Chapter Forty-Four: Utter Shamelessness

Upon hearing such words, everyone nearby couldn’t help but feel that when a person becomes shameless, there truly is nothing they will not say or do. General Feng Yucai, unable to contain his anger, laughed coldly and said, “Marshal Wan Lü, you are at least a member of the royal family of Liao Ancient State, yet you speak with such shamelessness. If you hadn’t caused trouble first, would we be in this situation now?”

Wan Lü the Invincible retorted, “Hmph! For us to take Miss Liu with us is her good fortune. You should know that the might of Liao Ancient State is unrivaled under heaven. To become a consort of Liao’s royal family—what glory and riches could she ever lack?”

He then turned to Liu Yuting and said, “Miss Liu, if you make the right choice now, all the splendor of the world will be within your reach. But if you stubbornly cling to old ways, even if you regret it later, it will do you no good.”

Liu Yuting, however, did not hesitate in the slightest. She stepped forward and clung to Zhang Desen’s left arm, declaring, “Say no more. You are nothing but a scoundrel, and I have already—”

But Zhang Desen gently patted Liu Yuting’s shoulder, signaling her to remain calm for the moment. Obediently, she did as he wished. Then Zhang Desen placed his right hand on the hilt of his elongated tri-bladed military dagger, ready to draw it at any moment.

At the same time, before Wan Lü the Invincible and Xiongli Ba could react, General Feng Yucai said, “Marshal Wan Lü, if you continue in this aggressive manner, I will have no choice but to detain you immediately. If you have even a shred of shame, you’d best restrain yourself.”

As he spoke, Feng Yucai also gripped his own sword. Seeing their general’s stance, his soldiers instantly readied themselves for combat.

Seeing this, Wan Lü the Invincible suddenly felt they were outnumbered and was about to speak when another group arrived. All eyes turned to see Councilor Qian Qiu striding in with his loyal captain Zhou Can and his household guards, shouting, “Enough! How can you treat the honored guests of the Great Xing State with such disrespect?”

Qian Qiu and his men placed themselves between Wan Lü’s group and the others. In truth, Councilor Qian was taking a desperate gamble. He had already heard the whole story and knew Wan Lü was being unreasonable, but for the sake of his son, he had no choice but to intervene.

What’s more, he had many shady dealings with Liao in the past. If he didn’t help Wan Lü today, and Liao exposed his misdeeds in anger, he’d be ruined. Yet by standing with outsiders to oppress his own countrymen, if things went badly, he would become a traitor to Great Xing.

At that moment, seeing Qian Qiu openly shielding Wan Lü the Invincible, General Feng Yucai immediately confronted him. “Councilor, what is the meaning of this? Don’t forget, you are a councilor of Great Xing, not Liao. What you’re doing now is treason.”

Though Qian Qiu was uneasy, he forced himself to reply, “General Feng, I know you are an upright man, but do not be deceived and make Great Xing appear rude and barbaric to our honored guests…”

Feng Yucai, unable to listen any further, roared, “Qian Qiu! Don’t lie through your teeth! Tell me now—whose man are you?”

Qian Qiu, visibly flustered, replied, “General Feng, I have already investigated the truth. It was this so-called Hero in Strange Garb who, for no reason, killed three of Marshal Wan Lü’s guards and deliberately provoked conflict between our two nations—”

At this, Zhao Chengming, unable to contain his fury, interrupted, “Councilor, I don’t know who told you that, but let me set the record straight: The Hero in Strange Garb only struck because those men tried to abduct our lady. They were in the wrong, and the hero intervened to save her. How can you say he killed without cause?”

Qian Qiu sneered, “You’re just a servant, yet you dare speak? Even if what you say is true, your lady is but a merchant’s daughter. To be favored by the Marshal of Liao should be considered an honor. How dare you risk war between two nations for personal reasons? Can you bear the consequences?”

Turning to Zhang Desen, Qian Qiu continued, “You have slain the guards of a foreign envoy without cause, placing our nation on the brink of war and untold suffering. Surrender now and come with me to the Ministry of Justice to stand trial.”

Before anyone else could react, General Feng Yucai furiously rebuked Qian Qiu, “Qian Qiu! You have no regard for truth, twisting black and white, making yourself a lapdog for foreigners. If you dare lay a finger on this hero, I will fight you to the death!”

Qian Qiu retorted, “What? Do you mean to rebel, General Feng, just because you command the army?”

