Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

Zhang Lu fell in despair; until the moment of his death, he could not understand why he had died at Xiao Shaoyou’s hand.

This scene was also beyond Luo Yu’s expectations. He tightened his grip on his dagger, ready to deal with any sudden changes at any moment.

A strange atmosphere permeated the tent as the firelight illuminated two young faces.

Four eyes met: one holding a scimitar, one holding a dagger.

Xiao Shaoyou casually wiped the blood from his blade. “Don’t you want to ask why I killed him?”

“Because he pointed at you?”

Luo Yu’s answer almost made him choke. Xiao Shaoyou glared at him.

“No one knows him better than I do. Zhang Lu and his cousin were birds of a feather: of the same ilk. Embezzling military pay and withholding rations were regular occurrences for them.

“They shrank back during a charge but were faster than anyone when it came to looting silver. My Great Qian Border Army has been made foul by people like them!

“He deserved to die!”

Luo Yu’s eyebrows quirked slightly.

“Since he was that kind of person, why did you tell him about me killing Zhang Gui in the first place?”

A playful look curled the corner of Xiao Shaoyou’s mouth.

“What if I told you I knew Zhang Gui was his cousin all along and that I revealed your role in his death on purpose?

“What would you think then?”

Luo Yu’s expression turned cold.

“Why?”

“Simple: I wanted to see if you actually had talent.”

Xiao Shaoyou spoke slowly.

“You fought a beautiful battle at Jiming Fortress. A few casual words revealed that your strategic thinking far exceeds that of a normal soldier. For a time, I doubted whether you were actually a recruit, but I checked your background: you’re just a greenhorn who recently joined.

“So, I deliberately mentioned the matter of Zhang Gui. Based on my understanding of Zhang Lu, he was certain to force you into a dead end by making your isolated force defend Black Ditch Fortress.

“People usually show their true abilities when pushed to the brink.

“Consider that battle my test for you. Whether you truly had the talent to lead or just struck a vein of pure luck, a single battle would reveal the truth.

“Fortunately, you won.

“I didn’t misjudge you.”

Luo Yu remained silent, staring at Xiao Shaoyou with a freezing gaze.

The other man continued.

“In fact, I was also aware that Zhang Lu seized those women tonight. I was wondering how you would react.

“Would you shrink back like a coward and let the women be raped? Or would you be a brainless brute who charged in to kill without regard for the consequences?

“To my surprise, you chose a clever path: first tricking Zhang Lu’s guards away, then using ruthless methods to shatter his courage.

“Ruthless enough, and smart enough.

“I like it.”

Xiao Shaoyou’s gaze toward Luo Yu grew increasingly appreciative.

“Why go to such lengths to test me?”

Luo Yu was genuinely confused.

“Whether I have talent, can lead troops, or possess good character, none of that seems to have anything to do with you.”

“Because I have been looking for an effective right-hand man like you!”

Xiao Shaoyou’s face, previously calm, turned icy.

“To climb the ranks in the army, relying on myself alone is far from enough. I need people like you to help me.

“Work with me! We will lead troops to kill the enemy together! I guarantee you a steady promotion. In the future, you will surely become a rising star of the border army!”

Xiao Shaoyou’s eyes were filled with a thirst for power that completely contradicted his earlier persona.

“I heard you were once a scholar, a young master from a wealthy family in the Que Prefecture interior. Why choose to join the army? The path of the battlefield is far harder than a life of study; one wrong move and your head will fall.

“‘I wish to buy osmanthus flowers and carry wine with me, but in the end, it is never like the travels of youth.’ You should have been a high-spirited young man.”

This was the third time Luo Yu had asked “why” tonight. First, why kill Zhang Lu; second, why test him; and third, why join the army.

He was far too curious about this Xiao Shaoyou.

“What use is study? What does it matter if one is full of learning and has read ten thousand books?”

Xiao Shaoyou’s mood grew somber as he clenched his fists.

“I am from Que Prefecture, just like you. My family was in the grain business and we were quite well off. Since I was a child, my parents hired several tutors to teach me. I was well fed and clothed, living a life many commoners could only dream of.

“But three years ago, Qiang scouts entered the border. War raged across Que Prefecture, and my entire family was slaughtered to the last person! That so-called beautiful life vanished in the blink of an eye.

“Can poetry and songs save lives when the scimitar is raised? When the world is in chaos, the Seven Nations are at war, and the common people are treated like straw dogs, can a scholar’s spirit settle the world?

