> "You're not a guest, you're a creditor."
— Hanshuang
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[1] The Fortress in the Mist
Hanshuang led Lin Zhou at high speed into a valley shrouded year-round in white mist.
Within the fog loomed a massive fortress built of black steel bones and cold iron.
Around its perimeter were massive ballistae and rune-etched towers. On the walls hung the severed heads of Hanshuang's enemies—each one twisted and terrifying.
Lin Zhou stared for a while before muttering, "Can people even live here? This place looks scarier than an execution ground."
Hanshuang replied flatly, "It can house the dead."
Lin Zhou: "…"
Xiao Li poked his head out, trembling. "Brother, did we come to the wrong place? I'm scared she'll chop us up at midnight and drink with it."
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[2] Guests Not Welcome
The gates boomed open. Hanshuang's lieutenant, Ling Lie, stepped out, clad head to toe in armor with a longbow slung on his back.
He took one look at Lin Zhou and said coldly, "Marshal Hanshuang, who's this? Outsiders aren't allowed in camp."
Hanshuang said evenly, "He's the creditor."
Lin Zhou blinked. "When did I become a creditor?"
Hanshuang answered casually, "Anyone who's owed me their life will always be a creditor."
Ling Lie paused for a moment, then dropped to one knee without hesitation. "Creditor, please enter."
Lin Zhou stood dumbfounded. "Isn't this title even higher than what the Crown Prince gets?"
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[3] Frostmoon Camp's 'Daily Life'
Upon entering the camp, Lin Zhou saw all manner of training scenes:
One squad of female soldiers practicing spear drills, the spear flowers bursting like a rainstorm;
On another side, blacksmiths hammering giant shields, sparks flying;
Someone even walked past leading two furry war bears—each taller than Lin Zhou.
Xiao Li's eyes went wide. "Brother, their training is even cooler than in TV dramas!"
Lin Zhou was about to laugh when he noticed everyone looking at him with complicated eyes—part appraising a prey animal, part staring at a treasure vault.
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[4] Hanshuang's 'Banquet'
That night, Hanshuang hosted a feast in the command tent.
The table was piled high with meat, even the soup gleaming with oil.
Lin Zhou reached for a piece of meat, but Hanshuang said blandly, "Don't rush—that's blackrock beast meat. An ordinary person would vomit blood after one bite."
Lin Zhou silently put his chopsticks down. "I'll just have the soup then."
Hanshuang: "The soup's made from its bones."
Lin Zhou: "…"
Xiao Li, however, dug in without hesitation, happily alternating bites of meat and sips of soup. Hanshuang glanced at it from the corner of her eye. "This little one… seems to have an unusual constitution."
Xiao Li chewed proudly. "I'm my brother's exclusive accessory!"
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[5] The Sudden Messenger
Mid-meal, a white-robed messenger rushed in, dropping to one knee. "Marshal Hanshuang! The Crown Prince Chiyan, Honglei, and the Dragon Clan Saint Son… all three factions are moving tonight, saying they've come to 'take back Lin Zhou'!"
Lin Zhou almost choked on his soup. "Take back? I'm not cargo!"
Hanshuang remained unhurried, rising to take her spear from the wall. "Good. Let them come. I just want to see—who dares to take a creditor from my Frostmoon Camp."
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[6] Preparations Under the Moon
Night deepened, the mists outside the camp roiling, distant war drums and dragon roars echoing faintly.
Hanshuang stood at the camp gate, her armor gleaming coldly, her gaze sharp as a blade.
Lin Zhou stood behind her, patting Xiao Li's head and muttering quietly, "Why do I feel like… this place is about to turn into a slaughterhouse tonight?"
Xiao Li shrank into his arms. "Brother, I'm scared they'll hurt you…"
Lin Zhou gave a bitter smile. "What I'm afraid of… is that they'll be afraid of me."
Hanshuang glanced back, a faintly meaningful light in her eyes. "Don't worry. As long as you're here, I have a reason to act."