Chapter Sixteen: The Beauty in His Arms, Ascending the General’s Platform

Compared to the downfall of the Wang family, the Li family was filled with joyous celebration! Their struggle against the Wang family had lasted not just days but many times over, and each time they fought, they were defeated. Yet today, with Chen An’s powerful rescue, the outcome took an unexpectedly dramatic turn!

Hearing the thunderous cheers outside, Chen An and Li Xiang, who were hiding inside, were equally delighted.

“Young Master Chen, such a brilliant youth—I am truly impressed,” Li Xiang said, raising his wine cup for a sip. “The Li family’s salvation by your hand is like rain after a long drought. If you would stay by our side, I would be content even in the afterlife.”

Chen An saw through Li Xiang’s probing as clearly as a polished mirror. Yet at this moment, Chen An indeed needed Li Xiang’s support.

“In that case, would the Li family be willing to join forces with me?”

“Ha! Young Master Chen is straightforward as ever!” Li Xiang chuckled with curiosity. “But may I ask what your plan is?”

“This is my personal token. Hang it in your barracks. With this, you are protected under the North Liang garrison. No one will dare trouble you again,” Chen An said earnestly. “From now on, consider me the Li family’s backing.”

“Thank you for your care, sir,” Li Xiang said with deep gratitude. “The Li family hereby swears that from this day forward, every member of the seven hundred souls in our clan will obey your commands, ready to face fire and water, life or death, without regret.”

As Chen An was about to leave, Li Xiang stopped him.

“Please wait, Young Master. I have one more gift for you. Xiao Duo!”

At Li Xiang’s call, Li Duo entered from the back door. At first glance, Chen An was captivated.

She wore a lightweight armor.

“This is a family heirloom of the Li clan—the Dragon Scale Armor. Though light, it’s forged from meteorite iron by the finest craftsmen. The iron plates are linked like scales, connected by iron chains. It keeps warm in winter and cool in summer, worn beneath clothing. It can defend against swords and knives up close, and arrows and spears from afar,” Li Xiang explained deliberately. “This is probably the most precious treasure the Li family possesses.”

Chen An hurriedly declined, “A gentleman does not covet what many love, let alone the Li family’s most treasured possession.”

“Nonsense, Young Master Chen. The Li family is willing to follow you, entrusting the lives and fortunes of all seven hundred clan members to you. Such a humble gift is nothing. A good horse deserves a fine saddle, and a beauty befits a hero,” Li Xiang glanced at Li Duo. “Xiao Duo is my biological granddaughter. Her parents died young. When exiled, she was gravely ill and passed away. I am but a withered old man, knowing my time is short.”

“Publicly, Xiao Duo is destined to succeed me as clan chief. Without support, she will toil her whole life. Privately, if she cannot find a worthy husband, even in the afterlife, I could not face her parents.”

“After much thought, I have decided to betroth Xiao Duo to you, Young Master Chen, a rising star in the army, a man of noble character and unparalleled ability.”

Chen An quickly refused, “Chief Li, I’m afraid this cannot be...”

“What? Does Xiao Duo not meet your standards?”

At this, Chen An felt a twinge of hesitation and looked up. Today, Li Duo wore red, her raven hair cascading down her shoulders. Her large, gleaming eyes stirred a flutter in Chen An’s heart. After the profound exchange the previous night, his feelings were complex and tangled.

“No, of course not.”

Chen An took a breath, and Li Xiang seized the moment.

“Then I will take your silence as consent. A match made by parents and matchmakers. Xiao Duo, shall we escort your husband back to camp?”

“Yes, Grandfather.” Li Duo obediently looped her arm through Chen An’s.

The sensation was like a kitten nestling into his embrace.

Together, they returned to the room, hesitating and shy. Watching Chen An, who was a formidable force on the battlefield, now tongue-tied, Li Duo smiled teasingly.

“What’s the matter? Am I a tiger? Are you afraid of me?”

“No, it’s just that marriage is a serious matter. Shouldn’t there be some ceremony?”

Li Duo shook her head. “The Li clan is still in turmoil. A formal wedding might even harm your career.”

“My fate is thin; I do not seek the status of a formal wife, only that you hold me in your heart.”

“On the battlefield, life and death are in the hands of heaven,” Chen An shared his inner pain. “I fear I may wrong you.”

“I’m not afraid!” Li Duo quickly affirmed. “The world is vast, a man must explore. I will manage the Li family well and never trouble you.”

Hearing this, Chen An found no excuse.

Li Duo smiled softly, full of charm, lips slightly parted, softly calling two words:

“Husband.”

“It’s late; time for bed.”

Perhaps from the long battle the previous night, Chen An only awoke at dawn. When he lifted the tent flap, he was surprised to see several horse-drawn carts outside. Zhang Xiaojing and the others wore mischievous smiles as they looked at him.

One glance was enough for Chen An to grasp the events of last night.

“It seems the Wang family name no longer exists in Huyang Mountain.”

“All the tribute goods have been gathered. I had Wu Ergou escort the convoy back,” Zhang Xiaojing said quietly. “But we can’t stay here long. Commander Qiao ordered you to return to the pass to receive your reward.”

At their parting, Chen An and Li Duo embraced. Knowing Chen An could not stay by her side like an ordinary man, Li Duo showed no excess surprise.

“I must go now...”

“Yes, a true man’s ambition lies far and wide. But you must promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Take good care of yourself.”

As the sun rose over Huyang Mountain, shadows stretched long, marking a bittersweet farewell.

The vast yellow sands of the training ground lay silent and grim.

“Chen An! Chen An!” The deafening calls rang out.

Squinting, Chen An looked ahead. The Muster Platform, symbolizing his future, was shrouded in dusk. Over a hundred armored soldiers flickered in the torchlight.

In Qiao Dafang’s eyes danced the flames’ glow, his sword gleaming cold at his side.

“Well done, lad! This mission was excellently accomplished!” Qiao Dafang suddenly bellowed like thunder. “You recovered the tribute goods and fulfilled your task!”

He drew his sword abruptly, blade pointing at Chen An.

“I never break my word! From today onward, Chen An is the centurion of Huyang Pass!”

The training ground erupted with cheers as Chen An stepped onto the platform. He accepted from Qiao Dafang the cotton robe symbolizing the rank of centurion.

Zhang Xiaojing clasped his shoulder, tears gleaming in his cloudy eyes. “Good lad, you have a bright future!”

The night wind swept past the city walls, carrying the distant sound of horns. Chen An gripped the newly issued ring-hilted saber at his waist.