“No!

“It was only when I watched my parents die tragically under the Qiang blades that I realized study is useless!

“So, I chose to join the army. I want to kill the enemy! I want to avenge my parents!

“But once I entered the ranks, I realized that the Great Qian Border Army is rotten to the core. To hope to avenge my family with such a weak army is pure delusion!

“I must climb up step by step myself, change it, and forge an iron-blooded army!”

Xiao Shaoyou raised his head, his gaze piercingly cold.

“‘I wish to buy osmanthus flowers and carry wine with me, but in the end, it is never like the travels of youth.’ A good poem. I like it.

“But I prefer another line.

“Better to be a centurion than a scholar!

“I am not boasting, but among all the centurions in Yunyang Pass, I am the youngest. In the future, I will be the youngest commandant, and the youngest general!

“Follow me, and you will be my most effective subordinate!

“In the future, you will have high office, generous pay, and all the wealth you could want!

“What do you say?”

Luo Yu understood. This man wanted to slaughter the Qiang to avenge his parents, but he couldn’t do it alone and was looking for trusted subordinates.

“Have you considered it?”

“No.”

Luo Yu shook his head with a cold face.

“I admit, I sympathize with your past, and you are indeed capable and talented.

“But to make me your subordinate, hehe.

“You’re not worthy!”

Those three words were piercing, but Xiao Shaoyou did not explode in rage. He only asked calmly, “Why?”

“A test or a trial: you did it all only for yourself.”

Luo Yu’s tone grew colder.

“Did you ever think about how many innocent garrison soldiers would have died if the battle at Black Ditch Fortress had been lost? Or even tonight: if an accident had occurred and Zhang Lu had succeeded, wouldn’t those women have been shamed for nothing?

“Everyone is just a chess piece in your eyes!

“I don’t care if you use others as pawns, but you shouldn’t have treated me as one.

“Selfish and self-interested!”

“True, I am selfish, but how can one gain without sacrifice?”

Xiao Shaoyou’s voice was sharp.

“The world is in chaos and war is everywhere. Human life is like grass, and countless border soldiers and refugees die every day. From the bottom of my heart, I do not wish to see innocent people die. My father taught me since I was young that man’s nature is fundamentally good.

“But three years in the army have taught me one truth: without absolute strength, one is not worthy of mentioning the word ‘kindness’!

“Either you make others your chess pieces or you become someone else’s.

“If it were you, how would you choose?”

The tent was deathly silent; the cold shouts made the candlelight flicker incessantly.

“Even if your words have some merit, why should I be your subordinate?”

Luo Yu spoke with mockery.

“Yes, you are the youngest vice centurion, but I have only been in the army for a month and I am already a standard commander, just one step away from you.

“Who is stronger and who is weaker?”

“I didn’t expect your words to be so sharp as well.”

Xiao Shaoyou wasn’t angry. He leaned back against the chair casually, his tone frivolous.

“I killed Zhang Lu. Killing a centurion without authorization is a capital crime. If you are not my subordinate, won’t this matter get out? Shouldn’t I kill you to silence the witness?

“I know your martial prowess is good, but you only captured Zhang Lu’s personal guards. My eight personal guards are currently lying in ambush outside the tent. They are all veterans who have been on the battlefield, plus myself.

“Nine against one—do you think you have a chance?”

Xiao Shaoyou spoke with a smile. He had given Luo Yu two paths: either die or become his subordinate.

Luo Yu was stunned. This was the first time he had seen such a method of recruitment.

“Is that so? You have that much confidence that you can take me down?”

Luo Yu’s lips suddenly curled up.

“If I said that I had already guessed you were the one planning everything behind the scenes, would you believe me?”

“Impossible. I work meticulously and never leave a trace.”

“Hehe. If you don’t believe me, you can call for your guards and see if they are still there.”

Luo Yu’s confident expression made Xiao Shaoyou slightly uneasy. He frowned and gave a light shout:

“Men!”

No one answered.

“How is that possible!”

Xiao Shaoyou’s face changed slightly as he raised his voice. “Men!”

The outside of the tent was deathly silent—still, no one responded.

NOTES

Better to be a centurion than a scholar (宁为百夫长，胜作一书生): A famous line from the Tang Dynasty poet Yang Jiong. It emphasizes the choice of military service over academic pursuit during times of national crisis.

Chess piece (棋子): A common metaphor in Chinese political and military stories representing people who are manipulated by those in power.