The sky had not yet fully brightened when the clan heads of the Qin and Wei families stood at the city gate with a large group of clan disciples and common people, confronting Qin Jixun and Wei Dechang.

“Great-uncle, do you wish to obstruct Yongzhou’s military affairs?”

Qin Jixun said coldly.

“How would I, an old man, dare obstruct General Qin’s military affairs?” The old clan head of the Qin family leaned on his cane and spoke tremblingly. “I merely wish to ask the general—whom do you plan to allow into the city?”

Qin Jixun actually understood clearly in his heart the intention of these two clan heads. He lifted his cold, severe eyes slightly, his blue-black beard moving. “If you lead your people back now, I will not prosecute you.”

“Prosecute?”

The Wei family clan head’s voice was much more vigorous than Qin Jixun’s great-uncle. “Everyone knows you, General Qin, have an iron-blooded hand and are impartial to all. Years ago when reforming old customs, you already prosecuted your Qin family relatives. Now even facing your great-uncle, you show no mercy whatsoever!”

His words carried undisguised mockery.

“Grandfather.”

Wei Dechang furrowed his brow, gesturing for him to say no more.

But the Wei family clan head stared at him. “Achang, tell us—whom do you plan to let into the city?”

“Yang Tianzhe, but he…”

Wei Dechang had only said half his sentence when the Wei family clan head interrupted. “Did everyone hear that? Yang Tianzhe—who is that? The Yang Tianzhe who betrayed the nation sixteen years ago because of his father’s crime!”

With his proclamation, the surrounding area immediately erupted in chaotic discussion.

“Achang, have you forgotten? Just previously you told me—who killed your son Azhan?” The Wei family clan head surveyed the surroundings once, then fixed his gaze on Wei Dechang.

“At that time I was deceived by someone. Grandfather, please say no more.”

“Who dares deceive you?”

Wei Dechang was about to speak when he saw Qin Jixun beside him raise his hand to stop him. He could only swallow the words about to escape his lips.

Now they needed to make a great issue of Song Song’s death, so naturally they could not reveal the inside details to more people at this time.

“If you cannot say, then you blindly trusted someone?” The Wei family clan head said pointedly.

Hearing these words, the Qin family clan head’s eyes immediately flashed. “What do you mean by that? Dechang and Jixun have been sworn brothers for many years. Could it be that Jixun would deceive Dechang? Make him set aside his son-killing vengeance and welcome a traitor into the city?”

“That is not what I meant. Whether it’s our two clans or Yongzhou’s current common people, few did not suffer great disaster sixteen years ago. Back then the barbarians came fiercely, burning, killing, and plundering. Dechang’s father, and your General Qin’s father and brothers—which of them did not die miserably, burned until even their bones could not be found? This Yongzhou city was half burned down back then. How many people died unnatural deaths…”

When the Wei clan head’s words reached this point, his throat grew hoarse. The sky here was blue-gray and dim, the miscellaneous sounds gradually receding as everyone fell almost silent.

“In those days, Yang Tianzhe’s father Yang Mingtian was afraid of death. With the great enemy before him, he intended to abandon the city and flee, and was killed with one stroke by Commander Miao Tianning. Why is it that after Yang Tianzhe peacefully served the enemy for sixteen years, when he wants to return, he can return?”

The Wei clan head’s cane struck the ground heavily. “If we allow him into the city today, how will we face our deceased loved ones in the future?!”

“We cannot let him into the city!”

“Who knows what he’s really thinking? Having already become the barbarians’ running dog, why does he want to return?”

More and more voices emerged, various speculations flooding in.

The old Qin family clan head said nothing, both hands pressed on his cane to support his stooped body. He only used a pair of turbid eyes to calmly gaze at Qin Jixun.

Ni Su stood atop the city tower, listening to the seething voices below. More and more Yongzhou common people gathered here, angrily shouting that “Yang Tianzhe cannot be allowed into the city.”

“Our Yongzhou army is about to withdraw into the city. Could we really leave Yang Tianzhe’s rebel army outside the city? If truly so, what would Yang Tianzhe and those under his command think?”

Duan Rong stood with her, watching the commotion below and sighing.

“Would they dare disobey General Qin’s military orders?”

Ni Su supported her left shoulder. Wearing men’s vermillion robes with her hair neatly tied, she looked down below.

“These two major clans in Yongzhou are the most formidable. The common people around here—some are tenant farmers who rely on these two families to live, some work for them. These two families have done much to help poor households over the years. These two clan heads are both people of high virtue and prestige. Back when the barbarians attacked Yongzhou, many fled, but only these two led their entire clans to defend this place to the death. When military grain was insufficient, they opened their granaries to release their own family’s grain. Thus Commander Miao and the city defense army were able to hold out for several days under the barbarians’ fierce assault.”

