Chapter 41: Kindness Invites Bullying

Is that all? Wei Wuji found it hard to believe; how could it be over so quickly?

“Hmph! You’re quite skilled at spouting nonsense,” Wei Wuji said coldly, his trust in the man before him waning.

“My lord, I speak the truth!” Chen Qian stammered, trembling in fear.

“If there’s no meat left, why didn’t you say so earlier? Why waste my breath?” Wei Wuji pressed further.

Chen Qian was on the verge of tears. “Forgive me, my lord; it only just came to mind. If you doubt me, you can come and see for yourself.”

Seeing Chen Qian’s pleading sincerity, Wei Wuji’s suspicion eased a little. Could it really be true that there was none left? Well, he could just see for himself, couldn’t he? Since the man invited him, he might as well check.

“Very well! Let’s see for ourselves—no need to slander an honest man.” Wei Wuji sheathed his sword, glaring at Chen Qian.

Relieved now that the threat was gone, Chen Qian let out a long sigh, though his face remained grim. When someone behind him tried to speak, he silenced them with a small gesture.

After reconsidering his plan, Chen Qian put on a forced smile and gestured to Wei Wuji. “Please, my lord, come with me.”

Let’s see what tricks you’re up to! Wei Wuji thought darkly, flicking his sleeves and following.

The soldiers who had accompanied him fell in behind as they all made their way toward the quartermaster’s storage barracks.

Along the way, Wei Wuji’s eyes were opened to a new world—the variety of military equipment, weapons, and soldiers’ gear was dazzling, like a field in bloom.

So this is how advanced their military is, Wei Wuji marveled inwardly. In the Warring States era he knew of, cold weapons were still in their infancy—never as advanced as what he saw now.

“It seems I’m truly no longer on Earth,” he muttered inwardly.

This time, any thought of returning home was extinguished. It wasn’t just a matter of time; there was a gulf of space as well.

“How much farther?” Wei Wuji demanded of Chen Qian.

Chen Qian, leading the way, was filled with regret. He’d lied about there being no meat, and now he’d have to keep up the charade.

He took turn after turn, doubling back and weaving through the camp, until finally, he achieved his aim and left Wei Wuji and his men completely confused about their bearings.

Now, he could pick any empty storeroom and point it out as he pleased.

Sure enough, after a short walk, an empty storehouse appeared.

“My lord, here we are. This is the place,” Chen Qian said, gesturing inside from the doorway.

Standing at the threshold, Wei Wuji immediately caught the scent of raw meat. He peered inside—sure enough, the storeroom was empty. Only a few bloodstains marred the floor; nothing else remained.

“Is it really all gone?” Wei Wuji asked, still unwilling to believe.

Damn it, he thought. I finally make the trip, and there’s nothing left!

“My lord, you see it yourself—there’s really nothing,” Chen Qian said helplessly.

Wei Wuji still doubted him. “You’re not tricking me, are you?”

The accusation was severe enough to make Chen Qian shudder. “My lord, even if I had the guts of a lion, I’d never dare deceive you!”

Wei Wuji ignored him, standing there in silence. He’d told everyone not to eat before he returned, planning to bring back some meat and raise their spirits. Now, everything was ruined.

“Enough! I was out of line,” Wei Wuji said, shaking his head and offering Chen Qian a hint of apology.

Chen Qian hurriedly protested, even more respectful than before.

“My lord, if you would…” Chen Qian’s eyes kept darting toward the door as he spoke.

Wei Wuji smirked inwardly. The man was obviously trying to get rid of him.

Since there was nothing here for him, there was no point in staying. He made up his mind.

“If any meat comes in, you’re to inform me first,” Wei Wuji instructed before leaving.

But realizing he’d probably offended the man, Wei Wuji laughed at his own unrealistic hopes.

“Let’s go—time to head back,” he said, leading his men out of the quartermaster’s compound.

Only after Wei Wuji and his group had left did Chen Qian gather his subordinates and begin discussing matters at the spot.

“Sir, but we still have…” one of the men finally dared to voice the question he had been suppressing.

Chen Qian explained, “Brothers, Second Young Master has instructed that if Fifth Young Master comes, we mustn’t release supplies without a central command permit.”

So it was Second Young Master’s order—now everyone understood why they’d needed to deceive Wei Wuji.

Still, the quartermaster’s staff felt uneasy. The rivalry between the two young masters was not something they could afford to get involved in.

“All right, get back to your duties!” Chen Qian dismissed them, seeing that the matter was settled for now.

……

On the other side, Wei Wuji and his men, once outside the quartermaster’s compound, headed back toward their own encampment.

“My lord, are we just going back empty-handed?” one of the soldiers asked, unable to hide his embarrassment.

Such a tactless remark! Wei Wuji glared at the man before explaining cheerfully, “When we get back, don’t tell anyone we went to ask for food. Otherwise, we’ll look like beggars.”

“Ah…” The soldiers didn’t quite get it—what was wrong with that?

“My lord, it’s nothing! Why can’t we say it?” another asked, confused. Who would mock a general looking out for his men?

Wei Wuji grew annoyed. “In any case, don’t mention what happened today. Keep your mouths shut.”

Seeing their grinning faces, he worried he wouldn’t be able to keep them in line, so he threatened sternly, “If word of this gets out, you’ll end up like Tian Wangxian—let that be a warning to you.”

Only then did he finally silence his men, and after a few more instructions, he let them go.

After all, he couldn’t let news of his failure get out—he couldn’t afford the embarrassment.

They hurried back to camp, and by the time they arrived, lunch hour had long since passed.

To Wei Wuji’s relief, no one seemed to have noticed their absence. That was a blessing, though it left him with a strange sense of being abandoned.

He dismissed his men so they could go eat, then, already half-full from anger, returned to his tent.

No sooner had he stepped inside than he heard a voice call out, “My lord, you’re back!”

There was no need to look—of course it was Zheng Dali.

Wei Wuji ignored him and went straight to his bed.

“You were quick enough to eat without me,” he said coldly, annoyed even Zheng Dali was not on his side.

Zheng Dali scratched his head and smiled, “My lord, lunchtime has already passed. If we didn’t eat, the whole army would have gone without.”

Wei Wuji’s expression darkened; that was no excuse. Yet, thinking it over, he couldn’t help but laugh at himself. Never mind—he’d just have to be careful in the future.

Approaching the table, he was pleasantly surprised to see two snowy white steamed buns sitting in a bowl.

His stomach growled, and without another thought, he began to eat.

……

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, with Wei Wuji staying in his tent, avoiding any awkward encounters with the soldiers from that morning—after all, he’d already lost face twice.

When night fell, though they hadn’t gotten any meat, both Wei Wuji and the Wei soldiers drifted off into sweet dreams.

For ordinary soldiers, as long as there was no fighting, that was blessing enough—a good meal was just the icing on the cake.

Soon, Wei Wuji too fell asleep. That night, he dreamt of three thousand men…

The next morning, Zheng Dali woke him as usual.

After several days of early rising, Wei Wuji was now used to not sleeping in.

He stepped outside and began his morning exercise—there was nothing else to do.

Just then, a soldier approached from behind. “My lord, there’s something you ought to hear.”

Wei Wuji’s curiosity was piqued by the man’s indignant expression. “What is it that has you so worked up?”

The man blurted, face flushed with anger, “My lord, Chen Qian tricked us!”