Chapter 58: Fulfilling the Promise

The Liao West military camp was mainly established to guard against the Yan Kingdom, and it was only about twenty kilometers from the Liao Sea Pass. Not long after Jing Ke crossed the pass, he was escorted by the cavalry to Xuan Jian.

“Good! You’re a true man! I never expected you would really come back!” Xuan Jian still recognized this youth, reeking of alcohol. A man of his word! He admitted to himself that he could not achieve such resolve—even when it came to betraying the Net. This was a powerful swordsman and also a commanding general, so Jing Ke dared not act too carelessly.

“Greetings, General. May I ask where King Linbei is? I, Jing Ke, have come to fulfill my promise.”

He did not regret his decision. His only disappointment was that this northern land of Yanhuang was not the true ruler of the realm. However, his role was merely to run errands for the North King; he would never participate in an invasion of the Central Plains. This was a youth of boundless loyalty and righteousness—surely he would become a figure of note in the future.

Nodding inwardly, Xuan Jian grew increasingly satisfied the more he looked. “The King is not currently in the main city of Liaodong. I will have a squad of my personal guards escort you to meet him.”

The new regime was not yet mature, and Liao was still under martial law, with numerous checkpoints; without orders, no one was allowed to leave their domain. Jing Ke had just entered the pass and was immediately surrounded by cavalry, witnessing firsthand the strictness of Liao North.

“Thank you, General!”

Xuan Jian was a man of few words. He smiled and nodded, then immediately prepared the documents and military orders for Jing Ke. The official document was made in duplicate: one copy for Jing Ke, and one sent directly to the cabinet as a backup. The military order was simply an identification token—a tiger-shaped bronze badge proving Xuan Jian’s identity. Xuan Jian had several of the small tiger tokens crafted by the King.

Jing Ke was impatient and did not linger in Liao West to rest; he changed horses and departed at once. The mouth of the Liao River at Liaodong Bay was not far from the Liao West camp, and by sunset, Jing Ke and his party arrived near the dock.

Just a few miles from the dock, they were intercepted by a squad of cavalry.

“This is the General’s order from Liao West. We have been instructed to escort the young hero to meet the King.”

The cavalry squad leader only checked the tiger token, knowing nothing about the documents.

“Good! Follow me; it’s almost time for dinner!”

Thinking of eating fish again, the squad leader felt time was moving too quickly. For ten days straight, all they ate was fish, and he could no longer taste the flavor of food.

Previously, the Yan army stationed in Liaodong numbered over a hundred thousand, and later the local landlords moved most of the grain, leaving Liao land extremely short of food. They also had to trade some grain for cattle and sheep with the Donghu people, so now the northern army’s rations consisted mostly of fish.

Xuan Jian’s personal guards were mostly Donghu tribesmen, but a minority were Yan people from Liao North. The squad leader used to be a Yan cavalryman, promoted because he spoke Donghu.

The sun set in the west, its vast crimson light still bright. This was the last brightness before nightfall.

“Eh! This city!” Jing Ke frowned, for he had never heard of such towering city walls here.

Under the setting sun, the twelve-meter-high stone walls curved like a semicircle along the Liao River.

The squad leader was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered. His own parents now lived in a fortified town that had similarly sprung up overnight.

Heh! The small commander secretly rejoiced. As a personal guard of the Wu family, his favorite pastime was introducing the new royal city to outsiders.

“This is our empire’s new royal city. The walls are twelve meters high and six meters wide. The King said: the royal city has a diameter of eighteen kilometers.”

“The entire Liao River is enclosed within the city. Though not yet complete, it will rival the famous cities of the world.”

The royal city was only a few kilometers from the harbor, but ordinary people couldn’t approach the port, and the squad leader had to keep its details secret.

Jing Ke didn’t know what meters or kilometers were, but the endless city walls before him were impressive enough.

“There wasn’t a wall like this here before, was there?”

The squad leader nodded with satisfaction and lifted his visor, pleased.

“Of course not. The King built this with two thousand cavalry and three hundred craftsmen! I myself was involved!”

