Chapter 119: The Exiles

Dongping.

The refugees and bandits, who had just narrowly escaped death, were visibly shaken and hesitated to move forward.

However, for Zhang Qian, retreat was no longer an option.

He had no choice but to use threats and promises to motivate his subordinates.

If they advanced and captured Daliushu Village, they would become part of the Eagle’s Nest Ridge, and wealth and women would be theirs to enjoy.

Anyone daring to retreat would become the next soul sacrificed to his banner.

Compared to confronting the villagers, the refugees had already deeply experienced Zhang Qian’s cruelty.

This fear of being dominated made them prefer to fight ordinary villagers rather than risk being mercilessly slaughtered by their own comrades.

If they succeeded in taking the village, it would be a great victory.

Even if they failed, the worst outcome would be death.

Dying at the hands of the villagers was preferable to dying under Zhang Qian’s command.

Realizing this, the group of desperate men made their final decision and launched an assault on Daliushu Village.

Perhaps their momentum frightened the villagers defending the town, as the once impregnable defense line began to crumble under the impact of the first thirty or forty refugees.

The villagers slowly retreated, eventually scattering in a panicked flight.

Zhang Qian was overjoyed and ordered his men to pursue the fleeing villagers.

Two hundred refugees and bandits poured into the gates of Daliushu Village like hungry wolves, crazed with hunger and thirst.

Along the way, they burned, killed, and looted, already accustomed to such reckless behavior.

With no one to stop them ahead, they saw the villagers fleeing in panic, and the refugees and bandits let out savage, mocking laughter as they charged forward, determined to maintain their momentum until the final victory was achieved.

“Didn’t you all seem so brave at the mountaintop? Throwing stones so happily? Where is that now?” Zhang Qian mocked loudly, and the bandits laughed heartily.

“Brothers, charge! Cut down the people ahead, and this village will be ours!” another small bandit leader shouted, waving a machete as he led the charge into the crowd.

The maniacal laughter and shouts of killing echoed, and it seemed that everything was under their control. Ahead, it seemed that there was no resistance left to stop them.

But the Lynx became alert, something was wrong—very wrong!

Since these people could think of setting an ambush in the valley, they couldn’t have made it so easy for them to attack the village.

He reined in his horse and stood upright, scanning the surroundings.

The air was thick with smoke, and the distance beyond ten paces was unclear.

The people who had been running in all directions earlier had suddenly disappeared, vanishing into the smoke.

As his subordinates surged forward, the smoke began to dissipate.

But just then, rows of sharp caltrops suddenly appeared before them.

The sharp obstacles stood like the claws of death, blocking the road ahead.

“Wind’s tight—pull it!” Lynx shouted.

Everyone widened their eyes, realizing they had been trapped in a huge circular disk, surrounded on all sides by sharp caltrops.

At their feet, piles of dry straw were stacked like mountains, as though a single spark could ignite a raging fire that would devour them.

Zhang Qian also sensed something was wrong and shouted urgently, “Retreat! Retreat from the village!”

But as hurried footsteps approached, the exit gates were tightly shut.

Outside the gates, villagers were lifting caltrops, arranging them in a line, as though they were ants moving their nests—dense and numerous.

Meanwhile, bundles of firewood were being thrown into the circle, growing increasingly larger.

The bandits immediately fell into panic, trying to retreat, but it was too late.

There was no way forward, and no way back.

The villagers who had disappeared earlier suddenly reappeared, holding long spears, forming a large circle around the caltrops, aiming at any intruder trying to escape the circle.

At the same time, someone lit a torch and threw it into the center of the circle, quickly igniting the dry straw.

In an instant, flames soared into the sky, turning the entire circle a fiery red.

The bandits were forced to scatter in panic, but the caltrops blocked their escape.

Cries and screams echoed, and the air quickly filled with the strong scent of blood and burning flesh.

Even if one or two bandits managed to get past the caltrops, they were intercepted by the village guards outside the circle, and their spears, long awaited, were mercilessly thrust into their bodies.

The flames raged on, illuminating the hideous faces of the invaders.

