Chapter 92

Gao Xiang was currently at General Hengye's residence, completely unaware of what his capable subordinates were up to. He was already in a foul mood, and hearing this news would surely make him furious.

Just as the sun was setting, a messenger from Long Jimo claimed to have important matters to discuss and summoned Gao Xiang to the residence. However, after two hours had passed, he was still sitting alone in a side hall, having drunk five or six pots of tea, while Long Jimo had yet to receive him. Gao Xiang asked the maidservants several times, but they could not explain the reason. After a while, even the servants who brought tea and water disappeared, leaving him stranded.

There were a few warriors standing outside the hall, but they were Long Jimo's trusted guards, who were always haughty. Gao Xiang did not bother to interact with them. Given his temper, if someone else had treated him this way, he would have exploded in anger long ago. However, Long Jimo was his superior and had treated him kindly, so Gao Xiang endured it.

Gao Xiang sat in the side hall for another half an hour as the sky grew darker, and the side hall became pitch black. He watched as oil lamps were lit one by one in the distant halls, but no one came to take care of him.

Gao Xiang got up and walked around for a few steps, suddenly feeling his abdomen full from drinking too much water. He was too lazy to call for a servant, so he slipped out of the back hall when the guards were not paying attention, and walked along the empty corridor to a place with lush flowers and plants to relieve himself. It was indeed impolite to move around freely in someone else's residence, but as a warrior, he did not have so many formalities.

After he had a satisfying urination, he felt much more relaxed. He scratched his crotch and walked back unsteadily. Just as he was halfway back, he suddenly heard Long Jimo's voice from the other side of the corridor. Gao Xiang was startled and quickly hid himself. It was not that he was guilty, but his clothes were not properly adjusted, and his hairy thighs were exposed, making it inappropriate to meet his superior.

As Long Jimo walked along, he said, "Gao Xiang is a man of extraordinary bravery. Dozens of men cannot get close to him. Therefore, I let him sit here for half a day to wear him down, and then I will arrange someone to deal with him. Why should the Left Xianwang risk his life personally?"

Gao Xiang was tying his waistband behind a pillar when he heard these words. He was so shocked that he was momentarily stunned, unable to react.

Then he heard the clear and courteous voice of the person called "Left Xianwang": "My father raised an army to resist the Jin, not for personal gain, but to revive the Han dynasty. We have a broad-minded attitude towards the heroes of the Jin. Therefore, if possible, I would like to talk to this man and try to recruit him for our cause." He paused and said softly, "As for my safety, with a loyal and brave general like Long Jimo by my side, what is there to worry about?"

Long Jimo chuckled, clearly very pleased. They talked for a few more sentences and then walked around the end of the corridor toward the side hall.

This conversation was like a bucket of ice water poured over Gao Xiang's head. He felt his limbs turn cold, and he could hardly stand, leaning against the pillar to keep from falling.

Who was General Hengye Long Jimo? He was the trusted aide of the former Inspector of Bingzhou, Sima Teng, and a major general appointed by the current Inspector of Bingzhou, Liu Kun! Such a person was actually colluding with the Xiongnu?

From the conversation, the person called "Left Xianwang" was undoubtedly a Xiongnu. Who was the current Left Xianwang of the Xiongnu? It was Liu He, the eldest son of the Great Chanyu Liu Yuan! This person was the heir to the Xiongnu Han dynasty, with a very noble status! For such a person to enter Jinyang at night, it could not be just to talk to him...

Although Gao Xiang was rough, he was not stupid. He immediately realized that something significant was about to happen. He held his breath and did not move until Long Jimo and Liu He passed the corridor and headed toward the side hall. Then he quietly moved in the opposite direction. After rounding a wall, he immediately ran at full speed.

Gao Xiang had been to General Hengye's residence a few times and knew the way well. He turned two corners and reached a side gate. Just as he was about to find an opportunity to escape, he was surprised to see over a hundred of the general's personal guards standing in a small courtyard by the gate. Wang Chang, Long Jimo's trusted subordinate, was facing away from him, giving orders to the guards. Gao Xiang ran straight out and collided with them, only ten steps away.

Gao Xiang's facial muscles twitched, but before he could speak, Wang Chang reacted first, shouting in shock, "Gao Xiang has escaped! Catch him!" At his command, the guards roared in response and rushed over.

