If Military Supervisor Wang doubles back, there's nothing I can do! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Feng Shuo's powers of observation were still rather shallow, but Batu was a veteran of countless battles.

Just now, Batu had taken the opportunity to get friendly and patted Li Chen on the shoulder. He discovered that Li Chen's physique was upright and well proportioned; even through his uniform, he could feel the vigorous strength beneath it. This was certainly not a physique someone steeped all day in wine, women, and pleasure could possess.

He must have undergone rigorous cultivation. It was simply that his excessively handsome face made it easy for people to jump to the conclusion that he was a pretty boy who lived off his looks.

Still, the crisp military uniform lent him an inviolable dignity, and no one dared make such remarks to his face.

The people drinking there each had their own thoughts.

Through this welcoming feast, Li Chen gained a deeper understanding of the small Cold Iron Pass Garrison Camp.

It was by no means a solid slab of iron. The overt and covert struggles between the commandant and military supervisor, and the invisible factional divisions among the garrison camps, all hinted at undercurrents surging beneath the placid surface.

This little military camp was practically a miniature world of martial intrigue.

When the feast ended, Li Chen easily helped Batu and Feng Shuo up, one in each hand, though they could barely walk, and escorted each back to his quarters. Through their drunken haze, the two men came to think even more highly of him.

By the time he returned to the private courtyard in Peaceful Lane, night had fallen and the cold wind was howling.

As he pushed open the courtyard gate, warm light and the tempting aroma of food drifted out from the house.

Tuoba Anyu had been waiting for some time.