A young girl’s tears fell like fragile dewdrops, momentarily burning hot as they slid down her cheeks. Thinking carefully, this was the first time Xiao Jue had seen He Yan shed tears.

He was stunned for a moment, contemplating that after all, she was a young lady. No matter how formidable she usually was, witnessing the carnage of her first battlefield with its strewn flesh and blood was ultimately frightening. However… during her previous battle with Ri Da Mu Zi, her reaction hadn’t been nearly as intense as now.

After some thought, Xiao Jue finally furrowed his brows and softened his voice to comfort her: “Everything’s fine now, stop crying.”

He glanced around – only dying stragglers remained of the Wuto soldiers, while Cui Yue Zhi’s reinforcements had arrived, leaving nothing to fear.

“Governor!” Flying Guard rushed over, also startled upon seeing He Yan.

“How long do you plan to stand here crying?” Xiao Jue felt a headache coming on.

He Yan quickly wiped away her tears, knowing she had lost composure earlier. Although the battle was decided, this wasn’t the time for melancholy. She turned and said, “Ah, and just got in my eyes. I’m fine now. Let’s finish this up!”

Her voice still carried traces of unchecked tears, and this excuse was so poor it seemed merely perfunctory. Xiao Jue couldn’t be bothered to expose her lie. As she turned to walk back with her sword raised, his gaze lingered, and suddenly, he grabbed He Yan’s arm.

“What’s wrong?” He Yan turned back puzzled.

Xiao Jue remained silent, only looking behind her. Following his gaze, He Yan saw several drops of blood slowly trickling from her waist into the river water, leaving only a thin trail of blood.

She froze, reaching back to touch her waist, and the pain that had been numbed for so long seemed to return just then. Perhaps earlier in her fury, she had charged into the Wuto soldiers, only attacking without defending, and they had found an opening to wound her. Later, she had been too anxious to find Xiao Jue’s whereabouts and hadn’t noticed when she was injured.

The armor was heavy, and when worn, injuries weren’t easily visible. If not for the blood dripping down, it would have been hard to detect. He Yan felt the pain but found it bearable. She had endured worse injuries before, so she didn’t think much of it. Instead, she adjusted her armor and said dismissively, “I might have been cut. I’ll bandage it when we return.”

“Go find Lin Shuang He now,” Xiao Jue said. “You’re not needed here anymore.”

The Wuto forces were defeated, Ma Ka was dead, and thousands of large ships were burning with raging flames on the river. The remaining stragglers could be handled by Cui Yue Zhi and the remaining Ji Yang City troops. However, He Yan didn’t have the habit of letting her subordinates act while she rested, so she said, “There’s no need. It’s just a minor wound.”

Xiao Jue’s expression cooled slightly as he frowned at her.

“There’s no need.” He Yan tried to pull away from his hand, but Xiao Jue’s grip was too strong for her to break free.

The young man in dark armor looked down at her, his posture straight and tall, his cool gaze seeming to hold a blade, yet his tone remained flat, “Don’t you know pain? Do you not have pain sensation, can’t you cry out in pain?”

He Yan sensitively detected that he seemed somewhat angry.

She instinctively answered, “…It doesn’t hurt.”

A hint of very faint mockery flashed through the young man’s eyes as he calmly looked at her and said, “Is it that it doesn’t hurt, or that you dare not feel pain? Is it that you think it’s unnecessary, or that you don’t need to?”

After saying this, he released her hand and turned to leave, not looking back at He Yan once.

“What kind of temper is this?” He Yan stood in place for a while before mumbling quietly, “Nobody ever taught me, and nobody ever comforted me either.”

She followed after him.

…

The war ended much earlier than imagined.

From the time the Wuto warships entered the canal, to the wind-aided fire attack, to clearing the remaining soldiers, it took two days. Not even three full days.

While this was certainly due to the valor of the Ji Yang City army and Xiao Jue’s brilliant command and formations, the most crucial factor was the east wind. If that wind had come even slightly later or lasted any shorter, the outcome would have been different.

