Chapter 88 – Limit of Patience (3)

Chapter 88 – Limit of Patience (3)

Wang Qi's head slumped as his breath ceased.

The prison guards were thrown into a frenzy. An imperial messenger had been murdered inside the prison camp. Yue Fei's action was a capital offense equivalent to high treason.

Horns blew from all directions as guards rushed out. The superintendent of the prison camp shouted urgently,

"Seize him immediately!!!"

Yet, not a single guard dared to approach Yue Fei. It wasn't as if they had been keeping him here by force all this time. He had simply remained here of his own free will.

Who would dare lay a hand on a Flower Realm physique? The guards could only watch in fear.

"Agh…"

Clutching the coffin, Yue Fei wept bitterly for a long moment. Beside him, his son, Ak-un, bowed his head in silent tribute.

About ten minutes passed before the lid of the coffin was closed again.

Having finally composed himself, Yue Fei's face was completely different from before. His calm, deep eyes had transformed into the sharp gaze of a fierce tiger. The watching guards trembled in terror.

Just then, Commander Jang Heon stepped forward and said,

"Give us your command, General."

"Bring the branding iron."

As Jang Heon shouted to the back, several prisoners ran off. No one paid any attention to the guards anymore. Before long, they returned carrying a brazier and a piece of iron.

Yue Fei silently stripped off his upper robe, revealing his back covered in scars and bruises from torture, along with a firm, muscular build.

Most prominent of all was the four-character tattoo carved onto his back:

“Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty.” It was the phrase his mother had personally tattooed on his back.

"Burn it off."

Jang Heon was his most loyal subordinate, obeying his every word. Gripping the heated iron, he pressed it against Yue Fei's back without hesitation.

Sizzle!

The sound of burning flesh echoed, yet not a single groan escaped Yue Fei's lips.

Because he possessed a Flower Realm physique, a few brief burns would not suffice. It took nearly thirty minutes of pressing the iron before the characters were finally erased.

At last, Yue Fei's rage-filled voice echoed quietly through the prison camp.

"…I will become one."

Everyone's eyes turned toward him. Once again, his lips moved.

"If that emperor wants me to be a rebel, I will become a rebel."

The moment Yue Fei finished speaking, the guards' mouths fell open. The inevitable had finally happened.

Beside him, Jang Heon stood tall and said,

"Wherever the General goes, I shall follow."

Yue Fei nodded and looked at the prisoners. A moment later, his voice, infused with deep internal energy, boomed through the camp.

"From this day forth, I am a rebel against the imperial court!!! Those who stand with me will find no glory or honor!!!"

The two thousand prisoners held their breath, staring at Yue Fei.

Their faces were flushed with excitement. Many looked as though they had been waiting for this very moment.

Yue Fei's voice rang out again, striking everyone's ears.

"But I can promise you one thing! I promise you the honor of dying for the people!! What could be more worthy in this life than that?! Those who wish to stand with me from this moment on, kneel on one knee!!!"

In this prison camp, the majority of the prisoners were former rebels from various regions. Some were Yue Fei's former subordinates, making for a diverse group.

Commander Jang Heon was the first to drop to one knee, shouting,

"Jang Heon! I place my life in the General's hands for the sake of the people!"

That was the spark. Nearly a thousand prisoners dropped to their knees simultaneously. Those who had not trained in martial arts could not join, but they offered their silent support.

The legendary General Yue Fei and a thousand warriors. It was a sufficient force to make a new beginning.

"I will bear all the sins!!! Rise, soldiers of the Yue Family Army!!! From this moment on, we shall drive out the invaders and fight only for the people!!!"

At that moment, the prisoners erupted in cheers.

"Hurrah!!!"

"Wah!!!"

Yue Fei lifted the heavy coffin onto his shoulders. As he took his first noble step forward, a thousand prisoners lined up behind him, marching in step.

A mass prison break was taking place, yet not a single guard stood in their way. They could only watch in a daze as the marchers faded into the distance.

Marching at the front, Yue Fei looked up at the sky.

You asked me to fight together to build a world where everyone can smile. If so, let us pursue that dream. Your foolish senior brother will aid you with his meager life, junior brother.

About fifty zhang away, a man watched the march of the newly formed Yue Family Army.

A gust of wind blew past, brushing through So-mu's hair. Through the strands, his deep, dark eyes shone softly.

I am sorry for robbing you of the honor of dying for the country. But now, you are free from the court's chessboard and can fight solely for the people.

By intercepting the decree and sending Wang Qi to deliver the body, he had forced Yue Fei to awaken. Although he felt a tinge of guilt, he had no regrets.

For now, they would bear the brand of rebels. But if they earned the recognition of the people, wouldn't they be remembered as heroes in their hearts? He firmly believed he had made the right choice, both for the General, his own beliefs, and Jang Yang.

So-mu turned back toward Shaanxi. There was still business to settle before winter passed.

***

At the hermitage in the Mount Dingjun basin.

The heavy snow made it an environment where ordinary people could not survive, but that did not apply to them.

Sitting in a small pavilion near the hermitage, someone was calmly playing music. To the bright melody of the seven-string zither, a child was performing a sword dance.

