Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Turned Away at the Door
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Two weeks had passed since the victory in Henei.
While Lu Bu was severing the head of the Black Mountain Bandit leader, the imperial suppression forces on other battlefields across the realm were suffering defeat after defeat against the main Yellow Turban armies.
The incompetent generals appointed by the Ten Attendants in exchange for bribes were scrambling to flee even from peasant rebels wearing yellow turbans.
As reports of defeat flew into the palace daily like snowflakes, Emperor Ling finally made a decision.
"Appoint Henan Inspector He Jin as Grand General."
He named his sole relative who had achieved an overwhelming victory—Henan Inspector He Jin—as Grand General, granting him command of all forces for the Yellow Turban suppression.
Grand General's Residence.
The office was far more splendid and imposing than anything from his days as Henan Inspector. Yet the master's face was grim.
Crack!
He Jin crushed the bamboo slips in his hand.
A spy knelt before He Jin, reporting the rumors circulating in Luoyang's streets and among the officials.
"Grand General... public opinion outside... is not favorable."
"What nonsense is this? Speak!"
"'The victory in Henei was actually all due to a man named Lu Bu from Bing Province'... That's the rumor."
"Is that all?"
Overwhelmed by He Jin's fierce aura, the spy bowed his head lower, hesitating as if the words were too vile to utter.
"Grand General... there's... one more rumor too shameful to speak aloud..."
"What is it? Speak at once!"
"Your... origins... are being gossiped about."
He Jin instantly grasped the unspoken word "butcher" from the spy's reluctance and exploded.
"What?! There are still people calling me a butcher scum?! Even though I'm now this land's Grand General?!"
Bang!
He Jin kicked over the desk in front of him, shattering it.
He had lost his reason at this rumor striking his greatest weakness. As the spy trembled before his rage, the door opened, and a man entered quietly.
He was Guoyue, who had been dramatically promoted upon He Jin's ascension to Grand General and now served as East Cao Clerk in the Grand General's Residence.
"......"
Guoyue bowed politely without changing expression, even amid the wrecked office and He Jin's fury.
"Grand General, what has angered you so?"
"Guoyue! Good timing! Have you heard the filth those street rats are spewing? They dare insult this Grand General and praise some unheard-of country bumpkin as a hero!"
Guoyue listened silently to He Jin's outburst, then spoke softly once it ended.
"Grand General, calm yourself. Rumors are but wind."
"Wind? This wind could become the blade that severs my neck!"
"Yet, changing its direction is within your power as Grand General, is it not? This rumor is surely the Ten Attendants' scheme to shake you. Your anger now plays right into those wicked eunuchs' hands."
He Jin stared straight into Guoyue's eyes and spoke.
"Then what should I do? Shall I behead that Lu Bu to make an example?"
"That would be the worst possible move."
Guoyue shook his head firmly.
"Do the opposite. With all eyes on you now, this is the perfect chance to show your magnanimity. Don't envy Lu Bu—cherish him and promote him greatly. Let the realm know, 'It was I, He Jin, who recognized and employed Bing Province's hero.'"
"...What?!"
"Then the world will praise the Grand General's broad-mindedness in not begrudging his subordinate's merits, and talents will flock to you like clouds. This is no time for anger—it's time to win the realm's admiration."
The fury in He Jin's eyes faded at Guoyue's advice. Soon, his mind began turning swiftly.
"...You're right. What's spilled is spilled; my rage only harms me. Recruiting that man into my fold isn't a bad idea."
Guoyue nodded in satisfaction at He Jin's words, then revealed new information.
"Also, rumors say Lu Bu has been meeting the Ten Attendants frequently lately."
He Jin's eyebrows shot up.
"...Those bastards are desperate too."
"What choice do they have after sending nothing but failures? The Party Prohibitions will lift soon. That's when you'll truly spread your wings and soar, Grand General."
He Jin nodded at Guoyue's words.
The reward gold from the Henei suppression was quite substantial.
Having shed his armor for comfortable clothes for the first time in ages, Lu Bu headed to Luoyang's bustling markets to clear his complicated thoughts.
In one hand, he held a freshly baked hot hu bing, biting into it. Honey and oil burst in his mouth—a luxury unavailable on the frontier.
'Colonel...'
It was a secret offer relayed through an intermediary by the Ten Attendants.
Follow them henceforth, and in return for crediting him with merits in the Yellow Turban suppression, they'd secure him a Colonel position.
Not a bad deal.
His current Military Affairs Attendant post was merely a subordinate official. But biting at their offer would trap him walking a tightrope from all sides.
'Nothing's free in this world.'
This damn world was politics everywhere. Lost in such thoughts as he walked, someone blocked his path.
It was an old man in shabby clothes.
"Heh heh, young man. What a sturdy build you've got."
"......?"
But his voice was odd—not quite masculine, more neutral and thin.
'What's with this old man? That voice... eunuch?'
Ignoring Lu Bu's suspicion, the old man eyed the hu bing in his hand and smacked his lips.
