[Galetron]
[Alma S.] [Christine G.-L.] [K.Rom]
[Lily J.] [Suong D.] [Tessy Ivy O.] [Ziana K.-P.]
[Anasi G.] [Passerby] [Xena]
[Nevy] [Roxanne C.]
[Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Smurfinbatik]
[kuroneko_chan] [Michelle K.]
[Ava C.] [Leeyue] [Manon] [Sophia W.] [Tionna M.] [Val Nes]
On her first day in command, Gu Jiao donned her own battle armor, a dark black armor with a helmet that gleamed with an icy, intimidating light. Strapped to her back was a red-tasseled spear wrapped tightly with cloth strips. Her figure was valiant and imposing, exuding an air of unwavering determination.
The generals of the various divisions had already gathered at the Vanguard Camp’s training grounds, awaiting the arrival of their new Black Wind Cavalry Commander.
Gu Jiao gazed at them from a distance and made a small sound of approval. "At least they’re standing properly in formation."
Under the scorching sun, dressed in heavy armor, every soldier was drenched in sweat. Yet, not a single one moved.
This was the discipline ingrained by the Xuanyuan Family.
Even after fifteen years, the tradition and rigor of their military training had remained unchanged.
The once-young warriors had stepped into their prime. The once-prime warriors had entered middle age. And those who had once been middle-aged were now approaching their twilight years.
Their graying hair swayed gently in the morning breeze, deep wrinkles carved stories at the corners of their eyes, but their postures remained as straight as spears, their gazes unwavering.
Through the years, soldiers had retired, and fresh blood had joined their ranks. Yet as long as this army stood, the soul of Xuanyuan would never decay.
Outside the training grounds, a middle-aged man was already waiting. He wore no armor and did not appear to be skilled in martial arts.
As he saw Gu Jiao approaching on the Black Wind King, he smiled and stepped forward to greet her.
However, the Black Wind King’s presence was too overpowering. With a sudden raise of its hooves, the man was startled into taking several steps back.
Gu Jiao patted the Black Wind King’s neck lightly and said, "Alright, Big Boss, that’s enough of an intimidation display.”
The Black Wind King settled down.
As expected of a warhorse raised in a military camp; it even knew how to establish authority.
The man wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, cautiously stepped forward again, and cupped his hands in salute. "This humble one greets Lord Xiao. My name is Hu Yang, and I serve as the strategist and advisor of the Black Wind Camp. From today onward, I will be under your command."
Strategist?
A secretary, perhaps?
That would do.
Gu Jiao glanced at the soldiers standing tall and imposing under the morning light, then asked, “Among those men, are there any who plan to challenge me? You’d better think carefully about how you answer.”
Hu Yang chuckled awkwardly, glanced back at the crowd, then hesitated before inching closer to Gu Jiao. When the Black Wind King didn’t react, he finally dared to step nearer and whispered, "General Zhang Hu. He’s a trusted subordinate of Han shizi. You should be wary of him."
"Got it." Gu Jiao gestured for him to follow and then rode toward the assembled soldiers.
She halted at the very front, her gaze sweeping across the men as she spoke bluntly, “Where is Zhang Hu?”
From the first row at the very front, a man stepped forward, gripping a spear in one hand and a shield in the other. He raised his chin arrogantly and declared, “I am Zhang Hu!”
Gu Jiao let out a soft "Oh," then, sitting atop the mighty Black Wind King, said casually, “I heard you’re looking to challenge me.”
Hu Yang shivered. So straightforward? Couldn’t she exchange a few polite words first?!
Even Zhang Hu was momentarily stunned by the bluntness.
But ultimately, he still didn’t take this brat from the State of Zhao seriously at all.
So what if he got called out? He wasn’t afraid of her!
He snorted coldly. "And what if I am?"
Gu Jiao replied indifferently, “Your courage is commendable.”
Zhang Hu sneered. "A brat who hasn’t even grown all his hair yet. Do you even know how to train soldiers?"
Gu Jiao smiled faintly. "As long as you know how, isn’t that enough? Or do you think you’re just here for decoration?"
"You—!" Zhang Hu nearly choked. He had never met someone so brazenly shameless before! This kid was outright admitting that he didn’t know how to train soldiers?! And yet, that last sentence made perfect sense!
A commander didn’t need to personally train soldiers—that was the responsibility of the generals!
Damn it!
Zhang Hu raised his spear and pointed it at Gu Jiao, his voice cold. "If you have the guts, get off your horse and fight me one-on-one!"
Gu Jiao chuckled. "The fact that I can control the Black Wind King is already proof of my skill. Can you do the same?"
