The First Marquis of Leisure

The once clear sky suddenly became overcast, and a torrential downpour began.

The heavy rain relentlessly washed away the bloodstains on the streets, seemingly trying to completely erase this inhumane massacre.

Bai Heng's spear was broken, the muzzle was chipped, and blood dripped from his sleeve.

The area around him was littered with corpses, and the Eighth Prince's Mansion, the Zhenguo Marquis's Mansion, and the Third Prince's Mansion were involved, totaling more than 8,000 people.

They were all killed, not one was left.

Seeing this tragic scene, many ordinary people who had already taken refuge felt heartbroken.

The ground was littered with corpses, piled up into small hills.

There were also Imperial Guards, soldiers from the Nine Gates Commander's Office, and many innocent civilians who were killed by arrows.

In the rain, Li Taibei stood with his hands behind his back, coldly observing everything before him.

Bai Heng had no strength left. He gripped the broken spear, which he planted diagonally in the ground to support his body and prevent himself from falling.

His entire body was riddled with arrows, and he was already lifeless.

The bodies of Zhang Chunqiu, Xiao Changqing, and the Eighth Prince lay around him.

......

In the palace, Zhao Xing learned that Bai Xinghe had been rescued and was furious.

"Useless! You're all a bunch of useless trash! I'm going to exterminate your entire families!"

Zhao Xing was furious; he didn't care that Bai Xinghe had escaped.

But the third prince, Zhao Xing, also escaped, which was something he could not tolerate.

Because he knew very well that his third brother was more talented than him and was also of royal blood.

"By imperial decree, proclaim throughout the land that anyone who harbors Bai Xinghe, Zhao Xing, and other rebels, or who knowingly fails to report them, will have their entire family executed!"

"Anyone who provides information about the whereabouts of the rebels will be rewarded with ten thousand gold pieces and granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

Li Taibei didn't dare to say anything; he hadn't expected Bai Tianque to have such a trick up his sleeve.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"I have immediately ordered all checkpoints within the territory of Great Zhao to issue arrest warrants for the rebels."

"Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must eradicate any remaining rebels who have escaped!"

......

On the other side, there was an endless plain.

Bai Shuang and Bai Li, along with Bai Xinghe, Zhao Xing, and eight hundred riders, were fleeing at breakneck speed.

No one dared to linger for even a moment; only by leaving Zhao's territory as soon as possible could they be considered safe.

After fleeing for several hours, both men and horses were exhausted.

Bai Xinghe also woke up at this time!

"Uncle Heng, Elder Zhang, Eighth Prince..."

The first thing Bai Xinghe did upon waking up was to shout out the names of Zhang Chunqiu and the others.

Upon seeing Bai Shuang, Bai Li, and Zhao Xing surrounding him, his eyes immediately dimmed, and he understood everything.

"Young master, if you want to truly become a strong person, you must experience certain life-and-death separations."

"Bai Heng's sacrifice was not in vain, and no one's death was in vain. Only if you live does any of this have meaning!"

Both Bai Shuang and Bai Li had burning anger in their eyes and sorrow on their faces.

They and Bai Heng were not blood brothers, but their relationship was better than that of blood brothers.

Having followed Bai Tianque through countless battles, he had witnessed countless deaths and separations. He also understood the many helpless situations in the world.

"Brother Bai, you must pull yourself together! As long as we're alive, there's hope. One day we'll fight our way back and slaughter those beasts!"

Zhao Xing gritted his teeth. As the former third prince, his mansion had truly been slaughtered without a single survivor!

Bai Xinghe remained silent and stood up.

Looking at the blood-red setting sun on the horizon, I recalled scene after scene from the past.

Tears welled up in his eyes without him even realizing it; this was the first time he had ever cried!

The others stood behind him, and did not say another word.

A moment later, a gust of wind blew by. Bai Xinghe wiped away his tears and clenched his fists tightly!

