Chapter 69: Silent Guard
The sky turned gray and gradually darkened.
Tonight they would strike first. They would circle around from the stone cave on the Wangge Mountain to the rear of Jiudao Valley, burn their grain and fodder first, then kill Fang Guangda.
Si Hu pushed aside the tent flap and entered. Mancheng was already dressed in full armor with a sword at his side, sitting and staring blankly.
"General!" Si Hu called out, carefully eyeing Mancheng's swollen, red eyes. "Is your body still holding up?"
Mancheng nodded, his gaze suddenly growing gentle. "Si Hu, come here."
Si Hu walked over.
"Si Hu, I seized Xiongzhou, and Daochun died at the secret location. Don't you resent me?"
Si Hu froze, then said with a bitter smile: "General, in this chaotic world, what's right or wrong about war? What does it matter which hand holds political power?"
A rare smile spread across Mancheng's face. "You sound exactly like Zhongshan when you talk like that. I really like you."
Si Hu was taken aback again.
Mancheng reached out and took Si Hu's hand. Si Hu's heart surged with enormous waves, staring at Mancheng in astonishment.
Mancheng's eyes were filled with tenderness as he softy said: "Si Hu, if a person has a family, he will have concerns, he won't be so stubborn. Do you know that?"
Si Hu gazed at his face, already intoxicated and enchanted, and unconsciously nodded.
"I heard from Sister Xiu Yi that the Fourth Miss Qi has her eye on you. That old Qi has a grudge against me, so naturally he's not pleased with the people in Weizhen Army. But never mind—if I speak up, he won't dare refuse. So get ready to be a bridegroom."
Si Hu felt lost, thanking him faintly, but his tone held not a shred of joy.
Then he heard Mancheng suddenly shift his tone: "After returning to Yuanliao, I'll demote you from your post. Go find your own way."
Si Hu was aghast, quickly dropping to his knees. "General, what did I do wrong?"
"You did nothing wrong, but you're too stubborn. I'll destroy your whole life." Mancheng spoke kindly and reasonably: "Following me, you'll die sooner or later. Si Hu, I can't bear to watch you die."
Si Hu burst into tears, begging: "General, I..."
Mancheng's gaze drifted, calmly cutting him off: "I know what you're thinking, Si Hu... There won't be a second Cheng Zhongshan by my side."
Si Hu's emotions churned, and he blurted out: "General, I've never dared to presume anything. I only ask to protect you with my life... I... The moment I first laid eyes on you, I only wanted to stay by your side... just to stay by your side!"
Mancheng moved his lips but couldn't say anything. He tried to pull his hand away, but Si Hu boldly held on, staring directly into his eyes, his tone firm and unwavering: "I stayed in Yuanliao for you. If I can't see you, what's the point of going back?"
Mancheng's exhausted eyes filled with tears again. Gritting his teeth, he tossed out a parting words: "Then stay at Pingbei Crossing. I'll have that old Qi send his daughter over!" Then he left Si Hu there, departing the tent.
Previous Events
The endless sky was crystal clear. Mancheng lay on the grass behind the slope at the back of the military camp, staring blankly at the heavens.
Tomorrow they would attack Jianqing City. Once he killed Zhang Shun, he wouldn't have to go on campaign anymore.
He wouldn't have to go on campaign anymore?
Mancheng smiled bitterly.
"What are you doing?" Zhongshan suddenly appeared before him, blocking the sunlight, looking down and asking: "Sleeping again? Can fall asleep with your eyes open? You're impossible!"
"Sleep your head!" Mancheng sat up, looking at him and smiling faintly.
That country boy in coarse cloth and cloth shoes from years ago—only a few years had passed, and now he wore silk and carried wealth. At some point, his spirited, gentle smile had become unable to conceal the natural-born leader's dominating aura.
Mancheng put on an exaggerated act, cupping his hands in salute: "General Cheng, so young and already appointed as Grand General of National Defense. Your future prospects are limitless!"
Zhongshan was amused by his solemn manner, also cupping his hands: "General Xia, you're too kind! This subordinate has no future prospects left. Only you and His Majesty stand in my way!"
Mancheng burst out laughing: "In that case, General Cheng might as well rebel and declare yourself king!"
Zhongshan quickly covered his mouth, speaking seriously: "Mancheng, don't speak recklessly!"
Mancheng rolled his eyes at him, pushing his hand away. "So what? You have great power now. Are you satisfied?"
Zhongshan fake-laughed a few times. "Satisfied, how could I not be satisfied?"
Mancheng kicked him, laughing as he cursed: "Don't get too arrogant, kid!"
Zhongshan sat down beside him. Mancheng's brow was tightly knit as he said: "Tell me, should I go say goodbye to my sister? Ever since Xingguang died, my heart clenches whenever I see her. Although Houpu took the blame, I know my sister already believes I poisoned Xingguang. She'll never forgive me."
"You fool, why do you need her forgiveness?" Zhongshan reached out and embraced him, persuading: "Although your sister misunderstood you, she still can't hate you. Someday she'll understand you didn't do it."
Mancheng's face was full of emotion. "Without evidence, besides you, who else would believe me? I think I'd better not go see my sister. Otherwise, seeing her weak appearance, I'll have heartache with no way to help."
Zhongshan smiled. "Then don't go. Stay with me tonight."
"Heh!" Mancheng laughed, grabbing Zhongshan's collar and pushing him down. "General Cheng just got promoted and came to collect your reward?" As he spoke, he bent down laughing and kissed Zhongshan's face.
