Li Yan maintained a stoic expression as he quietly moved his finger from the man's eyelid to the philtrum, heaving a deep sigh before turning around.
"What's the matter, Deng Brothers?"
Deng Tianxiong, a tower of a man despite his injuries, still exuded an overwhelming presence with his spear-like stance.
"We've caught a spy, possibly one of the Japanese Pirates."
"If he's one of the Japanese Pirates, just behead him; there's no need to inform me."
Li Yan offered a faint smile.
"Spare me! Spare me, I beg you!"
Li Yan shifted his gaze to the source of the plea—a man in his thirties, dressed in a pale blue cloth robe and a round, gauze hat, looking so frail as if a gust of wind could topple him.
He was being dragged along by two soldiers of the Ming Army, stumbling forward.
Li Yan had previously used the Yellow Turban Talisman on six men; three, including Deng Tianxiong, had regained their mobility, while the injuries of the other two had stabilized and would pose no serious issue after a few days of rest.
"This man was hiding in a barrel. When I lifted the lid, he started spouting Japanese."
Deng Tianxiong pointed at the man.
"Heavenly Soldiers' Bright Mirror, Heavenly Soldiers' Bright Mirror."
The frail man was trembling like chaff in the wind, his face streaming with cold sweat, "I am but a humble translator for the Han City Government, accompanying Vice Commander Zha to Pyongyang."
Li Yan sized him up.
"You understand Japanese?"
Mention of his profession seemed to calm the man, who glanced at the young man addressing him. With his lean build, high cheekbones, and eyes bright as stars, he wore a half grey robe with bloodstains crisscrossing his split riding skirt.
Collecting his thoughts, his fair face took on a scholarly air, "Since childhood, I sailed with my father. Not only do I know Japanese, but I also have some understanding of the Red-bearded barbarians' language."
A smile blossomed on Li Yan's face as he gestured for the Ming soldiers to release the man's shoulders.
"May I inquire as to how you address yourself?"
"I have always admired Han Family Culture. My family name is Song, given name is Ji, and being the second in my family, I was named Song Joong-ki, after the idea of an elder brother."
"A fine name indeed."
Li Yan patted the man's shoulder.
"Song Tongyi, in the belly of the enemy, we brothers only seek a way to survive. We intend to head south to rejoin our camp, and along the way, we will be in your debt."
"Of course, of course," Song Joong-ki bowed deeply, though inwardly he was filled with dread.
At the moment the lid was lifted, he thought he had been discovered by Japanese Pirates, hence he cried out for help in Japanese. Little did he expect it would be the Ming Army.
While the Ming Dynasty Army might be allies, they often treated Korean nationals with arrogance. These brash soldiers, in particular, were audacious enough to consider returning to camp even as the Japanese Pirates had all but conquered Korea—a clear underestimation of the force currently occupying Pyongyang City, as if they were taking on a trivial challenge.
Finding himself in such a dire situation, Song Tongyi harbored no shortage of resentment towards the Ming Army. Throughout the journey, he had mocked the fragility of the Korean military with biting sarcasm, yet in the end, had they not crumbled at the first blow? Now, he was being dragged along to face death.
Although he cursed up a storm in his heart, the interpreter's face betrayed none of his inner turmoil.
The man before him had the look of someone both ruthless and decisive. For now, he maintained a veneer of respect, but Song Tongyi knew that any sign of disrespect on his part might provoke a swift and brutal response, as easy as slaughtering a chicken.
Li Yan leaned close to Deng Tianxiong and whispered, "Tianxiong, keep an eye on him. We're strangers in a strange land, and if we want to survive, we can't do without him. If he dares to flee, show no mercy."
The problem was that he didn't let Song Tongyi out of his sight, glancing at him occasionally while speaking. Phrases like "keep an eye on him" and "show no mercy" drifted on the wind to Song Tongyi's ears, sending a chill down his spine, even as he maintained a smile of composure.
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Li Yan and his men had found over twenty survivors on the vast battlefield, but could only rally nine. The rest were either too grievously wounded or too incapacitated to move, and had to be left behind.
