Chapter 230: with translation of chapter title

Tianchi Pass's position enjoys full geographical advantage; it is like a nail driven into the north-south axis.

Whether coming from the Gu Zhandao or needing to pass through heading north, this pass is a tough bone to crack.

Unless the pass's defenses have collapsed to the extreme, otherwise one must pay several times the cost, perhaps only then could it be taken.

Under the scrutinizing, wary gaze of the Tianchi Guan Militia, Chen Wuji and his two companions were brought to a bamboo pavilion.

The pavilion is screened on three sides, and a portrait hangs on the wall facing the entrance.

It is unclear who the figure is; only a side profile is shown, with hands clasped behind his back, standing on a mountain peak, gazing into the distance at the rivers and hills.

Upon entering, Chen Wuji initially thought this was someone they worshipped, preparing to offer an incense stick in accordance with local custom, but after looking for a while he found no incense burner.

"Earlier a traveling scholar came and painted this for us; rustic folk, hanging a picture also gains a bit of literary spirit." The burly man saw Chen Wuji noticing the painting, explained, raised his hand and said, "Please, have a seat."

Chen Wuji sat at the lower seat, saying, "The painting is fine, but I don't understand these things."

"You're not hunters; state your purpose directly, no need to beat around the bush, wasting each other's time." The burly man sat casually, his gaze contemptuous, as if he didn't even regard Chen Wuji and his companions.

Chen Wuji gave a faint smile, "May I know how to address you, sir?"

"I am the bandit chief, Wu Bu Yong. My father gave me the name Wu Shan, but I've lived my whole life on the mountain, which I don't particularly like; later I changed it myself to Wu Bu Yong, thinking I might not have to live on the mountain anymore." Wu Bu Yong said.

Chen Wuji: ……

He looks so aloof; one would expect him to be taciturn, yet he turns out to be quite talkative.

Being talkative is good.

"Chief Wu, I am indeed a hunter," Chen Wuji said.

"Just next door in Xishan Village, my surname is Chen, given name Wuji. Chief Wu, having long been stationed at Tianchi Pass, you must be familiar with the nearby villages."

Wu Bu Yong sized up Chen Wuji, frowning, "I indeed know the Chen family of Xishan Village, but you are not a hunter!"

"Yes," Chen Wuji laughed.

"But, because I recently fought the bandits and earned some minor merit, I now have another identity: that of a brigade commander of the provincial troops."

His deceitful tactics are rather low‑level; repeatedly insisting on what he thinks is useful, but it isn't.

Wu Bu Yong leaned back slightly and asked, "Then today are you coming as a hunter's representative, or as a brigade commander's representative?"

"Both," Chen Wuji said candidly, "If business fails, righteousness remains; if we cannot agree on matters of the provincial troops, we can talk trade—there will surely be something suitable for us."

"We can talk business, but if you want to discuss the provincial troops with me, then you three……" Wu Bu Yong leaned forward slightly, his eyes cold, "you won't be leaving this mountain; I have little land for growing grain here, but plenty of space for burying people."

"I do not serve the court!" Chen Wuji said.

Wu Bu Yong suddenly laughed, "You still want to rebel?"

"Defend the border!" Chen Wuji said, then gave a light mocking laugh, "Actually I don't really want to get involved; running is better than fighting to the death, but our Chen family seems to have a sort of curse that prevents us from leaving. Since we can't leave, we should try whatever we can."

"If Chief Wu truly regards himself and these brothers as mere bandits, then there's really no need for me to say what follows."

Wu Bu Yong stared at Chen Wuji, "I'm somewhat curious about the curse you mentioned; why don't you tell us?"

"We come from Beijun; that one sentence should be enough," Chen Wuji said.

Wu Bu Yong's expression shifted slightly, then quickly returned to calm as he gave a light chuckle, "Are you trying to play the tiger‑skin, big‑flag game with me?"

"Our Chen family has no tiger skin left to pull; whether Chief Wu believes this or not makes no difference," Chen Wuji said casually.

The Chen family's former reputation has never been a good thing for them now; rather, it's a thunderbolt.

But the provincial troops stationed at Tianchi Mountain are somewhat different.

They fight the court for the people's sake, so Chen Wuji brought up his family background.

For those who truly harbor patriotic fervor, defending the border and benefiting the people, the Chen name is still quite useful.

Regardless of whether there are jujubes, first bring out that name and give it a try.

"You just said defend the border—what border are you defending? Where would war come from in Nan Jun?" Wu Bu Yong gave a cold laugh, "Do you think you can deceive me with this? Do you really believe we sit on the mountain, eating and waiting to die, unaware of any news from below?"

"Chief Wu probably knows a bit, but obviously not much," Chen Wuji said.

"The court has withdrawn the border troops; now the southern part of Shenxian Ling has several commanderies with depleted forces—that's one. Second, those commanderies' lands have been sold by corrupt officials to the Qiang people, making war possible at any moment. Third, not long ago we captured a Qiang spy on South Mountain."

Wu Bu Yong's icy eyes narrowed, "Impossible—how could a Qiang spy appear on South Mountain?"

"We also find this strange; we suspect the Qiang have realized that the defenses of our Lingnan commanderies are lax, with no troops available, so they decided to launch simultaneous attacks on multiple locations to seize territory." Chen Wuji said, "The situation of Nan Jun's forces is surely clear to Chief Wu as well. And what we know, the Qiang know even better—they have long since bought off powerful clans like the Yunan Zhang family, secretly trading weapons, salt, iron, and information."

Wu Bu Yong suddenly slammed his fist on the chair arm, "These damned corrupt officials deserve to have their nine clans exterminated!"

"Chief Wu should have done that long ago; since you're already ignoring the court's orders, why bother fearing them?" Chen Wuji said.

Wu Bu Yong glanced at Chen Wuji, "So you want us to work for you?"

"No, cooperation!" Chen Wuji said calmly, "If you feel like selling your life, we can talk later. I came today only to ask Chief Wu's intention: to fight, to flee, or, when facing war down the mountain, to continue sitting alone on the wall as a spectator?"

"I don't believe you!" Wu Bu Yong said, arms crossed.

Chen Wuji gave a faint smile and asked, "Then how can I make Chief Wu believe me?"

Wu Bu Yong raised a hand and pointed at Chen Luozi and Xiong Paozi, "Kill those two."

"That won't do; these two are my paternal uncles, beloved kin." Chen Wuji shook his head.

"Chief Wu isn't that sort of person, and there's no need to test us this way. Even if you don't believe me, it doesn't matter; before coming up the mountain I already had a rough understanding of Chief Wu and the Tianchi Guan Militia, so I never held much hope."

"Since we can't reach an agreement on this, shall we talk business? Please have Chief Wu order someone to bring out the furs for me to examine."