“Young Master have some water,” said the old man, passing a teacup to the youth who sat very erect and still at the roadside tea stand, one hand on his thigh, elbow bent outward. The hand that held the cup shook as it moved slowly towards lips that were almost bloodless. Sweat was beaded on his forehead and at his temple. It was becoming obvious to the other customers that the boy was injured, and they kept their distance, shifting uneasily. 

They couldn’t help feeling that the air seemed heavy as if something was coming.

Putting down his own cup, the old man could not help glancing worriedly at his charge. Their companions had been slaughtered and right now there was nowhere they could go. The boy could read all this from the old man’s stony expression, but he remained sullenly silent.

It might as well be here, the boy thought to himself, closing his eyes briefly. I can go no further in this condition.

Eventually all the customers left, and the proprietor entreated them to leave as well as the dusk inexorably swallowed the day.

“Laoban…just a little bit longer,” pleaded the old man.

Squinting, the boy noted that the sunlight appeared extremely soft as it disappeared into the earth. His lips lifted in bitterness. Is it the last time I will see the sunset?

The proprietor finally gave up, pulling the shutter closed and leaving them to the darkness. As he walked away, he shook his head with pity, but he could not become involved in these things. It was always best to act as if you didn’t see it. He sighed, disappearing down the road, muttering to himself, hoping that his wife had a meal waiting.

It was certainly not the first time the tea stand had seen injured travellers. The main road to the capital was a busy place and with the Iron Spear Prince taken up with the unrest at the border, some of the main martial sects had started to jostle for position, smelling a change in the power structure of the capital. Although they claimed to be above such worldly affairs, in truth, those that could read the undercurrents already knew that Tiansheng was about to enter into a turbulent time. To many, it was not surprising that some of the sects were causing a ruckus. It would not be long before more injured people showed up on the road as everyone breached the tear that had opened up in the old order. 

With the Emperor now old, and the Princes in their prime, the battle over the throne would be inevitable…but of course none of this concerned the injured boy. What mattered to him at this moment, was whether or not he should come back as a resentful ghost.

He quietly sipped his water, contemplating his own death.

“How many?” he asked in a hoarse voice, glancing at the road.

“Too many,” responded the old man with a grunt.

The boy smiled. Even the water is bitter.

“Madam has not changed in this respect. I had thought, after all these years, that she would consider elder brother’s feelings in this matter.”

The old man snorted.

“It’s true. Your brother has never blamed you for what happened…nor your father, though you may think otherwise. A Royal Princess of the Zhao Family is not to be insulted. Madam could only be put aside for this reason. It may have been different if Madam had been favoured by your father or if she’d actually born him a son. It’s a shame. If your mother had not died when you were four, you never would have been sent out of the manor. You are the rightful heir…and that sabre is proof. 

The old man poked at the curved blade thrust through the boy’s belt. The boy grimaced in pain as the slight motion jostled the wounds under his black clothes.

“You’re wrong, Lin Shu. Father always regretted being made to marry my mother. Madam couldn’t bear to see my face and so he agreed to send me to the northwest to eat wind and savour bitterness.”

“That’s nonsense. Your father sent you to the northwest to protect you. Why do you think she hasn’t made a move until now? The road to the capital is dangerous and Madam is using this chance, so you must turn the tide and fight back. You must survive.”

“What is the point? So many have died for me and there are still too many!” the boy’s rasping voice broke.

“And that is why you must endure…so that their deaths are not in vain. I’m an old man. I’ve had my time…but you’re young. You are responsible to fulfill your destiny. You must not shame the General’s house!”

“Old man, how did you get to be this old and yet stay this naïve?” the boy laughed breathlessly, making another grimace as the action aggravated his wounds.

“Young Master don’t confuse hope with naivete. Now then, please bury me with some wisteria. My wife loved the wisteria in our hometown, and give my daughter this pouch when you reach the capital.”

