Chapter Seventeen: Venturing North

Dawn approached, horse hooves clattering over the remnants of snow.

Upon the mountain path, eight or nine riders emerged in the first rays of morning light.

After a night of urgent flight, Xu Le still appeared as at ease as ever, a faint smile lingering on his handsome, resolute face. One could not help but wonder under what circumstances the smile of this gallant young lord of Shenwu would ever vanish.

Even his grandfather Xu Gan often felt helpless about this: ever since Xu Le began to grow up, he always wore that enigmatic, half-smiling expression when looking at others; the rebelliousness in his bones was innate. If not for the fact that his real smile radiated an easy affinity, he would probably have ended up in fights every day while roaming the world.

In such troubled times, a temperament like his would either lead to an early grave or to shaking the very heavens themselves. He was truly not one to be confined to any small pond. That Xu Gan, once a famed fierce general of the Northern Zhou, had managed to keep Xu Le within the bounds of Shenwu County for eighteen years was already the limit of his ability.

Xu Le rode his crimson steed, posture straight as ever. Han Yue urged his horse close behind, while the others, covered in dust and exhaustion, looked utterly worn and haggard. Even their mounts hung their heads low, manes clumped with sweat and dirt, appearing more weary than their riders.

Traveling mountain roads by night drains both strength and spirit, even more so when fearing an ambush by the Eagle Guard in the darkness!

Through the night, neither man nor horse dared pause, nor even light a fire, moving forward by the faint gleam of stars and moon. Pine winds whistled through the mountains; cries of birds and beasts set nerves on edge, lest the footfalls of pursuers sound right behind.

After a night’s ordeal, they finally broke clear of the mountains. Before them stretched the level terrain of the Cloud Basin, where a road, worn pale by centuries of travelers and horses, wound through the land. At the sight, the young swordsmen and retainers behind Xu Le, nearly bent double with fatigue, could not suppress low cries of joy!

The mountains of Mayi Commandery crisscrossed the land, and from Yunzhong to Shenwu and onwards to Shanyang, a series of basins lay ringed by peaks. By holding these basins and blocking the mountain passes, the advance of steppe tribes southward could be checked. Within the basins, the land was fertile, rivers meandered, and resources abounded, including rich deposits of coal and iron. Though the climate was harsh and cold, the ancestors had reclaimed it through hardship and toil.

After more than ten days traversing these mountains, surviving a midnight battle and then a frantic escape, the sight of civilization moved some of the younger swordsmen and retainers to tears as they uttered their quiet cheers.

Song Bao, too, let out a long sigh and urged his horse beside Xu Le. “Young lord, we failed to guard the goods this time and lost the shipment, but thanks to your decisive leadership, we at least made it out alive. Now we’ll head south for home; we can’t ask for any reward. If ever you need us brothers in the future, just say the word.”

This escort mission had left Song Bao on edge the entire time; had it not been for Xu Le’s willingness to abandon the cargo and keep a clear head at the crucial moment, they might all have perished. Now that they had finally escaped the mountains, although he spoke politely, deep down Song Bao wished only to head south immediately and never cross paths with Xu Le again.

Xu Le glanced back at Song Bao but made no move to turn his horse south.

Song Bao’s heart skipped a beat, cold sweat breaking out anew. Damn it, was this young lord actually planning to head north?

In truth, Xu Le himself was conflicted.

There was no doubt in his mind: he was set on heading north. That the Eagle Guard of Liu Wuzhou had robbed him clean—how could he swallow such a humiliation? Though Liu Wuzhou commanded soldiers and generals and ruled as a tyrant in Yunzhong, in the vast wilderness the Eagle Guard could do as they pleased. But within Yunzhong City, as long as Liu Wuzhou remained an official of Mayi Commandery and still had some fear of Wang Renqiong, Xu Le dared demand repayment!

Yet, having just managed this escape, if he now announced they’d head straight north for Yunzhong, the retainers and swordsmen like Song Bao would raise an uproar.

If he and Han Yue went north to confront Liu Wuzhou while the others returned south, that would be one thing for the swordsmen. But if anything befell the retainers, how could he face the elders of his home?

For a moment, Xu Le fell silent, deep in thought. Song Bao grew increasingly uneasy, and finally, despite his wariness of Xu Le, he could not restrain himself and shouted, “Young lord, if you keep hesitating, then forgive us, we won’t follow! Right now, we need to turn south at once—no amount of money is worth risking our lives!”

Song Bao’s shout was loud, veins bulging at his neck and his scarred mouth twisted in a ferocious grimace. He had seen through it now: this young lord, for all his gentle and harmless smile, was actually bold beyond belief! He truly feared Xu Le would drag him into more trouble.

Xu Le scratched his head, about to reply, when a faint whistling sound rose from the south, piercing the sky.

Though faint, everyone recognized it well from the previous night—a signal arrow soaring skyward to send a message!

No sooner had the arrow sounded in the south than several more shot up from the mountains behind them, much closer this time; the sharp whistles rang out clearly!

Xu Le smiled slightly.

These Eagle Guards truly pursued them with relentless tenacity, reversing their course in the night to chase eastward. Others had cut them off to the south, blocking the road home.

The Eagle Guard of Heng’an Prefecture were notorious for their savagery and ferocity—no wonder Liu Wuzhou could stand against Wang Renqiong!

This journey had indeed opened his eyes to many things...

Ignoring Song Bao, Xu Le turned to his retainers. “It seems we have no choice but to head north together. As long as you trust me, I, Xu Le, will see you all safely through!”

His voice was clear and bright, brimming with sharpness and confidence. Combined with his ever-radiant, heroic face, he possessed a strange, compelling charisma.

Through a night of pursuit by hundreds of Eagle Guards, it was only by Xu Le’s leadership that they had managed to evade capture at every turn. By now, these renowned brutes had not even glimpsed their quarry!

The retainers exchanged glances and spoke out one after another: “Young lord, our families have owed your ancestors for generations. Wherever you lead, we’ll follow, come what may!”

Xu Le laughed heartily, squeezed his horse’s flanks, and his crimson warhorse neighed long and loud, rearing on its forelegs. Xu Le pressed his left foot to the stirrup; without even using the reins, he spun his mount half a circle, landing it facing due north toward Yunzhong City!

“Then follow me to Yunzhong City! Let’s go see some excitement!”

Xu Le led the way north. Han Yue and the retainers shook their reins and followed. The swordsmen glanced at Song Bao, who hesitated for a moment, then shouted, “Young lord, you’re going to get us all killed!”

Even as he yelled, Song Bao spurred his horse after Xu Le. The other swordsmen, faces conflicted, gritted their teeth and fell in behind.

To hell with it—let’s follow this young lord and charge ahead, come what may!