Page 194

"Fei Hu, over here, this way!"

With a face full of dust, Di Yun waved to Weichi Feihu from afar. Weichi Feihu saw him and immediately grinned, hurrying over with the soldiers behind him to sit down. A group of them gathered on the ground at the temporary mountaintop base, forming several clusters.

By then, Di Yun had already prepared the kindling and lit several campfires.

The soldiers rubbed their hands together, each skillfully taking out dried meat worms and rice from their packs to cook in the large iron pots over the fires.

Before long, the aromatic scent of the meaty porridge wafted through the air, exciting the starving soldiers, who rubbed their hands in anticipation.

The refugees who followed were even more expectant, yet they were fearful and dared not to approach, thinking they wouldn’t get such a thick, aromatic porridge and that it would be quite good enough if they were to be given some leftover dry rations.

However, to their surprise, after the porridge was ready, the imposing soldiers gestured to them, "Form a line, one bowl each, enough for everyone, women and children first, no shoving or jumping the queue, anyone who does will be kicked out of the line immediately!"

The soldiers’ faces were fierce, and their warnings even more so, but to the refugees, these words sounded like heavenly music.

They stood in disbelief for several seconds before realizing what was happening, incredulously asking a few of the leading soldiers, "Sirs, do we. .. line up for the porridge?"

"What else would you be lining up for?" The military officer frowned. "What, you don’t want it?"

"No, no, no!" Everyone shook their heads like rattles, jokingly. How could they be picky? Even in years of peace and plenty, they couldn’t enjoy such hearty meat porridge more than a few times throughout the year.

Now in times of adversity, they had expected at best some gruel to get by, never daring to hope for meat.

"Then get in line quickly!"

Watching this scene from a distance, Weichi Feihu chuckled and shook his head, "Boss, why do the brothers have to be so fierce? They’re doing something that will make those refugees grateful!

Di Yun shook his head, "We can’t not be tough.

.. Don’t think that all those who have survived are good people.

In these chaotic times, many ruffians and rogues have a higher chance of survival.

There are quite a few who always want more.

If we don’t act tough at the start, it’ll be even harder to control them later. "

"I see..." Weichi Feihu nodded, glanced around, and then sneakily moved closer, "Boss, any alcohol left?"

"Tsk!" Di Yun glared at him, "All you think about is that drink. It’s broad daylight, how can we drink openly?" He then lowered his voice, "Come tonight..."

"Hehe... Alright!" Weichi Feihu immediately rubbed his hands together and laughed.

"Take it easy!" Di Yun looked at him helplessly, "You’re nearly draining all my reserves."

Not far away, several strong men discussed among themselves, "The boss really spoils this new guy."

"How could he not?" Another man laughed, "In just over ten days, he’s risen to the rank of Fourth-Level Warrior. His speed of progress is even stronger than the boss’s in the past. Maybe in a while, he’ll be leading a group on his own. He has a limitless future ahead of him."

"The kid’s got talent, and he’s fought hard on the battlefield these past few days, earning a lot of merit for the boss’s squad. He does as much as several of us combined. Ah, truly, the new waves in the Yangtze River keep on coming!"

"Oh, come on, how long have you been at it, and you’re already calling yourself the old wave!"

"Haha!"

The voices from that conversation weren’t quiet, clearly not bothering to conceal their talk. Di Yun heard them and shook his head with a wry smile, then turned and said, "The brothers mean no harm, don’t take it to heart."

"Not at all, I think it’s great!" Weichi Feihu sincerely smiled.

He liked people who were straightforward, speaking their minds whether appraising others in their presence or not. Compared to his former foppish friends who would say one thing to your face and another behind your back, these men were far more interesting to be around.

"Boss, at this rate, should Yunzhou’s Lu Chuan County be completely recovered within half a month?"

"Hmm..." Di Yun nodded and patted the other man’s shoulder, "Thanks to you, brother, or our group’s efficiency wouldn’t be this fast. Once the county town is recovered, I plan to stabilize my Warrior Army for a bit. And you, brother, have you thought about leading a team on your own?"

"Huh?" Weichi Feihu was stunned. He indeed had entertained the thought, for he had the capability to act independently. With his excellent talent and proactive attitude, he had consistently received ample Blessing Force from the War God, making his progress in impacting the Dantian smooth. He was generating an ever-increasing amount of Warrior Force daily. Although the total amount was less than Di Yun’s, his efficiency had actually surpassed him.

One third of the new warriors in Lu Chuan County had been brought up by his own Blessing Force.

However, he hadn’t expected it to come this soon, for with such high efficiency, a normal superior would not be so willing to let someone go easily.

"What are you spacing out for, lad?" Di Yun chuckled and smacked him lightly, "Not willing, eh?"

"I..." Weichi Feihu hesitated, but finally said, "I want to try, but I’m just worried that without me, you’ll be too busy here..."

"Haha, if you want to go, just go. Why worry so much?" Di Yun glared at him, "Are all these brothers here just for show? You’ve already helped a great deal these days. How could I possibly keep holding you back forever?"

"Boss..."

"Don’t dilly-dally!" Di Yun said with amusement, smacking him again, "Just go for it. You have better potential than me, and thus a better future for sure. It’s a rare opportunity that you shouldn’t miss. For common folks like us, decent chances are actually few and far between!"

Weichi Feihu opened his mouth, for a moment unsure of what to say.

I... am not a common person...

