Xue Huan, who was behind the curtain, looked up.
He reached out and picked up the military buckle, his thumb tracing a smoothed groove on the back, and remained silent for a moment.
Those were old buttons from the left wing of the Liu Clan Army.
Xue Huan raised his hand and made a note in the ledger.
The wine is still warm.
The old man's eyes reddened, and he said nothing more. He simply put the load on the wall and sat quietly by the door, waiting.
Soon after, several more people came in.
A blacksmith who lost two fingers.
A traveling doctor carrying a medicine chest.
An old bodyguard who uses a cane.
There was also a woman with a child, her face weathered by the elements.
The things they brought were worthless.
A copper coin with a missing corner.
Half an old scabbard.
A piece of cloth that had been burned.
Some people even pulled a thin iron needle from their hair bun, with a very faint tiger stripe engraved on the end of the needle.
Xue Huan checked them one by one.
Each time one is verified, a new line is added to the ledger.
"The right battalion of the Liu Clan Army, formerly a scout."
"The grain transport route of the Liu Clan Army, a former post station soldier."
" Liu Clan Army Wounded Battalion, Military Doctor."
"The vanguard of the Liu Clan Army, a retired captain..."
The lantern market outside was still bustling.
The room grew increasingly quiet.
The veterans who had come from all directions did not speak loudly, nor did they ask what the purpose of the summons was.
I simply sat in the cramped courier station, smelling the aroma of hot bread and tea, staring at the small oil lamp.
Sixteen years have passed.
After the Liu Ziqi fell, some of them were demoted, some were exiled, some had their hands and feet crippled, and some changed their names, living in hiding in the mountains, security escort agencies, Daoist temples, caravans, and pharmacies.
They had thought they would never see that flag again in their lives.
But tonight, fireworks rise into the sky.
Three reds and two golds.
Half a tiger's head.
Old flag folded.
That was the last set of orders issued by the Liu Clan Army.
Xue Huan closed the register, lifted the curtain, and stepped out.
"Please don't rush to ask."
"Xue conveyed a message."
Everyone looked up.
Xue Huan looked at them, her voice steady.
"The old flag has not yet fallen; upon returning to camp, the first step is to verify one's identity."
Those who wish to stay should go to the old granary in the north of the city tomorrow to collect their plaques and be registered according to their abilities.
" Yi Prefecture has no shortage of food."
"But Yi Prefecture City is in trouble, and we need to stand up."
The blacksmith with the severed finger raised his hand and wiped the corner of his eye.
"I'll do anything, I'll do it."
The lame old man also spoke up.
"We're going too, it's so humiliating."
Some people laughed, while others shed tears on their clothes.
Tuoba Mang sat at the door, somewhat stunned, and looked down at the hot pancake in his hand.
He didn't fully understand what "old flag" or "old army" meant.
But he understood one thing.
These people are willing to risk their lives for Yi Prefecture.
Those are family.
Tuoba Mang broke open a hot pancake and handed it to the lame old man.
"Eat."
The old man paused for a moment, stunned.
Tuoba Mang added earnestly.
You need to eat your fill to have the energy.
Inside a Daoist temple on Mount Qingcheng in the suburbs.
The old abbot stood before the offering table, gazing at the night sky in the direction of Yi Prefecture.
He was over fifty years old.
At this moment, his hands were shaking violently.
Three ever-burning lamps were placed on the offering table.
An old wooden sign was pressed down behind the lamp.
The wooden sign bore a surname that should no longer be mentioned.
willow.
The old abbot walked to the altar, his hands trembling as he lifted the old cloth and took out a long-dusted sword.
The handle of the knife was wrapped with a leather cord that had long since turned black.
His eyes gradually reddened as he gripped the knife hilt.
"Old General."
The old man's voice was hoarse.
" The Liu Clan's flag has finally been raised once again."
Footsteps could be heard outside the door.
Pu Yunshan walked in carrying a bowl of calming soup. He had delicate features and his clothes were spotless.
"Father, it's late. Your old injury has flared up again. Please take your medicine first."
The old abbot did not turn around.
" Yunshan, can you see that?"
"The fireworks of Yi Prefecture."
"That's the Liu Clan's name."
Pu Yunshan placed the medicine bowl on the table, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"My son saw it."
"But my father is getting old, and he tends to mistake ordinary fireworks for old military orders."
