Chapter 10: Openly Speaking of Secret Theft

  Afternoon, the arrow rain has stopped.

  The warship where Nalan Xionuo was located was filled with long arrows, and the ship continued to move forward without stopping. Behind them, Sheng Jin's warship pursued closely. The river surface rippled in autumn waves as the boats sped by, churning up the water and opening a path through the reeds.

  Ahead, the sound of waves crashing violently. Dozens of warships are rushing towards us.

  In the cabin, General Chen's gaze passed through the dark window and locked onto the warship heading in this direction. Excitedly, he said: "It's coming."

  Nalan Xixi finished drinking the clear tea in her cup and stood up to walk towards the shipboard.

  Board the ship. All around is quiet. The Holy Gold Warship, which was chasing after us just now, has stopped in its tracks and is motionless. Ahead of us, a dense formation of water soldiers are beating drums and singing loudly, their spirits high.

  Nalan Xixi let out a cold laugh and sat down on the ground, pretending to be seriously injured. Before long, the warships in front had arrived.

  The southern water warriors wear blue armor. Looking around, the river is a vast expanse of blue.

  The warship approaches. A large man in black leaps onto the deck. Hurriedly comes to pay respects. "Your Majesty, I'm late in coming to your rescue. The crime is deserving of death. Please punish me."

  Nalan Xixi sneered inwardly, but her face remained expressionless. Her body was drenched in blood, almost to the point of skin and flesh bursting open, with wounds all over her. She was on the verge of collapse, gasping for breath amidst the pool of blood.

  Hei Jiangjun's eyes flashed with a hint of complacency as he ordered: "Come on, help the princess onto the boat."

  Two Jiangnan water soldiers had just jumped over. Only to hear the wind and waves rising in front. The holy golden warship that was originally chasing Nalan Xinnuo suddenly came forward at high speed. General Hei snorted, saying: "Launch a full-scale attack."

  For a time, war drums shook the heavens above the river. A burst of clashing and killing sounds filled the air.

  The several warships that followed the Black General all charged forward, but in an instant, only the Black General's ship was left ahead, with only a few hundred guards on board.

  The black general looked ahead at his own water soldiers, who were advancing like a broken bamboo. The holy golden warship fled in disarray. He smiled triumphantly.

  Suddenly. A chill on the back of his neck. General Hei's smile froze on his face.

  The two soldiers beside him had already fallen to the ground. Nalan Xianyu held a long sword, its blade pressed against his throat. If there was any slight movement, it would cut through his throat and end his life.

  Hundreds of armored warriors discovered that the situation had changed, but they did not dare to move forward lightly.

  Suddenly, several dark arrows shot over. The soldiers fell to the ground at the sound of the bowstring. The surrounding soldiers were at a loss, looking around in all directions. Suddenly, footsteps sounded on the warship where Nalan Xianyu was.

  There were several teams of bowmen hidden in the hold. They didn't have arrows. Holding longbows, they ran up to the deck and picked up the long arrows that the Sheng Jin fleet had shot at the ship's board just now, shooting them towards General Hei's ship.

  Hei Jiangjun was shocked. What a clever plan of deception! It seemed like they were being pursued by Sheng Jin, but in reality, they were actually preparing for a surprise attack.

  Hundreds of armored warriors were instantly turned into living targets, all of them falling into the river before they could even react to what was happening. General Hei's face turned iron-gray as he realized he had fallen into a trap. Pretending to remain calm, he coldly laughed and said: "You think capturing me will make you victorious?"

  The words had barely fallen when suddenly there was a loud rumble on the horizon.

  Hei Jiangjun stared in shock, only to see dozens of warships suddenly emerging from the surrounding reeds. On board the warships were the Sheng Jin Water Warriors, clad in golden armor, charging forward with a deafening battle cry.

  Although ambushed, the Jiangnan water soldiers remained calm and composed. On the warship, Dugu Han sat upright at the piano desk, a ancient zither under the autumn sun shining with crystal clarity. A layer of milky white radiance hovered over Dugu Han's serene face.

