Chapter Ten: A Rider Arrives, Blood Soaks Through the Battle Robe
Both sides were momentarily stunned as their blades met. Having witnessed Li Gan’s previous arrogance, Qin Cheng had assumed that Li Gan possessed some real skill, but to his surprise, Li Gan was nowhere near as formidable as he had expected; in fact, his ability didn’t even come close to that of Liu Shanhe. On his part, Li Gan felt a jolt of pain shoot through his right hand and was shocked to discover that his opponent’s strength was the greatest he had ever encountered. In the art of the saber, even his own father, Li Guang, had never rendered him so powerless.
A realization flickered through Qin Cheng’s mind. It seemed Li Guang wanted him to teach his son a lesson, to show Li Gan just how vast and formidable the world truly was.
With a cold snort in his heart, Qin Cheng suddenly pressed his offensive, his saber leaving no trace, forcing Li Gan to retreat hastily, barely able to keep up.
At last, with a deft flick of his wrist, Qin Cheng struck heavily at Li Gan’s right wrist. Li Gan cried out in pain, his grip loosening, and his saber clattered to the ground.
Qin Cheng held his saber horizontally at Li Gan’s neck, fixing him with a cold gaze. “You’ve lost.”
Li Gan stared at Qin Cheng in shock, his face flushing with shame, his body frozen with embarrassment, unsure whether to move or stay. To add to his discomfort, Qin Cheng kept the saber pressed at his neck, unmoving, waiting for a response. Humiliated and growing angry, Li Gan finally gritted his teeth and spat, “Do you dare to compete with me in archery?”
Qin Cheng’s brow creased almost imperceptibly; Li Gan’s spoiled behavior irked him deeply, and he replied in an icy tone, “I’d be delighted.”
“Good! You’ve got guts! Follow me!” Li Gan leapt down from the dueling platform, not even bothering to retrieve his fallen saber, and strode briskly toward the archery range.
Qin Cheng sheathed his saber and followed in Li Gan’s wake, the attention of the assembled soldiers upon him.
“Lieutenant, the general summons you!” Partway there, the captain of the guards intercepted them.
“What is it? Let me finish this archery match first—then I’ll go!” Li Gan, still seething, was loath to lose face and refused to comply.
“The general’s order is for immediate attendance,” the captain said, his tone growing sharper, a hint of coldness beneath his words.
Li Gan hesitated, but at last turned and strode off toward Li Guang, frustration evident in his step.
“The general wants you as well,” the captain said to Qin Cheng, his expression relaxing, a glimmer of respect in his eyes.
“At your command,” Qin Cheng replied respectfully, falling in behind the captain toward the general’s tent.
“General!” Qin Cheng and Li Gan arrived before Li Guang, saluting in unison.
Li Guang first sized up Qin Cheng, nodding with a smile in his eyes. “Truly a fine young man. State your name and rank.”
“Qin Cheng, sir. I hold no official rank,” Qin Cheng replied, posture straight and unrestrained, though his heart was awash with emotion. This was Li Guang—the legendary Flying General, renowned throughout the ages! Who didn’t know his name? Who didn’t respect him? Hearing the question, Qin Cheng answered honestly and without delay.
“Oh?” Li Guang expressed his surprise. “With such skill, you’ll earn military merit and kill enemies soon enough—how can you be without rank? When the examinations are concluded, I’ll appoint you leader of a squad.”
“Thank you, General!” To be granted a post upon first meeting Li Guang filled Qin Cheng with joy and a sense of having found a true patron, a horse meeting its discerning master. He quickly gave thanks.
Li Guang nodded with a smile, then turned to the still embarrassed Li Gan. “Gan’er, what did you learn from today’s match with Qin Cheng?”
