Jiang Shicheng was walking ahead when a sudden chill ran down his spine. An ominous premonition washed over him.
Turning back cautiously, he saw Orion watching him with a half-smile, a look of scorn on his face. Despite maintaining a calm exterior, Jiang Shicheng's heart raced with apprehension. Could Orion be planning something against him?
But then Jiang Shicheng shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought.
"Impossible! If Orion wants to successfully capture Beiyang City—or even the entire Liangzhou—he wouldn't risk jeopardizing his position!"
"Otherwise, his status as a traitor would create numerous obstacles!"
His role was crucial for the conquest of Beiyang City and the entire Liangzhou. As long as Orion had any sense, he wouldn't touch him.
Jiang Shicheng's assessment was partly correct, but not entirely. While his presence was important, it wasn't as critical as he believed.
In reality, Jiang Shicheng's death was necessary to gather the luck points required for the first emperor-level lottery.
"Looks like I can't keep Uncle Jiang after all!" Orion thought with a secretive smile. Killing Jiang Shicheng would be a final contribution to his emperor-level lottery.
With the capture of Beiyang City going smoothly, Orion was more interested in the emperor-level lottery, which required a swift completion.
"Xu Chu, didn't you just ask me who I wanted to kill?" Orion said, gesturing toward Jiang Shicheng.
"My Lord… Jiang Shicheng?" Xu Chu asked, confirming the target.
"That's right," Orion confirmed.
"Understood!" Xu Chu agreed immediately. No matter who the target was, as long as Orion gave the order, Xu Chu would follow it without hesitation. He looked at Jiang Shicheng with a glint of excitement, eager for the challenge.
However, just as Xu Chu prepared to act, a young woman burst into the scene, panting heavily.
"Daddy? Daddy! I finally found you!"
"Where have you been? I've been searching for you!"
"Qian Ning? What are you doing here?" Jiang Shicheng exclaimed upon seeing the newcomer.
The woman was Jiang Shicheng's daughter, Jiang Qianning.
She wiped her tears and spoke urgently. "Dad! Something terrible has happened! The camp in the north of the city was attacked, and the 200,000 troops, along with Uncle Chen and the others, were all killed!"
The news hit Jiang Shicheng like a thunderbolt. The camp in the north had been attacked? Two hundred thousand troops had died?
His head spun, and the world seemed to tilt. The revelation stunned him into silence.
"Who did this?" he demanded, panic creeping into his voice.
As he looked toward Orion, Jiang Shicheng's expression changed drastically. The only person with the capability and ruthlessness to pull off such an attack was the man standing before him.
Jiang Shicheng's heart sank as he realized that his previous assumptions and confidence were utterly misplaced. What he had considered a solid strategy was nothing compared to Orion's resolve.
"Daddy!" Jiang Qianning's voice snapped him back to reality. Seeing the devastation around her and the state of Beiyang City, she was overcome with distress.
As she tried to move closer to her father, Xu Chu stepped in, blocking her path.
"If you take another step, you'll die!" Xu Chu warned, his gaze cold and unfeeling. Despite Jiang Qianning's beauty, he showed no sympathy. To protect his lord, he wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone who came too close.
Jiang Qianning, initially intending to scold Xu Chu, froze in fear. His cold demeanor made her realize the danger she was in.
Her fiery temper was replaced by calm resignation as she understood the gravity of the situation.
"Qian Ning, I'm fine…" Jiang Shicheng said, forcing a smile despite the crushing news. The weight of the situation was overwhelming, leaving him disoriented and fearful.
Xu Chu approached Jiang Shicheng, sneering. "City Lord Jiang, you can say your last words now. There won't be another chance."
Jiang Shicheng was stunned by Xu Chu's words but soon accepted his fate with a bitter smile. He had suspected this might happen, especially after the breach of Beida Camp.
His confidence was misplaced. Orion had always intended to eliminate him.
"What? You… you want to kill my father?" Jiang Qianning's eyes widened in shock at the realization.
She was stunned, unable to process why Orion was targeting her father.
No one at the scene addressed her confusion, and no explanations were given. Jiang Shicheng, resigned to his fate, turned to Orion and made a final plea.
"In these dire times, Nephew Lu Shi, I have only one request. Please let Qian Ning go. She's innocent. Just let her live."
"You and I were close when we were children. Surely, you wouldn't harm her, right?"
Jiang Qianning, now realizing Orion's role, was filled with disgust. "How dare you show up here, Orion? Are you going to kill my father?"
Orion's reputation as a scoundrel and his past actions had left a lasting impression on Jiang Qianning. She was enraged and horrified by his presence.