110: Chapter 98: Suo Hanyi’s disgraceful behaviour exposed!
110: Chapter 98: Suo Hanyi’s disgraceful behaviour exposed!
Note: The second update is here, with today’s two chapters totaling nine thousand words, equivalent to four chapters from others.
I beg for monthly tickets, and automatic subscriptions, please.
With the great river in front and over ten thousand pursuers behind, they had reached a dead end.
On both sides of the road lay dense forests, leaving no path to tread.
A few miles behind, over ten thousand rebels formed a semi-circular formation, constantly tightening their encirclement, gradually shrinking the noose.
Suo Lun ordered the abandonment of horses and commanded all the family samurai to ascend Lingjiang Peak.
Half an hour later, they reached the summit, hundreds of meters above sea level.
From the mountaintop, dark crowds of over ten thousand rebels had reached the base, enveloping Lingjiang Peak completely, making escape impossible, as if their wings were clipped.
Suo Mu and the other family samurai stood atop the mountain in despair, looking down at the rebel forces with anger and sorrow.
Before climbing the mountain, Suo Mu had argued that they absolutely must not ascend, as seeking refuge at the summit might save them momentarily but would ultimately lead them into a trap.
What they should’ve done was to gather over a hundred people into a spear, break through at one point and charge out, then head to Tianshui City to meet with Lord Suo Hanyi.
But Suo Lun disregarded his advice, repeating the same line, understanding is optional, but obedience is mandatory.
If one wishes not to obey, they are free to leave or surrender to the rebels.
Thus, Suo Mu and the others, feeling utterly hopeless, followed Suo Lun to the mountaintop.
They could only watch as they were cornered into a desperate situation, with Suo Mu thinking only one phrase, “Incompetent leadership leads to the death of thousands of troops.”
Even in their minds, Suo Lun was worse off than his previous image as a prodigal wastrel.
The former Suo Lun squandered his wealth and engaged with women, at least he didn’t pretend to know what he was doing, and he didn’t give any ridiculous commands.
His outstanding performance during the final examination filled him with ignorant confidence.
The present Suo Lun might have pulled himself together, but he had led them into dire straits, leading the entire family into a crisis.
The mountaintop was devoid of almost everything.
There was no water, and even trees were scarce; most of it was just bare rock on the outside.
The rebel forces below, numbering over ten thousand, had begun to form their ranks, to chop down trees, and to construct simple barricades.
Huge crossbows were placed into position across various sites.
The soldiers began to polish their treasured swords, ready to storm the mountaintop at any moment.
“Master, the rebels at the foot of the mountain are not yet steady.
If we take advantage of this and strike now, there’s still a sliver of hope.
We can protect you and escape,” Suo Mu stepped forward and said.
Suo Lun shook his head: “No.”
Suo Mu couldn’t help but raise his voice: “Then what should we do now?”
“Wait,” Suo Lun said.
Wait for what?” Suo Mu asked.
“Are we waiting for death?”
Suo Lun said, “Wait for Suo Hanyi.”
At this point, Suo Mu really wanted to laugh out of sheer frustration.
Was this lord before him the same person who previously declined to rendezvous with Lord Suo Hanyi due to personal grudges and now wished for Lord Suo Hanyi’s rescue?
If only he had known earlier, why act at all?
“Master, Lord Suo Hanyi won’t come,” Suo Mu said.
“No one is coming to rescue us; no one knows that we’re here.”
Suo Lun said, “Who says Suo Hanyi is here to rescue us?
He’s here to kill us.”
Suo Mu raised his voice: “Impossible, master, you can dislike Lord Suo Hanyi.
But you cannot doubt and tarnish his loyalty.
Over the past ten years, how much blood and sweat has he given for the Suo Family?
To speak such words not only chills his heart but ours as well.”
Suo Lun said, “I won’t argue with you.
The outcome will be clear soon enough.”
Suo Mu turned and left, fearing he would burst into curses if he stayed any longer.
Although Suo Lun was his lord, it was utterly heartless to utter such words.
If it weren’t for Lord Suo Hanyi, Tianshui City would have been lost long ago.
How could you, Suo Lun, previously have squandered your wealth and caused trouble in the royal city with impunity?
Now, not only are you, Suo Lun, not grateful, but you also slander Lord Suo Hanyi, which is utterly intolerable.
Suo Lun took a deep breath.
Although he knew that Suo Hanyi held a high place in the hearts of the soldiers of Tian Shui, he never realized it was to such an extent.
These soldiers revered him as their savior, an unshakable pillar.
If these soldiers had to choose between him and Suo Hanyi, they would undoubtedly pick Suo Hanyi without hesitation.
Those present were the family samurai who had always stayed in the royal city.
The soldiers from Tianshui City probably revered Suo Hanyi as a deity.
“All Suo Family samurai, begin to assemble,” Suo Mu loudly ordered.
Instantly, hundreds of family samurai started to form ranks in a disciplined manner.
Suo Lun’s expression changed: “Suo Mu, what are you doing?”
Suo Mu said, “Master, if even Lord Suo Hanyi’s loyalty is in doubt in your heart, our loyalty is even less significant.
Now, we will prove our honor with our blood.
Brothers, let’s fight our way down, die with our enemies, and validate the glory of our warrior honor.”
“Charge, charge, charge…” Suddenly, hundreds of family samurai unsheathed their swords in unison.
Suo Lun said, “I have never doubted your loyalty.”
Suo Mu said, “By doubting Lord Suo Hanyi, you doubt us.
Gathered brothers, which of you wasn’t personally trained by Suo Hanyi?”
Suddenly, the family samurai present raised their hands one after another.
Suo Mu said, “Although Lord Suo Hanyi is an adopted son to the Suo Family, he’s in fact the leader of us family samurai.
Every one of us here was trained by him, and we have all received his kindness.
By doubting his loyalty, you are doubting ours as well.
Now, we use our deaths to wash away the insult you’ve brought upon Lord Suo Hanyi.”