Chapter Twenty-Five: Shi Zhenxiang

A tall and slender young hunter dashed over, a torch in his right hand. He braced his left hand on the table and lifted one leg, preparing to climb up and replace the torch.

“Let me do it!” Lu Hu stopped him with an outstretched hand, then lightly leaped onto the table.

He accepted the fresh torch—about as long as a forearm and as thick as four fingers—from the young man and, using the dying embers in the lamp tray, ignited it.

Suddenly, the room brightened. The newly lit torch blazed vigorously, its flames leaping and crackling.

Lu Hu made as if to place the torch in the lamp tray, but then suddenly crouched, holding the torch up to Old Lady Du’s chest.

The torch flickered in the wind, then blazed up sharply.

Old Lady Du was startled. Yana, Lian, and An Shizhu were all taken aback as well. They reached out, trying to steady Lu Hu, thinking he’d lost his balance.

With swift precision, Lu Hu grabbed a slender leather belt from the old lady’s fur coat and pulled out a short dagger from her bosom.

Old Lady Du was aghast. The young hunter thought Lu Hu was about to attack and cried out, grabbing at him.

Just as he was about to wrench Lu Hu off the table, An Shizhu strode over, slapped him to the ground, leaving him limp, and forced him to release his grip.

The commotion drew all the hunters, who quickly surrounded the table, forming an impenetrable ring. Those who reacted fastest came brandishing weapons, raising them high; those slower arrived empty-handed, but clenched their fists, ready to strike.

Yana and An Shizhu, facing the hunters, swiftly drew their waist knives.

The two sides stood at a standoff, the air crackling with imminent conflict.

Lu Hu handed the short dagger back to Old Lady Du, then slowly stood up on the table. Unhurried, steady, he placed the torch into the lamp tray.

This gesture was meant to ease the hunters’ nerves and dispel their hostility.

“Come out, stop hiding, if you’ve finished your business!” Lu Hu called out in a booming voice, after confirming the dagger’s make.

His shout resounded like a dragon’s roar, startling the hunters.

“Hold your weapons! Let’s talk this out!” A voice as chilling as a wolf’s howl rang out, and a robust man slipped in through the main entrance.

He held a long spear in his left hand and a curved blade in his right.

His face was angular, wolfish in its contours, with a hooked nose, thin lips, and eyes cold and fierce—an aura of lethal intent about him.

His hairstyle was striking, identical to An Shizhu’s: a single thick braid trailing down his back like a pig’s tail.

“My brother! Zhugan! Ashina Zhugan, is it really you? I’ve missed you so much!” Towering and broad, An Shizhu’s eyes brimmed with tears as he caught sight of Ashina Zhugan over the crowd.

He tossed his waist knife to the ground, pushed past the hunters, and rushed forward, heedless of the weapons still raised—one wrong move could have ended his life.

An Shizhu’s face was wreathed in smiles, his sincerity plain, arms wide as he bounced his hefty frame forward for an embrace—only to freeze mid-stride.

Ashina Zhugan’s left hand shot up, the spearhead pressed against An Shizhu’s throat.

“Brother, what... what are you doing?” An Shizhu’s words came out with a wheeze—whether from the run or fear at the icy killing intent: the spear tip had pierced his skin, and a bit more pressure would spill his blood.

“Who are those two with you? How did you end up in their company?” Ashina Zhugan’s face was frigid, brimful of lethal intent.

“Dasheng! The Demon-catching General... Lu Hu, and Princess Yana... all extraordinary people,” An Shizhu answered truthfully.

“Extraordinary? And how did you all come together?” Ashina Zhugan’s menace did not abate.

“Brother, if you don’t trust me, you might as well kill me now.” Grieved, An Shizhu’s heart was suddenly calm, and his breath came easier. He stepped forward, thrusting his throat against the spear tip.

Ashina Zhugan reacted instantly, retreating while keeping the spear pressed to An Shizhu’s throat. “Big brother, these years apart, I’ve heard you’ve done well, serving as a bodyguard to a high official of Dasheng. Are you here with the Demon-catching General to capture me for a reward?”

The Demon-catching General’s renown was such that enemies trembled at the name. Where he went, there was either death or capture—no one could be too careful.

“Brother, how could you think that of me? We’re here to help you.”

