He Yan had been in the dungeon for two days. During these two days, except for Shen Han’s single visit, no one else came. Even when Shen Han visited, he didn’t mention anything about the situation outside, suggesting that nothing had happened for now. The more peaceful it seemed, the more He Yan felt something was wrong. Unfortunately, the dungeon of Liangzhou Guard was as solid as rock, making it impossible for her to devise an escape plan. Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu were probably under restriction, as neither of them had been seen during these two days.

The crude food and sleeping conditions weren’t unbearable for He Yan. What was most frightening was the invisible crisis gradually approaching with each passing moment.

Unfortunately, no one had noticed yet.

It began snowing in the middle of the night.

The snowflakes were as large as goose feathers, dancing in the air, falling on people’s bodies, with even cotton clothes unable to ward off the bone-chilling cold. Two sentries standing on the tower platform couldn’t help rubbing their hands together and breathing into their palms. A white mist appeared before their eyes, quickly dissipating.

Liangzhou Guard was shrouded in silence. The winter garrison wasn’t as lively as summer – gone were the recruits cooling off in the Wulu River at night, gone was the noisy chirping of cicadas. All that remained was the cold of snow melting on the ground.

“I need to use the latrine,” one sentry said, stamping his feet. “Can’t hold it anymore.”

His companion urged, “Be quick about it.”

The man put down his drum mallet, took his sword, and went to the latrine. The snow was falling heavily, accumulating a thick layer in no time, covering his shoes as he stepped in it. The cold crept from his feet to his head. The sentry shuddered and hurried to the latrine at the back.

There was a torch-lit outside the latrine. A few days ago, a recruit had slipped on the icy ground while relieving himself at night, injuring his leg. After that, Shen Han ordered torches to be placed here to light the path.

When the sentry entered, there was already someone inside. In the dim light, he glanced at the person and said with a smile, “Oh, you’re up too?”

The other person smiled back, “Just got here.”

“It’s too cold. If I wasn’t bursting, I wouldn’t have made this trip,” the sentry complained.

After relieving himself and pulling up his pants, he was about to leave. The other person had finished too and followed him out, one in front, one behind.

The torch at the entrance cast its shadows on the snowy ground, flickering. The sentry casually glanced back and saw the shadow behind him had suddenly spread its arms. His heart jumped, and he was about to shout—

A hand covered his mouth and nose. The person behind him swiftly drew the sword from the sentry’s waist and slashed it viciously across his throat.

Blood splattered everywhere. The young body fell silently, lifeless.

The shadow didn’t hesitate, bending down to drag away the sentry’s corpse. The snow fell heavier, and within moments, covered the bloodstains. After about fifteen minutes, the sentry emerged again.

He grabbed some snow, wiped the blood clean from the sword, replaced it at his waist, adjusted the felt hat on his head, and walked toward the tower.

Up on the tower platform, his companion was growing impatient. Hearing movement, he saw the sentry who had gone to the latrine returning and sighed in relief, cursing, “Why did you take so long? Were you slacking off?”

The sentry shook his head, breathing into his hands as if too cold to speak. Seeing this, his companion couldn’t help rubbing his own hands too, “Damn, it’s freezing.”

The sentry had pulled his felt hat very low. His companion cursed, “You think pulling your hat down will make you less cold? Pull it up, you can’t see anything like that. How are you supposed to keep watch this way!” He reached over to lift the sentry’s hat, but just as he got close, he suddenly froze.

Unlike the pure red and black of the recruits’ uniforms, the sentry’s clothes had a white border at the collar. Now there were two red spots on that white border.

These weren’t old ink stains – the color was bright, still slowly spreading, and hadn’t been there when he went to the latrine just moments ago.

The companion looked at the sentry who hadn’t spoken a word since returning, and reached for his sword, but his movement was too slow.

The other person had two swords.

One sword, belonging to the dead sentry, was thrust into his chest. The other sword, with a curved tip, sliced across his throat.

