Chapter 45: The Wei Family Has a Tiger General

“Everyone, stand down! All personnel to the main command tent, await the orders of the Lord!”
The thunderous voice from outside left everyone inside the tent momentarily stunned.
Wei Wuji was secretly startled as well—how much throat lozenge does one have to consume to cultivate a voice like that?
Yet, it was the meaning behind those words that unsettled Wei Wuji even more. Await the Lord’s orders? Wasn’t that his father? Had things escalated to such a degree? In his mind, three questions leapt forth in rapid succession.
He had always known the consequences would be severe, but never imagined his father would personally intervene. At most, he’d expected a scolding from military law and perhaps a cup of tea.
Wei Chengze’s authority could be disregarded, but the Lord Wei’s face—Wei Wuji dared not ignore.
In truth, he had no choice. From the crowd outside, he could already see the Lord’s elite guard, their armor gleaming and immaculate.
The soldiers Wei Chengze had brought quickly and consciously cleared a path.
At the front strode a burly man, leading the Lord’s guards like celestial soldiers.
The officer leading them was truly imposing; clad in iron armor, he exuded a raw, intimidating air.
Seeing him, Wei Wuji felt as if he were staring at the Hulk from an American blockbuster—the only difference being this general’s skin was notably dark.
“It’s General Tiger…” a soldier next to Wei Wuji murmured.
General Tiger? What’s his story? Wei Wuji looked back, puzzled.
“General Tiger? What’s his family name?” Wei Wuji whispered to a soldier behind him.
At that moment, a military captain who had accompanied Wei Wuji leaned in to explain quietly, “Young master, General Tiger isn’t surnamed Tiger. His name is Wei Hu—a close bodyguard to the Lord and commander of the palace guards.”
Damn! Another blunder—Wei Wuji’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
The burly man, Wei Hu, now reached the center of the tent, his icy gaze sweeping across the crowd, sparing neither Wei Wuji nor Wei Chengze a single glance of favor.
Wei Wuji felt a chill run down his back under Wei Hu’s gaze, as if he truly had been marked by a tiger.
Wei Chengze, standing nearby, looked equally uneasy, purposely avoiding Wei Hu’s eyes.
Though Wei Wuji was afraid, he stood his ground. As the saying goes, you can lose anything but your bearing. He recalled how, in his previous life as an orphan, he’d scared off rivals more times than he could count simply by projecting confidence.
When Wei Hu’s eyes locked onto his, Wei Wuji immediately returned the stare, their gazes clashing again and again, sparks nearly flying.
Wei Hu, confronted by Wei Wuji’s unwavering stare, ceased all movement, matching him in a silent standoff.
Seeing Wei Hu fixated on him, Wei Wuji’s mind suddenly conjured a comedic retort:
What are you looking at, ugly beggar!
He couldn’t help but laugh aloud at the thought—how well-fed does one have to be to grow into such a hulking beggar?
Wei Hu saw Wei Wuji laugh and his anger surged, but he had to swallow it. After all, the boy was a young master.

