Zhang Yuxu seemed to be dwelling on the dream. Li Chi had exchanged few words with him before sending him back to sleep, yet Zhang Yuxu couldn’t stop feeling that something was wrong with Li Chi’s dream.

In his own dream, what he had witnessed was startling enough — which made him all the more eager to compare notes with Li Chi. But Li Chi refused to engage.

The following morning, Zhang Yuxu went straight to find Li Chi, wanting to ask him what exactly he had dreamed. Li Chi still wouldn’t say.

It wasn’t that Li Chi thought there was anything wrong with telling him — it was that he was quite certain if he did, they would all laugh at him for bragging.

*Sovereign of men…*

*Beating the King of Hell…*

What an absurd dream.

Zhang Yuxu trailed after Li Chi pestering him with questions. Li Chi only said that he had dreamed about hitting someone — and that it had felt rather satisfying.

He flatly refused to admit it had been the King of Hell. And he certainly wasn’t going to bring up why the King of Hell had needed hitting.

In desperation, Zhang Yuxu wanted to cast a divination for Li Chi. His master, the True Man of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, had once said that the star of a sovereign shone in the north — at the time, his master had likely been referring to Yu Chaozong. But in fact Yu Chaozong bore no such destiny. Or perhaps his master had only meant that the emperor-star flickered without clarity — that the next step to sovereignty was possible, but enormously difficult to take.

Without knowing Li Chi’s birth date and hour, though, the divination could not be cast. And reading a person’s face was not Zhang Yuxu’s area of skill. The frustration was acute — yet there was nothing he could do.

Reading a person’s appearance divides into the lesser and the greater: the lesser reading tells of luck; the greater reading tells of fate and destiny. Such matters were not ones Zhang Yuxu dared to approach carelessly.

—

The group set out again the following day, heading in the direction of Liangzhou City.

Riding in the carriage, Yu Jiuling sat with her legs dangling off the edge, swinging them cheerfully, looking happier by the moment. Perhaps it was because the people of Liangzhou seemed to be living fairly stable lives — and what could be seen along the road was nothing like the bleak desolation of Jizhou.

A land that should have been prosperous had been laid waste by war and strife. By contrast, Liangzhou seemed almost lush.

Yu Jiuling looked out at the farmers tilling the fields by the roadside, waved at them with a smile and a greeting — the farmers didn’t know her from anyone, yet they still waved back, perfectly cordial.

“You…”

Zhang Yuxu stared at Yu Jiuling. “There really is something off about you.”

“What’s off about me?” Yu Jiuling asked.

“Give me your hand,” Zhang Yuxu said.

Yu Jiuling knew Zhang Yuxu had genuine skill, so she held out her hand. Zhang Yuxu examined it carefully, then looked at Yu Jiuling’s face — and gradually his expression became one of complete incredulity.

Seeing his face, Yu Jiuling immediately asked: “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“There’s no reason for it,” Zhang Yuxu said. “You — how do you have the sign of peach blossoms?”

Yu Jiuling’s eyes and brows both lifted with delight. She asked brightly: “Peach blossoms? Strong ones?”

Zhang Yuxu nodded. “Looks quite strong. How very strange — don’t tell me you and Dantai actually…”

Yu Jiuling: “Get lost!”

Zhang Yuxu said: “What a rude person. I’m done looking.”

Yu Jiuling immediately cried: “No, no, no — a magnanimous person doesn’t quarrel with the petty, and a Daoist’s belly can hold a great ship. Just tell me — where are my peach blossoms?”

Zhang Yuxu said: “Shouldn’t be far now. Just wait — the blossoms might arrive the moment you reach Liangzhou City.”

Yu Jiuling grinned to herself, thinking: when you’re this good-looking, where doesn’t the peach blossom follow you?

—

While they were traveling, on the northern outskirts of Liangzhou City, another company was also on its way.

The one at the head was Kuokedi Xiuluo. His party was considerable in number. They dared not take the main road, and picked their way along country paths, asking directions toward Liangzhou as they went.

