Chapter 10, in a moment of urgency

They also say that I feign gentleness and charm, unaware of how many people I have deceived and how many youths I have harmed. They spoke once, and I struck once; later, no one in the army dared to speak, all claiming that I am naturally beautiful and as tender as water, and it was only then that I spared them

However, this scene happened to be witnessed by Old Master Leng and Chu Hanjian, who exchanged a knowing smile, both thinking that we were flirting with each other

At the age of thirteen, it seemed that many events took place. I participated in the Qinyu Art Competition in Liangzhou, unexpectedly outshining all others and gaining a great reputation in Liangzhou. Subsequently, I took part in competitions for calligraphy, painting, chess, and poetry, winning first place in all of them, thus establishing a significant reputation as the young lady of the Chu family

However, in the future, some of them will say that they are no longer young, yet they were still quite naively harmed by me. When they ask me if I have any feelings for them, I am horrified

Many things are truly honed through practice. Over time, I can endure the same bone-chilling icy water for half a day. Even to avoid neglecting my studies and to prevent disappointing my brother, I can soak in the icy water while racing against time to read.

But as my soldiers cheered for their victory, I fully understood the good intentions behind Chu Hanjian's efforts. If I had not gone through this experience, even if my martial arts were exceptional, even if I had enhanced my soldiers' skills several times over, in the face of battle, the people I trained would still lose and would still lose their lives

Over the years, the silver that my brother earned has been continuously transported back. We have updated the soldiers' armaments and secretly commissioned the construction of one warship after another. The surplus silver has been exchanged for gold bars and hidden away for future military expenses. Since my brother's business is substantial, we do not worry about the silver. As for commerce, Chu Hanjian no longer engages in it, resulting in the Cold family nearly monopolizing the trade in Liangzhou over the past few years

After that day, Chu Hanjian entrusted all the training of the army to me. From then on, I went to train those soldiers who were much taller than me with a stern face and a straight back every day. As I trained more, I became increasingly fierce, and gradually the soldiers in the army feared me even more than they feared Chu Hanjian

However, regardless of the reason, this dead crow has betrayed my trust. If I encounter him again in the future, I will certainly strike him with sixty military clubs, allowing him to experience the sensation of a blossoming backside.

When I was fourteen, Leng Lingfeng was nineteen. The Chu family front was bustling again, with matchmakers coming and going, saying that I was no longer young at fourteen, and that all of Old Master Leng's friends had become grandfathers. This deeply stimulated Old Master Leng, who insisted that Leng Lingfeng must awaken this year.

When I was crying from the cold in the icy water, I also considered bribing a doctor to feign illness, but in the end, I did not do so, because deep down I understood that it was for my own good

I truly believe that the master is indeed very wise. Yunqing has been lazy for five years, and the work he has neglected, the master expects him to make up for it all within a year. The master is like an old fox hidden deep in the mountains; I suddenly have this feeling.

The Empress of Dali knelt down and pleaded for mercy, and in the end, Leng Guhong still secretly released the Empress. This momentary mercy from this iron-willed man allowed our royal bloodline to continue, leading to the existence of my brother and me. Therefore, I have never harbored hatred towards the Leng family. Now that we have both grown up, for the stability of Liangzhou, he is eager for us to marry at this very moment.

In the stillness of the night, when the pain in my back keeps me awake, I think of that boy's warm smile. Even when the truth is laid bare before me, I still refuse to believe that he is a deceiver. If he wanted gold, he could have simply taken it that day; why go through the trouble of deceiving me with words?

In fact, I am truly reluctant to kill, but Chu Hanjian said that if I do not kill them, they will harm more people. Within three months, if I let one of these ten people go, I will be punished with fifty military strikes.

It is unclear what the matter is, but in Liangzhou, there has begun to circulate the saying that one should give birth to a daughter named Cheng Manyun and marry a man named Leng Lingfeng. Upon hearing this, I felt quite pleased, not for any other reason, but because my name is mentioned before Leng Lingfeng's, thus I do not acknowledge being on par with him.

