Kiệm stared at Phi Lương for a long time, then silently sheathed his sword. Quách Kiệm exhaled and said lightly, "Kid, lead the way."
Phi Lương flashed a smile and walked shoulder to shoulder with Quách Kiệm. The two passed through a forest to reach a small village backed against a cliff, where the Dịch River flowed. The villagers lived frugally, sustaining themselves with a few plots of farmland.
As Phi Lương and Quách Kiệm entered the village, an old man spotted them. This elder, known in the village as Dương Old Man, was nearly sixty but still robust and healthy.
Seeing Phi Lương, Dương Old Man grinned, "Phi, you little rascal, picking wild herbs? Why are you back so late?"
His gaze briefly flicked to Quách Kiệm, noting the blood-stained armor and the wound across his chest, but he said nothing. Hearing Dương Old Head's question, Phi Lương smirked mischievously, "Old Head, you're not my mother, why so nosy?"
Dương Old Man feigned anger, "You cheeky brat, believe I'll tell your elder brother?"
At the mention of "elder brother," Phi Lương's expression shifted, and he pouted, "Old Man, bullying a kid doesn't make you a hero!"
Dương Old Man chuckled, "Who told you to be so naughty? Now you've stubbed your toe—serves you right!"
Phi Lương turned away, ignoring him with an air of "a great man doesn't stoop to petty grudges." Dương Old Man shook his head, dropping the playful tone, "Phi, your brother's waiting for you."
Turning to Kiệm, he smiled warmly, "And this brother, let this Old Man take care of you."
Phi Lương quickly thanked him and moved on. Quách Kiệm clasped his fists in gratitude before Dương Old Man, saying, "I'll stay in the village a few days to heal. Thank you for the trouble."
Dương Old Man waved it off, saying softly, "No need for thanks. Just heal up and leave quickly. This peaceful village can't handle the fires of war."
Quách Kiệm frowned at the old man's pointed words but didn't dwell on it, replying coolly, "Rest assured, Old Man, I'll leave once I'm healed."
In the village, Phi Lương strode home, shouting, "Brother, where are you? Your brother's back!"
Inside, a young man in a faded blue robe, with a hairpin in his hair, spoke gently, "Lương, you're grown now. Why do you still shout like a child? Where's your decorum?"
This young man, name Phi Diễn, courtesy name Trọng Diệp, was the only literate person in the village, often teaching the children. The villagers respected him, calling him scholar Phi. Handsome and refined despite his youth, he carried an air of natural cultivation, as if born for the path of virtue.
Hearing Phi Diễn's reprimand, Phi Lương grinned sheepishly, "Brother, I brought wild herbs for tonight's soup."
Phi Diễn took the basket, smiling and chatting warmly as they entered the house. Inside, Phi Lương asked with a grin, "Brother, Dương Old Head said you were looking for me. What's up?"
Phi Diễn smiled faintly, "Lương, you're seventeen now. I want you to go to the county town to study literature and martial arts."
He pulled a pouch of silver from his robe, continuing, "To enroll in the county academy, you'll need money. This is what Father left me before he passed, instructing me to use it for your education when you came of age."
Phi Lương was stunned, "Brother, our family is poor. It's not worth spending so much on me…"
Phi Diễn's tone hardened, "Lương, our parents died in the chaos of war. I raised you hoping you'd become a virtuous talent to change our family's fate! With Father gone, I stand in his place. Pack your things and leave tomorrow!"
Seeing Phi Diễn's resolve, Phi Lương reluctantly agreed. Noticing his obedience, Phi Diễn softened, "Lương, don't worry about money. The county academy is good, but don't waste your time with ruffians—it shames a scholar's honor. Listen to me, focus on your studies."
Phi Lương bowed, "I'll follow your advice, Brother."
Meanwhile, after Tôn Nghĩa defeated Quách Kiệm, he failed to capture him but led his troops to regroup and reorganize. Nghĩa sent men to nearby villages to win over the people, spreading Tôn Bặc's reputation to recruit young men. Gaining a hundred strong recruits, Nghĩa joyfully returned to Tôn Bặc's camp to report.
In the tent, Tôn Bặc, clad in jet-black armor, sat with closed eyes, exuding calm. Lý Dương, appointed as his strategist, handled military affairs with great competence.
Tôn Nghĩa entered, knelt, and said, "Your general Tôn Nghĩa here to reports."
Bặc remained silent, eyes closed. Lý Dương, understanding his intent, smiled and saluted Nghĩa, "Congratulations, General, on your great victory. General Quân Lăng's fame will surely be rewarded and renowned in the army!"
Tôn Nghĩa smiled humbly, "Strategist Lý, you flatter me. My victory owes to your strategy and lord Hoa's foresight. I merely carried it out."
He bowed to Tôn Bặc, "My lord, I failed to capture Quách Kiệm. Please punish me!"
Tôn Bặc stood, helping Nghĩa up, and said warmly, "Nghĩa, don't feel guilty. Quách Kiệm's escape is done—why dwell on blame?"
Bặc's understanding moved Nghĩa, who vowed, "I'll fight to the death for you, Brother!"
