The Struggle of Chaos Chapter 109: The Decision to Head North

Seeing Bilu’s emotions growing intense, Zhu Yan’er stepped forward and gently pressed her shoulder. “Miss, please calm down first. Let me explain the situation,” she said. Turning toward the group, Zhu Yan’er continued, “The Qin Kingdom realized that having a nominal general who lacked real power was ineffective in controlling the people of the Northern Pass. So they devised a harsher strategy: they completely sealed off all grain trade at the Northern Pass. All food must now be supplied by Qin, and in return, the Northern Pass must unconditionally provide them with cold iron. If the people stir up trouble, they will cut off the grain supply immediately.”

“By your account, the outbreak of the Cold Bone Disease at the Northern Pass more than twenty years ago is likely connected to Qin as well,” Ren Xingtian suddenly asked.

“Indeed. Although there’s no absolute proof to this day, the Medicine Sage once said this disease didn’t arise naturally. Fortunately, the Medicine Sage saved the entire population of the Northern Pass,” Bilu said as she glanced at Li Qiutong. “That’s why if the Medicine Sage’s grandson were to go to the Northern Pass, the local civilians and soldiers wouldn’t harbor any resentment.”

Li Qiutong seemed to understand, “But didn’t you say the city walls are high and difficult to breach? How do we plan to capture the city?”

“You needn’t worry about that. The main reason Yan’er and I have been training troops is to legitimately take the Northern Pass. I have already devised a plan for the siege,” Bilu said confidently.

Ren Xingtian was incredulous, “Impossible. With the training methods you used before, can we really conquer the toughest stronghold in Eastern Wu?”

Bilu rolled her eyes. “That’s because you don’t understand the current state of the Northern Pass. Due to Qin’s interference, my father and most of the Northern Pass army have been stationed long-term at the northern gate, while the southern gate is guarded by just a few thousand Qin troops. Moreover, the current governor is merely a corrupt and lustful civilian official. Once we enter, they won’t be able to stop us.”

Lin Xuan estimated, “But attacking the city isn’t easy. I once had the fortune to visit the Northern Pass. The walls are nearly three hundred meters high, forged primarily from Beiling cold iron. Even a full-strength strike from a high-level sacred martial artist would leave only a faint scratch.”

Bilu nodded. “True, a direct assault won’t work. But I happen to know a secret path from the west through which a small unit can infiltrate. As long as the frontline can distract their attention, I can lead a small force inside to open the gates. Then the main army can enter directly. I will also explain the situation to my father’s troops.”

Having laid out the plan, all eyes turned to Li Qiutong.

Li Qiutong looked around and asked uncertainly, “Doesn’t anyone have any objections?” At times like this, everyone was actually willing to follow Li Qiutong’s decision. No matter where or what she decided, no one would object.

When no one spoke, Li Qiutong made her choice, “Then let’s head to the Northern Pass. I promised Bilu I’d help capture this city, no matter how tough it is. I believe we can take it.”

With Li Qiutong’s decision made, Ren Xingtian began organizing, “We’ll set out for the Northern Pass early the day after tomorrow. I’ll plan a route tonight that avoids Qin’s patrols. Everyone, prepare your gear and pack your belongings.”

One day later, combining Guan Yu’s original forces and some scattered non-combatants, over twenty thousand people marched northward. What awaited them on this road, no one knew.

“Xingtian, are you sure we won’t be discovered by the Qin army on this route?” Li Qiutong asked curiously. She knew Bai Qi’s forces were relentlessly clearing out remaining Han factions, so it wouldn’t be easy for their twenty thousand troops to enter Qin territory unnoticed.

Ren Xingtian considered how best to explain the perfection of their route. Yang Ruiyun watched the scene and sighed with a helpless smile. “Big brother, you always do this. You trust Xingtian so much, yet you always want him to explain everything—and mostly, you don’t really understand.”

Yang Ruiyun’s words made Li Qiutong a bit embarrassed. “I just want to feel involved. If someday I chat with someone about this, I need to have something to say.”

Everyone around laughed, easing the tension of the otherwise grueling journey.

“General, about five hundred meters ahead, a group of refugees has appeared. Judging by their attire, they seem to be from the Song Kingdom,” a soldier clad in white armor reported.

“Song people? Are you sure?” Ren Xingtian asked suspiciously.

“Absolutely. I was once from the Song Kingdom myself, so I can recognize them at a glance,” the soldier affirmed.

“It’s strange that Song refugees would flee northward,” Yang Ruiyun remarked, sensing something unusual.

“Send a three-man squad to inquire about their situation,” Ren Xingtian ordered but was stopped by Li Qiutong.

“Let’s just go ourselves. It’s not far,” she said.

“All right. Ruiyun, Brother Tong, the three of us will go ask,” they agreed and quickly separated from the main force. After a short moment, they indeed saw a group of several dozen ordinary civilians approaching, dressed in typical Song-style clothing.

“Hey, sir, where are you from?” Li Qiutong dismounted and asked directly. The other two led their horses forward.

An elderly man looked up at Li Qiutong and pleaded, “Honorable officer, we fled from the Song Kingdom. We haven’t eaten for days. Could you spare some food for us?”

Li Qiutong scanned the surroundings, sighed helplessly, and turned to Ren Xingtian, “Second brother, give them all our emergency rations.”

