You're Strong But Now You're Mine-Chapter 553 - 551: The Last Meal (Part 2)

They had already walked out of the forbidden area of the Blood Prison. Although no specific directions were given, everyone knew where to go—the imposing Imperial Court was the most radiant presence in the night of Yanjing. Every five paces along the Imperial Court walls was a lantern, and every ten paces was a pillar. No matter where you were in Yanjing, you could see the light of the Imperial Court illuminating the night from afar.

"Time is pressing—are there any messages I need to know?"

"When the first ray of sunlight shines upon the Imperial Court, it will be the moment of the Shuiyun Palace's ascension," Kui Nianruo said. "Shuiyun is surely already preparing on the Ascension Platform in the center of the Imperial Court, and once dawn breaks, she will wield the Holy Sword and suppress the rebels!"

"How long until dawn?"

Qin Yueshi took out her pocket watch and glanced at it. "About an hour."

Le Yu nodded, glancing at the city walls in the distance that seemed about to catch fire. "Are the rebels attacking the city overnight?"

"Yes," Lin Xue said. "A hundred thousand troops have surrounded Yanjing. They have been fiercely attacking the north and south gates since yesterday afternoon. But it is said to be much thunder, little rain. Although Yanjing now has few defenders left, the returning garrison troops and the twelve guards can barely establish a defense, along with some retainers from the prominent families lending a hand. With Yanjing's strong walls and abundant defensive equipment, holding out for a few days is not a problem."

"There's no need for a nighttime assault, which means..." Le Yu said, "they are afraid."

"Afraid?" Kui Nianruo was somewhat surprised. "Why attack the city if they are afraid? Shouldn't they retreat if they're afraid?"

"Strictly speaking, it's not the rebel leaders who are afraid, but the rebel soldiers," Qing Lan, though new to Yanjing, seemed very familiar with its situation. "I don't know if the three-day delay for the ascension is due to etiquette or other reasons, but these three days are enough for the news to spread outside Yanjing and cause unrest among the rebels."

"Even if the soldiers attack the Imperial Court forces out of discontent, admiration for the generals, or being coerced by the military, they all, without exception, hold a reverence for the radiance of the Holy Sword. They are even more easily provoked by the news of the Holy Sword's brilliance because they know they are committing a grave crime."

"Everyone, whether inside or outside the city, knows that once the radiance of the Holy Sword shines far and wide, this so-called 'quelling of the rebellion' or 'insurrection' will dissolve as quickly as winter snow melting in spring. No one can challenge the authority of the Holy Sword, and no one can withstand the suppression of its brilliance!"

"Thus, when it is known that the new emperor is about to ascend and even wield the radiance, the morale of the rebels is bound to plummet, and there may even be deserters—the day of the new emperor's ascension is the rebels' day of doom!"

"To save morale, the rebel leaders will undoubtedly claim the news is false and the Holy Sword does not exist, but that is not enough. They must demonstrate their stance. Thus, attacking the city overnight becomes the only choice."

"The leaders must personally challenge Yanjing, showing they do not believe Yanjing's news at all, so that they can excite the soldiers' enthusiasm, make everyone believe they are on the winning side, and make everyone stop thinking and gamble with their lives!"

Li Ying suddenly realized, "This turns out to be a strategy to subdue the enemy without fighting!"

"Unfortunately, it failed," Qian Yuya said calmly. "Only the fall of the Holy Sword can awaken the fear in their hearts now."

"Well, actually, I've always wanted to ask a question," Kui Nianruo raised a hand and weakly asked, "Since the rebels are so afraid of the radiance of the Holy Sword, why can't the Imperial Court negotiate with them?"

"Because they don't believe it!" Lin Xue said. "I can guess how the rebel leaders persuade the other soldiers—since ancient times, the Holy Sword, once suspended, must go through twenty years of silent cultivation before it can manifest again! In the two thousand years of imperial succession, not once has there been an exception! Not once!"

"Not to mention the rebels, many people within Yanjing City don't believe it," Qin Yueshi added. "Many noble families and wealthy merchants have packed their valuables and gathered in mansions near the east and west gates. Once the city falls, they will have their guards escort them out of Yanjing, flee the Near Capital, and regroup elsewhere."

"There are even many who have colluded with the rebels, which is why the retainers of the noble families can only assist with the city's defense work—the Imperial Court also fears they would open the gates directly for the rebels!"

"This is something unprecedented; who would be willing to believe it?" Li Ying sighed. "Moreover, the rebel leaders have taken the plunge and must act. They were seizing this twenty-year gap period of the Holy Sword's suspension to challenge the position of the Imperial Family. They're doing something that risks their necks; it might be their only chance to take Yanjing. How could they believe the threat of the Holy Sword and sit down for negotiations?"

"So," Kui Nianruo concluded, "someone has to wield the radiance of the Holy Sword."

The only sound left on the street was the sound of footsteps. The students secretly observed Le Yu's expression, but they could discern no emotion from his handsome face.

Although no one asked, everyone was curious about how Le Yu would save Yanjing and Ming Shuiyun... because this is a tragic story, a dead end from beginning to end.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the night sky, and Le Yu and his companions looked back to see a deep red firework rising near the Blood Prison, carving several piercing blood streaks deep into the night!

