TNIBFT -Chapter 328 Surrender of Former Troops

Princess Leyang?

Tao Lichun’s expression turned tense. His weathered face was full of disbelief, and his murky eyes stared emptily ahead as he murmured to himself, “Princess Leyang?”

“How could it be?”

Everyone exchanged glances. Zhao Kang, seeing his teacher’s reaction, reached out to support Tao Lichun. “Teacher, could it be that Princess Leyang has some extraordinary abilities?”

The group turned serious, looking toward Tao Lichun.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Only Qin Fengyi remained calm, her expression indifferent, while Nanfeng pursed his lips, wearing a look of disdain.

“Princess Leyang’s status is exalted. She is the youngest daughter of the late emperor, and she shares the same mother as the current emperor. She was doted on as the apple of the royal family’s eye. Even the princess’s servants, as long as she was pleased, could be granted official positions by imperial decree,” Tao Lichun said, frowning. “Princess Leyang rarely intervenes in court affairs, but for her to oversee the army, the emperor of Daliang must have placed his utmost trust in her.”

“This battle is bound to be extremely dangerous!”

Tao Lichun looked at Ye Tian, his face full of worry.

Nearby, Fang Shenghu said, “That’s why we absolutely cannot go to Hengcheng this time. It’s obviously a trap—going means no return!”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Old Yang, who had initially looked eager, dimmed at their analysis and slumped alone in a corner.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to save Xiao Xun’er—he simply lacked the ability.

Frustrated, he clutched his knees. If it weren’t for his own recklessness, Xiao Xun’er might not have ended up in this situation.

“If we don’t go, Princess Leyang will still kill the Xiao siblings and continue conscripting troops to attack Sifang City,” Ye Tian said.

Given the current situation, there was no way to avoid this battle.

“By staying in Sifang City, we have cannons and muskets. They will hesitate for now, and we can minimize the losses of war,” Ye Tian continued.

What he said was true, and the group’s faces were clouded with worry.

Old Yang suggested, “How about this: I impersonate the city lord and go alone to Hengcheng to rescue the Xiao siblings. I’ll return immediately afterward!”

The group fell silent.

This plan was completely unfeasible. For one, Princess Leyang wouldn’t be so easily deceived, and even Lin Qingyao, the first to appear, was extremely skilled. That indicated there were even more formidable people around Princess Leyang. Old Yang going alone would be a death sentence.

Ye Tian waved his hand. “No need!”

“If you want me to go, then I’ll go. Perhaps we can even take Hengcheng, making them pay dearly for their losses,” he added.

“I’ll go with you!”

Qin Fengyi spoke immediately, worried about Ye Tian.

Ye Tian smiled. “When husband and wife are united, their strength can cut through iron.”

“If Princess Leyang wants us to go, we’ll take the troops. By then…”

Ye Tian planned to explain his strategy to the group. Though risky, with Sun Wuji accompanying him, the danger wouldn’t be too great.

“How about it?”

“If no one has additional suggestions, then it’s settled!” Ye Tian said. The group exchanged glances. Tao Lichun frowned, raised his fists to speak—

“Hahaha…”

A hearty laugh came from outside. Ye Tian turned and saw Zhu Heyu and Zhu Zhongyi, father and son, entering with a broad-shouldered man sporting a full beard. The three of them wore joyful expressions. The big man was imposing, with piercing eyes, arched brows, and a commanding presence even without anger. He wore the standard sixth-rank general’s armor of Daliang, looking very formidable.

“Young Master!”

Zhu Heyu greeted Ye Tian with a fist salute, then turned to the large man. “This is Miao Changqing. Brother Miao and I followed the great general on campaigns north and south, fighting many battles together.”

Ye Tian nodded slightly.

Miao Changqing sized Ye Tian up, then quickly lowered his head and knelt on one knee. “Young Master, I’ve finally met you!”

“All these years, my body was in Cao’s camp, but my heart was with Han. Not a single day went by that I didn’t want to avenge the Grand General’s blood debt. I only regretted that my own strength was so meager that I had no choice but to drag myself along. A few days ago, I heard the Young Master had taken Sifang City, and I wanted to come protect him. But the Young Master was in the eye of the storm, and I feared causing him trouble. Only today, knowing the Young Master was in danger, did I dare bring my troops here,”

Miao Changqing spoke, tears streaming down his face.

Everyone in the hall was deeply moved.

Before Ye Tian could respond, he continued, “I brought my men across a thousand li from Liucheng. Your subordinates were late, and you suffered because of it!”

Having said this, Miao Changqing fell to his knees, his forehead striking the ground heavily, showing utmost sincerity.

“Brother Miao…”

“Brother Miao, there’s no need for this. None of us can fully control our own fate!”

Before Ye Tian could speak, Zhu Heyu and Liao Fanjun, moved to tears, comforted Miao Changqing.

Ye Tian said, “Rise.”

With Zhu Heyu’s help, Miao Changqing got to his feet.

Qin Fengyi scrutinized Miao Changqing.

All eyes in the hall were on him.

“Hahaha, so this is the Young Master’s wife? I heard she’s from Dazhou?” Miao Changqing spoke first. Qin Fengyi’s expression remained calm as she nodded slightly. Ye Tian turned to her and said, “Go check if Shuangxue is awake.”

Qin Fengyi nodded, and Nanfeng followed her out.

Miao Changqing glanced at Ye Tian, then at Qin Fengyi’s back, his expression ambiguous. Seeing Ye Tian look his way, he smiled and said, “The Young Master and his wife truly are harmonious.”

“By the way, when I entered earlier, I heard the Young Master mention that Princess Leyang wants him to go to Hengcheng?”

“The Young Master must not go. Around Princess Leyang are experts of Super-Saint rank. There’s no coming back from that.”

Super-Saint rank?

Everyone’s faces turned pale with fear. Lin Qingyao was formidable, but only Nine-stage Great Perfection. A Master-level expert is already hard to contend with, and now a Super-Saint? Only Sun Wuji might be able to handle that.

Ye Tian nodded. “To be honest, I’ve already planned to go to Hengcheng.”

Miao Changqing froze.

Seeing that Ye Tian wasn’t joking, he laughed heartily, “The Young Master truly has extraordinary courage. In that case, I am willing to risk my life to accompany you. I will bring ten thousand elite soldiers to Hengcheng with you. Regardless of life or death, I only wish to follow the Young Master!”

Miao Changqing knelt again, his voice loud and resolute, striking the ground with conviction.

Zhu Heyu and the others wept tears of joy. “It’s as if the Grand General himself blesses the Young Master from heaven!”

“With Brother Miao’s support, the Young Master is guaranteed victory in this battle!”

The hall was filled with jubilation. After all, Miao Changqing had served Ye Tian’s father, and coupled with his sincerity and honest, loyal demeanor, no one doubted his loyalty.

With his ten thousand men, Ye Tian’s chances of taking Hengcheng increased significantly.

…

Night fell.

Sifang City had short days, making the nights feel even longer.

The three little ones had already finished washing and were lying on Qin Fengyi’s bed, their small heads peeking out, eyes sparkling as they waited for her.

Creak!

The wooden door opened, and the three children immediately sat up. Seeing Ye Tian, their eyes lost all light.

When they lay back down again, Ye Tian sighed. “What’s with those faces?”

“Not welcoming me?”

“Should I leave then?”

Ye Tian pretended to turn away. Ye Shuangxue immediately called out, “Dad… wait!”

Ye Tian stepped toward the bed, smiling. “At least my daughter is considerate. The two little ones… I guess they were raised in vain.”