Jiang Xingyan gathered up all the remains of the fallen soldiers outside the capital of Beiluo. Even the soil beneath them, stained crimson with blood, was carefully scraped up and collected together. The soldiers wept as they shoveled, tears streaming down their faces.
Though they had won this battle, it felt utterly hollow. They had lost their vanguard brothers, and the national preceptor—who had sacrificed himself to protect them—was still missing, his fate unknown. Worse still, the King of Beiluo, whom they had always regarded as their arch-nemesis, turned out to be nothing but a contemptible wretch.
It felt like looking forward to a grand feast for ages, only to find the final course swarming with flies. One word hung plainly in everyone’s heart: Not worth it.
Jiang Xingyan had already sent word to Xiao Chonghua, instructing him to lead the Huo Family Army toward Shanhe Pass to meet up with them.
“Men, no matter what, in the end, we have won this war. From now on, I can promise you this: there will be no more battles—only peaceful coexistence!”
“Hail the General!”
The soldiers shouted through their tears. Peace was the long-cherished wish they had all been waiting for. And now that the General had spoken so plainly, it was clear an alliance with Great Xia had already been secured. They wouldn’t have to fight anymore!
In that moment, every hardened warrior let the tears flow freely. They could finally go home.
Jiang Xingyan carried Little Ya, dragged along four invalids, and made her way back toward Shanhe Pass.
——-
The soldiers stationed at Shanhe Pass had spent the past month—while “Huo Ci” pushed deep into Beiluo’s heartland—repairing the city walls. Xiao Chonghua had long since joined forces with Xiao Zhenhuai to jointly manage the pass.
Through this trial by fire, all the flashiness and restlessness in Xiao Chonghua’s character had been worn away, leaving behind nothing but steadfast resilience.
The poison in Xiao Zhenhuai’s body had also been gradually neutralized by Yun Chunfeng’s detoxification pills. His complexion grew brighter, and even his long-standing listlessness began to lift. When Xiao Chonghua saw him for the first time, he was both startled and delighted.
“Second Brother, your chronic ailment has actually improved so much!”
Xiao Zhenhuai’s lips curved slightly as he quietly observed his younger brother. For once, Xiao Chonghua wasn’t playing any tricks—his praise came from the heart.
That actually unsettled Xiao Zhenhuai. He had always suspected that the one with both the means and the motive to poison him was none other than the scheming Xiao Chonghua. After all, if both his elder brother and himself died before him, Xiao Chonghua would become the undisputed legitimate eldest son.
But now, looking at him, it seemed he was genuinely happy for his recovery.
“I’m touched by your concern, Third Brother. I suppose Heaven hasn’t seen fit to take me just yet.”
Xiao Chonghua walked over and gave Xiao Zhenhuai a hearty slap on the shoulder.
“It’s good that you’re better, Second Brother. You’re meticulous in all things. No matter who sits on the throne, they’ll need a wise minister like you by their side!”
Xiao Zhenhuai—who rarely let his emotions show—couldn’t help but look startled. He reached out and felt Xiao Chonghua’s forehead, muttering, “Third Brother, you’re not running a fever, are you?”
Xiao Chonghua’s mouth twitched. Was it really so hard for people to accept that he was trying to be more open and sincere?
“Second Brother, what if I just stop playing all those mind games from now on? Is that alright?”
The two brothers exchanged a glance and burst out laughing together. Having faced life and death side by side, all the petty things they used to care about suddenly seemed so unimportant.
“Third Brother, if you ever sit on the dragon throne in the future, I, your second brother, will do my utmost to assist you.”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Because you know when to bend and when to stand tall. You recognize your mistakes and correct them. That’s the mark of a true man. If you become a ruler, you’ll be a wise one—resourceful and knowing when to advance or retreat. Besides, now that you’ve truly set foot on the battlefield, you’ll understand better than ever how hard life is for the common people. You won’t squander the nation’s strength through endless wars for your own selfish gain, emptying the treasury and leaving the people destitute.”
