Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

However, Shamoke raised his eyebrows slightly, a sneer curling his lips as he questioned, "A stable life? Humph, how easy is that! Over the years, the imperial court has wantonly oppressed us Shanyue people, using every possible means. The Wu Commandery has even intensified its oppression, forcing us into a desperate situation. If we don't rise up in resistance, we will die. You Han people have always been so high and mighty, how could you truly care about us?"

Upon hearing this, Gan Ning hurried forward and said sincerely, "Chief, to be honest, we have roamed the Yangtze River for many years and have also suffered from the exclusion and oppression of the imperial court. It was like struggling through thorns. Now we deeply understand that only when the oppressed forces unite and work together can we confront the evil forces that oppress the people. If you trust us, why not sit down for a while and let's talk calmly and in detail."

Shamoke's hawk-like gaze darted back and forth between Ma Chao and Gan Ning, as if he were trying to discern their intentions. After a long pause, he waved his hand and thundered, "Alright! Since you're so sincere, I'll give you a chance. But let me be frank: if I discover the slightest hint of ill will in you, you'll be buried here without a trace!" With that, he gestured domineeringly for everyone to head to the tribal camp.

Led by Shamoke, they headed towards the Shanyue tribe camp. Along the way, the terrain became increasingly complex, with the rugged mountain road winding through towering mountains. The cliffs on both sides seemed to be cut by knives and axes, leaving only enough space for a few people to walk side by side.

Approaching the camp, I saw a sturdy gate made of stacked logs, each covered in sharp thorns, gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Towering watchtowers rose on either side of the gate, where Shanyue people watched vigilantly, ready to sound the alarm if they detected any aberration. Deep trenches surrounded the camp, their bottoms lined with sharpened bamboo sticks, making crossing a formidable task. The camp, nestled against a steep mountain, formed a natural barrier, a fortification so formidable that even a single man could hold a thousand at bay. With such terrain and fortifications, it's no wonder it's so easy to defend and so difficult to attack.

Passing through the village gate, a completely different scene greeted us. The camp was dotted with thatched huts, their roofs slightly blackened by the smoke from cooking. Children ran and laughed among the huts, clutching simple toys made from tree branches. Women gathered by the stream, pounding clothes and washing vegetables while whispering in their local dialect, their laughter punctuating the air. Men were repairing houses, while others were sharpening weapons. Despite the hardships of life, each of their faces radiated a simple and resilient spirit.

In the center of the camp lay a vast open space, piled with hunted game and gathered wild fruits. Around it stood stone mills and rice pounding implements, depicting the daily labors of the Shanyue people. As Ma Chao and his companions wandered through this landscape, observing it all, they deeply felt the Shanyue people's tenacious spirit in enduring the harsh conditions.

On the way, Shamoko feigned indifference, but secretly observed the group closely. On the surface, Gan Ning presented himself as the leader of the Jinfan Bandits, his demeanor exuding the uninhibited and carefree spirit of a river hero. However, Shamoko was incredibly perceptive. He noticed that while Gan Ning was nominally the leader, both from the reactions of the crowd during their initial meeting and from subtle nuances in their subsequent conversation, he could discern the presence of the handsome young man at the center—Ma Chao—who possessed a far greater dignity and presence.

Ma Chao's every step was steady and powerful, his posture as straight as a pine tree. Even amidst this unfamiliar and wary environment, he maintained a calm demeanor, his gaze firm and penetrating, as if he could see through everything. His every gesture and movement betrayed the composure and confidence of someone long in a position of power, a unique and distinguished aura. Shamoke pondered to himself, this man was no ordinary figure; he must have a remarkable background and far-reaching plans.

Arriving at the camp, Shamoke deliberately slowed his pace, walking alongside Ma Chao. He tilted his head and asked, "You don't look like an ordinary soldier. What are your origins? Stop trying to fool me with those lies." Ma Chao smiled faintly, meeting Shamoke's scrutiny with a frank gaze. "Captain, your eyes are sharp as a torch. To be honest, I'm Ma Chao, son of Ma Teng of Xiliang. Due to the chaos under heaven, I hate to see the people suffer, so I've come here, hoping to find a safe path for my Shanyue brothers."

Shamoke's heart trembled at the mention of "Ma Chao." He had long heard of the prestige of the Xiliang Ma family. He frowned slightly, a complex expression flashing across his eyes, a mixture of fear of Ma Chao's identity and suspicion of his intentions. "Since you are a son of the Ma family, why are you interfering in the affairs of the Shanyue? Do you have any other agenda?" Ma Chao said sincerely, "Chief, the world is in constant strife these days, and the people are the ones suffering. I sympathize with my Shanyue brothers as they struggle to survive in these mountains. I have no other agenda, but to unite like-minded individuals from all sides to fight against those who oppress the people and restore peace to the world."