Duan Rong’s finger pointed back and forth along the city wall. “After the battle to defend Yongzhou city, the court’s allocated funds were insufficient. It was also these two clan heads who contributed money and effort to rebuild the other half of the severely damaged city wall.”

Ni Su looked in the direction he pointed. Indeed, the bricks on both sides were of different ages.

“The general actually greatly respects this great-uncle of his.”

Duan Rong continued speaking to himself. “It’s just that ever since the general insisted on maintaining the military order to abolish old customs, there have been few words between him and this great-uncle.”

“Why?”

Hearing him mention old customs, Ni Su turned to look at him.

“Customs of a hundred years—when the locals themselves didn’t consider them evil, who dared to criticize? Only one person.” Duan Rong lifted his chin.

“You mean…”

“Xu Hexue.”

Duan Rong very easily spoke the name carved on the damaged stele at Sangqiu. “Back then it was he who, disregarding the威势 of the Qin and Wei clans, implemented the decree to abolish old customs in this place. Those who dared to defy or repeat offenses were all severely punished by him. Among those punished, many were disciples of the Qin and Wei clans.”

“If not for this, even though Xu Hexue bore a death sentence back then, he would not have had to suffer a punishment that had already been abolished. The general continuing his military order—wasn’t that opposing the clans?”

Duan Rong chattered on, but Ni Su’s mind roared because of this one sentence. Atop the city wall, cold wind howled. She froze for a moment, then suddenly looked down below.

She was chilled to the bone, almost unable to stand, staggering back several steps.

“Miss Ni?”

Duan Rong quickly reached out to support her.

Xu Hexue was conversing with someone not far away, several stone steps down. Hearing Duan Rong’s startled cry, he lifted his robe hem and walked up, just in time to see Duan Rong steadily gripping Ni Su’s elbow.

The long cloth concealed Xu Hexue’s features. His eyes fixed on Duan Rong’s hands, his expression also cool and calm, yet his steps did not delay as he walked before her.

“Ni Su.”

When Duan Rong’s hands gripped her elbow and when they released, Ni Su actually did not notice. Only when his voice fell did it suddenly bring her back from sharp, chaotic thoughts.

Ni Su looked toward him.

Jiang Xianming took office as Yongzhou magistrate in a time of crisis, following the people’s will, executing the traitorous minister Xu Hexue by slow slicing.

In the marketplace, in bustling places full of voices—wherever Jiang Xianming’s pure reputation was sung, there the evil name of traitorous General Xu Hexue spread widely.

But what people’s will did Jiang Xianming follow exactly?

Was it like today—when the clan heads of the two major families raised their arms and countless dependents flocked to them… this so-called people’s will?

Xu Hexue only saw her face turn pale, thinking her shoulder injury hurt severely. He was about to say something when unexpectedly her hand suddenly reached out and grasped his hand in one motion.

Her palm was warm, contrasting his coldness, and her fingers tightened more and more. Xu Hexue noticed she was trembling slightly.

“I, Yang Tianzhe, can temporarily not enter the city!”

Suddenly, beneath the city wall, outside the city gate, a voice rang out.

Duan Rong immediately ran to the other side of the city wall. Sure enough, outside the city wall stood Yang Tianzhe, still in full armor, his form tall and large, his chin covered with blue-black stubble.

“In my youth, in a moment of heated anger, I turned to serve the Danqiu royal court.” As he spoke, his knees suddenly bent and he actually knelt heavily before everyone’s eyes. “I am ashamed before my sovereign father, and ashamed before you people of Yongzhou. I can temporarily not enter the city. My rebel army can also follow me and temporarily guard outside the city. But I beg General Qin, I beg everyone—please allow the old, weak, women, and children I brought back to enter the city and settle!”

The old, weak, women, and children he spoke of followed not far behind him, protected by soldiers. Each in ragged clothes, they timidly approached the city gate.

Inside the city gate, all fell silent for a moment.

“We cannot trust him!”

“Who knows his intentions? Among these people he brought back, who knows if there are spies he planted! If our Yongzhou city admits these people, who knows what kind of disaster we’ll suffer!”

Someone started, and like scattered stones striking water, waves were stirred up.

“General Qin! All these years you have guarded Yongzhou city so well. We all remember your goodness, but this person truly cannot be trusted!”

“That’s right, General Qin!”

Seeing such voices multiply, the clan heads of the Qin and Wei families never opened their mouths to speak.

The old, weak, women, and children protected in the middle by the rebel army soldiers no longer dared step forward. They huddled together, heads buried, bewildered and embarrassed.

Yang Tianzhe closed his eyes. His cracked lips moved as he knelt there dejectedly, unable to make any sound.

“Among you all, are there none who have loved ones in the Thirteen Prefectures who have yet to return?” Qin Jixun raised his chin, surveying the people before him. “This general will build felt tents just inside the city gate for them to temporarily dwell in. Will you obstruct even this?”

