Chapter 449: Will Fail to Keep Promise

"Sirs, am I walking too fast?"

The soldier leading the way noticed that Ji Yuan and Chang Yi couldn't keep up with him, so he assumed he was walking too fast. After all, the two men behind him were merely scholars, and Ji Yuan had mentioned earlier that he'd traveled by carriage, though he had disembarked early.

Ji Yuan quickly addressed the soldier.

"Don't worry, sir, we can keep up!"

Chang Yi nodded in agreement.

This made the soldier a little embarrassed, and he scratched his head.

"Please don't call me that, sirs. You are learned men; I am just a soldier. I can hold off the enemy, but for everyone to live well, we still need your wisdom."

Ji Yuan had not expected such insight from this young soldier and couldn't help but glance at him again. Then, he and Chang Yi subtly quickened their pace. Most of the surrounding soldiers were also looking at Ji Yuan and Chang Yi, who were clearly not dressed in military attire, speculating about who they were and why they were there.

The city was not large, slightly smaller than Dahe County. After walking through many turns for quite some time, they finally arrived at a building in the city's center. It was grander than other structures and had many soldiers standing guard.

"Sirs, this is the General's Residence in our city. Sima Liao also stays here normally, but you must first meet the General before seeing him."

"That is as it should be."

Ji Yuan responded, and the leading soldier ran ahead to the residence to report their arrival.

Soon after, Ji Yuan and Chang Yi met the city's General. He was neither fierce nor strikingly handsome, and his appearance was unremarkable, yet all the soldiers held him in exceptionally high regard.

At that moment, Ji Yuan and Chang Yi stood in a hall where a large table covered with a vast, marked map dominated the room. The General sat in a chair behind the table, observing Ji Yuan and Chang Yi.

He held a letter from the Northern Gate Commander, stating that the documents had been cross-referenced multiple times and the two men questioned.

"You've come from Central Dao Prefecture? We haven't received supplies in a long time. What exactly is the situation over there? The last time we sent a messenger, they just gave us a perfunctory response, saying they'd deliver provisions and supplies as soon as possible. But now, we don't even have a single piece of pig iron!"

The General rose from his seat, pointing to a spot on the map.

"We've been defending this place for three years. I've lost count of how many battles we've fought and how many brothers have died during that time. But where are our supplies, our military funds? I even know of some brothers who entrusted their saved military pay to the rear, but that money never truly reached their families. I fear it's ended up in some official's pocket!"

At that moment, only the General, Ji Yuan, and Chang Yi were in the room. His voice was not loud, as he feared being overheard by the soldiers outside, yet his words carried immense power, radiating a strong, chilling aura.

As cultivators, Ji Yuan and Chang Yi could clearly sense the fierce, blood-soaked energy within it—an energy that would likely make ordinary demons cower. However, for cultivators of their profound spiritual attainment, it was hardly significant.

Ji Yuan merely cupped his hands and calmly replied.

"General, Mr. Chang and I are not officials of the Yuanzhao Kingdom. We merely obtained a document to deliver a message here. We have no knowledge of military pay or provisions. We hope the General will understand."

"Exactly. Mr. Ji and I traveled a long way from Liao Zhengbao's hometown and are not privy to such matters."

In the past, Chang Yi, though always polite, would generally not speak at such length to mortals. Not out of disdain, but because he saw no need to waste the effort; many mortals were too stubborn, and if a single explanation didn't suffice, he'd simply give up.

However, this time, it was not only because he was with Ji Yuan, but also because the mortal before them was truly worthy of respect—or rather, all the soldiers in this city were admirable.

The General exhaled, calming his emotions, and sat back down.

"Sirs, I apologize if I startled you. This matter truly has nothing to do with you, and I shouldn't have lost my temper."

The General had his own helplessness, and all the soldiers in this city shared it. They could not retreat. If they did, what would become of the Yuanzhao Kingdom's rear? Moreover, the order to hold their ground remained in effect, making retreat impossible.

"Oh, by the way, as you traveled here, did you hear any other news? No need for military intelligence or government affairs, just tell me about the common people's situation!"

Chang Yi glanced at Ji Yuan, seemingly hesitating whether to recount what had happened earlier. However, Ji Yuan nodded to him, and so Chang Yi began to speak.

"The day before yesterday, a great plague erupted in the Yuanzhao Kingdom, sweeping through at least a third of the country. Countless people were infected, and the number of deaths was inestimable."

"What?!"

The General sat up straight, his hands gripping the wooden armrests of his chair so tightly that they groaned.

"The plague... how is it now? Has Changgu Dao Prefecture been affected?"

Ji Yuan spoke.

"The plague has been brought under control. As long as subsequent management is proper, it should not erupt again. However, those who died in the plague cannot be revived... As for the specific affected areas, we are not entirely clear, mainly because we don't know the place names."

Upon hearing this, the General's face twisted into an expression that was neither a cry nor a smile.

"Proper management... the court... never mind, I won't speak of it. I have already sent someone to fetch Sima Liao; he should arrive soon."

"Thank you, General!"

"Hmm, it's good for the brothers under my command to receive news from home... Oh, someone! Bring tea for the two sirs!"

Hearing the command, a soldier entered, acknowledged it, and then exited again.

After a short wait, a tall, burly man in leather armor quickly entered, accompanied by two soldiers. His face clearly showed excitement and joy.

"Where's the family letter? Where's the family letter?"

Liao Zhengbao had a very loud voice; his arrival was heralded by a booming sound before he even entered. He looked very different from his honest and simple father.

Entering the hall, Liao Zhengbao first clasped his hands and bowed to the General, then turned to Ji Yuan.