But to be honest, I really haven't seen that guy for quite some time

Every time Chuhan Jian asks me how I lost that gold, I am unwilling to speak. I was deceived by someone I trusted out of two bags of gold, and I foolishly waited for him for three days and three nights. To speak of such a thing makes me feel both frustrated and ashamed

At the age of thirteen, I have gained a good reputation, and many suitors have come to Liangzhou. One portrait after another has been sent to me, among which are not lacking handsome men

In fact, Chu Hanjian is still quite young, but he has always maintained a stern expression and rarely smiles, which makes it difficult for me to approach him. My brother said that he used to smile a lot, but ever since the day his beloved woman was treated as a sacrifice by Xiling and burned to death, he has hardly smiled since.

After that day, Chu Hanjian specifically sought me out to talk, saying that when a man reaches adulthood, he should marry, and when a woman matures, she should wed. He mentioned that if the two of us were to marry, the two major factions in Liangzhou would merge into one, and from then on, Liangzhou would undoubtedly be invincible. I heard that my brother also tacitly approved of this, as he held Chu Hanjian in high regard for his appreciation of Leng Lingfeng, believing he was worthy of lifelong commitment.

Regarding my performance this time, Chu Hanjian was very dissatisfied, and I am also aware of my mistakes, so when the sixty military canes came down, I had no complaints

Liangzhou is surrounded by a sea of clouds. To launch an attack on Liangzhou, one must first traverse this sea of clouds. In contrast, Xiling does not possess such a vast expanse of sea, which is why many soldiers are not skilled in naval warfare. This is also one of the reasons why Xiling has repeatedly failed to conquer Liangzhou. Therefore, training a capable navy is of utmost importance

In fact, at the beginning of the fight, the soldiers in the army were somewhat lenient. As a result, they were discovered by Chu Hanjian, and both the soldiers and I were beaten. I deeply experienced the feeling of having my backside blooming this time. The pain was not the main issue; I just had to endure it. What was most humiliating was being bare-bottomed while the maidservants applied medicine, which made my face flush with embarrassment. I am ten years old, not a child anymore.

Sometimes, when I am extremely tired and fall asleep, I wake up in the middle of the night and immediately get up from bed to play a piece of music. Even in the cold winds of December, on those winter nights when the north wind howls, I do not know how I have managed to persevere through it all

We are all senior and junior students, so it is just a matter of looking, and besides, there is nothing remarkable about your figure. I said with a smile, over the years I have often mingled among men, and I have seen quite a bit of their upper bodies, but if I were to count who has the best physique, it would be him, though I would never compliment him.

Before my brother left this time, he went to Kuangfeng, brought Yunqing down the mountain, and then took him away. When he was leaving, Yunqing said he had finally escaped from the sea of suffering, because after I and Leng Lingfeng left, all the tasks of washing rice, doing laundry, and cooking were done by him alone. He was exhausted, and he painfully mentioned that the master still complained about the rice he cooked being undercooked, the dishes not being fragrant, and even the clothes he washed not being clean.

After recovering from my injuries, Chu Hanjian and I each selected a team of new recruits for training. After experiencing several life-and-death battles, I have come to understand the type of soldiers that the Chu family needs

Chu Han Jian harbored deep animosity towards the Xi and Qin families, yet the Leng family was different. Later, I learned that in those years, Qin Lin, Xi Chu Lian, and Leng Gu Hong joined forces to breach the imperial city of the Da Li Dynasty. Xi Chu Lian led the charge, beheading the reigning emperor, while the empress, who was six months pregnant at the time, escaped through a secret passage but was intercepted by Leng Gu Hong.

However, I appear gentle and elegant in front of others, charming and amiable, but I am fierce and ruthless in front of my subordinates. As a result, I have often been the subject of their whispers, with some saying that I am a wolf in sheep's clothing

Upon hearing his words, I fell silent. If my brother saw me like this now, he would surely be disappointed. I feel that my brother and Chu Hanjian have pointed me towards two completely different paths: one wants me to become a gentle and elegant lady, while the other is intent on fully excavating my wildness, making me even more rough and tough than a man

"Is your heart fluttering? Do you want me to help you choose?" As I was lost in thought while looking at the images of these handsome men, Leng Lingfeng appeared uninvited. This guy now treats this place as his home. In fact, I know he does it on purpose, because once, when he was changing clothes in the room, I rushed in and caught a glimpse of his upper body. If I had entered a little later, I probably would have seen more than just his upper body.

