That night outside Danyang Prefecture, the army camped on the spot for celebration. They slaughtered pigs and sheep in the military camp, alcohol flowed freely, torches blazed red everywhere, and the sounds of drinking games and hearty laughter echoed throughout the camp gates.

“Drink!”

“We fought desperately at the front while they never even saw the rebels’ faces, yet they always get the greatest credit!”

“Company Commander Li, the brothers are toasting you in turn! Do you dare to accept?”

In an inconspicuous corner of the camp, torches wrapped in tung oil crackled loudly. The leaping flames illuminated red faces flushed with alcohol.

A group of low-ranking military officers and soldiers surrounded Li Mu, competing to toast him. Their gazes toward him, besides admiration, carried indignant resentment.

After every victorious battle, military awards and promotions were routine.

In the previous battle, Prince Linchuan knew he had no retreat left and fought like a cornered beast, becoming even more stubbornly resistant.

His subordinates still had twenty thousand troops built up over many years, and they held the advantage of terrain.

If Li Mu hadn’t charged into enemy lines like lightning that day, descending like divine troops to bring back Gao Huan who was about to become a ghost under the blade, completely disrupting Prince Linchuan’s formation and greatly boosting the court army’s morale, allowing them to seize the opportunity and launch a fierce attack before the enemy could form ranks, causing the rebel army’s fighting spirit to collapse and their defeat to be like a landslide—originally, this would have been a bloody battle to the death.

Until the very end, no one could predict the outcome.

That day, on that vast ancient battlefield, between the two opposing armies, he wielded a long blade and iron shield, forcibly tearing through the wall of flesh and blood ahead, making his horse advance over corpses, terrifying the enemy army so much they lost their courage and retreated three steps, until finally no one dared block him, and they could only watch in horror as he brought back Gao Huan through thousands of troops under the pursuit of arrows behind him.

Anyone who had personally witnessed this scene that day, even though more than half a month had passed, still felt their blood boil when recalling it.

Though Li Mu was merely a Company Commander, young in age, he had served in the military for many years. Born in turbulent times with warfare throughout the realm, calling him battle-hardened was no exaggeration.

From starting as the lowest-ranking soldier when he first joined the army, rising through Squad Leader, Sergeant, and Centurion, until two years ago at less than twenty years old, he was promoted to Company Commander with his own private battalion—all through military merit accumulated battle by battle.

In this army originally stationed at the upper Yangtze River and managed by the Xu family, when mentioning the brave and skilled Li Mu, almost no one was unaware of him. Combined with respect for his father and grandfather’s past heroism, he already had great influence among lower-ranking officers and soldiers.

Since becoming Company Commander, soldiers all took pride in joining his separate battalion and becoming his private troops.

His three hundred soldiers were all iron-blooded warriors who shared tents and robes, fighting alongside him in every battle with complete disregard for life and death.

However, it was only after that battle half a month ago that his god-like, unrivaled position in the soldiers’ hearts was truly established.

Heroic blood and courage, commanding awe throughout the three armies.

In this battle, not only did he claim sole credit, but calling it “becoming a god in one battle” would not be excessive.

But in today’s merit awards, he was only promoted from Company Commander to Right Company Commander, one of the Five Company Commanders, while a Captain position that had been vacant and everyone thought surely belonged to him this time—a position second only to General—went to another noble son who had arrived only a few months ago.

When the commendation order was issued, Li Mu’s three hundred battalion soldiers were in uproar, and other soldiers also discussed it extensively, quite indignant.

Several bold Sergeants wanted to seek out Yang Xuan to argue, but Li Mu stopped them. Seeing that he himself didn’t seem to care, they gave up, but the resentment in their hearts never subsided. Tonight they still called him by the old title “Company Commander” to show their strong dissatisfaction.

Li Mu smiled and accepted all comers, drinking cup after cup with the soldiers who competed to toast him.

“You ride in a carriage, I wear a bamboo hat; when we meet again someday, you’ll get down to greet me.”

