Morning sunlight spilt over the ruined border camp, painting the broken walls gold. Smoke still hung in the air from last night's battle. The cries of crows echoed as they circled above the corpses of beasts.
I stretched my sore shoulders and looked down at the dried blood on my arms. My once‑white robe was now dark red and torn in half a dozen places. Even Yue Zhilan had a faint blood mark on her armour, though she looked as calm and perfect as ever.
"I look like a demon myself," I muttered. "I need a bath."
About half a mile from the camp, a river flowed behind a line of rocky cliffs. Steam rose from the surface in wisps; the water was clean and faintly warm from underground springs. I stripped off my filthy clothes and waded in, letting the chill sink into my bones.
For the first time since transmigrating into this world, I could breathe peacefully. The reflection in the water showed a face both familiar and new—Li Qingfeng, the fifth prince exiled by his family, but within him was still me, Ling Chen of Earth.
When I returned to the camp, the soldiers and prisoners who survived were rebuilding the fences and burning the beast corpses. The air of despair that hung over the border was gone; in its place grew a spark of courage. But that spark could also draw unwanted eyes.
I changed into clean robes taken from one of the storage bags and walked to the largest tent near the centre of the camp—the battlefield command tent. Inside, the newly summoned general knelt by the map table, going over troop positions.
General Mo Han turned as I entered. His crimson armour caught the light like burning iron, and the long scar across his jaw glowed faintly with energy. Behind him stood his elite soldiers — the Hellfire Legion — all dressed in dark armour etched with red flame patterns. Even while at rest, heat shimmered around them.
He bowed his head respectfully. "Lord Ling Chen, the beasts have been exterminated. My Hellfire Legion is ready to move on your command."
I smiled faintly. "Good. But before that, I need you to write a report to the imperial court."
He frowned. "A report?"
"Yes," I said, walking closer. "Send word that you and your Hellfire Legion cleared the border beast attack. Include every detail — your leadership, your bravery, how you restored order."
Mo Han blinked, confused. "Forgive me, my lord, but… why? You were the one who slew the greater beasts and defended the walls. The men saw you. Should the court not know of your strength? A prince's glory brings order to the land."
I shook my head, sitting down at the table. "And also paints a target between my shoulders."
Yue Zhilan stood behind me silently, but I caught a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.
"General," I continued, "you served great lords before, right? You know politics better than most soldiers."
Mo Han nodded slowly. "I have seen many emperors destroy their best men out of fear."
"Exactly," I said. "If the court learns that the crippled fifth prince—the man they cast away—has not only survived but defeated a demonic beast raid, they'll see it as a threat. The emperor will think I aim for his throne. My brothers will see it as a challenge and send assassins before I recover."
I pointed toward him. "Now imagine the opposite. They get a report saying General Mo Han and his Hellfire Legion bravely defended the border and saved hundreds of lives. The court rewards you. They commend your army. You gain resources and recognition, while I continue my quiet life in the shadows."
He looked at me for a long moment, his red eyes flickering. "You would willingly give away glory that is yours to keep the peace?"
"Yes," I said. "I need time—to grow stronger, to understand this system, to build a future that no one expects. What I need most right now is to hide my strength."
Mo Han's jaw tensed. The flames that lingered around his armour dimmed slightly. "My lord… In my past life, many rulers would have killed to have even a spark of this wisdom. You fight like a warrior but think like a strategist."
I smiled a little. "Wisdom is something that only unlucky people learn early."
Outside the tent, his army had gathered — hundreds of demon soldiers standing in formation. Their eyes burned red, awaiting orders. Mo Han stepped out to address them.
"Hellfire Legion!" he roared. His voice rolled like thunder across the camp. "From this day, the victory against the border beasts shall be declared under our banner. Yet remember — the man who stood with us, who fought beside us, is our true commander. We rise because of him."
The soldiers struck their spears against the earth in perfect rhythm. Even Yue Zhilan raised an eyebrow. She leaned toward me and whispered, "You may hide from mortal eyes, Ling Chen, but you cannot hide the loyalty of those bound by fate."
I watched as Mo Han knelt again, one knee on the ground, his army following behind him in perfect unison.
"My lord," he said, "your command shall be obeyed. The report will go to the court under my name, and no word of your part will leave our ranks. But know this—the Hellfire Legion fights for you, whether your name is sung or forgotten."
For a moment, I didn't know what to say. These were demons from another world, yet their loyalty felt far purer than anything I had found in the royal palace.
"Then we understand one another," I said quietly. "Collect the rest of the beast cores, armour, and materials. Distribute to the camp soldiers and rebuild the walls. We'll make this place strong before the next attack."
"As you command!"
When he left with his soldiers, the tent grew silent again. Yue Zhilan stood beside me, arms crossed. "It seems the child who once offered a wounded goddess shelter has not changed after all."
I looked up at her. "You mean I was foolish back then, too?"
Her lips curved slightly. "You call it foolish. I call it faith."
The system chimed softly in my mind:
"Hidden Condition Achieved – Myths of Loyalty. Affection Level of Mo Han: +10. Affection Level of Yue Zhilan: +5. Reward unlocked: Quick Access to Intermediate Summon Pool."
I exhaled slowly, staring at the faint blue screen only I could see. The path ahead was long, filled with enemies both mortal and divine. But for the first time, I felt I wasn't walking it alone.
Under the crimson morning light, the exiled prince known as Ling Chen smiled faintly.
"Low profile," I muttered. "Just a low‑profile life."
Behind me, the Goddess of the Moon Lance laughed softly. "Let's see how long you can keep it that way."