Of course, the squad leader and the cavalry only did menial tasks like filling earth for the wall; these dozens of men couldn’t even move a single stone slab.

Modern cities liked to design barbican gates at the entrances—two gates and a semicircular protruding wall.

Near the gate, the squad leader continued his tour guide routine.

“Two days ago, the chief foreman, Ma Baoguo and his brother, suggested constructing a barbican, and even General Wu Song agreed. But young hero, do you know how the King responded?”

How would I know? Just tell me! Jing Ke could only shake his head, eyes full of curiosity.

Heh, the small commander chuckled, his iron mesh visor slipping down again.

“The King smiled faintly, just as I do, then leapt atop the carriage.”

Just say it, stop laughing!

Jing Ke frowned.

“The King’s words still shake me to this day.”

“He said: ‘If the enemy is at the city gates, no matter how many walls you build, it is a failure for the empire! The Yanhuang Northern Army will destroy the enemy at the border, and never allow anyone to threaten the royal city!’”

“After that, the generals and commanders were deeply ashamed, and no one mentioned the barbican again.”

Jing Ke was somewhat disappointed. He had expected something grand, but it was just empty boasting.

Even the mighty Western Qin had its capital besieged; the vast Chu Kingdom had to relocate its royal seat. Jing Ke admitted the Northern Kingdom was strong, but not yet on par with Chu or Qi, let alone Western Qin.

[Commander, Jing Ke has arrived.]

As they approached the city walls, they were locked onto by the Mind Shadow.

“What! It’s him!”

“He actually came! This fellow is as stubborn as ever!”

Surprised—very surprised—Lin Shu could barely remember Jing Ke.

The King rushed to the carriage, ignoring the seafood roasting on the grill. Wu Song swallowed a few bites of crab and ran to his prized steed. The Ma brothers glanced at each other, then stood and followed.

Ordinary soldiers dined on salted fish, while the King and his commanders enjoyed fresh seafood, wild vegetables, fruits, and seaweed—each meal was different.

As the divine carriage set out, soldiers strolling with salted fish quickly stepped aside. At the end of their shift, they did not salute, but silently watched.

“He’s here! It’s him!”

The carriage emerged from the haze, and Jing Ke felt a sudden anxiety in his heart.

Even when facing the dark knight Xuan Jian, he had not felt this way. He believed he would grow stronger and someday not lose to them.

But before this giant tiger carriage and the North King, Jing Ke could not muster any desire to compete.

“Your Majesty!” As soon as the divine carriage arrived, the squad leader dismounted.

Jing Ke also dismounted, stepping forward to face Lin Shu.

Jing Ke was quite handsome, but his dusty, ragged appearance resembled a wanderer.

“Good! Jing Ke, I knew I was right about you!”

“Such boundless loyalty! You really did come!”

Lin Shu could not help but admire him. He himself would never do such a thing.

Once, he had promised a few women to love them for life, but as soon as they left, he immediately moved on. Women of later generations: today in your arms, tomorrow perhaps in someone else’s bed! Betrayal, deceit, departure—he was used to it.

Sighing inwardly, Jing Ke straightened up.

“A promise once spoken cannot be taken back! From now on, Jing Ke is willing to serve Your Majesty, running errands and carrying bags!”

Jing Ke was not seeking office—he sought peace of mind.

Lin Shu shook his head: “The empire is in dire need of people, and a hero renowned throughout the Seven States—I dare not treat you lightly!”

Renowned throughout the Seven States—that could be, but not now, nor in the next few years. Jing Ke was self-aware.

“Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty, but Jing Ke prefers not to witness the flames of war. With little talent and ability, I can only serve as a retainer.”

Wait—this scene is familiar!

Thinking back, Lin Shu laughed: Jing Ke was imitating King Xiao Feng of the Southern Court! Though, who knows who learned from whom.

“Good! True to your name, Jing Ke! You have fulfilled your promise! Tomorrow, you shall return to Wei. From now on, do not oppose the empire again!”

Since he was unwilling to join the Northern Army, there was no point in keeping him.

Lin Shu had no need for him as a civil official—the cultural outlook of this era was too different from his own.