Chapter 34: The Military Camp at Dead of Night

After that, he looked toward Cheng Yao.

"You don't need to follow. Wait here for one shichen. If I don't come back, go to Beihuang City, and from now on, protect Grandmother and Yu'an well."

Hearing these words, Cheng Yao's eyes welled up.

"Young General!"

"No need to say more!"

Cheng Chengxuan raised his hand to cut him off, then took a mourning cloth from his chest and tied it across his forehead.

Then he tightened the reins, kicked the horse's flanks, and headed toward the Border Camp.

"Hyah!"

Inside the camp, An Luo was wandering about.

Suddenly a soldier drew his Long Sword.

"Who?!"

The shout startled An Luo.

Oh no—could it be that they've discovered me?

She was so nervous her heart felt like it was jumping into her throat.

Just then, the rapid clatter of hoofbeats drew near from afar.

The soldiers also saw clearly who was coming, and immediately raised their hands and shouted in excitement.

"It's the Young General!"

"The Young General is back!"

Cheng Chengxuan reined his warhorse to a stop and looked around at the crowd.

"Where is the Cheng Battalion?!"

"Here!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

……

Many soldiers rushed out from their tents, raising their fists and answering in unison, each shout louder than the last.

Cheng Chengxuan drew a deep breath.

"Cheng Battalion, hear my order—assemble on the parade ground!"

In less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, the parade ground was filled with soldiers.

Vice General Xu Zhongquan stepped forward.

"Young General, all three hundred and sixty thousand of the Cheng Family Army are in position. Please give the order, Young General!"

After this shout, the Cheng Family Army roared in unison three times.

"Please give the order, Young General!"

Three hundred and sixty thousand!

Of five hundred thousand Cheng Family Army soldiers, only three hundred and sixty thousand remained.

Cheng Chengxuan felt a buzzing in his head, his body heavy and his feet light. He staggered back a step, nearly losing his footing.

He drew a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his mind.

"During this time, has there been any news of the Marquis and the Grand General and the Heir—even a suspected… corpse?"

The last two words, he nearly spoke while trembling.

Those present slowly shook their heads in silence.

Nothing!

There was truly nothing!

Cheng Chengxuan's fists clenched deathly tight.

Xu Zhongquan raised his fist and roared.

"Young General, with but one word from you, the Cheng Family Army will rebel alongside you! We'll fight our way to the Capital, fight our way into the Imperial Palace, and avenge the Marquis, the Heir, and the General!"

The soldiers also raised their fists and shouted one after another.

"That's right, avenge the Marquis's whole family!"

"What is Young General Cheng about to do?!"

Amid the furious roars, a questioning voice suddenly rang out—an aged voice, different from the rest.

Hearing this voice, the Cheng Family Army soldiers crowded around Cheng Chengxuan, shielding him tightly, and watched the newcomer with wary eyes.

Cheng Chengxuan raised his hand to tell the men to lower their weapons, then looked at Zhou Old General, who had hurried over, and gave a bitter smile.

"What does Zhou Old General think Chengxuan is about to do?"

"For a hundred years, my Cheng Family Army has quelled wars and guarded the border—we have been true to Da Yin, true to the people! How many bleached bones of Cheng sons lie buried in the yellow sands of this border? The Cheng Family Army fought to protect Da Yin, to shield the people, facing death nine times over, never counting the cost of life!"

"And what did we get in return?!"

Cheng Chengxuan's eyes were shot through with red veins. He bit down hard on his jaw and let out a furious, unwilling roar.

"Suspicion!"

"Betrayal!"

"Slander!"

"One hundred and forty thousand Cheng Family Army soldiers dying on the battlefield!"

"My entire Pingnan Marquis Residence slaughtered to the last!"

"Fight into the Imperial Palace, avenge the Cheng Family!"

The soldiers' blood boiled, their eyes blood-red. They all turned to Cheng Chengxuan, waiting only for his word of command.

In the distance, An Luo was weeping, her face covered in tears.

"Wuwuwu, Zaituan's family is so miserable."

Cheng Chengxuan's face showed grief.

