The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 64: Rescue

Chapter 64: Rescue

“You want us to go rescue someone?”

“Are you here to plead for Aguhun?” The Khan frowned displeasedly, wariness rising in his eyes as his voice turned icy.

“Aguhun grew up with you since childhood. How he has treated yousurely the Khan knows?” The Khatun raised her hand to point at Yanjie beside the Khan, fury leaping to her brows as she glared at Yanjie with utter disgust before shifting her gaze back to the Khan’s face. “This Northern Barbarian fabricated a false identity to deceive and exploit the Khan. Why does the Khan trust him instead of Aguhun, who has always been loyal?”

The Khan avoided the Khatun’s questioning, turning his head away from her while concealing the jealousy and resentment surging in his eyes.

He knew perfectly well that Aguhun was unlikely to harm him. Everyone thought so, showering Aguhun with endless praise and admiration.

His father had been like this since childhood, and even the wife he married later was the same. Aguhun was like snow lotus on a high mountainflawless, incomparable, making anyone standing beside him appear dull by comparison.

The Khan was nearly driven mad. He could never surpass Aguhun. No matter how well he performed, Aguhun always did better. His father would only scold him, telling him to learn from Aguhun.

Even the woman he loved, Sunongdaluo, had affection for Aguhun. Everyone said Sunongdaluo and Aguhun were a perfect match. Even when he finally begged his father to help him successfully marry Sunongdaluo, what he heard were regrets that she hadn’t married Aguhun instead.

The Khan had endured for decades without outburst, perpetuating everyone’s praise for Aguhun. He believed he had treated Aguhun well enough, yet his tolerance was taken for granted. Everyone only remembered Aguhun, never showing gratitude to him as Khan. In any dispute, people always sided with Aguhun.

Khatun Sunongdaluo’s words stirred the Western Rong Khan’s resentment. He turned back to look at her and said coldly, “This is no place for you to speak. Leave!”

Sunongdaluo turned and drew a guard’s sword, striding over to press the blade against Yanjie’s neck. “If this man doesn’t die, our Western Rong will never know peace. If the Khan won’t kill him, I will!”

The cold steel against his neck made all Yanjie’s hairs stand on end. Suppressing his panic, he said to the Western Rong Khan, “Your Majesty, after I die, you must eliminate Aguhun. Otherwise, everyone will push to make Aguhun the Khan.”

“Still poisoning the Khan’s mind!”

Sunongdaluo raised the sword to strike, but the Khan shoved her to the ground. Falling hard, she stared in shock at the Khan who was protecting this Northern Barbarian.

“How profound your devotion to Aguhun runs! You completely ignore my words, wholeheartedly following Aguhun’s commands. Tell meare you my Khatun, or Aguhun’s?” the Khan mocked.

“Your Majesty…”

“Guards, take the Khatun away!” the Khan ordered.

The standing guards hesitated, exchanging glances but not moving. Seeing this, the Khan grew even angrier. “Can I not even command you anymore?”

Only then did the guards take two steps forward, stopping before the Khatun to help her up.

Sunongdaluo shook off the guards, glared furiously at the Khan, and sneered, “Don’t regret this later, Your Majesty.”

The Khan turned his face away.

Aguhun gained no advantage from He Chongguang, who knew him well and rarely fell into his traps. Aguhun retreated into the shadows to await an opportunity.

At that moment, Aguhun received the Khan’s blade. Gedeng rushed before Aguhun and seized the sword.

Gedeng urgently pleaded, “Daghan, the Jin army still pursues us. We cannot lose you.”

Aguhun sighed, “But the Khan has resolved to have me killed. Gedeng, return the blade to me.”

Gedeng shook his head, “The Khan was deceived by Hushili! I’ll return and slay Hushili to clear the Khan’s misunderstanding of you!”

At the mention of Hushili, Aguhun’s gaze sharpened, his expression turning severe. He declared in a low voice, “Hushili must be eliminated, but you need not act. I shall return personally to behead Hushili.”

“But if the Daghan leaves, what of our forces here?” Gedeng hesitated.

“Let Bu Jia command in my stead. Conceal my departure. Additionally… Gedeng, take the warriors who’ve followed me for years and flee. Plunder along your path to feign rebellion.”

Gedeng immediately understood Aguhun’s implication, his eyes widening. “Daghan, simply killing Hushili suffices! Why resort to this?”

Aguhun smiled bitterly, running his hand over the blade in Gedeng’s grasp. “This is the Khan’s will. Even without Hushili’s poison, others would emerge. The Khan has long been dissatisfied with me.”

His final hope was severed by this bladethe Khan genuinely desired his death.

Aguhun stated, “I shall grant the Khan his wish.”

Gedeng retreated two steps, clutching the sword, furious. “Daghan, this isn’t worth it.”

“It is.” Aguhun spoke firmly, lifting his head to watch the drifting clouds. “When I suffered humiliation, the Khan spoke for me. When I was abandoned, the Khan found me and insisted on bringing me back. My life was given by the Khan, and rightly taken by him. Having lived this long, I am content.”

Gedeng’s lips trembled, speechless.

Aguhun pried open Gedeng’s hands, reclaiming the Khan’s blade. Staring at Gedeng, he said, “If possible, protect the Khan in secret for me henceforth.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Daghan, you’re too selfish!” Gedeng shouted tearfully at his retreating figure. “Your heart holds only the Khan! For him, you abandoned your own desires, your beloved, becoming the Khan’s bladeslaying anyone at his command, even forcing us to bear the name of rebels to fulfill his will! Do you feel no remorse toward us?”

Aguhun halted, remaining silent for a long moment before resuming his steps forward.