There was no time for words. Gao Xiang roared and drew his saber, swinging it in a circle and charging straight at the guards. Though he was alone, his momentum was as strong as that of dozens of men.

Although he had only been under Long Jimo's command for a little over a month, he had already gained a reputation for bravery in the military camp. The guards, intimidated by his ferocious appearance and unwilling to fight for the Xiongnu, hesitated for a moment, slowing their charge.

Gao Xiang seized this opportunity. As the guards hesitated, he turned and ran. After a few steps, he used the edge of a water jar for leverage and leaped onto the wall.

He had not expected such an event when he came to General Hengye's residence, so he was not wearing armor and did not have his usual weapons. Therefore, he could not face the fully armed guards head-on. However, this also made him more agile and slippery. The guards, lacking wings, could not catch him. Moreover, Gao Xiang was on the wall, taking a straight path, while the guards were shouting and chasing him along the corridor, quickly falling behind.

Gao Xiang ran like a cat on the wall for a while, then jumped out of the general's residence. He rolled on the ground and stood up, looking around. The outer wall of the residence was next to a narrow alley about ten feet wide, with another high wall on the other side. He vaguely remembered that the other side of the wall was an abandoned residence.

He ran a few steps toward the alley entrance, but suddenly realized that if Long Jimo blocked both ends of the alley, he would be trapped like a fish in a barrel. So he quickly retreated along the alley.

Fortunately, the city of Huguan had been through battles, and many houses were in disrepair. There were several gaps in the high wall large enough for a person to pass through. He found a gap and quickly crawled through. By the time the guards converged at both ends of the alley, he was long gone.

Wang Chang returned in frustration.

In the side hall where Gao Xiang had been received, dozens of blue porcelain lamps were lit, making it as bright as daylight. The handsome Left Xianwang Liu He sat in the main seat, with Long Jimo's seat below.

Under the eaves of the hall, several gruesome, blood-soaked heads were placed, clearly belonging to the warriors who had been on duty outside the hall. Long Jimo kicked one of the heads with his toe and sneered, "They couldn't even handle a small task. Such useless men are better off dead!"

Wang Chang entered from the side door and heard Long Jimo's words, instantly feeling weak all over. He rushed forward, knelt, and bowed, "General! I am incompetent, and Gao Xiang has escaped!"

This report made Long Jimo even angrier. He shouted, "All of you are useless! A bird in a cage can still fly away!"

Liu He, however, remained calm. He stood up and walked down the steps, raising his hand to signal Long Jimo to stop shouting.

"General Long, do not worry. I have already sent men to capture Gao Xiang, and we will have news soon. Additionally, I have sent Mr. Hou Mo to convey my intentions." He paused and added, "Mr. Hou Mo is both virtuous and talented, and I intend to use him greatly. I wonder if General Long is willing to part with him?"

Long Jimo was a man with a strong sense of self-interest. Over the years, he had cultivated a group of loyal followers. When he secretly colluded with the Xiongnu, he did so to protect his own power. After several secret letters, the Xiongnu not only promised him high office and rank, but Left Xianwang Liu He had personally entered Huguan two days ago to meet with him, showing great reliance on him. This made him feel very satisfied and gave him the confidence to issue orders in front of Liu He without much restraint.

However, upon hearing these words, Long Jimo was suddenly startled and hurriedly bowed deeply, "I will follow the wise decision of Your Majesty!"

Liu He's words implied two things: first, he had a hidden, powerful force in Huguan that did not need to rely on Long Jimo for everything; second, the chief clerk Hou Mo, who was Long Jimo's trusted aide, had apparently changed his allegiance. If even a core advisor like Hou Mo could switch sides, could he be sure that his other subordinates were loyal? Liu He, though seemingly gentle and kind, was the heir to the Xiongnu Han dynasty and had the ability to manipulate situations with great skill...

Long Jimo suddenly realized that his earlier outburst was rash, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

******

Although it is inevitable that niche works will struggle, one always holds a bit of hope. So, I continue to earnestly request clicks, red tickets, and collections. Thank you all.

I also want to thank Lord Ni Yi and Lord Bu Shi Feng Dong for their generous support. I wish you both a pleasant reading experience.

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