Volume One, Chapter 35: Two Women Vie for Supremacy

Is Zhang Muyang a traitor?

What utter nonsense!

If he were truly a traitor, why would he risk his life to burn the Blood Wolf Cavalry’s provisions? Why would he bring back the severed head of Helian Jue? And why would he charge five thousand iron cavalry with only five hundred men, buying Tiger Peak Pass a chance to catch its breath?

These questions swirled in Wu Kexiong’s mind, but there was no one to answer them!

In fact, when he sent Zhang Muyang, Su Ying, and the others to ambush the Blood Wolf Cavalry camp, he had secretly sent two veterans to lurk on the perimeter. They had witnessed that great fire with their own eyes—the supplies were reduced to ash, corpses littered the field, and the Blood Wolf Cavalry had lost at least thirty percent of their forces; they would have no chance of attacking Tiger Peak Pass again in the near future.

All of this, too, was Zhang Muyang’s achievement!

He had thought Lu Bu was the most invincible man in the world, but he never expected someone to be even fiercer! Whose subordinate was this?

Haha!

Wu Kexiong’s mouth stretched into a grin he couldn't contain. When Zhang Muyang returned, he would toast him three times no matter what.

Yet, who could have guessed…

He did not wait for Zhang Muyang to return, but instead awaited the arrival of He Kun, the trusted aide of Wei Song!

Wei Song was the Chief Advisor to the Prince of Beijing and wielded power over the entire Northern Frontier; he was far beyond the reach of a mere battalion commander.

Even more terrifying was the secret letter He Kun clutched, stamped with the private seal of the Prince of Beijing. Every word was like a blade: "Zhang Muyang has colluded with the Yan rebels and betrayed the defense maps of Tiger Peak Pass. Execute him immediately to serve as a warning to others."

It was over!

This was the equivalent of tearing the sky asunder!

Originally, Wu Kexiong had feared Zhang Muyang might not return; now, he feared his return.

What to do?

He immediately summoned Chen Xiucheng, the only person he trusted implicitly!

Upon reading the secret letter, Chen Xiucheng’s face turned deathly pale.

The two remained silent for a long while before finally deciding to stage a play for He Kun’s benefit: they would find a death-row prisoner with a similar build to Zhang Muyang and carry out the execution in his stead.

But what if Zhang Muyang resisted?

That part was simple!

Chen Xiucheng found Tian Chong and Zhang Xiaobei, instructing them to give Zhang Muyang a signal or a secret sign. Once Zhang Muyang was dragged into the cell, the so-called "brutal torture" would merely involve beating the prisoner's face beyond recognition so that no one could tell who he was.

As for He Kun?

The man was greedy and corrupt; the records of his smuggling of military ordnance in the Northern Frontier three years ago were all in Wu Kexiong’s possession. If he dared not cooperate, Wu Kexiong would copy those ledgers and send them to the Prince of Beijing—would Wei Song protect him, or silence him?

Sure enough, after He Kun accepted the gold ingot, he no longer cared who was being "executed."

It was an unspoken mutual understanding!

Wu Kexiong cursed, "I’ve gambled my entire career for your sake, you’d better work hard for me..."

"What counts as working hard?"

"It means winning more battles so we can climb the ranks together."

"Well..."

Zhang Muyang pulled a yellowed roll of parchment from his inner armor: "Does this count as an achievement?"

The poison was administered, waiting to take effect?

Boom!

Wu Kexiong’s head buzzed, and he clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth: "So it is as I feared!"

When he and Chen Xiucheng had gone to Zhenbei Pass, they had noticed that Xiao Lie’s "cold" had come on suspiciously. This old general, who had guarded the Northern Frontier for over a decade, had always been robust and healthy; how could he have declined even a single meeting? Now it seemed he had long been poisoned by Northern Yan!

Zhang Muyang said in a low voice, "There must be a mole beside General Xiao, otherwise the Northern Yan Wolf King’s secret letter could not have been so precise."

Wu Kexiong nodded, held the parchment to a lamp, and watched it turn to ash: "Do not speak of this. If Zhenbei Pass falls into chaos, Tiger Peak Pass will be the first to suffer."

Zhang Muyang stood up abruptly: "My subordinate requests to send men to infiltrate the pass and investigate. Perhaps we can find the one who administered the poison."

Wu Kexiong frowned: "That is a troublesome matter. Zhenbei Pass is already under lockdown, and no one is allowed in or out... It will not be easy for you to sneak in."

"Then what shall we do?"

