nucmednet Chapter 350 defection
Chapter 350 defection
Only the three of them remained in the room, and they all casually sat down on the chairs.
Yun Qing knew Duan Qingzhou's thoughts all along, so she didn't rush to appease him or recruit him.
He simply revealed all the secrets he had uncovered! He told Duan Qingzhou about the secrets of "Howling Moon Manor" and the "Divine Realm's" desire to control the court. He only concealed the fact that Emperor Yong'an wanted to resurrect his soul into his body to achieve immortality.
He then said in a deep voice, "Prince Duan, the Holy Domain was created by the late emperor. Initially, it was only to control the hearts of the people. They did some shady things for the court and brought in more benefits for it! Now, the Holy Domain's power is growing, and they are imitating the late emperor's methods, using Xiaoyue Manor to carve out a bloody path for them so they can reap the benefits!"
So that’s it!
Duan Qingzhou naturally knew about the Holy Domain's affairs. Nan Yue was so close to Fuzhou that he knew better than anyone what the Holy Domain had done. However, he had previously wanted to protect himself and did not want to get involved. But now, they were even going so far as to harm his children. He could no longer sit idly by.
Duan Qingzhou closed his eyes for a long time, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with a resolute clarity.
"What is this mere Holy Domain? How dare they covet my Great Qi's territory!" He had truly had enough of this insult.
"Your Highness, I, Duan, am unworthy and have no great ambitions. For generations, my Duan family has endured the pain of separation from our loved ones, guarding Nanyue with unwavering loyalty. This expedition is not my wish, and these 80,000 cavalry are not from Nanyue. I beg Your Highness to understand!"
Duan Qingzhou knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke with a voice as firm as iron. Duan Muchen also knelt down following his father.
Yun Qing quickly reached out to help Duan Qingzhou and his son up: "Your Highness Duan, you are too kind. I have already investigated this matter! These soldiers are all private soldiers of Xiaoyue Manor, and they are backed by the Holy Domain."
Duan Qingzhou's body trembled slightly, and his gaze briefly met that of his son beside him. That one glance seemed to unload the heavy responsibility that had been borne by generations of the Duan family.
Duan Muchen looked at his father with unwavering eyes. Duan Qingzhou finally made up his mind. When he turned to Yun Qing again, his expression was as firm as a rock.
"Your Highness is benevolent and wise, with keen insight. You are truly a blessing to the people of Great Qi and a benefactor to my Duan family! My son and daughter have been rescued by Your Highness many times. This kindness is greater than that of Mount Heng."
He took a deep breath and declared resolutely, "From this moment on, I, Duan Qingzhou, and the Duan family of Nanyue, will follow Your Highness's lead! I only beg Your Highness... to grant the Duan family a way out, and not let our descendants suffer the pain of separation from their families again! Even if I am stripped of my title and reduced to a commoner, I, Duan, will be willing!"
"Your Highness, please grant my request!" Duan Muchen's voice rang out firmly, a gesture of agreement and a vow.
Yun Qing's gaze swept over the father and son, her eyes filled with understanding: "What Your Highness seeks is also what I desire."
"Since the Southern Yue submitted to the Great Qi, the people have lived in peace and prosperity. The Duan family has been loyal and righteous for generations, guarding the border and protecting the people. Their hearts are as clear as the sun and moon, and their achievements are engraved in the mountains and rivers. We have long been a family with blood ties and shared joys and sorrows. This sudden turmoil is not due to a lack of loyalty and righteousness, but rather to malicious instigation by those with ulterior motives, who want to destroy the pillars of our Great Qi."
"Those 80,000 iron cavalry are still under the control of Xiaoyue Manor. If the commander-in-chief defectes, the manor can easily install a puppet and stir up trouble again in an instant."
Duan Qingzhou immediately understood Yun Qing's words: "Your Highness, I have a list here. These people should be the people from Xiaoyue Manor you mentioned. They are the ones in charge of this army!"
Yun Qing gladly accepted it; he naturally wouldn't give the enemy a chance to breathe. The three of them then talked in secret in the room for a long time.
