Xie Ming

Continuing from the previous article
Throughout history, there has never been a war without deaths.

"A hard-fought battle can leave hundreds or thousands of people dead in the wilderness, their heads severed and their bodies separated."

“Commander Xiao, we’ve been with you ever since we came out of Beijing.”

"Five hundred heads, fighting in the south of the capital, holding Shandong, breaking through Jiujiang, and defending Nanjing."

"Have you counted them yet? How many are left?!"

"Yes, as people say, 'One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand.'"

"You are the commander-in-chief, of course you cannot die."

"If you die, you will be letting down the brothers who died in foreign lands."

"So today, it's my turn, Liu Zhecheng."

It was rare for Master Liu to mention his own name, but in this speech, he not only expressed his determination but also harbored a lot of resentment, intending to give Xiao Jingchuan a final reminder.

When Guo'er heard Xiao Lang's words, he was speechless with embarrassment and shame, and choked up on the spot.

Seeing Xiao's embarrassed expression, those around him remained silent, unsure of their own opinions.

Fortunately, Master Liu, being a man of principle, clasped his hands in a fist salute, knelt on one knee, and raised his head.

"Xiao Jingchuan!" The name was called out, startling him awake.

“Xiao Jingchuan, ever since I, Liu Er, joined the army with you, I have never asked you for anything in all these years.”

"But no matter what, I owe you my life!"

"I've been waiting and waiting all this way."

"This is the day I've been waiting for, this is my chance to repay your favor."

"Please, I'm begging you, just say yes!"

"Today looks like a good day to me."

"Hangzhou is a nice place. The moon is full on the fifteenth of the lunar month. I, Liu Zhecheng, am prepared to die here!"

"After tonight, we'll be even."

After saying that, Master Liu got carried away and, disregarding Xiao Lang's attitude, simply kowtowed again on the ground.

Then, Deng Ran straightened up and turned his head to prepare for his death.

Xiao stood there, stunned by the scene, his mind in a daze. It wasn't until Liu Er was about to leave that he snapped out of his daze and quickly called out to stop him.

"Second Master Liu!"

Upon hearing the sound, Liu Zhecheng instinctively stopped and glanced back, his expression still resolute.

"Xiao Jingchuan, you must truly become the master of this world in the future."

"When the time comes, don't forget us, don't forget these old brothers who risked their lives for you."

"And let's not forget the suffering of the people right now!"

"So, I didn't die in vain."

He then clasped his hands in a fist salute, his intention already severed, and did not linger any longer.

Xiao Wufa, this man bravely went to his death and never looked back.

A gentleman would rather die for his confidant than leave Yanjing with his sword.

A white steed neighs on the broad road, generously seeing me off.

His hair bristles like a precarious crown, and his fierce spirit surges through his long tassel.

At the farewell banquet held on the Yi River, heroes gathered in the four seats.

The sound of the Shang note brought tears to my eyes, and the Yu note startled the brave warriors.

Knowing full well that he would not return, yet he would still have a name for posterity.

A short while later, about a quarter of an hour had passed.

Outside Shili Slope in Beiguan, Hangzhou, there was a moment of silence before the sudden wind and rain.

A group of cavalrymen, about to set out according to plan, were giving their equipment a final adjustment in the shadows.

Having just thoroughly enjoyed his verbal sparring, Liu Erye Liu Zhecheng is now impatiently donning his armor and helmet.

He casually smeared ash on his face.

The one wearing armor on the side next to the other is the harbinger of misfortune.

When he arrived, his brows were furrowed, and he busied himself with putting on armor and helmet.

On the way, Master Liu was filled with emotion before leaving, especially in front of his closest brothers from the past. He couldn't help but complain a bit, even though there was nothing to say.

"Hey, hey, oh dear, why are you tying it so tight?"

"You've already strangled me before I've even mounted the horse!" Master Liu seized the opportunity to vent his frustration.

Unexpectedly, the jinx had a stern face and was not in a good mood.

"Humph!"

"Stop talking nonsense." "If I had known you'd end up like this, I would have pulled you out of the pile of corpses back in Anqing."

"That way I can avoid getting stabbed twice."

The jinx has not spoken since Liu Yi took his place in death.

Hearing Liu Zhecheng's words, he was just looking for a way to vent his anger.

So he gritted his teeth and, determined to prove them wrong, gave him a good beating.

In truth, for those who have shared life and death, it is truly unbearable to do such a thing.

Upon hearing these words, the man understood the man's intentions. Master Liu was not angry; instead, he offered words of comfort.

"Hehe, it was bound to happen sooner or later."

"I guess I got what I wanted."

"Ugh, what a jinx."

"I'm not trying to be mean, but you'd better change this number from now on."

"It's too discouraging; you'll never find a wife," Liu said.

Clearly, the jinx was still furious. He didn't stop what he was doing and glared at her sideways.

"You're speechless now?"

"If you have nothing to say, then shut your mouth," said the jinx.

"Yes, it's still the same."

"Well, I'll take my leave first. I'm used to being a leisurely person, and I haven't bought anything before I leave."

"Well, the mouthpiece on my pipe is made of ivory."

"How much... hehe, even if it's not worth much, it's still worth a few dollars. Here, take it as a keepsake."

Master Liu spoke with a dejected and bitter tone, as if he were making his final arrangements.

Upon hearing this, the jinx suppressed his emotions, but he was still taken aback by these words. He stood still for a moment before gritting his teeth and pulling back.

"Huh, no need."

"Once you've finished this errand, you'd better hurry back to me, and you can clean up your own mess."

“A few days ago, I left two jars of wine at the Nanjing Hesheng Wine Shop on credit, and you even put them in my name.”

"I don't care. You owe me those three taels of silver. You have to pay me back when the reward is distributed."

By deliberately creating a mess, this jinx is trying to evade the issue and find some excuse for Liu Zhecheng's survival.

Upon hearing this, Master Liu smiled wryly, understanding the unspoken message.

But if one is about to die, why hold onto such thoughts?

"Hahaha, no, no."

"We can't leave with debts on our hands."

“Perfect, you can pawn that cigarette holder to settle the debt, then we’ll be even, how about it?!” He deliberately adopted a resolute stance.

Upon hearing this, the jinx fell completely silent, sniffed, and held back the tears welling up in his eyes.

He suddenly added force to his hand, tightening the magic armor on Master Liu's back.

Suddenly, Liu Zhecheng was grimacing in pain.

Just in time, Gu Changting came over to take a look before leaving.

A quick glance swept over him, and Liu Zhecheng straightened up like this.

Changting, with his keen eyes, noticed that the man's waist was wrapped with black explosives.

One circle to the left, one circle to the right, and it was bound inside the leather armor.

Seeing this, Changting was startled and quickly took two steps forward, tearing open the front armor.

"This, this, this"

After a long while, Changting must have understood Liu's resolute determination to leave. For a long time, he was speechless, unsure of what to say.

Master Liu smiled with relief, brushed it off lightly, and patted Changting on the shoulder.

"Heh, we made quite a few of these things back in Henan with the jinx."

"I tried it a few months ago when we attacked Jiujiang. Good heavens, when it exploded, it almost deafened me."

"Changting, tell the general after I leave the battlefield."

"This mission will surely succeed!"

Even if I can't stop you at the North Gate, I'll still make sure you hear a sound before I die!

"Then, you can just charge in boldly! Huh? Hahaha."

(End of this chapter)