Chapter 9: The Elder, Master of the Five Spirits

"Chu Han greets Master Cen!" Chu Junhan forced herself to endure her discomfort, bracing herself as she saluted the elder. Her heart was pounding—she could not shake the feeling that a single glance from the old man could drag her back into that damp, suffocating cell.

The elder stroked his beard, nodded in satisfaction, and looked kindly at Chu Junhan. "What did you say your name was just now?"

Chu Junhan bowed her head low, not daring to meet the old man's eyes. She was truly afraid of the profound look and subtle smile he wore.

Seeing this, Chu Xiong assumed his child was simply shy. He chuckled awkwardly and said, "Forgive my son's manners, Master Cen. The boy is timid among strangers. His given name is Han."

"Oh? General Chu, why did you give your child the single name Han? As far as I know, 'Han' carries a yin aspect. You yourself have spent your life waging war, slaying countless foes—surely your household is already heavy with such energy." Cen Song leisurely stroked his graying goatee.

Chu Xiong forced a laugh and scratched his head. "My wife and I are plain folk. We gave our youngest the name Han without much thought, simply because he was born in the heart of winter."

"Does the venerable master have any advice?" Chu Xiong's respect for Cen Song was evident in his deferential tone.

Cen Song glanced at Chu Junhan, who still dared not look up, and pronounced with a world-weary air, "Though the general’s son is fair of face, he lacks the strong, chiseled features befitting a young man. In my humble opinion, the single name Han cannot suppress the innate grace your beloved child carries. I fear, in time, people may even mistake him for a girl!"

Chu Xiong had been listening intently, but that final remark sent a chill through him. He had not expected the old man’s gaze to be so piercing, to see through Yan’er’s disguise at a glance!

"Does the master have a solution? If you would instruct us, I, Chu, would be eternally grateful." Chu Xiong rose from his seat and bowed deeply to Cen Song.

Chu Junhan herself was shaken to the core. Seeing her father bow, she dared not be remiss, and she too offered a deep bow.

Cen Song raised a hand to help Chu Xiong up and laughed heartily. "No need for such formality. Since we are kindred spirits upon first meeting, and you, General, are a great hero who defends our country, let me offer you a word of guidance."

"Please, master, do tell."

Chu Junhan, too, cast a hopeful glance at the old man. She did not understand how her father had come to know the elder spoken of in storytellers’ tales, nor did she know why she feared him so instinctively.

So she wanted to know just what kind of trick this old man, who made her so uneasy, was playing.

Cen Song met Chu Junhan’s gaze and, catching the hope in her eyes, a mysterious smile curved his lips. "I just said the general’s child is fair and that his given name is Han. That name, then, can be seen as a gift from heaven. In my view, why not add the character ‘Jun’ before Han?"

At these words, Chu Junhan felt as though struck by lightning. Her whole body trembled, and she stared, dumbfounded, at the old man before her.

So, her name had not been chosen by her father! So, the spark that led to her family’s execution was this very old man before her!

Realizing this, Chu Junhan stared warily at the elder. The fear that had so recently filled her was now swept aside by a wave of anger, banished to the deepest corners of her heart. For the first time, she dared to meet the old man’s gaze directly.

"Chu Junhan… Crown Prince… Han!" Chu Xiong repeated the name, now with the added ‘Jun,’ and a look of terror flickered in his eyes. It was a homonym for ‘Crown Prince’!

If someone with ill intent seized upon this, the Chu family would never be able to clear their name.

"What is your meaning by this, master?" A trace of anger appeared on Chu Xiong’s face, and he began to regard the old man as a schemer intent on sowing discord.