Chapter 86, Unyielding

Translator: StarReader

 

Su Chen, spurring his horse, had scoured the entire Vaulting Mountains in search of Ah Chou. However, the mountains sprawled over hundreds of miles, with countless winding paths, and despite hours of searching, there was no sign of Ah Chou or Han Shu, nor any other Heaven Falcon Group disciples.

 

As twilight approached and the sun began to set, Su Chen reluctantly abandoned his search.

 

The Wu Region’s groups had been hunting in the Vaulting Mountains but were now returning to Xikou Town by the Vastest Lake to camp for the night. Su Chen hoped to find Ah Chou there and rode towards the small town.

 

Tonight was the first martial competition of the Wu Region, taking place in Xikou Town. While only Magistrate Wang, Daoist Han Shan, and the leaders of Wu Region’s groups were present at the event, the rest of the group disciples gathered in their respective camps within the town, celebrating the Laba Festival with bonfires and feasts.

 

Su Chen arrived at Xikou Town and inquired about Heaven Falcon Group’s temporary camp. He learned that several low-lying farmhouses formed their base, bustling with activity.

 

Heaven Falcon Group Camp.

 

Manager Liu, Young Leader Han Shu, Ah Chou, and hundreds of elite Heaven Falcon Group disciples were gathered around several bonfires, laughing and chatting as they roasted meat.

 

Ah Chou, deep within the mountains, had hunted a deer and several wild rabbits and birds, returning with an abundant harvest. Since being invited by Han Shu to yesterday’s banquet, Ah Chou, now quite renowned among the younger experts of the Heaven Falcon Group, was seated amidst a crowd of young practitioners around a campfire, roasting meat and exchanging laughter about martial tales.

 

“Come on, Ah Chou, have some of this juicy wild boar. It’s dripping with flavor. Just add some more spice,” offered Han Shu as she passed him a generous slice.

 

“Thank you, Young Miss,” replied Ah Chou, grinning as he took the meat.

 

Manager Liu watched from nearby, pleased by the scene unfolding before him.

 

In truth, winning over the hearts of their own disciples, particularly those from humble beginnings like Ah Chou, was not difficult. It merely required sincerity and genuine connection.

 

He had personally earmarked Ah Chou for Han Shu, intending him to become her trusted aide. Neither Leader nor Han Shu would attempt to curry favor with Ah Chou. Only Han Shu, as the Young Leader, could cultivate such loyalty, turning him into a faithful ally, perhaps even a devoted shadow guard.

 

Han Shu, understanding this well, used even the smallest gestures, like sharing food, to win over allies. Over time, these acts would foster loyalty. Without it, no matter how many first-rate experts one had, they were useless when push came to shove.

 

Mid-bite into his savory boar meat, Ah Chou noticed Su Chen’s arrival at the courtyard entrance. He eagerly waved him over to join their feast. However, he caught Su Chen’s look, prompting him to stand up and follow him out of the crowded court to an isolated corner.

 

Su Chen’s perception scanned the area, finding no eavesdroppers nearby. He leaned in, his expression grave, and whispered, “Ah Chou, something big is happening tonight. War’s about to break out near Vastest Lake; we should retreat to Gusu County City and lie low until the storm passes.”

 

“War? Who’s at war… It’s Laba Festival; we’re having a martial competition,” Ah Chou replied, surprised, looking around.

 

Xikou Town was bustling with thousands of martial disciples from the Wu Region’s various groups. Bonfires blazed everywhere, filling the air with merriment as they feasted on hunted game. Today was Laba Festival, a time of joy and celebration, not tension or war.

 

Su Chen sighed, recounting their encounter with Daoist Qinghe and Ding Shisan in Vaulting Mountains’ woods and discovering thousands of court elite soldiers hidden near Vastest Lake. This martial competition was merely a facade hiding the impending conflict between the Wu Region’s major groups and the court officials against the Whale Gang.

 

Ah Chou stood stunned before understanding. His eyes gleamed with excitement. “So, we’re fighting Whale Gang tonight? Those pirates have been terrorizing us long enough! This is our chance to strike!”

 

He grabbed Su Chen’s arm, his voice filled with fervor, “Brother Chen, this could be our chance to make a name for ourselves in Wu Region’s martial world! With our first-rate skills, we could take out hundreds of pirates! Each kill means official rewards, and who knows? If we distinguish ourselves tonight, maybe we’ll rise through the ranks and become legendary martial artists in the Wu Region!”

 

Su Chen nodded solemnly, “But we must be careful. Whale Gang won’t go down without a fight. We need a plan.”

