A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1152: If There Is a Next Life, Let’s Be Brothers Again!

A brief period of feigned sorrow passed, and after dispatching someone to inform the Capital City, everyone resumed their daily routines.

The subsequent stir was considerably less significant than the one caused by Hai Tang.

Ten days later.

Xia Tingfeng and Yang Chenyi made their return. Before the soldiers in the army could even express their relief,

the two delivered news that plunged the entire camp into a somber, mournful silence.

The first piece of news was:

King Hai Zhentian of Western Xia and Crown Prince Hai Yue had both perished while imprisoned, leaving Hai Tang’s final wish unfulfilled.

The second was:

Monster had died on the journey back.

Xia Tingfeng's heart ached with an almost numb pain; he felt nothing anymore.

As he conveyed this devastating news,

his complexion was ashen, his body chilled, and his expression was utterly vacant.

Rat had accompanied them.

He had witnessed Monster's body succumb to festering decay, enduring unimaginable agony until the very end.

His tears had long since dried,

his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys – all his internal organs had been irrevocably shattered, causing intense suffering.

Faced with Tiger’s relentless, 'ferocious' questioning,

Rat’s lips trembled, unable to articulate the horror he had seen.

His pallid face and quivering mouth were the only testament to his profound grief.

"What happened? Speak!"

"How could he just leave like that?!"

Tiger wailed, his gaze sweeping over them, consumed by anguish.

Had it been anyone else, he would have seized them by the collar, a knife at their throat, demanding answers.

But the man before him was his comrade, his brother; he could not! He felt utterly wronged!

Xia Tingfeng cleared his throat softly, suppressing the dull ache in his chest, and spoke with measured words.

"He succumbed to... cumulative injuries, compounded by the arduous journey. He simply couldn't endure any longer and passed away."

Tiger stared,dumbfounded.

"I didn't see him injured. When did this happen?"

After a prolonged silence, Rat finally replied.

"The day he returned from the Western Xia camp, he was covered in wounds. The military doctor only bandaged the external ones, never addressing the internal damage."

"Later, when we employed the fire attack... he..."

"His back sustained severe burns! Yet, he... bore it all in silence!"

Tiger remained frozen, disbelief etched on his face.

"How did he get burned?!"

"I noticed nothing! Are you trying to deceive me?"

Rat suddenly raised his voice, laced with desperation.

"Why would I deceive you?"

"You didn't notice, and neither did I!"

"Such disfiguring burn wounds... he's so vain, how could he possibly admit to such a thing?"

"If I had known, I would have confined him to the camp for proper treatment!"

"But... we simply didn't realize!"

"And he never uttered a word!"

"By the time we discovered it on the road, his entire body was burning hot, his back completely rotten!"

"He endured excruciating, heart-wrenching pain just to spare us from worry!"

"To conceal his ashen complexion, he applied rouge!"

"To prevent the festering blood from seeping through, he wrapped layer upon layer of white cloth around himself!"

"To mask the stench of decaying flesh, he doused his back with potent liquor!"

"No wonder..."

"No wonder that fellow was drinking constantly!"

"It turns out he was trying to cover the strong smell of alcohol on his person!"

Rat sobbed uncontrollably, clutching his chest as he wailed like a lost child.

That scoundrel!

That treacherous scoundrel had deceived them for so long, making them endure such agony!

Tiger remained in a daze for an extended period, slowly processing the influx of devastating news.

He murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

"Why?"

"Why didn't he seek treatment?"

"Why insist on accompanying us?"

"The camp had the finest military surgeons; had he stayed, he would surely not have met his end!"

"Big Brother, tell me, why on earth?!"

Tiger racked his brain, utterly unable to comprehend the rationale behind Monster's actions.

Xia Tingfeng's facial muscles spasmed, his countenance pale. After a long pause, he spoke softly.

"Even if the burns were to heal, hideous scars would inevitably remain!"

"He was a person who cherished his appearance above all else; marring his looks was akin to taking his life!"

"He had already resolved to seek death the moment he was injured!"

"His sole purpose in accompanying us was to escort Hai Tang on his final journey!"

"He could not bear to part!"

Tiger finally began to grasp the terrible truth.

"So, he concealed his injuries, believing we all saw him as hale and hearty!"

"And that’s why he insisted on joining the expedition to Western Xia!"

"And that’s why he preferred death over remaining behind..."

Xia Tingfeng’s gaze drifted upwards, looking towards the distant horizon.

A pristine white cloud drifted serenely across the azure sky.

So pure, so immaculate, so beautiful, so tranquil. He spoke with gentle reverence.

"Tiger!"

"You must understand, everyone pursues their own ideals!"

Some, like shattered jade, would rather break completely than remain whole like common tile.

Others, would rather embrace a glorious death than live a life of ignominy!

Tiger fell into a profound silence.

Rat bowed his head in quiet reverence.

Xia Tingfeng gazed at the white cloud for a long moment.

Then, with a sudden 'splutter', he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother, what's wrong?!"

"Someone, summon the imperial physician at once!"

The tent buzzed with a frantic energy.

Xia Tingfeng, his complexion ashen and drained of color, who had always stoically endured his pain, could no longer maintain his composure.

He was utterly exhausted.

So profoundly weary that he lacked the will to even lift a finger.

The wounds he sustained were too grievous.

Witnessing one beloved after another depart, with no means to alter their fate, had taken its toll.

The image of Monster's final moments was seared into his memory.

With a smile, he had said:

"Big Brother, I was orphaned from birth; without you, I would not be here today!"

"Big Brother, choosing to be your brother in this life was the wisest decision I ever made."

"Big Brother! In our next lives, let us still be brothers!"

He had then passed on.

Even in his final departure, his beauty remained undiminished.

Eyes like blooming peach blossoms, long lashes, skin of alabaster, and features exquisitely carved.

Clad in pristine white robes, his fingers, grasping a jade fan, appeared almost translucent.

No unpleasant odor emanated from him, only a subtle fragrance of blossoms and fine wine.

The floral scent originated from his perfumed sachets, and the aroma of liquor from the exquisite vintages he favored.

His exit was marked by an unparalleled grace.

Xia Tingfeng mused:

'Perhaps, we should find solace in his peaceful transition!'

...

Following the army's regrouping in Yanguan City for a span exceeding ten days.

They commenced their triumphant return journey around the transition from July to August.

A month thereafter, one hundred thousand troops were stationed under the purview of the Capital Military Department.

Yang He, at the forefront of the generals, led his contingent to report to the Emperor.

An army returning victorious warranted the most distinguished of welcomes.

Zhao Junyao, accompanied by the civil and military officials, personally came to greet them at the Grand Entrance of the Capital City.

Upon the imposing ramparts of the city, the radiant yellow banner of the Great Chu Dynasty unfurled against the wind.

Along both sides of the gateway passage, the citizens of the Capital City formed an expectant throng, their cheers, shouts, and the resonant beat of drums filling the air.

As the successive lines of generals, mounted on their warhorses, entered the city gates in perfect formation.

The populace erupted in unadulterated jubilation.

They hailed the soldiers whose lives had been the ultimate price for their protection.

They celebrated the heroes, indomitable, valiant, and utterly victorious.

All the peace and happiness they enjoyed had been dearly bought with the very lives of these heroes.

How could there not be overwhelming gratitude, profound emotion, and boundless excitement?!

The thoroughfares teemed with people.

Some were present merely to witness the spectacle.

Others, having received familial tidings in advance, awaited the return of their sons, their husbands.

And, naturally, there were also those families of fallen heroes, silently shedding tears of remembrance.