Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

Knock, knock!

The night was deep and silent, all sounds were hushed. Luo Yu gently knocked on Zhang Gui’s door.

There weren’t many buildings in Jiming Fortress. Only Wang Shuang and Zhang Gui had single rooms. Ordinary garrison soldiers had to squeeze seven or eight people into one room.

“Who is it?”

“Vice Commander, it’s me, Luo Yu.”

“Luo Yu?”

A trace of doubt colored Zhang Gui’s voice. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Luo Yu to come looking for him in the middle of the night.

“Come in.”

Luo Yu pushed the door open and entered. The environment inside the wooden hut was the same as Wang Shuang’s: a wooden table, a bed, small partitioned spaces on both sides, and quite a bit of clutter piled in the corners.

“Leader Zhang, you’re still not asleep so late?”

Luo Yu glanced around. Zhang Gui was wiping his scimitar with a yellowish rag.

“The fortress is besieged. Who knows if the Qiang soldiers will sneak in during the night? Someone has to keep watch. Since Commander Wang is asleep, I can’t very well sleep too.”

Zhang Gui glanced coldly at Luo Yu.

“Speak. What do you want with me?”

“I just came to ask Leader Zhang: can we turn the page on Wu Mazi’s death? This humble officer does not wish to be Leader Zhang’s enemy.”

“Hehe, could it be you’re here to submit?”

Zhang Gui sneered. “I’ve already told you. We brothers can’t read a single character. We risk our lives on the front line just to earn some military merit. Wu Mazi sold his life for me many times.

“If you had confessed the truth as soon as you returned and voluntarily handed over the military merit, maybe I would have been magnanimous and spared you once.

“But now you want to submit? Too late!”

After losing face in front of the whole fortress that day, Zhang Gui was incredibly hostile toward Luo Yu.

“Since that is the case, there is nothing more to discuss.”

Luo Yu suddenly changed the subject. “Did Leader Zhang send a secret letter to the Qiang people? Wanting to open the gates and surrender?”

The hand wiping the blade froze in midair. Zhang Gui subconsciously gripped the hilt tighter.

“What are you talking about?”

A short dagger appeared in Luo Yu’s hand. He murmured:

“Me? I hate traitors who collaborate with the enemy the most!”

* * *

Wang Shuang paced back and forth in his room with his hands behind his back. The flickering candlelight illuminated his face, worry etched between his brows.

He looked toward the door from time to time. Every minute and every second was torture for him.

Creak.

The wooden door was pushed open. Luo Yu finally appeared before him, holding a blood-stained dagger.

“How was it? Is it done?”

Wang Shuang asked impatiently. “Is he dead?”

“One breath left.”

Luo Yu spat on the ground.

“That guy really has strength. It took a lot of effort to beat him down. I’ve tied him up. Does Commander want to go see?”

“Haha, you really didn’t disappoint me.”

Wang Shuang was relieved of a heavy burden. He waved his big hand.

“Let’s go. Let’s go see this traitor!”

Wang Shuang’s room was on the east side of the fortress, and Zhang Gui’s was on the west. It wasn’t very far. He called along four confidants, and the group marched aggressively toward Zhang Gui’s room.

The soldiers on night watch looked at the scene with surprise and suspicion. What were they doing in the middle of the night? But they didn’t dare ask.

Wang Shuang rushed excitedly into the room. Looking up, he saw the wretched figure of Zhang Gui.

The room was somewhat messy, clearly showing signs of a struggle. Zhang Gui had a fresh knife wound on his arm and was covered in blood and filth. His hands were tied behind his back to a chair. He looked like he had been beaten badly by Luo Yu, hanging on by a thread.

Seeing the usually majestic Zhang Gui reduced to this state, Wang Shuang gloated.

“Haha! Zhang Gui, oh Zhang Gui. I didn’t expect you to have a day like this!”

“Commander Wang.”

Zhang Gui lifted his head with difficulty. “May I ask why you sent Luo Yu to capture me? What crime has this humble officer committed?”

“Why capture you? Don’t you know in your own heart?”

The corner of Wang Shuang’s mouth curled up. “You sent a secret letter to the Qiang people, agreeing to open the gates and surrender tomorrow night. Your attempt to collaborate with the enemy and betray the country was seen through by this Commander.

“If I don’t capture you, who should I capture?”

“Spit on you!”

Zhang Gui’s eyes glared wide with rage.

