Emperor Zhao Kang finally approved Wu’an Marquis He Yan to lead the former Flying Swan troops of the Fuyu Army to resist the enemy in Jiuchuan.

Although there was much discussion in court, it eventually quieted down. Firstly, due to the Xiao family’s influence, few dared to speak against it. Secondly, even if He Yan didn’t go, there were few capable commanders available at court. It was better to let the Wu’an Marquis, who had previous experience fighting the Wuto people, lead the army.

Yan He took the Yan family troops to Ji Prefecture, while Xiao Jue led the Southern Command forces deep into Yunzi. The slightly older Tiger Might General took his troops along with the Liangzhou Guard to Bingjiang, where the situation was somewhat better. He Yan would lead the Fuyu Army to Jiuchuan.

Of these four commanders, except for the Tiger Might General who was older, the other three were quite young. Emperor Zhao Kang’s willingness to entrust military power to them, especially He Yan, wasn’t merely a gamble but carried the intention of nurturing his loyal subordinates. Particularly with He Yan – if used well, she might become the next “Flying Swan.”

After receiving the military seal, they would soon depart from the capital. He Yan requested from Emperor Zhao Kang that Wang Ba and his companions, who had followed her to Rundu from the Liangzhou Guard and coordinated perfectly during the night raid on the enemy camp, be allowed to join the Fuyu Army for the Jiuchuan campaign. The Emperor agreed.

With everything settled, only two days remained in Shuojing.

Spring thunder rolled, and the Awakening of Insects was approaching. Willow branches had sprouted new green buds, hidden along the riverbank, tinting the river’s scenery with verdant hues.

In Old Man Sun’s noodle shop in the east of the city, a girl in a blue cotton dress was ladling noodles from an iron pot. She was young, only moderately pretty, and somewhat shy when people spoke to her – a quiet, bashful young woman.

Two young men walked in, with the younger one cheerfully saying, “Two bowls of plain noodles.” He handed over some coins.

Sun Xiaolan quickly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, took the money, and said, “Please have a seat inside, customers. It’ll be ready soon.”

Xiaomai nodded, making faces at his elder brother, who glared back in warning.

They found a table inside, and Xiaomai asked Stone, “Brother, we’re about to go to war, and this isn’t like going to Liangzhou Guard – we’ll be fighting the Wuto people for real. Since you like Sister Xiaolan, why don’t you tell her before we leave?”

Stone remained silent.

“If you don’t tell her, what if Old Man Sun arranges a marriage for her while we’re away?” Xiaomai looked at his brother. “We’ve been at Liangzhou Guard for so long, how did you become such a coward?”

Stone shook his head and said softly, “This journey to Jiuchuan – we might not return alive. Why give someone hope only to waste their time?”

He gazed at the busy girl in the blue dress, a rare smile appearing on his lips. “If I survive and return, then I’ll tell her how I feel…”

Xiaomai looked at Sun Xiaolan, then at Stone, and after a while, sighed resignedly, “Fine, whatever you say, Brother.”

The noodles were quickly served, and Sun Xiaolan said with a smile, “Please enjoy,” before quickly leaving.

It began to drizzle, washing the bluestone slabs in front of the shop clean and bright. When the girl went to collect the empty bowls, she found a pot of mountain peach blossoms beside them.

The peach blossoms had bloomed early, some not yet fully opened, their pink colors varying in depth like spring’s red snow. She paused, thinking of the taciturn, handsome young man from earlier. After a moment, her cheeks slightly flushed as she carefully picked up the pot of peach blossoms and placed it inside the house.

The mountains were the same as before, but the bandit stronghold looked much more dilapidated.

The scarred man climbed the final earthen mound and stared at the stronghold in a daze.

A child leading an ox by the entrance looked at him and froze, then after a moment shouted, “The Big Chief is back!”

Surrounded by people calling him “Chief” as he entered the stronghold, Wang Ba felt like he was in another world. After staying in the Liangzhou Guard for so long, he had learned to follow orders as a common soldier. This kind of reverent welcome made him quite uncomfortable.

