Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power-Chapter 477 - 474: Torture

Ji Yuan took advantage of the moment when those around him weren’t paying attention to deliver the message to a peasant family.

Who would have thought that this family was affiliated with Prince Lu?

During times of war, it’s not uncommon for commoners to flee with their young and old to avoid disaster. Even if this woman were caught, she could lie her way out.

Watching the woman go to deliver the message, Ji Yuan finally let out a long breath of relief. He had to prepare for both outcomes; in his heart, the current Emperor was no match for Prince Lu.

Prince Lu had said that the Emperor would have no heirs, so who would inherit the throne? Prince Lu left a slim chance for a comeback.

This was also to protect his own life and future.

"Mr. Ji, where have you been?"

Ji Yuan had just returned to camp when his military leader immediately approached him.

Seeing the military leader’s tense demeanor, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but feel a sinking sensation in his heart: "What’s happened?"

The military leader replied, "The scout has discovered Prince Lu’s whereabouts. General Zhang Chi has ordered that we may need to decamp before dawn."

After fighting for such a long time, they still couldn’t ascertain Prince Lu’s true location. Now they finally had a confirmed piece of information, no wonder Zhang Chi was anxious.

Ji Yuan hurriedly instructed, "Ready our cavalry."

According to Ji Yuan’s calculations, this battle wouldn’t be too difficult. He had already pointed the way for Prince Lu, and he would follow General Zhang Chi all the way west. Even if Prince Lu escaped, the court would hold Zhang Chi accountable, not him, a mere minor official.

Following the troops, Ji Yuan felt a sense of relief despite the fast and urgent pace.

As the army neared Weizhou, Ji Yuan instinctively looked around, not seeing any men belonging to Song Xian.

Perhaps it was because Song Xian had thwarted his plans too many times before; whenever critical moments arose, Ji Yuan would feel as if Song Xian might suddenly appear to obstruct him.

"Sir, what are you looking at?" The military leader leaned in and asked.

"It’s nothing," Ji Yuan replied. "Just thinking that if Song Xian’s troops were here, we could more easily capture Prince Lu."

The military leader sighed, "General Zhang thinks so too, but Song Jiedu didn’t agree, and we have no way around it."

It seems Song Xian really won’t be coming.

By the time Zhang Chi realizes something’s amiss and seeks help from Song Xian, it’ll be too late.

Ji Yuan had just come to this conclusion when he noticed the front troops unexpectedly changing direction.

Zhang Chi, accompanied by a few deputy generals, was heading toward them.

With a sinking feeling, Ji Yuan hurried to greet them.

"General," Ji Yuan whispered, "what is all this...?"

Zhang Chi’s face was stern and solemn: "Everyone, hurry up and catch up."

Ji Yuan said, "This doesn’t seem to be the direction of Weizhou."

Zhang Chi nodded, his eyes revealing a smile, "We had no intention of advancing westward. This move is just to lure Prince Lu into a trap. Quickly follow up; if all goes well, we can make a significant achievement by capturing Prince Lu this time."

Ji Yuan’s heart suddenly sank down, so everything was fake, and Zhang Chi had deliberately hidden the truth from everyone? Then, the message he had sent... was it leading Prince Lu straight into a trap?

No, he needed to come up with a plan to warn Prince Lu. Otherwise, if Prince Lu and his trusted ones were captured, they’d surely think he had sided with the Emperor, and he could be exposed.

Zhang Chi said, "I’ve long suspected there are spies for Prince Lu among us, and I deliberately set this up. Once we capture Prince Lu, I’ll carefully investigate and arrest those spies."

Ji Yuan grew even more nervous: "Are there spies here with us?"

Zhang Chi nodded, "I now have some clues — once we catch Prince Lu’s men, we can be certain."

Ji Yuan studied Zhang Chi carefully; he still seemed to treat Ji Yuan as before, not like someone he suspected. Perhaps Zhang Chi had only heard some rumors and couldn’t confirm them yet?

After finishing, Zhang Chi said, "The scouts have all been dispatched, and we need a cavalry troop to act as the vanguard. Ordinarily, you’d be the most suitable, but unfortunately, you’re injured."

Ji Yuan immediately responded, "My injuries are no longer a concern; I’m willing to go."

