Chapter 443: First Cut People, Then Ask About the Future

Chapter 443: First, slash them, then inquire about the road ahead

“Without those little brats underfoot getting in the way, I can finally loosen my limbs and go meet those old friends I haven’t seen in ages. Let’s see after all these years—has my fist gone soft, or have their bones turned to stone?”

Su Ce’s words rang out like a hammer strike, every syllable dripping with domineering vigor.

Yet when they reached Li Jun’s ears, he heard none of that heroic abandon; instead a sour ache welled up in his chest.

The old man before him could easily command troops and hold his own as a Thousand‑Household of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, yet for the sake of his men’s livelihood he willingly handed over the fief he had built over years.

Though he came from a sect’s martial lineage, he had walked the road alone all his life.

What habit of charging solo on horseback? Simply because there was no one to ride beside him.

“Old man, not that I’m telling you, but what age are you still acting so rash and reckless? Fighting and killing—leave that to youngsters like me.”

Li Jun suddenly broke into a grin, shoulders shrugging, spine stretching as if shaking off an invisible shackle; he reached for the tobacco box Su Ce had tossed on the table, flicked out a stick and lit it.

“Others have all kinds of ties, you can’t bring yourself to cut them—I get that. But I have none of those worries.”

Li Jun laughed: “I have no father, no mother, no kin, no ties—all I have left is one thing.”

“What’s that?”

The two locked eyes; Li Jun let out a wild laugh: “Invincibility!”

“Go to hell with your mother’s leg.”

His sudden brazen act didn’t annoy Su Ce at all; instead his smile widened.

It seemed this was exactly how they were meant to interact.

“You mean you’re dead set on walking this dark path with me? First, understand this: anyone who dares to jump about in front of me must be at least Sequence Four or above—you ain’t scared of dying, kid?”

“Scared of a hammer.”

Li Jun let out a Sichuan‑Chengdu accent, brimming with bandit air, sneering: “We’re all two shoulders carrying one skull—who’s afraid of whom?”

Su Ce stared hard at Li Jun: “Good guts! Then sharpen your blade—I’ll take you to carve meat!”

Hearing that, Li Jun nodded teasingly: “Now that’s more like it. That meeting just now was all fidgety and girly; I thought you’d already mothballed your swords and were ready to retire to the southern hills.”

Su Ce burst out laughing: “Scholars grow more sinister with age; the devout grow harder to please. Folks like me? Naturally we grow madder the older we get—how could we go soft with age?”

Li Jun raised his brows, instantly grasping: “So from now on we ditch the rules?”

“You ever followed any rules?”

Su Ce’s face hardened: “Before you, no one in the Wa‑region Embroidered Uniform Guard ever dared cross borders to assassinate a comrade.”

“I was just helping you clean house, old man.” Li Jun wore an innocent look.

Su Ce snorted coldly: “So you think I should thank you for that?”

“It’s just my duty.”

Li Jun chuckled, leaning halfway across from Su Ce, respectfully offering the old man another cigarette.

“Your thoughts are still too heavy, your actions not swift enough. You walk the lone‑warrior path yet still plot and wait? If I were you, the moment I got promoted to Sequence Six I’d rally the troops, march on Osaka, and hack that bastard Yu Canghai to pieces with a hundred blades—why bother with sneaking in alone?”

Su Ce scoffed: “If Yu Canghai hadn’t been such a useless lump, unable even to tell if he’d turned traitor, you’d already have been dug a grave inside by someone else.”

The Li Jun sprayed with saliva dared not retort, only managing a muffled whisper: “I’m also worried that if I’m too blatant I’ll bring trouble on you, old man.”

“If I can’t even handle this little trouble, then all these years in the Wa‑region would’ve been wasted!”

Su Ce snapped: “Since you know I’ve got your back, what’s there to fear in the Wa‑region? It’s no easy feat to be an honest good person like others—does being a wanton, lawless playboy also sound that hard?”

“The Osaka incident aside—you knew it was your post, you dared to go all in, that shows some resolve. But you let those stinking cowherds of Mount Gezao slip into your turf, stir up trouble, and even lose a banner‑chief in charge of intel to them—I feel ashamed for you.”

Su Ce jabbed a finger at Li Jun’s nose: “After you slaughtered Luo Tian’s lot, didn’t you know Mount Gezao still has a Luo Cheng in the Wa‑region? If you knew, you shouldn’t have just turned back for Quan Shan; you should’ve sent men to scout Luo Cheng’s whereabouts, then strike first—since we’ve already offended them, leave none alive! If you’d wiped out Mount Gezao’s lot in one go back then, would we still have what’s happening now?”