“You carry an umbrella, I ride a horse; when we meet again someday, I’ll dismount for you!”

“Don’t say the young man in the alley is poor; when wind and clouds meet, he’ll transform into a soaring dragon!”

Gradually, someone began, and people around started striking knife backs against each other for rhythm, singing this ancient song from the former Yue Kingdom.

More and more joined in. The singing accompanied by the blood-stirring sound of striking blades was magnificent and passionate, carried by the night wind throughout the entire camp, causing the group of noble-born officers drinking and making merry in the distance to sneer continuously.

Amid the singing, Li Mu sat alone by a fire, silently drinking by himself with a calm expression.

Suddenly, the singing around him gradually faded and finally fell silent.

Li Mu calmly turned his head and saw a youth approaching with a wine pot in one hand and cup in the other, causing nearby soldiers to turn and look with countless eyes focused on him.

Gao Huan knew that in the military, young noble sons like himself who descended from nowhere and immediately received at least Company Commander positions were very unwelcome among ordinary soldiers.

Those soldiers below didn’t dare do anything on the surface, but privately they were quite rejecting of them.

He extremely envied his uncle. Though born into Dayu’s premier noble family, when he led armies in the past, he won the hearts of soldiers, and lower-ranking soldiers were especially devoted to him. Whatever he commanded, they carried out with full effort.

It was said that during his final northern expedition, due to hopeless circumstances, he had to return halfway. With a hundred thousand troops crossing back over the Yangtze River, among autumn grass and yellow reeds, his uncle stood on the north bank, reluctant to board the ship. When he looked back with tears flowing, the soldiers behind him also wept and bowed down, swearing that if he ever again raised troops for northern expedition, they would willingly serve as his subordinates.

Gao Huan hadn’t been born then, so he naturally couldn’t witness that passionate and tragic scene. But this didn’t prevent him from yearning for it.

After coming here, he had also thought of getting close to them. But constrained by years of habit and others’ gazes, he never dared put down the airs he should have as a noble son.

But Li Mu was different.

That day when bound before the battle lines, just as he suppressed his inner fear and resolved never to beg for mercy to save his life, preferring to be separated from his body rather than shame the Gao family name because of himself, he was rescued by Li Mu in such a way he had never dared imagine even in dreams.

Survival from desperate straits!

At that moment, that Company Commander who rode with blade drawn, iron armor stained with fresh blood, emanating bloodthirsty and fierce killing intent, breaking through thousands of troops to reach him, became a figure in his heart comparable to his uncle.

Even though he was born of common family, his status far below his own.

Under countless staring gazes, Gao Huan came before Li Mu, filled his cup with wine, offered it with both hands, and respectfully said: “Company Commander Li, the debt of saving my life—Huan will never forget until death! Please drink this cup.”

After speaking, he looked at the man before him with some anxiety.

After being rescued, during these days, out of gratitude and even more admiration, he had been trying hard to get close to this young military officer.

He had a feeling that Li Mu wasn’t like other military officers from humble families who had advanced through military merit and held contemptuous attitudes toward him.

Even that day when he had just been rescued and lost emotional control, holding onto the man who had brought him back and crying aloud, Li Mu had raised his hand to gently pat his back, as if comforting him. This iron man’s tender feelings were probably just like this.

But Li Mu’s attitude toward him couldn’t be called close either.

At least, it fell far short of what Gao Huan had hoped for.

Tonight he had wanted to find him to express gratitude again, but was held back by people who said they had arranged a feast to calm his nerves. He had finally managed to get away and immediately sought him out.

He held the cup in both hands raised in midair, motionless, waiting for Li Mu to accept the wine. His expression was expectant yet somewhat nervous, but he saw Li Mu staring at the wine cup he offered, his gaze deep and concentrated, with dark currents seeming to surge in his eyes, as if he had fallen into some distant contemplation, completely motionless.

The surroundings were silent as death.

“Company Commander Li?”

Gao Huan was somewhat puzzled and grew more nervous, carefully calling out again.

