Chapter 1154: The Death of Dalun Ruozan! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Can you allow it?” Dalun Ruozan asked once more, a hint of pleading in his voice. ”I have known Huoshu Huicang for all my life, and he was my constant companion. I cannot do what I promised him, but at least I can send him back to Ü-Tsang and give him a proper burial. Is that okay?”
Wang Chong saw the dying embers in Dalun Ruozan's eyes, and inexplicably, he thought back to Huoshu Huicang's last words. His heart sighing deeply, he finally had his horse trot back a few steps. Even though he had fought with Dalun Ruozan for so long, in the end, he found it impossible to refuse this last request.
”Someone! Bring over Huoshu Huicang's body!”
Gallop! A few moments later, several Tang cavalry rode over with a horse from the rear. Atop the horse was the body of Huoshu Huicang.
”Lord Marquis!”
Several people stepped forward, placed Huoshu Huicang's body in front of Dalun Ruozan, and quickly took their leave. Wang Chong silently stared at Dalun Ruozan. But Dalun Ruozan seemed to see nothing and feel nothing. His eyes had been fixed on Huoshu Huicang from the moment he had appeared.
Dalun Ruozan's faint smile had long ago vanished, and as he led his horse forward, that ever-unperturbed face gazed upon Huoshu Huicang's corpse with deep sorrow and grief. Huoshu Huicang was wearing a fiery suit of red armor, and even in death, his muscular body exuded an imposing and valiant aura. But his face was pale and his body was devoid of life.
Dalun Ruozan raised his head and asked, ”Wang Chong, can you tell me what his last words were?”
Wang Chong gave a deep sigh and relayed Huoshu Huicang's final words in their entirety.
As Dalun Ruozan stared at Huoshu Huicang's body, his entire body trembled and two trails of tears trickled down from his eyes.
”Huoshu, I'm sorry! In this war, I failed to keep my promise!”
Dalun Ruozan lowered his head, his entire body trembling as scenes from the past flitted past his eyes.
On the Tibetan Plateau, the young Huoshu Huicang angrily stared at him like a tiger cub.
”I, Huoshu Huicang, am a dragon and tiger of the plateau. Even if the Tsenpo has decreed it, I will never submit to a trifling scholar like you.”
”Haha, what does it matter if you're a dragon or tiger. As a dragon, you can't ascend to the heavens, and as a tiger, you can't sink into the earth. The strength of a single man can't create any sort of peerless achievement, so what use is it?”
”You!!”
”Haha, what are you 'you'ing about? Are my words wrong?”
”Hmph, a scholar who doesn't even have the strength to truss a chicken, who can't even beat one of my subordinates! What use are you?”
”Hey! Do you know how to run a country and bring peace to its people? To plan out strategies in a tent that can decide victory throughout the world? To form alliances with those distant to attack nearby enemies…?”
”!!!”
……
”How does Milord plan to revitalize Ü-Tsang?”
”Is there anything that cannot be done in a time limit of thirty years?”
”Hmph, Milord doesn't even have the strength to truss a chicken. I worry that you might just be daydreaming.”
”Hahaha, but don't I have you?”
“……”
”……”
……
”Huoshu, we've lost again. The Great Tang is far stronger than we imagined!”
”You want to give up?”
”No! Never! Ü-Tsang is still too weak. Give me thirty years, and I will definitely make Ü-Tsang the strongest existence!”
”Since that's the case, if Great Minister is not giving up, then for the next thirty years, let me be your left and right arms!”
”!!!”
……
Scenes from the past flickered through his eyes as swiftly as lightning, and tears endlessly poured down from Dalun Ruozan's eyes.
”Huoshu, this time, it was me who caused all this. You accompanied me for half my life, so let me accompany you as well. The two of you, listen well. Immediately send Huoshu Huicang's body back to the plateau. If any mishap occurs, then go back with your heads in your hands!”
”Yes!”
The two loyal guards at Dalun Ruozan's sides seemed to sense something. They both lowered their heads, sorrow in their eyes.
”Wang Chong, to be able to exchange blows with you is the greatest pride of my life!”
Dalun Ruozan took in a deep breath, a little vim restored in his eyes as he gazed at Wang Chong.