Chapter Eleven: Regret Descends the Mountain

“That old wretch has stooped to such vile deeds at this critical moment of imperial succession—daring to slander my father as disloyal to the throne, secretly persecuting the loyal, and inciting the crown prince against his sovereign. A shameful traitor to his duty as a subject.”

The steward’s scalp tingled at Lord Zhao’s words, his whole body trembling slightly. He wished to intervene but dared not overstep, only able to urge Lord Zhao to calm himself.

But the irascible Lord Zhao would hear no counsel, bellowing an order for a sword to be fetched from the wall of his chamber.

Standing silently by the carriage, Liu An watched Lord Zhao’s every move without a word. He could not tell how much of Lord Zhao’s fury was genuine or feigned. If he voiced his support now, who knew if tomorrow his words would be twisted and spread?

Seeing Lord Zhao draw his sword and stride into the night, the anxious steward approached Liu An, beseeching, “Sir, why do you not accompany my lord? He has treated you like a brother these past days. This is the moment to repay his kindness. Why hesitate?”

Liu An’s lips twitched inwardly, thinking, “Good heavens, he’s been waiting for me here all along. No wonder he’s walking so slowly with that sword.”

Now, reluctant or not, Liu An had no choice but to follow.

He showed no change in expression, not even sparing the steward a glance, hastening after Lord Zhao.

Before long, Liu An caught up without uttering a word of solidarity. Based on scattered rumors he had overheard in the market about the master’s situation, he felt confident and unafraid for his life.

His only task was to assess the shifting tides and align himself with the faction most advantageous to him.

Lord Zhao’s lips curved into a faint smile upon seeing Liu An follow, but he quickly masked it, maintaining his wrath.

The commotion grew louder. Soldiers of the lord’s mansion formed ranks flanking the path as Lord Zhao led the way. Shops and residences alike shut their doors tight; the people dared not make a sound.

“Open the door! Open up! You old dog of the Li family, come out! You dare slander the Left Chancellor of the court? I have witnesses naming Li Dan as the source of the rumors. We are here to arrest Li Dan and send him for trial. Any resistance will be met with deadly force! Moreover, there are disciples of the master present as witnesses—do you still dare to resist?”

Liu An’s face twitched, cursing inwardly, “Damn Lord Zhao for dragging me into this.”

Slowly, the great gates of the Li estate creaked open. An elderly man, bent and clutching a cane, emerged—none other than the venerable Li patriarch.

At once, Liu An and Lord Zhao were struck by the old man’s state. Only yesterday he had been vigorous; today, he appeared on the brink of death.

“Liu An, young friend—Lord Zhao, what brings you here at this late hour?” The old man’s voice was frail yet filled with the weight of years.

Lord Zhao wasted no words, striding up the steps and seizing the old man by the collar. He shouted, “Old dog, whether you’re truly dying or faking it, today I will slaughter your entire family, leaving none alive!”

The old man’s cloudy eyes showed no fear. With a teasing tone he replied, “Lord Zhao, you jest. Should we truly fight to the death, I am certain not a single person in your mansion would survive.”

As he spoke, a sudden shift overcame him. Striking his cane forcefully on the ground, a mighty aura swept across the surrounding hundred miles.

Lord Zhao stammered in disbelief, “You’ve broken through, reached a higher realm—you’ve defied death itself.”

The old man said nothing further, only gazing at Lord Zhao with undisguised contempt.

“How can this be? How can this be?” Lord Zhao staggered back, panic stricken, tumbling down the steps.

Watching this spectacle, Liu An sensed the astonishing change in the elder. Though frail in form, his vitality was terrifyingly potent—a life force that triggered a haunting dread within Liu An.

He observed a strange fact: only two people had appeared from the Li household—the aged patriarch and a middle-aged man.

Seeing Lord Zhao, now utterly disoriented, collapse to the ground, the old man dismissed him with disdain. Then, adopting a warm, friendly smile, he turned to Liu An.

“Liu An, young friend, won’t you come into the Li estate? I shall treat you well. You have seen all that has transpired tonight. I trust you will not defile the master’s reputation—only by remaining impartial can one live long, correct?”

Liu An steadied his nerves and bowed respectfully. “Thank you, venerable Li. I shall not disgrace my master’s teachings nor involve myself in any factional strife. Once I have bathed in the life pool, I will depart. Does this satisfy you?”

The old man chuckled, stroking his beard. “Very good, very good. A fine young man who understands propriety and knows when to advance or retreat. Far better than some foolish wretch.”

Lord Zhao, though aware the words were aimed at him, dared only to seethe silently. The laws of the dynasty held no sway over the supremely powerful. In the end, might made right.

Adjusting his demeanor, Lord Zhao put on a sycophantic smile and knelt, pounding out three resounding kowtows before the venerable Li.

“Grandfather Li, you raised me. You know how much I respect you. Tonight, I had too much to drink and offended you. Please forgive this humble one. That old dog of a father blocked your path—he deserved it. From now on, I am your loyal dog. Command me, and I will obey. Is that acceptable?”

Liu An listened with disdain at Lord Zhao’s shameless words but said nothing.

The venerable Li’s smile darkened. “Had I not broken through, you would have been decapitated by now, your entire clan wiped out. You cannot just say ‘I was wrong’ and expect to move on.”

With that, the old man stretched out his withered right hand. An invisible giant hand grasped Lord Zhao’s throat, suspending him in midair.

Veins bulged in Lord Zhao’s neck as he kicked wildly, muttering, “Father—save me!”

At this critical moment, a spectral figure clad in official robes materialized slowly behind Lord Zhao.

“Li, must you be so extreme? Isn’t this going too far? If not now, then when will you stop?”

“Stop? For the sacrifice of over twenty thousand Li family members? Never. I once was blind, but now that I have broken through, I see clearly—you yourself are nearing your final days. You intend to possess your son’s body to live again, do you not?”

Though anger showed faintly, the official in robes answered truthfully, “Indeed, you guessed correctly. But it is better than relying on the lives of your entire clan.”

Their exchange drew a sharp intake of breath from the assembled soldiers and Liu An alike.

Liu An now bitterly regretted his presence. “Why did I come here? I have heard forbidden truths—will I survive this night? I might have been better off dying peacefully in the mountains.”