Li Mu’s eyes moved slightly as he came back to his senses, smiled, took the wine cup from his hands, and drained it in one gulp.

Gao Huan breathed a sigh of relief. Looking around at the soldiers and seeing countless eyes watching him, he suddenly felt his whole body heat up. Without thinking, he filled another cup and raised it toward those around him, calling out loudly: “You are all brave warriors who have shared life and death with Company Commander Li! I, Gao Huan, have always most respected brave warriors. I toast you all!” After speaking, he tilted his neck back and drank it all down.

That day when he was held captive before the battle lines under swords and blades, he showed no fear and never once begged for mercy. Many people here had witnessed this personally. For this Gao family young master who was born noble and usually seemed quite aloof, they inevitably gained some respect.

Though noble sons were high above others, even when joining the military, most merely followed family arrangements to use this as capital for future advancement.

But among them, there weren’t necessarily no people of backbone.

This young master of the Gao family was one example.

It was one thing for him to toast Li Mu in gratitude, but now he actually took the initiative to toast them—this was truly unexpected.

Everyone was somewhat surprised, looking at each other, and finally looked toward Li Mu.

Li Mu smiled slightly and nodded.

Everyone then followed by drinking their cups and said in unison “Thank you, Young Master!” with voices like thunder.

The atmosphere that had just quieted down became lively again, with sounds of drinking games and laughter filling the air.

Gao Huan had come not only to express gratitude but harbored another matter in his heart. He respectfully invited Li Mu to a place with fewer people and bowed deeply to him with solemn expression: “Company Commander Li, may I join your Company Commander battalion? I’m willing to serve you faithfully and be at your disposal! Please accept me, Company Commander Li!”

Li Mu glanced at him and turned to leave.

Gao Huan became anxious, chasing while saying: “I’m absolutely not someone who fears death! Being captured this time wasn’t solely my fault! I’m determined to serve the country. If Company Commander Li just nods, I will certainly convince my uncle…”

Li Mu stopped and pointed to a boulder about two arm-spans around at his feet: “Lift it!”

Gao Huan was stunned.

“If you can lift it off the ground, I’ll take you.” Li Mu said calmly.

Gao Huan was overjoyed, his eyes lighting up. He immediately stepped forward, rolled up his sleeves, took a horse stance, and reached with both hands to embrace it.

But the stone seemed rooted. No matter how he exerted force, it wouldn’t budge. Finally, using all his strength and turning red-faced, he could only make it move slightly, lost his footing, and sat down hard, finally having to let go, get up, and pant continuously.

“Liu Yong!”

Li Mu called out loudly.

A young soldier about Gao Huan’s age, extremely thin and shorter than Gao Huan, with darting eyes like a monkey, quickly ran over and saluted Li Mu: “What are Company Commander Li’s orders?”

“Lift it!”

Li Mu pointed at the stone.

The youth glanced at Gao Huan, grinned, squatted down, roared, and actually lifted that stone that must have weighed at least a hundred jin.

Not only did he lift it, but he held it in his arms and walked back and forth in front of Gao Huan several times with apparent ease, finally throwing it back to the ground, dusted off his hands, bowed to Li Mu, and withdrew.

Gao Huan’s face turned red with embarrassment as he froze there.

“Young Master Gao, I heard you excel at calligraphy and have literary talent. Here, I only take those who can lift heavy stones. You should return, lest your family worry.”

His voice was gentle as he patted Gao Huan’s shoulder and left.

Gao Huan froze in place, staring blankly at Li Mu’s departing back, dejected.

“Zile! What are you doing here?”

A voice suddenly came from behind.

Gao Huan turned around and saw Lu Huanzhi, who had come with the Jiankang officials to reward the army today.

“Yiting!”

He called out to his good friend, hiding the dejection from his face and showing a smile.

Lu Huanzhi put his hands behind his back and glanced at the departing figure ahead.

“He’s from a common family, just a Company Commander. Even if he saved you before the battle, it was only natural, not to mention he could gain merit from your uncle. Why must you lower yourself to be so close to him?”

