Chapter 28: Meeting Gan Xingba

After Su Fei made a military pledge to save Gan Ning, the two of them stepped outside. Su Fei gave a bitter smile and said to Gan Ning, “Xingba, you must learn to be more tactful. The young general is desperate to save his father—why argue with him?”

Su Fei was the admiral of Huang Zu’s navy. Among the navy, apart from Huang She—the young general—Su Fei held the highest rank. Gan Ning served under Su Fei, and the two were close friends. In fact, Gan Ning had abandoned his life as an outlaw and entered government service thanks to Su Fei’s recommendation.

Gan Ning sighed and said helplessly, “I just can’t bear to watch our brothers die for nothing.”

Only after speaking did Gan Ning recall that, to save him, Su Fei had made a solemn military pledge in front of Huang She. It was there in black and white: if West Crossing was not taken before noon, and Westling County was not seized before nightfall, Su Fei would lose his head.

“Brother Su, how could you dare make such a pledge?” Gan Ning said anxiously. “We’re outnumbered—taking West Crossing is already near impossible, let alone the county seat itself!”

Su Fei was just as helpless. He knew Huang She’s temperament well. In that situation, had he not made the pledge and guaranteed the capture of West Crossing and the county, Huang She would certainly have killed Gan Ning in a fit of rage.

“Xingba, if I hadn’t made that pledge, your head would already be floating down the river,” Su Fei replied.

Gan Ning had no answer to that. Su Fei