Martial Arts Crossover: It All Started with Hijacking Li Canghai

Huang Rong kept Qin Han's words, "We have something to discuss when Guo Jing wakes up," in mind.

But this wait lasted for three whole days.

Over the next three days, Qin and Han swiftly and decisively took over the defense of Xiangyang.

First, all of Lü Wende's corrupt assets were distributed to the soldiers guarding the city, as well as the knights and beggars who had come to defend Xiangyang on their own initiative.

He then ordered his men to send a message to Ruan Xingzhu, requesting the urgent allocation of a large quantity of grain and military equipment.

For the first time, some soldiers in Xiangyang who were starving and emaciated were able to eat their fill and receive brand-new weapons.

The people in the city originally thought that the King of Qin of Shu was a just and upright official who killed Lü Wende. Now, seeing these scenes, even the remaining anxious people saw hope for the future.

The atmosphere of the entire city of Xiangyang was completely transformed in just three days.

Because Qin Han was busy taking over and integrating Xiangyang, he never came to the courtyard where Guo Jing was recuperating.

Besides taking care of Guo Jing, Huang Rong also observed everything Qin Han did over the past three days. She was a woman with a keen and perceptive mind, and it was easy for her to see what Qin Han was doing.

Winning hearts and minds!

Until noon on the fourth day.

On the wooden bed in the inner room, Guo Jing, who had been unconscious for several days, first moved his fingers and then weakly opened his eyes.

"Uh...cough..."

He let out a low cough, feeling as if his meridians were blocked by something.

That was a lingering effect of the "tracing medicine," and even though it has been cleared up, it still requires a period of recuperation.

It should be noted that Guo Jing now possesses the Nine Yin Manual, the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, and the ability to fight with both hands simultaneously. He even once took Huang Rong to ask Emperor Duan for help, and he also has some knowledge of the One-Finger Divine Skill.

It can be said to be the top level of a grandmaster.

Even Hong Qigong might not be a match for Guo Jing now, yet Guo Jing, at his peak, was still tormented by the "Traction Drug" to such an extent, which shows how ruthless the person behind it was and how domineering the poison was.

Guo Jing propped himself up on the bed with his hands.

My mind was a mess, and fragmented images from before I lost consciousness flashed before my eyes.

There was Lü Wende's greedy and hypocritical face.

When Qin Han publicly read out his numerous crimes, the soldiers around him had faces contorted with rage.

And at Caishikou, the mournful screams of Lü Wende's entire family echoed.

Guo Jing had a headache, his breathing became rapid, and his chest heaved violently.

"Brother Jing, you're awake?!"

Huang Rong walked in carrying a bowl of freshly cooked ginseng soup. Seeing Guo Jing sit up, she quickly put down the bowl and hurried over.

She reached out to pat his back and soothe him, looking at her husband's distraught face.

Having been together for so many years, how could she not see through her husband's complicated thoughts?

Guo Jing, supported by Huang Rong, stared blankly at the edge of the bed and muttered to himself.

"Was what I did right or wrong?"

"I, Guo Jing, have guarded Xiangyang for half my life, but what exactly have I been guarding...?"

He thought of the Beggars' Sect disciples who died on the city walls.

I recalled those Song soldiers and civilians who carried simple weapons, shouted "Serve the country with utmost loyalty," and charged towards the Mongol cavalry.

I thought of the countless heroes who came from all corners of the country, only to be buried in Xiangyang.

Why did they die?

To defend the territory of the Song Dynasty, to protect the people behind him, and to prevent his wife, children, and elderly parents from being trampled by the iron cavalry.

But the result?

The military pay they risked their lives for was taken by parasites like Lü Wende and exchanged for antiques and calligraphy!

The city defense map that they fought so hard to defend was given to the Mongols as a gift by Lü Wende.

Meanwhile, the imperial court in Lin'an, with its high-ranking officials, paid no heed to this matter.

They only care about their own wealth and status.

Even high-ranking officials and nobles preferred to appoint a traitor like Lü Wende as a garrison commander rather than trust Guo Jing.

A fishy, ​​sweet taste suddenly welled up in my throat.