He couldn’t cry out. As he staggered and fell to the ground, the killer had already turned and was heading down the tower. The sentry struggled to crawl on the ground, trying to reach for the fallen drum mallet.

If he could just grab the mallet and sound the alarm drum, the entire Liangzhou Guard would wake up.

This was the last thing he could do.

The blood beneath him left a trail as he dragged himself along, a horrifying sight. Using all his strength, he crawled to the mallet, grabbed it, and tried to raise himself to strike the drum.

Just as he lifted half his body, sudden pain shot through him. Blood splattered on the drum face, and the hand holding the mallet fell to the ground.

His right hand had been chopped off.

The killer had returned, standing before him, saying softly, “Almost forgot.”

Not far away, the commotion seemed to have alerted the soldiers patrolling on the ground. Someone called out, “Hey! Everything alright up there?”

The person pressed down his felt hat and waved to the distance: “All fine! Just slipped!”

On the ground, blood was everywhere. The sentry who had been barely breathing moments ago now lay dead, eyes wide open.

Like an abyss, the night closed in on the entire Liangzhou Guard.

……

Early the next morning, at dawn, the recruits got up to eat and go to the training ground for morning runs.

Hong Shan, Xiao Mai, and others sat together eating. Soon, Wang Ba, Huang Xiong, and Jiang Jiao joined them. Huang Xiong asked, “He Yan hasn’t been released yet?”

Hong Shan shook his head.

“This isn’t good,” Jiang Jiao said. “It’s been unusually cold these days. I heard from Young Master Cheng that there’s nothing in the dungeon. Even if she doesn’t freeze to death, she’ll fall ill.” Despite their previous criticism of He Yan over the “cuckold” incident, as former flag-competing companions, they couldn’t help but worry now that things had gotten this serious.

“Do you think He Yan might be released when the Governor returns to the garrison?” Wang Ba asked.

“Hard to say,” Stone answered.

“Why?” Wang Ba was puzzled.

“Now everyone in Liangzhou Guard knows He Yan killed someone, but there’s no evidence to prove she didn’t do it,” Hong Shan sighed.

“What evidence do you need? She’s not stupid enough to kill someone and leave the body as evidence. That itself is proof!”

Xiao Mai said quietly, “That’s too far-fetched.”

Wang Ba’s eyes widened: “What’s far-fetched? Tell me what’s far-fetched?”

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside, mixed with someone’s shocked cry: “Dead! There are dead people! Quick, get the instructor!”

“What? What happened?” Everyone went out to look. They saw a short, sharp-witted recruit urgently saying: “At the training ground, all the brothers on sentry duty are dead!”

All dead!

Everyone’s expressions changed as they rushed toward the training ground.

The training ground was a river of blood.

No one knew when the snow had stopped. Some bloodstains were buried under snow, some had frozen, scattered across the training ground, revealing traces of last night’s brutal acts.

Dozens of sentries – those stationed on the tower platform, those guarding around the training ground – none survived. The bodies were piled in the center of the training ground, sprawled in all directions like stacked livestock. All the dead soldiers had been killed with a single stroke, their throats slit, extremely tragic. One body on top of the pile had his right hand cleanly severed at the elbow. This person wore sentry clothes and had likely been trying to sound the drum when his hand was cut off.

These were all companions they had lived with day and night, who had lost their lives just a wall away. Everyone at the training ground had tears in their eyes. Someone said hatefully: “Who did this? If I find out, I’ll… I’ll…”

A voice came, carrying a deep arrogance: “You’ll what?”

At some point, from behind the training ground, along the horse path connecting to White Moon Mountain, came a group of cavalry, perhaps several hundred, at most a thousand. Their leader was a long-haired man on horseback, wearing dark armor and wielding a curved sword half his height. He was extremely muscular and broad-shouldered, with a high nose and dark blue eyes like a lake. His features were different from Central Plains people. When he smiled, he was like a blood-drinking vulture grinding its teeth, bringing a sinister bloodthirst that made people’s hearts tremble.

“Who are you?” the recruits asked.