Among these, some held onto their pride, while others wept bitterly, begging for mercy. Li Yan's face remained stern, and Deng Tianxiong clenched his jaw tightly.
Including Li Yan, out of the ten, seven could walk, taking turns to support the three injured. These were men exhausted and wounded, in no condition for combat, and would be of no use if they encountered Japanese pirates. However, once their wounds healed, their combat prowess was not something to be underestimated, certainly not by any single fighter.
The group of ten set out, taking advantage of the early morning sun melting the snow, heading towards the foothills.
...
"Thump, thump, thump..."
A face appeared at the door, a man in his forties, his face weathered by the elements.
Song Tongyi swallowed hard and spoke in Korean, tinged with a Pyongyang accent:
"Old man, we are soldiers of the Great Ming, here to fight the Japanese pirates. You..."
At the mention of "Great Ming," the man quickly braced the door tighter, his voice tinged with panic:
"Go to another house, don't bring trouble upon me..."
Although Li Yan couldn't understand the language, he was no fool. With a nudge of his elbow and a sneer on his face, he implied it was not up to the man.
How could a mere villager, let alone one who had faced the enhanced prowess of Li Yan, who had been strengthened by the mythical Guhuo Bird, hope to resist? The door was violently pushed open, and the villager stumbled to the ground. From inside the house came the startled cries of a woman.
One by one, soldiers in military attire filed in, most armed and carrying the heavy scent of blood. The villager had initially grabbed a kitchen knife from the chopping board, but a fierce glare from the formidable Deng Tianxiong made him drop it in fright.
Inside the house were two women, one old and one young, likely the wife and daughter of the man.
The girl, just reaching the age of the cardamom, was huddled in the corner of the kang, shivering uncontrollably, while the older woman was prostrating on the ground, ceaselessly begging for mercy.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"Tell him we're imperial troops, not Japanese pirates," Li Yan said to Song Tongyi with an impassive face. "My brother is injured and we just want to ask for some hot water, nothing more."
"Don't play any tricks, and don't harm anyone."
Song Joong-ki helped the woman to her feet and babbled away for quite some time. Only then did the household begin to regain their composure.
"Which of you brothers has some silver on you?"
The soldiers looked at each other, until a short-statured private spoke up.
"My mother gave me a longevity lock, it's made of pure silver."
This man, Wang Sheng, though not as skilled in military techniques as Deng Tianxiong, who had an impressive 70% proficiency, possessed a skill known as the Art of Heaven's Sight and Earth's Hearing, making him an excellent scout.
"Hand it over."
Wang Sheng obediently passed over the item. Ever since Li Yan had demonstrated his miraculous Qi Healing Technique and saved their lives, the soldiers had come to regard this Lord General Flag with utmost respect.
Li Yan weighed the longevity lock in his hand—it was not light.
He placed the lock in the woman's hand and turned to Deng Tianxiong.
"Take a look around, see if there's anything edible or useful, and bring it here."
As he spoke, he motioned for Deng Tianxiong to lean in closer.
"If you find any silver, take some as well—however much you think is fair. Wang Sheng's longevity lock is worth quite a bit, and we don't want to be shortchanged."
Deng Tianxiong nodded and began to rummage around.
The other soldiers entered the house and sat down by the door, appearing somewhat constrained.
The old woman examined the silver lock in her hand, biting it with her teeth. She glanced at the soldiers who had been squatting obediently in the corner ever since they entered, her eyes flickering for a moment before she turned and went into the kitchen.
Li Yan watched over his exhausted and wounded men, feeling as if a tight string was wound within his chest.
Breaking through the encirclement was proving to be a formidable task.
"Song Tongyi," he said, "ask this old man to find us some clothes, included in the silver lock I just gave."
Song Joong-ki prattled on for a while before finally bringing over two sets of coarse cloth garments.
"The family isn't wealthy; this is all they have," Song Tongyi said with a forced smile.
Just as Li Yan was about to speak, a sergeant peering through the crack of the door suddenly whispered urgently.
