Chapter 85: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

“Disaster, disaster…” Wang Meng shouted as he burst into a civilian house, impatiently grabbing Ye Xin’s arm. “Brother Xin, this time we’re really finished. You must help Third Brother come up with a plan!”

“What happened?” Ye Xin asked, puzzled.

“The checkpoint incident has blown up.” Wang Meng forced a bitter smile. “Yuanzi and Yunzi were severely beaten by the Grand Steward. It seems Yunzi’s leg was broken. Third Brother was slapped more than ten times by the ruler, blood streaming from his mouth and nose, and he’s still kneeling before the hall, awaiting punishment!”

“All for extorting a bit of money? Does it warrant such outrage?” Ye Xin was baffled. He had foreseen consequences but never imagined they’d be so dire.

“Brother Xin, you don’t know—we ruined a critical military plan.” Wang Meng stamped his foot repeatedly. “Marshal Wei dared lead the army deep into the Great Zhao’s territory because he’d already established contact with the Blood Mountain Legion of the Great Yu, persuading them to support us. Many young lords from Great Yu joined the Blood Mountain Legion. They monopolized the grain routes, and Yuanzi and Yunzi have been targeting their people lately! Now all those lords are furious…”

“This…” Ye Xin was stunned. His power, abilities, connections, and vision were all limited. To lay his plans within the State of Wei was already an arduous struggle. He knew little of the situation in Great Yu. Suddenly, the Blood Mountain Legion emerged, shaking his heart.

“Brother Xin, those fellows are much like us,” Wang Meng sighed. “They’re the type who can easily ruin things but rarely accomplish much. Their abilities aren’t small, nor are they great, but if they band together to stir up trouble, even Pan Yuanshan must tread carefully. They have no intention of supporting us now. The ruler is furious, and even the Grand Steward was scolded harshly. Brother Xin, you must think of a way, or Third Brother will suffer.”

At that moment, Ye Xin, like Tie Xinsheng, first thought of the threat posed by the Blood Mountain Legion. The land and resources of Great Zhao and Wei were fundamentally similar. Now, the Blood Mountain Legion held the initiative, able to watch from the sidelines or join forces to attack the other.

Wei Juan was far too eager for quick success. Ye Xin frowned. He was confident he could withstand Xiao Mozhi, but the Blood Mountain Legion of Great Yu had become an unpredictable variable.

“Brother Xin, say something!” Wang Meng cried.

“This isn’t something for me to handle,” Ye Xin shook his head. “Do you remember what I said at the time?”

“What did you say?” Wang Meng was momentarily confused.

“I warned Han Yuanzi and Han Yunzi to leave room in their dealings,” Ye Xin replied. “It’s like raising chickens—every day you can gather eggs and live well, but they insisted on killing the chicken for its eggs. They brought this upon themselves! Had Yuanzi and Yunzi exercised a bit of restraint, the Blood Mountain Legion wouldn’t bear such a grudge.”

“My dear Brother Xin, the logic is sound, but who can control them?” Wang Meng said. “At first, Yuanzi and Yunzi handled things well enough, but with gold notes raining in daily, their courage only grew.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t come to me,” Ye Xin said. In truth, he had long predicted this outcome. Initially, Han Yuanzi and Han Yunzi only dabbled, and Great Yu’s merchant caravans wouldn’t mind much. First, their profit margins were large, so paying some fees wasn’t a big issue. Second, this was the local power, and to earn Wei’s gold notes, they had to pay a price.

But Han Yuanzi and Han Yunzi were shortsighted fools, and the cooperation from Great Yu’s merchants only fueled their greed. Ye Xin’s original intent was to strain relations between Wei and Yu, cutting off Tie Xinsheng’s support. As the saying goes, a thousand-mile levee destroyed by an ant’s nest—building friendship is hard, but breaking it is easy. Sometimes a careless word or an inappropriate expression can turn friends into enemies.

“Brother Xin, you can’t just stand by!” Wang Meng pleaded, face drawn. “I know you’ll come up with something…”

“Don’t worry. Third Brother will be fine. The ruler needs people now; his harsh punishment is just for show, to pave the way for new dealings with Great Yu,” Ye Xin replied. “As for Yuanzi and Yunzi… I suspect the Grand Steward acted deliberately. On one hand, it gives Tie Xinsheng an explanation; on the other, he knows things are dire. Since he’s decided to lead the city defense troops out… he left one behind as a contingency. If you check again, you’ll find Yuanzi and Yunzi’s injuries are different.”

“Brother Xin, you mean he broke Yunzi’s leg on purpose, to keep him in Jiuding City?” Wang Meng suddenly understood.

“The Han family has no reason to fight to the death,” Ye Xin said calmly. “Whoever becomes ruler, as long as Han the Grand Steward’s position is secured, it’s enough. He’s helped Third Brother tirelessly because he knows if Tie Renhao rises, the Han family will suffer. If it’s an external invasion, there’s more room to maneuver.”

