Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 442: The Death of Hou Wei (4)

Hou Wei glared furiously at the scrambling soldiers. He had just opened his mouth when a rain of flaming arrows flew overhead, targeting the ground and tents behind him. Moments later, fire erupted all around. Hou Wei narrowly avoided the rain of arrows and found a relatively safe spot to survey the now burning camp. His heart went cold, realizing there was no turning back. Looking at the eager Shen Sanzhang beside him, he patted his shoulder, "Come with me."

Shen Sanzhang was stunned for a moment, his thick eyebrows furrowed, "But what about them if we go back?"

Hearing this, Hou Wei let out a cold laugh, "Do you think we would still be alive if we went back now?"

"What does the Marshal mean?" Shen Sanzhang, snapping back to reality, blinked rapidly, the cold light in his eyes quickly vanishing.

"Let’s go to one of the smaller countries. With our ranks as generals, they’d be more than happy to fight over having us." He chuckled slyly.

Shen Sanzhang said nothing, lowering his gaze in silent contemplation for a moment.

Hearing the distant sounds of combat, Hou Wei pushed Shen Sanzhang beside him, "Make up your mind quickly, or it will be too late."

Shen Sanzhang lifted his head, looking into the distance and nodding silently, "I will follow the Marshal."

Hou Wei was overjoyed, "Let’s go quickly while no one is paying attention, and make for the trail."

Shen Sanzhang nodded following, and Hou Wei glanced around before heading into the small path lit by the fire behind them.

Shen Sanzhang followed closely behind. Seeing the desolation around them, he gripped the Treasured Sword tighter and watched Hou Wei, who was focused on the path ahead. A murderous intent flashed through Shen Sanzhang’s eyes. His Treasured Sword swiftly left its scabbard, and with a glint of silver light, Hou Wei let out a muffled grunt, turning to see a sword piercing through his chest. When he looked up, puzzled at Shen Sanzhang, his bloodied hand trembling as he pointed at him, "Why... why?"

"Because of you, Mingyi Country started the war, causing soldiers to perish on the battlefield, and because of you, the people have been living in misery, starving and cold. Without your death, I cannot quell the hatred in my heart." Holding the Treasured Sword, Shen Sanzhang forcefully withdrew it, splattering warm blood that sprayed out and flecked his face with drops.

Hou Wei stumbled backward, fresh blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. He laughed weakly, a look of bleak resignation on his face, "Where there are people, there will be killing, and where there is killing, blood must be shed, and with bloodshed comes death, eternally unchanging. You, a man leading troops in war..."

"Shut up. If it wasn’t for your slanderous words to the Crown Prince, how would there have been a war? The three kingdoms hadn’t seen wars for years, and the people had just begun to settle down. It’s because of you that Mingyi Country faced the disaster of annihilation."

"Hmph, words are useless. The victor is king, and the loser the outcast. Make it quick," Hou Wei wiped his mouth and, gasping for breath, looked at the man before him.

Shen Sanzhang’s eyes filled with hatred as he glared fiercely, raising the sword in his hand and without mercy, he thrust it again into Hou Wei’s heart. Watching him fall to the ground, his face still bore the irritating smile of a dying man. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Dugu Chen rode his warhorse past the encampment of Mingyi Country, observing his soldiers cleaning up the battlefield. He then glanced at the nearby tents reduced to ashes and the captured soldiers emitting continuous cries of despair.

"Marshal, the count is complete. There are seventy-five thousand captured soldiers..."

"Has General Hu seen Hou Wei?" Dugu Chen, sitting on his horse, looked down at an excited Hu Liujin.

Hu Liujin thought for a moment before shaking his head, "Marshal, no sign of him."

"Search for him, leave no stone unturned, and thoroughly investigate those soldiers too." Dugu Chen’s handsome face showed a hint of irritation at not hearing news of Hou Wei.

"Yes, Marshal."

Just as Hu Liujin had finished assigning the vice-general to search for Hou Wei, he saw a squad leader escorting a soldier from Mingyi Country over.

"General, this man claims to have something for you."

Hu Liujin scrutinized the man, noting that his uniform did not resemble that of an ordinary Mingyi Country soldier: "Who are you, and what business do you have with me, General?"

Shen Sanzhang tossed something onto the ground, looking at Hu Liujin, "I’m Shen Sanzhang, vice-general of Mingyi Country, and this is Hou Wei’s head."

Surprised, Hu Liujin took a closer look at Shen Sanzhang, squinting his eyes and motioning with his hand. A junior officer stepped forward, opened the bloody sack on the ground, and it indeed contained a head. Using a sword to push aside the hair, the blood-covered face was partially cleared, revealing the unmistakable identity of Hou Wei.