Tan Hua - Chapter 111: The Nameless One

Chapter 111: The Nameless One

The arid climate of the western regions made it highly flammable during this season. Once someone deliberately set the fires, the wind fanned the flames, spreading them rapidly. Soon, the nearby buildings caught fire, and thick smoke billowed from all directions of Loulan City.

“That lunatic!”

Jun Qiyu cursed.

“Yuchi.”

“Yes.”

Even before Jun Qiyu gave the order, General Yuchi was already on his way to investigate.

Sitting on the ground, Xiao Yu shouted gleefully, “Burn! Burn it all! Let it burn brighter! We’ll all die together!”

Jun Qiyu could no longer hold back. Grabbing Xiao Yu by his clothes, he punched him hard. Although Xiao Yu coughed up blood and even lost two teeth, he remained indifferent, wearing a face of reckless defiance.

“Where is the King of Loulan?” Jun Qiyu demanded angrily.

“Heh, you’ve finally asked,” Xiao Yu licked his dry lips with his blood-stained tongue. “Trying to get information out of me? You’re still too young for that, my little Crown Prince.”

Jun Qiyu’s eyes darkened. He had been stalling Xiao Yu, hoping to learn the whereabouts of Pei Xingxu.

“Go ahead, keep hitting me. Kill me, and let’s see if I’ll tell you where the King of Loulan is.”

Xiao Yu remained smug and defiant.

Jun Qiyu raised his fist but then lowered it, instead flashing a mocking smile.

“Hit you? No, I’ll kill you outright. Do you know who the King of Loulan, Pei Xingxu, is to me? He’s my rival in love. Do you really think I care whether he lives or dies? If anything, I hope he’s dead. That would work out perfectly for me. So, go ahead, keep your mouth shut. You’d be doing me a favor. I might even thank you! Hahaha!”

For a moment, a flicker of fear flashed in Xiao Yu’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

“You’re trying to scare me with nonsense. Dream on! Come on, my neck is right here. Use your blade and cut it off if you dare!”

Jun Qiyu clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked. For a moment, he truly didn’t know what to do with Xiao Yu.

If it weren’t for Song Liqing, he would have killed him long ago.

“Your Highness!”

General Yuchi rode back on horseback, leading another horse beside him.

“That lunatic prearranged everything. His death warriors set the city ablaze with oil and gunpowder. He wants to burn down the entire Loulan City! Though we’ve apprehended the arsonists, it’s too late.”

“Is there any way to extinguish the fire?”

“Impossible. The water source is outside the city in the moat. The citizens are already crowded at the city gates, and it’s hard for anyone to get out.”

There were tens of thousands of people in the city, and a single gate couldn’t accommodate such a mass exodus. Jun Qiyu could only imagine the chaos if the fire spread further. A chill ran down his spine.

General Yuchi handed one of the horses to Jun Qiyu, urging, “Your Highness, take the Crown Princess and evacuate the city first. I’ll cover the rear.”

“Wait, Yuchi.” After a brief moment of thought, Jun Qiyu ordered, “Take a few quick-witted men and open all the city gates. Don’t let everyone crowd together. Divide them up and let them escape separately. Also, do your best to locate the King of Loulan. If it’s too late… don’t worry about him. Prioritize the safety of our brothers.”

It was a cold, calculated decision, but it was pragmatic.

Jun Qiyu had his priorities.

“Understood!” Yuchi hesitated briefly. “Your Highness, what about you…”

Xiao Yu’s sharp, raspy voice cut through the air: “He’ll stay here and die with me! Taking a Crown Prince to the grave isn’t a bad deal.”

“I’ll kill you!”

Unable to suppress his fury, Yuchi unsheathed his blade and strode toward Xiao Yu. Just as he swung, Jun Qiyu intercepted with his own sword.

“Your Highness… why stop me?” Yuchi was bewildered. “He’s willing to burn tens of thousands of innocent lives to fulfill his delusion of being Emperor!”

Xiao Yu smirked. “He won’t kill me. Ha! Not only won’t he kill me, but he’ll even save me and take me with him.”

Before Yuchi could retort, Jun Qiyu raised his hand to stop him.

“Go save the people,” Jun Qiyu ordered.

“Yes!”

