The Nine Cauldrons

I gave an inch, he took a mile

Clop! Clop! Clop!

The concentrated sound of horse hooves banging against the ground could be heard as a speedy cavalry unit advanced on the public road rapidly, as if they were a black dragon.

The soldiers of the Black Armored Army formed groups of hundred and advanced in formation. The first hundred-man group was at the forefront with the fifth at the back. Although the sergeants had to advance according to the formation, the five centurions and the lieutenants were allowed to patrol around and inspect the troops.

“Elder Brother Tian Dan, if my Black Armored Army encounters bandits or robbers, should I just attack immediately?” Teng Qingshan was still slightly surprised from the reaction of the Black Armored Army just now.

An hour after departing Jiangning County City, the Black Armored Army had encountered a team of bandits. Lieutenant Bai Qi had only shouted “Kill!” once and the entire Black Armored Army had charged toward the team of bandits, which numbered over hundred people, with no hesitation — as if they were crushing a group of ants.

“Brother Qingshan.” The other Centurion, Tian Dan, who was riding beside Teng Qingshan, smiled and said, “It seems that it’s your first time bringing a big army out! Therefore, you don’t know about the rules of our Black Armored Army. Whenever our Black Armored Army marches, if we encounter bandits or robbers, we kill them all with no mercy. At the same time, this can also be used as training for the soldiers! These bandits and robbers used to rob and kill ordinary people, thus, we should kill them!”

Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile.

He felt ill-disposed toward the bandits and robbers. Men have strength and courage, so why kill and rob people?

“However, you’re really kind-hearted. You actually saved that elder and youngster, just now.” Tian Dan said. Tian Dan had seen the scene clearly. Teng Qingshan wasn’t originally at the front. To save the elder and teenager, he’d immediately accelerated to the forefront and had flung away the elder and teenager.

If Teng Qingshan had been slightly slower, the two would’ve been pierced to death by the huge mass of the Black Armored Army.

Since it would be impossible for the ordinary Back Armored soldiers to hurl away the two instantly while they were charging speedily.

“I saw those bandits pursuing the elder and that youngster from afar. To me, it’s just helping casually without any need to exert a lot of strength. But to them, it meant that their lives would be kept safe. So why not?” Teng Qingshan said as he rode on the Azure Treading On Snow Horse.

When Tian Dan heard, he laughed.

In the midst of the laughter, the Black Armored Army advanced rapidly.

……

They departed during early morning and the sun hung high up in the sky now.

On the public road, the Black Armored Army continued to advance without any rest.

“It’s the Black Armored Army. Quickly, make way!” The merchants and pedestrians that saw the Black Armored Army from afar hastily ran to the side of the public road, worrying that they might be trampled to death if they had blocked the way.

Teng Qingshan rode on the war horse and scanned the pedestrians beside the road. Those pedestrians either had a frightened or admiring expression on their faces and they didn’t even dare to look at the Black Armored Army with their backs straight. When they smelled the bloody scent of the Black Armored Army, those pedestrians’ faces even became pale.

“That spearhead has bloodstains!”

“There’s mince meat on the armor of that horse’s leg.” the pedestrians said softly, as the fear in their hearts increased.

The Black Armored Army swept past like wind and soon became distant.

“In the past, when I went to Yi City with my father and the others, we would be worried about encountering bandits. However, the bandits are the ones afraid of us now!” Along the way, Teng Qingshan noticed the domineering attitude of the Black Armored Army. Along the way, no one dared to block them and not one person dared to walk before the Black Armored Army.

This is the prestige of the Black Armored Army!

Unstoppable!

“Qinghu, we have entered the region of Yi City. Our troops will enter Yi City later for lunch and some rest. You and I can go home and eat lunch and assemble with the army later.” Teng Qingshan rode his war horse by Teng Qinghu’s side and said.

“Yes. It’s been a long time since we have last returned home.” Teng Qinghu was looking forward to it.

To go to Yi City, they would have to advance along the big road, but to go to Teng Jia Village, they would have to follow the route along the mountainside before they could get to Teng Jia Village.

“Jia!” Teng Qingshan hastened the horse and dashed to the vanguard part of the troops.

“Eh?” The lieutenant, Bai Qi, at the vanguard cast a glance at Teng Qingshan, who had accelerated to the front, and furrowed his eyebrows involuntarily.

“Lieutenant.” Teng Qingshan opened his mouth and said.

“Oh, Qingshan. What do you want?” Lieutenant Bai Qi said with a smile.

“Lieutenant, there will soon be a junction of three roads in front of us! My house is in the region of Yi City. I plan to go home with my cousin. You can eat lunch and rest in Yi City and my cousin and I will assemble with the army later. It has been some time since I have went home and I really do miss home.” Teng Qingshan smiled and replied.

Lieutenant Bai Qi furrowed his brows.

Teng Qingshan then continued, saying, “The Sovereign also permitted this!” That Zhuge Yuanhong did talked about this. Thus, Teng Qingshan dared to make this request.

“The Sovereign permitted?” Lieutenant Bai Qi’s face fell and he scolded, “Teng Qingshan! The officers of different levels are responsible for all minor matters in the Black Armored Army! The Sovereign does not care about all of these. The Sovereign only intercedes and take over only when it is a big thing. As for a trivial matter like you going home, that is under me! You just joined my Black Armored Army and you want to ignore the martial law, when it’s just your first time leading a unit out?”

Hearing his words, Teng Qingshan furrowed his brows.

This Lieutenant Bai Qi is making it difficult for him again.

“Lieutenant, three soldiers went home to visit their family.” Teng Qingshan said. As they are just heading to the garrison, going back during lunch and rest time should just be a trivial matter.

