Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Imperial Censor
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"...Hmm, who could this be? A face I've never seen before."
The man strode into the room without so much as glancing anywhere else, his gaze fixed piercingly on me alone.
"Are you Cavalry Commander Lu Bu?"
"That's right. And who might you be, asking like that?"
"I am Attendant Censor Tian Feng, courtesy name Yuanhao."
—Tian Feng, Attendant Censor.
The Attendant Censor was an official tasked with supervising other officials, but I had no idea why someone like him had come to see me.
Tian Feng kept his eyes locked on me as he suddenly asked in a cold voice,
"As far as I know, Master Bai Gai has been exiled to Saibang, leaving no adult male in this household. So what are you doing here at Master Bai Gai's residence?"
"What's the problem with a disciple staying at his master's house?"
At my words, Tian Feng's brow twitched.
"The Book of Rites states, 'A man and woman should not reside under the same roof without a matchmaker (Men and women do not become acquainted without a go-between).' For grown man and woman to share a space without an elder's supervision is a violation of propriety. Why do you treat this so lightly, Cavalry Commander?"
Tian Feng's voice was sharp as a blade. He even turned his gaze to Master Chae's daughter, continuing his reprimand as if lecturing her.
"You are surely old enough to know better, yet how can you tolerate such impropriety!"
Master Chae's daughter's face stiffened slightly at his words.
What the hell is this guy's problem, flying off the handle the moment he walks in?
Irritation welled up from deep inside me.
"Hah, isn't it your own filthy mind that's making you think that way?"
"What did you say?!"
"To me, my master is more than just a teacher—he is one who has shown me father-son grace. As his disciple, looking after his family is only natural. How can you fail to grasp that profound bond and spout such nonsense, insulting even this household?"
Tian Feng's face hardened rigidly at my logical retort. But oddly, Master Chae's daughter's expression darkened as she listened.
Why is she looking like that?
Tian Feng glared at me for a moment before clicking his tongue with a 'tsk' and turning his head away.
"Tsk, whatever. That's your business—handle it yourselves."
He turned to Master Chae's daughter, bowing deeply with sudden utmost courtesy.
"I apologize for my rudeness as a guest, miss. But I have urgent business with the Cavalry Commander. Might you spare us a moment?"
At his polite demeanor, she hesitated briefly before nodding quietly.
"I'll have the wine tray brought in so you can talk."
She rose and left the room, not forgetting to shoot me a quick glare.
What was that about?
I couldn't fathom why Master Chae's daughter had given me that look. I was utterly baffled.
Once she left, a heavy silence settled over the room.
What on earth does this guy want with me?
As I pondered, she returned with the wine tray, served Tian Feng courteously without sparing me a glance, and silently departed.
Her icy attitude stung a little, but dealing with the man before me took priority.
—Pour...
Tian Feng filled his cup but didn't drink.
He simply stared at his reflection in the clear wine. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
His voice carried deep weariness and disillusionment.
"I... plan to resign my post and retire to the countryside."
It was utterly out of left field.
"Why would an Attendant Censor like you retire?"
"Because it's rotten."
His eyes turned to me, burning with fiery anger.
"This court is rotten to the core. While the people die in the Yellow Turban chaos, the nobles bicker over merits and line their pockets. Achievements are measured by bribes to the eunuchs, and loyal counsel has long been drowned in flattery. I've judged it impossible to uphold my principles here."
His voice was laced with the profound despair of an upright scholar. And at last, he revealed why he'd come to me.
"But in this rotten world, your actions... I simply can't comprehend them. Everyone scrambles to cling to that corrupt rope, yet you threw away hard-earned merits—defying the Ten Attendants no less—just to save one more eunuch? I can't fathom your true intentions."
He hadn't come to investigate me. It was the desperate question of a lost soul to his final signpost.
I filled my cup to the brim, downed it in one gulp, and spoke.
"You see the world divided only into clear streams and murky ones."
"......!"
"But the world I see isn't so simple. To me, there are only 'things that must be done' and 'things that must not be done.'"
Tian Feng's eyes widened at my words.
"Repaying grace is a 'must.' The Ye River Elder is my master's benefactor, thus mine, so saving him was only right. Whether he's a eunuch or not meant nothing to me. Likewise, beheading those who plunder the people—be they eunuchs or Grand Generals—is a 'must do later.'"
I met Tian Feng's gaze squarely, my voice unwavering.
"People say I defied the Ten Attendants and tossed away merits, but I didn't discard them. Abandoning what 'must be done' to preserve merits—that's true folly. I simply did what I had to."
".........Things that must be done..."
Tian Feng murmured blankly, chewing over my words.
His eyes shook violently. He, who had turned from the world to avoid the murk, and I, acting on my own standards amid it.
Time passed.
Tian Feng drained his cup in one go, rose, and bowed deeply to me.
It was not the courtesy of censor to warrior. It was one man's sincere respect to another.
He lifted his head.
Despair was gone from his eyes. In its place burned a new flame.
"I thought shunning this decayed court was the only path. But hearing you, even fleeing was something I 'must not do.'"
His voice now held newfound strength.
