When Xiao Youcheng saw the nine-foot-tall Tartar soldiers charging forward, he finally understood why Xiao Zheng had insisted on sending the Xiao Army to the front lines.
Many of the imperial troops he had brought had never seen battle before. At the sight of this onslaught, they shrank back in fear, ready to retreat.
Xiao Youcheng roared.
"Cowards!! Anyone who takes a single step back—I’ll cut them down myself!! Damn it, charge forward!! When we return, rewards will be given based on the number of heads taken!!" With that, he drew his spear and joined the fray.
His personal guards dared not let him charge ahead alone and instantly formed a half-circle around him, slashing into the enemy.
"Brothers, charge!! Don’t let the Xiao Army take all the silver rewards!!"
Seeing Prince Kang himself fighting the Tartars, the Great Yuan soldiers let out fierce cries and surged forward. The bold would feast, the timid would starve—now was the time to fight!
The Xiao Army had long been consumed by bloodlust. Someone shouted—
"Capture the Tartar Fourth Prince alive!! Avenge the old Northwest Marquis!!"
The soldiers locked onto the unmistakable golden armor like hunters spotting prey and charged.
Chi Na, realizing the dire situation, turned to flee—only for a spear to come flying from behind.
...
The wind howled, the setting sun stained the sky blood-red, and the vast grasslands seemed painted in a layer of brutal crimson.
More than half of the Tartar forces lay dead or wounded. The remnants, abandoning their armor and weapons, scattered like startled birds in all directions.
Xiao Zheng wiped the blood from his lips, standing tall like a war god descended to earth. Beneath his red-tasseled spear, the Fourth Prince spat blood, his body trembling as he struggled to rise like a dying beast.
"I told you—even in a fair duel, you’re no match for me."
The drums of victory sounded, cheers and jubilation filling the air.
That same day, news of the Tartars’ crushing defeat and the capture of the Fourth Prince was rushed to the capital.
That night, Xiao Youcheng invited the Xiao Army to a victory feast at the camp outside Shuozhou City.
The soldiers removed their bloodstained armor, gathering around bonfires to feast on meat and wine, vividly recounting the battle’s dangers. At emotional moments, they embraced and wept with their comrades. By then, the line between the Xiao Army and the imperial troops had blurred—all were brothers, united as one.
Xiao Youcheng raised his cup toward Xiao Zheng beside him.
"I’ve often heard of General Xiao’s valor from Lu Chao, but witnessing it firsthand surpasses even the rumors. I am truly in awe. A pillar of the nation like you is a blessing to the people."
Xiao Zheng lightly tapped his cup against the prince’s and smiled.
"Your Highness flatters me."
"With the border threat now quelled, what are your plans, General Xiao?"
The Tartars had fled in disarray, leaving the question of Shuozhou’s fate. Xiao Youcheng, now admiring Xiao Zheng’s talent, probed carefully.
"Would Your Highness accompany me somewhere?"
Xiao Zheng’s gaze lingered on the soldiers lost in revelry as he spoke quietly to the prince.
Xiao Youcheng glanced at Lu Chao, who was currently playing a drinking game with Zhou Qingyuan. His usually pale face was flushed, his eyes unusually bright.
"Bring him along?"
"Fine."
The group slipped away from the feast at different times.
Xiao Zheng led them through a winding path until they reached their destination.
"The dungeon?"
Xiao Zheng nodded, signaling for silence before stepping into the pitch-black passage.
Inside, the Fourth Prince Chi Na was shackled, his wounds crudely treated by the army medics. At the sound of footsteps, his eyes snapped open in excitement—only to dim when he saw Xiao Zheng.
"Did the Fourth Prince think his clansmen were coming to rescue him?"
"Hah! I overestimated you. You chose to collaborate with your enemy—do you think the Northwest Marquis would rest in peace knowing that?"
Xiao Zheng clasped his hands behind his back, his voice icy. "The Marquis would praise me for doing well—after all, you were one of the butchers."
"Cough! Then do you know why the moment Commander Luo fled the city gates, my Tartar warriors appeared? Because it was all part of the plan. Commander Luo was just following orders."
"The goal was to eliminate the Northwest Marquis—ha!"
"And yet you still fight for Great Yuan. Tsk, tsk."
Hearing this, Xiao Youcheng, hidden in the shadows, clenched his fists, his heart pounding.
Xiao Zheng pressed on.
"How do I know you’re not lying to sow discord? You allied with this mastermind for gain, yet you’re the one who suffered heavy losses. Are you truly content? I only seek the truth. If you confront this mastermind in the capital, I swear to spare your life."
Chi Na threw his head back and laughed.
"Xiao Zheng, you’re naively foolish. Haven’t you heard—‘When the birds are gone, the bow is put away’? You want a confrontation? Hah! How laughable."
"You’re wasting your effort. From now on, you’d better guard me well—or your evidence might vanish like water through a sieve."
With that, he shut his eyes and spoke no more.
Xiao Youcheng’s mind churned like stormy seas. A thought surged violently to the surface—only to be forcibly suppressed.
After leaving the dungeon, Xiao Youcheng returned first to avoid suspicion, leaving Lu Chao and Xiao Zheng alone.
Now that their identities were laid bare, the atmosphere between them grew inexplicably awkward. Lu Chao cleared his throat and extended his hand.
"Here."
Xiao Zheng looked at him, puzzled.
"They say this ointment quickly heals scars from toad venom. It hasn’t been tested yet—consider yourself my trial. Apply it before bed each night."
Xiao Zheng took the still-warm jar, thinking of the veiled women, and asked bluntly.
"Thanks! Did you make this? Can it be bought elsewhere?"
Lu Chao frowned.
"Unlikely. There’s more in Yingchuan. How much do you need?"
"Around ten jars."
"Fine. Use this one first—I’ll have the rest sent over."
Only after his initial excitement did Xiao Zheng suddenly hesitate, his usual fearlessness replaced by uncharacteristic trepidation.
"You know?"
Lu Chao nodded.
"The wound is distinctive. I recognized it at once."
Xiao Zheng’s heart sank.
Spotting movement in the distance, Lu Chao waved and turned to leave.
"Someone’s coming. I’ll go. Don’t forget the ointment."