He had been struggling with this issue for some time.

Everyone, including Di Yun, thought he was just an ordinary person with a solid foundation. The powers he used in his daily life were all based on Warrior Force, so he was viewed with acknowledgment and respect by those around him.

But he was no ordinary person...

What would happen if his true identity were revealed one day?

He really enjoyed his days here, where he earned recognition bit by bit through his own effort—days that were much better than the path laid out by his family.

Even in terms of prospects, he felt that he wouldn’t be much weaker than the bloodline route at home, and could perhaps even do better.

In just over ten days, he felt his Warrior Force was already on par with a Fifth Rank Warrior. Without activating his bloodline, he was confident that he could beat many Fourth Rank bloodline Warriors.

What’s more, this increase in power was continuing to grow rapidly. He truly believed that if he stayed here, one day he would have the chance to catch up to his two older brothers who seemed untouchable before...

That was the first time he felt that hope was within reach...

But... can I stay until then?

Wei Chi Fei Hu started to feel somewhat perplexed.

How long could he hide his secret?

One year?

Two years?

Afterward, would his efforts be wasted if they were exposed?

Would the respect he had established here suddenly vanish?

What... should he do?

"What are you thinking about?" Di Yun asked with a chuckle, looking at the other man: "I told you not to overthink it, just do your job well. Here, there aren’t so many twists and turns. When you leave, leave some soldiers for me, hmm... I do indeed need people early on. You take five hundred men, and if you’re short later, let me know, and I’ll allocate more to you! "

"I don’t need five hundred men!" Wei Chi Fei Hu shook his head: "Three hundred is enough!"

"Five hundred!" Di Yun insisted: "It’s difficult to carry out the work if you have too few people. There aren’t many good counties near Lu Chuan County, and it’s no good if you don’t have enough soldiers to compete for a good location. Don’t be stubborn!"

"Alright..." Wei Chi Fei Hu was not one to be coy. He nodded in agreement, etching the favor deeply in his mind.

The two chatted for a while longer. Wei Chi Fei Hu looked at the other man, hesitated for a moment, with some questions he wanted to ask but didn’t know how to start.

"What’s gotten into you today? Acting like a woman, just ask if you have a question."

"That..." After hesitating, Wei Chi Fei Hu decided to ask: "I heard some of the old soldiers say, you used to be a centurion of the Black Dragon Guard, right?"

Di Yun’s hand stiffened at the question, then he nodded: "Why suddenly ask about this?"

"Just curious..." Wei Chi Fei Hu mustered his courage: "Leader, the Imperial Court... won’t hold you accountable?"

"I did apply for it with the superiors back then.

.." Di Yun said with a smile: "Saying that I was going to Lyuzhou to gather military intelligence.

In our Lyuzhou troops, there are quite a few from the Black Dragon Guard, and there have even been many bloodline officers sneaking in, all under such pretenses. "

"Err..." Wei Chi Fei Hu was taken aback: "That’s possible? Then... the Magistrate of Lyuzhou... doesn’t mind?"

"To be honest, I was worried about this at first..." Di Yun’s expression was complex: "But it seems that both the Prefectural Governor and the Magistrate of Lyuzhou really don’t mind. No matter the purpose of those who come, they take them all in, including many nobles of bloodline families."

"Is that so?" Wei Chi Fei Hu was stunned for a long time before he finally said: "Then... that..."

"What then?" Di Yun glared: "If you have something to say, just say it!"

"That..." Wei Chi Fei Hu whispered: "Have you guys sent up your intelligence reports?"

"Reported it, yeah..." Di Yun said with a laugh: "But it’s no use reporting, isn’t it? After all, those superiors can’t leave, can they?"

Wei Chi Fei Hu: "...."

"Besides, I heard that a certain member of the Hong Family..." Di Yun spoke in a low voice: "seems to also want to come in and have a try."

"For real?" Wei Chi Fei Hu was immediately stunned.

It was only after he arrived here that he realized that the member of the Hong Family had always been living well in Lyuzhou. He had previously thought that they had been taken out.

"Of course it’s true. It’s said that our Prefectural Governor of Lyuzhou has a life-saving connection with him."

"Is... that so?"

Wei Chi Fei Hu’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t particularly detail-oriented, but he noted the tone of the other’s voice. The other had said ’our Prefectural Governor.’

Obviously, it was clear which side the other was on!

"If... I mean if..." Wei Chi Fei Hu finally asked: "If the Imperial Court says Lyuzhou is a threat and orders you to assist in a rebellion, what would you do?"

"What would we do?" Di Yun burst into laughter, and those around who heard this also laughed heartily, very unrestrained.

Wei Chi Fei Hu frowned. What was so funny about such a serious topic?

"Brother, don’t be afraid..." Di Yun patted the other’s shoulder and laughed: "You’re not the only one who has asked this question, actually many people have."

"Eh?"

"But we all have one answer!" Di Yun’s face turned stern, his laughter taking on a slightly ferocious tone: "If the Imperial Court really issues such an order, then we will fight with all we’ve got!"

"Fight with all we’ve got?" Wei Chi Fei Hu looked up, about to ask against whom, but when he saw everyone’s expressions, he understood immediately.

Definitely not against Lyuzhou....

No wonder, after all... this might be the only place in the whole world where those without powerful bloodline or even those with lower-tier bloodline can find hope. Anyone... would fight with all they’ve got!

What about himself?

If that day came... what should he do?