The long-haired man ignored them, instead approaching the recruit who had spoken earlier: “If you find out, what will you do?”

His smile carried a cruel violence. Facing him, the recruit couldn’t help but tremble. Gathering his courage, he said, “I-I must avenge my fallen comrades!”

“Is that so?” the long-haired man laughed. “How will you avenge them?” Without waiting for the recruit’s answer, he raised his curved sword and struck!

With a “thud,” a figure flashed by, blocking his curved sword, but was forced back several steps by the strike. After steadying himself, he looked at the long-haired man: “You’re quite bold, killing people in my Liangzhou Guard!”

It was Shen Han.

“Chief Instructor Shen is here! Chief Instructor Shen has arrived!” The recruits called out excitedly, finally having someone to rely on.

“Chief Instructor?” The long-haired man looked at Shen Han. “So you’re the Chief Instructor of Liangzhou Guard?”

“Who are you?” Shen Han’s face was dark as water.

“My name is Ri Da Mu Zi. I’ve heard that Great Wei’s military produces generals and that Governor Xiao Huai Jin is quick in action and undefeated in a hundred battles. I’ve come to test his skills. What’s wrong? Is Xiao Huai Jin afraid to fight?”

“What nonsense are you talking!” A recruit couldn’t help but retort: “You knew the Governor wasn’t here before you dared to…”

“Silence!” Du Mao stopped his words, but it was too late.

“Not here?” Ri Da Mu Zi’s eyes narrowed: “What unfortunate timing.”

The instructors exchanged glances, their hearts gradually sinking. The talk of wanting to challenge Xiao Jue was merely an excuse. This person likely knew Xiao Jue wasn’t at Liangzhou Guard before bringing his men to provoke them. However… with at most a thousand troops facing Liangzhou’s tens of thousands of soldiers, even if they were untested recruits, wasn’t this too reckless? Or… was there another plot?

The sentries were killed in one night – if they were enemies, this would have been impossible unless there was truly a traitor, and they died at the hands of their people.

Ma Damei said in a low voice: “What He Yan said was true.”

What He Yan said was true – they had been watching Hu Yuanzhong these days, but Hu Yuanzhong had behaved properly without any suspicious movements. If he still had accomplices hidden among the recruits, everything would make sense.

“Form ranks,” Shen Han ordered.

Behind him, tens of thousands of elite soldiers simultaneously drew their weapons.

Since the visitors came with ill intent, the sons of Great Wei had no reason to retreat.

Seeing this, Ri Da Mu Zi burst into laughter, saying, “Ah, Chief Instructor, I didn’t come here to fight with you.”

“You appear to be Qiang people,” Shen Han sneered. “Many years ago, General Flying Swan fought with the Qiang tribe. I thought the Qiang tribe no longer harbored ill intentions. Now you come to our Liangzhou Guard, kill dozens of our men – if not for battle, surely you’re not here to seek peace?”

At the mention of General Flying Swan, Ri Da Mu Zi’s expression changed slightly. After a moment, his gaze fixed on Shen Han as he smiled grimly: “Chief Instructor, don’t slander me. I only intended to spar with Xiao Huai Jin. Who knew that passing by last night, the sentries here were too unfriendly, got into an argument with my brothers, and we had no choice but to kill them all.” He spoke casually: “I thought soldiers trained by Xiao Huai Jin would have some skill, but they were disappointingly weak. When they died, they couldn’t even make a sound—”

“You!” The recruits were filled with righteous anger.

“Chief Instructor, don’t be angry. I came just for a sparring match,” he looked with interest at the recruits behind Shen Han. “If Xiao Huai Jin won’t fight, let his soldiers fight. If that won’t do, you instructors can fight too.”

Liang Ping stepped forward: “You think too highly of yourself. What makes you so sure we’ll accept your challenge?”

“Not willing?” Ri Da Mu Zi unhurriedly clapped his hands, and several people approached from afar. Someone struggled: “Let me go—”

Shen Han’s expression suddenly changed.

