Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 504: Prince, We’ve Fallen Into Chen Army’s Ambush

Chapter 504: Chapter 504: Prince, We’ve Fallen Into Chen Army’s Ambush

"You’ve got a bit of courage."

Xiao Jing looked at the body on the ground and put away the golden mace.

In this chaotic era, Chu Ce, being an Upper-Grade Martial Artist with a high position and authority, was not a man with nothing to lose. At the brink of life and death, he remained loyal, preferring death over surrender, which was indeed rare.

Though an enemy, Xiao Jing couldn’t help but feel some admiration.

At least he couldn’t have done it.

"Chu Ce was a Household General of Prince Huai, grew up in Prince Huai’s Mansion from a young age, and was supported by them. During this time, Prince Huai’s Mansion probably instilled loyalty to Prince Huai into him. Being bestowed the surname Chu proves Prince Huai’s regard for him," Wu Yanqing said, rubbing his back with a frown.

When fighting against Chu Ce earlier, Wu Yanqing didn’t feel much pain, but now that he relaxed, the intense pain in his back made it hard for him to straighten up.

As for the remaining Huai soldiers in the city, they encountered an ambush, and now with their commander dead, they were no longer a force to be reckoned with.

Xiao Jing quickly supported Wu Yanqing and looked at his back, finding that it was already soaked with blood. A dark red bloodstain was strikingly visible, causing Xiao Jing to inhale sharply: "Hiss, Old Wu, are you alright?"

Saying this, he quickly called for a doctor.

"I can still hold on. As expected, I’m getting old. I fell into a disadvantage after only a few exchanges. If it weren’t for your timely help, Brother Xiao, I might really have lost my life to him."

Wu Yanqing sat down at the threshold of a house and then placed a hand on his waist, looking up to ask, "How are things on your end?"

Xiao Jing clapped his hands, and then two armored but tightly bound generals were brought up by the elite troops Xiao Jing brought from Jiangnan.

These two were Gan Yao and Xiao Yue, Deputy Generals of the Huai Army.

One was a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist, the other a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist.

With Xiao Jing’s strength, capturing the two of them was naturally quite easy.

Gan Yao and Xiao Yue were both stunned. They never expected that Yi County would actually hide two Upper-Grade Martial Artists, and that the two elderly patriarchs of the Wu Family and Xiao Family had personally come to this little Yi County. They had hidden themselves well.

After a while, looking at the lifeless Chu Ce in the pool of blood, their faces changed dramatically, especially Gan Yao, whose face turned even paler.

"Chu Ce was not tactful, preferring death over surrender; otherwise, he wouldn’t have met such an end. I wonder if the two of you are willing to surrender?" Xiao Jing looked at them with a smile.

Xiao Yue quickly said in fear: "You promised to accept the Xiao Family, you can’t go back on your word, let me go..."

To hide their traces, those sent from the Xiao Family to Yi County directly contacted Liu Ji.

Before this, Xiao Yue didn’t know these two old patriarchs were here.

Therefore, Xiao Yue was extremely afraid that the Chen Army would burn bridges at this time.

"My mistake, almost forgot, I’m sorry, I’m sorry..." Xiao Jing smiled while personally untying Xiao Yue, then said, "I’m sorry for startling you, Young Master Xiao Yue. It seems I am truly getting old, forgetting this matter. I hope you won’t mind..."

Although he knew the other party did it on purpose, Xiao Yue couldn’t help but feel relieved, managing to squeeze out a forced smile, saying it was fine.

Wu Yanqing also spoke up: "Brother Xiao, after today’s battle is over, you must sincerely apologize and drink in celebration. If not for the Xiao Family’s help, we wouldn’t have won so easily today."

"It’s only right," Xiao Jing said.

Upon hearing these words, Gan Yao was stunned, staring blankly at Xiao Yue, realizing that today’s defeat was because the Xiao Family betrayed Prince Huai. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Gan Yao wanted to curse Xiao Yue but was afraid of offending the Chen Army, thus risking his life. He could only suppress the anger in his heart, glaring at Xiao Yue with resentment.

At first, Xiao Yue felt some guilt and shame under Gan Yao’s gaze, but he soon changed his mindset, saying: "Now, in this world, only the Marquis is the true wise ruler. Prince Huai’s attempt to oppose the Marquis is undoubtedly seeking his own demise. My Xiao Family momentarily misjudged the master, thereby accidentally straying down a wrong path. Fortunately, we recognized our mistake in time and didn’t continue aiding the traitor.

General Gan, following Prince Huai leads nowhere, you should surrender."

Gan Yao: "..."

Seeing Gan Yao silent, Xiao Yue added: "General Gan, the saying goes that those who recognize the time are wise. You must think carefully and not end up like Chu Ce."

Gan Yao’s eyes flickered.

Xiao Jing and Wu Yanqing exchanged a glance. With Xiao Yue’s persuasion, their effort to persuade surrender was saved.

Gan Yao was evidently not a tough bone.

Considering the Li Family and Xiao Family had surrendered, even General Chu Ce had died, Prince Huai had completely lost hope. If he persisted, he would only end up as collateral damage.

Within less than a quarter of an hour, Gan Yao surrendered to the Chen Army.

...

Jing County.

When Prince Huai received news of the ambush, it was already a day later.

By the afternoon, Prince Huai’s mood was still good. He had just ordered rewards for the entire mansion because an hour ago, he received a victory report from the front, stating that the army had already breached Yi County.

Originally, Prince Huai had high hopes for the capture of Yi County, so he commanded the Huai Army to report on the situation every half hour after the siege, as he wanted to receive firsthand news.

For this reason, he had also summoned Diwu Fusheng to his study to discuss the next military advances after capturing Yi County.

But at that moment, the housekeeper of the Prince’s Mansion hurriedly brought a scout from the front lines to the study. Due to the urgency of the matter, the housekeeper didn’t announce their arrival beforehand and directly brought the scout into the study.

Engulfed in joy, Prince Huai saw the housekeeper bringing a scout in, realizing they had urgent news to report, immediately assuming it was about the victory in Yi County, and asked with a smile: "Have we taken Yi County?"

Prince Huai believed that since the city gates were breached, capturing Yi County was a certainty.

But at this moment, the scout and housekeeper both knelt down with a thud.

Diwu Fusheng’s heart skipped a beat.

Prince Huai looked at their expressions and sensed something was wrong, urging: "Speak quickly."

"Your Highness..." Both faltered, but ultimately, the scout mustered the courage to speak: "Your Highness, as soon as General Chu Ce led the troops into the city, they were ambushed by the Chen Army, trapped in the city, their lives uncertain. Generals Gan and Xiao were captured once they entered the city. I barely escaped."

Upon hearing this, a buzzing sound erupted in Prince Huai’s ears.

Diwu Fusheng asked gravely: "Gan Yao and Xiao Yue are both Middle-Grade Martial Artists in charge of the rear. Since the gates were breached, even if ambushed, how could they have been captured alive when you managed to escape?"

Diwu Fusheng knew Chen Mo’s greatest weakness was the lack of High-Level Military Generals. Apart from Chen Mo himself and the recently emerged Chang En, there were essentially no others capable of leading an army.

Since the city was breached, even if ambushed within, how could they end up being captured alive...

"Yi County has Upper-Grade Martial Artists. Before General Gan was captured, I heard him call this person Elder Xiao..."