Chapter Eighty-Two: Swearing Allegiance to a Foster Father

In the previous chapter, it was mentioned that Murong Yan was investigating Li Yiqing’s unauthorized theft of the treasures and had ordered his execution. The officers in the tent hurried forward to plead for mercy. Some said, “Considering Li Yiqing’s many past achievements, let him live this time!” Others argued, “Though Li Yiqing acted without permission, he managed to recover the sacred objects, which counts as merit. Please, Marshal, balance his merits against his faults.” Still others urged, “Li Yiqing is a rare talent. To execute him now would be a waste. Spare his life and observe his future conduct.”

Murong Yan herself was reluctant to kill him, only using the situation to assert her authority. Seeing so many officers pleading, her expression softened considerably. But how could she yield so easily? She kept her stern face and said, “Officers, Li Yiqing disregarded military orders and entered the enemy camp to steal treasures. Though he succeeded, his disobedience cannot go unpunished! If I let this offense pass, who among you will dare follow orders in the future? This crime cannot be forgiven!”

The officers noted her softened demeanor and sensed an opening. They quickly agreed, “Marshal, you are absolutely right. Still, Li Yiqing’s merits offset his faults; he does not deserve death. Please, Marshal, be lenient.” Murong Yan looked at them, aware of their camaraderie, and nodded. “Since you all plead for him, I’ll give you this favor and let him return.”

She ordered the soldiers, “Bring Li Yiqing back.” Soon, Li Yiqing was pushed and shoved back by the guards. Murong Yan struck the judge’s block and shouted, “Bang! It’s not that I won’t kill you, but the officers have pleaded, and I remember your past merits. Today, I spare your life but dock a year’s pay. Do you accept?”

Li Yiqing was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Marshal, for sparing my life!” The soldiers untied him, and he got up, bowing several times before preparing to slip aside.

“Li Yiqing, tell me in detail about your adventure last night—what did you find in the enemy camp? Leave nothing out!” Murong Yan stopped him and questioned him about the events.

Li Yiqing immediately ordered the soldiers outside to carry in the treasures he had recovered. Everyone gazed at the six treasures, each exquisitely crafted and extraordinary, exclaiming in admiration. Hearing their praises, Li Yiqing grew proud and recounted his adventure in detail. The tense and perilous moments drew gasps from the officers.

When he spoke of Xu Zhihui, Li Yiqing could not help but weep. The officers learned how Xu Zhihui, in order to save Li Yiqing, fought desperately and was struck down by Tuo Li Bao, each reacting differently—some sighed, some were shocked, others doubted. No one had expected such a transformation in Xu Zhihui.

Murong Yan’s face changed abruptly, and she cried, “Senior Brother!” Tears fell like pearls. As everyone mourned, suddenly, a voice called from outside, “Li Yiqing has returned! Where is Li Yiqing?” A man burst in, red-haired and bearded—it was the Fire God True Lord, Xu Yaozu.

Murong Yan signaled with her eyes, and everyone quickly stifled their emotions and acted as though nothing had happened. Xu Yaozu entered the command tent, looking around. Upon seeing Li Yiqing, he was overjoyed and rushed forward to embrace him. “Good child, I heard you went to Luoyan Ridge last night. Did you see my Zhihui?”

Seeing Li Yiqing silent, Xu Yaozu studied him closely and noticed his red eyes. His expression darkened. “Good child! Did Xu Zhihui bully you? Tell me—your uncle will make it right!” He looked at everyone, noting their gloom and silence. Realizing something was wrong, he pressed Li Yiqing, “Speak! What happened to my Zhihui? Is he dead or alive? Or did he do something disgraceful? Just say it!”

Li Yiqing knew he could no longer hide the truth and recounted the events of the previous night. When he spoke of Xu Zhihui’s death at the hands of Tuo Li Bao, Xu Yaozu was stunned, frozen in place. Everyone panicked, calling out to him, but Xu Yaozu did not respond.