The two rolled on the grass a few times. Zhongshan pretended to be proper and stopped him. "It's broad daylight. What are you doing? There are tents right in front. Don't you care if someone hears?"
Mancheng pouted, eyes full of laughter: "Hurry up and find a good spot to eat! Then find a good spot to properly reward you."
"They call this 'carnal desires when fed and warm!'"
"Hehe..."
"Little darling, stop touching around... This general has poor patience. I won't be able to hold out until nightfall!"
"Hehe..."
"What are you laughing at? Stop laughing... You fool..."
The two were fooling around behind the slope when they heard a distant voice: "You blind or something?"
Zhongshan frowned. "Isn't that Lianheng's voice?"
Mancheng also said: "What's wrong with this guy?" With that, he left Zhongshan and crawled up to look.
He saw Lianheng berating a small foot soldier. "You placed this thing sideways on purpose to trip me?"
The small foot soldier picked up the long-handled halberd from the ground, his expression grave. "General, my halberd didn't move. You couldn't dodge it. But you're moving, so you could have dodged it."
Mancheng lay on the grass, laughing so hard he nearly choked. Zhongshan also couldn't help lowering his voice in laughter: "Lianheng is ridiculous. He doesn't watch where he's walking and blames others."
But Mancheng said: "What's ridiculous is that little brat. He has real guts, actually daring to talk back! Eh? Looking at his clothes, he's from Jinlu's battalion. Hehe, he's as funny as Jinlu!"
The foot soldier who talked back appeared about eighteen or nineteen years old, half a head taller than Lianheng. His features had already matured, revealing a hint of natural-born imposing presence, staring at Lianheng without a trace of fear.
Mancheng studied him carefully and said: "This kid isn't bad looking!" He turned to see Zhongshan looking at him with an enigmatic smile. Mancheng smiled. "Are you jealous?"
"Tch! Am I that petty a person?"
Mancheng leaned in and gently nibbled Zhongshan's cheek, acting coy: "I want to hear you say you're jealous..."
Zhongshan took the opportunity to embrace him tightly, teasing: "I'm jealous!"
Mancheng happily licked and bit Zhongshan's ear, blowing warm breath into it: "Fool, why be jealous over a little brat?"
"Didn't you ask me to say it?" Zhongshan held him, laughing and tumbling together.
That foot soldier and Lianheng somehow started sparring.
Mancheng, never missing a chance for mischief, exclaimed delightedly: "This kid's probably going to get beaten black and blue by Lianheng! Hehe... This will be good!"
Who would have thought this foot soldier actually hid his true abilities. He wielded that long-handled halberd with whooshing wind, his techniques varied and unpredictable. Both Mancheng and Zhongshan were shocked. Judging by his expression, Lianheng was also startled, then went all out. But after dozens of rounds, neither could determine a winner.
Zhongshan smiled faintly. "Didn't expect Jinlu to have such a figure under him! Mancheng, fortunately not many people saw this, or Weizhen Army would lose face!"
Mancheng nodded. "It seems Jinlu hasn't promoted this kid yet. I'll take the opportunity to request him!"
"Weizhen Army is already impressive enough, and you're still digging墙角 everywhere. So greedy!"
As they laughed, their gazes still didn't leave that whirlwind-like fight. Suddenly, Mancheng stopped laughing. He stared at that foot soldier, as if remembering something, and his eyes suddenly reddened.
Wu Lianheng, old fox that he was, suddenly called out: "General Chang!" The foot soldier thought Jinlu had arrived and showed caution. He froze. Lianheng seized the opening, swinging his stick hard onto the back of the soldier's hand. He grunted in pain, released the halberd, but refused to admit defeat, standing tall and silent.
Lianheng thought: This foolish kid has real skill! Forget it! Can't be bothered to argue with him! With that, he put away his stick, and as an old veteran, patted the foot soldier's shoulder, about to give him a lecture. But he heard a distant voice: "Mancheng?" Lianheng was greatly alarmed. He turned to see Mancheng running over, and Zhongshan wore an expression of confusion.
He was after all the Right Deputy General of Weizhen Army. To have a draw with this nameless nobody was one thing, but to have used tricks—and to be seen by General Xia and General Cheng! Lianheng was ashamed beyond words, lowering his staff and hanging his head, waiting for Mancheng's reprimand.
Mancheng ran over, but ignored him, instead staring at that foot soldier. "What's your name?"
The foot soldier's eyes instantly filled with hot tears. He dropped to his knees, choking up: "General Xia, I..."
Mancheng ignored the surrounding gazes, bent down and embraced him, smiling. "I remember now. You're Si Hu! I'm sorry—for a white-headed monkey, I buried you for so many years..."
Dusk approached. Mancheng and Peng Hong led five thousand troops, circling around to Wangge Mountain and entering the cave that served as a shortcut to reach the rear of Jiudao Valley. They waited in silence for Jinlu's signal.
Mancheng stood at the cave entrance, his face as still as water. Dark clouds obscured the sky. There was no starry night sky like that other evening, no full moon hanging bright.
A streak of fireworks shot up into the clouds. Jinlu had led all his forces to attack Yongzhao Army from the front. Once Fang Guangda mobilized all his troops to the front lines, the rear would be emptied!
Mancheng lowered his eyes to the Buddhist beads on his wrist, the corners of his mouth slightly curving upward. He raised his left hand. The blade reflected a face colder than frost and傲雪, its elegance unmatched. A flash of silver light—Mancheng pointed his sword outside the cave. Like in a dream, he slowly said: "Whether it's a field doctor or a cook, whether they resist or beg for mercy—leave no one alive."