Chapter 305: Together in Life and Death
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Yes, we must leave!”
“I am not sick! There are no red marks on me! Why should we be locked inside the city, waiting for death?!”
“There are so many of us! Can we not break through the city gates?!”
“His Majesty has abandoned us! The court has forsaken us! The imperial physicians cannot save us! They cannot save us!” A woman broke into wails.
The people’s emotions began to crumble. Watching those beside them fall one after another, how could they not be afraid?
“Desolate City houses the descendants of criminals. Our ancestors were the ones at fault, but must we pay with our lives too? Do the tens of thousands of us deserve to die?!”
“Come, with our numbers, we can force our way through the gates!”
“At worst, we will fight them to the death!” The crowd was in an uproar, their voices trembling with rage, each person gripping a weapon tightly.
Some clutched hoes, others wielded kitchen knives, their faces contorted with fury.
A chill surged through Lu Zheng Yue’s heart.
On the city walls, rows of soldiers stood with bows fully drawn, their arrows pointed at the city gates. Below, warriors brandished long swords, exuding an air of slaughter.
“You officials hide behind your walls, waiting for us to die, so you can leave unscathed.”
“Why?!” The people pointed towards the City Lord’s manor.
“We will fight! If we must die, let our children live!”
The desperate cries of the people grew louder, their anger ignited, the tension thickening in the air.
If the people of Desolate City truly feared not death and stormed the gates, it would throw Northern Zhao into chaos.
“You officials only know how to exploit us! You don’t care if we live or die! I’ll take you down with me!” A man in the shadows, his face twisted in rage, his eyes bloodshot, suddenly raised a blade and slashed his own arm.
Blood splattered in all directions.
Smearing his hands with his own blood, he charged at Lu Zheng Yue like a madman.
The source of the plague remained unknown, but rumors spread that blood, saliva, and even air could carry the disease.
He wanted to taint Lu Zheng Yue with his infected blood.
A truly malicious heart!
“Die with us! Come to hell with us!”
Boom!
A loud crash rang out.
Rong Che, who had rushed back just in time, kicked the crazed man down.
The man collapsed, howling in pain.
“You wretched cur! Who gave you such audacity?!” Rong Che stomped on the man’s chest with force.
Lu Zheng Yue did not stop him.
Only when the man was barely clinging to life did Lu Zheng Yue finally speak.
“I have never hidden in safety, never sought to preserve myself. I have fought on the front lines since the outbreak of this plague. Does anyone dispute this?”
The crowd fell silent, lips pressed tightly together.
“I know you fear the court has abandoned you, but I swear, I will not slaughter this city. I will not forsake a single soul!”
“I will stand with you until the end!”
“Words are empty! If you truly mean it, prove it!” someone shouted.
Lu Zheng Yue knelt, dipped his fingers in the man’s blood, and wiped it across his own hand.
“Ah—!” Gasps rippled through the crowd.
With no hesitation, he tore off his mask and faced the sick directly.
Blood dripped steadily from his fingers as he stared resolutely at the crowd.
“My father was the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage. My stepfather is the Stabilizing General. My mother holds a first-rank title. My sister is the Princess Zhao Yang! I swear upon my family and honor—I will live and die with the people of Desolate City!”
The people, once enraged, suddenly fell into silence.
Creak—
The doors of the General’s Manor swung open.
A figure clad in crimson stepped forward—Wen Ning. Her expression was gentle, yet her gaze was unwavering. Dressed in a red bridal gown, she calmly removed her veil and approached Lu Zheng Yue.
Lu Zheng Yue instinctively stepped back, his hands tainted with blood.
But Wen Ning merely smiled.
She clasped her fingers around his bloodstained hand, interlocking them.
“I am his betrothed. As husband and wife, we shall stand with the people of Desolate City, living and dying as one! We will not abandon a single soul!” Her voice was soft, yet it resonated with boundless strength.
She blinked at Lu Zheng Yue playfully.
[I only wish to wear this wedding dress for a day, for you.]
She feared regret, the same regret that haunted her dreams.
Lu Zheng Yue choked on his emotions, drawing a deep breath to swallow the tears welling in his eyes.
Weapons trembled in hands, eyes reddened with emotion, muffled sobs breaking the tense silence.
Clatter—
Countless weapons fell to the ground.
A general turned to Rong Che, awaiting orders to seize the crowd now softened by emotion. Rong Che shook his head lightly.
“Lord Lu, we hold no grievances against you. You have worked tirelessly, night and day, in the clinic, never once fearing infection. We know… we all know.”
“You are a good man.”
Tears welled in their eyes.
A frail old woman hobbled forward and knelt before him with a thud.
“My lord, I do not fear death, but my granddaughter is only three years old. She knows nothing of the world. Please, let her go.”
“I have lived long enough. I can die, but the children are innocent…”
Thud, thud—
More people knelt, pushing their children forward.
“Lord Lu, the children are blameless. They are so young, yet they must wait for death in Desolate City. Please, save them…”
“We do not wish to burden you, but how can we watch our children perish before our eyes?” The old woman sobbed.
“We do not wish to bring disaster upon Northern Zhao. We do not wish to be remembered as sinners…”
“We are the children of criminals, but we still wish to leave behind a good name. Yet, we are selfish. We only want our children to live…” The old woman held her frail granddaughter close, weeping in silence.
Lu Zheng Yue’s voice was hoarse. “Take the children to the General’s Manor for now.”
“Thank you, Lord Lu! Thank you!” The people kowtowed in gratitude.
“Chao Chao, you and the others should stay in the western courtyard for now. We will house the children in the eastern wing.” Lu Zheng Yue feared for his younger sister’s safety.
Lu Chao Chao nodded.
[Though, it wouldn’t affect me…]
[I am immune to all poisons…]
Rong Che led the people back to the medical clinic. The children, frail and terrified, stood trembling before them, their large eyes filled with fear.
Lu Zheng Yue smiled gently. “Don’t be afraid. Uncle Lu will take you to wash up, alright?”
Though frightened, the little ones obediently followed.
“These children… they are the people’s weakness,” Wen Ning sighed softly.
“Second Sister-in-Law!” Lu Chao Chao suddenly called out.
The once-resolute Wen Ning instantly blushed.
“I… I haven’t married yet.” Wen Ning’s voice wavered, her lips trembling in shyness.
Lu Chao Chao grinned. “Though the ceremony is yet to be held, I have already recognized you as my sister-in-law! Besides you, I will accept no one else!”
In both past and present lives, Wen Ning had done too much for her second brother.
As the crowd dispersed, Lu Chao Chao slipped back into her room and silently summoned Xing Hui.
His form had grown nearly transparent, his divine essence scattered, teetering on the brink of oblivion.
For thousands of years, he had wandered the mortal world, his mind eroded by endless time.
Only when he saw Chao Chao did his gaze regain a fleeting glimmer of clarity.