"Sir, there are Japanese pirates!"
Startled, Song Tongyi's hands trembled, and the clothes he was holding nearly fell to the ground, but Li Yan caught them.
Wang Sheng, supporting his gravely injured brother, made his way to the back kitchen, while the others descended into the cellar. "Tianxiong, come change clothes with me," Li Yan commanded with rapid yet methodical speech. At the conclusion of his concise directives, the nine soldiers sprang into action, their movements as fluid as well-oiled gears.
Before long, only the old man and his daughter, Song Tongyi, Deng Tianxiong, and Li Yan remained in the inner room.
Laughter, unrestrained and approaching, began to fill the air.
"Bang!"
The wooden door suffered a heavy blow.
"%#@#￥#"
Curses erupted from the entrance.
Sweat layered upon the old man's face. Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a violent force.
Two ronin, one leading the other, stepped inside.
"A Fleeting Glance, activate."
Japanese Pirates (Hidetada Kuroda Army Corps)
Specialization: Military Tactics 70%
Skill: Yin Flow Blade Technique!
Japanese Pirates (Hidetada Kuroda Army Corps)
Specialization: Military Tactics 70%
Skill: Fire Gun Shooting
Even ordinary Japanese pirates possessed a high specialization of 70%.
Li Yan imperceptibly furrowed his brow.
"Hey, you!"
A sword-wielding wanderer, his receding hairline revealing a polished forehead, pointed at Song Tongyi.
Song Tongyi appeared somewhat bewildered.
"You, come here!"
The ronin beckoned with a crook of his finger. Even without understanding the language, the intent was clear.
Song Joong-ki swallowed hard, while Deng Tianxiong subtly nudged him in the side.
"Play any tricks, and you'll be the first to die!"
Song Tongyi, with an apologetic smile, walked over and greeted them in Japanese.
Li Yan leaned against the water tank, the Ring Dragon Sword hidden just behind it, with his gun-holding hand buried in a pile of straw to the side. He was poised to strike at the slightest hint of trouble from the two Japanese pirates.
Hearing Song Tongyi speak Japanese, the two exchanged a surprised glance, then burst into raucous laughter. The one carrying the fire gun patted Song Tongyi's cheek.
"What, you speak Japanese?"
"Just a little, just a little."
The gunman surveyed the room.
"Why are there so many people in your house?"
"They're guests, guests."
Song Tongyi was quick to respond.
The swordsman took a couple of steps forward. "Guests, you say?"
He grabbed some dried sweet potatoes that Deng Tianxiong had just found from the table and chewed with gusto. Uninvited, he moved closer to Li Yan, his blackened teeth almost grazing Li Yan's neck.
"Hey, do you speak Japanese?"
Li Yan, with a vacant look on his face, seemed to amuse the ronin, who, feeling his short stature didn't convey enough intimidation, grabbed Li Yan by the collar and shook him violently. "Oh mah hai hou ga?" (Are you an idiot?)
Li Yan didn't react.
The ronin spat dismissively, "Baka" (Idiot).
He swept the items on the table into his clothes and rummaged through the cabinet, muttering, "Knew I was coming, did you? Cleared everything out in advance? How thoughtful."
His eyes, sharp as a vulture's, scanned the room, then suddenly fixed on a little girl huddled at the head of the traditional Chinese bed.
Deng Tianxiong's fists clenched tight as Song Tongyi stepped in front of the girl, blocking the ronin's view. Bending forward with a smile, he said, "Sir, I know where we can find some food."
The Sword-Wielding Wanderer drew his long, black-bladed sword and pressed it against Song Tongyi's belly.
"Move aside."
Song Tongyi's face twitched, and after a moment's hesitation, he silently stepped aside.
Deng Tianxiong had just lifted his foot when Li Yan, who had unknowingly moved behind him, kicked his heel and whispered, "He's not your daughter, what's the rush? Or do you think we escaped death so easily that you can afford to play the hero?"
...