He coughed lightly, “I came back today just to tell you I’m heading to Jiuchuan tomorrow to fight the Wuto people! And to see how you’re all doing.”

Someone rushed forward fawningly, “After Big Chief left, fewer people came to our mountain, and business was poor, so everyone started farming. We’re also raising silkworms now. Though it’s not as profitable as being bandits, it’s more stable. Second Chief says when summer comes, we’ll dig a pond in the mountains for fish farming, so we won’t have to worry about food and necessities in the future.”

Wang Ba felt gratified, but also a touch of sourness. He smiled insincerely, “Seems like you’re all doing fine without me.”

The second Chief approached – he was an educated, refined person who had joined the bandits after his family fell into hardship, but he wasn’t capable of physical labor. Initially, Wang Ba had hoped he could provide good ideas, but eventually gave up and let him stay in the stronghold to teach the children reading and writing.

The Second Chief said, “Chief originally left for Liangzhou Guard because the government’s bandit suppression was getting fierce, and robbery became unsafe. These past two years have been chaotic everywhere, and everyone’s having a hard time. Being self-sufficient now is already quite good. Chief is going to fight the Wuto people – without you fighting out there, how could we have these good days? The brothers all think of you, and if you ever want to return, you’re still our leader.”

Wang Ba felt more content and snorted lightly, “At least you’re grateful!”

He took out several silver ingots from his bag and laid them out.

“This is…” someone carefully asked.

“Rewards from my military achievements!” he waved dismissively, “I get food and lodging in the army camp now, so I don’t need these. Take them and buy whatever you want – don’t say your Big Chief doesn’t take care of you!”

“This…” Second Chief hesitated, “This is what you risked your life for, we can’t accept it.”

“Take it when I tell you to, why so many words!” Wang Ba glared, “Daring to talk back now, are you?”

Everyone looked at each other, not daring to refuse. The children suddenly swarmed around Wang Ba, jumping on him and shouting, “Big Chief is awesome! Big Chief is the best!”

Wang Ba, squeezed until only his head was visible, shouted in exasperation, “Don’t step on me, get off!”

Watching this lively scene, everyone lowered their heads and smiled quietly.

In a dilapidated thatched cottage, a large pot of mutton stew sat on the table, a rare treat.

The eleven or twelve-year-old boy was at an age where he could eat heartily, his cheeks stuffed full as he ate with relish.

Hong Shan said, “Eat slowly, no one’s going to steal it.”

“Brother,” the child looked up, speaking unclearly, “Next time you come back, let’s have mutton stew again!”

Hong Shan laughed, “Alright.”

The elderly woman beside them shook her head disapprovingly, “You indulge him in everything, what if he gets spoiled?”

“Acheng is so well-behaved, how could he be spoiled?” Hong Shan smiled, patting his younger brother’s head, feeling somewhat emotional, “Acheng has grown much taller since I left, and in a few years, he’ll be able to stand on his own.”

Their family consisted only of the two brothers and their elderly mother. While Xiaomai and his brother were close in age, Hong Shan’s younger brother was only twelve. Hong Shan had never achieved much in life – entering the Liangzhou Guard and meeting such capable brothers was already unexpected. However, he was willing to place all his hopes for a better future on his younger brother.

“Acheng,” he watched the young boy happily eating a lamb leg, “When I first arrived at the military camp and met Wu’an Marquis, she was even more frail than you. But later in Liangzhou Guard, she stood out above all others.”

“Is she really that amazing? More amazing than you, Brother?” Acheng asked curiously.

Hong Shan smiled, “She’s much more capable than me,” he looked at the young boy before him, “She could eat as much as you do. So Acheng, during the days I’m gone, you must work hard. Perhaps in the future, you could become someone like Wu’an Marquis.”

“Wu’an Marquis is a woman, and I’m a man, how could I become like Wu’an Marquis?” the young boy protested, “If I’m going to be someone, I want to be like General Feng Yun!”

Hong Shan and the elderly woman exchanged glances, then both lowered their heads and smiled.

