Xie Jingchen couldn’t chat much with Su Jin, but capturing Xie Jingchuan and taking him as a hostage was perfect for forcing Marquis Dongxiang to retreat.

Actually, he had informed Marquis Dongxiang that General Shi was someone Zhao Xu wanted to win over.

Although Daqi and Nanliang were at the brink of war, Zhao Xu wasn’t an enemy of Daqi; he was his cousin.

He captured Su Jin to give Marquis Dongxiang a reason to retreat and let General Shi off, allowing internal strife with Duke Huguo.

If General Shi truly rebelled against the court, the war between Daqi and Nanliang could cease.

There needed to be a concession, but it couldn’t be too obvious, else Duke Huguo might retaliate, and accuse General Shi of collusion with Daqi. General Shi might be eliminated by the Emperor of Nanliang before he even thought of rebelling.

Xie Jingchen wasn’t confident about the people sent to inform Marquis Dongxiang. What if something went wrong?

This matter must be foolproof.

Xie Jingchen hurriedly took Xie Jingchuan to the Nanliang Military Camp, pressing him against the city gate to force Marquis Dongxiang to retreat.

The news of Su Jin being held hostage reached Marquis Dongxiang’s ears, halting his attack, though he didn’t retreat.

Marquis Dongxiang was unaware of Xie Jingchuan’s presence at the camp.

Watching Xie Jingchen seize him, Marquis Dongxiang’s brow furrowed deeply.

Xie Jingchuan was the one who almost shot Su Jin in the carriage back then. And yet, Xie Jingchen used his life to threaten him?

Was it to retreat or continue the attack?

Prince NanAn and Chu Shun exchanged looks, "Should we intensify our effort to capture the city?"

Dong Chenglang didn’t recognize Xie Jingchuan; he looked at Xie Jingchen and asked, "Who is this you’ve captured?"

Last time, when they went to the Daqi Camp to steal the antidote and got caught, they met many people, but not Xie Jingchuan.

Xie Jingchen replied, "He is the second son of Prince Zhenbei Mansion."

Dong Chenglang’s eyes widened, "Prince Zhenbei had only two sons; his Heir died in an avalanche. Isn’t he now the sole heir to Prince Zhenbei Mansion?"

Xie Jingchen, "...."

Xie Jingchen was at a loss for words, while Dong Chenglang patted him on the shoulder, "Brother, I knew you never fail when taking action."

With such a hostage in hand, there’s no fear that Marquis Dongxiang won’t retreat.

If he dares not retreat, and Prince Zhenbei loses another son, internal strife is certain.

The more Dong Chenglang thought about it, the more he admired Xie Jingchen, finding it awe-inspiring.

Recalling last time, when they went to steal the antidote together, they nearly couldn’t return when caught.

This time, he went alone and captured such a hostage; it was the first time Dong Chenglang felt he severely lagged behind Xie Jingchen.

Xie Jingchen stood on the city wall, while Marquis Dongxiang was below, atop a horse.

Xie Jingchen held the blade against Xie Jingchuan’s neck, unfazed.

Marquis Dongxiang raised his hand and ordered, "Retreat!"

Having said it, he looked at Xie Jingchen and stated, "Release him, or I’ll surely lead my men to breach the city!"

Xie Jingchen said, "Retreat ten miles, and I’ll definitely release him."

Though he didn’t favor Xie Jingchuan, Xie Jingchen wouldn’t hand him over to Duke Huguo for disposal at the Nanliang Camp.

The hostage, he would release.

But before that, the necessary venting couldn’t be skipped.

Marquis Dongxiang kept his promise and led his troops to retreat.

General Shi and the remaining soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.

Luckily, Xie Jingchen captured Xie Jingchuan as a hostage, or they’d have been martyred before reinforcements arrived.

Young Master Shi gratefully glanced at Xie Jingchen; though he knew it was for Zhao Xu, it genuinely helped them.

As they descended from the city gate, Xie Jingchuan coldly said, "You should release me!"

Coldness surged in Xie Jingchen’s eyes.

As a captive, he dared remain so arrogant?

His fist tightened, and Xie Jingchen swung a punch at Xie Jingchuan.