"Where's the family letter? Where's the family letter? Have my parents finally written back to me? It's not easy to find someone who can write a letter, and my family doesn't have extra money for brushes and ink. I've waited for this letter for so long; it's finally here!"

Liao Zhengbao was very emotional. It was clear from his words that he had written more than one letter home in the past, but none had actually reached his family.

Ji Yuan sighed softly, merely cupped his hands toward him, and spoke gravely.

"It was not written down; I only brought a verbal message and a token."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan took out an arm-length object, which had been wrapped in cloth, from behind his back and handed it to Liao Zhengbao. The latter eagerly unwrapped it layer by layer, revealing a wooden sword inside.

The wooden sword was carved with a small figure and several marks.

With tears in his eyes, Liao Zhengbao carefully stroked the wooden sword his father had made for him as a child, as if reliving happy moments from his youth.

"It's mine, the wooden sword my father made for me! I can't believe it's still here, it's still here! I couldn't find it before I joined the army! It's this..."

Liao Zhengbao suddenly looked up at Ji Yuan and Chang Yi.

"Are my parents well? Are the people in the village well?"

Ji Yuan answered solemnly.

"Rest assured, Sima Liao, your parents are both very well, healthy, eating and sleeping soundly. Furthermore, your father rallied the entire village to establish a common burial ground, providing a resting place for any unburied remains found in the wilderness. He is a famously good man."

"Oh, that's good, that's good!"

Ji Yuan finally smiled, then said.

"Oh, and they had another child in their later years; you have a younger brother now, named Liao Baogui. He's six years old."

"Really? Really!"

Liao Zhengbao's face lit up with joy. He gripped the wooden sword tightly with both hands, then slapped his thigh.

"Oh dear, this wooden sword should have been left for my brother to play with! Why did you bring it to me? A verbal message would have been enough! By the way, what message did my parents send me?"

"Uh..."

Ji Yuan was always eloquent, having used his persuasive words to save lives and turn situations around countless times. Yet, this time he was uncharacteristically speechless for a moment. Then, he stepped closer to Liao Zhengbao and whispered in a voice only he could hear.

"The elders of the Liao family hope you can return home. You haven't been home in many years since joining the army, and they miss you greatly."

Liao Zhengbao paused slightly, looked at Ji Yuan and Chang Yi, then at the others in the room, and spoke directly.

"Let me go back?"

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the hall instantly fell silent. The soldiers nearby all looked at Liao Zhengbao, and even the General unconsciously sat up straighter, looking at him.

With Liao Zhengbao's loud question, Ji Yuan and even Chang Yi vaguely knew what his answer would be.

After speaking, Liao Zhengbao kept staring at the wooden sword in his hands. After a long silence, a low voice emerged from his mouth.

"Do you two possess such great power that you could make me return home?"

Chang Yi looked at Ji Yuan, and seeing that he remained silent, spoke up to answer.

"Such a small matter wouldn't trouble Mr. Ji and me. Our ability to obtain official documents and have someone escort us here is sufficient proof of that."

"Haha, sirs, you are merely two scholars, utterly defenseless. While there are many useless officials in the rear, there are still checkpoints, and the government is not just for show. Obtaining an official document might be easy, but if I were to return like this, it would be considered desertion. If discovered, I'd be beheaded, and my family would be implicated—perhaps even you two!"

Chang Yi continued.

"This is a minor matter and can also be resolved."

"Hehehe, I don't believe it!"

As Liao Zhengbao spoke, he looked up at Chang Yi, then resumed looking at the wooden sword.

The General, seated, hesitated as if to speak, his hands once again gripping the armrests tightly. His inner struggle was no less than Liao Zhengbao's. Just as he was about to offer his help, Liao Zhengbao suddenly looked up at Ji Yuan and Chang Yi.

"Sirs! Thank you for bringing me news from home. This wooden sword... please give it to my younger brother on my behalf!"

Liao Zhengbao returned the wooden sword to Ji Yuan, his voice sounding very firm.

"My father established the common burial ground; he's a famous good man in the village. His son certainly can't disgrace him by being a deserter. I have brothers at home, and I have them here too! Please, sirs, go back and tell my parents and my brother that Zhengbao will return home triumphantly in the future, but for now... I won't be going back... Hmph..."

Liao Zhengbao's final exhale carried a tremor.

Ji Yuan sighed softly, patted Chang Yi's shoulder, and subtly shook his head, then spoke to Liao Zhengbao.

"Are you certain of this decision?"

Chang Yi couldn't help but interject.

"Do you know who Mr. Ji and I truly are? Do you know that if you were to return, not only would you reunite with your family, but you would also gain blessings rarely afforded to ordinary people? Do you know..."

"Do you know the comradeship I share with thousands of brothers in this city? Do you know the torment my heart would endure if I abandoned them to leave alone? Just thinking about it now, my conscience would not be at peace!"

Liao Zhengbao, red-eyed, roared at him without waiting for Chang Yi to finish.

"I know you two sirs are capable individuals, I know! But I have made my decision. Thank you!"

Chang Yi, though rebuffed in such a manner, was not angry. Instead, he smiled and nodded at Liao Zhengbao. Then, he took a talisman from his sleeve; to Ji Yuan's eyes, it flashed with light, but to those around, it appeared merely as an inscrutable "scribble."

"Here, this is a safety talisman your parents requested for you. They want you to keep it with you always. You can't refuse this, can you?"

Liao Zhengbao was momentarily stunned again, then quickly snatched it.

"Why didn't you give this to me earlier? Of course, I'll keep it with me!"

Ji Yuan watched the scene with a smile, nodded at Chang Yi, then looked at Liao Zhengbao and the seated General.

"In that case, Mr. Chang and I can be said to have failed in our mission!"