"I will find a way! Rest well these next few days, alter your appearance slightly, and for the time being, do not go by the name Zhang Muyang. Go by... Zhang Mu."

"Yes."

Zhang Muyang smeared his face, donned his leather armor, and returned to the barracks.

Su Ying, Zhang Xiaobei, and the others were sitting restlessly in the barracks, all of them worried sick. When they saw Zhang Muyang return, they hurried over and asked, "Brother Muyang, are you alright?"

"I am fine. From now on, call me Zhang Mu."

Zhang Muyang had Su Ying apply ointment to his face. He had to hide his identity for the time being; if there were spies even in Zhenbei Pass, there certainly were in Tiger Peak Pass. If the news that he hadn't died were to leak, it might invite unnecessary trouble.

Su Ying asked, "Tell us, what exactly happened?"

Zhang Muyang did not hold back. He recounted the encounter with the wolf pack and how he had been saved by the hunter.

That girl!

Ah, she was truly wonderful; that was a debt of life-saving gratitude!

Zhang Muyang shook his head repeatedly, sighing.

Gousheng called out, "Brother Muyang... oh, Brother Mu, you should thank her properly, shouldn't you?"

"I must thank her, but how do you suggest I do that?"

"Give her money!"

"Money is too vulgar."

"What about jewelry?"

"Even more vulgar."

Zhang Muyang shook his head; that wouldn't do at all.

Su Ying sneered: "I have a way: marry her!"

Zhang Muyang froze: "How can that be? Wouldn't that be taking advantage of her situation?"

"Bring her here, let me see her."

"Well... alright. But don't you bully her."

This woman!

How was she like a worm in his own stomach, knowing everything!

Zhang Muyang integrated Wang Yi, Wang Dadong, and the others into his unit, though it was a pity... he was currently only a squad leader and could not directly command them.

As for Bai Zhi?

Zhang Muyang still felt quite protective of the girl. Whether it was taking advantage of the situation or simply a desire for companionship, he still wanted to marry her. After all, this had been Old Man Bai’s dying wish; how could he not agree?

However, Zhang Muyang still felt a bit embarrassed, and he chuckled awkwardly: "Bai Zhi, my wife wants to meet you."

"Your... wife?" Bai Zhi was stunned.

"Yes, I have four wives, and my second wife is currently in the army. She wants to talk to you. But her temper is a bit foul, so be prepared."

"Don't worry, Brother Muyang, I won't lower myself to her level."

Bai Zhi appeared soft and delicate, yet she showed no hesitation as she pushed the door open and walked in.

The atmosphere in the barracks suddenly turned tense.

This was really not a good thing.

Zhang Xiaobei, Gousheng, and the others exchanged glances and all rushed outside, hoping not to be splattered with blood later.

Su Ying said coldly, "Husband, you go out too."

"This..."

"Brother Muyang, I'll be fine. You go out."

"Very well! Su Ying, please, don't do anything reckless."

Zhang Muyang knew that his presence would only make the atmosphere more awkward, so he turned and walked out.

Su Ying rubbed the hilt of her blade, eyes narrowing: "Miss Bai, when you saved him... did you know he was an officer?"

Bai Zhi looked back candidly: "He saved my life, too."

Su Ying sneered: "Do you know? He already has four wives. Without our permission, don't even think about stepping into the Zhang household."

"Oh? Are you threatening me?"

"And what if I am?"

Su Ying stepped forward, the point of an arrow pressing directly against Bai Zhi’s throat.

Bai Zhi’s expression did not change in the slightest; she said calmly, "You wouldn't dare kill me."

"I wouldn't?"

"If you dare touch me, I will poison you to death!"

"What?"

Su Ying had not expected Bai Zhi to be so ruthless, and the two found themselves at a stalemate.

Bai Zhi gently pushed the arrowhead aside and whispered, "Sister Su, don't worry. I won't marry Brother Muyang. Our Bai family has three ancestral prohibitions: we do not become concubines, we do not marry into power, and we do not wed brutes."

Su Ying’s pupils contracted: "You are..."

"My grandfather was the Imperial Physician of Northern Yan, Bai Shentong. He was murdered three years ago, and my father and I fled to Wangjia Village, where we have lived in hiding ever since."

"Divine Physician Bai? He once treated my father."

Su Ying grabbed Bai Zhi’s hand, speaking solemnly: "My name is Su Ying, and in the Daliang army, I go by the name Zhang Ying. From now on, we are sisters. If anyone dares to bully you, I will slaughter them myself."

Bai Zhi smiled slightly, a glimmer of warmth finally appearing in her eyes.