"I'll take care of this, Brother Mo. You can go and do something else," Ma Cai said, taking the manure cart from Chen Mo's hand.
"Alright, go quickly and come back soon," Chen Mo replied, not refusing too much. It had become routine for Ma Cai to help him with such tasks.
Ma Cai pushed the cart out of the military camp, while Chen Mo went to the shack to steam buns as usual. The task was simple, yet familiar, and it was something that had become second nature to him.
By the time Ma Cai and Ding Bao returned, Chen Mo had finished all his chores for the afternoon.
"Sir Chen, Captain Wang has set up a banquet and invited you and Ma Cai to attend." A soldier approached the barracks where Chen Mo was resting and softly called out.
Although Chen Mo didn't hold any formal title, he knew his status had risen since becoming General Sun's personal soldier. As such, his rank now far surpassed that of the soldier addressing him. Personal soldiers of General Sun were treated as equals to captains.
The soldier hesitated before addressing him, unsure of the correct way to refer to him. After a moment's thought, he opted for "Sir," though it was not exactly appropriate. Nevertheless, it was respectful, and Chen Mo did not mind.
"Alright, I'll head over now," Chen Mo replied, standing up and walking out of the barracks.
Though he wasn't particularly familiar with Captain Wang, the invitation was a sign of goodwill, and he had no reason to decline. It was an opportunity to build connections, especially with someone who might be useful in the future.
Ma Cai obediently followed behind Chen Mo, fully aware that the invitation had been extended to Chen Mo alone. He was only coming along as a companion, a supporting figure.
Arriving at Captain Wang's barracks, Chen Mo saw that the table was already set with a lavish spread—two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, four cold appetizers, four hot dishes, and the main attractions: braised pork elbow and braised lamb. Not including the drinks, the cost of such a banquet would easily amount to several taels of silver.
"Chen Mo is here! Come and take your seat!" Captain Wang's voice was warm and welcoming. To an outsider, it might seem like he and Chen Mo were old friends, but in reality, Captain Wang's invitation had a strategic purpose.
The captain wasn't so much concerned with Chen Mo's company as he was with the idea of befriending him. Chen Mo's strength was evident, and having become a personal soldier under General Sun, he was someone to know. Should Chen Mo rise in rank, a connection made now could prove useful. Even if Chen Mo's fortunes didn't improve, it cost little to maintain a cordial relationship.
"Captain," Chen Mo bowed slightly, taking his seat at the table.
The dinner started with small talk, as expected. The atmosphere was light and casual, but after a few glasses of wine, the conversation grew more relaxed. Ma Cai, sitting quietly beside Chen Mo, was more of a silent observer than an active participant, but the meal helped break the ice between him and the others. The evening passed in a comfortable, convivial manner.
Later that evening, as Chen Mo and Ma Cai stumbled out of the captain's barracks, both slightly tipsy, the alcohol took its toll. Chen Mo, with a flushed face but still clear-eyed, looked over at Ma Cai, who had already grasped a nearby tree, retching uncontrollably.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"Ugh..." Ma Cai groaned, unable to hold it in any longer.
Chen Mo had drunk a fair amount, but he had kept himself in check. He was tipsy, but far from drunk. He could still feel the energy coursing through him. The large meal had been more than just satisfying; it had served a greater purpose. The meat had been transformed into strands of qi and blood, circulating through his body. Some of it had been absorbed, while the rest flowed into the Transformation Pearl for storage.
His body had already undergone a significant transformation, and the next one would require far more energy and blood. The energy he consumed every day was substantial, and the standard diet of bread and simple grains wasn't enough to fuel the transformation. Only by consuming rich, nutritious food—like meat—could he accelerate the process.
He had already noticed the difference after today's meal. The accumulation of qi and blood seemed to be progressing much faster than before.
"If I could eat meat every day, even if it wasn't in large quantities, I'd see a noticeable increase in strength compared to eating grains alone," he thought to himself.
"Let's go," Chen Mo said after a pause, walking over to Ma Cai and picking him up with one hand. "If we don't leave now, we'll miss the curfew."
Although Ma Cai was still in a daze, he nodded weakly, and Chen Mo helped him back toward the barracks.
Once inside, Chen Mo laid Ma Cai down on his bed, then returned to his own, taking out two ingots of silver from his robes. One was the resettlement fee given by Mo Hu, the five taels from General Sun's instructions. The other had been given to him by Captain Wang, who had stuffed it into his pocket with no strings attached, only saying it was to help Chen Mo settle in under General Sun's command.
Chen Mo had no intention of refusing the silver. He understood the unspoken message: if he succeeded in the future, Captain Wang might come knocking, asking for help. The silver was a gesture, and even if Chen Mo didn't make a name for himself, it was a small price to pay for the favor of a future connection.
Holding the two silver ingots in his hands, Chen Mo couldn't help but reflect on how much his life had changed in such a short period. Just a few months ago, he had been a refugee, struggling to survive, worrying about where his next meal would come from.
Now, here he was, a personal soldier of General Sun, with ten taels of silver to his name.
Still, ten taels weren't enough to redeem Zhao Yu, the person he cared most about. He needed another ten taels, and that wouldn't be easy to gather.
Rather than hoarding the silver, Chen Mo made up his mind to spend it wisely—investing in his own growth. If he underwent another transformation, his strength would increase, and he could rise higher in the personal guard camp or even secure a government position. Once that happened, redeeming Zhao Yu might not require spending any silver at all.
He could also no longer afford to be too careful with his spending. He needed new clothes, better shoes, and winter provisions. If he didn't buy them, he might not even survive the cold season.
"Everything costs money," Chen Mo thought with a wry smile. "Food, clothing, shelter... as long as you're alive, you have to spend."
With that thought, he tucked the silver away and lay down on his bed, soon falling into a deep sleep.
The next morning, the familiar sound of gongs and drums echoed through the camp, rousing the soldiers to their feet.
After a quick wash, Chen Mo gathered his silver and headed toward the stable. There, he saw two unfamiliar soldiers standing obediently outside, waiting for him.
"What do you need?" Chen Mo asked, a little puzzled.
"My lord, Captain Wang said that you and Ma Cai are leaving soon, and he ordered us to take over the care of your horses," one of the soldiers replied promptly.
Horse care was a skilled, if physically demanding, job, and since Chen Mo and Ma Cai would no longer be working in the stables, someone had to take over.
"Brother Mo, leave these two to me," Ding Bao said, approaching with a smile.
Chen Mo nodded in acknowledgment, relieved to let Ding Bao handle it. He wasn't going to concern himself with these matters.
"Since we're free today, how about going to Baiqiao Town?" Ma Cai suggested eagerly.
Chen Mo had planned on going to town anyway, so he agreed without hesitation.
"Alright."
Ma Cai's eyes lit up, and he couldn't contain his excitement. After spending so much time in the camp, it was a rare opportunity to visit town, and today, he could finally go.
The two soldiers informed Officer He Ma and then set out for Baiqiao Town together, leaving the military camp behind.
End