  Exquisite features under the illusory white light are like a heavenly god descending to earth. Fingers lightly dance with rhythm, heart-stirring melodies echoing above the river's surface. The sound of 100,000 strong soldiers clashing in battle cannot cover up the sound of the piano, which is like ten thousand horses galloping forth.

  Sheng Jin Shui Shi heard the sound of the qin and suddenly his morale greatly increased. He charged forward like a flood towards the enemy ship.

  The sailors of Jiangnan heard the sound of the qin and were all stunned. Suddenly, the warship shook slightly. Everyone was puzzled, but then they heard the sound of knocking coming from the deck, accompanied by the sound of wooden planks shattering as the river water flooded onto the deck.

  "There's someone underwater!" a sailor shouted loudly. But it was too late.

  Several teams of robust sailors emerged from the water, holding large knives that could cut through rocks with a single slash. In an instant, ten warships of the Jiangnan sailors had been submerged in the river, with only half of them remaining visible. The surface of the river was filled with mournful cries.

  The southern water soldiers were extremely good at swimming. They fell into the water and fled in all directions. Suddenly, the sound of the qin (zither) stopped abruptly. On the river, only the water soldiers were left struggling in the water. The sound of the turbulent river water.

  A moment of silence. The sound of the piano suddenly rang out.

  Unlike the hidden mystery just now, the sound of the piano at this moment is like a trapped beast breaking out of its cage, as if a long-suppressed mountain flood has burst forth.

  Long fingers danced on the strings. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind rose over the river.

  The soldiers in the water looked up, their faces suddenly pale. Countless arrows shot towards the water surface at a speed of one hundred paces, like rolling dark clouds and heavy rain.

  At this moment, miserable cries rose from the river. The surface of the river was a deep crimson, as if it were a sea of blood.

  Hei Jiangjun stared blankly at the scene in front of him, like a human hell. Nalan Xian also looked stunned. Dugu Han, unexpectedly used the sound of the guqin as an order, commanding the army to carry out a neat and orderly massacre.

  The music ended. Du Gu Han's hands were bright red. The palms of his hands were cut by the strings, and fresh blood flowed out.

  The surroundings suddenly fell silent.

  Cold winds blow in waves. The river surface is covered with corpses. The originally emerald green river water has now become a bloody sea. Thick blood soaks the bodies of the Jiangnan water soldiers, who are pierced all over with long arrows. Their blue battle robes have been dyed a dark red by the bloody water.

  Dugu Han's face was calm and serene, as if he had just played a leisurely tune with a carefree heart. The fresh blood on his hands dripped onto the milky white qin, and he smiled faintly, like a snow lotus blooming in a sea of blood, pure and eerie amidst the thick, viscous liquid.

  He stared at the fresh blood flowing out of his finger pulp, his calm face didn't have a single ripple, as if this blood wasn't his, but was stained with the hot blood of the tens of thousands of corpses floating under the ship.

  He pressed his lips, like cherry blossom petals, against her navel. The tip of his tongue lightly touched hers. Fresh blood stained the tip of his tongue and dyed the corners of his mouth red.

  Nalan Xixi held her breath. At this moment, she suddenly felt that he was very strange.

  At this moment, he seemed to reveal his true nature as a cold and stern god of death, sitting on a throne made of skulls.

  Seductive and bloodthirsty.

  Just like the stalactite stained with fresh blood just now...

  From the moment the zither's body was stained with fresh blood, it was no longer a gentle ancient zither, but a bloodthirsty sharp blade. Drinking blood to rebirth. When his hands were full of fresh blood, he was no longer the Dugu Han he once was.

  Not that aloof and proud Dugu Han. Not that indifferent and heartless Dugu Han. Not that eternally pure and sacred Dugu Han like the snow lotus on Mount Tian. Not that... Dugu Han.

  Death, or rebirth.

  Irretrievable downfall

  Report...

  The Red Army has been silent for a while. Judging from the time they left, if everything went smoothly, they should have returned by now. If there were any changes, someone should have come back to report and ask for reinforcements along the way. Yet, it wasn't until now that someone came to report.

  His face was slightly pale. Although there was no expression on his face, he clenched his fists under his sleeves.