"From you, who acts on what 'must be done' even in the murk... I saw what I'd lost."
He performed proper rites toward me.
"Cavalry Commander. Will you allow this old man's brush... to stand beside your sword? I want to see through what I 'must do' to the end."
I gazed at him silently for a moment.
I needed someone sharp-minded too. And an Attendant Censor who oversaw officials' corruption? His skills were guaranteed.
"I know how to wield the sword and earn merits, but not how to wield the brush to discourse on the realm and right orders. I gladly accept your will."
Leaving Tian Feng and Lu Bu in the room, Master Chae's daughter headed straight to the kitchen.
She meant to clear the wine tray, but her steps lacked their usual poise.
—Hoo...
Leaning against the cabinet, she let out a deep sigh without realizing it. The earlier conversation kept echoing in her ears.
To me, my master is more than just a teacher—he is one who has shown me father-son grace.
It was true, of course. But a woman's heart is devious; that clear line of 'father-son' felt oddly hurtful all the same.
Was it just my one-sided feeling...?
Then an annoying voice came from behind.
"Sister, why the heavy sighs here? Thinking of that sturdy big brother, maybe?"
Her younger sister Chae Jeonghui had snuck up, staring with mischievous eyes.
"...Don't talk nonsense. I was just preparing the tray for the guest."
"Liar. I overheard from the room earlier—you held your own against that scary guest and took sister's side. Touched or what?"
Chae Jeonghui giggled and poked her side.
"Jeonghui."
"Fine, fine. But seriously, sister—in this world, where's a man who listens to a stubborn woman like you? Any other guy would've yelled in frustration by now."
Master Chae's daughter couldn't rebut.
She recalled Lu Bu's back, silently sweeping the doorstep every day despite constant rejections.
Chae Jeonghui leaned in and fanned the flames.
"And did you see his eyes flash when that guest insulted you? Sister, at this rate, some other woman might snatch that fine man. Better close your eyes and pounce first...?"
"...What bizarre novel have you been reading now?"
At her incredulous look, Chae Jeonghui sheepishly pulled a book from her bosom.
Records of the Passionate, Fierce Woman Seizing Hearts: A Beauty Doesn't Wait for Her Hero.
"Th-this is the hottest novel in Luoyang right now. About a woman taking a man's heart first—"
"Hand it over."
Before she finished, Master Chae's daughter snatched it, face flushed.
"Confiscating this lewd, perverse book!"
"Sister, no! I was at the best part! That's not fair!"
Chae Jeonghui stomped in protest.
Amid the commotion, Master Chae's daughter's mind tangled with her sister's bold words and Lu Bu's firm voice drawing that line.
After Tian Feng left, I mulled over how to best use my new 'brush,' but a more pressing matter came first.
—Slide...
The door opened cautiously, and Master Chae's daughter entered to clear the empty cups.
She still avoided my eyes. Her chill demeanor made my chest tighten. Facing thousands on the battlefield was easier than this.
"Miss, did I... make some mistake?"
Her shoulders flinched at my question. Without lifting her head, she murmured softly,
"...No. How could the Cavalry Commander make a mistake?"
"Really?"
At my firm tone, she reluctantly looked up. Hurt lingered in her dark eyes. Seeing them confirmed it.
I'd messed up badly.
"On the battlefield, I swing the sword, but I'm clumsy with hearts. If I've unknowingly hurt you, I sincerely apologize."
I knelt without hesitation and bowed my head.
—Thud.
The dull sound echoed. I felt her breath quicken in shock.
"C-Cavalry Commander! What are you doing? It's not that—please stand!"
She jumped up in panic and hurried to my side, grabbing my arm to pull me up. And right then—
"Ah...!"
In her haste, her foot tangled. She let out a short cry and pitched forward. Reflexively, I lunged to wrap my arms around her falling waist.
For a moment, time stopped.
Soft, warm sensation, a faint orchid scent brushing my nose. Her heartbeat 'thump, thump' pulsed through me as she clung tight.
"........."
Her breath grew ragged, her pale face flushing crimson like a ripe persimmon.
She froze blankly for a second, then buried her face in my chest, whispering mosquito-like,
"...Th-that's not it... could you let go?"
"S-sorry, miss! I-I didn't mean to...!"
I snapped to and fumbled to release her. Flustered, my hands flailed in the air.
"I... know that."
She steadied herself, still flushed, and looked up at me. Averting her eyes shyly, she confessed honestly.
"It was just... when you said 'father-son' earlier... it, it, it bothered me a little."
Eh... no way?
My mind went blank.
"M-miss..."
I stepped closer unwittingly.
She stared at me, eyes wide like a startled rabbit. Our faces drew near, breaths mingling—
—Bang!
"Sister, big brother! Speaking of, dinner tonight—"
Chae Jeonghui flung the door open, sensed the odd atmosphere, and froze.
She glanced between our flushed faces and outstretched hands, then yelped,
"Uh... uh... uh...... S-sorry! I-I'll crash at a friend's tonight!"
With that, she slammed the door and fled.
"......"
"......"
We finally came to our senses, awkwardly stepping back.
"Ahem."
"Ahem, ahem..."
Only our awkward coughs filled the room.