Chapter 085: Severing Ties and Cutting Off Righteousness

  "What a person!" A low cry suddenly rang out, Qing Xia's hand rose, a cold light flashed and shot up in an instant, like a bullet, and was inserted into the man's neck. The woman in the dark jumped up from the ground, after a few ups and downs, she had already landed beside the man, pulled out the dagger from his neck, a stream of blood gushed out, Qing Xia seemed to ignore it, with a "pa" sound, threw down his corpse, and rushed forward.

  The Nan Chu army camp was in a state of complete disarray, with countless tents burned to ashes, and the remnants of war fires still visible everywhere. A large number of corpses had been cleared away, but the ground was still stained with dark red blood, mixed with mud and chaotic.

  Qing Xia gripped the dagger, held up the silver spear, and leaped around the camp like a leopard, her eyes scanning the surroundings sharply. Along the way, she found that large-scale battles seemed to be concentrated in some camps in the southwest, among which the camp of Heng City's West Lin family was the most brutal, with blood accumulating over a foot thick, making it feel like trampling on a bloody basin. The air was filled with the stench of rotting flesh, Qing Xia's eyebrows were tightly furrowed as she walked slowly through the North Camp, surrounded by an eerie silence, occasionally interrupted by the low, mournful cries of wounded soldiers, which were quickly suppressed.

  The originally burnt-to-ashes central military tent was rebuilt in a short while, and the huge tent stood towering in the center of the camp with bright lights. Qing Xia tore off the bandage on her small foot, bit one end with her teeth, and wrapped it around the arrow wound on her arm, tightly stopping the bleeding. The cold helmet covered her head, and the green leather armor was stained with dark red blood that had solidified. The cloak behind her had been discarded during the previous escape, Qing Xia's body was full of wounds, but she still stood upright, her body strong. She slowly exhaled, hiding in the shadows, her eyes fixed intently on the direction of the central military tent like a hawk, while her heart was bleeding profusely.

  Qin's flames, is it really you? At this moment, the one who has been holding down the southern Chu and northern camps, the one who can turn his hand into clouds and cover his hand with rain, the one who annihilated the heavy troops of Southern Chu, the one who took away Zhuo Lan's wife and killed Xi Lin Yu Qiao... is it really you?

  Qing Xia clenched her lips tightly and stared at the large tent, but if it wasn't for you, who else would have spared my life?

  Qing Xia gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and suddenly sprang up, rushing towards the central military camp.

  "What a person!"

  A loud shout suddenly rang out, and several lightly armored soldiers flashed by in the shadows, raising their long knives to slash at Qing Xia. Qing Xia thundered forward, suddenly jumping into the air, flying up with one foot, and fiercely kicking a soldier's abdomen, her right hand swinging, the dagger slicing across another soldier's wrist holding the knife, the entire action taking less than three seconds. Qing Xia landed steadily and sprang up again, running towards the main camp without any hindrance.

  "Assassins are coming!" A sudden cry rang out, Qing Xia was stunned, and suddenly raised his head in shock. He saw Xu Quan rushing out of the camp, and when he saw Qing Xia covered in blood, he was shocked.

  Qing Xia's heart suddenly rose with a thread of wild joy, looking around, only to see that the people surrounding him were all subordinates of the Black Guard. This group of soldiers who couldn't find any trace in the war, at this moment, had all gathered here without any damage. Seeing them guarding beside the main camp, Chu Li must also be here.

  However, this joy did not last for a second. Qing Xia was struck as if by lightning, and she stood there in a daze. She slowly furrowed her brow, as if thinking of something, and widened her eyes in horror, looking at Xu Quan incredulously.

  The armor-clad guard looked at her disheveled appearance and merely turned his head slightly to the side, not daring to look straight into her eyes.

  A huge shock suddenly rose to her mind, Qing Xia gripped the silver long spear in her hand tightly, which was stained with blood, and her face was full of anger, as if she wanted to verify something, and strode towards the camp gate.

  "Miss!" Xū Quán hastily intercepted her, his face looking worried, and said: "Miss, listen to me."