When Lynx was engulfed by the fire, he finally realized that there was a reason why Li Datou could not return.

People kept adding firewood to the circle until the last bandit fell, and the entire circle descended into an eerie silence, with only the flames continuing to burn.

The villagers, still in disbelief, wondered: had they won?

Had they really wiped out the bandits who had attacked?

It wasn’t until cheers erupted around them that they realized the bandits had indeed been wiped out.

…

However, at that moment, the sound of urgent hooves suddenly came from the horizon.

The jubilant crowd fell silent, their hearts clenched in fear, afraid that the bandits were coming again.

Some wondered aloud, “Could it be that the reinforcements from Jincheng have returned? But isn’t it too early?”

Through the rising dust, a group of about five hundred riders appeared, their armor gleaming, marching in perfect formation like a regular army.

But looking at their attire, they didn’t seem to be officials of the court.

If they were just bandits, the villagers might still muster the courage to resist. But now, seeing such a sight, they knew they couldn’t win this battle, and uncertain of whether the newcomers were friend or foe, they stood frozen, waiting for them to approach.

At the front was a burly man with a long beard, around thirty years old. When he spoke, his voice was like a thunderclap, making everyone’s ears ring.

“We are here under the order of the Princess Chang to escort Princess Mingyue to Xisai. Please, make way and allow us to take her, and we will set off together.”

The villagers exchanged uneasy glances.

Dagen and his son were also tense, their bodies rigid with suspicion and unease.

Someone tentatively asked, “But didn’t Princess Mingyue leave with Bai Choushen of Baihu Villa to the east, to seek refuge with Zhang Xiaoshi? How could she still be here in our village?”

The bearded man laughed heartily and replied, “I am Zhang Xiaoshi. The princess never came to me. According to my information, the princess is still in Daliushu Village. I have come personally to escort her, so please, make way and bring her out, so we can depart for Xisai.”

At his words, the villagers began to murmur among themselves, like cold water splashing into a hot pan.

“Is the princess still in Daliushu Village? Is that true?”

“That’s Zhang Xiaoshi! Have the rebels already reached Jinyang?”

“When did Zhang Xiaoshi join the Eldest Princess? Has she openly turned against us?”

“Even if she has, it’s for the best. The world is in chaos, and that dog emperor Yuwen Jing should step down.”

“I’m just worried they’re not from the Eldest Princess’s side, and they’re trying to trick us into handing her over. If that’s the case, we can’t give her up.”

Hearing the surrounding discussions, Dagen’s anxiety grew.

The princess was currently in his house. If the people were truly from the Eldest Princess, that would make them her own aunt. If the aunt came to take her niece, should he stop them?

At this point, Daniu stepped forward and said, “We don’t know where Princess Mingyue is. You’ll have to wait for my sister to return. She will know where the princess is!”

Zhang Xiaoshi replied, “There are over two thousand bandits at Eagle Nest Ridge, and the officials of Jincheng have already fled the city in fear. Your sister is leading only two hundred men—whether she survives is still in question. If she doesn’t return soon, will we just wait here for the rest of our lives?”

Daniu angrily retorted, “You’re talking nonsense! My older sister is invincible. If she says she’ll return, she’ll definitely return. Until she does, no one will see the princess!”

“Invincible?” Zhang Xiaoshi seemed to have heard a joke. He threw his head back and laughed, and the soldiers behind him joined in mockery. “A little girl, no older than a teenager, dares to claim invincibility in front of me, Zhang Xiaoshi? She really doesn’t know her place!”

Daniu was enraged by these words, his face turning red. The other ambush team members also stood in front, breathing heavily and glaring at the newcomers.

At that moment, the beardless man next to Zhang Xiaoshi urged, “General, don’t waste time talking to them. They’re just a bunch of country bumpkins. Why bother? If the city miraculously wins, that little girl will be back, and she’ll no doubt cause trouble.”

It was because of a girl named Pear Blossom that his Baihu Villa manor was lost, bringing the trouble from the Beizhen Fusi. In the end, it all fell apart.

