Volume Two: The Outlaws Here Chapter Eighty-Three: The Hunters’ Gathering

Some are extinguished amid prosperity, losing all vitality; others stride out of the ruins, awaiting the dawn.
Hope and slaughter—upon whose shoulders will their paths converge once more?

Were this question posed within Saddle Horse City, every voice would answer with unexpected unanimity, each bowed with utmost humility before a legendary name.
Ma Hui, who climbed from piles of corpses to touch the heavens, is, at least outwardly, the supreme warlord of the Northern Territory.
At this moment, this warlord finds himself troubled; even his smile is frozen on his face.

"Are they starving ghosts, to eat so much?"
Ma Hui found it amusing in his heart, shaking his head as he watched Lin Changtian and his companions, whom he had invited into his mansion.
"Truly, wild men of the mountains, ignorant of etiquette..."
Thinking thus, he summoned a retainer and pointed to Lin Changtian, saying, "The guests from Sishan have travelled far to my Saddle Horse City—they must be exhausted. How could distinguished visitors be lodged at an inn outside? Go and prepare some vacant rooms for them to rest."
Lin Changtian hurriedly waved his hand, ignoring the chaos at the table, and clasped his hands respectfully to Ma Hui. "Marshal, your willingness to receive us is already a great honor; how could we trouble you further? Most of us are rough men, unrestrained in our ways—better not to disturb the ladies of your household."

"Very well, we'll do it your way. But make sure to reserve the best rooms, and put it all on the official account!" Ma Hui waved his hand and set down his teacup, unable to mask his irritation.
Lin Changtian took no offense, bowed, and led his commanders out.

Du Zhaolin, standing nearby, stepped forward quickly. "Marshal, please calm yourself. These are festive days—no need to let a group of mountain villagers spoil your mood."
"Mountain villagers?" All impatience vanished from Ma Hui's face. He rose, smiling at Du Zhaolin. "Mountain villagers would not warrant being summoned into my mansion, Zhaolin. Don't be distracted by their empty courtesies. Did you notice the subtle gestures of these outlaws?"
Du Zhaolin bowed, shaking his head. "You know me, Marshal. I always judge by faces—their schemes are written plainly on their brows. I've never cared what they do in secret."

"That's what's wrong with your nature—cautious yet stubborn. Remember, such lapses can cost you dearly!" Ma Hui glanced at him with displeasure, sipped his tea, and continued, "The one on the left eats most crudely, but if you stare at him, he'll meet your gaze immediately. His roughness is just to free his hands quickly, prepared for any sudden event. As for the one in the far-right corner, his eyes are cold, eating slowly and deliberately. If my guess is right, he's seen the grandest occasions, and... perhaps he's a master assassin."

"But if these Sishan outlaws are so dangerous, why did you play host and then hurry them out?"
"I'm afraid for my life," Ma Hui replied calmly, fixing his gaze on Du Zhaolin's astonished face.

The steam from his teacup had faded; Du Zhaolin quickly refilled it with fresh tea. "Please, don't jest, Marshal. I've seen you wade through mountains of corpses and seas of blood—you're a step from the title of 'King.' How could you... fear death?"

Ma Hui laughed, disregarding the scalding tea as he drained his cup. "When armies face off, it's often the side underestimated at first that survives to the end. Do you remember this truth?"

"Wise ruler, I dare not forget! That lesson was once nailed in thin paper to our city walls. Lin Yuan seized the three towns to the west—what right did he have to boast? That humiliation has long been etched in our bones; sooner or later, it will be repaid."

"Ambition is good," Ma Hui's smile remained unchanged. He straightened up, looking toward the west and speaking loudly, "But hatred only inspires fear when it's buried deep in your bones. Once you flaunt it, however fierce you appear, it's empty bluster. I know better than you the nature of my commanders—they've long been cowed by Lin Yuan."

Du Zhaolin bowed, silent.

"I thought the one I should truly fear was the old man absent from today's hall, but as for that Sishan fellow—he looks ordinary, yet he's the one I can't see through. His roughness is genuine, but his manners are impeccable, even thorough. Outwardly, he's a small fry, but has he ever bowed his body from start to finish? Even when replying to me, hmph, he remained so defiant!"
Suddenly, Ma Hui flew into a rage, drawing his long blade from his waist and hacking wildly at the table where Lin Changtian had sat, acting almost demented, entirely unlike his earlier calm. It was as if two souls were trading places within the same shell.

Du Zhaolin's expression did not change; he seemed long accustomed to the ruler's ways. He remained bowed, waiting quietly for Ma Hui's outburst to subside.

Night had fallen to its deepest. Ma Hui collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily but speaking with great satisfaction, "This violence comes and goes—truly uncontrollable. Forgive me for startling you."

"Marshal, in my opinion, perhaps it's best to give up that sword technique..."
"Zhaolin, without it, what right do I have to sit here?" Ma Hui, seeing Du Zhaolin's acquiescence, softened his tone. "What you say is not wrong—I should try it, I must try! Tomorrow, Liang Ji is to set up a tournament for his wedding festivities, yes? Find a way to get the Sishan men to participate. Make sure they do, understand?"

Du Zhaolin nodded, bowed deeply, and departed.

