Chapter 52: Zhao Shantong's Choice

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Zhao Shantong asked, “Young master, why did the tenth brother leave with five hundred men? What happened?”

Chu Luolong’s face darkened as he replied, “Nothing important. I sent him to handle some matters.”

Zhao Shantong pressed, “What kind of matters require five hundred men? And what about the assassins from before? Why didn’t you let me investigate? What exactly is going on?”

Chu Luolong avoided her questions and stepped closer, looking at her intently. “Sister Tong, we’ve known each other for five years. No matter what happens, you’ll stand by my side, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Zhao Shantong said. “If it weren’t for the family head taking me in, I would have died long ago.”

“I knew it. Sister Tong, you’re the best to me. You’re the only one in this world who truly cares for me.”

But Zhao Shantong sensed something off about Chu Luolong’s smile.

“Young master, what exactly has happened?”

Chu Luolong exhaled deeply and closed his eyes, as if recalling a memory.

“My father has always called me a good-for-nothing since I was a child. I’ve seen enough of his disgusted looks.

“That’s why I took the Thirteen Guardians to Guofu Village, hoping to accomplish a grand feat to prove to that old man that I’m not useless!

“But those stubborn villagers dared to defy my orders!”

Zhao Shantong’s voice trembled as she guessed the outcome. “Then what happened?”

“I had the Thirteen Guardians secretly imprison those who disobeyed. But we lost track of time, and they starved to death.

“You know, Sister Tong, when people are starving, they’ll even resort to cannibalism. When we arrived, three had been eaten down to the bones.

“Their daughters came to demand justice. Who would have thought those people would starve to death?

“They were too noisy, so I left the matter to the Thirteen Guardians.

“A few apparently were tortured to death, but that’s not important. Those villagers deserved to die.

“Yet two troublemakers insisted on ‘righteous justice’—they were the assassins who tried to kill us before. Now that bastard Lin Shize has them protected inside the military camp.

“That bastard, I once called him brother.

“Sister Tong, I need your help. You’ve had a good relationship with Lin Shize before; he’ll surely let you enter the camp. Tell him no matter how much money he wants, I’ll pay it, but he must hand those two over to me. I want to tear them apart!

“If he refuses, then help me kill him and them—all of them!”

Chu Luolong’s face was calm, but Zhao Shantong felt he had gone mad.

“You’re talking about murder. Do you realize that?”

Chu Luolong shrugged. “The Thirteen Guardians did all those things. What does that have to do with me?

“I’ve already settled things with the Governor’s office. It’s just those two troublemakers’ blood-written tattoos that are troublesome, and the villagers. But if everyone stays silent, no one will ever know.”

Zhao Shantong felt the world spin and had to steady herself on a nearby table.

Who could keep silent? Only the dead. The tenth brother and his five hundred men went to silence witnesses.

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Zhao Shantong shouted, “Chu Luolong, you’ve lost your mind!”

Smack!

Chu Luolong struck her hard across the face.

“You’re the crazy one. Without my father, would you even be alive? You’re just a dog raised by the Chu family. As a dog, you better obey.

“Just because I call you Sister Tong, you think you’re human? A dog is a dog! If you don’t obey, there’s no reason to keep you.

“But...” Chu Luolong immediately shifted to a smile. “If you solve this problem, you’re still my Sister Tong, understand?”

Zhao Shantong trembled and nodded.

“Good girl.

“Lin Shize earned some military merit recently. Be careful when you kill him—don’t let anyone find out.”

Zhao Shantong didn’t know how she left the military tent. Only then did she remember why Lin Shize’s name sounded so familiar.

She had seen it in Chu Boxuan’s secret reports as a hero of the Battle of Qiershan.

Her own family had been slaughtered by the Mongrel tribe. Now she was being ordered to kill such a man.

Inside the tent, Lin Shize watched Zhao Shantong hesitate, puzzled.

“Miss Zhao, what are you trying to say?”

Her eyes flickered, her fingers almost tangled together. Finally, she made up her mind.

“Chu Luolong has sent five hundred men to massacre the people of Guofu Village.”

“What!” Lin Shize suddenly stood up, glaring at her. “When did this happen?”

“This morning.”

Lin Shize was about to leave the tent but stopped.

“Miss Zhao, why are you telling me this?”

Zhao Shantong covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably.

“My family was brutally killed by the Mongrel tribe’s blades. I don’t want others to suffer the same tragedy of losing loved ones.”

Lin Shize saluted. “Thank you, Miss Zhao.”

“Commander Lin!”

Zhao Shantong called after him, fists clenched, voice pleading. “Please, for the sake of my young master’s ignorance...”

She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

Tears streamed down her face.

Lin Shize was silent for a moment before saying, “I will do my best.”

Zhao Shantong felt as if all her strength had drained away. She collapsed to the ground, crying out loud. No one knew how agonizing that decision was for her.

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Lin Shize gathered everyone in the military tent.

Hearing the news, everyone was furious.

Gou Dan slammed his fist on the table, roaring, “That beast! Boss, what do we do? Should we send the brothers to wipe them out?”

Lin Shize shook his head. “Not this time. The internal conflicts are far more complicated than the enemy. Da Hu, take men to notify the Deputy Commander.”

“Notify the Deputy Commander?” Gou Dan asked, puzzled. “Boss, they only have five hundred men. We can bring more brothers and just kill them directly.”

Lin Shize said, “If we act now, it’s civil unrest. But if the Deputy Commander intervenes, with evidence and witnesses, even if his father is the Imperial Inspector, no one will dare say a word.”

Gou Dan suddenly understood. “Brilliant! That’s a clever move!”

Lin Shize said, “Remember, the Deputy Commander must personally lead the troops.”

Zhao Da Hu nodded and left the tent.

“Trying to fool me with overt moves and secret plots? I’ll cut off the root of the problem.

“When the Deputy Commander steps in, the outcome will be completely different.”

Lin Shize looked at Gou Dan and the others. “Our next task is to test the results of our training.”

Gou Dan asked, “Boss, you mean...?”

Lin Shize said, “We won’t waste this gift. Let’s use Chu Luolong as a test for our new battle formations.”

Seeing everyone eager and ready, Lin Shize immediately gave orders.

“Gou Dan!”

“At your command!” Gou Dan stepped forward.

“You lead the shield infantry, spear soldiers, and blade troops.”

“Understood!”

“Chen Xin!”

“At your service!” Chen Xin stepped forward.

“You lead the archers and throwers.”

“Will comply!”

Lin Shize declared, “I will lead a hundred cavalry to move out first. The rest stay to guard the camp. Kill any suspicious person on sight!”

“Yes, sir!”