  "Reporting for duty, General... Black General he..." The reporting soldier was out of breath. "The General has been taken away by the people of Saint Gold."

  Seize and take away. Hong Jiangjun's heart sank. "What about the 100,000 water soldiers he took with him? How many were lost?"

  The soldier's voice trembled. Except for that one war ten years ago, he had never seen such a tragic scene as today.

  "The general took away one hundred thousand water soldiers... The entire army was annihilated."

  "What." The Red General's face turned deathly pale. He couldn't utter another word.

  "General, now there are only 200,000 troops left in the city. If we're attacked, it will be really hard to hold on..."

  The red general nodded silently. The soldiers' eyes were filled with hot tears as they retreated.

  Du Guo Han has really set his sights on Jiangnan. Even if he retreats now, it's already too late.

  The red general closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and remained silent for a moment. He then said coldly, "Prepare the horses."

  Luotian Town South

  A swift horse rushed into the big camp. A man in a red robe suddenly lifted up the tent curtain.

  Inside the tent, Huangfu Ling was leaning on a couch reading a book, with Yuan Yue serving beside him. The Red General walked up and snatched the book from Huangfu Ling's hand, saying coldly: "What do you mean?"

  Huang Pu Ling pretended to be silly, with an innocent face. "General Hong's esteemed presence has arrived. Younger brother is guilty of not welcoming you from afar. Qian Yue, serve General Hong tea."

  "Last time, Sheng Jin attacked my Jiangshui Pass. You led the troops to go forward, but instead of helping, you watched from the other side of the river and beat the drums to make a loud noise. You made Du Gu Old Man think that I intentionally attacked his Sheng Jin South Pass, which led to today's great disaster." The Red General gritted his teeth in anger, wishing he could kill him.

  "General Hong, you can't say that." Huang Fu smiled slightly. "I'm just trying to help boost morale. What Dugu thinks is his business. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? What kind of trouble could we get into?"

  The moon is full, the tea has arrived. General Hong sat down in anger. He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. "Nalan Xianyu and Dugu Han have joined forces to deceive me. I fell for their treacherous plan. General Hei was captured by them. The entire army of 100,000 water soldiers was defeated."

  Huang Pu Ling was shocked. Nalan Xinnuo and Dugu Han joined forces. Heh, what a Nalan Xinnuo, wanting to force him.

  "Now I only have 200,000 troops left at Jiangshui Pass. Dugu Han has set his sights on us and will attack again soon. At that time, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out." General Hong looked at Huangfu Ling, nodding slightly.

  Hearing this, Huangfu Ling no longer beat around the bush. "I can send troops to help you."

  The red general's expression turned cold. He agreed so readily, there must be conditions he couldn't agree to. Indeed. Huangfu Ling smiled slightly and said: "If you give me Jiangshui Pass, I'll send troops to help you."

  Hong Jiangjun was taken aback. He really did have a big mouth. Hand over the Jiangshui Pass to him. What's the difference between handing over the Jiangshui Pass and sending off Jiangnan with a smile? Hong Jiangjun let out a cold snort. "You really want to take advantage of the fire to loot. You're not saving anyone."

  He had expected this outcome. He just wanted to try again. Maybe Huangfu Ling still has a bit of conscience. Unexpectedly, he was so ruthless. Fine. Huangfu Ling, I'll die, but you won't have a good end either.

  The red general stood up, coldly smiled and said "goodbye".

  Beside him, Yue'er looked at the receding back of Hong Jiang and asked: "Master, why didn't you help him?"

  Huang Pu's expression was calm, but his eyes were extremely cold. "If I send troops to help him fight against Sheng Jin now, Nalan Xian will definitely let Luo Tian attack us from behind. Once we are attacked on both sides, we will surely be defeated."

  He nodded and continued to ask: "Then... what should we do? Just sit back and do nothing?"

  Huang Pu Ling coldly smiled: "Wait until he is almost killed by Dugu Han, then I'll take the opportunity to attack Jiangshui Pass. At that time, occupying the eight countries of Jiangnan will give me a chance to turn defeat into victory."