  "Get out of the way!" Qing Xia's face was gloomy, like an ancient icy glacier. She raised her head coldly and said in a low voice: "I'll only say it once!"

  "Miss, listen to me explaining..."

  With a loud crash, Qing Xia raised his long spear and brought it down in a thunderous slash. Xu Quan dodged too late and was pulled away by the guards beside him, but still suffered a large gash on his arm. Qing Xia's bloodthirsty gaze slowly turned to him, his voice cold and menacing as he shouted: "Who dares to stop me again?"

  The girl's bloodthirsty eyes were like those of a mad beast from the southern border, but with an even more terrifying fury and hatred. Her eyes were fixed firmly on the crowd, sliding over each face, filled with anger, sorrow, despair, and deep accusation.

  These, were her comrades-in-arms since the previous day, she had put in a lot of thought to train them, and used a lot of heart's blood to instruct them, she regarded them as friends and family, but at this moment, she could only see one cold and ruthless face after another, everything here was so piercing, all that had happened before was so heart-wrenching, she slowly turned her head around, looking at the brightly lit barracks, slowly, step by step, walked past.

  "Girl!" Le Song suddenly rushed out of the crowd, knelt down at Qing Xia's feet with a thud, and the stubborn man's eyes were red, his head heavily knocking on the muddy ground.

  "Girl! It's us who owe you an apology, don't humiliate yourself like this, go get bandaged and treated first."

  With a loud "bang", Qing Xia suddenly kicked up one foot, heavily kicking Le Song's chest. Le Song let out a muffled groan, rolling backwards, fresh blood gushing from the corner of his mouth, but still quickly scrambling to get up, kneeling in front of Qing Xia.

  "Miss!" The uniformed roar rose in unison, and all the black-clad guards knelt on the ground, shouting loudly. These stubborn men blocked Qing Xia's path with their knees, looking at this fierce woman who had fought side by side with them for many days, her body covered in blood, wounds blurred, and eyes filled with pain and hatred, only feeling a ferocious killing aura spreading throughout the sky and earth.

  A strong gust of wind suddenly blew up, lifting the yellow sand all over the ground. The grains of sand hit Qing Xia's cold armor, making a crisp and metallic sound.

  Her green summer hair was disheveled, and she gazed at the group of men kneeling on the ground in front of her, unmoved. She simply raised her neck stubbornly, her eyes coldly fixed on the golden tent, her gaze filled with intense sorrow and unutterable hatred.

  "Let her in!" A low voice came from the big tent, all the black-clad guards were stunned for a long time before slowly making way under Xu Quan's lead.

  The cold wind swept across the ground, stirring up the withered grass and sand. On both sides of the road knelt the most elite troops of Southern Chu. Qing Xia grasped her silver spear tightly, gazing at the path leading to the general's tent. Her heart ached as if it was being hacked away piece by piece with a giant axe. She clenched her fists so hard that her fingernails dug into her flesh, her eyebrows twisted together, and her eyes narrowed, filled with overwhelming emotions swirling like stormy clouds. The long spear smeared with blood trailed on the ground, leaving a deep mark. She lifted her foot and slowly walked towards the camp entrance just a few steps away.

  One step at a time.

  Everything seemed to be in slow motion. The black-clad guards on both sides hastily lifted their heads, looking at the petite girl, watching her walk step by step towards the central military camp, each step heavy as if treading on people's hearts. In the darkness, the flames crackled and popped loudly, and in the vast northern camp, only Qing Xia's heavy footsteps and the crowd's heavy breathing could be heard.

  It wasn't a long way, but Qing Xia felt like she had been walking for so long. The surroundings seemed to be empty all of a sudden, with only the ancient wind howling and blowing. That night, Xilin Yuqiao's image of throwing herself into her brother's arms and crying out loud still lingered in her eyes - such a sharp and resolute girl, one who loved and hated so clearly, one who dared to love and hate, what was she fighting for? And what exactly had drawn her into this bloody storm.

  The heavy curtain was slowly lifted, and Chu Li's handsome and elegant face appeared in front of Qing Xia.

