Chapter 51

Lian Ai’s eyes were filled with sorrow. “Xiaoyu…”

There were too many conflicts between them. Too much had happened for them to remain friends. Lian Ai understood this, and he accepted it. Still, he hoped Zuo Lingyu could stay away from trouble, away from Qian Zeliang. He could go somewhere no one knew him and start over. The court was hunting down traitors, but Zuo Lingyu had never taken part in the rebellion. Bu Nian would not pursue him.

Zuo Lingyu turned his eyes away. His voice was cold and hard.

“Bu Nian should arrive in another two days. If you want to live longer, you’d better use your head.”

The words did not sound like something spoken by someone who wanted him dead. Lian Ai froze, then lifted his head quickly. A glimmer of surprise lit up his eyes.

But Zuo Lingyu still did not look at him. After speaking, he stood up as if nothing had happened and placed the rough ceramic bowl back on the table.

Lian Ai watched his retreating back as he left the dungeon. He had just tried to push himself upright when his arm brushed against something on the floor.

A sleeve-bolt. It was lying right where Zuo Lingyu had just been standing.

Lian Ai touched it with trembling fingers, then strapped it onto his arm. It held only one bolt, but it was better than being completely defenseless.

He was certain that Zuo Lingyu did not hate him as much as he claimed. He was still trying to help him in his own way.

“General…” Lian Ai sat on the cold ground, one hand covering the hidden sleeve bolt under his sleeve. Slowly, he closed his eyes.

He had to hold on until Bu Nian arrived. As long as there was even a sliver of hope, he would not give up.

The promise to go to Jiangnan had yet to be fulfilled. He could not accept dying here, just like this. After everything, he had finally found a family. He had found the most important person in his life. He had survived one crisis after another and was finally beginning to live well. He was not willing to die here, in a place so filthy and foul.

His fingers slowly tightened. Then he opened his eyes wide. The fear and weakness in his gaze had vanished, replaced by unwavering resolve.

Bu Nian reached Da Qing Mountain in two days. He set up camp at the base of the mountain and sent scouts to survey the surroundings, to familiarize themselves with the terrain and locate the exact position of Fenglei Fort. Throughout the process, he remained outwardly calm, but the furrow between his brows never relaxed, betraying his true emotions.

Song Qiao had already learned what had happened on the way there, but he was not good with words and did not know how to comfort Bu Nian.

One of the scouts was giving a report while arranging a sand table for the two generals. Halfway through the briefing, he saw Bu Nian pinch the bridge of his nose as if trying to ease a growing ache. He looked visibly fatigued.

The scout immediately fell silent and asked in concern, “General, would you like to rest for a while?”

Song Qiao also spoke. “Yes. You haven’t rested properly in two days. You should take a break.”

Bu Nian waved them off and did not listen. “Go on.”

Every moment he spent resting was a moment Lian Ai remained in danger. How could he sleep in peace?

It was infuriating. In the past, staying awake for three days and nights would not have been a problem. But ever since the poison was cleared, his eyes had become sensitive and weak. He could no longer push them too far.

So he shut them. From now on, he would only listen, not look.

Song Qiao said nothing more. He knew Bu Nian was truly anxious. If their positions were reversed, if the one he cared for most had been taken and their fate was still unknown, he knew he could never remain as calm as Bu Nian.

The scout nodded and was just about to continue his report when a soldier burst in from outside. He knelt on one knee before Bu Nian and Song Qiao.

“Report. A man has arrived at the camp entrance. He identifies himself as Zuo Lingyu and claims to have information about Fenglei Fort for the General.”

Bu Nian’s eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, opened at once. He looked directly at the soldier.

“Let him in.”

Once the soldier had withdrawn, Song Qiao signaled the scout to step out as well. Then he stepped closer to Bu Nian, a look of concern crossing his face.

“General, Zuo Lingyu’s presence may be linked to the alliance between the remnants of the Zuo family and the Qian clan. We must be cautious. This could be a trap.”

He feared that Bu Nian, driven by worry, might fall for a scheme set by Qian Zeliang. In truth, he had underestimated Bu Nian and overestimated Qian Zeliang.

