The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 24 Part 1

Four or five days had passed since Lin Aoxue and Beichen Ji had their conflict. During this time, Lin Aoxue had neither visited the military doctor’s camp nor seen Yun Yan again. Even her interactions with Beichen Ji had noticeably decreased.

Beichen Ji felt somewhat guilty. That day, he had spoken recklessly in a fit of anger. Upon reflection, he realized that Lin Aoxue spent most of her time training the soldiers, while he was the one constantly seeking ways to get closer to Yun Yan. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t narrow the distance between them. Frustrated by his own failure, he had unfairly taken out his resentment on Lin Aoxue.

Besides, Lin Aoxue had made it explicitly clear that her sole focus was revenge and that she would never have feelings for Yun Yan. Only then did Beichen Ji finally let go of the knot in his heart.

He had attempted multiple times to invite Lin Aoxue for a drink to ease the tension between them, but she had become increasingly determined, throwing herself into training with such intensity that she practically neglected food and sleep. The murderous aura around her was so strong that whenever Beichen Ji was about to speak, he swallowed his words instead.

The peaceful days did not last long. As autumn arrived, the people of Beichen began harvesting their crops, filling their granaries. The barbarians, greedy for this abundance, watched like hungry wolves.

Once again, the barbarians launched an incursion. This time, instead of directly attacking Xingbei Pass, they roamed the outskirts, specifically targeting scouts sent by Xingbei Pass. They then split into multiple groups like bandits, sending small squads of around a thousand to eight hundred men to harass the surrounding areas of Xingbei Pass, Poyan, and Fengyu—important strategic passes.

Though Beichen Long received numerous military reports, by the time the news reached Xingbei Pass, it was often already a day or two late. The barbarian forces moved swiftly and silently. Although these scattered guerrilla troops didn’t cause large-scale destruction, their unpredictable raids frustrated Beichen Long immensely.

The area surrounding Xingbei Pass was filled with deep mountains and dense forests, home to ferocious beasts. Even the army dared not station troops there for long. It was only during the autumn harvest that Beichen Long would send a few highly skilled scouts to patrol the region and monitor the barbarians’ movements.

However, this year, the barbarians also seemed to have exceptional scouts. They had preemptively tracked the Beichen scouts outside Xingbei Pass and ambushed them, wiping out more than half of Beichen Long’s reconnaissance team.

Without scouts, Xingbei Pass was like a blind tiger. Under Beichen Long’s very nose, opportunistic raiders slipped through the mountains, attacking remote villages, slaughtering countless innocents, and stealing large quantities of harvested grain.

Inside the pass, upon receiving yet another report of a village raid—and news that the newly dispatched scouts had only managed to retrieve the corpses of their predecessors—Beichen Long finally lost his temper. He slammed his desk in fury and gritted his teeth as he ordered the soldier before him, “Go and find Lin Aoxue for me.”

The soldier took his orders and left. 

From behind the folding screen in the room, a deliberately lowered voice asked Beichen Long, “Are you planning to send Lin Aoxue beyond the pass to investigate the barbarians’ movements?”

Beichen Long’s expression was grim as he replied, “If we’re talking purely about martial prowess, aside from the two of us, there is likely no one in Xingbei Pass who can match Lin Aoxue. He was personally trained by Hongming, with ten years of solid foundation. He is meticulous in his actions, neither arrogant nor impulsive—a temperament that bears some resemblance to Hongming’s.” As he spoke, his brows furrowed involuntarily. “But he is also reserved, which means he must have his own agenda. Whether it’s military achievements or revenge he seeks, I have favored him many times, yet I’ve never dared to rely on him too heavily. This autumn’s scout missions have been fraught with dangers. If he truly has the ability and is willing to serve my army, I will give him this opportunity—to see if he can meet my expectations.”

The person behind the curtain fell silent, saying no more.

Beichen Long set down the brush in his hand. At that moment, the door curtain was lifted, and Lin Aoxue stepped inside. She knelt on one knee in the open space before Beichen Long and respectfully saluted.

“Grand General. “

Beichen Long lifted his gaze to her and got straight to the point. “Lately, the barbarian forces outside the pass have been frequently harassing the border citizens, raiding villages, and moving in secrecy. What are your thoughts on this?”

