CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 58 THE BRIGHTEST KID IN THE ENTIRE ARENA_1

"My lord, what should we do?" Siniang asked while standing behind Zheng Fan, massaging his temples.

Zheng Fan’s fingers tapped lightly on the tea table before him. The clerk had departed, but the dilemma remained.

The Recruitment Envoy was truly feigning allegiance, his heart elsewhere. Perhaps it was because the relationship between the Earl of North Border’s manor and the imperial court had steadily worsened over the past month. With the most dire outcome potentially imminent, he seemed agitated and wanted to secretly meet the Earl of North Border’s family himself.

If that day truly comes, when the North Border Army, under the leadership of the Earl of North Border’s manor, unfurls the banner to "Purge the Court," he, Hui Wenzu, could immediately respond by surrendering the city in support.

But the crux of the matter was, that ruse he’d concocted—Zheng Zhilong and Koxinga—where on earth was he supposed to find them now?

As for his relationship with the Earl of North Border’s family... originally, the Commandery Princess had wanted to grant him the status of a household servant, but he’d refused point-blank, fleeing back to Hutou City to continue playing at being a bandit king.

If this bubble were to burst, never mind the Earl of North Border’s manor’s reaction, this portly Hui Wenzu himself was no pushover. The fury of a deceived Comrade Deep Sea... He hissed inwardly.

"My lord, why don’t we just rob the birthday tribute ourselves?"

To most people of later generations, the term "birthday tribute" was invariably preceded by "cleverly seizing," much like how "film" once immediately brought "Kodak" to mind.

"Do we have enough manpower?" Zheng Fan asked.

Blindman and Xue Three had gone to Tuman City to move goods. Liang Cheng, A Ming, and Fanli had gone to the desert to recruit troops and acquire horses. The ragtag bunch from the Unity Gang and the Cart Gang were in Mei Village. Replicating the previous mass brawl when they ambushed Ding Hao was now almost impossible.

"My lord, we could opt for assassination," Siniang suggested, continuing her gentle massage. "In this era, it’s not uncommon for someone to suddenly drop dead on the road from a headache or fever. Afterwards, we can easily deflect blame and create a web of suspicion. We could point fingers at Lady Liu of North Seal, the Desert Barbarians, or even spies from the Yan State court; any would do."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan nodded thoughtfully. The portly Recruitment Envoy had indeed treated him well, offering him protection. Yes, Zheng Fan mused, if his death could continue to protect him, the kind-hearted Recruitment Envoy would surely be willing. Besides, since Xu Wenzu was traveling incognito within the escort convoy, his own opportunities to strike would be even better.

This was currently the phase for recruiting troops and acquiring horses. If all went smoothly, his first cavalry company might be ready in less than a month. To abandon everything he had now, to give up the hot baths in his rear courtyard... Zheng Fan wasn’t truly willing. If he had a choice, who would want to go to the desert to be blasted by sand? Even if he had to flee, he’d rather go to the Qian State. Their literary culture was flourishing. Once there, he could emulate the transmigrator predecessors of old, perhaps channel Su Dongpo or Liu Yong. Getting into brothels for free, even being paid by the courtesans—that would be a sweet life.

"Sigh." He sighed. Without Blindman around, things were indeed inconvenient. Though Blindman’s methods were always aggressive, they were undeniably effective every time. Everyone would get swept up in the excitement and accomplish the task at hand.

"Alright, Siniang. On the day of departure, you’ll use the Face-changing Technique and accompany me. Once we’re on the road, we’ll play it by ear. For the next two days, arrange matters at home."

"Yes, My lord. Then... now, My lord, will you need to trouble yourself to help this servant refamiliarize herself with needlework? My hands have grown clumsy with it, and I can’t handle the needle proficiently anymore."

Zheng Fan paused for a moment, then said, "Handle... a needle?"

「...」

Early the next morning, Zheng Fan emerged from his room, stretched lazily towards the dawn, and then began to glow in the light of the rising sun.

After completing his routine, Zheng Fan went for breakfast. The convoy transporting the birthday tribute was to set out tomorrow. According to Hui Wenzu’s arrangements, he needed to meet with tomorrow’s escort team.

The escort team numbered over five hundred, so Zheng Fan certainly couldn’t host a banquet for everyone. However, adhering to custom, he had someone deliver invitations to the five Centurions for a meal at a restaurant.

Having unhurriedly finished his breakfast, just as Zheng Fan was about to lead his horse out, he saw an unfamiliar man already kneeling on one knee by the door, awaiting him.

"Ding Hao?"

"It is I, your subordinate."

Ding Hao raised his head to look at Zheng Fan. The man, once characterized by his thick brows and large eyes, now appeared somewhat... unprepossessing. It was as if yesterday’s Zhu Shimao had transformed into Chen Peisi overnight.

"Siniang’s handiwork is indeed impressive."

"Yes, Mr. Feng’s skills are truly exquisite."

Ding Hao was referring not only to the Face-changing Technique but also to Siniang’s medical treatment. After a day of unconsciousness and rest, Ding Hao had awakened. When he tried to circulate his vital energy, a greyish light had immediately emanated from his body. For someone who just a day ago was a good-for-nothing idly awaiting death, this change was practically a complete metamorphosis! Moreover, Ding Hao faintly sensed that after these dramatic ups and downs, he seemed to have grasped signs of a breakthrough.

