Chapter Eleven: Seeking Life Amidst Death (Part One)

As expected, Ling Luo spoke up, “Today I have witnessed the prowess of Chu’s martial experts—indeed, this journey has not been in vain. Yet what surprises me even more is that a most wanted criminal of Zheng is actually hiding here in New City of Chu!” As he spoke, his gaze locked upon Bu Jingxian atop the arena, his expression solemn as he called out in a stern voice, “You—are you Zuo An?”

“I am,” Bu Jingxian replied, knowing there was no point in denial and admitting it without pretense.

Bai Xing was so startled she nearly lost her footing, clinging tightly to her elder sister’s hand, and anxiously whispered, “Sister, what shall we do?” Even Bai Yue was at a loss, the situation before them leaving them utterly powerless. She could only resolve inwardly that, at worst, they would die together here.

“Good! I admire your courage,” Ling Luo said. “Now, answer me: What do you have to say for the murder of General Ling Shaobao of Zheng and the flying swordsman Li Shao?”

“I will not attempt to evade responsibility,” Bu Jingxian replied. “But I have a request to make.”

“Speak,” Ling Luo commanded.

“At that time, Li Shao, acting on Ling Shaobao’s orders, lured the master of Wanxia Sect to Zheng under false pretenses of an invitation from the Flying Immortal Sect. He then drugged and ambushed her, imprisoning her in Leper Town. In this matter, Wanxia Sect was a victim; the act was mine alone. I ask that you judge fairly and do not implicate Wanxia Sect.”

Ling Luo fell silent, pondering for a moment before replying, “I must investigate this matter thoroughly. For today, Wanxia Sect will not be troubled.”

“In that case, my thanks, Lord Xin,” Bu Jingxian said, then added, “I have one more request.”

“Speak.”

“When Ling Shaobao ordered Li Shao of the Flying Immortal Sect to deceive and ambush the master of Wanxia Sect, his aims were twofold: to extort money and valuables, and to seize her sword—the Xianxia Sword. The plan was to present it to you as a birthday tribute, and it is the very sword you now wear at your side. This sword is the heirloom and treasure of Wanxia Sect. Ten disciples once leaped into the forge to sacrifice themselves for its casting; only then was it made.”

“Excellent! I had no idea such a tale lay behind this sword. Had I known, I would never have accepted it in the first place. Since its owner is here, I ought to return it.” Ling Luo immediately ordered the sword to be brought down and returned it to Bai Yue.

Bu Jingxian seized the opportunity to fetch the White Dragon Sword and handed it to Bai Xing.

“We will not abandon you!” Bai Xing said firmly.

Bu Jingxian had foreseen their refusal to abandon him and had already prepared his response. “If you stay, I’ll be distracted trying to protect you. There’s no hope of fighting through the siege today. Leave first. If I escape, I’ll leave a sign at the place from that night. If I die, I believe you sisters would take your own lives to join me. Why risk implicating the dozens of lives of Wanxia Sect for this?”

Bai Xing could not argue and could only set her resolve. “Very well! We’ll go first and wait for your news. If you die, we will not live alone!”

“I believe you. If I do not survive today, then in the next life, let us walk together once more.”

Bai Xing tried to leave the White Dragon Sword with him, but Bu Jingxian refused. “If I fall in battle, the sword will become their trophy—why let our enemies profit so easily? Besides, it is too light and does not suit me. Take it; if we do not meet again, you can return it to the sect. Better that than letting it fall to our foes.”

Bai Xing, eyes rimmed red, nodded through her tears.

Bu Jingxian looked to Bai Yue, and they exchanged a silent, heartfelt gaze. With a word, Bai Yue led the people of Wanxia Sect through the crowd, making clear their intent to withdraw. Many among the crowd whispered that Wanxia Sect was heartless, while others said that in such circumstances, what else could they do? Bai Yue heard these words but showed no reaction.

Upon returning to their manor, Bai Yue had Bai Xing pack their belongings and took out the sect’s treasured inner cultivation manuals, Twilight and Evening Glow, to be entrusted to the elders. She made a firm decision: if fate was kind and Zuo An survived, then Wanxia Sect would follow her unto death; if fate was cruel, then she would no longer be fit to lead them, and if Zuo An perished, she would join him in death—an end to all burdens.

“If Zuo An dies, we sisters will surely accompany him. If he survives, he can no longer remain in Chu, and we will follow him into exile. Now the matter of the sect is settled—whatever comes, you must manage affairs well here in New City. All future matters are in your hands.”

None had expected her resolve. Many knelt, weeping and begging her to reconsider—some said Wanxia Sect owed Zuo An too much and that they should all fight alongside him; some vowed to follow her, come life or death. Chaos reigned in the manor.

Bai Yue remained calm and ordered everyone to rise. “Say no more—my mind is made up. After all your hardship to reach New City, after all you’ve endured, you have just managed to take root here. I will not drag you into exile; nor can I bear to see you die in vain. If you still regard me as your leader, then you must obey.”

“Leader! We followed you through countless hardships to Chu, not for mere survival. King Chen is corrupt and betrayed our loyalty. Who among us did not lose loved ones in the tragedy at Golden Light City? Now, exiled and homeless, who would not give everything to avenge the dead? We have all known the pain of flight; we do not fear more.”

Someone else cried out, “Leader! Do not bear all burdens alone. Others may not know how much you have sacrificed for us, but I, who watched you grow up, know well. Bai Mei only wishes to use you to advance her ambitions; the two sons of the city guard are unworthy of you. All of us see your struggles, your endurance. Now that New City cannot shelter us, then we shall leave it! Wherever you go, we will follow!”

For a time, the manor was filled only with the sound of weeping.

Tears shone in Bai Yue’s eyes, moved by their loyalty. She thought to herself that she had won half her wager—the people of the sect would indeed follow. The other half depended on Zuo An; she believed that with his resourcefulness, he had already devised a plan on the way to the arena. Whether it would work, only fate would tell.

As for Ghost Who Fears No One, he had followed in silence and did not know what to do. After hearing Bai Yue’s words, he was even more at a loss. He hoped Bu Jingxian would survive, yet dreaded he might. If Bu Jingxian survived, as a brother, he ought to have the courage to follow him into exile. But having endured that hardship once, he was afraid—he knew well the terror of flight, as did Bilian, who had nearly not survived their escape from Chen to Chu.

In Leper Town, he had boasted of his bravery, but these days he realized truly brave men are rare. Likewise, it is not easy to be truly shameless. If he were shameless, he would stay out of it and have no troubles; if he were brave, he would risk his life alongside his brothers and have no worries now.

If he sought comfort, the chance was before him: with the people of Wanxia Sect weeping, he could take the sect’s gold and leave with Bilian, living freely in New City. He didn’t know why such thoughts crossed his mind—perhaps fear of hardship.

But the thought quickly faded as he saw Bilian packing her things, clearly without hesitation, determined to face hardship with the sect. Ghost Who Fears No One sighed and abandoned his shameful notions. He could not tell whether he was grateful for her decisiveness or resentful of her stubbornness.