Damn it!
Zhang Hu choked again, almost losing his breath.
This brat didn’t play by the rules! The provocation tactic wasn’t working!
Gritting his teeth, Zhang Hu twisted the truth and accused, "I heard you climbed your way up by cozying up to the Duke An Estate and the major noble families. During the final selection round, Mu Qingchen helped you, and even Taoist Qingfeng assisted you—that’s the only reason you were the first to reach the beacon camp! So what, sucking up to powerful people is a skill now?"
Gu Jiao didn’t bother defending himself. Instead, he countered, "If I handed you the same opportunity, do you think you could win their favor?"
Zhang Hu snorted. "I wouldn’t stoop so low!"
Gu Jiao leisurely said, "On the battlefield, this tactic is called ’winning without fighting.’ It’s one of the highest forms of strategy."
“You, you schemed against Fifth Master Han!”
"That’s called ’deception in warfare.’"
“You, you, you… You even went around secretly stealing people’s bamboo tubes to gather intelligence!”
"That’s called ’taking a broad view of the overall situation.’"
K.O.!
Zhang Hu had tried to smear Gu Jiao but ended up making her look even more competent.
He was absolutely livid, but what happened next infuriated him even more.
Gu Jiao remained seated on horseback and took out the Black Wind Camp’s command token from her waist. "I am Xiao Liulang, the newly appointed commander of the Black Wind Cavalry. Now, I hereby issue new orders. Zhang Hu has violated military discipline by defying his superior officer. In accordance with Article 3, Section 7 of the military code, he is hereby stripped of his position as Left General of the Black Wind Camp. Li Shen will take his place."
"Right Deputy General Tong Zhong of the Reserve Camp will be transferred to the Assault Camp."
"Zhao Dengfeng will be appointed as Left Commanding Officer of the Vanguard Camp."
"Wen Renchong is appointed as the Right Commanding Officer of the Vanguard Camp."
A whole series of new orders was issued, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Han Family’s influence had been completely uprooted.
Without hesitation. Without the slightest bit of restraint.
This new commander was truly arrogant.
"My lord, my lord!"
Hu Yang, standing beside Gu Jiao’s horse, frantically signaled at her with his eyes, as if trying to warn her of something.
Gu Jiao turned to look at him and asked, "What is it?"
Hu Yang lowered his voice and whispered, "Li Shen and Zhao Dengfeng have both left the military camp. Wen Renchong… Wen Renchong, he… he’s gone to forge iron."
"Forging iron" was the colloquial way of putting it. In reality, Wen Renchong had been reassigned to the reserve camp to repair weapons and armor. Day in and day out, all he did was hammer metal or stitch and mend; his status had plummeted to rock bottom.
The last time Hu Yang had seen him was a year ago, and it felt as if Wen Renchong was no longer the fearsome general he once was.
Now, he was nothing more than a weathered blacksmith; anyone could curse at him, anyone could look down on him.
These three formidable generals had all once been the trusted subordinates of the Xuanyuan Family. Wen Renchong, in particular, had lost a finger in battle while protecting Xuanyuan Zi.
Gu Jiao pondered for a moment before saying to Hu Yang, "Go and bring him here."
Hu Yang opened his mouth slightly in surprise. "Ah… Understood."
He quickly made his way to the forge within the camp, where armor and weapons awaiting repair were scattered everywhere.
The furnace blazed fiercely, filling the room with unbearable heat.
A scruffy-looking man sat on a stool during a break from heating the iron. While waiting, he had picked up a needle and thread, lowering his head as he carefully patched a piece of armor resting on his lap.
He wore a leather glove on his right hand, but one of the finger sheaths was empty.
Hu Yang strode in enthusiastically, only to nearly be overwhelmed by the scorching heat from the furnace, almost fainting from heatstroke on the spot.
He quickly stepped back, standing just outside the doorway, and shouted to the sweat-drenched man inside, "Wen Renchong! Your luck has turned! The new commander of the Black Wind Cavalry has taken office and issued new orders—you can return to the Vanguard Camp now! And not just as a soldier, but as the Right Commanding Officer!"
"I’m not going."
Wen Renchong didn’t even lift his head as he spoke.
To read advance GSPW chapters! Updates 7x a week (daily).
You can in our patreon so you should go check it out. ^^
No patreon but want to support us? Then,
OR if you can’t support us in money, you can always support us emotionally -just hope into . Hehehe~
--------------------------------------------
In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.
When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.
The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.
From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.
***
Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.
After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"
Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"
Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don’t abandon me, alri—”
Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
He hasn’t finished his lines yet though…
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login