"If you want to live, then surrender," Sheng Li warned the unknown attackers. However, they did not budge from their places. Sheng Li swirled the swords in his hands as he glanced to his left and right. One of them attacked him, whose attack he dodged while slashing the sword through his waist. He did the same with another attacker and pushed him away.
He fought with them without getting harmed. 'Who informed them about my visit here? Is Wang Hao fine?' Sheng Li wondered. He got kicked from behind and fell forward. However, he balanced himself and killed the man who had kicked him.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of a speeding arrow towards him. He turned back and swiftly pushed himself to the left, thus getting saved from the arrow. He caught one of the attackers and used him as a shield to prevent getting attacked by the unknown shooter.
"Sheng Li, you shall surrender yourself," he heard a voice. "Do not put so much pressure on your brain cells. Here's your General whom we have caught," Sheng Li heard the person. "You all step back," the person commanded those masked attackers.
Sheng Li pushed the dead person whom he had used as his shield and he fell to the ground. He turned and found five men on the horses, probably be the Generals or could be the Commanders of Tan Gengxin.
He saw Wang Hao, who was brought to the front by two soldiers. Wang Hao was beaten brutally.
"Alas! The other person with your General is no more," the same man replied, who was in the middle on a horse. Sheng Li tightened the grip on the hilt.
"Your highness, do not hear him," Wang Hao loudly said.
"Sheng Li, drop the weapon and get on your knees if you want to see him alive. Before that, let me introduce myself. I am Shao Ping." He hopped down the horse and came ahead, near Wang Hao. He caught the fistful of Wang Hao's hair and kicked him from behind, thus forcing him to get on his knees.
"Why did your face color fly away? Wait, you do not remember me, right?" Shao Ping scoffed and pointed the sword blade on Wang Hao's neck, and pulled his head up. "The Crown Prince has this problem. He does not remember those who are not useful to him," he chuckled. Sheng Li was a little confused regarding the identity of Shao Ping.
"You indeed forgot about me. Four years ago, you killed my entire family because my father refused to surrender in front of you. Luckily I survived, and I had pledged to kill you with my own hands," Shao Ping pronounced. "Enough of this old time's conversation. Let's get to the point. It was a foolish move to send your General to our base camp. Look, what did you bring?" Shao Ping glanced at General Wang, whose forehead was bleeding. "He did not tell us about your location. Your Generals are indeed loyal. But, you see, even the spying network of us is far better than yours," he proudly stated.
"Where's Wan Ju?" Sheng Li questioned him.
"His name is Wan Ju. That dead person. Bring the body forward," Shao Ping ordered. "Unlike you, I thought to bring the deceased body. I respect people from all statuses," Shao Ping smirked.
Two soldiers brought Wan Ju's dead body on a wooden stretcher. Sheng Li could not believe that Wan Ju was no more. It was not even a day when he met him, and he died for him.
"Now, drop the weapon and get on your knees, otherwise you will lose your favorite General." Shao Ping tightly fisted Wang Hao's hair, and the blade touched his neck's skin.
"Your highness, d-do not listen to him. Your life is of utmost importance. Just leave from here," Wang Hao said without letting his neck hurt.
"Sheng Li, do not be Cruel this time. He fought every war with you and even protected you from danger. You cannot let him die only to save yourself," Shao Ping pressured Sheng Li.
'I underestimated Tan Gengxin's force,' Sheng Li thought.
"Sheng Li, it seems I need to become heartless like you so that you can surrender," Shao Ping loudly said. "How did you kill my father? Do you remember or you forgot about that as well? Shall I use the same torture method on your great General?" A wide grin appeared on his lips.
Sheng Li did not react to his warnings. "It seems the Crown Prince is no longer heartless. Is it because the Crown Princess taught him some kindness? I heard she is a Heavenly Jade beauty." Sheng Li glared at him as the anger started developing inside him.
"After your death, we will rule Luoyang. I will probably marry your… "
"Say one more word, and I will rip your throat. Do not involve someone's woman in this fight," Sheng Li warned him.
"Why shall I listen to you? You do not have any audacity to say things like this to me. But, after hearing this, I am more excited to kill you and then see your wife." The grin did not leave his lips. "Whoa! Do not give me that look. I am scared," He laughed scornfully. "My mother killed herself the day you killed my father. I want you to go through the same pain as I underwent. You killed my three brothers, their wives, my father, and my mother. I will do the same with you," Shao Ping roared.
"Drop the sword in your hand," He repeated himself. The blade pierced Wang Hao's neck, and the blood oozed out of his skin.
"Do not do anything to him. Put your sword down," Sheng Li urged him before dropping the sword on the ground.
"Okay," Shao Ping put away the sword from Wang Hao's neck.
"Your Highness, please don't do this. My life is not important," Wang Hao shouted.
Sheng Li did not reply to him. He raised his both hands in the air.
"You are doing nice, Sheng Li. Now, get on your knees," Shao Ping delightedly said.. "Alas! Your General has to die," Shao Ping immediately changed his words and pushed the sword towards Wang Hao.