Cheng Chongyu slept until dawn, feeling utterly refreshed. He stretched, and his hand accidentally brushed against Cheng Zimò's head.
There was someone else in his bed?
Cheng Chongyu jolted, his mind flashing back like a movie through every scene from before he fell asleep the previous night.
He had indeed slept alone, hadn't he? Besides, military discipline was strict; women would never be found in the barracks... Could it be that someone in the army disregarded discipline and was secretly running a brothel?
Cheng Chongyu had lived a life of purity, maintaining his integrity. Apart from his wife, he had no concubines. For years, under duress from his wife... no, he had been loyal to his wife. His devotion was as clear as the sun and moon. If he had truly done something foolish, his wife would absolutely forgive him... right!
So, Old Cheng, had I finally managed to rise to the occasion?
Cheng Chongyu was unsure whether he felt surprised, pleased, or frightened. He took a deep breath and turned to look at the person beside him. When he clearly saw who it was, Cheng Chongyu's expression became subtle and vexed. He flipped over and kicked the person out of bed.
Cheng Zimò was dreaming of becoming the Great General Who Suppresses the North, clad in armor, mounted on a warhorse, enjoying the cheers of the three armies. Suddenly, a meteorite descended from the sky, smashing hard into his chest, knocking him off his horse. He fell heavily to the ground.
"Ouch~"
Cheng Zimò clutched his chest and opened his eyes, still groggy.
He looked up at the bed and saw his own father staring at him with wide, angry eyes. He was slightly taken aback, his mind going blank for a moment.
"Old Cheng... pfft, Dad, you're awake?"
Cheng Zimò no longer cared about the anger and regret of his pleasant dream being interrupted. He got up from the ground, scrambled to Cheng Chongyu's bedside, his expression so excited that Cheng Chongyu felt it would be a shame if he didn't clutch his chest and feign recovering from a serious illness.
"What, you don't think I should be awake?"
Cheng Chongyu gritted his teeth, his sinister voice echoing in Cheng Zimò's ears. Cheng Zimò trembled all over. Seeing Cheng Chongyu's displeased expression, he quickly scrambled back, putting distance between himself and Cheng Chongyu.
"No, Dad, listen to me!"
Cheng Zimò, fearing that his father might give him a big slap if they disagreed, quickly recounted everything that had happened yesterday and the witch doctor's final instructions to Cheng Chongyu. Cheng Chongyu looked at Cheng Zimò, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at him, yelling, "Try to make up another story like that!"
Cheng Zimò cried out indignantly, "It's true, everything I said is true! If you don't believe me, go ask Uncle Lin!"
Cheng Chongyu fell silent.
He knew his own son. Even if he were given the courage of a thousand men, he wouldn't dare to concoct such an absurd story and then insist Cheng Chongyu verify it. So... was this unlucky brat telling the truth?
I, yesterday, was assassinated and then saved by the Prince's secret guards?
Damn, am I that amazing?
Did I even catch the Prince's eye?
Cheng Chongyu was silent for a moment. He couldn't tell if he was more angry or secretly pleased, but he knew he was utterly confused.
He racked his brain, but he couldn't figure out anything about himself that would warrant an assassination! If anything had happened recently, it was only the incident of a thief breaking into the mansion last night.
Could these two things be related?
Seeing Cheng Chongyu lost in thought, Cheng Zimò couldn't help but gasp. So his father really did have secrets?
Oh, I wouldn't have guessed!
Cheng Zimò sidled up to Cheng Chongyu and whispered, "Dad, could you be an informant the Prince planted in the Langhuan Army? You bear a heavy responsibility, living incognito for the Prince, marrying and having children. Now that your identity is known, you've attracted assassins, but who knew the Prince, for your safety all these years, has had secret guards protecting you? The Prince..."
"My Prince, your grandma's butt!"
Cheng Chongyu had been listening intently, wanting to hear what nonsense this little brat Cheng Zimò would spout. Midway through, his veins bulged. He raised his hand and gave Cheng Zimò a resounding slap.
This little bastard needs a beating!
Cheng Zimò covered his face, his eyes watering, looking at Cheng Chongyu accusingly. You can hit me, but why hit my face? You old bastard, can't you play fair!
Lin Xie's hand fell on the tent curtain, unsure whether to lift it or let it fall. The soldiers guarding Cheng Chongyu's tent kept their eyes forward, their noses straight, and their mouths shut.
I can't hear, I can't see. I'm just a soulless guard!
If Lin Xie didn't know Old Cheng's background, he would have genuinely pondered Cheng Zimò's words. But Lin Xie knew Old Cheng too well. If that guy truly had such capabilities, he would have been the commander of the Langhuan Army long ago, not just a副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general)!
Thinking this, Lin Xie lifted the tent curtain.
Seeing Lin Xie, Cheng Chongyu got out of bed.
Cheng Zimò sniffled, wiped away his tears, and respectfully called out, "Your subordinate greets the General!"
Lin Xie looked at the bright red handprint on Cheng Zimò's face, wanting to laugh, but feeling it was somewhat inappropriate for him, as the commander of the Langhuan Army, to mock his own soldier like this. So, he coughed tactically, nodded at Cheng Zimò, and said a superfluous remark, "Zimò, guarding your father?"
Cheng Zimò nodded mechanically.
Lin Xie actually wanted to ask Old Cheng what exactly had happened last night, but seeing Cheng Chongyu's bewildered expression, Lin Xie fell silent.
...
Nan Shiying stepped onto the land. At the port where cargo ships had once docked, only a single official vessel remained. The merchant ships of the Hengyuan Trading Company, which should have already returned, were still being held at the port of Liaojiang.
Cui Shiwu rubbed his eyes and gave himself a hard slap, his teeth immediately aching.
So it wasn't an illusion? Someone really descended from Changming Mountain??
Cui Shiwu grabbed the weapon at his waist and signaled the soldiers to stop the approaching people. As they got closer, Cui Shiwu realized some of them were wearing the clothing of the Liaojiang tribes, and he immediately became extremely vigilant.
"Speak, who are you?"
Cui Shiwu demanded sternly. Nan Shiying reached into his懷 (huái - bosom/chest), pulled out a token, waved it in front of him, and said with a smile, "Tell your Langhuan Army's commander to get over here."
Cui Shiwu became furious, pointing at Nan Shiying's nose and shouting, "What kind of trash are you, daring to disrespect our General like this? You..."
A flash of sword light, and before Cui Shiwu could react, a sharp sword kissed his neck. He swallowed hard. The surrounding soldiers instantly drew their weapons.
The atmosphere became tense and volatile.
Nan Shiying walked up to Cui Shiwu and smiled at him, "Deliver the message, or die."
"I..."
Cui Shiwu straightened his neck, preferring death to submission. Nan Shiying smiled and cut off his impassioned words of dying with honor, saying to the soldier beside him, "I am speaking to you.
"Deliver the message, or... he dies!"