Chapter 17: Hexi Fort Master
“Bro, you’re too awesome. You actually killed nineteen Geluolu People.”
“Nineteen of them! These are nineteen ferocious Geluolu People. How did you kill them!”
The entire Hexi Fort was in shock and excitement. Er Hu standing beside Li Xiao was even more thrilled beyond measure.
He hugged Li Xiao’s back and shouted loudly.
He, who had grown up following behind Li Dalong’s butt since childhood, now worshiped Li Xiao to an unparalleled degree at this moment.
This was his bro.
Meanwhile, Da Hu nearby also had an excited expression on his face. Standing on Li Xiao’s other side, he said excitedly, “Er Hu and I together only killed two Geluolu People, which isn’t even a fraction of yours!”
“Bro, teach us how to kill people in the future. We want to kill more Geluolu pups to avenge Dad and Second Uncle.” Er Hu shouted that he wanted to learn how to kill from Li Xiao.
Li Xiao grabbed the back of their heads one in each hand and rubbed their heads hard, comforting them by saying.
“This is your first time on the battlefield, so it’s inevitable that you’re not proficient yet. Taking down two Geluolu People is already very good.”
“In the future, practice archery and martial arts with me, and you’ll get stronger and stronger.”
Hearing this, both of them had faces full of longing, fantasizing about becoming as awesome as Li Xiao in the future, brave and skilled in combat on the battlefield, unmatched by anyone.
But in reality, most of these nineteen Geluolu People were killed by Li Xiao with arrows from a distance.
Only six or seven truly died under his blade.
Moreover, perhaps due to the transmigration reason, Li Xiao felt his strength had become even greater.
A riding bow of eighty pounds, in his previous life, Li Xiao could at most shoot ten arrows before his strength started to wane.
But now it was different. Whenever he felt a bit fatigued, he could sense a surge of hot flow sweeping through his body, instantly making his strength even greater.
Moreover, Li Xiao had an intuition that his current self was far from reaching the body’s limit.
Only fifteen years old.
As his age increased, while his physique grew stronger, his strength would also become even more terrifying.
Li Xiao didn’t even know to what extent he would grow in the future.
Would he become a fierce general like the Hegemon-King of Chu or Li Cunxiao, unstoppable by ten thousand troops?
“Da Long, well done. You didn’t bring shame to your grandpa or your dad.”
“Us men of Hexi are something else.”
“A tiger father has no dog son~”
“To hell with those Geluolu pups. Next time we meet them, we’ll wipe them out just the same.”
While Li Xiao was talking with his two younger brothers, more and more gazes fell on him.
Old and young men alike gave Li Xiao thumbs up, countless admiring and appreciative gazes converging together.
The Northern Frontier had a bold and unrestrained culture, where people admired warriors the most.
Undoubtedly, through this battle, Li Xiao had conquered these villagers with his actions.
No one would see Li Xiao as a youth anymore.
His influence in everyone’s hearts had rapidly approached the level of his old dad.
People would only say ‘a tiger father has no dog son’.
For the praise from those around him, Li Xiao responded with light smiles.
Without any pride or complacency, he knew very well that relying on one person’s strength alone had no effect.
Even if he was ever so brave and invincible, he couldn’t eliminate all Geluolu People.
In the end, it still depended on the power of the people.
And in this world, Li Xiao’s base was these villagers of Hexi Fort, the Han People of Jin Prefecture and even the entire Northern Frontier.
Next, Li Xiao also stepped forward to claim his spoils of war.
For killing nineteen enemies, he received a total of twenty-five horses, twenty-three sabers, eighteen longbows, four strings of copper coins, and other scattered items like maces, daggers, leather armor, etc.
These things previously belonged to Geluolu People and Khitan People, but now they all became Li Xiao’s.
Although Li Xiao couldn’t use so many weapons, in a place like the Northern Frontier where war could break out at any time, no one would think there were too many weapons or war horses—only that there weren’t enough.
In this place, weapons, war horses, and grain were the real hard currency.
These things could all be kept, and perhaps in the future Li Xiao would use them to form a cavalry of righteous followers.
After all the spoils of war were distributed, the Old Master slowly walked up, stood on a large stone, and swept his gaze over everyone.
In that instant, all voices came to an abrupt halt.
The Old Master’s status and influence in Hexi Fort remained unquestionable.
“Everyone, the Geluolu People have come, and our days won’t be peaceful anymore.” As soon as the Old Master spoke, he gave everyone sufficient psychological pressure.
The previous joy of victory gradually faded.
Everyone understood that what they eliminated this time was only a small cavalry force of Geluolu People, and soon more troops would surely arrive.
Then, the Old Master changed his tone, saying in a seemingly downcast voice, “I’m old.”
