Chapter 96

Note: Here is the second update with 4,000 words. Today, I have two updates totaling 12,000 words, equivalent to six updates from others. Brothers, do you have any monthly tickets? I beg for your support!

...

For the people of the Tian Shui Earl's Manor, the sky had already fallen.

Tian Shui City had fallen, and there was no way to return. Going back meant certain death.

The Earl's Manor in the capital was about to be reclaimed, and the king had already issued an edict, ordering them to leave the capital by tomorrow.

Thus, the Su family, apart from a title and an empty position as the Lord of Tian Shui City, had nothing left.

In this vast world, where could the Su family find a place to settle?

At this moment, everyone in the Earl's Manor had already packed their belongings, with everything prepared—hundreds of horses and dozens of carriages.

Originally, they were to set off for Tian Shui City as soon as it was light.

But now, the entire world seemed to have no place for them to stay.

Su Ningbing stood there for over half an hour, motionless, as if she had lost all her senses.

She never thought that happiness would be so fleeting, just a few days of joy.

Now, the nightmare had returned, and this time, it was even more complete.

But soon, she calmed herself down. How bad could things get?

Compared to the night her father left, compared to the night Su Lun had died, what was tonight's bad news?

She was the oldest in the family, the big sister, and she had to remain calm.

As long as Su Lun was still alive, as long as she was still alive, the Su family had not fallen.

"Where is Xiao Lun?" Su Ningbing asked.

"Master has gone out," Ye Jingyu said. "He went to find Duke Zhitin to ask for his help in protecting our family members who are staying in the capital."

Then, Ye Jingyu continued, "The family warriors' leaders have something important to discuss with you."

Su Ningbing nodded and said, "Let them come in."

"Yes," Ye Jingyu replied.

A quarter of an hour later, the five family warriors' leaders all arrived in the meeting hall.

"Currently, the Su family is once again facing a fatal crisis. A single misstep could lead to our complete destruction," the family warrior leader Su Mu said. "We need to decide our next move quickly."

The Internal Affairs Department would come to reclaim the Earl's Manor at dawn, and they had to leave the capital. Where should they go? In this vast world, was there a place for them to stay?

Now that Tian Shui City had fallen, where should they go? A decision needed to be made.

Su Ningbing said, "What do you think we should do?"

"Find Lord Su Hanyi," the family warrior leader Su Mu said. "The battle report says that Lord Su Hanyi was severely injured by an assassination, which is why Tian Shui City fell. Otherwise, with Lord Su Hanyi's military prowess, he would not have lost."

"Exactly!" Everyone present nodded.

Previously, when 30,000 rebel troops attacked the city, Su Hanyi defeated them in just one day. If not for the enemy's treachery and Su Hanyi's severe injury, Tian Shui City would not have been lost.

Su Mu said, "There is some good news. At least Lord Su Hanyi is still alive. The city guards have already taken him to safety. We should go and join Lord Su Hanyi. Once he recovers, we can retake Tian Shui City."

"Agreed," another family warrior leader said. "Once the young master realizes his mistake and joins forces with Lord Su Hanyi, we can definitely retake Tian Shui City."

Su Ningbing said, "Raise your hands if you agree to finding my brother."

Instantly, all five family warrior leaders raised their hands.

Su Ningbing said, "Alright, I will tell Su Lun your opinion and let him make the final decision."

Ye Jingyu said, "If we are to join Lord Su Hanyi, we cannot take the servants and maids with us. We can only take weapons and food supplies, nothing else."

Su Ningbing said, "Take out all the remaining gold coins and distribute them to the servants and maids. Let them find a place to settle in the capital. Once Su Lun and my brother retake Tian Shui City, we will immediately bring them back."

Half an hour later.

The servants and maids of the Tian Shui Earl's Manor gathered in the courtyard, tears streaming down their faces.

Because the journey ahead was too dangerous, and they had no martial skills to protect themselves, they had to stay in the capital.

Despite holding gold coins that they could never earn in a lifetime, their hearts were empty. They had been with the Su family since they were very young and had completely considered this place their home.

Moreover, they had the best masters. Although Su Lun was frivolous and flirted with every beautiful maid, he was very good to his servants.

