Northern Frontier Triumph Chapter 121: A New Home (Part Two)

Xiyun’s expression suddenly shifted, though Li Qiutong did not notice.

“Xiaoyu, call all the servants in the mansion to the main hall. I have something to discuss with you all,” Xiyun instructed, then led Li Qiutong inside.

After Zhang Xiu’s death, this house had fallen into Xiyun’s hands. He had intended it to be his retirement home, but the situation at Zhenbei Pass had changed drastically. Rather than holding onto the house for a peaceful old age, he decided to extend a favor to Li Qiutong, hoping to secure some benefit for his descendants. This was a habitual way of thinking cultivated from years of commerce.

Once everyone had gathered, Xiyun addressed Li Qiutong: “General Li, Zhang Xiu previously purchased many servants from the chaotic lands. Their abilities are quite commendable. There are about ten able-bodied men and over a dozen maidservants—more than enough to attend to your daily needs.”

“Um, I actually don’t need them,” Li Qiutong began.

“Listen carefully. From today onward, this General Li Qiutong is your new master. Serve him diligently. Any neglect, and you’re done. Understood?”

“Yes, understood,” the servants replied in unison.

Xiyun then looked at Li Qiutong, asking, “So, General Li, are you satisfied with the house?”

Li Qiutong felt a bit out of sorts. “It’s good, definitely good, but living alone feels somewhat uncomfortable. Besides—”

“General, your status has changed. How could you be cramped in a military camp? Moreover, these servants are well-trained and can meet any of your requirements. When you are comfortable, I can rest assured.”

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s late; General Li should rest early.” Without giving Li Qiutong a chance to refuse, Xiyun bade farewell and left.

Left alone, Li Qiutong and the servants exchanged wide-eyed looks, unsure of what to say.

It was one of the maids who broke the silence, “General, do you wish to bathe? We have already heated water.”

“All right, thank you. I think your name was Xiaoyu?”

“Yes, General.”

Li Qiutong nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “You work here—who pays your wages?”

“We are slaves purchased by Lord Zhang. You don’t need to pay us.”

“That won’t do. In my household, there is no such thing as slaves. Tomorrow, I will discuss with my strategist to pay you according to military standards. Only then will I feel at ease.”

Li Qiutong’s words astonished the servants; none had expected such generosity from a lord in this world.

“General, thank you. We will serve you faithfully.” The previously silent servants now smiled brightly.

Outside the East Outer City, the soldiers were settling in. Guan Yu, assigned here due to his Qinglong Martial Spirit, listened to the deep snores echoing through the camp. Though today’s battle seemed easy, it was fraught with peril. Everyone’s nerves had been taut. Now that it was over, relief mingled with joy.

Walking alone by the riverside, Guan Yu suddenly saw a graceful figure sitting quietly, gazing at the stars above.

He approached slowly and was about to speak when Zhen Mi noticed him.

“General Guan, it’s so late—haven’t you rested yet?”

He detected a trace of sorrow in her gentle eyes, which seemed moist.

“I’ve just finished arranging the soldiers. Are you comfortable where you are?”

Due to her gender and status, Zhen Mi and her attendants had been housed separately in a small building with decent accommodations.

“Thanks to General Guan’s care.”

Guan Yu nodded. “Good. I was worried you might not adapt.”

Silence fell as they both gazed at the flowing stream before them, the air tinged with awkwardness.

After a moment, Guan Yu asked, “Madam Zhen, does your family have any survivors?”

Zhen Mi pressed her lips tightly, shaking her head. “No, all have perished.”

Guan Yu sighed helplessly. “My brothers have all fallen as well; only I remain alive.”

“We are both wanderers cast adrift in this world,” Zhen Mi said softly.

“Yes. The night sky without the sun still sparkles with stars. Though the past is gone, we must continue to fight and live well.”

Hearing this, Zhen Mi smiled faintly. “Thank you, General, for listening to the lamentations of a lonely woman.”

“It’s nothing. If you have any troubles with no one to confide in, you may always come to me. Though I may not be able to console you well, as fellow castaways, we surely have much to share.”

Looking at Guan Yu’s flushed face, Zhen Mi felt somewhat comforted.

“You should rest early, General. I will return to my quarters.”

“I’ll see you back. It’s late and not very safe.”

“Mm.”

At the Beitang residence, a lively discussion continued around the dining table.

Bilu was so tired that her eyes barely stayed open, her head propped up and swaying.

However, two others at the table remained engrossed in conversation.

“So you’re from the Deng family! What a coincidence. I once trained alongside your elder uncle, Deng Yue, at the Martial Training Hall. We were classmates and close friends. He often praised your father as a prodigy who missed admission due to age, but later, his fame spread far and wide. Everyone on this continent knows the name Deng Fei of the Song Kingdom’s Divine Wall.”

