Chapter 989 – Battle of the Northern Border (Twenty-Six)
“Wu Libai is indeed the wise man of the Northern Border, their backbone.”
Once that backbone collapses, what fighting spirit is left in the Northern Border?
The Eldest Prince was rather straightforward. He said to the Third Prince, “The flood has receded quite a bit. If we don’t escape now, there will be no chance left.”
As a prince of the Northern Border, once captured, he would likely meet the same fate as the Second Prince, killed to serve as an example.
After months of conflict, Jiang Pengji showcased her ruthless decisiveness from every angle.
Forget about the princes of the Northern Border; even if the Northern Border King were captured, it would probably mean death for him too.
Though she was a woman, the cruelty she displayed was stronger than many barbaric men from the Northern Border.
“Stop spouting nonsense—if Dai Wang survives, we can retreat and regroup, there is still a chance for the Northern Border. If the entire army perishes here, wouldn’t that make us the sinners of the Northern Border?” Wu Libai was already quite tired, but in this desperate situation, he felt an incredible surge of strength.
Even if he had to die, he would take a hefty bite out of Liu Thief, not letting her achieve her goals too easily.
Seeing that the Third Prince was still hesitating, the Eldest Prince hardened his heart and directly ordered for him to be bound and taken away.
Before leaving, he cast a complex glance at Wu Libai.
He had tried to win Wu Libai over, but he never expected that this guy had such a stubborn temperament, completely unmoved.
“See you—”
He managed to squeeze out those two words, but they both knew full well that Wu Libai was doomed.
“I will watch over you from the underworld,” Wu Libai gritted his teeth and said, “Do not let the Northern Border fall into the hands of the enemy!”
He had always dreamed of having the Northern Border’s cavalry trample across the Central Plains; never did he imagine that the Central Plains would swallow the Northern Border instead.
In a hurry, Wu Libai took many promising young generals with him to escape.
In the end, only a little over three thousand remained to hold the rear.
Wu Libai had envisioned countless endings for himself, but he never thought he would be cornered by the Central Plains’ cowards.
Until the dawn broke, beams of light pierced through the clouds and illuminated the land.
Only about ten people remained alive beside Wu Libai. Together with him and the surviving soldiers, they were escorted before Jiang Pengji.
Jiang Pengji had only met Wu Libai three times.
The first time, Wu Libai was at the peak of his life, arrogant beyond compare, while Jiang Pengji was just a nobody.
The second time, Jiang Pengji was a formidable lord threatening the Northern Border, while Wu Libai had become a submissive messenger seeking peace.
And this was the third time—
Jiang Pengji was still a lord, but now Wu Libai was a prisoner.
“Kneel—”
The soldiers kicked his legs, forcing Wu Libai down to his knees.
People from the Central Plains only kneel before heaven, earth, and parents—royalty didn’t even warrant a full kneel, just a bow would do.
However, when it came to captives—especially those from the Northern Border, this wasn’t even an issue.
A captive who had already lost their life still wanted to stand upright?
Dream on!
Wu Libai’s appearance was disheveled, his face covered in blood and flesh, but his eyes still blazed with terrifying hatred and killing intent.
Jiang Pengji sized him up and quickly determined his identity.
At the same time, the audience was also appraising Wu Libai, trying to guess who he was.
For someone who had only appeared three times in the live stream, most of the audience didn’t recognize him.
【Tangmen Holy Spirit Caili】: Who is this guy? He’s being brought to the streamer; he must be a heavyweight from the Northern Border?
【Little Thief Wushuang】: He looks a bit familiar, but his face is all blood and guts. I kinda want to broom him clean.
【Fortune Abundant】: Streamer, are you planning to recruit him?
Recruit him?
Not possible.
Jiang Pengji had no such intention, nor would Wu Libai accept such humiliation.
“Zai Dao, what are you bringing this man before me for?”
Jiang Pengji glanced at Wu Libai beneath her, her expression calm and unruffled.
She didn’t act the part of the gracious host as Wu Libai anticipated, nor did she take the opportunity to kick him while he was down; instead, she chose to ignore him.
Sun Wen chuckled, “This person holds a significant position in the Northern Border, life and death are in his hands; it ought to be reported to the Lord.”
No—
Wu Libai’s thoughts returned, his eyes nearly popping out as he fixed his gaze on the scholar sitting in the main tent.
Zai Dao?
That name sent a shiver through him.
The Ninth Prince’s extraordinary exploits had been meticulously studied by Wu Libai—
The more he researched, the more he felt something fishy about Sun Wen. Unfortunately, that guy had vanished, leaving no chance to settle the score.
That man’s courtesy name was also Zai Dao and he was of similar age…
Wu Libai’s face twitched as he realized, and his eyes were filled with horror.
“So it’s you—” Wu Libai gritted his teeth, “I’m truly blind… not realizing it was you pulling the strings from behind!”
If the Northern Border hadn’t been torn by internal strife and the tribes hadn’t splintered, they wouldn’t have been able to muster a meager eighteen thousand troops.
Sun Wen calmly replied, “You flatter me.”
With Sun Wen acknowledging him, Wu Libai lost all composure, lunging towards him to bite.
Sun Wen cast him a sideways glance; he didn’t even change his posture, acting haughty and disdainful.
Jiang Pengji said, “There’s no need to consult on this matter. Regardless, recruiting him is out of the question, and meeting is a waste of time.”
Wu Libai could only yield if Jiang Pengji’s body had pure Northern Border heritage.
Sun Wen nodded apologetically, calmly saying, “That may be so, but subjects have their duty and wouldn’t dare overstep.”
Musing over the will of their superiors doesn’t mean one acts on their own accord, and Sun Wen would never bypass the Lord or make decisions unilaterally.
Wu Libai calmed down a little, spat in Jiang Pengji’s direction; the audience could clearly see the trajectory and shape of that spit, as Wu Libai growled, “Evil Woman— even if you can win today, can you defend it for a lifetime?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “I don’t know if I can defend it for a lifetime, but one thing is for certain: you can’t hold the Northern Border. That’s as sure as day.”
Wu Libai spat out some blood again, his aged face twisted with fury.
“I curse you! Even if you establish a dynasty, it will ultimately fall into the hands of outsiders, and your bloodline will die a miserable death!”
Even with his curses and insults, Wu Libai played his tricks.
Jiang Pengji was a woman; throughout history, no woman had ever ascended to the throne, let alone established an empire.
For someone like her, the hard-earned legacy would certainly be left for her own descendants, not to be touched by outsiders.
But alas, she was a woman; she would ultimately marry and have a husband, who might have a bit of ambition. Haha—
A royal family changing their surname? Not impossible.
Wei Ci’s expression shifted at the side, his hands clenched fiercely in his sleeves.
In his previous life, Wei Ci hadn’t initially restrained himself; he had a close bond with the Emperor, their relationship becoming more intimate over time.
Back then, Jiang Zhao had just been established and needed manpower, and as a versatile talent, Wei Ci was heavily relied upon.
He steadily climbed to the center of power, rising to prominence when a warning from the heavens struck down with a meteor.
【The emperor’s reign doesn’t last a generation; the Huangfu dynasty takes over】
Who is Huangfu?
Seeing that surname makes one think of the infamous chancellor from the previous dynasty.
How did that chancellor die?
Everyone had a good idea.
He had been dead for hundreds of years, so it was impossible for him to return; it must be his reincarnation causing trouble.
Upon a thorough examination of the birth dates of the court’s officials, it became clear that Wei Ci had been singled out.
This was a trap, but Wei Ci had no idea how many people were involved or how many wanted his life.
