Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: The Call of Ding Yuan
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"Hey, have you heard the news? About the Wolf of Saibang."
"What news?"
The conversation between merchants drinking at the tavern reached my ears noisily.
"That guy's been acting weird lately. They say every time he heads out to crush bandits or barbarians, he takes a book with him."
"What nonsense. A book to the battlefield?"
"No, really! My friend saw it himself. Says the guy reads on horseback and pulls out a book right after battle."
Then a drunkard staggered over and butted in.
"What's so weird about that? An ignorant brute finally learning something late in life!"
"No, that's not it... Word is, he already knew how to read from the start. But suddenly lately, he's been reading scriptures and such."
"Come on. That monster reading scriptures?"
Master Chae, sitting nearby, gave a wry smile as he listened to the merchants and the drunkard's idle chatter.
What they knew was only the surface. He was the only one who knew the truth.
A few days ago, he'd heard similar rumors.
"That Lu Bu, the Wolf of Saibang. The guy who only trusted in brute strength is suddenly showing interest in scholarship..."
But Master Chae had brushed it off as nothing serious.
In truth, even he was astonished by Lu Bu's change. No, it wasn't a change—it was more like a hidden side finally emerging.
He recalled that day. The day he'd gone to meet Lu Bu.
"I've come to meet you once."
At the time, Lu Bu had been drinking alone atop the ramparts. His back view was steeped in desolate emptiness.
Master Chae had told the warrior he needed knowledge and wisdom. Unexpectedly, Lu Bu posed a question.
"What if... a man has three fathers? If a man changes masters three times and betrays his sworn father, isn't he a dog bastard who deserves the world's scorn and death?"
Sensing the desperation in that question, Master Chae answered carefully. Betrayal for the greater good could be the path of a hero.
Suddenly, Lu Bu dropped to his knees.
"May I serve you as my father, elder?"
Flustered, Master Chae said heaven's decree couldn't be altered; he couldn't take him as a son. But he could accept him as a disciple.
Lu Bu looked disappointed but replied, "Then I'll serve you as my master."
From then on, Lu Bu truly acted the part of a disciple. He visited Master Chae's residence daily, seeking instruction.
At first, Master Chae thought, 'This ignorant warrior has finally awakened late in life.' But just days into teaching him, he realized the truth.
This man knew how to read from the beginning.
"Master, is this character wrong?"
Looking at the writing Lu Bu had brought, Master Chae was speechless. The handwriting was a mess, but it clearly conveyed meaning.
"Hm... So you knew how to read already?"
"A little... I did."
"A little?"
Master Chae examined the writing again. The brushwork was poor, but the content was decent.
"Who taught you?"
"Just... picked it up here and there."
Lu Bu's answer was vague. But that wasn't the point.
'If this guy were truly an ignorant brute, he never would have asked me such a question.'
"Let's fix your brushwork first."
Master Chae took Lu Bu's hand and taught him how to hold the brush. Lu Bu's hands, accustomed to spears, couldn't grip it properly.
"Relax your strength. A brush isn't a spear."
"Yes, Master."
After days of basics, Master Chae began teaching scriptures in earnest. And he was astonished once more.
"Do you know what this passage means?"
"Loving the people is the same as serving heaven, right?"
"Correct. And this part?"
"Hm... If a lord loses virtue, his vassal must correct him. But Master, what if he gives counsel and it's ignored?"
Master Chae paused at Lu Bu's question. There's a saying: 'Teach one, know ten.'
Ordinary people barely grasp one when taught one. Prodigies grasp three. Geniuses grasp ten.
But Lu Bu grasped four. Somewhere between prodigy and genius.
"Heh... A man of both letters and arms."
Master Chae marveled. To think such talent had been buried in the borderlands. But as he taught more, one oddity stood out.
Lu Bu asked excessively about 'betrayal.'
"Master, is a vassal betraying his lord always evil?"
"It depends. If the lord is a tyrant..."
"So betrayal can be justified for righteousness?"
"Well... That's a matter for caution."
Days later, an even blunter question came.
"Master, what if someone must serve multiple lords?"
"Multiple lords?"
"Yes. The first dies, so he serves the second, who also dies, leading to a third... Is that betrayal?"
Master Chae couldn't help tilting his head.
"That's not betrayal. If he served loyally and the lord died, serving a new one is natural."
"Then... what if all those lords were villains?"
"Hm?"
Lu Bu's questions grew ever more specific.
"The first lord tormented the people, the second was worse, the third even more so... Wouldn't killing them all be righteous?"
Master Chae felt a chill. There was a strange earnestness in Lu Bu's questions.
"You don't mean..."
"Master?"
Lu Bu asked innocently. But Master Chae knew. This wasn't mere curiosity.
"No. It's all just theory."
Master Chae glossed over it. But unease settled in his heart. Time passed, and Lu Bu stopped hiding, asking outright.
"Master, how do you strike from behind while upholding the greater good?"
"What?"
"Ah, I mean... If it looks like betrayal to others but is truly for a greater cause... How should one act?"
Lu Bu spoke casually, but a chill ran down Master Chae's spine.
'What on earth is this man thinking?'
