Chapter 395: Recruiting Lu Ming

Lu Ming's whole body went rigid, as if struck by a thunderbolt, his mouth slightly open, eyes bulging round, full of incredulous astonishment.

His previously tense back unconsciously relaxed, the hand gripping the cleaver loosened a bit, the blade drooping slightly, almost slipping from his grasp.

He did not notice at all, merely staring blankly at Chen Yan, his Adam's apple moving, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "You… you are the one who quelled the rebellion in Qinzhou, suppressed bandits in Jingzhou, undefeated in a hundred battles, who with wit toppled two great malignant pillars of the state, the contemporary upright sky willing to act for the people, Lord Chen Yan?!"

The doubt in his tone had long vanished, leaving only an indescribable reverence.

Throughout the exile, Chen Yan's name was indeed thunderously renowned…

Young soldier‑immortal, never a single defeat.

Unparalleled wisdom, quelling chaos and capturing thieves.

Chen Yan leisurely raised his hand and pressed, his military robe swaying with the motion, a faint smile on his face, his tone calm as if speaking of a trivial matter: "Just an empty name!"

"Not worth mentioning…"

Having said that, he slightly lowered his gaze, appearing as composed as a gentle breeze and light clouds.

Lu Ming's gaze seemed glued to Chen Yan, his eyes shining astonishingly: "Is it really you?!"

The disbelief on his face mixed with excitement, even his ears flushed bright red.

Compared with his previously cold and fierce self, he was almost a different person…

"What expression is that?"

Chen Yan, one hand behind his back, lifted his eyes, a hint of amusement in his pupils, appreciatively observing Lu Ming's expression, a barely perceptible smile at the corner of his mouth, leisurely retorted: "Does a general not look like this?"

Yuwen Ze also laughed and asked: "Could anyone still dare to impersonate my brother A Xiong's identity?"

Lu Ning still stood upright, expression unchanged, but her eyelashes twitched imperceptibly, silently thinking: "He truly is Lord Chen!"

Her hand hanging at her side quietly clenched.

In her previously calm eyes, a sudden flicker of tiny bright light emerged, striving to conceal the suppressed shock and surprise.

Upon learning that this general bore the surname Chen, Lu Ning vaguely entertained this speculation…

Thus, she agreed to Chen Yan's invitation, hoping to subtly learn more.

Who could have imagined he was indeed the famed Lord Chen!

Lu Ming stared at Chen Yan, continuously sizing him up, finally scratching his head, clicking his tongue and sighing: "You're far too young!"

He seemed not much older than himself, completely unlike Lu Ming's imagination…

Moreover, he was exceptionally heroic and handsome.

"Ambition is not bound by age!"

Yuwen Ze chuckled lightly, his eyes full of unabashed admiration, waving repeatedly at Lu Ming: "My brother is a natural prodigy, certainly cannot be judged by ordinary standards!"

"Alright, let's head to the camp first!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly and spoke.

Speaking, he raised his hand and pointed toward the direction of the camp.

"Fine."

Lu Ming's previous vigilance completely vanished, he promptly nodded and replied.

"Sister, let's go!" he said, reaching out to pull Lu Ning beside him, then turned his head to the crouching Huan Jing, waving urgently: "Little brother, hurry!"

His shoulders, previously tensed while gripping the knife, fully relaxed, even the corners of his eyes and brows bore uncontainable excitement.

The earlier doubts and vigilance had long been cast far into the clouds.

Lu Ning silently nodded, reached out to pull the slightly panicked Huan Jing, and hurriedly kept pace.

"Tsk!"

Chen Yan's peripheral glance caught Lu Ming, who no longer resisted and even urged, thinking: "The character design is so useful, should have revealed identity outright…"

The importance of reputation.

Without needing much talk, they coaxed back this potential stock with a hundred‑person slaying qualification…

When the party returned to the camp, night had deepened, yet torches and oil lamps lit up everywhere, making it as bright as day.

Chen Yan's gaze swept over the coagulated blood on Lu Ming's body, the lingering scent of blood lingering at his nostrils, then he turned to Helian Shi, lifted his chin, and ordered: "Helian, take Lu Ming to clean up a bit!"

"As you command." Helian Shi heard this, immediately bowed and replied.

Having said that, he turned toward Lu Ming, pointed a direction, and smiled: "Little brother Lu, this way please…"

"Alright."

Lu Ming subconsciously touched his collar, his fingertips meeting a hard blood crust, promptly nodded and followed.

The other returning civilians were individually settled.

In the open space outside the main tent, several bonfires blazed, the leaping flames casting a warm glow around.

Chen Yan was the first to sit by the fire, Lu Ning, holding Huan Jing, sat slightly restrained nearby.

At this moment, Hongye, also dressed in military attire, hurried over carrying two coarse porcelain bowls; the meat porridge steamed, emitting a rich scent of rice and meat.

Chen Yan took the bowl, his fingertip brushed the rim to test the temperature, then handed it over, his tone even: "Lu miss, little brother Huan, first have some meat porridge to warm your stomach!"

"Thank you, Lord Chen Yan!"

The sister and brother hurried forward, taking the bowls with both hands, thanking.

Lu Ning held the coarse porcelain bowl, her fingertip lightly tapped the rim, eyes lowered, sipping the porridge in small mouthfuls.