  He sat on the main seat in the central military tent, with a golden chair that shone brightly. The four corner lamps sparkled and flickered, making Qing Xia's eyes almost unable to open. The air was filled with the fragrance of high-quality dragon incense, and the entire tent was warm, comfortable, and emitted a strong aroma of nobility. Chu Li wore a bright yellow brocade dragon robe, with a yellow jade belt, almost merging with the chair behind him. He had a majestic appearance, with black hair hanging down to his shoulders, without any injuries, looking as if he had just taken a bath.

  Is this the Southern Chu Great Emperor that Xilin Yuqiao and I must go through life and death to rescue?

  Is this really the person Xilin Yuqiao can't forget even in death?

  Is this really the person she has been thinking of and wanting to come back to inform and protect at all costs?

  A big tear suddenly rolled out of her wide-open eye sockets, and she was covered in mud and blood all over her body. Her face was stained with blood, and it was almost impossible to see her original appearance. There were wounds on many parts of her body, and blood was still seeping out from her hands and arms. Under the cold helmet, her small face looked like a ghostly symbol, dirty and smelly. Her clothes were torn and tattered, and she looked like a hungry ghost who had just crawled out of a pool of blood, exhausted to the point where her legs were trembling.

  But she still looked at him, staring tightly, staring to death, those past events, those bygone years, those bits and pieces that one had to face as soon as they opened their eyes, came flooding in like a tidal wave. From start to finish, the entanglements, the inexplicable feelings that couldn't be cut off, the repeated escapes, the repeated reunions, the repeated hand-in-hand overcoming of difficulties, and the words he spoke while standing in front of her, dripping with endless heart's blood, echoed repeatedly in her heart during those days.

  "Qīng xià, this might be the last time in my life that I want to believe in someone."

  But Chuli, did you ever really believe in me? When have you ever believed in me?

  You used to not believe in Zhuang Qingxia, bitterly forcing her to be bait. Later on, you declared to the world that I was a wanton woman. In the imperial prison of Shengdu, you firmly believed in my betrayal and captured me, wanting to kill me. Today, you still hide the truth about the war with Shaanxi and Qin State, designing a massacre against the eight major families. And now, you set up another deadly trap, eliminating all forces that rebelled against you. But was there ever a time when you thought of believing in me and telling me everything?

  Even if it's just once!

  Chu Li, you never had it, and you never will. Although you handed over the command of the Black Guards to me, all the Black Guards knew that I was the only one who was kept in the dark. When I was anxious to go rescue you, you might have been hiding in a certain large tent, quietly waiting for news of victory. The life and death of Zhuang Qingxia had nothing to do with you from start to finish.

  The emperor's promise is indeed the cheapest thing in the world. With great talents like yours, how can you believe anyone in this life?

  You toy with the world in the palm of your hand, but have you ever thought that there was someone who almost truly believed in you? Your ruthless tactics and designs to eliminate dissent, at the time when you were about to decide whether to stay by your side forever, did you ever think that there was someone who almost wanted to respond to you? When you are poisoned and in danger, but still manage to say something to attack your opponent, have you ever thought that the person listening to you is truly willing to respond to you?

  No! You never thought of that. From start to finish, everything you have is just for your own future, for your own tyranny, for your Southern Chu imperial power.

  And foolish as I am, I still choose to stay by your side, being deceived time and time again, yet still wanting to believe in you!

  On that day, in the Yunxiang Hall, Chu Li's words to Dan Fei echoed again: In this world, there is no one, nothing more important than the mountains and rivers of Da Chu.

  As expected, you're a successful emperor, and I'm just a foolish woman.

  Slowly wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, Qing Xia coldly raised her head and said in a slow tone: "This drop of tear is not shed for you, but for Xi Lin Yu Jiao. She lost her sight and believed in someone she shouldn't have."

  Chu Li sat on the throne, looking at Qing Xia's blood-stained and battered body, and suddenly couldn't say a word. All explanations were pale and unnecessary at this moment. He could only stare at her, his eyes wide open, but unable to utter a single word.

