Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 147 The Chief of the Four Directions Nobility, the King of Yan [1 more update]

Chapter 147: 147 The Chief of the Four Directions Nobility, the King of Yan [1 more update]

The man sat in the commander’s seat, and when he heard footsteps, he looked up.

He had an extremely handsome face that could turn all heads; it wasn’t an exaggeration to describe him that way.

But his true excellence was never his appearance, but rather his courage and martial skills.

The foremost among the Four Directions Nobility—

King of Yan, He Jia!

"General!" The young officer knelt on one knee, made a fist and bowed, speaking in a low voice, "There is news from the Southern Frontier, Prince Xiang Qingtian of Chu has already..."

He Jia only silently wiped the long spear in his hands.

This long spear was gifted to him by the Chief Marshal of the Divine Strategy Army when he joined them at the age of ten.

The long spear had accompanied him for many years; its handle was full of mottled marks, some bloodstains had penetrated into it, forever unable to be wiped clean.

After a long period of silence, He Jia finally spoke indifferently, "This prince knows."

Seeing his calmness, the deputy commander felt even worse and choked up, "General, then what do we..."

After placing the cleaned long spear down, He Jia uttered just one word, "Fight."

The two of them had not noticed Ye Wanlan; she suddenly realized that this must be an image recorded by the Qingyun Pendant, which she had inadvertently activated.

Because she had never seen He Jia at this moment in time.

Compared to the He Jia who had remained by her side, there was a hint more weariness between the brows of the man before her, though his face was still young, hardly different from when he was in his early twenties.

But he had matured a lot, bearing the sediment of time and years.

This was year 1723 of the Shenzhou Calendar, six years after her death, during the Ning Dynasty, and also... the year He Jia passed away.

Not just the King of Yan, all her loved ones died in that year.

"Of the 150,000 brothers, now only 50,000 remain," the deputy commander said with a heavy and unclear voice, "They are neither from the Northern Lands nor the Western Regions, General, we don’t know anything about the enemy at all!"

Who invaded Shenzhou?

Who brutally slaughtered the People of Shenzhou?

The art of war states, know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated. But with everything unknown, how do you fight?

"We must still fight," He Jia said with an unmistakable tone, cold as ice, "Uncle Wang has fallen, the Southern Frontier is lost, if we cannot hold the Northwestern Desert either, Capital Fengyuan will be attacked from both front and rear. Do you expect my aunt to mount a horse and go into battle?"

Shenzhou had three major strategic passes—the Northwestern Desert, the Southern Frontier Jungle, and the Eastern Wilderness Plains.

They were defended by the King of Yan He Jia, Prince Xiang Qingtian of Chu, and King Qin Hua Yingyue, respectively.

The breaking of any one of these passes would be a catastrophic strike for the inland civilians.

The deputy commander inhaled deeply, "General, there has been no news from the Eastern Wilderness. We don’t know if the enemy hasn’t gone there or if King Qin has also..."

"There’s no need to make contact, they will understand on their own," He Jia raised his hand, "Bring me a piece of Ridge Jade."

"Yes, General!" The deputy commander quickly handed over a piece of Ridge Jade.

Ridge Jade was a special product of Yan Mountain, incredibly light and thin, just like paper.

He Jia did not pick up a pen but forced his Inner Strength into his hand, starting to write on the Ridge Jade with his fingertips.

Ye Wanlan moved closer and was able to clearly see the words that He Jia wrote.

[Xiao Lan, although you can no longer receive this letter, I think that some things should still be written down, perhaps only then can they be forever remembered.]

Ye Wanlan’s expression shook.

He Jia was not good with words, but he did indeed like to write letters.

When she was in Capital Fengyuan assisting Ning Zhaozong, she would correspond with He Jia.

She had organized all the letters He Jia wrote to her and stored them in a box. Before she died, she had also asked He Jia to place these letters in her tomb.

Unfortunately, she did not know what happened after her death, and now she did not know where her tomb was.

[I have never seen such a tragic scene. The day before yesterday, those people, wearing armor impervious to swords and guns, descended from the sky with fierce flames, and then all I could see was blood and skeletons.

Uncle Wang’s Southern Frontier faced an assault even more devastating than the one we faced here. By this time, he must have gone to find you, right?

I know you harbored resentment against Uncle Wang. Before Yongle was born, you were the only girl, and you suffered hardships with me outside the palace for too long. After returning to the palace, the emperor and my aunt cherished you extremely. Uncle Wang also cherished you a lot, his ways were just laughable; he liked to tease you, drawing a mustache on your face while you were asleep, causing you to be scolded by Shaofu during class.

I also remember during winter when he sneaked up behind you and stuffed snowballs into your clothes, and was severely reprimanded by the emperor.

But certainly, you do not know that when you left, he hurried back to Fengyuan from the Southern Frontier and cried for a long time. But this misunderstanding can be cleared up down there. If it can’t be resolved, I’ll come to mediate.]