They wanted to cross out of the frontier at Liangzhou to meet with the representatives of various smaller Western Region kingdoms — and this was the nearest route.

Fortunately, Xiuluo’s features were not especially typical of a Black Wu man. His mother had been a steppe woman, and his appearance leaned more toward the steppe peoples.

The followers he had brought along this time had also been selected for their less identifiable appearances — otherwise, how could they have slipped so easily into the Central Plains?

“Nearly there.”

Xiuluo reined in his horse and looked at the distant outline of the formidable pass now faintly visible ahead. He waved a hand: “There’s a market town ahead. Rest there and send scouts — then we enter Liangzhou.”

His men acknowledged the order in a single voice, and the party spurred their mounts toward the town.

—

Liangzhou City. The General’s residence.

General Helian Lian came sprinting in from outside, his face bright with overjoyed surprise, calling out as he ran: “Commander! He’s back! He’s back!”

In the study, General Dantai Qi was practicing calligraphy. At the shout, his brush hand trembled — and a drop of ink fell upon the paper.

Helian Lian rushed into the study, smiling: “Commander! Just now the post station at Wuji County sent a rider — the Young General has returned! He arrived at Wuji last night and had the station send the message.”

The smile reached Dantai Qi’s eyes. The worry that had been written on his face for all these days dissolved instantly like smoke.

Yet he coughed a couple of times and affected a wholly indifferent manner. He paused deliberately before speaking.

“He knows how to come back, does he.”

Helian Lian said: “Yes, yes — the fault is entirely his, sir.”

Dantai Qi picked up his brush and continued writing, keeping his expression stern. “He was gone this long without a single word of news — even if he’s back, I’ll have to discipline him. Not a shred of propriety left!”

Helian Lian smiled: “Yes, yes, very right, Commander — break his legs and see if he wanders off again.”

Dantai Qi shot Helian Lian a glare. “Are you mocking me?”

Helian Lian said: “How would I dare mock the Commander? I was only saying — Commander, do you truly intend to discipline the Young General? Then I’d better hurry and send someone to warn him off. Let him hide outside the city until your anger passes, then come back.”

“Ahem ahem…”

Dantai Qi fixed Helian Lian with a look, then said: “Off with you — get to what you’re supposed to be doing… Oh — make sure someone goes to buy those pastries Jing’er is fondest of, and keep them ready. And that flower wine he loves. And also…”

Helian Lian laughed aloud: “Is the Commander planning to break the Young General’s legs with the pastries?”

Dantai Qi burst out laughing in spite of himself, waved a hand: “Out, out, get out — get far away.”

Helian Lian laughed: “Commander, don’t worry — the moment the news came in, I already had people sent to take care of everything. Whatever the Young General likes to eat and drink is already being purchased. And I’ve had hot water put on to heat as well — the Young General has been on the road, and he’ll want a proper bath.”

Dantai Qi composed his face again: “That recklessly arrogant temperament of his — all of you spoiled him into having it.”

Yet even with his expression stiff, the great Commander was not in the least bit frightening just now.

—

Outside Liangzhou City.

Li Chi raised his head and looked at the garrison troops on the city walls, then at the guards at the gate. All along this road they had traveled, only here did he see what soldiers were truly made of — upright bearing, severe mien. Everything about their bearing said this army lived by an iron discipline.

The gate guards stood with backs straight as spears, faces cold and hard. Their bearing alone told you this was a force with iron rules.

Someone recognized Dantai Qi. A flash of joy crossed the soldier’s eyes.

All the soldiers drew themselves to attention in unison and saluted.

“Young General!”

Dantai Qi gave a nod, looked toward Li Chi, and was just about to make introductions — when he caught the gleam flickering in Li Chi’s eyes.

“These are all my father’s men. Don’t get any ideas!”

Li Chi raised a hand to wipe his mouth. “They’re a fine sight.”

Dantai Qi: “…”

At that moment, Helian Lian came out with a party to receive them. At the sight of Dantai Qi, he broke into a wide grin.