“They are ordinary soldiers!” Lieutenant Bai Qi reprimanded, “You are the centurion and should set an example! How can you leave so casually? Moreover, they are veterans! They haven’t been home for a year or more, but what about you? How long has it been since you left home? Seventeen years and you still haven’t grown up? A man’s aspiration is to travel and make his mark! How can you miss your home already?”

This Lieutenant Bai Qi scolded Teng Qingshan as he wanted with a superior tone.

Teng Qingshan’s face fell as he spoke, “Regarding these, there’s no need for the Lieutenant’s discipline!”

“I have no authority over those stuffs. However, whether you leave the army or not is under my supervision! Veterans can visit their relatives temporarily, but rookies cannot go home!” Lieutenant Bai Qi said coldly. “Teng Qingshan, during the march of the army, if you dare to disobey the orders, I can order you arrested! I’ll have you kicked out of the Black Armored Army! Or even have you killed on the spot!”

Rage burned in his heart, but he had to endure it.

“This bastard is using a chicken feather as an authoritative token!” Teng Qingshan also knew the rules of Black Armored Arm. During the march and during mission, the leader of the army has the authority to kill the person that disobeys the martial law, no matter who the person is! This army rule was not something extraordinary, since the order of an army couldn’t allow to be disturbed during a crucial moments of the mission.
However, this is only an ordinary mission of guarding the mines.

“Teng Qingshan, wait until the next time you carry out a mission. By that time, if you want to visit your relatives, I won’t stop you. However, I won’t allow it this time.” Lieutenant Bai Qi then said “sincerely and earnestly”, “You must learn to grow up! How can a man miss his home so much?”

Teng Qingshan did not say anything. He pulled his reins and the horse slowed down, decelerating to the back of the big army.

Seeing Teng Qingshan back away, Lieutenant Bai Qi sneered secretly and thought to himself, “This fellow wants to fight with me? An outsider like you will be a centurion under me for your whole life. I will crush you as long as you live!” If you said that the first time Teng Qingshan shone under the limelight, Bai Qi only had a sense of jealousy in his heart, then after he saw the relationship between Lady Qing and Teng Qingshan become closer, envy burned in his heart.

An officer with one rank higher can crush you to death!

It would be very easy for Bai Qi to go against Teng Qingshan. Using the Army Law as an excuse, Teng Qingshan really can’t refute him. Unless Teng Qingshan doesn’t want to serve in the Black Armored Army, that is. ……
Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu rode beside each other.

“Qingshan, what’s wrong?” Teng Qinghu asked. ”Your facial expression don’t look very good.”

“We can’t go home this time.” Teng Qingshan’s facial expression really looked bad.

“What happened?” Teng Qinghu became worried. Both Teng Qingshan and Qinghu have been expecting to go home.

“It’s that Bai Qi, he suppressed me using the Army’s rules!” Teng Qingshan shook his head and said, “Qinghu, although the words that Bai Qi had said was quite unpleasant, if we disobey him, that would meant disobeying the martial law and he would have the right to kill us on the spot! Therefore, we can only endure for now and go home after a while.”

Teng Qinghu felt his great anger burning in his heart, but there was no other way he could respond.

Disobeying the martial law is a big crime.

In Yi City.

The five hundred soldiers of the Black Armored Army mounted their war horses and advanced on the broad street with great strength and vigor. On the streets, whether it’s the carriage of the wealthy and nobles or the war horses of the warriors, they were all moved to the side of the street. No one dared to block the Black Armored Army’s way. At this time, even the vendors didn’t even dare to call for customers.

“Stop!” Lieutenant Bai Qi commanded and all the men and horses halted.

On the streets, an elegant man dressed in a white gown stood before them and a dozen of soldiers followed behind him.

“Lieutenant Bai Qi, Haha. Long time no see.” the elegant man cupped his hands while greeting.

Bai Qi jumped down from the horse and cupped his hands as he smiled, “Elder Brother Yang, we haven’t seen each other for a year now. You, my brother, have been living a carefree life while, your fellow brothers, are weather-beaten.”

“I know you brothers have worked hard. I have already prepared banquets at the four restaurants around us.” the elegant man smiled and said.

Immediately, the Black Armored soldiers dismounted and scattered to eat at the four restaurants. All four restaurants have been reserved and not one customer was dining in the restaurants. Eight Black Armored soldiers sat at each table and the four restaurants were packed. As for Teng Qingshan and the other four centurions, they were also gathered at one table.

As for Lieutenant Bai Qi, he ate at the table with the Lord of Yi City.
……

In a private room, Teng Qingshan and the other four centurions sat at one table.

“Brother Qingshan, that lieutenant despises us outsiders. Don’t mind it. He’s just a narrow-minded guy!” the bald dude smiled and said to Teng Qingshan as he drank his liquor.

“Old Du, I don’t think that it’s that simple. Doesn’t Bai Qi have feelings for Lady Qing? Can’t you guys tell?” Tian Dan said. “It must be because Lady Qing became close with Brother Qingshan that Bai Qi feels jealous. Thus, he is always against Brother Qingshan. Isn’t this just a mission about guarding the mines? Is it necessary to make a big deal out of such a trivial matter?”

As Teng Qingshan drank the liquor, he made a plan in his mind. He then responded, “He didn’t allow Qinghu to be dispatch to my team last time and I conceded. It looks like he thinks I am good to bully because of my young age! I gave an inch, but he took a mile!”

Teng Qingshan is someone that has lived for two lives. Qingshan then thought to himself, “The more I yield, the more malicious he becomes! lt seems like I need to find a chance to really teach him a lesson. Otherwise, I would have to endure it in the future. Plus……I can’t disobey the martial law. I need to teach him a lesson that will even render him speechless!” Teng Qingshan pondered for a while and a plan was formed