Liren was silent for a long time, turning Master Wu’s words over in his mind with care: Now, the King of Ning is that myth.

The King of Ning had not sent anyone to investigate those of the Sacred Blade Sect. Perhaps because the King of Ning felt the Sage’s line should not be severed. Perhaps because the King of Ning believed those others in the Sacred Blade Sect did not all deserve to die.

Whatever the reason, being alive was a good thing.

And so in this moment, Liren suddenly found that the future no longer lay entirely in darkness.

“You want me to help you take Yunlai Island, in exchange for the King of Ning pardoning the people of the Sacred Blade Sect?”

Master Wu at last asked what he had been waiting to ask.

Liren nodded. “I hope My Lord will agree.”

Master Wu said, “Yunlai Island holds tens of thousands of rebels, among them no shortage of skilled jianghu fighters — and even spies sent from Heiwu.”

He looked into Liren’s eyes. “With your strength alone, I fear you cannot truly be of much help to me.”

Liren rose. “My Lord, wait a moment — I’ll be right back.”

He left Rain Sound Teahouse and broke into a run, cutting through the fine drizzle like a wisp of smoke threading through curtains of rain.

Shortly after, Liren exited Fulou County’s city gates. The people he had brought were all waiting outside the city for word from him.

Many jianghu wanderers had gathered outside Fulou County by now, including some fairly large sects. So the Sacred Blade Sect’s people clustered together drew little suspicion; they had not entered the city, and the Ning army soldiers did not try to restrict them.

Returning to his people, Liren ran the whole way and paused first to catch his breath.

“I’ve met with Lord Wu, the Military Governor of Qing Province.”

Liren looked over the crowd. Every one of them rose, eyes lighting up with something that hadn’t been there before — the gleam of a future that suddenly held hope.

“What the announcement said is true.”

Liren continued: “Lord Wu promised me personally — as long as we help him break through Yunlai Island and eliminate those rebels, all past conduct will be pardoned.”

In that moment, the long-suppressed people of the Sacred Blade Sect burst into a cheer.

The other jianghu parties nearby turned to look — some even speculated that the entire group must have been chosen by Lord Wu.

Where there is speculation, there is belief; and before long, the glances thrown at the Sacred Blade Sect’s people from the other jianghu wanderers carried open envy.

The age of chaos was coming to an end. They had not managed to carve a path for themselves in the great turbulence that had come before. Now, for the jianghu folk of Qing Province and Ji Province, the campaign against Yunlai Island seemed like the last opportunity to become men of standing.

Their envy of the Sacred Blade Sect’s cheers was entirely understandable.

After all — what had they taken up the martial path for?

Strengthening the body was one part of it, yes, but if it were merely for that, far fewer would have endured the hardship of training.

For ordinary people, a body of martial skill could protect oneself and one’s family in troubled times. And it might also allow one to make a name on the grand stage of the world — to build something, to achieve something.

The generals of the Ning Army were by now known throughout the land. Who among them hadn’t heard the story of General Cheng Wujie? The tale went that he had been a common outlaw, a mountain bandit — until fortune brought him to the King of Ning, and from there, battle after battle, he stacked up deeds enough to fill a legend.

So that once-unruly mountain bandit was now a General.

Liren looked over his people, paused, then spoke what was in his mind.

“I’m only speaking my own thoughts. I’m not commanding anyone. Listen to what I have to say, and whoever is willing to do this — step forward.”

Liren said, “I need to choose a group of men to go with me and attack Yunlai Island. Anyone with elderly parents or young children at home who needs looking after — there’s no need to consider it.”

“Able-bodied men, men with nothing tying them down — those willing to go may step forward. Lord Wu promised me: after this battle, survivors will all be given the rank of Lieutenant; for those who die, compensation will be paid at the rank of General.”

“We all know what this means. It means we never have to hide and skulk again, never have to spend our days in fear.”

“If we win this — we can put on the Ning Army’s battle dress, walk in the open light, and hear the cheers of the common people.”

Liren raised his hand. “I’m in.”

“Count me in!”

A man who looked to be around forty stepped forward. “I have no one in this world. My clan needs someone to stand up — so I’ll stake my life on it.”

Liren looked at him. The man was of collateral lineage; those of the direct line were still hanging back, watching.

Liren let out a slow breath and said, “If you’re willing to follow me, remember one more thing: from today forward, there is no such thing as direct lineage and collateral lineage.”

“Whoever stakes their life, wins for themselves the freedom and the future their sacrifice earns. Never again will those of collateral lineage bleed so those of direct lineage can feast. That ends now.”

A young man said, “But hasn’t that always been the rule?”

Liren said, “Rules are made by people. Anyone can make them. I can make them too. If I were to declare right now that those of direct lineage must attack Yunlai Island while those of collateral lineage sit and enjoy the rewards — would you be happy with that?”

The young man said, “Of course not.”

Liren said, “Then why do you assume that even now, we are still willing to be your servants as we were before?”

The young man opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

“One thing only: those who go, protect whoever they choose to protect. Those who won’t go but still want to be protected — you’re free to leave now.”

The young man was quiet for a moment. He turned back to look at his mother. Then he raised his hand. “I’ll go.”

