Legend of the Female General

Chapter 110: Sudden Change

He Yan had been in the dungeon for two days now.

During these two days, aside from Shen Han visiting once, no one else had come. Even when Shen Han came, he did not mention anything about the situation outside, suggesting that nothing had happened for the time being. The more this was the case, the more uneasy He Yan felt. Unfortunately, the dungeon of Liangzhou Guard was as solid as a rock, making it difficult for her to find a way to escape. Song Taotao and Cheng Li Su were likely under control, as there had been no sign of them these past two days.

The rough food and uncomfortable sleeping conditions were not unbearable for He Yan. What was truly terrifying was the invisible crisis gradually approaching as time passed, bit by bit.

It was just a pity that no one had noticed it yet.

In the middle of the night, it began to snow.

The snowflakes were as large as goose feathers, swirling and dancing in the air, falling on people's bodies. Even cotton-padded clothes could not withstand the piercing cold. Two sentries stood on the watchtower, shivering from the cold. They rubbed their hands together and breathed into their palms, creating a puff of white mist that quickly dissipated.

Liangzhou Guard was enveloped in silence. The winter garrison was not as lively as in summer. There were no recruits going to Five Deer River to bathe at night, nor the noisy chirping of cicadas. All that remained was the cold of snow melting on the ground.

"I need to go to the latrine," one of the sentries stomped his feet. "I can't hold it anymore."

His companion urged him, "Hurry back."

The sentry put down the drumstick he was holding, picked up a knife, and turned to head for the latrine. The snow was falling heavily, and in no time, a thick layer had accumulated. As he stepped into it, the snow covered his shoes, and the cold crept up from his feet to his head. The sentry shivered and hurried to the latrine at the back.

Outside the latrine, a torch was lit. A few days earlier, a recruit had gotten up in the middle of the night to relieve himself. Unable to see the path clearly, he slipped on the icy ground and injured his leg. After that, Shen Han had someone place a torch here to illuminate the way.

When the sentry entered, there was already another person inside. By the dim light of the torch, he glanced at the man and chuckled, "Oh, you're up too?"

The other man smiled and replied, "Just got here."

"It's too cold. If I didn't have to go, I wouldn't have made this trip," the sentry complained.

After finishing his business, he pulled up his pants and was about to leave. The other man had also finished and followed him out, one after the other.

The torch at the entrance cast swaying shadows on the snowy ground. The sentry glanced casually and noticed the shadow behind him. To his shock, he saw that the shadow had, at some point, spread its arms wide. He was about to shout—

A hand covered his mouth and nose, and the person behind him swiftly drew the knife from the sentry's waist, slashing it fiercely across his neck.

Blood splattered all over the ground, and the young body fell silently, no longer breathing.

Without any hesitation, the shadow bent down and dragged the sentry's corpse away. The snow fell heavier and heavier, and in no time, it covered the bloodstains. After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the sentry walked out again.

He grabbed a handful of snow, wiped the blood off the knife, and tucked it back into his waistband. Then, he adjusted the felt hat on his head and walked toward the watchtower.

On the watchtower, his companion was growing impatient. Suddenly hearing movement, he saw the sentry who had just gone to the latrine returning and sighed in relief, cursing, "What took you so long? Were you slacking off?"

The sentry shook his head, lowering his head to breathe into his hands as if too cold to speak. Seeing this, his companion couldn't help but rub his own hands together. "Damn, it's too cold."The sentry pulled his felt hat down low. Seeing this, his companion cursed, "Do you think pulling your hat down will keep you warm? Pull it up, we can't even see your face. How are you supposed to keep watch like this?" He reached out to lift the sentry's hat, but as he leaned in, he suddenly froze.

The sentry's uniform differed from the new recruits' pure red and black attire—there was a white trim along the collar. Now, on that white trim, two red spots were visible.

This wasn't old ink stains; the color was vivid and slowly spreading. Just a moment ago, when the sentry had gone to the latrine, there had been nothing there.

The companion looked at the sentry, who had remained silent since returning, and reached for his sword. But his movements were a step too slow.

The other man had two blades.

One blade, belonging to the original dead sentry, was plunged into his chest. The other blade, with a curved tip, slit his throat.