Several tribal soldiers were carrying two people like chickens – one was Cheng Lisu, the other Song Taotao. Both had their hands and feet bound behind them, looking disheveled as they struggled continuously.

“Instructor Shen!” Seeing Shen Han, Cheng Lisu called out as if seeing a savior: “Who are these people? Why are they binding us?”

Who they were – Shen Han’s mouth felt bitter. He had assigned many men to guard Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao’s doors, protecting them secretly, yet they were still captured. The enemy’s strength couldn’t be underestimated. Moreover, they knew to capture Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao to constrain the Liangzhou Guard, showing their familiarity with the Liangzhou Guard.

“Now then,” Ri Da Mu Zi looked at Shen Han’s expression with satisfaction: “Instructor, are you willing to spar with us?”

Song Taotao shouted: “How could this be sparring? How could they be so kind-hearted? There must be a trap!”

Shen Han said: “Fine.”

“Splendid!” Ri Da Mu Zi sat up straight: “The weather’s too cold, and I’m too lazy for much. Just three matches. Pick three people.”

He turned to his men and said: “Brothers, whoever wants to fight, go ahead!”

From behind him, someone said: “Commander, Wa La wishes to fight!”

This was a very robust man. The Qiang people were traditionally strong in build, making Central Plains people look particularly weak when standing beside them. He was young, only in his early twenties, yet stood nine chi tall, like an ancient giant. He had a fierce countenance with protruding bull-like eyes and carried a curved sword – not someone to be trifled with.

“Good!” Ri Da Mu Zi shouted: “Wa La is so valiant, truly worthy of being a son of our Qiang tribe!” He looked back at Shen Han: “What about you?”

Wa La’s strange and enormous appearance naturally made people want to retreat, and the corpses on the training ground clearly showed how brutal these Qiang people were. For a moment, no one in the Liangzhou Guard responded.

“If no one will fight, then your instructors can come up,” Ri Da Mu Zi smiled. “This battlefield is the perfect time to teach the recruits.”

Beside him, Liang Ping gritted his teeth and was about to volunteer when a voice rang out: “I’ll go.”

This was a young recruit from the Vanguard Camp named Wei Huan. Shen Han remembered him – his sword skills were excellent, among the top two in the Vanguard Camp. However, his personality was gentle and shy, unlike Lei Hou’s brilliance. Thus, although both he and Lei Hou were outstanding, he attracted far less attention than Lei Hou.

Right, speaking of Lei Hou – Shen Han started. Where was Lei Hou?

“You?” Ri Da Mu Zi glanced at Wei Huan, smiling without warmth: “Admirable courage.”

Wei Huan slowly stepped forward, walking up to Wa La: “I’m willing to spar with you.”

Wa La smiled, looked around, saw the high platform of the training ground, and said: “Let’s go there. The height is good. If I cut off your head up there, everyone below can see clearly. Isn’t that nice?”

Wei Huan’s expression remained unchanged. Wa La laughed heartily, leaped onto the training ground platform, and said: “Come fight!”

The training ground platform had been used countless times these days, but always by Liangzhou Guard’s recruits sparring with each other. The recruits watching below would be relaxed, pointing out flaws and brilliance while watching, learning from each match.

Because they knew there would be many more such sparring matches.

None had been as somber as today, especially when Ri Da Mu Zi suddenly remembered something and looked at Shen Han, speaking loud enough for everyone around to hear: “Chief Instructor, I forgot to tell you, in our Qiang tribe’s rules, once on the death platform, life and death are not considered – only death determines the victor.”

“What?” Liang Ping angrily said.

“Warriors should be prepared to die in battle at any time. This is the highest glory,” Ri Da Mu Zi coldly spoke. “No exceptions.”

On the platform, Wei Huan slowly drew his sword and nodded to Wa La.

……

In the dungeon, it was dark and damp as always.

The guards at the entrance had disappeared at some point. The dungeon was silent, where even a falling needle could be heard clearly. Footsteps seemed particularly jarring.