At this moment, Zheng Fan noticed a long, cloth-wrapped object beside Ding Hao. He pointed to it and asked, "What is this?"

"This is a long spear."

"Hmm, did you use a long spear before?"

"No, I used to use a saber. It was Mr. Feng who said a long spear suited me better. I trust Mr. Feng’s words, and since I can also use a long spear, I accepted it from him."

A long spear for Ding Hao. Zheng Fan understood; Siniang was making a Lin Chong reference with Ding Hao. Besides, they had plenty of weapons at home that could be melted down and reforged. It helped to have A Ming, who had a penchant for bringing weapons home from outside. It felt like your dog, instead of bringing back bones, exclusively brought home gold bars.

"My lord, this is the armor Mr. Feng has prepared for you." Ding Hao rose and lifted a set of armor from the steps behind him.

"This isn’t the set I received from the government office."

"Indeed, it is not. It was specially forged for you by Mr. Feng."

Since Siniang had prepared it, Zheng Fan said no more and, with Ding Hao’s assistance, donned the armor.

Once armored, Zheng Fan asked curiously, "Is there anything special about this armor?" He recalled that Westerners often liked to inscribe formations or such on their armor; he wondered if Siniang knew how to do that.

"Huh, what’s this? Dust?" Zheng Fan looked at the dark green smudge on his palm, left there when he brushed against the armor.

"My lord, Mr. Feng said this is glow powder."

"Glow powder?"

"Yes, Mr. Feng’s exact words were..."

"What were his exact words?"

"Mr. Feng said that with this powder, you, My lord, would become the brightest cub in the field!"

"..." Zheng Fan was speechless.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. Zheng Fan rapped his knuckles against the armor he wore. "Are you saying this stuff on the armor can enhance the glow?"

"Yes, My lord. As the leader of this escort convoy, it’s like leading troops; you need to awe and unify your men. There are essentially three methods of command: inducement with benefits, displays of power, and personal connections. Today’s banquet serves as inducement, and Mr. Feng has already prepared gifts. As for building connections, you aren’t familiar with those five Centurions, and there isn’t time to cultivate relationships now. Regarding a display of power, you have already become a ranked Martial Cultivator, My lord. Though it hasn’t been long, within the military’s lower ranks, a ranked Martial Cultivator naturally commands respect. Coupled with this specially crafted armor, the display of power will be maximized."

Ding Hao, having been both a military leader and a bandit chief, naturally understood these intricacies.

"Heh, how did she even come up with this?" Zheng Fan couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing. It was also because, in this world, emitting light was the hallmark of a high-ranking Martial Cultivator. But for Siniang to think of using the principle of a glow stick to make *him* the brightest star in the spotlight—that was rather amusing.

"My lord, actually, this method was used by someone a hundred years ago."

"Oh? It was used? Also for inviting guests to a meal?"

"No, it was used by the first Earl of North Border."

"The first Earl of North Border?" Zheng Fan’s interest was piqued. After all, that was a veritable god of war who, with only thirty thousand cavalry, had routed the Qian State’s army of half a million. That battle not only laid the century-long foundation for the Earl of North Border’s manor but also cemented Qian State’s century-long status as a nation often on the receiving end of aggression.

"Yes, the Qian State ruler who ascended the throne as the Emperor’s younger brother wasn’t actually that incompetent. He commanded an elite Qian State force, battle-hardened from his brother’s countless campaigns. Besides, even if it were five hundred thousand pigs, catching all of them wouldn’t be so simple, let alone an army of that size."

"Hey, you’re not going to tell me the first Earl of North Border used *this* method to...?"

"My lord is perceptive. At the very beginning of that battle, the first Earl of North Border utilized every material he had gathered beforehand that could glitter in sunlight. He even forcibly opened the cellars of many prominent families and clans in Yan State, taking out pearls to be ground into powder. He also used blades to threaten several cultivator sects within Yan State, compelling them to perform rituals during the battle to apply a luminous sheen to the armor of the Yan cavalry. And then..."

A scene immediately formed in Zheng Fan’s mind:

It was noon on a day that, though sunny, was filled with a deeply oppressive atmosphere. Five hundred thousand soldiers of the Qian State army were arrayed in formation, awaiting orders. Their northern campaign thus far had been unstoppable. They possessed overwhelming numbers and an indomitable spirit; it was a battle they couldn’t possibly lose.

The vanguard was ready. They would face the charge of the Yan State cavalry, but they were fearless. They knew that if they could just hold their formation for a while, allied forces on their flanks would envelop the enemy. Once they had devoured this Yan State cavalry force of merely thirty thousand, Tiancheng Commandery and the capital of Yan itself would throw open their gates to welcome them!

In those days, the Qian army was not yet synonymous with weakness. Qian had not yet become a nation of fortification fanatics, cowering like tortoises behind a wall of bunkers. They were spirited, aspirational, and hungry for military glory, eager to expand their territory and achieve great merit!

Then, the tens of thousands of Qian soldiers in the vanguard first heard the earth tremble. They knew. The Yan State cavalry had begun its charge.

Then, they witnessed a sight that would be seared into their memories for the rest of their lives. Despair, terror, and shock instantly flooded the heart of every soldier in the Qian vanguard.

And then, they... broke!

Because what they saw charging towards them... were tens of thousands of glowing figures!