Li Gan shot Qin Cheng a resentful glance and replied arrogantly, “I was just about to challenge him in archery…”
“Insolence!” Li Guang snapped, cutting him off sternly. “A loss is a loss. If you can’t even admit defeat, what sort of man are you? If your skills fall short, you must redouble your efforts! On the battlefield, if you meet an enemy you can’t best and he strikes you down, will he let you go fetch your bow for a rematch? Nonsense!”
“Yes… I understand,” Li Gan mumbled, chastened and humiliated before all, unable to protest, forced to grudgingly admit his fault.
Hearing Li Guang’s words, Qin Cheng nodded inwardly—this was what made a general truly great.
“Qin Cheng!” Qin Cheng had barely left the general’s tent when Li Gan caught up with him, calling from behind.
“Lieutenant,” Qin Cheng replied, saluting impassively.
Li Gan’s anger had not abated. He glared at Qin Cheng and declared, “You embarrassed me today. One day, I’ll reclaim my honor. Just wait!” With a cold snort, he spun on his heel and strode away, leaving no chance for Qin Cheng to respond.
Qin Cheng watched him go, inwardly amused. Who would have thought a great general like Li Guang would have such a feckless son?
When he next saw Le Yi, the latter was just leaving the mounted archery grounds, leading his horse, eyes fixed ahead, aloof and silent, not speaking to anyone. Qin Cheng caught up, smiling, and asked, “How did the match go?”
Le Yi shook his head, gazing desolately at the distant sky. With a long sigh, he murmured, “Beyond the top ten.”
“Oh?” Qin Cheng’s heart sank, but he quickly understood. He patted Le Yi’s shoulder in consolation. “The army is full of hidden talents, especially among the cavalry. There’s always someone better. You’re still young; there will be many more opportunities.”
Le Yi shot Qin Cheng a glare, then, struck by a thought, stopped abruptly and stared at him, voice trembling. “I heard you took first place in the saber competition this year. Is it true?”
“Just luck, really,” Qin Cheng replied, scratching his head sheepishly, not wishing to dampen Le Yi’s spirits.
“Heavens, is there no justice left in this world?” Le Yi howled, throwing himself to the ground in exasperation. The blows he had suffered lately at Qin Cheng’s hands were simply too much. If Qin Cheng hadn’t been so adept at concealing his true nature, Le Yi would never have believed this monster was once the same old Qin Cheng.
Suddenly, Le Yi leapt up, dragged Qin Cheng along, and ran toward the distance. As Qin Cheng stared in disbelief, Le Yi declared in exasperation, “Come on, let’s have a mounted archery match!”
…
When the examinations finally drew to a close, Qin Cheng once again became the center of attention in the camp—first for surviving a lightning strike, and now for claiming first place in the saber competition. On the final day, he bested all opponents in the wrestling event, winning top honors once more and causing a sensation throughout the camp.
When soldiers pressed Le Yi, Qin Cheng’s childhood friend, for information about him, Le Yi would only reply, “If you’re not convinced, go find a lightning bolt and let it strike you. If you survive, maybe you’ll be like him!”
That evening, at dusk, Li Guang once more ascended the command platform before ten thousand soldiers. He spoke little this time, simply announcing the results of the trials and commending the outstanding soldiers.
When Li Guang read out Qin Cheng’s name, he made no attempt to hide his pride, laughing heartily on the platform and praising Qin Cheng for having the spirit he himself had possessed as a young man. Then he declared Qin Cheng promoted to squad leader of the Second Platoon, Eighteenth Squad, Heavy Infantry Division, effective immediately.
Finally, he called upon the entire camp to emulate the victors, especially Qin Cheng.
Just as the closing ceremony ended, as Li Guang was about to dismiss the ranks, a sudden, desperate cry rang out from the camp gates.
“Urgent military report! Report to the commander!”
A lone rider, bloodied from head to toe, galloped up to the platform. Dismounting with difficulty, he staggered forward, clutching the dispatch, and presented it to the dais: “General, the Xiongnu have invaded.”
With that, the soldier spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed, unconscious from exhaustion.