Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

The camp was a cacophony of noise and bustle. Under Luo Yu’s command, the soldiers were busy packing their bags and preparing to move out, creating a scene of frantic activity.

Shen Li stood before Luo Yu, looking restless and ill at ease.

“Are you… are you leaving?”

“Yes,” Luo Yu said softly. “The battle for Yunyang Pass is over, and the Jun family has given me a city. The Western Qiang have retreated, so it is safe here for now. You can choose to stay in Yunyang Pass, or you can head into the interior to live. I suggest you go to the interior. It will be safer than the border after all.”

According to their original agreement, the refugees worked for Luo Yu, and in exchange, he was responsible for bringing them to safety. Now that the war had subsided, it was time for them to find their own way.

“Can I… can I go with you?”

Shen Li hesitated for a long time before finally speaking her mind.

“Everyone wants to follow you. We don’t trust anyone else. It will be the same as before; we’ll help you with the work, the chores… as long as we have a bite to eat, it’s enough.”

In the distance, dozens of refugees craned their necks, watching expectantly. They didn’t dare make a sound, fearing Luo Yu would abandon them. Originally, there were only a dozen refugees from the Slave Court, but after Lü Qingyun and the others joined, and because Shen Li’s group lived well in the camp, more and more refugees had come to seek shelter. They handled many of the camp’s chores, allowing the soldiers to focus entirely on fighting and training.

“All of you want to follow me?” Luo Yu hesitated. “Cangqi is only two hundred li from the border. If one day the Qiang bandits invade again, the flames of war will reach there sooner or later. It isn’t safe to follow me.”

“We aren’t afraid!”

Shen Li hugged her small, battered axe tightly to her chest.

“Everyone says they feel grounded following you. As long as you are there, we aren’t afraid of anything. Besides, you have a city now, and you’ll need people to do the work and chores. We can definitely help. Please, just consider it our plea to you, alright?”

Her large eyes were bright and filled with a hint of urgency. Combined with her pretty face, Luo Yu felt a sudden stir in his heart. He nodded.

“Fine. Then follow me. But let’s get the ugly talk out of the way first: just like before, you only eat if you work. If anyone dares to slack off or play tricks, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“I know, I know! You’re so naggy.”

Shen Li didn’t even wait for him to finish before she ran off excitedly, waving her hands vigorously at the crowd.

“Pack your bags, quickly! We’re going with Centurion Luo!”

“Oh yeah!”

“Everyone move faster! Haha!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Luo Yu felt helpless. He didn’t know when these refugees had started obeying him so implicitly and trusting him so completely. He truly didn’t know if it was a good or bad thing.

“The Jun family gave you three paths, but I didn’t expect you to choose the hardest one.”

Xiao Shaoyou’s voice came from behind. Han Shuo was with him, and both men had strange expressions on their faces.

“The hardest path?” Luo Yu asked curiously. “What do you mean?”

Xiao Shaoyou chuckled.

“Killing Wanyan Chang in battle is a massive achievement. The Imperial Court might have granted you an official rank and a large sum of silver. You would have been a person of consequence here at Yunyang Pass. Joining the Jun family goes without saying; with Jun Mozhu’s appreciation for you, you would have certainly enjoyed a meteoric rise in the future. But you chose to be a lowly city lord. From now on, you’ll have to procure your own troops, horses, money, and grain. No one will give you even a bit of help. Of course, this path is the hardest.”

“We’ll take it one step at a time. Things will get settled eventually.”

Luo Yu didn’t mind. “Didn’t you say it yourself? Neither the Imperial Court nor the great clans can be relied upon. If you don’t want to be someone else’s pawn, if you want to struggle for survival in this chaotic world, then you have to be the one calling the shots.”

This was the reason Luo Yu refused to join any side. He wanted to be the master of his own fate!

“Haha, I guessed as much.”

Xiao Shaoyou laughed loudly, looking out over the busy camp.

“How about Commandant Han and I follow you as well?”

“We’re coming with you, too.”

Luo Yu was stunned.

“You’re following me? Are you giving up your official posts? Those come with stipends and military pay.”

“A mere centurion? I don’t think much of it.” Xiao Shaoyou grinned. 

“Although I wanted you to be my subordinate before, I’ve thought it through over this past month. You’re more suited to be the leader than I am, so I’ve decided to work for you. Aren’t we friends? If you call the shots, it’s the same as me calling the shots. When you find success one day, surely you won’t let me suffer, right?”

Xiao Shaoyou spoke his mind in a half-joking manner. He understood that only by following Luo Yu could they build an army of iron and blood to avenge his parents.

“I won’t say much. You know why I’m following you.”

Han Shuo waved his hand dismissively. Although he didn’t know the exact relationship between Luo Yu and Wu Chengliang, he knew that following Luo Yu was the right move.

“Uh, why?”

Xiao Shaoyou was also taken aback. He felt there was something strange between the two of them.

Han Shuo rolled his eyes at him. “He knows how to brew wine! Following him means there’s good wine to drink!”

“Haha! So that’s it!”

Xiao Shaoyou laughed and pulled Han Shuo away, leaving behind one last sentence.

“We’ll go back and ask the brothers. Anyone willing to follow you, we’ll bring along. Since you’re a city lord now, the more troops you have, the better. It’s settled!”

Luo Yu stood there speechless. Back then, Xiao Shaoyou had practically used a death threat to try and make him his subordinate. Now, he was rushing to join him. This guy was a bit…

Shameless.

However, he did need manpower. Xiao Shaoyou was exceptionally capable and quick-witted, while Han Shuo was steady and had long military experience. Having the two of them would definitely be a huge help.

“If they want to follow, then let them follow.”

Luo Yu walked toward the barracks at a leisurely pace. A peasant finally rising to become the master of his own fate.

* * *

At the first light of dawn, the long-awaited warm sun peeked from behind the clouds, bringing a touch of warmth to the world.

Military banners fluttered atop the walls of Yunyang Pass. A contingent of over four hundred people marched grandly out of the east gate, traveling far along the official road.

Outside the pass, the wind and sand swirled around tattered banners. Beside the eastward road, a few scattered wild flowers had already bloomed, signaling that spring was approaching.

The soldiers under the three men, the refugees from the Slave Court, and even some civilians from the city had joined the ranks. These people had essentially placed their lives in Luo Yu’s hands.

Luo Yu stopped on the road and looked back at Yunyang Pass from afar, sighing with emotion.

Two months ago, he had joined the army here, alone. When he left, he was followed by hundreds of people. Such a change was truly moving.

Vaguely, he saw a figure in an ink-black robe, seemingly waving goodbye to him.

“Strange fellow.”

Luo Yu muttered to himself and spurred his horse forward.

“Let’s go. We’ll be back eventually.”

The hundreds of people drifted further away, disappearing over the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Jun Mozhu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze playful.

“I really didn’t expect that fellow to pull so many people away. He has quite the prestige.”

The old butler serving at his side said softly, “If Young Master truly appreciates this person, you could have forcibly taken him under your wing. With the prestige of the Jun family, who in all of Longxi would dare say no to you?”

“Where would the fun be in that? Forced melons aren’t sweet.” Jun Mozhu smiled slightly.

“This Young Master wants him to submit to me willingly. Does he truly think being a city lord is that easy? Once he has suffered a few setbacks, he will understand that joining the Jun family is his best option.”

“But this man renamed Qicheng to Cangqi—the ‘Cang’ for the common people. Isn’t that a bit too arrogant?”

“You don’t understand.”

Jun Mozhu’s gaze narrowed slightly.

“Even a sparrow has the ambition of a great swan.

“This man is destined for greatness!”

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