Chapter 243: Sending a Letter

Chapter 243: The Letter

Inside the Loyalty Hall, the torches blazed brightly.

The normally grim hall was today even more solemn and boisterous.

For no other reason than that today was the investiture ceremony of the Fourth Chief of the Axe Gang, Cheng Ge.

The rugged bandits crowded the hall below, wine sloshing in their bowls.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of cheap liquor and greasy roasted meat, voices clamoring in a din.

At the top of the hall hung a plaque inscribed with "Acting on Behalf of Heaven."

Beneath the plaque, next to the tiger-skin armchair originally belonging to Lei Biao, a new grand armchair covered with a complete wolf pelt had been set up.

At this moment, Cheng Ge sat in this chair—or rather, slouching in it.

His left hand rested on the armrest, one leg still in a thick splint, suspended by coarse cloth bandages, his complexion somewhat pale.

But his eyes, under the flickering torchlight, shone brighter than ever.

Lei Biao stood at the front of the hall, his voice like a great bell, drowning out all the noise.

"Brothers, quiet down! Today, Axe Ridge has a momentous happy event!

This Cheng brother beside me—everyone should already know him!

If it weren't for him risking his life to save mine, I, Lei Biao, wouldn't be standing here today drinking with you brothers!"

He waved his hand grandly, pointing at Cheng Ge. "Brother Cheng not only saved my life, but he is also courageous and resourceful, a true man!

Our Axe Gang is built on loyalty and righteousness, and Brother Cheng is worthy of it.

So today, here in the Loyalty Hall, I declare that from now on, he is the Fourth Chief of our Axe Gang.

From now on, his orders are my orders. Anyone who disrespects him is my enemy!"

As his words fell, the square erupted in earth-shaking cheers and shouts of approval.

Lei Biao nodded in satisfaction, took a large bowl filled with strong liquor from a tray held by a nearby underling, and handed it to Cheng Ge.

"Fourth Brother, according to our mountain stronghold's tradition, to ascend to this position, you must drink this bowl of brotherhood wine.

Drink it, and from now on we are true brothers for life!"

Cheng Ge sat in his wheelchair, a thin blanket covering his knees, still appearing severely injured.

His hands trembling slightly, he accepted the large bowl, and a complex expression of excitement and trepidation rose appropriately on his face, his eyes even growing moist.

He took a deep breath, as if summoning all his strength, and raised the bowl to his chest. Though his voice was not loud, it was clear to everyone present.

"Elder Brother! Brothers all! Who am I to deserve such honor? I have received Elder Brother's great affection and the brothers' acceptance!

From this day forth, I, Cheng Ge, live as a man of Axe Ridge, and die as a ghost of Axe Ridge!

I will devote all my strength to assisting elder brother and protecting the stronghold. If I have any ulterior motives, may heaven and earth destroy me!"

With that, he tilted his head back and gulped down the fiery liquor.

The liquor trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he coughed violently.

A flush of fever spread across his pale face, yet it only made his sincerity and heroic spirit more apparent.

"Excellent! The Fourth Chief, that's the spirit!"

"Fourth Chief!"

Cheers erupted once again, and many men, moved by the scene, raised their bowls in celebration.

However, amidst the clamor, White Brow, standing at a slight distance behind Lei Biao's left, remained an icy onlooker.

When Cheng Ge finished his drink and the atmosphere settled slightly, White Brow stepped forward slowly.

He first gave a slight nod to Lei Biao, then turned to Cheng Ge, his voice calm but with an almost imperceptible hint of treachery.

"Congratulations, Master Cheng... oh, I should now call you Fourth Brother.

Fourth Brother risked his life to save our leader, your righteousness reaches the skies. This position is rightly yours."

Cheng Ge immediately bowed slightly from his wheelchair, his attitude extremely humble. "Second Brother flatters me. Cheng Ge is unworthy of such praise.

I owe everything to Elder Brother's trust and the brothers' support. As a newcomer, I will need Second Brother's guidance in the days ahead."

A cryptic smile spread across White Brow's face. "Fourth Brother is too modest. You're still heavily wounded now; you need to rest and recover well."

His gaze swept over as if casually across Cheng Ge's legs covered by the thin blanket and his hand holding the wheelchair.

Cheng Ge gave White Brow a weak smile but didn't respond. Instead, he reached up and clutched his chest.