Had it been any other officer, anyone below the rank of pillar general, Wei Hu would have slapped him without hesitation.
With a cold snort, Wei Hu withdrew his gaze from Wei Wuji.
After surveying the crowd again, Wei Hu spoke, “Gentlemen, why are you causing a disturbance here?”
Wei Chengze was about to speak, but Wei Wuji beat him to it. “General Wei, you must keep your eyes clear and seek justice for us!”
He spoke with a forlorn air, the very image of a victim.
At this moment, Chen Qian, battered and bloodied from the whip, was in indescribable misery—his wounds were less painful than his humiliation.
Chen Qian collapsed to the ground, sobbing, “General Tiger, I am the…”
“Silence, this is not your place to speak!” Wei Wuji thundered, cracking his whip again and sending Chen Qian scrambling backward in fear.
But as Wei Wuji swung half the whip, he suddenly found his arm blocked, as if it had struck a wall—he could not move it forward an inch.
“Young master, you mustn’t harm others indiscriminately!”
Wei Wuji looked up and saw Wei Hu gripping his arm, face stern.
Wei Wuji was genuinely surprised—this man dared to lay hands on him?
Yet, Wei Hu was equally astonished—this young master dared to strike right in front of him?
Many shared Wei Hu’s thoughts: Wei Chengze, Chen Qian, the logistics officers, even the guards Wei Hu had brought.
Wasn’t this young lord a bit too bold?
It was well known that General Tiger, during Lord Cheng’s reign, was an unruly tyrant—there wasn’t a single young heir in Wu’an City who hadn’t suffered his beatings.
Yet, the aged Lord Cheng was exceptionally fond of the adopted child, not only refraining from punishing him but also allowing him to train in swordplay alongside his own son, now Lord Wei.
And indeed, after joining the future lord’s side, Wei Hu became obedient and ceased his mischief.
But don’t think he changed his nature—when Lord Wei ascended the throne, Wei Hu’s hands were stained with the blood of ministers and generals, establishing the new ruler’s authority.
It could be said that in the vast Wei kingdom, few did not fear Wei Hu.
Yet just now, Wei Wuji dared to act in front of him—even as a young master, this was astonishing.
Was he mad? Most people thought so.
Indeed, if he wasn’t mad, he wouldn’t have caused such chaos in the logistics department.
But only the soldiers who followed Wei Wuji saw it differently—their young master was heroic, even General Tiger couldn’t intimidate him.
Were it not for Wei Hu’s presence, they would have cheered.
Wei Hu’s existence, however, could not stop the soldiers from gazing at Wei Wuji with admiration.

Wei Wuji’s expression remained calm as he said, “General Wei, these men are utterly despicable—should we let them slander us with impunity?”
He twisted his wrist, attempting to free himself from Wei Hu’s grasp.
Wei Hu was bewildered—the young master not only argued but tried to wriggle free, making him question his own reputation.
Had he been idle too long, causing people to forget his name?
Yet, Wei Hu released Wei Wuji; after all, he was only here to deliver orders on behalf of the Lord.
Moreover, Wei Wuji was a young master—he could not harm him, else Lord Wei would see to his downfall.
Wei Wuji, of course, counted on this—otherwise, no matter how much bravado he had, he wouldn’t dare. Courage is not the same as folly.
Yet so many believed Wei Wuji was simply acting foolish.
Even Wei Chengze had to admire his younger brother—he himself was unafraid of Wei Hu, but could never match Wei Wuji’s composure.
Reflecting on this, Wei Chengze was even more astonished by Wei Wuji’s recent transformation. He sensed an ever greater threat.
Meanwhile, Wei Wuji, after freeing himself from Wei Hu’s grip, rubbed his wrist. Wei Hu’s strength had left it sore.
Still, Wei Wuji pressed on, “General Wei, you must get to the bottom of things here—don’t let the wicked escape justice!”
Hearing “General Wei” repeatedly, Wei Hu felt out of sorts—he was always called “General Tiger,” never in this way.
Yet seeing Wei Wuji conversing so freely, Wei Hu began to admire his courage.
In all these years, few had faced him without fear, even fewer could speak so casually.
In Wei Wuji, he glimpsed the shadow of another man—a man whose unmatched presence and heroic spirit defied all description.
Wei Hu’s voice remained cold as he responded, “Young master, I am here only to deliver orders, not to pass judgment. The Lord will determine the truth.”
Wei Wuji was about to retort, but Wei Hu turned and said, “Second Young Master, Fifth Young Master, and Chen Qian, you will come with me.”
Then he continued, “All others, return to your posts!”
When no one moved, Wei Hu snorted and drove his sword heavily into the ground.
The soldiers shuddered, then hastily dispersed like water flowing away.
“Gentlemen, let’s go,” Wei Hu said flatly to Wei Wuji and Wei Chengze.
The two young masters had no choice but to follow him out.
“Two of you, drag him along,” Wei Hu ordered, pointing at the prone Chen Qian.