The Struggle of Chaos Chapter 102: Betrayal

When the news of Li Qiutong’s impending public beheading reached Beitong Pass, an intense wave of fury swept through the entire region. Many immediately armed themselves, eager to march upon Chang’an.

Back in that small wooden cabin, now crowded with people, Yang Ruiyun, Deng Zhanxuan, and Ren Xingtian sat at the center. Surrounding them were the commanders of the major military divisions—virtually every leader of Beitong Pass was present.

Once all had gathered, Ren Xingtian spoke, “I believe everyone has heard about what happened to Brother Tong in Chang’an.”

A heavy silence fell as everyone awaited his next words.

“Allow me to clarify why Brother Tong went to Chang’an,” Ren Xingtian continued. “His journey was to investigate the assassination attempt on his grandfather years ago.” At this revelation, aside from Yang Ruiyun and Deng Zhanxuan, the others showed expressions of surprise—this was news they had never heard before.

Ren Xingtian went on, “Brother Tong’s grandfather was the renowned Medicine Sage, known throughout the land. You likely know the story of how the Medicine Sage was attacked. He indeed survived the assassination attempt, but the assailant did not relent. After discovering Brother Tong was the Medicine Sage’s grandson, this enemy struck at us multiple times. The prior three assassins, the Mongol army’s attack—they are all connected to him.”

“Who is this man?” Biluò was the first to speak, her reaction alongside Zhu Yan’er’s the strongest upon hearing the name Medicine Sage.

“Our investigations point to Prince Li Shiyuan of the Tang Kingdom, the current Ming Prince. Brother Tong’s mission was to confront him, but he was ensnared by his schemes.”

“What does the strategist propose?” Lin Xuan, usually composed, asked.

Zhu Long cut in, “Of course, we must rescue General Li. No matter the cost to Chang’an, we will bring him back.”

Lin Xuan fixed him with a grave look. “Have you considered the consequences? Marching on Chang’an means we become rebels. I understand our loyalty lies with General Li, not the Tang Kingdom, but we lack the strength to confront a nation. If branded rebels, we face the full might of the Tang armies at both Yanguan and Beiting Pass. How could Beitong Pass, isolated as it is, possibly withstand such an assault?”

Zhu Long knew this well but refused to let Li Qiutong die in Chang’an.

“General Li saved my life; I owe him everything. Even if it costs me my life, I will rescue him,” Zhu Long declared resolutely.

“Everyone, quiet down. Brother, we must rescue him—but how, and where to go afterward—that is what we need to discuss,” Yang Ruiyun finally spoke.

He looked to Ren Xingtian, who slowly revealed, “There is something I have not told you all. Not long ago, Brother Tong agreed to an invitation from King Liu Bei of Shu Han, deciding to join his forces and fight alongside him. Due to the sensitivity, I did not inform you earlier. What are your thoughts?”

“Was this General Li’s own decision?” Lin Xuan asked.

Ren Xingtian nodded.

“General Li gave me a new life. Whatever his decision, I, Lin Xuan, will follow him to the end.”

Zhu Long added, “Same here. I don’t care who our superiors are. All I need to know is I remain a soldier of General Li.”

Yang Hu smiled at his wife and said, “Whether it’s General Li or the young master, I, Yang Hu, swear to follow them to death.”

With Lin Xuan and Zhu Long having declared their loyalty, all eyes turned to Biluò and Zhu Yan’er.

Zhu Yan glanced at Lin Xuan and then at Biluò, finally affirming, “I follow Miss’s lead.”

Biluò looked around solemnly, “I’ve always said Beitong Pass is one family—we will not be divided again.”

Ren Xingtian breathed a sigh of relief. He knew Zhu Long and Lin Xuan would follow Li Qiutong, and Yang Hu was Yang Ruiyun’s man, but with Biluò, he had been uncertain.

Yang Ruiyun, witnessing the unanimous resolve, felt deeply moved. The three brothers were no longer alone.

“Thank you all for your trust. With Brother absent, I will serve as temporary commander and oversee the rescue and retreat operations.” He spread a map on the table.

“The rescue team must be small and swift to avoid direct conflict with the Tang forces. The primary participants will be myself, Third Brother, Xingtian, and Biluò. The other four commanders have separate assignments.”

Yang Ruiyun then marked three points on the map.

“First, Brother Hu’s Western Army Camp—the most mobile unit—will accompany us to Chang’an but halt outside the city to await our escape. Next, Commander Zhu’s Southern Army Camp will secretly station along the route from Beitong Pass to Chang’an, serving as the second support team. Any pursuers will be lured into a gorge, where you will handle them. Finally, Commander Lin’s Northern Army Camp will take all supplies and equipment to Ling Valley, avoiding any premature alert. Once we rendezvous, we will proceed together to Han territory.”

“What about me?” Zhu Long asked, noticing his name hadn’t come up.