Unable to cry out, he staggered and fell to the ground. The killer had already turned and was heading down the tower. The sentry struggled to crawl on the ground, trying to reach the drumstick that had fallen.

If he could just grab the drumstick and strike the sentry drum, the entire Liangzhou Guard would awaken.

This was the last thing he could do.

A trail of blood stretched beneath him, a horrifying sight. With all his strength, he crawled to the drumstick, grasped it, and tried to lift himself to strike the drum.

Just as he raised half his body, a sudden, sharp pain shot through him. Blood splattered across the drum surface, and the hand holding the drumstick fell to the ground.

His right hand had been severed.

The killer had returned and now stood before him, whispering, "Almost forgot."

Not far away, the commotion seemed to alert the patrolling soldiers on the ground. Someone shouted, "Hey! Is everything alright over there?"

The man adjusted his felt hat and waved into the distance. "It's fine! Just took a fall."

On the ground, blood was everywhere. The sentry, who had been barely alive moments ago, opened his eyes wide and died completely.

A night as deep as an abyss closed in on the entire Liangzhou Guard.

...

Early the next morning, as soon as the sky brightened, the new recruits rose to eat and head to the Martial Arts Field for their morning run.

Hong Shan and Xiao Mai sat together eating. Before long, Wang Ba, Huang Xiong, and Jiang Jiao joined them. Huang Xiong asked, "Has He Yan been released yet?"

Hong Shan shook his head.

"This can't go on," Jiang Jiao said. "It's been unusually cold these past few days. I heard from Young Master Cheng that there's nothing in the dungeon. Even if she doesn't freeze to death, she'll catch an illness." After all, they were comrades who had fought for the flag together. Even though they had reservations about He Yan over the "green hat" incident, they weren't entirely unconcerned now that things had come to this.

"Do you think He Yan will be released once the Commander returns to the guard post?" Wang Ba asked.

"Hard to say," Shitou replied.

"Why?" Wang Ba was puzzled.

"Now the entire Liangzhou Guard knows He Yan killed someone, but no one can find evidence that she didn't," Hong Shan sighed.

"What more evidence is needed? He's not a fool—kill someone and leave the body behind as evidence? That's proof enough!"

Xiao Mai whispered, "That seems far-fetched."

Wang Ba glared. "Where is it far-fetched? Tell me, where is it far-fetched?"

As they were talking, a sudden commotion erupted outside, mixed with shouts of alarm: "Someone's dead! Someone's dead! Quick, fetch the drillmaster!""What? What?" Everyone rushed out to see, only to find a short, sharp-eyed recruit anxiously exclaiming, "The sentries at the Martial Arts Field, all the sentries at the Martial Arts Field are dead!"

All dead!

Everyone's expressions changed, and they quickly rose to rush toward the Martial Arts Field.

Inside the Martial Arts Field, blood flowed like a river.

No one knew when the snow had stopped. Some of the bloodstains were buried beneath the snow, while others had frozen into ice, scattered across the field, faintly revealing the brutality of the previous night.

Dozens of sentries—those stationed on the watchtowers and those patrolling the perimeter of the Martial Arts Field—not a single one had survived. Their bodies were piled haphazardly in the center of the field, stacked together like livestock or provisions. Every soldier had been killed with a single slash to the throat, a gruesome and pitiful sight. One body, lying at the top of the pile, had its right hand severed cleanly at the forearm. Dressed in a sentry's uniform, it seemed he had been trying to sound the alarm when his hand was cut off.

These were comrades they had lived and trained with day in and day out, yet they had been slaughtered just beyond the walls. In that moment, everyone at the Martial Arts Field felt their eyes grow hot with tears. Someone growled through gritted teeth, "Who did this? If I find out, I swear... I swear..."

A voice cut through the air, carrying a heavy, arrogant tone: "You swear what?"

Without anyone noticing, a large cavalry force had emerged from the horse path connecting to White Moon Mountain behind the Martial Arts Field. There were several hundred of them, perhaps as many as a thousand. At their head was a long-haired man mounted on horseback. He wore dark armor and wielded a curved blade nearly half a man's height. His build was exceptionally robust and muscular, with broad shoulders, a high nose, and eyes as dark blue as lake water. His features differed from those of the Central Plains people. When he smiled, it was like a blood-drinking, teeth-grinding vulture, exuding a sinister, bloodthirsty aura that sent chills down the spine.

