Chang Geng wanted to refuse at first, but as the words were about to leave his lips, they slid back down into his throat. In his impression, Ge Pang Xiao and Cao Niangzi were his two little tails. They barely ever spoke a full complete sentence to him, one could not say that there was any kind of friendship here, but once he left Yanhui Town, these two little children would suddenly become all the memories that he had of this place — Shen Shiliu not counted.

Chang Geng hesitated for a moment, then turned his head and asked a soldier: "This brother... would you mind inquiring with the marquis about this?"

The guard's reply came quickly: "Grand Marshal said this is for you to decide."

Chang Geng gently let out a breath; as he thought, such trivial matters, Gu Yun would not pay them any mind.

Bringing along Ge Pang Xiao and Cao Niangzi, Chang Geng mounted on his horse, then turned around and took one last look at the small town of Yanhui.

Giant Kites had once returned to this place, with crowds of people lining up on both sides welcoming them back. Although ridden with poverty, life here had always been happy and peaceful.

Now, as the fire of war had swept through them, the whole town seemed to have fallen into a shadow. In the distance, only the sounds of crows could be heard.

There was an indescribable sensation in Chang Geng's heart — he felt that those happy and simple days would never come back again.

The powerful Black Iron Camp rushed back to the capital in the same way as the marching of an army. Even energetic young children were completely exhausted after a few days of traveling.

When the army set their camp down for resting in a valley, in the midst of haziness, Chang Geng had a nightmare completely different than usual. He dreamed that he had a steel knife in his hand, which he pierced through Gu Yun's chest, and blood started spurting out. His face was as pale as paper, his eyes darkened and gaze scattered as they slowly lost their focus, a thin stream of blood flowing down his lips.

Chang Geng shouted 'yifu!' out loud and sat up in fright. Soaked in a feverish hot sweat, he subconsciously touched his chest.

Chang Geng had flattened the scrape on the ruined Xiu Zhong Si and noticed a detail about it. The traces left behind by the Ziliujin burn looked like some kind of pattern, resembling clouds; he then drilled a hole in it and wore it on his neck.

This Xiu Zhong Si had helped him kill a barbarian. Chang Geng believed that as he had seen blood, he could no longer be regarded as a child. He was now qualified to be a real man, hence he wore this blade on him at all times.

Chang Geng's fingers touched the ice-cold piece of black metal, gradually calming him down.