Chapter 616 - 619: Turning Point

Chapter 616: Chapter 619: Turning Point

Although Hua Manman had made her words sound selfish.

But Li Ji knew in his heart that wasn’t her only option.

She could have chosen to cooperate with the system and obediently complete her missions. Once they were finished, she could have returned to her own world.

She didn’t have to care at all whether he lived or died.

But in the end, she had willingly abandoned that much smoother path. She had braved enormous risks to drag him back from the brink of death.

Li Ji couldn’t imagine the immense courage it must have taken for her to make such a decision without a moment’s hesitation.

A wave of tenderness washed over his heart. His voice trembled as he spoke.

"Don’t be so foolish again."

He was a jinx in the eyes of others, a man everyone went out of their way to avoid.

He wasn’t worthy of her kindness at all.

Hua Manman pouted and grumbled, "You’re the foolish one."

Perhaps her decision to save Li Ji had been an impulse, a spur-of-the-moment act.

But looking back on it now, she didn’t regret it one bit.

If she had to make the choice all over again, she would still use the Life Reviving Pill on Li Ji.

Li Ji pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.

If his life was destined to be lonely and bleak, then Manman was the unexpected ray of light that had broken through.

She had quietly stayed by his side, healing his leg, neutralizing the poison in his system, and even changing his tragic, preordained fate.

Looking back on it now, perhaps his life had already changed course from the moment he met her.

Li Ji’s lips brushed against her earlobe as he whispered.

"I’m so glad I met you."

...

Lu Wanqing’s people found Prince Yu’s body in the ice cellar.

Prince Yu had died of illness long ago, but because Lu Kai had deliberately concealed it, he had yet to be properly laid to rest.

Fortunately, the low temperature in the ice cellar had kept Prince Yu’s body relatively well-preserved.

Now that Lu Kai had been brought to justice, Lu Wanqing no longer had to hold back. She immediately ordered a mourning hall to be set up and invited an esteemed local monk to chant scriptures, hoping Prince Yu could rest in peace.

By this time, Mrs. Xie had been brought back to the Prince Mansion.

She was heartbroken to learn of Prince Yu’s death and knelt before his memorial tablet, crying for a long time.

According to custom, the funeral procession was to be held after the body had lain in state for seven days.

But before the seven days were up, unrest broke out along the coast. Enemy raiders launched a surprise attack on the docks, storming nearby coastal villages and towns to burn, kill, and plunder.

Fortunately, Li Ji had dispatched Bian Ziming and his men to stand guard near the docks ahead of time.

The moment the enemy invaded, Bian Ziming led his men to intercept them. At the same time, he sent a messenger on the fastest horse to report back to Lingxi City.

Lu Wanqing was incredulous. "Why would there be an enemy invasion?"

"Ever since Prince Yu led his army to repel those raiders, there hasn’t been another invasion along the coast."

"The news of Prince Yu’s death has only just spread. Logically, the island nation across the sea shouldn’t know yet. How could they have mounted an attack so quickly?"

Li Ji said coldly.

"You’ll have to ask your ’good’ second uncle. To oppose the court, not only did he amass troops, but he also willingly let the wolf into the house."

Lu Wanqing knew her second uncle had always been ambitious, but she never imagined he would go so far as to collaborate with enemy raiders to achieve his goals.

’Has he forgotten how many innocent people those raiders killed during the last invasion?!’

’Her grandfather had repelled the raiders and sworn an oath: as long as he lived, he would never allow the enemy to set foot in Longdong County again.’

’But now, he had only just passed away, not even cold in his grave, and her second uncle was already scheming to throw open the gates and welcome foreign invaders.’

"How dare he? How dare he?!"

Utterly furious, Lu Wanqing slammed her clenched fists onto the table.

Hua Manman said, "This isn’t the time to be angry. The priority is to deal with those raiders as quickly as possible and stop them from harming more innocent people."

Li Liao asked, "How many troops does Longdong County have at its disposal?"

Lu Wanqing suppressed her anger and forced herself to remain calm.

"My grandfather commanded fifty thousand soldiers of the Southern Garrison Army. I have three thousand troops, and as for my second uncle..."

She paused. Now, even saying the words "second uncle" made her feel nauseous.

She decided to just use his name instead.

"In addition, Lu Kai recently conscripted a large number of men. The initial estimate is over forty thousand."

All told, they could barely scrape together a hundred thousand troops.

That was already a massive number.

If Lu Kai had been allowed to live, he might have actually used those troops to carve out his own kingdom in Longdong County.

But Li Ji said, "Give us forty thousand of the Southern Garrison Army and leave ten thousand to defend Lingxi City. As for the men Lu Kai conscripted, they’re just innocent civilians used to pad his numbers. Send them home."

Lu Wanqing’s eyes lit up. "Are you planning to lead the troops into battle yourself?"

Li Ji nodded. "Yes."

Lu Wanqing had, of course, heard of the Regent King’s fearsome reputation and knew he was invincible in battle.

With him leading the charge, the enemy raiders were nothing to fear!

Lu Wanqing immediately transferred forty thousand troops to him and ordered the forcefully conscripted civilians to be sent home to their families.

Time was short. As soon as the men were mustered, Li Ji would have to lead the army out.

Hua Manman saw him to the door, urging him to take good care of himself.

Li Ji lowered his head, cupped her face, and gave her a hard kiss on the lips.

"Wait for me."

A low cough sounded from behind them.

"Ahem!"

Li Ji released Hua Manman and turned to see Li Liao standing a short distance away.

Li Liao was clad in silver-and-black armor, which made his tall, sturdy frame seem even more imposing. A sword hung at his waist, a straight silver spear was in his hand, and his black cape billowed in the cold wind.

Seeing him dressed for battle, both Hua Manman and Li Ji were momentarily stunned.

Li Liao hoisted the long spear onto his shoulder and said with a grin.

"It’s been a while since I was last on a battlefield. I thought I’d go stretch my legs."

Li Ji couldn’t help but smile.

He walked over and raised his right hand.

Li Liao raised his right hand as well. They clasped hands, their grips tight.

The father and son leaned in, bumping their shoulders together.

Then they stepped back and released their hands.

It was a gesture they used to give each other encouragement before heading into battle.

A signal unique to them as father and son.

Li Ji and Li Liao vaulted onto their horses.

Their movements and speed were nearly identical.

If not for their faces, they would have looked just like a true father and son.

Li Ji waved to Hua Manman, then snapped the reins and galloped toward the city gates.

Li Liao followed close behind on his horse.

Behind them followed a unit of fully armed trusted aides.

Hua Manman hurried down the steps and ran a few paces in the direction Li Ji had gone.

She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted.

"Come back soon!"

Only when they had disappeared completely from sight did Hua Manman finally lower her gaze.

But as soon as she turned, she saw two people standing not far away.