Chapter 971 – War in the Northern Border (Part Eight)
After months apart, the audience couldn’t recognize the Second Prince of the Northern Border—what was this thing they were looking at?
【Meow’s Wish】: Host, the baby hasn’t eaten yet! What is this?
【Soul of Love and Sorrow】: Captivity abuse?
【Mischievous Nuan Nuan】: Seems like the Second Prince of the Northern Border? Wow, this poor thing is still alive?
They thought the Second Prince would surely die in Jiang Pengji’s hands, but surprisingly, he had the resilience of a cockroach!
Of course, to still be hanging on, he owed it all to several Young Doctors taking care of him day and night; otherwise, he would have already taken a bow.
The Second Prince was not doing well; every day was a tremendous torment. He had two crippled legs and his tongue cut out—what’s the point of living?
He knew living was pointless, but he couldn’t muster the courage to seek death.
Better to live poorly than to die well, as the Han saying goes, right?
Having endured blow after blow, the Second Prince had become a coward, his pride completely eroded.
He’d rather eat stale pig slops than face death.
As long as he lived, perhaps once the Northern Border grew strong again, he could take out Liu Xi, and then he could regain his noble status.
This thought kept the Second Prince clinging to life, forcing himself to keep going; he had even less courage now to seek death.
He had lost track of time, only knowing that he was surviving decently when someone suddenly pulled him from his prison cage, washed him clean, scrubbed off the layers of filth, changed him into clean clothes, and freed his lice-infested hair—he felt completely refreshed.
“Ah—ah?”
The Second Prince, with his tongue severed, could only make meaningless “ah” sounds.
Nearby in a cage was his most trusted Advisor, who was in a much better situation—he had all his limbs and could speak and hear.
Seeing a group of people about to take the Second Prince away, the Advisor clung to the bars of the cage, urgently asking, “Where are you taking him?”
He had thought to be reused after being captured, but little did he know Jiang Pengji looked down on him.
Though it was never said they’d kill him, Liu Xi didn’t mention letting him go either, so he remained idle in the cage.
Aside from the lack of freedom, his treatment wasn’t too bad.
“Where?” The guard sneered at the Advisor, “Today is an auspicious day; we’re naturally sending him off!”
The Second Prince, who could hear fine, immediately started to struggle fiercely at these words, attempting to crawl away with all fours.
The guards tied him up tightly, showing no mercy.
Northern Border savages, all deserve to die!
These guards were locals from Chongzhou; they were among the most affected by the Northern Border’s invasion in Dongqing.
How could they forget the blood feud of over a hundred thousand common people at the Chongzhou border?
No matter how unwilling the Second Prince was, he couldn’t withstand the power of the masses and was soon tossed right in front of Jiang Pengji.
“I’ve said before, you’re the most suitable offering for the sacrificial banner.”
Jiang Pengji coldly glanced at the Second Prince, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Today, she wore the solemn Nine Chapters Robe, a grand outfit adorned in dark clothing mixed with crimson, coral tassels, with a jade hilt sword at her side, all trimmed perfectly.
Onlookers were just there to see the spectacle, while the knowledgeable recognized the nuances.
Not to mention, just the attire alone showcased her ambition.
【Old Driver Alliance】: The Nine Chapters Robe is a high-level ceremonial outfit that only nobles can wear. My host is impressive!
In ancient times, not just any clothing could be worn; wearing the wrong attire could even cost one’s life.
The ceremonial robe symbolized social status, and only the Son of Heaven, Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Viscounts, Barons, and high officials were qualified to wear them; each had their own variations. Jiang Pengji, though one of the lords of Dongqing, was still limited to the status of “Wanzhou Governor” as the royal family of Dongqing had not completely fallen.
However, regardless of whether the court acknowledged her or not, Jiang Pengji wouldn’t care.
Traditionally, sacrifices for banners were often pigs, cows, and sheep, splattering their blood upon the earth to appease the heavens for military fortune.
When it came to battle, captives or enemy generals’ heads would often be used for offerings.
To boost morale and set an example!
Jiang Pengji was preparing to mobilize against the Northern Border—what better sacrifice could inspire the troops than the Second Prince of the Northern Border Royal Court?
Before the sacrifice, lengthy speeches were needed, and Jiang Pengji adopted a script written by Wei Ci.
Every word was drenched in emotion, depicting the brutality of the Northern Border’s savages and the suffering of the people of Chongzhou, igniting the soldiers’ rage and resentment.
With a change in tone, she signaled for the offering to be brought forth. At this moment, the soldiers’ hatred and morale peaked, with a roar of “kill” shaking the heavens.
The Second Prince trembled, kneeling on the ground, with two people holding his shoulders, rendering him immobile.
“Today, we offer this man’s life to honor the countless wronged souls who died in vain! May the heavens bestow blessings and pave the way through the Northern Border!”
“Pave the way through the Northern Border—”
“Pave the way through the Northern Border—”
“Pave the way through the Northern Border—”
The roaring waves grew louder, thousands of soldiers gathered, shouting in unison, their killing intent piercing the clouds.
“Sacrifice!”
Jiang Pengji swiftly drew the sword from her waist; the blade glimmered coldly under the sunlight.
Seeing this, the Second Prince, terrified to the core, despite his disabled legs and bound body, struggled wildly, trying to escape his bonds.
He futilely screamed, tears welling up in his red-rimmed eyes, sliding down his cheeks.
But alas, the “Guards” were far too strong; no matter how much he struggled, they remained unyielding.
Shifting tactics, he tried to kowtow to Jiang Pengji, begging for mercy—
He didn’t want riches and honors anymore; he didn’t even want to be the Second Prince of the Northern Border. He only wished for a chance to survive.
As long as he could live, he wouldn’t seek revenge against Jiang Pengji for cutting off his tongue or breaking his legs—
But Jiang Pengji’s heart was as hard as stone, showing not a shred of compassion, her grip on the sword steady.
“The debt from the Northern Border, you are the first installment!”
Having spoken, she raised her hand and swung the sword. The head, eyes wide open, rolled from the neck.
A powerful jet of blood gushed from the wound, staining Jiang Pengji’s ceremonial robe and the nearby battle banners.
The Second Prince’s head rolled a couple of times, finally facing Jiang Pengji; his eyes remained stubbornly open.
“Pave the way through the Northern Border—”
“Pave the way through the Northern Border—”
“Pave the way through the Northern Border—”
The Second Prince’s body crashed down, while his severed head was presented on a plate high above, the soldiers’ roars reaching a fever pitch.
Jiang Pengji raised her sword, her voice steady, though not loud, carried undeniable determination—
“Pave the way through the Northern Border!”
Emotions were contagious; in such an atmosphere, even the calmest individuals would become excited and fervent.
After the sacrifice came the moment to stage the battle.
Below, Sun Wen couldn’t help but sigh, “I feel like I’ve followed an extraordinary Lord.”
Beside him, Wei Ci smiled softly, a warm grin on his lips.
Indeed—
His Lord was the most remarkable of all.
