Chapter 76: Why Did You Come Alone?

“Let us go with you then. There’s no need for so many people to go back for help,” said a soldier from the Northwestern Army.

“Follow me,” Shen Shilang said, leading the way to a nearby thicket. The one he had singled out was a Northwestern Army scout captain.

“Young General,” the captain called out.

Shen Shilang removed his mask. “Do you recognize me?”

“Lord Shen!” the captain exclaimed in surprise. “What brings you here? Where is the young general?”

“I don’t trust Quan Guanran,” Shen Shilang said. “Since General Wei is in trouble, I can’t let young General Wei risk himself further. The Northwestern Army needs him.”

The captain understood; Shen Shilang was right. If something happened to Wei Jianlang as well, they… they wouldn’t want to be led by others!

“Young General Wei is still in the camp, knocked unconscious by me. He should be awake by now,” Shen Shilang continued. “When you return, explain the situation to him. General Quan can send people, but the Northwestern Army soldiers must be among them. It would be fine for young General Wei to lead them, but this mission cannot be under Quan Guanran’s control.”

“I understand, sir!” the captain replied firmly.

Shen Shilang put his mask back on. “Go.”

He then headed forward on his own, daring not to ride a horse lest he give away his position.

“It’s just ahead,” Su Jinshi reminded him. “I checked – there really is no ambush on that small path to the right, but I’m worried they left it open deliberately to lure Wei Zhaoxian out. Besides that path, there’s no other way in.”

“If I want to bring General Wei out, I may not succeed, but breaking in is not impossible,” Shen Shilang said quietly.

“You plan to rush in alone?” Su Jinshi worried. “What if you get hurt and end up trapped with Wei Zhaoxian? Even if those soldiers seek reinforcements, what if they don’t arrive in time? I really don’t trust Quan Guanran.”

“That’s why I sent someone back for Jianlang,” Shen Shilang said calmly, as if what he planned to do wasn’t a big deal.

His composure seemed to affect Su Jinshi, who gradually calmed down as well.

“Jianlang has considerable prestige in the Northwestern Army; Quan Guanran may not be able to control them, but Jianlang certainly can,” Shen Shilang said quietly. “When the time comes, Jianlang must lead the troops here, and Quan Guanran won’t be able to stop him.”

Although Su Jinshi couldn’t be completely at ease, she couldn’t stop Shen Shilang from rescuing Wei Zhaoxian. With a sigh, she said, “Well, I’ll definitely do my best to help you.”

Shen Shilang smiled faintly. “I know.”

Su Jinshi huffed playfully. “You’re getting a bit cocky, taking my help for granted.”^[1]The phrase she uses in Chinese is “恃宠而骄” (shì chǒng ér jiāo), which literally means “to be arrogant due to favor.” It’s often used to describe someone who … Continue reading

Shen Shilang stumbled slightly, almost tripping over his own feet. “Can that phrase be used that way?”

“I think it works,” Su Jinshi retorted with a huff.

Shen Shilang shook his head helplessly. “If you believe it works, then so be it.”

He reflected that Su Jinshi wasn’t entirely wrong. He knew Su Jinshi would definitely help him.

Seven-tenths of his confidence in this mission came from having Su Jinshi with him.

Su Jinshi had searched the game store but couldn’t find anything like knockout powder. However, she did find a wooden club for sale.

Su Jinshi: “…Is this meant for me to use as a club?”

Clubs weren’t as effective as knockout powder, but she bought one anyway, gripping it nervously, ready for action.

Shen Shilang knew he couldn’t avoid detection upon entering the ambush zone. Sure enough, the moment he stepped inside, he was spotted by the Turkic soldiers.

Seeing his Great Xi armor, the Turks charged out, shouting, “Why is there only one person?”

“Perfect, capture him and interrogate for information!”

Su Jinshi hurriedly swung her club to hit the attacking Turks.

However, Su Jinshi was terrible at games. She was no good at any combat-type games that required quick reactions and hand-eye coordination.

So now, Su Jinshi was frantically sliding the screen and swinging the club, becoming completely flustered.

She could only hit one at a time, and often missed.

This put additional pressure on Shen Shilang, who had to fend off multiple assailants. Still, Su Jinshi’s presence was better than him facing them alone.

During the fight, Shen Shilang couldn’t avoid getting minor injuries. Places not protected by armor had sword cuts, staining his black clothes with blood.

“Shen Shilang!” Su Jinshi cried out, feeling guilty about her poor performance.

“I’m fine,” Shen Shilang replied calmly, managing to break through the ambush.

“Should we pursue?” one Turkic soldier asked.

“No need. He’s already inside – he’ll have to come out eventually,” their leader said.

Wei Zhaoxian had chosen a tactically advantageous but treacherous location. The canyon hideout had only one entrance, surrounded by jagged rocks. Heavy rain could flood the narrow passage, trapping them inside. Rocks could also tumble down from above.

Wei Zhaixian’s men were defending inside. Due to the narrow entrance, it was a position easy to defend but hard to attack.

The Turks had tried to storm the position multiple times but failed. Now they lay in wait outside, hoping to wear down Wei Zhaoxian’s forces and ambush any great Xi reinforcements.

Meanwhile, they were transporting oil and firestones, planning to burn out those trapped inside. With the dry climate and lack of nearby water, Wei Zhaoxian’s group couldn’t hold out much longer.

This lone great Xi soldier had entered without any supplies – he would only end up trapped with them.

So they weren’t in a hurry.

As Shen Shilang entered the canyon, an arrow whizzed by with a “whoosh”. He dodged and called out, “General! It’s me, Shen Shilang!”

“Shilang!” Wei Zhaoxian’s weak voice responded from within.

Shen Shilang waited a moment. When no more arrows came, he walked in.

After a few steps, he met Wei Zhaoxian’s deputy, Guan Changping, who came to receive him.

“Young Master Shen!” Guan Changping greeted him with relief, but then quickly asked, “Why did you come alone?”

“I led a team of scouts to search for you. After finding your hiding place, I sent them back to call for reinforcements. I came in alone to assess your situation,” Shen Shilang explained as he walked with Guan Changping.

As Shen Shilang was speaking, Wei Zhaoxian, also injured, walked over. Halfway there, he heard Shen Shilang’s words.

“Reckless!” Wei Zhaoxian was both worried and alarmed. “Since you’ve already sent for help, what good is it for you to come in alone? Do you want to be trapped here with us?”

…