Free Web NovelChapter 1114: Chapter 335: Tiger Retainer_4
He exclaimed sharply, "I will take all of them to Yong Country!"
All these things Duan Li had mentioned were currently in the hands of a palace guard.
Among them was a storage box, nearly damaged from what appeared to be Duan Li’s attempts to destroy it during his capture, but he was promptly stopped...
The one who stopped him was naturally Du Yehu.
The presence of both the physical evidence and the witness likely explained why Duan Li did not deny the charges, but rather had the demeanor of a pig not fearing scalding water.
Yet, despite his clear understanding, Du Ruhui still found it very difficult to accept.
He looked at Duan Li with a pained expression, "General Duan, I did not expect, I did not anticipate..." ƒreewebɳovel.com
He angrily said, "Hasn’t His Majesty treated you well enough!?"
"Although you were dismissed, your position wasn’t lost, you still command the Nine Rivers Dark Armor, gifted with imperial armors and a thirty percent raise in stipend! Do you know, today His Majesty was discussing with me granting you the title of an earl!!"
Had it been the Duan Li of old, he would have been moved to tears by now.
But now, he only felt like laughing.
Deceiving his subordinates, sending them to their death, was that being treated well?
His position wasn’t lost, but hadn’t the real power been stripped under the guise of "recuperating"?
Gift me armors? I’m a cripple, what can I do with imperial armors, visit He Badao’s grave?
As for the so-called discussion of granting an earl’s title, wasn’t it just a word from you, Du Ruhui? Who the hell knows whether you even discussed it or not?
The war between their nations ended so long ago, and only now they talk of granting titles! Did they think I was always that foolish?
Duan Li wanted to burst out laughing, wanted to curse loudly, but as expected... he couldn’t speak.
Not only could he not speak, but he also deeply bowed his head.
And tears were involuntarily rolling down!
It looked like a profound realization of misguidance, filled with immense shame!
And Du Ruhui turned away, continuing this drama alone.
The state minister of Great Domain bowed to the King, pleading sorrowfully, "Duan Li dedicated his life to the nation, he was momentarily confused! Though he committed an unforgivable crime, this old minister kneels before Your Majesty, beseech you to spare him an intact corpse, and cover this matter up, protect his posthumous reputation!"
The Emperor of Great Domain deeply sighed, "With the state minister so grieved, how can I remain indifferent? I shall grant your request, though titles can no longer be conferred, his lifetime fame shall remain untouched. Let it be seen as our camaraderie on the battlefield of Zhuang Yong... a fulfillment of this bond of loyalty!"
"The old minister, thanks Your Majesty for his grace!" Du Ruhui bowed deeply.
Then he stood up, casually drew a dagger from a palace guard, strode a few steps to Duan Li, knelt halfway, and supported him slightly, stabbing him through the heart!
This series of movements was swift and decisive, possessing a fierce beauty.
He was a state minister, having his dignity and presence, but when the nation required him to be an executioner, he could be more of an executioner than any executioner.
Now, holding Duan Li, he patted his back as a final goodbye.
After which he let go and stood up.
His meticulously groomed hair, not a strand out of place.
The lifeless body of Duan Li collapsed limply to the ground.
No one knew what Duan Li was thinking in his final moments.
Perhaps... he truly had regrets!
The only one who knew, was Du Yehu.
He knew that this man, collapsing limply like a dead dog, must have been shouting in his mind — Du Yehu, you swore an oath!
Hence tears were in Du Yehu’s eyes, uncontainable.
Not drawing his sword against Du Ruhui had taken all his restraint.
He truly couldn’t hold back his sorrow anymore.
Luckily, as Duan Li had said, sorrow was not a problem. The more genuine the emotion, the lesser it was a problem.
What else had Duan Li said?
Du Yehu thought hard and finally remembered.
In a deep chasm of hatred and pain, he recalled... the general’s last piece of advice.
"Ah!!"
Du Yehu suddenly bellowed, tears staining his eyes, "I, Du Yehu, a fine man, unable to reconcile loyalty and righteousness! How can I shamefully live in this world!?"
He drew his sword and cut his own neck from behind!
This strike was extremely fierce and swift, allowing no room for survival.
He truly harbored the resolve to die, intent on committing suicide right outside the palace of Zhuang!
The military blade had sliced halfway through his neck, with blood gushing like a waterfall!
