Chapter Three
After hanging the silver armor on his horse, Gongliang Zhong walked to Shurong's side and said, "Didn't you see? The general also has a lot of questions to ask."
Shu Rong crossed her arms, blew on her hair, glanced at the torn silver armor, and uttered only one word, "Mysterious!"
The princess's silver armor was forged from pure silver using a secret method of the Yunxiu Kingdom's Ministry of War. How could it tear so easily? Could the Ministry of War have been bankrupted by the war, and resorted to shoddy workmanship in making this silver armor?
"Strange, when did a peach tree appear here?" Gongliang Zhong sat on his horse, broke off a branch, and saw Shu Rong riding over, so he casually stuck it into the quiver on Shu Rong's horse.
Just now, everyone's attention was focused on the princess and the shirtless man. Now that they were gone, they naturally noticed that a peach tree with vibrant red blossoms had grown in this yellow borderland. Shu Rong's brows relaxed, and she said happily, "A few days ago, no, yesterday, it didn't seem to be here yet. This is really strange." After saying that, she broke off a branch and put it in her quiver.
Gongliang Zhong pondered in silence, looking up and carefully examining the peach tree. After a while, he said, "Let's go, Shurong. That man is important. We need to ask the general what happened." With that, he kicked the horse's belly and headed straight for the general's camp.
Shurong quickly rode off to catch up.
As he approached, Gongliang Zhong gently pulled on the reins, and involuntarily glanced back at the peach tree again, saying to Shurong, "Why don't we find a few soldiers to cut down that peach tree? This peach tree looks eerie."
Upon hearing this, Shu Rong's eyes widened, and she tightened her grip on the reins, exclaiming, "No, Gongliang Zhong, it's not easy to find spring colors and flowers in this barren land. The military camp is already so monotonous and boring, how can you be so heartless and dull?"
Gongliang Zhong sighed helplessly, then joked, "Why don't you stay in the capital? Why give up being a young marquis and come here to cause trouble?"
Shu Rong, mimicking Gong Liangzhong, sighed helplessly, but it was intentional. This was a way he had created to pass the time when he had nothing to do in the army.
Gongliang Zhong always wore a serious expression and impeccable military bearing, even his speech carried the air of military discipline. Shu Rong, when he had nothing to do, would intentionally or unintentionally imitate him. Gongliang Zhong got used to it, occasionally just giving him a glare without saying much. Gradually, Shu Rong's mannerisms became a habit. He said with a grin, "The capital is nice, but the scheming and backstabbing in the court are too dangerous. I can't learn that; one wrong move, and...tsk tsk..."
"War is dangerous; one wrong move and you're dead," Gongliang Zhong said.
Shu Rong loosened the reins, held her head, and laughed, “The human heart is truly treacherous. But don’t talk about me, Gongliang Zhong, look at our Princess, isn’t she the same? Giving up a perfectly good princess position, she insisted on becoming a great general. It’s been five years, a full five years since she’s returned to the capital. I remember when we were little, she would often sneak out of the palace to ask me to play with her. I always took advantage of being a few years older than her, and disregarded her status as a princess, and often made her call me Brother Shu. The princess never thought much of it and always called me that with great joy. Once, the Marquis heard it, and I got a spanking so badly that I was bedridden for over a month.”
"You're being too reckless," Gongliang Zhong said with concern.
"Hahaha." Shu Rong laughed and said cheerfully, "I'm just fooling around. You haven't seen our Great General yet. When she's fooling around, I don't even exist."
Gongliang Zhong glared at him and said softly, "Keep your voice down."
Shu Rong reached out and grabbed the reins, speaking in a low, gloating voice.
"However, after I was beaten that time, Her Highness the Eldest Princess summoned the Marquis to the palace and said that my father should accompany her to study, write, and practice martial arts. The Eldest Princess was only ten years old, but she was the most favored by Emperor Lizhao, so the Marquis naturally dared not refuse. Five days later, my father returned and actually came to my room to visit me, and he was smiling. He said a lot of things, such as regretting that he shouldn't have been so harsh and showing concern and love for me."
"At the time, I was nodding repeatedly, barely daring to breathe, my heart pounding with fear. The two of them, contrary to their usual behavior, spoke peacefully and calmly for the first time in a long time, almost scaring my own mother to tears. To this day, I still don't know what tricks the Princess used to win over my father so completely. Gongliang Zhong, you don't know my father. He's usually very upright and hates forming cliques and engaging in favoritism. Even Emperor Lizhao greatly admired him. I really don't know how the Princess managed to do it. I've asked her many times, but she won't tell me. However, I know she's protecting me, hehe. Anyway, after that, the Marquis wasn't so strict with me anymore."
Gongliang Zhong smiled silently, then quickly regained his composure and said, "Shurong, some things are better left unsaid."
"Hmm!" Shu Rong nodded solemnly, immediately realizing that she had said something she shouldn't have. Sometimes, Shu Rong couldn't help but admire Gong Liangzhong; he seemed to always know what to say and what not to say. Gong Liangzhong had repeatedly advised him that trouble comes from the mouth and to be careful with his words and actions, but he just couldn't shake the habit of talking incessantly once he opened his mouth.
"Sigh." Gongliang Zhong sighed softly, and then said, "Shurong, you can say whatever you want in front of me, but you should speak less in front of others, lest you say something wrong and give them something to use against you."
