Chapter Forty: The Departure

A cold flash of light shot out like lightning, aimed straight at Xu Le’s chest. Behind him, Han Yue had already shouted, ready to rush forward and shield Xu Le with his own body.

Usually so keenly attuned to danger, Xu Le had sensed nothing this time, not the slightest warning of the coming attack. Yet, as the cold light erupted, Xu Le instinctively responded—pushing off with his back foot, twisting his body to one side to evade the vital hit. His left hand darted out to seize the attacker’s wrist, while his right followed to strike at the bridge of the assailant’s nose.

The shadowy figure abruptly leaned back, head snapping up to avoid Xu Le’s blow.

Moonlight and starlight spilled down, illuminating the face of Xu Le’s would-be attacker.

It was a young girl.

She looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, her face petite as a blossom. In the faint starlight, despite having so fiercely attacked Xu Le, her delicate features inspired only pity. The girl wore the sheepskin coat of the steppe tribes, though it seemed she paid little mind to appearances—her clothes were grimy, her long hair, which should have fallen to her waist, was unbraided and wild, catching the light as she tossed her head, scattering stardust all around.

For a moment, Xu Le was genuinely struck by her beauty; the girl looked as if she had stepped from a painting.

Yet the next instant, this almost dreamlike figure pressed forward relentlessly, her other hand now wielding a dagger whose icy gleam flashed toward Xu Le’s throat!

Han Yue was already charging in from the side, but before he could reach Xu Le, Xu Le lashed out with a swift kick, catching the girl square on the knee—so quick it seemed like a spark, landing unerringly. The blow sent her stumbling, her two daggers slicing through empty air. Xu Le drew back half a step, exiting her attack range.

In the space of a heartbeat, Xu Le and this girl had already exchanged two rapid encounters. Only now did Luo Dun manage to cry out, “Buli, stop! He is my guest!”

The girl staggered from Xu Le’s kick but steadied herself, crouching low with her daggers ready, preparing to spring again. Only now did everyone have a clear look at her.

In these borderlands, beauty in a girl meant strength—the ability to work, to bear children. When Xu Le was younger, someone had even proposed such a girl to his grandfather, Xu Gan. Curious, Xu Le had gone with Han Yue to sneak a look, only to discover the girl in question was as sturdy as a mountain. Han Yue had seemed a little tempted, but Xu Le had grabbed him and fled, fearing the girl might actually give chase. Fortunately, his grandfather hadn’t agreed to the match, much to Xu Le’s relief.

But the girl before him now was astonishingly slender, almost frail. Despite her bulky coat, the belt around her waist made one worry a single gust of wind might snap her in two.

Her tiny face was dominated by enormous eyes, each seeming to take up half her face, fringed by impossibly long lashes—a strikingly beautiful young girl.

Originally, she had been about to lunge again, but at Luo Dun’s command, she halted, sheathing both daggers at her waist.

Xu Le, Han Yue, and Song Bao all turned to look at Luo Dun, Xu Le’s gaze particularly strange. His grandfather had always said Luo Dun was an old bachelor like himself—who would have thought he was hiding such a frail little girl in his tent, one who seemed half-starved?

Moments ago, the girl named Buli had attacked with unrelenting ferocity, her daggers never straying far from Xu Le’s throat. Yet the moment Luo Dun spoke, she no longer spared Xu Le so much as a glance, simply sitting cross-legged and rolling up her trouser leg.

Under the starlight, her calf was lustrous and fair, but her knee was swollen and bruised where Xu Le had landed his kick. She blew on it, as if that could soothe the pain.

All eyes turned to Xu Le, thinking he had shown little care for beauty with that kick.

Xu Le felt wronged—had he not kicked, there would surely be a gaping wound at his throat now!

Luo Dun explained awkwardly, “She’s my adopted... well, let’s say granddaughter. Her name is Buli. Whenever a stranger comes near me, she’ll attack. Thankfully, nothing serious happened...”

Song Bao chimed in with a laugh, “With our Lord Le’s skills, nothing serious ever does, eh?”

The young heroes all laughed, Xu Le included, his lips curving in a faint smile as if unconcerned. But he knew better—despite his own keen senses, he had not detected Buli’s approach at all. Her strike had been as swift and ruthless as lightning. Had it been Han Yue in his place, even he might have suffered.

As for Song Bao, now laughing so freely—he’d probably be lying on the ground by now.

Xu Le studied Buli for a long moment before shaking his head slightly. Her manner was strange—when not fighting desperately, she behaved almost like a child of six or seven.

Buli sat blowing on her knee for a time, but finding it no use, she stood, glanced about, sniffed the air, and began limping off, destination unknown.

Luo Dun covered his face, sighing helplessly, and called out, “No need to look for herbs—we brought our own!”

Buli stopped. Luo Dun’s voice grew louder, “Back in the tent!”

Without a word, Buli turned and slipped soundlessly back inside. The others watched the tent flap tremble, then all looked to Luo Dun.

He could only smile wryly. “Four or five years ago—right after old Xu Gan’s last visit—I found her in the Yinshan Mountains, living with a pack of wolves. When I first brought her back, she’d bite anyone who came near—many bore her marks...”

Several of the Lianghait Tribe men patrolling outside shook their heads at the memory, as if recalling a nightmare.

Luo Dun sighed again. “It took a lot of work to calm her down, but she still acts like a child in many ways. She only feels safe near me, and if anyone else approaches, she’ll fight them off. I don’t know how many more years I’ll be able to care for her...”

By the end, Luo Dun’s face was gentle, just as Xu Gan’s was when he looked at Xu Le.

Thinking of his own grandfather, Xu Le’s heart twisted. Suddenly, he found himself missing that stubborn old man.

Grandfather, I refuse to come home now because I want to become stronger. One day, you won’t need to protect me anymore—I’ll be the one protecting you...

As they talked, several riders galloped up in haste. All were men of the Lianghait Tribe. The outer guards let them in, and their leader dismounted and strode straight to Luo Dun.

“Chieftain, we went out to greet you but missed you. More than a thousand men from the Yuè Tribe, led by Gaida, have arrived...”

Luo Dun’s kindly expression vanished instantly. He cast a fierce glare at the messenger.

“Don’t talk out here—come inside!”