Chapter 113: The Altered Letter

That night, in a camp located more than fifty miles outside Jincheng, over a hundred Qiang soldiers were constantly patrolling, suggesting the site was of great importance. A glance around revealed sacks piled high everywhere, with traces of grain and fodder scattered across the ground. It was clear that this was where the Qiang people stored their provisions.

In the darkness, a man of slight build, dressed like a scholar and standing about eight feet tall, crept stealthily toward a section of the camp. Astonishingly, he managed to reach his destination without being detected by a single person. He had arrived at the Qiang stable.

At that moment, only two Qiang soldiers were standing guard at the stable. They were yawning repeatedly, their heads nodding like chickens pecking at rice, looking utterly listless. They remained completely oblivious to the person approaching from behind.

Suddenly, a flash of murderous intent crossed the scholar's eyes. He pulled a dagger from his robes, swiftly moved behind one of the Qiang soldiers, covered his mouth with one hand, and slit his throat with the other. The act was so quick that it did not alert the second guard at all.

The scholar then disposed of the second soldier in the same manner. Once they were dealt with, he quickly selected a fine horse, vaulted onto its back, and charged directly toward the camp gates.

The stallion let out a loud neigh as it collided with the two guards stationed at the entrance. Caught off guard, they were knocked to the ground, and the scholar burst through the gates.

"Intruder! Someone has stolen a horse and is escaping!" the fallen guards bellowed, instantly rousing the slumbering Qiang soldiers.

A man who appeared to be a junior commander emerged, and upon learning of the situation, he immediately ordered a hundred cavalrymen to pursue the escaping scholar. Once again, everything was swallowed by the darkness.

The following day, in Jincheng, Han Sui stared at a letter in his hand, his brow furrowed in confusion. It wasn't that he couldn't read the message—Liu Yao’s intent to persuade him to abandon his current path and join the rightful cause was clear enough. However, the letter was filled with numerous smudges and corrections, which left Han Sui deeply suspicious.

"Boyan, come and see what Liu Yao is playing at," Han Sui said to Yan Xing, who stood nearby.

Yan Xing’s entire left arm was wrapped in bandages like a bundle of rice dumplings. Despite the severity of his injury, he seemed to be holding up well, though his face was pale from excessive blood loss. It was a miracle that he could even stand ten days after suffering such a wound.

Yet, Yan Xing knew all too well that his left arm was completely ruined; he could no longer feel it, meaning it would be useless forever. For a martial artist, the agony of such a loss was immeasurable.

Yan Xing took the letter with his right hand and began to read. After only a few sentences, he sneered with disdain, "I never expected that Liu Yao’s subordinates were so illiterate that they would send a letter filled with so many corrections." Because of his own injury, Yan Xing had come to hate both Zhao Yun and Liu Yao, so he would never miss an opportunity to mock them.

Han Sui agreed, thinking perhaps he had been overthinking it. He moved to burn the ridiculous letter; if he were so easily persuaded, he would not have fought so many battles to begin with.

Before Han Sui could act, Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu burst into his tent. Seeing Han Sui about to burn the letter, they shouted, "Stop right there, Han Sui!"

Han Sui looked at the two men in surprise and asked, "Why have you two come here?"

"Hmph," Li Wenhou sneered. "If we had arrived a moment later, would you have burned all the evidence?"

Han Sui was incensed. "Li Wenhou, what do you mean by that?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

"You..." Han Sui was speechless with rage.

"Enough, you two, stop arguing. Let's talk reasonably," Beigong Boyu stepped in as a peacemaker.

"Hmph. I don't know why you two barged into my tent, but if there is no pressing matter, you had better leave," Han Sui said, his voice laced with anger.

Beigong Boyu looked at the letter in Han Sui's hand and asked, "We heard that Liu Yao sent you a letter this morning. Is that it?"

"Indeed!" Han Sui replied dismissively.

"How bold! You dare admit it! Then why were you trying to burn it? Was it to destroy the evidence of your collusion with Liu Yao?" Li Wenhou demanded.

"That is not the case. My conscience is clear, and I do not fear your slander," Han Sui declared righteously.

Li Wenhou sneered, "Then do you dare let us see the letter?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Han Sui retorted. Since he truly had no secret dealings with Liu Yao, he had nothing to hide. He handed the letter to the two men.

Seeing Han Sui's frankness, Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu felt a flicker of doubt—perhaps Han Sui really hadn't betrayed them. Still, they took the letter to confirm for themselves.

However, as soon as they finished reading, Li Wenhou flew into a rage. He threw the letter at Han Sui and pointed a finger at his nose. "You scoundrel! How dare you say you have no dealings with Liu Yao? Tell me, why were parts of this letter smudged out? Is there something shameful hidden in there?"

Han Sui was stunned. He looked at the letter again and suddenly realized the truth. *Damn that Liu Yao,* he thought. *He did this on purpose! What a despicable scheme to sow discord.*

But Han Sui was helpless. How could he explain to Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu that this was merely a ploy by Liu Yao to divide them? He knew that if he were in their shoes, he wouldn't believe it either. If he tried to explain, they would only be more convinced of his guilt. He was trapped, forced to swallow his bitterness in silence.

Seeing Han Sui speechless, Li Wenhou assumed he had been caught in his own lie. "You scoundrel, what else do you have to say for yourself?"

Han Sui’s veins pulsed with anger. While he cursed Liu Yao's treachery, he also cursed Li Wenhou for a fool. But he could say nothing. He turned his back on them and said firmly, "I, Han Sui, am a man of integrity. If I have not done something, I have not done it."

Li Wenhou was enraged by Han Sui’s defiance, and even Beigong Boyu grew hostile. Yet, they could not afford a falling out. Han Sui was nominally the commander-in-chief of the Qiang forces; if he were ousted, the army might collapse before a single battle was fought. Moreover, Han Sui’s power had grown significantly; even if he were still weaker than the two of them, the gap had narrowed.

If the three of them turned on each other, Li Wenhou might destroy Han Sui, but his own forces would be decimated in the process.

"Hmph! Let's go," Li Wenhou snorted, and he and Beigong Boyu stormed out of the tent, leaving Han Sui to sigh in frustration. The rift between the three had deepened once more.