Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 503 - 437 Assassination in the Long Street + - 438 Quick Battle, Quick Decision_3

Chapter 503: Chapter 437 Assassination in the Long Street + Chapter 438 Quick Battle, Quick Decision_3

"Is that Miss Qing, Little Qin Xian?"

"Yes, she is the leader of the Azure Scale Army, commanding tens of thousands of troops, specifically responsible for internal supervision and intelligence gathering, holding a high position and considerable power."

"In the battle against the Southern Scale Demon Chief, Miss Qing’s music emboldened the troops, aiding two thousand cavalry to resist the crocodile demon, traversing a hundred miles, and slaying demons like cutting down weeds, truly admirable."

"A tune to forget sorrow, another to forget love, such music should only exist in heaven. Though one only hears a note of the qin, the melody lingers for three days without fading..."

"Stop talking, Miss Qing’s unparalleled beauty is like that of a goddess turned mortal, look..."

A scholar was singing her praises with a shake of his head when suddenly someone next to him jabbed him sharply in the ribs, snapping him to his senses.

Upon landing from the top of the carriage, Miss Qing gently helped Zhou Ping’an aboard, epitomizing tenderness and charm.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed upon her.

Well, some things are indeed better left unsaid.

Magistrate Zhou returned to the city, bringing Miss Qing with him; thus, Pinghu City was utterly safe.

...

"Who is that?"

Zhou Ping’an saw Xiao Chengfeng and Yu Changlie atop the city walls.

The two were on the watchtower.

Xiao Chengfeng, with an anxious expression, paced back and forth on the wall, occasionally glancing back. Seeing Zhou Ping’an’s figure, he let out a long sigh of relief.

His eyes immediately brightened.

"Mr. Xiao is powerless to resist, only able to defend without engaging, losing our edge. Please punish me, Master Ming," he said, bowing deeply to the ground.

His words were sincere.

When Zhou Ping’an was in the city, the citizens were calm, and no one dared to violate the law.

Yet not long after he left, their doors were breached by attackers.

And unfortunately, they dared not meet the enemy outside the city and could only resist the assaults, fervently hoping that Zhou Ping’an would return soon.

At the sight of Zhou Ping’an, Xiao Chengfeng immediately felt as if he had found his backbone, almost crying out loud.

Beside him, Yu Changlie knelt down with a ’thud,’ bowing his head in dejection, "Mr. Yu is guilty!"

He had engaged the enemy at Pingshan Ridge and had lost eight hundred cavalry in the fray, was pursued, and three thousand troops were scattered. He brought back roughly four thousand to the city, suffering heavy losses.

Now, in his shame, he couldn’t lift his head.

"Sigh... Chengfeng, you managed to defend the city without loss and protect the people; where is the fault in that?"

Zhou Ping’an helped Xiao Chengfeng up, soothing him in a soft voice.

He knew that although this man might lack a bit of resolve, he truly excelled in civil administration.

To properly utilize him, he should be employed in governance and public peace, not leading military engagements, which would be a waste.

As for Yu Changlie,

"The enemy’s forces are formidable, comprising the elite of the Imperial Court’s Army. You are no match; it’s not a crime of war. Join me in the charge later, shoulder your guilt and earn your merit, and never be too harsh on yourself."

"I swear to follow you to death."

Yu Changlie trembled with emotion, nearly following his brother’s example by crying.

Despite the devastating defeat, he was not reprimanded but instead given another chance; how generously Master Ming treated him.

He knelt once more, then stood up, his eyes filled with an intense killer instinct.

"Qiu Yuanjie is a man fond of deceit. When he challenged us at the pass, I really wished to retreat, to return to Pinghu and let his army and the Red Lotus Bandits fight each other to the death. So I agreed to withdraw."

"But on the way, he led his troops in pursuit to ambush us; utterly despicable."

Yu Changlie was still indignant.

Although he fully understood that all is fair in war.

But since we had already agreed not to ally with the Red Lotus and were waiting for the Imperial Court’s amnesty, and without an outright breach, one would expect some semblance of face-saving.

The fact they were attacking the Red Lotus Army was one thing; however, turning to attack us with a surprise assault midway, that we could not accept.

He knew Zhou Ping’an’s intention.

Indeed, if the title of a Commander of Three Counties were to be offered temporarily to pacify tensions, joining the Imperial Court might also be feasible.

The first benefit would be cleansing the name of a rebel, which was too infamous and not conducive to attracting talent.

The second benefit would be keeping a low profile in dire times while taking bold actions, properly developing the territory.

Even if sometimes it meant obeying commands and dispatching troops to fight against rebels, it didn’t matter.

Stable development is the true principle.

With this philosophy in mind,

Zhou Ping’an never seriously considered taking over Yunjin Ferry. He even rehearsed how to work with the Huangze County Soldiers to eradicate the Red Lotus Bandits.

This was the real intention behind sending Yu Changlie to hold Guan Mountain Ridge.

And what happened? Before engaging with the Huangze Sub-rudder forces of the Red Lotus Army, they were first ambushed by the Imperial Court’s Army, followed by the large forces from Yunjin Ferry converging for an attack on the city.

Who could tolerate this?

"Besides Qiu Yuanjie’s three thousand Imperial Army troops, who leads the remaining five thousand infantry?"

"It’s Sun Yang, a deputy under the command of Su Ming of Yunjin Ferry, hailing from the Sun Family of Huangze, a man of considerable bravery. When we first sought refuge in Yunjin, it was he who led the troops to intercept us."

Yu Changlie’s eyes flickered with killing intent.

"How do you fare against him?"

Zhou Ping’an squinted at the man, noticing the deep evil Qi around him, signifying that he too understood the art of refining evil, indicating a legacy-bearing leader.

No wonder he dared to boast so boldly.

"If unimpeded, within thirty exchanges, I could take his head," Yu Changlie stated gravely.

"Thirty exchanges, that’s too slow."

Zhou Ping’an was taken aback at the words.

That unassuming dark-faced general appeared so formidable?

He was aware that Yu Changlie’s martial arts were quite sophisticated among the mainstream generals of the world.

Within one prefecture, he could be considered a tiger general.

This much was evident from the fact that Qiu Yuanjie was unable to stop him from breaking through.