Chapter Thirty: Departing the Posthouse

Li Taiyi tried to stop Ye Sansi, but it was already too late. He shouted after him, “Sanshi, come back! It’s too dangerous ahead!” Yet Sansi did not slow his pace and rushed straight into the sea of fire.

Liu Lingshuang wanted to follow, but Taiyi stopped her. “Lingshuang, Sansi knows what he’s doing. If you go in there, it’s truly dangerous.”

Lingshuang trembled. “What on earth is Sansi thinking? What could be so important that he’d risk his life? He’s really worrying me.”

Lin Nian’er stepped forward as well, rising on her toes to look into the blaze, but already Sansi was nowhere to be seen.

Inside the inferno, Sansi summoned the Wrath of Heaven and unleashed a Sword Rain. The swords split into nine—five circled protectively around Sansi, while four forged a path ahead. The Wrath of Heaven was imbued with a chill that the divine flames could not consume. Finally, Ye Sansi found his room, now engulfed in fire. He looked to the table and saw a bundle, which he snatched up and pressed to his chest before making his way out with all haste.

Ye Sansi emerged from the flames, his clothes burned and tattered. Seeing him, Liu Lingshuang ran up, stamping her foot in anger and pointing at him. “You wild child! Are you a fool? What could possibly be more important than your life? You’re utterly mad!”

Ye Sansi grinned sheepishly and scratched his head, sitting cross-legged on the ground. With great care, he unwrapped his bundle, beaming. “Hahaha, it’s untouched! Perfect!”

“I want to see what precious thing you’ve risked your life for,” Lingshuang said, moving closer. Taiyi and Nian’er joined her.

Ye Sansi pulled out an incense burner, a memorial tablet, and a few sticks of incense. Smiling, he said, “This is my father’s memorial tablet. He instructed me to burn three sticks of incense for him every year. These things mustn’t be destroyed, or else Father would be angry.”

Liu Lingshuang bent down, her tone growing gentle. “To think you braved the fire for your father’s memorial tablet… I misjudged you. You’re truly devoted.”

Sansi replied, “It’s nothing, Lingshuang. You were just worried about me.”

“Who—who was worried about you? Don’t talk nonsense. I was just… worried I wouldn’t be able to explain things to Uncle Shu if you got yourself killed.” Lingshuang turned away, hands on her hips.

Lin Nian’er covered her mouth, giggling. “Young Master Ye, Lingshuang was so anxious about you she almost cried! She just won’t admit it.”

“Nian’er!”

Li Taiyi bent down and asked, “Brother Sansi, is knowing your father’s identity truly so important to you?”

Ye Sansi nodded firmly. “Of course. Even a wild man like me, living on the mountain—everyone knows my name, Ye Sansi, but even I don’t know my own father’s. I must find out. That’s the most important reason I came down the mountain, aside from cultivating immortality.”

Taiyi was silent for a moment. “If—just if, mind you—if Uncle Ye wasn’t a sword immortal, but a notorious villain spurned by all, would you still love him so?”

Ye Sansi laughed. “No matter what, he is my father, and I will love him for all eternity. If he truly was a villain, then I’ll spend my life doing good deeds, slaying demons and evil, to atone for his wrongs. If my father is a great villain, I will be a great man. Hahaha!”

Li Taiyi smiled. “I was only asking. Uncle Ye must be a hero.”

“I don’t care if he’s a hero or not. I just want to know his name, to carve it on this tablet, so the underworld knows who the incense is for. If that brings him more blessings, I’ll be at peace.”

Lin Nian’er said softly, “Young Master Ye, don’t worry. You’re ridding the world of evil and upholding justice—Uncle Ye must be well in the underworld, perhaps even reborn into a good family, living a happy life.”

“Thank you, Nian’er,” Sansi replied.

Liu Lingshuang said, “Wild child, whatever you do in the future, we’ll help you.” Taiyi echoed, “That’s right. We’ll always stand by your side.”

Ye Sansi’s eyes glistened, tears threatening to spill. “Thank you, everyone.”

Liu Lingshuang waved her hand and laughed. “No need to thank us. We’re friends, aren’t we? Sansi, don’t worry, just do what you want to do. We’re your support. Look, I have the Liu family stronghold, Taiyi has the Qi Sword Heroes, and Nian’er’s father is the Prefect of Qingyang. With us behind you, even the emperor can’t frighten us.”

Ye Sansi wiped his tears with his sleeve. Taiyi said, “It’ll be dawn soon. Let’s rest a bit and set out for Jianzou City at sunrise.”

“Jianzou City? We just killed the crown prince of the Lord of Qingjianxi—going there is like walking into a trap!” Lingshuang protested.

Taiyi chuckled. “Didn’t you just say we don’t fear even the emperor? Why fear a mere provincial lord?”

“Hahaha, well said!”

The four sat down in pairs and closed their eyes to rest. The sun slowly rose, casting a bleak light on the ruined post station. Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi woke first, stretching their limbs. Taiyi said, “Sansi, keep an eye here. I’ll see if I can find some water nearby—my throat’s parched.”

