Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 125, Third Visit to the Thatched Cottage

Ten days later, at dawn.

The west gate of Starfire Fortress opened silently, and a troop of about two hundred cavalrymen filed out. The knights wore light but sturdy leather armor, covered by greyish-brown cloaks. Bows and crossbows and standard-issue ring-pommel swords hung beside their saddles. Their horses had gags in their mouths and cloth-wrapped hooves, moving swiftly and silently, clearly an elite force. Leading the group was Chen Xing, dressed in a black, riding-friendly outfit with a dust cloak, a steel sword at his waist, and a calm expression. Chen Wei followed closely behind, his eyes warily scanning their surroundings.

The group also included several guides and two scouts carefully selected by Li Shu who were familiar with the conditions of the northwest border region. They did not carry any flags and, like ordinary caravan guards, traveled slowly towards Black Wind Ridge in the northwest.

The journey of four hundred li, though not extremely long, involved mostly mountainous and hilly terrain, and required navigating around areas controlled by unknown forces and treacherous terrain. Chen Xing and his group traveled by day and rested by night, carefully avoiding large groups of refugees or unidentified armed groups, and using their powerful bows and crossbows to intimidate and disperse any small groups of spying. Five days later, they finally arrived at the outskirts of Black Wind Ridge.

Black Wind Ridge is not a single peak, but a continuous, sparsely vegetated, gray-black mountain range with steep slopes, jagged rocks, and the few available passages are quite treacherous. According to scouts, Dian Xiong's camp was set up on a natural platform halfway up the main peak, backed by a cliff, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

"My lord, we are approaching the Black Wind Ridge territory. Dian Xiong's men should have already spotted us," Chen Wei said in a low voice as he rode closer. He noticed a faint reflection on the distant mountain ridge, likely from the bronze mirrors of lookouts or the glint of weapons.

"Yes, no need to conceal anything. Raise my banner and advance slowly," Chen Xing ordered. A large red banner with the character "Chen" in gold flames was raised by the flag bearer, fluttering in the dry mountain wind. The procession slowed down, adopting a clear, non-aggressive marching posture.

Sure enough, after traveling only a few miles, a dozen or so riders emerged from a narrow pass ahead. Each was a skilled warrior, wielding spears and bows and arrows, blocking their path. The leader, a dark-skinned man with sharp eyes, shouted, "Halt! This is Black Wind Ridge territory. Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Chen Wei stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Lord Chen Xing of Xinghuo Fortress has come to pay a visit to Dian Xiong of Black Wind Ridge, the brave warrior Dian! Please announce my arrival."

"Spark Fortress? Chen Xing?" The leader was clearly taken aback, obviously having heard of this name that had recently become the most prominent in the North. He looked the well-equipped and disciplined team up and down, especially at the imposing "Chen" banner, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he did not lower his guard. "Wait a moment!" He turned and whispered a few words to one of his men, who immediately turned his horse around and galloped into the mountains to report the news.

After waiting for about half an hour, the messenger returned and whispered a few words in the leader's ear. The leader nodded, looked at Chen Xing and the others, and spoke in a slightly gentler tone, but still with a hint of distance: "My chieftain said that Lord Xinghuo Fortress is a guest from afar, please come with me. However, to avoid any misunderstanding, the accompanying guards must not exceed twenty people, and they must unstring their bows. We will temporarily entrust our weapons to you for safekeeping, and we will return them when we descend the mountain."

Chen Wei frowned, about to speak, but Chen Xing had already dismounted and said calmly, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Chen Wei, you take eighteen men and come with me up the mountain. The rest of you wait here and remain on guard." As he spoke, he untied the steel sword from his waist and handed it along with the bow and crossbow to the guards beside him, indicating that they should do as he was told.

Seeing Chen Xing's straightforwardness, the leader's expression softened somewhat, and he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Fortress Master Chen is decisive, please!"

Chen Xing, accompanied only by Chen Wei and eighteen of his most elite personal guards, followed the guide as they climbed the rugged and steep mountain path. Along the way, they saw many sentry posts, both visible and hidden. Although the guards were dressed in a disheveled manner, they were strong and vigilant, and their positions were quite organized, showing that Dian Xiong was not a mere rabble.

Reaching the halfway point of the mountain, a breathtaking view suddenly opened up before us. A platform, roughly several tens of acres in size, was built against the mountainside, backed by a near-vertical cliff, and in front of it stood a crude but sturdy wooden and stone fortress. Inside the fortress were numerous wooden huts and tents, and soldiers were drilling in the central open space, their shouts faintly audible. Although it was a bandit camp, it was orderly and did not feel particularly dirty or chaotic.

The gates of the stockade swung open, revealing a towering giant, nearly nine feet tall, with a bare torso revealing his bulging, iron-like muscles. He wore only a pair of short trousers and held a thick, dark iron spear. He stood in the open space inside the gate. He had a leopard's head, piercing eyes, a swallow's jaw, and a tiger's beard. His face was dark and shiny, and he exuded a fierce and savage aura, like an ancient beast poised to pounce. Dozens of equally valiant men surrounded him, all staring intently at Chen Xing and his group as they entered the stockade.

This person must be Dian Xiong, Dian Ziwei.

Chen Xing remained calm and walked steadily to a stop about ten steps in front of Dian Xiong. He cupped his hands in greeting, neither humble nor arrogant: "Chen Xing of Xinghuo Fortress has long admired the valiant warrior Dian Xiong's reputation and has come to pay my respects today."