His brows furrowed tightly, and he coughed heavily several times, his face instantly turned several shades paler than before, his breathing also grew rapid.

He turned toward Lei Biao, his voice laden with obvious exhaustion and discomfort.

"Elder Brother... this body of mine... is truly letting me down. I just had a bout of heart palpitations and severe dizziness...

I'm afraid I need to go back and rest. I'm sorry to ruin the fun for Elder Brother and the brothers..."

Seeing Cheng Ge like this, Lei Biao's face was filled with concern and anxiety. "It must have been that bowl of liquor—too strong, and you spoke too much! Go back and rest at once!"

He turned to Ling Feng, who stood there like a mountain, and said, "Take good care of the Fourth Chief on the way back. Have Doctor Sun check on him immediately. Take whatever medicine you need from the storeroom!"

"Yes, Chief!" Ling Feng stepped forward immediately and pushed Cheng Ge's wheelchair.

Cheng Ge was steadily wheeled away from the noisy Loyalty Hall.

As he passed White Brow, Cheng Ge even closed his eyes, as if he had no strength to keep them open, leaving behind a weak, sickly silhouette.

White Brow stood still, watching Cheng Ge's retreating figure. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of inscrutable light passing through them.

………

At that moment, inside the Imperial Study at the palace.

Zhou Mingqi had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials and wearily rubbed his brow.

The eunuch at his side silently offered a sealed small bamboo tube, speaking in a low voice: "Your Majesty, a confidential letter from Yuanzhou."

Zhou Mingqi's spirits immediately lifted. He took the bamboo tube and dismissed those around him.

He deftly broke the wax seal and pulled out a thin sheet of letter paper.

The handwriting on the letter was firm and powerful, yet only a few lines remained:

"Your servant has arrived in Yuanzhou. Passing through Pingzhou station, encountered a great fire—suspicious in nature, likely not a natural disaster but an attempt to destroy evidence.

Your Majesty may wish to discreetly investigate any unusual movements among the officials and documents in Pingzhou.

I have now entered Yingzhou; all matters are settled and everything is going well. No need to worry." The signature was simply a single character: "Ge."

Zhou Mingqi's eyes scanned the letter twice, taking it all in at a glance.

The letter contained only official matters, terse and businesslike, with nothing else.

There were no shared travel observations, not even a routine greeting like 'Your Majesty, take care of your health.'

Zhou Mingqi held the light piece of paper, his face expressionless under the lamplight.

He stared at the character 'Ge' for a moment, then gently set it aside.

---

At the border, the bitter wind howled, rattling the military tents. Inside, a single lamp flickered dimly.

Cui Ji sat upright before a simple wooden desk, his armor still on, his brow etched with the fatigue of successive patrols.

Yet at this moment, all his attention was fixed on the thick stack of paper in his hands.

The letter was somewhat wrinkled, the corners slightly curled, having been handled repeatedly.

His fingertips lightly brushed the words 'For Cheng Xiao to open personally,' and his gaze grew deep and soft in the dancing candlelight.

He carefully slit open the envelope with a knife, his movements so gentle, as if afraid to disturb the words within.

He drew out the paper, a thick stack that carried a trace of dust from a distant land.

As always, the letter began with the familiar concern…

"It's already deep winter. I wonder how much snow there is at the border. Make sure to dress warmly when you patrol and train—don't let your strong constitution fool you into catching a cold."

Between the lines was a tender warmth, as if that person were hunched over the desk, brow furrowed as he wrote stroke by stroke.

Then the tone lightened, recounting the sights since leaving the capital.

He wrote that on an imperial inspection tour to Yuanzhou, he had seen mountains and rivers, tasted novel snacks.

Also encountered interesting local customs, recounting everything in leisurely detail.

The letter mentioned a kind of plum preserved in honey, a specialty of Yuanzhou, sour and sweet.

“…When you taste it, it makes your mouth water. Thinking of you, Cheng Xiao, toiling all day, this would be excellent for soothing your throat and relieving fatigue.

I originally wanted to buy some for you, but alas… my salary is meager, and expenses along the way have been tight.

In the end, I had to let it go. On the return trip, I'll definitely find a way to bring you a jar…”

Seeing this, the corners of Cui Ji's mouth involuntarily lifted into a smile he couldn't suppress.

"Support Dian Dian's labor of love——"