He Jia’s Inner Strength was profound, and although Ridge Jade was hard, it was like tofu under his fingers.

Ye Wanlan watched quietly, bending down, she extended her hand trying to smooth the furrows in He Jia’s brow.

But her hand just passed through.

This was the image of He Jia before his death, not real, but a piece of history that had been buried for three hundred years.

He Jia, completely unaware, continued to write.

[Xiao Lan, in the past days I’ve been constantly asking myself, what would I do if I were you? You’re fragile, yet your use of troops is divine.

As a child, I told you, you sit on the throne, and I’ll help you stabilize the realm, whoever bullies you, I will fight back for you.

Unfortunately, I have to break that promise.]

I didn’t know where this enemy came from, nor what their purpose was. They killed upon sight and destroyed everything they encountered.

For ten years, I have not lost a battle, and after you left, I’ve only wished to die on the battlefield, to join you sooner.

Perhaps very soon, brother will be able to see you.

——He Jia’s final letter.]

Having written the last character, He Jia put down the pen and handed Ridge Jade back to the deputy general.

"Over the years, the general has written quite a few letters to Her Royal Highness the Princess," the deputy general attempted to break the heavy silence. "Her Royal Highness the Princess will surely be happy to receive the general’s letters."

In a daze, Ye Wanlan lifted her hand and discovered that she had been crying, her hand wet with tears.

He Jia said nothing, only nodded slightly.

Several trusted followers, who had fought with He Jia for over a decade, knew well the deep sibling love and inseparable bond he shared with Princess Yongning.

The deputy general couldn’t help but sigh, "If only the Princess were here, then..."

He Jia’s eyes shifted slightly, his grip tightening on the corner of Ridge Jade.

The previous Supreme Elder of the Great Purity Sect once observed the stars at night and divined the secrets of fate, leaving behind a prophecy before passing away—

As long as Princess Yongning lives, Daning will not fall!

This prophecy was not made public, known only to the Sect Leader of the Great Purity Sect, the Elders Council, Emperor Ning Zhaozong, and himself.

However, after the passing of Princess Yongning, the Ning Dynasty did not come to a halt but continued to thrive.

This achievement was thanks in no small part to the century-long plans she laid while she was still alive.

But even she probably did not foresee today’s events.

He Jia suddenly smiled faintly, "I’m actually glad that she’s not here at this moment."

The deputy general was taken aback.

He Jia was not one to smile or speak carelessly; he was only ever a tender brother in front of Princess Yongning. On the battlefield, he was always an unyielding killing god.

Whenever Princess Yongning visited Yan Mountain to see the King of Yan, it was incredible for his brothers to see He Jia smiling.

"If she were here, she might not be able to accept this," He Jia said calmly. "It’s better this way; she doesn’t have to suffer the torment of parting and death. This pain, I can bear it alone."

Otherwise, how could she endure the agony that cuts to the bone at this moment?

No matter how high her status was, how noble her identity, or how great her power, she was still the sister he had watched grow up.

The deputy general remained silent.

Ye Wanlan’s heart quivered, "Prince Brother..."

In such a dire moment, aside from the People of Shenzhou, he was still thinking of her.

A sharp pain resided deep within, with her very soul trembling.

It was as if a sharp knife had been thrust into her chest, stabbing deep within.

The pain was so intense she almost convulsed and couldn’t stand upright.

He Jia spoke again, "Changning."

A cooing sound arose as a carrier pigeon fluttered its wings and flew into the camp, landing on the raised right arm of He Jia.

He tied the letters for Emperor Yongshun and Princess Jingan to the pigeon’s claws, then gently patted its head, "Go."

As if sensing what was to come, the pigeon didn’t fly away immediately but circled anxiously around He Jia, crying out in distress.

Unmoved, He Jia’s expression was cold, "Go quickly!"

Mourning, the pigeon finally took flight.

Ye Wanlan suddenly realized that there were many things those deeply involved did not know.

At this moment, He Jia was unaware that the downfall of the Ning Dynasty was destined, whether he held his ground or retreated.

But retreat?

Where could he retreat to?

Beyond Yan Mountain lay the common folk of Yan City.

She understood He Jia; he could not possibly retreat.

He Jia picked up his spear, tied his hair up with a coronet, and stepped out of the main tent.

"My lord!"

"General!"

"The time is almost upon us," He Jia raised his hand, showing a faint smile, "It’s rare that we’re all still here. Do any of you have any unfulfilled wishes?"

One person said, "I’m a simple and vulgar man. My greatest wish right now is to make it back alive to see my wife and child; that would be enough."

"That’s a good wish," He Jia raised his cup with a light smile. "Come, let’s drink to this; we’ll meet again in the afterlife."

"This subordinate swears to follow the general to the death!"

"This subordinate swears to follow the general to the death!"

Peace is forged by the martyrs; no martyr has ever enjoyed such peace.