Chapter Fourteen: The Military Talisman

A dozen days later, Ye Xin had already crossed into the borders of the Great Wei Kingdom. Ahead lay a small mountain village, home to about a hundred households—neither large nor small. Ye Xin observed quietly for a moment, then strode toward an earthen house perched on the hillside.

In front of the house was a modest courtyard, encircled by slender bamboo, lacking a gate. Ye Xin walked in at an unhurried pace. Perhaps it was the faint sound of his footsteps, but a dark-skinned young man suddenly emerged from within the house to greet him.

The young man was not tall but well-built, with narrow eyes. Seeing Ye Xin, he looked startled, then slowly broke into a smile, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth; his canines appeared unusually sharp, almost beastlike.

"Commander, you’ve finally arrived!" the young man said with utmost respect.

Ye Xin chuckled softly. "So, you have a favor to ask of me?"

"Eh?" The young man hesitated. "No, Commander, why do you say that?"

"Your wild nature, quick temper—yet you call me Commander now? You never used to address me that way, and you’re acting so respectful. Etiquette offered without cause always hides a request," Ye Xin said leisurely, settling onto a tree stump in the yard.

"It’s not that..." the young man stammered. "I... I haven’t seen you in two years, so..."

"If you don’t ask now, whatever you say later, I won’t agree to," Ye Xin replied coolly.

The young man was stunned for a moment before crying out, "Boss! Damn it... you really see through everything, don’t you?!"

"Speak," Ye Xin commanded in a cold voice.

"I’ll speak, I’ll speak..." The young man's energy deflated entirely. "Boss, let me change posts, I beg you... Day in and day out, nothing to do but stare at that old man. It’s so dull, I can’t stand it anymore..."

"How is he?" Ye Xin suddenly asked.

"He sits under the tree at the village entrance every day, basking in the sun. I think he’s just waiting to die," the young man replied.

Ye Xin pondered for a long while before saying, "Leaving you here was meant to temper your wildness. Two years is probably your limit. Very well, you may go over there."

"Over there? Little Fish?" The young man grinned.

"Yes," Ye Xin nodded.

"Can I go somewhere else?" the young man pleaded. "You know I don’t get along with Little Fish. How about I find Little White..."

The core of the Heavenly Sin Battalion was forged by Ye Xin himself, divided into Ghost, Twin Riders, Four Fiends, and Eight Tigers. Though all obeyed Ye Xin’s orders, internal factions had formed. The young man speaking with Ye Xin was a key member of the Eight Tigers.

Ye Xin never interfered in internal rivalry unless one faction grew too powerful, threatening his own position. The essence of kingship lay in balance, especially since Ye Xin had learned a bloody lesson in his previous life.

Never test human nature!

"So, you want to stay here, after all?" Ye Xin frowned.

"Fine... I’ll go, I’ll go, isn’t that enough?" The young man sighed helplessly.

"Pack your things. We leave now," Ye Xin said.

"Nothing much to pack." The young man hesitated, then asked in a low voice, "Boss, is it... starting?"

"Yes," Ye Xin smiled. "I’ve endured long enough, and so have you all. It’s time they paid the price."

"Hehehe..." The young man revealed his pearly teeth again; the sharp canines now looked even more menacing.

"I’m going to see him," Ye Xin stood up. "Be careful."

"Boss, don’t worry!" the young man replied firmly.

At the village entrance, an old man leaned against a tree, eyes half-closed, gazing quietly ahead. His expression was somewhat dazed, tinged with nostalgia, as if lost in memories. Ye Xin approached from the village, standing by his side.

The old man’s hair was streaked with white, face etched with deep, dense wrinkles like chiseled stone. Though his gaze didn’t shift toward Ye Xin, nothing escaped his keen perception.

"Two years ago, you passed through here, troubled and dispirited. But today, you are full of vigor. Have you resolved something?" the old man asked slowly.

"Uncle Qiu, your insight is indeed remarkable," Ye Xin replied with a smile, then glanced at the giant wolf lying beside the old man. The wolf’s frame was massive, rivaling a lion, yet it seemed as aged as its master, lazily sprawled without moving, not even opening its eyes though it sensed someone approaching.

"Where are you headed?" the old man asked again.

"Back to Nine Cauldron City," Ye Xin answered.

"What business do you have in Nine Cauldron City?" The old man looked surprised, his eyes sharp as swords as he turned suddenly to Ye Xin.

"To collect a debt," Ye Xin replied.

The old man fell silent, and Ye Xin said nothing more. After a long while, the old man murmured, "Go, then."

"Uncle Qiu doesn’t want to help me?" Ye Xin smiled.

"I am old," the old man slowly shook his head.

