Chapter 57: Xiqi, A Living Hell on Earth

The counterattack of the Yiqu soldiers was exceptionally fierce. They united into a single force, sinking their teeth into a single line of defense and launching a frantic assault.

Although the Dirong warriors fought to the death, bathed in blood, Yiqu was inherently a land of fierce wolves, and at this moment, every single one of them embraced the absolute resolve to die. The Dirong defense line was teetering on the edge, on the verge of complete collapse.

However, with the rapid reinforcement of the Qin army, infantry stepping forward, and cross-bowmen firing in alternating volleys, the battlefield situation quickly underwent a reversal.

"Where is your princess?"

Ying Zheng led a hundred cavalrymen straight to the clash between the Dirong and the Yiqu, and he questioned a Dirong soldier.

That soldier, his face smeared with blood and filth, shook his head in despair, "We were scattered by the Yiqu people; I don't know where the Princess is either."

Ying Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and he spurred his horse to search for Di Ning's figure elsewhere.

Ahead, a large crowd of Yiqu soldiers was swarming like starved wolves, besieging something.

"Charge through!"

Taking the lead, Ying Zheng commanded his cavalry to dash straight toward that cluster of Yiqu soldiers.

Over a hundred armored horsemen, carrying the momentum of a thunderbolt, crashed into the enemy formation. In coordination with the Dirong reinforcements, they instantly ripped an opening through the encirclement.

Ying Zheng was the first to slaughter his way in, his pupils constricting violently when he saw the situation inside. The one under siege was none other than Di Ning!

Her delicate body was drenched in blood, pierced by three arrows, and only three Dirong soldiers remained by her side, desperately shielding her.

Although the Dirong men revealed Di Ning's identity, in the current situation, how could the Yiqu care about who Di Ning was?

"Qin troops! The Qin troops are charging in!" The surrounding Yiqu soldiers shouted in sudden alarm.

Just as the Yiqu thought Di Ning was already within their grasp, Ying Zheng descended like a deity, slaughtering his way right to her.

"Have you grown tired of living?"

Ying Zheng stared at her pale face and roared harshly.

Di Ning bit her lower lip to endure the piercing pain, glaring back with stubborn defiance, "Get lost, mind your own business!"

Ying Zheng's face turned ashen with rage, fury soaring to the heavens, "I am managing your clansmen!" Before his voice even faded, he abruptly grabbed Di Ning by the collar of her battle robe, hoisted her up with brute force, and hauled her directly onto his horse.

"Hold on tightly, I am breaking through."

Di Ning's delicate frame trembled; she wrapped her arms tightly around Ying Zheng's waist, pressing flat against his solid back.

"Charge out!" Ying Zheng bellowed, driving forward along the bloody path they had carved open.

"Avoid engagement, let them go!"

At present, the morale of the Yiqu soldiers had reached its absolute peak, and fighting them head-on was highly unwise.

Furthermore, with the main army dispersed, completely annihilating them was impossible.

It was better to let them escape and figure out a way to exterminate them later.

Above all, Xiqi had been successfully recaptured.

After receiving Ying Zheng's command, the Qin army intentionally left a gap, allowing the Yiqu soldiers to escape the net through that opening.

Avoiding engagement meant avoiding close-quarters melee combat with the Yiqu.

The Qin army's cross-bowmen, however, continued to pick off the fleeing Yiqu soldiers with their bolts.

Ying Zheng spurred his horse into a mad gallop back to the camp, dismounted in a flurry, scooped up the unconscious Di Ning, and rushed into the main encampment.

"Medical officer, medical officer!" Ying Zheng shouted for the military physician.

Di Ning's face was as pale as paper, blood had soaked through her garments, and her breathing was faint. Her consciousness was gone, but her lips continued to murmur unconsciously, "Ying Zheng... Ying Zheng..."

A X戎 woman, truly fierce and fiery, holding nothing back in her passion.

Once the physician took over, Ying Zheng strode out of the tent and headed straight back to the battlefield.

On the battlefield, the stench of blood had yet to disperse. The very last fleeing Yiqu soldier was precisely pierced through by a Qin crossbow bolt, bringing the battle to a close.

In this battle, the Qin army's losses were not heavy; the ones who truly suffered catastrophic casualties were the Dirong warriors.

It was they who had stubbornly dragged down the mad-dog-like Yiqu, buying precious time for the Qin army; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Breaking through the encirclement, the Yiqu left behind five thousand corpses.

Ying Zheng immediately ordered the army to garrison Xiqi and rest.