Feng Yucai burst out laughing. “What a misfortune for our court, to have a traitor like you. You would slander your own countrymen to shield outsiders. Let’s see what crimes you’ll fabricate next. Perhaps you’ll even disband our army and become a lackey for another nation?”

Qian Qiu shouted, “Feng Yucai, don’t think you can do as you please just because you’re the most powerful general. Civil officials and military officers have always maintained their boundaries. Do not sow discord between us and the court!”

Feng Yucai replied, “You shameless villain! With civil officials like you, we’d be better off with none. Today, I’ll—”

Before he could finish, another voice rang out, “Well said! Qian Qiu, you are utterly shameless!”

Everyone turned to see Li Longfang, captain of the Prime Minister’s household guards, entering with a squad. He produced a token and said to Qian Qiu, “Councilor Qian, the Prime Minister orders you to see him at once!”

Qian Qiu, stunned, was about to protest when Li Longfang continued, “Councilor, you’d best not hesitate or question. Whatever you have to say, say it to the Prime Minister in person. If you do not go immediately, he will report directly to His Majesty.”

Helpless, Qian Qiu had no choice but to leave, slinking away with his guards behind Li Longfang.

Thus, matters returned to their previous state. General Feng Yucai addressed Wan Lü, “Marshal, you see now, no matter how many lackeys you bring, the Great Xing State remains united. I advise you not to push your luck.”

Wan Lü the Invincible, witnessing the situation, relented, saying, “Very well, I’ll return to the guest residence. General Feng, I suggest you be careful on the battlefield. Should I take you captive, I’ll be sure to make you regret today’s actions.”

He ordered his men to take away the bodies of his three slain guards, but Feng Yucai immediately stopped him. “Marshal Wan Lü, these men, having failed in their crime and been killed, have violated the laws of Great Xing. Even though they are dead, their remains must be handled by our own people. Are you intent on causing more trouble?”

Wan Lü the Invincible nearly lost his temper, but after a moment’s thought, he forced himself to submit. “What now? Don’t go too far!”

Feng Yucai replied, “This is not unreasonable, but acting according to law. If you have any doubts, you may take it up directly with the Prime Minister. Such is the law of Great Xing.”

Wan Lü the Invincible could only order Xiongli Ba and the others, “Let’s go!”

With that, Wan Lü and his party departed in disgrace. General Feng Yucai immediately sent his men to help the Liu family’s jewelry shop clean up the scene. Zhang Desen, seeing the situation under control, was just about to leave when General Feng called out, “Please wait, Hero.”

Feng Yucai’s display of military spirit had made a strong impression on Zhang Desen, himself a former special forces soldier, and he felt a kinship with such a general. He replied courteously, “General, what is it you wish to say?”

Feng Yucai asked, “Why do you conceal your face, Hero? Why not show your true self?”

Zhang Desen, following the tradition of heroes he’d seen in old films, answered, “I hide my face to protect my family from harm.”

Feng Yucai nodded. “Still, I would advise you not to do so in the future. Your voice is very familiar to me—I must know you, though I cannot recall exactly who…”

A chill ran through Zhang Desen. He realized that General Feng must have encountered his counterpart in this universe before, but their styles were so different that the general hadn’t recognized him. Feng Yucai continued, “But let me say this, Hero—no matter how many injustices you right, you can only help a few. What do you think?”

Zhang Desen sensed that Feng Yucai might be recruiting him, so he asked, “Then what do you suggest, General?”

Feng Yucai replied, “The world is in chaos, and foreign invasions have brought suffering upon the people, driving the desperate to become bandits. If we want to put an end to banditry and bring peace to the people, only a united and peaceful realm can achieve that. Don’t you agree, Hero?”

Zhang Desen asked, “What is your intention, General?”

Feng Yucai said, “My meaning is this: with your abilities, why not join the campaign to pacify the warlords and drive out the invaders? Only then can there be true peace, and only then does chivalry serve the greater good. What do you say, Hero?”

When Zhang Desen did not answer, Feng Yucai pressed on, “If you truly wish to act with justice, you must first serve the greater cause. Only by bringing lasting peace can you fulfill the true purpose of a hero. If you would join the army, I promise to find you a fitting position—your future would be limitless.”

In truth, Zhang Desen found himself agreeing with General Feng’s words. Yet he knew that matters in this universe were far more complicated than they appeared.