Ashes to Crown

Chapter 233: Chapter 52: Going Forth (Part 3)

Just as he finished speaking, someone beside him whispered, ”They’re here.”

In the darkness, they turned to look back.

...

.....

Ultimately, only Liang Qiang and his father emerged.

”Uncle,” a young man seeing them off from behind explained in a low voice, ”it’s not that everyone is afraid to die—”

Liang Qiang cut him off coldly. ”Being afraid to die is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s fine to just say so.”

The young man replied helplessly, ”Ah Qiang, you’re so resentful right now that you’ve lost all reason.”

Liang Qiang laughed, looking at his kinsman. ”So, Fourth Brother, you’ve already given in? I never would have thought. Back home, you refused to back down and competed with me for six months just because Grandfather praised me one extra time. I actually admired your tenacity back then. Turns out that’s all there was to you.”

The young man didn’t get angry or embarrassed. ”That was just youthful ignorance and arrogance,” he said.

He paused for a moment before continuing.

”Besides, the Liang Family’s fall from grace showed me those people’s true colors. They wanted us to fail for their own gain. So why would someone be willing to help us now? I don’t believe this old acquaintance is truly doing this for—”

”So what if it’s for his own benefit?” Liang Qiang said coldly. ”Isn’t everything in this world driven by self-interest?”

Mr. Liang smiled from the side, gesturing to the young man. ”Ah Si, go on back. Everyone has their own path and makes their own choices. Since you’ve already made yours, there’s no need to say any more.”

The young man stood rooted to the spot, watching as Mr. Liang led Liang Qiang away, striding forward into the night.

”It’s not about self-interest, nor is it about ambition,” the young man sighed in resignation. ”Setting those aside, think about us. How can you be so certain this venture will lead to fame and fortune? Second Uncle, we’ve never set foot on a battlefield.”

...

...

”Mr. Liang.” The man in the darkness smiled and bowed. Straightening up, he pushed back his hood to reveal an utterly ordinary face, weathered by the elements of the Border County. Even his accent was steeped in the region, a clear sign he had spent many years there. ”It’s been a long time. I never expected we would meet again in Yunzhong County.”

Mr. Liang said, ”I suppose this is what they call the unpredictability of fate. I only put in a good word for you back then, yet you still remember it.”

The man bowed once more. ”That one word from you, sir, saved me from waiting another three days. I entered the military department directly and got the post I wanted. Otherwise, who knows where I’d be now—drifting aimlessly or dead in a ditch. So, Mr. Liang, this isn’t me helping you. You helped yourself.”

Mr. Liang quickly reached out to help him up. The two men clasped hands and looked at each other, everything understood without a word.

The man continued, ”Furthermore, I greatly admire your courage in trading the scholar’s brush for the sword, Mr. Liang. You could say I’m finding you an opportunity, but it’s an incredibly dangerous one—a chance you pay for with your life. I must admit, I’m apprehensive—”

Mr. Liang cut him off. ”Brother Cai, please don’t say that. As long as you don’t look down on me as a useless scholar, I can still ride and shoot. Though these hands have never been stained with blood, I won’t hesitate to kill a Western Liang bandit for the sake of our country and people.”

Lord Cai laughed heartily. ”You jest, Mr. Liang! It would be a waste for a pair of hands like yours to kill just one Western Liang bandit. Once on the battlefield, you’ll naturally be a general devising strategies. Your command will lead to the death of innumerable Western Liang bandits.”

In the torchlight, Mr. Liang couldn’t hide his surprise. ’He can even arrange a general’s post for me? This old acquaintance has become so powerful.’

’He couldn’t even clearly recall the man from back then, only a vague memory of an unremarkable, low-ranking soldier.’

”That’s how it is in Yunzhong County,” Lord Cai said, his expression full of vigor. ”Fortune is found in peril. As long as you’re not afraid to die and you earn military honors, your rise will be meteoric. Nothing can stand in your way.”

A look of longing appeared on Mr. Liang’s face, while the eyes of the young man behind him blazed with light.

Lord Cai noticed and smiled, turning to the young man. ”However, you are too young, young master. A general’s post would be difficult to arrange—”

Liang Qiang stepped forward and cut him off. ”I don’t want a general’s post. I’ll earn my rank with the enemies I kill.”

Lord Cai nodded. ”Excellent. Hardship hasn’t dulled the fire in the Liang Family’s blood.” With that, he turned and called out.

From the shifting darkness to the side, someone emerged, leading horses.

Liang Qiang clenched the fist hanging at his side, took a deep breath, and strode toward the horses.

Lord Cai gestured to Mr. Liang with clasped hands. ”Mr. Liang, after you.”

Mr. Liang nodded, walked over, took the reins, and mounted the horse.

Lord Cai mounted his horse as well. ”Then, I invite the brave men of the Liang Family to ride with me. To kill bandits, and to build a glorious future!”

At his words, a clatter of hooves erupted. The group spurred their horses and galloped off, vanishing quickly into the night.

Silence fell before the Fort.

Whether it was when the Liang family walked out earlier or when they departed into the night, the Fort’s guards and the night watch—who were normally forbidden from speaking loudly—all seemed to have vanished, as if they were never there.

Night enveloped the land, as if nothing had happened at all.