Yu Jin Chang An (With Jin's Chang'An)

Chapter 15

The flames soared into the sky, and the smell of scorched vegetation and black smoke drifted towards Lu City on the northern wind.

Li Shuang gazed into the distance, only able to see figures moving amidst the flames, with faint sounds of commotion reaching her ears. All the officers ascended to the city wall. Luo Teng watched anxiously, sweating despite the winter chill. "Damn it, is this towering inferno the scheme of the Western Region, or is it an accident caused by that man in black armor? Or... has the Western Region descended into internal strife?"

"The fire is too intense to be premeditated," another officer analyzed, "but even if the man in black armor is formidable, he couldn't have started such a huge fire alone."

"Stop speculating," Qin Lan intervened. "Nothing is certain yet. Let's wait for the scouts to report."

Just as everyone was pondering the situation, Li Shuang suddenly had an idea. "Beat the war drums. Sound the horns." The nearby officers were taken aback.

"General, are you planning to deploy troops?"

"No," Li Shuang said, looking at the blazing Western Region camp. "With such a massive fire, even if it's a scheme, it must have gone beyond their control. The Western Region has lost two major generals already, and with their army in disarray, tonight's blaze will surely cause chaos among their ranks. Seize this opportunity to beat the drums and create a false show of force. Even if it doesn't scare them away, it'll make them lose half their wits."

Qin Lan's eyes lit up. "This plan is feasible."

"But..." The original commander of Lu City, a short man with a goat beard, was a bit apprehensive. "If the Western Region Army hears our drums and marches to attack, what then?"

"Let them come," Li Shuang declared. "Without leaders and in a panic, I doubt the Western Region Army can mount any significant attack on Lu City while their camp is burning."

The man with the goat beard looked at Li Shuang, feeling a shiver down his spine in awe of her authority. He remained silent, and after a brief pause on the city wall, Li Shuang swept her gaze to the side. "What are you all standing there for?" Her cold voice startled the officers, who immediately bowed and dispersed, each going about their tasks in a hurry.

Only Qin Lan remained by Li Shuang's side on the city wall, watching the flames in the distance grow larger and larger.

Lost in thought, Li Shuang didn't notice Qin Lan, who was standing a step behind her at this moment, quietly observing her with a silence that was somewhat unusual compared to previous times.

"General..." Qin Lan gently called out.

His voice was gentle, and Li Shuang responded softly, "Hmm?" Just like the familiar tone they used to converse in the mansion.

"Is the general worried about that man in black armor?"

Li Shuang was taken aback. Her fingers, resting on the rough city wall stones, twitched slightly. "Ah?" She turned to look at Qin Lan, seeming momentarily unaware of why he would ask her this, yet also surprised that her inner thoughts... had been seen through.

Qin Lan's gaze darkened slightly.

Li Shuang then continued, "He saved me twice. Although his actions and origins are somewhat mysterious, and his behavior can be offensive... But I..." She paused, "I indeed don't want him to die in the chaos of the Western Region army."

Qin Lan's lips tightened, he lowered his head, and veiled his gaze, saying nothing more.

The war drums thundered in Lu City, and the horns sounded, their echoes resembling the howls of a dormant dragon on the border, piercing through the cold night and darkness, tearing through the northern winds, and reaching the distant crimson sky.