Chapter 15

Half a day later.

Feicui Valley, Luzhou.

The weather was scorching. Though the valley was surrounded by dense forests, the main road was directly exposed to the blazing sun. Even as the sun began to set, the heat showed no sign of abating. The soldiers of Yizhou, clad in armor, trudged along, panting heavily.

At the front of the formation, the squad leader shouted loudly, “We must reach the rally point before dawn. Upon this great victory, each soldier will be promoted one rank and rewarded with thirty taels of silver!”

At these words, the soldiers' spirits reignited.

The march quickened. At the forefront, Marquis Yingzu of Yizhou rode atop a tall horse, flanked by two aides holding ornate canopies to shield him from the fierce sun.

Yingzu was a short-statured yet dignified middle-aged man, his sharp, eagle-like eyes gleaming with intelligence.

Today’s campaign had been in the making for years. Even the covert operatives Yizhou had planted throughout Luzhou had been lying in wait for five or ten years.

Now, the time for reaping had finally come.

“Luzhou is about to be utterly finished.”

“Heh, that brat from the Shao family thinks that by making a desperate gamble and sneaking north, he can fight a last stand? Little does he know, everything has long been within my calculations!”

“Now, my three armies encircle Ancheng. Luzhou’s forces are stretched thin and can only defend strictly, sealing the city and not venturing out.”

“And I have already placed insiders within Ancheng. When the city gates open, two hundred thousand allied troops will pour in, wiping out the remaining hundred thousand of his forces without mercy!”

Of course, this was only a small part of his grand plan.

After capturing Ancheng, his two clumsy “allies”—the Marquis of Suizhou and the leader of the Tuoba tribe—would be unable to resist the temptation of Luzhou’s vast interior lands and would rush southwards to attack each other.

“Then, we will remain stationed in Ancheng, fanning the flames to let them exhaust each other. In the end, we will strike like the hawk behind the clam.”

Allies? What a joke.

In times of chaos, so-called allies are nothing more than fish and meat on the table—just like his “longtime friend,” Marquis Shao Zijian of Luzhou, who was either eaten or sold!

Everything was only just beginning.

One day, he would make that arrogant young King of Xiliang taste the bitter fate of becoming a mere stepping stone—

“Your lordship’s insight, masterful as always. We are in awe!” the generals around him chorused.

“Since the Battle of Tianchang, Yizhou has prospered and advanced unstoppable, all thanks to your lordship!”

“You are the hero of the realm! It is our fortune to follow you!”

Yingzu felt a secret pride but feigned modesty, saying, “You must understand, in these turbulent times, swords are blind and fate is fixed. I am only fortunate to see clearly…”

Before his words finished, a sharp arrow suddenly tore through the canopy above.

…

The mountain wind rustled as the scorching heat pressed on.

In this chaotic age, many common folk had been displaced and turned to banditry. At first, the Yizhou army thought the audacious raiders were mere petty thieves.

But looking up, through the humid mountain mist, the mountainsides on both sides were densely lined with black-clad troops, standing ready as if a formidable army had ambushed them.

An ambush?

But how could that be?

Before they could react, a storm of arrows rained down. Screams and neighs filled the air.

Yingzu was stunned. After a moment, he recognized the banners and could hardly believe it. “Luzhou’s army? But shouldn’t they be on their way to Fuqing City right now?”

By logic, Luzhou’s forces needed to capture Fuqing before reclaiming the three cities.

Yet Feicui Valley was a winding route between Ancheng and Xiucheng, where his son Yingting was stationed with troops. For Luzhou to penetrate so deeply into the valley was to risk being discovered by Yizhou patrols and annihilated.

But Yingzu no longer had time to ponder.

Another sharp arrow flew past, and his aide fell from his horse.

Around them, cries of pain and neighing horses persisted. Arrow volleys came so swiftly that countless soldiers fell instantly.

“Sir, we are surrounded!”

