"What's all that noise outside? It's so loud."
A burst of cheers interrupted the conversation among the three people inside the room.
Zhou Qingyuan, being impatient, strode out the door in a few quick steps.
In the open space outside, Zhang Qing was leading a dozen soldiers in a sparring session with troops from the Northwest Army.
Spectators formed layer upon layer of onlookers, their cheers and jeers rising and falling in waves.
"Captain Xiao, care to spar with this humble officer?"
Zhang Qing looked up and spotted Xiao Zheng standing beside Lu Chao, calling out boldly.
Zhou Qingyuan turned at the sound and saw Lu Chao wrapped in a silver-furred cloak, stepping out with keen interest. Beside him stood Xiao Zheng—one clad in black, the other in white, one dashingly heroic, the other jade-like in beauty. They looked rather well-matched. Matched? Pah! What nonsense was he thinking?
For martial artists, finding a worthy opponent was rare, and sparring was common practice. Since Zhang Qing was someone Lu Chao had brought along, Xiao Zheng glanced at the man beside him for confirmation.
"Zhang Qing here has gotten a bit too full of himself these past few days. Ying—ahem—Ah Zheng, teach him a lesson."
Xiao Zheng nodded and leaped gracefully to face Zhang Qing.
Watching Xiao Zheng obey so readily, Zhou Qingyuan was taken aback and couldn’t help but ask Lu Chao, "Are you keeping something from me?"
Lu Chao gave him a puzzled look. "There are plenty of things I haven’t told you. Which one are you referring to?"
Zhou Qingyuan hesitated. Remembering they’d be leaving tomorrow, with these two separated by thousands of miles—who knew if they’d ever meet again?—he swallowed his words.
On the field, Zhang Qing had been fighting fiercely, drenched in sweat. Not wanting to hinder the match, he stripped off his outer robe, revealing well-built muscles. He struck a stance, brimming with confidence as he eyed Xiao Zheng.
Xiao Zheng, meanwhile, stood composed and unruffled.
"Zhang Qing rarely meets someone stronger than him. He’s practically obsessed—going shirtless in this freezing cold."
"Who do you think will win?"
Lu Chao watched the match with amusement, his tone certain. "Definitely Xiao Zheng."
Zhou Qingyuan shook his head in disagreement. "Not necessarily. The Zhang family is a martial arts lineage, and Zhang Qing is exceptionally talented. Xiao Zheng might have more experience leading troops, but in pure combat, Zhang Qing might have the edge."
Lu Chao raised a brow. "Want to bet?"
Zhou Qingyuan gritted his teeth. "Deal!"
In a flash, Zhang Qing struck first—his fist swift and fierce. Xiao Zheng retreated half a step, clasped his hands, then slid his right palm along Zhang Qing’s wrist to his elbow, leveraging the momentum to push back while sweeping his right leg low.
Zhang Qing, ever straightforward, gritted his teeth and blocked Xiao Zheng’s leg with his own.
Hiss! Zhang Qing had trained since he was four. Without exaggeration, he could kick through a branch as thick as a thigh. Yet Xiao Zheng, who looked so lean, possessed such strength!
Steadying himself, Zhang Qing lowered his stance and locked eyes with Xiao Zheng. The two exchanged several more moves, drawing cheers and applause from the soldiers watching.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Lu Chao’s eyes were glued to the fight, barely maintaining his composure while internally screaming like a fangirl. Damn, damn, damn! That was so freaking cool! If only he had a phone—he’d record it and watch it ten times a day!
Was it his imagination, or did Xiao Zheng’s ear twitch? The man glanced their way, then suddenly shifted tactics. His movements sped up—a punch aimed at Zhang Qing’s face. Zhang Qing raised his arm to block, only for Xiao Zheng to unleash a rapid series of kicks. Realizing his mistake too late, Zhang Qing was sent flying with a final palm strike.
"Whoa!! Cough, cough!! Ah Zheng, you’re amazing!! So cool!!"
Lu Chao was like an ecstatic fan, eyes blazing as he replayed the final move in his mind.
"Hey, whose side are you on?"
