An He Zhuan: Act Ten – Chapter 1

The rustling bamboo first senses the rain,

The darkened mountain already hears the thunder.

…

Dark River

Star Fall Pavilion

Su Changhe gently brushed the dust from his clothes as he looked at Su Luandan lying on the ground. “Did you think you were strong?”

Su Luandan clutched his chest wound, grinning, “I know you’re stronger than me, but I was born unwilling to be second best. And now in Dark River, I’m not even equal to Su Muyu – naturally, I had to rebel.”

“Fool. What right do you have to think you could stand above Su Muyu?” Su Changhe bent down. “You are indeed strong, but you can only blame the heavens for their unfairness. This generation of the Su family has me and Su Muyu – you can only watch our backs.”

“You’re not even true members of the Su family!” Su Luandan roared.

“Silence!” Su Changhe’s brows furrowed as his dagger flew out, piercing Su Luandan’s palm and pinning it to the ground. “I hadn’t planned to kill you, but those words make me want to. You were once our most important member of The Other Shore. Here, there is no division between the three families.”

Su Luandan sneered, “Don’t tell me you believe these people joined The Other Shore because of your ridiculous ideals. Everyone just thought those old fools had controlled Dark River’s rules for too long and wanted a chance to overthrow them. The Other Shore provided that chance.”

“Brother, you’ve strayed too far.” Su Changhe struck again with his blade, piercing Su Luandan’s throat. “You’ll never reach the Other Shore now.”

Su Changfeng, covered in blood, appeared behind Su Changhe: “Family Head, the rebellion has been quelled. Most of Su Luandan’s followers have surrendered, and those who refused have been executed.”

“Kill them all,” Su Changhe said quietly.

Su Changfeng froze: “All… all of them?”

Su Changhe smiled, “Never mind. If Su Muyu learned of this, he would reproach me again. Have Yu Mo implant the Heaven’s Wound Blood in them and keep them in the Prison of Suffering for half a year. After that, we’ll give them a chance to atone for their crimes through merit.”

“Yes, sir!” Su Changfeng responded.

“I’m tired.” Su Changhe waved his hand, and Su Changfeng dragged away Su Luandan’s corpse. Su Changhe then walked up to the high platform and sat in the black stone chair. This seat was reserved only for the Family Head of Dark River, yet this was Su Changhe’s first time sitting here since his succession. He lowered his head, looking at the empty hall below, where white mourning banners floated eerily in the air.

How boring…

Su Changhe sighed quietly in his heart, feeling nostalgic for Nan’an City.

Perhaps he could have let Su Luandan become the lord of Dark River – let him roam the martial world as he wished. But alas, anger had made his hand too heavy, and there would be no coming back from that. Su Changhe yawned, suddenly feeling weary, and fell asleep against the stone chair.

### Jing’an City

In a secluded old residence, a black-robed figure threw down a package of medicinal herbs and removed his bamboo hat, revealing a pale face with a sinister look between the brows – it was Night Crow, the traitor of Medicine King Valley. After being forced to flee Nan’an City, he traveled north until reaching Jing’an City to settle. As he walked to the courtyard well and scooped up a bowl of water, the inner door suddenly opened. Night Crow started, immediately dropping the porcelain bowl and drawing the short sword at his waist.

“Who’s there?” Night Crow demanded.

“Ah, Master Night Crow, I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time.” A rather youthful voice rang out as a richly dressed youth emerged, wearing purple boots that spoke of nobility. He remained perfectly composed before Night Crow’s drawn sword. Perhaps his confidence came from the two masked guards at his side – Night Crow could tell at a glance that either one’s martial arts far exceeded his own.

Night Crow retreated three steps, “I don’t know you.”

“Naturally, you wouldn’t know me, as this is my first time leaving Tianqi City,” the youth smiled.

Night Crow frowned, “What do you want from me?”

“My master has been staying in Nan’an City, originally meant to monitor those two Dark River assassins from afar. Unexpectedly, he witnessed your battle with them. Ghost Physician Night Crow – I’ve heard this title before. I’d like to invite you to my residence,” the youth maintained his polite smile. “At my residence, no one will disturb your pursuit of medical arts. I can provide any assistance you desire.”

Night Crow gave a cold laugh, “Such grand promises. What’s your status to make such offers?”

“My surname is Xiao,” the youth smiled. “I’m called Xiao Yu, seventh among the princes. Do you think I can fulfill such promises?”

Night Crow gripped his short sword tighter, showing no joy, “A prince? So you want to use my human experimentation techniques to seize the throne?”

“Perhaps. But more likely it’s because,” Xiao Yu raised his eyebrows slightly, “after hearing your story, I believe you and I are the same kind of person.”

### Nan’an City

Su Muyu, with his ever-present oiled paper umbrella on his back and a sword at his waist, led his horse to Nan’an City’s gate. Looking at Bai Hehuai and the others who had come to see him off, he lowered his head, “This is far enough. I won’t be gone too long – I’ll return soon.”

Bai Hehuai raised his hand, and Xiao Chaoyan immediately presented a brocade box. Bai Hehuai opened it to reveal an elegant long sword within. The hilt was crafted in the shape of feathers with an inlaid ruby – quite beautiful. Bai Hehuai took out the sword and handed it to Su Muyu.

Su Muyu accepted the sword, slightly startled, “This is…”

“I had someone fetch it from Famous Sword Manor. How could you challenge Matchless City with some cheap iron sword bought for a few taels from the street? This sword is called Crane Feather – the ‘crane’ of white crane, the ‘feather’ of plumage. When you defeat Matchless City with it and make a name for yourself under heaven, consider it making a name for me as well,” Bai Hehuai said softly.

“This must have been expensive…” Su Muyu blurted out.

Bai Hehuai’s eyes widened, “Indeed it was – all of our medical manor’s earnings for three months!”

“Well, if you say it’s expensive, then it’s all about the sentiment!” Su Muyu replaced the ordinary iron sword at his waist with Crane Feather, then mounted his horse and cracked his whip. “I won’t fail your trust!”

Bai Hehuai smiled as he watched him ride away, “So he can still be this free-spirited at times.”