Free Web NovelChapter 54: Chapter 54
Chapter 54
"In the southern city of the kingdom, the governor has just passed away. The population has decreased from 3,239 to 279, an area of 17,890 mu. This city... Could you give it to me?" Mu Heng asked seriously.
The words surprised the high-ranking man. His face clearly displayed his astonishment. Although the data was not a secret, it was information not commonly known. He squinted, scrutinizing the man before him.
"Did you obtain this information by capturing and interrogating my soldiers?"
Recently, he had heard of skirmishes between his bandits and impostors—some were killed, others were captured for interrogation.
Among them were his soldiers. Could it be that they were killed by the opposing party?
"Of course, I didn’t kill him. I found him before he died, and he entrusted me with delivering this information to you."
Seeing Mu Heng hand over a bamboo cylinder, the high-ranking man’s eyes widened in shock. The murderous intent nearly overwhelmed him, but he restrained himself from killing, asking seriously.
"This information is confidential. By reading it..."
"I won’t share this information with anyone. Especially now, my enemy is the same as yours. What I need now is to become a part of your kingdom, not to assert dominance here," Mu Heng said earnestly.
If Yueqian heard this, she would be surprised at his ability to read other people’s secret notes, pretending all the while to be an ignorant poor man.
"You... alright. You have access to such secrets, yet you ask to die in that city? Do you not know that the city is about to be locked down due to a severe epidemic outbreak? From a population of over 3,000, only a few remain due to death. And you still want to go?" Upon hearing the question, Mu Heng laughed inadvertently.
"Perhaps you are unaware. Do you think locking down the city will stop the epidemic? Soon, another village will suffer the same fate."
"What do you mean? Do you know of this disease?"
"............." Mu Heng did not reveal more of what he knew. He just stared intensely at the high-ranking man. The Wang knew he was waiting for an answer.
If he agreed, the city’s problems would be resolved. If not, in the future, he might have to ask for help again, as the situation might escalate as Mu Heng had described.
"I have no reason to refuse. But we originally come from different places. The debt of gratitude for saving my life cannot be disclosed because I act as a bandit. If anyone knew, we couldn’t avoid war. So, for you to become the governor, there must be a plan."
"My younger sister will marry into the royal family next month, as the king’s concubine, to strengthen ties between kingdoms. During that time, enter the capital. I’ll arrange for someone to impersonate a bandit, and you’ll intervene. Because of this deed, I’ll ask for you to return to my kingdom, saying I’ll repay you. If nothing goes wrong, you will become one of my subordinates."
"Agreed."
Mu Heng pondered briefly. He still had his hesitations, but considering when Yueqian mentioned the Qin family, he believed that his opportunity to go to the capital was not far off. However, he couldn’t reveal this to anyone, not even his little wife...
"In that case, I’ll take my leave now... But as I’ve said, I truly admire your capabilities, both in fighting and healing. If it weren’t for you..., I might have already died here. If you wish... the position of my trusted guard is still open to you."
"Thank you for trusting my abilities, but I don’t want to stop at just being a guard," Mu Heng said seriously.
"Hmm? Has that enemy of yours awakened the tiger within you? Last time I invited you, you simply wanted to live in peace and didn’t want to get involved with anyone. Why are you speaking so grandiosely now?"
"That’s because my enemy is the general of this kingdom. In ten years, I will return to this kingdom with a military rank far more renowned than his," Mu Heng’s words left the Wang somewhat stunned.
But upon reflection, he felt more pleased than surprised.
He was considering the future of the kingdom with this tiger among their ranks. How could he not be pleased when the other’s enmity became a force for them? Initially, it felt challenging to pull this secretive man to their side, but now it seemed all too easy.
"So, you chose that city because you want to train people?"
Given that the city was on the outskirts and filled with uncivilized groups—some were bandits, others were wanderers who didn’t want to align with anyone—it seemed like a dangerous and remote place.
Yet, everyone had the ambition to develop the city further. These minority tribes had long been apart from their kingdom, living independently without wanting any help. Yet, their bodies were strong.
Moreover, they were skilled in horse training. If he could turn them to his side, it would certainly not be a waste of effort.
