"Shall we go in and have a look?"
"Look at what?"
"What do you think we should look at? See if it's a beast or a person."
"Didn't Feng Cheng say it was a person, not a beast?"
"If it's a person, it's even more frightening. What if it's the Southern Army?"
Zhou Fugui was leading his men on patrol and discovered something unusual in a patch of jungle. The group surrounded it for a long time with knives and guns. Xu Mancang even shouted insults, but there was no movement from within the jungle, so everyone began to debate around it.
"Mancang, come with me to take a look. Everyone else, maintain a perimeter and watch the surroundings."
As the commander of the squad, Zhou Fugui naturally had to lead by example. He dismounted, grabbed a metal shield, and unsheathed his saber. He cautiously entered the jungle alongside Xu Mancang. The other men also dismounted, keeping watch on their surroundings while advancing towards the jungle in a fan shape.
As scouts for the Daredevil Battalion, horses were essential. Zhou Fugui's old horse, though no longer fit for riding, could still carry the petite Xiao Qing with relative ease.
Zhou Fugui employed a 'disturb the snake by beating the grass' tactic. He used the metal shield to protect himself while his saber stirred up the undergrowth, creating a "rustling, rustling" sound.
If anyone were hiding in the bushes, they would surely be alerted and react, allowing Zhou Fugui and his men to deal with them accordingly.
"Captain Zhou, there's someone over there!"
Zhou Fugui and his men carefully moved through the dense foliage but found no sign of any disturbance. After passing through the bushes, they emerged into a valley. The valley was shrouded in mist, and a clear spring gurgled, cascading down from the cliff face, creating a rather beautiful scene.
Feng Cheng, who had the keen eyesight of a hunter, spotted a person leaning against the mountainside. He then informed Zhou Fugui.
Zhou Fugui took a couple of steps forward and vaguely saw a person leaning against the mountain wall. However, the distance was too great to discern their clothing, facial features, or whether they were alive or dead.
Zhou Fugui flicked his saber and, along with his subordinates, cautiously approached the individual.
"Brother Fugui, it's... it's... it's..." Upon getting closer, Xu Mancang pointed at the person and stammered.
"I see," Zhou Fugui replied, rolling his eyes at Xu Mancang before focusing his gaze on the unknown Xia general, whose state of being was uncertain.
This person, whose fate was unknown, turned out to be the Xia army's young general in red robes who had been so prominent at Yue Ma River just a few days prior. Now, they were covered in blood, their face pale, eyes tightly shut, leaning against the mountainside. Their clothes and armor were torn to shreds by rocks and thorns, with only a few pieces of armor clinging to their body. Their red robe was ripped into strips, and the once vibrant scarlet battle attire was now stained a dark, bloody crimson.
Zhou Fugui kicked a long sword lying near the young general. He then bent down, intending to check if they were alive or dead.
What if this Xia general suddenly awoke and swung their sword at him? He would have no recourse to justice in the underworld.
Zhou Fugui reversed his saber and nudged the young general with its hilt. There was no response. He brushed aside the disheveled hair covering their face, revealing a pale, handsome countenance. Still no movement. He reached under their nose to check for breathing; it seemed there was none...
"What a pity. Such a brave general, to have met their end at..." Zhou Fugui said, rising to his feet with a look of regret on his face.
Before Zhou Fugui could finish speaking, the young general suddenly opened their eyes and glared at Zhou Fugui and his men, roaring, "Rats, you dogs!"
"Whoosh!"
Everyone present was startled, and the weapons they had just lowered were raised again.
Zhou Fugui was also taken aback, and his feet seemed to gain springs. He jumped back a step and asked the young Xia general, "Damn it, are you alive or dead?"
In his panic, Zhou Fugui's question was somewhat nonsensical.
The young Xia general, around twenty years old, could only speak weakly due to their severe injuries and was unable to move.
"Rats..." the young Xia general said weakly, looking at Zhou Fugui. "To die at the hands of you rats today is a sign that Heaven is blind! It is a pity that I have trained for ten years and cannot exterminate all of you barbarians. Alas! What a tragedy!"
"Holy hell..." Zhou Fugui cursed again, uttering words no one understood. He then said, "You talk of 'barbarians' and 'Hu' all the time. We are genuine Han people from Yan land."
"Haha, haha..." The young Xia general burst into laughter. "Han people from Yan? As Han people, you act as lackeys for tigers; you are Han traitors, deserving of death by all under heaven!"
"Death to your sister!" The young Xia general unleashed a torrent of abuse, which ignited Zhou Fugui's temper. He retorted, "Do you think we want this? We are forced into it! Enough of your nonsense. Since you've fallen into my hands today, who exactly will be killed? Heh heh..."
"You dogs, kill me if you will, why all the chatter?" the young Xia general roared, gritting their teeth and exhausting their strength.
"Good!" Zhou Fugui clapped his hands and laughed. "To kill you would be such a waste! Someone, tie him up and take him back to the camp. This will be a great merit!"
Dian Meng, Suo Dacheng, Xu Mancang, and the others all looked at Zhou Fugui with expressions of regret and earnest pleas, begging him to spare the young general.
The young Xia general was bound and taken to the Yan army camp. If they refused to surrender, death was inevitable. And given the young general's unyielding spirit, surrender was out of the question.
