Chapter 78: Brocade City, Stopped at the Gate

The little child neither cried nor made a fuss, his obedient demeanor causing Chu Junhan's eyes to burn with emotion. In times of chaos, people would do anything to survive; one couldn't really blame the wet nurse. Yun Yi’s family had fallen from grace, and the wet nurse, too, needed to find her own way in the world.

Yet, for a child barely four or five years old, this world was far too cruel.

The child’s eyes were clear and bright. He reached out his tiny hand and gently touched Chu Junhan’s head. “Sister, don’t cry.”

“Sis... sister?” Chu Junhan’s mouth twitched, nearly choked by the child’s innocent words.

Tang Chen laughed heartily, scooping the little one into his arms and pinching his nose, “Perhaps our little brother Junhan is just too adorable. Children speak without filter, don’t take it to heart, Junhan.”

The child pushed Tang Chen’s face away with a pout, “I want sister to hold me. You’re not as pretty as she is.”

Chu Junhan forced a smile, trying to hide the panic in his eyes as he took the child. “I’m a big brother.”

Yun Yi pursed his lips, “Pretty big brother.”

Chu Junhan’s face darkened. Was it just him, or did children these days have such sharp eyes?

On the moonlit avenue, two young men and a child walked together. The older youth occasionally burst into cheerful laughter...

---

Beneath the city gates of Brocade City, three figures stood. Their attire made it obvious they hailed from the minority lands of Liao Prefecture.

Tang Chen stepped forward and presented his visiting card, while Chu Junhan held the sleeping child.

The city guard took the card with disdain. Their rustic, shabby clothing immediately marked them as country folk, probably bringing their whole family to Brocade City in search of a living.

But when he opened the card and saw the commander’s seal, his face turned incredulous. “Tang Chen, Deputy Commander of the Left Wing of Tianqing Chu’s Army?”

Tang Chen nodded humbly. “That’s me.”

The guard’s outcry drew a crowd of curious soldiers, each examining the card carefully. This was the infamous war god’s seal!

Yet, what was with the child and the young man at his side?

Someone finally voiced his doubt, “This seal must be fake. I’ve heard Tang Chen is a fierce monster, with a bloody mouth... You don’t look the part.”

“I…” Tang Chen raised his brow and pointed to his own nose, his face darkening. Had the world really been saying such things about him all these years?

The youth before them was refined and courteous, humble and polite. Other than a scar on his face, there was nothing remotely monstrous about him.

Another soldier chimed in, “Exactly, this must be a fake. And if you forged Tianqing’s commander’s seal, why come to our Renda Kingdom to seek a living?”

“Ah, you don’t understand. Tianqing would see through it too easily.”

---

The soldiers became ever more convinced they were dealing with fraudsters and refused to let the three enter the city.

Tang Chen, patient as always, tried to reason with them. But Chu Junhan was different. He frowned slightly, stepped forward, and scattered poison in broad daylight, swiftly knocking out the guards of Brocade City.

Chu Junhan then dragged Yun Yi along, swaggering into the city. The passersby hurriedly made way, none daring to block or question them.

Tang Chen, momentarily stunned, hurried after them. “Junhan, are we just going to stroll in like this?”

“We won’t get far,” Chu Junhan replied, pointing his chin forward.

Tang Chen followed his gaze. A squad of soldiers armed with spears was rushing toward them—he didn’t need to ask why. His head was spinning.

“There are the trespassers in Brocade City—seize them!” came a low shout, and the three were soon surrounded by a fierce band of soldiers.

Tang Chen moved closer to Chu Junhan, adopting a defensive posture. At a word from his master, he could fight their way out, even if it meant breaking through a siege.