“Utter nonsense! When did I ever write a letter to the Qiang thieves! Wang Shuang, I see clearly that you are using public office to avenge private grudges, finding an excuse to put me to death!

“For the past year, you’ve targeted me, both openly and secretly. Is there a need for such hypocrisy? Today, this old master admits defeat, having fallen into your poisonous hands!”

Zhang Gui turned to look at Luo Yu. “You fool! Despite your skills, you were used as a knife by someone else!”

“Hahaha! I really am too happy.”

Wang Shuang finally couldn’t help laughing out loud. Luo Yu, on the other hand, looked bewildered.

“Commander Wang, what exactly is going on? Did Zhang Gui not write the secret letter?”

“What is going on?”

A cold glint suddenly flashed in Wang Shuang’s eyes, his tone indifferent.

“Men! Luo Yu has committed insubordination and used private grudges to take revenge on Vice Commander Zhang Gui. His crimes are heinous. Seize him!”

The four prepared confidants swarmed forward and pinned Luo Yu down, immediately pulling out a hemp rope to bind him.

Two fists cannot fight four hands. Struggling, Luo Yu shouted angrily:

“Commander Wang, what is the meaning of this? You said Zhang Gui sent a secret letter to collaborate with the enemy and asked me to help punish the traitor. How has it become me taking private revenge!”

“You, oh you. Limbs developed, mind simple.”

Wang Shuang laughed, rocking back and forth.

“Zhang Gui was right. You are very stupid! Having martial arts is useless.”

Zhang Gui glared at Wang Shuang, grinding his teeth. “If I’m guessing correctly, the one who truly wants to collaborate with the enemy and betray the country is you, right?”

“Since things have come to this point, there is no need to hide it from you two.”

The corner of Wang Shuang’s mouth lifted frivolously, finally revealing the truth.

“That’s right. I have indeed already made an agreement with the Qiang people to open the gates and surrender tomorrow night.

“However, I was always worried that you would cause trouble and ruin the whole plan. It just so happened that you and Luo Yu had a grudge, so I borrowed his hand to eliminate you, this hidden danger in my belly!

“So it was you! The real traitor is you!”

Luo Yu’s expression instantly turned icy. “You traitor!”

“Haha, I’ll let you die, understanding why.”

A trace of contempt flashed in Wang Shuang’s eyes.

“I actually wrote that secret letter. Did you really think I would just pick anyone casually to be the vice commander?

“Your skills are indeed good, but you don’t look like someone who would serve me. So I used your hand to kill Zhang Gui first, then I would execute you for your crime.

“Killing two birds with one arrow, isn’t it beautiful?”

The current Wang Shuang seemed like a different person, his face full of insidious cunning. No wonder he brought along his confidants; he had long prepared to kill the donkey after it finished grinding.

“I spit on you!”

Zhang Gui cursed loudly. “As a standard commander, you collaborate with the enemy and betray the country. I am ashamed to be associated with someone like you!”

“Ashamed to be associated with me? Hmph, I don’t care!”

Wang Shuang said sternly:

“In this world, surviving is the most important thing!

“The fortress is besieged, grain is cut off, and there are no reinforcements outside. What is the use of defending to the death? Surrendering to the Qiang people not only saves my life but also brings wealth and glory. Why shouldn’t I do it!”

“Those are just excuses for your cowardice and fear of death!”

“This Commander can’t be bothered to argue with you. Every man for himself, or Heaven and Earth will destroy him!”

Wang Shuang looked at the two mockingly.

“Two dead men are not worth wasting my breath on.”

The feeling of victory in his grasp made Wang Shuang laugh aloud, triumphant and smug.

Suddenly, Luo Yu raised his head coldly, the corner of his mouth curving up inexplicably.

“Commander Wang, what makes you think you’ve won for sure?”

Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!

Several arrows shot out from the small partitioned spaces on both sides, piercing accurately through the chests of Wang Shuang’s four confidants.

Blood sprayed instantly. The four men collapsed in unison, not even having time to let out a scream.

The laughter stopped abruptly, replaced by the smell of blood enveloping the scene.

NOTES

Every man for himself, or Heaven and Earth will destroy him: A famous (and cynical) Chinese saying often used by villains to justify selfishness. Literally: “If a man does not look out for himself, Heaven and Earth will destroy him.”

Killing the donkey after it finishes grinding: Idiom meaning to get rid of someone once they have served their purpose/outlived their usefulness.

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