“Don’t try to trick me. Even if you would help, why would they?”

“You, you’re my good brother, of course the gods will help you. If I’m lying, may lightning strike me every day, may I fall into a cesspit every time I step outside…” An Shizhu stammered and swore, gesturing passionately, but Ashina Zhugan did not lower his spear.

Lu Hu took a deep breath, tapped the table with his toe, and vaulted over the hunters, landing gently before Ashina Zhugan.

Ashina Zhugan instantly lifted his blade to Lu Hu’s neck.

Lu Hu clasped his hands behind his back, his expression open and sincere, smiling. “Brother Ashina, we truly came to help you, to restore you as chief of the Xilot tribe.”

“And why would you help me? What kindness is that?” Ashina Zhugan was unconvinced.

“I only want to capture the current chief of the Xilot tribe—your esteemed uncle—and bring him back for a reward. You, as my brother An’s good friend, valiant and loyal, are worthy of friendship. My brother An’s friend is my friend. You as the new chief is exactly what we hope for.”

There, I’ve spelled it out. That should allay your suspicions!

Ashina Zhugan hesitated, his hostile expression softening, but immediately hardened into arrogant defiance. “I don’t need your help. That old bastard—I’ll kill him myself. I’ll win the people myself. My territory, my rules—nothing to do with anyone else.”

Damn, a lone hero—so confident!

Lu Hu felt as if his warm goodwill had just met a wall of cold indifference.

Ashina Zhugan paused, then continued, “Either you get out right now, or kneel and swear fealty, and I’ll accept you as my servants, or else go meet your maker.”

What an arrogant bastard—stubborn as a dung-caked stone, reeking and hard. Give him an inch and he wants a mile!

“Good brother, please, don’t say things like that... If you anger the god, just one thunderbolt and you’ll be in trouble…” An Shizhu anxiously tried to persuade his overbearing friend.

As Ashina Zhugan’s attention shifted to An Shizhu, Lu Hu’s right hand moved ever so slightly, drawing an electric baton from his back.

Ashina Zhugan shot An Shizhu a contemptuous look. “Big brother, don’t sell yourself short. Even if he hurls thunderbolts, I won’t flinch. Oh—”

He had barely finished the word “flinch” when Lu Hu struck like lightning, the electric baton touching the back of Ashina Zhugan’s hand—button pressed.

With a piercing scream, Ashina Zhugan flew backward, smashing against the wall, a row of pine poles snapping in unison. He dropped to the floor, convulsing violently.

An Shizhu waddled over, his bulk heaving, struggling to reach Ashina Zhugan.

“Oh—oh my—oh oh oh…” An Shizhu’s hefty frame shuddered, for the residual current from Ashina Zhugan’s body had passed into his own.

The last surge discharged, Ashina Zhugan recovered quickly. Though his eyes were vacant, he glimpsed Lu Hu approaching and, gritting his teeth, struggled to kneel: “Zhugan greets the divine lord!”

His muscles still spasmed involuntarily.

Lu Hu offered both hands to help him up. “Follow me from now on, will you?”

His tone brooked no argument, full of absolute authority.

Ashina Zhugan’s earlier bravado had been thoroughly shocked out of him. Now, he bowed his head in submission. “Your servant thanks the divine lord for not abandoning him and pledges to serve at your command.”

This one wouldn’t budge when coaxed, but surrendered after a beating—a hardheaded fool who only yields when forced.

Lu Hu, inwardly cursing, patted his shoulder. “Your name’s too long and unwieldy. From now on, I’ll give you a new name: Shi Zhenxiang—‘True Fragrance.’ How about that?”

True Fragrance! I, Ashina Zhenxiang—what a name! Unmatched in all the world.

Ashina Zhugan knelt upright. “Thank you, divine lord, for your favor. Shi Zhenxiang is deeply grateful.”

“Is dung really that fragrant? You’re a wild donkey, you rascal,” some hunters muttered, awed by Lu Hu’s display and standing meekly aside. Yana took the opportunity to bound to Lu Hu’s side, whispering sweetly in his ear.

Lu Hu slipped an arm around her supple waist. “Zhenxiang, this is my wife, the mother of my children, my goddess.”

Nonsense! Yana’s almond eyes flashed, and she raised her delicate hand…