The Demon Lords

"You've worked hard."

Indeed, it was hard work. He was going to be shot at for several more months; it looked like target practice would continue from winter until spring.

"There's no choice. Isn't everyone waiting to level up?"

"By the way, there's something else."

"Go on."

"I heard from someone that the reason My lord chose you as an archery target was because you overheard his inner monologue?"

"Does 'overheard' mean the kind where he walks into my bedroom, leans against my bed, and starts talking to me?" A Ming asked.

"Although I don't know the specifics, I can guess that at first, you were pretending to be asleep and didn't remind My lord that he had entered the wrong room."

"So, that's my fault too?"

"My lord cannot be wrong."

"Right, it's my fault."

"I'm a little curious. Did My lord's monologue that day mention us?"

"You know, you're the first one to ask me this."

"Oh?"

"Fanli wouldn't think of it. Xue Three knows he has a big mouth, and I wouldn't tell him even if he asked, so he didn't come to ask. Siniang is very close to My lord, so she doesn't need to ask this."

"What about the blind man?"

"The blind man used to be a psychologist. He didn't ask because he knows that anything, while it's still just an unvoiced thought, feels entirely genuine. However, once spoken, even the truest things become tainted with falsehood. Sometimes, one deliberately introduces these falsehoods; other times, one might even deceive oneself without realizing it."

"Are you saying My lord..."

"I didn't say anything. You're a Zombie. Tell me, does Shatuo Queshi have consciousness now?"

"He does."

"There you have it. Fanli can say anything without thinking because that's just his character, but we're different. In the future, we should still be more respectful towards My lord. In the past, the blind man pushed My lord too hard to practice martial arts, and you even poked My lord with your fingernails."

"So, you're just whitewashing yourself?"

"I have always been loyal to My lord. If I weren't truly loyal, would I willingly accompany My lord for a month of archery practice?"

"Have the arrows addled your brain? Why lie even to yourself?"

A Ming raised his head, sighed as he gazed at the sun above, and lamented, "It's all for the sake of survival."

「 」

"Brother Zuo, what happened to you?" Zheng Fan asked in shock.

"Brother Zheng, could you perhaps wipe that smile off your face before asking me with such concern?"

"My apologies."

"Sigh."

Zuo Jiqian leaned on his cane, signaling his two subordinates behind him to bring in the gifts.

"Brother Zuo, come in and sit down."

Zheng Fan welcomed Zuo Jiqian into the fortress.

Fangcao brought two cups of hot tea and some snacks, then withdrew.

Zuo Jiqian curiously scanned the interior layout and remarked, "Brother Zheng, you truly are a man of refined taste. Even the inside of this fortress is decorated so elegantly."

The furnishings and decorations in the fortress hall were indeed luxurious; famous calligraphy and paintings even adorned the walls. This wasn't some 'Zheng Manor'; this was the Green Willow Fortress! Moreover, as he entered, Zuo Jiqian had also noted that while the construction funds and materials for his own side had just been approved, actual work would have to wait until the ground thawed in spring. Yet, here, the Green Willow Fortress was already completed, and its grounds were truly vast. It could easily accommodate not just a few hundred people, but a thousand without any issue.

However, Zuo Jiqian, being from a prominent family, knew how to conduct himself. He surmised that the construction of the Green Willow Fortress was likely connected to the Earl of North Border, so he refrained from asking about its construction. Instead, he focused his compliments on the decorations in the guest hall.

"I've always felt that life needs a bit of ceremony, especially for us soldiers who live with our heads on the line. You never know which day might be your last, so it's even more important to live every day to the fullest."

"Isn't that the truth, Brother Zheng? This time, I almost didn't make it back to see you again."

"I was just about to ask, Brother Zuo, what happened?"

"It's rather embarrassing to say. Because you set an example, Brother Zheng, a little while ago, many of our fortresses, more or less, took the initiative to send troops south for a reconnaissance. The others were fine; they went out, came back, and even gained some spoils. Of course, they naturally couldn't compare to your spectacular feat, Brother Zheng, capturing a city with just a hundred riders. As for me, my heart was itching for action, so I also led a few hundred cavalry to Qian State to raid for supplies. Brother Zheng, you should understand. As a warrior, watching others lead troops into battle while I stayed behind was simply unbearable."

"I understand, I understand," Zheng Fan nodded seriously.

So, it looked like Zuo Jiqian had suffered a setback.

"But alas, my luck ran out. Not long after passing through the Beacon Fort cluster, I ran straight into a cavalry unit from Chen Town. They had over a thousand riders! However, I wasn't afraid at the time. I was actually thinking that I could finally have a proper battle. When it comes to cavalry combat, our Yan has never feared anyone. But who would have known that after we engaged, another Qian State cavalry unit would suddenly appear, catching me completely off guard. Don't laugh, Brother Zheng, but I nearly lost my life in Qian State. I barely made it back alive. Of the several hundred cavalry I led out, fewer than a hundred returned. The losses were immense."

Zheng Fan sighed as well.

He was calculating inwardly: This loss probably wasn't the primary concern. Given the Zuo Family's standing, replenishing the numbers shouldn't be a major problem. The biggest issue was likely that Lord Jingnan had probably turned a blind eye to the fortresses independently sending troops to provoke Qian State.