“Have you ever experienced chasing and hunting down twenty thousand Tartars in the northern frontier with a thousand light cavalry, without sleep or rest for ten days and nights, killing thousands of enemies?” General glared at him and asked in a deep voice.

“No!” The attendant shook his head like a rattle-drum, just about to reply, but General continued, “Then have you ever infiltrated a Tartar camp of ten thousand with just seventeen men, assassinated the enemy general, burned their fodder and supplies, and retreated unscathed?” General didn’t give the attendant any chance to interrupt.

“No!” The attendant hurriedly answered, sensing General’s tone was off and not daring to be reckless.

“Have you ever ventured deep into Tartar territory, challenged and killed dozens of tribes in succession, throwing the enemy into utter chaos?”

“No!”

“Do you have the might that makes the Tartars too afraid to charge when you raise your banner?”

“No!”

“Do you have the power of being personally granted the title of Duke by the Emperor, commanding half the armies of the realm?”

“No!”

……

“Master, all these are your achievements and fortune—how could I ever be so blessed!” Sensing General’s displeasure, the attendant could only shake his head in denial, not daring to think of anything else. Now that General’s tone finally softened, he quickly flattered him.

“Even I have to respectfully call him ‘chief’ in front of that man—so what makes you think you have the right to call him ‘boy’?” Suddenly, General’s explosive roar thundered in the attendant’s ears like a bolt from the blue.

The attendant was scared out of his wits, tumbling off his horse and kneeling on the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably. The other attendant didn’t even dare to breathe, sitting motionless on his horse, gripping the reins tightly, terrified that the horse might get startled and further anger General. The entire formation, already quiet, fell into utter silence at General’s outburst; only the banners continued to snap in the scorching wind.

In the capital, General was famous for fiercely protecting his own. Even if his subordinates made mistakes, General would always shield them first, no matter what. The two attendants had experienced this flaw of General many times, and, relying on his power, had run rampant in the capital with no one daring to cross them. Who would have thought that just a small slip of address would provoke General’s thunderous wrath.

When dealing with others, both attendants had witnessed General’s might. But now that this fury was directed at themselves, who would dare have the guts? Or have enough heads for General to chop off?

“Fifty strokes with the army rod—remember that for now. When we return to the capital, go to the military tribunal and receive your punishment yourself.” General’s voice turned gentle again, but with an undeniable authority. The kneeling attendant quickly agreed. Though the army rod was painful, at least his life was spared. Mounting his horse again, the attendant stole a glance at General, exchanged a look with the other attendant, and dared not utter another word.

“What were you about to say just now?” General looked toward the county town and asked.

The other attendant, having seen what just happened, dared not speak carelessly and quickly forced a smile: “General, on this trip out of the capital, we still haven’t completed the task assigned by the Emperor…” He glanced at General nervously, afraid even this might anger him.

“It’s done!” General waved his hand, and the army continued forward. After traveling over a hundred li, suffering under the blazing sun, it was time to find a place to make camp.

“It’s… done?” The attendant looked as if he’d just swallowed a whole egg, dumbfounded.

What was that supposed to mean? Before setting out, both attendants knew exactly what their mission was. A few years ago, a strange phenomenon had appeared overnight, witnessed by most of the people in the land of Shenzhou, and even ordinary folk could sense the ominous aura it contained.

After years of calculations by those old immortals, it was determined that a land of great evil would appear here, spanning a hundred li. If not suppressed, it would surely become the source of disaster. That’s why the great General was sent: first, to relocate all the people from this place, and second, to use the talismans crafted by those old immortals to suppress this land of evil.

Chapter One: Land of Great Evil (Part Two)

The reason for choosing the great General was because he himself had committed countless killings, his murderous aura soaring to the heavens, so that ordinary demons dared not approach. All the soldiers he brought were strictly selected virgins, their specially cultivated masculine energy enough to completely suppress any possible demons here.

This place was already desolate, with no sign of people for dozens of li. It was understandable that General hadn’t relocated any civilians, but how could he have done nothing at all, turned around and left, and still claim the mission was complete?

“But… how will we explain this to the Emperor?” the attendant asked anxiously.

“We’ll say the same thing to the Emperor!” General didn’t care at all. “Just report the truth when we return. Don’t worry, the chief is an old acquaintance of the Emperor!”

“T-the Emperor’s… old acquaintance!” The attendant stuck out his tongue and dared not say another word. An old acquaintance of the Emperor—even a top-ranking official wouldn’t dare introduce someone that way. In other words, anyone who could be called that must be truly extraordinary. His companion’s earlier form of address was indeed inappropriate.

“Are you wondering why, after meeting that person, I was in such a hurry to return, not even bothering with the mission?” Perhaps because he was in a good mood after seeing an old friend, General now seemed more talkative and excited.