Death Scripture - Chapter 871
Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations
Luo Ningcha was somewhat discontent with the situation, but at the moment, she didnât know what the problem was. After peering at the soldiers standing in the snow for quite a while, she finally asked, âHow many men do we have?â
âWe have over 2,400 Iron Mountain soldiers,â answered the chief, who was a former subordinate of the Big Head God. He had heard Luo Ningchaâs voice both when she was a little girl and when she had grown up. However, this was the his first time seeing her in person. He praised her secretly, thinking that the Big Head God hadnât been bluffing back then.
âBut why do they⊠look so few and⊠not powerful?â Luo Ningcha frowned. âYouâve seen the Norland army. They number in the hundreds of thousands, and I can tell that theyâre an army that can fight just by looking at them.â
The chief laughed. âMy lady, we canât compare to a powerful country like the Norland or the Central Plains. 2,400 is not a small number at all. Theyâre a military force to be reckoned with in the Western Regions or any other small country. Besides, over a thousand of them are veterans of the Iron Mountain army, and each of them is stronger than ten enemies combined.â
Luo Ningcha did some calculations, and she found that even if each of these 1,000 soldiers was capable of fighting ten enemies at a time, their total strength was merely equivalent to that of 10,000 soldiers. For a woman who had seen far larger armies, this number didnât qualify as âbigâ at all. âThe Dragon King frequently goes to different places with merely several thousand, and sometimes even several hundred soldiers, and his group always feels like a pretty powerful army. Why canât the Iron Mountain army be the same? Is it because you didnât train hard enough, or is it because I didnât pay you enough money?â
All the leaders lowered their heads and kept silent. Ever since the Big Head God had died, they had had a tough time. A year ago, they reunited at the Iron Mountain and thought that they could start over again and regain their former glory. But unexpectedly, they ended up becoming Golden Roc Castleâs vassals. Because of the Central Plainsâ intervention, they finally ended up returning to the daughter of the Big Head God. They didnât expect to hear such depressing words on the first day.
The chief was more familiar with this lady than the others, and he knew that she never thought twice about what she said, so he let out a couple of laughs and hoped to cover it up. âOf course money is important, but thatâs not the only reason why our brothers are gathered under this Iron Spear Flag-â
Luo Ningcha hadnât noticed the reaction of those people around her at all. Pointing at the big flag embroidered with the pattern of a spearhead, she seemed to have suddenly understood, saying, âThe problemâs the flag. Itâs not tall enough, and itâs also not big enough. Go get me another one. I want a flag that looks mighty and dignified. And figure out a way to have it constantly flap in the wind. It makes people sleepy when it droops like this.â
âYes. Iâll get another flag,â the chief answered resignedly.
âIn three days. This is an order,â Luo Ningcha was still discontent. âEquip them with uniform armors and weapons, along with all the other stuff. Look at you. Youâre commanders of this army. Why are you dressed as beggars? Are you trying to embarrass me? Throw all this away and get new ones.â
Those leadersâ heads drooped even lower. They used to be bandits, and they still had been after Big Head Godâs death, so they had always worn whatever they had taken from others. How could they possibly have a uniform set of armor and weapons?
The chief blushed scarlet. âThat wonât be easy, my lady. We have over two thousand men here. Where am I supposed to get so much matching armor and weapons? Besides-â
Luo Ningcha glared at him. âAre you suggesting that Iâm not competent? List all the things you need, and Iâll go get them for you.â
âYes, yes. Iâll give you the list by the end of today.â The chief instantly cheered up. âOf course youâre competent, my lady. Otherwise, we wouldnât have come to you.â
Luo Ningcha enjoyed this flattering remark. Even though it was only average, she found it more pleasant than the half-hearted pledges of her servants. âOh, while I still remember this â you need to change your titles too. âChiefâ and âLeaderâ are not decent enough. âMarshalâ and âGeneralâ are much better. If you donât like them, âCaptainâ and âChiliarchâ are also good alternatives. Theyâre simple, easy to remember, and also very dignified. You can consult with each other and make a decision by tomorrow.â
âYes.â The chief felt this was a simple issue.
âAnd⊠And⊠never mind. These things give me headaches. Anyways, you have to figure out a way to make Iron Mountain Army seem more impressive. How am I supposed to take you to Jade City if you look like this?â
Upon hearing the words âtake you to Jade City,â all of the leaders raised their heads and their faces lit up.