Thanks to handing over all the gold and treasures from his mountain stronghold to Zhang Xiaoshi, he had secured a place under his command and could still swagger around. But just thinking about how his foundation was destroyed made Bai Choushen gnash his teeth in resentment.

Zhang Xiaoshi was also curious about this little girl, who had received so much praise. He wanted to see for himself what abilities she had. But, as Bai Choushen said, some things couldn’t be delayed, and waiting too long could lead to changes.

He dismounted, walked up to Daniu, and said, “It looks like you know where the princess is. Bring her here quickly, and I might spare your life!”

Daniu was already displeased with his attitude. Seeing him approach, he reached out to push him away. “I don’t know! Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you!”

However, before the words were out, he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder.

Looking down, he saw Zhang Xiaoshi’s dagger already lodged in his shoulder.

The villagers nearby screamed in terror and quickly retreated.

Zhang Xiaoshi said expressionlessly, “If it weren’t for Princess Mingyue’s sake, this knife would be in your chest.”

With that, he yanked the dagger out, and fresh blood poured from Daniu’s wound, soaking his sleeve.

Dagen rushed forward, pressing down on his son’s wound and pulling him to the side.

Suppressing his anger, he said, “Since you’re from the Eldest Princess’s side, our village has always had ties with Princess Mingyue. But you raise your hand to take a life—how is this coming to fetch someone? It’s clearly to kidnap her!”

Bai Choushen snorted coldly. “Whether we’re here to fetch her or kidnap her, it’s none of your business. If you’re sensible, quickly bring out the princess. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being rude!”

Daniu, his shoulder throbbing with pain, remembered what Pear Blossom had told him before she left. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, “If my sister doesn’t return, none of you will take the princess!”

Seeing that Daniu still dared to speak up after being stabbed, Zhang Xiaoshi picked up his dagger and walked toward him again.

The villagers were frightened and quickly backed away.

But twenty or so of the ambush team members stepped forward, blocking Zhang Xiaoshi’s path.

Seeing these young men, Zhang Xiaoshi smiled in anger. “So you want to refuse a toast to drink a forfeit? Fine, come at them!”

Hearing the order, several hundred soldiers behind him immediately rushed forward, brandishing their swords.

Dagen hurriedly stepped forward to block, but a soldier pressed his sword to his neck.

At that tense moment, a voice suddenly came from behind the crowd.

“If we can talk this out, why use knives and guns?”

The voice was gentle but carried undeniable authority.

The tumultuous crowd instantly fell silent.

Everyone turned around to see a woman in purple walking slowly out of the crowd.

Her figure was graceful, her face stunning, and her eyebrows exuded an innate nobility that made people hesitant to disrespect her.

Some quickly recognized her, but she seemed so unfamiliar now, a far cry from the gentle and smiling Lady Dong they once knew.

Now, she was surrounded by an invisible aura that made it difficult for anyone to look her in the eye.

A few people had already prostrated themselves, calling out, “Princess Mingyue!”

Others followed suit, kneeling and paying their respects.

Only Zhang Xiaoshi and Bai Choushen stood stiffly, facing her in opposition.

Dong Yun scanned them coldly, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. “So, you’re the ones my aunt sent to fetch me?”

Zhang Xiaoshi and the others were also seeing her in person for the first time, but they didn’t kneel. Instead, they stepped forward and cupped their hands, saying, “Now that there’s unrest everywhere, Jinyang is no longer a place to stay. We’ve been ordered to escort Princess Mingyue to Xisai to reunite with the Eldest Princess. Your Highness, please get in the carriage.”

Dong Yun didn’t move her feet and said calmly, “My aunt has never been one to take the initiative to show kindness. Even if I died outside, she probably wouldn’t come to collect my body. She only waits for people to beg her, and if she’s in a good mood, she’ll grant others’ wishes; if she’s not, it doesn’t matter how much you beg, it’s useless. Now, she suddenly sends someone to pick me up. Could it be that after spending so many years in Xisai, even her temperament has changed?”

Zhang Xiaoshi was not going to answer her and simply said, “We beg Your Highness not to make things difficult for us.”

