After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 983 - 968: Repelled

Zhao Shen scoffed in his heart, that was his grandfather, but these were foreign enemies. Who knows if his father can escape?

He blocked two enemy soldiers in succession, but could not avoid the blade coming from behind. He could only grit his teeth and prepare to take the hit. However, Yan Wenda kicked him aside, saving his life.

Zhao Shen didn’t have time to relax. He turned around to unlock the door latch, allowing his men to charge in.

Zhao Shen fought his way into the secluded courtyard. With just one glance, he identified the location of the main hall and led his men in that direction.

The news of the army’s return spread to the main hall even before Zhao Shen arrived. The previously desperate officials were revitalized and, like Zhao Ming, grabbed their weapons to aim at the Xun Family Army, resisting to the death.

Even Zhao Ming’s spirits lifted. He raised his sword and charged at Xun Xiu instead... 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Xun Xiu’s face changed drastically upon hearing the news of the army’s return. How could there be reinforcements? Could it be that someone leaked the secret?

It couldn’t be that Zhao Hanzhang has returned, could it?

But wasn’t it said that Zhao Hanzhang was injured and went missing in Youzhou? Even if found, the likelihood of severe injury being left untreated was higher. How could she return so quickly?

Xun Xiu had been secretly planning the rebellion, confident that it wouldn’t be discovered in advance; even the timing had been meticulously calculated.

He was confident of capturing the emperor before nightfall, leaving them with no escape. However... the army had indeed returned.

Xun Xiu’s eyes, like a hungry wolf’s, locked onto Zhao Ming and the Little Emperor. He had to kill Zhao Ming and capture the Little Emperor; otherwise, he wouldn’t survive.

That was his thought, but the Xun Family Army didn’t all think that way, especially the ordinary soldiers. Upon hearing that the army had returned, they felt doomed and hesitated, slowing their movements.

Zhao Ming noticed and retreated with the Little Emperor while loudly shouting, "The army has returned to the city. You are at the end of your strength. Surrender now, and you will not be killed!"

Xun Xiu shouted back, "Don’t listen to his deceit! We have already rebelled against Zhao Hanzhang. Zhao Hanzhang is treacherous and will not spare us. Before she arrives, capture the Little Emperor and we can escape!"

He continued, "Whoever captures the Little Emperor will be granted the title of Thousand Households!"

This statement revitalized many.

However, Zhao Ming coldly said, "But first, you need to have the life to enjoy it. How can so few of the Xun Family Army withstand the Zhao Family Army?"

He added, "The Great General is benevolent and has always been kind to prisoners. Surrender and you will not be killed!"

Pingyi and others also shouted, "When has the Great General ever killed anyone who surrendered? Surrender and you will not be killed! Surrender and you will not be killed!"

The officials in the room echoed loudly, and indeed, the ordinary soldiers of the Xun Family Army hesitated. But some became more ruthless, joining Xun Xiu in a fierce assault. Perhaps ordinary soldiers might survive surrender, but for them, surrendering meant certain stagnation, without future progress. It might be better to take a chance while there was still a sliver of hope, for what if...?

There was no what if. Just as Xun Xiu broke through Pingyi and Ping Zhong’s defense and swung his saber at Zhao Ming, Zhao Shen burst in. Seeing Xun Xiu’s blade about to descend on his father’s head, and with Xun Xiu’s back protected, Zhao Shen couldn’t reach him from behind to make him retreat. So, he immediately leapt, treading on shoulders and heads to fly sideways, finally kicking off a pillar, catapulting himself like a cannonball, kicking both Zhao Ming and the Little Emperor behind him to safety. Meanwhile, he slid across the floor, barely avoiding the blade...

As his hair scraped against the blade’s edge, it was sliced off, and Zhao Shen’s eyes widened slightly. What was this blade to be so formidable?

The thought flashed by, and Zhao Shen straightened his back, spinning up, and using his long sword to block the incoming blade. His grip shook painfully, and he had to step back two paces to absorb the impact, avoiding injury to his hands.

His movements were agile, and with a quick and deft thrust, Xun Xiu’s knife struck with a clang, snapping his sword in half.

Zhao Shen’s eyes widened in an instant, examining the broken half of the sword before looking at the fierce and red-eyed Xun Xiu, and then turned to run, shouting, "Wenda, save me!"

Being kicked aside and narrowly avoiding disaster, Zhao Ming didn’t have time to soothe his aching back. Seeing the emperor lying on the ground, he quickly got up to protect him, then looked up to see his son running with a broken sword. He shouted, "Don’t come over here! Distract him away!"

He then recalled that the sword Xun Xiu was wielding had been specially given to him by Zhao Hanzhang, and he also possessed a spear, also specially crafted. It was probably because of the narrow space in the residence that he opted for the sword instead.

Recalling the sharpness of the steel-forged weapon, he immediately threw his own sword towards Zhao Shen, "This is a sword forged by the Zhao Family, take it!"

Zhao Shen leapt up to catch it, rolled upon landing to dodge Xun Xiu’s trusted aide’s attack, and as he stood, his sword sliced along the enemy’s weapon, severing his hand.

Surprised, Zhao Shen hadn’t expected the sword to be so sharp. He quickly sidestepped to the left, slashing the trusted aide’s neck as he passed, killing him. Seeing Xun Xiu leave him behind and charge at his father again, he immediately pursued from behind, "General Xun, why trouble an old man? Your opponent is me!"

Zhao Ming, retreating step by step with the emperor: ...

Xun Xiu, of similar age to Zhao Ming: ...

As swords and blades clashed, Zhao Shen, now equipped with a sharp weapon, no longer feared Xun Xiu. The two of them engaged fiercely in battle.

In terms of military prowess, Zhao Shen had yet to confront him, unsure of his depth. But in terms of individual martial arts, Zhao Shen was confident. He was young and in his prime, after all. Xun Xiu had been fighting for a long time, and endurance alone would eventually wear him out.

Of course, Zhao Shen didn’t intend to simply wear him out. His sword, as if it had eyes at the tip, struck swiftly and precisely. In no time, three bloody holes appeared on Xun Xiu’s body, while Zhao Shen remained unharmed.

This feeling during the battle was not unfamiliar to Xun Xiu. During sparring with Zhao Hanzhang, he had been similarly suppressed, though back then, Zhao Hanzhang used a spear and only sparred without harm.

Normally that wouldn’t be an issue, but now, both sides were enemies, and being entirely dominated by Zhao Hanzhang had become a shadow in his heart.

Suddenly seeing someone in battle so reminiscent of Zhao Hanzhang, Xun Xiu was shaken, and in a moment of distraction, Zhao Shen pierced his arm.

Xun Ming saw this and charged forward with all his might, separating Zhao Shen and Xun Xiu, then shouted loudly, "General, leave quickly, go!"

Since the army had already arrived, if they didn’t leave soon, they truly wouldn’t be able to leave.

Seeing the Little Emperor drift farther away, Xun Xiu gritted his teeth, clutching his arm, and withdrew under the protection of a trusted aide.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Shen immediately instructed Yan Wenda, who was rushing over, "Send the signal. Let them withdraw and hide. Do not clash with the rebels."

Yan Wenda: ... Why does everything require me to do it?

Nevertheless, he turned and left. With his exceptional skills and speed, he vanished from sight in no time.