“I can no longer bear the heavy burden of Hexi Fort.”
“It’s time to choose a young man to take my place.”
As the Old Master’s words fell, everyone fell silent, no one spoke, all gazes fixed on the Old Master.
Many had already realized this beforehand.
Because several years ago, the Old Master had stopped managing Hexi Fort’s affairs much, handing everything over to Li Xiao’s dad, Li Dahai.
“In the North Mountain battle, Da Hai is gone, Er Jiang’s fate is unknown, and of our one hundred young men from Hexi Fort, we don’t know how many will return.”
The Old Master’s low voice echoed in the village entrance clearing, as usual, without much emotional fluctuation, but every word seemed to contain irrefutable power.
The Old Master’s prestige in Hexi Fort remained unchanged.
“But those of us left in Hexi Fort still need to avenge them and live on properly.”
“Us old folks may have the will, but not the strength.”
“We still have to rely on the young ones.”
Saying this, the Old Master gently beckoned to Li Xiao and said, “Da Long, come here.”
At this moment, everyone’s gazes unanimously fell on Li Xiao. They all understood the Old Master’s intent, but no one raised any objections or questions.
Li Xiao also knew this day would come eventually, but he hadn’t expected it so soon.
After all, in his view, even if the Old Master was to pass on the position, it should wait until after the Geluolu People crisis was over.
Though somewhat sudden, Li Xiao didn’t flinch.
He took a gentle breath, then with a resolute expression, stepped forward to the Old Master’s side.
As the people of Hexi Fort fixed their gazes on Li Xiao, his gaze similarly swept over everyone in Hexi Fort without any timidity.
At this moment, still no one questioned it; instead, some nodded secretly with smiles and support on their faces.
Especially the dozen or so young and strong who had fought alongside Li Xiao earliest today—they had witnessed his strength throughout.
Though they were elders, they were completely convinced by Li Xiao.
Plus, the position of Fort Master in Hexi Fort had always been inherited by the Li Family over the years.
Everyone accepted this rule by default.
So, with Li Xiao’s dad gone, he, as the eldest grandson, could naturally take over the power from the Old Master.
“Da Long is my eldest grandson, and a child everyone has watched grow up.”
“Everyone saw Da Long’s performance in today’s battle.”
“Precise archery, brave and skilled in combat, and his skill in deploying troops and setting formations has been learned almost completely from this old man.”
“He can truly be said to have surpassed his master.”
“So, I plan to have Da Long take over as Fort Master of Hexi Fort today.”
“If anyone has any thoughts, speak freely.”
As the Old Master’s words fell, people began whispering among themselves, but no one raised any opposing opinions.
Although in their view, Li Xiao’s age was indeed a bit young, and his prestige definitely couldn’t match the Old Master or Li Dahai.
But Li Xiao’s performance today had still conquered them.
It also made them believe that Li Xiao was capable of being a good Fort Master.
At least, he wouldn’t be too bad!
Sure enough, shortly after the Old Master finished speaking, Li Xiao’s Third Granduncle, the Old Master’s own younger brother, stood out.
He said loudly, “Da Long is a good child with undeniable ability. I believe he’ll do even better than his grandpa and his dad.”
As soon as Third Grandfather spoke, Li Xiao knew the two old men must have discussed it beforehand.
And Third Grandfather also had considerable prestige in the village. With him taking the lead, others would have even less reason to oppose.
“Da Long is great.”
“Hexi Fort’s Fort Master should indeed be Da Long.”
“I also believe Da Long can do well.”
……
Everyone nodded one after another, no one raised any questions.
Essentially, this was the Li Family’s internal affair.
The normal power transition in Hexi Fort wouldn’t be so complicated, but because of what happened to Li Xiao’s dad, a vacuum appeared in the power inheritance.
For Li Xiao to become Fort Master of Hexi Fort, it wasn’t just the Old Master’s approval needed, but also the support of everyone.
Li Xiao knew this was because his own prestige hadn’t reached that level yet!
But he also believed that as long as he was given time, he would surely convince everyone completely.
“Fellow villagers, elders, thank you all for your trust in me.”
“Since I’ve become this Fort Master, I will definitely do it well.”
“Not only to avenge my dad and the others, but more importantly, to lead everyone to survive.” Li Xiao said to all the people of Hexi Fort.
……
At this moment, the fourth-generation Fort Master of Hexi Fort was born: Li Xiao, Li Dalong.
A fifteen-year-old youth.
From then on, the heavy burden of Hexi Fort’s two hundred fifty-two households and one thousand three hundred fifty-eight people all fell on Li Xiao’s shoulders.
And Li Xiao’s primary goal was to lead these people to survive amid the upcoming ravages of the Geluolu People.
