Chapter 38: When I Speak, the World Falls Silent

"I see."

"The sage’s former residence—I have long admired it. Might I accompany you on the journey?"

"With bandits and brigands rampant in the mountains, it would be good to escort you part of the way."

Lu Ge glanced at Lord Chunshen.

No way, I just had a meal with you, and now you’re clinging to me?

"Lord Chunshen is the Chancellor of Chu; his duties weigh heavily upon him. There is no need to delay his affairs on my account."

"I shall go alone."

"As for those mountain bandits..."

A smile crept across Lu Ge’s face.

"Though I may be powerless to bind a chicken, I harbor no fear of them."

Powerless to bind a chicken?

Lord Chunshen almost thought he had misheard.

Is that really how you describe yourself?

If I didn’t know your deeds, I might have believed it.

So what, your tens of thousands of Zhao soldiers are no better than chickens?

Despite his inner scoff, Lord Chunshen sensed the subtext.

Lu Ge was clearly unwilling to have him accompany.

He decided not to press further.

Pestering would only breed annoyance.

If relations soured instead of improving, that would be most unwise.

"Very well, then," he sighed.

"Perhaps I am simply not fortunate enough to travel with you, Lu."

Lu Ge shot him a sideways glance. Why was this old fellow so full of tea-drinking politeness?

After the banquet, Lu Ge politely declined Lord Chunshen’s repeated entreaties and took his leave decisively.

Lord Chunshen stood atop the city wall of Guan Kou, watching the carriage fade into the distance.

"My lord."

"Lu Ge’s prowess is known throughout the land."

"Now that we wish to win him over, he seems unwilling to pledge allegiance to Chu."

"If we cannot have him, then..."

A retainer whispered nearby.

Lord Chunshen cast him a sidelong glare.

"Very well, you go."

"If you can kill him, I shall personally commend you before the king."

The man fell silent.

What a joke.

If I could kill Lu Ge, would I still be serving under you?

Seeing this, Lord Chunshen snorted coldly.

"Enough of this useless chatter."

"Order them to continue their research. They must find Lu Ge’s weakness."

"Either leave him be and maintain good relations,"

"Or, if you strike, make it a fatal blow."

"I have no desire to follow in the footsteps of the King of Zhao, nor to see Chu become like Zhao one day."

Though the retainer’s words were nonsense, they echoed Lord Chunshen’s true thoughts.

Or rather, the thoughts of rulers everywhere.

If he can be used, all rejoice.

If not, then he must be eliminated.

Otherwise, once this Lu Ge acts, who among the nations can withstand Qin’s assault?

The intelligence on the four tornadoes of heavenly wind that annihilated tens of thousands of Zhao troops still lay on the table.

...

"Master."

"This time Lord Chunshen traveled from Shouchun to the frontier precisely to win you over."

"But you have politely declined. I fear..."

Shen Dao drove the carriage alongside, speaking cautiously.

Lu Ge lounged against the window, gazing at the passing scenery.

"With the King of Zhao’s past failure, they dare not act rashly."

"Now, they are likely all investigating me, trying to find my weaknesses."

Lu Ge stretched lazily.

"As long as they cannot be certain to kill me, when I speak, the world will fall silent."

Shen Dao worriedly said, "What if they do find something?"

Lu Ge laughed.

"I can’t even find my own weakness. Why would they?"

This was no arrogance.

Lu Ge’s myriad powers were complete.

In battle, he wielded the Polaris Death Sword Qi.

To protect himself, he had the Heartless Noble Void.

If besieged by armies, he could summon wind and rain.

If truly overwhelmed, he could flee with the Freedom Wanderer technique.

He could fight, defend, and escape.

Lu Ge truly could not fathom defeat.

One divine art alone would earn renown in the world.

But Lu Ge mastered five divine arts, near godlike—no mortal could stand against him.

Speeding onward, they finally reached Lixiang.

Over two centuries had passed, and Lu Ge found it barely recognizable.

Fortunately, the old sage’s former residence was famed; a little inquiry revealed its location.

The closer he drew near, the more familiar it felt.

What was once a sapling had grown into a towering tree.

Yet the road remained unchanged.

Passing the Li family estate, the humble hut was gone, replaced by fertile fields.

Lu Ge gazed long and hard, emotions stirring.

"Brother Li, I have returned."

"But you are no longer here."

Shen Dao stood silently behind him.

After a long pause, Lu Ge reboarded the carriage.

They traveled in silence until they arrived before the sage’s former residence.

As befits the holy site, it was carefully tended.

Lu Ge dismounted, looking about.

The small courtyard was as before, the familiar thatched hut intact.

He pushed open the gate and stepped inside.

The first thing to meet his eyes was the cattle shed where the Blue Ox once stayed.

Inside the house, the furnishings were unchanged, but the old acquaintances were gone.

Shen Dao looked around curiously.

This was his first visit to the sage’s former residence.

"Master, was this where you first learned the Way from the sage?"

Shen Dao asked softly.

Lu Ge nodded and sat at the desk.

"Long ago, I herded cattle in the morning and sat here in the afternoon."

He lifted his gaze.

Though no one sat opposite, Lu Ge seemed to see the sage’s familiar smile.

"My teacher sat across from me, teaching me countless truths."

His fingers lightly traced the desk’s grain.

"Alas, things have changed; the people are no longer the same."

Memories flooded his mind.

Though he had long cultivated detachment, now his mood darkened.

After a long reverie, Lu Ge rose.

"Let us go."

"Though the scenery endures, it is no longer as it once was."

He exhaled deeply and stepped outside.

But just as he returned to the courtyard, a figure hurried over.

"Who are you?"

"How dare you trespass upon the sage’s former residence?"

The man demanded angrily.

Shen Dao frowned slightly.

"We admire the sage and have come to pay our respects today."

"What’s the matter?"

"Is entry forbidden here?"

The man sized up Lu Ge and Shen Dao.

They seemed refined, hardly thieves.

He felt somewhat reassured.

"Of course not."

"This is the sage’s former home; every blade of grass and wood is precious."

"If anyone could enter at will, what if something were damaged?"

Lu Ge furrowed his brow.

"Who are you?"

The man raised his head.

"I am Li Lin, seventh-generation descendant of the sage."

"Now the head of the Li clan in Lixiang."

"I was just informed you trespassed into the sage’s residence."

"Name yourselves at once."

"If you are thieves, you will come with me to the authorities."

Lu Ge arched an eyebrow.

"The sage never married. How can there be a seventh-generation descendant?"

Li Lin replied, "My ancestor was a mountain woodcutter, the sage’s nephew within the five-year mourning period."

"After the sage left Hangu Pass to the west, this cottage was entrusted to him."

"Now it is passed down to me."

"Enough nonsense. If you do not name yourselves, I will report you."

Lu Ge’s heart stirred as he looked at Li Lin.

"Your ancestor’s name was Li Da?"

Li Lin was startled.

"How do you know that?"

Lu Ge smiled faintly.

"So you are a descendant of an old friend."

"My name is Lu Ge. Do you recognize me?"

At those words, Li Lin was utterly shocked.

"Lu... Lu... Lord Lu?"