At this point, it was pointless to debate why the enemy took such a risky path. For a fleeting moment, Yingzu considered retreat.

It was the only right decision now.

He knew well that hesitation meant multiplied losses.

But...

Ancheng lay just ahead, and most of Luzhou’s remaining lands were within reach!

This should have been the first step in Yizhou’s rise to power—the culmination of years of planning, flawless in every detail. The soft whispers of a new songstress still echoed in his ears: “This is the opening move to seize the realm, my lord. One more cup.”

That was how it should have been!

Yingzu’s heart throbbed fiercely with regret and unwillingness. He vaguely recalled the wolf king from a hunting trip, who had greedily stepped into an obvious trap.

Beasts are beasts, but wasn’t he just the same?

All of Luzhou, all of Nanyue, his lifetime achievements... were right before him. How could the first step of his glorious career fail so miserably?

Who was responsible?

Who commanded Luzhou’s forces to disrupt his grand plan with such reckless tactics?

“Lord Yingzu, what should we do, uh—”

His subordinate’s panicked scream snapped him back to reality.

All thoughts vanished like bubbles. When clarity returned, three volleys of arrows had already fallen, Yizhou’s army was decimated, and Luzhou’s soldiers on the mountain were ready to strike, awaiting only the command from the Lord of Yuehua City.

But Mu Guanghan hesitated to raise his hand.

Another volley of arrows, then another.

Beside him, the two-meter-tall Qian Kui’s face turned purple from holding his breath. “City Lord! Qian Kui requests to join the battle!”

“One hundred thousand Luzhou soldiers request to fight, to avenge our former lord’s deep hatred!”

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Two more volleys of arrows fell.

“City Lord! The entire Luzhou army requests to engage!”

“City Lord!!!!”

Only then did Mu Guanghan slowly lift his eyes and raise his bandaged hand. Beneath the golden half-mask, his gaze was clear and sharp.

“General Qian, orders. The vanguard, prepare to meet the enemy.”

The valley erupted in a mountain-wide cheer, the momentum overwhelming. Luzhou’s army had been suppressed for over half a year, and they had waited too long for this day.

Qian Kui grabbed his wolf-toothed hammer. “Old master, A Kui is here to avenge you—!”

Shao Xiaoling: “I will carry on my father and brother’s will!”

Li Gouling: “I’m going too!”

...

The Luzhou army surged down en masse.

Clashing blades and battle cries echoed repeatedly throughout the valley.

Yizhou’s forces had long lost formation and now collapsed instantly. Surrounded on all sides, they no longer knew who to obey, scattering in chaos and trampling over each other.

Luzhou's side was full of fighting spirit, invincible.

Shao Xiaoling led his Five Dragon Battalion with high morale, charging ahead.

The day to avenge his father had arrived.

He swung his meteor long axe, shattering enemy ranks with ease, carving a path of blood toward Marquis Yingzu!

“Yingzu, old villain, prepare to die!”

[Whoever controls Yuehua City rules the realm.]

He remembered clearly a month ago, before Lu Nanzhi mounted his horse, repeatedly instructing, “[Xiaoling, if I cannot return in time, you must take good care of the city lord. For Luzhou’s sake, spare no cost to keep him here.]”

Shao Xiaoling had heard it so often his ears were sore. “Alright, alright, I know you love talent. But stop talking nonsense about ruling the realm. If Uncle were still here, he’d surely scold you properly…”

Lu Nanzhi smiled wryly at him.

That was the first time Shao Xiaoling truly understood that his supposedly loyal father and brother, who had died in battle “upholding the emperor,” were actually hidden traitors.

They had just died too early, so history judged them as “martyrs for the country.”

If only they had died later, who would have known their true nature?

He had always been protected by others and thought little. But now, reflecting on this chaotic era, how many local warlords truly remained loyal to the failing court? How many did not strive to build their own empires and leave their names in history?

At least his father and brother had ruled Luzhou openly and justly, making it prosperous and strong.

