"Brother Mu, something big's happened!"
"Qili Village has rebelled! The brothers sent to collect corvée labor there have all been killed!"
"We're heading to war now, aren't we?"
"It's over, it's over! I can't even swing a blade properly!"
"I won't die, will I? I'm still so young…"
Xu Yuan, his face pale with panic, chattered incessantly at Chu Mu's side.
Though Chu Mu's expression was grave, a faint flicker of suppressed excitement seemed to surface beneath it.
"Brother Mu, say something! Aren't you scared?" Xu Yuan's fear grew, his grip tightening on Chu Mu's hand, refusing to let go.
"Shut up!" Chu Mu snapped in a low voice. "Undermine the army's morale, and the Thousand Households Commander will have your head first!"
Xu Yuan shrank back, his face ashen. He opened his mouth as if to speak but clearly didn't dare make a sound.
Seeing such a burden, Chu Mu couldn't help but frown. Still, he steadied himself and said, "Stay close to me later, and don't wander off."
Xu Yuan nodded frantically.
Chu Mu took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding inspectors. Once everyone understood the situation, the earlier clamor had given way to a heavy, oppressive silence.
Fear was evident in many, but there were exceptions. Take Li Gang, his team leader, who'd been grim-faced for days. Now, he was transformed, barely containing his excitement. His eyes frequently darted toward the Thousand Households Commander riding at the front, his ambitions plain for all to see.
After a quick scan, Chu Mu withdrew his gaze. As the reason for the uproar spread, the inspectors' chatter had already laid out the situation clearly.
Chu Mu pieced together a rough understanding of the matter. In short, the corvée labor burden was too heavy. Some villagers, unwilling to comply, erupted in fury, violently resisting the levy. Of the inspection team sent, only one escaped.
The only question was whether this was the act of a few or if the entire village had joined in.
"Qili Village…" Chu Mu murmured the name to himself, his brow furrowing with added weight.
Though he hadn't yet ventured beyond Nanshan Town, he'd made a point of learning about Qinghe County. Qili Village, he'd heard of. It belonged to Nanshan Town, nestled in the mountains to the northwest. Its name came from the seven-mile path descending the slopes.
In this era, people lived off the land or water around them. Qili Village, deep in the mountains, naturally relied on the peaks for survival. Its folk were, unsurprisingly, fierce and rugged.
And how could those who made a living in the mountains lack means to defend themselves?
What did hunting rely on? Bows, arrows, traps…
Skills that tamed wild beasts could just as easily tame men—perhaps with even greater effect.
A wounded animal grew fiercer. A wounded man grew fearful, dreading death.
Chu Mu quietly assessed the inspection team. Nearly two hundred strong, most were standardly equipped: armored, with a saber at the waist. Those who'd joined from the foothills were better outfitted—some carried shields, others bows or crossbows.
The few cavalry accompanying the Thousand Households Commander were clad in full iron armor, armed to the teeth.
The sight eased Chu Mu's mind slightly. Perhaps they'd only need to enter the village and seize a few troublemakers. The chance of the entire village rebelling… it wasn't likely.
Even if the whole village had been swept up in revolt, their nearly two hundred fully armed inspectors should handle it without much trouble.
Lost in thought, the sprawling procession left Nanshan Town behind, stepping into lands Chu Mu had yet to explore.
Though Nanshan Town lay amid mountains, its iron mine—a veritable treasure—ensured wide, well-kept roads. Terraced fields, carved into the slopes, were faintly visible beneath the snow, their outlines just discernible.
Not far from the town, figures dotted the road: farmers at work, merchant caravans hauling goods. Without exception, all scrambled to the roadside at the sight of the grand procession, their faces etched with fear.
It was clear the role of inspector was far from beloved in Qinghe County.
Glancing around, Chu Mu's thoughts returned inward, silently considering the scenarios he might face and how he'd respond.
The basic saber techniques he'd learned replayed in his mind, practiced and recalled over and over.
"Stop!"
After about an hour, the team reached a mountain path. Li Jinghong, the Thousand Households Commander, raised a hand to halt the march.
"Stay alert!" Deputy Commander He Ping barked.
Li Jinghong studied the narrow path into the mountains. After a moment, he said, "Send a few skilled men to scout the hills."
"The rest, rest here for now. Distribute the dry rations to the men—let them eat and drink their fill."
"Yes, sir!" He Ping responded, summoning a few squad leaders to relay orders before striding toward Chu Mu's team.
"Look sharp!" Li Gang, suddenly energized, barked at Chu Mu and the others before hurrying to meet He Ping.
"Deputy Commander."
"Take a few good men and scout Qili Village. Find out what's going on," He Ping ordered. Leaning closer, he whispered, "Do it clean. The Thousand Households Commander himself gave the order. Handle this well, and you'll catch his eye."
"Don't worry, Deputy Commander," Li Gang assured him. "I'll stake my life on getting this done perfectly."
"Good. Get moving."
Watching Li Gang and He Ping confer, Chu Mu felt a sinking premonition.
Li Gang's earlier demeanor suggested he was eager to prove himself, to earn merit and climb the ranks. Now, with the Deputy Commander singling him out…
Sure enough, Chu Mu's unease proved justified.
"The Thousand Households Commander wants us to scout Qili Village. Who's coming with me?" Li Gang, still visibly excited, strode up to Chu Mu and the others.
The question silenced the group. Moments ago, they'd been chatting idly; now, they exchanged glances, heads bowed, not a word spoken.
Chu Mu had no intention of volunteering. He wanted to stand out, but not at the cost of his life.
He wasn't too worried about being chosen. He'd only recently joined the inspectors and hadn't shown any remarkable skill. More importantly, he wasn't part of their inner circle.
Such tasks were likely reserved for Li Gang's trusted men, not him.
As Chu Mu expected, Li Gang's face darkened at the silence. Without hesitation, he began calling names.
"Li Er, Wu Lunzi, Big Mouth, Three Feet—you're with me!"
"Team Leader, can I sit this one out? You know my situation—old parents, young kids. I can't afford trouble…"
"Same here. I've never even killed a chicken. How can I do this?"
"I…"
The named men erupted in protests, their voices overlapping.
Chu Mu, pulling Xu Yuan back slightly, watched in surprise. If he recalled correctly, these men were close to Li Gang. Why were they balking now, at the critical moment?
Glancing at Li Gang's livid face, Chu Mu couldn't help but think to himself: Li Gang's leadership… it's lacking.
This… complicates things.
*(End of Chapter)*