The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 51 Part 2

A choice had to be made today. They had to take a side. Otherwise, the headless corpse outside the tent would be their fate as well.

The tent was deathly silent; even a falling pin would be heard. Beichen Long remained relaxed, showing no impatience.

After what felt like the time it took for an incense stick to burn, one general finally stepped forward. He knelt beside the fallen officer’s body, bowed deeply to Beichen Long, and declared in a firm voice, “I pledge my undying loyalty to the grand general!”

His declaration broke the silence. The other officers, as if waking from a trance, quickly followed suit. One by one, they knelt, bowing low before Beichen Long, their voices ringing in unison—loud and desperate, “We pledge our loyalty to the grand general!”

Their shouts were deafening, filled with raw determination.

At last, Beichen Long smiled. A cruel, calculating smile. His gaze swept over them, his amusement laced with an unspoken threat, and he spoke with satisfaction. “Very good. With you and the two hundred thousand soldiers of the northern frontier at my command, no one can make me bow!”

With that, he stood.

“The barbarian forces still eye our lands greedily. And yet, he cannot wait to strip me of my military command while the northern frontier’s strength is weakened. Does he not realize that such an act is akin to killing the chicken to steal its eggs?” He looked at the officers before him, his voice sharp and commanding. “All of you, like me, have shed blood and sweat for this land! We are surrounded—wolves ahead, tigers behind, and scheming ghosts lurking in the shadows, waiting to drive a wedge between us. Tell me, how can a bird’s nest remain intact when the tree is toppled? We seek only to protect ourselves and defend our homeland—how is that a crime? The barbarians grow bolder, seeking to seize our lands, yet the emperor chooses to negotiate peace with those bloodthirsty savages just to free up troops against the northern frontier!” 

His gaze darkened, his next words like a blade.

“The ruler shows no mercy to us—why should we repay him with loyalty?”

Beichen Long’s words pierced like daggers, leaving the gathered generals speechless, unable to muster a single rebuttal. They stared blankly, stunned by the realization that behind Beichen Long’s rebellion lay such an unavoidable predicament.

After a brief silence, the knots in their hearts loosened considerably. When they shouted their allegiance again, though their voices were softer, they carried a newfound sincerity.

The smile in Beichen Long’s eyes deepened—this was the first step.

***

He suppressed the incident of the Fifth Prince’s assassination. The next day, Beichen Long summoned Lin Aoxue to his tent. After she saluted, he raised his eyes and asked, “Aoxue, what are your thoughts on the deaths of Field Marshal Yang and General Guo?”

Lin Aoxue had been in the military for over a year and had recently become one of his most capable young officers. However, she had also earned the trust of Guo Wencheng and Yang Jin, maintaining a decent private friendship with them. Beichen Long was a man who tolerated no uncertainty. Even though Lin Aoxue was talented, he needed to test her repeatedly to see if she could truly be of use to him.

Hearing Beichen Long’s words, Lin Aoxue’s internal alarm bells rang. She immediately understood his intent—despite her efforts in the past few days to avoid discussing Yang Jin and Guo Wencheng, keeping herself detached from the matter, Beichen Long still harbored suspicions. The biggest reason, no doubt, was that she had previously traveled to the capital with Guo Wencheng.

Suppressing a helpless sigh, Lin Aoxue kept her expression composed and respectfully replied, “Field Marshal Yang sacrificed himself with honor, giving his life to resist the barbarian forces. I deeply admire his bravery. However, General Guo, blinded by grief over Field Marshal Yang’s death, committed an act of treason. His actions were appalling and tarnished the very name of Field Marshal Yang.”

As she spoke, her face remained calm, her demeanor unwavering—respectful yet sincere. Beichen Long observed her closely. Seeing no flaw in her expression, he nodded and let the matter rest, shifting the conversation instead.

“Although the barbarian forces have suffered heavy losses, they have not completely abandoned their claim on the northern territories. Moreover, they have already seized Mingzheng. If we allow them time to recover, they will only return stronger. If that happens, Field Marshal Yang’s sacrifice will have been in vain.”

Hearing this, Lin Aoxue’s face showed a hint of urgency. “Do you have a strategy, sir?”

Beichen Long did not keep her guessing. Since she had asked, he answered directly, “If we fight them head-on, it would be a case of suffering losses ourselves even as we weaken the enemy. Last time, Field Marshal Yang cut off their supply lines, which weakened their forces. If they wish to maintain their campaign against us, I suspect they will soon attempt to secure another shipment of supplies. I need to send someone to intercept their provisions, but at present, I lack a suitable candidate.”

