Chapter 92: Majesty

Early in the morning, Yang Xuan and the others continued on their way. “Will they come?” The old thief asked, his voice laced with unease. “Stay calm.” Yang Xuan suddenly turned around. Hoofbeats grew steadily clearer. “Halt!” Dozens of riders galloped toward them. The old thief trembled. “Young lord, flee!” “Old Two.” “Here.” Yang Xuan pointed at the old thief. “If he tries to run, slap him.” “Understood!” Wang Laoer grinned cheerfully, eyeing the old thief with the look of someone watching a man condemned. “The Khan’s decree… please return.” Instantly, the old thief’s loyalty to Yang Xuan surged like a rocket. Returning once more to the royal court, Yang Xuan and his companions received an enthusiastic welcome. Enthusiastic beyond measure! “Drink some wine.” The women brought fine wine and sent flirtatious glances. Yang Xuan naturally paid them no mind, but the old thief wanted to yet feared exposure. Wang Laoer, granted permission, ate meat with gusto while refusing the wine. Yang Xuan slowly savored the mutton, his bearing calm and unhurried. “Father Khan!” A woman burst in and, seeing Yang Xuan and the others, inquired, “Are you the ones who can read bones?” The guard replied, “Yes.” “I am Hui Na.” The woman was passably attractive. “What is the matter?” Yang Xuan asked. The woman raised her arm. “They said you can read bones? Feel me.” The old thief’s blind followers nearly burst from the strain. Yang Xuan cleared his throat. “Master…” The old thief sighed. “Touching once reveals one secret of heaven—how difficult it is for this old man.” Hui Na turned to Yang Xuan, hesitating. “Why don’t… you do it?” Yang Xuan shook his head. “I am not a bone-reader.” Hui Na clearly preferred a younger man to touch her, and she reluctantly extended her hand. After some probing… “The Khan has arrived.” Hua Zhuo came. All rose to greet him. Hui Na watched the old thief and suddenly realized she had been groped for nothing. Hua Zhuo smiled and waved them to sit. After polite pleasantries, Hua Zhuo ordered, “All out.” Only a few remained in the tent. Hua Zhuo leaned forward, his narrow eyes narrowed. “Yesterday you said this Khan faces a calamity—how shall it be resolved?” The old thief offered a bitter smile. Yang Xuan sighed. “Master, say no more, or heavenly retribution nears. Then let this humble one speak.” Hua Zhuo seemed casually leaning on the table, his right hand idly turning a wine cup—though he had forgotten to set it upright. Yang Xuan sat cross-legged, hands forming seals on his knees, solemn and majestic. Yi Niang’s heart skipped; she feared her young lord might renounce the world for monastic life. Yang Xuan opened his eyes, cold as a deity, and spoke. “The world’s endless disturbances stem only from greed and anger. Under greed and anger, evil consequences pile endlessly. Only redemption can pass through calamity.” Hua Zhuo leaned forward until he nearly lay on the table, asking, “How to redeem?” Yang Xuan said, “Save people.” “How?” “The Khan leads the Washe tribe and has slain many over these years.” Hua Zhuo nodded. “To survive on the grassland, if you do not kill, others will kill you—there is no other way.” “Both the Khan and his tribesmen bear guilt.” Yang Xuan said calmly, “The Khan may have people travel and apply medicine. The more that is applied, the more lives saved. Saving one redeems the sin of wantonly killing.” He rose and saluted. “We take our leave.” “Wait!” Hua Zhuo reached out, hesitating. “May it be applied within our territory?” Yang Xuan regarded him silently. Hua Zhuo smiled bitterly. “That is true. They followed this Khan in slaughtering tribes. Where, then, to apply medicine? Surrounding lands are mostly foes, and Northern Liao cannot be touched.” Yang Xuan saluted. “We take our leave. Later, far and wide in the jianghu, we shall pray for the Khan.” “Eh!” Hua Zhuo stood. “Where will you go?” Yang Xuan said, “We prepare to return to the Tang Dynasty.” Hua Zhuo was stunned. “The Tang Dynasty…” He sighed. “This Khan has some medicinal herbs. Please, gentlemen, disperse to each place.” Yang Xuan was taken aback. “Khan’s forces are vast—why need us? Moreover, the Khan’s complexion is ruddy, clearly improving. Go later.” Yet sending the Khan’s men to the Tang is sending heads… Hua Zhuo shouted, “Prepare the medicinal herbs!” Someone answered. Hua Zhuo shouted again, “Prepare some gold.” One plate of gold, five large carts of medicinal herbs. “Khan, we wish to travel the world, taking these…” Yang Xuan declined with a bitter smile. “Having gold in hand, wherever one walks is home.” Hua Zhuo uttered a somewhat philosophical remark. At that moment he felt his whole body brimming with