Outside the Merit Pavilion, Lu Yuan headed inside, with Old Huang following behind. There were quite a few people in there.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard people discussing something.
"Have you heard? A band of Northern Barbarian Iron Sparrowhawks has appeared near Sai City recently. They're not very numerous, only fifty or sixty, but they've already wiped out three hundred-man patrols from our side. Yun Mo of Tiger Hill Fortress has taken the mission. He says he'll sweep this band away."
"Then it shouldn't be a problem. Who is Yun Mo? He's the Young Tiger of the Northern Frontier. In a battle between forces of similar size, there's probably no one else who could pull it off."
The debate continued, but Lu Yuan paid it little attention.
The Iron Sparrowhawks were among the Northern Barbarians' most elite forces. Though few in number, they were skilled at mounted archery and wore iron armor. His own group was no match for them.
All he needed to do was find some ordinary Northern Barbarian scouts, earn a little military merit, and make some silver.
After looking over the missions, he finally chose the one that suited him best.
A twelve-man Northern Barbarian scouting party, including two experts in the Entry Realm.
This one would do. He'd get some practice first.
After choosing the mission, Lu Yuan turned to Old Huang. "Tell the others to gather first thing tomorrow morning."
"I'll go right away." Old Huang nodded, then left.
Lu Yuan also headed outside, ready to go home.
But when he reached the City Defense Bureau, he saw Zhou He walking out alongside someone.
When the other man spotted Lu Yuan, delight appeared on his face.
"Lu Yuan, I was just about to come find you for a drink."
As he spoke, he turned to his companion and continued, "This is my friend, Wu Han. He hasn't become a Squad Leader yet, but he's already reached the Entry Realm. He's got real talent. Come have a drink with us."
Lu Yuan looked over and saw a burly young man, though for some reason his face was bruised and swollen.
He smiled when he saw him. "Greetings, sir."
"We're all friends here, no need to be so formal. How about some beef offal?" Lu Yuan said with a grin.
Zhou He was a decent fellow. If he considered someone a friend, that person probably wasn't too bad.
"Sure," Zhou He replied. The three of them headed to the Beef Offal House.
It was still morning, and the place had only just opened. There weren't many customers.
They found a quiet spot, ordered a pot of beef offal and a few cold dishes, then started drinking.
Wu Han said very little. Throughout the meal, Zhou He did most of the talking.
After a few cups of wine, Zhou He grew more talkative. Looking at Wu Han, he said, "You're really going to put up with this? Your Squad Leader beat you today; tomorrow he'll be wiping his ass on your head.
"You've reached the Entry Realm, for crying out loud. Why don't you dare take him on?"
Zhou He was slurring his words a little.
Lu Yuan drank without saying anything. He wasn't close to Wu Han, so he simply listened.
"Brother Zhou, it's not about whether I can beat him. Our Squad Leader is the Centurion's brother-in-law. What am I supposed to do?"
"Your Centurion Sun is a real piece of work, surrounding himself with relatives. But you can't keep cowering, either. Once a man grows strong, he has to be able to stand on his own. Without any backbone, even if you break through to the Bone Forging Realm, people will still bully you. The Northern Frontier is no kind place. You have to be ruthless to hold your ground."
Zhou He shot Wu Han a glance.
The latter said nothing.
He only kept his head down and ate.
Seeing him like that, Zhou He couldn't be bothered to say more. Instead, he turned to Lu Yuan. "Are you heading out of the city soon?"
"Tomorrow. Why, are you interested?" Lu Yuan asked, taking a sip of wine.
"I'm not planning to go out just yet." Zhou He took a bite of food, hesitated for a moment, then turned to Wu Han.
"Aren't you short on money lately? Want to go with Lu Yuan tomorrow? He's no weakling. Nothing will happen to you." Zhou He asked.
It was clear he looked out for Wu Han.
After a moment's hesitation, the other man said, "I'll pass."
Then he went back to eating. Before long, he'd polished off most of the pot of beef offal. He stood and said, "My mother needs her medicine. I'll head back first. Let's get together again another day."
"You little bastard! I tried to help you out and nearly got into a fight with your Squad Leader, and you won't even pay for the meal? You just wipe your mouth and leave?" Zhou He felt embarrassed in front of Lu Yuan.
Wu Han chuckled. "Next time. Next time, I'll treat both of you."
With that, he turned and walked out.
After Wu Han disappeared through the doorway, Zhou He shook his head toward the entrance. "The kid's talented, and he's making quick progress, but he's too timid. He's been in the City Defense Bureau for years and still refuses to leave the city.
"He keeps trying to transfer to the Logistics Battalion, too. I don't know what to say to him."
"Everyone has their own way of living. You can give him a few friendly pointers, but any more than that won't go over well," Lu Yuan said softly.
Not everyone had the courage to risk their life. It had nothing to do with strength.
"I'm angry because in all these years, there have only been a few people I could call friends. You're one of them, and he's another. But Wu Han just can't be helped, no matter what I do."
Zhou He downed a mouthful of wine.
After Zhou He had vented to Lu Yuan, the two settled the bill and left.
Lu Yuan didn't give the little incident a second thought.
On his way home, he bought some fine flour and braised meat, then went straight to Xiao Hua's house.
When she saw what he was carrying, she blinked. "You're heading out of the city again?"
As she spoke, she took the bag and briskly began preparing the dough.
Lu Yuan answered, then helped out.
At the same time, he chatted with Xiao Hua's mother about this and that.
By now, the three of them were practically like family. Lu Yuan felt at ease there and did whatever needed doing.
Xiao Hua's mother also seemed happy to see things this way.
After dinner, once a pot of steamed flatbreads was ready, Lu Yuan finally went home.
He didn't cultivate that day, choosing instead to turn in early.
Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, he set out with provisions and a horse in tow.
Some time ago, Lu Yuan had built a stable at home and kept both horses there, making it much more convenient to travel.
When he arrived at the city gate, Wei Yong and the others were already waiting.
As soon as they saw Lu Yuan, they hurried over to salute him. "Sir."
"Enough with the formalities. If everyone's here, let's go." Lu Yuan looked over the group and, seeing that everyone had arrived, spoke calmly.
Then he slipped a map into Old Huang's hand. "Guhe Village. Do you know where it is?"
Old Huang glanced at the map. "It's not far from us, only seventy or eighty li. Those scouts have some nerve, daring to wander around there. We'll corner them before dark."
Old Huang grinned.
Lu Yuan nodded. "Then let's go."
With that, he swung himself into the saddle.
He led the group of more than ten out of the city.
The horses' hooves kicked up clouds of dust. In moments, they had vanished into the distance.
At the same time, near Guhe Village, a hundred-man force had stopped to rest. At their head was a young man clad in black iron armor, a long spear in hand.
His expression was stern as he sat straight-backed on his horse.
A small scar marked the corner of his eye. He was Yun Mo, the Centurion of Tiger Hill Fortress and a disciple of Zhou Ming, the Third Master of the Zhou Family.
"This band of Iron Sparrowhawks has joined up with other scouts," Yun Mo said quietly. In the distance, a Northern Barbarian cavalry force of around sixty or seventy men was facing them.