At Beichen Long’s words, Lin Aoxue felt a chill in her heart. She understood immediately—he still suspected her, and this was his way of testing her loyalty. If she refused to put her life on the line for him, then the fragile trust she had worked so hard to build would collapse instantly.

But if she accepted the mission, her chances of survival were slim. She might end up like Yang Jin, dying on the battlefield.

Beichen Long had chosen Lin Aoxue for two reasons. First, because of her close ties with Yang Jin and Guo Wencheng, and second, because he had only recently secured the loyalty of another batch of soldiers. If he sent them on such a dangerous mission now, it might shake their newfound allegiance.

Meanwhile, Lin Aoxue’s position as a county commandant made her an ideal choice—neither too high nor too low in rank. Among all the county commandants, she was the one most likely to be promoted to duwei. Beichen Long had once placed great hopes in her, wishing for her to become his trusted aide. But before that could happen, she had to give him a reason to continue trusting her.

Lin Aoxue pressed her lips together, her gaze lowering slightly as a thought crossed her mind—if she were to assassinate Beichen Long right now, what were her chances of escaping unscathed? Was that risk greater or lesser than leading troops to ambush the enemy’s supply line?

Her entire life had been a gamble with death. One wrong step, and she would be doomed beyond redemption.

She took a deep breath, then let out a quiet, bitter laugh in her heart. She couldn’t act now. Guo Wencheng had been reckless, but his martial skills were formidable. Yet, even when he tried to assassinate Beichen Long, he failed to injure him in the slightest. This proved that aside from Beichen Long’s own deep and unfathomable strength, he likely had secret bodyguards lurking in the shadows.

At this moment, even if Lin Aoxue were to strike and successfully kill Beichen Long, she had no control over the military. She would only end up being used by the next “Beichen Long” to emerge from the power-hungry generals vying for dominance. Beichen Long was not her true enemy—so she had to endure a little longer.

Her slightly lowered eyes trembled for a moment before she suddenly lifted them, revealing a firm determination. She looked straight into Beichen Long’s eyes and took the initiative to request the mission, “General, I am grateful for your trust. Though I may be unworthy, I am willing to share your burdens. I will lead my troops behind enemy lines, cut off their supplies, and aid you in securing victory!”

Her words were sincere, her gaze unwavering and resolute. Beichen Long stared at her for a long time before he let out a deep sigh and suddenly shouted, “Good!” He stood up and gave Lin Aoxue a firm pat on the shoulder, his eyes glinting with a dark and unreadable light. He nodded and said, “You are quite capable. This battle is critical. I will promote you to temporary deputy general and grant you command of twenty thousand troops. You will maneuver behind enemy lines and coordinate with the main army to crush the barbarians completely. If you return alive, I will make your promotion permanent.”

The moment Beichen Long finished speaking, Lin Aoxue exhaled in relief. She had previously learned that when Beichen Long sent Yang Jin to raid the enemy’s supply line, he only assigned him five thousand soldiers—clear evidence that he had never intended for Yang Jin to survive. But now, Beichen Long had not only granted her a double promotion but also entrusted her with twenty thousand troops. It was obvious that he was beginning to trust her again and did not wish for her to perish in this battle.

The mission was still dangerous, but her chances of survival had significantly improved. If she could return alive, she would become a deputy general—a crucial step toward her ultimate goal of revenge. Though there was still a long way to go, this battle was an enormous stride forward. She had to give it everything she had.

Lin Aoxue knelt and respectfully expressed her gratitude to Beichen Long before exiting his tent. They had agreed on the operation’s timeline: the next day, she would secretly lead her twenty thousand troops out of Xingbei Pass. By taking a steep mountain path between Poyan and Xingbei Pass, they would take approximately two days to reach the enemy’s rear.

Once in position, if reinforcements arrived for the enemy’s supply line, she would intercept and destroy them. If the barbarians, desperate and cornered, chose to fight to the death instead, she would adapt her strategy accordingly.

Once she left the pass the next day, there was no guarantee she would return. This battle was unpredictable—perhaps even more perilous than her last mission infiltrating the grasslands for intelligence. This time, she would be leading only twenty thousand men against an enemy force of over a hundred thousand. She had no certainty about what awaited her.