“Yes, big brother,” Ren Xingtian responded.

As Yang Ruiyun was handing down a few packs of dry rations, the old man eagerly took them and passed them to those behind him. The group immediately brightened and began to eat eagerly.

The old man, clearly their leader, shouted firmly, “Don’t fight. There’s enough for everyone. Eat slowly.” Once everyone was fed, he turned back to Li Qiutong and the others, his voice filled with gratitude, “Thank you, officers. May good fortune be with you.” At that moment, his gaze fell on Yang Ruiyun.

“You are... are you Young Master Yang Ruiyun of the Yang family?” he asked in astonishment.

“I am indeed Yang Ruiyun. How do you know me?” Yang Ruiyun was equally surprised. He rarely showed himself in the Song Kingdom, so few people would recognize him.

The old man excitedly swept back the long hair covering his face. “Young Master Yang, my name is Qian Xu. I was formerly the steward of the Qian household. Do you remember me?”

“Qian Xu? Steward Qian? You’re Steward Qian,” Yang Ruiyun recalled. This man had been the chief steward of the Qian family, highly trusted by Qian Ju, in the Song Kingdom.

Qian Xu joyfully grasped Yang Ruiyun’s hand. “Yes, yes, it’s me. I never thought, Young Master Yang, that you, blessed by heaven, were still alive. Miss would be so happy to know.” But as he mentioned Qian Jinyu, the family head, his expression suddenly turned sorrowful.

“Miss... if only you knew Young Master Yang was alive,” Qian Xu lamented with tears.

Yang Ruiyun’s expression tightened. “Steward Qian, what happened to the Qian family? Is Jinyu all right?”

The old steward sighed helplessly. “Alas, Young Master Yang, the Qian family is no more. Miss was forced to marry that shameless Tian Kingdom man.”

“What happened exactly?” Yang Ruiyun’s voice was thick with emotion.

Pressed by Yang Ruiyun, Qian Xu recounted everything. After Lan Hao used the lives of commoners to force Qian Jinyu to appear, fearing the prime minister’s investigation, he secretly imprisoned the entire Qian family—from the head to the servants—under the pretense of ‘care.’

Later, he requested to return to the homeland and secretly brought back hundreds of people, including Qian Jinyu, to the Lan family’s territory in the Tian Kingdom. Lan Hao had intended to marry Qian Jinyu, but after spending time with her, he realized she was uninterested and even repelled by him. She would never consent to the marriage. Forced marriages were illegal in the Tian Kingdom, and officials often investigated these cases. Although the Lan family was powerful and unafraid of the government, Lan Hao didn’t want the affair of the Qian family head under his control to be exposed. The Qian family was one of the continent’s wealthiest, and although most assets were seized by the Tian Kingdom, Lan Hao doubted they had no hidden funds.

Lan Hao devised another scheme: he moved the Qian family members away from his city, using their release as leverage to force Qian Jinyu into marriage. Bound by concern for her family, Qian Jinyu had no choice but to agree.

But Lan Hao’s plan was more sinister. There was no real release; he merely relocated the Qian family. Holding so many people was meaningless, so Lan Hao ordered the execution of all except Qian Ju and his wife.

Thankfully, thanks to Qian Ju’s arrangements, the group escaped during a field execution and ended up wandering in this area.

“This Lan guy is utterly despicable. What kind of monster does such things?” Li Qiutong cursed.

Yang Ruiyun fell into deep silence.

“Second brother, are you all right?” Li Qiutong asked.

Yang Ruiyun looked up at her and smiled faintly. “I’m fine, big brother. Can we bring them along? After all, they’re acquaintances.”

But his smile seemed forced, and Li Qiutong knew his mind was elsewhere.

“Second brother, you must take troops to the Tian Kingdom immediately and rescue Miss Qian,” Li Qiutong said seriously.

“Big brother, what do you mean? Our top priority is to capture the Northern Pass. Once things are stable, I will lead troops to the Tian Kingdom,” Yang Ruiyun replied.

Li Qiutong patted his shoulder. “By then, it will be too late. The lady has waited for you so long. Can you bear to let that scoundrel mistreat her? Trust me, I will definitely take Northern Pass. Your mission now is to go to the Tian Kingdom and bring your sister-in-law back here.”

“Big brother, I...” Yang Ruiyun hesitated. Leaving for personal reasons at such a time weighed heavily on him.

“Second brother, trust me. We’ve been through countless battles together. This one won’t be different.”

“Big brother, I understand now. Thank you. I’ll take the White Tiger Army and go. Let Commander Yang take over the West Camp,” Yang Ruiyun finally resolved.

Li Qiutong smiled. “I’ll be waiting for your return—and your sister-in-law.”

“My sister-in-law? Okay, big brother. I’ll bring her back. We’ll need you at our wedding too.”

“Of course! I’ll also make sure we throw the grandest wedding after we take Northern Pass,” Li Qiutong promised.

Unable to bear it any longer, Ren Xingtian interrupted, “Enough, enough. Your nephew will be born soon. Ruiyun, the situation is urgent—set off at once.”

With that, Yang Ruiyun led a thousand troops of the White Tiger Army, departing swiftly from the main force toward the Tian Kingdom.