Landed squarely: Xie Jingchuan’s cheek bore the brunt, and his mouth overflowed with a tinge of blood.

Xie Jingchuan looked at Xie Jingchen, "You promised Marquis Dongxiang to release me!"

Xie Jingchen laughed angrily.

Did he not know his wife’s standing in Marquis Dongxiang’s heart?

Having murdered the Marquis’s daughter, and still using Marquis Dongxiang as a shield?!

Old grievances and new hatreds, Xie Jingchen had half a mind to kill Xie Jingchuan.

Xie Jingchen struck without mercy, seeing him so enraged; Dong Chenglang deemed himself a good brother to Xie Jingchen. Xie Jingchen dared alone to remedy their crisis, and such trivial punishment shouldn’t tire Xie Jingchen.

Dong Chenglang grabbed Xie Jingchen’s arm and said, "You’re tired; take a rest, let me teach him a lesson."

Xie Jingchen’s brow furrowed.

Dong Chenglang’s fist swung toward Xie Jingchuan.

His strikes weren’t alone; he even called over his cousin.

After the barrage, Dong Chenglang stepped aside, revealing Xie Jingchuan. His bruised and battered face exceeded description.

Dong Chenglang looked at Xie Jingchen, "Is this enough?"

Though he didn’t strike personally, Xie Jingchen’s anger was slightly appeased.

But keeping Xie Jingchuan in the camp posed a continuous threat.

He promised to release him, and Xie Jingchen wouldn’t break his word.

"You may leave now," Xie Jingchen coldly remarked.

Xie Jingchuan wiped the blood from his mouth; his gaze at Xie Jingchen was as frosty as snow.

Having just endured a fierce battle, soldiers were nearly exhausted, and half an hour later, reinforcements arrived.

Dong Chenglang fumed, "By the time you came, we could have gone cold several times over!"

General Shi instructed to clean the battlefield before returning to the camp.

In the camp, Duke Huguo had just returned and learned that Xie Jingchen single-handedly breached enemy lines, capturing a hostage, and forced Marquis Dongxiang to retreat.

Duke Huguo privately wished to use Daqi to rid of General Shi, but it had to be clandestine. By thwarting his plans, Xie Jingchen incited displeasure, yet outwardly, he couldn’t express it.

On the contrary, he’d praise Xie Jingchen, reward him, and then seek to win him over.

As soon as Xie Jingchen returned to camp, he was summoned to the military tent.

Duke Huguo glossed over, saying Prince Zhenbei focused fully on attacking the city, leaving no troops for aiding General Shi. Fortunately, Xie Jingchen’s heroic efforts forced Daqi back.

Xie Jingchen remained modest, crediting Dong Chenglang, "Thanks to Young General Dong’s strategy."

Dong Chenglang stood aside, somewhat puzzled.

Why did Brother Li assign credit to him?

Although perplexed, Dong Chenglang didn’t undermine Xie Jingchen; General Shi chimed in, "A good strategy, but it took your martial arts skills to capture the hostage and make Daqi yield."

Duke Huguo promoted Xie Jingchen.

Xie Jingchen thanked Duke Huguo for his promotion and, wearied from his journey, seized the chance to excuse himself.

He was aware Duke Huguo would try to win him over, but the timing wasn’t right.

With General Shi there, Duke Huguo couldn’t openly undermine General Shi.

Xie Jingchen left the military tent and returned to his quarters, where Dong Chenglang asked, "Why did you let me take the credit?"

"Attracting too much attention; if Duke Huguo can’t win me over, he’d eliminate me," Xie Jingchen explained.

"You have General Shi to back you; you’re fearless."

Dong Chenglang believed Xie Jingchen had thought it through; after all, a standout becomes a target. If a talent like Xie Jingchen isn’t useful to me, then eliminate them to prevent major trouble.

Dong Chenglang patted Xie Jingchen’s shoulder and said, "Rest assured; as long as I breathe, I’ll keep you safe."

Xie Jingchen lightly smiled and nodded, then his smile froze.

In the distance, two soldiers escorted someone forward.

The bruised individual was none other than Xie Jingchuan, who else?