"Who are you?" the recruits demanded.

The long-haired leader ignored them, instead advancing on the recruit who had spoken earlier. "If you find out, what will you do?"

His smile carried a cruel, savage edge. Facing this man, the recruit couldn't help but tremble. Summoning his courage, he stammered, "I... I will seek justice for my fallen comrades!"

"Is that so?" The long-haired man laughed. "How will you seek justice?" Without waiting for an answer, he raised his curved blade and swung it down!

Thud! A figure flashed past, intercepting the blow, though the force of the strike sent him stumbling back several steps. Once steady, he glared at the long-haired man. "You have quite the nerve, killing in my Liangzhou Guard!"

It was Shen Han.

"Instructor Shen, Chief Instructor Shen is here!" the recruits exclaimed excitedly, suddenly feeling as if they had a pillar of support.

"Chief Instructor?" The long-haired man looked Shen Han over. "So you're the chief instructor of Liangzhou Guard?"

"Who are you?" Shen Han's expression was as cold as still water.

"My name is Rida Muzi. I've heard that Great Wei's military families produce exceptional generals, and that General Feng Yun, Xiao Huaijin, is renowned for his swift and fearless combat, never retreating from a hundred battles. I came specifically to challenge him. What? Is Xiao Huaijin too afraid to face me?"

"What nonsense are you spouting!" a recruit couldn't help but retort. "You clearly know the commander isn't here, that's why you dared—"

"Silence!" Du Mao tried to stop him, but it was too late.

"Not here?" Rida Muzi narrowed his eyes. "What unfortunate timing."The instructors exchanged glances, their hearts sinking. The so-called intention to challenge Xiao Jue was merely an excuse. It was likely that this man had long known Xiao Jue was not at the Liangzhou Guard and had come with his men to provoke them. However... with at most a thousand troops, facing tens of thousands of Liang Province’s finest, even if they were inexperienced recruits who had never seen battle, wasn’t this too arrogant? Or... was there another scheme?

The sentries had been wiped out overnight. If it were the enemy, it would be impossible to achieve this unless there truly was a traitor among them, killed by their own people.

Ma Damei whispered, "He Yan is telling the truth."

He Yan was telling the truth. They had been keeping an eye on Hu Yuanzhong these past days, but he had remained obedient and showed no signs of unusual activity. If he still had accomplices hidden among the recruits, everything made sense.

"Form ranks," Shen Han ordered.

Behind him, tens of thousands of elite soldiers drew their weapons in unison.

Since the other side had come with ill intentions, the sons of Great Wei had no reason to retreat.

Seeing this, Rida Muzi burst into loud laughter and said, "Ah, Chief Instructor, I did not come here to fight you."

"You appear to be from the Qiang Tribe," Shen Han sneered. "Many years ago, the Flying Goose General fought against the Qiang Tribe. I thought the Qiang Tribe had abandoned their rebellious ambitions. Now you come to our Liangzhou Guard, kill dozens of our men, and claim it’s not for battle—surely it’s not for peace talks?"

At the mention of the Flying Goose General, Rida Muzi’s expression shifted slightly. After a moment, his gaze fixed on Shen Han as he replied with a chilling smile, "Chief Instructor, do not slander me. My original intention was merely to spar with Xiao Huaijin. Who knew that when we passed by here last night, the sentries were so unfriendly and got into a dispute with my brothers? We had no choice but to kill them all." He spoke as if it were nothing: "I thought the soldiers trained by Xiao Huaijin would have some skill, but they were truly no match. When they died, they didn’t even make a sound—"

"You!" The recruits were filled with righteous indignation.

"Chief Instructor, don’t be angry. I truly came only to spar," he said with interest, looking at the recruits behind Shen Han. "If Xiao Huaijin won’t come forward, let his soldiers do it. If even that’s not possible, you instructors can step up."

Liang Ping stepped forward. "You overestimate yourself. Why are you so certain we will accept the challenge?"