 

Ah Chou agreed, his excitement tempered by practicality. “You’re right, Brother Chen. We’ll think this through and come up with a solid strategy.”

 

Su Chen couldn’t help but smile wryly. Groups engaging in large-scale skirmishes wasn’t like one-on-one duels in the martial world; winning just a few fights wouldn’t cut it.

 

On this boundless battlefield, thousands of soldiers, martial disciples, and pirates clashed in chaos. Weapons were indiscriminate, leaving little room for personal skill. Even killing five or ten enemies was no guarantee of victory. Once one’s True Qi ran out, they could be overwhelmed and killed, rendering all previous achievements null.

 

Even first-rate experts might fare no better than third-rate practitioners under a hail of arrows.

 

Deaths on such scales were countless and unpredictable, even incredulous. But more terrifying still was the possibility of encountering one of the Wu Region’s seven Grandmasters at any moment. Being singled out by a Grandmaster for slaughter was no honor.

 

This was Su Chen’s greatest fear. He knew he stood no chance against the seven Grandmasters in his current state, ranking near their bottom tier.

 

“Ah Chou,” he said gravely, “this battle sweeping across the Wu Region is exceedingly dangerous. All local groups, court officials, and even the usually aloof Han Mountain Daoist Temple are involved. It’s not as simple or safe as you might imagine. One wrong move could mean death!”

 

Su Chen shuddered at the memory of the elite hidden in the reeds along Vastest Lake’s shore.

 

“I know! I know!” Ah Chou’s eyes were red, his face flushed with excitement. “But Brother Chen, have you forgotten something?

 

“That bitter winter’s night, we huddled together for warmth in our humble shack, feeding on the scraps left behind by the patrons of the Heaven Falcon Inn. From our straw beds, we looked up through the thatched roof at the stars above, sharing dreams and hopes. We vowed never to live as lowly servants again but instead to carve out a grand future for ourselves in the martial world.

 

“We set forth with determination from the inn, hearts aflame with ambition and hope, seeking acceptance into the Medicine King Group or the Heaven Falcon Group. Along our journey, we swore an unbreakable pact: to adventure together through the martial world, drink wine like heroes, and make a name for ourselves across the land.

 

“These years have not been easy; I’ve dedicated myself to cultivation, pushing my limits day after day, even enduring Young Master Wang’s abuse at the Heaven Falcon Group. But now that we’re peak first-rate warriors in the martial world, why should we hesitate? Our strength far outstrips our past lives as mere servers.

 

“I do not expect you to accompany me into battle, but I cannot abandon my dream. This path is mine to walk. I swore an oath under the stars: to become a grand hero or die trying. Only then could I secure enough silver!

 

Ah Chou’s eyes gleamed with resolve as he spoke.

 

Su Chen merely watched him silently. How could either of them forget that fateful night, their promise made beneath the stars? Yet while Ah Chou’s heart yearned for glory in battle, Su Chen’s was captivated by the mysterious Wanderer’s Journey and its jade slip containing The Mayfly Chapter. His pursuits lay not in martial renown but in uncovering secrets hidden within the spiritual arts. He had no desire to involve himself in the regional martial strife or risk his life in this impending war.

 

The bustling Medicine King Estate during the Laba Festival might have distracted Su Chen from his homesickness, but it was unlikely he’d have been on the shores of Vastest Lake tonight if not for these lively crowds in Gusu County City.

 

Ah Chou had his dreams, beliefs, and resolve. They couldn’t be swayed so easily. Su Chen sighed, seeing Ah Chou’s flushed face and knowing persuasion was futile.

 

“I’ll ask you this last thing,” Su Chen said, locking eyes with Ah Chou. “Through history, few return from battle alive. If you fall, what happens to your sister?”

 

He rarely mentioned it in front of Ah Chou. It was his most painful memory since childhood. But now, he had to ask.

 

Ah Chou froze at the question, his body trembling slightly. His eyes filled with sadness and confusion. “Brother Chen,” he started, “you don’t know the rules of brothels. Once you’re in, you can’t leave. Only once, before a courtesan marries, can she buy her freedom. That’s on the night of her auction, when she’s most famous… if you miss it, there’s no second chance.”

 

In three days, Gusu would host a grand Crowning Flower Gathering with courtesans from over a hundred Wu Region brothels. This was Ah Chou’s last chance before his sister’s auction. But he still didn’t have enough money.

 

“If I can’t become a renowned martial artist and earn enough to buy her freedom… what’s the difference between living and dying?” “Ah Chou,” she said, lips trembling with despair.

 

Su Chen was stunned. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.