"What's wrong?" Wang Chong asked in astonishment.
"Who in the world are you?" Xu Gan asked with a grave expression, as if he was staring at some kind of unfathomable mystery.
"The battle has already ended, do you not intend to tell us who you are?" Huang Yongtu asked earnestly from the back of his horse.
"I have been with you all for the last few days, don't you know who I am?" Wang Chong chuckled.
"You know that that isn't what we meant." Xu Gan shook his head, but the determination in his eyes showed that he wasn't willing to let the matter rest until he got to the bottom of it.
"Siling, what about you? Are you going to join them as well?" Wang Chong glanced at Bai Siling, who was standing side by side with Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu.
"Do you even need to ask that?" Bai Siling rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I am the one who is the most curious of them all, alright? It's one thing for the both of them to not know, but I have been with you throughout the entire journey, and we have undergone many life-and-death situations together. Yet, you choose to conceal the matter from me as well! If not for my own decorum, I might have lifted you up to smack your bottom already!"
Bai Siling grit her teeth in suppressed fury.
That bastard seemed to be extremely wary around her. Even when they were clearing dens together, he would only put in the minimum effort required to accomplish the task, seemingly unwilling to reveal any more than that.
She was no fool, how could she have not sensed that?
If they had not encountered Iron Cloak Li, which forced that fellow into action, Bai Siling would have never known that he had such astounding ability to command within him!
The more she thought about it, the more furious she felt!
Thus, she decisively chose to side with Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu this time.
"This is a clear betrayal!" Wang Chong exclaimed.
"Tsk!" Bai Siling turned her head to the side heartlessly.
"If I'm not mistaken, that sword in your hand should be a Wootz steel sword, am I right?" At this moment, Xu Gan shot a glance at the sword in Wang Chong's hands and asked him that question.
"The price of such a sword has already skyrocketed to around eighty thousand gold taels each, and often it will even reach the hundred thousand price range. Furthermore, it is a market severely lacking in supply. Surely you won't say that a sword like yours is common?" As a scion, Xu Gan would be blind if he couldn't even recognize a famous Wootz steel sword from the capital.
At this point, it was clear that Bai Siling was right. He and Huang Yongtu had indeed gauged Wang Chong wrongly. Even he couldn't afford such an expensive item, needless to say, others.
But in response to that, Wang Chong simply chuckled silently.
"Lieutenant Zhang, do you share the same thoughts as them, as well?" he turned around to ask the silent Zhang Lin standing behind the others.
"I would be honored to learn of lord's identity," Zhang Lin said as he bowed deeply in respect.
Wang Chong had shown astounding prowess as a commander in this operation. If not for him, their group would have been completely wiped out. As such, Zhang Lin desired to know Wang Chong's true identity deep inside.
"Sigh, Lieutenant Zhang, you as well... I guess I have no choice then." Wang Chong grabbed his forehead in distress.
It was one thing for the others, but to think that even Lieutenant Zhang was joining along.
From the looks of it, if he couldn't offer them a proper explanation, they wouldn't give in.
And indeed, after all they had been through, it didn't seem right for him to keep his identity from them either.
"Alright. Since you desire to know so much, I'll fulfill your wish then." Chuckling, Wang Chong grabbed a golden token from the side of his waist and displayed it to everyone.
Hong!
Upon seeing the token with the engraving of flames on it, astonishment flashed through everyone's eyes.
"Burning Clouds, this is the token of Wang Clan!"
"You are a member of the Wang Clan!"
In that instant, Xu Gan, Huang Yongtu, Zhang Lin, and even Bai Siling froze in shock. All this time, most of them had thought that Wang Chong had come from a humble birth.
But it turned out that not only was Wang Chong's birth not humble, it was even more prestigious than any of them here. Even the Xu Clan or Huang Clan couldn't possibly compare with a clan of generals and ministers like the Wang Clan.
Bai Siling did have her own guesses regarding Wang Chong's identity, but even so, the truth was far beyond her expectations.
