Zhang Gu had handed over his assignment but didn’t immediately set off to return to the capital.

This mission had been exhausting both physically and mentally, and he wanted everyone to rest well before departing.

They were already quite familiar with the commandery city, and mainly wanted to take the newcomer A’Jiu around to enjoy himself.

It happened to be market day, and the commandery city was thronged with people. It was filled with goods—fresh fabrics and silk flowers from the distant Central Plains, exotic spices and furs from Xiliang, acrobatic performances and theatrical shows, as well as cockfighting and gambling. The main street was packed so tightly that even in the dead of winter, one would work up a sweat from all the jostling.

But Zhang Gu and the others didn’t have such troubles, because as soon as A’Jiu reached the city gate and saw the cockfighting gambling stalls, he plunged right in and refused to come out.

The young man threw down an entire money pouch at once. When he lost, he immediately threw down another. When he won, he threw even more in. This lavish spending, this fool with too much money, caused the gambling stalls to roar with excitement, and the gamblers became even more frenzied.

Zhang Gu and the other postal soldiers looked at each other with helpless expressions.

“This kid just doesn’t treat money like money,” Zhang Gu said, but they couldn’t let him waste an entire day here, could they? And if they really didn’t mind him, he would definitely keep hanging around here until they departed.

He and two postal soldiers pulled A’Jiu out.

A’Jiu was very unhappy: “I was having such a good time.”

“There are even better things,” Zhang Gu said, dragging him forward.

A’Jiu was reluctant: “What could be more fun than this? In the capital or at home, gambling dens operate like thieves in places that can’t see the light of day, and playing feels like being a thief. How can it compare to the border commandery, where in broad daylight and in full public view, you can play so freely! The border commandery is really a great place!”

Zhang Gu laughed and scolded: “Your words always invite a beating. Just because you can gamble freely makes it a good place? The commandery magistrate would definitely have someone give you fifty lashes.”

A’Jiu refused to walk, and as they were pulling and tugging, a shout of “A’Jiu” came from the crowd.

Someone here actually recognized him? Zhang Gu and the others quickly looked over and saw the crowded throng outside the city gate parting to make way for a contingent of troops.

Although the border commandery’s secular rules were chaotic and disorderly, military discipline was very strict. When troops passed, one must yield, otherwise being trampled to death by horse hooves was acceptable.

The scar on the face of the leading officer was very prominent, causing people to avoid him even more.

“Vice General Zhong,” Zhang Gu quickly saluted.

Vice General Zhong jumped down from his horse: “I was wondering why I couldn’t find you at the military camp. Turns out you came to the city to browse.”

Zhang Gu said respectfully: “Yes, we came into the city to look around. Does Vice General Zhong have any orders?”

The other postal soldiers also saluted. Only A’Jiu looked at the sky through his nostrils, acting as if he didn’t recognize him and didn’t want to see him.

Vice General Zhong snorted inwardly. Who cared about seeing him? Too lazy to say much, he turned and pulled a string of rush sandals from his horse’s back.

“These are Luocheng specialties. They’re most suitable for us military men to wear,” he said. “The general asked me to bring them to you as a small token of appreciation.”

A’Jiu snorted from behind, but before he could say anything, two postal soldiers stepped on his feet, and his words turned into a cry: “You’re stepping on my feet!”

“There are many people here, don’t push around,” Zhang Gu glared at them, accepting the rush sandals with both hands and saying gratefully, “Thank you, General Chu. We can wear them on our return journey.”

Vice General Zhong didn’t care whether their gratitude was genuine or not. This matter was now concluded: “I wish you a safe journey.”

He turned to mount his horse. Amid the clattering of hooves, another contingent of troops galloped over. Seeing him, the leading officer reined in his horse with a loud “Whoa!”

“If it isn’t Vice General Zhong!”

Vice General Zhong looked over and saw a middle-aged officer wearing a bright red cloak, with a slightly pale face and short beard, looking down from horseback with a half-smile.

“Bad luck,” Vice General Zhong spat quietly.

That officer looking down from on high might not have heard, but Zhang Gu and the others standing nearby all heard it. They couldn’t help but widen their eyes—this officer clearly held a high rank, yet Vice General Zhong dared to be so impolite right to his face—

The group quickly stepped back. When immortals fight, little devils should stand far away.

After spitting, Vice General Zhong raised his head, cupped his hands, and said coldly: “Colonel Zhou.”

“Vice General Zhong is quite the rare guest,” Colonel Zhou sneered. “Normally we invite you from Luocheng three or four times and you never come.”

Yunzhong Commandery had four generals stationed in different locations. Only the Daqing Mountain Pass was guarded by Guard General Chu Ling. In terms of stationed troops, Chu Ling was their equal, but in terms of official rank, Chu Ling was one grade lower. Combined with many other factors, Chu Ling’s relationship with the four generals over all these years had been very complex.

However, after years of accommodation, they could at least maintain appearances. Only this Colonel Zhou had just recently arrived under General Weiwu’s command. His edge was very sharp, and he was impolite to Chu Ling. Chu Ling’s subordinates naturally refused to take this lying down, leading to continuous friction and several near-fights.

Now that enemies met at the city gate, naturally there would be some verbal sparring.

Vice General Zhong gave a hollow laugh: “I’m ashamed. I can’t compare to Colonel Zhou being a regular visitor to the commandery city, being summoned for reprimands every few days. What brings you here this time? Did the troops in your camp mutiny, or was your jurisdiction raided by bandits again?”

Colonel Zhou’s expression immediately turned ugly.

Vice General Zhong laughed heartily, pressing his advantage: “Did I hit the mark? Colonel Zhou, please don’t take it too hard. We all understand—you’re from the capital, someone who does great things. Coming to our small border commandery, you can’t fully display your talents. You should go back early.”