Luzhou had followed a steady, popular, and deliberate path to power—a path now destroyed by a despicable scoundrel like Yingzu.

...

Blades clashed.

At that moment, Shao Xiaoling’s axe was less than half a foot from Yingzu’s head.

He even saw the old villain’s eyes widen in shock and terror, but just then a powerful force violently pushed him backward.

Yingzu was always guarded by several fierce Yizhou generals. The Right Guard General grabbed Yingzu, shielding him to retreat. The Left Guard General blocked Shao Xiaoling, swinging a heavy blade head-on!

The whistling blade narrowly grazed Shao Xiaoling’s neck—a true warrior, skilled indeed.

Shao Xiaoling raised his axe to counter; sparks flew as axe met blade.

Unexpectedly, the opponent wielded dual blades, with the other blade slashing viciously at his neck from a tricky angle.

In that moment, Shao Xiaoling’s mind raced.

But the result was a tightening at his neck as he was grabbed by the collar and violently thrown backward.

Chu Danxi: “Get lost, don’t be a nuisance.”

Shao Xiaoling: “...”

The young Luzhou heir touched the still warm side of his neck, grateful to have survived but furious at being restrained.

I could have dodged that myself!

Yet moments later, he was grabbed again by the collar, this time by Li Gouling, who tossed him to the charging Qian Kui.

Without a word, Qian Kui threw him behind.

“Young master, swords have no eyes.”

This flashy young master was no seasoned veteran like his old master, still the last seedling. It was better to hold back than risk losing his life and causing a scandal.

Shao Xiaoling cried out, “I can still fight! I can fight!”

Qian Kui: “Go back to the mountain. Supervise the battle with the city lord. Hurry.”

Shao Xiaoling was reluctantly pushed away, murmuring in self-comfort, “Though I couldn’t kill Yingzu myself, the Dragon Claw Battalion just now... also wiped out many Yizhou remnants.”

Sighing, he returned to the mountain.

From afar, he saw the Lord of Yuehua City dressed in dark robes seated on a blue stone, closely chatting with Wei Liuyi...

Shao Xiaoling’s blood boiled.

How intolerable! No wonder Qian Kui kept urging him back—those two were secretly cozying up behind his back!

“Hey—!” he shouted.

Infuriating! After all he had done for you, even if you’re a bit ugly, you shouldn’t be so spineless! Can you have some dignity, some backbone?

Oh, wait.

He had misread it—it seemed only Wei Liuyi was trying to cling to the other.

More precisely, Wei Liuyi’s hand was sneaking behind the other’s shoulder, but hadn’t dared to go further. And after Shao Xiaoling’s shout, he was immediately angry and glared fiercely.

Amid such undercurrents, Mu Guanghan remained completely unaware.

He was holding his adorable little nephew Shao Mingyue, immersed in battlefield lessons.

Shao Mingyue: “I understand! Though the enemy’s forces are twice ours, before they unite, each group is actually fewer than ours.”

“So, we only need to strike swiftly before they join, targeting one route with a surprise attack to have a chance at victory.”

“Moreover, this is Luzhou’s territory. We know the terrain, can predict enemy routes, and set ambushes to conserve strength. Like this volley from the mountain—ten thousand arrows without losing a single soldier—caught them off guard!”

Mu Guanghan: “Hmm, yes.”

“And the other two enemy forces can be defeated one by one in the same way, right?”

Mu Guanghan nodded.

The nephew was impressive, and Shao Xiaoling was proud. He swaggered over, pushing Wei Liuyi aside to sit cross-legged next to Mu Guanghan. “Smart, huh? That’s mine!”

Then he stretched out a hand. “Husband, I got hurt—ow, it hurts, fix it!”

His palm showed a small crack near the tiger’s mouth. If not treated soon, it would get worse.

“Husband, it really hurts…”

Mu Guanghan sighed, pulling a small porcelain bottle decorated with peonies from his sleeve.

Wei Liuyi: “I hear Yizhou is treacherous. The wound might be poisoned. Better squeeze out some waste blood first.”