A shadow moved down the steps one by one. The torch at the entrance made the shadow flicker slightly. In the innermost cell, someone was curled up against the wall sleeping, seeming to shiver from extreme cold and catching a chill, lips pale.

The shadow stopped at He Yan’s cell.

An empty bowl sat on the ground, originally containing either water or food, now licked clean and somewhat shiny. The thin blanket was too short to cover the whole body; even curled up, feet were exposed. She was shivering slightly, her complexion unnaturally pale. The shadow watched for a moment, then inserted a key into the lock. With a “click,” the lock opened.

The person in the cell remained unaware.

He walked in.

The youth’s once-spirited appearance was completely gone. In this state, there was no difference from any other prisoner. He seemed somewhat regretful yet also vigilant, standing still, staring at the youth’s face.

The youth didn’t move.

After a while, the shadow slowly drew closer.

At this moment, the youth suddenly raised her head, revealing a pair of clear eyes, black and white distinct, without any trace of sleepiness, completely awake.

“You—” He only managed to say one word, his sword not yet falling, when he felt a pain below as a foot kicked him squarely in the chest. The pain made him instantly fall to his knees. The next moment, a white silk sash from behind strangled his neck, and He Yan’s voice came from behind.

“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, Lei Hou.”

Lei Hou’s eyes rolled back as he was being strangled. He Yan’s strength was extreme, her legs pinning his legs, making him unable to move. Just as Lei Hou was about to be strangled to death by He Yan, she suddenly released her grip. As Lei Hou suddenly gained space to breathe, clutching his throat and gasping for air, He Yan took a few quick steps to his front and, like prying open a duck’s beak, poured something into his mouth.

Lei Hou was gasping for air and couldn’t guard against this. He immediately swallowed every drop of the substance. He tried to say something but couldn’t muster any strength in his body. He only felt his whole body going numb, and within moments, he passed out with no further movement.

He Yan kicked his face twice with her foot to confirm he was unconscious, then tore the white silk sash into two pieces and bound Lei Hou’s hands and feet.

That day when she had asked Song Taotao for help, she inquired if Song Taotao had any weapons. But Song Taotao, being a young woman, wouldn’t carry swords or daggers. After searching her entire person, she only had a bottle of knockout drops that she had taken from Shen Muxue’s table, thinking it might be useful if she encountered bad people. He Yan had to make do with what she had and took it.

That wasn’t enough – she also borrowed Song Taotao’s belt. Song Taotao’s belt was bought new in Liangzhou after returning to the garrison, made of special fabric, extremely sturdy and durable, and comparable to rope.

When necessary, a belt could also strangle someone to death.

He Yan thought that since the opponent had deliberately framed her for murder and sent her to the Liangzhou Guard’s dungeon, they must be quite wary of her. Once she entered the dungeon, they wouldn’t rest easy and would come to silence her. She needed to carry weapons to counter-kill at any time.

But all her weapons had been confiscated, leaving her with only a bottle of knockout drops and Song Taotao’s belt.

Early this morning, no one came to bring her breakfast, which was strange. Usually, at this time, breakfast would have been delivered. Because of Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu’s pleading, although Shen Han wouldn’t let them visit her, he didn’t mistreat He Yan’s meals.

The garrison usually paid strict attention to timing. No one coming at this hour meant something must have happened.

He Yan was anxious but couldn’t get out, not knowing what was happening outside. Later, she gradually calmed down, reasoning that if something had happened, the enemy might take advantage of the chaos to come here and silence her.

Before leaving, Song Taotao, not knowing what might help, had given everything she had to He Yan, including a box of cosmetics. He Yan applied some to her face and lips, curling up like a gravely ill prisoner.

She was guessing what might have happened outside when she heard footsteps, leading to the current scene.

He Yan dragged Lei Hou to the corner, laying his face against the wall. The knockout drops would last for eight hours; during this time, Lei Hou wouldn’t wake up.

She left the cell and turned to lock the door.

Lei Hou had become the prisoner.