Watching the Excitement

Inside the government office, the prefect was waiting for news with Pan Hongxuan and his son Pan Wenbai. The two were restless, picking up their teacups and putting them down again without taking a sip. Hearing the commotion outside, Pan Wenbai stood up abruptly. Just as he reached the door, he saw Garrison Commander Li walk in with a sullen face.

"How is it?" The prefect leaned forward and asked anxiously.

Garrison Commander Li wasn't afraid of him. He shook his head, plopped down in a chair, and wiped his face with his hand.

"We can't win. There are over a thousand people from Azure Cloud Stronghold on the other side, and their formation is very tight. Their crossbow bolts are incredibly vicious; they can all fly past your head from two hundred paces away."

They were clearly holding back; if they had lowered their guard even slightly, none of my soldiers would have survived. The moment we met, most of my men had deserted. I can't possibly send a few dozen of my personal guards to their deaths.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"

The prefect slammed his fist on the table in anger, making the teacup jump. But despite his anger, he knew perfectly well that the garrison, with its few old, weak, and disabled soldiers who were just drawing salaries without working, was only good for standing guard at the city gates and collecting taxes. If they were to go toe-to-toe with a tough nut like Azure Cloud Stronghold that was constantly training, they would be nothing more than easy prey.

Pan Hongxuan swayed, grabbing the edge of the table to steady himself, his face instantly turning ashen. He had been hoping that the government troops would come and reclaim the money and grain, but now even the Government Army had retreated in disgrace, and the grain storages and silver vaults in those two estates were completely lost.

The foundation built up by the Pan Household over generations was thus uprooted.

As night fell, the soldiers of Azure Cloud Stronghold, who had rested all day, were full of energy. Having just eaten a hot meal, they were all eager to fight and awaited orders.

Hu Tieniu rode his horse at a trot all the way over, and quickly dismounted when he arrived in front of Shen Jingchuan. Seeing Shen Jingchuan leaning against a tree with his eyes closed, as if he were practicing his internal energy, he didn't dare to make a sound to disturb him, and just stood obediently to the side and waited.

In fact, Shen Jingchuan wasn't cultivating at all; he was just resting with his eyes closed and had already sensed his arrival.

He deliberately kept his eyes closed, wanting to see if the kid would rush to urge him when something happened. Unexpectedly, Hu Tieniu was quite calm and stood quietly for a quarter of an hour without even moving his feet.

After waiting a while, Shen Jingchuan slowly exhaled and opened his eyes, pretending to finish his practice.

Hu Tieniu quickly moved closer:

"Young master, you're awake?"

Shen Jingchuan nearly choked, thinking, "What? You woke me up? If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all." He didn't argue with him, and simply said:

"What's up?"

"Is that so, young master?"

Hu Tieniu rubbed his hands together, his eyes filled with excitement:

"It's completely dark now, and there are still three Huang Household left. I'm thinking of just taking them all out tonight. But... I'll have to trouble you, young master, to go over there... hehe... and see what's going on."

Shen Jingchuan was in a good mood, raised an eyebrow, and teased him:

"Watching the show? I'm not interested today."

"No, young master!" Hu Tieniu immediately exclaimed anxiously, "Without your divine robe, how are we supposed to break down their gate? We really can't take it down!"

"Oh? You can't do without me?"

"Of course! We really can't do without you!"

Shen Jingchuan chuckled, stood up, put his arm around his shoulder, and patted him on the shoulder.

"You little brat, fine, I'll go check out the show then?"

"Hey! Alright!" Hu Tieniu grinned from ear to ear.

In his heart, he had always both respected and feared Shen Jingchuan. Back then, when he robbed him, he was almost shot to death, but Shen Jingchuan not only didn't kill him, but also treated his wounds and later gave him food and weapons, saving the entire mountain stronghold.

He remembered this kindness to the core, but in the past there was always a distance between them, more respect and gratitude than any other, and he dared not get too close.

Seeing Shen Jingchuan so casual today warmed his heart, making him feel that the other person truly considered him one of their own.

He was naturally easygoing, so he didn't stand on ceremony. Since he was too short to reach Shen Jingchuan's shoulder, he put his arm around Shen Jingchuan's waist, and the two walked side by side toward the group.

After taking a couple of steps, Shen Jingchuan felt awkward and reached out to slap his arm away.

"What kind of behavior is this?"