Then it was grasped by a hand.
The hand of Emperor Zhuang Gaoxian of Zhuang.
He had been coldly observing until the very moment Du Yehu made his move to strike and was about to die, and then he intervened to stop the blade.
Zhuang Gaoxian’s right hand caught hold of Du Yehu’s military sword, gently pulled, and retrieved the blade.
Simultaneously, his left hand lightly brushed over, stopping the blood spurting from Du Yehu and healing the wound on his neck.
"Foolishness!" he bellowed angrily.
In this fierce display, one could see the majesty of the Son of Heaven.
It seemed as if even the resolute desperation in Du Yehu to die was quelled.
The man stood dumbfounded, at a loss, with tears still in his tiger-like eyes.
Du Ruhui couldn’t help but inwardly praise him, "A true tiger of a general, truly courageous and righteous!"
Zhuang Gaoxian had already removed the knife from Du Yehu’s hand and glared at him, scolding in frustration, "You captured traitors for the country, proving yourself a loyal and righteous man, so speak not of lowly survival! The country nurtures warriors not to witness them slashing at themselves with swords! A brave general like you, even if you must die, should die on the battlefield, a death befitting your meritorious deeds! Not here... making a laughingstock of yourself!"
Du Yehu remained clenching his teeth in silence.
Du Ruhui knew this man was not adept with words. He stepped forward and earnestly advised, "There are greater and lesser types of righteousness. I know General Duan treated you well usually, but in the face of the greater good of the country, personal feelings cannot prevail. What you did today in capturing the traitor was the act of a true man. It’s both great loyalty and righteousness, how can you not fulfill both? I too had good relations with General Duan, yet today I personally killed him. Should I, like you, also take my life here?"
Du Yehu remained silent but looked up at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Du Ruhui sighed, patting his shoulder, "A fine man. I believe General Duan’s spirit in heaven also wouldn’t wish to see you die such a base death. He often told me he wanted to entrust you with the Jiujang Xuan Armor..."
The old State Minister paused here, sighing, "His legacy also needs you to uphold it."
It seemed these words convinced Du Yehu.
"State Minister, Your Majesty," Du Yehu’s voice was hoarse, frighteningly so, whether from inner pain or the inconvenience of speaking after his throat had just been sliced and reconnected.
He said, "Yehu has been disrespectful."
The monarch of Zhuang viewed him with the tolerance befitting a wise Emperor, "A great man does not dwell on trifles; I only see your true nature and see no disrespect."
Du Yehu bowed his head, his voice hoarse, "Your servant... Your servant... knows not what to say."
"No more need be said." Zhuang Gaoxian spoke comfortingly, "Go back and rest, rejuvenate yourself. The country still needs you, the Jiujang Xuan Armor still needs you, there’s plenty you need to do."
"Your servant..." Du Yehu looked again at Duan Li’s corpse, the pain in his eyes unmistakably genuine, "Your servant requests to bury Duan Li."
Zhuang Gaoxian simply said, "Granted!"
The monarch’s magnanimous actions today would undoubtedly be heard by every official.
Truly a wise ruler!
Du Yehu slowly walked over, lifted Duan Li’s body, then glanced again at the knife in Zhuang Gaoxian’s hand.
Truly a man unaware of decorum.
Zhuang Gaoxian took no offense, only speaking gently, "This blade brings harm to its master, an ominous sign. You should not use it anymore. Later, go to my private store and select your own sword."
The palace guards and soldiers of the White Feather Army present envied him.
This man had indeed received the Emperor’s great favor!
Du Yehu thought for a moment, holding Duan Li and nodding, "Thank you, Your Majesty." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Then without further words, carrying Duan Li’s body, he left the palace of Zhuang.
After the burly silhouette carrying the corpse had gone far.
Du Ruhui respectfully exclaimed, "Old servant congratulates Your Majesty!"
"Oh?" Zhuang Gaoxian turned and walked toward the palace, "Today blood was spilled at the palace gates, where is there cause for joy?"
Du Ruhui followed and said, "Your Majesty just lost a veteran general, but gained a loyal warrior! It shows that Heavenly Destiny favors Zhuang, and will not let us decline!"
Zhuang Gaoxian stopped, and after a long pause, finally sighed deeply, "Much gratitude to you, Teacher."