  Taking advantage of the remaining prestige of intimidating the eight major families, the Imperial Guard collectively transformed into fierce bandits, emerging from the inner camp and catching them off guard. The eight major families were naturally annihilated. Mrs. Zhuolan had already borne the crime of secretly communicating with the Southern Border, and now that she had been rescued, her guilt was further solidified. Although the elite forces of the eight major families were lost, their wealth remained. Only by eliminating their entire power in the court could they have the opportunity to gradually regain control. Chu Li's linked plan was ingenious, reaching its peak, with no one daring to surpass him, including himself, who was also deceived while being in the midst of it. By the time those people reacted, the eight major families had already dispersed and vanished into thin air. Even if they knew, how could they avenge this deep blood feud?

  No wonder Li Zihou suddenly became loyal, it turned out that Chu Li had long been clear about the relationship between Li Yuan and Nanjiang, and had won over Li Zihou, eliminating him in a clever move, cutting off the retreat of Zhuo Lan's wife, and even obtaining a forged letter from Zhuo Lan's wife. Chu Li's arrangements were ingenious and flawless, with someone to take the lead everywhere. From start to finish, he seemed to be in the midst of the storm, but in reality, he had long since retreated behind the storm to observe coldly.

  A stab in the back, a borrowed knife to kill someone, these effortless moves he used to perfection, exceptionally clever.

  Qing Xia suddenly remembered what Zhuang Father said, that the Crown Prince was a stunning and elegant person, so how could he repeatedly put himself in a trap?

  "Everyone in the Xi Lin family has been killed by you?" Qing Xia stood in front of Chu Li, asking in a low voice.

  "En," Chu Li nodded slowly, "Xilin Yue escaped with Xilin Yu's youngest son, but within a hundred miles, they were surrounded by the black-clothed guards, he can't escape."

  "Why?" Qing Xia furrowed her brow, still unable to help but exclaim loudly: "Heng Cheng Xi Lin's loyalty is unwavering, all the family heads in Shadan thought that going to charge at the beast group would be certain death, only he was willing to follow you, his father repeatedly saved you, and Xi Lin Yuqiao was willing to die for you! Such a family, why not let them have a way out?"

  Chu's gaze was fixed firmly on Qing Xia, and he said slowly: "I can't guarantee that Xi Lin Rong is not a deep schemer who has seen through the secrets of Sha Dian. I also can't guarantee that the next generation of the Xi Lin clan will still be loyal to the monarch and love their country."

  Qing Xia's unbelievable raised eyebrows, what kind of person is this? In his heart, is there anything worth believing in? Can the reason for being unable to guarantee something become a reason for killing?

  "The eight great families are the biggest tumor in Southern Chu, and for many years they have been a constant thorn in our side. If I had the chance, how could I not eliminate them with one move?" Chu Li suddenly stood up from his seat, his expression slightly agitated, and slowly walked towards Qing Xia, his eyes red, speaking in a low voice: "But Qing Xia, I never thought of hurting you. During the battle at Sha Dandi, I was afraid you would follow me and get hurt, so I didn't tell you, but you still received the news and rushed to go. When the seven great families raided our camp, I also didn't plan for you to handle it, and later when the time came for the Imperial Guard's raid, I even told Xu Quan to pull you back to the main tent, where there is a secret passage that can avoid this disaster, but unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn. Qing Xia, I really never thought of hurting you, this is true."

  Qing Xia looked at the man in front of her with a cold gaze, feeling that he was so unfamiliar. How could he mention Xilin Yuqiao's name so casually? That strong-willed and proud young lady had died on that desolate grassland for him, and even now, her body remained exposed to the elements, pierced by countless arrows.

  She's still so young, not even seventeen years old yet.

  Endless sorrow and despair surged up in Qing Xia's chest like a tide, she suddenly felt short of breath, tightly grasping her own chest, raising the other hand to stop Chu Li from approaching her.

  "Qing Xia, how are you? I'm begging you, please heal your wounds first. Later, no matter what you want to do to me, it's fine." Chu Li could no longer maintain that self-righteous expression he thought was correct. He looked at Qing Xia with a pained heart, seeing the injuries all over her body, and said sorrowfully: "You can hit me, you can scold me, I've wronged you, but please don't torture yourself like this."

