Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

Ten days passed in a flash. On the morning of the eleventh day, a dozen warhorses galloped toward Black Ditch Fortress. At the head of the group were Centurion Zhang Lu and Vice Centurion Xiao Shaoyou.

“What is the point of looking at a bunch of dead men? Qiang scouts are everywhere; if you ask me, we should have returned to the city sooner.”

Zhang Lu was extremely displeased. Late the previous night, Xiao Shaoyou had dragged him out to inspect the military situation. After all, according to the agreement, once Luo Yu held the post for ten days, they were supposed to rendezvous and lead the garrison back to Yunyang Pass.

In Zhang Lu’s eyes, Black Ditch Fortress had surely been trampled into flat ground. Luo Yu was likely nothing more than a pile of white bones in the yellow sand. Traveling this far was just looking for trouble.

“Lord Centurion, what if Black Ditch Fortress was actually held?”

“Relying on a single recruit and a bunch of broken remnants to hold that place?” Zhang Lu said coldly. “Do you really think he can hit the jackpot twice?”

Xiao Shaoyou did not reply. He knew Zhang Lu was hoping for the fortress to be wiped out to avenge his brother, but he harbored hope for Luo Yu. The fact that they hadn’t encountered a single Qiang soldier on the way from Yunyang Pass meant something—the fortress hadn’t fallen yet!

As they neared the outskirts, Xiao Shaoyou was the first to shout in surprise.

“Look! The military flag! Black Ditch Fortress hasn’t fallen!”

The lonely fortress sat at the mouth of the mountain. It had not been turned into ruins. Instead, flags bearing the character for “Qian” fluttered steadily in the cold wind.

“What is going on?” Zhang Lu’s brow furrowed deeply. “Could it be the Qiang never attacked? That shouldn’t be possible.”

“This humble officer, Luo Yu, greets Lord Centurion!”

Luo Yu’s voice rang out just as the riders entered the camp.

The garrison was already lined up in neat ranks. Even Shen Li and the refugees were waiting in the corner as if they had specifically prepared for Zhang Lu’s arrival. In the center of the camp stood two large piles of something covered by tarps. A faint, foul stench permeated the air.

Xiao Shaoyou breathed a long sigh of relief. They were still alive!

“What, the Qiang never came?” Zhang Lu was visibly disappointed. “It seems Brother Luo truly is a lucky general; even the Qiang avoid you.”

“The enemy came long ago,” Luo Yu said calmly. “One hundred and fifty Qiang riders arrived at the outskirts five days ago and launched an assault.”

“They came five days ago? Then why is there not a single shadow of the enemy left?”

Not only Zhang Lu, but the others were also bewildered. Black Ditch Fortress was as stable as ever, with no signs of battle. Moreover, a force of one hundred and fifty Qiang riders was enough to level this place.

“Standard Commander Luo, you wouldn’t be trying to say you defeated them, would you? Falsely reporting military merit is a capital crime!”

“How would this subordinate dare? The Qiang are right here!”

Luo Yu gave a light wave of his hand. Dong Chuan and Meng Hu grabbed the tarps and yanked them back.

The covers fell away to reveal over a hundred Qiang corpses arranged in neat rows. The smell of blood hit everyone’s noses instantly.

Zhang Lu’s pupils contracted. Everyone was stunned.

There really were Qiang! And they had been slaughtered down to the last man!

Xiao Shaoyou’s eyes shone brilliantly. He had truly done it!

Luo Yu shouted at the top of his lungs.

“The garrison of Black Ditch Fortress has annihilated the invading enemy! We request Lord Centurion’s inspection!”

“We request Lord Centurion’s inspection!”

The soldiers of the entire fortress roared in unison, making Zhang Lu’s eardrums vibrate. His face turned iron-blue in an instant. Meanwhile, Xiao Shaoyou openly gave Luo Yu a thumbs-up.

At the same time, Xiao Shaoyou felt a flicker of surprise. Why did the soldiers in the camp feel like completely different people compared to ten days ago?

“Good, very good!” Zhang Lu forced a smile through gritted teeth. “Standard Commander Luo is indeed formidable. Once we return to Yunyang Pass, I will certainly report your merits!”

“I thank Lord Centurion!”

“Don’t be in such a hurry to thank me. What is the deal with these refugees?” Zhang Lu’s eyes darted around before he barked out a stern rebuke. “This is a military camp! If bringing refugees into the army delays military affairs, can you bear that responsibility? Do not think that just because you have a bit of merit you can do as you please!”

