Chapter 929: Shangyun Stronghold
Editor: Henyee Translations

Jiang Zhanglin’s expression stiffened momentarily when General Tang Jinghong assigned him a few unreliable men, “Thank you, General.”

General Tang waved his hand dismissively, “Go on.”

In truth, General Tang already knew the situation in the villages and towns. Sending Jiang Zhanglin to inspect them once more was also a test of his capabilities.

The face of the former Grand Tutor couldn’t be ignored, but Jiang Zhanglin was also a talent worth developing. By putting him through these tests, Tang felt more assured about his future service to the great Ling Empire.

Du Zhaolin, Rong Shennning, and Yi Chuanchuan immediately received a military order, instructing them to follow Jiang Zhanglin’s arrangements under penalty of twenty military canes for disobedience.

Du Zhaolin, holding a sieve, joked, “Our delicate skins can’t handle twenty lashes. Wouldn’t that kill us?”

Gambling was forbidden in the camp to avoid the cane, and he had been holding back because he feared for his buttocks.

Rong Shennning lazily lay on his bed, “I want to sleep, not interested in completing any missions.”

Yi Chuanchuan was packing his bag and scoffed, “You lazy bugs are good for nothing. What else can you do besides being parasites? Useless!”

Du Zhaolin gripped the sieve tighter, his fingers whitening with anger, “Who are you calling useless?”

Yi Chuanchuan glanced at the two, “If the shoe fits, wear it!”

He wasn’t afraid of them. This was a military camp; if they dared to start a fight, he was ready to retaliate. Their pathetic skills meant nothing to him; he could flatten them in minutes.

Du Zhaolin and Rong Shennning approached Yi Chuanchuan threateningly, cracking their knuckles as if ready to fight.

Yi Chuanchuan put down his bag and stared them down coolly, “I’m warning you, I don’t hold back in a fight, and if you get hurt, don’t blame me!”

“Yi Chuanchuan, we’ve tolerated you for a long time!” Du Zhaolin swung a punch at Yi Chuanchuan’s face.

Yi Chuanchuan ducked, swiftly turned around, and kicked Du Zhaolin’s buttocks, “You think you’ve tolerated me? You think I haven’t tolerated you?”

Du Zhaolin fell forward, his nose hitting the ground, blood gushing instantly, “It hurts, it hurts…”

Rong Shennning rushed to help Du Zhaolin up, then aimed a kick at Yi Chuanchuan, “You’re hitting too hard, I need to teach you a lesson.”

Yi Chuanchuan raised his leg too, and their feet collided.

Rong Shennning stumbled backward, pulling Du Zhaolin with him as they both fell to the ground, their rear ends aching, “Ouch…”

Yi Chuanchuan casually retracted his leg, “I told you, I know martial arts. You two are just fluff, dealing with you is as easy as eating.”

Rong Shennning gasped in pain, “Yi Chuanchuan, I’ll remember this. Wait till we get back to the capital, I’ll make sure you regret this.”

“Is that so? Shouldn’t I get some retribution now then?” Yi Chuanchuan sneered as he approached them.

The two slowly moved backward, fearing another bout of Yi Chuanchuan’s wrath. The pain was too much.

Du Zhaolin clutched the sieve, ready to throw it at Yi Chuanchuan if he came closer, “Yi Chuanchuan, we came from the capital together. My father is closely watching my progress, if you dare to hit me, my father won’t let your family off in the court.”

Yi Chuanchuan paused, but then thought, they would target his family regardless of the excuse, “Threats won’t work on me. I’m not scared.”

Seeing Yi Chuanchuan was serious, Rong Shennning hurriedly added, “Yi Chuanchuan, if you dare hit me…”

Yi Chuanchuan punched Rong Shennning, giving him a black eye. After hitting him, he mockingly asked, “So what if I hit you?”

Rong Shennning was speechless…

Yi Chuanchuan also punched Du Zhaolin, giving him a matching black eye, “You like to gang up, right? I’ll let you share the pain!”

Rong Shennning and Du Zhaolin’s eyes blazed with rage, Rong Shennning roared, “Yi Chuanchuan, we’re sworn enemies now.”

Yi Chuanchuan shrugged, “Whatever.”

At that moment, the tent flap was lifted and Jiang Zhanglin entered, “Are your things packed? We need to leave soon.”

Yi Chuanchuan turned and smiled, “I’m ready, not sure about them.”

“We’ll be ready in a moment.” Facing the threat of military discipline, Rong Shennning and Du Zhaolin hurriedly got up and looked sheepishly at Jiang Zhanglin, feeling somewhat shamed by their disheveled state.

Jiang Zhanglin observed their black eyes, glanced at the sky, and noted the symmetry of their appearance.

The two quickly went to pack their things. Seeing them pack as if they were going on a spring outing, Yi Chuanchuan dumped out their excessive supplies, keeping only a few necessary items of clothing, “Let’s go.”

Jiang Zhanglin patiently waited on the side. Once all three were ready, he said, “The General has given us only three days to complete this mission. If we don’t clarify the situation within three days, this mission will be considered a failure, and no military merits will be recorded.”

Yi Chuanchuan asked with surprise, “From what you’re saying, if we succeed, we’ll get military merits?”

Jiang Zhanglin nodded, “Yes.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go.” Yi Chuanchuan thought to himself that if he earned military merits, it would prove his maturity and reliability back home.

Du Zhaolin was indifferent.

Rong Shennning felt a spark of motivation. As the grandson of the Prime Minister, if he could earn military merits, he would be even more cherished when he returned home.

Right, this mission to scout the area had no inherent danger; he was determined to succeed and gain those merits.

With their own thoughts, they set off under Jiang Zhanglin’s leadership.

Yan Zihao watched their departing figures, his gaze deepening. Everyone wanted to earn military merits, but were military honors that easy to come by?

He went back to pack his things and left the camp after dark.

Inside the main tent.

Tang Jinghong inquired, “Have they all left?”

Meng Shengdong replied, “Yes, General, they have all left. Yan Zihao left after dark. General, should we send someone to protect them covertly?”

Tang Jinghong instructed, “Assign one person to each, but remind them not to intervene unless their lives are in danger.”

Meng Shengdong affirmed, “Yes, General.”

Tang Jinghong then penned a confidential letter to be sent to the capital.

…

At the Shangyun Stronghold.

Having explored the area for three days, Chu Qingzhi had a clear understanding of the entire stronghold.

The Shangyun Stronghold was located in the mountains near Shang City, resembling a bandit’s den but with beautifully constructed buildings that occupied a large area. The entire expanse was part of the Shangyun Stronghold.

Surrounded by dense, towering trees, the stronghold was invisible from the outside unless viewed from the sky.

Near a waterfall.

Zeng Huo returned from the outside, “Master, General Tang’s army has now encamped outside Shang City.”

“They’re moving fast this time. Does he have any other moves?” Hong Feiyun asked, catching raindrops from the waterfall, cool to the touch.

Zeng Huo found it odd, “I only saw a few scholars leaving the camp, no other activity.”

They were either scholars or minor hooligans; what could they do? Hong Feiyun didn’t understand Tang Jinghong’s strategy but assumed he had his reasons, “Never mind what Tang Jinghong is doing. Has Left Emissary returned?”