Ma Hui was left alone in the hall. He stared outside, lost in thought, then, remembering something, touched his swollen tongue and searched for ointment for burns—the water had been boiling too fiercely...

He fumbled clumsily, embarrassed to the extreme.

...

"Marshal Ma Hui may be the Northern warlord, but his conduct is far from proper! He hustled us out, then sent Du Zhaolin to instruct us about some tournament—does he take Sishan for beggars, to be summoned and dismissed at whim?" Qi Yong fumed, gripping his long blade, ready to stir up trouble in Saddle Horse City at the slightest provocation.

Lin Changtian shot him a glare. Noting everyone's indignation, he rose to shut the windows and doors before speaking slowly. "Ma Hui is no ordinary opponent. Our display of roughness likely failed to lower his guard, which is why he's probing us now. This is a chance to gauge the prowess of his commanders."

"But who will step up tomorrow?" asked Chen Mo, his face full of resentment. He was a skilled fighter in 'Yu,' yet today he'd been slighted by a mere Northern bandit.

Lin Changtian yawned, surveying his men.

Qi Yong leapt to his feet. "Marshal, you know me—my blows are never restrained. It's not that I'm outmatched in single combat, but I've seen Liang Ji, soft and delicate. What if I accidentally kill him?"

Lu Liang nodded vigorously, clearly siding with Qi Yong.

Chen Mo waved his hand, his tone icy. "I never slay the nameless. I've never heard of this man, so I won't go!"

"Spare me! Who nearly lost his life to Zhang Cheng in Fan City back then?"
"I hadn't heard of Zhang Cheng, either. Losing to the unknown is normal. I told you, I don't slay the nameless."

Lin Changtian was left speechless by Chen Mo's retort. His eyes flickered, settling on Liu Qingshan.

"I could go, but once I act, the mighty of the Northern Territory will surely take notice. When the fighting starts, I can't guarantee anyone's safety. If you're caught in the crossfire, don't blame me when you meet your maker."

"If none of you will go, then as Sishan's commander, I must..." Lin Changtian blinked, speaking slowly as everyone waited expectantly, "I must reluctantly appoint Xu Yong to fight in tomorrow's tournament. Any objections?"

"Wait, this is too hasty. I came to curb my desires and offer blessings to Gongsun Twelve. If you insist on this, am I to win or lose?" Xu Yong's face flushed as he pointed at Lin Changtian. "Hey, did you hear something? Anyone else catch that?"

The generals all shook their heads, insisting the commander was overworked and hallucinating.

Xu Yong, bewildered, watched as Lin Changtian sighed. "Sishan truly is united—we reach consensus on even the greatest decisions. It's settled, then."

But the voice of democracy ended abruptly as a chill emanated from Xu Yong.

"Look at you," Lin Changtian said helplessly, "how can you turn against a unanimous decision? That’s against democracy..."

The cold froze Lin Changtian's nose, silencing him at once.

"Give me a reasonable explanation and I'll fight in tomorrow's tournament; otherwise, don't blame me for forgetting old ties tonight!"

Lin Changtian, full of grievance and a hint of jealousy, replied, "So this is what men are like? With new loves, old ones are forgotten. Go on, I'll work on Xu Yong's attitude."

The generals accepted their orders, laughing as they dispersed.

"You've really lost your nerve?" Lin Changtian wiped frost from his nose, chiding Xu Yong.
"What else am I to do—go crash the wedding? I've only met her once, brother. Besides, causing trouble in Ma Hui's territory is suicidal." Xu Yong shook his head, his expression dejected.

"Look at yourself, so infuriating. I’ll say it now: back in university, you never fought for anything. Even the scholarship meant for you was given away!"

Xu Yong straightened his collar, replying earnestly, "He later gave me twice the amount. He wanted fame, I made money—why not?"

"Was it truly such a good deal? Why did you look so defeated, even drawing sympathy from classmates?"

Xu Yong shot him a lazy look. "It's just my nature—lazy, always appearing that way. Rather than say I changed, it's more that do-gooders found an opportunity for justice."

"That's a bit much," Lin Changtian smiled, though he offered no real rebuttal.

"There's nothing wrong with it. Some had genuine justice in their hearts, and I repaid their kindness in some measure. But most? Curse me to my face, then buddy up behind my back, hoping to get a meal out of it. Besides, only three people knew the truth—it was another candidate's resentment, using me to dull the winner's shine." Xu Yong spoke with breezy indifference, clearly accustomed to such intrigue. "I admired you back then. They call me lazy, but you never compete with others, Lin Changtian. You’d take your evening walks rain or shine, mind lost in thought, not needing to explain yourself. Few friends, but one Kui Sheng was enough. Honestly... quite carefree."

Lin Changtian shook his head, pursed his lips, and said no more.

"So, you really should face Liang Ji tomorrow. Treat it as testing Ma Hui's commanders for Sishan—alright?"

"That's more like it. Remember, I'm not doing this for Gongsun Twelve—my heart is all for Sishan!" Xu Yong replied solemnly, making a silly face at Lin Changtian, then turning to leave.

Lin Changtian shook his head, gazing at the flickering candle on the table. He decided to read a couple of books before sleeping.

...

As snores rose, the quiet night was emptied of all words.