Chapter 87 – Limit of Patience (2)

Chapter 87 – Limit of Patience (2)

Donggu Prison Camp in Hubei Province.

The prisoners were in the middle of hard labor. It was grueling work, mining stones from a nearby quarry and carving them into bricks to be used for fortress walls and roads.

There were about two thousand prisoners. Among them, one stood out like a crane among chickens. From a hill about eighty zhang away, a man watched him quietly.

Just what on earth drives this man to go so far?

So-mu had been standing here for several days, watching Yue Fei.

He had been abandoned by his country, and his mother had been unjustly executed. Yet, he remained unbending, showing not a single trace of hesitation. Even now, carrying a heavy load of stones on his back, a sense of nobility emanated from his stride.

At least, that was how it appeared on the surface. But So-mu's sharp gaze did not miss his subtle movements.

His mind is definitely wavering. I must deliver General Jang Yang's letter at the very peak of this turmoil to have any chance of success.

So-mu was waiting for the right moment.

To recruit a capable general, this level of effort was no extravagance. Had not Liu Bei made three humble visits to the thatch cottage to recruit Zhuge Liang?

On the third day, as So-mu stood silently like an old tree, his eyes suddenly flashed. His gaze was fixed on a point about three hundred zhang away from the prison camp.

A rider was galloping urgently toward the camp. Judging by the pattern on the flag attached to the horse's saddle, he could guess his identity.

An imperial messenger from the court. There is only one reason they would send a messenger to this remote place.

He could not let the imperial decree reach the camp.

So-mu made his move. He dashed along the path leading to the prison camp, moving as fast as a beam of light. The distance closed in an instant. The messenger, completely unaware of So-mu's approach, kept riding forward.

A moment later, a dark shadow swept past and wrapped around the messenger.

Whoosh!

By the time the startled horse skidded to a halt, the messenger was already lying unconscious on the ground. A golden scroll protruded from his chest. Since it was not a sealed secret letter, there was no problem in checking the contents.

Unrolling the scroll, the imperial decree was tucked inside. As So-mu read through the text, his eyes began to burn with rage.

After all this… they want him to fight for the country again?

As expected, it was a reinstatement order for Yue Fei. It stated that his crimes would be pardoned, so he should return immediately to defeat the enemies and save the capital.

Look at what the imperial court has done to General Yue Fei until now. And yet, how dare they place such a burden on his shoulders once again?

It was clear the capital was in a desperate situation. The court was merely trying to use him again because the tide of war had turned.

It is already too late. A palace preserved by such sacrifices holds no value.

Even if the capital fell, it had nothing to do with So-mu. He did not care about the revival of the imperial family. If the Song imperial family was as corrupt as the Hui Dynasty, they were also targets to be eliminated.

Having intercepted the imperial decree, So-mu took out five taels of silver from his robe.

The messenger is innocent. Having lost the imperial decree, he won't be able to return anyway. He might as well leave this place.

So-mu slipped the silver into the messenger's robe. It was a substantial amount of money, but he did not hesitate. If the messenger sold his horse, it would be enough to start a small business in the borderlands.

So-mu returned to his position and quietly resumed his watch.

About thirty minutes later, the messenger regained consciousness. After looking around in panic and contemplating for a while, he rode away. He headed in a direction opposite to the capital.

Two more days passed. Yue Fei remained unyielding.

This is going nowhere. I must find another way.

After much deliberation, So-mu headed toward the local government office of Tangyin County. If one rode a horse without rest, it would take about a day to reach Yue Fei's hometown. For So-mu at full speed, two hours was more than enough.

By sunset, So-mu arrived at the gates of the Tangyin County office. It was a district ruled by a County Magistrate of the Junior Fifth Rank. Since So-mu held a military rank of the Senior Fifth Rank, he was one step higher in the hierarchy. He had no reason to hesitate.

Showing his military nameplate to the four guards standing at the entrance, he said,

"I have come to meet the County Magistrate on urgent and grave business."

The soldiers were startled upon checking the nameplate. Since he was dressed in the official uniform of a Guard Commander, there was no room for doubt. A Senior Fifth Rank officer was a high-ranking military official rarely seen in a local county.

One soldier ran inside to inform the magistrate, while two others guided So-mu to the inner courtyard.

"This way, Guard Commander."

There was a separate reception area for high-ranking guests. So-mu raised his hand and declined.

"I have no time, so I will wait here."

His keen senses picked up the movements within the office, including the location of the magistrate's private chambers. Even though it was a government office, the sound of women's laughter echoed from within.

After a moment, the door to the inner chambers opened. A fat, pig-like man waddled out, his eyes darting around.

So-mu had never seen a face that looked more greedy. Moreover, this was the man who had framed and executed General Yue Fei's mother under the backing of the court. So-mu could not look upon him with any goodwill.

"I am Wang Qi, the Magistrate of this county. What brings the Guard Commander to this humble place?"

Despite being of lower rank, his posture was stiff and arrogant. He likely believed he had a strong backer.

"I understand that General Yue Fei's elderly mother was executed here."

Wang Qi gave him a suspicious look and asked in a displeased tone,

"Yue Fei is a traitor. Why do you address him as General?"

"To call the Great General 'that fellow'. You are indeed bold."

Hearing the cold tone, Wang Qi narrowed his eyes, sensing the situation.

"Say that again."

"I called you a bold fool who has no idea what his future holds."

Since Yue Fei had many loyal followers, this was not an unusual situation. Indeed, a few people had already passed through here in similar circumstances.

Wang Qi shouted to the surrounding guards,

"He is a follower of the traitor Yue Fei! Seize him immediately!!!"

