Chapter Eleven: The Straight Path

Within the Xu family compound, in the residence of Old Master Xu, a single lamp still burned alone.

With age, sleep had grown elusive for him. Ever since his stroke, after sending Xu Le out to trade and keeping only himself within these walls, the oil lamp in his room had seemed never to extinguish.

Night after night, Xu Gan sat propped on a bamboo couch, staring northward. Though there was no window on that side, his gaze seemed to pierce the wall, reaching distant mountain passes cloaked in clouds, ever following the child he had brought out of Chang’an in his arms.

His own life was like a guttering candle in the wind. Memories slid across his mind—those youthful days of clashing spears and armored horses, the rural life begun more than a decade ago—all fleeting as drifting clouds. The only thing that weighed on his heart, the only tie he could not sever, was the grandson he had raised with his own hands.

His son and daughter-in-law awaited him below the earth. When he joined them, he would tell them: their child had been raised well by this old man…

From outside came the faint sound of footsteps. Xu Gan’s ears twitched, discerning the visitor.

It was not Han Xiao Liu; Xu Le had left without him, and Han Xiao Liu had grown listless and sullen these days, his mouth turned so low an oil bottle could hang from it. He should have been keeping watch outside—children need sleep, and likely he was dozing deeply at this hour.

It could only be Madam Han.

This woman, whom he had saved years ago along with her family in Hedong, when he journeyed north. She had remained steadfastly loyal, helping clear the land and settle down. After her husband’s death, she alone tended both the household and affairs within and without. Even her son, Han Yue, was now by Xu Le’s side, venturing north into uncertainty.

The heavy curtain lifted, and indeed, Madam Han entered, carrying a tray bearing steaming wheat porridge, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a plate of smoked fish. She looked at Xu Gan, her face full of worry.

“Great Sir, you’ve eaten almost nothing today and haven’t slept. How can this go on? Won’t you have a little something?”

Xu Gan forced a smile. “I’ve had my fill of medicine all day—how could I stomach more? I’ll go to bed in a while, Madam Han. Don’t worry yourself.”

She set down the tray, gazing at him. “You’re worried about Young Master Le, aren’t you…”

Xu Gan closed his eyes.

Madam Han’s eyes reddened; she wiped them with her sleeve. “I watched Young Master Le grow up too—such a fine young man. The world is so chaotic now. In the past, you wouldn’t let him leave the estate even by a step, yet now, for a little exemption money, you’ve sent him off to bear such hardship? If it comes to it, sell the house and land—surely we could weather this trial!”

Eyes still closed, Xu Gan spoke softly. “This old man can’t protect him much longer…”

Madam Han fell silent, listening to the old man’s voice, in which a desolation could not be fathomed. “The world is about to fall into chaos… And I am old. Once, I thought perhaps Ah Le could live out a quiet life, but that hope belongs to peaceful times. Now, a time of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, of heroes vying for supremacy, is about to begin… In such an age, all of Ah Le’s talents cannot be hidden—cannot be hidden…

“In times of great turmoil, Heaven will summon forth countless heroes, to be sacrificed in blood until only one stands atop all. You cannot escape it… Ten years ago, I would have risked this old body myself. But now, once I’m gone, all depends on Ah Le. All I can do is send him forth, to see the world’s storms as soon as possible…”

Some of his words Madam Han did not fully understand, but she grasped the gist and asked, voice trembling, “Will Young Master Le be all right?”

Xu Gan, who had slumped in exhaustion, suddenly opened his eyes. In those aged eyes blazed a fierce, electric light!

“My grandson, whom I trained with my own hands—how could anything befall him? Ah Le surpasses his father in natural gifts and innate sharpness. As long as he holds true to the righteous path in his heart, even if the sky falls, he will pierce a hole through it!”

Madam Han repeated, puzzled, “Righteous path?”

Xu Gan’s voice turned stern. “Never submit or abase yourself, never serve as a lackey to the great clans. Even if corpses fill the fields, let it be only to restore peace to the world!”

In that instant, before Xu Gan’s eyes appeared the image of a young man, slightly older than Xu Le, not yet thirty, his features strikingly similar, though more composed. Tall and upright, he spoke aloud to Xu Gan:

“…I do not seek riches or power, but because the Duke of Yue and Prince Jin have slandered and murdered Gao Qiong, thrown the court into turmoil, and plot to usurp the heir apparent. The Sui is splitting north and south, the age of the Five Barbarians is upon us. I cannot let this peace be destroyed by them! At the Duke’s behest, I resolve to protect the Crown Prince, only to uphold the righteous path in my heart!”

