HCAW 37
by LiliumChapter 37: Bearing Injustice and Concealing Grievance
Moments ago, a violent tempest had erupted inside the side room.
Fang Jingyu rolled on the ground; his saber shattered beyond use. He grabbed Hanguang from the corner, drew its blade, and at the critical moment blocked a fierce punch from the captain.
The man raged wildly, flinging and smashing chairs, stools, boxes, and cabinets. For a time, wood chips fell like hail onto the floor.
Yet when the man struck again and Fang Jingyu used the sword’s spine to resist, the man suddenly withdrew. Fang Jingyu recalled that the Hanguang Sword was tempered with Di Jiang’s1a mythical creature or deity associated with rivers or water. In some sources, 帝江 is described as a powerful river god or a flood dragon. blood and was said to break evil and slay demons. Perhaps this madness caused by the “Immortal Elixir” was also a kind of demonic possession.
The man groaned, his eyes rolling.
At last, he struggled to extend his fist toward Fang Jingyu. Expecting an attack, Fang Jingyu dodged—but the man said, “Brother Fang… at the Zhao residence in Gai Bamboo Workshop, please go find my wife and children and tell them…”
Fang Jingyu realized this was a dying request. He glared and shouted, “Save those words for when you can speak to them yourself! This madness from the ‘Immortal Elixir’ is only temporary—you’ll recover soon enough!”
The man shook his head, face pale as a corpse. “I know my condition… that ‘Immortal Elixir’ is like molten lava, almost corroding all my internal organs… Go… find my wife, tell them I’ve been reassigned to the border army, returning to my post. I’m afraid… it means a long farewell…”
He released his fist, and Fang Jingyu, stunned, reached out, a small Ten-Victory Stone Buddha statue2a small Buddha statue carved from a type of stone called “Ten-Victory Stone” (十勝石), which is believed in some traditions to have auspicious or protective qualities. fell into his palm.
Fang Jingyu remembered the captain usually hung it from his waist, with a delicate vermilion safety charm tied to it, painstakingly woven by his wife. Fang Jingyu’s emotions churned. Just as he tried to speak, he saw the man’s belly swell like a sail.
In an instant, the man’s chest and abdomen burst open!
Black blood erupted like blooming fireworks, splattering the entire room. Fang Jingyu immediately covered his face with his sleeve but was still soaked in blood. The blood on him burned painfully, like molten iron. When he lowered his arm, he was shocked at the mess on the floor.
The captain lay collapsed in a pool of blood, like a dead tree—lifeless.
Fang Jingyu’s vision darkened. Since entering Milu Village, he felt trapped in a long nightmare—one from which he had yet to awaken. Lost in confusion, the door was pushed open by Xian Mountain officials. The image of Fang Jingyu, standing stunned by the head officer’s corpse with his sword dripping blood, was seen by all. The murderer’s identity seemed clear.
“Murder! Murder!” the officials shouted, causing chaos in the courtyard. “Fang Jingyu has killed someone!”
At that moment, Xiao Jiao emerged from the back courtyard. She had fled earlier without noticing the commotion. Now dressed neatly in a red embroidered robe with twin buns neatly arranged, originally ready to meet the Yu Yin Guard, she was shocked to see the turmoil. She squeezed to the main door and saw Fang Jingyu holding a bloodied sword. Speechless for a moment, she finally exclaimed, “Tight-lipped gourd, you’ve killed someone?”
Only then did Fang Jingyu regain a trace of his senses. The wound in his chest tore open again from the earlier struggle; pain and weakness wracked him. He shook his head feebly. “I did not.”
But the cries had spread throughout the courtyard and beyond. Even the neighbors gathered outside heard and whispered anxiously, their faces pale and unsettled. The courtyard filled with Xian Mountain officials holding flags, gongs, and banners. A blue-wool sedan chair stopped at the gate, and the crowd parted to reveal someone shouting:
“The Xian Mountain Guard has arrived!”
Out of the crowd stepped a man clad in purple silk robes embroidered with golden talisman patterns that glittered in the sun. His face was grim and lined with goosebumps; at his waist hung a red pearl stone—he was the Mohe Guard.
Fang Jingyu painfully lifted his eyes, his heart jolted.
He had only heard that a Xian Mountain Guard escorting the “Immortal Elixir” would arrive today, but due to duty in the Immortal Court, they had been delayed—he had expected the Yu Yin Guard. Instead, it was the Mohe Guard!
Could this be a trap? Was the Mohe Guard setting a snare to catch him?
The Mohe Guard approached with hands behind his back, assessing the grim scene. He cleared his throat and frowned, “What happened here?”
A trembling Xian Mountain official reported, “My lord, as soon as we opened the door, we found this scene. Brother Fang… he killed the former head of the Jueyuan Cavalry!”
“I did not kill anyone,” Fang Jingyu said weakly, sweat beading his pale face, barely able to stand. “He went mad after drinking the ‘Immortal Elixir’ and met this fate.”