“I never expected General Beitang to know both my uncle and my father,” said Deng Zhanxuan, munching heartily and barely noticing Beitang Mo’s nostalgic expression.

“Yes, back then...” Beitang Mo rambled on, lost in memories, while Deng Zhanxuan kept shoveling food into his mouth, and Bilu had long since fallen asleep.

After a long while, Bilu woke to find Deng Zhanxuan still eating, while her father was nowhere to be seen.

“Axuan, how much have you eaten?”

Deng Zhanxuan put down a chicken leg and silently calculated, “Uh, about three or four tables’ worth.”

“How can you eat so much?”

“I don’t have to hibernate now; Lord Xuanwu told me to eat more.”

“That’s too much! You’ve nearly eaten up all our surplus grain,” Bilu said, half laughing and half crying.

Embarrassed eating alone, Deng Zhanxuan said, “Bilu, why don’t you eat some too?”

“No need. You eat at your own pace; I’ll keep you company.”

“All right then.” Deng Zhanxuan resumed eating, while Bilu quietly watched him—the man who would lay down his life to shield her. She once believed her husband should be a renowned general, a great warrior, wise beyond measure. Now, she felt that meeting this big, silly man was her greatest fortune.

In the Southern Military Camp, Lin Xuan and Zhu Yan’er leaned against each other, sitting beneath a tree as they gazed at the dazzling stars.

“The night sky at Zhenbei Pass is indeed as beautiful and splendid as you said.”

“Senior Brother, do you remember the shooting star we saw back at Martial Training Valley?”

Lin Xuan smiled. “Of course. We even made a wish together.”

“Do you know what I wished for?”

“Probably not to fail your courses,” Lin Xuan teased.

Zhu Yan’er turned to look at Lin Xuan’s handsome profile. “My wish was to marry you, Senior Brother.”

Lin Xuan said nothing, gently wrapping his arm around his beloved.

“I heard General Deng proposed to the young lady today,” Zhu Yan’er added.

Lin Xuan finally exhaled. “Yan’er, I want to become a famed general of this world. Once I have a family and a stable life, I can openly and rightfully come to marry you.”

“I don’t care. I’m willing to fight alongside you, to struggle for our life together. As long as I’m by your side, I’m content.”

Lin Xuan turned to look at Zhu Yan’er’s delicate face. “As long as you don’t mind, I will love you forever and always stand by your side.”

“Mm, I will always be with you too, Senior Brother.”

Beneath the moonlight, they gazed into each other’s eyes. Lin Xuan smiled and kissed his beloved. At that moment, Zhu Yan’er closed her eyes, savoring the blissful moment.

At the Western Military Camp, Wang Ying had just placed the child in bed when Yang Hu suddenly entered.

Wang Ying quickly glanced at her husband and signaled him with her eyes. Yang Hu immediately understood and tiptoed quietly over.

“Has Xiaoyu just fallen asleep?” Yang Hu whispered.

His wife nodded silently. Watching their daughter sleep peacefully, Yang Hu felt a warm surge of happiness.

“Let’s go out so Xiaoyu won’t be disturbed.”

Though reluctant to leave his daughter’s side, Yang Hu allowed his wife to lead him out.

In the living room, the couple finally relaxed.

Seeing Yang Hu still clad in armor, Wang Ying knew he must have been busy until now.

“Take off your armor first. I’ll get some hot water. You must be exhausted.”

Seeing his wife’s concern, Yang Hu felt a deep pang of guilt.

“Ying’er, you’ve worked hard these past years.” He gently stroked her unkempt hair. Since their marriage, he had rarely cared for her, constantly fighting battles away from home. He had missed the significant moments of her pregnancy and the child’s birth. Though he sometimes found comfort when she complained, she had always silently borne the burden without a word of resentment.

“When we married, didn’t we agree? You handle the outside world; I manage the home. You fight outside; leave the household matters to me.”

“But these past few months have been hard on you—moving, fleeing...” Yang Hu felt ashamed.

“That’s enough. I’m married to you, for better or worse. How could I complain? Just serve General Li well—that’s enough for me. Besides, I think this home is quite good, isn’t it?” Wang Ying smiled warmly at her husband.

Yang Hu stepped forward and embraced her. “Thank you, Ying’er. Marrying you is a blessing I must have earned over eight lifetimes. I will work hard to ensure you and Xiaoyu live a peaceful, stable life.”

Feeling Yang Hu’s warm embrace, Wang Ying’s heart was at ease. Perhaps it was that very moment when he had held her tightly while saving her that had made her wholeheartedly marry him.

“It’s as comforting as before.”

“Ying’er, what are you saying?”

“Oh, nothing. Your armor’s almost worn out. I’ll ask Mr. Ren to make you a set of cold iron armor in a few days.”

“Thank you, my wife.”

“Hurry and wash up, then sleep. There’s work tomorrow.”