Chapter 108: The Devil and Morality

Yudao was taken aback, his expression momentarily dazed.

“He’s right, truly right... This is the way of a loyal subject! We serve the Great Zhao Kingdom, not the Jiang family’s dogs. When they need us, they throw us a few bones; when they don’t, they slaughter us for meat! Throughout history, haven’t many great generals died in such disgrace? If they offer us no protection, then we must protect ourselves! He is right...” Zhuang Buxiu’s face twisted with anguish. “But my lord has been as gracious to me as a mountain... I did entertain some selfish thoughts, believing that for the long-term interests of the Zhuang family, there was no need to utterly annihilate the David Kingdom. Yet, day after day, I have been tormented by guilt, for I know my virtue is lacking...” Before he could finish, Zhuang Buxiu suddenly began coughing violently.

“Commander Zhuang, you...” Yudao hastily reached out to steady him.

“I’m fine,” Zhuang Buxiu waved his hand and exhaled deeply. “The terror of the Sin-Killing God that day is something you cannot imagine. His words not only completely changed Xiao Mozhi but also planted a thorn in my heart, forcing me to act and think according to his dictates these past few years! Tell me... is there anyone more fearsome than such a man?!”

Zhuang Buxiu was indeed suffering immensely, for Ye Xin had planted a devil in his heart, causing endless conflict between reason and morality. If it were someone like Xiao Mozhi, he could simply follow the path reason pointed to. But he could not.

“Commander Zhuang, were you present at the time?” Yudao asked.

“How could I be?” Zhuang Buxiu shook his head. “Xiao Mozhi had my men around him. I knew he might intentionally let the Sin Camp pass through, so I had to quickly mobilize the Tiger Head Army to intercept them. Later, Xiao Mozhi sensed something and purged his ranks several times—my men, my lord’s men, and those of various noble families were all wiped out. That’s why mutual suspicion between my lord and Xiao Mozhi deepened. Until early last year, under pressure, Xiao Mozhi was forced to allow outstanding disciples from various houses to join the army for training. If he had relented sooner, Sima Qinghong wouldn’t have...”

Mentioning Sima Qinghong, Zhuang Buxiu’s heart ached sharply, his breathing grew labored.

What an extraordinary talent she was! Yet, because of Xiao Mozhi’s selfishness, Sima Qinghong wasted nearly two years in the demon army, only to be killed in her very first battle after gaining command.

“I heard Sima Qinghong was killed? Although she hadn’t mastered the killing technique, she still possessed the peak strength of a Pillar State. How could that be...” Yudao murmured.

“It was the Sin-Killing God’s doing!” Zhuang Buxiu’s face turned grim. “Our Great Zhao Kingdom thrives; apart from you and Sima Qinghong, even my grandson, though unremarkable, barely qualifies among the heroes. Yet David Kingdom has but one Sin-Killing God, and he alone equals all of you! Yudao, you must believe me. Wei Juan and the others are old now. Even if Zong Bieli really defected to David Kingdom, it wouldn’t change much. Only that Sin-Killing God will surely become your greatest adversary in life!”

“But I don’t understand... Commander Zhuang, what does my withdrawing troops have to do with that Sin-Killing God?” Yudao asked.

“Because the Sin-Killing God is leading a rapid raid on Old Dragon’s Mouth and has already infiltrated our Great Zhao borders,” Zhuang Buxiu said slowly. “Two years ago, you were still traveling, but you must have heard what happened then. The Sin-Killing God led just three thousand weak troops and plunged Great Zhao into chaos. Now he returns. There’s surely a grand conspiracy at work. If we let him wreak havoc again, how can we face our lord?”

“This is indeed troubling...” Yudao looked deeply concerned.

“Troubling? More than that! The Sin-Killing God leads the Wolf Cavalry!” Zhuang Buxiu’s tone grew grave. “He’s a master of swift raids and guerrilla tactics. Back then, even my hundreds of thousands of troops were completely outmaneuvered. Now with the Wolf Cavalry, it’s like a tiger with wings!”

“Old Dragon’s Mouth? Commander Zhuang, if I’m not mistaken, Shan Yuan is there, right? He couldn’t hold back the Wolf Cavalry?” Yudao inquired.

“He has been captured by the Sin-Killing God,” a flicker of pain passing through Zhuang Buxiu’s eyes.

“That... seems odd.” Yudao frowned. “Commander Zhuang, it’s said that the Sin-Killing God is ruthless and leaves no survivors. Capturing Shan Yuan is unlike his style. Could it be that...?”

“You worry too much,” Zhuang Buxiu interrupted. “I sent men to trace the Wolf Cavalry’s trail. They bypassed the Wanqi Mountains, lingered briefly near Old Dragon’s Mouth, then launched a fierce attack. They passed through the camps, entered Great Zhao, paused briefly, slipped beneath the noses of the Taishui Plain defenders, then raced over a hundred miles to capture Xiang Village. Judging by his past, his target lies within Great Zhao borders; otherwise, his assault wouldn’t be so swift and continuous. Haha... I know what you’re thinking—you suspect he wants to capture Shan Yuan to lure me out. But I guess he doesn’t even know who Shan Yuan is; attacking Old Dragon’s Mouth was merely opportunistic.”

