Commander Cha Ha'er

The old village chief and his companions hesitated at the city gate!

"The city walls are so high! We have to be inspected just to enter? What are they checking for? Do we have to pay too?"

Ye's father said, "Old village chief, we've already come this far. Let's go ask. If we can enter, we'll go in. If not, we'll wait a few more days. We've already been away for ten days or half a month, so a few more days won't matter!"

The others agreed!

"Then let's go in!"

The group carried the empty litter. The old village chief did not dare sit on it and was supported by Xiao Changlin!

"Stop! What are you here for?"

"Sir, we came from the Endless Mountains to, to, to... see the city lord in the city." The eldest uncle trembled so badly that he forgot the city's name!

"See the city lord? Do you think you can see him whenever you please? You mountain bumpkins, get lost..."

The eldest uncle stumbled and nearly fell. He cried out, "Sir, we... we came from the Endless Mountains, went to Phoenix Cry Village, then from Phoenix Cry Village to Bright Virtue Academy, then back to Phoenix Cry Village, and from there we came to this, this-oh, this Sunset City! We really need the city lord to settle a matter for us!"

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? The city lord has no time, and even if he did, he wouldn't see you! Go back where you came from!"

"Wait." At that moment, someone who had been watching from the gate tower spoke up!

"Did you say Bright Virtue Academy?"

"Ah, mm, yes, yes, yes, Bright Virtue Academy!"

"We came from the Endless Mountains, went to Phoenix Cry Village, and then..."

"All right, come in!"

By then, the eldest uncle's forehead was covered in sweat...

"Yes, Commander! Let them through..."

Only then did the group enter the city. "So this is a city! Those buildings are so grand, and the ground is actually paved with bluestone..."

"Did you gentlemen just mention Bright Virtue Academy? May I ask which Bright Virtue Academy?" The chiliarch came down from the gate and asked!

"Sir, it's the Bright Virtue Academy thirty li west of Phoenix Cry Village!"

"May I ask why you went to Bright Virtue Academy? Oh! You see, the headmaster of Bright Virtue Academy is an old friend of mine, and I have quite a connection with the academy myself! Perhaps I can help you gentlemen."

"Sir, we live in the Endless Mountains. Our ancestors have lived there for generations, making a living by hunting and having little contact with the outside world. But the Endless Mountains are in turmoil now. Beast roars often sound without end, and the mountains shake! Hunting has become harder than ever. If we don't find a way out, we'll either be eaten by ferocious beasts or starve to death! We had no choice but to venture out of the mountains to find a new place to settle..." the old village chief said, supported by two of the men!

"The Endless Mountains? They really haven't been peaceful lately! Sigh, these are troubled times indeed. The enemy nation's lackeys have already penetrated deep into Sunset City, and now there's trouble in the Endless Mountains on the border! I'm worn out in body and mind as commander."

Hearing that he was speaking of affairs of state, the men did not dare say anything!

"How about this? I'll introduce you to someone who can solve the problem of where you'll settle. Gentlemen, follow me!"

"Thank you, Commander!" During their conversation, the men had learned that the man before them was the commander of Sunset City's defenses!

The matter could finally be resolved, and the men's excitement showed on their faces! They followed the commander with even greater care!

Bright Virtue Academy was located in the western district of Sunset City, where pedestrians passed along the streets in a steady stream. The shops were not as bustling as those on the main street, but the area had more of a scholarly air. The four treasures of the study-brush, ink, paper, and inkstone-and calligraphy by various masters were displayed prominently in the shops for scholars and men of letters to study!

The men followed the commander to Bright Virtue Academy and went straight inside. Apparently, this was not his first visit...

The gates of Bright Virtue Academy were simple and elegant, and its cultural heritage was even more apparent inside. Artificial hills and book pavilions stood among shady green trees. Handsome young men and beautiful young women gathered in groups of three or five, some discussing poetry collections, others reciting poems and composing verses. Songs and laughter rang out again and again. None of them glanced over at the newcomers.