"Unwilling?" Rida Muzi clapped his hands unhurriedly. From a distance, several figures approached, and someone struggled, shouting, "Let me go—"

Shen Han’s expression changed abruptly.

Several foreign soldiers were holding two people like chickens—one was Cheng Li Su, the other Song Taotao. Both had their hands and feet bound, looking disheveled and struggling desperately.

"Instructor Shen!" Cheng Li Su cried out upon seeing Shen Han, as if he had found a lifeline. "Who are these people? Why are they tying us up?"

Who were they? Shen Han felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He had sent many people to guard Cheng Li Su and Song Taotao’s doors, protecting them in secret, yet they had still been captured. The opponent’s strength could not be underestimated. Moreover, knowing to capture Cheng Li Su and Song Taotao to control the Liangzhou Guard showed they were very familiar with it.

"Now," Rida Muzi said with satisfaction, watching Shen Han’s expression. "Instructor, are you still willing to spar with us?"

Song Taotao shouted, "How could we possibly spar? They can’t possibly be this kind-hearted—there must be a trick!"

Shen Han said, "Fine.""Bold!" Rida Muzi straightened up. "It's too cold, and I can't be bothered with too many rounds. Let's make it three. Pick three men." He turned to those behind him and said, "Brothers, who among you is willing to step up? Go ahead!"

From behind him, a man spoke: "Commander, Wala is willing to fight!"

This was a very robust man. The Qiang tribesmen had always been physically strong, and when standing alongside Central Plains people, they appeared exceptionally frail. He was not old, just in his early twenties, yet he stood nine feet tall, like an ancient giant. His face was fierce, with eyes slightly bulging like a bull's, and he held a curved blade—clearly not someone to be trifled with.

"Good!" Rida Muzi shouted. "Wala, such bravery truly befits a son of our Qiang tribe!" He then looked at Shen Han. "What about you?"

Wala was so bizarrely huge that the sight alone made one shrink back in fear. Moreover, the corpses on the Martial Arts Field clearly demonstrated how brutal these Qiang tribesmen were. For a moment, no one in the Liangzhou Guard responded.

"If no one is willing to step up, then your drillmasters can go," Rida Muzi said with a laugh. "A battlefield like this is the perfect time to teach the new recruits a lesson."

Liang Ping gritted his teeth beside him, about to speak up and accept the challenge, when a voice rang out: "I'll do it."

This was a young new recruit from the Vanguard Battalion named Wei Huan. Shen Han still remembered this person because his swordsmanship was also outstanding, ranking among the best in the Vanguard Battalion. However, his personality was gentle and shy, not as remarkable as Lei Hou's. Thus, although both he and Lei Hou were top performers, Wei Huan was far less noticeable than Lei Hou.

Speaking of Lei Hou, Shen Han suddenly realized—where was Lei Hou?

"You?" Rida Muzi glanced at Wei Huan, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Admirable courage."

Wei Huan slowly stepped forward, walking up to Wala. "I am willing to spar with you."

Wala laughed, looking around before his gaze fell on the high platform of the Martial Arts Field. "Let's do it there. The height is perfect. If I cut off your neck up there, everyone below will see it clearly. Isn't that great?"

Wei Huan's expression remained unchanged. Wala roared with laughter, leaping onto the high platform of the Martial Arts Field. "Come and fight!"

Over the past days, countless people had stepped onto the high platform of the Martial Arts Field, but they were all new recruits of the Liangzhou Guard, sparring with one another. The new recruits watching from below were relaxed, pointing out flaws and highlights as they watched, learning something from each match.

Because they knew there would be many more such spars.

None were as somber as today's, especially when Rida Muzi suddenly remembered something and looked at Shen Han, speaking in a voice loud enough for everyone around to hear: "Chief Drillmaster, I forgot to tell you. According to the rules of our Qiang tribe, once you step onto the life-and-death stage, life and death are irrelevant. Victory is only determined when one side dies."

"What?" Liang Ping exclaimed angrily.

"A warrior must be prepared to die at any moment. This is the highest honor," Rida Muzi said coldly. "There are no exceptions."

On the platform, Wei Huan slowly drew the blade from his waist and nodded at Wala.

...

In the dungeon, it was as dark and damp as ever.

