Chapter 131: The God of Slaughter

If they did not retreat now, they would likely lose even the chance to do so.

The army collapsed like a mountain in decay. Yelu Hong had failed to wait for the Jin reinforcements, so he led his soldiers in flight. Shanyu Xiong, desperate to escape, wished he had two fewer legs to carry him. Seeing that Yelu Hong was wounded and struggling to move, he commanded his troops, "Leave him be; let’s move!"

Yelu Hong could hardly believe that Shanyu Xiong would treat him this way. He truly regretted not listening to his own men earlier when they urged him to surrender the city. He had been wounded defending the city, only to be cast aside like a stray dog.

Fortunately, many of the soldiers were former Liao troops who had surrendered. Ignoring Shanyu Xiong’s order, they took turns carrying Yelu Hong as they fled.

"Put me down," Yelu Hong said, his voice bitter. "If you drop me here, perhaps I can at least stall the Song army’s advance for a moment."

"General, we cannot! If we abandon you now, how would we be any better than beasts?" Because they were living under another's roof, these Liao defectors were incredibly united. Even though Yelu Hong was wounded, they refused to abandon him. A dozen strong young soldiers took turns carrying him, ensuring he did not fall behind.

In the distance, Wanyan Liang spotted the retreating Shanyu Xiong.

"Wanyan Liang, why are you here alone? Where are the reinforcements?" Shanyu Xiong asked urgently upon seeing him.

"Shanyu Xiong, why are you here? Has Wuchang City already fallen?" Wanyan Liang asked, his expression darkening. He had never imagined the city would fall so quickly. He had intended to use Wuchang as the foundation for his own rise to glory; now, it seemed his dream had faltered before he could even take the first step.

"I am asking you a question, Wanyan Liang! Where are the reinforcements?" Shanyu Xiong snapped, exasperated. By seniority, Shanyu Xiong’s aunt was the primary wife of Wanyan Liang’s father, making him Wanyan Liang’s cousin. Because Wanyan Liang was born of a concubine, his status among the Jin nobility was low—lower even than Shanyu Xiong, whose influence came from his maternal family. Wanyan Liang’s mother had spent her life subservient to Shanyu Xiong’s aunt, and as a result, Shanyu Xiong held Wanyan Liang in utter contempt.

"The Emperor sent me to reinforce you. Why are you retreating?" Wanyan Liang frowned. "Everyone, stop! Turn back with me and retake Wuchang City!"

Hearing this, Shanyu Xiong laughed—a laugh born of pure fury at the absurdity of the suggestion.

"Wanyan Liang, are you a fool? Wuchang City has fallen. If you want to go back and court death, don't let me stop you, but don't drag everyone else down with you. Men, follow me and retreat!" Shanyu Xiong mocked him and began rallying the Jin soldiers to continue their withdrawal.

"Do not retreat! You must all follow me to reclaim the city!" Wanyan Liang shouted.

Shanyu Xiong sneered and ignored him, turning his horse to bypass him. "Keep moving! If anyone wants to play the martyr, let them, but we are retreating!"

"Shanyu Xiong, I command you to turn back! You cannot retreat!" Wanyan Liang grabbed the reins of Shanyu Xiong’s horse.

In the distance, the thunder of approaching hooves grew louder. The Song army was closing in.

"Who do you think you are? A bastard born of a concubine, and you dare command me? Get out of my way, or I’ll have you cut down!" Shanyu Xiong snapped, his patience exhausted.

Wanyan Liang was stunned that Shanyu Xiong would dare say such things in public. Having been mocked for his status since childhood, he was incredibly sensitive to the word "bastard." He looked at the surrounding soldiers, imagining they were whispering about him.

"Say that again," Wanyan Liang roared, grabbing Shanyu Xiong by the collar.

Shanyu Xiong, though terrified of the Song army, felt no fear toward the boy he had bullied since childhood. Humiliated by being grabbed in front of his troops, he grabbed Wanyan Liang’s wrist and shouted, "Let go of me, you damn brat!"

Wanyan Liang gritted his teeth. "Follow me back, or I will kill you!"

Shanyu Xiong scoffed. "You are nothing but a bastard. Your mother was just a plaything your father picked up on a whim. Do you really think you’ll ever hold real power? Forget it; it will never happen in this lifetime."

Stung twice by the same insults, Wanyan Liang felt a surge of murderous rage. He drew his dagger and pressed it against Shanyu Xiong’s throat. "Say it one more time!"

Shanyu Xiong, failing to realize the danger, replied fearlessly, "What? Do you dare kill me in broad daylight? I tell you, if you’re smart, you’ll drop that knife and kneel before me to beg for forgiveness. Perhaps if I’m in a good mood, I’ll let this slide. Otherwise, I’ll have my aunt cast you out of the estate!"

It was a blatant, naked threat. Even a clay idol has a temper, let alone the man who would become the notorious tyrant, Prince Hailing.

"Die!" Wanyan Liang roared, driving his dagger into Shanyu Xiong’s chest.

"You... you actually dared to kill me... you're finished!" Shanyu Xiong looked down at the blade embedded in his chest as blood bubbled from his lips.

"Ah! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" The demon within Wanyan Liang was unleashed. He roared, stabbing repeatedly into Shanyu Xiong’s chest until it was a mangled mess of flesh and gore. Blood sprayed like a fountain, covering Wanyan Liang’s face.

Drenched in red, Wanyan Liang looked like a demon risen from hell. The event had unfolded so quickly that the surrounding soldiers were paralyzed, only realizing what had happened when Shanyu Xiong finally fell dead.

"My Lord, My Lord, stop! He is already dead!" Wanyan Liang’s personal guards rushed forward to restrain him.