Bu Nian gave a cold laugh. “If they think they can fool me, they are far too naive.”

Just as the words left his mouth, the tent flap lifted and Zuo Lingyu stepped inside.

For a moment, Song Qiao almost didn’t recognize him. Whether it was his appearance or his aura, the man had changed greatly over the past few months.

Unlike Lian Ai, Bu Nian held a true blood feud against Zuo Lingyu. He had braced himself for confrontation, perhaps even a clash. What he did not expect was Zuo Lingyu lifting the hem of his robe and kneeling before him, his face devoid of emotion.

“Greetings, Grand General.” He lowered his head and knocked it once against the ground.

Even Song Qiao was stunned. He had no idea what game Zuo Lingyu was playing. He said nothing, choosing instead to watch in silence. His hand, however, remained resting on the hilt of his sword, ready for anything.

Bu Nian looked down at him and asked in a low voice, “Speak. Why have you come?”

Zuo Lingyu straightened his back. His face showed no emotion, neither sorrow nor joy, no surprise and no anger. He appeared numb and cold, as if he had already cast aside all concern for life or death.

“I have come to make a deal with the Grand General.”

Bu Nian raised an eyebrow slightly. He had already begun to guess what Zuo Lingyu wanted in exchange, but he did not interrupt him.

“I can get Lian Ai out. I can even lead your men up the mountain. But…” Zuo Lingyu blinked, and only now did he show the slightest hint of hesitation. “You have to release my sister.”

He was making a gamble, staking everything on Bu Nian’s feelings for Lian Ai.

The two locked eyes in silence, a wordless standoff. Neither moved. Neither spoke. A long moment passed before Bu Nian slowly exhaled, the breath drawn from deep in his chest. Zuo Lingyu had won the bet. At that moment, Bu Nian had weighed the costs and made a decision.

A dangerous decision.

“Zuo Lingxue is dead. She died in childbirth.”

Zuo Lingyu froze. For a moment, his face went blank. He stood like a statue, then slowly, as if from the top down, began to crack and collapse.

“You’re lying…” he murmured, his voice hollow. Then he erupted. “You’re lying!”

Song Qiao had already drawn his sword halfway. When he caught sight of the subtle gesture from Bu Nian, he quietly stepped back, suppressing his reaction.

“I have no need to lie to you. It won’t be long before the news spreads from the capital. She’s gone. She gave birth to twins, and they came too early. The children were born too early, and their bodies are frail. Should anything happen to them during this period, it would not be unexpected.

Bu Nian stepped forward and crouched to meet his eyes.

“I’ll trade Zuo Lingxue’s daughter for Lian Ai.”

Zuo Lingyu’s eyes flickered, as if he had not yet processed the meaning. But beside him, Song Qiao was already in shock. Zuo Lingxue’s daughter carried not only the blood of the Zuo family but also the royal line. If this exchange were ever exposed, it would be considered a crime against the throne.

Bu Nian was not concerned with anything beyond the present moment. “They are now the only family you have left in this world. I am giving you the chance to take one of them with you. What more is there to hesitate about?”

Just moments ago, the advantage had been in Zuo Lingyu’s hands. Now, in only a few words, Bu Nian had become the one setting the terms.

“You help me take Fenglei Fort. I will let you leave with your niece, and I swear never to pursue either of you again. I will also give you silver, enough for you both to live in peace.”

Zuo Lingyu was still wrapped in the grief of losing his sister. He stared at Bu Nian in a daze. The words entered his ears slowly, one by one.

As Bu Nian had said, aside from those two children, he had no one left in this world. He had become the one without a choice.

“How can I trust you?” His voice was hoarse.

Bu Nian raised his hand, bit through the tip of his finger, and smeared the blood across his lips. Then, he raised three fingers to the sky.

“By blood and oath, I swear to the heavens. If I break this vow, may I not die a good death.”

The blood on his lips, paired with the black armor he wore, made his presence even colder and more severe.

Zuo Lingyu said nothing for a moment. Then he followed. He bit his fingertip, stained his lips with blood, and slowly raised his hand.

“By blood and oath, I swear to the heavens. If I break this vow, I, Zuo Lingyu, shall not die a good death.”