Chapter 17 — Receiving Seven Envelopes for Help, I Alone Stormed into the Royal Palace

I crouched down, close to the horse's neck. The blade was thrown upward from below. A long gash instantly tore open the steed's abdomen. The horse neighed loudly and collapsed. The leader rolled to the ground, reacting extremely quickly. As soon as he knelt on one knee, he was about to aim his crossbow. But the sword in my hand... Has flown away. The tip of the knife pierced his palm. Nail the whole crossbow tightly to the ground. Pain distorted his face. I jumped off the horse. One foot stomped hard on his chest.

“Who sent you?”

He gritted his teeth and did not answer. We increase the force. A deep cracking sound rang out in his chest. I changed to Bac Dich language and asked again.

“Who sent you?”

His eyes immediately changed. He didn't expect that I could speak their language. On Han Chieu's side, the battle is still raging. I raised my head and glanced. The remaining group saw the leader being captured... They began to panic. I kicked the crossbow on the ground towards Han Chieu. He took it. Three consecutive arrows left the string. Two enemies fell off their horses. The third arrow grazed another man's face, forcing him into the tree trunk. Soon... On the mountain road, only the strong smell of blood remained. The leader of Bac Dich was trampled under my feet. The corners of the mouth were bleeding. Suddenly... He burst out laughing.

“You won't be back in time.”

I frowned slightly. He spoke in Chinese. Even though the pronunciation is still stiff... But it's still enough to understand.

“Lang Nha gate has been surrounded.”

“There are also our people in Tran Bac camp.”

Han Chieu's face immediately changed. The leader pursed his lips tightly. Don't say another word. I squat down. He fished out a piece of iron from his waist. It's not the military seal of Northern Dich. It's a private seal of Trung Nguyen. There was only one word engraved on the seal's surface: Han Chieu came to look. His expression became even more unsightly.

“Is it the Ta family in the capital?”

In my mind, the long-bearded mandarin in Tho An palace immediately appeared. His last name is Ta. Last night, I whipped off the mandarin's hat. Almost didn't say a word in Tho An palace. Not because he was reasonable. But busy making arrangements to get us on our way. I put the iron card in my chest.

“Just keep it first.”

Han Chieu asked: I look at the leader at my feet.

“Bring it.”

He smiled coldly.

“You can't take me away.”

Having finished speaking... His teeth suddenly gritted hard. I immediately squeezed his chin. But it's still too late. Black blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. Han Chieu frowned. I let go.

“Not a martyr of Bei Dich.”

"It's a martyr who sold his life for people in the capital."

The sky was already bright. The mountain road is littered with dead bodies. There was only one left of the station's horse that could still run. Two donkeys died, one ran away, the other was so scared that it trembled. Han Chieu looked at that horse.

“You ride.”

“I use a donkey.”

I threw myself onto the horse.

“You brought the iron plaque and the body back to Thanh Thach station.”

Han Chieu was stunned.

“Are you going alone?”

“The Lang Nha gate cannot wait.”

“But you came back alone, if there really is a spy in Tran Bac Camp…”

I look at him.

“So you have to spread the news even more.”

“Bring it to the Emperor.”

Han Chieu gritted his teeth.

“Do you believe him?”

I remember the edict in Tho An palace, allowing my brother to close the door and not receive guests. I remember the blood stains on the Emperor's shoulder from my own hand go out.

“I don't trust people.”

“I just believe right now... he needs the truth.”

Han Chieu was silent for a moment, then threw the water bag to me.

“Must live.”

I took the water bag.

“Why does everyone say that?”

He didn't smile.

“Because you look too much like someone about to die.”

I raised my whip and urged my horse. The wind at the end of the mountain road hissed violently. Behind, Han Chieu's voice chased after him.

“Shen Qingtang!”

“If you die, your brother will cry again!”

I don't turn back. Just loudly replied:

“Then tell him... to hold back!”

In the afternoon, we finally saw the Lang Nha gate. Outside the gate, pitch black stretches out. The flags of the North Dich cavalry were connected in strips, like dark clouds covering the sky. Inside the gate, fire and smoke rose everywhere. The flag of Tran Bac camp on top of the citadel was tilted in half. But the city gate... is opening a crack again. My heart suddenly sank. In the next moment, someone on top of the city saw me. That person did not open the gate to welcome you. On the contrary... He drew his bow. The arrow is aimed straight at the center of my eyelids. The moment the arrow left the string, I immediately crouched down. The arrow grazed the helmet, flew straight back, and crashed into the saddle. The war horse bucked in fright, almost knocking me off its back. On top of the city, someone shouted loudly.

“Shen Qing Duong left the capital voluntarily and was convicted of treason!”

I raised my head and saw on the castle wall a man wearing the Deputy General's armor. Deputy commander of Ta camp of Tran Bac camp.