Chapter 66: Departure, Take Care of Yourselves

Chu Junhan hurried forward and knelt on one knee, not bothering to help the burly man up, her gaze fixed anxiously on him. “What’s happened to my father?”

“When the General attacked the first pass of Liao, he was outwitted by that old Tameng and gravely wounded. I fear…” The man’s voice broke as tears streamed down his face. He clenched his fists and struck the ground in anguish.

Chu Junhan’s face darkened at once, her breath growing erratic. She fought to control herself, her lips trembling as she pressed on, “What do you fear?”

Tameng, you old fox, I might have spared you had you not provoked me, but now I cannot let you live.

The burly man raised his head, tears brimming in his eyes. “The General’s days may be numbered. He longs to see you…”

“I’ll go with you down the mountain at once.” Chu Junhan’s breathing grew heavier, her small chest rising and falling, her clenched fists trembling.

The child tried her best to restrain herself and bowed deeply to Cen Song. “Thank you, Master, for your guidance over the years. Once I descend the mountain, I will follow your teachings faithfully. This is where I take my leave.”

Cen Song extended a withered hand and slowly helped Chu Junhan to her feet, sighing repeatedly. “Since it’s come to this, I will not stop you. Whatever you do in the future, proceed with caution. Never act rashly.”

“I will remember, Master.” Chu Junhan knelt and bowed her head to the ground in a deep salute.

Cen Song did not help her up, but turned and walked away, his sunken eyes filled with sorrow. In old age, partings are hardest to bear.

Before long, the old man shuffled back, handing an envelope to the little one. “This is a letter I’ve written to your father. I’m too frail to deliver it myself. Take it with you as a token of my regard.”

Chu Junhan accepted the envelope with both hands. She and Cen Song both knew well that it contained not a letter, but the fragments upon which the fate of the Chu Army depended.

“Take care of yourself, Master. I will set out at once.” The child tucked the letter into an inner pocket at her chest and saluted with clasped fists.

“Go, then.” The old man waved his hand, hunched over as he made his way to the grand master’s chair and slowly reclined, gazing up at the starry sky.

Chu Junhan’s gaze lingered on the old man until he was settled, then she patted the burly man’s arm beside her. “Scout brother, let’s go.”

The big man nodded, following Chu Junhan down the path.

Halfway down the mountain, the pair—one large, one small—hurried along by the light of the moon, silent as shadows.

As Chu Junhan neared the foot of Wuling Mountain, her steps slowed. There was someone she had yet to bid farewell.

Senior brother, with this parting, who knows when we’ll meet again? By the time we do, will we still recognize one another?

At this thought, a voice rang out from the mountaintop, echoing through the valley.

“Junior brother—”

Chu Junhan stopped and looked upward, but the darkness revealed nothing. Yet she could feel the presence of the caller, as if she could even see his expression.

“Junior brother—take care—” The shout reverberated through the valley.

“Senior brother, you take care as well.” The child whispered softly, then turned and left.

At the summit, Zimo’s hair fluttered in the wind. Seeing no response from below, he glanced at the shadow beside him. “Tell me, where is my junior brother from, what is his family like?”

“If you wish, Young Master, I’ll find out at once,” the shadow replied, already preparing to slip away.

“Come back. The thing the Master wants to conceal, you won’t be able to uncover. No need to waste your efforts. If it’s meant to be, you’ll meet again.”

“Yes, Young Master.”