Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 1065: Chapter 975: Official of the First Rank 37

Such a young person, yet already possessing such remarkable skills. Wei Yan couldn’t help but sigh, and a sense of an aging hero welled up in his heart.

”I wonder what General Murong’s purpose is for visiting so late at night. Is it perhaps to claim this general’s head?” Wei Yan’s tone was calm, showing no anger from the earlier coercion.

Murong Shuangshuang wasn’t surprised that Wei Yan guessed her identity. She smiled faintly and said, ”General Wei is a renowned general of a generation. The younger generation holds you in great admiration. It is a rare opportunity to cross paths with you, and I couldn’t help but yearn for it. Hence, I came to witness the old general’s grace. The old general is indeed still in his prime, powerful and exceptional.”

Wei Yan snorted coldly, ”General Murong is also a young talent with great fame. I’ve heard of you long ago. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation. Such skills indeed.”

Murong Shuangshuang blinked as if she didn’t catch the sarcasm in Wei Yan’s tone and replied with a light laugh, ”The old general flatters me. Your skills are not inferior at all to the young people.”

Wei Yan was unmoved by Murong Shuangshuang’s praise. ”No need for flattering words. You and I stand on different sides. I am a soldier, and you are a bandit. We have nothing in common. Since you are here, General Murong, do as you will—be it to kill or to spare. But if you intend to persuade me to surrender to the rebels, you might as well save your breath.”

Though Wei Yan is a military general, he is an exceptionally clever one. With a quick thought, he guessed Murong Shuangshuang’s purpose for coming. Although he secretly admired Murong Shuangshuang, a brilliant female general, to ask Wei Yan to betray the Emperor he loyally served was absolutely impossible.

”What makes a soldier? What makes a bandit?” Murong Shuangshuang’s previously calm smile suddenly took on a trace of irony.

”Does the old general know that, to the common people, so-called official soldiers are no different from bandits? Both make them fearful, both make them wish they could flee far away.

Does the old general know how many common people have died at the hands of official soldiers? Wherever the soldiers march, it’s like locusts passing through, more detested than the bandits you speak of.”

Wei Yan’s expression was cold, completely unmoved by Murong Shuangshuang’s words. ”If it weren’t for those like you, with ambitions to rebel, the people wouldn’t have to endure such chaos of swords and war.”

”Countless taxes and levies come one after another. Good weather and bountiful harvests, yet the people starve to death. If there were any way to live, there wouldn’t be so many rebels. Ultimately, it’s the court’s own fault.

It’s a pity, General Wei, that you have spent your life making a name for yourself and serving the court faithfully, only to be relegated to guarding a small city like this. Loyal officials are purged, competent generals are exiled—how chilling.

Even if you can ignore all this for the sake of loyalty, for the old general, is your loyalty more important, or the people’s suffering?

I know the old general’s heart is with the people, so all the people in the city adore the general. But have you ever truly faced their suffering, or ever considered that their suffering is brought by the very King you are loyal to?”

Murong Shuangshuang’s words were quite provocative, yet Wei Yan remained indifferent and unmoved. ”Even if your words are as persuasive as a lotus blooming from your tongue, you should not hope to make me betray the Emperor. I, Wei Yan, have been loyal to the king and patriotic all my life. I’d never become a traitor or bandit.”

Murong Shuangshuang knew Wei Yan was resolute and never expected a few words would suffice to convince him, so she didn’t bother with pleasantries. Instead, she swiftly struck with her hand, knocking Wei Yan unconscious.

Surprisingly, Wei Yan, who was on full alert, had no means of resistance as he was struck by Murong Shuangshuang and slumped down. When Wei Yan awakened, he found himself far from his General Mansion, sitting on a large stone.

Wei Yan immediately stood up vigilantly to survey his surroundings, discovering himself at a city gate, amidst a bustling crowd. The city gate bustled with vendors selling fruits, tea, pastries, and snacks, each stall teeming with customers.

At the city gate, farmers with poles, selling their home-grown vegetables, queued to enter the city. The faces of all the passing common people bore smiles, smiles full of hope and contentment.

The vibrant and bustling scene of a peaceful era made Wei Yan quite dazed. This peaceful sight of people living happily together was something he had only seen when he was young.

That was during the time of Emperor Wen, the current Emperor’s grandfather. Although Emperor Wen was somewhat muddleheaded, it wasn’t too severe. Under his rule, some prosperous cities still allowed people to live moderately well. Back then, in thriving places, he sometimes saw many smiling common people like this.

But as each successive Emperor grew more foolish, the common people became impoverished, and he never again saw such vibrant and lively scenes that brought joy to his heart.

Nowadays, what he saw most was the extravagant lifestyle of officialdom, boundless indulgence, and the sorrowful faces of common people, burdened by life’s pressures, unable to straighten their backs, and agonizing cries of despair under taxes and service duties.

However, Wei Yan had an exceptionally strong mental fortitude. He only felt disoriented for a moment before regaining his senses, remembering he was abducted by Murong Shuangshuang.

Earlier, in the room, Wei Yan hadn’t even seen Murong Shuangshuang move before he was knocked unconscious, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in this place.

Looking back, a girl standing beside him, veiled, with no weapons in hand, still wearing the same clothes, leisurely leaning against a tree trunk, waited for him to come around. When she saw Wei Yan looking over, she gave him an innocent smile.

Her eyes were curved, looking extremely innocent, as if it wasn’t her who barged into his General Mansion without a word and abducted him, the opposing general.

Wei Yan took a deep breath, feeling somewhat powerless, having no idea what Murong Shuangshuang intended by bringing him out here. Yet he couldn’t resist. Though she appeared gentle, she was in fact domineering and assertive. Wei Yan was certain he couldn’t oppose her unless he chose to fight to the death otherwise.

”General Murong, why have you brought me to this place?” Maintaining a calm demeanor, Wei Yan fully utilized his formidable mental prowess. Despite his disadvantaged position, he showed no sign of panic.

”The younger generation holds no ill will. I simply wish to invite General Wei for an outing. However, fearing the general might refuse, I had to resort to slight methods. I hope the general won’t blame me,” Murong Shuangshuang replied with a gentle smile.

Wei Yan remained silent, gazing at Murong Shuangshuang for a long while, exuding a strong presence. Yet Murong Shuangshuang remained completely unfazed, meeting Wei Yan’s gaze with an unchanged expression.

Finally, Wei Yan could only snort coldly, retract his presence, and turn his head to walk straight into the city.