Chapter 1061

On a muddy country road after the rain, a refugee wielding a coiling‑dragon staff alone blocked Chen Wuji's central army, whose killing intent filled the wilderness.

Whether an army is fierce or not is not only evident in peacetime; it shows even more in every gesture of daily life.

Chen Wuji's central army, forged through relentless selection, exudes a ferocious spirit that shoots straight to the heavens even on the most ordinary march; wherever it passes, bandits cower and birds and beasts fall silent.

Yet this very army was now barred from its path by a lone refugee.

Clear hoofbeats came from behind, and the warhorse halted a few steps ahead of the refugee.

The officer on horseback dismounted and shouted loudly, "Sir, my lord summons you; please follow me!"

He was very courteous.

The refugee clasped his hands, gestured please, and immediately followed the messenger officer.

The marching column came to a halt.

Wherever the refugee passed, he met gazes that stared at him, each as sharp and cold as a blade.

These rough fellows, who have done nothing but fight since enlisting, don't know how to restrain their aura; each is like a sheathed sword with its blade pressed, ready to draw and slash at any moment.

Faced with these probing gazes, the refugee held his head high and chest out, appearing unusually composed.

"My lord, the person has been brought!"

After traveling an unknown distance, they finally stood before Chen Wuji.

The refugee glanced up at the young man on horseback with sword‑browed starry eyes and heroic bearing, shook out his arms, flicked his ragged clothes with his fingers, and gave a solemn, earnest bow with clasped hands.

"I, Chu Xiu, a rustic villager, pay my respects to Marquis Zhenyuan!"

Upon hearing that name, Chen Wuji leapt from his horse, warmly taking Chu Xiu's hands in both of his, and said, "Mr. Chu, you've had a hard journey; you should have sent word earlier so I could have sent someone to meet you."

Chu Xiu stared, somewhat incredulous, at the hand of Chen Wuji that held his own.

His Adam's apple twitched slightly as he frowned and said, "I dare not trouble the Marquis; I am merely a rustic villager with no attendants, and this journey has been leisurely and pleasant."

"Sir, you are truly a reclusive sage; such an ascetic's itinerary would draw no praise from others, let alone my great army still on the move. When Kong Fang corresponded with you, we were at Luoying Camp; now we have penetrated deep into Uyghur lands." Chen Wuji patted Chu Xiu's wrist, "You have suffered greatly."

"I dare not say it's bitter, and indeed it isn't." Chu Xiu shook his head. "I have always enjoyed wandering mountains and waters; in idle farming seasons I often set off for months to admire the splendid rivers and mountains, seeking secluded antiquities."

"What refined tastes, sir!" Chen Wuji praised, then ordered, "Issue the command: set up camp here, for Mr. Chu has finally arrived; we are delighted, so let us hold a banquet to welcome and cleanse him of travel dust."

Chu Xiu hastily urged, "My lord, you have pressing military duties; how can you delay them for a lowly person like me?"

"No rush," Chen Wuji laughed. "Now that I have many subordinates, I feel like a son promoted to father; they fear I might err and forbid me from taking the vanguard. I am now merely a rearguard, and the march need not be hurried at all."

Chu Xiu pressed his lips, gave a light smile, and seriously appraised Chen Wuji.

This young Marquis, famed throughout the world, is indeed unusually young.

At Chen Wuji's command, the great army sprang into motion instantly.

Over the past two years, Chu Xiu has heard countless times of Chen Wuji's and the Nan Jun troops' fierceness.

They are like the brilliant morning star of the East, so radiant that one cannot possibly ignore them.

But hearing their name and seeing them in person are two different experiences.

Chu Xiu's sole feeling now is that such an army explains why they bear that reputation.

Quite fitting!

Orders are carried out without fail, and every gesture reveals stern military discipline.

After an hour, the camp tents were roughly erected, and Chen Wuji demanded that the banquet be set up.

The dining spot was chosen by Chen Wuji.

A barren slope where not a single tree grows, only sparse weeds barely covering the soles of one's feet.

In the Uyghur lands, a semi‑agricultural, semi‑pastoral nation, such places are many.

Though the slope is small, the view is fine: one can clearly see the winding mountains and rivers, and the blue sky with white clouds seeming to hang from the peak; farther west, the Heavenly Harmony clouds appear lower, and the scenery grows ever more piercing to the heart.

"Mr. Chu, please sit."

Chen Wuji personally greeted Chu Xiu and ushered him to a seat.

Many kept him company at the table: Xu Zengyi, Chen Li, and the two Lu elders who had long accompanied Chen Wuji to his left and right; also the marching commandant Guo Shuhan, the newly appointed steward of the Inspection Bureau Chang Jingxuan, and Chu Xiu's friend Zhao Chen, who presently held the post of assistant military officer.

Chu Xiu, somewhat overwhelmed by the favor, clasped his hands and greeted each person at the table in turn, then smoothed his robes and sat down.

"Let's skip the pleasantries," Chen Wuji said after sitting, and immediately raised his cup, "Let us first drink a toast to welcome Mr. Chu."

Everyone raised their cups, first toasting Chen Wuji, then Chu Xiu.

Chu Xiu glanced at Zhao Chen, who was winking at him among the crowd; his heart stirred sharply, he lifted his cup firmly and drained it in one gulp.

Whether a place is suitable or not is actually decided by the first impression upon meeting.

Here, Chu Xiu could not pinpoint exactly what he felt.

But the warmth and emotion were genuine.

"Mr. Chu, I have heard much from Lord Fang and Zhao Chen about you; there is one matter I have long wondered about, and now, facing you, I wonder if you could clarify it for me." Chen Wuji gestured for Chu Xiu to eat, then asked.

"I have heard that you refused to take the Court's civil‑service examinations, even urged your friends not to, and repeatedly declined local officials' recruitment drives, devoting yourself solely to study; why, then, are you so forthcoming this time?"

"With your wisdom, you should know what sort of person I, Chen Wuji, am; to speak plainly, I am a rebel who bears the title of Marquis Zhenyuan of Da Yu. These words may not be pleasant, but for our mutual benefit they must be said up front."

Chu Xiu nodded, "My lord is magnanimous, but if we speak of rebels, I ought to have preceded you."

"When I first left home to study, I already wanted to oppose that misshapen court, whose crooked beams and warped foundations even its own mother does not recognize. The existence of Da Yu is a blemish on the several‑thousand‑year‑old foundation of Zhongyuan's heritage."

"Alas, I have been poor since childhood, with no powerful patrons to rely on, so I merely became a rat fleeing to the deep mountains, pretending to study while actually avoiding sight, thus becoming a petty person."

Chen Wuji opened his mouth and suddenly burst into laughter.

He had imagined many possible replies from Chu Xiu, but never expected his answer to be so blunt; this man is quite interesting.