi pour out his thoughts until his fists were soaked with blood, only then did he stop.

Xiexiezi sat helplessly on the ground, lifted his head to the sky, unknown what he was thinking, then after a slight hesitation he asked.

You say if we knock my father out and take him away, would that work?

The Military Advisor shook his head like a rattle drum: "Young master, with your puny arms and legs, you're no match for the chief!"

Ah! That's also true.

Xiexiezi's only advantage is his youth, plus he's learned a few moves, so he appears strong, but in strength and endurance he falls far short of Bai'e Hu.

Then… young master, are you still leaving?" the Military Advisor probed cautiously.

My father's still here—where could I go?" Xiexiezi retorted angrily.

The Military Advisor had no idea either; seeing Xiexiezi's emotions settle, he stopped arguing, put on a glum face, and went to think of a plan.

When night fell, Bai'e Hu noticed the Military Advisor still in the stronghold and asked puzzled: "Why are you still here? Didn't my son leave?"

No, the young master is still working out a plan!" the Military Advisor replied with a worried face.

Bai'e Hu felt warm inside, but his face showed disdain as he said: "What could he possibly do? Better just hurry and take him away!"

The Military Advisor sighed: "Do you think I don't want to take the young master away? It's that he himself refuses to go."

Bai'e Hu stroked his chin and said: "Otherwise I'll knock him out and you can take him away then—how about that?"

Like father, like son—your ideas are identical!" the Military Advisor rolled his eyes and couldn't help giving Bai'e Hu a thumbs-up.

Hearing that, Bai'e Hu first froze, then understood the Military Advisor's meaning, and burst out laughing.

Hahaha! Like father, like son!

The Military Advisor covered his forehead, speechless, not knowing how the chief could still laugh.

Two days passed in a flash; Xiexiezi still had no good plan, and could only watch helplessly as his father Bai'e Hu carefully polished his treasured blade.

Xiexiezi had figured it out: since his father refused to leave with him, he would stay with his father.

Brothers who fight tigers together, father and son in battle—maybe we can still win this fight.

Even though he knows the odds are slim, he's willing to try alongside Bai'e Hu.

Are you all ready, brothers?" Bai'e Hu raised his gleaming broadsword, the bravado and smile gone from his face, calm as a still pond.

Xiexiezi shouldered his long blade and said: "All set; we just wait for your order to move out."

Now it's broad daylight; sneak tactics are useless, the only way is to charge straight through the city gate.

Bai'e Hu rose, walked over to Xiexiezi, and patted his shoulder: "Last time, didn't I hurt you too much?"

These sudden words caught Xiexiezi off guard; his father had always been rough and careless, so this thoughtfulness was unexpected, and he wasn't used to it.

Xiexiezi could only turn his face away and say: "I'm not that delicate!"

The next moment a fierce gust swept toward Xiexiezi's neck; by the time he noticed, it was already too late.

You…

Before the words could leave his mouth, Xiexiezi slumped straight down, caught in Bai'e Hu's arms.

The Military Advisor stepped out from the corner, looking at Bai'e Hu with reluctance: "Chief, be careful on this journey…"

I entrust my son to you!" Bai'e Hu gazed at Xiexiezi in his arms, as if seeing himself holding him as a child.

But once he grew up, he became disagreeable and wouldn't let himself be held!

Gently laying Xiexiezi on the ground, Bai'e Hu grasped his broadsword and never looked back, only pausing his step as he passed the Military Advisor.

Thank you!

As the words faded, Bai'e Hu lifted his steps toward the stronghold, his back reflected in the Military Advisor's eyes with a touch of heroism.

The Military Advisor turned his head to the unconscious Xiexiezi and muttered: "Old ginger is still spicy—after all, it was your father who struck first."

Having said that, he fetched a cloth strap, struggled to lift Xiexiezi onto the horse's back and tied him fast, then led the horse away in the opposite direction of Ziyun City.

Bai'e Hu looked at the assembled bandits, raised his broadsword, and gave the order.

Move out!

Today Ziyun City was extraordinarily lively, the populace flooding into the market to await the execution of those hateful bandits, while the crowd kept chatting nonstop.

I heard the commandant is coming too—I've never seen a commandant in all my years!

With something this big happening, how could the commandant not come?

Yeah! My neighbors' family… sigh… that daughter of theirs is so obedient and sensible, yet she's caught up in this!

Obviously everyone hasn't gotten over the past two days' events; the grief and indignation still linger.

The commandant of Shuo Fang Jun received the urgent report from the County Magistrate of Ziyun City and immediately realized this was an opportunity.

Nowadays everyone wants to earn merit before His Highness the Crown Prince; such an opportunity has practically been delivered to his doorstep, and even the commandant of Shuo Fang Jun feels heaven is aiding him.

If all the other commanderies were peaceful, what merit could there be in this happening here? It would be a total loss of face!

But the incident in Guangwu Jun occurred earlier, and even now it remains unresolved.

If the bandit trouble in his own jurisdiction were settled in two hours and a large number of bandits captured, that would be completely different!

What's most frightening is comparing people to people!

Therefore he must come personally to oversee the execution affairs, then sympathize with the people's sentiments, to build a good reputation for himself.

When His Highness the Crown Prince is employing people, won't he think of me first?

So the prefect hurriedly raced all the way from Shuo Fang City, bringing along several dozen guards, and finally arrived at Purple Cloud City yesterday.

Naturally, the County Magistrate of Purple Cloud City and the captain received great praise, making everyone delighted, and they look forward to everything going smoothly today.

Seeing that the time was about right, the soldiers escorted the bandits one by one to the execution grounds; along the route they must pass, the villagers had already been waiting here.