Translator: Ink Hub
Editor: Yoog

Watching the warhorses galloping across the training grounds, Luo Yu could not stop smiling.

The battle at the city gate had yielded over thirty captured horses. Kong Xian had waved his hand and granted them all to him, significantly expanding his cavalry unit.

Because the cavalry’s performance in that battle had been so eye-catching, proving that Luo Yu’s training methods were effective, the soldiers were in high spirits. They followed the first batch of veterans, riding back and forth to practice their charging and mounted combat techniques.

Xiao Shaoyou curled his lip. “It is New Year’s Eve today. Why are you still making the brothers drill? We just won a battle, can’t you let them rest for a day?”

“Rest for what? We defeated three hundred cavalry, not three thousand.”

Luo Yu remained expressionless as always. “When they can defeat three thousand cavalry in a fair fight, it won’t be too late to rest.”

“Three thousand? You certainly have a bold imagination.”

Xiao Shaoyou muttered, “The entirety of Yunyang Pass can’t even scrape together a thousand riders, and you want to devour three thousand Qiang cavalry?”

“That day will come sooner or later.”

Luo Yu’s tone was calm. A goal that seemed like a fantasy to Xiao Shaoyou was something he felt certain he could achieve. When the day came that he could lead troops to frontally defeat three thousand elite Western Qiang cavalry, he would be qualified to walk through the gates of the Wu family.

“Mutton soup is here!”

“Quick, quick, distribute it to the brothers!”

Meng Hu and Little Wu each carried a shoulder pole with four large buckets filled with mutton soup. The Li family grandfather and grandson followed beside them, carrying several crates of steamed buns. Since it was New Year’s Eve, Luo Yu had arranged for Old Li to prepare extra mutton soup and send it to the military camp as a celebration for the men.

Upon arrival, Yang’er did not look for Luo Yu. Instead, he circled around Shen Li, calling out “Sister Shen” repeatedly with joyful laughter.

The grandfather and grandson had visited frequently lately. Yang’er especially liked Shen Li and often followed her while she brewed wine. Shen Li was also very fond of the child and took great care of him.

After playing for a while, Yang’er ran toward Luo Yu in a few quick strides. “Big Brother, hug!”

Luo Yu scooped the child up and held him high in the air, making Yang’er laugh incessantly. A smile finally touched Luo Yu’s face. He only smiled this sincerely when he was with Yang’er. He knew children were pure, and playing with him required no schemes or hidden motives.

“Big Brother, this is my New Year’s gift to you. I made it myself!”

Yang’er pulled a windmill from behind his back. It was tied to a small wooden stick with several strips of cloth attached, spinning around and around in the light breeze.

“Yang’er is so skillful. Thank you.”

Luo Yu pinched the boy’s cheek. “Brother has prepared a New Year’s gift for you too, but I have to wait until after the New Year to give it to you. I will visit you tomorrow.”

“Oh yeah! I have a gift too! Hahaha!”

“Alright, go play with Sister Shen.”

Yang’er skipped away again, brimming with joy.

“It seems you only smile this happily in front of a child.”

Xiao Shaoyou stood with his arms crossed. “I think there is no need for you to keep such a stiff face all the time. Smiling is quite good.”

“I swear, you talk too much.”

Luo Yu’s brow furrowed. “Whether I smile or not is none of your business.”

“Tch.”

Xiao Shaoyou did not mind at all. He patted his seat and stood up. “Get ready. There is a banquet at the General’s Manor tonight. First to celebrate the New Year, and second to celebrate your victory!”

* * *

The Great Qiang calendar reached the final day of the eighth year of Jingfeng.

Tonight’s banquet was not held at Zuixian Restaurant but at Kong Xian’s General’s Manor. The entire manor was brightly lit, and just like that day at the restaurant, it was filled with guests and constant laughter.

“Another feast.”

Luo Yu felt quite helpless. He truly disliked these kinds of social events.

There were even more guests than there had been at Zuixian Restaurant. Aside from the officers on night patrol duty, all the commandants and centurions were present. A group of men with their sleeves rolled up were gathered together, drinking heavily and enjoying themselves.

“Eh? Where is Commandant Han? Why hasn’t he come?”

Luo Yu looked around but did not see Han Shuo anywhere. Xiao Shaoyou explained, “Commandant Han is responsible for the night patrol tonight, so he definitely can’t make it. Let’s just grab a table and have a few drinks.”

Actually, Vice Centurion Pang Fei had come with Xiao Shaoyou, but he knew the two centurions had things to discuss, so he tactfully sat elsewhere.