The Bai Clan could be considered as an extremely influential clan in the capital, ranking above that of the Xu Clan and Huang Clan. But even they paled slightly in face of the Wang Clan.
"What is your relationship with Duke Jiu?" Huang Yongtu asked with a grim expression.
"I am at a loss for words. The Wang Clan is founded by Duke Jiu, and I am an offspring of the Wang Clan. What do you think my relationship with him is?" Wang Chong said as he scratched his head.
Realizing the foolishness behind his question, Huang Yongtu descended into awkwardness.
"Of the Wang Clan, only the three children of General Wang Gen are involved in the military. The eldest son Wang Fu is currently serving on the frontlines, and the second son Wang Bei shouldn't be as young as you are. So if I'm not mistaken, you must be the third son, Wang Chong?" Xu Gan suddenly asked.
"Yes!" Wang Chong admitted to it readily. Xu Gan seemed to be more intelligent than he had expected, guessing his identity in an instant.
Hearing Wang Chong admitting to the matter, Xu Gan's gaze suddenly rippled with complex emotions.
Within the younger generation in the capital, the one whose reputation was the brightest at the moment was none other than the third son of the Wang Clan, Wang Chong.
The conflict with the Yao Clan, the regional commanders incident, the Goguryeon assassins... Even the most doted-on Consort Taizhen of the Sage Emperor seemed to have close ties with Wang Chong.
Despite his young age, the feats he had accomplished had impressed even someone like Xu Gan.
After traveling together for so many days, Xu Gan truly couldn't have imagined that the young man who he had looked down upon all along would actually be the famous Wang Chong.
Had he known, he wouldn't have adopted such an attitude. After all, a person of Wang Chong’s standing would be a valuable friend to make.
"AHHH! I can't take it any longer!" Just as Wang Chong was slightly gleeful over the awe he was getting, a voice suddenly raged from the side. Bai Siling was staring at Wang Chong with a frenzied expression.
"Brat, how dare you fool me for so long? I'll kill you!"
Brandishing her sword, Bai Siling leaped from the back of her steed and rushed up to Wang Chong.
Putting aside Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu, even Wang Chong himself was stunned by this turn of events.
"Bai Siling, what are you doing?" Wang Chong immediately executed his Phantom Steps and leaped down from the boulder.
Hong!
Many sparks flew from the boulder as an inch-deep sword mark scarred the spot where Wang Chong was standing just an instant go.
Cold sweat began trickling down Wang Chong's back.
That violent lady really didn't hold back at all!
"Brat, don't you flee! Let me get three slashes on you to appease my anger!"
"Like hell I won't flee!"
The duo began flying across the forest, and the sight left the crowd chuckling lightly. The hilarious scene had lifted the sorrowful atmosphere drifting in the air slightly.
Eventually, Bai Siling ran out of strength and gave up. After all, she had suffered two heavy blows from Iron Cloak Li.
If not for her superior cultivation, she might have been shaken to death.
"I'll get back at you once I recover from my injuries!" Sitting down on the boulder, she wagged her finger at Wang Chong while panting heavily.
"Feel free,"
Wang Chong chuckled lightly. Even though Bai Siling had chased him around the forest, it did feel like their relationship had grown more intimate after he had revealed his identity.
Finally, when everyone had calmed down, Xu Gan asked, "What do we do now? How should we deal with the corpses of our brothers?"
"Let's bury them together. I wish to give them a proper burial so that they can rest in peace." Bai Siling was the one who suggested this with a sorrowful gaze in her eyes.
After all, she had spent many days fighting alongside them as comrades-in-arms, so she felt awful to see so many of them die so suddenly.
"There's no need for that." Wang Chong shook his head grimly. "Leave them here. We'll inform the Bureau of Military Personnel and have them send men over as soon as possible to deal with them. The families of the fallen soldiers will be compensated, and their children will receive special privileges. Their names will be recorded, and they will be honored like fallen soldiers on the battlefield. That would be the best for them."