The old man fired questions like a barrage; Li Jun gaped, nodding instinctively.

He’d thought Su Ce was chiding him for lack of caution, not realizing he was being blamed for being too timid.

This old geezer—he’s even more reckless than I am!

“If someone tries to reason with you, listen if you get it; if not, punch them. If you decide to strike, you must kill them utterly before you stop. ‘Point‑to‑point’ nonsense is just what people say after they realize they can’t kill anyone and try to sound noble.”

Su Ce sat astride like a golden‑armed warrior, the hand holding his cigarette sweeping through the air: “Don’t worry about revenge later—they’ll call for help, you’ll call for help; who doesn’t have a couple of old geezers backing them up? In my lifetime I’ve killed enough cultivators to empty half the seats of the earth‑immortals at White Jade Capital—believe it or not?”

“Believe, of course I believe.”

Li Jun bobbed his head like pounding garlic, the corners of his mouth twitching up despite himself.

‘Originally I planned to send you out of the Wa‑region, find you a safe livelihood—at least keep you from being snatched as a ‘medicine person’—to settle the debt between us grandfather and grandson. But since you insist on wading through this murky water with me, this time I’ll shore up that foundation for you.’

Su Ce proclaimed loudly: “I’ll say it plain—so long as I remain the Thousand‑Household of the Wa‑region Embroidered Uniform Guard for a single day, my rules are the Wa‑region’s rules!”

“Today’s council I won’t judge the underlings for loyalty or righteousness. But I want to see who, in this moment, would sacrifice their comrades’ livelihood for riches and glory.”

Su Ce clenched his fist and slammed it onto the table: “Let’s see how many white‑eyed wolves I’ve raised over the years—rip out their hearts and lungs, see how much is wolf heart and how much is dog lung.”

Li Jun’s hairs stood on end; he licked his lips and asked: “Wolf heart, dog lung?”

“Kill!”

“Those who betray their brothers‑in‑arms?”

“Kill!”

Su Ce’s words rang sharp, his face a mask of killing intent: “These brothers have followed me for years, lived and died for the empire. Now I must give them a dignified end.”

“What if the Confucian aristocrats refuse even that dignity?”

“Then you give them dignity yourself.”

Li Jun exhaled a long, turbid breath, his face splitting into a grin of pure relief: “You can count on me, old man—I’ve got this.”

Su Ce’s voice dropped suddenly: “As for us grandfather and grandson—”

Before he could finish, Li Jun cut in: “First slash them, then ask about the road ahead!”

“Good!”

Su Ce laughed loudly: “From today on, the actions of the Qian Shan City Hundred‑Household Unit answer directly to me alone—no one else may give orders, and you needn’t heed them! Qian Feng Ting will fully back you on intelligence; any gear you need, just tell the Ghost King Da.”

“Understood!”

Li Jun rose to attention.

“The Confucian aristocrats haven’t arrived yet; before they do, go take care of that little clown for me.”

“Who?”

“Ming Zhi Qing Xiu.”

After Li Jun left the study, Su Ce rose slowly from his chair, turned his back, clasped his hands behind him, and gazed up at the full map of the Wa‑region: “I’ve stared at this for years and still haven’t gotten tired of it, huh?”

A calm, warm, resonant voice rang out suddenly.

Hearing that familiar tone, Su Ce didn’t need to turn—he knew who it was.

“Looks like you’re itching for another beating, huh—forgotten what happened the last time you barged into my study without knocking?”

“Hahahaha! After that I lay flat for a whole month in the Pacification Commissioner’s office—of course I remember.”

Li Bu Fang’s laugh rang bright: “Still, you won’t believe it—I actually kind of want to feel that again, after all, there won’t be another chance like this.”

“Hey.”

Su Ce turned his head slightly, and a single cigarette was already reverently placed at his lips.

Li Bufeng bowed his back, a cluster of flames clenched in his right hand, his left palm forming a protective bow at his side. After the cigarette was lit, he stepped back, and with solemn gravity bowed his hand to Su Ce.

“These years, thank you for your care, old man.”

“I never cared for you. You are a noble of the Ministry of Personnel, I am but a lowly officer of the Ministry of War; we belong to different systems. Yet in others’ eyes, I, Su Ce, have always ridden atop your head, wielding power.”

“That’s the folly of the ignorant; a clear‑sighted man would never utter such nonsense. Had it not been for your father’s protection, I would have perished beneath another’s blade long ago.”

