Chapter 100: The Demeanor of a Great General

Inside the grand hall of the Spring Banquet Pavilion, the government soldiers outnumbered Zhang Jincheng’s men. They quickly subdued every one of Zhang’s followers—some wounded, some bound—leaving none untouched, all secured thoroughly.

When Fei Qingnu fell out of favor, pinned beneath Zhang Jincheng, dozens of long spears and short knives pressed firmly against his back and chest, sealing him tightly. Any sudden move from Zhang Jincheng would surely mean being pierced by the blades, blood spilling instantly. A true hero does not suffer an immediate loss; he reluctantly surrendered.

Though bound, Zhang Jincheng was not convinced. His eyes locked on Fei Qing, fury blazing as he shouted, “What’s the big deal about having more men? Do you think I, Zhang Jincheng, would underestimate your character? If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one, fair and square. Let’s see who truly stands taller!”

Fei Qingnu replied coldly, “There has never been such a thing as fairness in my eyes. Victory—that is the sole pursuit of a Martial Captain throughout his life.” He sneered, “If there’s blame, it lies only with your men—they couldn’t hold against the government soldiers and all collapsed at the first clash.”

“That their defeat is no concern of mine! A true hero fights me fairly!” Zhang Jincheng had yet to grasp the meaning behind Fei Qingnu’s words, shouting and protesting loudly.

“Hmph, soldiers are fierce alone, but a pack of warriors is fiercer still. When your men fall, so do you!” Fei Qingnu said with triumphant pride. “If there’s ever a chance to challenge in the barracks, you can show your skills. I will face the ultimate victor then, but that depends on whether you can emerge victorious yourself!”

With that, Fei Qingnu cast a meaningful glance at Li Dong, signaling their unfinished business.

Li Dong understood the implication. At Zhang Xutuo’s rear garden, he had suffered a defeat. Fei Qingnu’s words were clear: victory was the ultimate goal of a Martial Captain, and he still yearned to determine superiority with him.

Li Dong said nothing, maintaining a silent stance.

Silence was not weakness, nor fear, nor avoidance—it was a choice. Silence was the gathering of strength, the waiting for the right moment. Only the strong chose silence; the weak begged and cried out. The silence of the strong was confidence—confidence that they would defeat you sooner or later.

“Take them all away!” Fei Qingnu waved his hand without mercy, dragging Li Dong and the others out of the hall. After they left, he ordered the government soldiers to seize Yan Ruyu, placing her in a carriage and taking her away from the Spring Banquet Pavilion. No matter if she was the top courtesan or a money-making treasure—tonight, Fei Qingnu would enjoy himself first.

The madam naturally did not want Yan Ruyu taken away. She cried and wailed, threatening to take her own life. But as a weak woman, how could she resist a fierce army? Besides, scholars faced soldiers—reason would not prevail.

Ye Jishan and Lai Huer stayed in the third-floor private chamber. The madam arranged a few beautiful singing girls to accompany them, repeatedly promising that Yan Ruyu would come upstairs to toast them after her performance.

They waited left and right, but no one came. Anxiety built quietly in their hearts.

When the chaos downstairs broke out, Lai Huer had already instructed his personal guards to go down and investigate, but Ye Jishan stopped him. “In my territory, who dares be so arrogant? General, rest assured, nothing will go wrong. Some guests often bicker over favors downstairs. If our identities leaked, it would be bad for our reputation.”

Lai Huer thought it over and reluctantly stayed put. Listening carefully, the voices downstairs seemed to be Fei Qingnu shouting loudly. He was about to go down to see for himself.

Ye Jishan grabbed him firmly. “The fight’s at its peak, and many are watching. Let’s go down together later. As long as I’m here, nothing will go wrong.”

Lai Huer had no choice but to sit back down, though anger burned inside. If Fei Qingnu was shouting, why didn’t he send someone to report to him? Without my orders, who gave him the right to act alone? Is he planning a rebellion?

After a while longer, Lai Huer could no longer sit still. If something serious happened at the barracks, it wouldn't just be a matter of face—it could cost him his life. At that moment, the noise downstairs quieted, faint sobbing of a woman drifting up.

Ye Jishan had no reason to stop Lai Huer from going down, so they descended together.

Downstairs, they found the madam sitting at the hall entrance, crying helplessly with a runny nose. Lai Huer sent soldiers to ask what had happened.

Seeing the official-looking men, the madam sobbed, recounting the entire incident—she didn’t know any of the men involved, just that those with soldiers and swords had fought. She wasn’t preventing Yan Ruyu from coming upstairs to toast them; she was taken away by others. She pleaded with Lai Huer to intervene.

Lai Huer glanced at Ye Jishan and said, “This is your jurisdiction. You should handle it. I am just a passing guest.”

Ye Jishan nodded, taking the madam aside to question her.

Lai Huer stepped out of the Spring Banquet Pavilion, feeling regretful that he hadn’t met the famed courtesan today. He wondered when he would next come to Qijun, and if there would be another chance to see her.

Fei Qingnu and the remaining government soldiers guarded the entrance. Seeing the general come out, they quickly saluted and ordered a carriage to bring Lai Huer aboard.

Just as his foot stepped into the carriage, Lai Huer glanced around, frowning slightly. “Why are so many of your soldiers missing?”

Fei Qingnu was momentarily taken aback. “They went back earlier. I’m here to protect the general’s safety—there won’t be any problems.”

“There was quite a commotion downstairs just now. Didn’t you go see?” Lai Huer asked calmly, as if unaware Fei Qingnu was lying.

“Two clients were fighting over a woman. They’ve already dispersed,” Fei Qingnu said nervously, fearing Lai Huer might see through his act.

“Oh, then let’s go.” Lai Huer said flatly, pulling down the carriage curtain.

“Depart!” Fei Qingnu ordered.

The carriage moved several dozen paces away. Fei Qingnu turned his back, wiping cold sweat from his brow, silently marveling how close he had come to being exposed by the general.

Back at the barracks, entering the central command tent, Fei Qingnu said, “General Lai, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave and return to the tent.”

“Wait!” Lai Huer called out, dismissing all government soldiers from the tent, leaving only the two of them inside.

Fei Qingnu’s heart pounded fiercely. Had his deception been uncovered? He knelt anxiously, awaiting the general’s questions.

“Qingnu, let me ask you—how have I treated you?” Lai Huer asked with a gentle smile, as if in a casual conversation.

“You have treated me like a mountain of grace, General. I will remember it all my life, never forget it, and serve you as a beast of burden, even if I must,” Fei Qingnu replied loudly, though his heart trembled. Why would the general ask such irrelevant questions?

“Since that’s so, I’ll ask again: if there were traitors in the army...” Lai Huer paused, then his tone suddenly turned cold and stern. “How would you deal with them?”