Atop the city wall, Ni Su suddenly pulled Xu Hexue toward the bottom of the stone steps. Her steps were somewhat hurried. Noticing that Xu Hexue’s steps could not quite keep up, she remembered his injuries and immediately slowed considerably.

“After the felt tents here are erected, this general will naturally send people to guard them. No matter who dares to obstruct military affairs, I will prosecute!”

Ni Su led Xu Hexue down from the city tower, just hearing this military order from Qin Jixun. Outside the city gate came a commotion. Ni Su turned back to see a haggard-looking woman supporting her slightly protruding belly, kneeling on the ground, her face like gold paper.

“General Qin, if you are to erect felt tents, please erect one quickly.”

Ni Su immediately said to Qin Jixun.

Qin Jixun glanced outside, then ordered people to quickly prepare felt tents. He also beckoned Duan Rong to quickly bring that woman inside. But the woman suddenly knelt with a thud before Duan Rong, grasping his robe hem and crying out: “Sir, please grant me a bowl of medicine!”

Her sleeves pushed back, revealing a conspicuous tattoo on her arm.

Before everyone’s eyes, she fearfully drew her sleeves tight, trembling all over, not daring to meet anyone’s gaze.

“That’s the barbarians’…”

Many people whispered among themselves.

Only Danqiu barbarians would tattoo characters on the arms of military prostitutes.

So many eyes seemed to be slicing apart every inch of the woman’s flesh. Her eyelids continuously shed tears, when a clear female voice rang out: “After the felt tents are erected, are there any ladies willing to help me?”

The Wei family clan head turned to survey everyone. Among the crowd it was quiet and still—for a moment no one spoke. He turned back, expressionlessly scrutinizing that young woman dressed in men’s clothing.

At her side was a young man with his face covered by a long cloth.

“I remember Yongzhou once had old customs constraining women. Beyond the Seven Outs, they could also disregard the law and handle matters privately.” Ni Su allowed everyone to look her over at will. “Later a decree abolished this custom. I want to ask you ladies—in your hearts, are you happy or unhappy?”

“You woman, what nonsense are you spouting!”

The Wei family clan head spoke severely.

And though the old Qin family clan head did not speak, he lifted his slack eyelids and stared at Ni Su.

Ni Su looked at the two of them and could not help but grip the hand of the person beside her tighter. She led him forward. “In the past here, women’s various actions, whether right or wrong, were all decided arbitrarily by elders. You ladies should know best what it means to have no control over one’s own body.”

“In those years when Yongzhou city was about to fall, half the city’s women died to preserve their chastity. They were supremely chaste and virtuous!” A young disciple of the Qin family clan, wearing a long robe, looked like someone who had studied.

He did not conceal his contempt for that woman.

“How proud you are.”

Ni Su stared at him and laughed coldly. “Then I sincerely wish that in your next life when you reincarnate, you will be born in Yongzhou as a woman. I think there will also be a time when you die to preserve your chastity.”

She rarely became so angry that her words carried thorns. Xu Hexue could not help but turn his face to look at her.

“You!”

That young man’s face turned red then white.

“Miss Ni, I’ll help you…”

From within the crowd, a weak female voice rang out. Following everyone’s gaze, Ni Su saw it was actually that young woman whose pregnancy had been forcibly terminated by Song Song’s personal soldiers.

Enduring various unfathomable gazes, she mustered her courage, released her husband’s hand, and walked to Ni Su’s side. Looking again at the bone-thin woman kneeling before Duan Rong, she said, “If not for you, I probably would also…”

Like that woman, she and those women sent out of the city that day would all have been tattooed with shameful characters, reduced to playthings in barbarian tents, living deaths worse than death.

These words were not finished, but they caused more women in the crowd to hesitate, then step forward.

Most of them were people who had been sent to Su Qile’s army together with Ni Su that day.

“I don’t understand anything, but if you can use me, I can also help.”

“I’ll help too.”

…

They stepped forward one by one, as if walking to Ni Su’s side had exhausted all their courage. They did not dare lift their heads to look at the two clan heads of Qin and Wei, and those behind them.

“Yongzhou decree comes first: whoever dares to arbitrarily add crimes and punish clan women shall die.”

Xu Hexue spoke lightly.

These words not only reminded the clan heads of the Qin and Wei families but also gave the trembling women beside Ni Su more peace of mind.

Though the old Qin family clan head’s expression did not seem to change, his graying beard trembled. He looked deeply at Ni Su with a trace of faint smile that did not reach his eyes. “Miss speaks with a honeyed tongue, but I wonder—can your abilities save people or harm them?”

Ni Su stood firm before the old Qin clan head. “If I harm people, I dare pay with my life. Old clan head, do you dare?”

Do you dare admit that beneath this so-called surging people’s will is actually your two clans’ personal revenge against one person?

Do you dare return to that innocent soul the one hundred thirty-six cuts it suffered?