皓斧力士 Pale-Axe Stalwart
握斧守将好逞强，无畏辛劳并祸殃。
愿得山中群生好，不辞险阻向残阳。
With axe in hand, the guard shows might,
Fearing neither toil nor plight.
Wishing for the mountain's peace,
Braving dangers till the sun's last light.
盛日，午后，春秋寨。
“好!好!好!正要这般气势。”牛魔王坐在崖头的大营里，看着山下的牛妖们操练。
皓斧力士站在下手，回禀道:“大王雄风，定要雄兵才可一配。”
牛魔王点头嘉许:“你这小校，干得不错”
他看着皓斧力士，和颜道:“你投入我麾下，也无多长时日，已将这群散兵练得这般好，让我始料未及。”
皓斧力士憨憨地答道:“初来此地时，见大王山场治得这般严谨，我也始料未及。”
待他说完，自觉失言，告罪道:“我是想说……”
牛魔王爽朗一笑:“无事。山场治得好，全是夫人的功劳。她规矩大，才管得住这些夯货。”
皓斧力士也笑道:“起先的确被夫人的规矩吓了一跳。”
牛魔王见他不卑不亢，有一说一，便赞许道:“你也算治军有功，就升作我的先锋罢。”
皓斧力士赶紧跪下，道:“谢大王提拔，我必定誓死效忠。”
话音刚落，有个声音传来:“父亲唤孩儿来有何事?”
皓斧力士抬头看去，就见个红皮肤的少年从后走来。
我叫你来看看，如何点兵调将。这是我新封的先锋，你快来见见。
那少年一拍皓斧力士的肩头，笑道:“很好，父亲若信你，你必是个好的。来日我做了大王，你便也随我做个大将。”
牛魔王抚掌笑道:“有志气，以后这山场，就要靠你顶住了。”
少年微微思索，道:“父王，你不若把那东西，也一并交给孩儿保管罢。”
牛魔王沉了脸色，并不接话。
少年道:“父王连山场都能托付给孩儿，不过是个身外之物，何须在意？况你自得了它，越发憔悴了，母亲很是担心。”
牛魔王摆手道:“此事休要再提。”
少年心中十分不解，但终究不愿忤递父亲，悻悻而去。
A bright afternoon, Camp of Seasons.
"Splendid! That's the morale I want to see," the Bull King exclaimed, seated in the main camp atop the cliff, observing the bull guais training below.
Standing beside him, the Pale-Axe Stalwart reported, "My king, only such a powerful army is worthy of your majestic presence."
The Bull King nodded approvingly, saying, "You've done well, young captain."
Looking at the Pale-Axe Stalwart, he said kindly, "You've not been under my command for long, yet you've managed to train this mixed troop so well. It's beyond my expectations."
The Pale-Axe Stalwart replied humbly, "When I first arrived and saw how well-regulated the King's domain was, I was equally surprised."
Realizing he might have misspoken, he quickly apologized, "I meant to say..."
The Bull King laughed heartily, "No worries. The well-regulated domain is all thanks to the Lady of the House. Her strict rules keep these boneheads in line."
The Pale-Axe Stalwart also laughed, "Indeed, I was initially taken aback by her strict rules."
Seeing his straightforwardness, the Bull King praised, "You've done well in managing the troops. I'll promote you to be my vanguard."
The Pale-Axe Stalwart quickly knelt, "Thank you, my king, for the promotion. I will serve you with utmost loyalty."
Just then, a voice called out, "Father, why have you summoned me?"
The Pale-Axe Stalwart looked up to see a red-skinned youth approaching from behind.
"I called you to observe how to muster and command troops. This is my newly appointed vanguard; come and meet him."
The youth patted the Pale-Axe Stalwart on the shoulder and smiled, "Very good. If my father trusts you, you must be capable. When I become king, you shall be my general."
The Bull King clapped his hands and laughed, "Such ambition! The future of this domain will depend on you."
The youth pondered for a moment and said, "Father, why not entrust that item to me as well?"
The Bull King's face darkened, and he did not respond.
"Father, you trust me with the domain," the youth continued, "so why not with a mere object? Ever since you obtained it, you've grown more haggard. Mother is very worried."
The Bull King waved his hand dismissively, "Do not mention this again."
The youth, though puzzled, did not wish to defy his father and left reluctantly.