Before departing, she made a visit to the military doctor’s camp.

As always, Yun Yan was busy, preparing medicine for the wounded soldiers. With Xingbei Pass embroiled in constant battles lately, the military doctors had barely had a moment to rest. To avoid unnecessary gossip, Lin Aoxue and Yun Yan had kept their meetings infrequent. But this time, she was about to leave the pass once again, with no idea when—or if—she would return. She wanted to see Yun Yan one last time before she left.

When Lin Aoxue arrived, Yun Yan was carefully storing packs of medicine. She looked up and immediately saw Lin Aoxue standing at the entrance. A bright smile spread across her face as she called out joyfully, “Aoxue, what brings you here today?”

A soft smile appeared in Lin Aoxue’s eyes. Suddenly, she felt that all her previous worries were unnecessary. No matter how dangerous or difficult the mission ahead was, as long as Yun Yan was waiting for her, she could summon endless strength and courage. Even if she had to crawl her way back, she would return to this person.

“Yan’er, I’m heading out beyond the pass tomorrow.” She spoke lightly, her tone far more relaxed than when she had last left on a mission. She made no effort to conceal the truth.

But the moment Yun Yan heard these words, her pupils contracted sharply. A deep look of concern crossed her face as she set aside what she was doing, quickly stepping up to Lin Aoxue and gripping her sleeve in alarm. Her voice was filled with both shock and urgency. “Why are you leaving the pass again?”

Lin Aoxue could only shrug helplessly. Seeing Yun Yan so worried, she herself felt her own apprehension fade. She curved her lips into a gentle smile and gazed softly into Yun Yan’s eyes. “It’s a last-minute assignment. If I make it back, I will officially become a deputy general—one step closer to fulfilling our promise.”

She still remembered Yun Yan’s words from before—that only when she became a general would Yun Yan reveal the identity of her enemy. She was waiting for that day to come—waiting for the moment when she could become Yun Yan’s pillar of support and fulfill the vow she had once made.

Though Lin Aoxue was smiling, Yun Yan was deeply worried. She had keenly picked up on something between Lin Aoxue’s words—this mission must be extraordinarily dangerous. If it were just an ordinary assignment, Beichen Long would never have promised Lin Aoxue a double promotion.

Moreover, the situation at Xingbei Pass had become increasingly complex, and driving back the barbarian forces was no easy feat for Beichen Long. For Lin Aoxue to be leaving the pass at such a time—how could she possibly feel at ease?

She clutched Lin Aoxue’s sleeve tightly, her brows furrowed deeply. For a moment, her worry rendered her speechless.

“Yan’er.”

Seeing Yun Yan lost in thought, Lin Aoxue, who would normally become nervous in her presence, was surprisingly calm today. She suddenly took a step forward. Before Yun Yan could react, Lin Aoxue reached out and wrapped her arms around Yun Yan’s waist, pulling her close into an embrace.

She had mustered all her courage, yet her palms still betrayed her by dampening with a nervous sweat.

Yun Yan looked at her in astonishment, lifting her gaze slightly. Her eyes locked with Lin Aoxue’s—deep, dark, and unwavering.

Half of Lin Aoxue’s face was obscured by her mask, but the eyes beneath it shone as brilliantly as the stars. They had a magnetic pull, drawing Yun Yan in, trapping her in the snare Lin Aoxue had unknowingly set. Step by step, she fell deeper and deeper, unable to escape, unable to turn back.

Lin Aoxue did not know if she would return safely from beyond the pass, nor if she would ever get another chance to hold the person she longed for day and night. So, she seized this rare moment of courage, embracing Yun Yan without hesitation, without reservation.

Holding Yun Yan, feeling the warmth radiating from her soft and delicate frame, Lin Aoxue felt a quiet peace settle in her heart. She no longer worried about anyone passing by and catching sight of this improper display.

Yun Yan was completely caught off guard. Lin Aoxue had always been reserved and restrained, rarely expressing her emotions so directly through physical touch.

But Lin Aoxue’s boldness pulled Yun Yan back from her anxious thoughts. Their eyes met once more, and as she gazed into Lin Aoxue’s steady and unwavering confidence, the fear and unease in Yun Yan’s heart gradually melted away.

The person before her was extraordinary—far stronger than she had ever imagined.

Lin Aoxue possessed boundless potential. Her talent alone ensured that she would shine on the battlefield. No matter how many treacherous enemies stood in her way, no matter how dire the circumstances, Lin Aoxue would always find a way to rise from the depths of despair.