Shu Rong nodded slightly, moved closer to Gong Liangzhong, patted his shoulder, and smiled broadly, saying, "I know, I'll just say a few more words in front of you."
The two rode side by side to the center of the military camp. Gongliang Zhong saw two soldiers guarding the area not far away, so he beckoned to one of them.
“Deputy General Gongliang, Deputy General Shu!” a soldier greeted.
"Where is that man being held tonight?" Deputy General Gongliang asked.
"The tent next to the general," the soldier replied.
Gongliang frowned slightly, puzzled. "With so many tents in the army, why did the general place this person here?" He thought for a moment and asked, "Where is the general?"
"We're questioning them," the soldier said.
“Okay, you can go back now,” Gongliang Zhong said.
The entrance to the camp where the men were being held.
Mo Yinghuo covered his eyes with one hand and shook his head slightly. Looking at the soldiers in front of him, whose faces and bodies were covered in bruises, he said with a wry smile, "Gentlemen, how badly are you injured? Should we call the army doctor to take a look?"
"General, it's nothing, just a flesh wound." A soldier, his nose bruised and swollen, with a large bump on his head, held his head high in front of Mo Yinghuo, looking like he was going to his death.
Mo Yinghuo also noticed that although these soldiers were bruised and swollen in various places, and some even had slight bleeding from their ears and arms, they were all minor injuries and had not affected any vital organs. These injuries were nothing compared to those sustained on the battlefield; they were clearly just superficial.
Although the wounds weren't fatal, these soldiers were certainly badly injured. The person who did it was truly skilled and cunning, with a clear conscience.
Mo Yinghuo was once again at a loss for words, and could only offer some words of comfort. After understanding the situation, he told them to find a military doctor and have other soldiers come to guard the area.
According to the soldier's account, nothing happened on the way back from the escort mission. However, when they arrived at the camp entrance, a soldier tried to push him. The man immediately noticed and became enraged. Without saying a word, he kicked the soldier away. It was clear from what we saw that this soldier was the most seriously injured.
Seeing this, the other soldiers immediately took action. The man snatched a knife from one of the soldiers, slammed the blade against the tent door, and broke it in two. The fight resumed. The result was exactly as Mo Yinghuo had witnessed. To the soldiers' annoyance and embarrassment, after beating them all up, the man didn't flee. Instead, he walked right into the tent, striding in as if he were entering his own home.
At that moment, the soldiers all fell to the ground, dumbfounded, feeling that they had been beaten for no reason.
Mo Yinghuo entered the tent and saw that the man had changed into a suitable set of clothes, and his previously loose black hair was now half-tied up. He was facing away from her. She suddenly felt that this back view was somewhat familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before.
The man noticed someone coming in and turned around.
Mo Yinghuo noticed that the plain clothes the soldier had casually picked up looked exceptionally good on this man, and the aura he exuded—unfazed even by a collapsing mountain or a frightened deer—[1] seemed innate. Having fought for many years, Mo Yinghuo knew she also possessed this aura, but it had been honed in blood and death. This man, however, seemed to have it innate. For the first time, Mo Yinghuo felt a strange pang of jealousy.
However, after a moment, she was now more interested in finding out the man's background. If she could use him, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
The soldiers all knew that when the general saw a capable and battle-ready person, he would exchange ideas and give them some pointers. If he could recruit them, that would be best. If the other party had no interest, as long as they were not an enemy, regardless of their background, he would treat them sincerely and befriend them.
Mo Yinghuo rubbed her temples and chuckled, "If you wore my silver armor, we'd be evenly matched. It's just a pity it's tattered." She deliberately spoke the last two words slowly and casually. After speaking, she stared intently at the man.
The man blinked, his eyes clear, and looked at Mo Yinghuo with a mixture of understanding and confusion.
"Strange." Mo Yinghuo thought to herself, observing his reaction, "Could it be that he doesn't understand Yunxiu Mandarin?"
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I will help you deal with the Stone Spirit Kingdom," the man suddenly said.
Mo Yinghuo's breath hitched. He stared at the man for a moment, then raised a long eyebrow and asked with a smile, "May I ask what your name is?"
I thought he wouldn't answer, since Mo Yinghuo had asked this question when we first met.
Unexpectedly, the man looked out of the tent, remained silent for a moment, and then replied, "Zhao Shu."
“Zhao Shu.” Mo Yinghuo exclaimed, both surprised and approving, “A fine name!”
Zhao Shu withdrew his gaze, looked at Mo Yinghuo, smiled amicably, and said softly, "Thank you."
Mo Yinghuo was taken aback for a moment, and was about to speak when Zhao Shu continued, "General, could you please have a soldier bring me some food? I haven't eaten for several days." After saying this, Zhao Shu's face showed a slight embarrassment.
He hasn't eaten for days, yet he's still so energetic! What will he be like after he eats!
Mo Yinghuo exclaimed in surprise, "Ah!" After a moment, he smiled and said, "Alright." After speaking, he walked out of the tent and instructed the soldiers to prepare some food for him. Then, he mounted his horse and turned back to the guards, saying, "When the two deputy generals come over later, tell them to come to my tent after they have finished their questioning."
"Yes, General," the soldier guarding outside Zhao Shu's tent replied, bowing.
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