Chapter 1576 – Cutting Down Nie Liang, Attacking Yang Tao, Sword Pointing at the World (114)
If Yan Lin initially paid no mind to Yang Si’s provocation, a hint of murderous intent now flickered in his heart.
Just as he said, if it weren’t for the dozen guards Yang Si had waiting at the door, he could have easily slammed Yang Si down and punched him out!
“Could there be even worse news?”
Yan Lin, usually calm and composed, rarely loses his temper, even if the news Yang Si brought was the worst of the worst.
Yang Si chuckled, “Of course there is! Listen up, but you better hold it together.”
Yan Lin fell into a peculiar silence for a moment. He had done some digging into Jiang Pengji’s people, and as one of the important ministers, Yang Si was naturally a focal point. All he wanted at that moment was to grab the informant and give them a roaring reprimand—this information was seriously distorted!
The reports described Yang Si with words portraying him as cunning and unruly, with a style that didn’t bother with trifles—aside from his less-than-ideal background, he seemed flawless. However, seeing him in person was a different story… Yang Si in reality was… hard to describe.
“Speak! Yan is listening.” Yan Lin was as economical with his words as ever.
Yang Si began, “Earlier, during the two armies’ engagement, Yang Tao sent his young wife and child away ahead of time…”
He had barely started when Yan Lin was on the verge of losing it again, the depths of his concealed emotions swirling violently like brewing ocean waves.
“When Yang Tao’s forces stood against us, An Huan sent people to persuade the southern noble families. Once the news of Yang Tao’s defeat spread, the southern factions that had been indecisive immediately shifted allegiance. To prove their loyalty, and as a threat to Yang Tao, they captured Yang Tao’s wife and children, as well as your kin.” Yang Si’s low voice felt like a hammer, striking Yan Lin’s heart with every word.
Yan Lin had already crushed his teacup; lacking anything else to destroy, he vented his fury on the table before him.
Watching Yan Lin lose control of his emotions as he broke a corner of the table, Yang Si suddenly recalled his lord’s bronze table.
When it came to table abuse, Yan Lin and his lord were oddly in sync.
But, let’s be real—Yan Lin was only human. He could destroy a wooden table, but he couldn’t smash a sturdy bronze or iron one.
Conclusion: His lord was simply not human.
“I’ve heard that Yang Tao is a righteous man with a burning spirit. With his wife, children, and sister in enemy hands, and himself in a dire situation, what will he choose?” Yang Si said calmly, “Will he abandon his wife, forsake his family, or surrender and wait for death?”
Yan Lin appeared calm, but inside he was a stormy ocean, waves roiling, threatening to upheave everything.
He knew his close friend well; wife, children, and sister were his lifeblood—An Huan had indeed played his cards perfectly!
Yan Lin’s chest heaved violently, fury surging, bloodshot in his eyes.
“An Huan—how dare he—”
Yan Lin had never held An Huan in high regard, but now he was ready to eat him alive!
“Holding a grudge against An Huan won’t help now; you should focus on taking care of yourself,” Yang Si continued to stoke the flames, his heart gleefully dancing a hula. “As long as there’s still some back to lean on, don’t worry about firewood to burn. An Huan is just a petty man with a fleeting moment of pride. My lord has long found him displeasing; once she deals with him, next up will be An Huan’s turn.”
Yan Lin, with bloodshot eyes, looked at Yang Si, making Yang Si’s heart race.
“Hmph! A petty man in power!”
Yan Lin spat this while staring directly at Yang Si; anyone with ears could tell he criticized two people in one sentence.
An Huan was a petty man, and Yang Si, fanning the flames, was no better!
“Right, a petty man in power; this An won’t be bouncing around for long.”
Yang Si brushed it off, allowing Yan Lin to curse a bit before they worked together later; he had plenty of chances to get back at him.
Thinking of this, Yang Si sported a mysterious smirk.
Of course, this could also be described with another term—”the initiator is the lowly one.”
This whole scene wouldn’t last three pages in a serious script!
Yan Lin: “…”
What on earth kind of people were gathered around the rumored Lan Ting?
The most frustrating part? He actually lost to such a person.
“You should rest well here,” Yang Si stated, “This news is a few days old. I intended to tell you sooner, but the military doctor said you weren’t fully recovered yet. If you were to suddenly get angry or sad, your wounds could easily rupture. For your own good, I postponed the news until today.”
Yan Lin’s response was just two words: “Heh heh.”
Even though he didn’t know that “heh heh” meant “I bought a watch last year,” sneering twice surely expressed his current mood.
Yang Si wasn’t pure as well, saying nice things, but Yan Lin was no fool—he didn’t believe a word Yang Si said!
“Wait—”
Yan Lin called out to Yang Si, who looked ready to leave or escape.
Yang Si turned to him, smiling, “What else do you need?”
“Do you know where my wife and others are being held?”
Yan Shuyao was Yang Tao’s wife but also Yan Lin’s sister.
Yang Roujia was Yang Tao’s sister, but also Yan Lin’s wife.
For both him and Yang Tao, these two women were the most important relatives in the world; they absolutely couldn’t be harmed.
Perhaps in the chaos, the mighty didn’t regard one or two women, or in their eyes, women were mere accessories—be it mothers, wives, or daughters, they could all be sacrificed for a greater cause. Some could kick their living blood relatives off a carriage at death’s door, while others killed beloved wives, concubines, or daughters to motivate discouraged soldiers and feast on their flesh.
More would say, “What man worries about a wife? As long as he succeeds, he can choose anyone from among the world’s women. Who cares for the old, lowly spouse?”
Most accepted these notions, but Yang Tao and Yan Lin were not among them.
They were willing to plunge into the chaotic tide to protect their loved ones; sacrificing them for anything else would be utterly backward!
Yang Si said, “Why are you asking this? You’re a prisoner now; even with your martial prowess, you can’t accomplish anything or save them.”
Yan Lin replied, “Knowing is better than not knowing.”
Oh—
A prisoner still had such guts?
Yang Si said, “No idea.”
Yan Lin lowered his gaze, “There’s one thing I need your help with.”
Yang Si felt his ears might be malfunctioning—Yan Lin was seeking his help?
He glanced at the sun outside and the guards on high alert, feeling somewhat uneasy.
“What is it?” Yang Si didn’t dare flat out agree but probed, “Why not tell me what it is?”
“Help me write a letter and deliver it to my lord—do not bow your head to that petty man An Huan over matters concerning my lady.”
Yang Si: “…”
Has Yan Lin lost it? How could he expect Yang Si, whose faction was opposed to Yang Tao, to help him out?
Moreover, if Yang Tao didn’t act to protect his wife, children, and sister, those four lives could just vanish!
Yang Si pondered for a moment and asked, “Tell me what you plan to do, and then I’ll consider whether to help you.”
Yan Lin said, “Buy some time, wait for news.”
Yang Si was utterly confused; saying that was the same as saying nothing!
Yan Lin calmly added, “Of course, you may also stand by and watch as my lord submits to An Huan.”