Zhang Chi furrowed his brow, pondering for a moment: "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Ji Yuan didn’t hesitate: "I will not disgrace the mission."

"Good," Zhang Chi said, "On the day of triumph, I’ll personally recommend you to the court for merit."

Ji Yuan bowed to Zhang Chi with respect and then swiftly led his troops ahead, disregarding the pain in his wounded shoulder.

An hour later, he had already distanced Zhang Chi’s army far behind, ordering his soldiers to take a rest while he took a soldier into the forest.

"I’ll have you report back to Zhang Chi with a message. In the meantime, seize the opportunity to find Prince Lu," Ji Yuan instructed, "and inform him of what’s happening here."

This soldier was Ji Yuan’s trusted aide, stationed by his side. If it weren’t an emergency, he wouldn’t have tasked this man with such a job.

The soldier nodded, "Rest assured, Mr. Ji."

When they continued on, Ji Yuan instructed the soldier to report back to Zhang Chi: "Tell him we haven’t sighted any trace of Prince Lu ahead."

Once the soldier left, Ji Yuan led the troops onward.

"Sir, look over there — what is that?"

Alerted by the question, Ji Yuan saw a wooden post in the distance, appearing to have someone tied to it.

Startled, Ji Yuan instinctively pulled on the reins.

From this distance, he couldn’t discern the appearance of the person tied there.

"Sir, what should we do? Should we approach?"

With a stern grip on his long knife, Ji Yuan decided he shouldn’t be deterred just because of this.

Ji Yuan cautiously commanded, urging his horse forward slowly: "Be alert to the surroundings; there might be an ambush."

As they drew closer, the figure’s features became clearer.

The person tied to the post was struggling continuously, issuing muffled cries.

Approaching nearer...

Like a sudden thunderclap overhead, Ji Yuan’s eyes widened.

The one tied to the post was the very soldier he had sent to deliver the message to Prince Lu.

Involuntarily blocking his followers, Ji Yuan shouted: "Retreat, there’s an ambush here! Quickly... take another route."

Just as he prepared to turn his horse, the familiar whizzing sound of arrows reached his ears. Attempting to dodge reflexively, Ji Yuan found it was too late.

Pain shot through his shoulder as the wounded area was pierced by an arrow.

"Where are you planning to go?"

A voice both strange and familiar raised the hairs on Ji Yuan’s neck.

Following the voice, Ji Yuan saw a rider emerge from behind the trees.

It was Song Xian.

Ji Yuan’s hand trembled, barely holding onto his long sword.

"Going to deliver a message to Prince Lu?" Song Xian’s voice was low, "It’s too late."

Behind Song Xian were the Song Family’s household generals.

Song Xian shouted, "Ji Yuan is a spy planted by Prince Lu. Your General Zhang already knows, and anyone still following Ji Yuan will be deemed rebels — kill without mercy."

Looking around, Ji Yuan discovered that the soldiers he led were retreating and gradually distanced themselves from him.

Clenching his fist, Ji Yuan understood that once discovered, this was the inevitable outcome. What he didn’t comprehend was why Song Xian was so intent on targeting him.

He had been extremely cautious, never daring to make a misstep, not understanding where he had gone wrong.

Staring at Song Xian, Ji Yuan somehow discerned a fierce rage in his deep eyes.

Why was it like this? Clearly, he had no grudge against Song Xian...

"Song Jiedu," Ji Yuan attempted to protest, "Isn’t there a mistake? I sent someone to report to General Zhang Chi, how could it be collusion with Prince Lu? There must be a misunderstanding here."

Ji Yuan thought Song Xian wouldn’t speak, but unexpectedly, Song Xian replied calmly, "You were wrong from the start; I saw it with my own eyes."

With that, Song Xian drew his bow once more, another arrow aimed at Ji Yuan. As he dismounted to evade, arrows continued to rain down.

Unable to dodge another shot, Ji Yuan was struck in the thigh.

With a cry of pain, Ji Yuan attempted to flee, dragging his injured leg.

"I’ve never been one to cruelly kill others," Song Xian stated calmly, "You are the first."

In his past life, Ji Yuan slaughtered innocent civilians, tormented Chen, and humiliated Liangchen. Now, Ji Yuan would finally taste the bitterness of being bullied and tormented.