Chapter 1365 - 1041: Cannot Sit and Wait for Death

At the very moment Lei Yu’s figure disappeared from Shang Ruyi’s sight, several hundred miles away at Xiaopingjin Pass, inside Yu Wenye’s military tent, a candle that was about to extinguish was reignited after a personal soldier trimmed the wick with scissors. The flickering light illuminated the spacious yet simply furnished tent, which had only a bed in the corner and a table in the center, also lighting up Yu Wenye’s cold and stern eyes.

At this moment, his eyes were fixed on the map spread out on the table.

After capturing several major passes among the Luoyang Eight Passes, he obtained the maps of these places and, based on the oral accounts from defected generals and prisoners, roughly understood Liang Shide’s troop deployments at these passes.

Indeed, it was not much different from what they knew.

The Xiaopingjin Pass he currently occupied is located at the heart of the Yellow River; westward lies the fortified Mengjin Pass, while to the east is the perilously perched Hulao Pass!

Back in Chang An, he had already deemed Hulao Pass as the main target of this military campaign, its capture being paramount. Once taken, Luoyang would be within reach, and Liang Shide, even with tens of thousands of city defense troops, would hardly pose a threat. But if Hulao Pass could not be secured...

He stared at this pass marked in cinnabar on the map, his brows furrowing tighter.

It was at this time that someone lifted the tent and walked in.

As the tent was lifted, a gust of wind carrying coldness and a faint earthy odor swept into the military tent, mixed with the distant murmuring sound of waves from the Yellow River Ferry. The wind nearly blew over the map on the table, and Yu Wenye immediately pressed down a corner of the map.

He looked up and saw Mu Xian come in: "Your Highness."

Mu Xian did not salute because he was holding a tray with two bowls of food that had been reheated countless times. The rich aroma immediately masked the earthy smell in the wind and filled the entire tent. Mu Xian bent over to place the bowls on the table and softly said, "Your Highness, please have something to eat."

Yu Wenye frowned: "I can’t eat, take it away first."

Mu Xian, however, did not obey but looked up at his expression and softly said, "Your Highness hasn’t been eating much these past few days. If we are to march, your health won’t hold."

Yu Wenye replied impatiently: "I know my own body."

"Your Highness..."

Mu Xian intended to persuade further, but looking at his gloomy expression, he swallowed his words.

He actually knew why Yu Wenye had lost his appetite these past few days. In the past, in the army, even when gravely injured and almost at death’s door, he would force himself to chew dry bread, because only if he could eat, he could live. But this time—ever since capturing Xiaopingjin Pass, Yu Wenye’s heart felt as if a piece had been cut away, and eating anything seemed to scorch the wound in his heart.

And the reason, naturally, was Lei Yi’s death.

Mu Xian had been with him for many years, and before Shang Ruyi married into the Yuwen Family, he was perhaps Yu Wenye’s closest person. He knew well the bond between Yu Wenye and Lei Yu, knew how he had followed Uncle Lei in his youth, riding, shooting, hunting, and falconing. Now, separated by life and death due to his own advance—not that Yu Wenye would regret it, but he must be feeling pain.

And very deeply.

But no matter how painful, he must eat, not just for his own health. They’ve already taken Xiaopingjin Pass, with Hulao Pass within sight, ready to march at the first opportunity. If Yu Wenye neglects his health due to this event, it’s going to be fatal on the battlefield!

Thinking so, Mu Xian could only muster the courage to softly urge, "Your Highness, you should eat a little—"

Before he finished speaking, a chilling wind blew through, lifting the tent flap, and a commotion resonated outside as if many were shouting and cursing loudly in the camp. Yu Wenye promptly raised his head: "What’s going on?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Xian furrowed his brows.

He had just fetched the food from the kitchen, and on the way, saw several of their officers arguing with people from Xiaopingjin Pass. Mu Xian overheard a few words; the matter wasn’t significant, but he knew some of their soldiers were former members of the Left Imperial Guard, also beneficiaries of Lei Yi’s kindness. Now, with Xiaopingjin Pass defecting and surrendering, though advantageous to them, it left a thorn in their hearts, causing them to provoke continuously these days, and tonight, arguing erupted over a trivial matter.

Mu Xian had just scolded them, thinking he had calmed them down, but judging by the situation, they apparently couldn’t swallow it and caused a scene.

So he said, "I will handle it."

He was about to head out, but as he reached the door, he heard Yu Wenye stand and say, "I will see for myself."

Mu Xian had to step aside, and Yu Wenye walked past him, lifting the tent and heading out.

By now, it was late at night, and the surroundings were pitch black, nearly obscuring any vision. Yet, due to patrol precautions in the camp, several bonfires were burning, brightening the orderly arranged tents, and illuminating a short distance ahead where a dozen people were shoving each other; their violently shaking silhouettes were visible. Yu Wenye hadn’t gotten close yet, but he could hear the two sides cursing—

"What do you want?"

"You bumped into me and didn’t apologize, then asked me what I want?"

"You ran into me!"

"That’s right, we all saw it."

"Saw your crap, a bunch of blind, heartless beasts, I’ll teach you a lesson today!"

"Are you picking a fight?"

"Screw you!"

As the sides began to brawl, someone raised a fist the size of a vinegar basin ready to punch. At this moment, a low voice yelled, "Stop it, all of you!"

Everyone was startled, turning to see Mu Xian hurrying over, strenuously separating the melee. Behind him, Yu Wenye approached slowly, hands behind his back, face stern.

Seeing him approach, the guards of Xiaopingjin Pass felt a heavy dread.

When they decapitated Lei Yi and presented it to Prince Qin, though Yu Wenye rewarded them richly, his demeanor was somewhat peculiar. After thorough inquiry these past days, they learned of his connections with the Lei Family, each one fearing revenge, thus enduring provocations without daring to stir trouble, afraid of invoking Yu Wenye’s wrath.

Unexpectedly tonight, they ultimately granted him the chance.

Faces paled, some dissatisfied, and even two standing at the corner stealthily reached to touch the knives at their waists.

If Yu Wenye intended personal vengeance, they couldn’t resign to fate.