“Do not humble yourself so. You are a fourth‑rank civil official, a district pacifier—who would dare touch you?”

Li Bufeng still bowed, his buried head emitting a clear voice: “The soaring hawk dares, the noble clan dares, the New Eastern Forest Party dares even more!”

“Sigh.”

Su Ce exhaled helplessly, shifted his step forward, stood before Li Bufeng, and slipped his arm around the younger man’s elbow. “Enough, rise.”

“Are you really leaving?”

Li Bufeng straightened, nodded, and said, “The Ministry of Personnel’s transfer order has already been issued in the dream of Yellow Grain, demanding I depart for the mainland within three days to report.”

“The bastards of the New Eastern Forest Party, their manners are truly repulsive!”

Su Ce cursed with righteous indignation, while Li Bufeng’s expression remained carefree, a light laugh escaping him. “All as expected.”

Su Ce opened his mouth, intending to counsel, yet found himself at a loss for words, and merely patted Li Bufeng’s shoulder.

“Returning is fine. This wretched place in the Japanese district has nothing worth longing for. If there is any lingering matter, I’ll handle it for you as well.”

Li Bufeng smiled, “There are a few minor things, but they have already been arranged.”

“It’s Yang Baize of Inuyama Castle, a disciple of Pei Xingjian? So your meeting with Li Jun was for this?”

When Su Ce laid bare his calculation, Li Bufeng showed no surprise, replying with flattery, “Indeed, in the Japanese district nothing escapes your keen eyes, old man.”

“Your flattery still reeks; how will you win favor with superiors when you return to the empire?”

Su Ce laughed scornfully, then said, “Pei Xingjian and you are among the few scholars I deem worthy. If the New Eastern Forest Party had more men like you, the empire would not be this smog of chaos.”

“If Pei Xingjian and I entered the New Eastern Forest Party, we would no longer be in your sight.”

Su Ce was taken aback, then smiled wryly, “That’s true; that stagnant pool’s contamination is indeed potent.”

“If he now chooses to leave the Japanese district, will you truly give him a way out?”

Li Bufeng asked a seemingly stray question, yet Su Ce understood its meaning.

“Of course. My words are always a spit and a nail.”

Su Ce’s face showed contemplation, “But if he makes that choice, I will be disappointed.”

“Disappointed that the hope of reviving the martial order is so fragile?”

“Not that grand. Li Jun and I are merely two warriors; we cannot represent the whole martial order.”

Su Ce waved his hand, laughing, “At most I’m disappointed in my own poor judgment, my eyes gone blind.”

“Old master,”

Li Bufeng hesitated, then finally uttered, “You’re still too soft‑hearted.”

“You sound like you’re insulting me, kid.”

Su Ce teased, then continued slowly, “Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, trust—these five characters were the ornate doctrines your Confucian order used to beguile the martial sects. Yet the ‘righteousness’ among them I truly endorse.”

“But most of what you’ve endured these years has been ‘unrighteous.’”

“So what? Must we fear the snake’s bite as if we were bound to a dead rope?”

Su Ce laughed, “I am a blunt, unrefined man, not a sage. I do not overthink, so I have misread many people in this life, yet I have not suffered loss. Those who acted unjustly all fell by my hand. The martial order’s blood runs hot; we cannot discard ‘righteousness.’ Thus, whoever I find agreeable, I must aid. When you first came to the Japanese district, you were like that; now Li Jun is the same.”

Li Bufeng fell silent for a long moment, then whispered, “You see this man very clearly, old master!”

Su Ce teased, “It’s not easy to earn such praise from your own mouth.”

The conversation dwindled, as if nothing more remained to be said.

“I have come this time only to bid you farewell. Once spoken, I must depart.”

“Go then. Once you step away, do not look back.”

Under Su Ce’s tranquil gaze, Li Bufeng turned and walked toward the doorway.

Suddenly, the figure that had reached the threshold halted.

Li Bufeng slowly removed the scholar’s cap from his head, cupped it in both hands, placed it upon the low table beside him, then knelt, pressing his forehead to the cold floor before Su Ce.

“The junior Li Bufeng thanks the elder Su for years of protection!”

This time Su Ce did not dodge; he remained seated, accepting the reverent bow with regal composure.

“If you wish to leave the Japanese district,”

Li Bufeng’s forehead pressed tightly to the icy ground, “Even if I stake my life, I will find you a place to rest.”

“My divine self is too vast; no temple in the empire can contain me.”

In the dim light, a single flame flickered uncertainly amid the smoke.

“I will stay here, open my doors wide, and await distant friends with dignity!”