Chapter 1519 – Annihilating Nie Liang, Attacking Yang Tao, Aiming for the World (Part 58)
“Lord, how should we handle Nie Yang’s remains?”
Seeing Jiang Pengji step out of the tent, Wei Ci hurriedly approached with a question.
Jiang Pengji replied, “Nie Yang left a last wish before he died, hoping that I would burn his body.”
Burn?
Wei Ci’s eyes widened in shock. While it was true that their lord preferred to use fire on the battlefield to dispose of both enemy and ally corpses, it was only because rotting bodies could lead to massive epidemics—an act of extreme necessity. In current times, bodies were not to be desecrated, let alone burned. That would be viewed as “grinding bones and scattering ashes.” Who would have thought that fire cremation was Nie Yang’s own suggestion?
“Why… would he leave such a wish?”
Wei Ci puzzled over this. According to what he knew of Nie Yang in the past life, the young man, despite his age, was no saint.
“He said he ‘had no guilt towards heaven and earth, yet he still owed one person.’ His decision to be cremated is likely related to that person he feels he owes; perhaps it’s a way of atoning for himself,” Jiang Pengji explained. “I will fulfill his wish; let his ashes be returned to the Nie camp.”
“Understood.”
At the moment Nie Yang died and the System was destroyed, not only did his body regain its original form, but Nie Qing, far away at the Nie camp, also sensed something strange—a wave of unfamiliar urgency stirred in his chest. A peculiar feeling spread throughout his body, like something was crawling inside.
“Father-in-law—”
Nie Qing couldn’t help but call out, and Wei Ying and Fan Chen, who had been patiently waiting outside, rushed in upon hearing the commotion.
“Youth Master!”
“Lord!”
As the two called out, they witnessed a scene that would stay with them for a lifetime.
They saw Nie Qing’s body lengthen slightly, his shoulders broaden, and his features undergo a dramatic transformation.
“Are you feeling unwell, Youth Master?”
Seeing Nie Qing regain his original appearance, Wei Ying felt a bit relieved, rushing forward to grab his arms and check him over several times with excited eyes. When he realized his behavior was inappropriate, he quickly withdrew his arms.
Nie Qing reassured him gently, “There’s nothing wrong, Father-in-law, please do not worry.”
Fan Chen stepped forward with a smile, “So, it seems the monster and Nie Yang have both been vanquished? We no longer have to worry.”
Just as Nie Qing was about to smile, the mention of Nie Yang’s defeat made his previously lifted lips stiffen, retreating into silence.
Noticing his reaction, Wei Ying felt a tinge of worry but found it inappropriate to say anything further.
“Youth Master, this matter is not advisable to discuss widely. Nie Yang killed his own kin for personal gain and plotted against you, so since he’s been dealt with now, the matter can be closed. The Nie Clan will receive an explanation. The priority now is to return the remains home; you should rest tonight and depart tomorrow,” Wei Ying succinctly shifted the blame for Nie Liang’s actions onto Nie Yang, conveniently avoiding discussions about the past.
Well, since Nie Yang was already dead, what could he possibly do from the grave to protest?
Nie Qing, sensing the tension, complied with Wei Ying’s arrangements.
Not long after sunset, Jiang Pengji sent someone to place Nie Yang’s ashes in a clay urn and sent it to the Nie camp, along with his last words.
Nie Qing remained silent for a long time, staring blankly at the urn of ashes, lost in thought.
Wei Ying inquired about how to handle the ashes; given Nie Yang’s actions, burial in the ancestral grave was out of the question.
If given the choice, Wei Ying would prefer to scatter the ashes completely, condemning Nie Yang to be a wandering soul for eternity.
Nie Qing stated, “Father-in-law, I wish to take him back to Bianzhou and find a place to bury him.”
The man was already dead, and Nie Qing didn’t want to delve any deeper.
Even if he scattered Nie Yang’s ashes cleanly, what good would it do besides venting his anger?
Rather than torturing the dead’s soul, it was more about whipping the hearts of the living.
Wei Ying agreed, “Everything shall be as you say, Youth Master.”
Nie Qing then asked, “As for Liu Xi… did Father have any further instructions before passing?”
Both armies were paused from fighting only due to Nie Liang’s death, but battles would still need to be fought unless one side retreated.
Currently, Jiang Pengji was in a strong position, and though the Nie Clan had sustained losses, it hadn’t reached the point of retreating.
Wei Ying said, “The late Lord did make arrangements before his passing, but they were put on hold due to Nie Yang’s situation.”
Nie Qing sighed in relief. “That’s wonderful; I will trouble you with matters at the front.”
They could not delay returning the remains, and Nie Qing set off the next day.
After secretly sending Nie Qing off, Wei Ying’s expression turned grim, glaring towards the Zhanjiang Pass with a hint of anger.
Though the poison inflicted on Nie Liang had originated from Nie Yang, the one who repeatedly provoked him to his early demise was Jiang Pengji.
This debt must be settled.
Jiang Pengji stared at the war letter in her hand, chuckling incredulously, “I just helped them, and now they’re coming after me.”
Idle folks expressed their disdain; after all, they were the ones most aware of Jiang Pengji’s actions.
【Stowaway Non-Money】: Wei Ying threatened to confront the broadcaster; with the seventh day since Nie Liang’s passing already gone by, his silence is nothing but a slap to his own face.
【Jia De Le】: The broadcaster is clearly slandering first; it’s evident that you caused Nie Liang’s death first, so their retaliation against you is certainly justified.
Jiang Pengji shook her head, flipping the war letter over onto the table. She called out loudly to the outside, “Quickly summon the military advisers!”
Before the soldiers could even move, they saw Qi Guanrang moving swiftly toward the main tent, looking serious.
“Minister Wen, you’ve arrived just in time; I have matters to discuss with you.”
Qi Guanrang replied, “Lord, don’t rush; there is an urgent report from Zhangzhou.”
Jiang Pengji took the letter Qi Guanrang handed her, saying, “Forget it, Nie Liang is dead, and the Nie Clan is leaderless. Nie Qing is still just a fledgling; he poses little threat. What has changed in Zhangzhou that makes you so anxious?”
Though labeled as urgent, it was actually old news from several days ago.
Jiang Pengji unfolded the letter and skimmed through it, her brow furrowing deeper with each line, igniting a flame of ire within her.
“These noble families in Zhangzhou… are they all itching for a fight?”
Jiang Pengji hadn’t anticipated that the first problem they faced would not come from Yang Tao’s forces but rather from the noble families of Zhangzhou.
Yang Si and others, in order to gain insight into the waters of Zhangzhou, advanced by clearing out water bandits, only to find themselves obstructed by Yang Tao’s troops, leading to several minor naval battles fought fiercely on the water.
Seeing the momentum shifting, the noble families within Zhangzhou could no longer sit idly by.
Upon hearing the news of Nie Liang’s death at the battlefront, the scales began to tip in Jiang Pengji’s favor.
Yang Tao’s forces were weak in numbers, and Jiang Pengji could easily manage a two-on-one situation—this battle didn’t bode well at all.
To protect their status and power in Zhangzhou, the noble families began to covertly reach out to Jiang Pengji’s troops.