When my brother assessed my piano skills, he was disappointed because my finger technique was lacking. In fact, I have worked very hard this year; I haven't even had a proper day of play. Yet, I still couldn't balance everything and failed to meet my brother's expectations

The Dali Dynasty has been destroyed for a long time, and my brother and I have long ceased to entertain such grand dreams of restoration. Nevertheless, I must defend my kin, my parents, and ensure that one day they can live under the sun, allowing those children born with red eyes to emerge from the depths and see this world

You little rascal, you have never experienced such feelings, which is why you remain unmoved. If you kiss and feel nothing, I will immediately let you go.

The days after I turned ten were filled with hardship and exhaustion. At the end of the year, my brother returned. He tested me on poetry, and I recited it fluently with perfect rhyme. He questioned me on women's virtues and teachings, and I answered effortlessly. I could even speak eloquently about astronomy, geography, and the customs of various places. After a year of accumulation, my writing became more vigorous and powerful, and even the paintings I created exuded a grand aura, much to my brother's delight

In the future, the commerce of Liangzhou will be dominated by the cold and ruthless winds, but agriculture has taken hold of me. He lamented that he acted too late, and I smiled at him, a smile filled with arrogance.

At this time, Liangzhou's Cold Shao Leng Lingfeng had not only established his formidable reputation in Liangzhou, but had also gained widespread fame in other countries. It was said that within a month, he had led his men to eradicate ten pirate dens, employing formidable tactics, and ultimately hung the severed heads of the ten pirate leaders high on the mast of the Cold family ship

After much contemplation, I have decided to have our soldiers cultivate farmland, dig ditches for irrigation, plant melons and fruits, and raise chickens and ducks, ensuring that Liangzhou City can be self-sufficient. Under my encouragement, the soldiers are working with great enthusiasm. While they are engaged in cultivation, I am also taking the opportunity to train their physical strength, leaving no aspect unattended.

"Is Man'er living a difficult life?" My brother gently stroked my hair, his eyes filled with pain

After two months of training, the soldiers I have brought out are far ahead, whether in solo combat or in raids. On that day, Chu Hanjian was particularly joyful, while I pondered whether the soldiers would understand my intentions. Do they still resent me for being too strict and merciless with them

There were several times when I simply could not endure climbing up, and before I could even step out, I was thrown down by Chu Hanjian. He said I could cry if I wanted, or even curse him, but I still had to soak in the icy water. As a result, that day I cursed loudly. The harsher my curses became, the calmer Chu Hanjian's expression grew, and in the end, he even laughed, saying I could curse even more coarsely.

I have feelings for her, but it is merely the bond of fellow disciples between a senior and junior, so do not misunderstand.

On an evening when the sunset was as fiery as flames, I picked up my bundle and set off on the road alone once more, with no one to see me off behind. This time, I completed my task ten days ahead of schedule, but I was severely injured. The wounds on my hands and feet healed quickly, leaving no scars, but a blow to my chest had injured my lungs, requiring a full two months of recuperation.

"Chu Hanjian, if you do not let me out soon, do you believe that I will bring you to your knees tomorrow and leave you unable to move for three months?" I shouted at the door. As soon as these words left my mouth, Leng Lingfeng and his son could only gasp in shock. Oh no, in my moment of desperation, I actually forgot that in the eyes of outsiders, Chu Hanjian is my father.

"Well, I have to get married eventually. Let's see which one is more to my liking. What do you think of this one?" I showed the portrait of Liang Song, the second young master of the Liang family who runs a restaurant, to Leng Lingfeng. After looking at it, Leng Lingfeng's face showed a look of pity as he said that he is too weak and fears that I might end up killing him in the future

Half a month later, the injuries on my body finally healed. Stepping out onto the street to get some fresh air, I was surrounded by the name of Leng Lingfeng. I heard that this fellow has opened one shop after another, and all of them are thriving. What surprised me even more was that in just a year, there were already Leng family merchant ships on the surface of Yunhai.

Since you both have feelings for each other, let's settle this marriage sooner rather than later, to avoid the daily visits for proposals that wear out the doorstep. Old Master Leng said to Leng Lingfeng, and Chu Hanjian rarely showed a smile. We exchanged glances; how could I possibly marry my junior apprentice? That would be a breach of seniority.

