“Right.” The one who had spoken first nodded. “Duan Langyu really is dead, a lot of people know by now.”

“Say what you will about his temperament, but he was still Lord Duan’s eldest son after all.”

“Ah, it’s all the first wife’s doing, ruining him!” The commoner in gray shook his head. “There’s something I want to say—not sure if you’ll want to hear it.”

“Lord Duan is such a good man, how did he end up with a son like Duan Langyu? Strange, isn’t it?”

“Right, right, right.” The one drinking set down his cup. “The first wife’s eldest son and the second wife’s daughter and youngest son turned out so differently.”

“Duan Langyu’s death is no great loss, but poor Lord Duan.”

“And who knows how this war will go? Lord Duan finally found a way to help everyone get rich, and now this…” the man poured himself another cup.

“They say Lei Shenbao is here for the sulfur. That man is thoroughly despicable!” sighed the man in dark green.

“Whatever the reason, once this war breaks out, our Yongshan City is bound to suffer.” another sighed as well.

“Isn’t that the truth?” The man in gray picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of food.

“Lei Shenbao serves His Majesty now—his strength must be even greater.”

“A man that ruthless—we might not even keep our lives once it comes to that.”

“It won’t happen,” the man in dark green said, his brow furrowing slightly. “I believe in Lord Duan. He’ll surely find a way!”

“Let’s hope so.”

“May Lord Duan live a long life, blessed with great fortune!”

“Enough talk—Lord Duan needs us now, and we should answer the call without hesitation!”

“Right, this afternoon’s training camp, we should all go sign up!”

“Of course we should—all of Yongshan City standing together, we’ll be no worse than any other city!”

“And yet you’re still drinking?”

“Isn’t it just because I’m feeling down? Just a couple sips, it won’t get in the way, won’t get in the way!”

As that table finished talking, voices rose again from the other.

“The training camp—are you going to sign up?”

“Of course, this is no time to skip enlisting—how else could we face Lord Duan?”

“I’m going too.”

“All three of my brothers are going, not one staying behind.”

“You think Lei Shenbao is really that formidable?”

“Formidable, terrifyingly so! I heard he doesn’t even see people as human—a man like that won’t come to a good end.”

“I think so too. Lord Duan is different—Lord Duan will surely live a long life.”

“…”

The food arrived, and the people in the corner began their meal.

Throughout the entire lunch, all anyone talked about was Lord Duan, Lei Shenbao, and the training camp.

Why had they chosen to dine out at this particular time? Because Feng Jiu’er wanted to see exactly where Duan Wucheng stood in the people’s hearts.

That, in other words, was her way of judging whether helping him would be worthwhile.

After lunch, several of the men had tasks to attend to and left, leaving only Jian Yi behind.

Jian Yi accompanied Feng Jiu’er, Xiao Yingtao, and Qiao Mu as they left the inn a little later.

Walking last, Qiao Mu spotted a servant boy outside the inn and pulled out a piece of silver.

Seeing this, the boy trotted over.

“My lady, what can I do for you?” the boy asked with great courtesy.

“I heard there’s going to be a war—is that true?” Qiao Mu raised an eyebrow, her expression indifferent.

“Yes, it’s true.” The boy nodded vigorously. “It’s Lei Shenbao from Li City. I’ve heard his troops have already reached the gates of our Yongshan City.”

“Are you visitors from elsewhere?”

Qiao Mu didn’t answer, instead glancing down the street.

“I heard there’s a training camp—what’s that about?”

“The training camp—that’s what Lord Duan, our city lord, has set up to recruit soldiers,” the boy continued respectfully.

“Isn’t there going to be a war? I heard Lei Shenbao has sent out many troops, and Lord Duan is worried our forces aren’t enough.”

“Where is this training camp?” Qiao Mu finally asked, holding out the silver in her hand.

The boy took the silver with both hands, beaming, and pointed down the street.

“The training camp is just up ahead, not far at all, though it hasn’t started yet—there’s still about an hour to go.”

“If you and your companions have some time to spare, you might want to take a look at the street over there.”

“What’s over there?” Qiao Mu pulled her gaze back and glanced at the boy.

“That’s the busiest street in our city. If you’re looking to shop, that’s the best place—rouge, fine clothes, everything’s there.” the boy answered.

Qiao Mu nodded and turned to catch up with the other two ahead.

“Jiu’er, shall we keep walking?” She came up beside Feng Jiu’er, slowing her pace.

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Since we still have an hour, let’s go take a look around.”

The group entered the street; though it looked like idle wandering, in truth they were still gathering information.

If the Duan estate had all been an act, and the people at the inn had been putting on a show too, what about the common folk on the street?

They were all warm, hospitable, and looked kind and amiable.

Most tellingly, whether it was Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, or Xiao Yingtao, whenever they brought up Duan Wucheng while browsing the stalls, everyone said he was a good man.

Without exception!

An hour later, they arrived at the training camp.

The training camp turned out to be nothing more than an open space outside a temple, with a few tables and chairs set up.

The commoners signing up had arrived early to line up, and there were quite a few onlookers too.

Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, Xiao Yingtao, and Jian Yi entered from the side and stopped at one spot.

Not far off, two soldiers sat at a table.

One commoner stepped away, and another walked forward to face the soldiers.

A soldier who had been standing felt the commoner’s bone structure for a moment, then nodded to the two soldiers seated at the table.

One of the seated soldiers looked up at the rather tall commoner before him.

“Name,” the soldier asked.

“Chen Dali,” the commoner answered.

“Age,” the soldier asked again.

“Twenty,” the commoner replied.

“Who’s left in your family?” the soldier asked.

“Don’t worry, sir! I still have a fifteen-year-old younger brother at home. If anything happens to me, he’ll take care of our parents.” the commoner answered.

“A family of four—father, mother, and a fifteen-year-old younger brother?” the soldier raised an eyebrow to confirm.

“Yes.” the commoner nodded firmly. “Sir, please choose me? I’m strong, and my martial skills aren’t bad either.”

The questioning soldier turned to his colleague. “Got it all written down?”

“Mm.” the other soldier nodded in response.

“Alright, go home and wait for word.” The soldier shifted his gaze back to the commoner.

“Sir, you’re not going to use me?” The commoner gripped the table nervously.

“I meet the requirements, and I want to do my part too. Please pick me, sir, my family has my brother to fall back on.”

“I understand how you feel.” The soldier glanced at the back of the commoner’s hand. “Don’t be anxious!”

“Generally, anyone who isn’t an only son has a good chance. Go on home for now, there are still many more people waiting.”

“Alright.”

The commoner nodded cautiously, turned, and walked off to the side.