Yang Ruiyun looked up at him. “Commander Zhu’s Eastern Army Camp has the strongest overall combat ability. I need you to proceed directly to Shu Han City in Han territory. You will assist them against the invading Qin forces and inform Liu Bei of our situation.”

“Understood,” Zhu Long replied without hesitation, despite the possibility of fighting former comrades.

“That’s the preliminary plan. Everyone return quickly to prepare; the vanguard will move out tomorrow.”

“Understood,” came the unified response. Though tense, spirits burned bright.

Once everyone departed, Yang Ruiyun and the others exhaled deeply. Before leaving, Li Qiutong had entrusted this mission to Yang Ruiyun should anything happen—making him the new leader of Beitong Pass. This provided a solid reason to refuse Liu Bei if anyone chose not to join him.

Yang Ruiyun stared at the map, voice heavy, “I hope Brother is safe.”

“Before Brother left, I anticipated trouble,” Ren Xingtian said.

“Then why send him alone to Chang’an?” Deng Zhanxuan asked, puzzled. He had thought it was an accident, but it seemed premeditated.

Ren Xingtian was frank. “Brother Tong was confident. His body was nearly healed. Once fully recovered, he would reach the rank of Four Symbols Grandmaster. At that point, no one in Chang’an could stop him.”

Deng Zhanxuan suddenly speculated, “Do you think Brother was bewitched by some princess’s charms and lost his resolve?”

Both men stared at him in shock. Ren Xingtian was the first to agree, “It’s not impossible. Brother Tong is only human.”

Yang Ruiyun disagreed. “That’s unlikely. Brother is not easily swayed by women. Besides, didn’t he already have someone he loved? He wouldn’t betray his original intention.”

Ren Xingtian nodded thoughtfully. “True. If I’m right, Brother’s first love is probably from the Heavenly Kingdom.”

Deng Zhanxuan was bewildered. “Wasn’t Brother in the Song Kingdom before? How would he fall for someone from the Heavenly Kingdom? That doesn’t add up.”

Yang Ruiyun pondered. “Come to think of it, Brother did mention going to the Heavenly Kingdom several times.”

“Most likely, she’s from the Heavenly Kingdom, and of high status. Otherwise, Brother wouldn’t have avoided going there before and instead moved south,” Ren Xingtian speculated further.

Yang Ruiyun agreed.

“Wait, why are we suddenly discussing this? Shouldn’t we focus on how to rescue Brother?” Deng Zhanxuan realized.

His words silenced Yang Ruiyun and Ren Xingtian.

“Right, let’s talk about this after we rescue him.”

That night, at the Eastern Army Camp, the vanguard preparing to enter Han territory felt far more tense than the other camps—it was they who would first tread the battlefield.

“Little Longzi, what are you doing?” Lijing’s celestial eye noticed Zhu Long still awake and quietly entered his room.

Zhu Long didn’t look up, focused on a paper as he muttered, “Thinking about the upcoming battles on the Qin-Han front.”

“Hasn’t everyone trained well? We’ll be a formidable force once on the battlefield,” Lijing said, puzzled.

Zhu Long slowly raised his head. “Battlefields are never that simple. Training and real combat are worlds apart. And we still don’t know the true situation on the Qin-Han front. We must be fully prepared.”

“Then I’ll help you,” Lijing suddenly said.

“How will you help me?”

The young girl thought for a moment. “I’ll help by massaging your shoulders. My master loves it when I do that.”

Zhu Long looked surprised. “Did you suddenly have a change of heart?”

“Hey! Don’t think that of me—I’ve always been good to you,” Lijing said, a little annoyed.

Seeing this, Zhu Long relaxed. “That’s the little witch Lijing I know.”

“Hey, say that again and I might just hit you.”

“I won’t dare. Please massage my shoulders. They’ve been sore lately.”

The next day, Beitong Pass was ready for departure. The Southern and Northern Army Camps set out at dawn. The Eastern Army Camp assembled, ready to move, while the Northern Army Camp was still finalizing supplies.

At the East Gate, soldiers looked back at the place they had lived for years with a heavy heart.

“How’s Commander Zhu’s condition?” Lin Xuan asked, watching Zhu Long prepare.

“Very well.”

Lin Xuan hesitated, then said, “I didn’t expect we’d return to that place again.”

“Are you afraid?” Zhu Long teased.

“No way,” Lin Xuan replied solemnly, “I just don’t want to repeat last time’s regrets.”

Zhu Long smiled. “That was then. Now I’m a hundred times stronger.”

Lin Xuan relaxed a little. “Has Lone Wolf already gone to Han territory?”

“Yes. He’s taken his squad to gather intelligence on the front lines.”

Lin Xuan gazed into the distance. “Be careful. We’re counting on you.”

“Of course. You better hurry back, or the war will be over.”

Lin Xuan shook his head and said no more.