“How dare you!” “What nonsense are you spouting!”

Colonel Zhou’s guards immediately shouted rebukes. Vice General Zhong’s guards naturally weren’t to be outdone, stepping forward one after another.

“What are you doing?” “Can’t solve your own problems, so you want to take it out on us?”

The people at the city gate immediately cleared a large space. Only A’Jiu looked excited and wanted to get closer, but was firmly held back by Zhang Gu, and could only shout from behind: “A fight!”

Fortunately, the city gate guards were very familiar with such scenes and quickly came out.

“Colonel Zhou has arrived,” they called loudly. “Quickly, the Commandant is waiting for you.”

A group of people interposed themselves between Vice General Zhong’s and Colonel Zhou’s contingents. Several junior officers even saluted Vice General Zhong with rueful smiles: “Vice General Zhong, if you have anything to say, please come inside to talk.”

Colonel Zhou didn’t make things difficult for the city gate guards. He signaled his guards to fall back into formation, then glanced at Vice General Zhong.

“That’s right, we do have bandits causing trouble in our jurisdiction. We can’t compare to General Chu,” he said coldly. “General Chu is a benevolent man in the eyes of bandits, a great celestial immortal worshipped by bandits. Your jurisdiction is naturally stable and worry-free.”

With that, he cracked his whip and headed inside, his guards clustering around him and galloping past.

The scar on Vice General Zhong’s face twitched several times, his eyes flashing. Finally, he spat heavily.

The city gate guards breathed a sigh of relief and invited Vice General Zhong into the city.

Vice General Zhong said coldly: “I’m not entering the city. I’ve finished my business and I’m heading back now.”

The city gate guards didn’t dare ask more questions and immediately took their leave. The flow in and out of the city gate resumed.

A’Jiu patted Zhang Gu’s shoulder and asked curiously: “Did you hear? What did that man mean by saying General Chu is a great celestial immortal in the eyes of bandits?”

What could it mean? Wasn’t it just bringing up the old matter of Chu Ling secretly releasing bandits years ago? Zhang Gu knocked his hand away and scolded: “Don’t be a busybody!”

Vice General Zhong turned around, his face dark as he glanced at them. Zhang Gu and the others quickly forced smiles: “Vice General Zhong, please go about your business.”

Vice General Zhong said nothing and turned to leave, but A’Jiu squeezed forward, as if courteously handing him the reins. As he got close, he said in a low voice: “Someone across the way is watching you.”

Vice General Zhong was startled but didn’t immediately turn his head. He only glanced over with the corner of his eye. The people there were thronging, with all sorts of characters, and quite a few were looking this way.

His expression was grim, and he had no friendly look for A’Jiu’s warning.

“Plenty of people watch me,” he said, snatching the reins from A’Jiu’s hand and mounting his horse. “Do I fear their watching?”

He turned the horse’s head and cracked the whip. The people quickly cleared a path and watched as this group of troops galloped away.

A’Jiu watched their retreating backs, curled his lips, and scoffed: “You can tell he’s not popular with people.”

Zhang Gu scolded him: “Stop being a busybody. It’s none of our business.”

A’Jiu laughed: “I know it’s none of our business. Just watching the excitement. The more excitement, the better.”

Zhang Gu stuffed a pair of rush sandals into his hands: “Hold your token of appreciation and stop talking.”

Token of appreciation. A’Jiu held the rush sandals and shook them, snorting. Rush sandals—what did that mean? That he should be as resilient as rush grass?

Really, stop worrying unnecessarily. By the looks of it, both father and daughter had offended quite a few people. Take care of yourselves!

He slung the rush sandals over his shoulder, and from the corner of his eye glanced across the way, seeing a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old peddler carrying a pinwheel pole turn and head outside the city gate—

None of his concern.

A’Jiu draped his arms over two postal soldiers’ shoulders and asked animatedly: “What other fun things are there in the city? Is there cockfighting, dog fighting, cricket fighting?”

“Settle down,” Zhang Gu scolded. “If you gamble yourself away, we’re not ransoming you.”

The group chatted and laughed as they blended into the crowd and headed into the city.

The market inside the city was lively, but the roadside outside the city wasn’t quiet either. Tea stalls, food stands, and livestock vendors crowded the roadside, with many carriages and horses parked in disarray.

The peddler carrying the pinwheel walked in one breath to a carriage parked at the very back.

“I’m dying of thirst,” he said, looking at the young lady sitting on the carriage swinging her legs and playing with a grasshopper woven from dry grass. “Xiao Man, quick, give me water.”

The young lady called Xiao Man didn’t even lift her eyelids: “There isn’t any.”

The peddler was angry. Before he could say anything, a hand from inside the carriage reached out with a water flask.

“Drink,” a woman’s voice said softly.

The peddler quickly reached for it, but Xiao Man had already taken it first.

“Auntie,” she complained. “Why are you indulging him? Third Brother is like this—ask him to do anything and he just bosses people around.”

The hand withdrew, and the woman’s voice came gently from behind the curtain: “That’s as it should be.”

Xiao Man pouted and shoved the water flask at the peddler, glaring as she asked: “How did things go?”

The peddler took a drink of water first, then wiped his mouth.

“I saw Vice General Zhong,” he said quietly. “But Miss Ah Zhao wasn’t with him.”

Xiao Man stopped weaving the grasshopper in her hands: “This is the commandery city’s annual grand market. She’s come every year in the past.”

Behind the carriage curtain came a stretch of silence.

This silence seemed to make everything around them quiet as well.

Xiao Man stopped talking. The peddler also stopped his gulping and looked at the curtain.

After a moment, the woman’s voice came from behind the curtain: “Let’s go back.”