Now, they had no home. Even with money, they would become wandering ghosts.

"Don't cry, don't cry," the steward shouted loudly. "Those who have received money, do not spend it recklessly. We will find a house. Everyone will still live together and help the master gather information in the capital. The master will definitely retake Tian Shui City, and then we can return home."

"Yes, yes, the master and Lord Su Hanyi will definitely retake Tian Shui City, and we will definitely return home," the servants shouted loudly, encouraging themselves.

Su Ningbing said, "In the capital, Su Lun will have Duke Zhitin protect you. No one will bully you. Once Su Lun and my brother retake Tian Shui City, I will immediately send someone to bring you back home."

"Yes..." all the servants and maids cried in response.

"Take care of yourself, Miss, and take care of Master Su Lun!"

"Please don't forget, we will always wait for the master's call in the capital. If you abandon us, we will become wandering ghosts..."

Su Ningbing could no longer hold back her tears, and they flowed uncontrollably.

Wiping away her tears, Su Ningbing said, "Are all the family warriors ready?"

Ye Jingyu said, "One hundred family warriors are ready with enough arrows, each with two horses, and their weapons are sharp. They are ready to set out and fight at any time."

Su Ningbing said, "Alright, each warrior should keep their reins in hand. As soon as Su Lun returns, we will immediately leave the capital and join my brother Su Hanyi."

"Yes," Ye Jingyu said. "All warriors, keep your left hand on your sword and your right hand on the reins. As soon as the master returns, mount your horses and go to find Lord Su Hanyi."

"Yes," all the family warriors shouted in unison.

...

A quarter of an hour later, Su Lun, dressed in armor, entered the Earl's Manor and saw the tearful servants in the courtyard.

He had just been to Duke Zhitin's manor to ask for his protection for these servants.

"I have found a place for you to stay, and even a shop for you to manage," Su Lun said. "Duke Zhitin has agreed to protect you, so no one will bully you. Wait in the capital, and once I retake Tian Shui City, I will immediately bring you back home."

"Yes," the steward and all the servants said.

"Go, this eunuch will take you to your new home," Su Lun said.

The eunuch said, "Follow me, you are lucky to have such a kind master."

Then, the eunuch from Duke Zhitin's side bowed to Su Lun and said, "Master Su Lun, this servant wishes you success in retaking Tian Shui City."

"Thank you," Su Lun said.

Led by the steward, dozens of servants and maids knelt down and bowed three times.

"Go, no crying," the steward shouted loudly. "Remember, the master will definitely retake Tian Shui City, and we will definitely return home."

Then, led by the steward, dozens of servants and maids, carrying their belongings and gold coins, followed Duke Zhitin's eunuch, looking back as they left the Earl's Manor and their master.

Ye Jingyu led a snow-white steed to Su Lun, who mounted it and looked at the one hundred fully armed family warriors behind him.

Su Ningbing, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, came over to Su Lun and said, "Little brother, the family warriors think we should join my brother. What do you think?"

Su Lun said, "Who said we should find Su Hanyi? Follow me, don't ask where we are going."

This statement left all the family warriors stunned.

Su Lun shouted again, "Follow me, don't ask where we are going."

"Yes," the family warriors shouted in unison.

Taking one last look at the Earl's Manor, Su Lun tightened the reins and spurred his horse forward, saying, "Go, out of the city!"

Then, one hundred warriors and two hundred warhorses galloped through the capital's streets, breaking through the dark dawn, and sped away.

On both sides of the street, many windows opened, revealing eyes filled with sadness and pity, watching Su Lun and his group ride away.

In their eyes, Su Lun would never return to the capital alive, let alone Tian Shui City.

"The Su family has perished today!" the nobles thought to themselves, feeling a sense of loss.

...

Su Lun led over a hundred family warriors out of the capital through the east gate.

Suddenly, someone blocked the road. It was Li Chenglian, the chief eunuch from Duke Zhitin's side.

"My master requests that Master Su Lun come for a talk," Li Chenglian said.

Su Lun did not dismount and followed Li Chenglian to a carriage.

Duke Zhitin got out of the carriage and looked at Su Lun, saying, "Tian Shui City has fallen, and you are free. Why not stay and help me?"

