Isolated town in northern border region

Wolf Gazes down the mountain; the autumn hunting camp has already been set up.

Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, and bugles sounded, creating a lively scene.

Peng Xuan was eager to announce the start of the autumn hunt, and had just taken a step forward when Du Ming suddenly spoke up.

"Wait a minute."

His voice wasn't loud, but it made Peng Xuan freeze in place.

Du Ming stepped forward and bowed to Xiao Lie.

According to the rites and regulations of the Great Chu, the autumn hunt was a royal inspection tour.

"Among all those present today, His Highness the King of the Northern Frontier holds the most esteemed position."

"Please, Your Highness, ascend the stage to prepare for the autumn hunt."

Peng Xuan's face darkened further, but Du Ming's words were all reasonable. Even if he racked his brains, he couldn't utter a single word of "no." He could only reluctantly withdraw the step he had already taken.

Xiao Lie glanced at Peng Xuan and then put a hat on his head.

"It seems General Peng is quite arrogant!"

"What, do you think that those of us from the Great Chu with the surname 'Xiao' are inferior to those of you with the surname 'Peng'?"

Xiao Lie's accusation was too great; no one present dared to respond, and all eyes were fixed on Peng Xuan, watching how he would deal with it.

Peng Xuan stood there dumbfounded, cold sweat pouring down his face!

Who would dare accept that hat?!

"Your Highness... Your Highness, I am but a lowly soldier, not eloquent, and I... I misspoke. Please forgive me!"

Xiao Lie coldly curled the corners of his lips and turned to look at Du Ming.

"Lord Du, the Du family of Kyoto values ​​etiquette above all else..."

"I would like to ask, could Governor Peng's actions be considered highly disrespectful?"

A glint of light flashed in Du Ming's eyes, and he stepped forward with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect.

"Your Highness! Peng Xuan's actions are highly presumptuous and certainly constitute a grave offense of disrespect!"

"However, this matter of determining guilt... still requires Your Majesty's attention..."

Before Du Ming could finish speaking, Xiao Lie once again removed his special weapon for showing off—the imperial sword bestowed by the late emperor!

"With this sword, is there still a need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself?"

Upon seeing Xiao Lie take out the late emperor's sword, Du Ming immediately straightened his clothes and official hat, and bowed respectfully.

"With the sword bestowed by the late Emperor, it's as if the late Emperor himself is present; there's naturally no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Peng Xuan knelt down with a thud, grabbed Xiao Lie's leg, and started howling.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, spare my life!"

"I was careless for a moment, I'll never do it again!"

"Please, Your Highness, have mercy!"

"Your Highness! I was wrong! I was so wrong!"

Xiao Lie completely ignored Peng Xuan, kicking him away, and instead turned to stare at Du Ming with a smile.

At this moment, Xiao Lie was certain that Du Ming was physically in Cao Cao's camp but his heart was with Han!

Previously, he deliberately pointed out Peng Xuan's overstepping of his bounds in the hope that Xiao Lie would take the opportunity to make his move. As long as Peng Xuan was killed, this deadly trap would fall apart on its own!

But Peng Xuan cannot be killed, at least not now!

Xu De was still in Ergu Valley, his fate unknown. At this moment, Xiao Lie struck with his sword, which could break the deadly trap, but Xu De could only wait to die in the mountains!

Thinking of this, Xiao Lie glanced at Peng Xuan, who was still kneeling and kowtowing.

"Governor Peng, you are just a military man who doesn't know the rules. I'm too lazy to argue with you."

Upon hearing Xiao Lie's promise, Peng Xuan immediately expressed his deepest gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"

"Your Highness is magnanimous..."

But before Peng Xuan could finish speaking, Xiao Lie stepped on his head and crushed it forcefully!

Peng Xuan's right cheek made negative contact with the ground, and his eyes turned red with frustration!

"Governor Peng, you have committed a grave offense of disrespect!"

"You may escape the death penalty, but you can't escape punishment!"

"I want you to kneel here and slap yourself until you knock out your teeth, then you can stop!"

"Any complaints?"

Peng Xuan was pinned under Xiao Lie's feet, unable to speak clearly, and could only keep twitching his head.

