Chapter Six: Night Watch

The campfire crackled, casting flickering shadows as Xu Le sat upon a stone, watching with a gentle smile as the manor workers conversed and laughed together. These men were all brought out from the Xu clan’s village, and his grandfather had personally taught them some martial skills, all for the sake of defending their homes and lands.

Yet, at their core, they remained simple farmers; even with a little training, they were honest folk more suited to tending fields than seeking glory. When they first set out, their courage paled in comparison to the swaggering confidence of Song Bao and his band of young knights, who seemed to fear neither heaven nor earth. The manor workers were rather timid then.

But now, after more than ten days on the road, with nothing but hardship and fatigue to show for it, the young knights had begun to wilt under the strain of the journey. The manor workers, however, were not only resilient but had also grown a measure of courage. Gathered now around the fire, gnawing on dry rations, their laughter rang out unceasingly.

Who could say, though, whether they would truly hold their ground if real danger appeared?

To speak honestly, Xu Le himself was on his first journey far from home. Yet, not for a moment did he feel even the slightest fear or anxiety. His chest was filled with restless anticipation. The wider the world, the more uncertain the road ahead, the more Xu Le found himself exhilarated.

Such youthful courage could only be called innate.

Song Bao and several other young knights sat not far off, pointing and joking amongst themselves. Some seemed to care only for their own horses. They made no arrangements for night watches but simply pulled their felt blankets around themselves, sought out a sheltered spot, and promptly fell asleep.

Truly, they held no regard for anyone but themselves; the title “Young Master Le” he bore under his grandfather’s protection had little weight with them.

Noticing the manor workers’ growing indignation, Xu Le waved his hand with a smile. “Go and rest, everyone. You’ve all worked hard on the journey. Han Yue will take the first watch, and I’ll relieve him in the second half. Get your rest, so tomorrow we can cover more ground and finally be rid of these cursed mountains.”

The manor workers shook their heads with grins. “Let that stubborn ox Han Yue take the first watch—after that, we’ll take over. No need for Young Master Le to tire himself.”

Honest men of the land, they wasted no words. Besides, the road had truly worn them down. After some hot soup and dry bread by the fire, exhaustion seeped deep into their bones.

They bid each other good night, and soon, taking their cue from the young knights—some of whom were already snoring—they each pulled a blanket over themselves, found shelter from the wind, and fell into deep sleep.

The fire snapped and popped. Only two figures remained awake by the flames: Han Yue, sitting upright, and Xu Le.

The cold wind howled through the pines, the forest rustled, and above, the Milky Way stretched across the sky.

Xu Le rose and swept a glance across the dark surroundings, a faint smile on his lips. He said softly to Han Yue, “Song Bao and Iron Swallow are famous enough, but they look down on me and ignore my orders. We can’t count on them tonight. If anything happens, you and I will stand together.”

Han Yue’s expression tightened. “You think there will be trouble?”

Xu Le spread his hands. “How should I know? I just heard a dead branch snap, something felt off. The skills Grandfather taught me—I’ve never truly tested them. Who knows if my instincts are sharp or not?”

Han Yue shook his head, lowering his voice. “Young Master Le, Song Bao doesn’t know what you’re capable of, but I grew up training with you under the old master. I know how good you are… But if anything happens tonight, you protect our people. I’ll handle things alone.”

Xu Le laughed. “Are you looking down on me too?”

Han Yue looked at him earnestly. “My mother made it clear: I mustn’t let you take any risks on this journey. Our Han family owes the old master everything—he saved us all those years ago. If you so much as get a scratch, it’s a debt we could never repay.”

Han Yue grinned. “You know I always listen to my mother. Don’t make this hard for me.”

Xu Le looked back at Han Yue. Unlike Xu Le, who bore the natural air of a young noble despite his rural upbringing, Han Yue was the very image of an honest borderland man—thick-browed, clear-eyed, sturdy, and sincere. He was only twenty-one or twenty-two, yet already as steady as a mountain.

They had grown up side by side, Han Yue like his very shadow—never once leaving his side. In his rebellious days, when Xu Le mingled with the young knights, Han Yue would charge in like a wild tiger if anyone dared provoke him. Xu Le’s reputation stemmed partly from his own boldness and easy manner, which won over the knights, partly from his grandfather’s renown, and the rest was earned by Han Yue’s fists.

Now that Grandfather was gone, the towering tree that sheltered them had fallen. But Han Yue still stood faithfully behind him.

Meeting Han Yue’s sincere gaze, Xu Le finally clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll go get some sleep, then. I’ll relieve you in the second half of the night.”

Han Yue grinned. “Young Master, the old master always said I had an ox’s strength and spirit—I’ll take the whole night’s watch. It won’t tire me out.”

Xu Le shook his head, a little exasperated. For over a decade, Han Yue had called himself his follower, but in truth, he was Grandfather’s eyes and ears—always keeping watch over him, wherever he went. Now, on this rare journey from home, Han Yue was still determined to shoulder every burden.

But Xu Le saw no point in arguing with this stubborn ox. If he got up to take his turn, what could Han Yue do—force him back to sleep?

Returning to the fire, he found the manor workers had already left him the best spot—not too close, not too far, shielded from the wind by a large rock, the ground smoothed out. Layers of felt, warmed by the fire, made a bed that was soft and toasty. Xu Le lay down.

An old manor worker propped himself up, having waited for Xu Le to settle in. He whispered, “Young Master Le, make sure to cover yourself well tonight. If you catch a chill and fall ill on the road, it’s no joke. Han Yue will take the first watch, and we’ll relieve him when it’s time. Rest easy.”

Xu Le nodded with a smile and lay back. The old worker watched to make sure he was well covered, then finally lay down himself. Within moments, his snores joined the chorus.

But Xu Le, eyes open, quietly sat up, glancing around.

The manor workers, salt-of-the-earth men who had gathered under the Xu clan’s banner, clearing and cultivating land, many had watched him grow up. Now, with Grandfather gone, they risked everything to follow him on this journey. Unlike Xu Le, who had honed his skills since childhood and burned with ambition to make his name known throughout the Sui Empire, they had neither martial prowess nor lofty aspirations.

Yet, along the road, no matter how hard things became, they cared for him with unwavering loyalty.

And Han Yue, solid as a mountain, sat upright on a boulder not far away, a square bundle at his feet, unmoving in the icy wind.

Yes—he must take up Grandfather’s mantle and protect them all.

No matter what, he would bring them home safely.

Xu Le stilled his mind and listened, but apart from the sighing pines, nothing out of the ordinary reached his ears. Still, the uneasy feeling in his heart only grew stronger.

In such a night, in these deep mountains, he could not abandon his people to investigate. If his grandfather’s training had truly sharpened his senses, then let the night bring what it would.

If their enemies dared come, let them come!

Xu Le let out a cold, quiet laugh, lay down once more, closed his eyes, breathing slow and measured, as if drifting into deep sleep.