Chapter Four: The Journey Far Afield

In Xu Gan’s words, there seemed to be endless bitterness.

Xu Le looked up at his grandfather in silence.

Years ago, Xu Gan cradled the infant Xu Le and settled at the edge of the Sanggan River Valley in Shenwu County, opening up the land and making a home. There were rumors of a benefactor’s favor from over a decade ago, and coupled with Xu Gan’s prowess—bow in hand, horse at his side, sweeping away troubles in those days—how could the county not be rife with tales about the grandfather and grandson? Yet, as time passed, speculation about the origins of the Xu family gradually faded away.

Xu Le became merely a young man of some skill, handsome and fond of making friends—a gallant youth. Xu Gan, meanwhile, grew into the most ordinary village elder in everyone’s eyes. Taxes were never reduced for their household, not by a single coin.

Only Xu Le knew that sometimes his grandfather would quietly weep in the night. Since Xu Le was old enough to understand, his grandfather had taught him extraordinary skills in both literature and martial arts, but forbade him from joining the army or seeking patronage with any powerful clan.

Xu Le had asked countless times in his youth, but Xu Gan always replied he would tell him everything before he died.

Sometimes, Xu Le suspected that his parents had been murdered by a powerful family, which explained why his grandfather kept the secret—afraid he might be swept up in vengeance if his blood ran hot.

Xu Le often wondered what his parents looked like. In his younger years, he vaguely saw them in dreams: a man and a woman, their faces unclear, gazing at him for a long, long time. The tenderness and love in their eyes could be felt even in sleep.

When he awoke in tears as a child, he found only his grandfather under the lamplight, his expression bitter, his wrinkled face hiding countless grievances.

It was this secret that prevented his grandfather from ever letting him seek favor under a noble house, preferring instead to raise him as an ordinary citizen, never short by a single coin in taxes...

Grandfather and grandson gazed at each other for a long time. At last, Xu Le smiled, "A true man stands on his own. Relying on others to make a name for myself? I’m not so spineless."

Xu Gan slowly closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair, his energy spent after giving his advice. He returned to the appearance of a sickly old man. "Go, pack your things. You leave tomorrow."

Having finally gained his grandfather’s approval, Xu Le nearly performed a somersault in celebration.

For nineteen years, he’d been confined within Shenwu County, earning the name Le Langjun, but never feeling that his abilities had been used to a third of their potential. Now, though he was forced to head north for the sake of the family’s livelihood, at least he could leave this small world behind!

He responded loudly, "Grandfather, rest assured!"

Xu Le’s eagerness was clear in his voice; Xu Gan understood well. He sighed inwardly—if he wanted his grandson to live in peace, he should have raised him as a simple villager. Why teach him such extraordinary skills?

Perhaps it was that bit of unwillingness...

Xu Gan suddenly opened his eyes, a fierce radiance flashing forth. In that instant, he was not a sick old man, but a general, imposing and resolute. "If you encounter trouble on the road, safety first. But if the moment comes and you must act, strike decisively with no retreat!"

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A biting wind blew; it was the darkest hour before dawn.

Outside the gates of the Xu family’s village, a caravan of twenty mules and horses was already assembled. Seven or eight strong men waited by the gate.

Among them were Han Yue and other robust men chosen from the village, as well as some gallant youths from Hedong who were friends with Xu Le. All had prepared days ago; the grain and salt to be transported to Yi had already been packed. The twenty animals, whether owned or rented from nearby villages, had been well fed in the Xu household with fine fodder, and now stood lively and spirited, snorting and pawing the ground as though ready to traverse a hundred miles of mountain roads without a care.

Han Yue was circling the caravan, inspecting the packs for secure binding and ensuring the bows, swords, and blades were all prepared.

On Han Yue’s own mount, there rested two bows—one for use on foot and one for horseback—and six quivers of feathered arrows. A long spear was fixed to the saddle, while a straight sword hung at his waist, and a heavy iron mace weighing seven or eight pounds rested nearby. He looked like a walking arsenal.

The other men were equipped much the same. Borderland men might have little money or only a few bushels of grain at home, but they always kept bows and swords ready, and if food ran out, they’d still maintain a horse, feeding it even if their own bellies went empty.

Farming by day, wielding bow and blade against the nomads by night—such was the fate of men in the borderlands. From among these men came the famed Yunzhong elite soldiers, renowned since the Han dynasty as the bravest under heaven!

Han Xiaoliu, carrying a bow, circled his elder brother with tearful eyes, pleading and pestering to be allowed to join the journey.