He actually lost! Zhou Qingyuan shot a glare at the disgraced Zhang Qing and grumbled, "Cough, cough! None of your business! I won! I’m happy! Pay up!"
Lu Chao, still coughing, laughed triumphantly, hands on his hips, his face flushed with excitement.
"It’s windy out here. Stop watching and go back inside."
Xiao Zheng’s voice sounded beside him. Lu Chao turned and enthusiastically gave him a thumbs-up.
"Ah Zheng!! You’re the best!! Those kicks were incredible!!"
Xiao Zheng’s eyes crinkled as he suddenly ducked his head and laughed, his features bright and clear.
Zhou Qingyuan watched as the two walked back inside, oblivious to everyone else. He turned and exchanged a confused glance with Zhang Qing before scoffing and looking away.
Zhang Qing scratched his head. What was going on? Where’d Captain Xiao go? He still wanted to ask for pointers.
After drinking a bowl of honey water, Lu Chao slept soundly.
Two weeks later, Xiao Zheng finally returned to the Marquis's Mansion. Freshly bathed, his aunt entered with a jar of ointment.
"Yingge, come, let Auntie tend to your wounds."
Under the oil lamp, the kind-hearted woman examined Xiao Zheng’s scarred body and sighed silently.
"Listen to Auntie—stay in the mansion for a few days and let your wounds heal. Don’t reopen them, or they’ll never recover."
"And apply this ointment daily. It helps with scars. You’re a woman—how can you bear having so many marks?"
The cool salve made Xiao Zheng shiver slightly.
"Auntie, next time just have the maid do it. These are minor injuries. They’ll heal soon."
Once the ointment was applied, Xiao Zheng wrapped his chest tightly with cloth again. In the barracks, emergencies could arise at any hour—he was used to it.
"Yingge, Auntie knows you dislike being restrained. But you’ll have to marry someday. A woman’s body must be cared for—don’t let it suffer lasting harm."
His aunt looked at him with pity, gently drying his hair.
Xiao Zheng had never considered marriage. Frowning, he muttered, "Auntie, I don’t want to marry. I’m fine as I am."
His aunt patted his hand. "You’re young now, but what about when you’re old? How can we elders rest easy? What would I say to your mother when I see her in the afterlife? Be good."
Xiao Zheng felt a surge of irritation but stayed silent, not wanting to upset her.
As night deepened, restless and bored, Xiao Zheng climbed onto the roof to gaze at the moon.
"Chirp, chirp."
Hearing the familiar birdcall from the wall, Xiao Zheng leaped onto it in one swift motion.
"Brother Zheng!"
Zhang Hu and Lao Shu signaled from a distance, gesturing for him to follow.
They stopped at an abandoned house.
The war in the northwest had driven many civilians to seek refuge with relatives, leaving numerous homes empty.
Entering the courtyard, the aroma of roasted meat greeted them.
"Where’d you get roast rabbit?" Xiao Zheng asked, surprised.
"Hey! What a coincidence! I went to the villager’s place this morning to trade for that honey, and on my way back, I spotted this dumb rabbit poking its head out of its burrow. Heh heh, we didn’t dare make a fuss during the day, so we waited till nightfall to roast it in secret."
With that, Zhang Hu tore off a rabbit leg and handed it to Xiao Zheng.
"Brother Zheng, what do you need the honey for? Someone in your household sick?"
After sharing the meat, the group devoured it ravenously. It had been so long since they’d tasted meat that their mouths watered uncontrollably—they’d have gladly chewed the bones to dust.
"Uh, yeah."
"Brother Zheng, why aren’t you eating?"
Lao Shu gave Xiao Zheng a puzzled look as he sat there motionless.
Xiao Zheng stared at the glistening rabbit leg, then thought of Lu Chao’s slender arms.
"Thanks. Next time, it’s on me. Finish up and get back to camp."
With that, he took the rabbit leg and vanished into the night.
"Eh? Where’s Brother Zheng going?" Zhang Hu muttered under his breath.
"Where else? First the honey, now the rabbit leg—delivering it all to the same person, no doubt."