Just as everyone was at a loss, suddenly, “Ha ha ha…” Xu Yaozu burst into wild laughter. Then, he cried out, “Zhihui, my son, you died well! You died well! With your death, you have restored your father’s honor and redeemed yourself from shame. It was worth it!” Before the words had faded, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed straight to the ground!

Xu Yaozu’s collapse and bleeding threw everyone into chaos. Murong Yan cried out, “Master!” Tears streamed down her face. The others rushed forward to help, and Ye Feng called for the soldiers to summon the army doctor.

The command tent was a scene of pandemonium. The army doctor came and treated Xu Yaozu with acupuncture and medicine. With a groan, Xu Yaozu awoke, and his first words were, “Zhihui, you died so tragically!” Then he broke into loud sobs. Everyone shed tears with him.

Murong Yan gently comforted him, “Master, the dead cannot return. Please do not grieve too much.” She ordered the soldiers to carry Xu Yaozu away to rest. After he left, Murong Yan instructed Li Yiqing to reclaim the treasures.

Li Yiqing clasped his fists and bowed. “Mar…Marshal, I…Li Yiqing roam the Demon-Slaying Realm, relying on my agility and freedom of movement. Carrying so many treasures is a burden to me. Rather than keep them, it would be better to let Deputy Marshal Ye Feng control them, so they can be put to greater use. Would you permit this, Marshal?”

Murong Yan smiled and nodded. “Granted.” Ye Feng was startled and waved his hands. “No! General Li, you risked your life to retrieve these treasures—how can you simply give them away? I, Ye Feng, have not earned such a reward and dare not accept this great gift!”

Li Yiqing urged him, “Deputy Marshal Ye, don’t be so modest! Everyone knows you are the most skilled, your demon-slaying arts are unmatched, and you’ve reached the stage of split-form. With these six treasures, you will be even more formidable, helping us slay more demon soldiers and achieve greater merits!”

Ye Feng saw he could not decline and proposed, “General Li, I accept your kindness. But please, look over these six treasures and choose one you like for yourself. The rest I will take; is that acceptable?”

Li Yiqing recognized Ye Feng’s gesture and, to encourage him to accept, made no further fuss. He stepped forward, looked left and right, and finally chose a transparent small brick, about three inches wide and five inches long, tucking it into his treasure pouch.

“Deputy Marshal Ye, I won’t stand on ceremony. This small brick was used by Tuo Li Bao to strike me, so I’ll keep it—one day, I’ll return the favor!” Li Yiqing’s words were full of grim resolve, remembering the grudge.

Ye Feng quickly bowed and took the remaining treasures. The group then discussed military affairs.

Ye Feng reported, “Marshal, Tuo Li Bao’s treasures have been stolen by us, leaving only his steel spear and moonlit armor. These pose no threat to us now. Next, we should plan to capture Luoyan Ridge and march on the Demon Capital as soon as possible.”

Murong Yan was full of confidence and nodded, “Exactly. From tomorrow, if Tuo Li Bao comes to challenge us, we will meet him. If he doesn’t, send an officer to his ridge to provoke him and vent our anger. If he still avoids battle, we’ll mobilize the whole army and storm Luoyan Ridge!”

The officers were eager, preparing to request battle. Ye Feng cautioned, “No, Luoyan Ridge’s terrain is treacherous; it cannot be stormed directly.” Li Yiqing stepped forward, clasping his fists, “Marshal, I am willing to lead another force to sneak in from the rear of Luoyan Ridge and launch a surprise attack.”

Ye Feng shook his head, “That tactic won’t work now. Tuo Li Bao is cautious and sly. After last night’s commotion, he will be on guard. If we try the same approach, and are discovered, the losses will be great.”

Seeing every plan rejected, the officers were stumped. At last, Ye Feng said, “We should surround Luoyan Ridge and see how much food they have and how long they can hold out. Wait for their situation to change.”

The officers agreed. Murong Yan immediately redeployed the troops, encircling Luoyan Ridge tightly. Each day, an officer was sent to challenge at the ridge, but Tuo Li Bao no longer emerged to fight.