“???”

“Wait. Ow ow ow ow, it hurts—let go! Let go!”

Shao Xiaoling was furious, almost biting someone. Could he have any shame? Was Wei Liuyi crazy?

Mu Guanghan: “...”

As the ancients said, once is unfamiliar, twice is accustomed.

By now, seeing such “neighborly friendship” scenes no longer surprised him—in fact, he almost wished they’d fight, since this was too tame.

He looked down and smiled.

Actually, it was nice to have moments like these.

So that if someday he truly died alone, at least he could fool himself into thinking someone had once fought over him.

Wei Liuyi’s sudden gritted-teeth anger was probably because the medicine Mu Guanghan just took out—an extremely rare Lujiu healing balm from Wuheng—was precious.

Wei Liuyi had given it to him just last night.

Last night, under the moonlight in Ancheng, Wei Liuyi had been called out by Li Gouling for a scolding.

Something about “A hundred Ye Jintang’s can’t compare to one Mu Han. You’ll understand one day.” Even Mu Guanghan hadn’t heard that for the first time.

Actually...

Though the Lord of Yuehua never looked back, sometimes deep in his heart, he secretly harbored a small hope—

That among those ghostly former lovers, a few might have truly liked him and come back for him.

But sadly, they only returned after realizing he was strong and useful.

Sigh.

Forget it.

He sighed quietly again. Shao Mingyue lifted his head once more.

“But I still don’t understand something.”

He pointed at the map.

“Fuqing City borders Yizhou, Xiucheng is closer to Suizhou, and Chicheng neighbors the Tuoba tribe. So why did the King of Xiliang give Fuqing to Tuoba, Xiucheng to Yizhou, and Chicheng to Suizhou?”

“That’s completely contradictory!”

Mu Guanghan smiled, patting the boy’s clever head.

“Yes, Yan Zhi did it on purpose.”

“He never had good intentions from the start.”

“Think about it. In this chaotic world, with all the warlords scheming, if they were always in contact, would they foster neighborly friendship or more quarrels?”

“By deliberately mixing up the three cities, the three factions must often borrow passage to move troops and supplies. Though nominally allies, one day borrowing passage might lead to verbal disputes, and the next day to skirmishes and internal strife.”

Shao Mingyue was puzzled. “But Xiliang and the others are allies too?”

Why would the King of Yan want his allies to be at odds?

“In Yan Zhi’s eyes, those people aren’t allies at all. They are rebellious bandits ‘allied but disobedient, surrendered but unreturned’,” Mu Guanghan said, casually adding, “After all, not all alliances in the world are as unbreakable as ours between Luzhou and Wuheng.”

Shao Mingyue realized he had spoken carelessly.

Fortunately, the city lord smoothly covered for him. The young lord was unflustered and immediately smiled at Wei Liuyi, “Of course. After the Tianchang tragedy, Luzhou detests those who betray friends for glory. We’re nothing like those barbarian tribes of Xiliang!”

“...”

Look at that nimble nine-year-old.

Mu Guanghan recalled himself at nine, sighing.

Though, he was already quite a smooth talker then.

He remembered back then, someone had smilingly given him a handful of apricot candies and a plain stone ring carved with a millstone design. He was overjoyed and immediately gave that person his two precious pieces of phosphorescent black jade.

Come to think of it, that “someone” was his “fiancé.”

But later, that person found him ugly and ran away, breaking the engagement.

Many years had passed.

He ate the candy, but still kept the ring.

Yes, he kept it—along with Wei Liuyi’s gold bowl and plate, the Lujiu balm, and gifts from other former lovers.

After all...

The things were not wrong.

Like he said, if he truly dies alone, at least he can fool himself that he had received many gifts before.

Unless one day someone gives him something better.

A better ring, more precious medicine, and looks down on all his old, broken gifts with jealousy.

Then he’ll throw them all away!

It’s good to dream. What if it comes true?