"I’ll give it a try," Mu Heng did not decline when the other understood his intentions.
The high-ranking man chuckled twice. It was a challenge that even he wasn’t sure could be achieved. Yet... observing Mu Heng, who always had plans and had once easily killed a bear that followed him, a sense of confidence arose.
If the other really succeeded, a military position was not out of the question.
It seemed that the position of governor was merely a temporary role that Mu Heng had in mind; he certainly had his sights set on a significant military role.
Well then... he too was curious to see how far this man could go. Initially, having him as a mayor made him feel like it was a pity, but hearing his plans now made him fear.
A man from one kingdom suddenly becoming a soldier of another was frightening no matter how capable. Yet, if he started in a minor position, proved he could develop the city, heal the sick, and eventually unite the forces, making the nomadic people trust him.
After that, who would dare to complain if he were offered a higher position?...
As complex as these thoughts were, even he needed to hear the full explanation before understanding. But how foresighted the one who had never set foot in his kingdom must be to be able to devise such a detailed plan based on just a single scroll of paper.
Soon they parted ways. Their meeting could not be disclosed to anyone, whether from his or the other’s side. This matter should remain a secret.
Mu Heng, whose gaze had been fierce moments before, now reverted to his usual straightforward demeanor as he entered the village. It was as if the events that just unfolded were not real.
On his way, he encountered several people from the capital. Some did not recognize him and thought he was just another villager, while others knew Mu Heng as the husband of the Villainess Qin. They looked at this man with a manly face with strange looks.
Nobody was unaware of the incident involving Young Villainess Qin that had unfolded earlier that day. The words of the Young General spoken here, a 100 li from the capital, might very well have reached the Qin family in the capital, or at the very least, have spreaded widely by now.
Yueqian and the Young General’s affair had been the subject of widespread gossip all along. Yueqian’s reprehensible behavior, such as shouting at and physically assaulting every woman who approached the Young General, was a source of public mockery.
Such actions of her, even those commoners who looked at the Young General could not avoid. This caused the rapid spread of rumors about her malevolence.
As time passed, when she was exiled, people celebrated joyously, unaware that whether Yueqian was present or not, their lives would continue as usual. After her departure, it wasn’t that their difficulties had ceased. It seemed they began to reminisce about the gossip surrounding her.
Indeed... their lives hadn’t been particularly joyous before, but with Yueqian’s notorious actions, they had something to discuss joyously.
The story of Yueqian became a light-hearted topic of conversation among them since who knows when, and they were oblivious to the fact that despite her vileness, she had never truly disturbed their peace.
It was the women seeking to get involved with the Young General who likely felt the deepest resentment, as they were harshly rebuked and embarrassed every time they tried to throw themselves at the man.
That was their grief, spreading rumors widely in retaliation.
However, a new story emerged two to three months after the silence—words from the Young General suggesting affection for Yueqian, and that the Villainess Qin’s actions were driven by jealousy over her fiancé. This news once again sparked discussions among them.
Even the soldiers in the army took an interest in this matter. The large, burly men looked at Mu Heng with discomfort, understanding him a bit more since they were also a man, he must feel like his wife was being snatched from his embrace. How could he not feel miserable?
He did not even die, yet it seemed like his wife was to leave him for another man...
"Master Mu Heng," as Mu Heng paid no mind to the murmurs around him, a voice suddenly called out to him first.
The man was dressed in a military uniform unlike the common ones, cloaked entirely in black, pacing with a clearly expensive and well-crafted sword in hand. His face was impassive, his eyes sharp as if he saw through everything.
Mu Heng raised his eyebrows questioningly as the man who had called his name explained the reason for summoning him.
"The general wishes to speak with you privately. May I escort Master Mu to the general’s large tent, please?" Although this was phrased as a question, everyone understood that when a general summons, ordinary villagers can hardly refuse.
Mu Heng looked at the other party calmly, feeling no pressure whatsoever. He considered in his head before speaking. freewёbnoνel.com
"Yes, but I must first return home to inform my wife. By now, she must be preparing a meal waiting for me." The young man, who prioritized his wife above all else, shrugged offhandedly. He didn’t care for the despicable general, same for his subordinates!
