Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 149: Will I get used to the fear?

"Quitting so soon? You won't get far in cultivation with that attitude," Wuyi chided. He picked up a mysterious Black Bamboo stick, its purpose still unknown to him, though he suspected it might contain a trace of demonic Qi.

"You've got around forty-five frontline Qi initiate warriors, sixteen capable Qi adept warriors, three Qi masters, and one sturdy, albeit old, fortress on strategic land. Your task is to defend a river crossing, a bridge, a stream of frightened traders, and a vulnerable Lower Town with subpar walls. What's your strategy? If it's good, I'll take credit for it and implement it.

There are wrong answers, but no single right one. A good plan keeps you alive and earns you some gold. A bad plan means death for you and many innocent lives, including some Lotus Pavilion disciples and local farmers." Wuyi looked at him intently. "Let's hear it."

Jia stroked his chin, mimicking Wuyi's gesture. "Assuming we're fully stocked and prepared?"

Wuyi nodded.

"Dispatch envoys to seek help. Negotiate with neighboring lords for support. Seal off the fortress, let the merchants fend for themselves, and brace for the enemy's arrival," Jia pondered, his eyes drifting to the woods in the distance. "Sending messengers will cost us, and our profit margins are already thin. We were struggling before this assignment came along.

But these merchants could be a financial resource. Morality aside, we could charge them for protection and share the earnings with Lady Xueyan. After all, it's her fortress we're defending with our weapons." Wuyi's eyes were also fixed on the distant woods.

The sun continued its journey across the sky.

"I'm stumped," Jia finally conceded. "Unless it's something straightforward like stocking up on more arrows or water."

Wuyi scratched his chin. "I'm somewhat relieved you can't figure it out. You're smart, and your family that you originally come from has a special bloodline to see through illusions and strategies. If it's not obvious to you, maybe it won't be to them either." He gestured out the window.

"Them? You mean the Demonics and Beasts? Wait, you want to get to know about the enemy more?" Jia inquired softly.

"Exactly. What we need is active scouting and surveillance," Wuyi explained. "Starting in a few hours, I'll be sending our Qi warriors out as rapid scouts. The goal is to get to know the land, locate the enemy, and then proceed to ambush, pester, and annoy them until they decide we're too much trouble.

If they opt to lay siege, they'll be leaving a trail of their own blood—or whatever substitutes for their blood—through those woods."

Jia looked at his trembling hands. "You plan to venture into the forest again?"

"If the advantage lies in the forest, then that's where we'll take it," Wuyi said. "I'm not going myself, as you know I'm not the one who goes forward to face danger. You think our enemies are invincible, made of malevolent Qi.

I think they're just as human as we are, with archers and woodsmen who lack basic military skills—I can even see the smoke from their campfires from here." Wuyi placed a hand on Jia's shoulder. "Ask yourself, why is the main force of our enemy to the southwest? Do you remember what direction we came from when we were coming to this fort?"

"We came from the southwest," Jia replied.

"Exactly," Wuyi nodded.

Jia whistled softly. "By the heavens, have they overlooked us?"

Wuyi grinned. "You're catching on, young Jia. They've decided to ignore us, probably because of our preparations and our recent raid. They don't want to face our warriors right now; they plan to capture Xiang stronghold first, then they want to attack us. But there's a reason you don't simply bypass a fortress, and we're about to teach them that lesson.

Unless," he added, his youthful exuberance showing for a moment, "this is all an elaborate trap."

Jia swallowed hard. "Besides, their human collaborators are also in that direction—southwest. Don't point; I have a feeling some of those birds might be their spies," Wuyi said, turning his gaze away.

"Even birds can be spies? Does this mean they can see our every move?" Jia exclaimed.

"Exactly," Wuyi responded, clearly pleased. "Now, head to the dining hall, grab some paper, and jot down all your ideas for defending this place. After that, go polish something. But first, bring me some wine."

"I was scared. During the skirmish with the Flying Serpent, I was so terrified I could hardly move. When I saw the massive specter, I lost all my courage," Jia confessed, breathing heavily. "I can't stop replaying it in my mind."