Dian Xiong's large, bell-like eyes sized Chen Xing up and down. He noticed that although Chen Xing was young, he possessed a composed demeanor and clear gaze, showing no fear even under the deliberate pressure Dian Xiong exerted. Dian Xiong inwardly praised him. However, his face remained expressionless as he spoke in a gruff voice, "Lord of Starfire Fortress? Heh, you've been the most talked-about person in the North lately, haven't you? Destroying Zhang Kuang of Black Mountain, what a show of power! I wonder what brings you, esteemed guest, to my desolate, backwater bandit's lair?"

His words were filled with estrangement and a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm.

Chen Xing seemed oblivious to the barb in his words, and said frankly, "The victory of Xinghuo Fortress was a fluke, achieved by the bravery of the soldiers and the support of the people, not by my own efforts alone. I have come here today not to show off my martial prowess, but because I have heard that the brave warrior Dian is the most courageous in the army and is both loyal and righteous. However, due to the framing of treacherous officials and the incompetence of his lord, this hero has fallen into disgrace and his brilliance has been obscured. I, Chen Xing, am unworthy, but I feel deeply sorry for the brave warrior. Therefore, I have come to invite him to come out of seclusion and assist me in our great cause."

These words were sincere, pointing out Dian Xiong's injustice and expressing admiration and a desire to recruit him. Many of the surrounding bandits were moved and looked at Dian Xiong.

However, Dian Xiong scoffed, slamming his spear heavily on the ground with a dull thud: "Together we for a great cause? That sounds nice! I once tried to earn some fame and glory under the King of Xiliang, but what was the result? My superiors were greedy, my lord suspicious, my merits unrewarded, and I was even framed! In this world, what wise ruler is there? It's just a world of the victors and the vanquished, the strong preying on the weak! Your Xinghuo Fortress is powerful now, but who knows if you won't be discarded once your usefulness is over? I'm living a carefree life here in Black Wind Ridge, drinking wine from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat. Why should I put up with that humiliation and be used as a tool by others?"

He stared sharply at Chen Xing: "Fortress Master Chen, I appreciate your kindness. But this Black Wind Ridge is too small to accommodate someone as important as you. Please leave! You came with courtesy today, and I will see you off with courtesy as well. The mountain stronghold is simple, and we have no good wine or food to entertain you with, so we will not keep you any longer."

They actually gave us a direct order to leave.

Chen Wei's expression darkened slightly, and he placed his hand on the hilt of his knife. Chen Xing, however, gently raised his hand to stop him.

"Everyone has their own ambitions, and we cannot force them." Chen Xing's expression remained calm, as if he himself had not been the one rejected. "I apologize for my abrupt visit today, which has disturbed your peace, brave warrior. However, my words come from the bottom of my heart. The gates of Starfire Fortress are always open to you, brave warrior. If you ever change your mind or need my help in the future, please send someone with a message, and Starfire Fortress will welcome you with open arms."

After saying that, he bowed again, said no more, turned and left, decisively and cleanly.

Dianxiong watched Chen Xing leave without any hesitation, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but ultimately he did not say anything to stop him.

The first attempt to recruit them ended in failure.

Back down the mountain and rejoining the main force, Chen Wei said somewhat resentfully, "My lord, this Dian Xiong is far too arrogant..."

Chen Xing mounted his horse, gazing at the dark mountains in the twilight, and said calmly, "How can the knot in the heart of a person who has been thwarted by his uprightness be untied by a few words? It is already a great favor that he agreed to see me and listen to me today. Let him think about it some more. Let's go back and come back in ten days."

Ten days later, Chen Xing, as expected, arrived at the foot of Black Wind Ridge again with only a small number of guards. This time, he ordered someone to inform him in advance and brought ten jars of fine liquor and twenty strong horses captured from the Black Mountain Army as gifts.

However, the reply was still a refusal. Dian Xiong didn't even go down the mountain himself, but only sent the same leader from last time to deliver a message: "My chieftain said that Lord Chen appreciates the kindness, but people from the mountains are used to being rough and uncouth and cannot stand being restrained. The gift is too valuable and we dare not accept it. Please take it back. If Lord Chen has nothing else to say, please return."

Their attitude was even colder and more distant than last time.

Chen Xing did not insist, left the gift, and took his leave again.

The second attempt to recruit him was also rejected.

When the news reached Starfire Fortress, some people were inevitably discouraged, feeling that it was a waste that their lord had condescended so much, yet Dian Xiong was so ungrateful. Even Chen Wei felt that Dian Xiong was too arrogant and might not really have the great talent that was rumored to be.

Only Chen Xing remained unmoved. He knew that for a proud and ambitious general like Dian Xiong, who had suffered significant setbacks, mere displays of courtesy and material inducements were far from sufficient. He needed to offer something more compelling, something that would truly win him over.

"It seems that words alone won't suffice." Chen Xing looked northwest, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Next time, I'll have to try a different approach. Dian Xiong is fond of martial arts and admires heroes... Perhaps, I should let him see with his own eyes what else I, the Lord of Xinghuo Fortress, am capable of besides being courteous to scholars."

A third visit to the thatched cottage is necessary to demonstrate sincerity, but it also requires showcasing strength commensurate with that sincerity. The plan for a third trip to Black Wind Ridge was already brewing in Chen Xing's mind.