Translator: Ink Hub
Editor: Yoog

Five days passed in a flash. For the soldiers in the city, these were merely five ordinary days, as the Qiang continued to refrain from attacking the walls. For Luo Yu, however, these days were agonizing. He had a premonition that the traitor would finally surface tonight.

As night slowly descended, the brightest lights in the city undoubtedly belonged to the largest establishment:

Zuixian Restaurant.

The main hall was filled with eight immortals tables, each laden with dish after dish of exquisite delicacies. In truth, Jun Yi had not invited many people, only officers ranked commandant and above, along with the confidants of the three main generals. However, Jun Yi’s style was nothing if not grand, and he had booked the entire restaurant for the occasion.

To have such a massive amount of business during a time of war made the restaurant proprietor beam with joy. Since the guests were of noble status, he naturally provided the highest level of service, ensuring these military leaders were pampered to their hearts’ content.

Laughter echoed through the hall as people greeted one another. Although they belonged to three different factions, they maintained a veneer of polite courtesy on the surface.

Luo Yu watched coldly from a corner.

How interesting. Outside, four thousand Qiang soldiers are pressing against our borders, ready to storm the pass at any moment, yet here they are hosting a grand banquet. One can’t feel even a hint of the impending tension of war.

“Get used to it. This is simply how the border armies of our Great Qian are.”

Xiao Shaoyou acted as if it were nothing. “General Jun’s concubine doesn’t live here in Yunyang Pass. She stays at their family home in the interior. The news was delivered by a Jun family messenger riding a fast horse. General Jun is forty this year and has always hoped for a son. Today, his wish was finally granted. It’s only human nature for him to be happy.”

“Is that so?”

The corners of Luo Yu’s mouth curled slightly.

“Whether he is truly celebrating his son’s birth or plotting something else remains to be seen.”

“There is definitely a catch.”

Xiao Shaoyou sneered. “Haven’t you noticed? None of the officers who came to the banquet today brought their guards. If something truly happens, things will get very lively.”

“I noticed. That’s why we need to keep a close eye on things.”

Luo Yu asked curiously, “Also, I have a question. Haven’t you noticed that everyone here is a commandant or higher? How did two centurions like us receive invitations?”

“Eh? Why are you two here?”

Before Xiao Shaoyou could explain, Kong Xian, Li Chengxiao, and the man of the hour, Jun Yi, walked over together. Li Chengxiao glanced at Luo Yu, his expression turning slightly displeased.

“General Jun, didn’t you say you were only inviting officers at the rank of commandant and above today? These two are merely centurions. Why are they here? Isn’t that a bit beneath your status?”

Luo Yu’s brow furrowed. Ever since he had refused this man’s attempt to recruit him, Li Chengxiao hadn’t given him a single decent look.

“Ah, these two are different.”

Jun Yi was all smiles. “Among the dozens of centurions in this city, these two are the youngest and have achieved the most military merit. I have always favored young talents, so naturally, I had to invite them for a drink.”

“General Jun has a heart for appreciation, but others might not necessarily be grateful,” Li Chengxiao spoke with cold sarcasm. “They are wholeheartedly devoted to General Kong. They wouldn’t think much of your Jun family.”

“General Li, a banquet is a banquet. There is no need for such pointless talk.”

Kong Xian was very annoyed. This Li Chengxiao was actually turning the spearhead toward him.

Luo Yu bowed slightly. “General Li’s words are incorrect. Whether it is General Kong or General Jun, we all serve the Imperial Court. Why draw such distinctions between us?”

“Hmph, quite the sharp-tongued one.”

Li Chengxiao snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves as he walked away. Jun Yi, however, said with a chuckle, “Enough. Today is a day of great joy for me. Let’s not speak of unpleasant things. I intend to have a few good drinks with you both later. Surely the alcohol tolerance of young men won’t be worse than mine?”

“We thank General Jun for his appreciation!”