Lu Bu was undoubtedly exceptional. His martial prowess was rare in the realm, and he had scholarly talent too. The ideal hero, versed in both.
But his constant questions on betrayal filled Master Chae with dread.
"Master, what will you teach today?"
Today too, Lu Bu appeared with bright eyes, book in hand.
Master Chae gazed at him, thinking.
'This disciple... could he be...'
But the thought was too horrifying to pursue.
Master Chae shook his head and opened the book. He'd focus on teaching for now.
Other matters could wait.
"Today, let's learn of the way between lord and vassal."
"Yes, Master!"
Lu Bu's eyes sparkled. To Master Chae, that gleam felt somehow eerie.
"That's enough for today."
At Master's words, I closed the book and stood. I'd tossed a few more questions about betrayal today. Master still eyed me warily.
Well, naturally. When your disciple keeps asking how to stab in the back, suspicion's inevitable.
"See you tomorrow, Master."
"Yes, go carefully."
Leaving Master's residence, I pondered.
It's been weeks studying scriptures with him now, but it's been surprisingly useful. Not just learning characters, but crafting 'justifications.'
'Gonna use it on bastards like Ding Yuan or Dong Zhuo when I meet them.'
The path back to my tent was as usual. But as I neared camp, something felt off.
It was noisier than normal. And unfamiliar horses were tied out front.
"What the...?"
Entering the tent, Wei Sok greeted me from the corner with an irritated face.
"Brother! You're finally here!"
"What's up? What happened?"
Wei Sok nodded toward one side. Three or four strangers sat there, dressed differently. Silk robes with gold trim. Clearly high-status types.
"Those guys showed up before you got back and waited ages. They started off polite, but got arrogant as time dragged."
I nodded at his words and eyed them. The one in the center stood and approached upon seeing me.
"So you're the famed Wolf of Saibang."
His tone rubbed me wrong from the start. The haughty way superiors talk down to inferiors.
"Hmph, yeah, that's me. Who the hell are you to strut around my tent?"
My words made his eyes flicker. The look screamed, 'Borderland brute, no manners.'
"Insolent cur. I am the envoy of Bing Province Governor Lord Ding. A bumpkin like you..."
"Ah, Lord Ding?"
I cut him off. Finally here—the first bastard I'd been waiting for.
The envoy softened a bit at my reaction.
"Yes. Governor Ding values your talent and summons you. This is a great honor..."
"Hold on."
I raised a hand to stop him and glanced around. My men were gathering to watch.
"Sit first. This ain't standing talk."
The envoy looked miffed at my casual speech but sat. I took a seat opposite and asked.
"So why's Lord Ding summoning me?"
"The Governor praises your valor. He knows well of your feats against bandits and barbarians here."
"And?"
"He wishes to employ you centrally. With fitting rank and treatment, of course."
I smirked inwardly at his words.
'Right on cue.'
I knew what Ding Yuan wanted. Reel in a brute like me for his own use.
But I wasn't the old me. I had Master Chae's lessons now.
"Intriguing offer. But I got a question."
"Hm? What?"
"I'm an ignorant fool, so who exactly is Lord Ding?"
The envoy seemed momentarily thrown. Probably didn't expect that.
"Why... The Governor labors for Bing Province's stability..."
"Stability?"
I tilted my head.
"So Lord Ding's a fine man working for the people?"
"Hah, you don't even know that? Of course the Governor loves the people—"
Laughter bubbled inside as he spoke.
Loves the people? Then why no reinforcements when barbarians raid Saibang?
But I kept a serious face.
"The more I hear, the greater he sounds. Can you tell me more about his specific deeds?"
"Hm, if you want details that much, serve him and find out."
"Ah, right."
I propped my chin, pretending to think. Decision was made. I'd go—but my way.
'First, lead that bastard right. If not... For the greater good Master taught, stab him in the back!'
"Understood."
Relief flashed on the envoy's face.
"Hm, wise choice! The Governor will be pleased!"
"But with conditions."
His face hardened again.
"What... conditions?"
"Wanna bring my men too. And hear how Saibang's defense'll be handled."
"Your men... how many?"
"Not many. Dozens at most?"
He exchanged looks with his fellows and nodded.
"That should be fine."
"When do I leave?"
"Sooner the better... Tomorrow, even..."
"Tomorrow's too soon."
I shook my head.
"Give me a few days. Gotta prepare, and leaving Saibang means farewells."
He looked displeased but nodded reluctantly.
"Fine. Three days' grace..."
"Make it a clean week."
"A week's too long."
"One week."
My firm tone silenced him.
"Very well. Depart in one week. Prepare yourselves."
The envoys left, and the tent quieted. My men gathered around.
"Brother, you really going?"
Wei Sok asked worriedly.
"We live fine here. Why head there...?"
"Gotta go."
I fiddled with my spear as I spoke.
Wei Sok still looked confused. Naturally—he couldn't know my heart.
'Meet this Ding Yuan first... Guide him right like Master taught.'
If he truly cared for the people, I might help. If he's just a power-hungry dog...
No choice then.
"Sigh, if it's your call, Brother, I'll follow."
The others nodded too. These simple guys trusted only me.
"Thanks. Gear up tight. We leave in a week."
"Yes, Captain!"