Chapter 7: A Flash of Steel

The boy who had been clinging to the neck of the wild horse was illuminated by the torchlight of those pursuing him on chariots, revealing his face and appearance.

He was a boy with long hair tied behind his back and blue eyes.

He wore fine silk garments, and at his waist hung a sword in a silver sheath.

Though stained with mud, his skin was as white as jade, making it easy to tell that he was of no low status.

At the same time, Lu Wucheng thought this was an opportunity.

If he saved that boy, he might obtain a horse.

—It may be despicable to take advantage of another’s plight for one’s own gain.

But that boy is in trouble as well.

If he is captured by those on the chariots, he will not be spared.

Saving him is surely a good deed.

If both sides benefit—he gains a horse, and the boy escapes danger—then that is enough, Lu Wucheng justified to himself.

—Besides, regardless of the circumstances, those who chase a lone boy with armed chariots cannot be decent people.

Driving them off here would be for the good of the world.

Thinking so, Lu Wucheng circled around and stood in front of the boy as if shielding him.

“Stop right there, you villains.”

Both the boy and the soldiers on the chariots were momentarily confused by the sudden intruder.

Lu Wucheng gently set Jin down and entrusted him to the boy.

“I will assist you, so take care of this child.”

He spoke briefly, then reached for the boy’s waist, grasped the sword, and drew it.

At the moment, Lu Wucheng had abandoned his staff and bow to carry Jin, so he had no choice but to borrow the boy’s sword.

“I will borrow this for a while.

Compared to your life, it is a small price.”

With that, Lu Wucheng faced the soldiers once more.

Some held long polearms with iron blades, while others had arrows nocked on their bows.

“Whoever you are, leave if you value your life.”

One of the soldiers spoke arrogantly.

It was only natural.

In fact, Lu Wucheng thought it almost civilized that they did not immediately attack without question.

His actions were that reckless.

Yet Lu Wucheng remained calm.

Slowly approaching the chariot, he suddenly stepped forward and thrust the tip of the sword into the eye of one of the horses pulling it.

The horse reared wildly, causing the chariot to shake.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lu Wucheng moved to the side, leaped onto the chariot, and in an instant beheaded the three soldiers aboard.

Before the soldiers on the other two chariots could recover from their shock, Lu Wucheng picked up a torch and hurled it at the chariot on the left.

At the same time, he leaped onto the chariot on the right and, just as swiftly, cut down all the soldiers aboard.

The remaining soldiers on the last chariot panicked atop the burning vehicle.

Lu Wucheng picked up a bow and spoke.

“I should warn you, I can use a bow as well.”

His voice was low and threatening.

“If you withdraw quietly, all is well.

Otherwise, I will have to let the bowstring sing three times.”

Threatened thus, the soldiers hesitated.

After exchanging glances, they abandoned their chariot and fled in haste.

What remained were the corpses of soldiers, one burning chariot, and one intact chariot.

Each chariot was drawn by three horses.

Though one had been blinded by Lu Wucheng, five healthy horses still remained.

—This should allow us to reach Buyong without issue.

Though he thought this, Lu Wucheng did not show it.

Instead, he approached the boy and wiped the blood from the sword with the hem of his clothes before returning it.

“Are you unharmed, young one?”

Lu Wucheng gave no hint that he had acted out of calculation, instead showing concern for the boy.

“…Y-yes.

You have my thanks.”

The boy replied, his voice cracking slightly.

However, his manner of speech carried the tone of someone of high status.

“Now then, may I ask what circumstances led to you being pursued by those men?”

“That… I cannot say.”

The boy still seemed wary of Lu Wucheng.

It was understandable that he could not immediately trust someone, even one who had saved him.

Lu Wucheng sensed there must be reasons for that and chose to change his approach.

“We are on our way to Buyong in the State of Fan.

Where are you headed?”

“A-Anyu.”

Lu Wucheng’s brow twitched slightly.

Anyu was a city within Fan, governed by the Wei clan, the middle ministers of Fan.

“We are traveling to Buyong.

If you do not mind stopping there first, I could escort you to Anyu afterward.

What do you say?”

Though it did not suit him, Lu Wucheng spoke as politely as he could.

“Hmm… that is…”

The boy frowned.

“I-I will reward you well.

So please, could you take me to Anyu first?”

“That cannot be done.”

Lu Wucheng said firmly.

“I have made a promise to someone to deliver this boy, Jin, to Buyong.”

“…How much were you paid?

I will give you twice that amount—no, three times.

So please, take me to Anyu first.”

The boy was desperate.

However, Lu Wucheng did not yield.

“It is not a matter of payment.

It is simply that I have a prior obligation.

If you cannot accept that, then you should abandon the idea of relying on me and go on your own.”

Faced with such a blunt response, the boy’s expression darkened.

Then, stubbornly, he shouted:

“I am the fourth prince of the King of Yu—Jiang Zilan!”