Chapter 00302: The Convergence of Two Enemies
# The Convergence of Two Enemies
Chapter 302
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 302: The Convergence of Two Enemies
On the surface, he scratched the back of his head, pretending to be casual.
"She wanted to die, so of course she wouldn't let us find out. Hmm? What's on the table?"
On the table was another crumpled piece of paper, damp and soggy.
"Take a look," He Chunhua exhaled a breath of resentment.
"Hong Chenglüe sent another letter."
He Lingchuan unfolded the paper and saw that the handwriting was indeed the same as before:
“Hope you return my wife’s remains.”
The words struck deeply, clearly showing that the letter writer was also full of suppressed emotions.
"What does father intend to do? Return them or not?"
He Chunhua was silent for a long moment before waving his hand.
"Return it."
He Lingchuan responded with a nod and was about to leave when He Chunhua suddenly asked, "Tell me, why would she do such a thing?"
"I..."
Before He Lingchuan could answer, He Chunhua angrily continued, "It’s just one peace talk! If it succeeds, fine. If not, then talk again! I don’t want her life, nor her husband’s. We'll release her after three months. She’s so fierce, so resolute—why do this?"
"This should be..."
He Lingchuan thought for a moment.
"It probably has nothing to do with you, father?"
He Chunhua's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Nothing to do with me? Then why would A Jin choose to end her life at exactly that time?"
"She might not want to be a burden to Hong Chenglüe anymore. Dying would end everything," He Lingchuan said quietly.
"She told Hong Chenglüe herself, ‘From now on, the sky is high and the birds can fly freely.’"
A Jin was the string that bound Hong Chenglüe.
If the string broke, he would be truly free.
"And yet, she chose the time during the peace talks!" He Chunhua's roar almost carried for two miles.
"Right when it was about to succeed!"
In truth, he knew that Hong Chenglüe only brought Dong Rui this time, not the army, which meant he intended to compromise.
That meant He Chunhua’s plan was correct and could succeed.
Just a bit more, and the talks would have been settled!
That woman deliberately spoiled his plans.
He Lingchuan fell silent.
It was the first time he had seen He Chunhua so hysterical, and he was genuinely surprised.
Father used to always look like a refined gentleman, graceful and poised.
He Chunhua paced back and forth a few times, as if venting some of his anger through roars.
After a while, he returned to normal and said to his son, "Tell me, how could he cause General Zhao to suffer defeat?"
This was the condition Hong Chenglüe proposed in their negotiations.
Though it sounded unlikely, He Chunhua was filled with doubts now.
Hong Chenglüe wouldn’t make a random threat without basis, right?
He had just consulted with Zhao Pan but came up with no conclusion.
Zhao Pan even laughed and said it was impossible.
"I have no idea, son."
He Chunhua rubbed his temples.
"General Zhao and I agreed that all camps would strengthen security in the coming days. You should stop wandering around.”
Since this had already happened, no matter how angry he was, he had to prepare for the enemy’s retaliation next.
"Yes."
He Lingchuan stepped outside the tent.
He placed two torches on the horse-drawn carriage carrying the corpse and then, after some thought, laid a comb by A Jin’s pillow.
Only then did he order the guards to take the carriage to the forest edge and urged the horses into a gallop.
The horses, feeling the pain of the whip, charged into the forest.
Soon, the torches were extinguished.
After more than ten breaths of time, even the sound of hooves faded into the darkness.
He Lingchuan stared in that direction for a while.
He knew Hong Chenglüe had already received A Jin.
At last, the couple was reunited.
A chill crept over his face; a few drops of water fell.
The sound of rain began to pitter-patter all around.
The rain had returned.
…
Baiming Valley.
Inside the massive mountain cave, a fierce fire blazed.
Hong Chenglüe stood expressionless, watching his beloved's figure engulfed in flames.
The Xunzhou Rangers stood silently behind him, not daring to utter a sound.
Only when dawn broke did the fire die down completely.
Hong Chenglüe stepped forward to collect the ashes, placing them carefully into an urn as he murmured softly, as if comforting her.
He intended to bring his wife home rather than bury her alone in a foreign land.
Wu Qing stood nearby, sweat dripping steadily from his forehead but unwilling to wipe it frequently.
He occasionally stole glances at Hong Chenglüe.
After securing the urn, Hong Chenglüe suddenly turned to him.
"I've taken away A Jin's Cold Dove Pills—why does she still have some? Did you give her more?"
It was coming; there was no way to avoid it.
Wu Qing ignored his dignity and fell to his knees with a thud.
"General, I really don’t understand! I reported everything she said truthfully!"
The last time A Jin asked him for medicine, she also made him promise silence.
How dare Wu Qing break it? Yet, he still reported to Hong Chenglüe.
Hong Chenglüe immediately went to seize the Cold Dove Pills from her.
In theory, this shouldn’t have been a problem.
But Hong Chenglüe ground his teeth until they ached.
Wu Qing suddenly recalled something and promptly said, "Ah! The Frostleaf National Master gave her some elixirs that she took a few times. Could it be... she actually regained some movement?"
Originally, A Jin was paralyzed from the neck down, able only to twitch a few fingers.
Hong Chenglüe hadn’t thought much about taking all her Cold Dove Pills because, without assistance, she couldn’t put the medicine into her mouth.
But now, thanks to Wu Qing’s reminder, he understood.
The Frostleaf National Master’s medicine had started to take effect; she might indeed have regained some mobility!
So she let Hong Chenglüe take most of her Cold Dove Pills but secretly kept a few for herself.
Thinking of this, Hong Chenglüe's eyes burned with fresh tears.
The Frostleaf National Master’s medicine really could cure her.