Heaven's mandate descended upon Xiqi, giving birth to King Wen, and the Great Zhou rose to prominence.

As the city where the Great Zhou originated, it should have been a place of mortal prosperity.

Yet, stepping into Xiqi, what met the eye was a landscape of broken walls and dead silence.

Everything was charred black, the air reeked of a sickening stench of decaying bodies, and not a single living soul could be found across the entire city.

Without a doubt, this was the handiwork of the Yiqu.

The Qin soldiers who entered the city were immediately consumed by rage; these were their very own brothers and compatriots!

Even the Fanrong and Dirong tribesmen were shocked by the viciousness of the Yiqu. Although they engaged in plunder, they had never once slaughtered a city.

Yet the Yiqu had actually massacred an entire city?

Ying Zheng clenched his fists so hard his knuckles popped, a raging fire burning in the depths of his eyes.

One day, he would make the Yiqu pay a price in blood.

The tragic state of Xiqi spread throughout Qin, igniting towering hatred across the entire nation.

Even Wei Yang, a powerful rival who was on the verge of a complete rupture with Ying Zheng, gave rare, stern support, swearing not to be human if this vengeance was unfulfilled.

Di Ning remained unconscious for two full days before waking up. Learning of her recovery, Ying Zheng tossed aside his official duties and rushed over at top speed.

Di Ning lay on the couch, looking weak and frail. Seeing Ying Zheng arrive, she turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

"Why didn't you run?"

Ying Zheng crossed the distance to the couch in two strides, his shadow casting over Di Ning.

He had learned from the soldiers guarding Di Ning that it was not that she couldn't run, but that she had chosen not to.

That was why she had fallen into the trap.

"Do you know? If you hadn't been so willful, so many people wouldn't have died because of you!"

Ying Zheng yelled at Di Ning.

"What right do you have to manage me?" Di Ning retorted stubbornly, her expression full of defiance, "You should have just let me die there!"

Ying Zheng sneered, "Do you think I wanted to save you? Do you really believe your life belongs to only you?"

He leaned down, the chill in his voice pressing close to her pale little face:

"Wrong! If you die, your grandfather will surely mobilize the entire tribe for revenge. By then, how many tribal brothers of yours will die an unjust death because of your willful stubbornness?"

Ying Zheng's words caused Di Ning's entire body to tremble. It was true; her stubbornness had needlessly cost the lives of her loyal personal guards, who could have escaped.

For a moment, Di Ning was consumed by pain and profound remorse.

Seeing the guilt and anguish in her eyes, the iciness in the depths of Ying Zheng's eyes finally softened slightly. He said softly, "Focus on recovering from your injuries. Once you heal, I will send people to escort you back to Dirong."

"And you?"

Di Ning instinctively asked, her voice carrying a trace of eagerness she herself hadn't noticed.

Ying Zheng pointed toward the north, his tone detached and indifferent, "I must head to Chencang. You shouldn't meddle in what comes next."

With that, Ying Zheng said no more, turned on his heel, and walked away.

"Ying Zheng..." Di Ning watched Ying Zheng's retreating back, a whirl of complicated emotions washing over her.

Outside the tent, Fanlong watched Ying Zheng emerge with a somber expression, unable to help stepping forward and lowering his voice, "Great General, that little girl Di Ning clearly fancies you."

"I know." Ying Zheng nodded; he wasn't a fool.

Fanlong continued, "Then... what are the Great General's thoughts?"

"Me?" Ying Zheng glanced sideways at him, his gaze deep and wave-less. "What thoughts could I have? Once the west is pacified, I'll return to Yueyang."

The words Fanlong was about to blurt out stuck in his throat. Watching Ying Zheng walk away, he shook his head helplessly and sighed.

In the days that followed, Ying Zheng set about cleaning up the city of Xiqi.

However, there were simply far too many corpses in Xiqi. With the weather gradually warming up, Ying Zheng feared a massive outbreak of plague.

A look of pain crossed Ying Zheng's eyes as he gave a grim command, "Burn it. Burn the city to the ground!"

With the order to burn the city given, towering flames swallowed the entirety of Xiqi.

The once glorious city where the dynasty arose was reduced to ashes amidst the raging fire.

Ying Zheng sighed helplessly. Those damned barbarians had turned a flourishing, pristine city into nothing more than flying ash.

The reconstruction of Xiqi would also require a massive expenditure. If Chencang were to suffer the same fate...

Then the state of Qin simply could not afford such a large-scale investment.

Ying Zheng clenched his fists fiercely. He had to retake Chencang as quickly as possible and must never let Chencang repeat the tragic fate of Xiqi.