Her chewing was gentle, her mouth corners maintaining a slight curve.

Even while merely drinking a simple porridge by the crude fire, she could not hide the poised, dignified demeanor of a refined lady.

Huan Jing, already enticed by the porridge aroma, as soon as his words of thanks finished, lifted the bowl to his mouth and gulped it down with a "hulu hulu" sound.

The scalding porridge made him stick out his tongue, yet he was reluctant to stop.

Clearly he was starving.

Chen Yan lifted his own bowl of meat porridge, tipped his head back and took a sip; the warm porridge slid down his throat, his gaze fell on Lu Ning, who was sipping delicately, he smiled lightly, seemingly casually concerned: "Miss Lu, after this journey from Liang Kingdom, wandering and destitute, do you have a destination for the next stop?"

This is a knowingly asked question, and also laying the groundwork…

"Not yet…"

Lu Ning set down the bowl, gently dabbed the corner of their lips with a handkerchief, then slowly shook their head, voice tinged with an unhideable melancholy: "My two younger brothers and I have no relatives in your country, and we do not know where to go…"

Speaking so, they lowered their gaze to the handkerchief on their lap.

Long eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath the eyes, obscuring the depth at the bottom of the gaze, that fleeting profundity…

The fire crackled, sparks flaring up and falling down.

Yuwen Ze heard this, blinked, and pretended to ask casually: "Is that so? From what I see, your younger brother's skill is agile, his aura magnificent, truly the talent of a great general…"

"Might you be willing to join my elder brother's command, achieve merit, and seek a place to establish yourself?"

They really were scheming about A Sheng… Lu Ning let out a soft laugh in their heart, eyes landing on Yuwen Ze's handsome, smiling face, studying him for a moment before speaking, voice still gentle: "May I still not know how this general should be addressed?"

Given A Sheng's previous performance, any talent‑appreciating person would be moved; Lu Ning was not surprised and had already guessed…

Moreover, observing this person's extraordinary bearing, calling Chen Yan brother, having a dissimilar appearance, yet being able to speak freely beside Chen Yan, their status must be high!

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, straightened his back at once, raised his hand in a clasped‑fist salute, a hint of smile on his face, and loudly said: "My surname is the compound Yuwen, and my given name is Ze!"

After a pause, he added appropriately: "My father is the current Grand Preceptor!"

Having been by his elder brother's side for so long, how could Yuwen Ze not know that this Miss Lu was testing him?

He decided to be completely unabashed, directly announcing his lineage, brandishing his father to intimidate!

He is actually the sole son of the Zhou State power‑holder Yuwen Hu?! Chen Yan's relationship with him is so close, even calling him brother… Lu Ning's heart jolted as if struck by a heavy hammer, a surge of turbulent waves rose instantly, yet their face remained calm, only the eyelashes trembled imperceptibly, then they rose, gave a slight nod, voice respectful but measured: "So he is the Yuwen heir!"

"It was my poor eyesight…"

Her hand hanging at her side quietly clenched, nails almost digging into her palm, to suppress the turmoil within.

The flash of light beneath her eyes mingled shock with a trace of complex, indecipherable emotion.

But it was swiftly concealed again, leaving only a courteous, obedient demeanor.

How could Lu Ning not have heard of Yuwen Hu's great name?

Especially in these months within Zhou State, it is heard even more often…

One person below the emperor, above ten thousand, wielding military and civil power, the power‑holder who oversees the court's policies!

The one before me is even his sole son…

At that moment, Lu Ning realized Chen Yan's identity was extraordinarily unusual, his background towering…

"You are not short‑sighted…" Yuwen Ze looked at this woman, perfectly disguised, smiled wryly, shook his head and said: "There is no heir in the army; I am merely a foot soldier under my elder brother's command!"

"Big sister!"

A clear, bright voice came from behind, and everyone turned to look, seeing Lu Ming stride forward like a comet.

The coarse short jacket previously stained with blood was replaced by a half‑worn gray battle attire.

Standing nearly two meters tall, he stood out beside the bonfire, broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Strands of hair on his forehead were damp, clinging to his temples, still bearing undried vapor.

His browbones were distinct, eye sockets slightly sunken, a pair of almond eyes bright as obsidian immersed in water, nose straight, lip line clear, though the corners of his lips still held a hint of youthful green.

The scent on his body, once a mix of blood and dust, had long vanished, replaced by a faint fragrance of soapwort.

Lu Ming walked to the fire, first curiously glancing at Yuwen Ze, then looking at his own sister, smiling and asking: "What are you discussing?"

"Talking so animatedly?"

Saying that, he naturally sat down beside Lu Ning.

Chen Yan smiled calmly and said: "I am asking your elder sister whether she would let you join my command, ride the battlefield, achieve merit, and make a name across the world!"

"Join Lord Chen Yan's command and serve!?"

Lu Ming was startled, as if not hearing clearly, paused a moment, then his eyes widened sharply, filled with shocked light.

His hand gripping his robe tightened involuntarily, his heart pounded "thump thump" in his chest, his face flushed bright red, the excitement hidden in his eyes nearly spilling over.

In countless midnight dream returns, he had imagined this many times…

"I…"

But Lu Ming quickly inhaled deeply, suppressed the excitement in his heart, scratched the back of his head, looked at Lu Ning beside him, and in a low voice said: "I will listen to my elder sister…"