Given Lin Aoxue’s position, she had no direct access to military intelligence or reports. To prevent unrest among the troops or the risk of leaks, most military information was kept strictly under Beichen Long’s control. As a result, this was the first time Lin Aoxue had heard of the situation.

She was momentarily stunned. Then, her brows furrowed in thought. After a brief moment of consideration, she asked in confusion, “But sir, the barbarians have raided villages during autumn harvests in previous years as well. To minimize losses, didn’t we send scouts beyond the pass? Why is the situation so dire this time?”

Beichen Long had anticipated this question. The moment she spoke, he replied, “Because this year, the barbarians have devised an unknown countermeasure. Nearly half of the scouts we sent out have been eliminated without a sound.”

Lin Aoxue hadn’t expected such a reason. A flicker of shock flashed across her face before her expression darkened. She spoke urgently. “If that’s the case, the barbarians will act even more recklessly.”

Beichen Long’s gaze remained locked on Lin Aoxue, carefully observing her every reaction and word. As expected. This is a normal response, he thought to himself.

He nodded slightly and continued, “Precisely. With our scouts suffering heavy losses beyond the pass, the barbarian raiders are now infiltrating freely. Our main forces at Xingbei Pass have been unable to respond in time, and as a result, several villages have already been looted, with hundreds dead or wounded.”

As Beichen Long studied Lin Aoxue, she was also analyzing his intentions. He never spoke without reason. If he had summoned her in private, there had to be a purpose behind it. She considered the meaning behind his words, quickly grasping the key point. Once Beichen Long finished speaking, she took the initiative to respond, “The situation beyond the pass is complex, and the battlefield changes rapidly. I believe that in addition to increasing the number of scouts, we must also raise the selection criteria. Not only must they excel in agility, but they must also have sufficient skills for self-defense.”

Lin Aoxue’s words aligned perfectly with Beichen Long’s thoughts. He nodded in agreement and said approvingly, “You are correct. However, within our ranks, there are few truly capable of taking on such a responsibility.”

Not every soldier possessed the individual combat prowess of Lin Aoxue or Shang Wu. The vast majority were ill-suited for the role of scouts. Selecting reliable and qualified soldiers in a short time was no easy task.

Lin Aoxue understood Beichen Long’s reasoning—this was precisely why he had called her here alone. She lowered her head slightly, a strand of dark hair falling over her eyes, partially obscuring her expression.

“I request permission to go beyond the pass and investigate the movements of the barbarian forces.”

Her words came without hesitation. Seeing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Beichen Long’s face. “Good. Since you are willing, I will send you beyond the pass. You may choose one other soldier from the army to accompany you and watch each other’s backs. Aside from that, if you have any other requests, feel free to make them.”

“Understood. Thank you, Grand General.”

***

After thanking Beichen Long, Lin Aoxue exited the command tent and walked back to her own quarters, beginning to pack the necessary supplies for her journey beyond the pass.

While sorting through her medicinal supplies, she realized that she had completely run out of healing salves after the last battle. She would need to restock—otherwise, if she were injured after leaving the pass, treating her wounds would become significantly more troublesome.

By the time she finished packing her belongings, the sky outside had already darkened. Her mind was still occupied with the question of whom to bring along. The person had to be trustworthy and possess unique skills that would be useful beyond the pass.

Several names of those she was relatively close to flashed through her mind.

Beichen Ji, as Beichen Long’s youngest son, was someone whose safety mattered more to Beichen Long than the mission itself. Taking him beyond the pass would be like cutting out a piece of Beichen Long’s heart. Moreover, there had been some friction between her and Beichen Ji recently. She had no desire to entrust her back to someone as unpredictable as him. The moment his name surfaced in her thoughts, she dismissed it just as quickly.

Lu Sheng was certainly reliable, but his leg injury had yet to fully heal. If he accompanied her beyond the pass, he might not be able to handle the demands of the mission. Shang Wu was skilled in martial arts, but he was rough in nature and lacked the meticulousness required for a scout.

