The Slender Waist-Chapter 235 - 166: The Mind of a Serpent

"Stop fighting!"

In the midst of the clashing crowd, Deng Guang suddenly let out a thunderous shout.

He raised his arm high, signaling his personal soldiers to lower their weapons.

Once he called a halt, soldiers from both sides quickly retreated, creating a distance between them.

With a complicated feeling in his heart, Deng Guang looked at the silhouettes on the wall.

Blinded by beauty, he was only able to see the enchantress’s allure and nearly missed her ruthlessness.

He had come very close to falling into the enchantress’s trap!

So far, he had accused Feng Yun of beguiling the ruler, Wen Xingsu of being a spy for Qi Country, all the while outwardly maintaining Pei Jue’s interests. He had not even dared to publicly betray Pei Jue.

Feng Yun’s actions would surely draw criticism.

Shaking the troops’ morale.

Deng Guang wanted to retain his gains, but he did not wish to bear the stigma of treachery and seeking glory by selling out his master.

Otherwise, how would he command the army and gain the soldiers’ trust when he took the Great General’s position?

Killing Feng Family or being influenced by them, should doubts arise among his soldiers, would not bring him any advantages but instead disrupt his whole plan.

After all, she couldn’t escape from Bingzhou City.

It might be better to advance by retreating, both accommodating the feelings of Puyang Jiu and Guo Zhongyou and placating the restless soldiers.

The most important thing was that he could not afford to be bogged down here for long.

Why not just trap her for now, and when Pei Jue falls in battle, wouldn’t everything be up to him to decide?

Having figured out the intricacies, Deng Guang regretted his impulsive reaction earlier. Letting Feng Family’s words provoke him had nearly exposed his hand and allowed her to sever his command...

"Gentlemen," Deng Guang’s eyes flashed with a dark chill, a hint of a cold smile on his lips.

"This General is loyal to the Imperial Court, loyal to the Great General, with no intent of rebellion. But—"

He pointed at Feng Yun and Wen Xingsu, calling out loudly,

"To prevent the soldiers from being incited and misled by these two spies from Qi Country, this General will not let them go unpunished, but I will also not take any further action, leaving all to be settled upon the Great General’s return to the city. If the Great General condemns me, I am willing to accept punishment!"

He spoke with a firm voice, leaving no room for doubt.

The soldiers, who were initially suspicious, were now appeased upon hearing his words.

Rather than Feng Yun and Wen Xingsu, they had known Deng Guang for a longer time and were naturally more inclined to trust him. Some even felt regretful for their earlier suspicions.

Waiting for the return of the Great General was indeed the best approach.

Weapons were sheathed as some soldiers voluntarily went to console their previously injured opponents, offering apologies to each other.

Feng Yun, watching Deng Guang, also experienced a flood of complex emotions.

She had not expected this seemingly simple and burly warrior to be so crafty, realizing her intent so quickly.

Then again, few who reached his position were simpletons.

Deng Guang returned her stare and waved his hand.

"Keep a vigilant eye on them, no one is to enter or leave."

Like a tide, the throng surged forward and then receded once more.

Deng Guang withdrew a portion of his troop, leaving behind his loyal personal guards at the Camp Villa, trapping Feng Yun, Wen Xingsu, and the others inside, with a tight seal.

Xiaoman supported Feng Yun as they entered the house.

Wen Xingsu also retreated with his people back to the villa.

Being temporarily safe was the best outcome. He had some men keep watch through the night, while the rest gathered around the charcoal stove to rest and conserve their strength.

Puyang Jiu also came in, bringing his servants, guards, and a medicine chest to tend to those injured in the yard.

Feng Yun stood by the window, hair flying in disarray, lost in thought.

Daman said, "I wonder if the General has received the message by now?"

Xiaoman sighed helplessly, "We can’t get out, and I’m afraid the General can’t get in either. With the siege by the Qi Army, the General’s situation is even more perilous than ours." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Upon looking over, both fell silent.

No matter how anxious or afraid, speaking of it was pointless.

They dared not further affect the lady’s mood and lowered their heads to silently watch over the charcoal stove.

As the night deepened quickly, Deng Guang’s personal soldiers were still not withdrawn, vigilantly keeping their eyes on the Camp Villa.

Not even a mouse could slip out.

Having settled the defenses, Wen Xingsu hurried over, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed, maintaining his usual elegance and nobility.

"Yao Yao, haven’t you slept?"

Feng Yun shook her head, "I’m unable to sleep."

Wen Xingsu smiled slightly, "With elder brother here."

With him there, no one would be allowed to hurt her.

Feng Yun’s lips slowly curled up in a faint smile, beckoning him to sit down.

Their gazes met.

Both pairs of eyes had red veins.

Feng Yun softly said, "Elder brother needn’t worry about me. For now, Deng Guang will not take our lives. We just need to defend this place with all our strength, waiting for the General’s return."

Wen Xingsu felt somewhat relieved at her composure.

"Deng Guang is convinced that the Great General won’t be able to return to the city, which is why he has temporarily receded. But while he can gamble, we cannot put all our hopes on the Great General, Yao Yao, do you understand?"

Of course, Feng Yun understood.

They had to prepare for the possibility that Pei Jue would die in battle.

What if Pei Jue couldn’t make it back?

Feng Yun remained tranquil, her emotions concealed.

"According to elder brother, who is behind Deng Guang? Is he siding with Xiao Cheng, or is there another master?"

