The Traitor

"Come, come, come!"

"Cheers!"

"Congratulations on the birth of your son, General Jun!"

The banquet was filled with clinking glasses and laughter as Jun Yi drank cup after cup. Kong Xian and Li Chengxiao accompanied him, occasionally making light-hearted jokes.

Luo Yu had slipped back at some point, and Xiao Shaoyou glanced at him:

"Got it?"

"Trust me," Luo Yu's lips curled into a cold smile:

"Good show coming up."

After several rounds of drinks, Jun Yi suddenly stood up boldly, as if he had something to say. The hall instantly fell silent.

"Fellow officers, you all know that the Western Qiang have a large force outside Yunyang Pass. As military leaders, we shouldn't be celebrating so lavishly. But I've been hoping for this son for over a decade, and I'm truly happy, so I invited you all to Drunken Immortal Tower with the approval of General Kong and General Li.

For this, I specially prepared fine wine from home, aged for five years, with a very sweet taste. Please all try it today!"

"Great!"

"Let's try General Jun's fine wine!"

"Ha ha ha!"

"Bring the wine!"

With Jun Yi's wave, maids who had been waiting outside slowly entered, each carrying a jug of wine. They filled everyone's cups, the aroma of the wine filling the air.

All these hardened soldiers who had tasted many old wines knew this was top-notch wine, far better than Drunken Immortal Tower's wine. Their eyes lit up.

"I have something to say too."

The nominal commander of Yunyang Pass, Kong Xian, raised his cup:

"First, let's congratulate General Jun on the birth of his son. I hear General Jun has several concubines. If he keeps having sons, perhaps we'll have several more generals defending the border in the future.

But then again, it depends on whether General Jun has the ability."

"Ha ha ha!"

The hall erupted in laughter, Jun Yi himself grinning from ear to ear.

"Also, there's one more thing. As General Jun just said, the enemy is at our doorstep. After this drink, all our soldiers must unite, fight bravely, and repel the Qiang invaders to keep our Great Qian border safe!"

"Understood!"

"Let's drink to this!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone drank heartily, each praising Jun's wine, the compliments never ending. Jun Yi smiled even wider, as this was wine he had brought from his family at great expense, not ordinary stuff.

In the crowd, only Han Shuo shook his head and looked at Luo Yu:

"Ah, since drinking your wine, no other wine tastes good. This wine is much worse than what you brew with your family's secret recipe."

"Thank you, Commandant!"

"I'm not complimenting you," Han Shuo glared at him: "I'm reminding you about the twenty jars of wine you owe me. The two jars you gave me before are almost gone."

"Ah, Commandant, brewing this wine takes a lot of time. Please wait, I wouldn't dare cheat you."

Luo Yu laughed it off. His still could only produce a little over one jar of wine after a day and night of brewing. Twenty jars wouldn't be ready anytime soon.

"Alright, don't try to trick me, or I'll skin you alive!"

Despite Han Shuo's intimidating appearance, Luo Yu wasn't concerned because the main seat's Li Chengxiao had also stood up, about to speak.

"Fellow officers."

Li Chengxiao spoke loudly: "Four thousand Qiang soldiers are at our doorstep, with formidable fighting strength. Our city's defenses are insufficient. I want to ask General Kong today, what strategy do you have to repel the enemy?"

Kong Xian's brows furrowed, displeased:

"Today is General Jun's happy day. Is it appropriate to bring up these matters? Besides, Yunyang Pass has strong walls and can hold out for months. Why spread defeatism?

The situation isn't as dire as you say."

"Is that so? The city is already in turmoil even without an attack. I see them building siege weapons. Will we have time to plan when they attack?

When the battle starts, everyone here will likely die on the battlefield."

The hall, which had been filled with laughter, suddenly fell silent. They sensed something was wrong.

Li Chengxiao smiled:

"If General Kong has no strategy, I have an idea."

"Let's hear it."

"How about we open the gates and surrender to the Qiang? This way, one, we avoid dying under Qiang hooves, and two, we can secure wealth and glory for our brothers."

At these words, the hall fell completely silent. Many officers stared wide-eyed, almost unable to believe their ears.

Xiao Shaoyou's gaze instantly turned cold:

"It's really him! Damn traitor!"

"Li Chengxiao, what do you mean?"

Kong Xian shouted angrily: "Are you going to be a traitor and collaborator! You're from the Longxi borderlands, don't you know that if the Qiang enter, the three states of Longxi will suffer?

I see you're tired of living!"

"Kong Xian!"

Li Chengxiao shouted coldly:

"Don't lecture me about principles. Because I'm from the borderlands, I know how terrifying the Qiang are. We're no match for them with our current strength!

In recent years, Yunyang Pass has been breached twice by Qiang forces, with all defenders massacred. Don't you want to live?"

"Outrageous!"

Kong Xian slammed the table:

"Guards, seize him!"

"Thud thud thud!"

None of Kong Xian's guards appeared. Instead, seven or eight of Li Chengxiao's trusted men simultaneously drew their swords, standing menacingly at the four corners of the hall. Anyone who moved would be cut down.

Everyone had surrendered their weapons before entering, yet Li Chengxiao's men still had swords. Clearly, he had been planning this for a long time!

The situation instantly became tense.

"Enough, General Kong and everyone here."

Li Chengxiao casually sipped his wine:

"Your men were drugged as soon as they entered Drunken Immortal Tower. No one can save you now."

"Li Chengxiao, have you gone mad!"

Jun Yi shouted angrily: "Do you dare to kidnap so many of us? Don't forget, I and General Kong still have thousands of soldiers. Do you think your men can stop them?"

"Ha ha, if I was afraid, I wouldn't have moved."

Li Chengxiao smiled: "I've already made arrangements with the Qiang forces to open the gates and surrender. Once four thousand Qiang cavalry enter the city, do you think your troops will be able to stop them?

Also, the wine you just drank was laced with knockout drugs. Soon you'll all be unconscious. How will you fight me?"

"Li Chengxiao, you traitor! Scoundrel!"

Kong Xian cursed, while others looked despairing.

No one expected Li Chengxiao to be so ruthless. Not only was he planning to betray, but he wanted to kill them all.

"Li Chengxiao, you're too cruel."

Luo Yu shouted coldly: "Aren't you afraid of being cursed by the people?"

"You insolent fool, what right do you have to speak! I'll tear you apart to vent my anger!"

Li Chengxiao's smile grew more manic:

"Now you only have one chance to live - submit to me. If I'm in a good mood, I might spare your lives.

Otherwise, I'll count to three, and you'll all be unconscious."

Everyone's faces changed. Did they have to collude with this traitor to survive?

"One."

"Two."

"Three!"

"Thud thud thud!"

After the third count, several burly men indeed collapsed.

But it wasn't Kong Xian or Jun Yi who fell, but Li Chengxiao's trusted men.

"What, what's happening?"

Li Chengxiao was stunned. This shouldn't happen.

"General Li's knockout drug is impressive. You really did make them fall after three counts."

Luo Yu slowly stood up, smiling:

"Do you still think you can kill us?"