Chapter 60 : Two Paths
The Next Day
Morning rays spread slowly across the war camp.
The sky was pale, and a cold wind moved through the rows of tents. Soldiers were already awake, some sharpened their blades while others repaired armor or checked the straps of their shields.
But the center of the Han Defu's unit camp had grown unusually quiet as hundreds of soldiers had gathered in the open training ground.
At the front Han Defu stood by keeping his hands back.
Behind him, a small group of mounted cavalry stood upright as if to move at any time..
Standing beside Han Defu, Chen Yu was still shaking.
“I have received orders to return to Sunset City.”
Han Defu spoke calmly, his voice carrying across the field
A murmur moved through the soldiers.
“The main commander Luma of this front and some veterinary soldiers will accompany me. Matters in the capital require attention.”
He paused briefly.
“But the war continues.”
Then his gaze shifted toward Chen Yu
"Take this" Han Defu handed him a bronze badge which had a leaf symbol drawn on it.
"This is a commander badge"
“Until my return, the command of this unit will pass to Chen Yu.”
The murmurs stopped.
"Why is him?" the voice was lower but still audible.
"Why him?"
Then they returned, louder.
Several soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
Even some veteran cultivators frowned slightly.
Chen Yu felt the weight of hundreds of eyes settle on him. Han Defu continued," This arrangement has been approved by General Hecta.”
That ended any open challenge.
"Sir..I do not want it" a weak voice escaped from Chen Yu breaking the silence.
Han Defu turned slightly toward Chen Yu, “Chen Yu, Make sure to maintain discipline among the unit”
“But., I am not capable" Chen bowed.
"There is no but.." Han Defu placed hsi hands on Chen Yu's shoulder and made him stand up.
"If you are not capable, then no one is " Han Defu said.
"But.." Chen Yu trembled a little but Han Defu gave a small nod.
"I believe in you" Han Defu patted his shoulders.
Moments later he mounted his horse and departed the camp, riding toward the western road.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Dust followed them as they disappeared from sight.
Chen Yu slowly turned toward the gathered soldiers.They were all staring at him.
"Listen" Chen Yu said.
"Are you truly worth it? " A man shouted.
"It shouldn't have been him" the other one said.
A soldier stepped forward, “With respect… Commander.”
"You have been offered this position because of the mission of that night"
“But many of us know what happened that night.”
Murmurs spread through the formation.
" I was there, with you, it was a mysterious senior who burned the grain first"
Another soldier spoke from the back.
"Yes, the mysterious senior"
Several soldiers nodded immediately.
“Yes, even on our battlefield, we saw strange things.”
“The enemies were falling before anyone even reached them.”
Another added quietly, “And that night's victory wasn’t ours.”
“That was his.”
Chen Yu’s hands trembled slightly.
His eyes moved briefly across the crowd.
He searched for the faces he remembered.
The man who had protested during the march months ago, the soldier who had cursed their orders in the forest and the young man who had shouted during dinner that they were nothing but cannon fodder.
Chen Yu looked for them instinctively but most of those faces were gone, some had fallen in the battles that followed.
Some had been reassigned to other units.
Some had simply disappeared from the ranks.
War had consumed them quietly and only a few remained.
For a moment his eyes stopped on Yan, who was standing quietly among the men.
Then Chen Yu looked back at the soldiers and said, “It was the mysterious senior and he has been helping us for a long time"
“I knew it.”
“There must be a powerful cultivator watching the battlefield.”
"He’s protecting our army
As soon as Chen Yu's voice fell, whispers spread quickly.
"But I have been trusted with the command" Chen Yu added.
Everyone looked at him.
"I don't deserve it and I am not capable" Chen Yu clenched the badge tightly.
Several men exchanged surprised glances.
“But…”
He hesitated for a moment.
“…I believe someone else here is better right now.”
The soldiers frowned,
“When I give orders…”
“I will be listening to him.”
Chen Yu lowered his head slightly and pointed finger at one soldier.
The training field fell completely silent as several soldiers instinctively followed his gaze which landed on Yan, who was standing quietly among the ranks.
Yan did not react when all the attention was on him.
“…Fine.” Then one of the veterans gave a slow nod.
Another soldier muttered,
“As long as someone knows what they’re doing.”
But not everyone was satisfied.
“Humph.”
"He is in the cultivator unit like me, how come will he be here with you? "
“And a greenhorn wants command now?”
His eyes moved between Chen Yu and Yan.
“This is ridiculous.”
Before Chen Yu could answer, Yan spoke calmly.
“It is General Hecta’s order, Chen Yu is the commander.”
His voice was steady.
“Are you rebelling?” Yan added.
The cultivator stiffened and glared at Yan but did not say anything.
"About Yan in the cultivation unit", Chen looked at others.
"I will be taking care of it" He said.
At the same time, In Sunset City.
Outside the tall stone building known as the Scholar’s Hall, dozens of candidates stood in the courtyard.
Some whispered nervously while others moved around from one place to another and back repeatedly along the stone path.Tan Suzi stood among them.
Her hands were folded neatly within her sleeves and her eyes remained fixed on the closed doors of the hall.
Time passed slowly and at last the doors opened.
Several officials stepped outside carrying long scrolls.A wooden board was placed in the courtyard.
The results were posted.
"Move"
"Move"
Candidates rushed forward immediately.
"I got selected ...yay.."
Voices rose across the courtyard as some shouted in joy while others stepped away silently.
Tan Suzi walked forward calmly, her eyes scanned the list. They searched the list until it landed on her name.
Assigned to oversee military supply logistics under Han Defu.
For a moment, she stood completely still.
Then she smiled, and removed the sweat away from her forehead.
The war that raged far away would now pass through her hands in a different form with Grain shipments, Weapon records and Supply routes.
Around her the courtyard buzzed with celebration and disappointment.
Tan Suzi soon stepped away from the board,
But the path before her had already begun.
Far away on the battlefield, soldiers fought but in Sunset City, the war was also moving quietly through ink scrolls, and supply lines.
And Tan Suzi had just stepped into its center.