The room fell silent for a moment before Li Kuang’s angry voice rang out: “Who allowed you to come in?”

He Yan raised her head, glaring at him while suppressing her trembling voice, “You killed her.”

“This is my family matter. What business is it of yours?” Li Kuang seemed very unwilling to see her. “Get out!”

Among the surrounding soldiers, some showed uncomfortable expressions, either avoiding He Yan’s gaze or lowering their heads in silence. No one spoke.

“Why should I leave?” He Yan said coldly. “Even if Lady Qiluo was your family matter, these women were rescued by me from the Wutuo people. Surely this isn’t your family matter, Lord Li,” she suddenly raised her voice, “Do you plan to kill all of them too?”

Upon hearing this, some of the women on the ground began to sob quietly.

Zhao Shiming, who had rushed over after hearing the news, finally burst in with Wang Ba and the others. Suddenly seeing a corpse lying in the room, he was startled. Zhao Shiming asked with trembling hands, “What… what happened? What’s going on? Who is this?”

He Yan stepped forward. Li Kuang angrily said, “Don’t touch her!” But in the next moment, someone had already pulled away the white cloth.

The young woman lying on the ground had blood spreading from her chest, staining her clothes red. She lay there, her expression peaceful, as beautiful as a delicate flower. Just hours ago, she had been smiling, showing He Yan the flower wreath she had woven, speaking to others about her hopes for the future. Now, she would never cry or laugh again, just a cold corpse.

“Qiluo?” Zhao Shiming was shocked. “How did this happen to Qiluo? Did Wutuo people sneak in? Lord Li? What happened?”

If Wutuo people had sneaked in, how could Li Kuang be so calm? Surely Run City would have been in chaos. But… how else to explain the scene before them?

Li Kuang stared intently at He Yan, who remained unmoved and spoke word by word: “You should ask Lord Li about this. I see Lord Li is trying to emulate Zhang Xun from the previous dynasty!”

At these words, Zhao Shiming drew in a sharp breath.

Among Wang Ba and Shi Tou’s group, only Jiang Jiao was educated enough to understand what He Yan meant. The others remained confused, while Jiang Jiao’s expression changed slightly.

“In the previous dynasty, Zhang Xun defended Suiyang City. When the city ran out of food, he killed his concubine to feed his soldiers. Lord Li, what are you doing? Do you want to be the Great Wei’s Zhang Xun? But Run City still has other options for survival, why go to such lengths!”

“What do you understand!” Li Kuang couldn’t help but rebuke, “She was just a woman! If it could save a city of people, even my life would be worth sacrificing. She was just a woman, dying for Run City is not a waste!”

He Yan looked at him. Li Kuang had once fought alongside her, sharing life and death moments. Though they weren’t close friends, they were certainly old acquaintances. He Yan had never doubted Li Kuang’s character – as a military leader, he was upright, brave, and loyal. But even to such a hero in people’s eyes, “women” were merely like cats and dogs, animals, possessions to be sacrificed. His most beloved concubine could be killed in an instant under the pretext of “righteousness” to become food to fill stomachs.

This was even more terrifying than trading children for food.

She had imagined this scene might occur, but that was something from the previous dynasty. They weren’t yet in such desperate straits, and Li Kuang wasn’t Zhang Xun. He Yan had still held onto hope, thinking perhaps she had imagined human nature to be too horrific, but… nothing could prevent it.

Li Kuang still made the same choice.

Years ago at Xian Chang Academy, when reading the “Chronicles of Loyalty and Righteousness” and reaching this part about Zhang Xun losing Suiyang, where the enemy army couldn’t breach the city and camped outside waiting for the city’s troops to starve to death. When the city ran out of food, Zhang Xun killed his beloved concubine and forced his officers to eat her, followed by others killing their servants for military rations.

“After the women in the city were consumed, they moved on to men, elderly, and children, eating twenty to thirty thousand people.”

The young students in the hall were all silent. The teacher continued reading, “Of Suiyang’s pre-war population of forty thousand, only four hundred survived when the city fell.”