Xiao Zhenhuai’s words left both brothers silent for a long moment.
“Second Brother, do you think Father has changed?”
Xiao Zhenhuai didn’t answer directly. Instead, he let out a sigh. “Anyone who sees the Emperor of Great Xia wield such godlike power would be tempted. But not everyone can possess it—at least, not overnight. Father was frightened.”
Xiao Chonghua understood that all too well. But he was different from Xiao Zhenhuai—he had grown up at Xiao Ao’s knee, seeing him as both a loving father and a stern one. It was hard for him to accept such a sudden change.
“Second Brother, now that you’re well again, you could also become the crown prince.”
Xiao Zhenhuai let out a soft laugh. He had once dreamed of the throne, but after meeting Jiang Xingyan, he had lost all interest in that gilded cage—unless, of course, she asked him to pursue it.
“It’s best if I’m never made to sit in that seat.”
——–
On the renwu day of the seventh month, the Beginning of Autumn.
Jiang Xingyan led the Huo Family Army, escorting the prisoner cart carrying the King of Beiluo, along with the Beiluo civilians who had surrendered to Western Zhou. The massive procession appeared on the distant horizon visible from Shanhe Pass.
The sharp-eyed scouts spotted them long before anyone else. Trembling with excitement, they ran at full speed to the central command tent.
“Report!
His Second Highness, His Third Highness, and Deputy General Xin—General Huo has returned!”
“What?!
Hurry! Open the gates and go out to welcome them!”
They had already received word of the Huo Family Army’s great victory and the fall of Beiluo, and the news had long since been sent back to Western Zhou. The entire kingdom was celebrating as if it were New Year’s Day.
But only those closest to “Huo Ci” remained anxious. When the army had first set out, it had just been the beginning of summer. Now, returning in triumph, autumn had already arrived. That alone showed just how grueling this campaign had been.
Xiao Zhenhuai and Xin Zhui craned their necks, straining to catch a glimpse of “Huo Ci” on horseback. There was a joy and anticipation in their eyes that Xiao Chonghua couldn’t quite read.
Xiao Chonghua: Wait a minute. The way you two are looking at him reminds me of women pining in their chambers!
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck his mind. He recalled that night when Yun Chunfeng had addressed “Huo Ci” as “Miss.” And from what he had observed over this period, it seemed impossible that this was merely someone disguised as Huo Ci—he possessed authentic Huo Ci’s internal energy, without a doubt. So the only explanation left was a soul swap.
At that thought, Xiao Chonghua grew excited too. He genuinely wanted to see for himself what kind of remarkable woman this was.
The victorious procession drew nearer, closer still, and Xiao Chonghua found himself inexplicably nervous. Should he act more warmly? Or perhaps drop a hint to “Huo Ci” that he already knew “his” true identity, so from now on he could treat “him” as one of their own?
While Xiao Chonghua was still agonizing over it, Xin Zhui and Xiao Zhenhuai had already spurred their horses past him and galloped ahead.
Xiao Zhenhuai, ever composed and reserved, simply smiled—and that was more than enough to convey his joy.
But Xin Zhui was already hollering at the top of his lungs: “Ah Xing! I’m alive again!”
Jiang Xingyan’s mouth twitched. This guy is practically shouting from the rooftops that she and Huo Ci have swapped souls!
Truth be told, the soldiers of the Huo Family Army weren’t fools. The General had been acting so strangely this time around—even bringing the General’s wife and Little Ya onto the battlefield—which was bizarre enough. Add to that the soldiers who had been present and came back telling tales:
“Guess what? The General’s wife got hit by two hidden projectiles, but her wounds healed almost instantly—not even a drop of blood was seen. But our General Huo, who was perfectly fine, suddenly ended up with two bloody holes in his body, staining his armor red. What do you make of that?”
Old Zhang, lying on a wooden bench, quickly chimed in: “I know! I know! My mother used to tell me—this is called a soul swap!”