Military orders were absolute. Despite his countless questions, Yuchi obeyed and left to carry out the command.

Jun Qiyu stared coldly at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu sneered back. “Jun Qiyu, you’re pathetic. Sacrificing yourself to save a rival in love? And you call yourself a Crown Prince? You’re just a coward who can’t even protect the one you love!”

Jun Qiyu clenched his teeth so hard they creaked. The veins on his hands bulged as he struggled to suppress his violent rage.

In a blink, a blade pierced Xiao Yu’s abdomen. Blood gushed out, and the smug grin on Xiao Yu’s face froze.

He reached for the wound, his smile fading as he realized the blade wasn’t wielded by Jun Qiyu, but by Song Liqing.

“You… you killed me…” Xiao Yu was in disbelief.

Even Jun Qiyu was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Song Liqing to act so decisively.

“Liqing, you…”

Song Liqing’s expression was calm.

“He wasn’t going to talk. He was just trying to provoke you and drag us all down with him in the flames.”

“But Pei Xingxu…”

“We’ll find him ourselves.”

The act had been a moment of impulse for Song Liqing. He’d never even stepped on an insect before, let alone stabbed a person. As he released the blade, a wave of fear overcame him, and he collapsed weakly.

Jun Qiyu caught him just in time.

“You… I am your brother! You’ve killed your own kin, defying all familial bonds. You’ll die a terrible death! I’ll curse you to be trampled by men for all eternity!”

Though Xiao Yu was gravely injured, the blade had missed his vital organs. He survived long enough to spew the most venomous curses.

Since Song Liqing had spoken, Jun Qiyu no longer hesitated. He drew his sword, his eyes glinting with cold intent.

“Your Highness, may I?”

The speaker was Su Zhao, who held a dagger in hand and slowly approached Xiao Yu.

“You wretch… what are you doing? I knew you never truly submitted to me! I should have killed you long ago…”

No matter how Xiao Yu cursed, Su Zhao didn’t falter. His eyes brimmed with hatred.

He stabbed Xiao Yu’s hand, eliciting a hoarse scream.

“Crown Prince Xiao, I had seventy-six brothers.”

“Wha… what?”

For the first time, fear appeared in Xiao Yu’s eyes.

“Count carefully.”

With each stab, Su Zhao murmured a number under his breath.

“No… no, don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! Liqing, brother… save me! I’ll tell you where Pei Xingxu is! I’m not lying! Save me… please. He’s in the palace dungeon. I’ve told you everything! Let me go…”

Jun Qiyu, finding the scene too gruesome, covered Song Liqing’s eyes.

As Xiao Yu babbled incoherently, begging for his life, he crawled toward the dragon throne, leaving a trail of blood behind him. When Su Zhao reached seventy-six, Xiao Yu had nearly stopped moving but stubbornly dragged himself onto the throne.

“Heh… haha…”

Xiao Yu caressed the golden dragon carving on the throne’s armrest, forcing a smile.

“I am the Emperor. I am the Son of Heaven…”

He repeated the words like a mantra.

Jun Qiyu, about to leave, suddenly stopped and turned to face Xiao Yu.

“You’re not Xiao Yu.”

“What… what did you say?”

Xiao Yu’s breath grew faint.

Jun Qiyu spoke slowly, “The former Empress Jiang bore a third son named Yu. But Xiao Yu died of illness at the age of four, plunging Empress Jiang into madness. You are not the Son of Heaven, nor do you have Xiao family blood.”

Jun Qiyu hadn’t intended to reveal this, but Xiao Yu’s attempt to burn the city and kill tens of thousands had pushed him over the edge.

Xiao Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief. Struggling for his last breath, he gasped, “You’re lying! My mother told me I…”

“The Jing royal palace holds all historical records of the previous dynasty, documenting every detail, even down to the emperor’s daily meals. Empress Jiang, grieving her son, adopted you out of spite toward Jing. You’re just her adopted… nameless child.”

Jun Qiyu’s words were a death blow.

He turned and left with Song Liqing in tow.

“You’re lying… hah… hahaha! Ha—”

Behind them came the sound of hysterical, blood-choked laughter. Xiao Yu coughed up blood, his head finally drooping as his lifeless eyes stared into the void, unwilling to rest.

Author’s Note:
Fifth update!