Chapter 45: Demanding Military Merit

“Indeed, but if we do this, others will also become suspicious. After all, they traveled with us, and we killed five hundred cavalry—actual regular troops. That alone isn’t enough. We can say Gan Scar and the others broke through on the battlefield after days of fighting, and that we were rescued by a team from Flying Phoenix Ridge, led by their chief, who single-handedly slew two top-ranked opponents,” Fang Xian added.

Later, Ye Hongxiu stepped forward to recount their agreed-upon story to the arriving mountain fortress soldiers, cautioning them not to spread rumors when they returned. She didn’t reveal that they had been saved by Flying Phoenix Ridge, only saying that a friendly nearby bandit group had come to their aid.

When Fang Xian and his party returned to the stronghold, Huang Yuantao had already finished his tea and gone back to his courtyard. Huang Shuhua woke groggily, startled to see his father return, and sobered up almost instantly.

“Father, I heard that Big Ox took two hundred men down the mountain early this morning. I wonder if they went to meet Fang Xian?” Huang Shuhua said hurriedly.

“I know already, but it’s too late to discuss it now. We’ll see what Commander Wei decides,” Huang Yuantao replied, suddenly irritated for reasons he couldn’t explain.

“It’s all my fault for drinking too much,” Huang Shuhua admitted, lowering his head.

“Today is truly odd. My elder brother invited us for tea and reminisced about old times for no reason. Tianming dragged you off for drinks too. Something about all this feels off,” Huang Yuantao mused.

“Father, do you think Uncle and Second Uncle suspect us?” Huang Shuhua was alarmed. If Ye Qingyun learned of their affairs in Wu Dynasty, he would surely not spare them.

“I don’t think so,” Huang Yuantao replied, reflecting on his own recent actions. Except for some minor friction with Fang Xian, he hadn’t done anything noteworthy. He’d been cautious about the Five Venoms Sect and the rumors, so there was no reason for suspicion.

Just then, commotion erupted outside, growing louder by the minute. Huang Yuantao promptly sent a maid to check, his mood growing ever more agitated.

Soon the maid returned, accompanied by one of Ye Qingyun’s personal guards. “Third Chief, Young Master Huang, the Old Chief requests your presence in the council hall. Your son-in-law and the Young Chief have returned.”

“They’ve returned? Why is it so lively outside?” Huang Yuantao asked.

“Third Chief, your son-in-law and Young Chief were ambushed by Xia Dynasty soldiers on the road, but luckily they’re unharmed. The Old Chief wants to discuss this matter with you,” the guard answered, then turned away.

“Father, they both made it back? What was Commander Wei’s arrangement?” Huang Shuhua was anxious; he’d hoped that if Fang Xian and Ye Hongxiu met misfortune, he might vie for the future chiefdom. Now that hope was dashed.

“I don’t know. Don’t dwell on it. Keep your composure—we’ll see what’s happening in the hall,” Huang Yuantao said, frowning but collecting himself as he led Huang Shuhua to the council hall.

Soon, the hall was filled with the fortress leadership. Fang Xian, Ye Hongxiu, Big Ox, Gan Scar, Yang Beard, and Chen Bald were present, all stained with blood. The latter three were especially wounded.

“Brother, what happened? Hongxiu, are you all right?” Huang Yuantao asked in shock, his concern particularly directed at Ye Hongxiu.

“Thank you for your worry, Third Uncle. We were attacked by small-time bandits. This blood isn’t ours; Brother Xian and I are fine, though Gan Scar and the others suffered heavy injuries—some may never wield weapons again,” Ye Hongxiu replied, sadness in her voice.

This was the story she and Fang Xian had agreed upon: to conceal the fate of Li Daqi and others, claiming they’d been gravely wounded and lost their martial ability, so as to hide them further.

“Nephew Xian, what happened? I saw the spoils Big Ox brought back—all regulation military armor. Why were you attacked by soldiers?” Zhou Boxiong asked.

“Second Uncle, our trip home was uneventful. After paying respects at our ancestral graves, we were ambushed five times on the way back. At first, the attackers were few and weak, but their strength increased each time. Fortunately, Gan Scar and the others broke through to the top ranks after repeated battles, giving us a fighting chance.

But thirty miles from the fortress, in a mountain valley, we encountered a cavalry force of five hundred, led by five top-ranked warriors. We retreated into the dense forest, fighting as we withdrew. While surrounded, the chief of Flying Phoenix Ridge happened upon us, saw the Xia Dynasty troops, and joined the fight. Chief Feng slew two top warriors, and we finished off the remaining three. Big Ox and his men arrived, and together we annihilated the cavalry,” Fang Xian recounted, glancing at Big Ox.

Big Ox gestured outside, and several soldiers entered, untying deer-hide sacks at their waists and spilling out five severed heads—the five enemy top warriors.

Huang Yuantao and Huang Shuhua were both shocked; Huang Shuhua’s face turned pale, for he recognized these as the elite under Marshal Hong, and he knew one personally—he’d once shared drinks with him at the banquet of Wu’s Ninth Prince.

“They’re all Xia Dynasty’s elite?” Huang Yuantao asked, perplexed.

“Yes. Chief Feng of Flying Phoenix Ridge recognized their armor. Besides Xia Dynasty, who else could field five top warriors at once? Who knows what scheme Xia Dynasty had, sending these elites and a cavalry force to invade Wu. We happened to foil their plan. Third Uncle, you should petition Commander Wei for military honors and rewards,” Fang Xian said, looking at Huang Yuantao.

“Indeed. Wu Dynasty recruited us to fight Xia. Now that we’ve destroyed one of their cavalry units and killed five top warriors, our merit is considerable. Third Uncle, you know Commander Wei well—please take these heads down the mountain and ask for rewards,” Ye Hongxiu urged.

“Please inform Commander Wei that we want at least five general’s ranks in military honors, and for the rest, double the medicinal supplies from our last list,” Fang Xian specified.

“Very well, I’ll make the trip. With such achievements for Wu Dynasty, Marshal Hong won’t be stingy with rewards. We also need to see Wu’s sincerity before we take further action,” Ye Qingyun said with delight, pleased that Fang Xian and Ye Hongxiu had returned safely and slain five top warriors.

“Yes, Brother. I’ll go at once,” Huang Yuantao replied, unable to refuse. He was uncertain how to face Wei Qian, who would also have difficulties reporting to Marshal Hong.

“Second Brother, why do you look so pale? Haven’t you seen dead men before? As the Young Chief, you mustn’t be weak—how will you lead troops one day?” Fang Xian teased, noticing Huang Shuhua’s colorless face.

“It’s not that. Brother got me drunk earlier, and I’m still dizzy. Seeing these bloody heads makes me nauseous. I’ll be fine in a bit,” Huang Shuhua said quickly, apologizing to everyone before rushing outside. Soon, the sound of retching could be heard.

“This child needs more training. Congratulations, Old Gan and you three—our fortress will be even stronger now,” Huang Yuantao said, turning to Gan Scar and his comrades with a smile.

“Sigh, just lucky to keep our lives. I reckon it’ll take three to five months of rest to recover,” Gan Scar said with a bitter smile, echoing the story he and Fang Xian had agreed upon.