At this point, the righteous army had the advantage, morale was high, but Xu Yaozu remained bedridden, his condition unchanged.

One day, Murong Yan and Ye Feng found time and went to visit Xu Yaozu. They found him pale and dazed, staring blankly. Murong Yan bowed, “Master, are you well?” Ye Feng also bowed, “Elder Xu, do not grieve. Though Xu Zhihui is gone, you have us! Marshal Murong and I will care for you as our own father.”

Hearing this, Xu Yaozu was moved. “Good child, you truly are good. Zhihui poisoned you and made trouble for you at every turn—do you not bear any grudge?”

Ye Feng waved his hand, “Elder, Xu Zhihui was confused for a time. How could I bear a grudge? Besides, Xu Zhihui died saving Li Yiqing, fighting bravely—he was a true patriot and hero. I have even less reason to hold anything against him.”

With that, he dropped to his knees with a thud, and knocked his head three times. “Elder, with Xu Zhihui gone, let me care for you in his place! If you don’t mind, I, Ye Feng, wish to become your adopted son and care for you in your old age. If I have children in the future, the first will take your surname Xu.”

Xu Yaozu was overjoyed, tears streaming down his face. He hurriedly helped Ye Feng up. “Good child! Good child! What virtue do I have to accept you as my son? Your sincerity brings me great joy! Stand up!”

He looked to the sky and called out, “Zhihui, did you hear? Feng has forgiven you; you may rest in peace!” Murong Yan also comforted him, “Master, Brother Feng is sincere—please accept him! From now on, we are your children. If you need anything, just ask, and we will serve you well.”

Xu Yaozu, eyes full of tears, nodded repeatedly, “Good children, you are all good! With you, I am not lonely!” Ye Feng called, “Father!” Xu Yaozu’s eyes sparkled with tears, his face beaming with happiness, nodding again and again. “Ah! To gain a son in my old age is a blessing from heaven. Whatever you need, ask your father—my very life is yours!”

He opened his arms and embraced Ye Feng tightly. Murong Yan watched with a sweet smile.

While so much had changed in the righteous army’s camp, on Luoyan Ridge, Tuo Li Bao wore a troubled face. Of his eight treasures, six had been stolen, leaving only the Moonlit Armor and Steel Spear. He knew the enemy camp was full of capable people; with only these two treasures, he could not hope to win.

He wanted to break through the encirclement and seek reinforcements. But where could he turn? His first thought was his master, the Old Demon in the Purple Robe. Yet, he had already deceived his junior brother, Wolfwood Osmanthus, and was afraid his master would kill him before he could even ask for help. How could he dare return to Rooster Hill?

He pondered long and hard, unable to find any powerful allies. As he was flustered and at a loss, two demon soldiers, one tall and one short, entered noisily.

“Prime Minister, we’ve been wronged! Please judge fairly!” The two little demons knelt and knocked their heads, crying pitifully.

“What’s this commotion? Speak quickly!” Tuo Li Bao was irritated, and his angry shout made them jump.

“Prime Minister, it’s like this,” said the tall demon, eager to explain. The dispute arose from a debt. The tall demon had lent the short demon two silver coins. Since they lived far apart, repayment was difficult. The tall demon entrusted another friendly demon to deliver the coins to the short demon. When his friend returned, he claimed to have handed over the coins personally. The tall demon was reassured.

But when he met the short demon here, the short demon insisted the coins had not been returned and demanded payment again. The two demons quarreled.

“Bang!” Hearing the story, Tuo Li Bao grew furious and slammed the table. “Where is the one you entrusted?”

The tall demon reported, “Prime Minister, my friend died on the battlefield—there’s no witness, and this short demon is deliberately cheating.”

“Oh, this…” Tuo Li Bao was stumped. It was an unsolvable case—who could settle it without witnesses?

His frustration deepened. He slammed the table, stood up, and cursed, “You two—”

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him. He realized that with Wolfwood Osmanthus dead and no witnesses, he could fabricate whatever story he wished for his master. His master would have no choice but to believe him!

He slapped his thigh in delight—now he had a way to ask his master for help!