They were all teenagers around ten years old, all from wealthy official families, who had never heard of such horrific events. Cannibalism was already shocking enough, but combined with war, it was even more tragic.

The teacher asked, “Do you think Zhang Xun’s actions were right or wrong?”

The young students eagerly spoke up, each stating their views, but ultimately concluded that given the circumstances, Zhang Xun’s actions were unavoidable.

The teacher said, “Killing people violates human ethics. But it wasn’t Zhang Xun’s original intention. As they say, ‘The sin of emergency measures is light, the merit of restoration is heavy.’ The sin of cannibalism is small, the merit of defending the city is great.”

The students nodded in agreement. Though brutal, they believed this incident truly demonstrated Zhang Xun’s loyalty. After all, concubines were “family matters” while defending the city was a “state matter.” Sacrificing concubines to defend the state made Zhang Xun a loyal minister.

He Yan didn’t agree at the time. She sat in the hall, not speaking or agreeing with the other students’ opinions, just frowning with a serious expression.

The teacher noticed her disagreement and smiled, asking her to stand up: “He Runfei, do you have a different opinion?”

At that time in Xian Chang Academy, she was still the dunce who always ranked last in exams. Being called upon made her nervous. However, the indignation in her heart finally gave her the courage to speak: “People all say Zhang Xun was a loyal minister and righteous man, which is indeed true, but what about those who were eaten – weren’t they innocent? I can understand his choice, but if it were me… I would never do such a thing.”

“Oh? What would you do?” the teacher asked with a smile.

“I would lead the remaining soldiers to fight a decisive battle with the rebels outside the city,” the youth stood in the hall, sunlight streaming through the windows and falling on her face, lending a resolute air to her otherwise boyish features. “Those who wield swords should understand where their blade points – whether at the enemy before them or the weak behind them.”

“I will never draw my sword against the weak.”

The hall was quiet for a moment before the other students burst into laughter.

“The weak? What weak? He was weak!”

“And Brother He’s swordsmanship is so terrible, how could he even wield a sword? Must be dreaming.”

“Talking so big, how is it possible? If someone with such poor martial skills could defend a city, I don’t think the city needs defending at all. Haha!”

Surrounded by laughter, He Yan’s face turned red. She pressed her lips together and thought, fortunes rise and fall, perhaps one day she would become a general commanding armies. When that time came, she would protect those she wanted to protect. She would never let unarmed civilians become military rations. If she was going to be something, she would be the bravest general.

The teacher quieted the students who were mocking her and looked at He Yan with approval in his eyes, “That you can think from the perspective of the common people shows you have compassion for the weak. This is good.”

He Yan sighed inwardly. It wasn’t that she had compassion for the weak. It was because all these laughing students in the hall were male, so they naturally put themselves in “Zhang Xun’s” position. But she was female, so she naturally stood in the “concubine’s” position.

From “Zhang Xun’s” perspective, this action was noble. From the “concubine’s” perspective, it was an undeserved disaster.

The joys and sorrows between people in this world cannot always be shared. It’s just a matter of what position you’re in and what choices you make.

Just like now.

He Yan said, “You may be a loyal minister, but what crime did she commit?”

“You don’t need to say so much to me,” Li Kuang said coldly. “Qiluo was my concubine, my person, how I handle my people is my business. As for these women… ask them if they’re willing. I haven’t forced them.”

He Yan looked at the women sitting on the ground. One woman with red eyes kowtowed to He Yan and said softly, “Thank you for planning for us, but… we have already been defiled by the Wutuo people, our bodies are no longer clean. We can neither return home nor have the face to live in this world. Now we can use these bodies to win a chance of survival for Run City – it’s our good fortune. Perhaps this bit of merit can wash away the filth on our bodies and earn us blessings in our next life.”

“What merit!” Before she could finish, He Yan interrupted her.

Wang Ba and the others looked at He Yan in surprise. All along, He Yan had been exceptionally gentle in dealing with them. Even when Wang Ba had provoked her back then, she never said a crude word. Now that she was cursing, it showed how angry she truly was.