—

Liangzhou City. A large compound.

Li Chi and his company were settled here — not at the post station. The place was somewhat removed from the center of town.

Helian Lian explained that the post station was full of envoys from various Western Region kingdoms and there was simply no room for so many people.

But Li Chi could tell: Helian Lian looked down on them.

After Dantai Qi had introduced Li Chi and his company to Helian Lian, Helian Lian asked Li Chi which office he had served in, or which army he had commanded. Li Chi replied: the Yanshan Camp.

The moment those words left his mouth, Helian Lian’s expression visibly shifted. The warmth that had been there vanished in an instant — replaced by coldness.

The compound was spacious enough, though: three successive courtyards, front to back. Li Chi didn’t ask whose it was. As long as there was a roof over their heads, he wasn’t particular.

Yu Jiuling sat on a high step, lips pursed. “We’ve already gotten Dantai back home. His friend there has the look of someone who can’t stand us — let’s rest the night and leave first thing tomorrow. Or we could leave right now.”

Mister Yan said: “If we left just like that, it would reflect badly on Dantai — and his father would think that the friends his son made were unreliable.”

Yu Jiuling said: “Mister Yan saw the look on that man’s face as well. The moment he heard we were from the Yanshan Camp, his expression curdled. Better not to swallow that kind of insult.”

Li Chi looked to the others and asked Gao Xining: “What do you think we should do?”

Gao Xining said: “Whatever you decide. I’ve had a wonderful time on this outing — the northwest, with its wide skies and clean winds — I’ve been in excellent spirits the whole journey.”

Li Chi understood. Gao Xining hadn’t said it plainly, but she was speaking for the men as well. They didn’t want to endure any more of that man’s sour expression. And it wasn’t just one man — it seemed like the whole Liangzhou army had nothing but contempt for people like Li Chi, who bore the label of rebels.

If they hadn’t come along with Dantai Qi, if there were no Dantai to vouch for them — one mention of the Yanshan Camp, and the Liangzhou army might already have moved to cut them down.

And yet, in a way, it was hard to take issue with. However chaotic the world had become, the Liangzhou army was still a legitimate force of the court. To their eyes, the Yanshan Camp was naturally a rebel outfit. People who thought of themselves as proper and upstanding would naturally look down on people like Li Chi — people whose standing was, shall we say, irregular.

“Then we rest the night. I’ll try to get word to Dantai in a moment — if I can’t see him in person, I’ll send a message.”

Li Chi smiled and said: “I just asked — Liangzhou City has no curfew, but the rules here are strict. Anyone who wants to walk around the streets is welcome to, but don’t carry weapons and don’t make trouble.”

He then looked to Mister Yan and said: “Sir, let’s take a walk.”

Mister Yan nodded. “Gladly. I’ll accompany you.”

The two of them had just reached the front gate of the compound when the Liangzhou army soldiers posted outside stretched out a hand and blocked them.

The squad leader in charge wore an expression of complete seriousness. “You two are not to go out. General Helian’s orders — without his permission, you are confined to the compound grounds. You may not leave.”

Li Chi’s brow furrowed slightly.

Mister Yan said: “Are we to understand we’ve been imprisoned here? And if we wish to leave Liangzhou now?”

“That would require us to consult General Helian first,” the squad leader said. “Please do not make things difficult for us. Go back inside — violating the General’s military orders would not end well.”

Mister Yan made to say something further. Li Chi touched his arm.

Li Chi said to the squad leader: “Then please inform Young General Dantai Qi that we intend to take our leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

The squad leader nodded. “I’ll report to General Helian. He’ll relay the message to the Young General. Please, both of you, go back inside.”

In the courtyard, Gao Xining was telling her men: “Though the sir said we can go out for a walk, I’d say we forget about it and stay inside…”

Her words weren’t finished when she saw Li Chi and Mister Yan walking back. Gao Xining was sharp — she guessed the reason immediately.

She looked toward Li Chi, fearing above all that he was angry.

—