Chaos erupted among the Western Rong forces as Aguhun rebelled and was reported dead. His trusted follower Gedeng fled with their subordinates.

Yanjie found Aguhun’s death too convenient and grew suspicious. Slipping away unnoticed, he was astounded to encounter Aguhun just before reaching the Northern Barbarians’ territory.

Aguhun lifted his eyelids. “I’ve been waiting, Yabgu.”

Yanjie was astonished.

“The Khan is inside,” the Khatun granted Aguhun passage.

Clutching a severed head, Aguhun slowed his steps before entering. After a silence, he said, “My apologies for breaking our promise years ago.”

Sunongdaluo’s eyes instantly moistened, her lips twisting with difficulty. “That wasn’t your fault… Aguhun. Stop living for others.”

“Agreed.”

No one knew that while the Khan envied Aguhun, Aguhun also admired the Khan. The Khan had a father who planned for him, was born into a noble status, was praised and respected by all, never faced any setbacks, and could easily obtain those he loved. But no matter how hard Aguhun tried, he could never escape his humble origins and had endured countless cold glances.

If only he were the Khan, he wouldn’t have to go through countless hardships to reach a high position, nor would he have to worry about losing his beloved.

Aguhun slowly closed his eyes.

After Aguhun’s subordinates fled, they rampaged everywhere, burning, killing, and plundering. The Western Rong found themselves beset by internal and external troubles. Taking advantage of the border troops still being able to hold off the Jin army, the Khan quickly sent men to suppress the rebellion.

He Chongguang’s troops moved too swiftly for Zhang Keqian to keep up. Unfamiliar with the terrain, the infantry under Zhang Keqian’s command ended up lost and could only follow the water source, hoping for luck.

During their march, Zhang Keqian encountered wailing Western Rong civilians and was startled. They had lost their livestock, their food had been plundered, and some even had gaping wounds in their bodies. Zhang Keqian ordered the female physician in their ranks to examine the injuries.

“Did General He do this?” Zhang Keqian was dumbfounded. The scene before him resembled a locust swarm descending, showing no mercy to the civilians. Recalling how He Chongguang had executed prisoners, he immediately connected the two.

A captain who had served under He Chongguang scratched his head uncertainly. “It shouldn’t be him. Military regulations state that unless absolutely necessary, no harm should come to innocent civilians…”

But thinking of He Chongguang, the captain grew unsure againthis seemed very much like He Chongguang’s style.

The captain called over a few soldiers who understood the Western Rong language to inquire about the situation. Only then did they learn that it was Aguhun’s rebellion, and the rebel troops had seized the food, leaving these civilians in such a miserable state.

Relieved that it wasn’t He Chongguang’s doingotherwise, it would have been another charge against himthe captain sighed in relief.

Zhang Keqian hadn’t expected the Western Rong to be in turmoil at such a time, and it was Aguhun no less, which was truly surprising. After aiding the Western Rong civilians, he hurried to find He Chongguang.

Before leaving, a little girl mustered her courage, clung to Zhang Keqian’s leg, and pointed in a direction.

“What is it?” Zhang Keqian looked down, noticing her stubbornly pointing without speaking, and crouched to ask softly.

The little girl tugged Zhang Keqian’s hand, pulling him forward with an anxious expression.

Zhang Keqian called over someone who understood the Western Rong language to translate: “Aguhun’s rebel army went that way. Do you want us to go and rescue people?”

The captain said, “Supervisor, it’s best we find the general first. We shouldn’t interfere in the Western Rong’s internal affairs.”

The little girl remained silent, shaking Zhang Keqian’s hand. Zhang Keqian was slightly moved, but the captain quickly grabbed his wrist to stop him, shaking his head. “Supervisor, you mustn’t. Be carefulit could be a trap.”

The captain turned and glared fiercely at the little girl, stepping forward to pull her away. “Let go of the supervisor! Don’t pretend you don’t understand. If you keep pestering us, we’ll treat you as a spy and execute you!”

The little girl clung tightly to Zhang Keqian’s arm, her face flushed with determination, refusing to let go. The captain’s attempts to pull her away were futile, and Zhang Keqian cried out in pain, startling the captain into releasing his grip.

“Supervisor, are you alright? This child is too strangewe can’t trust her…” Worried that Zhang Keqian wouldn’t listen, the captain turned to the translator and said, “Go ask which family lost a child. Have them come claim her quickly. If they’re late, we’ll deal with her ourselves.”

Soon after, the interpreter returned and reported: “Military Supervisor, Commandant, this girl’s parents and brothers all died at the hands of Aguhun’s rebel forces. Her elder sister was also captured by the rebels. The direction she pointed to is exactly where the rebel forces went.”

The commandant showed an expression that said “just as I expected.” “We shouldn’t get involved in the affairs of the Western Rong. Let’s leave quickly.”

The Western Rong had already reached the point where the Jin army needed to help rescue civilians. Zhang Keqian sighed. “Once we pacify the Western Rong, they will become citizens of our Great Jin too. Besides, those who survived are mostly unarmed women and children. We should save as many as we can. If His Majesty wishes to punish us upon our return, I will bear all responsibility alone.”

“Bookworm who’s been ruined by reading!”

Author’s Note:

Aguhun and the Khan: The importance of timely communication. Never keep problems bottled up inside.

The Western Rong arc is about to conclude. Surprises involving Zhang Keqian and the Women’s Army are already on the way.

– Added a segment about Aguhun’s psychology. He actually feels somewhat resentful and jealous that the Khan was born with everything. Aguhun and the Western Rong Khan grew up in a twisted environment of mutual competition, leaving both psychologically unhealthy. If the Khan hadn’t saved Aguhun’s life, Aguhun would have long since killed this incompetent Khan who stole the woman he loved.

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