Zhang Lin glanced at Wang Chong with slight astonishment in his eyes. However, recalling Wang Chong's background, he soon nodded in realization.
"Wang gongzi is right. This will be what they would have wanted as well, an honorable death," Zhang Lin said.
So that more people could live a peaceful life to a ripe, old age, some would have to pick up arms and brave the battlefield to protect them.
From the moment they first stepped on the battlefield, they were already prepared for death.
"But the Bureau of Military Personnel won't agree to it. After all..." Xu Gan said hesitantly.
Even though Xu Gan's words had trailed off at this point, everyone understood what he meant.
"Don't worry, they will. I will make them agree to it," Wang Chong said deeply.
Chapter 361: The Trove of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen!
Chapter 361: The Trove of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen!
Those men had gone through many battlefields, and their contributions to the empire were considerable. On top of proper compensation, Wang Chong wanted them to be honored as soldiers in death as well, even if they didn't die on the battlefield.
Even if the Bureau of Military Personnel rejected his request, he would appeal to King Song and big uncle to have them agree to it. And the current him did indeed wield such influence.
Hong!
Suddenly, a loud rumble sounded, and Wang Chong swiftly opened his eyes. From all around, the surviving cavalrymen leapt off their mounts and kneeled respectfully on the ground.
"Thank you, lord!"
"Thank you, lord!"
"Thank you, lord!"...
Bright and loud voices echoed in the air together.
Upon seeing this sight, Wang Chong was stunned for an instant before a smile crept across his lips. After which, the smile withered into momentary bitterness, and no one except for Bai Siling noticed it.
The only one who could understand the plight of another soldier is a soldier.
Wang Chong wasn't exactly a soldier, but he was their commander.
He knew what they were thanking him for. They were appreciative of what he was going to do for their fallen comrades. In that instant, Wang Chong suddenly felt the cogs of time spinning backward, and in a dazed moment, it felt as if he had returned back to his previous life.
He remembered his closest aides who had accompanied through innumerable battlefields. They had put their lives on the line to fight alongside him, and eventually, in the final battle, despite the hopeless situation, they still plunged in like moths attracted to the flame, disappearing with a bright burst of fire...
Those memories brought up an incomparably bitter feeling to Wang Chong.
A light breeze blew, brushing against Wang Chong's hair. At this moment, he had no idea how deep of an impact his gestures and expressions had on Bai Siling.
There was something oddly disharmonious about the sight. Such deep bitterness should have never appeared on the face of a carefree sixteen-year-old. Bai Siling couldn't imagine what kind of experience a person must have gone through to display such emotions.
Thus, Bai Siling stared at Wang Chong's side profile, and for a moment, she was dazed.
She had finally uncovered the identity of the young man before her, but she felt like she had barely scraped the surface of the mystery, as if there were even more secrets wrapped around the young man.
It seemed like he had buried them deep in his mind, unwilling to reveal them to another soul.
"Who in the world are you?"
Burying her face in her knees, Bai Siling found that her hair and her heart were in a mess.
------
After resting and organizing their forces, Wang Chong led the group down to the base of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen.
Iron Cloak Li was already dead, and military advisor Zhou An had been killed as well. With this, the feared Iron Cloak Highwaymen who once ruled the region vanished from the face of the world.
However, there was still one important matter to be done; harvesting the spoils of war!
Given the years the Iron Cloak Highwaymen spent dominating the road between Longxi and the capital, the wealth they had accrued would surely be astounding. Furthermore, the bandits and highwaymen who went to join them would surely offer a portion of their fortunes as a gesture of "sincerity".
It would be a waste to miss out on this easy wealth.
Bai Siling galloped up to Wang Chong's side and asked, "Wang Chong, do you think that the highwaymen might return to plunder their base especially, since Iron Cloak Li is dead?"
"I don't know, but I wouldn't exclude such a possibility," Wang Chong replied.
