"Brother, big brother... y-you have to save me!" Gou Buren's answer struck Gou Buyi's ears like a bolt from the blue. He had never imagined that his own elder brother would abandon him.
His eyes were already filled with despair.
"Bu Yi, military law is merciless. Your brother can't save you. I'll let Mother live out her old age in peace. Go on your way without worry." Gou Buren suddenly became resolute, not even turning back to look at him.
Indeed, there was only Jiang Che's testimony now, no concrete evidence. But quite a few people along the same chain had been involved in embezzling military provisions, and any one of their testimonies could condemn Gou Buyi to death.
What was more, Gou Buyi did not even have a chance to defend himself now.
Things had come to this point. He had no power to resist.
Or rather, from the moment Zhu Sheng sided with Liu Zhi and Jiang Che, Gou Buyi's fate had been sealed: death was the only road left to him.
"I... I..."
Gou Buyi collapsed to the ground, his mouth hanging open, yet unable to utter a single word.
In the span of mere moments, heaven and earth had turned upside down. His and Jiang Che's positions had completely reversed.
Zhu Sheng watched it all coldly, then slowly rose to his feet.
"Commander Liu, I'll leave the search for Gou Buyi's crimes to you. Once they are confirmed beyond doubt, execute military law immediately."
"Yes."
Liu Zhi clasped his fists.
Stepping down from the dais, Zhu Sheng came to Jiang Che's side. The appreciation in his eyes was undisguised as he patted Jiang Che on the shoulder.
"Not bad. In the future, cultivate well at Commander Liu's side. This commandant thinks highly of you."
Yes, what had changed his attitude was precisely Jiang Che's achievement of Savage Bull Strength in seven days. The few words Liu Zhi had whispered to him earlier had been about this matter.
He had originally intended to maintain balance, but he had never planned to have Gou Buyi killed. Did they truly think that he, a commandant, could not control the camp?
He knew very well about all the petty schemes and sordid dealings within the camp.
Gou Buyi was far from the only one embezzling military provisions and selling military weapons. Even Zhu Sheng himself was among them.
There were several reasons for this. First, he wanted to maintain balance. He was about to assume the post of county commandant in Yanggu County, and both Liu Zhi and Gou Buren had been confirmed for transfer under his command. Yet Gou Buren had recently become somewhat unruly, so he needed to be pressed down.
He had to make Gou Buren understand that the lives of the two brothers rested upon a single thought of his at any time.
As for whether Gou Buren would harbor resentment... he did not care in the slightest.
Righteousness could not amass wealth, and kindness could not command troops.
From the first time Gou Buren had deliberately colluded with outsiders, Zhu Sheng had entertained the thought of dealing with him.
That was why he had instructed Liu Zhi to confront him head-on.
The second reason was that although he would be leaving Wind Camp, he still wanted to retain influence within it. He had already scattered favors before; now, what he needed was to establish authority.
The third reason was Jiang Che.
Achieving Savage Bull Strength in seven days—such talent could be called genius. With even a little cultivation, his future would be boundless. Since he had clashed with Gou Buyi, Zhu Sheng needed only to bestow a favor upon him.
He had to make Jiang Che understand exactly who had helped him today.
"Thank you for your regard, my lord."
Jiang Che bowed.
"Heh heh heh." Zhu Sheng nodded with a smile, then looked at Gou Buren.
"Buren, come take a walk with me."
"As you command."
"Buren, although you are my confidant, Liu Zhi is the same. Now that he has seized evidence against your younger brother, if I do not punish him, it will be difficult to convince the masses in the future. You must understand my position as well."
Zhu Sheng spoke calmly.
"This subordinate understands."
Gou Buren had already guessed Zhu Sheng's purpose, but he had to pretend not to know.
"Your younger brother has actually been a burden to you. Over the years, many in the camp have come to complain to me about him, but out of consideration for you, I suppressed them all. Now that I'm about to be transferred away, if I continue suppressing them, those above will be displeased as well.
"But don't worry. I will order that he be left with an intact corpse."
Zhu Sheng stopped and stared at Gou Buren.
"Thank you, my lord. This subordinate will remember it to the depths of his heart." Gou Buren's heart bled, but his face still showed a trace of gratitude.
"Brother Gou, get up. It's time to go on your way."
The moment Zhu Sheng left, the atmosphere in the tent swiftly changed again. Jiang Che crouched down and looked down at the man who had still been riding high a few days ago, a genial smile curling across his face.
Gou Buyi raised his head tremblingly. Looking at Jiang Che's smiling face, he did not know why, but a trace of terror rose in his heart. Trembling, he hurriedly said,
"Brother Jiang Che, y-you can just call me Little Doggy."
"Such a sweet mouth? Brother Gou wouldn't be hoping I'll spare your life, would he? Let me make this clear first—I don't have that ability."
"N-no. I know that this time... I can't escape death. I just... just hope that when you do it... you'll be quick. I... I'm afraid of pain." Gou Buyi shook his head repeatedly.
"That isn't impossible. But... I have a question to ask you."
Jiang Che nodded.
"Ask it."
The winner became king and the loser a bandit. Gou Buyi had lost all thought of resistance and only wanted a swift end before he died.
Jiang Che looked toward Wu Changfeng and gestured for him to leave.
Wu Changfeng naturally did not dare disobey. He scrambled and crawled out of the main tent.
Liu Zhi had also gone out to summon men. With only the two of them left, Jiang Che finally asked the question he had long been curious about.
"I want to know why you kept targeting me. Was it really only because of that little bit of pork?"
Gou Buyi fell silent for a moment.
"It wasn't because of that. Half a month ago, not long after you first came into contact with me, someone pulled strings to find me. They stuffed me with silver and wanted my brother to find a way to make sure you didn't live until the day the auxiliary troops broke camp.
"But I intercepted the matter."
"Who was it?"
"I only know they were from the Cao Gang of Yanggu County."
"The Cao Gang." Jiang Che murmured the two words, a vicious glint flashing through his eyes.
When he had first transmigrated, he had inherited all the original owner's memories, so he naturally knew his past. He had originally been a fisherman from Yanggu County, and his family had been fairly well-off. Yet for some unknown reason, he had offended the Cao Gang.
That was why he had been harmed and forced to serve military conscription in another's place.
He had thought that matter was already over. Yet unexpectedly... the targeting had never ended. They wanted him to die silently in the Auxiliary Barracks.
Inside the tent.
Scarface lay half-reclined on his bed while several men sat around him, each holding a bowl of wine. He himself was gulping down mouthful after mouthful, venting the emotions in his heart.
Gou Buyi had come by early that morning and told him clearly that Jiang Che would not survive the day. Once Jiang Che died, the people in the camp would no longer dare mock him over their previous sparring match.
How could that not make him feel good?
He had been stifled these past few days. Even after his injuries healed, he had been too ashamed to face anyone.
At last, he could have his revenge.
"A mere auxiliary soldier dared to provoke us. This is his fate."
"That's right. What the hell is Jiang Che? How could he possibly be worthy of opposing us?"
"Hahaha! Once Squad Leader Gou makes his move, that brat will definitely regret injuring Brother Wu."
Several veteran soldiers cursed freely and gleefully, both speaking their minds and helping Scarface vent his resentment.
"Brothers, don't worry. As long as Commander Gou is still around, we'll keep stuffing ourselves with meat and drinking great gulps of wine. One little bastard blocking our path, and he's finished. Come, bottoms up!"
Scarface supported himself against the bed with one hand, forced himself upright, raised his wine bowl, and shouted.
"Oh? You're all here. Saves me the trouble of finding you one by one."
An discordant voice instantly shattered their mood.