When Lu Huanzhi spoke, he didn’t lower his voice at all, clearly not caring whether he was heard.

Gao Huan quickly turned his head, saw Li Mu ahead continuing forward with his back unchanged, as if he hadn’t heard, breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately lowered his voice: “If not for him, I would already be a headless ghost! I don’t care about his background—I’m determined to befriend him! I only fear he looks down on me! If you’re ashamed of my behavior, just stay away from me in the future!”

Lu Huanzhi had never heard him speak to himself in such a heavy tone and was stunned, coughing: “Fine, fine, do as you wish! My elder brother has already quelled the rebellion in the Linyu Kingdom and is about to return. When he comes back and your uncle has more time, I’ll probably start calling your second sister ‘sister-in-law.’ We’re family—why hurt brotherly feelings over an outsider?”

Lu Huanzhi’s elder brother Lu Jianzhi had been someone Gao Huan most admired for many years.

His resolve to join the military was largely influenced by Lu Jianzhi. Hearing news that he would return soon, his face showed a smile and he nodded: “When elder brother returns, I’ll go pay my respects.”

He turned back again and saw that figure ahead growing more distant, gradually disappearing into the night.

…

With Li Mu’s hearing, how could he possibly not hear the conversation between Lu Huanzhi and Gao Huan behind him?

That name that seemed to have merged into his blood and bones came to him in such a way, for the first time in this lifetime, faintly carried to his ears by the night wind.

His expression remained calm, but his palms slowly clenched together, veins on the backs of his hands faintly pulsing.

“Jingchen!”

Someone called him from the side.

He looked up and saw his current superior, General Yang Xuan, and stopped.

Yang Xuan hurried over, and when he got close, the smell of alcohol was apparent. He had clearly drunk quite a lot.

“Jingchen, I was just looking for you!” Yang Xuan said.

“General, if you have something to say, please command me.”

Li Mu went to meet him respectfully.

He had joined the military as a youth, and in the first few years had wandered and lived in hardship. At fifteen, he encountered Yang Xuan by chance, was employed by him, and joined his command until now.

Even though later Yang Xuan followed the Xu family in rebellion and proclaimed himself emperor, attacked Jiankang, and committed suicide after defeat—which, counting back, was by his own hand—Li Mu still held great respect for this old superior who had single-handedly promoted him.

After his death, he had him buried with honors and used his authority to specially pardon the Yang family, allowing his descendants to avoid collective punishment.

“Jingchen, regarding today’s rewards, I know you suffered injustice. Just now I went to find the Minister to plead your case. However…”

His eyes were full of helplessness as he paused.

“The Minister said that although you made merit saving the Gao family son before the battle, Chancellor Gao has already rewarded you. One merit cannot receive double rewards, and promoting you to Company Commander was already exceptional…”

He sighed: “I blame my incompetence. But don’t be discouraged. When I first saw you attack a city, I knew you weren’t meant for a small pond. Over these years, you indeed didn’t let me down. Sooner or later, you’ll distinguish yourself!”

Yang Xuan’s ancestors had been powerful families in Jingchu for generations, controlling the Jingxiang region for many years as a semi-autonomous entity.

But with such common family origins, no matter how hard he worked or how great his achievements, in the eyes of noble families, he was just a crude military general fit only for their use in conquest.

Yang Xuan was called Xu family’s greatest general, but now only held the rank of miscellaneous general, lower in status than the Four Expedition, Four Pacification, and Front, Rear, Left, and Right generals. Those generals were all from noble families.

Even rising through merit to his current position, what of it? Even Xu Mi’s son could order him around.

While Yang Xuan spoke such comfort, thinking of his own treatment, he couldn’t help feeling sad at heart.

Li Mu said: “The Minister’s words are reasonable. Moreover, when I saved that person that day, I wasn’t seeking promotion. I’m infinitely grateful for the General’s consideration, but General, please don’t waste more words on my behalf.”

Yang Xuan felt even more guilty hearing him comfort himself this way.