"Brother, I won’t be a burden. I can walk the road, and if we meet the Tujue dogs, I’ll draw my bow. Whatever you say goes. Talk to Le Langjun—let me come along..."

Han Yue, a man of few words, had always been a silent shadow by Xu Le’s side since childhood. His younger brother’s entreaties were met only with silence as Han Yue focused on preparing their gear.

A young man dressed in short, narrow sleeves, with gaudy reins on his horse and an air of gallantry, teased the teary Han Xiaoliu, "Have you grown all your hair yet? Want to come with us? We’re crossing Yunzhong, climbing mountains, heading to the Dadan tribe on the steppe—Dadan are Saka Tatars, their women are wild, and they love little chicks like you. They’ll suck you dry and make you their son-in-law—how will your brother explain that to your mother?"

Han Xiaoliu, young but never outdone in words, retorted, "I’ve got my eye on your mother—if anyone’s getting a new father, it’s you!"

The gallant youth burst out laughing, glancing at the sky. "Where’s Le Langjun? Don’t miss the hour—if we offend the gods of the road, it’ll be trouble!"

Han Yue finally spoke in his deep, gruff voice, "Le Langjun’s saying goodbye to the old master. What’s your rush?"

The gallant youth, about twenty-six or seven years old, had a dignified appearance marred by a scar at the corner of his mouth, giving him a fierce look. The other gallant youths seemed to follow his lead.

He snorted, pointing at himself, "I, Song Bao, have nothing against Le Langjun. He’s a good man, generous, and I respect him. He’s putting up the capital for this trip and promised us brothers thirty percent of the profits—that’s no small sum. But the old master is too protective; this isn’t just a joyride! If anything happens, I trust you, Han Yue—your nickname ‘Little Gate God’ is well-earned, forged in battle! They say Le Langjun has skills, taught by the old master, but if he’s so capable, why not join the Eagle Regiment? Why worry about so much exemption money?"

Just then, Xu Le’s lazy voice sounded, "Whatever happens on the road, I won’t need you, Song Bao, to look after me. If you’re so capable, why not join the Eagle Regiment yourself?"

Han Yue turned to see Xu Le striding over, leading a fiery red horse, its shoulder standing nearly five feet tall, its coat glowing like embers. A large, bulging pack hung behind the saddle, its contents unknown.

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Beside Xu Le, only the Han family saw him off. The morning light had just begun to break, casting the first rays from behind and illuminating his figure.

Xu Le was dressed in short, narrow sleeves, a leather belt cinched tightly at his waist, making him appear all the more refined and striking. Everyone present was taken aback by his presence.

Following Xu Le, the Han matriarch spotted Han Xiaoliu and promptly grabbed his ear, making him yelp, "Mother, I won’t go, all right?"

Amid laughter, Song Bao replied to Xu Le, "Wang Ren Gong’s men are too strict. Last year, after several battles, military law saw more than a hundred heads chopped off! I’m not putting up with that. Liu Wuzhou only favors his old comrades from the Goguryeo campaign—there’s no hope for newcomers. Once I make some money on this trip, I’ll head to Hedong and join the Duke of Tang! Who wants to rot away at Mayi with you lot?"

Xu Le laughed, "Then I wish you unending glory and titles."

Han Yue moved closer to Xu Le, "Why did you come out so quickly?"

Xu Le shrugged, "The old master finally relented—what if he changed his mind? I slipped out as soon as I could. I said my goodbyes yesterday; no need for another round."

Han Yue nodded and knelt solemnly before his mother, "Mother, I’m leaving now. Take care at home."

The Han matriarch, one hand on Han Xiaoliu and the other helping Han Yue up, said, "Don’t worry about me—take good care of Brother Le on the road."

Han Yue rose, nodded, and patted his younger brother’s head. Xu Le watched with a smile, then bowed to the Han matriarch, mounted his horse, and said, "Let’s go!"

The group mounted up, called to their animals, and in the first sunlight, Xu Le gave a whistle. The company rode north.

The Han matriarch, holding Han Xiaoliu, watched their backs with reddened eyes.

After they’d gone a hundred paces or more, Xu Le finally looked back. On the village wall, shadows had gathered; the people of the village watched from above, and his grandfather was among them, supported upright, standing like a rugged old pine in the cold wind, gazing at him for a long time.

Xu Le’s heart warmed, and he called out loudly, "Wait for my return!"

Turning forward again, he faced the wild mountains ahead, the boundless world stretching before him.