Su Lun did not answer and did not dismount.

Duke Zhitin said, "In this vast world, there is no place for you to stay. Once you leave the capital, you will face certain death. Staying and serving me is your only way to survive."

Duke Zhitin was not threatening but openly telling Su Lun that leaving the capital meant certain death.

"Living gives you hope," Duke Zhitin said. "Tian Shui City is lost, so don't be stubborn. Your life and your sister Su Ningbing's life are the most important. If you go, not only will you die, but everyone with you will die. I have no choice, but you do."

Su Lun looked at Duke Zhitin and understood everything from his words.

Beyond a hundred miles from the capital, he would face countless assassins and attacks.

With his and the hundred family warriors' strength, they could not survive the endless killings. The only outcome would be total annihilation and the extinction of the Su family.

According to Duke Zhitin, staying in the capital and serving him was the only way to survive. It seemed to be the only choice.

Su Lun said, "Duke Zhitin, how about we make a bet?"

"Speak," Duke Zhitin said.

Su Lun said, "Give me five months. If I retake Tian Shui City within five months, I win. If I don't, I lose."

Duke Zhitin said, "What if you lose? What if you win?"

Su Lun said, "If I lose, I will give up all my ambitions and serve you wholeheartedly, no matter what enemies you face, even if the enemy is the ruler of the kingdom."

"You, you see through it?" Duke Zhitin's eyes narrowed.

Then, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, saying, "Alright, I'll give you five months. If you don't retake Tian Shui City within five months, you belong to me."

Then, Duke Zhitin got back into the carriage and said, "Su Lun, I won't send anyone to kill you within these five months, but I will do everything to stop you from retaking Tian Shui City. As for others who try to kill you, I can't control that. We both have to give this bet our all."

With that, Duke Zhitin left.

Five months, with only a hundred warriors, no territory, and no army, retaking Tian Shui City, which was guarded by tens of thousands of rebels, was nearly impossible.

At least, it was more difficult than winning first place in his final exam. There was no hope of success.

"Out of the city," Su Lun shouted, leading the family warriors out of the capital and galloping eastward, toward the unknown path.

...

Riding at full speed, they were soon ten miles out of the city.

Suddenly, a group of snow-white steeds appeared on the wide road ahead.

On one of the horses was a woman.

A woman so beautiful that she surpassed all others, a woman whose beauty gathered the essence of the world.

A woman more beautiful than even Zhi Ning and Su Ningbing.

A woman of unparalleled beauty, whom Su Lun had never seen before, either before or after his reincarnation.

She wore a snow-white silk dress, held an ancient sword, and rode alone toward the capital.

Her cold, jade-like face, her clear, water-like eyes, and her transcendent, serene, and distant demeanor.

Her presence made everything around her seem like a backdrop.

The scene she created instantly turned into a painting.

Her beauty made the air around her seem to freeze.

Though Su Lun did not recognize her, he immediately knew her name in his heart.

Princess Zhi Yan, the only child of King Zhi Bian, the most powerful successor of the Divine Dragon Temple.

Such a noble person, riding alone back to the capital.

Seeing Su Lun's group, Princess Zhi Yan gently pulled the reins and moved to the side of the road.

Su Lun led his hundred riders past her quickly.

Their eyes met for a moment, and in that instant, Su Lun felt that her eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky.

In a flash, Su Lun's group rode away, leaving a trail of dust behind.

Princess Zhi Yan, however, remained spotless. She gently spurred her horse, returned to the road, and continued toward the capital.

Su Ningbing approached Su Lun and whispered, "Little brother, where are we going?"

Su Lun said, "To Linhai City, to marry Gui Qishao, and to repay the great favor of her father, Gui Xingfu, from twenty years ago. We will ask him for troops, money, and territory."

Su Ningbing said, "This, this will be very difficult. There are many who add flowers to brocade, but few who give coal in the snow, even if Gui Xingfu owes us a great favor."

Su Lun said, "If I say I need to borrow, he cannot refuse. If I say I need to marry, she cannot refuse."

His words were filled with absolute confidence.

Retaking Tian Shui City in five months, this impossible task, would begin in Linhai City, starting with his fiancée. (To be continued.)