The vision faded. Xu Gan shut his eyes tightly, a single tear rolling down his cheek. “…But you were still cast aside by the great clans… For these ten years, not a moment has passed when I did not think of you, not a moment, not a moment…”

Madam Han dared not disturb him further. She quietly withdrew, lifting the curtain, and could not help but glance back.

The old man’s eyes were closed, muttering to himself as if in a dream.

Some wounds never fade.

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Within the woods, Chang Shuxin and several Eagle Battalion soldiers approached Xu Le with apparent warmth, as if eager to curry favor with this youth who looked every inch a scion of nobility.

Xu Le smiled at them, gracious, as though ready to accept their flattery.

As Chang Shuxin and his men drew near, Xu Le said with a smile, “Well then, let’s consider this matter settled. After tonight, we’ll go our separate ways. We’ll not speak of this misunderstanding to anyone. May you, Officer Chang, one day win rank and fortune, and honors on the battlefield.”

Chang Shuxin paused, then forced a broad smile, stepping in and bending as if to salute—while his hand darted toward the dagger hidden in his boot. With a stride, he slipped behind Xu Le, pressing the gleaming blade to his throat!

The Eagle Battalion soldiers at his side drew their swords, encircling Xu Le at once.

Chang Shuxin growled, “Forget about titles and glory—I’ll settle for what’s right before my eyes!”

He glared at Han Yue and roared, “Drop that iron token! Or do you want your master dead?”

Chang Shuxin’s move was so sudden that Han Yue, who had just relaxed, was caught off guard. As soon as Xu Le was seized, he snatched up his iron token and shouted, “You dare!”

His eyes red, he was about to charge when Chang Shuxin’s shout stopped him cold. Seeing the blade at Xu Le’s throat, he dared not move.

The wounded Eagle Battalion soldiers on the ground struggled up despite their injuries, nocking arrows and aiming at the stunned tenants and young swordsmen. “Try anything if you want to die!”

Song Bao found an arrow pointed at his nose, sweat pouring down as the sudden danger roused his fierce nature. He was about to urge everyone to risk it all when Chang Shuxin shouted again, “I want money, not lives! Drop your weapons. Once I have your valuables, I’ll be gone. From then on, you go your way, I go mine!”

Han Yue glanced at Xu Le and lowered his iron token. With both leaders subdued or surrendering, the tenants—robbed of their backbone—instinctively let their weapons fall.

Song Bao shouted, “They won’t let us go! Han Er, are you still worried about Young Master Le? Think of your own life!”

Seeing Song Bao still defiant, Chang Shuxin sneered, “We’re Eagle Battalion from Heng’an! We’re not the only troop in these hills—this is Yunzhong territory. If you dare harm my men, see if you can get out alive!”

One of the soldiers fitted a signal arrow to his bow, aiming at the sky. If more Eagle Battalion troops were indeed nearby, that arrow would summon them at once.

The young swordsmen, roused by Song Bao before, now looked at him uncertainly.

These were Eagle Battalion under Liu Wuzhou—rural swordsmen like themselves, not to mention commoners or petty officials, would never dare cross such men. Were they really to fight to the death?

Song Bao’s halberd trembled. For a moment, he was speechless.

At that moment, Xu Le’s voice sounded, still carrying a hint of a smile. “Officer Chang, I did give you all a chance…”

Chang Shuxin frowned. “What chance?”

Xu Le did not answer, but said calmly, “Before I set out, my grandfather gave me one piece of advice: if anyone tries to harm you at a critical moment, when you strike, leave no room for regret.”

Before the last word had fully left his lips, Xu Le’s arm shot backward, lightning-fast, and locked around the old soldier’s neck. With a twist, there was a sickening crack—Chang Shuxin’s neck snapped. Eyes wide in disbelief, he slumped to the ground, unable to fathom how this gentle-looking youth could possess such deadly skill.

…I gave you a chance, said we’d part ways after tonight, no more entanglements. I’d even let pass your intent to rob and murder us… Yet still you sought my life.

With one less villain in the world, there is a little more peace.

Following the righteous path in my heart—killing for the first time does not seem all that difficult…

Having dispatched Chang Shuxin, Xu Le thought this quietly to himself.