There is a saying that heroes admire heroes, and good men pity good men. The young Xia general, fighting against three opponents alone yet showing no weakness, earned the deep respect of everyone present. Dian Meng and Suo Dacheng, in particular, felt a pang of regret, unwilling to see such a brave warrior perish.
Even Xiao Qing wore a pleading expression.
"Why are you all looking at me? Do you want to plead for him?" Zhou Fugui chided them. "This person is an enemy, not a friend. To be merciful to enemies is to be cruel to oneself. If the roots are not removed, endless troubles will arise."
The young Xia general glared at Zhou Fugui for a moment. The surge of anger, combined with their severe injuries, caused them to faint.
"Oh dear, Wei the blind man, hurry and take a look. He mustn't die, or our great merit will vanish into thin air," Zhou Fugui said urgently.
All the men, including Xiao Qing, wore looks of contempt.
So, Wei the blind man stepped forward and, using methods similar to treating livestock, first examined the young general's mouth and then their limbs. Of course, this meant examining the young Xia general's hands and feet and then treating them.
...
Somewhere in Xia Huabei, Longtan Temple
The war between Xia and Yan was frequent, causing immense destruction to houses and farmland. The common people scattered, but Longtan Temple remained largely intact, with some monks residing there.
The Xianbei people worshipped Shamanism. After entering the Central Plains, some Yan officials and nobles also converted to Buddhism. Therefore, under normal circumstances, these temples were not disturbed.
"Giddy up... giddy up... giddy up..."
"Are the Hu people here?"
"What do they want?"
"Quick, inform the abbot!"
On this day, several Hu horsemen suddenly galloped towards the temple. A few young novices in front of Longtan Temple, as if seeing ghosts, turned and fled into the temple in terror.
"What are they afraid of?" Zhou Fugui, accompanied by Dian Meng, Suo Dacheng, Xu Mancang, and Xiao Qing, rode their horses to the front of Longtan Temple and chuckled at the novices' reaction.
"They're afraid the Hu people will eat them," Suo Dacheng said in a low voice.
"Do I look like a Hu person?" Zhou Fugui asked with annoyance.
"Yes!" all four replied in unison.
After Zhou Fugui was "promoted" to general, the Yan army had given him a set of leather armor. The armor was made of fur-lined leather, and coupled with Zhou Fugui's fur-lined wristbands, waist belt, leggings, and felt hat, he indeed looked like a genuine Hu soldier.
"So fair and tender..." Xu Mancang licked his lips and said, with a hungry expression.
Zhou Fugui pushed Xu Mancang and then lightly kicked him before striding into Longtan Temple with his saber drawn.
...
"Master Huijing, how is this person's condition? Is there any hope?"
Inside Longtan Temple, Zhou Fugui asked an old monk.
"To sustain such severe injuries and still be alive is something I have never seen before," the old monk replied. "Whether they live or die depends on their own karma. I will do my best. However, young benefactor, rest assured, according to Buddhist teachings, life arises from causes and conditions and perishes due to causes and conditions. This person is someone with affinity, and they will surely overcome this danger."
"Yes, thank you, Master," Zhou Fugui nodded upon hearing this.
"Amitabha..." the old monk bowed in a Buddhist salute. "I am unworthy of your gratitude, benefactor. This is a good deed you have sown. Your kindness will not only bring good fortune to this person but will also benefit you."
"Am I kind?" Zhou Fugui scoffed, a hint of self-mockery in his voice. "I am a killer of countless people. Alas, Master, to be honest, in a great battle a few days ago, I killed many. It is truly a sin!"
"As a soldier, you must obey military orders. You cannot disobey them," the old monk said with a smile. "The fact that you are saving an enemy shows that you have a compassionate heart. Those with a compassionate heart will surely receive good karma."
"Yes, Master, I will remember your wise words," Zhou Fugui nodded.
The old monk's words subtly carried a tone of counsel.
"I came in haste and did not prepare enough incense money. Please forgive me, Master," Zhou Fugui said, handing a packet of copper coins to the old monk.
The old monk accepted the coins without ceremony and handed them to a young novice.
Temples rely on incense money and their own industries for survival. However, in times of chaos, there are few visitors, and industries have declined. Therefore, Longtan Temple was facing considerable difficulties in its sustenance.
"Everything is entrusted to you, Master. I shall take my leave now," Zhou Fugui said, smiling faintly and cupping his hands in farewell.
"Walk slowly, young benefactor. I have something to say, though I am unsure if I should," the old monk called out to Zhou Fugui as he was about to leave the temple, appearing to have struggled with the decision for a long time.
"Master, please speak your mind directly," Zhou Fugui replied, turning back with his hand on his saber.
"Your destiny holds three tribulations," the old monk said after a moment of contemplation. "Each tribulation is more perilous than the last. However, if you safely pass through these three tribulations, you will soar to great heights. Otherwise..."
"Three tribulations? What three tribulations? Soar to great heights? I'd be fortunate just to survive now..." Zhou Fugui asked in surprise. "Otherwise, what? Why are you hesitating, Master?"
The old monk shook his head.
...
Three tribulations? What three tribulations?
As Zhou Fugui and Xu Mancang and the others rode back, Zhou Fugui was lost in thought about the old monk's words.
He was constantly in danger, facing calamities daily and at constant risk of losing his head. Given this, why should he worry about these so-called three tribulations? Zhou Fugui mused.