Chapter 77: The Night Raid Squad

Kameda Jiro shivered. “My lord, Jiro works for King Hilote, the reward is generous, and I must keep my word.”

“Oh? How much does that old turtle Hilote pay you?”

“For one year, one gold bar.” Kameda Jiro raised a finger, his tone full of pride.

Lu Hu gestured an ‘ok’ sign. “How about I pay you three gold bars a year?”

Kameda’s beady eyes gleamed. “Is that true?”

Yakexi answered, “When the god speaks, his word is law. If he says three, it will be three. You can count on it.”

“Alright, Jiro will follow the god.”

Money enough, and credit becomes a pot—easy to toss aside. Whoever pays enough, I, Kameda, will sell my flesh to them.

“My lord, I must report, I must confess, I must earn merit to atone for my crimes.” The servant Sun Zi, while cleaning the eagle tent, glanced furtively to ensure he’d recognized the right person, then hurried over and knelt at Lu Hu’s feet.

“Earn merit? Speak!” Lu Hu said, stopping Yakexi from striking Sun Zi.

Sun Zi pointed at Kameda Jiro. “He’s the groom King Hilote sent me. The old thief said they were good at raising horses, and I was grateful, but it turns out he’s a spy.”

“You’re not of the Ashi family, so he would naturally send someone to watch you.” Lu Hu’s mind turned swiftly, feeling a sense of unease. He asked Kameda Jiro, “You’re not alone, are you? Where’s your partner?”

Sun Zi interjected, “There were two of them. When they arrived, they pretended to be mute—”

Yakexi kicked him to the ground. “The god didn’t ask you. Why are you interrupting?”

Kameda Jiro said, “When your men rebelled—no, not rebelled, rose up and stormed the camp, Saburo ran back to Hilote headquarters to report, while I stayed hidden.”

“Saburo? Kameda Saburo? Your brother’s a spy too?”

“Yes. The family is so poor it bleeds. The eldest is a ronin, making money selling illicit salt. The second and third learned ninjutsu in the mountains…”

“Did Saburo ride out?”

“Yes.”

Lu Hu’s mind raced. If he sent the White-headed Eagle King to pursue, the eagle wouldn’t be much faster than a horse, and after so long, catching up would be difficult. Besides, the sky was thick with clouds; a blizzard could fall at any moment. He couldn’t risk the White-headed Eagle King. They had to advance quickly. If Hilote’s forces prepared, everything would become passive.

Luckily, Saburo fled early, and now Jiro was in his hands. Hilote knew something was amiss but might not foresee the looming threat. Yet he had long been wary of the Left Division, ready to kill the Left Sage King and replace him with his own men.

Suddenly, Lu Hu recalled something and asked Sun Zi, “Every herder has sheepdogs, and the plains abound with hunting dogs. Why don’t you bring one when you hunt?”

Not a single hunting dog in the camp. He’d touched Sun Zi’s sore spot; the servant began to sob.

Kameda Jiro looked ashamed. “The dogs—all poisoned by Jiro and Saburo.”

Damn, these Kameda brothers are dog-slayers!

“Oh, oh, oh… My hundred fine hunting dogs! I thought they died of illness, but it was you two damned scoundrels! How could you be so cruel?” Sun Zi was inconsolable.

Yakexi, annoyed, kicked Sun Zi again. “Stop your whining! Why cry over dogs as though you lost your parents? If you cry again, I’ll tie you up like a dog.”

Sun Zi stifled his tears, only letting them fall silently.

“You poisoned the dogs so you could scout the camp at night?” Lu Hu asked Kameda Jiro.

Kameda Jiro was truly single-minded. By killing all the dogs, nothing could hinder their nocturnal activities.

Sun Zi had treasures beyond measure—even his chamber pot was silver. Stealing from him once was worth a hundred years of Hilote King’s reward. Kameda Jiro should be called Kameda the Simpleton.

Kameda Jiro said, “Hilote King ordered it. I hate dogs too. Heroes—or rather, cowards—think alike.”

Lu Hu looked at Sun Zi, still sobbing. “Hear that? If I don’t act, Hilote King will. At least I let you live; Hilote King would slaughter your family along with you.”

“That villain and I cannot coexist!” Sun Zi gritted his teeth.

“Then think carefully about what to do.”

Sun Zi swore, “I pledge my life to the god. Let me serve as a vanguard and destroy Hilote.”

“Let’s see how you perform.” Lu Hu made no promises; Sun Zi had committed many sins and would be used for now. Still, he offered a morsel of hope: “For now, you’ll be chief of the eagle army. Sleep in the eagle tent and care for the birds. From now on, you’ll eat three meals a day with General Kexi.”

He turned to Yakexi. “Kexi, don’t beat him anymore. Remove his shackles and bring him a bed.”

“Troublemaker!” Yakexi responded, arranging for his guards to move a bed.

“My lord, you are my second birth—my new parents. Sun Zi is forever grateful…” He opened his mouth and wailed again.

Lu Hu addressed the White-headed Eagle King and his wife. “Tell the children not to torment him anymore; he’s still useful to us.”

“Alright, god, rest assured.” The eagle king and his wife cooed their reply.

Ying Bangbang and Ying Qilai were snoring, already sleeping like two little piglets.

“Jiro, I want to form a night raid squad and appoint you as captain. What do you think?” Lu Hu thought to give Kameda Jiro an official post—not for loyalty, but to keep him busy and out of mischief.

“Night raid squad? What sort of work is that?” Kameda Jiro still had his principles—not just any post would suffice.

“Choose any soldiers from the camp. Train them in ninjutsu. Your skills are impressive. I’ll pay you ten gold bars per year, starting tomorrow.” Lu Hu put a tall hat on him and painted a grand picture.

“Alright, alright, alright! Rest assured, god. Jiro will work till he drops dead.” The prospect of rank and riches made Kameda Jiro grin from ear to ear.

“Tonight, patrol outside my tent. You’ll work one hard night for now.”

“Yes, god trusts Jiro. Not even a fly will get by. Any who dare disturb you, Jiro will be their mortal enemy!”

Suddenly, the White-headed Eagle King spread his sharp beak…