  With a loud crash, everything in front of her turned black for an instant. Qing Xia had been fighting for a day and night, and the fierce battle with the beast earlier had almost taken her life. The girl, who was already severely exhausted, leaned against the pole supporting the tent, trying to calm down the anger in her chest. But unexpectedly, a surge of blood suddenly churned up, and a large mouthful of fresh blood spurted out instantly, splashing onto the luxurious carpet.

  "Qīng Xià!" Chǔ Lí cried out in horror, about to rush forward.

  "Get out!" Qing Xia bellowed, raising her long spear high and pointing it at Chu Li, shouting angrily: "Take one more step forward, I'll kill you!"

  "Alright, alright, I won't come near, don't get agitated." Chu Li hastily said, shouting towards the guard outside the door: "Call a military doctor, call a military doctor over!"

  "Your Majesty," Le Song's voice sounded outside the door, "there is currently no military doctor in the Northern Camp."

  Chu Li was taken aback, and then said to Qing Xia: "We'll go back to Xiangyi, we'll return to Shengdu. Qing Xia, I will definitely find the best doctor, the imperial physician to treat you."

  The entire Xi family was beheaded, where is the so-called military doctor? Qing Xia's heart was like a knife cutting when she heard this, she coldly looked at the man with the wind god jade pendant and lightly laughed: "Chu Li, now that things have come to this, do you still think I'll go back to Shengdu with you?"

  Chu Li was shocked by his words and hastily said: "You promised me, you promised that as long as I didn't die, you would follow me back to Shengdu."

  "Hmph," Qing Xia sneered, the mocking intent in her eyes growing thicker. However, she no longer wished to say another word to this man. She dragged her heavy long gun, her footsteps almost trembling slightly, but still steadily moved step by step towards the outside of the tent. Her voice was low and husky, yet carried a coldness as sharp as freshly forged steel.

  "Chu Li, I won't kill you now, and Xi Lin Yu Qiao wouldn't want me to either. But know this: from now on, Zhuang Qing Xia and you have no relation whatsoever. Whether you live or die, rise to greatness or fall into ruin, I won't spare you another glance. Likewise, whether Zhuang Qing Xia ends up homeless on the streets or dead in a desolate wilderness, it has nothing to do with you. From now on, we two are done; if we meet again, we'll be either strangers or sworn enemies!"

  "Qing Xia!" Chu Li was shocked and suddenly rushed out of the big tent, chasing in the direction of Qing Xia.

  Qing Xia angrily shouted, without looking back, fiercely swung his spear, and with a "whoosh" sound, drew a deep mark in front of Chu Li. At this moment, a strong gust of wind suddenly rose, and the sky was filled with swirling sand, countless grains of sand forming a hazy yellow line between the two people, making it impossible for them to see each other's faces.

  Qing Xia stood with his back to Chu Li, the silver long spear stuck in the ground, and said sternly: "You're a man, once you've done it, you should acknowledge it! If you've lost, don't regret it later! Why must you be so wishy-washy and act like a woman, just to disgust people!"

  Chu Li was stunned for a moment, and his footsteps suddenly stopped. Xu Quan and the others looked at Qing Xia's resolute figure, knelt down on the ground in unison, and shouted loudly: "Young lady!"

  "I've said all I need to say, you can take care of yourself from now on!"

  Under the dark night, Qing Xia's figure gradually disappeared into the dense black clothes. The bleak wind rolled over the withered wild grass, and Chu Li stood alone in the empty camp for a long time.

  This day was the most important day in Chu Li's life. He successfully eliminated the elite forces of the eight major families at the smallest cost, uprooting the power of each major family in the court, and for the first time in the 300-year history of Southern Chu, truly regained imperial power. From then on, the emperor of Southern Chu was no longer an empty shell, he grasped the elite of the entire Southern Chu, monopolizing all power, laying a solid foundation for his future legacy, and establishing a strong root base.

  But many years later, when he recalled that stormy night, he still didn't know how to express his feelings. He only knew that on that silent and bloody night, he sat alone in front of the north gate of Beiyuan, drinking all night, wanting to get drunk and never wake up again.