About twenty guards rushed toward So-mu. Without spare glance, So-mu unleashed his Profound Realm pressure.

Whoosh!

The suffocating aura expanded in all directions, instantly freezing the guards in their tracks. He had no business with them.

Before anyone could see his hand move, So-mu was already gripping Wang Qi's throat.

"I heard you personally tortured and interrogated her. So you must know very well that the General is innocent."

"Gasp… Urgh…"

Gasping for air, Wang Qi was seized with terror. The guards stood frozen, unable to take a single step forward.

So-mu wanted to wring his neck right then and there, but that was not his duty. Loosening his grip, Wang Qi coughed and wheezed, shouting,

"Cough! It was an order from the imperial court! I only did as I was told!"

So-mu pulled out the rolled imperial decree from his robe and handed it to him.

"His Majesty has reinstated General Yue Fei. Do you think your backer in the court will protect you from the Great General?"

Wang Qi's hands trembled as he held the scroll. He checked the contents several times in disbelief, but the imperial seal was unmistakable.

"I-I only did as I was told…"

So-mu took the scroll back and spoke quietly.

"His Majesty ordered that General Yue Fei be allowed to bury his mother to ease his mind for reinstatement. That is why I have come. Lead the way immediately."

With a deathly pale face, Wang Qi guided So-mu to the mountain path behind the government office. After walking for about fifteen minutes, they reached a marshland.

"This is it."

Who would bury a body in a marshland? There was not even a headstone in this terrible place.

"Dig it up and transfer it to a coffin immediately."

The soldiers were mobilized and began digging up the wet mud. Watching the scene, So-mu felt a heavy weight in his chest.

About half an hour later.

The tragic corpse of the elderly woman, with her head severed from her body, was revealed. The marks of torture visible through the mud were so brutal that it made one wonder how anyone could do this to a frail old woman.

The only saving grace was that the cold temperature of the marsh had prevented the body from decomposing.

"Once the Great General is reinstated, he will hunt you down and tear you apart. The General already knows who you are."

Wang Qi was desperate to grasp any lifeline. Trembling in despair, he pleaded,

"P-Please spare my life. I only did as I was told."

"How could someone like me stop him? But there is one way."

"W-What is it?"

So-mu feigned a moment of deliberation before speaking quietly.

"What can you do for me in return?"

Wang Qi immediately realized what the man in front of him wanted. His face brightened.

"If that is the case, you should have said so earlier. If you can save me, I will give you ten taels of gold."

So-mu let out a silent sigh.

Ten taels of gold was equivalent to ten years of salary for an officer of So-mu's rank. For a mere county magistrate to offer such a sum so easily, it was clear how much corruption and extortion he had practiced.

"Ten taels of gold. That will do."

Wang Qi bowed and asked eagerly,

"What is the way?"

"I will give you this imperial decree. Take the coffin to the prison camp and confess your sins. General Yue Fei wouldn't dare harm an imperial messenger carrying His Majesty's decree, would he?"

Wang Qi did the math and smiled. Who would dare harm a messenger carrying the Emperor's personal decree?

"T-Thank you! Please, hand over the decree."

So-mu gave him a suspicious look and said,

"If you run away with the decree midway, I will be a dead man. We will exchange the gold for the decree once we arrive."

"I understand, Guard Commander."

"Hurry up, before the body begins to decompose and enrages General Yue Fei."

Wang Qi traveled in a carriage accompanied by ten soldiers. Since they stayed at a tavern overnight, the journey took two days.

About fifty zhang away from the prison camp, the exchange was finally made.

"Here is the ten taels of gold. Please visit Tangyin County again. Since you saved my life, I will show you the time of your life."

"I will do that. Now hurry. The body is beginning to smell, so we have no time."

"Safe travels then."

Wang Qi tucked the scroll into his robe and rode his horse into the prison camp, followed by the carriage.

The prison guards blocked his way and asked,

"What is your business here?"

"I am an imperial messenger carrying the decree of the court! I have come to meet General Yue Fei, so lead the way immediately!"

Hearing that he was from the court, the guards hurriedly brought Yue Fei out. The other prisoners also gathered around in curiosity. Yue Fei's face remained completely stoic.

Dismounting his horse, Wang Qi handed him the scroll wrapped in golden silk and said,

"I am Wang Qi, the imperial messenger. I am sorry about your mother."

Yue Fei silently read the contents of the scroll.

Seeing that the General's expression was not softening at all, Wang Qi felt a sudden wave of anxiety. He quickly presented the gift he had prepared.

"Bring the coffin forward!"

The soldiers carried the coffin and laid it before Yue Fei.

With trembling hands, Yue Fei carefully opened the lid of the coffin. The tragic corpse inside was undoubtedly his mother.

Tears streamed down his contorted face. A sorrowful cry of rage and grief escaped his lips.

"Agh…"

It was the first time in his life he had ever shed a tear.

Wang Qi stepped closer from behind and spoke comfortingly,

"This is my gift to you, so that you may hold a proper funeral. Although I had to prosecute her under the law, there was no malice, so do not hold a grudge. Now, please accept the imperial decree and rise."

But the words that escaped Yue Fei's lips were completely different from what Wang Qi expected.

"How dare you…"

In that instant, his hand shot back and gripped Wang Qi's throat in a death grip.

Grab!

"Ack… Cough… Why…?"

Wang Qi was baffled. His bloodshot eyes could see So-mu watching from a distance. And from So-mu's expression, he finally realized what had happened. He had been tricked.

Damn it…

The paper tucked inside the golden scroll was not the imperial decree, but Jang Yang's letter. So-mu had secretly swapped them. He had simply added a line stating that the man delivering the letter was the very magistrate who had tortured and executed his mother.