Every time my brother comes back, he cannot help but exclaim in admiration. Looking at the bustling Liangzhou, I think of my parents and kin in the deep valley, and my heart feels a pang of sadness

"Not bitter at all, I quite like it this way," I said with a smile. That night, my brother's eyes were slightly red. To be honest, I don't know if it was because I had gotten used to it or if I had become numb, but gradually, I no longer felt the bitterness.

Sometimes, training fervently alongside soldiers, traversing mountains and valleys with warriors drenched in sweat, battling beasts together, and collapsing onto the grass to gaze at the blue sky, I feel that my days are fulfilling and my life is filled with fighting spirit

In the course of various trainings, Mugao and Lu Yan demonstrated the greatest endurance and made the most significant progress. They gained the highest respect within the military and gradually became my right-hand men. Therefore, these two individuals are somewhat more audacious than others and occasionally refer to me as the ignorant youth who brings calamity to Liangzhou

My brother praised Leng Lingfeng highly, and even the usually stern Chu Hanjian spoke highly of him. Leng Lingfeng is indeed impressive, for he is my junior apprentice. A strong general does not have weak soldiers, and my junior apprentice, Chu Manyun, cannot be lacking in ability. Hearing my brother and the others praise Leng Lingfeng makes me feel as if they are praising me, bringing light to my face.

I showed him the portrait of Tang Wutian, the owner of the martial arts school. He said that this person knows some martial arts and must be trying to subdue me. However, with such thoughts, he will meet his end even sooner. Hearing his words made me so angry that I picked up the portrait to smash it against him. I did not speak to him for several days.

During the day, I practice military drills, and in the evening, I read books. After my injury has completely healed, I must soak in ice water for two hours at night. At the beginning, I could barely last half an hour before I started shivering from the cold, wishing I could climb out immediately, but Chu Hanjian would not allow it

The soldiers I have trained are disciplined and possess formidable combat strength. They like to refer to themselves as the Wolf Cloud Army, with 'Cloud' being my name and 'Wolf' a title they bestow upon themselves, claiming they are as fierce as wolves, the kings of Liangzhou. I like this name; it is sufficiently imposing, and one must never lose momentum, regardless of any other losses.

Seeing the increasingly prosperous Liangzhou, my brother feels deeply comforted, but I believe that while silver is important, food is also very important. In the event that Liangzhou is blocked by Xiling in the future, even if we have more silver, we will not be able to buy food and clothing.

That day, my brother went out, and I begged him to take me out for a day of fun. My brother refused, saying that I did not study diligently and must be playing around every day. I had no way to express my grievances.

Time has passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, three years have gone by. During these three years, my martial arts skills have improved significantly compared to when I was ten years old. Chu Hanjian is no longer my opponent by a long shot. However, I have never crossed swords with Leng Lingfeng again, even though my master had instructed us to spar every six months.

I crawled out of the icy water, clutching a thick blanket and shivering all night. My teeth chattered, my lips turned purple, as if I had been poisoned. Sometimes I even wished I had a fever from the cold, so I could avoid soaking in the icy water. But the damned thing is, despite being this cold, I have never been sick; my constitution is remarkably strong.

Sometimes I wonder how Chu Hanjian could be unaware of my loss of gold, which proves that he really did not send anyone to follow me. Is he not afraid that I might actually be killed? Thinking about it is truly frightening

My brother gently stroked my hair, repeatedly reminding me not to be so wild and unruly. After he took a stroll outside and returned with a beaming smile, he said that soon, Liangzhou would be as prosperous as today's Xijing.

In three years and a thousand days and nights, many things have happened. I have cried, cursed, and gone mad, but now, upon careful reflection, much of the pain and suffering has faded, and many events have become blurred. It seems that in my memory, there are only a few things left.

I know that at times they may feel I am too strict, but this experience of being hunted has taught me that I must make myself as strong as possible, as this increases my chances of survival. I do not want a second naval battle; I have seen my soldiers being carried back one after another.

