Chapter Eleven: Divergent Paths, No Common Plans Section One: Reunion of Old Friends

Section One: Reunion with Old Friends

“Brother Bu, you surely never imagined it—Qiyue has become a Martial Sovereign. Last year, I told you that Qiyue always felt incapable of repaying Master’s teachings and unable to shoulder the responsibilities alongside Qiuyue. Unexpectedly, during the Divine Martial Arena, Qiuyue suddenly passed the mantle of Martial Sovereign onto me. At that moment on the stage, I was terrified, yet I understood the gravity of the responsibility. Finally, I had the chance to repay Master’s kindness and help Qiuyue—I was so moved and joyous. Somehow, the idea of avenging Master by killing Kaer suddenly came to me. To my surprise, when I tried, I succeeded. I truly intimidated all the heroes of the realm; none dared step onto the stage, and I subdued all the experts the Chu Kingdom summoned. Honestly, I was so afraid they might jump up during the match. At that time, my spirit was depleted; I could defeat one, but certainly not two…”

As she spoke, Qiyue tossed some food and wine off the cliff, hoping that Brother Bu’s spirit in the heavens would receive it well and be nourished.

“Qiuyue has become very serious; I feel a sudden loneliness as if she’s changed into someone else. She told me now that as Martial Sovereign I must watch my manners. Sister Linran still scolds me for being careless, but I refuse to listen to her. Nor do I want to heed Qiuyue’s words. Master used to say she liked me to act freely and always said that as long as I mastered martial arts, I could do whatever I wished without fearing others’ judgments. I think Master was right… Brother Bu always spoke of the ideals of the Soul Sect, which I never quite understood. But Brother Bu talked about freedom, and Qiyue felt that was right—what meaning is life without freedom? Isn’t that no different from being a slave? When my martial skills were low, I could be myself at will. Now that I am Martial Sovereign, stronger in skill, everyone tells me I cannot act freely. Isn’t that strange? The stronger I become, the less I can be myself—it feels foolish. I won’t listen to them. If I want to eat, I eat; if I want to drink, I drink—that’s how I feel free.”

By the edge of the cliff, Qiyue ate and drank, speaking her heart openly to the air, as if Brother Bu truly listened.

Unaware, a whole day passed, yet she did not feel bored, as if Brother Bu were really there.

That evening, more than twenty martial cultivators clad in coarse cloth robes, each with a standard long sword at their waist, suddenly ascended the hillside.

The broken bridge here had not been rebuilt, and no travelers should have come this way. Their arrival puzzled Qiyue. Rising tall, she regarded these unexpected visitors.

The twenty-plus wanderers climbing the hill stopped when they saw her. The leading man removed his bamboo hat, revealing a handsome face, but his eyes bore coldness—he was clearly no friend.

“So it really is Qiyue?”

“Who are you?” Qiyue asked, bewildered, her eyes full of speculation.

Behind the man, eight others also removed their hats, most smiling joyfully.

“We never thought it would be you,” said a thin woman, her eyes moist with tears.

The leader smiled faintly, “Qiyue, do you remember an old friend named Wang Ka?”

“Wang… Ka…” Qiyue murmured, unable to speak, involuntarily recalling the great fire in her childhood at Zheng Pi’s manor and the comrades who, under Brother Bu’s arrangement, had taken torches and shouted in rebellion. “You are Wang Ka! Then you…”

“I’m Bamboo Pole.”

“I’m Little Grass.”

Qiyue wept tears of joy, grabbing Little Grass’s arm. “You’re Little Grass! You’re Little Grass!” She looked at the others, confirming their names one by one.

Back then, this group of children had fled the slave manor under Brother Bu’s guidance, only to be separated later. Yet Qiyue never forgot these companions. She had long sent people to inquire about them but never heard news. Unexpectedly, after so many years, they were reunited.

The group surrounded her joyfully, except Wang Ka, who remained calm.

They spoke of what had happened since their parting, each recalling with bittersweet emotion.

“Have you come to pay respects to Brother Bu?” Little Grass nodded.

“We heard of his story back then and feared it might be someone with the same name. We were still training in the Venomous Snake Camp and couldn’t leave. It wasn’t until the beginning of this year that we began missions, officially enlisted. After the Divine Martial Arena, when we heard the name of the Martial Sovereign was Qiyue, we couldn’t help but wonder if it was you. This time, ordered to search westward for traces of Bei Jun, we agreed to stop here since it was on the way. If it really was you, we guessed you would come.”

Qiyue’s joy deepened, knowing these comrades still remembered Brother Bu.

Unexpectedly, Wang Ka said coldly, “They came to pay respects to Brother Bu; I did not. I just wanted to see if I could find you.”

Qiyue was puzzled. Then Wang Ka snorted, “Fortunately, he’s dead. If he weren’t, I would have found and killed him!”

“What did you say?” Qiyue exploded with fury, never expecting Wang Ka to say such things. Little Grass and the others hurried to calm her, urging Wang Ka to speak less.

“Wang Ka, explain yourself today. How did Brother Bu wrong you?” Qiyue pointed at him, eyes blazing with anger, relentless.

