The True Traitor!

Watching the warhorses galloping in the training field, Luo Yu couldn't stop smiling.

The battle at the city gate had yielded over thirty warhorses, all of which Kong Xian had awarded to him, significantly expanding his cavalry.

The cavalry's performance in that battle was so impressive, proving that Luo Yu's training methods were effective. The soldiers were all in high spirits, following the first batch of veterans in practicing cavalry charges.

Xiao Shaoyou pouted:

"Today is New Year's Eve, why are you still training the men? Can't you let them rest after a victory?"

"Rest from what? We defeated three hundred cavalry, not three thousand."

Luo Yu's expression remained unchanged:

"Let them rest when they can defeat three thousand cavalry in broad daylight."

"Three thousand cavalry? You really dare to dream."

Xiao Shaoyou muttered: "The entire Yunyang Pass can't even muster a thousand cavalry, and you want to defeat three thousand Qiang cavalry?"

"It will happen someday."

Luo Yu's tone was calm. What Xiao Shaoyou saw as an impossible goal, Luo Yu believed he could achieve. When he could lead troops to defeat three thousand elite Qiang cavalry in open battle, he would surely be qualified to enter the Wu family's doors.

"Here comes the mutton soup!"

"Hurry up, share it with the brothers!"

Meng Hu and Xiao Wu each carried a pole, loaded with four large buckets of mutton soup. The Li family grandfather and grandson followed, carrying several baskets of steamed buns. It was New Year's Eve, and Luo Yu had asked Old Li to make extra mutton soup to celebrate the New Year with the men.

Yang'er didn't look for Luo Yu first but instead circled around Shen Li, calling her "Sister Shen" with joy.

The grandfather and grandson had been coming frequently, and Yang'er especially liked Shen Li. He often followed her in making wine, and Shen Li was very fond of this child, taking good care of him.

After playing for a while, Yang'er ran to Luo Yu in two quick steps:

"Big brother, hug hug!"

Luo Yu scooped up the child, lifting him high in the air, making Yang'er laugh uncontrollably. Luo Yu also smiled. He only smiled so genuinely when with Yang'er, because he knew children were pure and playing with him required no ulterior motives.

"Big brother, here's your New Year's gift, I made it myself."

Yang'er pulled out a windmill from behind his back, attached to a small wooden rod with several cloth strips that spun in the breeze.

"Yang'er is so clever, thank you."

Luo Yu pinched his cheek:

"Brother has prepared a New Year's gift for you too, but you'll have to wait until after the New Year. I'll come see you tomorrow."

"Oh yeah! I have a gift too! Hahaha!"

"Go play with Sister Shen then."

Yang'er skipped away happily, overjoyed.

"You only seem to smile so genuinely around children."

Xiao Shaoyou said with his arms crossed:

"I think you don't need to always look so serious. Smiling is good."

"You talk too much."

Luo Yu frowned: "What does my smile have to do with you?"

"Tch."

Xiao Shaoyou didn't care, patted his butt, and walked away:

"Clean up, there's a banquet at the general's residence tonight, both to celebrate the New Year and your victory!"

The last day of Jingfeng Year 8 had arrived.

Tonight's banquet wasn't at Drunken Immortal Tower but at Kong Xian's residence. The entire general's residence was brightly lit, just like at Drunken Immortal Tower, with guests filling the seats and laughter echoing.

"Another banquet."

Luo Yu was quite helpless, he really didn't like such scenes.

There were even more guests than at Drunken Immortal Tower, all the datus and centurions except those on night patrol were present. A group of tough men rolled up their sleeves and drank together, completely at ease.

"Hey, where's Captain Han?"

Luo Yu looked around but couldn't find Han Shuo. Xiao Shaoyou explained:

"Captain Han is on night patrol tonight, he definitely can't come. Let's just share a table and have a few drinks."

Actually, Deputy Centurion Pang Fei had come with Xiao Shaoyou, but he knew the two centurions had something to discuss, so he sat aside tactfully.

Xiao Shaoyou pulled Luo Yu to sit down, and they each poured a cup of wine:

"If it weren't for exposing Li Chengxiao as a traitor, Yunyang Pass would have been awash with blood tonight."

"Yes, we've settled one matter."

Luo Yu raised his cup: "Here's to our cooperation. Let's drink to it?"

"Ha ha, good!"

The two clinked cups and drank it all down.

After a month of interaction, they had become good friends, comrades who had risked their lives together. Luo Yu's abilities also earned Xiao Shaoyou's admiration.

"Quiet down!"

Kong Xian stood up with a smile, raising his cup high:

"Let's first toast to Brother Luo Yu, who killed a Qiang commander and achieved great merit, boosting morale. I'm very pleased!

Come, raise your cups!"

"Toast to Brother Luo!"

Several dozen rough soldiers stood up with a whoop, their eyes showing respect, envy, and admiration. Such a young centurion, who knew how high he would climb in the future.

"Thank you General Kong, thank you all!"

Luo Yu politely stood up to return the toast, drank a cup, then sat down honestly. In such occasions, Kong Xian should be the focus, no need to steal the spotlight.

"The second matter is naturally about securing a bright future for everyone."

Kong Xian's smile grew wider:

"In the new year, as long as you follow me well, I guarantee you'll live in luxury and wealth! The crisis at Yunyang Pass is nothing!"

"Thank you, General!"

Everyone laughed, but Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou's eyes narrowed slightly. Something about Kong Xian's words didn't seem right.

Kong Xian suddenly looked at Jun Yi:

"General Jun, who really calls the shots in Yunyang Pass?"

Jun Yi didn't understand his meaning, politely saying:

"You are the imperial-appointed Yunyang Pass General, naturally you call the shots."

"Ha ha, good! That's enough with those words."

Kong Xian smiled:

"Last time Li Chengxiao betrayed and almost caused disaster. The root cause was his independent army and refusal to follow orders. To ensure Yunyang Pass's safety, I think General Jun should hand over your troops for me to command?"

Jun Yi's smile vanished instantly:

"General Kong, do you know what you're saying? These are the Jun family's household troops."

"What household troops? Aren't they all imperial troops?"

Kong Xian sneered: "Would your Jun family dare defy imperial orders?"

Jun Yi was completely unafraid, mocking:

"Don't manipulate such rhetoric in front of me. Everyone knows the political situation. Who in the three provinces of Longxi would dare not give the Jun family face? I'd like to see if you have the guts to swallow the Jun family's troops!"

The situation suddenly became tense, especially Jun Yi's officers, some of whom had already stood up.

"Something's wrong." Luo Yu frowned: "Why would Kong Xian suddenly challenge Jun Yi?"

"Whoosh!"

Before the question was answered, an arrow suddenly pierced the night sky, bursting into brilliant flames. Then the entire Yunyang Pass was enveloped in deafening battle cries.

"What's happening? What's going on?"

"Report!"

A soldier stumbled into the hall, panic-stricken:

"Reporting to the general, someone opened the city gates, Qiang soldiers, Qiang soldiers have entered the city!"

"What!"

Everyone's faces changed.

"How is that possible!"

Xiao Shaoyou was stunned: "Didn't we already expose the traitor?"

Jun Yi cursed: "Who's so audacious to let Qiang soldiers in! Kong Xian, I don't have time for your nonsense. Yunyang Pass must not fall, let's lead the troops to repel..."

"Thrust!"

Before he could finish, a long sword pierced Jun Yi's chest, blood spraying out.

Kong Xian, holding the sword hilt, showed his first truly sinister expression:

"I hate your bossy attitude. From now on, I alone will command Yunyang Pass!"