"No...words...from...far!"

Peng Xuan's eyes were filled with resentment and murderous intent that were almost overflowing from their sockets and becoming tangible!

Xiao Lie, standing high above, could see everything clearly, but this was exactly what he wanted!

Since the battle will begin as soon as we enter the mountains, why not turn the enemy commander into a madman before the battle even starts?

Peng Xuan knelt to the side and slapped himself repeatedly. Xiao Lie walked up to the platform with his head held high, took the bow handed to him by the bowsmith, nocked an arrow, drew it fully, and shot an arrow toward the bronze gong hanging in the tree in the distance.

The arrow struck the gong squarely, producing a clear and melodious sound.

The soldiers below the mountain cheered in unison.

"Your Highness is a master archer!"

As Xiao Lie put down his bow, Du Ming had already quietly moved closer to his side.

He lowered his voice, almost speaking in a whisper.

"Your Highness...why don't you take advantage of this opportunity...?"

"Sigh, now that things have come to this... I guess I'll just have to pretend to be sick."

"Cancel the autumn hunt and return to town."

Xiao Lie was adjusting the bowstring when he heard this, and his hands paused.

"What did Lord Du say?"

Du Ming's voice became more urgent.

"There's an ambush in the mountains. Peng Xuan's men have already entered the mountains, and it's not just the ones he brought..."

"There's another contingent, deployed in advance by His Majesty. Their armor and steel swords are comparable to Your Highness's elite elite troops!"

"Your Highness, if you enter the mountains, you will be walking into a trap!"

Xiao Lie turned his head and glanced at him.

"Lord Du, you were forced to transfer to Bingzhou, weren't you?"

Du Ming remained silent, offering no denial.

Xiao Lie hung the bow back on his horse.

"Old Du, when you ordered the roads to be blocked and villages burned during the plague in Qingzhou, how did you feel?"

Du Ming was startled.

Without waiting for his reply, Xiao Lie mounted his horse and loudly gave orders to the three hundred elite soldiers behind him.

"The Azure Wolf Cavalry, the Vanguard Camp, venture into the mountains to hunt beasts!"

"Each team disperses and proceeds along the predetermined route. Upon encountering the enemy, sound the blast of arrows as a signal. Engage if possible, retreat if not, and do not linger in battle!"

The three hundred iron cavalry responded in unison, surging into the valley like an iron torrent, then scattering among the mountains and forests, disappearing into the depths of the wilderness in several groups.

Xiao Lie didn't even leave any personal guards by his side!

Du Ming spurred his horse to catch up and grabbed Xiao Lie's reins.

"Your Highness! You really can't go!"

Xiao Lie reined in his horse and looked down at him.

"Lord Du, you have your difficulties, but I also have things I must do!"

Du Ming's lips moved, but he didn't speak.

Xiao Lie looked at him.

"Lord Du, you are a good official."

"I don't blame you for what happened in Qingzhou. You were tied by your family and had no choice in the matter."

"But today, even if Wolf Gaze Mountain is a mountain of hellish knives, I, the King, will still brave it!"

He gently pushed Du Ming's hand away.

"Seeking justice for the people of Qingzhou is something I promised to do."

"But now, a dear friend has taken the blow for me!"

"I will not rest easy if I do not go!"

Du Ming stood there stunned for a long time before speaking softly.

"Your Highness is of noble birth; if one person's life were to be sacrificed..."

Before Du Ming could finish speaking, Xiao Lie lashed his hand with a horsewhip!

"Du Ming!"

"Your remorse in Qingzhou stemmed from a guilty conscience, didn't it?"

Du Ming clutched his arm, still unwilling to give up.

"But you are a prince!"

"It's the King of the Northern Frontier! Xiao Lie!"

"The powerful families of Yongzhou have already submitted; if you could... that would be a blessing for our Great Chu!"

Xiao Lie smiled and pointed his riding whip at Du Ming.

"A heartless and ungrateful person...a person who would treat even the lives of his closest friends as pawns..."

"Would it truly be a blessing for the Great Chu if such a person were to assume that position?"

Xiao Lie spurred his horse, its hooves pounding the fallen leaves, and the two of them charged straight into the narrow valley entrance.