Of the four men under Emperor Yong'an, one was dead and one was wounded. Cang Nan's whereabouts are unknown, and only Cang Xu remains, still stirring up trouble in the shadows. The abduction of the Duan siblings was his doing.
Yun Qing already had a way to deal with him—it was time to unsheathe the sword that was Ming Yuan.
Let Cang Xu experience what it's like to be hunted down! This will also keep him busy and unable to take care of himself.
Before dawn, in the darkest hour, the day is not far off.
Duan Qingzhou bid a reluctant farewell to his children, his countless words of advice condensed in their silent gazes, before quietly slipping back into the camp.
Before dawn, the war drums had already shattered the morning light.
Duan Qingzhou took his command and issued the order: Eight elite cavalry units will attack the eight gates of Jiangzhou!
Atop the city wall, Yun Qing, clad in black and red armor, personally led the charge. This was also part of the plan—the eight commanders were all from Xiaoyue Manor. Today's battle was for the heads of these eight men. To eradicate all the cancerous elements of Xiaoyue Manor!
Warhorses neighed, and arrows rained down, obscuring the sky. From sunrise to afternoon, fierce battles raged at the eight city gates, yet each engagement was under the tacit control of Yun Qing and Duan Qingzhou. As the setting sun stained the ground with blood, all eight commanders of Xiaoyue Manor had been killed, their heads hung on flagpoles as a warning to others.
Duan Qingzhou then used the excuse of "losing generals in battle and needing to reorganize" to quickly dismantle and reorganize his troops, and installed trusted generals, all of whom were Yun Qing and Duan Qingzhou's own people.
The power of the 80,000 iron cavalry changed hands silently within a few days.
With this, the siege of Jiangzhou was lifted, and the situation in the capital was reversed. Yun Qing had subdued 80,000 elite troops, turning the tide of battle.
But in his heart, he attributed all the credit to Mu Qingcheng. If it weren't for his Nuannuan risking her life to rescue the Duan siblings, he would probably still be fighting to the death with Duan Qingzhou today.
The next morning, the gates of Jiangzhou city swung open with a roar, and the morning light spread across the long street like golden silk. Both sides of the road were already packed with people, a sea of heads.
Because His Highness the Crown Prince has returned in triumph, and today all the people have come out to welcome him!
Mu Qingcheng, along with Su Qingyan and the Mu Yao sisters, had booked a teahouse facing the street well in advance. They eagerly awaited Yun Qing's triumphant return!
“De de de…”
The crisp sound of horses' hooves shattered the morning dew on the bluestone pavement, and a figure broke through the pale golden mist, slowly entering the city. Behind him were neatly arranged black-armored soldiers exuding a chilling aura.
The crowd stopped making noise and retreated in fear until they could see the person at the front clearly!
Yun Qing wore a black cloak with crimson flame patterns, and sunlight flowed across her shiny black armor, reflecting a dazzling brilliance that was too dazzling to look at directly.
He wore no helmet, his dark hair tied back with a silver crown, a few strands brushing against his perfectly sculpted profile. The armor was imposing, yet it only accentuated his handsome features, his deep, sculpted eyes, and his overall demeanor was a perfect blend of the grace of someone long accustomed to a high position and the sharpness of someone who had experienced countless battles, making him almost otherworldly in his beauty.
Time stood still, for only a moment.
Immediately, the entire city seemed to boil as if hot oil had been poured into clear water! Exclamations and cheers swept through the long street like a tidal wave.
"This is our Crown Prince!"
"Your Highness! It's Your Highness!"
"My God... how can someone be so good-looking..."
"It's like a god descending to earth!"
The young women, both young and old, were mesmerized, completely captivated. Had it not been for the menacing black-armored soldiers blocking their way, they fear their cosmetics would have buried Yun Qing on the spot! The handkerchiefs in their hands, the flowers in their hair, the purses and jade pendants at their waists could no longer be resisted. As if bewitched, they transformed into a shower of colorful "snowflakes," recklessly scattering them towards the radiant figure on horseback.
Seeing that they couldn't win the argument, the men had no choice but to back down. Suddenly, the air was filled with the scents of flowers and cosmetics, creating a dizzying, frenzied atmosphere.