The two ronin, faces alight with mockery, pointed at the girl on the bed and chattered among themselves. Finally, the Back Gun Wanderer, licking his lips, approached her. The Sword-Wielding Wanderer, meanwhile, stood by, swallowing saliva.
Li Yan appeared oblivious, his eyes indifferent as he stared at the old man.
The old man, kicked aside, knelt on the ground, pleading incoherently in words Li Yan could not understand. Deng Tianxiong felt a chill in his heart as he watched the old man kowtowing desperately.
Song Tongyi's face trembled, glancing at the impassive and wooden-faced Li Yan, then at the Sword-Wielding Wanderer who was now on top of the girl. His limbs shook.
The girl's screams mingled with the sound of fabric tearing, her pale flesh exposed to the air.
"Clang~"
A sudden noise came from the kitchen. A woman's wail pierced the air as she rushed out wielding a kitchen knife.
"I curse your ancestors!"
Song Tongyi roared, his hands flailing like chicken claws at the ronin.
The black blade, like a gaping maw, lunged for Song Tongyi's neck, the salty tang of seawater instantly filling the air. A cold smile played on the ronin's lips.
"Clang~"
"Sneer~"
The sword's light was like a stream of autumn water. A parry! A wrist twist! A horizontal slash!
Blood gushed from the ronin's throat as his eyes bulged, staring in disbelief at the gaunt face before his nose.
Li Yan's lips moved slightly, "おまえはあほうか？" (Are you an idiot?)
Thump!
The ronin on the kang bed jolted awake, reaching for his fire gun, only to have his wrist seized by Deng Tianxiong. He let out a startled cry, facing the bared teeth of Deng Tianxiong.
The ronin kicked out at Deng Tianxiong, a resounding clang of a sword's song ringing incessantly by his ear.
...
"Bang!"
Li Yan slammed Song Joong-ki's head onto the table.
"Song Tongyi, haven't I told you not to play tricks, or is it that your admiration for Han Family Culture has seeped into your very bones, that even in the face of death your curses come out in our Han language?"
Just before Song Joong-ki had lunged, he had spoken in perfect Great Ming Chinese. If he were truly in a rage, acting on instinct, he would naturally have spoken in his mother tongue.
Song Tongyi's head was pressed down, but he was far from the submissive figure he had been upon first meeting. His eyes bloodshot, he cursed loudly in Han language:
"What kind of Heavenly Soldiers are you? Worthless Heavenly Soldiers! What does the Imperial Court get for its tributes year after year? It leads to the defeat of your three thousand men! Normally, you walk around with your noses in the air, watching our wives and daughters being violated without daring to utter a word. When Great Ming's people are bullied, do you also stay silent? Are the people of the Great Ming Empire human, and those of my Korea not?"
His spit flew as he spoke, teeth grinding with a crunch.
Li Yan grabbed the man by the collar and flung him onto a stool, kicking the edge of the stool and sending man and stool tumbling to the ground.
Song Tongyi was hit in the small of his back by the stool, gasping in pain, unable to speak for a while.
"As for the idea that Ming Country people are more precious than Koreans, it's not for me, a worthless fellow, to say."
Li Yan held a teacup in his hand.
"But I do want to ask you, the lives of your Korean people are lives, but the lives of our Great Ming soldiers are not?"
He pointed to an old man nearby.
"We risk our lives fighting, protecting your Korean land and people. If he doesn't let us in, if the village men are too scared and foolish to face death, I don't care."
Li Yan clutched the groaning Song Tongyi by the neck, his gaze bearing down on him.
"But I want to ask you, this bastard dares to raise a kitchen knife against our Great Ming soldiers, so why does he only kneel and beg for mercy when faced with Japanese Pirates who break down his door and dishonor his daughter?!"
He threw the man in his hand to the ground, his eyes fierce.
"I'm asking you, why doesn't he dare to raise a knife against the Japanese Pirates?"
Song Tongyi's lips were bleeding, and he could not speak. Lying on the ground, he looked around to see Ming Army soldiers coldly watching him.
"If you want others to respect you, to value your life as a life, then show them what your life is worth."
**********
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