The old abbot finally turned around and his gaze fell on his face.
You don't understand.
"If the Liu Clan Army army were still alive, they would surely enter the city upon seeing this."
Pu Yunshan lowered his head and picked up the medicine bowl, his tone still gentle.
"Therefore, Father should take his medicine even more."
"The night wind is chilly; if you were to fall ill, who would look after the Liu Clan's incense offerings?"
The old abbot had no doubts and accepted the bowl of medicine.
After taking two sips, my fingers suddenly loosened.
The porcelain bowl fell to the ground and shattered into several pieces.
The old abbot steadied himself on the offering table, and the lamplight before him began to flicker.
"You..."
Pu Yunshan stood there, watching his father slowly fall, without a trace of panic on his face.
"Father, you've been holding onto the Liu Clan's old scores for so many years, it's time for you to take a break."
He raised his hand.
Eight men dressed in black emerged from behind the door.
The eight men moved with extreme lightness, each with a thin blade and a short hook hanging from their waist.
Pu Yunshan placed the old abbot, who had fallen to the ground, onto the bed and turned to look at them.
"Listen to my command, the former subordinates of the Liu Clan have suddenly made a move."
"Go down the mountain to investigate."
"Find out who set off the fireworks in Yi Prefecture, who summoned people, and who is keeping the Liu Clan alive."
The men in black all bowed their heads.
Pu Yunshan added another sentence.
"While you're at it, let's go see the legendary Prince Yi."
"He is of royal blood. The blood debt between the Liu Clan and the royal family should be settled properly."
On the other side.
The cellar of Prince Yi's Residence.
Lalong huddled beside the haystack, his face ashen, cold sweat trickling down his temples.
He had just regained strength in his hands and feet.
Footsteps could be heard outside the iron fence.
Gu Moran stepped down, wearing a fox fur coat, followed by Shen Ling'er.
Lalong immediately closed his eyes, pretending to be unconscious.
Gu Moran stopped in front of the prison door, deliberately letting every word get into Lalong's ears.
"Wow, this guy's sleeping pretty soundly."
"How's the situation at the blast furnace outside the city?"
Shen Ling'er opened the medicine box, took out a small porcelain bottle, and spoke in a very cold tone.
" The Subdued Fire Witch Poison is almost ready."
"The filth collected from the public toilets, the stale materials from the manure pits, and the dregs of fire-making agents were all put into the furnace and refined. The smell is even stronger than it was a few days ago."
Lalong's eyelids twitched slightly.
Shen Ling'er continued, "I heard from Xue Huan that the first batch of Ghost Shadow Witch Soldiers can walk now."
Gu Moran seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
"Is it truly invulnerable to swords and spears? Or are you trying to deceive me?"
"Anyway, ordinary knives and guns can't hurt you."
Shen Ling'er said calmly.
"They're just not very obedient yet. Last night, two of them ran away from the stove and scared the clerk who was guarding the medicinal materials unconscious."
Lalong lay in the hay, his back damp and cold.
Scenes he had witnessed after infiltrating Yi Prefecture flashed through his mind.
Public toilets all over the city.
A truck transporting manure at night.
Prince Yi's Residence recruited mountain bandits, former soldiers, and eccentric individuals.
He initially found the words written in the Chen Qing letter to him absurd.
But now, it sounds as if each one has a corresponding counterpart.
The Great Yan Prince Yi is indeed practicing voodoo.
They even forged the Ghost Shadow Witch Soldiers.
Were those two disobedient ones the result of being destroyed by the excrement of their own alien race?
Gu Moran stood outside the fence and sighed.
"If the Tubo dare to come, let them see what Yi Prefecture is capable of."
"Once the Ghost Shadow Witch Soldiers are trained, we'll first head north and flatten Silver City, then capture all the Chisang Tribe members and bring them back to dig latrines."
Shen Ling'er reached out to pull him.
"Alright, this Tubo fellow is quite honest. Your Highness, don't stay here; the cellar is cold and damp."
Gu Moran turned around smoothly.
He glanced back at the cell door.
Very well, the lock wasn't completely locked.
The latch only engages halfway.
After Gu Moran left.
The two former soldiers guarding the area were also talking in hushed tones nearby.
"The prince said the lantern market is over, let's go have a couple of drinks."
"Go, everyone! The fireworks are beautiful tonight. Let's buy a couple of cakes to take home."