How could he not see that Xu Mi’s suppression of Li Mu’s merit wasn’t due to the excuse of not double-rewarding one achievement?

He supposed Xu Mi suspected Li Mu intended to curry favor with Gao Qiao, which was why he risked his life to rescue Gao Huan before the battle.

Such martial prowess and courage—not only in Dayu, but looking across the entire Central Plains, even that Xianbei man Murong Xi from the Xia Kingdom who was called the world’s greatest general, might not be able to achieve this.

For the Xu family, such a fierce general with divided loyalty would probably be better killed than used by others.

From Yang Xuan’s assessment, Xu Mi was probably warning him this time, and would show favor later.

Thinking of this, and seeing that Li Mu himself seemed to have no great concern, he let it go.

“Now that Prince Linchuan has been executed, what remains is dealing with the situation north of the river. Rest well for a few days. In some time, we’ll probably return to Jingxiang, and that will be another long journey.”

Li Mu said: “I was just about to discuss something with the General. Our army has always focused on garrisoning the Jingxiang region as downstream support, but the Yiyang area has weak defenses. If the Jie people change tactics and take Yiyang, neither Jingxiang nor General Gao in Guangling could guard against both ends. Once broken through, the situation would be difficult to handle.”

Yang Xuan didn’t take it seriously: “Jingxiang’s geography is the most critical point of the upper Yangtze River. Historically, northern peoples wanting to take Jiangnan must first plot to take Xiangyang, so Minister Xu has managed it for many years. Yiyang isn’t a strategic location, and there are no good river crossings north of the Huai. Even if Yiyang were captured, there’s no convenient route south—mostly dangerous mountains and treacherous waters, extremely inconvenient. You’re overthinking.”

Li Mu said: “I’ve heard there’s a southern route from Yiyang, but few know of it. Previously, spies sent by the Xia people were captured nearby. I’m willing to lead my three hundred soldiers to depart tomorrow morning for Yiyang to assess the situation.”

Yang Xuan was surprised: “You truly have such concerns?”

“Please give the order, General!”

Yang Xuan pondered for a moment and nodded.

“Very well. As a precaution, I’ll give you military authority. Go first across the river to Yiyang—you can command the Yiyang garrison. If there’s any movement north of the Huai, report back immediately.”

“Thank you, General!”

Yang Xuan patted his shoulder: “Go rest early—you have to depart tomorrow morning!”

…

At the fourth watch, the originally noisy barracks fell completely silent.

In the wilderness of Danyang Prefecture, all was pitch black. Around the barracks, only scattered remnant fires remained, illuminating the silhouettes of night patrol soldiers.

In the vast night with moon reflecting on the spring river, countless thoughts flowed with the rolling eastward waters, buried at the bottom of the waves, leaving only worldly affairs like chess and human hearts like faces.

With wave sounds rising and falling, Li Mu stood by the riverside, gazing at the bright moon on the water, his silhouette motionless.

Not far behind him, three hundred cavalry had already assembled in full gear, waiting only for his command to depart immediately.

The Xia troops would launch an unexpected attack on Yiyang. Though that former north-south war ultimately ended with weak Yu defeating strong opponents, because Yiyang was initially lost and the Xia people opened a southern route, Jiangdong was once in an extremely disadvantageous position, and the war continued for over a year before ending.

But everything would be changed, starting from tonight.

“From now on, my remaining life is entrusted to you, my lord.”

Those words from the past still existed today, though the voice had not yet faded, like the nightly river tides echoing in his ears.

Li Mu faced the night wind and took one last look at the dark night sky toward the distant invisible end of Tai City, then turned around.

Three hundred light cavalry, amid the clear sound of hoofbeats striking the ground, galloped west along the riverside and quickly disappeared into the night.

Only this white moonlight remained, quietly illuminating the eastward flowing river water by the shore, continuing generation after generation, year after year, never ceasing.

…

A hundred li away, on Bailu Zhou, at this moment tonight, Luoshen also remained sleepless.