The east wind drove the flames unrelentingly, burying thousands of Wuto warships together in the canal outside Ji Yang City. Countless Ji Yang citizens knelt, kowtowing toward the canal direction, praying with tears streaming: “Thank you, Water Goddess, for your protection. Thank you, General Feng Yun, for your divine military prowess. Thank you for blessing Ji Yang and the Great Wei.”

The morning sun dyed the entire river surface, turning the blood-soaked water golden-red. Whether it was the blood of fallen martyrs or the glow of dawn, it was devastatingly magnificent.

The remaining Ji Yang City soldiers on the shore removed their armor and sat on the ground, staring dazedly at the sunrise, their blood-stained faces showing relief.

Ji Yang City had held.

In the Cui Mansion, He Yan sat on the couch, watching Lin Shuang He brew medicine.

“Brother Lin, just let Cui Jiao handle this,” He Yan said. “No need to trouble yourself.”

Lin Shuang He sat by the stove, fanning it as he said, “What does that little girl know? When ordinary people brew this medicine, it doesn’t bring out the medicinal properties. I have to do it myself. Sister He, you are something – how could you not notice such a large gash on your body? No wonder Huai Jin was so angry. If you had died here, how guilty would people feel?”

“It’s not that big of a gash,” He Yan felt he was exaggerating somewhat, “just palm-length, and it didn’t hit any vital spots.”

In actual combat, these were all minor injuries. Her worst injury ever was when an arrow struck her shoulder, but the battle had to continue, and with no doctors available, she had to pull out the arrow shaft herself and continue fighting with the arrowhead still embedded in her skin. When the military doctor finally came to check on her, He Yan’s entire sleeve was dyed red with blood, and the wound had stuck to her clothes, impossible to separate.

As long as one could still walk and fight, as long as it wasn’t life-threatening, it was a minor injury.

“Sister, when will you remember that you’re a young lady? When I treat other young ladies in Shuo Jing City, some would be devastated by a birthmark the size of a fingernail. Your wound would be quite a sight to them.”

He lifted the medicine pot’s lid to check, watching the medicinal brew bubbling. Lin Shuang He replaced the lid and used a cloth to grip the handle, placing it on a nearby table.

“Let’s not talk about whether your life was in danger or whether you’re particularly good at enduring pain. But don’t you care about your appearance?” He took a clean medicine bowl and poured the brew into it. “Aren’t you worried that your future husband might find it objectionable? Pardon my blunt words, but for young ladies, this is quite normal to consider.”

He Yan leaned against the couch, watching his movements, and smiled, “I don’t plan to marry.”

“Why not?” Lin Shuang He’s movements paused as he looked at her, “You’re so young, not bad-looking, with a straightforward and lovable personality, and you don’t have any difficult ailments. Why wouldn’t you want to marry?”

“Marriage is so boring,” He Yan sighed, “just staying in one house, walking around the same places all the time. I’d rather live in the military camp.”

“Your thinking is quite unusual.” Lin Shuang He set aside the poured medicine to cool. “When you meet someone you like in the future, you won’t think this way.”

“Even if I meet someone I like, I still won’t marry,” He Yan said.

Lin Shuang He narrowed his eyes: “Sister He, you couldn’t already have someone you fancy?”

“No.”

Though she answered promptly, Lin Shuang He’s suspicions were aroused. Why would He Yan suddenly express such dejected sentiments? From his years of experience dealing with women, when a young woman says she “doesn’t want to marry,” it’s most likely due to experiencing heartbreak.

He Yan had always been in the Liang Zhou Guard, practicing martial arts daily – where would she experience heartbreak?

His heart jolted – could she have fallen for Chu Zi Lan? Knowing that Chu Zi Lan’s status and relationship with Xu Ping Ting made marriage impossible, she became despondent.

But if that were the case, what about Xiao Jue?

Lin Shuang He suddenly felt the situation was quite serious.

Seeing him lost in thought, He Yan asked, “Brother Lin, have you seen my master?”

