Chapter 179 The Mercy of the Asura

Chapter 179 The Mercy of the Asura

In the dead of night, the wind and snow in the North howled like ghosts and wolves, pounding wildly against the heavy cowhide tent.

But inside the central command tent, the underground heating was burning brightly, shutting out the cold and noise, while the candlelight flickered, about to burn out.

The dim light cast varying shades of shadow on Pei Yunjing's cold and handsome profile.

He sat cross-legged on the carpet beside the bed, holding a secret report that had just been delivered by a bodyguard.

The paper was pinched into deep creases by his fingertips, and finally turned into powder under the surge of his inner force, falling down in a flurry.

The handwriting on the secret report was shocking:

Tuoba Xiao survived, wounded by several arrows, and escaped back to the royal court. He is currently gathering the remaining forces of the eight Northern Rong tribes, intending to use witchcraft to kill the prince, vowing to perish together with him.

"Oh."

Pei Yunjing let out a very soft, cold laugh, a violent red light flashing in his eyes.

He didn't die.

That bastard who drove him to the brink of despair and nearly killed Tang Li is still alive.

They even wanted to use witchcraft and curses?

In the past, he might have found it amusing and would have slowly tormented the other person like a cat playing with a mouse.

But now, he only feels irritable.

Pei Yunjing slowly turned his head and looked at the bed beside him.

Tangli was curled up in the thick brocade quilt, fast asleep.

The ordeal of the past few days has left her exhausted.

Although her wounds were healing, she had visibly lost weight, her chin had become pointed, and although her face was no longer deathly pale, it exuded a heartbreaking fragility.

Even in her sleep, her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were not at peace.

Her fingers unconsciously gripped the sheets beneath her, as if guarding against any danger that might strike at any moment.

Pei Yunjing reached out and gently smoothed her furrowed brow with his fingertips.

"Hmm..."

Tangli whimpered and subconsciously rubbed her cheek against his palm, like a kitten seeking shelter.

The wrinkles between her brows finally disappeared, and her breathing became steady. Only in the palm of his hand could she sleep soundly.

Pei Yunjing looked at her, his heart feeling like it was being soaked in acidic water, both soft and bitter.

A few days ago, many civil officials in the court submitted memorials, and even some veteran generals in the army advised him—

"Your Highness, the Northern Rong have suffered heavy losses and their main force has been wiped out. Now the Great Sheng's treasury is empty and the transportation of grain is difficult. It would be better to stop while we're ahead and force them to sign a surrender document, so that they can pay tribute every year."

"After all, venturing deep into the heart of the Gobi Desert is too risky; if we get stuck in the mud, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Should we stop while we're ahead? Or should we pay tribute and sue for peace?

Pei Yunjing shifted his gaze from Tang Li's unguarded sleeping face, looking through the gaps in the tent at the pitch-black night sky to the north.

In his perception, those still-breathing enemies were like flies lurking in the shadows, their buzzing sound filling him with utter disgust and irritation.

As long as the Northern Rong still exist, as long as that mad dog Tuoba Xiao is still alive.

The sword hanging over your head will never disappear.

Tangli will never be truly safe, nor will she ever be able to sleep soundly in this perilous world.

"It's noisy."

Pei Yunjing murmured softly.

He seemed to hear Tuoba Xiao's venomous curses, the sound of the remnants of the Northern Rong soldiers sharpening their swords, and the lurking malice.

These sounds were all disturbing her sweet dreams.

Since that's the case... then I won't keep it.

Pei Yunjing slowly bent down, his movements as gentle as if he were afraid of disturbing a butterfly.

His lips brushed against Tangli's ear, his warm breath caressing her delicate skin.

"Tangli".

He called her name softly, his voice as gentle as if soothing a child to sleep, but the words he spoke carried a bloodthirsty stench capable of changing the very fabric of the world and making even the gods and spirits weep:

"They disturbed your sleep."

"Therefore, I have decided..."

The human emotion that once belonged to "humanity" gradually faded from Pei Yunjing's eyes, replaced by an absolute coldness and cruelty like that of a demon descending to earth.

"So that you can sleep soundly every day from now on..."

"So that nothing in this world can frighten you anymore..."

He kissed her earlobe and made a blood-soaked vow:

"I am going to conquer the Northern Rong..."

"The country was destroyed."

Slaughter them all, burn down their royal court, trample their totems underfoot, and erase their names from the annals of history.

Since this world is too dirty, then I, the king, will carve out a clean path for you.

Since people are so wicked, then I will slaughter until no one dares to harbor even the slightest evil thought towards you.

Pei Yunjing tucked the blanket around her, his eyes shining brightly in the darkness:

"When you wake up, the world... will be at peace."