"My father saved your life, Uncle Qiu. Are you not inclined to repay him, even a little?" Ye Xin said, grinning.

"You rascal..." The old man set his face to scold Ye Xin, but something crossed his mind, and his expression softened, replaced by a bitter smile. "The Wolf Commander was ever upright and unyielding, never expecting repayment for his kindness."

"But I need it," Ye Xin sighed. "Let me be frank, Uncle Qiu. This time returning to Nine Cauldron City, I have less than half a chance of success, and must stall for time to lay my plans. If you and yours are willing to help me, I’ll be much more at ease."

"Young Commander, spare my old bones," the old man sighed as well. "Consider it my plea!"

"Uncle Qiu, I know you’ve lost all heart," Ye Xin said earnestly. "I heard that after my father’s passing, the one in Nine Cauldron City repeatedly tried to retain you, offering even the post of Pillar of State, but you refused."

"And you still come to me?!" the old man retorted.

"I’m seeking justice for the Wolf Riders, and for you, Uncle Qiu. You have no reason not to help me," Ye Xin replied.

"Just for justice?" the old man sneered. "Young Commander, I know your real target is him! But think, I’ve spent my life campaigning to safeguard Great Wei’s realm! Today, you ask me to rebel, even betray my country? Heh... save your breath. Not only you—even if the Wolf Commander himself had such thoughts, he could never sway me!"

"Uncle Qiu is ever so principled. Admirable," Ye Xin smiled. "But my perspective differs from yours. Great Wei is Great Wei; he is he—two separate things. I do not mean to destroy the kingdom. But... it seems nothing I say will help. Very well, I’ll seek out the other uncles. I doubt they’ll be as hard-hearted as you."

"Don’t fool yourself. I’ll go to them and lay out your intentions in full!" the old man declared.

"When I raise the wolf banner anew in Nine Cauldron City, will they heed you, Uncle Qiu, or follow the banner?" Ye Xin said blandly. "If things succeed, all is well. If not, we fail one after another—the Wolf Riders are annihilated, and only Uncle Qiu remains. Heh... just as you wished, light and unburdened, isn’t it?"

The old man’s eyes twitched uncontrollably. He had spent his life in the army, and all he had left were these old friends, these brothers-in-arms. Judging by Ye Xin’s words, he meant to lead them all to their deaths, which the old man could never accept.

"Ye Xin, have you thought it through? If you strike at him, Nine Cauldron City will be engulfed in war, and the whole of Great Wei thrown into chaos! Then, Xiao Demon Finger will lead the demon army to invade, and my country will be plunged into devastation. Thus... Ye Xin, you will be the eternal villain of Great Wei!" the old man shouted.

"Just as I wish," Ye Xin smiled.

"What did you say?!" The old man sprang to his feet, his eyes fierce, staring unblinkingly at Ye Xin.

"When Great Wei is ruined, the people will once more need a hero to stand forth and save them from disaster. Isn’t that my opportunity?" Ye Xin replied.

"Ye Xin, Ye Xin... are the countless lives of Great Wei merely chips in your struggle for dominance?" The old man’s voice became strained, for he knew Ye Xin was fully capable of such deeds!

Ye Xin said lightly, "Lives? Does he care? If he did, he would not have caused my father’s death. Someone like him will do anything to maintain control, at any cost—except himself. If I wish to destroy him, I must become just as ruthless."

"Even if you succeed, what about Great Wei? Who could resist Xiao Demon Finger?!" The old man’s eyes showed deep fatigue, his body trembling.

"I can," Ye Xin replied.

"You?" The old man’s mouth dropped open, his breath suddenly labored. "Ridiculous! The Wolf Commander and Xiao Demon Finger opposed each other for over twenty years, hundreds of battles with victories and defeats on both sides. Even the Wolf Commander needed the whole nation’s strength to contend with Xiao Demon Finger. How can you guarantee a devastated Great Wei could defeat him?"

"It's not that I have the power to defeat Xiao Demon Finger, but that he must lose to me, no matter what," Ye Xin said.

"Wha... what?" The old man was completely baffled. To him, Xiao Demon Finger was the only one to rival the Wolf Commander, far stronger than the man in Nine Cauldron City. Ye Xin admitted he had little chance against the latter, but claimed certain victory over Xiao Demon Finger, leaving the old man utterly perplexed.

"Uncle Qiu, there are too many twists and turns here to explain in a few words," Ye Xin paused. "Let me put it this way: would I deliberately seek my own death?"

"No," the old man answered.

"If I poured every ounce of effort into destroying the one in Nine Cauldron City, would I be willing to let Xiao Demon Finger swoop in and reap the reward?" Ye Xin asked again.

"Of course not," the old man replied.

