Chapter Fifty-One: Promotion to Commander

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“As far as I know, it seems that Chen Zhou suspects his son died at the hands of Hu San. His journey to the Wolf Fang Stronghold was to investigate this matter, though I don’t know what came of it.”

“Hmm, this has nothing to do with us. Our Wolf Heart Stronghold’s partner is the Dawane Kingdom, not the Chen family. Whether Hu San did it or not is of no concern to us. The Chen family will surely send someone to handle it.”

The chief pondered for a moment and added, “This Hu San is quite talented. Let’s observe him for a while. If he truly proves himself, we can consider making him a warrior.”

In the end, the chief could not believe that a mere ordinary man like Hu San could meddle in a fight between two masters of the Second Realm.

Not only he, but even the third chief, Mohe, had only guessed as much. If he was certain, he would have already gone to find Hu San.

At this moment, with Hu San’s identity as a warrior still concealed, that secrecy was his greatest protection.

While the two were discussing Hu San, Yan Bei, the true leader of the Dawane merchant caravan, sat with furrowed brows among the main party.

He was almost certain that the squad transporting the beast’s corpse had run into trouble, and that it happened within Wolf Heart Stronghold’s territory.

The merchant caravan established secret contact once a month, but since the last communication, Yan Bei had received no word from the team. He knew all too well what that meant.

Obtaining this beast had been no easy feat for Yan Bei. His future prospects depended on it; for the beast to vanish so mysteriously was a bitter blow.

He did not want to keep hauling cargo through the Qilian Mountains. For ten long years, though he was a master of the Fifth Layer of Inner Breath, he had lived in deep, unfrequented forests and mountains. He was thoroughly fed up.

With this beast, he could secure a high rank in the army or join a sect as an elder or guardian.

“Order the caravan to turn toward Wolf Heart Stronghold.”

Yan Bei resolved to get to the bottom of this. The beast in question was on the verge of forming a core; even top-tier masters would fight to the death for it. How could a mere mountain stronghold hope to swallow it?

If the stronghold was uninvolved, so be it. But if they were, even if he had to raze Wolf Heart Stronghold to the ground, he would retrieve what was his.

If the second chief’s death merely stirred the waters, Yan Bei’s arrival would plunge the Wolf Heart Stronghold into chaos.

No one knew how he negotiated with the two chiefs, but from the next day onward, the entire stronghold began investigating the movements of every single bandit.

Those unaware thought little of it, but Hu San and his men, who knew the truth, were on edge and restless.

Just then, the backup plan Hu San had set in motion came into play. By chance, a relocating bandit unearthed the beast’s bones behind the second chief’s quarters, and all evidence pointed straight to the second chief.

Only at this point did Yan Bei learn that Chen Zhou, the second chief, was already dead. With the discovery of the beast’s remains, the matter seemed settled.

To everyone’s surprise, Yan Bei did not pursue the matter of the missing beast. Instead, with a grave expression, he used his only golden pigeon to send news of Chen Zhou’s death out of the endless Qilian Mountains.

Afterwards, ignoring the pleas of the two chiefs, Yan Bei led the caravan away, a shadow of melancholy in his eyes.

Others might not know, but he was aware of the peril. Chen Zhou’s death made it clear that the stakes here were far too high—high enough to destroy him if he was careless.

The wisest choice was to leave this nest of trouble as soon as possible. If his guess was right, the Chen family’s experts would soon arrive.

But all this was beyond what Hu San and the others could know. To them, everything seemed to have been resolved perfectly. They could finally breathe easy.

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Little did they know, an even greater storm was brewing.

The brilliance of midsummer faded as August gave way to September. Though Hu San still showed no signs of inner breath, his achievements with his seven companions had earned him a reputation throughout Wolf Heart Stronghold, rivaling any ordinary commander.

One day, while Hu San was overseeing the camp and not out training, a subordinate hurried in to report that the third chief had come to visit.

Puzzled, Hu San personally led several squad leaders out to greet him.

The third chief was not alone; Scarface, the commander, accompanied him.

Perhaps thanks to his training, Scarface’s aura had grown much deeper than before—he seemed to have achieved some success, and by Hu San’s estimate, had likely reached the First Realm.

“How did he progress so quickly?”

Having been in the stronghold for some time, Hu San was no longer the ignorant youth he once was. He had heard from other bandits that the path of the warrior was anything but easy.

Unless one was exceptionally gifted, trained from childhood, or blessed by fortune, most people would spend their lives as minor martial artists.

Especially for grown adults, whose meridians were already set, reaching the First Layer of Inner Breath within three years was remarkable.

