Chapter 73: Unexpected

Shen Shilang’s act of bringing down Wei Zhaoxian was essentially a gesture of allegiance to Emperor Jiacheng, signaling his complete loyalty. As a result, Emperor Jiacheng would no longer tolerate Shen Shilang having his own faction of supporters.

Anyone who got too close to Shen Shilang would be in danger. Conveniently, Shen Shilang offered no explanations, allowing others to look down on him and keep their distance.

Su Jinshi had never openly discussed her suspicions with Shen Shilang, but she knew this was precisely his intention. Watching Shen Shilang work diligently, his head bowed as he wrote, filled Su Jinshi’s heart with a deep, painful ache.

Shen Shilang didn’t care about these matters because he had endured far deeper and more profound suffering. Most people might never understand the depth of his pain.

The day before Shen Shilang was to depart with the army, he was once again summoned to the Emperor’s study.

“How have you been these past few days?” Emperor Jiacheng asked, his eyes studying Shen Shilang’s bowed head.

Shen Shilang showed a flicker of surprise, as if puzzled by the Emperor’s question. “In response to Your Majesty, I have been well,” he replied.

“Yet I’ve heard that recently, you haven’t been getting along well with your colleagues. They think you’re opportunistic and quick to turn your back on others,” Emperor Jiacheng said with a faint smile. “Do you feel your rapid promotion justifies disregarding your fellow scholars?”

The imperial eunuch standing by observed quietly, marveling at how much attention the Emperor paid to such minor matters, even after serving him for decades.

“I wouldn’t dare, Your Majesty!” Shen Shilang answered calmly. “I am loyal only to you. As for what others think, I pay it no mind. If you command me to rescue General Wei, I will go. I am unworthy, but I am willing to be your blade.”

This implied that he would be a solitary servant, loyal only to the Emperor. Whoever the Emperor wanted eliminated, Shen Shilang would do so. Therefore, he had no need to maintain good relationships with anyone else.

Emperor Jiacheng’s eyes showed a glimmer of satisfaction as he silently regarded Shen Shilang for a moment. “To be my blade, you must first prove yourself worthy,” he said.

“I will do my utmost,” Shen Shilang replied solemnly.

“You may go,” Emperor Jiacheng said dismissively.

The next morning, before dawn, Shen Shilang prepared to depart. He brought Youmi with him, accompanied by the unseen Su Jinshi.

Shen Shilang couldn’t leave Youmi at home, as there were no servants to care for the dog in his absence.

Outside the city, the army was gathering. Vice General Sheng Jinchao, who served under the loyal and valiant General Quan Guanran, impatiently asked, “When will that Shen Shilang arrive?”

“It’s not yet time to break camp. Let’s wait a bit longer,” Quan Guanran replied coldly.

Sheng Jinchao glanced around before whispering to Quan Guanran, “General, I don’t understand what His Majesty is thinking, sending someone who just entered the court and knows nothing to oversee the army. He’s a scholar who can’t even hold a chicken. What could he possibly understand? I hope he doesn’t give us misguided orders and hold us back!”

“He won’t have the chance to meddle in military affairs,” Quan Guanran said icily. “We needn’t pay him any attention. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll just be a figurehead. If he tries to assert himself, we’ll simply ignore him! I’m not afraid of a mere fifth-rank official.”

“I’ve heard that Shen Shilang is an opportunist,” Sheng Jinchao muttered. “After passing the imperial exams, he was promoted from a minor position straight to fifth-rank imperial censor, and now he’s been sent to oversee the army as a military inspector. I heard that once he was promoted, he cut ties with his fellow exam graduates. When people came to congratulate him, he refused to see anyone—his behavior was truly disgraceful.”

“And such a man is coming to oversee our army,” Sheng Jinchao continued. “I heard he even owed a great debt to General Wei. His parents died young, and it was General Wei who took him in and supported his studies, allowing him to take the imperial exams. But right after becoming the top scholar, he turned his back on the Wei family. He’s a true ingrate.”

Shen Shilang’s reputation in the capital had become utterly tarnished. No one bothered to investigate the real reasons behind his departure from the Wei residence; they simply heard of the rift and assumed it was Shen Shilang’s fault.

“I just hope he doesn’t interfere and cause trouble when we go to support General Wei,” Sheng Jinchao muttered.

“General, Shen Shilang has arrived,” a soldier reported.

Quan Guanran and Sheng Jinchao looked over to see Shen Shilang dressed in all black, with a black cloak draped over him, having just passed through the city gate.

To their surprise, a magnificent large dog accompanied him. The dog stood nearly half as tall as a person, its brown coat shining in the sunlight.

“Is that a wolf or a dog?” Sheng Jinchao asked in amazement.

“It looks like a wolfhound,” Quan Guanran squinted against the sun.

How could a mere scholar like Shen Shilang own such an imposing wolfhound? Perhaps it was the contrast with the dog that made Shen Shilang himself seem to exude a certain deadly aura.

As Shen Shilang approached step by step, dressed in black from head to toe, he unconsciously made those around him feel tense.

Shen Shilang stopped in front of Quan Guanran. “General Quan.”

“Lord Shen,” Quan Guanran nodded coldly.

Shen Shilang paid no mind to his reception.

Soon, it was time to depart. At Quan Guanran’s command, the entire army set out in formation.

Shen Shilang also mounted a horse, which surprised Quan Guanran slightly, but he still didn’t engage Shen Shilang in conversation. Then he recalled that Shen Shilang had lived in the Wei household, so he must have learned to ride there.

As the troops marched rapidly, Quan Guanran grew increasingly impressed. Throughout the journey, Shen Shilang never complained of hardship, keeping pace without slowing down even slightly. Quan Guanran began to reassess his opinion of Shen Shilang.

He was not merely the frail scholar he had expected.

The journey progressed smoothly, and they arrived at the border according to Quan Guanran’s estimated timeline, where they joined forces with Wei Zhaoxian’s army.

Wei Jianlang came out to greet them personally. Quan Guanran looked back and asked, “Is General Wei in the camp?”

Wei Jianlang’s expression darkened as he shook his head, saying, “The General has led troops to engage the enemy.”

Noticing Wei Jianlang’s unusual demeanor, Shen Shilang suppressed his curiosity. After Quan Guanran and the others entered the tent, Shen Shilang approached Wei Jianlang, who had not yet gone in. “Young general Wei, I am new here and unfamiliar with everything. Could you perhaps show me around?”

Wei Zhaoxian had already informed Wei Jianlang of Shen Shilang’s intentions, so this time Wei Jianlang didn’t act warmly towards Shen Shilang, instead appearing somewhat indifferent.

Reluctantly, Wei Jianlang nodded. “Very well.”

“This way, Lord Shen,” he said coolly.

Inside the tent, Sheng Jinchao whispered to Quan Guanran, “It seems Shen Shilang’s relationship with the Wei family really has soured. Even Wei Jianlang is treating him with indifference.”

“Watch your words,” Quan Guanran warned.

Sheng Jinchao fell silent.

Once Shen Shilang and Wei Jianlang had moved far enough from Quan Guanran’s tent, Shen Shilang asked, “What’s going on? What has happened to the General?”

“How did you know…” Wei Jianlang was surprised that Shen Shilang had noticed something was amiss.

…