—

After dark, Master Wu had just returned to his lodgings after a full day’s work when his attendant followed him in and reported that someone outside was asking to see him — the same fellow who had eaten with him that afternoon.

Master Wu immediately gave orders to bring the man in. Before long, Liren stood before him.

“My Lord.”

Liren bowed.

Master Wu asked, “Have you consulted with your people?”

Liren nodded. “Yes.”

“And what is their answer?”

Liren replied, “I brought two hundred and forty people with me this time. If My Lord is willing to trust us, I can lead these two hundred and forty to help My Lord take Yunlai Island.”

Master Wu shook his head. “Two hundred and forty is far too few. Wait a little longer — let me recruit more men, then we can train everyone together. Only when we’re properly prepared should we attack.”

Liren said, “My Lord, if our two hundred and forty can break open the main gates of Yunlai Island and hold long enough for the main army to follow — what reward would we receive?”

Master Wu was genuinely curious. “You truly believe you can do it?”

Liren said, “My Lord, we are of the Sacred Blade Sect. We carry the swordsmanship — the bladework — passed down by the Sage.”

Master Wu nodded. He looked at Liren and said, “I expect you already have something in mind. Say it plainly.”

Liren clasped his hands and said, “My Lord, if we truly accomplish this — regardless of how many survive — beyond clearing the past offenses of the Sacred Blade Sect, every survivor is to be directly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.”

Master Wu laughed despite himself. “Bold words.”

Liren said, “My Lord may as well try it. If we succeed, My Lord takes Yunlai Island and eliminates the rebels in one stroke. If we fail — you lose no more than two hundred and forty men.”

Master Wu shook his head. “Not one of the King of Ning’s people can be allowed to die in vain.”

Liren was stunned.

He could scarcely believe that those words — not one can die in vain — could come from the mouth of an official.

Thinking back to the Chu Kingdom: when had those officials ever cared whether the common people lived or died? If a Chu Kingdom general had been standing here listening to Liren’s proposal, he would have agreed on the spot.

Liren said, “My Lord, throughout all regions, the Sage’s descendants still exist in scattered pockets — but our branch is the largest. By count — men and women, old and young, those who came with me and those still at home waiting for news — there may be seven or eight thousand of us.”

“My Lord may understand it this way: this is not us fighting to grasp some personal glory. It is for these seven or eight thousand descendants of the Sage to be able to live with their heads held high.”

Liren bowed low. “I beseech My Lord to grant us this.”

Master Wu was silent for a long time. Then he nodded. “Very well. I will lead the main force to support you. If anything goes wrong, pull back immediately.”

Liren stepped back, then abruptly knelt on one knee in salute.

“Thank you, My Lord, for giving us a reason to hope.”

—

The following morning, Liren led two hundred and thirty-nine disciples of the Sacred Blade Sect into Fulou County.

Including himself: two hundred and forty in all.

Master Wu asked, “Do you all understand how dangerous this will be?”

Everyone nodded.

Master Wu asked again, “And do you understand that of you two hundred and forty, there is a chance every last one of you may die on that island?”

Everyone nodded again.

Master Wu let out a long breath, then said to Liren, “Since you all already know, and are already prepared — then what I ask now concerns the battle itself. What do you need? Whatever you name, I will do my best to provide it if it is within my power.”

Liren thought for a moment. “Leather armor for each person, something sturdy. Not iron armor — iron armor slows movement.”

“We came without weapons, so My Lord will need to supply blades. One long and one short ring-pommel saber per person, ring-pommel if possible, not the standard military straight saber.”

“Ropes, iron hooks, grappling claws, repeating crossbows, bows and arrows — whatever the army has, let us pick through freely.”

Master Wu nodded. “All of it is available. All of it will be given.”

Liren clasped his hands. “Thank you, My Lord.”

Master Wu said, “It is I who should thank you.”

Liren said, “Beyond weapons and armor, we also need wine. A proper meal before we march — one with meat.”

Master Wu nodded again. “I’ll arrange it.”

Liren turned back to his people. “Is there anything else you want? My Lord’s word is his bond — whatever he says he can give, he will give.”

Everyone spoke up at once. Some wanted throwing needles and darts, some wanted bows with a draw weight of at least three dan, others wanted chain grappling hooks.

Whatever Master Wu could meet, he met, one by one.

When all preparations were done, the hour was nearly dark. Master Wu looked out over these two hundred and forty Sacred Blade Sect disciples, silent for a moment, then said, “From today, you are no longer disciples of the Sacred Blade Sect.”

Liren clasped his hands. “My Lord need not worry. We will forget that name ourselves.”

Master Wu looked over them again. These two hundred and forty men — every one of them sharp, every one carrying that fierce, unyielding bearing.

Two hundred and forty people standing there, each with a ring-pommel saber slung across their back. The composed, formidable air they projected together felt like what only a thousand-strong army should command.

Master Wu said, “Since none of you are Sacred Blade Sect disciples any longer — Liren, you are this unit’s leader. Give your unit a name.”

Liren turned to look at his people. Something lit up in his mind.

He turned back to Master Wu and clasped his hands. “My Lord — we may be called the Blade Corps.”

—