Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Offering

Yun Fei was, by nature, a simple and kind-hearted girl. Upon hearing from her father, Liu Kui, about the plight of the women, she felt compassion and sorrow for their fate. Yet, having not seen Qi Jun for several days, her heart was already filled with longing and concern.

When she heard the news that Qi Jun had brought the women to the village, she could not help but feel a stir of girlish curiosity, and so came searching for him early in the morning. Of course, she had not come to question him about such matters, but rather because she could not suppress her affection, desiring only to pour out her heart to her beloved.

At this moment, Qi Feng was absent, and no one else was nearby. Yun Fei, free of any concern, boldly leaned into Qi Jun’s arms, happily savoring the warmth of the one she loved.

“By the way, my father told me you were injured? Where was it? Does it still hurt? Let me see…” Yun Fei suddenly remembered Liu Kui mentioning Qi Jun's recuperation at the county magistrate’s residence and became anxious to break from his embrace.

“It was just a minor injury, already healed…” Qi Jun, however, held her tightly, not letting her go, and lowered his head to kiss her forehead.

“You… such a rascal…” Yun Fei, unable to escape, surrendered, and seeing Qi Jun’s healthy complexion and lively tone, felt reassured that he was not seriously hurt. “Jun, promise me you won’t worry me again, alright? I know you are a man with great ambitions—I won’t stand in your way. Just promise you’ll take care of yourself…”

“Mm, I promise you.” Qi Jun gently rubbed his chin against Yun Fei’s forehead. In this moment, he felt that everything he had endured was worth it.

“There’s another good news I must tell you.” Qi Jun held Yun Fei’s shoulders, looking at her with joy and solemnity. “The Mountain Panther, that notorious bandit, I have slain him!”

Yun Fei was stunned at first, then tears of excitement and joy streamed down her cheeks. Qi Jun’s mother, Madam Liu, had treated her like a daughter; from this perspective, Qi Jun’s vendetta was hers as well.

“If Mr. Qi and Mother Liu can see from beyond, they would surely be comforted. Their souls can finally rest in peace…” Leaning in Qi Jun’s arms, Yun Fei’s mind wandered through memories of the past.

Sometimes, she would wake at night from dreams of their murder by bandits, sobbing uncontrollably, and bow in the direction of East Mountain where they lay buried.

Qi Jun’s thoughts churned within him. He knew little of his parents in this life; they had left behind nothing to remember them by. Yet, from Yun Fei’s reaction, it was clear both were gentle and kind souls.

In his previous life, he had died in battle at the frontier before he could fulfill his filial duty; in this life, his parents were killed by bandits. Whenever he thought of these things, regret was endless. He envied those who still had parents by their side.

“Jun, this great news should be told to them. Let’s call Qi Feng; the three of us can go together to pay our respects.” Wiping her tears, Yun Fei looked up at Qi Jun with tender affection.

“Yes, we should prepare offerings to inform them. But Qi Feng is away right now. When he returns, I’ll go with him alone.” Qi Jun gazed toward East Mountain, tears welling in his eyes as sorrow washed over him.

Yun Fei nodded softly, following Qi Jun’s gaze.

At this moment, Qi Jun’s feelings were complex.

He had slain the Mountain Panther with a single shot, avenging his family, yet his heart remained heavy.

Though vengeance brought him peace and gave the victims some closure, he knew that tragedies like those suffered by the Qi family happened all the time in this world. How many, like him, could ever exact justice?

To end all sorrow and rage in the world, only the sun and moon can usher in a new era.

Qi Jun grew more resolute in his ideals: to forge a clear and righteous age, starting from Anqiang.

Seizing money and supplies from the bandits had shown him a swift path to prosperity. Aside from the likes of Panlong Ridge, many small bandit groups still infested the hills around Anqiang.

Only by eradicating banditry could the people of Anqiang walk every road without fear.

But Qi Jun knew: bandits could never be wholly eliminated. If he tried to fight every bandit in every hill, it would take a lifetime and still not be done.

Unless the powers behind the bandits were toppled, the scourge would persist. Qi Jun knew his own strength was still far too small; even Feng Qinian could suppress him completely.

He needed to build his power swiftly. Only when he had the confidence and cards in hand to face the prefect, Zhao Chengkun, could the people of Anqiang hope for true peace.

The county guards below blew the horn, and Qi Jun knew Sun Jiu was summoning him.

“Go on home first; I’ll come find you after I finish some business, alright?” After another gentle kiss, Qi Jun spoke.

“Alright! Go take care of your affairs…” Reluctantly, Yun Fei left his embrace, then suddenly smiled, “Jade is a good girl too. She…”

“You… why mention her now?” Qi Jun, baffled by Yun Fei’s mysterious smile, forced a laugh and quickly changed the subject, “We’re heading the same way; why not go down the mountain together?”

“No way, I’d be embarrassed if everyone saw… Maybe another time! I’ll go ahead now~” Yun Fei winked mischievously, then turned and bounded down the mountain like a playful rabbit.

Qi Jun watched her lively figure vanish around the bend of the mountain path, and only then did the love in his eyes recede.

He walked to the large pit and surveyed it, contemplating the matter of building a house. Since he had made a promise to Yun Fei, planting the seed of happiness in her heart, he was determined to see the house built.

At the mountain foot, after the third horn call, Qi Jun arrived at the army tent by the riverside, where Sun Jiu and the county guards had camped overnight.

“Sir, you’re here. The boxes and coins are all here; shall we transport them up the mountain now?” Sun Jiu gestured toward the house on the mountainside.

“My neighbor Aunt Zhao’s house is empty—let’s take them there first, and have a few guards keep watch. Also, leave me a few bags of money; I need to buy some things from the county seat, and I’ll need your help bringing them back.” Qi Jun considered aloud.

“Sir, I’m the captain of the county guard, but all you ever have me do is move things!” Sun Jiu complained, dissatisfied.

“Well, you need my help, don’t you? About Captain Feng…” Qi Jun, aware Sun Jiu was trying to wheedle favors, reminded him of the matter entrusted to him, to speak on Sun Jiu’s behalf to Feng Qinian.

“Alright, alright, just moving stuff, isn’t it? I’ll do it. When Lord Feng returns, you must put in a good word for me…” Sun Jiu readily agreed, calling the guards to start moving the goods.

“And that pit—I’ll personally lead the men to fill it for you!” Sun Jiu took a few steps, then, remembering last night’s mishap, turned back.

“No, don’t fill it; dig it even deeper!” Qi Jun quickly stopped him.

“What? Not fill it? Sir, what are you up to?” Sun Jiu was completely confused, unable to fathom Qi Jun’s intentions.

“Don’t ask about that. Also, prepare some wine and food for me; I need to go to East Mountain.”

Sun Jiu, knowing East Mountain was the villagers’ ancestral graveyard, realized Qi Jun must be going to honor his parents and asked no further, instructing the guard in charge of cooking to make preparations.

Qi Jun turned inward, wanting to check the boxes, but bumped into Deng Fang head-on.

“Jun, I just heard you’re going to East Mountain—to pay respects to your parents?” Usually playful, Deng Fang solemnly cupped his hands.

“Yes. I miss them. Besides, avenging them by destroying the bandits should be told to them.” Qi Jun sighed and nodded to Deng Fang.

“I’ll go with you. Though I never met them, you are my elder brother; thus, they are like parents to me.” Deng Fang spoke earnestly, patting Qi Jun’s shoulder.

“Good. I’ll take the wine and food, and we’ll go together.” Moved by Deng Fang’s sincerity, Qi Jun silently thought, “A true brother.”