Volume 1, Chapter 41: A scholar may be killed, but he cannot be humiliated!

"Commander Zhang!"
"Commander Zhang!"

When Zhang Muyang returned to the camp with Su Ying and Bai Zhi, the soldiers from Sifang County were drilling in the narrow courtyard. The sharp whistle of blades cutting through the air intertwined with the muffled thud of hooves pounding against the snow. The veteran soldiers were putting the recruits through their paces, sweat beading on their foreheads. Seeing Zhang Muyang, everyone halted, their gazes carrying an undisguised, deep respect.

The Battle of Tiger Pass had turned this young commander into a hero in their hearts. If not for his night raid on the Blood Wolf Cavalry's camp with just twenty veterans, few of them would have been left standing here alive.

"Keep up the good work," Zhang Muyang waved his hand with a smile, "Sweat more now, and you'll bleed less on the battlefield."

"Yes, sir!"

The soldiers chorused in unison, throwing themselves into the drills with even greater fervor.

Suddenly, Su Ying snatched up a saber, tossed another one to Zhang Muyang, and called out loudly, "Take my blow!"

Zhang Muyang laughed heartily, caught the blade, and stepped forward to meet her.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The two exchanged blows at lightning speed. Sparks flying from the clashing blades splattered onto the bluestone pavement, shaking loose the lingering snow until it drifted down like fine dust.

What kind of saber technique is this?

Everyone stared in astonishment, halting their movements to watch with rapt attention.

The most shocked of all was Su Ying!

She was a martial artist of the Bone-Refining Realm, whereas Zhang Muyang had only just entered the Commander Realm. How could he be this formidable? In terms of raw strength, she could gain not the slightest advantage against him; they were evenly matched.

Heh heh!

Zhang Muyang parried Su Ying's onslaught with a strike, lunged a large step forward, and lowered his voice, "Don't forget our bet. If you lose, you'll have to share the bridal chamber with me tonight."

"Hmph, win against me first before you talk big."

Su Ying's cheeks flushed slightly as she fiercely slashed down at Zhang Muyang.

Zhang Muyang sidestepped, swept his blade horizontally toward Su Ying's neck, and shouted in a deep voice, "Cascading Wave Slash!"

Clang!

Su Ying blocked the first strike.

Yet Zhang Muyang's offensive rolled on like a surging tide, the second blow following instantly in its wake.

Power surged forward, layering like ocean waves, packing a force of at least three thousand catties!

Boom!

It was as if she had been struck by a heavy siege mortar, the impact directly knocking Su Ying's saber flying out of her grip.

Su Ying staggered back several paces.

Zhang Muyang closed in instantly, pressing his body forward and resting the edge of his saber against Su Ying's neck. He smiled, "You lost!"

"Splendid saber technique!"

The soldiers present broke out into enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Su Ying's eyes flickered with shock as she asked, "What saber technique is this?"

"Want to learn? Come to my room tonight, and I'll teach you slowly."

"You... very well!"

Su Ying's cheeks turned slightly pink, but she nodded firmly nonetheless.

Breakfast consisted of coarse brown rice and a soup of cabbage and potatoes. The soldiers cradled rough ceramic bowls, squatting against the base of the wall. Having witnessed life and death on the battlefield time and again, they understood immediately what this meant. Whenever they were served dry rice, a battle was surely imminent. Yet no one complained; they shoveled the food into their mouths with slurping sounds, occasionally looking up at the sky, which seemed on the verge of snowing.

Zhang Muyang, Su Ying, and Bai Zhi returned to their room to catch up on sleep.

As dusk settled, Deputy Commander Wu Kexiong arrived and called out, "Come, let's head to the tavern."

"Alright."

Chen Xiucheng, Liu Yunzhao, and several other battalion commanders were already waiting outside the door. The group changed into civilian attire and walked in a boisterous procession toward the street.

The streets of Zhenbei Pass were much wider than those of Sifang County, lined with bustling shops. Occasionally, Northern Yan merchants wrapped in sable furs could be seen hurrying past. As they brushed shoulders with the patrolling soldiers, they ignored one another completely, showing no trace of guard or suspicion.

Zhang Muyang asked, "Lord Deputy Commander, are we allowed to roam the city as we please?"

"Of course! As long as you don't leave the city, any time outside of training and combat is yours. However, there is a curfew at the hour of *Xu*; violate it, and you'll taste military flogging."

"Understood."

Zhang Muyang nodded, while plotting inwardly: This provides just the right opportunity to slip out and bring some supplies back to Han Li and the others.

Before long, the group reached the tavern. The interior was warm and cozy, filled with the rich aromas of mutton and strong liquor. The majority of the patrons were soldiers, their boisterous wine-drinking games and laughter echoing back and forth.

Wu Kexiong asked, "Do you have any private rooms left?"

The waiter inquired, "How many in your party?"

"Eight people."

"As it happens, Battalion Commander Zhou has matters elsewhere and won't be coming, so one private room is vacant."

"That's wonderful."

Wu Kexiong, Chen Xiucheng, Zhang Muyang, and the others entered the private room. The ambiance was quite pleasant. Sitting by the window, one could overlook the street bathed in the setting sun, the accumulated snow dyed a golden red—a truly unique scenery.