“What do you mean your bodies aren’t clean? What do you mean you have no face to live in this world?” He Yan said angrily. “Was this your fault?” She looked at Li Kuang and at the soldiers who were hanging their heads, “Was this their fault!”

“If you think this is earning merit, you’re gravely mistaken! Lord Li,” she turned to Li Kuang, “you’re the City Commander. Let me tell you, these women were captured by the Wutuo people because of their brutality and your incompetence. What wrong did they do? I’ve never seen victims being at fault while their abusers walk free! Acting like this plays right into the Wutuo people’s hands – in their eyes, the Great Wei people are all fools. They commit evil deeds, knowing innocent people will bear their undeserved guilt!”

“How can there be such ridiculous notions in the world? If being touched by the Wutuo people makes one unclean, then from the moment they first stepped on Great Wei soil, there would be no need to resist them. Great Wei’s land would be unclean too – might as well give it to them, why bother fighting at all!”

“You! Watch your words!” Li Kuang suppressed his anger.

“I will not!” He Yan stared at him intently, her gaze containing a fierce fire that seemed ready to burn everything around her. “You’re a man, their commander. You point your blade at your women and your people! What does that make you? If you followed me out today to kill some Wutuo people, to drink their blood and eat their flesh, I would respect you as real men. But there’s no logic in this world where men who can’t win battles make innocent, defenseless women sacrifice themselves! That’s cowardice!”

“I told you, they’re willing.”

“Are they truly willing?” He Yan’s gaze was sharp. “Fine, let me ask you,” she turned to the woman, “Why do you think you can’t go on living? Is it because of what others said? If others say something, you should refute them to their face. If you’re not good with words, use your fists. Was this your fault? Anyone who would shame you for this is the most despicable person – show them no courtesy. I saved your lives – if you give up so easily, where does that leave me?”

Her expression was intense, and the woman dared not speak. After a while, one young girl burst into tears, sobbing, “I don’t want to die, I’m scared…”

Li Kuang’s face turned ashen.

“If you don’t want to die, I’m here. No one can force you to die.”

“How dare you speak like this?” Li Kuang said, “This isn’t Liangzhou Guard!”

He Yan’s expression grew calm. She stepped forward, shielding the women behind her. “Lord Li, Qiluo was your concubine who followed you for many years, not a commodity, not an object to be discarded at will. She was yours, true, but before that, she was first and foremost a person.”

“Today you cannot touch these women. If you try,” He Yan slowly drew the sword she had seized from the guard at the door, “you’ll have to get past my blade first.”

“You think I wouldn’t dare?” Li Kuang exploded in anger, drawing his sword. Seeing this, the surrounding soldiers all drew their weapons, pointing their blades at He Yan.

The room was filled with tension.

Zhao Shiming urgently said, “What are you doing? How can our people turn against each other? Our urgent task is to fight the Wutuo people. Lord Li, I think Young Lord He makes sense – you can’t… can’t eat people! If you do this, the common people outside will follow suit. What will Run City become? Even if we defend the city, do you want people across the land to curse us?”

He had his selfish concerns. Qiluo was Li Kuang’s most beloved concubine, and Zhao Shiming had to admit she was beautiful and clever, quite lovable. If it were him, he could never bring himself to do it. But Li Kuang killed her without hesitation – these military men… ah! In the end, wouldn’t officials like themselves have to set an example too? At his age, having never killed even a chicken in his life, if he had to send his family members to their deaths, Zhao Shiming would rather die himself. Therefore, he immediately took He Yan’s side.

Li Kuang ignored Zhao Shiming – a county magistrate who couldn’t even hold a sword wasn’t worth his attention. What angered him was He Yan.

No one expected He Yan to burst in so rashly and criticize him without explanation. Qiluo had been with him for many years – did they think his heart didn’t ache? Did they think he hadn’t hesitated when he struck? But the war had reached this point – if Run City couldn’t be held, everyone would die. Killing Qiluo in front of these deputy commanders was to show them his determination to defend Run City at all costs.