Beyond them, Lin Aoxue had a few other promising candidates under her command, but she found reasons to reject each of them. Even by the time she reached the military doctor’s camp, she had yet to decide on a companion.

Her expression was serious. She had been stationed at Xingbei Pass for nearly a year, yet among all the people she had interacted with, few were truly worth forming deep connections with. As she considered this, she thought that if she truly couldn’t find a suitable person, it might be better to go alone rather than bring someone who could prove unreliable.

She pushed open the door to the medical tent and stepped inside. At that moment, two soldiers were walking out, arms slung around each other’s shoulders, whispering among themselves. They exchanged sly glances, their laughter carrying a lewd undertone. Lin Aoxue caught sight of them out of the corner of her eye, her brows furrowing slightly.

As she passed by them, she inadvertently caught fragments of their conversation—and abruptly halted in her tracks.

They were talking about Yun Yan.

She heard one of them sneer that Military Doctor Yun was only able to stay in the army because she was Beichen Ji’s favorite. If it weren’t for his protection, how could a woman from a brothel possibly survive in a camp full of men?

If not for the fear of offending Beichen Ji, that so-called “proud and aloof” Doctor Yun would have long been reduced to just another plaything, passed around among countless men.

As they spoke, they leered over Yun Yan’s appearance, discussing her as if she were nothing more than an object of desire. They pointed and smirked as they walked, making no effort to lower their voices—after all, what they were saying reflected a common sentiment among many soldiers in the camp.

To them, their words weren’t particularly vile, nor did they believe they were doing anything wrong. It was simply how things were. Laughing and chatting without a care, they carried on as if their words were the most natural thing in the world.

A surge of anger flared in Lin Aoxue’s chest. The filth that spilled from their mouths was like the stench of rot from a cesspool, making her feel nothing but revulsion. She turned sharply, her gaze cold as she fixed it on their retreating figures. 

“Stop right there!”

The two soldiers stiffened in surprise and glanced around, seeing no one else nearby. Only then did they slowly turn back, their eyes landing on Lin Aoxue’s stern, unyielding expression.

Their faces immediately paled. They had heard the rumors—Lin Aoxue had once stepped forward for Yun Yan before, punishing a pharmacy assistant for speaking out of turn. They had been too caught up in their gossip to notice who had overheard them, and now, they had no idea how much Lin Aoxue had listened to.

Their hearts pounded with anxiety. Lin Aoxue had only been in the camp for a year, yet she had already risen to the rank of baihu and was known for her exceptional martial prowess. Just one cold glare from her was enough to make their legs go weak.

“Foul words, disgusting beyond measure. Each of you—slap yourselves a hundred times. Learn your lesson!”

Her voice was as cold as ice, her words carrying an edge that left no room for negotiation.

The two soldiers’ faces changed drastically upon hearing her words. One of them called out, “Baihu Lin,” attempting to plead for mercy, but Lin Aoxue merely cast him a cold glance and raised her voice slightly.

“Do you want me to do it myself?”

There was an icy edge to her tone, as if laced with shards of frost. A shiver ran down the soldiers’ spines, and they dared not argue further. Immediately, they dropped to their knees and began slapping themselves across the face.

The crisp sound of slaps echoed through the military doctor’s camp, jarring against the quiet. A few soldiers lingering inside heard the noise. Though curious, they dared not look over, intimidated by Lin Aoxue’s imposing presence. They merely lowered their heads, feigning ignorance.

Lin Aoxue let out a cold scoff and issued a warning. “Gossiping behind others’ backs in the military camp… If the grand general were to find out—hmph.”

She left the sentence unfinished, but the meaning was clear. The soldiers understood immediately, their bodies stiff with fear, not daring to utter a single word. After all, Yun Yan had been personally redeemed from Yanyu Tower by the grand general. Though they might whisper about her in private, if such talk ever reached the surface, a mere hundred slaps would be far from enough to settle the matter.

Afraid of Lin Aoxue’s wrath, the soldiers in the medical camp found excuses to leave. The two who had been ordered to slap themselves had yet to finish, but the others had already scattered in fear.

By the time the two soldiers completed their punishment, their faces were swollen, their lips bloodied. Lin Aoxue, however, showed no sympathy. Instead, she landed a sharp kick on each of them and coldly spat out a single word.

