A month later.
After a downpour, the weather turned dry, and the cold wind cut like a knife.
Inside a teahouse, Wu Xing stood before the window with his hands clasped behind him. The Qingyuan River was clearly visible in the distance. Jin Zheng sat at the tea table, hands tucked into his sleeves, gazing at the steaming tea before him with an unfocused look, seemingly lost in thought.
CLICK.
Lighting a cigarette, Jin Zheng sighed deeply. "The war hasn't even started, yet because of a single lie, Chen Jian has managed to secure his position as the Supreme Martial Commander. If this were to get out, wouldn't it be laughably absurd?"
"He truly stops at nothing to consolidate his position. It's quite an eye-opener for us." Jin Zheng scoffed with a look of derision. "How pathetic!"
"Chen Yang, still no word on him?" Wu Xing brought up the old matter, his tone heavy.
Jin Zheng shook his head. "It's as if he's evaporated from the face of the earth, vanished without a trace."
"Now, this Former Chief Military Commander of ours is barely mentioned by anyone. It won't be long before he's swallowed up by the relentless wheels of history."
Since ancient times, a new generation has always replaced the old. With Chen Jian's rise, bolstered by a fabricated victory, his position as Commander was not only secured but shone as brightly as the Bright Moon, revered by the masses. As a result, who would still care about news of the one who had already stepped down and completely vanished?
"He made a promise to the Great Elder." Unable to stay any longer, Wu Xing walked out, his voice heavy with expectation as he left. "When the time comes, he will surely appear."
...
Time passed, flowing gently onward.
The noble families had their missions and duties, while the common folk had their own lives and labors.
The small border town in Hanyun Valley lacked the bustle of Cangyun City but possessed an extra measure of warmth and intoxicating charm. The slow pace was truly calming, and it was easy to fall in love with this kind of life.
That included Chen Yang.
As the sun set, the nightlife began. A bar with the prefix "Former Martial Guard" in its name and a wild decor style started to welcome a steady stream of customers.
The owner, Bai Yu, was a well-known local beauty in her thirties. Her liberated personality shone like a bonfire in the dead of night, radiating a captivating light. Rumor had it that Bai Yu was a retired Martial Guard, with some even claiming she had once been part of the Hanyun Valley Martial Guard.
These details were not the main point. The crucial thing was that she was beautiful and sexy, enough to haunt a man's dreams.
In a corner of the bar, a storyteller dressed in a long robe was eloquently recounting the exploits of the Former Chief Military Commander, who once charged into the Barbarian Capital. His delivery was passionate, his intonation rising and falling.
But how many were truly listening?
"It seems I'm really past my prime," Chen Yang said with a laugh, shaking his head after listening for a moment.
"Boss." Today, Bai Yu sat opposite Chen Yang, dressed in a dark green form-fitting tank top, casual pants, and a pair of black combat boots. Resting her chin in one hand, her lively big eyes were fixed on the man before her.
"No matter how the world changes, you will always be the hero in the hearts of our eight hundred thousand people."
"Heh heh..." As she spoke, Bai Yu grinned, her large eyes narrowing into slits. "Boss, thank you for coming to see me."
"Xiaoyu, aren't you going to thank me?" Yang Hu teased from the side, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Get lost." Bai Yu shot him a glare. "You've drunk two bottles of my liquor. You'd better pay up later."
Yang Hu was speechless.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Chen Yang said, knocking on the table.
Bai Yu stiffened for a moment, then pursed her lips. The mournful look she gave him was almost palpable.
Yang Hu's expression turned serious. "Through my covert investigations these past few days, I've confirmed that Barbarians have infiltrated the city and are getting very close to several of Nanmen City's major local families."
"So, I came specifically to ask you, Xiaoyu, for the details on the Xu and Gong Families."
They had left Cangyun City half a month ago, arriving in this small border town. Chen Yang's original intention was just to wander around and have a drink with Liu Wu, who was still stationed in Hanyun Valley. Out of habit, however, he had Yang Hu scout the town. The brief walk was enough for Yang Hu's sharp senses to detect that something was amiss. After meeting with Liu Wu, they confirmed that Barbarian agents had indeed infiltrated the area. It seemed they were planning to turn some of the more influential local powers.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yu's playful smile vanished. "The Xu Family and the Gong Family are the two biggest families in Nanmen City," she said solemnly.
"The Xu Family's main business is grain. They are also the largest grain importers for the Barbarians and the surrounding smaller nations."
"The Gong Family, on the other hand, is the largest fruit importer for those same places. They have a near-monopoly on all fruit distribution channels."
As she spoke, Bai Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Their families have dealt with the Barbarians for generations. They certainly have the potential to be swayed."
"Last time the Boss charged into the Barbarian Capital, those two families didn't say much publicly, but in private, they complained that you were making a big fuss over nothing and had caused them to lose a fortune."
When a war between nations begins, those engaged in foreign trade are indeed the first to suffer losses. But in the face of a national crisis where the country's dignity is at stake, personal interests should be set aside. To mutter such complaints in secret—wasn't that far worse than mere selfishness?
"Hmph!" Yang Hu said coldly. "Looks like we weren't wrong."
"Boss, what's your plan?" Bai Yu asked.
Before Chen Yang could speak, a group of people swaggered into the bar and, without a word, began trying to drive the other customers out.
A handsome young man from the back of the group strode forward with a grin. "Miss Bai Yu," he said, "I, Xu Tianyun, have come to buy out the bar again. It'll boost your income and stimulate Nanmen City's economy."
After speaking, he straightened his posture and flashed a smile he clearly thought was charming, looking directly at Bai Yu.
"Get this trash out of here!" a shifty-eyed man named Huang Nansheng, obviously one of Xu Tianyun's lackeys, bellowed. "The Young Master has bought out the bar! How can these people be allowed to share the same room with him?"
Chen Yang frowned and exchanged a look with Yang Hu.
"Xiaoyu, is this guy some rich kid? I have to admit, you've got quite the pull," Yang Hu teased Bai Yu with a wink. "But our dear Xiaoyu certainly has the charm for it."
"Yang Hu, are you looking to die? Believe me, I'll beat you up!" Bai Yu's face had already darkened. She glared at Yang Hu, raising a clenched fist.
"Heh heh." Yang Hu let out a wide grin.
Chen Yang smiled without a word and took a drink from his glass.
"Laugh, my ass! Didn't you hear me? I told you all to get out!" Yang Hu's unrestrained laughter had drawn the attention of Xu Tianyun's group. Huang Nansheng shouted explosively and led his men to surround Chen Yang's table.
"That's Xu Tianyun, the Xu Family's young master," Bai Yu whispered.
Chen Yang immediately laughed. "So, it's the young master of the Xu Family."
"Now that you know, why haven't you scrammed?" Huang Nansheng rolled up his sleeves, his expression promising to teach them a lesson if they delayed another second.
Chen Yang held his glass of alcohol, took a casual sip, and ordered Yang Hu, "Give him your blade."
"What do you mean by that?" Xu Tianyun asked, squinting as he lit a cigarette.
"My blade only goes to those who are about to die."
BANG.
Chen Yang set his glass down. An invisible force erupted from him, and Huang Nansheng, as if crushed by an immense weight, suddenly crashed to his knees.
This abrupt turn of events plunged the entire scene into Siji.
...