"I, Bai Xinghe, swear to the heavens that if I cannot return to the Zhao Kingdom in this lifetime and personally kill the tyrannical and incompetent ruler, Li Taibei, and other executioners, I swear I am not worthy of being called a human being and will die a horrible death!"

Seeing that Bai Xinghe's emotions had stabilized, the group rested on the spot and started a fire to rebel.

Bai Shuang and Bai Li also recounted the events that Bai Que had entrusted to them on his deathbed that night.

After learning about it, Bai Xinghe was filled with emotion.

Bai Tianque may not be a loving father, but he is definitely a father as solid as a mountain.

He had long anticipated that his achievements would overshadow the emperor. He was not afraid of death, but for the sake of his only heir and the innocent people in the Marquis's mansion, he kept a backup plan.

Unfortunately, in the end, the Marquis's mansion was also destroyed, leaving only himself and Bai Shuang. Bai Li escaped.

The group only rested for half an hour and dared not linger any longer.

In the current situation, it's obvious without even thinking about it.

Zhao Xing will definitely issue an imperial decree to announce to the Zhao Kingdom that they should be hunted down everywhere.

The eight hundred riders were all secretly trained by his father over many years, and they were also the foundation for his future revenge.

Fortunately, during this rescue mission to the capital, apart from dozens of injuries, no one was lost.

"Uncle Shuang, Uncle Li, Brother Zhao, let's set off. If we stay any longer, the pursuers are probably close!"

Bai Shuang nodded, sighed, and said, "If we travel for another day, we'll reach Nanjun. Once we pass through Nanjun, we can go north to Chu, east to Yan, south to Zhou, and west to the Western Regions!"

"Yes," Bai Li sighed, "Young Master, Bai Shuang, these eight hundred riders, and I can only escort you to Nanjun. After that, we must break into smaller groups, otherwise we'll be too conspicuous and our whereabouts will be exposed very quickly!"

Bai Shuang and Bai Li were well aware of what Bai Xinghe and Zhao Xing were saying.

Eight hundred cavalrymen moving out together would be a huge target in any country under heaven.

Once their whereabouts are exposed, Zhao Xing will definitely send a large army to surround and annihilate them.

Only by breaking up into smaller groups and disappearing into the vast sea of ​​people can one ensure safety.

However, this is not the biggest problem. The biggest problem is that Zhao can no longer stay.

The world is vast, so where to go is the most important thing.

"Brother Bai, do you have a goal in mind?"

Zhao Xing was very clever and immediately asked the question.

Bai Xinghe pondered for a moment, then said firmly, "Go to the Yan Kingdom!"

"Young master, this is inappropriate!"

"Young master, you defeated the talented scholar from Yan in the poetry competition, causing great embarrassment to Li Chentian and the other geniuses from Yan. If you go to Yan, you may be in mortal danger!"

Bai Shuang and Bai Li immediately refused and suggested that they go north to the State of Chu.

The State of Chu was vast and rich in resources, with numerous clans, making it easy to hide.

Zhao Xing also spoke up, "Brother Bai, what Uncle Shuang and Uncle Li said makes sense. Going to Yan might be dangerous."

Bai Xinghe shook his head; he knew what everyone was saying.

However, the Yan state is currently the strongest in the world, and King Zhao of Yan, Ji Xiong, can be considered a wise ruler.

The State of Yan was renowned for its culture and military prowess, its politics were enlightened, and its army was strong and well-equipped, giving it the potential to unify the world.

Another very important aspect is that Zhao Sisi will be used as a pawn in a political marriage to be sent to the Yan Kingdom.

"I have my own plans; I've already thought this through!"

Seeing Bai Xinghe's resolute attitude, the group had no choice but to give up.

After some deliberation, Zhao Xing decided to go to the State of Chu.

There was no large-scale war between Zhao and Chu for a century, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were relatively good.

Most importantly, Zhao Xing had a good relationship with important officials of the Chu state.

After reaching an agreement, everyone immediately mounted their horses and continued their journey.