"Ah! Then won't we be making a wasted trip?" Bai Siling frowned.
"Haha, it isn't as simple as you think. Do you think that Iron Cloak Li wouldn't assign any trusted aides to guard his wealth? While it is true that we have killed Iron Cloak Li, those fellows guarding the base can't possibly trust them that easily. And most importantly of all, does your Bai Clan leave your wealth in the open, such that anyone can take it away as and when they like?"
"Are you asking for a beating? Can't you speak properly?" Bai Siling rolled her eyes. This fellow had a way with words that made her really want to pummel him.
"Hahaha. In any case, trust me on this. Iron Cloak Li's treasure vault can't be breached that easily. Those fellows ahead of us can help us whittle down their forces, saving us the effort later on," Wang Chong replied leisurely.
"!!!" Bai Siling stared at Wang Chong as if she was looking at a monster. Only in this instant did it dawn on her why Wang Chong wasn't anxious in the least. It turned out that he was intending to make use of those defeated highwaymen to do his work for him!
"You sure are a monster. Those who dare to stand against you will probably end up schemed to their death. I really don't understand how a person as young as you who probably hasn't stepped out of the capital before could possibly know so much! You know, I am starting to feel relieved that I didn't go with Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu at the very start, or else I would probably have been done in badly by you as well," Bai Siling remarked.
Beside her, Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu heard those words and their faces turned sheepish. Bai Siling sure knew how to pluck at their wounds.
But still, they were indeed blind to be unable to recognize the other party for who he was, despite the many signs. They could only resign themselves to it.
"Don't worry, Siling. How could I possibly bear to scheme against a beauty like you?" Wang Chong chuckled leisurely.
It was just a casual response on Wang Chong's part, but Bai Siling's face turned crimson in embarrassment, and she immediately raised her fists in response.
"You brat, how dare you tease me! Are you itching for a beating?"
"Don't!" Wang Chong quickly gestured for his White-hoofed Shadow to escape forward.
---
Speaking of the White-hoofed Shadow, Wang Chong was gradually growing more and more fond of him
.
In the battle with Iron Cloak Li, most of the war steeds used to block the highwaymen were slaughtered. However, through its sharp senses for danger, the White-hoofed Shadow used the other war steeds as a cover, found an opening, and successfully escaped to safety.
With the sudden night assault by the Goguryeons on Kunwu Training Camp being the first, this was the second time the White-hoofed Shadow had keenly escaped from danger.
Even in times of crisis, Wang Chong did not need to worry about the White-hoofed Shadow at all. He just needed to do whatever was required, and this was probably a huge part of the reason why he was growing more and more fond of the horse.
---
Galloping swiftly ahead, Wang Chong and the others arrived at the base of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen before the sun fully set.
The base was located on a slightly shorter hill, but it had all of the required infrastructure: fences, sentry tower, barracks, and everything else that should be there.
By the time Wang Chong arrived, the base was lit up in a raging blaze. Furious battle cries sounded across the place as the bandits and highwaymen clashed with one another. Loud rumblings could be heard from the ground.
Upon seeing the chaos before him, Wang Chong's eyes lit up. "Looks like we have arrived at a good time!"
Hong! He immediately charged in with his Wootz steel sword in hand. Executing the Single Character Consecutive Slash, his sword sliced through a highwayman's Stellar Energy, stabbing right into his heart.
The highwayman trembled for a few moments as deep fear rippled in his eyes, before he fell from his horse and crashed to the ground, never to move again.
After seeing Wang Chong's movements, realization struck Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu. If the wealth of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen had already been claimed, there wouldn't be such a rife battle going on here.
In other words, there was a huge amount of wealth waiting here for them to claim!
"Charge!"
Thirty-five Great Tang cavalrymen had come for this operation, and taking into account Zhang Lin, Xu Gan, Huang Yongtu, and the others as well, they had a total of forty people at this time. Adopting an Arrow Formation, they charged right toward the base of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen with astounding momentum.
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 259