"My grandmother, at the venerable age of sixty, was exiled to a bitter, frozen land, with dangers lurking and assassinations ceaseless along the entire journey!"

Hearing of Cheng Old Madam's assassination attempt, they once again revealed looks of worry.

"Young General, is the Old Madam safe and well?"

Cheng Chengxuan lowered his head.

"There are guards with her, and I believe that no matter how difficult it is, Grandmother can pull through."

Cheng Chengxuan took a deep breath and knelt down before Zhou Old General.

"Young General!"

The soldiers of the Cheng Family Army were greatly shocked.

Cheng Chengxuan shook his head at the crowd.

"I implore Zhou Old General, for the sake of the bond with my grandfather, to look after the sons of the Cheng Family in the days to come!"

In today's Imperial Court, the one person with prestige who does not form factions, does not band together for selfish ends, and devotes his heart wholly to the people of Da Yin, is Zhou Old General alone.

How could Zhou Old General fail to see the hatred in his eyes, or fail to know the calculations in his heart?

For a moment his heart was tangled in conflict, then he closed his eyes heavily and nodded.

"Enough!"

"The Old Marquis shared a bond of hometown with me, the camaraderie of brothers-in-arms, and the grace of his patronage. With the Pingnan Marquis Residence suffering calamity, this old man already feels boundless guilt for failing to help. Now, I shall accept the charge."

Having spoken, he waved his hand and returned to his tent.

He was old now; the things he could do for the people grew fewer by the day, and if he could maintain a few more days of peace and stability, that too was good.

"Young General, you don't want us anymore?"

The soldiers asking this question made Cheng Chengxuan's eyes instantly well with hot tears.

"All of you, wait and see. The Cheng Family will surely have a day of return. When the Cheng Family returns, that will be the day our swords point at the Capital!"

Having spoken, Cheng Chengxuan leaped up, took down the military banner of Chengzi Camp, folded it carefully, and solemnly placed it in his bosom.

Then he cupped his fists heavily toward the Cheng Family Army.

"All of you, take care. The day the war banner is raised anew will be the day we meet again!"

He looked deeply at the crowd.

Suddenly, when his gaze swept over a certain corner, his expression showed a moment of stunned blankness.

Why was there a woman crying so pitifully there?

When he focused his eyes to look again, where was there any trace of a woman?

"Young General, take care! Old Madam, take care! The Cheng Family Army will surely wait for you and Old Madam to return!"

Watching him ride away on horseback, the Cheng Family Army shouted from behind.

Hearing those cries one after another, Cheng Chengxuan's figure paused for an instant, then finally gritted his teeth and kicked the horse's flank hard, speeding up to rejoin his guards.

Beihuang City.

Apart from little Yu'an, who truly could not hold on any longer, none of the Cheng Family women had slept; they sat gathered around a broken wooden table.

Meng Shi said softly.

"Pomo, it's too late today. Tomorrow at dawn we'll go look for some wooden planks and stones to repair the courtyard wall, and put in a proper gate."

Wang Shi also nodded in agreement.

"And the windows, and we should get some bowls, chopsticks, ladles, and basins."

Cheng Old Madam raised her hand and cut them off.

"No need."

The others looked at her in puzzlement.

Cheng Old Madam smiled with deep meaning.

"We won't be staying more than a few days anyway; don't waste the effort."

"But the doors and windows do need fixing—the appearance still has to be kept up properly."

The few exchanged glances, all utterly baffled.

Only Cheng Qiuruo excitedly clenched her fists tight.

Could it be that Grandmother thought her plan was workable?

Suddenly, the soft sound of footsteps spread through the courtyard.

The guards stationed outside noticed first and were about to act, when Cheng Old Madam came out.

Looking at the person draped in a cloak, she said in a low voice.

"Let him in. You guards stay outside and keep watch; don't let anyone else approach this place."

The visitor walked into the room, pulled off the wide hood of the cloak, and revealed a familiar face.

The sisters Cheng Qiuyun and Cheng Qiuluo immediately slammed the table and stood up, eyes wide, watching the visitor with wariness.

"What are you here for?!"