Bặc smiled, patted his shoulder, and turned to Lý Dương, "Hi Quân, we've won this battle. Following Chính Thuỵ's plan, we should strike first and march on Trường Lạc. But I want to take Trường Lạc without losing a single soldier!"
Lý Dương started but quickly grinned slyly, bowing, "My lord's words align perfectly with my thoughts! I have a plan to fulfill your wish!"
Tôn Bặc, elated, said, "Please, Hi Quân, enlighten me!"
Pointing to a map, Lý Dương explained, "My lord, you and Trương Giang killed Tề Uy and swore an oath to jointly rule Trường Lạc, with a memorial sent to the Emperor! Trường Lạc is far from the Emperor's reach. You can use his name to issue a proclamation condemning Giang! Trương Giang, grown arrogant in his high position, will surely rage at your accusation. As the art of war says, 'leading troops in anger is a grave mistake.' His fury will lead to errors. Moreover, I hear Giang has a talented subordinate, Quản Vân, courtesy name Trọng Nhan, who remains underused. If we contact him to open the fortress gate at night, Trường Lạc will fall into your hands!"
Overjoyed, Bặc bowed to Lý Dương, "With you, Hi Quân, what corner of the world can't I conquer?"
He turned to Tôn Nghĩa, ordering, "Nghĩa, lead the troops to Trường Lạc! I'll follow with Hi Quân—don't delay!"
Tôn Nghĩa obeyed, leading four hundred infantry in a swift march to Trường Lạc. Lý Dương, under Bặc's command, drafted a proclamation condemning Trương Giang, spreading it to nearby counties. The proclamation read:
"My lord Tôn Bặc, courtesy's Đức Dương, faced Tề Uy's tyranny, where the people suffered with no peace, livelihoods crumbled, and local tyrants allied with Uy to wreak havoc, defying the Emperor's law, plunging counties into misery! My lord and Giang plotted together, humbly supporting Giang to lead the righteous cause, eliminating tyrants and their cronies, pacifying the people, and jointly presenting a memorial to the Emperor for titles! The distant Emperor is unaware of the truth. Giang, in his high seat, shamelessly forgets old bonds, oppresses my lord excessively, promotes his cronies to seize power, flaunts his might, and indulges in extravagance while the land suffers from years of chaos. My lord, humbly enduring in a corner, bears this humiliation for the people's sake, avoiding rebellion. Giang, forgetting loyalty and righteousness, acts as a base villain, forcing my lord to flee. The ancients said, 'when things reach their extreme, they reverse.' If we don't fight for the people, we'd let villains like Tề Uy rule again. My lord Tôn Đức Dương, answering the people's call, marches on Trường Lạc to bring justice for the masses!"
The proclamation spread, soon reaching Trương Giang. Reading it, Giang grew furious, shouting, "Tôn Bặc, that thief, insults me too far! If I don't tear him apart and drink his blood to wash this shame, I won't rest!"
He glared at his subordinates, roaring, "Who can tell me where Quách Kiệm is?"
Quách Kiệm's defeat at Uyên hit Giang like thunder. Waiting all night for Kiệm's report to no avail, Giang's heart burned. At dawn, he summoned his men, first reading Tôn Bặc's proclamation, then demanding Kiệm's whereabouts.
Quách Kiệm's lieutenants, Lôi Vũ and Văn Ôn, faced Giang's murderous gaze and replied, "My lord, we… don't know."
Lôi Vũ, bold and forthright, ventured, "My lord, perhaps general Quách is only wounded and unable to report! Please don't blame him."
Trương Giang laughed coldly, pointing at Lôi Vũ, "Lôi Vũ! I know you're close to Quách Kiệm. Don't think you can protect him—watch your own neck under my blade! I ordered Kiệm to win, and failure means his life. His defeat has shamed me, and my enterprise hangs by a thread! If Kiệm dares return, I might spare his clan for his loyalty. If not…"
Giang grinned like a demon, "If he doesn't return, I'll slaughter his entire clan and issue a bounty—100 silver taels for his capture!"
His words sent chills through his men. Only Lôi Vũ glared back, cursing, "Trương Giang, you dog! General Quách has countless merits for you! He crushed Tề Uy's remnants single-handedly! You betray your loyal vassal—you're worse than a beast!"
Giang's eyes flashed with killing intent as he sneered, "I'll take your words to heart, Lôi Vũ! Now die!"
Giang struck with a palm, his inner force surging like a tidal wave toward Lôi Vũ. Unfazed, Vũ countered with his own palm. Giang laughed arrogantly, "With such meager skill, you dare defy me?"
He roared, "Raging Sea Palm!"
The force overwhelmed Lôi Vũ, who collapsed, spitting blood. Giang waved coldly, "Execute him as a sacrifice for the banner. Today, I'll personally lead troops to crush Tôn Bặc!"
His men shouted in agreement. Văn Ôn watched his friend Lôi Vũ face execution, his heart unwilling, filled with resentment at Giang's tyranny.
Quản Vân, among the civil officials, observed everything, his eyes narrowing with a faint, knowing smile.