The guards at the entrance had disappeared at some point. The prison was silent, so quiet that the sound of a needle dropping could be heard clearly. The sound of footsteps, in contrast, was particularly jarring.The dark figure descended the steps one by one. The torchlight at the entrance cast a flickering shadow. In the innermost cell, someone was curled into a ball, sleeping against the wall. Shivering as if chilled by the cold wind, their lips were pale.

The dark figure stopped before He Yan's cell.

On the ground lay an empty bowl, its contents—whether water or food—unknown, licked clean until the bowl gleamed. The thin blanket was too short to cover the entire body; even when curled up, feet still peeked out. Her body trembled slightly, and her face was unnaturally pale. The dark figure watched for a moment before inserting the key into the lock. With a click, the lock opened.

The prisoner in the cell remained unaware.

He stepped inside.

The once spirited and confident youth was nowhere to be seen. In this state, there was no difference between her and any other captive. He seemed somewhat regretful yet also wary, standing motionless as he stared at the youth's face.

The youth remained still.

After a while, the dark shadow slowly drew closer.

At that moment, the youth abruptly raised her head, revealing a pair of clear, bright eyes—utterly awake, without a trace of drowsiness.

"You—" He managed only a single word, his knife not yet lowered, when a sharp pain struck him from below. A kick landed squarely on its mark, sending him crumpling to his knees in agony. The next moment, a white silk cloth tightened around his neck from behind, and He Yan's voice sounded from behind him.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time, Lei Hou."

Lei Hou's eyes rolled back as he was choked, but He Yan's strength was immense. Her legs pinned his down, rendering him immobile. Just as Lei Hou was on the verge of being strangled to death, He Yan suddenly released her grip. Gasping for air, Lei Hou clutched his throat, panting heavily, only to see He Yan stride over to him in a few steps. Like prying open a duck's beak, she forced something down his throat.

Lei Hou, still gasping for breath, was caught off guard and swallowed every last drop. He tried to speak but found his body devoid of strength, his limbs growing numb. In mere moments, he fell unconscious, motionless.

He Yan nudged his face twice with her foot to confirm he was out cold, then tore the white silk into two strips and bound Lei Hou's hands and feet.

That day, she had asked Song Taotao for a favor, inquiring if the girl carried any weapons. But Song Taotao, being a young lady, wouldn't carry knives or swords on her. After searching all over, she only had a bottle of knockout drops, which she had taken from Shen Muxue's table, thinking it might come in handy if she encountered trouble. He Yan, desperate for any means, took it.

But that wasn't enough. She also borrowed Song Taotao's belt. After returning to the guard station, Song Taotao had asked Chi Wu to buy a new belt in Liang Province. Made of special fabric, it was exceptionally sturdy and durable, comparable to rope.

In critical moments, a belt could also strangle someone.

He Yan reasoned that since the other party had gone to such lengths to frame her for murder and send her to the Liangzhou Guard's dungeon, they must fear her. Once she was in the dungeon, they would surely not rest until she was silenced. She needed to carry a weapon at all times, ready to counterattack.

But all her weapons had been confiscated, leaving her with only a bottle of knockout drops and Song Taotao's belt.Early this morning, no one came to bring her breakfast, which was unusual. At this hour, breakfast should have already been delivered. Due to Song Taotao and Cheng Li Su's pleas, although Shen Han had forbidden them from visiting her, he had not mistreated He Yan's meals.

The military post was usually extremely punctual. At this time, if no one had come, something must have happened.

He Yan was restless and anxious, yet she couldn't go out and had no idea what was happening outside. Gradually, she calmed down. Since something had happened, it was possible that the other party might take advantage of the chaos to come here and silence her.

Before Song Taotao left, unsure of what could help, she had given He Yan everything she had, including a box of face powder. He Yan dabbed some on her face and smeared a little on her lips, curling up into a ball, truly resembling a gravely ill prisoner.

She was just wondering what had happened outside when she heard footsteps, leading to the scene before her.

He Yan dragged Lei Hou to a corner, facing the wall. The knockout drug would last for eight hours, so Lei Hou wouldn’t wake up anytime soon.

She left the cell and locked the door behind her.

Lei Hou had become a prisoner.

(End of Chapter)