Wang Ka snorted, “He’s a despicable man! He urged us to burn the manor, but what happened? Afterwards, he ran away! Did he ever care for us? After I escaped the Korean territory, I searched among refugees for three days to find them. Then we waited for him for five days at the border village, all believing he wouldn’t abandon us. And what happened?”

“I searched for you with Brother Bu back then, but there were too many refugees to find you. When Korea unleashed a hail of arrows, Brother Bu took me away, saying you must have crossed the border and would be safe…”

“Hmph! Safe? He himself apprenticed under Beiling Mountain; you apprenticed under Feixian Sect. But what about us!” Wang Ka’s expression grew fierce. “What suffering have we endured all these years? Alone and helpless, not knowing our future! We almost got captured as slaves but were luckily found by the Zheng Kingdom general, who thought us lucky to meet a noble. Instead, we were sent to the merciless Death Squad for training. More than ten comrades died during training; only a few of us remain. What did Brother Bu say when we rebelled? How did he act after escaping Korea? He’s a despicable man who used us and then abandoned us…”

“Enough!” Qiyue shouted in rage, pointing at Wang Ka. “Wang Ka, you disobeyed Brother Bu’s orders back then. Don’t blame others. If not for Brother Bu, we would all still be slaves today! I won’t allow anyone to slander him.”

“Stop arguing. It’s rare to meet again—why quarrel? Wang Ka, you could say such things in the past, but now Brother Bu is gone. How can you speak so of him? No wonder Qiyue is angry.”

“Hmph!” Wang Ka snorted with disdain but fell silent. Little Grass, who had a good relationship with Qiyue, hurried to soothe her, and Qiyue no longer lost her temper.

Except for Wang Ka, the eight others knelt in tribute.

“Brother Bu, please rest in peace beneath the nine springs. Because of you, we gained freedom. Though we later joined the Zheng Kingdom’s Death Squad, none of us blame you, knowing circumstances were beyond control. Don’t blame Wang Ka either; we suffered much in the Death Squad these years that words cannot express. It’s not his fault he bears resentment…”

Qiyue had heard of the Zheng Kingdom Death Squad, knowing they must have endured great hardship. Hearing their stories, she felt sorrow for them.

The Zheng Kingdom Death Squad took in orphans without family or support, training them ruthlessly, even including mutual killing as part of their trials. Qiyue had heard such tales before.

The childhood comrades, reunited by fate, talked long on the cliff. The other Death Squad warriors stood silently, awaiting orders from Captain Wang Ka, with no need for urging.

“Little Grass, if you don’t want to stay in the Death Squad, I’ll try to arrange for your transfer later,” Qiyue said.

Little Grass smiled and shook her head. “No need. Training was harsh, but we endured. You know, after completing training, the Death Squad is well treated. Even regular officers must obey us. We’re used to it now. This is better than nothing. After all these years, we’ve always received Zheng Kingdom’s salary. It’s time to serve the country.”

As they talked, dusk deepened.

Finally, Wang Ka said, “Qiyue, we have missions to complete and cannot stay long. It’s rare to be alive and reunited after so many years. We each have our thoughts about Brother Bu; no more words. But I hold no grudge against you. We’re glad you’re doing well. In the days ahead, when we return to Zheng Capital, we’ll drink and reminisce together. We all serve Zheng Kingdom. If you ever need help, just call on us; we’ll do our best. Of course, now that you’re a Martial Sovereign, we might not be of much help.”

“Wang Ka, don’t say that. Brother Bu and I have never forgotten you. When I first joined the sect, I often asked my senior sisters to inquire about you, but there was no news. You must have learned formidable skills in the Death Squad. When you return to Zheng Capital, find me—I’ll treat you to drinks. If you need help, tell me—I’ll do my best. You have missions, so go attend to them. I want to stay a little longer with Brother Bu. Be cautious in pursuing Bei Jun. I have seen him and feel he hides his strength well; he is very formidable. Especially brave—he can even lift the giant stone from the Divine Martial Arena. If ever you meet him in combat, avoid close quarters. Bei Jun’s internal power is very weak—that’s his weakness.”

“We will remember.”

They clasped fists in farewell and followed Wang Ka down the mountain by the same path.

Qiyue joyfully lit incense.

“Brother Bu would be so happy. Wang Ka and Little Grass are still alive…” Her eyes reddened again, and tears flowed freely. “Why is the world so unfair? Everyone lives, but you, Brother Bu, so good-hearted, left us too soon…”

Brother Bu sneezed, hurriedly finished eating, and donned his helmet, fearing someone would recognize his unfamiliar face.

The Chu Kingdom envoy had traveled for several days. He cautiously blended in without arousing suspicion. The Zheng army never suspected he was among the Chu delegation; the journey passed peacefully.

Once at the border, he planned to slip away one night into the mountains, just as he had fled the Chu Kingdom for the Black Wolf Tribe via mountain trails. Though it was a long detour, at least he would be safe.

Thinking of the Zheng Kingdom’s frustration at losing his trail made him smile.

Thus, several more days passed uneventfully.