A red-robed prosecutor shouted loudly, “Nonsense! How could this imperial liquor cause someone to be gutted? Which Xian Mountain Guard hasn’t drunk ten cups of ‘Immortal Elixir’ and come out unharmed? If this wine killed people, why would the emperor keep giving it out? One cup is a reward enough!”
Another one said, “You’re just jealous. Seeing the captain rewarded while you have nothing, you let jealousy burn and slashed his belly with your sword!”
Fang Jingyu snapped, “I’ve always treated the captain like a brother and respected him. Why would I kill him?”
“In front of the ‘Immortal Elixir,’ brotherhood means nothing! Countless brothers have fought and turned enemies over this stuff!”
For a moment, the courtyard was filled with uproar and chaos like boiling water. Fang Jingyu finally realized these shouting men were all Mohe Guard followers. Looking around, he suddenly felt like he was back at the Fang estate nine years ago—surrounded and besieged, pressured by the Xian Mountain Guards, but this time, he was the one falsely accused.
His mind raced: could the “Immortal Elixir” have been tampered with by the Mohe Guard?
Amidst the clamoring, Fang Jingyu said coldly, “The captain did indeed die from his body bursting after drinking this jug of ‘Immortal Elixir.’ Guarding the ‘Immortal Elixir’ is the Xian Mountain Guards’ duty, but Lord Tao arrived late. Along the way, there must have been villains who switched the ‘Immortal Elixir’ for poison. If so, it’s Lord Tao’s fault.”
He shifted his words sharply, pointing at the Mohe Guard. The Mohe Guard’s followers immediately shouted in anger, “Baseless accusations!” Fang Jingyu said, “Isn’t framing me also a baseless accusation?”
The Mohe Guard raised a hand to silence them, then said calmly, “In the Penglai Immortal Court, I’ve often heard the folk say Brother Fang is an upright and honorable man. Perhaps this is all a misunderstanding.”
He smiled and said, “If Brother Fang is innocent, then the blood on the blade is just that—blood. There would be no human fat from a gutting wound to examine. Let us test it.”
Fang Jingyu remained motionless. A follower of the Mohe Guard shouted, “Hand over the sword!” After several calls, Fang Jingyu kept silent and still, staring at the Mohe Guard like a frozen statue.
“If you don’t want to hand over the sword, then you must be guilty,” the Mohe Guard said slowly. He stood still, and no one saw exactly what he did, but suddenly a shadow flew to the ground. Fang Jingyu was struck on the wrist, causing him pain and making him drop the sword. The blade and a nail fell to the floor.
The Mohe Guard stepped forward swiftly. Though old, his movements were as agile as a monkey’s. He reached to grab the sword, but Fang Jingyu reacted just as fast, kicking the sword’s scabbard with his toe. The sword spun and fell into Fang Jingyu’s hand. The Mohe Guard’s hand also reached it at the same time, and both grasped the hilt.
The atmosphere instantly tensed, ready to snap. The Mohe Guard’s gaze moved to the sword’s pommel, then suddenly he smiled. “The imperial family’s mark. Brother Fang, how did you come to possess an emperor’s sword?”
Fang Jingyu knew his earlier feigned defense was a ruse. The Mohe Guard wasn’t interested in the blood but in the dragon head engraving. Regret flickered in his mind: had he known this, he might have left Penglai with the ‘Mule’ at the time. Back then he fled in confusion; now, perceiving the dark shadows over Penglai, there was nowhere to escape.
He said, “This sword was bestowed by the emperor.”
“When and where did the emperor bestow it upon you? If you had received such a great reward, why have you not been promoted and remain but a lowly Xian Mountain official?” The Mohe Guard said, then turned to his followers, “Go check with the Department of Rations.”
Fang Jingyu said, “My lord, there is an inscription on the hilt, recording the date of the award. You will see at a glance.”
So the Mohe Guard lowered his head to examine the sword. At that moment, Fang Jingyu suddenly raised the sword and struck toward his eyes with the tip! The Mohe Guard anticipated the attack and blocked it with his palm, then swept with his leg and kicked Fang Jingyu to the ground, clicking his tongue in approval: “Good boy!”
The Xian Mountain officials drew their swords hurriedly, tips pointing at Fang Jingyu. He lay on the ground, gasping painfully.
The Mohe Guard laughed heartily. “Brother Fang, if this sword truly came from the emperor, why would I trouble you? But your rash attack only reveals a guilty heart!” Suddenly, he flicked a throwing arrow from between his fingers. The arrow struck the sword’s scabbard wrapped in rush grass in the corner, sending it flying. He caught it in his palm and raised it to show the assembled Xian Mountain officials:
“Everyone, see here: the sword’s tip bears the emperor’s dragon pattern, and the sword guard has the mysterious bird. This is not an imperial gift but a relic of the previous emperor. Who doesn’t know the former emperor’s evil deeds drained all Penglai’s treasury?” The Mohe Guard roared, his chest shaking. “Young man of the Fang family, since you secretly kept this item, you are a traitor!”