“Brother Xin, do you always see people in such a negative light?” Wang Meng asked.

Ye Xin only laughed, saying nothing more.

“All right, I’ll go gather more information,” Wang Meng said, pausing before continuing, “Brother Xin, are you avoiding your wife?”

“Oh? Why do you say that?” Ye Xin smiled again.

“I went with Wen Rong to find you at the Ye household. White Rider said you weren’t there, seemed not to know where you’d gone,” Wang Meng said. “Then he winked at me, waited for Wen Rong to leave, and brought me here. So you…”

“No choice. I have many things to do, and she watches me all day. I can’t move,” Ye Xin replied.

“She cares for you, Brother Xin. You really don’t know how lucky you are. In Jiuding City, countless men dream of marrying her,” Wang Meng shook his head. “Forget it, let’s drop it. Are you really leaving? Will you go with me tomorrow?”

“No, I’ll leave tonight. By tomorrow it’ll be too late,” Ye Xin said.

“Why so urgent?” Wang Meng was surprised.

“They say a gentleman may wait ten years for revenge, but I’m no gentleman. Mine brooks no delay,” Ye Xin smiled.

“You…” Wang Meng shuddered. He wasn’t stupid, only feigned roughness. Hearing Ye Xin’s words, he immediately grasped Ye Xin’s intent. “Brother Xin, are you mad? Are you targeting Zong Yunjin or the Fragrant Pavilion? Don’t say I didn’t warn you—the Zong family isn’t to be trifled with, and the Fragrant Pavilion is a secret base for the Cloth Guards. Touch either and you’ll regret it! The ruler is already burning with rage, and you dare stir up more trouble now?!”

“That’s why I must leave tonight,” Ye Xin replied.

“You’re something…” Wang Meng grimaced. “You really are…” He had no words left.

Wang Meng departed. Ye Xin sank back into his chair, gazing up at the fading sky. With the appearance of the Blood Mountain Legion, his plans needed urgent adjustment. He had to think carefully and quickly.

When darkness fully descended, Xue Baiqi, Hao Fei, Xie En, and Mo Yan walked into the small courtyard.

“Sir, the old generals of the Sirius Legion are ready. We can depart at any moment,” Xue Baiqi said quietly.

“Mo Yan, you stay,” Ye Xin suddenly sat up.

“What?” Mo Yan was taken aback, his expression reluctant. As a soldier of the Sin Battalion, his dream was to return to the battlefield, not to be involved in shady dealings in Jiuding City.

“Come here,” Ye Xin beckoned.

Mo Yan hurried to stand before Ye Xin, who whispered a few words in his ear. Mo Yan’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, finally bursting into a smile. “Sir, I understand. Don’t worry, leave this to me!”

The others exchanged glances. They all knew Mo Yan’s feelings, so they wondered what Ye Xin had said to change his mind so swiftly.

“Who among you understands Pan Yuanshan’s Blood Mountain Legion?” Ye Xin asked.

“Not much. I only heard their combat strength and Pan Yuanshan’s power might surpass Zhuang Bujiu and is comparable to Xiao Mozhi,” Xue Baiqi replied.

“Tie Xinsheng has always dreamed of being a great ruler. Suddenly struck by this blow, with the Blood Mountain Legion’s ambiguous stance, what do you think he’ll choose?” Ye Xin asked.

“Tie Xinsheng is gentle outwardly but tough inside. He won’t yield easily,” Xue Baiqi answered.

“The legacy of his ancestors risks being destroyed in his hands. If he can’t hold on… he’ll go down fighting,” Hao Fei said.

“The Blood Mountain Legion won’t act rashly. Their choice is to ally with the strong and attack the weak, so they get the greatest benefit at the lowest cost,” Xie En said. “Tie Xinsheng should show his strongest side to win back their support.”

“Xie En’s judgment is closest to reality,” Ye Xin nodded approvingly. “But how can he show his strongest side?”

“Sir, just tell us. We can’t guess,” Xue Baiqi laughed.

“In the next day or so, Tie Xinsheng will announce he’ll personally lead the army,” Ye Xin said. “So tonight, we must leave. I have no desire to march alongside him.”

“Tie Xinsheng will lead the army himself?” Xue Baiqi was surprised.

“He must. Otherwise, he can’t control the situation, nor pressure Great Yu,” Ye Xin replied. “Only by mobilizing the whole nation can he show his determination and strength. Hehehe… This is a rare opportunity for us. I only worry that Tie Xinsheng will die of rage before I take my revenge. I hope he’s tougher…”

“What opportunity? Mo Yan?” Xue Baiqi asked.

“You’ll see soon enough,” Ye Xin smiled. “Come, it’s time for us to set out as well.”