strength, as if some malice within him had been burned away. “Bring another plate of silver to see the gentlemen off.” The old thief: “…” Yi Niang: “…” Only Yang Xuan and Wang Laoer remained unmoved. … The medicinal herbs arrived. When several large carts of herbs were pulled into the city, everyone was overjoyed. Hu Wan Kui, the renowned and sole physician of Taiping County, excitedly inspected the herbs with delight. “What is this man’s medical skill?” the old thief asked. Zhen Siwen wore a long-suffering expression. “They say… he is good at treating livestock.” Understood! Returning to the office, a man knelt outside. “What is it?” Yang Xuan sat and asked. Cao Ying said, “This man is called Ma Hulu. Today he intended to force himself on a woman. Luckily someone broke in, or…” Ma Hulu raised his head, a lewd aura radiating from his face. “She seduced this young master. Besides, she hadn’t been entered yet.” Cao Ying said, “Young lord…” Yang Xuan shook his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Come!” “Here!” Hu Zhang and Zhen Siwen answered together. Yang Xuan pointed at Ma Hulu. “Drag him out and break both legs.” Cao Ying was stunned, wanting to remonstrate but unable to when he met Yang Xuan’s cold gaze. Ma Hulu said incredulously, “Impossible! This young master hasn’t entered yet…” Yang Xuan flung the tea cup away with a sweep of his hand. Hu Zhang and Zhen Siwen were startled and quickly dragged Ma Hulu out. “Old Two goes.” Yang Xuan pointed outside. “Break his legs—right outside the state office gate.” “Understood!” Wang Laoer departed cheerfully. “Ah…” A miserable wail spread through the entire city. Then the news reached every corner. Yang Xuan stood outside the office, hands behind his back. “Old Cao, ninety percent of this city are criminals, mostly poor and vicious. Showing favor upon arrival seems fitting and won the people’s hearts. Yet you must know that endless favor only invites inching forward. Besides favor, there must be thunderous methods, or how will these former fiends be deterred?” Cao Ying rose and saluted. “Yes, I humbly receive instruction.” Yang Xuan went to the rear courtyard. Cao Ying summoned the old thief. “What is it?” The old thief had been blind for several days and now prepared to rest. “Old man wonders how after this journey the young lord has changed so much.” The old thief grinned. “Asking about the young lord—does this offend you?” Cao Ying smiled bitterly. The old thief asked, “Do you think it good or bad?” “Of course it is good.” Without such understanding, Cao Ying would have been kicked out long ago. “Then all is well.” The old thief hummed a little tune back to the rear courtyard, lying on the bed in comfort. “The young lord grows ever more majestic; Old Cao remains blissfully unaware.” Cao Ying knew. Later, he went to the rear. “Young lord.” Yang Xuan was reading. Hearing the sound, he looked up and pointed to the side. “Sit.” Cao Ying sat. Yang Xuan set the book aside. “You have some doubts?” “Yes.” Cao Ying spoke frankly. “Since leaving Chang’an, the young lord has grown decisive in killing. Old man thought it good. Yet the laws are strict…” Yang Xuan raised a hand to interrupt. “I know what you wish to say. Laws should be obeyed, but remember where this is.” Yang Xuan pointed outside. “Here is a city of criminals. You wish to use law to balance them—that itself is wrong.” Cao Ying looked puzzled. “In turbulent times, use heavy penalties!” Yang Xuan said calmly. Cao Ying stood solemnly. “Understood!” Cao Ying left. Yi Niang entered from behind and handed Yang Xuan a cup of tea. “Cao Ying’s loyalty to the young lord is unquestionable.” “I know.” Yang Xuan nodded, his expression serene. “He once saw life as grass and weeds. What is he entangled in now? Only that he feels I have overstepped. Since he manages the county office, he should not be interfered with. Yet I wish to tell him such situations will multiply; he must adapt early.” “Has he understood?” “He said ‘understood’ when he left. I believe he has.” Yi Niang said happily, “The young lord grows ever steadier. This servant always feared he would be too soft and bullied by subordinates. Today’s matter fills this servant with joy.” At dinner, Yang Xuan raised his cup. “Old Cao has been most diligent lately.” Cao Ying raised his cup. “The young lord risked greatly to obtain the medicinal herbs. Old man only works steadily in the county office—how can it compare?” The two men smiled at each other. A small internal rift was swiftly smoothed away. “Yi Niang, the old thief snatched my meat!” Wang Laoer complained, pointing at the old thief. Slap! Yi Niang struck the table, brows arched sharply. “Return one for two!”