At once, murmurs and uproar rose inside and outside the Fang estate. A familiar Xian Mountain official trembled and said,
“But… Brother Fang has always been righteous and upright—not one to do evil…”
At this moment, besides the armed men, some neighbors also flooded the courtyard. A few ragged children perched on the wall shouted loudly, “Yes! Captain Fang chased away the bullies who harass us—he’s not a bad man!” The neighbors, emboldened, vociferously defended Fang Jingyu.
The Mohe Guard then raised his voice: “Even wolves wear sheep’s clothing. Do any of you elders truly believe his kindness was real or fake?” He waved his hand toward the side and called, “Come out, little one.”
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, a small cart was pushed forward. On it lay a man dressed in smoky silk robes, leaning crookedly, clutching a lacquered iron sword. His features were uneven, tears glistening on his face—none other than Young Master Tao, who had been oppressing the neighborhood.
Young Master Tao shook like sifted sand, his face bruised with fear. The Mohe Guard stepped up and patted his shoulder encouragingly. “Little one, I’m sure you have something to say? Tell everyone.”
Tao continued trembling, his thin lips quivering, like a fish gasping for air. The Mohe Guard said again, “Speak your words, and you will honor your ancestors. Your name will be inscribed in gold on the clan shrine and revered for generations.”
After much hesitation, Tao finally stammered, “I—I want to accuse Fang Jingyu.”
The crowd began to stir. Someone stepped forward and spat, “Bah! I know you—you dog! You bully others and now slander the innocent!”
Shouts rose, but Tao lost his usual spirit and said nothing, only trembling. He said, “Fang… Fang Jingyu conspired with the Outer Territory Yanzhou, gathered border rebels, and hid in Tongjing Village. By accident, I caught his messenger delivering a secret report. I was careless and Fang Jingyu crippled both my legs…”
Fang Jingyu said coldly, “Nonsense. Whether you stand or sit, whether your legs are good or bad, what business is it of mine?”
In truth, it wasn’t entirely unrelated. Tao’s paralysis came from an arrow shot by Chu Kuang, and Chu Kuang fired the arrow under the request of Fang Jingyu’s friend Zheng Deli. But Fang Jingyu was unaware of this and flatly denied it.
Neighbors muttered, “Yeah, do you have evidence? Why slander Captain Fang? Maybe you’re just indulging yourself and caught ‘horse disease’!”
The Mohe Guard said, “Little one, that’s the first time I’ve heard that. The people of Penglai all speak for Brother Fang, and I’d rather believe he is honest and selfless. I don’t want to suspect him of treason. But this matter concerns the imperial authority and cannot be decided rashly. If you have proof that Brother Fang is a traitor, produce it.”
“This grandson… this grandson has no proof,” Tao stammered.
Someone shouted, “If you have no proof, why babble nonsense here? All lies and slanders harming good people!”
Amid the uproar, Tao’s heart trembled with fear and his whole body shook. He knew he was slandering Fang Jingyu, but today he had no choice. This was the Mohe Guard’s order; in Penglai, no one could defy the Xian Mountain Guards’ command, not even blood relatives.
He lifted his head—the daylight shone brightly, and the crowd seemed far away. He was alone. His gaze dropped and he saw the Mohe Guard’s face—expressionless and cold as Penglai’s wind and snow. The old man said nothing but silently urged him on. In that instant, Tao felt as if he had fallen into an abyss.
Tao suddenly felt his life had been muddled, living without clarity and destined to die mysteriously. The Mohe Guard was right: he was like rotten wood, useful only for the light it gave while burning.
Amid the tumult, his hand slowly moved to the sword on his lap, drew the scabbard, and for the last time saw his own terrified eyes reflected in the gleaming blade.
“Though I have no proof, I am willing to prove my words with my life!” Tao suddenly placed the sword across his neck, trembling violently to the bone, and screamed, “Fang Jingyu is the orphan of Emperor Bai, harboring rebellious intentions. If he lives another day, the people of Penglai will suffer! The family has served the imperial family loyally for generations—I die to prove my resolve!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he slashed fiercely at his neck. Fresh blood spurted like a fountain!
The crowd screamed and backed away. The earlier accusations instantly ceased; no one dared question the truth of Tao’s words. The courtyard seemed carpeted in red. Tao fell weakly to the ground, his lifeless pupils reflecting the Mohe Guard’s approving face.
The Mohe Guard closed his eyes, grief suddenly washing over his face. He stroked Tao’s corpse and raised the Hanguang Sword high.
Amid the surging crowd, tears streamed down his face as he shouted hoarsely, like thunder:
“Heaven has eyes! My grandson today dies to prove his words true—”
“Fang Jingyu is Emperor Bai’s heir, hiding rebellion in his heart, and deserves death!”
0 Comments