From the start of the war until its end when everyone began dealing with the aftermath, He Yan hadn’t seen Liu Bu Wang. Lin Shuang He said, “That morning, Master Liu left with Cui Zhong Qi. Cui Zhong Qi is busy tending to the wounded and hasn’t returned yet, so Master Liu should be with him.”

He Yan nodded, though feeling somewhat uneasy.

Lin Shuang He walked to He Yan’s side and took out a round box from his sleeve, placing it by her pillow: “This is our family’s secret scar-removing ointment. When used on the body, while complete recovery isn’t guaranteed, seventy to eighty percent healing is possible.”

He Yan’s wound had already been bandaged by Ji Yang City’s female doctor. Hearing this, she picked up the box and saw the four characters “Remove Scars, Regenerate Flesh” written on it, which seemed particularly familiar. Thinking carefully, when she and Xiao Jue went to Liang Zhou City and she was injured fighting Ding Yi at night, after returning to Liang Zhou Guard, Shen Mu Xue gave her medicine, and there was a box on the medicine tray. After using it then, the scar-removing effect was indeed excellent, and the scar was now very faint. At that time, He Yan had been very grateful for Shen Mu Xue’s attentiveness and couldn’t stop praising the ointment’s miraculous effects. Unfortunately, the box was small with little medicine, and it was all used up.

“This is your family’s secret recipe?” He Yan asked.

Lin Shuang He showed slight pride, “To be precise, it’s my secret recipe.”

“Is this very expensive?”

“Sister He, how can you measure medicine’s value with money? I don’t sell this medicine. If I did sell it, just this alone could provide for several generations of comfortable living in Shuo Jing City. Money means nothing to me. This medicine is specially made for Huai Jin. He’s always getting injured, and when Xiao Ru Bi sees it, she gets heartbroken. Making some scar-removing medicine means Xiao Ru Bi won’t notice, and she’ll feel better.”

To ease his elder brother’s mind? He Yan thought to herself that Xiao Jue was quite cautious. But she clearly remembered Shen Mu Xue giving it to her, so she asked Lin Shuang He, “Haven’t you made this medicine for others? Like other young ladies?”

“What do you mean?” Lin Shuang He asked curiously, “If this medicine got out, forget about me, my father and grandfather would be pestered to death. I wouldn’t tell others. I only made it for Huai Jin, and not much at that, just a few boxes. It’s only because you and I have a good relationship that I’m giving you a box. Don’t tell others either – this medicine is troublesome to make, and I want to live a few more years.”

He Yan: “…Alright.”

“Take your time drinking the medicine, then rest after you finish,” Lin Shuang He contentedly waved his fan. “I’ll go out first and see if there’s anything else I can help with in the mansion.”

After Lin Shuang He left, He Yan looked at the medicine box in her hand. The box was delicate, held in her palm.

From Xiao Jue?

…

The wounded soldiers were all settled, and the fallen warriors were recorded one by one in the registers. Ji Yang City’s army wasn’t large, to begin with, and after this battle, few remained.

Cui Yue Zhi led his troops in clearing the battlefield. He too had sustained many injuries, his face covered in blood, with a wound on his head roughly bandaged with white cloth.

Seeing Xiao Jue approaching from afar, Cui Yue Zhi hurried to meet him, saying, “Governor Xiao.”

Though Xiao Jue was much younger than him, he no longer dared underestimate the young man before him. If not for Xiao Jue this time, there was no way Ji Yang City could have held against 150,000 Wuto soldiers. While luck played a part in their narrow victory, it was mostly due to this blessed general – or as He Yan would say, a great general. He didn’t lose when he shouldn’t, and might win when he couldn’t. Even the worst situation could be turned from defeat to victory in his hands.

Of course, Miss He was also formidable. However, he heard she was injured and had been sent back to the mansion to rest.

“The battlefield has been cleared,” Cui Yue Zhi said. “Once we have the casualty count from the Wuto army’s side, we can report the situation to His Highness at the prince’s mansion. His Highness will write a memorial about this battle to report to the court. The Governor’s life-saving grace to Ji Yang City will never be forgotten by its people.”