"It seems the Blood Prison has also prepared for my escape," Le Yu said. "It looks like an hour might not be enough."

"The Ministry of Justice is not far from the Blood Prison," Qian Yuya looked in another direction. "According to White Night's intel, there have always been Martial Pillars guarding the Ministry these days—"

"Faceless, I sentence you to death! Death!"

A thunderous judgment-like roar suddenly echoed across the sky, followed by slightly sarcastic laughter. "Cui Yan, you're past tense; don't meddle in the present!"

The light from the direction of the Ministry of Justice suddenly vanished, the entire area turning pitch black. Apparently, two Martial Pillars were fighting, absorbing all the light so that not a drop leaked out!

"White Night's Reverse Journey will hold off the Martial Pillars of the Ministry for us," Qian Yuya continued. "But only the Martial Pillars of the Ministry; White Night will do no more for us."

"I understand."

Le Yu stopped, turned back to look at them, the streetlamp elongating his shadow.

"Now, it's time to part ways. The road ahead might be dangerous, and even battles might occur. I can only continue on my own."

Kui Nianruo protested, "We're strong too, we won't hold you back!"

"But you'll slow my moves." Le Yu chuckled, noticing Kui Nianruo wanting to say more, he reached out and ruffled her hair, "Be good, I'll take you to blow up the Platinum Tower later, and let you be the first. Just let me go and show off by myself today."

Suddenly treated gently by the teacher, Kui Nianruo was at a loss, weakly saying "Oh." Qing Lan glanced at Le Yu, raising her eyebrow.

Lin Xue asked, "Is there anything we can help with?"

"Though I think you're rash and disregard consequences, you've shown an independent and courageous side too," Le Yu said. "I've been locked up for three days, and might misjudge the situation, so you tell me, what's your plan after we separate?"

Qin Yueshi: "I'll go home to collect my belongings, if things truly go south, I'll escape with the Shi Family through the east gate."

Lin Xue: "I'll find White Night to ask about other paths out of the city, and inquire about the plans of teachers staying at the Imperial Academy. In any case, I'll leave a message at the Qin Family."

Kui Nianruo: "I'll, I'll go home and pack everyone's belongings, then bring them to the Qin Family!"

Qian Yuya pointed at Qing Lan, "I'll escort her to the Qin Family."

Le Yu looked at Li Ying, Li Ying blinked, suddenly feeling clear-headed and relaxed, her face revealing a confident smile, hands on hips she said, "I'm useless."

"I can't see any problems, so go ahead with your plans," Le Yu said. "Time is tight, I—"

"Wait!"

Qing Lan suddenly looked at Li Ying, pointing at the pancake in her hand, "Is it tasty?"

"Huh?" Li Ying looked at the half leek-corn pancake in her hand, nodded, "Delicious."

"Good." Qing Lan directly snatched the pancake bag from Li Ying's hand, pulled out a pancake and handed it to Le Yu, "Have something to eat, so you won't be hungry on the road."

Le Yu was startled, took the pancake and took a bite, "Tsk, too bad the honey Five-Flower Tea is finished, eating this feels a bit dry."

"Then you'll have to swallow your saliva." Qing Lan glanced at him, and Le Yu suddenly recalled some bedroom delights, his mouth began to produce quite a lot of saliva.

Qing Lan casually divided the pancakes amongst everyone, evenly distributing them, everyone holding a pancake to bite. Li Ying looked at the half pancake in her hand, her eating speed suddenly slowed down, trying to finish eating simultaneously with everyone.

"Isn't this the teacher's first time eating with us?" Kui Nianruo suddenly said.

Everyone was taken aback, suddenly realizing—Le Yu really hadn't eaten with them before! When they went to the cafeteria, Le Yu had mostly already finished eating, and even if not, he would quickly finish with no regard for others.

But thinking about how this first meal happened under such circumstances, no one felt happy.

"First meal, maybe also the last meal?" Le Yu smiled, finished the pancake in two bites, "Since you're all mentally prepared, I'll also seize the chance to say some things I've held back."

Everyone became curious—such a sharp-tongued teacher, has things held back?

"Lin Xue, Kui Nianruo." Le Yu looked at the two of them, "Though I did nothing wrong, I feel I still need to apologize to you."

"Li Ying, train well with that Immortal Blood power. As long as you master the power, no matter how chaotic the world is, you will surely live well."

"Qin Yueshi, I wish you to find your ideal partner."

"Yuya."

Le Yu looked at Qian Yuya, paused for a moment, reached out to touch her head, "Really, you've worked hard."

He exchanged a smile with Qing Lan, turned around and stepped into the dimly lit alley, the sound of his footsteps gradually faded.

"Just now when Mr. Qin finished the pancake, his hands were all greasy, Xiao Yu, your hair seems shiny too..." Li Ying joked to lighten the mood, but she suddenly noticed, Qian Yuya, whose face had been emotionless for months, actually showed a visible emotion.

Qian Yuya finished the last bite of the pancake, staring blankly in the direction Le Yu left, feeling something melt inside her.