Wuyi nodded. "I get it. But you fought the serpent, which is more than I can say for myself."

"But you're different. Everyone knows you're the wise young master, not a warrior. As a warrior, I need to battle and defeat enemies. Will it get easier for me? Will I get used to the fear?" Jia asked.

"No," Wuyi shook his head. "I don't think anyone ever really gets used to it. You'll always feel fear. What you do get accustomed to is how that fear manifests, how it grips you. You learn that you can face it. Now, go get that wine, have a couple of cups yourself, and get back to your duties."

"Understood, Young Master."

The fortress was a hive of activity, with a steady stream of men and supplies moving up and down the hill, from the fortress to Bridge Castle. The Ballistae crossbows on the towers fired practice shots into the fields, and trusted Qi warriors led patrols into the surrounding farmlands—cautious, vigilant patrols on swift horses.

The nearby villagers had heeded the alarm bells and yesterday's call to arms. Binatan, the largest village, was now empty, but the more remote ones had only sent children to inquire further, and none had brought any of their valuable grain unless escorted by warriors or soldiers.

These scouts were either sent to gather the hesitant villagers or to guide out those who had thought the alarm was just a drill.

"And who's going to compensate us for our grain?" questioned a robust middle-aged man, his arms muscular from years of archery and his brown hair still full. "This grain is my life's savings, elder. We save it all winter to sell in the spring when the traders arrive. Who's covering the cost now?"

All such inquiries were tactfully and decisively redirected by Wuyi's warriors to Lady Xueyan's subordinates. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon on the third day, the underground storage rooms were brimming with grain. An additional pile of grain lay at the base of the hillside path leading to the fortress, the aftermath of a cart that had broken free and shattered.

Now, every cart ascending or descending was secured with ropes connected to the gate winches, and the main gate had remained open throughout the day.

The surplus grain had an unexpected consequence: it attracted flocks of birds, eager for an easy meal. Archers, led by Jin, captured them with nets.

The fortress was so crowded that people were contemplating sleeping on straw laid over the cold stone floors, despite the evening chill. Torches illuminated the courtyard, and a bonfire blazed in its center, casting a warm glow on the towers, the main building, and the shimmering windows of the Sleeping Chambers.

Chickens—by the hundreds—scattered around the courtyard and the rocky ridge below the gate. Pigs rummaged through the waste at the cliff's base, nearly two hundred in total. The sheep pen, situated close to the eastern walls, was also overflowing.

In the fading light, one could see from Lady Xueyan's hall a dozen Qi warriors and an equal number of archers herding another thousand sheep from the eastern farmlands.

Wuyi stood in Lady Xueyan's hall, observing the patrols, the influx of sheep, and the formal sealing of the gate. He watched as Wanxie, one of his archers, conducted the hour-long changing of the guard ceremony in the main building. Wanxie led the outgoing watch around the entire perimeter before replacing them with fresh troops.

The ceremony was both impressive and efficient, serving to awe the villagers, most of whom had never seen such a display of armed warriors.

Wuyi let out a soft sigh. "Ceremonies such as this are a waste of time."

Nearby, Lady Xueyan responded, "If not on ceremonies, then on what should we spend our time?"

Wuyi glanced at Lady Xueyan. "Perhaps deflowering a few virgins; now that would be a good use of time."

"Do you have a specific virgin in mind?" Lady Xueyan inquired.

"I'm far too elevated for such worldly matters," Wuyi replied, a smile gracing his lips.

"You're trying to hide your anxiousness with humor, because nothing has attacked us yet," Lady Xueyan observed.

Wuyi shook his head. "I'd rather be the butt of jokes among all the soldiers in the Empire than confront those creatures. I'm not sure why they've allowed us to take cover. Sometimes, I fear our walls are already compromised, or that we have infiltrators among us. But honestly, I hope they're as clueless about us as we are about them. Two days ago, we were easy targets.

Now, if fear doesn't break us, we could hold out for a year." He looked at her concerned expression.