Xiao Jue walked forward, “No need for thanks. Thank themselves.”

Cui Yue Zhi felt somewhat emotional, probably due to having fought side by side, and held genuine warmth toward Xiao Jue. Just as he was about to speak, suddenly someone else approached – one of Cui Yue Zhi’s subordinates.

The subordinate glanced at Xiao Jue, his expression hesitant.

“What is it?” Cui Yue Zhi asked.

“Lord Zhong Qi, we… we found Master Liu.”

Since the battle began, Liu Bu Wang hadn’t been with them. Cui Yue Zhi had been worried and asked urgently, “Where?”

“On the wooded bank in front of Hulu Mouth.” The subordinate stammered, “Master Liu…”

Cui Yue Zhi’s heart gradually sank. He looked at Xiao Jue, who lowered his eyes and after a while, calmly said, “Lead the way.”

Liu Bu Wang died at the center of the formation.

His death was brutal, with wounds scattered all over his body. The fatal wound was a sword wound to his chest, penetrating from back to front through his heart. Even in death, his lips curved upward, without any trace of reluctance or resentment, as if he had seen something extremely beautiful, completely peaceful.

Around him lay many Wuto soldiers who had fallen to his sword. There were also bodies deep in the dense forest. Cui Yue Zhi looked for a long while before hesitantly asking, “Qi Men Dun Jia?”

Xiao Jue: “Correct.”

Cui Yue Zhi was filled with solemn respect. These days, few people know Qi Men Dun Jia. Liu Bu Wang had set up a formation here, killing many Wuto soldiers, and buying them considerable time. If Liu Bu Wang hadn’t held them back at the front, they wouldn’t have lasted until the wind came. Had those Wuto soldiers reached Hulu Mouth and entered the city, the resulting massacre would have been unimaginable.

Liu Bu Wang hadn’t told anyone, holding this position alone for so long, dying without anyone knowing.

His sword lay beside him, his zither shattered to pieces, his white clothes long since dyed with blood.

Cui Yue Zhi looked worriedly at Xiao Jue, knowing that Liu Bu Wang was Xiao Jue’s martial arts master. With Liu Bu Wang’s death, Xiao Jue must be devastated.

Xiao Jue knelt, slowly straightened Liu Bu Wang’s clothes that had been disheveled by the Wuto soldiers, and took out a handkerchief from his chest to wipe the blood from his face.

After doing all this, he finally looked at Liu Bu Wang’s face and said softly, “Let’s take him back.”

…

He Yan stayed at the Cui Mansion until evening.

Cui Yue Zhi’s four concubines took turns visiting her, bringing various foods. Even though He Yan loved sweets, she couldn’t eat anymore with so many desserts piled up. Having finally sent the concubines away, someone from outside came to report: “The master has returned! The Governor has returned!”

He Yan perked up, got out of bed, and put on her shoes to walk outside. Cui Yue Zhi had just reached the doorway when he was surrounded by his four concubines, especially the Third Concubine, who clung to him crying heart-rendingly, moving others to tears.

Such dramatic crying.

Just as He Yan was thinking this, she saw someone walk past Cui Yue Zhi toward her. It was Xiao Jue, who hadn’t yet removed his armor, still covered in dust from travel. He Yan didn’t mind, thinking that truly extraordinary beauty couldn’t be hidden even when covered in dust and dirt.

Xiao Jue walked up to her, slightly frowning: “Who let you come out?”

“It wasn’t anything serious to begin with,” He Yan patted her hands. “Even Brother Lin thought you all were making too much of it. By the way, Governor, have you seen my master? I’ve asked around, but no one has seen him. At this hour, he should have returned.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jue’s eyes flickered, falling on her face.

Those cool black eyes carried a trace of very faint pity, like a silent sigh falling on one’s heart.

He Yan’s smile slowly faded.

She asked: “Did something happen?”

Xiao Jue said: “Go see him.”

He Yan’s entire body froze.