Shamoke remained silent, mentally weighing the credibility of Ma Chao's words. A gentle breeze blew past, ruffling everyone's clothing and creating a slightly solemn atmosphere. The laughter and chatter of the people in the camp continued to echo, forming a stark contrast to the cryptic conversation.

Shamoke remained calm on the surface, but in his heart he secretly scoffed at Ma Chao's words. In his opinion, Ma Chao's words were nothing but empty rhetoric. How could there be such a kind-hearted Han Chinese who would come to help the Shanyue people for no reason?

As he walked, he quietly signaled to a skilled soldier beside him while everyone was unnoticed. The soldier understood and quietly fell behind, blending back into the crowd. Shamoke whispered, "Go back and tell everyone to quietly arrange things. If these Han people make any unusual moves, trap them here and make it impossible for them to escape." The soldier nodded slightly, then quickened his pace and disappeared into the crowd.

Ma Chao and the others remained oblivious, following Shamoke deeper into the camp. Ma Chao continued to ramble on about his vision for the future, hoping to unite the Shanyue people, jointly resist the oppression of Wujun, and bring prosperity to the people. Gan Ning and Lu Su chimed in from time to time, trying to impress Shamoke with their sincerity.

However, Shamoke merely responded perfunctorily, a sinister glint flickering in his eyes. He glared at Ma Chao and the others, sneering inwardly, "Let's see what tricks you can pull off. If you dare harm our Shanyue people, you will pay a heavy price." The camp remained peaceful, the people working and playing as usual. But secretly, a threat loomed for Ma Chao and his men. As they entered the camp, a wide open space gradually came into view as they approached the center. In the square, soldiers stood in formation. Their armor wasn't particularly splendid, many even clad in animal hide armor, but their presence was undeniable. Each soldier carried a bow and arrow, along with a hunting knife, their every move betraying a well-trained demeanor. Particularly striking was the brilliant blue arrowheads within their quivers, evidently laced with venom. They gleamed eerily in the sunlight, a silent warning.

Meanwhile, a group of people were performing a breathtaking display. Barefoot, they steadily stepped onto a ladder studded with sharp blades, their movements fluid and unfazed. A cauldron of oil was set up on the mountainside, a blazing fire licking the bottom, the oil bubbling and sizzling. Elsewhere, charcoal fires burned red on the ground, and some Shanyue people walked fearlessly across them, their footsteps leaving behind a faint puff of green smoke.

Gan Ning and Ma Chao exchanged a glance, their minds already understanding that this was likely a deliberate move by the Shanyue people, a way to intimidate them and test them. Gan Ning frowned slightly and whispered to Ma Chao, "My lord, it seems the Shanyue are trying to test us. We must be cautious." Ma Chao remained calm, nodding slightly. His gaze remained resolute as he responded, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. Let's see what they intend." The enemy was quietly approaching.

Arriving at the square, Shamoke suddenly turned around, his true intentions exposed. A fierce look flashed in his eyes, and he shouted, "Humph, since you call yourselves the Jinfan Army that crisscrosses the Yangtze River, and you keep saying that you want to help us Shanyue people out of our predicament, I want to see what courage you Han people have to dare to speak so arrogantly!"

He pointed to the team that was performing the knife-walking performance and said, "See? These are our Shanyue warriors who can walk on the knife-walking mountain as if it were flat ground. Look over there, our people are not afraid of the sea of ​​fire and the cauldron of oil. There are also people walking on burning charcoal. Do you Han people have such courage and bravery?" Shamoke's words were full of provocation, and his eyes looked at Ma Chao, Gan Ning and others wantonly, as if he wanted to see through the fear in their hearts.

At this moment, the square was completely silent. Everyone in Shanyue turned their gazes to Ma Chao and the others, their eyes filled with scrutiny and disdain. The mountain wind howled, rustling everyone's clothes and making the atmosphere increasingly tense.

Gan Ning's face darkened, and he was about to open his mouth to retort, but Ma Chao held out his hand to stop him. Ma Chao stepped forward, his expression calm, and met Shamoke's provocative gaze. "Captain, courage isn't just about these thrilling performances. Our Jinfan Army traversed the Yangtze River, weathering countless fierce battles, relying not only on courage but also on righteousness and strategy. We haven't come here today out of a momentary display of bravery, but out of a sincere desire to help our Shanyue brothers. Even if we can pass these tests with mere courage, how can we truly help you escape this predicament?"

Shamoke sneered, "Stop spouting these high-sounding words! If you don't dare to take this test today, don't even think about getting us Shanyue people to trust you!"

Ma Chao stared at the provocative scene before him, his brow furrowed in thought. Having roamed the borderlands for years, interacting closely with numerous alien tribes, he had long heard of these kinds of tests, often conducted in unusual ways to demonstrate prowess. Yet, even as these scenes unfolded before him, anxiety surged in his heart. After all, he was responsible for the safety of his brothers, and he could not rashly involve them in this uncertain contest of courage, which would undoubtedly put them in danger.