Xiao Shaoyou pulled Luo Yu down to sit, and they each poured a cup of wine. “If we hadn’t rooted out that traitor Li Chengxiao, I’m afraid Yunyang Pass would be a river of blood tonight.”

“Indeed. We can consider that matter settled.”

Luo Yu raised his wine cup. “Come, let’s have a toast. Consider it a celebration of our successful cooperation.”

“Haha, good!”

The two clinked cups and downed the wine in one go.

After a month of spending time together, the two had become good friends who had faced death together. The abilities Luo Yu had displayed also left Xiao Shaoyou deeply impressed.

“Quiet down!”

Kong Xian stood up with a face full of smiles, raising his wine cup high. “For this first cup of wine, let us first toast Brother Luo Yu. He slew a Qiang thousand-man centurion in battle, achieving a great merit and boosting the army’s morale. This General is extremely gratified! Come, raise your cups!”

“To Brother Luo!”

Dozens of rugged military men stood up with a clatter. Their eyes held respect, envy, and admiration. For such a young centurion, there was no telling how high he might climb in the future.

“My thanks to General Kong and to all my comrades!”

Luo Yu politely rose to return the gesture, drank a cup with them, and then sat back down quietly. In this kind of setting, the protagonist could only be Kong Xian, and he had no intention of stealing the spotlight.

“As for the second matter, it is naturally my hope to seek a good future for everyone.”

The smile on Kong Xian’s face grew even wider. “In the new year, as long as you work hard under this General, I guarantee you will live in luxury. Riches and honor are right before your eyes! The crisis at Yunyang Pass is not even worth mentioning.”

“Thank you, General!”

The crowd laughed, but the eyes of Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou narrowed slightly. Why did those words sound a bit off?

Kong Xian suddenly looked toward Jun Yi. “General Jun, who do you think has the final say in Yunyang Pass?”

Jun Yi did not understand his meaning and replied politely, “You are the guerrilla general of Yunyang Pass officially appointed by the Imperial Court. Naturally, you have the final say.”

“Haha, good! Those words are enough.”

Kong Xian laughed. “Last time, Li Chengxiao’s collaboration with the enemy almost caused a disaster. The root cause was that he relied on his own troops and refused to follow orders. To ensure the safety of Yunyang Pass, this General feels that General Jun should perhaps hand over his military authority so that I may command everything uniformly.”

The smile on Jun Yi’s face vanished instantly. “General Kong, do you know what you are saying? These are the personal troops of the Jun family.”

“What ‘Jun family personal troops’? Are they not all the soldiers of the Imperial Court?”

Kong Xian gave a cold laugh. “Could it be that your Jun family dares to disobey the orders of the Imperial Court?”

Jun Yi was completely unafraid and sneered, “Do not bother using that rhetoric in front of this General. Everyone knows the state of the Imperial Court. Who in the three provinces of Longxi dares to deny the Jun family face? I’d like to see if you have the guts to swallow the Jun family’s soldiers!”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Several of the Jun family’s subordinate officers had already stood up.

Something is wrong. Luo Yu’s brow was tightly knit. Why would Kong Xian suddenly turn on Jun Yi?

Whish!

Before the question in his heart could be answered, a whistling arrow suddenly pierced the night sky, blooming into a brilliant flare. Then, the entirety of Yunyang Pass was enveloped by deafening roars and battle cries.

“What happened? What’s going on?”

“Report!”

A soldier stumbled into the hall, panicked and disheveled. “Reporting to the General! Someone opened the city gates! The Qiang… the Qiang have entered the city!”

“What!”

Everyone’s expression changed drastically.

“How is that possible!” Xiao Shaoyou was stunned. “Wasn’t the traitor already caught?”

Jun Yi roared in fury, “Who is so bold as to let the Qiang into the city! Kong Xian, I don’t have time for your nonsense. Yunyang Pass must not fall. We must lead the troops to drive them back—”

Chhk!

Midway through his sentence, a long sword ruthlessly pierced through Jun Yi’s chest. Blood sprayed out.

Kong Xian, gripping the hilt of the sword, revealed a hideous expression for the first time. “I am sick to death of you bossing me around. From now on, I am the only one who speaks for Yunyang Pass!”

Translator’s Note: Talk about a New Year’s Eve surprise! I honestly didn’t see Kong Xian being the big bad coming so soon. He played the “jovial commander” role perfectly. And poor Jun Yi—he was so focused on family pride that he didn’t see the literal blade coming for his ribs. Now that the Qiang are inside the walls and the commander is a traitor, how is Luo Yu going to get out of this one? Drop a comment — did you suspect Kong Xian, or were you as blindsided as I was?

INK Hub. Drop a comment, it genuinely keeps me going.