The old man tossed the money pouch onto the table with a clack.

The boy’s eyes became glassy, looking straight ahead. His skin looked even paler, except for two bright red splashes across his cheeks. With the fever was worsening, he swayed slightly.

“I thought you said I had to live…what’s this about dying? It’s bad luck,” he pointed out, bleary-eyed.

“Because they’re already here. Run, Young Master!” said the old man, standing up and drawing his sword.

The boy kicked off from the bench he was sitting on, twisting as he catapulted into the air.  Four men converged on the place he had been seconds ago, swords thrusting forward with killing intent. 

In total, there were six assailants and his Lin Shu had his hands full with the two that engaged him.

Four swords crossed over the bench where the boy had been, but he had already drawn the sabre out while he was still hanging in the air. Dropping down, he allowed the slightly curved blade to rest perfectly within the sharp nest of points as he balanced, completely inverted, one arm outstretched, opposite knee bent. Four pairs of eyes looked up in surprise. It had all happened in the blink of an eye, and then he was throwing himself up and away, tapping down lightly outside their encirclement.

Grunting, he clutched his side, then straightened.

“Little Brat! How are you still so lively*?” snorted one of them with a sharp laugh.

“We’ll just have to make a few more holes…” another chirped.

“Cut the crap! Come on!*” the boy sneered, despite his deathly colour. Raising the sabre to shoulder height, he charged.

There was a long quiet sigh from within the shadows that was conveniently covered by the sound of clashing metal.

“Idiot,” Cui Xi muttered to herself. She shifted ever so slightly to avoid making any crunching noises and glanced to the left.

The old man had already been stabbed multiple times and staggered as he blocked the blows that were raining down from men far younger and stronger. He wasn’t going to last. The boy was not doing much better, though how he still managed four swords while injured…Cui Xi had to admit that his level of martial skill was not slight despite his youth.

“What do we do now?” whispered Xiao Yu, cringing at each clang.

“The powder…you still have it?” asked Cui Xi, pointing to her medicine bag.

Xiao Yu nodded, immediately reaching into her satchel. 

Cui Xi rummaged through her own satchel and came out with the only bra that she’d saved when she’d abandoned the pack pony.

Shit…isekai gods…please don’t laugh…

She felt that there was no choice but to interfere. God, my luck is so bad! she silent groaned. 

If they had not stumbled onto this, they would have gone on their merry way to the capital, but the second they had rounded the bend it was already too late. Peering out from behind some bushes, she’d recognized the boy in black as the young master from the night the caravan was attacked.

Cui Xi thought for a moment. They could take a chance and make a run for it, hoping not to be noticed while the participants were actively engaged, but she felt they’d be noticed regardless…and the group intent on killing the boy had eliminated almost the entire caravan group to prevent witnesses. 

She had no wish to be pursued into the capital by a bunch of assassins regardless of what kind of protections had been left by the young caravan man. She was also taking the gamble that the hidden guards would not allow her and Xiao Yu to be harmed and that was actually causing her to feel a bit more meddlesome.

“Xiao Yu, help me send the knockout powder in…” Cui Xi said, making up her mind. She thought she heard a rustle and smiled to herself. Hah! So, they’re really there. Yifu, thank you!

“It won’t travel far like this,” said Xiao Yu. She frowned as she held out the small pouch of powder.

“We can only try it like this…” Cui Xi nodded, pointing to the bra. Xiao Yu raised her eyebrows.

Cui Xi knew this was a horrendously bad idea, but she was desperate . If I knew how to fight…this might have turned out differently. She would definitely have to learn how to fight when she got to the capital.

Taking the knockout powder from Xiao Yu, she shook four equal portions into some leaves, wrapping them into packets and then secured each with an elastic band. She was hoping it was tight enough to hold in the air, but would burst on impact. 

Xiao Yu made a grimace, but only flicked her eyes toward the sound of the swords.