Liu Bu Wang lay on the couch in the room, his clothes had been changed. Except for his pale complexion, he looked as if he were just sleeping. It seemed as though if she called out, he would sit up, smile at her, and call her: “A He.”

He Yan’s eyes immediately reddened.

She almost couldn’t stand steady, walking to Liu Bu Wang’s side and holding his hand.

His hand was very cold, not as warm as when he pulled her from the pile of corpses years ago. He used to be a light sleeper, waking at the slightest sound, but now he remained motionless even as she called him master.

He Yan’s hand touched his shoulder and paused. She gently pulled down Liu Bu Wang’s clothes. The clothes had been changed, and she knew he had been wounded. But He Yan hadn’t expected so many wounds. Those Wuto soldiers had suffered greatly at Liu Bu Wang’s hands and naturally wanted to repay it a hundredfold. When Liu Bu Wang’s strength failed, they rushed to add another cut to their trophy.

His body was broken, yet his expression was so peaceful as if he had merely fallen asleep under a flowering tree, having a beautiful dream. He Yan’s gaze fell on Liu Bu Wang’s hand, which was tightly clenched into a fist. After a moment’s pause, He Yan used some strength to pry open his fingers, seeing what he had hidden in his palm.

It was a silver bracelet, appearing crudely made, seemingly an old item from many years ago. Probably from daily handling and treasuring, some of the carved patterns had been worn smooth and unclear. Yet one could still see that on the edge of the bracelet was carved a tiny wild daisy.

This was what Liu Bu Wang had protected until his last breath. He had no children and only took her as his single disciple. At the end of his life, besides a zither, a sword, and this silver bracelet, he left nothing behind.

Empty and vast, clean and decisive.

He Yan’s throat choked up, unable to speak. They had just reunited after a long separation, barely exchanged a few words, and now were forever parted. She desperately held back her tears when a handkerchief appeared before her.

“Cry if you want to,” Xiao Jue said. “I’ll be outside. No one will come in.”

His voice was very soft and light, carrying a barely perceptible comfort. Without waiting for He Yan to speak, he turned and left the room.

The door closed behind him, and from behind it came the girl’s crying. At first, it was suppressed sobbing, then, as if unable to contain it anymore, the crying grew louder and louder, until finally, like a child denied candy, she burst into loud wails.

The crying reached Concubine Wei in the next room. She stood up, anxiously twisting her handkerchief, “Should I go check on her?”

“No,” Second Concubine shook her head, looking outside where the young man stood with his hands behind his back before the door, like a guardian protecting something precious in its fragility. “At such a moment of grief, neither of us can offer comfort.”

“Let them handle it themselves.”

The wailing in the room stopped at some unknown time. After a long while, the door creaked open, and someone walked out.

Xiao Jue turned to look.

The young woman who walked out had wiped away her tears, and apart from slightly red eyes, showed no other signs. Her expression was calm, even carrying a deliberately light air.

“Governor, thank you for guarding the door for me,” she said.

Xiao Jue frowned at her.

He Yan looked back: “Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

“Ugly.”

“What?”

“Your pretense is ugly,” his black eyes rippled, his words like ice, carrying a knowing understanding of everything, as he said deeply: “I told you, you can cry when you want to cry, laugh when you want to laugh. Better than your current pretense, which is extremely ugly.”

These words were certainly not pleasant to hear.

He Yan was stunned for a moment, but instead smiled, saying: “It’s not pretense, it’s just… this is all I can do now.”

Liu Bu Wang was dead, an unchangeable fact. She could grieve for Liu Bu Wang’s death but must look forward. One cannot tell everyone about their sorrows and grief; it would only make people dislike you. Some painful things should just be kept in the heart. If one always shows a grieving face to others, over time, others will grow tired of it, and one won’t be able to move on either.

She used the experience of two lifetimes to tell herself that even the hardest things would pass.

However…

“You know,” she sighed, “in this world, there weren’t many people who were kind to me to begin with, I could count them on one hand.”

“Now, there’s one less.”