“His target is within Great Zhao? What exactly?” Yudao pressed.

“Don’t forget, he once took Jinshan,” Zhuang Buxiu said. “In that battle alone, he seized at least sixty thousand yuan stones! Later, we set up a ten-pronged ambush at Taishui Plain, nearly wiping out the Sin Camp, but we never found the yuan stones. Where do you think they might be?”

“The Sin-Killing God hid the yuan stones within Great Zhao?” Yudao’s face changed. Sixty thousand yuan stones are no small sum. The Xiao Mozhi demon army’s yearly consumption is only five to nine thousand yuan stones.

“Think those yuan stones just vanished into thin air?” Zhuang Buxiu sneered. “And that was just the first battle! The Sin-Killing God shattered Jinshan seven times and burned the Spirit Peak three times. I estimate he’s gained over a hundred thousand yuan stones by now, just in yuan stones alone! This time he’s back to seize all the treasures hidden within Great Zhao while our main forces are away, to bring them back to David Kingdom—or else seek fortune elsewhere.”

“The Sin-Killing God belongs to David Kingdom, right? If he goes to another country, then wouldn’t that mean...”

“Hahaha... Don’t forget who makes up the Sin Camp, especially the Sin-Killing God himself; he surely harbors rebellious bones and no loyalty to the monarch,” Zhuang Buxiu chuckled coldly. “After leading the remnants back home, the Iron Heart Saint personally sent Wei Juan to welcome him at the front, only for the Sin-Killing God to dissolve the Sin Camp and go into hiding. The Iron Heart Saint also coveted those treasures but underestimated the Sin-Killing God.”

“Speaking of the Sin Camp, I can understand,” Yudao nodded. “They’re nothing but criminals. The Iron family formed the Sin Camp to exploit every ounce of their life force. With no gratitude, the soldiers naturally feel no loyalty.”

“Yudao, I won’t conceal anything from you—Shan Yuan has fallen into enemy hands. No matter what, I must rescue him,” Zhuang Buxiu said. “This is the Tiger Head Army’s command token. I entrust it to you. Lead your unit and my Tiger Head Army to secure the Taishui Plain fortress!” He produced the command token and handed it to Yudao.

“This... this won’t do!” Yudao exclaimed. “What merit have I to command the Tiger Head Army? If anything goes wrong, I cannot bear the consequences!”

“The Iron Heart Saint only wants to save face; he dares not risk using the fortress again. Regaining Wanqi Mountain, Erlong Rapids, and Old Dragon’s Mouth was already a blessing. If you stabilize the line, the borders will be secure,” Zhuang Buxiu assured. “Yudao, the lord rewarded you with three prized Crimson Foals. Lend me one. The Wolf Cavalry comes and goes like the wind; ordinary horses can’t catch them, but Crimson Foals can match them in short bursts. The Sin-Killing God would never expect me to chase him relentlessly. He’ll move by day hiding and night sneaking, but I’ll press on relentlessly. In at most five days, I will catch up to him!”

“But...” Yudao still hesitated.

“I’ve scouted the Iron Heart Saint’s movements. Han Sanmei is old now. Though he knows the Tiger Head Army has withdrawn, he remains inactive. Wei Juan is the same. Rest assured, I can vouch with my life: within half a month, there will be no battle at Taishui Plain. Even if the Iron Heart Saint tries another gamble, by the time his troops arrive, I will have returned,” Zhuang Buxiu said.

“If you say so, Commander Zhuang, very well,” Yudao nodded. “I will send men to fetch the Crimson Foals from camp. How many do you have?”

“Five,” Zhuang Buxiu smiled. “I have fought on the battlefield for fifty years and have only earned five. You won a single battle at Spirit Peak and received three—clearly, the lord holds you in high esteem.”

“Only eight cavalry? Isn’t that too weak?” Yudao frowned. “Commander Zhuang, I will accompany you.”

“You...” Zhuang Buxiu was taken aback, then his face brightened with joy. “Yudao, think carefully! I risked disgrace to rescue Shan Yuan. You’ve just earned the lord’s favor; there’s no need—”

“Commander Zhuang, how can you say that?” Yudao said seriously. “You have helped me greatly, and Shan Yuan and I became fast friends. This battle is my duty! As for the king... heh heh heh, I’m not boasting, but aside from you and Xiao Mozhi, I am the most capable general in Great Zhao. Minor mistakes won’t trouble the lord.”

“Good! No wonder Shan Yuan always says you’re a man of honor. He wasn’t wrong about you!” Zhuang Buxiu sighed deeply. Leading just eight riders to pursue the Sin-Killing God gave him little confidence, but with Yudao, the situation was entirely different.

(To be continued.)