Ye Sansi nodded and Taiyi left. Lingshuang and Nian’er soon woke as well, stretching. Lingshuang sighed, “Looks like we’ll go hungry all day. We’ve only just arrived in Jianzou territory, and we don’t even know the way forward. The map the innkeeper drew was burned, and we have no money or provisions. So annoying.”

Nian’er said, “Lingshuang, why don’t we ask those guards? They’re going back to Jianzou City, aren’t they?”

“Are you crazy, Nian’er? Ask those guards of Wei Xikun to guide us? They’d love to kill us and avenge their master.”

Nian’er nodded. “True.” Ye Sansi went to wake the station hands and the guards.

When the guards awoke and realized what had happened, they drew their swords and pointed them at Ye Sansi. “You scoundrels, where is our young master? Release him at once, and we’ll plead with the lord to spare your lives.”

Ye Sansi waved dismissively. “No need. Your young master was slain by me, Ye Sansi. Go back and report it—tell your Lord of Qingjianxi to come catch me himself.”

Liu Lingshuang tugged at Sansi’s tattered clothes and whispered, “I know we said not to fear the Lord of Qingjianxi, but you’re being reckless. The guards don’t know the prince was a demon, and this is still his territory. If they catch us, we’d have no place to plead our case.”

Ye Sansi puffed out his chest and replied earnestly, “I killed a demon who harmed people. That’s justice, no matter whose land this is. If that lord wants to come for me, let him. I’m not afraid. If his son’s a demon, the father’s no good man either. If he comes after me, I’ll take him out too, and bring peace to the world.”

He leaned close to Lingshuang and whispered, “We don’t know our way forward, right? If they go back and report, we can follow their tracks—makes things easier.”

Lingshuang laughed. “You sly fox, Sansi! Clever as ever.”

The guards, hearing of Wei Xikun’s death, recoiled in fear. “What? The young master is dead? If we go back, we’ll be executed and our families punished. Better to end it here—our lord will think we died to bandits and spare our families, maybe even reward them.”

Before they finished speaking, the guards raised their blades to their throats. Sansi tried to stop them, but it was too late—they fell in unison. Ye Sansi sighed. “What a pity… That Lord of Qingjianxi is truly wicked.”

Liu Lingshuang agreed. “Indeed. For his men to prefer death over returning, speaks to his cruelty.”

Lin Nian’er said anxiously, “My father has opposed him… What if he’s in danger?”

“Don’t worry, Nian’er. Uncle Lin has plenty of guards. He’s been safe all these years. I don’t think the Lord of Qingjianxi dares to act rashly. Rest assured.” Lingshuang hugged Nian’er, comforting her.

Taiyi returned to find the ground littered with corpses and asked anxiously, “Sansi, are you all alright? I tried to save those guards, but they were ungrateful—serves them right.”

Sansi sighed. “You misunderstood, Taiyi. They killed themselves out of fear their families would suffer if they returned.”

“I see. As long as you’re safe. Still, what a waste of life.”

The station hands approached and bowed. “Heroes, we heard what happened. Whatever the case, we owe you our lives. We’re just farmers from nearby villages, exiled here for offending the powerful. We’ve been station hands for years, never seeing our families.”

Another nodded. “Yes, I haven’t seen my wife and children in years. We won’t breathe a word of this. That Lord of Qingjianxi is a hypocrite—be careful. We’ll go home now and never forget your kindness.”

They were about to leave when Liu Lingshuang stopped them. “Do you know the way to Jianzou City?”

One bowed. “We only know the road back to our village, never been to the city.”

“I have,” said the youngest. “The station master once gave me a map and sent me to Jianzou City for wine. I remember it well—I even kept the map, hoping to visit again someday. Here, hero, have a look.”

Lingshuang took the map and smiled. “It’s very detailed. Thank you.”

The station hands took their leave. Ye Sansi watched them go and smiled. “It feels good to save some poor souls. Wonderful.”

Liu Lingshuang smiled back. “Sansi, I used to think you were just a naïve mountain boy. Now, seeing your wit and your hatred of evil, I truly admire you. Whatever happens, you can count on me.”

Taiyi and Nian’er echoed, “And us as well.”

Ye Sansi grinned. “Thank you all. It’s getting late—let’s get moving or I’ll starve before we reach Jianzou City.” Taiyi handed him a water flask. “Here, have some water to tide you over.”

Ye Sansi took a few sips, and just as they were about to set off, the sound of hooves stopped them. Taiyi looked back—a fine steed, likely startled by the fire and freed from its tether, now came running.

Taiyi laughed. “This is perfect. Lingshuang, you and Nian’er ride. Sansi and I will lead the way on foot. We’ll definitely reach the city before sunset now.”

“Alright!” Lingshuang mounted the horse, pulling Nian’er up with her. “Hold tight, Nian’er, don’t fall off.”

“I will.”

So the two young men and a fine horse carrying the girls set off for Jianzou City.

Caravans large and small were also beginning their day’s journey. Some might pass by the ruined post station and, seeing the devastation, wonder what had happened here. Yet, no matter what, they would continue on their way—perhaps giving a sigh, or perhaps paying no heed at all.