Among these deputy commanders, many had frequent interactions with Qiluo. Seeing a living, breathing young woman killed before their eyes was unbearable. Some even pleaded for her life, but Li Kuang thought: if Zhang Xun could do it then, he could do it now. Even if he bore the world’s condemnation, it didn’t matter – future generations would judge his merits and faults.

But this Wuan Lang He Yan just burst in, stood before him protecting those women, with eyes so bright they made him momentarily ashamed.

He suddenly thought of He Runfei.

That Flying Phoenix General, who was still a deputy commander, would try his best to save women captured by enemy forces in every battle. Though these women often faced poor outcomes upon returning home, He Runfei would always patiently comfort and encourage them. Li Kuang had never seen a man be so considerate. But he thought there could only be one Flying Phoenix General so naive in this world.

Yet today, another such person stood before him.

Li Kuang’s expression was cold: “Wuan Lang, do you mean to fight me?”

“I apologize, but I cannot let them die here.”

A woman at the side cried out, looking at He Yan: “My Lord, don’t waste your effort on us. If our lives can exchange for Run City’s safety, we are willing…”

“Run City’s safety cannot be bought with your lives,” He Yan said coldly. “Safety bought by sacrificing women is no different from begging for enemy mercy.”

“Lord Li, this isn’t the previous dynasty, and you are not Zhang Xun.”

Li Kuang was almost furious with shame. He knew every word the youth before him spoke was true, but he saw no other path.

“You dare to fight me?” he said coldly.

“What nonsense,” Wang Ba spat, “Since when did killing women become right? Even we bandits don’t kill women, elderly, or children. As the saying goes, even thieves have principles – you soldiers who eat the emperor’s grain, how dare you do such inhuman things? Stop wasting time. We numbers one through seven of the Liangzhou Guard, accept your challenge!”

He spoke as if arranging a martial arts tournament, making Li Kuang’s expression even darker.

At this moment, someone else entered – it was Chu Zhao. He looked at Li Kuang, first bowing, then smiling: “Lord Li’s actions are inappropriate. His Majesty has always promoted ‘benevolent governance.’ Cannibalism violates human ethics – if this reaches His Majesty’s ears, I fear he would be displeased.”

He was taking He Yan’s side. Chu Zhao represented Minister Xu, and with both the Liangzhou Guard and Minister Xu opposing him, the pressure was immense. Li Kuang was both angry and frustrated – just who was this He Yan, that one after another would follow their lead?

But the surrounding soldiers were watching him. Steeling himself, he gritted out: “You are no match for me.”

He Yan smiled slightly, holding her sword before her. “Lord Li is welcome to try.”

The sword’s edge glinted coldly, tension filling the room. Just then, suddenly, soldiers’ voices came from outside: “My Lord! My Lord!”

Li Kuang, already full of rage and unable to advance or retreat, snapped: “What are you shouting about!”

The next moment, the door opened again and someone entered, speaking calmly.

“Lord Li, before you discipline someone from the Liangzhou Guard, perhaps you should ask me first.”

That voice… He Yan started, turning sharply.

She saw a young man wearing narrow-sleeved deep clothes and dark armor walking forward, stopping in front of her. Though it had been only a month since they last met, it felt like ten thousand years had passed. His features were handsome, his bearing as graceful as spring willows, his expression characteristically cool.

“Com-Commander Xiao!” Li Kuang couldn’t hide his shock.

He never expected to see Right Army Commander Xiao Jue here.

Xiao Jue didn’t look at He Yan or Li Kuang, his gaze only briefly passing over the crying women as he spoke softly: “Those who wield swords should understand where their blade points – whether at the enemy before them or the weak behind them.”

“You should not draw your sword against the weak.”

He Yan suddenly looked up.

[Author’s Note: Zhang Xun is a historical figure. Though this is a fictional work, I decided to use his real name. Interested readers can look him up – the earlier “Borrowing Arrows with Straw Men” story also came from Zhang Xun. He was quite remarkable. The characters’ views don’t represent the author’s views. No event should be judged outside its historical context, and different perspectives will lead to different conclusions.]