A maidservant galloped over and whispered something in Luo Ningchaâs ear. Luo Ningcha raised her arm and walked towards the carriage with the support of her personal maid. With one foot on a stool, she turned her head back around and said, âOh, whatâs your name?â
The chiefâs face was filled with embarrassment. He had met her several times, but she still didnât remember his name. âMy name is-â
âNever mind that. Just put it on the list. And theirs as well. Put all of their names on the list. Iâll reward them according to their ranks. From the generals to the soldiers, thereâll be something for everyone.â
âTravel safe, my lady!â
âHail Iron Mountain!â
When Luo Ningcha left the camp, the atmosphere was very warm. She was satisfied with herself since she believed she had shown both competence and generosity in front of the troops. In her opinion, even Servant Huan wouldnât have found any flaws in her performance.
The encampment of the Iron Mountain Army was almost right next to that of the Central Plainsâ army. Luo Ningchaâs carriage stopped in front of the doorway of the main tent. After getting off the carriage, she glanced at the Dragon Kingâs guards, thinking that she should also select a hundred guards for herself from her own soldiers. Also, her guards should be as tall and strong as those swordsmen of the Big Snow Mountain, and their weapons should also be different from the common soldiersâ so that she would get a sense of security once she set eyes on them.
She lodged this issue firmly in her mind and said to the maidservant beside her, âGo inside and inform them of my arrival.â
The Dragon King had come here to negotiate with Prince Xiao, and she had to be present because she also had an army at her command now. No longer was she some other manâs vassal.
Prince Xiao was not the kind of person who preferred to get straight to the point and talk business. So, when Luo Ningcha entered the tent, he was still exchanging his usual pleasantries with the Dragon King, making a lengthy comment on the winter in the Western Regions. âYouâre also from the Central Plains, Dragon King. I guess that youâve never seen such heavy snow in your hometown, have you? Heavy snows and the desert â these two things alone stop most outside enemies from coming. In the Central Plains, there are actually people who think that itâs very easy to lead an army of over 100,000 men to the Western Regions. Alas, their idealistic opinions are really detrimental to our country⊠When did you return, beauty?â
Luo Ningcha entered the tent before the maidservant. Unprecedentedly confident, she smiled and said, âAnd the tents, too. Itâs winter, and there are no walls here. Can you Central Plainsmen get used to living in tents?â
Prince Xiao was very familiar with Luo Ningchaâs personality. He burst into laughter. âCommon Central Plainsmen live in houses, but soldiers still have to live in tents. They get used to it even if they canât. You see, Iâve been in the army for quite some time now, and I actually like tents.â
Luo Ningcha nodded gravely, as if he had just explained something very important. After glancing at the Dragon King, she said to Prince Xiao, âEverybody says that winter is not the right season for fighting battles. If so, then why donât we hold the kung fu competition ahead of schedule? Besides, thereâs nobody in charge of Jade City, and it needs a lord right now. Whatâre we waiting for?â
Prince Xiao also glanced at the Dragon King and saw that he was indifferent to the four words âthereâs nobody in charge,â so he explained patiently to the beauty, âWe canât rush into this. Iâm still waiting for the emperor of the Central Plains to make a decision. The kung fu competition can only be held when I have His Majestyâs backing.â
âThen hurry up. Arenât you the emperorâs uncle? Does he dare disobey you?â
Prince Xiao smiled happily. This was the Western Regions, and Luo Ningcha was the kind of woman whose beauty went hand-in-hand with her stupidity. Thus, he didnât have to worry that these slightly disrespectful words would spread to the royal palace. âOf course the emperor will listen to me. However, we still canât skip these necessary formalities. Letâs wait for another two or three months. During the spring of next year, the Dragon King will fulfill his wish and become the Lord of Jade City.â
Luo Ningcha took a deep gaze at the Dragon King, indicating that the title âUnique Kingâ should be saved for her son. âTwo or three months? Do we have to wait that long?â
âItâs quick enough, beauty. There are numerous mountains and rivers between Jade City and the capital of the Central Plains. A round trip between the two cities will take at least two month to travel, even with a fast horse.â
Luo Ningcha frowned. She had been to the Royal Court before, and she felt disgusted at the thought of a weary journey. âFine. What were you talking about previously? Maybe I can offer some advice.â
Smiling without saying anything, Prince Xiao turned to look at the Dragon King.