Half a month ago, upon learning her cousin was rescued, her illness gradually improved.

Once her illness recovered, Xiao Yongjia had to return to Bailu Zhou.

Because Gao Qiao was busy all day and had received imperial orders to go to Danyang to reward the army, Xiao Yongjia simply brought her daughter along.

Tonight she couldn’t sleep, finally rising and dressing, coming to the west window to lean against it, supporting her elbows on the windowsill, cupping her chin in her hands and gazing up at the bright moon overhead, her thoughts turbulent.

Bailu Zhou was a beautiful place, especially during late spring each year with nightly river tides and flowers reflecting the moon.

But perhaps because she subconsciously believed it separated her parents, Luoshen had never liked this place.

Especially tonight, for some reason, this feeling was even stronger.

Not far away, the continuous sound of river tides, in this deep night of complete silence, sounded increasingly intrusive.

It even seemed to carry a trace of terrifying power.

From the depths of her heart, a previously unknown melancholic feeling filled with sadness slowly emerged, making one want to cry.

She didn’t like this feeling.

She only wanted to leave here quickly and preferably never return.

But this stay lasted three months for Luoshen.

During these three months, her attention was almost entirely captured by continuous war reports from north of the river, leaving no mood to feel sentimental about flowers and moon as she had that night.

Shortly after she came to Bailu Zhou with her mother, news arrived from north of the river that the northern Jie kingdom was attacking Yiyang.

Yiyang was located north of the river and wasn’t considered a strategic military location within Dayu’s few remaining northern territories, so Dayu initially hadn’t stationed heavy troops there. Fortunately, there had been some preparation. The garrison used the terrain advantage and managed to hold the pass. Before reinforcements from General Gao Yun arrived, the few thousand defenders faced tens of thousands of northern vanguard troops but didn’t allow a single boat or ship to cross the river.

War then broke out in full.

Head of State Affairs Gao Qiao completed defensive arrangements in Jiangdong and personally crossed the river to Guangling, appointing Governor Gao Yun as Left General and Military Grand Marshal, appointing Gao Yin as General Conquering the North and Vanguard Commander, together with Lu Jianzhi who had just returned to court and others, dividing into three routes along the Huai River northward to engage the enemy nation’s advancing army. In just three months, they achieved consecutive victories, Jiangdong morale soared, and in the final battle, they completely defeated the so-called million invading Xia troops.

The Xia people were utterly defeated, retreating north of the Huai River. Dayu took the opportunity to push the national border north to the Huainan area. The northern Xia Kingdom subsequently fell into great internal chaos. The Xianbei, Xiongnu, and other barbarian tribes originally subject to Xia took the opportunity to rebel, Beixia was in grave danger, and no longer had the strength to covet Jiangdong. The crisis in Jiangzuo was finally temporarily lifted.

From the Battle of Yiyang to the Xia people’s retreat north of the Huai, Dayu not only won this life-and-death battle concerning national fate, but moreover, it took only three short months!

News of victory quickly spread throughout Jiangdong. The people were ecstatic. The Gao family’s reputation reached unprecedented heights after this battle.

In August of the fifteenth year of Xingping, Luoshen, still staying at Bailu Zhou, received news that her father would return to the capital soon and was overjoyed.

All those troubles and worries that had previously bothered her as a young girl were swept away by this great news.

It was a bright and sunny August afternoon. Cousin Gao Huan, who had remained in Jiankang these past months, came excitedly by boat to Bailu Zhou to take Luoshen back to the city.

“Sister, I heard that uncle initially accepted his strategic advice and at the beginning of the war, while the Xia troops hadn’t fully assembled, proactively advanced to attack. He served as vanguard daredevil, winning five battles out of five and establishing extraordinary merit. Now even His Majesty knows his name. Hearing that he once charged alone into rebel lines to save my life, he’s quite curious and has specifically summoned him for an audience.”

Li Mu—that name Luoshen had first heard several months ago and had now almost forgotten—came to her ears again in this way from her cousin’s mouth.