Chapter Thirteen: Li Yuan's Rebellion

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Duan Jing clearly knew that Jiang Bai definitely hadn’t said everything—such as how the paper was slipped in. But the fact that she said that much already meant she was no longer angry. As for his deliberate late arrival, trying to play the hero rescuing a beauty, that matter could be let slide.

Duan Jing stood beside Jiang Bai, looking at the few soldiers whose faces were calm as they fell asleep, feeling somewhat relieved. Who knows how Wang Da found them—all were the general’s elite troops.

No, Duan Jing suddenly realized something was off. How had the whole matter been resolved so smoothly, as if some part had been overlooked?

His eyes sharpened as a thought struck him. “I see. You say this person was too careless, right, Li Yuan?”

Li Yuan, who hadn’t uttered a word since the beginning, looked up in confusion. “Strategist, what are you talking about?”

Duan Jing narrowed his eyes, staring at Li Yuan’s bewildered face, suspicion growing within him. He had expected Li Yuan to show some reaction to this matter, especially since the root of it could be traced back to Yang Bin. Yet today, Li Yuan’s response was surprisingly calm, even indifferent.

“Li Yuan, you’ve been watching all along. Didn’t you notice anything strange?” Duan Jing’s voice held a trace of probing, his gaze piercing.

Li Yuan scratched his head, still looking confused. “Strategist, I don’t quite understand what you mean. Isn’t it all settled? The troublemakers have been taken away. What else is there?”

Duan Jing’s heart sank. Li Yuan’s answer was too casual—almost perfunctory. He had expected Li Yuan to claim there were still doubts about Jiang Bai, or to implicate Yang Bin regardless, but now… this made him uneasy.

“Oh? Then come with me to see those people.” Duan Jing said calmly, leading everyone outside.

Li Yuan’s expression stiffened briefly but quickly recovered, silently following behind Duan Jing.

Duan Jing’s brow furrowed deeply, his doubts growing heavier. The coldness in the air thickened, as if it could turn to frost. His steps quickened, eager to leave this atmosphere.

Just as they reached a secluded spot, Li Yuan suddenly sprang forward, attacking the back of Duan Jing’s head. Yang Bin reacted swiftly but was blocked by two of Li Yuan’s men. Now, Duan Jing was left with only Yang Bin and Jiang Bai, the latter appearing as a seemingly powerless girl.

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Just as Duan Jing was about to be harmed, Jiang Bai frantically grabbed him, causing him to fall to the ground. Li Yuan’s assassination attempt failed—Jiang Bai had been guarding against Li Yuan all along. This inexplicable interference made Li Yuan appear both abrupt and sinister; Jiang Bai’s vigilance was focused precisely on him!

Seeing his attack fail, a ruthless glint flashed in Li Yuan’s eyes. He knew Jiang Bai was a huge threat: this little girl not only saved the general but also neutralized his carefully crafted poison. If she lived, his plan would be ruined.

He sneered and dashed toward Jiang Bai. Though she was prepared, Li Yuan’s speed was overwhelming. She only saw a flash before his palm neared her throat.

At the critical moment, Yang Bin finally dealt with Li Yuan’s two subordinates and rushed over, grabbing Li Yuan’s wrist and twisting with force. Li Yuan winced, his assault faltering. Jiang Bai took the chance to step back, putting distance between them.

“Li Yuan, are you crazy?” Yang Bin shouted in disbelief. Despite their constant strife, he never imagined Li Yuan would try to kill—especially their strategist!

Li Yuan snorted coldly, shaking off Yang Bin’s grip. “Yang Bin, stop pretending you’re some good guy! The Duan brothers have been controlling the army all along—you’re not annoyed or tired of it?”

Yang Bin frowned deeply. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I know your actions are a betrayal—betraying the general, betraying the entire camp!”

Li Yuan laughed scornfully. “Betrayal? Ha! You fools don’t know what you’re doing! The general is old; his time has passed. Now it’s my era!”

Duan Jing was shocked to hear this—he hadn’t expected Li Yuan’s ambition to be so vast. What about the general? He quickly scrambled to his feet, eager to rush to the general’s tent.

Noticing Duan Jing’s movement, Li Yuan cast him a cold glance. “Duan Jing, do you think it’s still in time?”

Before he finished speaking, Li Yuan attacked again, targeting Duan Jing. Duan Jing’s heart tightened; drawing his dagger, he desperately lunged at Li Yuan. But as a powerless scholar, he was no match.

Li Yuan countered with a palm strike to Duan Jing’s chest. A tremendous force slammed through him, sending him flying into the wall, blood spurting from his mouth. It felt as if his organs were shattered; the pain nearly stole his breath.

Yang Bin, enraged, shouted and punched toward Li Yuan’s face. Li Yuan sneered, easily dodged, and counterpunched Yang Bin’s abdomen. Yang Bin groaned and staggered back, his face pale.

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“What did you do?” Yang Bin felt his reactions and movements had faltered twice already; now, he couldn’t summon any inner strength.

“Guess when I poisoned you,” Li Yuan sneered. Did this reckless fool really think he could stop him?

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached. Qiao Hang, one of Yang Bin’s subordinates, burst in with a squad of soldiers. Seeing the scene, he was horrified. “Li Yuan, what are you doing?”

Li Yuan’s eyes flashed with disdain. “You came just in time. Today, I’ll settle you all at once!”

Qiao Hang shouted angrily, “Li Yuan, you’ve lost your mind! Men, seize him!”

Soldiers drew their weapons and surrounded Li Yuan. Li Yuan sneered and vanished, suddenly appearing before a soldier. He struck the soldier’s chest with a palm, sending him flying, blood spewing from his mouth—the soldier died instantly.

The other soldiers were terrified but pressed forward. Li Yuan, like a fierce tiger, rampaged through them; each strike was deadly. In mere breaths, several soldiers lay fallen.

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