The garrison soldiers in the field were immediately filled with indignation on Luo Yu’s behalf. Meng Hu and Dong Chuan even clenched their fists.

This Zhang Lu gave a perfunctory compliment and then spent forever screaming about a minor detail. Even a fool could see he was trying to humiliate Luo Yu.

“Replying to Lord Centurion!” Luo Yu remained unfazed. “In this battle, these women braved great danger to lure the Qiang into our ambush. They have established great merit! If the Lord feels it is inappropriate for them to remain, please give the order. This subordinate will drive them away immediately!”

Zhang Lu was backed into a corner, speechless.

Luo Yu had already called them meritorious. If he drove them away now, wouldn’t he be inviting infamy upon himself?

Zhang Lu’s face turned white with rage. However, when his gaze landed on the women, his eyes suddenly lit up. His tone softened significantly, and a smile even appeared on his face.

“Since they have established great merit, they shall remain in the army for now. Everyone, pack your bags! Prepare to withdraw to Yunyang Pass!”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

The garrison soldiers set out on the road back to Yunyang Pass. According to Xiao Shaoyou, the battle on the front lines was going poorly. Yunyang Pass was recalling all garrison troops from the outer fortresses to reinforce the city’s defenses.

The journey from Black Ditch Fortress to Yunyang Pass was nearly a hundred li. The soldiers marched for a full day before stopping to camp in the wilderness as night fell.

Though it had only been one day, Luo Yu’s men had suffered plenty of abuse. Zhang Lu’s subordinates treated them with arrogance, forcing them to carry all the grain and baggage. They were frequently cursed at as useless trash. Meng Hu’s explosive temper nearly saw him come to blows with them.

Luo Yu sat alone in his tent. He had no time to worry about his brothers’ grievances; his attention was entirely on the secret letter he had found on Walige. He frowned in deep thought.

The writer of the letter intended to open the gates of Yunyang Pass on New Year’s Eve to collaborate with the Qiang from within. Furthermore, this person would seek an opportunity to eliminate the other generals in the city to create chaos.

Luo Yu was a man of the border; he understood the geographical importance of Yunyang Pass. If it fell, the Qiang cavalry could drive straight into the heart of Que Prefecture. It would be a slaughter.

The problem was that he didn’t know who the writer was. He didn’t even know which generals were in Yunyang Pass. He was completely in the dark.

Trying to find a traitor on his own was as difficult as ascending to heaven. But who could he rely on?

His only acquaintance, Xiao Shaoyou?

No. His experience since joining the army told him he could not easily trust anyone. At the very least, the current Xiao Shaoyou was not yet worth that level of trust.

“Brother Yu, something happened!”

Dong Chuan and Meng Hu rushed in urgently.

“Zhang Lu’s men have seized all the women who were with us. I’m afraid they harbor ill intentions!”

“They seized the women?”

Luo Yu tucked the secret letter into his chest without leaving a trace. He frowned slightly, though he was not overly surprised.

Meng Hu cursed loudly, “What can a bunch of grunts do after seizing women? It’s nothing but filthy business! Utterly shameless! Boss, let’s gather the brothers and hack them down!”

“Tiger, calm down!” Dong Chuan said urgently. “Zhang Lu is a centurion. If we offend him…”

“What, a centurion can just rape women at will? Brother Dong, I say you worry too much.” Meng Hu glared at him. “Don’t forget, they risked their lives to help us lure the enemy back at Black Ditch. Now we’re going to act like shrinking turtles? I can endure their insults on the road, but I will not stand for them bullying the people! What if those women were our own family? A man must answer to his own conscience!”

“Brother Yu, how can you stay so calm? Say something!”

The two had been arguing for a while before they realized Luo Yu had been resting his chin on his hand, watching them with interest. He hadn’t said a word.

“Do you really think Zhang Lu is just thinking with his loins?” Luo Yu stood up composedly, the corner of his mouth hooking up. “This is aimed at us. If the three of us rush in to save them now, Zhang Lu will immediately label us as rebels and arrest us.”

“Then what? We just don’t save them?”

“Of course we save them.” Luo Yu’s gaze turned cold and sharp. “The two of you, do exactly as I say…”

NOTES

Shrinking turtle (缩头乌龟): A common idiom meaning a coward who hides their head like a turtle in its shell.

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