Hu Tieniu chuckled, "Young master, you were the one who put your arm around my shoulder first."

The two exchanged a glance and smiled. Some friendships don't need many words; they just naturally grow closer.

Shen Jingchuan raised his hand and whistled. Hearing the sound, Dahei came running over with Big Black joy, its mane fluttering in the night breeze, looking incredibly majestic.

Hu Tieniu shook his head, feeling incredibly envious: This horse is truly excellent, it's a pity I don't have that kind of luck.

News of the destruction of the Pan Household's two estates and the crushing defeat of the Government Army spread during the day, leaving the remaining three major Lineage in the city trembling with fear.

That very day, the Huang Household mobilized most of their guards and servants from the city and manor, sending them overnight to their estate outside the city to add manpower and move equipment. They wished they could build the stockade walls three feet thicker, thinking they could defend it thoroughly and avoid repeating the mistakes of the Pan Household.

But such precautions were utterly useless against overwhelming power. That very night, all three villages were hit by artillery fire.

Shen Jingchuan remained at a distance, watching the spectacle from the sidelines the entire time.

Hu Tieniu led his men step by step, while the onlookers set up their aerial cannons and bombarded the village gate. The gate, which had just been reinforced during the day, was as flimsy as paper and was blown to pieces in no time.

The guards in the village didn't even get a clear look at the enemy's face before they were pinned down by a barrage of crossbow bolts. The three villages were captured without much trouble.

Hu Tieniu was so busy he barely had time to breathe. He was directing his troops to wipe out the remaining enemy, arranging for people to count money and supplies, and escorting prisoners. He was like a happy old dog running around, extremely happy, and so tired he was practically panting with his tongue hanging out.

Seeing that the Government Army dared not leave the city, Shen Jingchuan felt relieved and returned to Azure Cloud Stronghold.

He ordered all the prisoners of the Pan Household to be gathered together and asked, "Among you, who has the highest martial arts skill?"

The prisoners looked at each other, their gazes all falling on Zhao Kui. Zhao Kui's heart skipped a beat, and his spirits sank instantly.

Shen Jingchuan beckoned to him with his finger:

"You, come out with me."

Shen Jingchuan walked in front, with Zhao Kui following behind. He hadn't been tied up after being released from prison, and as he walked behind the other man, the thought of ambushing and escaping flashed through his mind.

But looking at Shen Jingchuan's back, which seemed to completely disregard him, and recalling the other party's bravery during the ambush, his thoughts swirled, but he ultimately suppressed them.

He was filled with trepidation, just wanting to know why the other person had come to him, and whether he could find a glimmer of hope.

Upon arriving at an empty room, Shen Jingchuan went inside, sat down, and looked up at him:

What's your last name and your given name?

"My surname is Zhao, Zhao Kui," Zhao Kui replied, head bowed.

I have a question for you.

Shen Jingchuan tapped his fingertips on the edge of the table, his tone flat:

"Last Mid-Autumn Festival, I returned from the Capital and was ambushed and killed as soon as I left the city; later, on the official road below Azure Cloud Stronghold, three more people blocked my way and robbed me. Both times, it was the Pan Residence who were behind it. Were you among them?"

He paused, then added:

"It's alright, it's either there or it isn't. You eat the Pan Household's food and do their bidding, I won't make things difficult for you just because of this. Let me be frank with you, none of the main members of the Pan Household are alive today, and neither are you."

But if you can tell me why the Pan Household is so determined to ambush me, I'll keep my word and let you go right now. You're not Pan Household, so I have no reason to make things difficult for you."

"But what if no one is willing to tell the truth,"

Shen Jingchuan glanced at him, his tone turning colder:

"That's easy. I'll just kill all the guards and servants of the Pan Household inside, including you. If we can't find out who did it, I'd rather kill the innocent than let a single one go."

Zhao Kui's heart tightened. Still trying to bluff his way out, he looked up and said urgently:

"Young Master Shen, I really don't know..."

He froze as soon as he opened his mouth.

Shen Jingchuan raised an eyebrow. "How did you know my surname is Shen?"

Zhao Kui inwardly cursed; he had let something slip in a moment of carelessness. He abandoned his pretense and, without hesitation, plopped down on a nearby stool, gritting his teeth as he said:

"Alright, since Young Master Shen has put it this way, I'll believe you this time. I was one of the three people who ambushed you on the official road below Azure Cloud Stronghold last time."