"Heh heh heh, my stomach's practically glued to my back, and I've nothing on me. Could you spare one?"
Lu Bu glanced at him briefly, then beckoned the hu bing vendor.
"Three more here."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
He pocketed one to finish, handing the other two to the old man.
"Oho, two even. My thanks."
The old man devoured them gratefully, then naturally fell in step beside Lu Bu.
"Hm... you're quite spry on your feet, elder."
Even quickening his pace deliberately, the old man matched it flawlessly with elegant strides.
Munching his hu bing, the old man replied.
"Munch munch. It's my lifelong trade—what's hard about it?"
Cryptic words.
Soon, rounding a corner, they left the market clamor for a quiet residential area.
As if leading him somewhere.
Drawn by an inexplicable pull, Lu Bu followed silently. After a while, the old man tossed out a question.
"Why has a warrior like you become a great scholar like Bai Gai's disciple?"
That confirmed the old man was no ordinary fellow.
He knew his master's name.
Lu Bu stopped chewing, swallowed slowly, and met the old man's eyes squarely.
"And why do you think that, elder? Is there a law saying sword-bearers must have empty heads? Or do all Luoyang's notables think so?"
Far from flustered by the provocative retort, the old man grinned as if amused, bursting into hearty laughter.
"Heh heh, what an interesting young man. Very well, another question. With the Yellow Turban chaos unsettling the realm, why do you think the world has fallen into such disorder?"
"Starving masses, corrupt court. Everyone says it. But that's mere symptoms. Not the root."
"...Hm."
The old man's smile faded.
"The true root... is hypocrisy cloaked in grand righteousness. Feasting full before the hungry while claiming to 'care for the people.' Trampling the weak while proclaiming 'upholding justice.' And—"
Stepping closer, Lu Bu lowered his voice. The old man's pupils quivered faintly.
"...Those who blind His Majesty's eyes and ears, scorning wise counsel to treat the realm like pebbles in their pocket. They are the cause of the chaos."
"........."
Silence lingered. The old man stared wordlessly.
"...Heh heh heh. So your blade isn't the only sharp thing. You're... truly fascinating. As expected of Bai Gai's disciple."
The old man walked on without another word.
Lu Bu followed silently. Soon, they stopped before an antique mansion bearing traces of age.
"But tell me. You speak of 'grand righteousness,' yet why neglect the pillar that raised you?"
'Pillar? What nonsense?'
Instead of answering Lu Bu's puzzled look, the old man nodded toward the weathered gate beside them.
Turning, Lu Bu saw the timeworn door and the plaque above.
Dust-dimmed but legible: the characters stole his breath.
—Chenliu Cai Clan
...His master's family home.
'Damn it...' Blood rushed to his face.
'You idiot... How long in Luoyang, and you never even showed your face to his family?'
The Henei victory, the Ten Attendants' offer—all felt like dust before this shame.
"Well, this old busybody's meddling ends here."
As the old man turned to leave during Lu Bu's daze, he urgently asked.
"Wait! At least tell me your name."
Glancing back, the old man pointed at himself with a grin.
"I'm Ye Jiang. Heh heh heh. See you next time."
'Ye Jiang?'
An unfamiliar name. But no ordinary old eunuch, clearly.
After the mystery elder left, Lu Bu stood blankly for a long while. Finally resolved, he cautiously knocked on the gate.
Knock, knock, knock.
Moments later, it creaked open slightly.
Not a servant appeared through the gap. A young woman in simple yet neat clothes, without ornate jewelry.
Her face was fair and clear, brows delicately drawn like with a brush. Her not-large eyes were black as ink, deep enough to hold one's gaze captive.
Her unadorned black hair was neatly pinned with a single ornament, and her pale, slender hand on the door latch bore faint ink stains at the fingertips.
"......."
Caught between embarrassment and guilt, Lu Bu was speechless.
He'd never dreamed his master had a young woman in the family.
How threatening must his fierce face seem? Clearing his throat, he spoke as courteously as possible.
"Pardon the intrusion. I am Lu Bu Fengxian, who received Master Bai Gai's teachings in Saibang. As his disciple, I came to pay respects to his family."
The woman quietly scanned him, then replied calmly and steadily.
"I know from his letter that Father took a new disciple in Bing Province."
"That's a relief. Might I... enter briefly to greet you?"
But she shook her head.
"I appreciate the intent, but that's impossible."
".......What do you mean?"
"As you see, no adults are home now. A woman alone cannot invite an outsider man inside, even Father's disciple. Men and women must keep their distance."
Lu Bu had no retort.
She met his disciple's plea with unyielding principle.
"I'm here merely as his disciple..."
"Your thoughtfulness in visiting for Father's sake is thanks enough."
She gently but firmly cut him off.
"But we cannot breach propriety. Please turn back. I'll inform Father by letter."
With that, without waiting for reply, she bowed lightly and closed the door.
Thud.
Before the irrefutable four characters "men and women must keep distance," he had no counterargument.