Chapter 98

"Sir Guo, is Lady Guo about to give birth?" Zhao Hao suddenly asked.

Guo Jing was taken aback, then he smiled lightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It should be any day now."

"At this time, to ask Sir Guo to risk his life and leave the city, I am indeed being somewhat unreasonable," Zhao Hao said.

Guo Jing shook his head and said solemnly, "Your Highness, you are mistaken. My wife and I often discuss the matters of Xiangyang. To be frank, neither of us has any confidence in whether Xiangyang can be defended. In the end, we only have eight words."

A smile appeared at the corner of Zhao Hao's mouth as he said, "Dedicate oneself wholeheartedly until death."

Guo Jing was taken aback again and said, "Your Highness has keen insight. Indeed, it is 'dedicate oneself wholeheartedly until death.' Apart from this, I am not very intelligent and do not know what else I can do."

Zhao Hao patted Guo Jing's shoulder, sighed, and said, "If every man in our Great Song were as steadfast as Sir Guo, I could rest easy."

"As long as Your Highness is here, there is hope," Guo Jing said earnestly.

Zhao Hao smiled bitterly.

I won't always be here.

"Sir Guo, your safety is the top priority. You haven't improved the Dragon Elephant Power, Lady Guo is waiting for you to return, and you haven't even seen your unborn child yet. So you must live," Zhao Hao said.

"Your Highness, please rest assured. I understand. Your Highness, I have a request to make," Guo Jing said, clasping his hands.

"Sir Guo, please speak. Whatever I can do, I will do my best," Zhao Hao said.

"Please give a name to my unborn child," Guo Jing said.

A glint appeared in Zhao Hao's eyes as he smiled lightly and said, "I like this kind of thing. Sir Guo, if Lady Guo is carrying a boy, let's name him Polu. Sir Guo is a man of iron, and I believe your son will not be much inferior."

"Polu, Polu, good. If it's a boy, we'll name him Guo Polu. That's indeed a good name," Guo Jing said excitedly.

"If it's a girl, hmm, at this time, we are defending Xiangyang. Sir Guo fights outside the city, and Lady Guo, despite being pregnant, remains in Xiangyang, never leaving Sir Guo's side. This child being born in Xiangyang is a matter of fate. If it's a girl, let's name her Guo Xiang," Zhao Hao said.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for the name. If it's a girl, we'll name her Guo Xiang," Guo Jing said.

"If I survive this battle and Lady Guo happens to give birth to a girl, I will ensure that Guo Xiang enjoys the treatment of a Great Song princess," Zhao Hao promised.

If it's a boy, too much favor would ultimately be detrimental. But for a girl, there are naturally fewer constraints.

"Your Highness is too kind," Guo Jing said.

"Not at all. Sir Guo and Lady Guo are loyal and patriotic, and have worked hard for Xiangyang. However, Sir Guo's nature is not suited for a career in politics. I must compensate you in some way. Within my capabilities, I do not wish to neglect any meritorious subject," Zhao Hao said.

Guo Jing was moved to tears, but years later, when Zhao Hao fulfilled his promise and even did more, Guo Jing and Huang Rong almost fought to the death with Zhao Hao.

This is a story for later, let's not mention it for now.

...

Smoke and cannon fire filled the air.

In this situation, the gates of Xiangyang slowly opened, and thousands of troops rushed out.

The two people at the forefront were like arrows released from a bow, charging straight ahead.

They were invincible, and wherever they went, the Mongol soldiers were thrown into chaos, unable to stop them.

They were Zhao Hao and Guo Jing.

Both of their martial arts were far superior to others. Although the battlefield was full of danger, it was not a problem for the two of them.

At least, the current situation was not a problem.

Guo Jing and Zhao Hao were heading straight for the center of Kublai Khan's army.

Kublai Khan soon recognized the two and understood their intentions.

"Courageous, they are preparing to kill this king. Indeed, they are courageous," Kublai Khan praised.

Though they were enemies, Kublai Khan genuinely admired the two.

"Your Highness, please step back for safety," Jinlun said.

His right hand was still bandaged, clearly the arrow from Guo Jing had not fully healed in the short half-month.

Kublai Khan waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "With the Imperial Preceptor here to protect, and four powerful warriors to guard, and thousands of battle-hardened troops behind us, if I do not have the courage to face them, how can I command the army?"

Jinlun was silent.

The Mongols valued bravery. If he suggested that Kublai Khan step back again, his position as Imperial Preceptor might be in jeopardy.

Moreover, as Kublai Khan said, his guard today was more than twice as strong as it was half a month ago. Zhao Hao and Guo Jing's desperate move was not unexpected by Kublai Khan.

Kublai Khan had made ample preparations for them, waiting for them to fall into his trap.

But even so, Jinlun was still deeply worried.

Kublai Khan did not understand, but Jinlun knew that sometimes a martial artist could unleash unimaginable power.

Within ten steps, a single person could rival a nation, and in certain situations, this was not a delusion.

In the past, Jinlun had absolute confidence in himself, but recently, Zhao Hao and Guo Jing had repeatedly shattered his confidence.

Jinlun was deeply wary of Zhao Hao and Guo Jing, and subconsciously, he thought Kublai Khan was playing with fire.

Playing with fire could lead to self-immolation.

However, he could not stop Kublai Khan's decision, so Jinlun's heart grew heavier.

"Clear a path for them, give them the chance to reach me. Cut off their connection with the rear. I don't believe that with so many people, we can't take down Zhao Hao and Guo Jing," Kublai Khan said, a bone-chilling coldness flashing in his eyes.

Zhao Hao wanted to strike the dragon in one blow, and Kublai Khan was no different.

If Kublai Khan died, it would be a catastrophic blow to the Mongols.

But if Zhao Hao was killed in the Mongol army, Xiangyang would fall immediately.

Kublai Khan had his own calculations, and Zhao Hao had his own.

So they were both gambling.

Jinlun thought Kublai Khan did not understand, but in fact, Kublai Khan did. He had confidence in himself.

Moreover, he was never afraid of risking his life.

To stand firm on the grasslands and lead a pack of wolves, Kublai Khan's depth and decisiveness were beyond Jinlun's imagination.

Great ambitions are not achieved by playing it safe.

Life offers few chances to take risks. If not now, when?

Zhao Hao was taking a risk, and Kublai Khan was also taking a risk.

They did not know who would win, but they had both done their best.

The rest was a life-or-death struggle.

Life and death, success or failure, would Kublai Khan achieve his grand ambitions, or would Zhao Hao end his life with a single strike, leaving Kublai Khan's soul in Xiangyang?

The outcome would soon be clear.

PS: I have a question. Who is the Legend of the End who took over both the Sword Holding and Shuyan forums? He quietly took over both forum leaders. Are we close?

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