Chapter Fifty-Seven: Persuasion to Surrender

Previously, we spoke of Xu Yaozu coming to persuade Lu Youxiong to surrender. Who could have expected that as soon as he produced the letter, