{"id":3894,"date":"2026-06-07T19:36:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T19:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pursuit-of-jade-95\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T19:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T19:36:24","slug":"pursuit-of-jade-95","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/chapter\/pursuit-of-jade-95\/","title":{"rendered":"Pursuit of Jade 95"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 95

After a day’s march, they entered the territory of Chongzhou.

Since Fan Changyu was joining the army, she could no longer keep Changning with her at all times.

During her previous search for Changning, she had helped the authorities in Jizhou destroy numerous bandit dens involved in trafficking women and children and had received substantial rewards. Using that money, she rented a small courtyard in a nearby town and settled Changning there.

She hired an honest peasant woman experienced with children to take care of Changning’s daily needs and paid her a monthly wage.

Just in case, she also left Xie Qi behind and only brought Xie Wu with her into the army.

Many soldiers stationed at the border lived in a similar manner. Most had families in frontier towns and would return home to reunite with them whenever they were not on active duty.

Once everything was arranged, Fan Changyu was formally incorporated into the Jizhou Army through Grand Tutor Tao’s recommendation.

Intercepting and killing the three scouts had earned her genuine military merit in Jizhou. Later, she had also slain the rebel general Shi Hu in One-Line Gorge.

Obtaining an official rank was not difficult for her.

However, while traveling to the military camp, Grand Tutor Tao suddenly asked,

“Girl, would you rather command a group of people who obey you but feel no loyalty toward you, or would you rather personally cultivate a few capable subordinates of your own?”

Fan Changyu had witnessed enough battlefield slaughter to understand.

If people were not truly close to one another, who would willingly risk their lives to protect someone else?

The generals in the army had all risen from the ranks of squad leaders and section leaders. It was because they possessed abilities their men respected and bonds forged through life-and-death experiences that soldiers willingly charged into battle behind them.

When military authority changed hands, ordinary soldiers often chose to stand with the generals they trusted rather than some distant imperial authority.

Fan Changyu was not particularly clever, but she was far from foolish.

She quickly understood the implications.

“On the battlefield, I need people I can trust with my back.”

In other words, she chose the latter.

Grand Tutor Tao stroked his beard and smiled.

“Exactly my thoughts.”

“You’ve only just entered the army and know little about military affairs. If we suddenly give you a high-ranking position without anyone loyal to you, you’ll merely become a target of envy.”

“It’s better to keep a low profile, take things one step at a time, and build a solid foundation.”

After hearing that, Fan Changyu assumed that at best she would begin as a squad leader.

Under Great Yin’s military structure, five soldiers formed a squad, ten formed a section, five sections formed a company, ten sections formed a battalion unit, and five battalion units formed a camp.

A camp could contain anywhere from five hundred soldiers to an undefined upper limit.

Several camps together constituted an army.

The ranks within the military were also complicated.

Some positions carried both rank and authority.

Some had rank but little actual power.

Others had no formal rank but held significant authority.

For example, the commander of a hundred men was commonly called a Centurion.

Technically, it carried no official court rank, but the authority it wielded was considerable.

A hundred soldiers could accomplish a great deal on the battlefield.

Many famous generals throughout history first distinguished themselves while commanding only a hundred men.

Fan Changyu was assigned under Tang Peiyi.

After flooding the rebel army outside Lu City by destroying the dam, Tang Peiyi’s newly recruited twenty thousand soldiers had suffered nearly three thousand casualties during the rebels’ nighttime assault.

He had then detached another thousand men to escort supplies through One-Line Gorge with Grand Tutor Tao.

Afterward, he led the remaining troops to besiege Chongzhou.

The thousand men who accompanied Grand Tutor Tao later joined up with Yanzhou reinforcements in One-Line Gorge.

Under the guidance of veteran soldiers from Yanzhou and through repeated engagements with the rebels, these recruits matured rapidly.

The several hundred survivors who returned had all become seasoned veterans.

Tang Peiyi intended to disperse them among the new recruits so they could help train fresh soldiers.

After surrounding Lu City, he had fought Prince Changxin’s forces once and suffered heavy losses.

Only after He Jingyuan arrived with Jizhou reinforcements had he finally been able to breathe easier.

He couldn’t afford to let the remaining ten thousand recruits sit idle.

Now that the main Jizhou forces were handling the front lines, he wanted to train his troops as quickly as possible.

When Grand Tutor Tao personally recommended Fan Changyu, Tang Peiyi immediately agreed.

If Fan Changyu had not intercepted those three scouts, Lu City would have fallen, and he himself would likely have paid with his life.

He said,

“That young lady managed to kill Shi Hu? Such bravery is rare even among men. Having such a talent under my command is truly my good fortune!”

But Grand Tutor Tao merely said,

“Jade must be carved before it becomes a treasure. Let her continue to temper herself first.”

\u2014

Only after being assigned to her unit did Fan Changyu realize she wasn’t starting as a common soldier.

Nor was she beginning as a squad leader.

She had been directly appointed Company Leader, commanding forty-nine soldiers.

Xie Wu was assigned to her unit as well.

When the soldiers discovered their new commander was a young woman with delicate features, whispers immediately spread throughout the formation.

“Why is there a woman in the army?”

Her immediate superior, Centurion Guo, was a burly man with a massive beard.

Tall and built like an iron tower, he was one of the officers transferred from the regular Jizhou Army to train recruits.

The moment he discovered one of his company leaders was a woman, he nearly blew a gasket.

Right in front of all the soldiers, he barked,

“Which general’s pampered daughter is this now? Trying to earn herself a reputation in the army?”

“If they wanted to protect her, why not just make her a lieutenant and surround her with family guards?”

“Instead they dump her under my command. If she gets so much as a scratch, half my life’s work goes down the drain!”

The words were clearly intended as a warning.

Anyone thin-skinned would probably have been too embarrassed to remain.

And that was exactly what Centurion Guo wanted.

Whether she was a general’s daughter or the son of some high-ranking official sent to gain military experience, he wanted no part of it.

Such people couldn’t be beaten or scolded.

Once battle began, soldiers would be expected to risk their lives protecting them.

If they got injured, everyone suffered.

If they died, the consequences would be catastrophic.

The unspoken rule among military commanders was simple.

For privileged young nobles sent to “gain experience,” they would assign a meaningless honorary title, provide them with a tent, and have family retainers protect them.

No accomplishments were required.

Only that nothing go wrong.

When the experience was over, they would add a few harmless military achievements to the record and send the person home safely.

The daughters of military families were usually somewhat different.

Most genuinely knew martial arts and possessed patriotic enthusiasm.

But they were often na\u00efve.

Killing a few enemies was entirely different from witnessing the true hell of war.

Unfortunately, these girls were often beloved daughters of powerful generals.

No one dared let them come to harm.

Many times, more ordinary soldiers died protecting them than the number of enemies they personally killed.

As a result, commanders rarely allowed such young women onto actual battlefields.

As for the useless young noblemen, there was even less to say.

The descendants of military families who genuinely earned respect were those who climbed from the bottom through their own merits.

The army did not recruit women.

Therefore, Centurion Guo naturally assumed Fan Changyu had entered through connections.

As a martial artist himself, he could tell from her breathing that she was skilled.

He guessed she was attempting to imitate those famous military descendants who started from the bottom.

That only irritated him further.

He didn’t care whether someone had lofty ambitions.

But if those ambitions might cost him and his men their lives, then he hated them.

Fan Changyu knew none of these underlying reasons.

Even when openly challenged, she showed no embarrassment and simply stood there calmly.

If others misunderstood her, there was no reason to be angry.

Xie Wu spoke up on her behalf.

“Company Leader Fan came from the battle at One-Line Gorge.”

“She killed Shi Hu.”

“Her military position was earned through genuine merit.”

The statement caused an even bigger stir.

Most soldiers had heard rumors of Shi Hu.

According to the stories, he was a monster who ate raw meat and drank human blood.

The spiked hammers in his hands had claimed hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

This seemingly slender young woman standing before them in a Jizhou uniform had killed Shi Hu?

Centurion Guo examined Fan Changyu again, as though trying to determine whether she truly possessed such strength.

Someone in the crowd who had seen her carrying stones during the dam construction suddenly shouted,

“I know Company Leader Fan!”

“When we were building the dam upstream in Jizhou, she carried over three hundred jin of stone downhill without even getting out of breath!”

Once actual numbers were attached to the story, the soldiers’ gazes became far more respectful.

Xie Wu wanted to mention the bear she’d killed as well.

But since he hadn’t witnessed it personally, it might sound like exaggeration.

Seeing everyone’s attitude improving, he swallowed the words.

Centurion Guo asked,

“What weapon do you use?”

Fan Changyu thought for a moment.

“A butcher’s knife.”

A few soldiers couldn’t help snickering.

Centurion Guo’s expression darkened.

“You use a butcher’s knife on the battlefield too?”

Fan Changyu nodded honestly.

More muffled laughter followed.

Centurion Guo finally lost his temper.

Now he truly doubted she’d killed Shi Hu.

Most likely, someone powerful had fabricated the achievement to build her reputation.

Such things were not uncommon.

Deciding not to show her any more courtesy, he shouted,

“Fine then!”

“Today I’ll personally see what your butcher’s knife can do!”

He slammed his fists together.

His massive frame radiated brute force.

“Come!”

The soldiers hadn’t expected such entertainment on the first day of unit reorganization.

Cheers erupted immediately.

The commotion drew the attention of the generals watching from the elevated platform.

Tang Peiyi asked,

“What’s happening over there?”

Fan Changyu’s formation was located at the far end of the training field.

From the platform, only dense blocks of soldiers were visible.

It was impossible to see what was happening.

A guard immediately replied,

“I’ll go investigate.”

The guard had barely left when another hurried over.

“General, Young Master Li has arrived!”

Tang Peiyi asked,

“Which Young Master Li?”

The guard wiped sweat from his forehead.

“Li Huai’an, grandson of Grand Tutor Li!”

Tang Peiyi immediately glanced at Grand Tutor Tao.

Grand Tutor Li had only assumed his position after Grand Tutor Tao retired.

As leader of the scholarly faction, half the court consisted of his disciples.

His influence rivaled Wei Yan’s.

Tang Peiyi said,

“After Marquis Wu’an departed for Kang City, the court’s grain shipments finally arrived by water.”

“Li Huai’an is serving as military inspector.”

“He should really be visiting Lord He.”

“If he’s come here instead, it’s probably because of you, Grand Tutor.”

“Will you see him?”

Grand Tutor Tao smiled.

“Since the youngster already knows I’m here, avoiding him today won’t help.”

“Let’s meet him.”

“I’d like to see what kind of child that old man from the Li family raised.”

Tang Peiyi instructed the guard,

“Bring him here.”

A short while later, Li Huai’an arrived under escort.

Dressed in a light blue scholar’s robe, he possessed a more understated appearance than Gongsun Yin.

Yet he resembled a cup of fine tea\u2014the more one appreciated him, the more appealing he became.

Combined with his refined and upright demeanor, he seemed like the ideal disciple standing before a sage.

The moment he saw Grand Tutor Tao, he bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Grand Tutor.”

Then he turned toward Tang Peiyi.

“Greetings, General.”

Given Grand Tutor Tao’s seniority and former rank, he naturally spoke first.

Smiling at the young man, he said,

“You resemble your grandfather in his youth.”

“For a moment, I almost thought he had somehow grown younger over the years.”

Whether it was a joke or carried deeper meaning was difficult to tell.

Li Huai’an merely smiled.

“Grandfather’s health has declined significantly over the years.”

“He cannot compare to Grand Tutor’s vitality.”

Grand Tutor Tao stroked his beard.

“This old man enjoys traveling and leisure.”

“I still haven’t seen enough of the world’s beautiful landscapes.”

“Without burdens on my shoulders, naturally I’m more carefree than your grandfather.”

Li Huai’an replied,

“It’s because Grand Tutor knew when to withdraw.”

“Grandfather often says that if he possessed even a fraction of your learning, he’d be content for life.”

Grand Tutor Tao’s smile never faded.

“The old fellow grows greedier with age.”

“He’s taught half the officials in the court.”

“Is that still not enough?”

Li Huai’an smiled politely.

“Half the officials in court still can’t compare to a pillar of the nation like Marquis Wu’an.”

Tang Peiyi was a straightforward military man, but hardly stupid.

The more he listened, the stranger the conversation felt.

Just as he wondered whether he should change the subject, the guard he had sent earlier came running back, panting heavily.

“General!”

“Centurion Guo is sparring with a female company leader from his unit!”

Li Huai’an looked surprised.

“There’s a woman serving under General Tang?”

Since Fan Changyu had entered through Grand Tutor Tao’s recommendation, Tang Peiyi wasn’t sure whether he should conceal the matter.

Before he could decide, loud cheers erupted from the rear training grounds.

Li Huai’an glanced toward the commotion.

His interest was clearly piqued.

“Are outsiders allowed to watch military sparring matches?”

There was no rule forbidding it.

Tang Peiyi couldn’t invent one on the spot.

“…Yes.”

\u2014

The thunderous cheers erupted after Fan Changyu executed a shoulder throw and hurled Centurion Guo to the ground.

Since Guo had entered the match barehanded, she hadn’t used weapons either.

After all, the last person who had let her wield a boning knife while sparring one-handed was Xie Zheng.

The throw landed solidly.

Grimacing and clutching his waist, Centurion Guo climbed back to his feet.

Looking at Fan Changyu, he said,

“I’m skilled with the broadsword, not hand-to-hand combat.”

“Do you dare fight again with weapons?”

“Sure.”

Fan Changyu agreed readily.

A weapon rack was quickly brought over.

Centurion Guo selected a heavy guandao.

Fan Changyu’s best weapon was also a long-handled blade.

But after thinking about it, she worried that defeating him too badly before everyone would hurt his pride.

After some consideration, she chose two large iron hammers instead.

Their handles were short, and unlike blades, they wouldn’t leave bloody wounds with a single mistake.

As long as she held back her strength, they could exchange more moves.

Unfortunately, her smaller frame made her appear rather delicate.

Combined with her harmless expression and the two massive iron hammers weighing dozens of pounds each, the image looked incredibly bizarre.

Centurion Guo spun his blade through the air and charged with a roar.

Fan Changyu merely dodged.

Watching her remain so agile while carrying the giant hammers was already damaging Guo’s confidence.

When she continued avoiding his attacks, he shouted angrily,

“Stop dodging!”

“Take my blade head-on!”

This time, Fan Changyu actually stopped moving.

As the blade came crashing down toward her face, many soldiers watching sucked in sharp breaths.

Although Xie Wu trusted her abilities completely, he still remained tense.

The instant she appeared endangered, he was prepared to intervene.

Centurion Guo suddenly realized his momentum was already committed.

Yet Fan Changyu neither dodged nor blocked.

Cold sweat exploded across his back.

Whether she was truly a general’s daughter or not, someone powerful clearly stood behind her.

If he accidentally killed her here, his life would be over.

Clang!

The deafening impact hurt people’s ears.

The descending blade stopped abruptly.

Fan Changyu had smashed her two hammers together, trapping the blade between them and forcibly halting the strike.

Centurion Guo immediately felt his tiger’s mouth go numb.

Pain shot through his hands.

He could barely maintain his grip.

Cold sweat streamed down his face.

Those nearby clearly saw what had happened.

Those farther away couldn’t believe a simple hammer clamp could stop such a powerful strike.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

“Did Centurion Guo go easy on her because she’s pretty?”

“Lose a little face and win a beauty’s heart? I’d do the same!”

Then, in the next moment, Fan Changyu separated her hammers.

The blade trapped between them shattered instantly.

Pieces of steel fell to the ground like broken ice.

Clink. Clink. Clink.

Silence engulfed the entire training ground.

Even the soldier who had suspected Guo of holding back swallowed hard.

To shatter a descending blade with a single strike…

How terrifying did one’s strength have to be?

Just then, applause sounded from outside the field.

Turning her head, Fan Changyu saw Grand Tutor Tao, Tang Peiyi, and the other commanders approaching.

Li Huai’an was among them as well.

As commanding general, Tang Peiyi naturally spoke first.

“An excellent sparring match.”

“Reward her!”

The soldiers erupted into cheers for Fan Changyu.

Having watched others perform military salutes before, she copied them and cupped her fists.

“Thank you, General!”

Seeing her, Li Huai’an looked genuinely surprised.

“I was wondering which female warrior under General Tang possessed such valor.”

“So it was Miss Fan.”

Fan Changyu hadn’t expected him to be in Chongzhou either.

Since he was an official, she respectfully cupped her fists.

“Lord Li.”

Both Grand Tutor Tao and Tang Peiyi looked puzzled.

“You know each other?”

Li Huai’an smiled gently.

“Miss Fan once saved my life.”

Fan Changyu quickly replied,

“It was only a small favor.”

Xie Wu had been among the hundred cavalry who escorted Li Huai’an back to Qingping County.

Naturally, he remembered how Fan Changyu had protected him.

Watching the subtle way Li Huai’an regarded her, Xie Wu frowned deeply.

Li Huai’an wasn’t surprised by Fan Changyu’s politeness.

Ever since learning his identity, she had always respectfully addressed him as “Lord” whenever asking for help investigating her parents’ case.

He said,

“What a coincidence.”

“When you came alone to Chongzhou searching for your sister, you left Aunt Zhao at the Jizhou government offices.”

“When I departed for Chongzhou, Aunt Zhao was worried about you and begged to accompany me.”

Fan Changyu froze before breaking into delighted surprise.

“Aunt Zhao?”

Li Huai’an nodded with a smile.

“She’s currently staying at my residence.”

Because military registration had only just been reorganized, training hadn’t begun yet.

The afternoon was available for leave.

After the reorganization ended, Fan Changyu requested half a day’s leave and planned to bring Aunt Zhao back to the courtyard she had rented.

Naturally, Xie Wu requested leave and accompanied her.

When the two boarded the Li family’s carriage, Li Huai’an looked at Xie Wu and asked pleasantly,

“May I ask who this young brother is?”

Since Fan Changyu was starting from the bottom of the military hierarchy and women in the army were already controversial, revealing her relationship with Xie Zheng would only cause trouble.

Although Xie Wu desperately wanted this smiling fox to know his place, he also knew better than to create problems for Fan Changyu.

Stiffly, he answered,

“I’m my company leader’s attendant.”

Li Huai’an chuckled softly.

The sound remained warm and entirely free of malice.

Turning back to Fan Changyu, he said,

“Congratulations, Miss Fan.”

“With your abilities, you’ll surely achieve great things in the army.”

Fan Changyu replied,

“I only hope for peace throughout the realm.”

When they finally reunited with Aunt Zhao, the older woman burst into tears upon seeing Fan Changyu in military uniform and learning she had joined the army.

The two embraced and cried together.

Xie Wu followed them the entire time.

Wherever Li Huai’an went, he went too.

Li Huai’an clearly noticed the young man’s inexplicable hostility.

Yet he only responded with a polite smile.

Fan Changyu brought Aunt Zhao back toward the rented courtyard.

Since it was quite a distance away and the war had left nearby towns desolate, they couldn’t find a carriage.

Li Huai’an therefore offered to have his coachman drive them.

Throughout the journey, Xie Wu sat outside with the coachman.

Inside the carriage, Fan Changyu and Aunt Zhao talked about everything that had happened since their separation.

Xie Wu listened carefully the entire time.

He was determined not to miss a single word related to Li Huai’an.

When they arrived at the courtyard, Changning saw Aunt Zhao and immediately burst into tears, throwing herself into the older woman’s arms.

Remembering the terror she’d felt when Changning disappeared, Aunt Zhao began crying too.

Fan Changyu hurried to comfort both the old woman and the child.

Meanwhile, Xie Wu exchanged a glance with Xie Qi.

Using the excuse of preparing dinner in the kitchen, he quickly pulled Xie Qi aside and recounted everything about Li Huai’an.

Then he said,

“Write a letter tonight.”

“Have the sea eagle deliver it to the Marquis.”

Kneading dough with excessive force, he looked thoroughly indignant.

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