The monotonous and arduous training lasted for quite some time, and only then did Chu Hanjian allow me to enter the sea. He demanded that I be the strongest, whether on land or in water

However, after three long years, even though Chu Hanjian made numerous attempts to conceal it, his brother still found out

After this time, this guy no longer knocks on my door before entering my room. I told him he has ulterior motives and wants to sneak a peek at my body. He said we are all senior and junior siblings, so what if he looks, and that there is nothing worth seeing in my figure. Those words are truly harsh

I personally investigated these ten individuals, and indeed, as Chu Hanjian stated, they are scoundrels of the martial world. They are either brutal and bloodthirsty or guilty of committing adultery. Allowing them to remain in this world truly harms the common people

Although my brother scolded me for not being diligent and criticized me for being unruly, saying that it is always good to learn more and that one should not be uneducated and laughed at by others, nor should one behave absurdly and be looked down upon, before leaving, he told me to just live happily and without worries. My brother gently stroked my hair, his eyes filled with affection. I wondered how my usually intelligent brother could speak so contradictorily

From then on, the name of Leng Lengling struck fear into the hearts of pirates, and no pirate dared to approach the Leng family's merchant ships. Liangzhou flourished under his leadership, with various commercial activities surging. The docks of Yunhai became extraordinarily lively, with ships entering Yunhai lined up in a spectacular fashion every day

Knowing that there was no way to escape, I used my internal energy to resist the cold. However, after one hour, the bone-chilling icy water cut through every inch of my skin like a knife, a sensation that felt worse than death.

Chu Hanjian is still infuriating; he said that we are so close that we breathe through the same nostril, so why be so coy?

I led the soldiers into the deep mountains, confronting them with fierce beasts. It is only when their lives are threatened that the cruelty of man is awakened. Only when their hands are stained with fresh blood, when killing the enemy, will they not panic. Only those who have truly experienced life and death will grow.

Three years later, I will be able to swim in the sea like a deep-sea fish, with great speed and strong attack power, able to silently lurk at the bottom of the ocean, unmatched by any navy

I actually envy that guy Leng Lingfeng; he goes out to gain experience and conduct business, while I go out to lure people to kill myself. Though we both go out, I live my life licking the blood off the back of a knife

Once I had adapted to the cold of the ice water, Chu Hanjian instructed me to submerge my entire body in the water and hold my breath. In truth, this kind of training is quite painful. Chu Hanjian mentioned that other soldiers must endure the same, but I must endure even more hardship than they do, for I need to be stronger than any of them. Otherwise, how could I command respect in the future

Chu Hanjian, dissatisfied with my performance this time, provided me with a list and instructed me to bring back the heads of the ten notorious scoundrels from the martial world within three months

This strike left a profound impression on me and imparted a heavy lesson: when facing the enemy, one must show no mercy or leniency. Regarding my performance this time, Chu Hanjian was very satisfied and did not allow me to leave Liangzhou again

I have a bond with him, but it is merely the camaraderie of fellow disciples, so do not make wild guesses. After I said this, I left with Leng Lingfeng, but the old man Leng scolded Leng Lingfeng for being eighteen and still not understanding, while others of his age have already formed families.

It was already desolate enough, yet at this moment, Leng Lingfeng chose to come and find me to play. He didn't come when I was joyfully bouncing around, but when I was beaten and sprawled on the bed like a dead fish, he cheerfully mentioned that there was a performance at that place and a show to watch at that tavern, making me truly want to rush out and strangle him. Wasn't he deliberately trying to provoke me?

I grew up amidst the intense clash of these two personalities, resulting in one man gazing at me with affection, saying I am as gentle as water, while another man, in a fit of anger, scolded me, calling me a shrew.

After my brother left, I dared not neglect my piano practice any longer. No matter how tired I am or how sleepy I feel in the future, upon returning, I will always light incense and brew tea, and calmly play a few pieces.

Not long after, Old Master Leng and Chu Hanjian truly accomplished a remarkable feat. He locked me and Leng Lingfeng in the same room, insisting that we must kiss each other passionately before we could be released

However, these portraits were thrown away by Chu Hanjian the next day, and all the suitors were outright rejected by him, stating that he was still too young. Under the imposing authority of the City Lord of Chu, matchmakers temporarily vanished, yet many young men still occasionally lingered at the door, making it quite inconvenient for me to go out