Chapter 15 Exchange of Strength
The two armies were stalemated. The battle had lasted three months.
Having seen enough of battlefields, I had even grown used to the blood that had once made me vomit from fear.
Fortunately, the male lead's halo had not overcome Xie Fei's schemes or the soldiers of Wei who fought to the death. Qi had suffered repeated defeats, and Xie Yu was about to lose.
But he was unwilling to accept defeat and used a very despicable method.
He threatened Xie Fei with Wen Ruo's life, demanding that Xie Fei withdraw thirty miles, release Xie Yu and his army.
Xie Fei's past ruthless conquest had indeed deceived Xie Yu. He had truly believed Xie Fei liked Wen Ruo.
But seeing Xie Fei's unmoved expression, Xie Yu began to panic again.
"You guessed wrong," I said, stepping forward and raising my voice. "Xie Fei likes me, so why would he withdraw the troops for her?"
Xie Yu's face turned deathly pale, and the knife in his hand kept shaking.
Ignoring Xie Fei's interference, I stepped forward step by step. "I and Xie Fei relied on each other in the Cold Palace for many years. You should know how much he cares about me."
Xie Yu trembled. "So what?"
"So, why don't you change the hostage."
"Wen Xin!"
Xie Fei's voice had changed with urgency.
I turned my head and gave him a look that told him to stay calm.
"Xie Fei doesn't care about Wen Ruo. I care. Xie Fei won't withdraw the troops for her, but he will compromise for me.
Xie Yu, I am willing to go with you. But Wen Ruo is not. If something happens to her on the way..."
Xie Yu's mind turned rapidly. The time he took to think was not long—he seemed to have made a decision.
"You... come here first."
I walked toward him slowly.
Wen Ruo's eyes were full of tears. She shook her head. "I don't want you to change places."
Fortunately, the male lead had no intention of going back on his word. The knife at her neck was removed and placed against mine instead.
I said, "If you have nowhere to go, go find Xie Fei. He will take care of you."
Xie Fei understood me and would not take his anger out on Wen Ruo.
Seeing Wen Ruo unwilling to go, I said again, "Wen Ruo, don't let my sacrifice be in vain."
Wen Ruo was slightly stunned. She looked at me deeply, then ran toward the Wei army.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
This body would die, but I would not.
It would just hurt a little more.
It was better than watching Wen Ruo die right in front of me.
Xie Fei's face was ashen. His gaze at me was like a sharp blade, but in the end he still led his army to withdraw.
In my heart, I said, "System, exchange strength."
Due to non-target character reasons, exchanging bodies requires the host to pay the points themselves. Friendly reminder, your points are running low.
Black merchant!
"Then exchange ten seconds!"
Ten seconds.
The moment the exchange succeeded, the body felt as if washed by a clear spring, light and full of strength.
I delivered an elbow strike, and the Xie Yu who had been restraining me fell to the ground.
I did not have time to think. I picked up the knife from the ground and stabbed it straight into Xie Yu's heart.
The series of movements was smooth and fast, powerful enough that Xie Yu's subordinates stood frozen in place.
But, trained well, the moment I loosened my grip on the knife handle, a chill penetrated his heart.
I covered my chest and fell to my knees.
The first thought was that the System had even shown mercy.
A sword through the heart was far more painful than dying from illness.
While everyone was in chaos, the Wei army that had retreated thirty miles suddenly appeared in sight.
"Tricked! What should we do, Your Highness?"
"He is already cold. What do you care about him? Run!"
I fell to the ground powerlessly.
Blood flowed like bright red silk across the ground. Not far away, Xie Yu who had died with eyes wide open had no more breath.
This was the second person I had killed, and it was also for Xie Fei.
But I did not regret it.
As my vision blurred more and more, I was pulled into someone's arms.
Familiar warmth, familiar scent.
A warm liquid fell on my cheek, bringing back my almost floating consciousness.
I opened my eyes, but I could not see the person clearly.
It was probably the same as last time. Crying until it broke the heart.
"I..."
I opened my mouth, but blood came out.
He came closer to my lips, trying to hear my broken voice clearly.
"I love you."
So, don't cry anymore.
I was just leaving you for a while.
No matter how far the distance, I would cross a thousand mountains and rivers to come to you.