“Who is making things difficult for whom?” Dong Yun clicked her tongue.

Bai Choushen’s eyes didn’t move, his gaze greedily glued to Dong Yun’s face. “Princess Mingyue is kind-hearted. Surely, you wouldn’t make things difficult for these villagers, right?”

The threat was blatant.

Hearing his provocation, Dong Yun’s eyes locked onto him, and she coldly replied, “Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?!”

Bai Choushen didn’t expect her to come directly at him. His face turned red and pale, but he didn’t dare to overstep Zhang Xiaoshi’s authority, so he had to bow and say, “I am Bai, a subordinate of General Zhang, here to escort the princess.”

Dong Yun, hearing him introduce himself as Bai, immediately guessed who he was. She sneered and said, “The bandit leader of Baihu Villa, now reduced to a stray dog, still dares to bark like this with the power of others!”

Bai Choushen’s face turned from red to white.

Dong Yun didn’t let him off easily, saying, “If Pear Blossom hadn’t been lenient back then and let you go, where would you be here barking like this today?”

The villagers exchanged looks.

“This man is the bandit leader of Baihu Villa?”

“So the earlier battle between the officers and Baihu Mountain bandits, Pear Blossom was involved?”

Dong Yun said, “Not only was she involved, but it was because of Pear Blossom that Baihu Villa could disappear without a trace in Jinyang.”

Bai Choushen, recalling how his base had been destroyed, felt blood rush to his head. His hand holding the sword trembled with rage. If Zhang Xiaoshi hadn’t stopped him, he would have already charged at her.

Upon hearing this, the villagers believed her and admired Pear Blossom even more.

They only hoped she would return soon and resolve this troublesome situation.

In their eyes, this group of people seemed no different from bad guys. Although they claimed to be sent by the Eldest Princess, their disrespectful attitude towards Princess Mingyue, especially the bandit leader Bai, made them uneasy.

After Zhang Xiaoshi restrained Bai Choushen, he said, “Princess, don’t delay any longer. The battle to defend the city isn’t easy, and if we wait any longer, we might not even be able to wait for her to come back.”

As he spoke, he raised his eyes, and five hundred soldiers began to move, surrounding the villagers.

Dong Yun knew she couldn’t stay here any longer.

She sighed softly, glancing with complicated eyes at Mrs. Xiong, who was standing behind the crowd.

Mrs. Xiong’s eyes were red, clearly understanding her intentions.

Bai Choushen, seeming dissatisfied, saw Xia Xunyan standing to one side. Seeing her elegant figure, he immediately recognized her identity and said, “You must be the granddaughter of Prime Minister Xia. It’s thanks to you that the Eldest Princess was able to find Princess Mingyue. Well done.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s gaze turned to Xia Xunyan.

The originally composed face of the female teacher immediately drained of color, her body shivering as if falling into an ice cave.

Dong Yun turned to look at her, her eyes full of unspoken words. Finally, she bit her lip and turned towards the carriage.

Daniu, seeing this, stepped forward, kneeling on the ground, and said to Zhang Xiaoshi, “Since you’re taking the princess to Xisai, what’s the harm in adding one more? I’m willing to drive the carriage for the princess and escort her to Xisai.”

However, Bai Choushen walked up to him, looking down from above, and viciously whipped him across the face, “Who do you think you are to drive the carriage for the princess?”

The whip struck Daniu hard, leaving a bloody mark across his face, and blood quickly seeped out.

It seemed as though Daniu didn’t even feel the pain. He glared at Bai Choushen, wishing he could swallow him whole.

Meanwhile, Cao’er, seeing this, rushed forward and pulled Daniu back, narrowly avoiding another whip.

Dong Yun, who had just turned around and saw this scene, felt her anger rise. She looked at Zhang Xiaoshi and said, “The soldiers of General Zhang, but the one calling the shots is a bandit who joined the cause. If I didn’t know better, I’d think General Zhang had joined the bandits!”

As soon as her words fell, Bai Choushen instinctively withdrew the whip.

Zhang Xiaoshi glared at Bai Choushen and said, “You’re causing trouble. Go to the back.”