With a "plop," Guo Jing spat a mouthful of blood onto the bedsheet.

"Brother Jing!"

Huang Rong was so frightened that her face changed, and she rushed over to comfort him.

"Rong'er, tell me, what exactly am I guarding?!"

Guo Jing stared blankly at Huang Rong.

"Is it that official who only knows how to amass wealth and enjoy himself?"

"Is it still that court that's rotten to the core?"

"Rong'er, tell me!"

"Am I, Guo Jing, a complete joke?!"

Huang Rong couldn't utter a single word when he asked her the question, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

She knew her beloved Jing-gege's character; loyalty and righteousness were ingrained in his bones, and General Yue Fei was his role model.

Back then, Temujin valued Guo Jing so much that he treated him like his own son, and was even willing to marry his beloved daughter Huazheng to him.

What power and wealth that must have been!

But for the greater good, Guo Jing resolutely gave up everything in Mongolia and returned to the turbulent Song Dynasty.

He guarded Xiangyang for half his life, and suffered for half his life.

In the end, he discovered that what he was protecting was actually a pile of rotten mud and termites, especially since this poisoning involved people from the Southern Song Dynasty.

Such a blow is enough to completely shatter a person's beliefs.

Bang!

Guo Jing slammed his fists against the edge of the bed.

The edge of the bed shattered with a crack.

The belief he had upheld for half his life also cracked at this moment.

"Brother Jing, you've just woken up, don't be like this..."

Huang Rong hugged his arm.

"I know you're suffering, but you can't give up."

"Xiangyang City still needs you."

"Do you need me?"

Guo Jing gave a bitter laugh. This near-death experience had given him a clearer understanding of human nature and the human heart. His laughter was mostly self-deprecating.

"Is Xiangyang now under the Qin family's control?"

Guo Jing wasn't stupid; he had heard of Qin Han's great name and deeds before he fell into a coma and had already made some guesses about what Qin Han was doing.

"He was right to kill her, he did it well!"

"People like Lü Wende should have been killed long ago!"

"But what right did he have to kill him? What right did a mere prince have to publicly execute a court official?"

"What did he take the laws of the Song Dynasty for? What did he take the emperor for?"

Guo Jing felt extremely confused.

Reason told him that Qin Han killing Lü Wende was a way to rid the people of a scourge, and it was a cause for celebration.

But the deep-seated belief in loyalty to the emperor and patriotism in his heart was frantically telling him that Qin and Han were definitely disloyal and treasonous.

Two conflicting thoughts clashed in his mind, giving him a splitting headache.

Seeing Guo Jing's pained expression, Huang Rong felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

She wiped away her tears and forced herself to calm down.

In the past, Guo Jing would never have betrayed the Southern Song Dynasty, but this time he escaped death thanks to Qin Han's help.

"Brother Jing, listen to me."

She cupped Guo Jing's face in her hands, making him look into her eyes.

Do you still remember General Yue Fei from back then?

Guo Jing's body suddenly trembled.

"General Yue was so loyal and brave back then, striking fear into the hearts of the Jurchens and making the Liao people bow their heads when they saw Han people. It seemed that he was about to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, and then launch a northern expedition against the Qing!"

"But what was the result?"

Huang Rong had thought it through these past few days. Following the Southern Song court, the best outcome for the two of them would be to die for their country.

Her brother Jing had never asked the court for a single penny of salary; his position was merely that of a garrison commander. Now, he had been nearly poisoned to death by someone from the court.

If Qin Han really dared to rebel directly, she, the former Little Eastern Heretic, would actually be the first to respond!

"Twelve gold medals, Fengbo Pavilion."

"Were the Jurchens and Liao people the ones who killed General Yue? No."

"It was the court he served with all his heart, the emperor he risked his life to protect!"

"Brother Jing, I'm scared..."

Huang Rong's voice was tinged with sorrow.

"I'm afraid you'll become the second General Yue. I'm afraid we won't see Fu'er get married, or Xiang'er grow up."

"I don't want you, Brother Jing, to end up like that."

Guo Jing's eyes were filled with tears as he heard Huang Rong's heartfelt words, and his lips trembled.