Gu Shenwei simply said, âThe army of Iron Mountain has arrived at Jade City.â
âUm. They arrived yesterday. I just came back from the camp. All of them miss my father very much, and they showed great respect to me. I promise that theyâll become a powerful army after a little training. Iâll recruit more soldiers and buy more horses. The troop number of my army should at least be the same as that of the Second Consortâs army and reach 10,000. Prince Xiao, my soldiers lack uniform armors and weapons. You can solve this issue for me, right? Iâve bragged to them, and Iâm counting on you.â
âSure. No problem.â Prince Xiao threw out his chest in a generous manner. âMy beauty shall have as many as she wants. If there isnât enough armor here, then Iâll have them deliver more from the rear.â
Luo Ningcha smiled like a blooming flower. Suddenly, she realized that the Dragon King was in the tent. âThis is what you came here for? The Iron Mountain is mine. It has nothing to do with you.â
âOf course. I just wanted to remind Madam Luo that more than half of the over 2,000 Iron Mountain soldiers are from an unknown background. And many of them are killers of the Golden Roc Castle. For safety concerns, I hope that Madam Luo wonât go to the Iron Mountain camp again, and that you also wonât let Iron Mountain soldiers enter the Central Plains army camp.â
Luo Ningcha was stunned. The Iron Mountain Army used to be under the command of Golden Roc Castle. How could the troops of this army still be as loyal as they used to be? After thinking for a while, she turned around and left directly without saying another word.
Prince Xiaoâs face was full of amazement. After the beauty left the tent, he shook his head, smiling. âThe Western Regions is so different from the Central Plains. We could never find such a looker in the Central Plains. What do you think, Dragon King?â
There was a tacit expression on Prince Xiaoâs face. He had always been hoping that Luo Ningcha would become a âlittle secretâ between himself and the Dragon King. He had made many insinuations towards the Dragon King many times, but the Dragon King had never responded, and this time was no exception.
âThe news of electing a lord through a kung fu competition has been disclosed.â The main reason why Gu Shenwei had found an excuse to send Luo Ningcha away was not to chat with Prince Xiao.
Prince Xiao had no choice but to give up yet another attempt. âThereâs nothing we can do. More and more people are finding out about this. Itâs impossible to keep it a secret. But I heard that the residents of Jade City are still unaware of it. Everybody says that the four armies outside the city are going to have a final showdown. Ha-ha.â
âThatâs not true.â Gu Shenwei shook his head. âThe Unique King knew about it even before Prince Xiao proposed it to me.â
âHow is that possible?â Prince Xiao was astounded. âAt that time, the plan solely existed inside my mind, and I hadnât told anybody yet. Do you have any proof, Dragon King?â
âAbout a year ago, Golden Roc Castle started downsizing its killers and sending them to the Heavenly Mountain Sect. Originally, the Heavenly Mountain Sect didnât have much contact with Golden Roc Castle, but now, itâs under the complete control of Golden Roc Castle.â
âI know about this. Back then, the Unique King made solicitations towards the Central Plains and hoped that the Central Plains would acknowledge his title. However, the royal court felt that killers were too dangerous and not easy to control, so they demanded the Unique King to dismiss all of his killersâŠâ
âAt first I thought that that was the reason as well. However, one of my subordinates was bribed by the Unique King, and she told me that the Unique King had asked her to rebuild a sect that had been eradicated many years ago. Additionally, the Unique King also said that this sect would soon be of great use. Iâd like to ask you this, Prince Xiao â did the plan that you submitted to the emperor specify that only sects are allowed to participate the kung fu competition?â
Prince Xiao was transfixed with shock. After quite a while, he said, âYes. Actually⊠Actually my suggestion was that only âforces in the Western Regionsâ should be allowed, including those sects. But how could the Unique King learn of it? That was a secret memorial 1 , and the emperor is the only one who could have read it.â
âThe Unique Kingâs in contact with someone close to the emperor.â
Gu Shenwei was positive that it was someone from the Central Plains who had hired the killers of Golden Roc Castle to kill the Gu family.