Twang! Twang!

The soundwaves projected from the seven-string zither transformed into sharp qi, rushing forward. So-so was simply parrying the qi, but her movements naturally flowed into a dance.

Clang! Clang!

Her movements were graceful and controlled, like a dancer. The brilliant light scattering as she neutralized the qi created a beautiful spectacle.

Yeon Seo-hwa and So-so were enjoying their own world of musical dance. It was a feat possible only because two individuals with highly developed senses had met. Their expressions carried a serene happiness, as if they were walking in the heavens. Through the art, their hearts were becoming one.

After a moment, the zither faded, and satisfied smiles appeared on their faces. Yeon Seo-hwa asked contentedly,

"How was it?"

So-so ran over and wrapped her arms around her neck, burying her face.

"It was so fun and wonderful, Master! Hehe."

Who would dare lay a hand on the body of the Jade Flower Goddess? Yet, there was no awkwardness in the child's embrace. She looked just like a child hugging her mother.

Yeon Seo-hwa did not mind, patting So-so's back. Holding the child in her arms somehow warmed her heart.

"What we just did is an art called the Celestial Music Dance. It can never be achieved unless your hearts are in sync."

"Then Master and I are in sync?"

"Yes. Actually, it was my first time succeeding too, thanks to you."

"Hehe. I'm curious."

"Mmm. What are you curious about?"

So-so blushed shyly and asked,

"Since Master and I are in sync, can you also be in sync with my father?"

Yeon Seo-hwa stammered in embarrassment.

"That… we will have to try later…"

"I hope you do…"

A blush spread across Yeon Seo-hwa's face.

Why is she suddenly asking this?

She had to change the subject before it got awkward.

"Since there might be an avalanche, we cannot practice the Lion's Roar for a while. Shall we rest for a bit and then play the reed pipe?"

"Yes, Master, I'd love to!"

So-so had already reached thirty percent mastery in the Dragon-Roaring Lion's Roar. She still had a long way to go to reach complete mastery, but there was no rush.

The two sat in the pavilion, looking at the snowy scenery. Before long, a familiar guest arrived. It was So-mu, running across the snow using his Snow-Gliding Step.

"Father!"

So-so ran out and leaped into his arms. She hadn't seen him for a few days, so she was thrilled.

Supporting her with his left hand, So-mu felt his daughter was a bit heavier than before. Since she ate well, she was growing faster than her peers.

Looking up at his face, So-so's eyes sparkled as she asked,

"I have a question~ Can you be in sync with Master?"

"Hmm. In sync? Well, it won't be easy."

"Hehe. Master said she'll try later~"

Yeon Seo-hwa's face turned red in an instant. To think the child would repeat that word-for-word. She quickly changed the subject.

"What brings you here without word?"

He couldn't speak casually in front of the child.

"The matter we put off. I want to settle it before the campaign to reclaim Chang'an begins."

He was referring to retrieving the music sheet from Silver Flower Granny. Yeon Seo-hwa sent a transmission in confusion.

Why are you rushing when I am fine?

I will be busy soon, so I want to settle it before then. I prefer to pay off my debts quickly.

Hmm…

Yeon Seo-hwa was hesitating. Although it was a meeting that had to happen eventually, she did not look forward to it.

Just then, So-so slipped down from So-mu's arms and asked,

"Father, would you like some tea?"

Since they had met after a while, she seemed to want to play host. It was a good opportunity to send her away, but recalling the terrifying taste of So-so's tea, So-mu hesitated.

"Is there… anything else…?"

So-so gave him a knowing grin and replied,

"Nope~"

She was clearly determined to serve him tea. Just as So-mu let out a sigh, Yeon Seo-hwa sent a transmission.

You can rest easy. She drank it herself and gave up on developing new teas.

If so, he had no reason to refuse. Gently patting So-so's back, he said,

"Then I'll leave it to you. Brew it slowly."

"Yes, Father!"

Once the child scurried off, the atmosphere turned serious.

"It seems it won't be as simple as just retrieving the music sheet. She won't hand it over easily, will she?"

"No. Actually, if you hadn't offered to help, I was going to steal it. But now, my mind has changed."

"How?"

Yeon Seo-hwa replied seriously, her voice dropping.

"We must kill Silver Flower Granny."

"Hmm. She was indeed considered one of the worst villains by the orthodox sects. But why must you kill the one who was your master?"

Yeon Seo-hwa hesitated, recalling painful memories. After taking a moment to steady her breathing, she spoke with difficulty.

"Because she is my family's enemy. And for So-so's future, she must die."

Confusion appeared on So-mu's face. He recalled hearing that she had been taken by Silver Flower Granny at the age of eleven.

Did she harm her family when she kidnapped the young Yeon Seo-hwa? She underwent brainwashing, yet she remembers everything. Well, her natural five senses are extremely sharp, so she must have been different from other children. But what does this have to do with So-so's future?

He had no clue. But if it involved his daughter, he could not ignore it. Leaning against the pavilion pillar, So-mu crossed his arms and asked,

"In that case, I believe I have the right to hear the reason."