Chapter Fifty-Four: The Unavoidable Surrender

  He Jiong's name soon arrived, and although he was old and cunning, when he saw his only son tied up with five flowers, his face changed involuntarily. Everyone has their own weaknesses, the key is whether they can be found out.

  "Qian Tongling, what do you mean by this?" He Hongming shouted at Qian Budui in a stern voice.

  "Congratulations, Your Highness, you've raised a good son." Qian Buli smiled: "He actually dared to sneak into the princess's bathroom in the middle of the night and intended to take liberties with Her Highness. What do you think... should be done?"

  "Stop spouting nonsense over there! I know my own son, he would never do such a thing!" He Xiongming calmed down a bit, scolding Qian Bu Li while holding back his own agitated guards, not wanting or daring to make the situation bigger.

  "Congratulations, Master Hua, if you insist on this opinion...". Qian Buli's face turned cold: "Then there is no point in continuing our conversation!" After finishing speaking, Qian Buli drew out the long sword of his personal guard and slowly walked towards He Zicheng.

  "How dare you!" He Xiao Ming shouted loudly.

  "I don't dare." Qian Buli lightly tapped the long sword: "He Zicheng sneaked into the palace's bathroom in the middle of the night with ill intentions, his heart should be punished. Come and bind him to the pillar for me, the commander will personally carry out the execution!"

  Several soldiers rushed forward and tied He Zicheng to the pillar without saying a word. Qian Buli walked up to He Zicheng's side, looked at him sideways and said: "Give you father and son a chance to say goodbye, if there is anything to say, say it quickly."

  He Xiao hummed coldly, thinking that Qian Buli was just forcing himself to kill the heir of a count in public? How dare Qian Buli be so bold? Moreover, this was within his own Liancheng Fortress.

  He Jiongming's estimate was only half right, Qian Buli was indeed forcing him, but He Jiongming had underestimated Qian Buli's ruthlessness. Seeing that He Jiongming showed no intention of surrendering, a hint of sinister killing intent flashed in Qian Buli's eyes, he made a silent gesture, his eyes fixed on He Zicheng's neck, the long sword in his hand slowly rising.

  He Zicheng was closest to Qian Buli, others couldn't see clearly, but he could see the fierce light in Qian Buli's eyes. The astute He Zicheng immediately understood that Qian Buli really wanted to kill him, and his long sword flashed with a sharp light as it chopped down.

  "Dad!" He Zicheng shouted: "We lost!!"

  He Zicheng had just shouted out when Qian Budui was about to withdraw his hand, but unfortunately his skill was far from comparable to that of the legendary master. The sword stopped, but it had already cut into He Zicheng's neck, although not too deep. Fresh blood flowed along the blade and onto the hilt, then from the hilt to the ground.

  He Jiongming almost fainted, the force of Qian Buli's sword was clear to him. If it wasn't for He Zicheng's timely shout of "Dad", his only son would have been beheaded already? Only then did he realize that this was a madman! A madman who didn't consider the consequences of his actions! He Jiongming glared at Qian Buli with hatred, but at the same time, the courage that supported him was also destroyed by Qian Buli's sword.

  "Qian Tongling, do you know the consequences of what you're doing? You'll be put to death by the imperial court for murdering the heir of the Duke!" He Gongming shouted.

  "Murder? What is murder? Your son tried to tarnish the reputation of His Excellency, I killed him and it was both reasonable and lawful!" Qian Buli drew out his sword, allowing the fresh blood from He Zicheng's neck to flow freely: "But let's put it this way, if I hadn't killed him, could I have survived? Can you guarantee that?"

  He Qiong's name was involuntarily delayed.

  "The answer is already certain, Wei Chi wants me to die, Ji Sheng Lie also wants me to die. Judging from the situation, I, Qian Bu Li, am probably doomed to death." Qian Bu Li smiled: "Since that's the case, what does it matter if I kill you all?"

  The words "I killed you, what's the big deal?" suddenly woke up He Qiongming. He turned around abruptly and found that the entrance of the backyard was filled with soldiers, row after row of cold light flashing bayonets were leveled, as long as Qian Buli gave an order, his outcome was a foregone conclusion.

  Han Qiangming's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He had seen a lot and knew a lot, having been involved in politics for many years. He had met many cunning and ruthless people in power, but they were all extremely rational and would not easily turn against him until the last moment. However, he had never met anyone as crazy and violent as Qian Bu Li, who would destroy an entire family at the drop of a hat. Han Qiangming joined Wang Hou's camp solely for the benefit of his family, both now and in the future. If his family were to be exterminated, how ridiculous would it be to talk about benefits that might come later?

  "Your son just said he gave up." Qian Buli suddenly thrust his sword into the wooden pillar: "Then please, Earl, make a choice as well? I hope this is a willing decision on your part, I don't want to force you."

  The sword sliced open another gash on He Zicheng's shoulder, and the poor man could only grit his teeth and bear it silently.

  Isn't this coercion? He Xiongming looked at He Zicheng, the blood flowing on his son's body, but the pain was in his heart! He Xiongming took a deep breath: "Alright, Commander Qian, what do you want me to do?"

  "What can I get you to do?"

  "Of course." He Xiao Ming sneered: "Do I have any other choice?"

  Qian Buli suddenly showed a smiling face, then turned around and shouted at the soldiers guarding He Zicheng: "How could you be so careless and hurt Lord He?! Quick, quick! Put down Lord He and take him to the military camp for treatment!"

  "Yes sir!" Several soldiers responded in unison and quickly untied He Zicheng before carrying him out.

  "Qian Tongling, what conditions do you have? Just say it." He Hongming forced himself to calm down.

  "This is not urgent, Earl. When you arrived, didn't you send someone to command your troops? In case the disturbance gets out of hand, it won't be good for either of us."

  He Kuoming thought for a moment, then took off the badge on his chest: "General Qian, you send out a general to take my guards and control the army." After finishing speaking, He Kuoming handed over the badge.

  Qian Buli smiled and accepted the medal, then threw it to Du Bing. He made a gesture with his eyes, and four guards were dispatched from He Jiongming's side. Du Bing took several guards and left.

  (I consulted with someone in the know about the book title, but they said that a new book can't be renamed within two months!! I'm currently contacting the editor to see if we can add a subtitle.)