“Get lost!”

Only then did the two scrambled away in a panic.

As Lin Aoxue turned back, she saw the nearby tent flap lift. Standing behind it was Yun Yan, whom she had not seen for several days. Yun Yan’s expression was a mix of surprise and something more complex. In a soft voice, she greeted, “Baihu Lin.”

Lin Aoxue nodded at her, her expression calm and unreadable as she said, “Doctor Yun, please prepare a set of medicinal salves for me.”

Yun Yan hesitated slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes. “There haven’t been any battles recently. If I recall correctly, you should still have some medicine left.”

Lin Aoxue did not argue, only giving a simple nod. “Yes, but the grand general has assigned me a temporary mission. I will be leaving in the next two days. What I have left may not be enough.”

Yun Yan studied Lin Aoxue with quiet scrutiny. She couldn’t help but feel that something about Lin Aoxue seemed colder—more distant—than the last time they met. Compared to before, there was a noticeable hardness to her demeanor.

Lin Aoxue deliberately avoided her gaze, refusing to meet her eyes. The moment she sensed herself growing self-conscious, she quickly suppressed the unfamiliar warmth that threatened to rise within her.

Yun Yan recalled the day Lin Aoxue and Beichen Ji had been summoned away by Beichen Long from the military doctor’s camp. Since then, she had not returned. Beichen Ji, however, remained the same as always—though he spoke of Lin Aoxue far less than before. She found it strange. 

Seeing that there was no one else around, she offered a casual smile and teasingly said, “It’s only been a few days, yet Baihu Lin already seems so distant from me.”

Lin Aoxue lowered her gaze, emotions stirring restlessly within her. “You’re overthinking it. That’s not the case.”

From the moment she had overheard the soldiers gossiping about Yun Yan, a fire had been burning in her chest. A mix of anger, resentment, and something else entirely. This foreign, turbulent emotion swirled within her, making her deeply uneasy.

Hearing Lin Aoxue’s response, Yun Yan still wore a gentle smile, yet in Lin Aoxue’s eyes, it was tinged with a faint sense of loneliness and helplessness. That fleeting sorrow was like a sharp blade, silently slicing through Lin Aoxue’s carefully maintained façade of indifference, stabbing unexpectedly at her heart.

Yun Yan had not been faring well in the military camp, yet Lin Aoxue had chosen to withdraw for the sake of self-preservation, casting aside Yun Yan, who had helped her multiple times. Only now did she belatedly realize the difficult position Yun Yan was in.

If it weren’t for Lin Aoxue bringing Yun Yan from Yong’an Town to treat Beichen Ji’s poisoned wound, Beichen Long wouldn’t have taken notice of her and sent people to redeem her from Yanyu Tower.

At this moment, Yun Yan should have still been the courtesan queen of Yanyu Tower—still surrounded by men like wolves, yet accompanied by many sisters who could share her burdens. At the very least, she wouldn’t have seemed so alone and helpless.

As long as she had remained in Yanyu Tower, she would have continued to shine. She wouldn’t be here in the military camp, where the only person willing to speak sincerely with her now avoided her, and where the rest of the soldiers and officers had never truly regarded her as an equal.

Although Yun Yan had shed the title of a courtesan, in the eyes of those in the camp, that identity was etched into her very bones—an indelible mark that could never be erased.

A surge of uncontrollable emotions stirred within Lin Aoxue. She suddenly recalled that hazy moonlit night when Yun Yan had looked straight into her eyes and spoken from the heart. That one sentence—”Someone has to remember.”—had caught her off guard, striking deep within her.

Yun Yan was such a kind person. She did not deserve such baseless cruelty.

Lin Aoxue had always believed herself to be cold-hearted, incapable of softening for anyone. Yet at this moment, she pressed her lips together hesitantly, avoiding Yun Yan’s probing gaze, and asked in a hard voice, “Yun Yan, do you regret it?”

She did not need to clarify what she meant—she knew Yun Yan would understand.

She wanted to ask whether Yun Yan regretted leaving Yanyu Tower, whether she felt sorrowful for coming to this chaotic military camp.