Her condition had clearly been improving, yet in the end, she still chose to face death!
She paved the way for him with her life!
Wu Qing could feel the killing intent emanating increasingly from Hong Chenglüe, scaring him into remaining kneeling without moving.
Hong Chenglüe glared at the back of Wu Qing’s head, struggling to suppress the impulse to draw his blade.
“You fool! If it weren’t for you giving her the medicine, A Jin would still be alive!” He clenched his fist tightly before slowly releasing it, hiding his hatred deep within.
Wu Qing was an important subordinate trusted by the Frostleaf National Master; killing him outright wouldn’t be helpful for relations back in Beijia.
Sweat dripped from Wu Qing’s forehead onto the ground.
“I have committed a grave error, beyond redemption. Please punish me, General Hong!”
He admitted to making a grave mistake but insisted it wasn’t “causing the madam’s death.” A Jin’s death was of her own will.
Hong Chenglüe exhaled slowly. “Remember this: I will punish you later. Right now, there is one task I want you to do.”
Wu Qing was currently the only link between him and Beijia.
Alone in the great rear of the Yuan army, leading the Xunzhou Rangers in causing trouble, the assistance coming from Nian Zanli and Beijia was especially important.
“Speak, General!” Wu Qing felt his heavy heart finally ease.
If he was given a task, then he wouldn’t be executed.
“I want to meet Nian Zanli,” Hong Chenglüe said coldly. “Arrange it for me. Tell him I have a way to help him achieve his goal—to land on the southern bank of the Han River.”
Wu Qing was stunned.
Was there really such a method?
They had monitored the Yuan camp for many days.
Zhao Pan was a capable commander and strategist; otherwise, the Xunzhou people's advance southward wouldn't have been stopped north of the Han River.
And now Hong Chenglüe said he could easily break through this situation?
“Any questions?” Hong Chenglüe looked at Wu Qing, who remained frozen.
Wu Qing quickly said, “I will handle it immediately!” Ignoring the torrential rain outside the cave, he charged out.
Facing a downpour and floods while contacting the other side—this was his test.
It had to be done.
At such a time, getting soaked was better than staying by Hong Chenglüe’s side.
…
Five hours later.
Hong Chenglüe rode on Dong Rui’s strange bird, flying across the raging river straight to the Yuan camp on the opposite shore.
Although the floods first swallowed the southern bank, the Yuan people had cautiously retreated on the northern shore—pulling back nearly two hundred zhang as well.
Water and fire are merciless—humans could not bear such burdens.
Dong Rui’s bird was not suited to flying in such weather but was aided by lightweight technique, barely managing the short journey.
It landed before the Yuan main camp.
Hong Chenglüe dismounted and saw the formidable defense.
The scene was majestic.
No sooner had he landed than several riders came rushing out.
“State your name!”
“Hong.”
The riders immediately offered a horse, obviously having been instructed beforehand.
“Please, General Hong. Lord Nian waits for you in the tent.”
Hong Chenglüe mounted and followed them in.
The bird shrank down in size, no bigger than a crow, and perched on his shoulder, shaking its head.
This uncommon sight drew the eyes of many.
Then, Hong Chenglüe was led straight to the central command tent.
Someone leaned against the door and, seeing him approaching, disregarded the heavy rain and laughed while holding the reins.
“General Hong, long time no see! I hope you’re well!”
“Nian Lord, it’s been a while.” Hong Chenglüe extended his hand for a palm strike, then dismounted and entered the tent together.
This man had a pale face and long brows, majestic and imposing.
His features bore some resemblance to Nian Songyu.
He was none other than the former Great General of the Northern Yuan, Nian Zanli.
After defecting to the northern demon country, Beijia still appointed him as the governor of Xunzhou—the supreme military and political leader there.
Once seated, their guards promptly offered hot tea and dry towels for wiping faces and hands.
Nian Zanli greeted him warmly.
“Have you eaten? Today we have freshly slaughtered lamb—very tender.”
They were no strangers to each other; once, he guarded Yuan’s northern borders while Hong Chenglüe was the supreme commander of Beijia forces.
Their troops clashed at the border, and he had even taken a loss.
Hearing from Wu Qing that Hong Chenglüe requested this meeting, he took it seriously.
Hong Chenglüe sipped the tea. “Thank you, but no need. I’m here to discuss business.”
True to form, direct and straightforward.
Nian Zanli raised an eyebrow as Hong Chenglüe continued.
“Zhao Pan on the other side has already received ten thousand shi of grain. The one leading the Xia Province supply convoy to the front is the new governor of Xia Province, He Chunhua. Does Lord Nian know of this?”
Nian Zanli’s smile slowly faded.
“I have heard.”
He Chunhua had been on the front lines for several days.
He bore the grudge of a slain son, giving yet another reason to repel the Yuan army and pacify Xia Province.
“Lord Nian has been facing off with Zhao Pan on the northern bank of the Han River for nearly two months. Any plans for a final assault?”
The question carried a subtle challenge, but Nian Zanli pretended not to notice.
“It was originally planned for the end of the flood season. Zhao Pan focuses entirely on defense—he does not dare take the initiative or advance recklessly. He won’t take bait either, only forming entrenched camps.”
Combined with the natural barrier of the Han River, it was indeed difficult to cross to the southern bank.
He paused, then continued, “However, the Yuan army has a major weakness—they are poorly clothed and fed, barely holding on. If we can endure a while longer, we may be able to easily take them.”
Nian Zanli understood the rottenness of Yuan’s politics better than anyone.
No matter how strong Zhao Pan was as a general, the court and ministers held him back.
Yuan’s logistical problems had always been severe.
In terms of a war of attrition, the advantage lay with us.
(End of Chapter)