Jun Yi also left. Kong Xian, the last to remain by their side, whispered, “Previously, you kept saying the traitor would look for an opportunity to gather all the commanding generals of the city in one place. Every guest in this hall today is a high-ranking officer. Could the traitor be him?”

The “him” Kong Xian referred to was naturally Jun Yi. After all, it was the Jun family that had invited everyone here.

“Perhaps it is him.”

Luo Yu still couldn’t be certain who it was. He could only whisper back, “Regardless, we will act according to the plan we agreed upon yesterday. Be extremely careful.”

During these five days, Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou had not been idle. They had met with Kong Xian several times to discuss the matter, eventually devising a foolproof plan.

“Fine, we will do as you planned.”

Kong Xian cautioned, “The safety of Yunyang Pass is at stake. There must not be a single mistake!”

“Understood!”

As the guests took their seats in order, Luo Yu found an opportunity to speak to Xiao Shaoyou.

“I’m going to look around. You keep an eye on things here.”

“Go ahead. You can rest easy with me here.”

Luo Yu slipped out of the hall while no one was paying attention. He wound his way through the restaurant’s corridors, eventually reaching the back kitchen. Jun Yi had instructed Zuixian Restaurant to serve all their signature dishes. Several chefs were working frantically, with several maidservants standing by, ready to serve the food.

An old man who looked like a steward had sharp eyes and hurried over to greet Luo Yu.

“Is this not Centurion Luo? I have heard of your great name for a long time. Why have you come to the kitchen? The feast has already begun in the front hall.”

Luo Yu had gained quite a reputation in the city recently, and with Kong Xian’s appreciation, a mere steward didn’t dare slight him. He wore a flattering smile.

“General Kong sent me to take a look.”

Luo Yu feigned an air of authority as he picked up a piece of meat. “Are these ingredients fresh? All three generals are here today. If you try to pass off inferior goods, you know the consequences.”

“Please rest assured. The pigs, cattle, and sheep were all slaughtered today. They are absolutely fresh. We are preparing the house specialties, and we know the tastes of the generals well. Nothing will go wrong.”

“Mm, not bad. You have a good eye.”

Luo Yu asked questions as he walked, inspecting various ingredients.

If he were the one setting a trap to deal with the commanding officers of the city, the easiest and most efficient way would be to poison the food and wine, killing everyone directly. Without their commanders, the soldiers below would have no choice but to obey, and the plot would succeed.

But after a round of questioning, he found no issues. The old steward even tasted several dishes in front of Luo Yu, and nothing happened.

“Where is the wine? Why don’t I see it?”

“Hehe, it’s like this. The wine being served in the hall now belongs to our shop, but General Jun prepared his own fine wine. It hasn’t been served yet. It’s being kept in the side room of the backyard. Someone will bring it over when the time is right.”

“So that’s how it is. I see. Carry on with your work.”

Luo Yu left with an expressionless face, but the suspicion in his heart grew deeper. Hosting a banquet and bringing one’s own wine? Possible!

He circled around again and found the side room where the wine was stored. From a distance, he saw a dark shadow sneakily slipping toward it. Luo Yu’s brow furrowed. He didn’t reveal himself, but instead hid in a corner to watch in secret.

A middle-aged man called out the waiter guarding the wine and asked in a low voice, “How is it?”

“The wine is all inside. It will be taken out shortly!”

“Very good.”

The middle-aged man looked around to ensure no one was watching before pulling an object from his robe and shoving it toward the waiter. “Remember, put all of this into the wine jars later. Do not let anyone see you. Once this is done, you will be heavily rewarded!”

“This little one remembers!”

The middle-aged man came and went in a hurry. Aided by the faint light of a torch, Luo Yu recognized the man. His gaze instantly turned icy cold.

So, it’s you!

NOTES
Eight immortals table (八仙桌): A square wooden table with a bench on each side, designed to seat eight people.