“Very well, becoming like General Feng Yun is fine too,” Hong Shan smiled, “After your brother leaves, you must focus on your studies and martial arts practice, and don’t make Mother angry, understand?”

“I understand,” Acheng promised, patting his chest, “Don’t worry, Brother, I’ll take good care of Mother!”

“Ashan,” the elderly woman looked at Hong Shan, her gaze both tender and worried, “Weapons on the battlefield are blind – you must be careful.”

Hong Shan pushed a bowl of soup in front of the elderly woman, “Don’t worry, Mother, I’ll take care of myself too.”

At the martial arts academy in the capital, Academy Master Jiang was sparring with his son and young master Jiang Jiao.

Both were using spears. Academy Master Jiang had once wielded the spear with supernatural skill, but now his son Jiang Jiao had surpassed him. True to his name meaning “dragon,” his spear moved like a dragon emerging from the sea – both beautiful and fierce.

With one horizontal strike, the spear tip touched Academy Master Jiang’s neck, its red tassel trembling slightly as cheers erupted from the crowd.

“Excellent! Young Master is formidable!”

“Academy Master Jiang lost – can’t fight to age!”

Defeated by his son, Academy Master Jiang showed pride rather than anger. Looking at the upright young man before him, he felt immense satisfaction.

Years ago, when Jiang Jiao’s fiancée eloped with another man, he became a laughingstock and fell into depression. He locked himself in his room daily, refusing to see anyone. Friends and relatives tried to counsel him but to no avail.

Academy Master Jiang had only this one son and felt both angry and heartbroken, but had no solution.

When the Liangzhou Guard was recruiting new soldiers, thinking it would temper his son’s will, he forced Jiang Jiao to enlist.

Unexpectedly, in just two years, Jiang Jiao was transformed. His former dejection vanished, and his spear skills improved greatly. If there was anything Academy Master Jiang could be grateful for in this life, it was tearing off the Liangzhou Guard recruitment notice that day and throwing his troublesome son into the military camp.

He pretended to be reserved and said, “Your spear skills have indeed improved considerably.”

Jiang Jiao smiled, “Thanks to a friend’s guidance.”

His spear skills had been guided by He Yan, and thinking about it made him emotional. He Yan’s spear skills were far above his own, and he would need much more effort to catch up to her.

Academy Master Jiang went inside and brought out a long staff wrapped in red cloth.

“This is…”

“For you,” Academy Master Jiang said, “Open it and see.”

Jiang Jiao complied, unwrapping the red cloth to reveal a silver spear, more beautiful and sharp than the one he had taken to Liangzhou Guard.

“For your journey to Jiuchuan, your old spear might not be adequate. Our academy never lacks good weapons. This spear better suits your current skills.”

Jiang Jiao casually twirled the spear a few times, finding it to his liking, and happily said, “Thank you, Father!”

“Now that you have the academy’s finest weapon, don’t disgrace the Jiang family name!” Academy Master Jiang said sternly, paused for a moment, then added, “Of course, protect yourself too – remember, come back alive!”

Jiang Jiao smiled confidently, shouldering the spear, and replied breezily, “Naturally.”

The fine rain fell weakly as an old man in a raincoat fished by the riverside tavern. A burly man built like a black bear, carrying a large blade and fingering Buddhist prayer beads, gazed at the tavern before him with unexpectedly gentle eyes.

This had once been his home.

Back then, it was also spring, and their house was near the river where they could catch plenty of fish during this season. His brothers would carelessly toss fish into bamboo baskets, and the girls would scale them, clean them, and roast them until fragrant. His parents were still alive then, and the courtyard was lively every day. Those carefree days seemed endless, and he felt like he would never grow up.

In the blink of an eye, many years had passed, and everything had changed. His former family members were gone, and the courtyard full of memories had become a tavern.

Now alone, he had no one to bid farewell to before departing.

The tavern woman warmly called out, “Brother, would you like a bowl of apricot blossom wine?”

Huang Xiong glanced over, and after a moment, nodded, “Three bowls.”

“Right away,” the woman answered with a smile.

He placed his blade on the table, waiting as the woman brought three bowls of clear, sweet wine. The wine was sweet but not fancy, reminding him of his mother’s osmanthus wine.