The men walked along a leafy path and arrived at the headmaster's residence.

A bamboo pavilion stood above three steps, its porch open and bright. Just inside the entrance hung a plaque bearing the words "Abode of Fragrance and Elegance." The writing was bold and vigorous, yet refined!

The inner hall was spacious, and its rosewood furniture was simple and elegant, without carved dragons or painted phoenixes, possessing only an antique charm. In the room on the left stood a tea table where tea was brewing. In the room on the right was a writing desk, with several books and a stack of Xuan paper. A man sat on a rush cushion, grinding ink. In the inner hall, incense burned in an antique ding-shaped censer. Its delicate fragrance seeped into their hearts, bringing an indescribable pleasure to body and mind.

"Brother Song, it's been a few days. I trust you've been well!"

Song Yude, the academy headmaster, was respectfully known as "Master Song"! He was humble and virtuous, a man of both learning and talent, with an unbending backbone. He took no pride in associating with the powerful and cared deeply about the talents and virtues of countless students! He not only taught books, but also nurtured people!!

"Oh, Brother Cha, it's you. Instead of inspecting the troops today, you've come to see me. You must have caught the scent of my tea."

"And who are these gentlemen?"

"Haha, Brother Song, I did indeed come today about a matter. These old men came from the Endless Mountains."

"The Endless Mountains! The Endless Mountains are far from peaceful. Ferocious beasts run rampant, and strange roars sound everywhere. Danger lurks on every side; a moment's carelessness could cost one everything, even one's life! To think you old men lived in such a place!"

"Thanks to the great virtue of our ancestors, we found a place to shelter amid our wandering. Generation after generation of our forefathers bore burdens on their shoulders and fought the ferocious beasts, until at last we unworthy descendants had a place of refuge. But now the ferocious beasts have gone mad and the mountains are shaking. We had no choice but to look elsewhere, to seek another way for the villagers to survive!"

"Uh, villagers? Old man, did you just say an entire village lives in the Endless Mountains?"

"Hundred Stars Village, 108 households and 372 people! All make their living by hunting!"

Song Yude looked at Commander Cha Ha'er, then said to the old village chief, "Old man, is there something I can do for you today?"

"Haha, Brother Song, you truly carry the suffering of countless people in your heart. We did come today to discuss a matter!"

"Brother Cha, you overstate it. Compared with Commander Cha, I wouldn't dare say I carry the people in my heart! But please speak freely. As long as I, Song, can do it, I will not refuse!"

Hearing this, the old village chief said, "We want to move the village out of the mountains. We've made inquiries all around, and the old site of Bright Virtue Academy is just right! It's close to the city and beside the water, and the land is suitable for farming!"

"Bright Virtue Academy in Phoenix Cry Village? Mm, that place is indeed suitable! But no one has lived there for a long time, and it has now fallen into ruin..."

"No matter how ruined it is, could it be worse than the mountains, Brother Song?"

"In that case, the old site of Bright Virtue Academy shall serve as a home for you and your villagers!"

At his words, everyone cheered and leaped for joy! The exhaustion and grievances of the past dozen days vanished like smoke and clouds!

"However, moving the village still requires the city lord to issue regulations and enter it in the records. At present..."

"Don't worry, Brother Song. I'll take care of it! Once the three hundred or so villagers arrive at Bright Virtue Academy, I'll send people to register them and issue a public notice."

"That would be excellent!"

The village's new location had been settled! After thanking the two men again and again, the group took their leave.

"Grand Commander, in another two days, we'll reach Sunset City!"

Ever since receiving the imperial command, Grand Commander Bai Yu had traveled day and night, not daring to slacken in the slightest! "The city lord has disappeared, and the enemy nation has dispatched a general. A storm is brewing. Everyone, pick up the pace. Sunset City must not fall!"

"Yes..."