TSWRLM -Chapter 318 Lanshu Is a Ruthless Person

Xuanyuan Lang’s mobilization feast was extravagant, with abundant food and drink for everyone.

Lanshu and Wei Lingze also had seats at the table.

Neither of them were accustomed to the cuisine of the Yuexi chefs. Seeing the beef and mutton, still bloody and reeking of strong gaminess, made them both queasy.

But Lanshu played along. When Xuanyuan Lang declared he would crush Zhāolíng and claim the Dragon Throne, he raised his cup and shouted cheers in support.

Wei Lingze rolled his eyes at him.

Soon, though, he couldn’t even maintain a reaction, because Xuanyuan Lang had draped an arm over his shoulders and brought him before everyone:

“Everyone, this is our friend, the young General Wei. He’s mapped out the terrain of Zhāolíng, detailed their military tactics, and explained the army’s training habits. Now we know Zhāolíng inside and out—we are certain to be invincible in battle!”

Whether genuinely praising him or mocking him, Xuanyuan Lang said this in the Zhāolíng language.

The Yuexi soldiers only understood the last sentence and shouted together: “Invincible! Invincible!”

The noise was deafening.

Wei Lingze’s lips pressed tight, his face stiff as wood. Xuanyuan Lang didn’t let up—he had each of his sub-commanders make Wei Lingze toast them one by one.

Forced to drink, Wei Lingze noticed Lanshu smiling at him from him seat, him eyes curved in amusement, as if responding to his earlier eye-roll.

Dog servant!

He cursed inwardly. Soon, he was drunk and swaying back to his seat. Xuanyuan Lang rambled on in Yuexi language for a while longer before bringing up Prince Ying.

Prince Ying had none of Lanshu’s sycophancy, possessed less intelligence, and knew even less about military affairs than Wei Lingze. Other than being a prince, he was of no value to Xuanyuan Lang and had been confined like a dog in a cage these past days.

Prince Ying had also become addicted to the “Ecstasy Incense,” but during withdrawal, nobody gave him any, and his daily meals were reduced to a bowl of thin congee and hard, cold buns.

In a short time, the once-proud and dignified prince had become a filthy, beggarly figure.

Seeing Xuanyuan Lang, he had no trace of his former arrogance and knelt, repeatedly kowtowing and begging: “Please, give me some incense! I can’t bear this suffering. I’ll do anything if you just give me incense!”

The Yuexi soldiers, all aware of Prince Ying’s identity, burst into laughter at his humiliating display, as if all the royal family of Zhāolíng had fallen at their feet.

Wei Lingze clenched his fists, anger surging in his chest. Lanshu, however, laughed heartily along with the Yuexi soldiers, his eyes full of ridicule as he looked at Prince Ying.

Wei Lingze frowned. In the next moment, Xuanyuan Lang tossed his crescent-blade saber onto Lanshu’s table:

“In accordance with our Yuexi custom, tonight someone must be sacrificed to the gods. Your prince is too filthy. I don’t want to dirty my hands—this is your task.”

“Yes.”

Lanshu stood, placing his right hand on his left shoulder, performing the standard Yuexi salute to Xuanyuan Lang. He then picked up the curved saber and walked step by step toward Prince Ying.

Under the moonlight and firelight, the blade glinted coldly. Prince Ying hadn’t realized the danger and pleaded: “Lanshu, please, intercede with General Xuānyuán. I’ll give him all the money in my palace if he gives me incense!”

Lanshu didn’t respond. Without hesitation, he swung, cutting Prince Ying’s left shoulder.

Pain struck him, finally bringing him some clarity. Hearing the laughter of the Yuexi soldiers and seeing Lanshu’s expressionless face, he realized the peril he was in.

He grabbed his arm in fear, shouting: “Lanshu! Don’t forget, I saved your life! Without me, you’d be dead! You can’t repay kindness with enmity!”

Lanshu raised the saber, delighted by the crimson blood on the blade. Smiling wickedly, he said:

“The prince’s ‘favor’ I can never forget. But if you hadn’t been captivated by my mother’s beauty, plotted to force my father’s entire family out of the capital, and sent people to hunt my family, how could I have had the chance for you to save me?”

After speaking, he struck again, driving the blade into his shoulder blade.

Prince Ying screamed in agony, denying everything: “No! I didn’t do such things! You’re mistaken!”

Lanshu withdrew the blade, some blood splashing onto his face. He grew even more amused and struck his leg with another blow.

“You saved me, kept me by your side, fed me luxurious food, coerced me into sleeping with you, and later lured me into Wúyōu Pavilion as a male courtesan to avenge myself—every one of these things I remember.”

Had it not been for Wúyōu Pavilion, he might still have been blind to the truth, revering the killer of his family as a benefactor.

After three consecutive strikes, Prince Ying finally gave up, weeping and begging: “I was wrong! I’ve wronged you! Just don’t kill me! I’ll give you anything!”

Heh…

Lanshu sneered.

Ever since learning the truth over half a year ago, he had been contemplating how Prince Ying should die.

Simply stabbing him to death was far too cheap. And with his guards around, killing him outright would mean his death too—it wasn’t worth it.

The “Ecstasy Incense” gave him a better plan.

He had initially considered revealing clues for Wei Lingze or the Crown Prince to eliminate Prince Ying, but fate handed it to Xuanyuan Lang instead, giving him the chance to kill him personally.

Perfect.

“What can the prince give me?”

He asked, swinging the saber and chopping off Prince Ying’s left leg.

His life had been ruined by him over a decade ago; his body had been tormented and violated by him. Nothing could ease his pain except killing him.

“I have no children yet… I can take you as my adopted son, and all titles and wealth would be yours…”

Prince Ying hurriedly promised everything he could think of. Lanshu, disgusted, laughed louder.

He had slaughtered his family, pretended to save him, humiliated and abused him, and now wanted to adopt him to make him honor his murderer—it was absurd.

“Save those words for the King of Hell.”

“No—”

Prince Ying’s eyes widened, panic-stricken, but the next moment, his voice was cut off—Lanshu struck his head off.

The Yuexi soldiers erupted in cheers. They didn’t know what had been said between Lanshu and Prince Ying, only that the spectacle of two Zhāolíng people fighting each other was thrilling.

Xuanyuan Lang had Prince Ying’s body displayed atop the city tower, bringing the feast to its climax.

Lanshu returned to his seat, quietly washing the blood and grime from his hands and face.

Previously, Wei Lingze had looked down on him, but after seeing how Prince Ying was killed, his gaze toward Lanshu changed.

Lanshu—he was a ruthless person.

The mobilization feast continued until the early morning. Everyone, full and satisfied, went to sleep. But at dawn, the sound of ox horns woke them.

The protective moat around Wēngzhōu had been cut off.