Huang Xiong looked up at the raindrops falling from the eaves outside the window, making small holes in the ground. As he watched, he suddenly shook his head and smiled.

It wasn’t so bad.

Sitting here now was like sitting in his former home. The woman’s care could be considered his mother’s concern, the sound of rain outside like the noise of younger siblings. And this blade…

It was a close friend that would accompany him forward.

The fierce man threw his head back, drank all three bowls of wine, left some silver, and strode away.

Only the rain under the eaves continued falling, unhurried and endless.

At the Lin family home in the capital, the atmosphere was unusually tense today.

Lady Lin repeatedly wiped tears with her handkerchief, looking at the person before her and crying, “Why must you go to Ji Prefecture when everything is fine? Don’t you know that place is constantly at war? You don’t even know martial arts – what if you encounter Wuto people… Mother only has you as her precious child. If anything happens to you, what would Mother do!”

“Enough,” Master Lin Mu frowned, “All this crying – what would the servants think if they saw?”

Lady Lin turned her complaints toward Lin Mu, “You useless thing, go tell the Emperor to let Heer come back. Or you go instead! You’ve lived so many years already, my son is still young, wu… he’s so delicate, how can he go to the battlefield…”

Lin Shuanghe: “…”

He realized for the first time that his mother had such an endless supply of tears.

“Mother, I requested this from the Emperor myself. I want to go – don’t blame Father,” Lin Shuanghe said, “This is a great opportunity to achieve merit. Our Lin family can’t just treat women forever. If I go and accomplish something, the Lin family will become famous throughout Great Wei.”

“Who cares about that,” Lady Lin scolded, “Our family doesn’t lack money!”

Lin Shuanghe felt helpless dealing with women for the first time and looked to his father.

Lin Mu frowned slightly and asked, “Have you thought this through? That’s a battlefield.”

“Father, it’s not like I haven’t been to a battlefield before. Didn’t I encounter Wuto people in Jiyang before, I’m still fine. You’re worrying too much – I’ve always had good luck. Nothing will happen.”

“But…” Lady Lin was about to speak when a voice came from behind: “Shuanghe, come with me.”

It was Lin Qingtan.

Lin Shuanghe finally saw his chance to escape and quickly said, “Grandfather is calling me,” and hurried after Lin Qingtan.

In the study, Lin Qingtan turned around, looked into Lin Shuanghe’s eyes, and asked, “Your insistence on going to Ji Prefecture – is it because of the plague?”

Lin Shuanghe was startled, then smiled, “Grandfather is indeed perceptive.”

The Wuto people had killed indiscriminately in Ji Prefecture, leaving mountains of corpses. It was said that a plague had broken out, and Lin Shuanghe had volunteered to go to help control it.

“Have you thought it through? The battlefield is not like the capital – it’s a place where you could lose your life at any moment,” Lin Qingtan said. Everyone in the capital knew that the Lin family’s youngest son had talent but was too frivolous and couldn’t achieve great things. Perhaps even his father Lin Mu thought so. The Lin family’s expectations for this younger generation were merely that he wouldn’t cause any major trouble and live peacefully – that would be enough.

“Grandfather.” The usually playful young man showed a serious expression for the first time, “In peaceful times, specializing in women’s medicine would be fine, but with urgent warfare, if the Lin family fears death and deserts, we wouldn’t deserve to practice medicine.”

“Going to Ji Prefecture isn’t just to treat civilians infected with the plague – the wounded soldiers in the army also need military doctors.”

“The battlefield is indeed dangerous, but Grandfather has taught that as medical practitioners, we must have a heart to save lives and not be selfish. I may be the young master of the Lin family, but first and foremost, I am a doctor.”

Lin Qingtan looked at Lin Shuanghe before him, his eyes flickering. After a long while, this reserved old man showed a gratified smile for the first time.

“Medicine is the art of benevolence. You already have a compassionate heart – that’s very good.”

“Go to Ji Prefecture,” he said. “Doctor Lin, that is also your battlefield.”