Yet Scarface clearly defied that pattern.

“Could it be thanks to the mysterious chief?”

Hu San couldn’t help but wonder. He also knew that six or seven years ago, before Wolf Heart Stronghold even existed, the third chief was just an ordinary bandit. It was only after meeting the chief that he became a warrior.

In just six or seven years, the third chief had reached his current level, which was impressive by any measure.

Though Hu San could not be sure of the third chief’s true strength, it was certainly at least that of the Second Realm.

Compared to the outside world, warriors seemed to advance more quickly in Wolf Heart Stronghold—at least, those who became warriors within its walls.

Hu San let his thoughts wander, but outwardly he was all courtesy, hastening to greet the two guests and lead them to the seats of honor.

The third chief dismissed the others, leaving only Scarface and Hu San.

Then he finally spoke. “Hu San, you are bold indeed. Do you think everything you’ve done has gone unnoticed?”

“I don’t know what you mean, Chief. If I have done wrong, I ask for your punishment.”

Hu San’s expression did not change as he bowed respectfully.

“Hmph, you’ve got nerve. Who was Chen Zhou, the second chief? If he wanted to eat beast meat, would he need to rob the Dawane caravan? Hu San, you must have a lion’s heart to dare rob anyone and frame anyone. Back then, I didn’t misjudge you.”

The third chief snorted coldly, eyeing Hu San askance.

“Has the chief been misled by someone else? Even if I had the nerve, how could a mere squad leader with a hundred men possibly ambush the Dawane caravan? I am innocent, and I beg you to see the truth.”

Hu San denied everything, as expected.

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“Hmph, I don’t care how you did it. Just remember, this matter isn’t over. And the deaths of the second chief and his son will not go unavenged.”

“This is between you and the Dawane Kingdom. The chief and I do not wish to interfere. But you cannot remain here in Wolf Heart Stronghold any longer. Your reputation has grown too great; there’s no room for you here.”

He raised a hand to silence Hu San’s protest and shook his head. “Wolf Fang Stronghold has just been established. It needs a strong hand to keep order, and it’s close to your home. Therefore, the chief has shown you mercy and promoted you to commander, leading ten large squads and garrisoning Wolf Fang territory. You are to depart at once, without delay.”

“Uh!”

Hu San was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Wolf Heart Stronghold to treat him as a burden to be cast off—perhaps even as cannon fodder for some coming trial.

Since learning the truth behind the trial, Hu San had given the matter much thought. The chief’s decision now seemed especially telling.

“Alas, brother, take care of yourself.”

Scarface came forward, patted Hu San on the shoulder, handed him the commander’s token, and then left together with the third chief, washing their hands of the matter.

Weighing the token in his hand, Hu San watched their retreating figures, his eyes narrowing.

If Black Bear had not lied, the trial would soon descend upon these lands. If he remained under Wolf Heart Stronghold’s protection, he might fare well; but as soon as he took up command at Wolf Fang Stronghold, he would become everyone’s target.

Hu San did not believe that Wolf Heart Stronghold would be able to protect him then.

Not only would Wu Cang, who sought vengeance for the destruction of Black Bear Stronghold, come after him, but even those with no prior grudges would not pass up such a perfect target as Wolf Fang Stronghold for the trial.

Whether the chief and third chief intended this or not, they had truly placed Hu San in a perilous position.

By now, Lin Hu, Zhao Feng, Tan Yue, Lei Ming, Yan Fei, Liang Chuan, and others had all heard the news of Hu San’s promotion and came forward to offer their congratulations.

But seeing that Hu San showed no sign of joy, they quieted down.

After much thought, Hu San finally spoke, turning to Zhao Feng. “Zhao Feng, you’ve been here a long time. Do you remember the bandit wars from a few years ago?”

“Uh, that did happen, but what does it have to do with us?”

Zhao Feng was puzzled at first. Then, as if recalling something, his face changed dramatically. “Third brother, don’t tell me there’s going to be another war? Back then, human life was worth less than a dog’s. Most strongholds were destroyed. Only warriors could hope to survive, and ordinary bandits fared even worse than villagers.”

“I remember many bandits deserted halfway, hiding in nearby villages under false names to escape the massacre.”

“Bandit wars? What are those?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Hu and the others grew curious, but the older squad leaders all looked grim.

Hu San had neither the time nor the heart to explain. He only said, “You’re right. The bandit war is about to begin. If not this month, then next, or the month after. I don’t know how long it will last, but with the chief posting me to Wolf Fang Stronghold, we’ll be the first to face it. We must start preparing at once.”