Wen Xingsu shook his head, "It doesn’t seem like Xiao Cheng’s doing."

Feng Yun: "How can you be so sure?"

Wen Xingsu said, "Firstly, Xiao Cheng is the Lord of Qi, and he would be wary of defectors. The benefits he gave to Deng Guang are not sufficient to make him betray Pei Jue. Secondly..."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing from a military strategy standpoint, "If Deng Guang really wanted to collaborate with the Qi Army, why didn’t he find an opportunity to open the city gates and let down the drawbridge, permitting the Qi Army to invade en masse? Instead, why choose the moment when the Great General and the Qi Army are engaged in battle?"

Feng Yun gave a faint smile.

"What my brother says is absolutely right. Deng Guang wants to profit from the fishermen’s strife. He desires power, benefits, and people... And in the end, he still wants to maintain a good reputation. He’s playing a very clever game."

Pei Jue died at the hands of the Qi Army.

What did he do? He merely refrained from opening the city gates, which was also for the greater good.

Holding Bingzhou City might even earn Deng Guang significant merit.

Wen Xingsu nodded, "Someone must have tempted him with benefits..."

As long as the profit is great enough, there will always be those willing to take the risk.

The corners of Feng Yun’s mouth slightly curled as she uttered three words, "Li Zongxun."

Wen Xingsu nodded, his face showing a rare sternness.

"We have fallen into the midst of the Jin Country’s factional strife."

"This is exactly what I wanted to see," Feng Yun said, looking at Wen Xingsu with a faint spark of fire in her eyes.

She never hid anything from Wen Xingsu, including her ambition.

"I’ve never pledged allegiance to the Jin ruler. Wouldn’t Jin’s internal chaos be exactly in line with my wishes?"

"Waist..." A hand stretched out, and Wen Xingsu took hold of her.

Those slender fingers seemed so fragile that a slight force might break them, yet how could such a lady possess such tremendous energy and have the courage to dare what men fear to do?

There were too many things about Feng Yun that Wen Xingsu couldn’t understand.

For a moment, he even felt...

He didn’t recognize the Feng Yun before him.

This was not his familiar Waist, the one he needed to protect.

"Now you’ve become so strong... it makes your brother’s heart ache."

Wen Xingsu’s throat felt tight.

Seventeen-year-old Waist should not have to endure such hardships.

"Do not fear, your brother would stake his life to ensure your safety."

Feng Yun gripped his hand in return, their hands clasping together, and a warm current flowed from her palm throughout her body.

She looked at her brother and smiled gently, as a seventeen-year-old Feng Yun should, bright and tender.

"I believe in you, brother."

And then she added: "But I’m not afraid of death either."

Wen Xingsu: "Waist..."

Every time Feng Yun mentioned death casually, with that indifferent and careless expression, it hit Wen Xingsu hard, suffocating him with discomfort.

He could tell...

Waist had been through a lot.

In places he didn’t know, she had faced many trials.

At first, he thought it was the pain Pei Jue brought her, or because she was tormented in the Jin Army camp.

But interacting with her day and night recently, he saw something entirely different.

Ye Chuang and his people treated her with utmost respect; Daman and Xiaoman also served her attentively.

Even Pei Jue...

The cold and imperious War God of the Jin Army couldn’t put on any airs in front of Feng Yun, and it didn’t seem likely that he bullied Waist.

So where exactly had Waist encountered such suffering to occasionally reveal such hatred and a carefree attitude like that of someone tired of the world, developing a temperament so drastically different from her past?

He couldn’t understand.

Yet Feng Yun hardly noticed his thoughts.

"Brother, what should we do to break out and survive if the General dies in battle?"

Wen Xingsu started.

The phrase ’the General dies in battle’ was spoken with a narrative tone, devoid of any emotion.

This was her husband to whom she had just married a few hours ago...

Wen Xingsu’s brows furrowed slightly, and he unconsciously took a breath.

"Wait until the fourth watch of the night. If Ye Chuang has not returned and there’s still no news from the General, then we should plan ahead..."

He paused, his gaze growing heavy with the chill of the night, and said softly, "The guards will be weary and lax during the fourth watch. I will lead some men to draw them away, letting Shentu Jiong and Yang Qi take you and Arong out through the back. Once we leave the city, we’ll have nothing to fear."

Once outside the city, whether they encountered the Qi Army or the Beiyong Army, Feng Yun could remain safe...

Only Deng Guang was an unpredictable threat.

"I don’t see it that way," Feng Yun spoke: "Escaping the city is risking our lives, and staying here is also risking our lives. At least we should choose the method that most likely allows us to be rescued."

Pei Jue would come back for her.

Once outside, it would become more difficult for Pei Jue’s rescue operation.

Wen Xingsu opened his mouth to say she shouldn’t place too much faith in Pei Jue but, seeing her expression, swallowed his words instead.

"Fine. Make sure to lock the doors and windows, and no matter what noise you hear outside, don’t go out to look."

"Brother, why don’t we take the initiative?" Feng Yun stared at Wen Xingsu.

Under the night sky, her face shone like the bright moon, dazzling. The cold ruthlessness in her eyes gave Wen Xingsu another jolt.

"How do you propose we take the initiative?"

Feng Yun gripped the teacup on the low table, clasping it tightly and abruptly.

"Brother, why don’t we take the opportunity to take back Bingzhou City and support the Great General?"