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For these past few days, Cheng Mo Su has been having trouble sleeping. A few days ago, it was because she wasn't used to being on the train, but tonight, it's because the smell of gunpowder keeps coming back to her mind, causing her to wake up as soon as she falls asleep, a gentle smile on her face. She simply got up and walked outside the military camp, instantly losing any remaining drowsiness.
This place is remote and desolate, with heavy snow and no shelter. The cold wind howls mercilessly, making her shiver uncontrollably.
"Little Su, why did you come out? Aren't you cold? Hurry back inside," Xiao Zuo Wei said, holding a lantern. He saw Cheng Mo Su standing there trembling in the cold wind and spoke with a hint of reproach.
"Brother Zuo Wei, are you on night patrol today?" Cheng Mo Su smiled gently. "You're not afraid of the cold, so why should I be? When I was little, I said I wanted to come to the north to see the snow. Do you remember what you said back then?"
His expression softened as memories of the little girl overlapped with the now graceful young woman before him, causing him to fall into reminiscence. A smile appeared on his face that seemed capable of melting ice and snow. "I remember. I said I would definitely bring you here. We would build a snowman and put a carrot for its nose. We would have a snowball fight until one side surrendered. The winner would bury the loser in the snow until they begged for mercy."
"That's right." Cheng Mo Su tightened her snow coat. The dim light from the lantern mixed with the moonlight on her face made her fair skin appear even more ethereal. "Today I finally fulfilled my wish to see the heavy snow in the north, but it’s quite different from what I imagined. However, since we are both here, let's fulfill our childhood promise." She blinked her eyes, full of anticipation.
Xiao Zuo Wei frowned slightly; she was joking in such cold weather. "Little Su, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future; it's too cold right now." Cheng Mo Su pouted and said softly, "I know Brother Zuo Wei is afraid of losing because you've never won when we played games since we were little."
Silly girl, I was just letting you win on purpose. Xiao Zuo Wei thought silently but maintained his composure. "Yes, yes, I'm afraid of losing. You should go back and rest; don't catch a cold. Look at how little you're wearing; this place is nothing like the south."
"Alright, alright." Seeing that he was about to start nagging again, Cheng Mo Su quickly interrupted him with a bright smile and turned to go inside, waving at him just like when they were children.
Once Xiao Zuo Wei saw her go back in, he resumed his patrol. As he was walking, Shen Mingliang called for him to attend a meeting in General Shao's tent. Upon entering Shangguan Shaoyi's tent, he was taken aback; senior generals from New North had gathered together in a row, waiting for Shangguan Shaoyi to speak.
"Now that everyone is here," Shangguan Shaoyi said, his eyes bloodshot from several days of insufficient sleep, yet he maintained his calmness and composure. "Tomorrow is the Battle of Pingyang Pass. If we take this pass, we can enter Hot Province. All commanders must ensure military discipline and readiness at this moment; we will arrive before dawn and attack when they are unprepared!"
"Yes!" The rows of people stood at attention and saluted.
"Huáng Chénghào!" His gaze swept over, instantly revealing a hint of ruthlessness. Huáng Chénghào quickly stepped forward, standing at attention and saluting. "You have been lurking in Lín Hóngyáo's army for so many years and have provided me with such important intelligence. Tomorrow, you will lead one of the armies to launch a surprise attack on Píngyáng Pass!"
Huáng Chénghào felt quite conflicted. He had been bought off by Lín Hóngyáo to save his own life, and he never expected that Shàngguān Shàoyǐ would still trust him so much and even bring back his parents. He had a bit of military integrity and wanted to reveal the truth at this moment. "Young Marshal, actually..."
His peripheral vision caught sight of Zhāng Chìqǐ on the left, and his earlier resolve crumbled away. He hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Yes!"
Shàngguān Shàoyǐ's gaze was as cold as the biting wind, piercing through with intensity. He did not expect that Huáng Chénghào still showed no signs of repentance. He had originally given Huáng Chénghào one last chance, but it seemed to be in vain. With a wave of his hand, he commanded with elegance, "All departments return to prepare! Shěn Deputy Officer, General Xiāo stays behind; I have other tasks to assign to you."
Once everyone had left, Shàngguān Shàoyǐ sat down and gestured towards two chairs beside him, making an inviting gesture. In the middle of the chairs was a rusty brazier that burned with astonishing vitality, flames leaping up and leaving gray smoke trails in the air. Shēn Míngliàng took a fire basin and reached out for warmth, puzzled as he said, "Young Marshal, General Xiāo and I also need to go make arrangements; otherwise, we won't make it in time."
"No need." The flickering firelight revealed a fierce look in his handsome eyes. "There are still traitors within our ranks."
Shēn Míngliàng exchanged glances with Xiāo Zuòwéi, both confused. Shēn Míngliàng, being somewhat rough around the edges, deliberately lowered his voice. "Isn't Huáng Chénghào the only one? By the way, Young Marshal, since you know he is a traitor, why let him command?"
"You ask too many questions; how can the Young Marshal answer them all?" Xiāo Zuòwéi said softly, causing Shēn Míngliàng to blush.
Shàngguān Shàoyǐ's expression was calm, an imposing chill surrounding him and permeating the air. "I received confidential reports today that the commander of Píngyáng Pass has already surrendered to our army and will open the city gates to welcome us in tomorrow morning."
Shēn Míngliàng stood up excitedly but then sat back down when he noticed the calm demeanor of Xiāo Zuòwéi on his left and the chilling presence of the Young Marshal on his right.
He then heard Shàngguān Shàoyǐ continue, "The commander of Píngyáng Pass had his parents killed by Lín Hóngyáo."
"Why did Lín Hóngyáo kill their parents?" Xiāo Zuòwéi asked in confusion.
"Hey, you don't know this? Let me explain it to you." Shen Mingliang immediately became animated. "The Young Marshal discovered that Huang Chenghao was a traitor, so he pretended to trust him and brought his parents here. Lin Hongyao is suspicious and cunning, so he believed that Huang Chenghao was still one of us. As a result, he killed some of the generals' parents. I estimate that the parents of the garrison commander at Pingyang Pass were also killed. The enmity of killing one's father is irreconcilable, so that commander will definitely join our army!"
"That's right." Shangguan Shaoyi said with appreciation, not probing into why Shen Mingliang suddenly became so sharp-witted. "Lin Hongyao is very arrogant and would never send anyone to watch over Huang Chenghao's parents. But he knows that I brought Huang Chenghao's parents here. If there isn't a traitor in our army leaking information, then what is it?" His tone was cold, each word radiating malice.
"What should we do now, Young Marshal?"
"I will first take Huang Chenghao and some troops to Pingyang Pass to receive the new unit. After I set off, you and General Xiao will notify the other commanders that I've changed my mind temporarily and instruct them to launch a surprise attack on Lin Hongyao's grain storage location in Zha Province. The location has already been marked on the map for you." He threw the map to Shen Mingliang, which traced a perfect parabolic arc in the air. If Shen Mingliang hadn't been quick-eyed and quick-handed, the map would have fallen into the fire pit. At this moment, Shen Mingliang was still trembling slightly while holding the map.
The killing intent in Shangguan Shaoyi's eyes made the air tremble slightly. "Let Huang Chenghao follow me to receive the troops. The traitor in our army will definitely report back to Lin Hongyao. At that time, Huang Chenghao will have no way out; he knows he can't return to Lin Hongyao's side and will surely expose another traitor in the army." He kicked over the fire pit and said coldly, "Anyone who dares to play tricks in my Shangguan Shaoyi's army will face utter destruction!"
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