"Then rest assured, Uncle Qiu. I’ve had measures in place against Xiao Demon Finger for a long time," Ye Xin said. "Now, you have only two choices: remain here and watch us vanish into dust, or go to Nine Cauldron City and help me avenge my father!"

The old man stared at Ye Xin, his heart in turmoil beyond words. For more than twenty years, he had followed the Wolf Commander, starting as a personal guard and rising to deputy general of the Wolf Riders, regarding the commander as both father and brother. If not for the threat of Xiao Demon Finger’s invasion, Ye Xin would not be the one seeking vengeance—he would have fought the man in Nine Cauldron City himself, willing to die alongside his chief.

But for the sake of the countless lives in Great Wei, he had to suppress his rage and withdraw to this remote wilderness, living in pain and torment—a great injury to him. Though not yet fifty, his appearance was that of a seventy-year-old.

If Ye Xin truly had confidence against Xiao Demon Finger, the old man would not hesitate to choose: go to Nine Cauldron City and avenge the Wolf Commander!

"Xiao Demon Finger is a master of cunning, his strength unfathomable..." the old man said with difficulty.

"Leave him to me," Ye Xin replied, then hesitated, pointing to his chest. "To be frank, Uncle Qiu, I know there’s a madman lurking inside me. If I’m pushed to the brink, and let that madman loose... I don’t dare imagine what might happen. If you’re by my side, you can at least restrain me somewhat."

The old man’s furrowed brow twisted into a grotesque mask, like a crumbled bean cake. Decades of battle had exhausted him, yet Ye Xin was so ruthless, determined to squeeze his last bit of vitality.

Aside from the Heavenly Sin Battalion, the old man was the only one who knew Ye Xin’s true identity, so he had no doubt about Ye Xin’s madness. Seven times breaking Golden Mountain, three times burning Spirit Peak, and then, surrounded by an ironclad encirclement, leading fewer than a thousand battered troops to challenge Xiao Demon Finger’s demon army at Taishui Plain. Anyone with a shred of sanity would seek the weakest point, but Ye Xin crazily aimed to defeat the myth of Great Zhao. Even more astonishing, he succeeded.

Such a madman, truly intending to unleash chaos in Nine Cauldron City—no one could stop him!

Having said all there was to say, Ye Xin gazed into the distance, idly admiring the scenery. To him, people had neither virtues nor flaws, only characteristics. And characteristics could be targeted, could be exploited.

For a veteran who had dominated the field for decades, those comrades who had lived and died together were his emotional anchor. Watching Ye Xin, doing his utmost to prevent reckless madness and preserve the strength of Great Wei, was his inescapable duty.

Taken together, these formed the old man's mission—there was no way he could refuse.

Ye Xin knew well that the negotiation had been won from the very start.

"You guarantee you can defeat Xiao Demon Finger again?" The old man asked, word by word. It was a ludicrous question, given Ye Xin and Xiao Demon Finger were not on the same level, but Ye Xin had done it before, so the old man still held a shred of hope.

"I can," Ye Xin replied.

"So be it, so be it..." The old man drew a long breath. "May the Young Commander remember today’s promise!"

"Uncle Qiu means to help me, then?" Ye Xin asked.

"Do I have any other choice?" the old man replied helplessly. Not only for the sake of vengeance, but for those old friends and comrades, he could not stand by. He would rather charge into Nine Cauldron City and die together than be left alone in the world, and certainly couldn’t let Ye Xin run wild.

"Good!" Ye Xin smiled, then suddenly called out, "Qiu Jiecha!"

"Present!" The old man straightened instinctively. The giant wolf, long dormant, sensed something and slowly raised its head, opening its eyes—crimson pupils flashing with cold light.

"Give me the command token—I know you have it," Ye Xin said.

The old man reached to his waist and produced a snow-white jade token—half of the Wolf Riders’ command symbol.

Ye Xin took the token, murmuring, "Uncle Qiu, since you’ve chosen, don’t look back. What I must do is avoid my father’s mistakes, and crush every stone that tripped him. You may rest easy."

Qiu Jiecha managed a bitter smile—at this point, there was nothing more to say.

"Don’t come with me," Ye Xin continued. "I have other things to do. Ten days from now, set out for Nine Cauldron City."

"Understood," Qiu Jiecha replied. Having made his choice, he accepted Ye Xin’s identity. Ye Xin was the new Wolf Commander, and he was the Wolf Riders’ general. He could once face Ye Xin as an elder; from now on, he could only obey orders.

"And then..." Ye Xin weighed the command token in his hand. "Let’s see if I can play the perfect wastrel."

(Two big chapters, nearly ten thousand words. Please vote and add to your favorites...)