Bai Choushen gritted his teeth and could only retreat.

Dong Yun scanned the surrounding villagers before bending down and getting into the carriage.

As the carriage slowly started, the villagers outside knelt, bowing as they bid farewell to the princess.

…

Meanwhile, Pear Blossom and Ghost were engaged in a fierce battle.

Ghost’s eyes were bloodshot. Thinking about how the favorable situation he had was ruined by this little girl, he was so furious he seemed about to explode, his whole body almost possessed by madness.

He spurred his black horse forward, charging directly at Pear Blossom.

Pear Blossom remained unafraid, standing firm on the horse like a pine tree. The large blade still dripped with the blood of the last person.

She kept her focus on Ghost’s figure, slowly urging her horse forward, waiting for the best moment to strike.

As the two horses crossed paths, Ghost swung his sword, the blade cutting through the air with a sharp whistling sound, heading straight for Pear Blossom’s head.

Pear Blossom sidestepped with a swift motion, cleverly avoiding the fatal blow, while the long blade in her hand shot out like a serpent from its hole, aiming straight at Ghost’s chest.

Ghost was shocked. He hadn’t expected this young girl to possess such incredible flexibility and strength.

He quickly retracted his blade to defend himself, but it was too late. The long knife left a deep cut across his chest, and blood immediately spurted out.

The first strike had already gone awry, which infuriated Ghost, his face burning with rage.

However, the pain only fueled his fury. With a roar, he charged again.

He swung his knife wildly, each strike carrying the force of thunder, as if he intended to chop Pear Blossom into minced meat.

From Li Datou to the Third Boss, and now to Ghost, Pear Blossom had gained plenty of experience fighting bandits, and her combat posture became more composed and calm.

But compared to Li Datou and the Third Boss, Ghost was undoubtedly more formidable—stronger, fiercer.

Pear Blossom dared not relax her guard, gritting her teeth and giving her all.

Dozens of strikes were exchanged, each one targeting vital points.

Each movement was filled with full force, with roars accompanying every strike.

The flashing blades and sprays of blood intertwined in the air.

This scene left all the onlookers dumbfounded. The bandits couldn’t believe there was someone in the world who could match Ghost, especially someone as young as this woman.

Murong Jiutian stood atop the city gate, his eyes full of satisfaction, deeply moved.

After over a hundred moves, Ghost was visibly out of breath, while Pear Blossom still maintained the same combat stance as at the beginning.

This made Ghost feel a rising sense of fear.

How could someone fight without tiring? Who is this woman? Could she be… not human?

But at this moment, he couldn’t afford to think too much, because her blade was becoming faster than his.

Each collision of weapons rang with a metallic clang, and every strike was accompanied by the whistling sound of the wind.

It was a heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping sight.

At the moment their horses crossed paths, Pear Blossom suddenly shifted her body to the side, twisting at an incredible angle.

Her long knife cut through the air, creating a dazzling silver arc, with a sharp killing intent targeting Ghost’s left arm.

This strike had been prepared for a long time, and she finally found the opportunity. With one stroke, it was like a bamboo splitting.

Ghost was horrified. He felt the terrifying power of Pear Blossom’s strike, but it was already too late to mount a proper defense.

“Ah—” With a scream, his left arm was severed by the long knife, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

As the blade severed Ghost’s arm, its momentum didn’t stop. The horse and rider continued forward, and only several paces later did Pear Blossom pull the reins to turn the horse around.

All that remained on Ghost’s face was terror and disbelief.

But Pear Blossom gave him no chance to catch his breath. She urged her horse forward again, charging straight at Ghost.

The long knife in her hand exuded a fierce killing intent, aiming for his neck.

With his arm severed, Ghost had lost his fighting ability. He could only watch as Pear Blossom’s long knife came down on him.

Fear and despair filled his heart, but there was no way to escape the fatal strike.

“Swish—”

The long knife fell, and Ghost’s head rolled to the ground, his face still frozen with the terror of his final moments.

His body collapsed immediately, hitting the ground with a muffled thud.

And so, the notorious bully perished.