Chen Xiucheng made a grand sweep of his hand: "Basin mutton, braised beef... bring out whatever fine dishes you have!"

"Right, and bring four jugs of wine as well."

Liu Yunzhao grinned widely. Since the Deputy Commander was paying, there was certainly no need to be polite.

Dishes were served onto the table in quick succession.

After three rounds of drinks, Wu Kexiong raised his cup, his face glowing as he looked at Zhang Muyang, "Come, brothers, let's all toast Commander Zhang! If not for this lad, we would have perished long ago at Tiger Pass, let alone earned our current ranks."

"Indeed, indeed, let's all toast Commander Zhang."

"Please, no..."

Zhang Muyang felt somewhat flattered. "This is entirely due to the Deputy Commander's brilliant leadership; I didn't do much."

Wu Kexiong laughed and scolded, "Cut the modesty, bottoms up!"

"Bottoms up!"

The men tilted their heads back and drained their cups.

Liu Yunzhao said, "Lord Deputy Commander, let us toast you..."

What Deputy Commander?

Normally, a deputy commander commanded at least three thousand soldiers.

Yet Wu Kexiong's title was deputy commander in name only. He had brought five hundred soldiers out of Sifang County, and now their numbers had fallen below five hundred. Holding the rank of deputy commander, he effectively still commanded only the size of a single battalion.

Wu Kexiong sighed and asked, "How do you suppose we can recruit more men? With just this handful of troops, bearing the title of deputy commander is a laughingstock to outsiders."

Zhang Muyang replied, "Our foundation of support lies in Sifang County; we must return there to levy troops. The crucial part is... the military pay must be delivered."

"I'll figure something out regarding the military pay. You make time to run back there."

"Yes, sir!"

This was precisely what Zhang Muyang wished for. It had been quite a while since he last saw Han Li, Yang Wenxiu, and Yang Wenjuan, and he truly missed them.

Chatting leisurely while gazing at the scenery outside was exceptionally pleasant.

Suddenly...

Heavy footsteps echoed from downstairs, and a booming voice shouted, "Which blind fool has occupied my private room? Get the hell out!"

A robust, broad-shouldered young man strode in, his dark-gleaming armor polished to a bright sheen, a saber hanging at his waist, his entire demeanor radiating arrogance and defiance. The squad leaders trailing behind him wore sneering expressions of haughty superiority.

Normally, this might have amounted to nothing.

Yet, they marched straight up to the table of Wu Kexiong and his men, struck the table with their saber hilts, and demanded aggressively, "We're going to eat here, clear out!"

Ha!

Wu Kexiong furrowed his brow. "Can't you see we're already dining here?"

"I am Zhou Tong, a battalion commander under Deputy Commander Zhou Chong. What kind of piece of work are you?"

"Battalion Commander?"

Liu Yunzhao sneered, "This gentleman right here is our Deputy Commander!"

Deputy Commander?

Ha!

Zhou Tong and the other squad leaders exchanged glances and burst into roaring laughter.

In the entire Pacifying the Border Army, there was only one commander-in-chief, Xiao Lie, and four deputy commanders: Wang Shibei, Zhou Chong, Zhao Lidong, and Ma Zhiyuan. However, in the fierce battle against the Northern Yan cavalry, Zhao Lidong had heroically given his life, leaving only three deputy commanders remaining.

Zhou Tong said with disdain, "How is it I've never heard of a new deputy commander popping up? Tell me, do you possess the-Yaowei Armor?"

"No." Wu Kexiong's face instantly flushed crimson.

"Hmph, you don't even own a Yaowei Armor, yet you dare call yourself a deputy commander?"

Zhou Tong barked angrily, "Get out of here right now and surrender this table to us, and I can pretend nothing happened. Otherwise... don't blame me for being discourteous."

These words struck straight at Wu Kexiong's sore spot. He commanded a mere five hundred men, let alone possessing the Yaowei Armor which symbolized high status.

He slammed his hand onto the table, stood up, and raged, "What do you want of it? Want to start a brawl?"

"Fight!"

"Let's fight!"

The patrons dining around the tavern were all soldiers of the Pacifying the Border Army. They began shouting in excitement, and even the tavern waiters stood by to watch the spectacle, entirely devoid of any intention to mediate.

If they wanted to fight, so be it!

Zhou Tong rolled up his sleeves. "How do you want to settle this? Single combat or a brawl?"

"This is a tavern, don't ruin honest business. How about this: each side puts forward one man. The winner stays to dine, the loser gets out... Do you dare?"

"Why wouldn't I dare? Don't regret it when you lose!"

"A real man's word is gold. Let's head downstairs."

The crowd of men surged downstairs in a disorderly mass.

Wu Kexiong turned back to look at Zhang Muyang, his gaze laden with trust. "Zhang Mu, you go!"

Zhang Muyang stepped forward, cupped his fists, and spoke in a steady voice, "Zhang Mu, Commander of the Sifang County Reinforcements, here for instruction!"

Reinforcements?

Commander?

Zhou Tong looked as though he had heard the most hilarious joke in the world and roared with laughter, "Wu Kexiong, did you send this puny whelp to his death?"

The squad leaders behind him joined in the jeers, casting looks of utter contempt at Zhang Muyang. What kind of capability could a mere commander of reinforcements from a remote county possibly possess?

Utterly overestimating his own strength!