Gently, Yun Yan lifted her arms and wrapped them around Lin Aoxue’s neck, her voice soft and delicate as she murmured a quiet response, “Mm.”

At such close proximity, Lin Aoxue felt an overwhelming dizziness surge through her. She instinctively held her breath, afraid that even the slightest disturbance in her breathing would shatter the serene beauty of Yun Yan’s face.

Her heart pounded wildly, the sound of it like muffled thunder echoing in her chest. It roared in her ears, making her even more nervous. The more nervous she became, the more she struggled to keep her composure. Her palms grew even sweatier, and for a fleeting moment, she felt the urge to flee.

Her gaze drifted downward, away from Yun Yan’s deep, abyss-like eyes. It trailed along the elegant curve of her delicate nose, before coming to a halt—fixed, as if held by an invisible force—on Yun Yan’s soft, rosy lips.

Lin Aoxue’s arms tightened abruptly around Yun Yan’s waist. A sudden memory of the softness of those lips flashed through her mind.

Her throat moved slightly as a peculiar, deep light flickered in her eyes. At that moment, Yun Yan arched her brows ever so slightly, her gaze carrying a misty allure, a mesmerizing charm so tangible it felt almost real. It was like a heavy hammer striking Lin Aoxue’s mind, making her momentarily dizzy and disoriented.

She felt as if a string in her mind had suddenly snapped with a crisp, ringing sound. Her breath hitched, and her thoughts went completely blank. She lost control over her body, acting purely on instinct, making a decision she never would have under rational circumstances.

Lin Aoxue lowered her head and gently captured those lips that were so close before her eyes.

Yun Yan’s arms around Lin Aoxue’s neck instantly tightened. She hadn’t expected Lin Aoxue to take the initiative to this extent—this was an undeniable breakthrough in their relationship.

The timid yet undeniably possessive kiss from Lin Aoxue erased all of Yun Yan’s uncertainties and worries. In that moment, she knew—Lin Aoxue’s feelings for her were far more than just the simple “liking” she had once spoken of.

She responded without hesitation, their lips pressing together in a soft yet heated exchange. But just as she leaned in for a deeper touch, Lin Aoxue suddenly recoiled as if burned by the scorching warmth of the kiss. The courage she had just mustered vanished in an instant.

Panicked, Lin Aoxue pulled away, her face flushed red as she clenched her fists nervously. As reason slowly returned to her, she suddenly realized just how shameful and reckless her actions had been. She bit her lip, so mortified that she wanted nothing more than to disappear into the ground, never to be seen by Yun Yan again.

Yet Yun Yan only looked at her with a soft, amused smile, showing no trace of awkwardness at their interrupted kiss.

Her expression was open and composed, her gaze filled with unreserved affection, making Lin Aoxue’s already crimson face burn even hotter.

“I… I…”

Lin Aoxue stammered, struggling for words, but after several attempts, she still failed to complete a sentence. She clasped her hands behind her back, nervously intertwining her fingers, looking utterly flustered—lost and helpless.

She stole glances toward the tent’s entrance repeatedly, terrified that someone might have seen them embracing and kissing. Gone was the fearless boldness she had displayed just moments ago.

Yun Yan took a step forward with a smile, and Lin Aoxue instinctively took a step back. She cleared her throat forcefully as if trying to regain her composure. Then, as if suddenly recalling something important, she blurted out hurriedly, “Mm… Yan’er, wait for me to come back.”

This was, after all, the most important thing she had come here to say today.

With that, Lin Aoxue turned and bolted out of the military doctor’s tent like a startled rabbit.

Feeling quite pleased, Yun Yan walked to the entrance and lifted the curtain, peeking outside. She could still see Lin Aoxue’s retreating figure, hurried and flustered.

Leaning against the doorframe, Yun Yan watched as Lin Aoxue, after running out of the tent, suddenly stopped in her tracks. She turned around abruptly and waved at Yun Yan with great enthusiasm.

Yun Yan couldn’t help but laugh. Lin Aoxue truly had the heart of a thief but none of the courage. Amused, she raised her hand and waved back. Lin Aoxue smiled, her eyes full of warmth, then swiftly turned away and walked off without looking back.

If it was Lin Aoxue, then anything was possible.

Yun Yan thought to herself. She believed in Lin Aoxue—believed that the person her heart had chosen was the most extraordinary of all.