HomeTales of Dark RiverAn He Zhuan: Act Three - Chapter 17

An He Zhuan: Act Three – Chapter 17

Su Muyu was startled: “Isn’t the Family Head from the Su family? Why did Uncle Zhe say he’s from the Mu family?”

Bai Hehuai was also confused. The Family Head had told her he was surnamed Mu, and Su Zhe had said the same, so why did Su Muyu say Su? Were even Dark River’s people unclear about the Family Head’s identity?

Su Zhe shrugged and said softly: “That’s another story altogether.”

“Muyu, come in. I have words for you,” the Family Head said gravely.

Su Zhe stood up with his Buddhist staff, leisurely leading Bai Hehuai outside: “The matters ahead don’t concern us anymore. Family Head, write a letter to the Soul-Summoning Palace—I’m leaving, tell them not to send people to hunt me down.”

“No one can leave Dark River,” the Family Head replied. “Regardless of any reason or past merits, it’s not allowed.”

“Oh?” Su Zhe stopped, glancing back slightly. “So you’re saying this matter isn’t finished?”

Su Muyu stepped forward, positioning himself between Su Zhe and the Family Head: “Let me speak with the Family Head first before making any decisions.”

“Hahaha, you’re right.” Having spoken formal language for so many days, Su Zhe seemed tired and reverted to his casual manner. “You talk first. If the talk doesn’t go well, I’ll handle it for you.”

“Then Muyu hopes Uncle Zhe won’t need to handle anything,” Su Muyu walked into the room.

The Family Head glanced at Su Zhe’s Buddhist staff, then waved his hand to close the wooden door.

Su Zhe immediately leaned close to Bai Hehuai’s ear, whispering: “Daughter, shall we make our escape?”

“Escape?” Bai Hehuai raised an eyebrow. “This Spider’s Nest is now my residence, Father. Get it straight—this territory belongs to us now! Why don’t we drive them out instead? Even if they stay, they should pay rent!”

Su Zhe was stunned for a moment, then clapped his hands: “Brilliant!”

Bai Hehuai smiled: “Isn’t it?”

Inside the room, the Family Head sat cross-legged, placing the Sleeping Dragon Sword horizontally before him: “They want to kill me simply to obtain this Sleeping Dragon Sword.”

“The Soul-Summoning Palace only recognizes the Sleeping Dragon Sword. Only its bearer can lead Dark River,” Su Muyu nodded.

“Yes. The Soul-Summoning Palace stands above the three families, controlling Dark River’s rewards, punishments, and assignment of assassin missions, while also managing all of Dark River’s wealth. Their principle has always been the most brutal and discourteous—without the Sleeping Dragon Sword, even with the support of all three families, one cannot become Dark River’s leader.” The Family Head looked down at the Sleeping Dragon Sword. “They all want this sword. What about you?”

Su Muyu shook his head: “The Family Head has long known that Muyu has no such thoughts. I have no interest in the position of Family Head.”

“Indeed. How could you want this sword? Your greatest wish is to sever all ties with Dark River, leave this place, and never return.” The Family Head smiled. “So do you think now that I’m healed, the three family heads will simply back down?”

“Once drawn, a sword cannot return to its scabbard. This time, with the three families’ elites appearing to assassinate you, Family Head, the matter is set in stone and cannot be erased. Therefore, this matter must have a resolution, and that resolution must be the selection of a new Family Head. After all, at its root, the three family heads’ dissatisfaction with you, Family Head, is that you’ve held this position for too long.”

The Family Head gave a cold laugh: “In all of Dark River, only you dare speak to me this way.”

Su Muyu sighed lightly: “You’ve held this position for over thirty years, Family Head. I’ve looked at records—typically, one would step down after about twenty years. Previously, the Puppet was understood to be the next Family Head, so the succession wouldn’t cause much upheaval. But the previous Puppet, Uncle Zhe, suffered irreversible injuries and couldn’t take the position. And now the current Puppet, me, is a nameless one. The three families won’t accept a nameless one becoming the Family Head. After so long, it’s understandable that the three family heads grew restless.”

The Family Head suddenly drew the Sleeping Dragon Sword before him, a flash of sword light passing before Su Muyu’s face: “What’s the last line of the Naming Ceremony?”

“From this day forward, you and I are blood kin, three surnames united as one, family for generations to come.” Su Muyu replied without hesitation.

The Family Head looked at the Sleeping Dragon Sword: “Though bound by a blood oath, it still can’t overcome generations of prejudice. What if today, I passed this Sleeping Dragon Sword to you? As long as the Three Officials of the Soul-Summoning Palace approve, no one could prevent you from taking the position of Family Head.”

“Impossible.” Su Muyu shook his head. “I hope the Family Head can select one of the three family heads to inherit the Sleeping Dragon Sword here. The current crisis could then be resolved.”

“Oh? Among the three family heads, who do you think is worthy of this position?” the Family Head asked with a cold smile.

“Xie Ba of the Xie family has unmatched sword skills and a bold character, showing qualities of a great general, but he’s too impulsive and rash—not leadership material. Mu Zizhe of the Mu family has unfathomable martial arts and equally unfathomable thoughts; leading Dark River would be no challenge for him, but his nature is too somber. Su Jinhui of the Su family is the most popular among recent Su family heads, with a steady character and fair judgment of rewards and punishments—he’s who Muyu believes most suitable to inherit the Sleeping Dragon Sword.”

“Su Jinhui.” The Family Head gently ran his hand along the sword blade. “In recommending Su Jinhui, aren’t you worried I’ll think your heart still lies with the Su family, that you’re acting as their messenger to deceive your way into the Family Head position?”

Su Muyu shook his head: “The Family Head understands the nature of the three family heads better than I do.”

“Good!” The Family Head swung the Sleeping Dragon Sword, and it drew a perfect arc through the air before landing in front of Su Muyu. “Take the Sleeping Dragon Sword, find Su Jinhui, and tell him the position of Family Head passes to him. As long as the Three Officials of the Soul-Summoning Palace approve, he will lead all three families of Dark River henceforth.”

Su Muyu stood up, drawing the Sleeping Dragon Sword: “After this matter, I will escort Family Head north.”

“To home.” The Family Head smiled.

A thousand li away.

At the end of Dark River’s flow.

The Soul-Summoning Palace.

In the pitch-black great hall, a single candle suddenly lit.

Three tall men sat on pure gold chairs, all with white hair yet faces as handsome as youths. The three appeared to be triplets, their features extremely similar, but their expressions differed—one’s eyes showed joy, another’s contained hidden anger, and the third’s held compassion.

“Who will go?” asked the one on the left.

“Naturally, anyone but you can go. This journey can resolve calamity and grant pardons, but cannot bestow blessings,” the one in the middle replied.

“Then I’ll go,” the one on the right spoke up.

“Then you shall go,” the one on the left smiled.

“Kill fewer people,” the one in the middle said gravely.

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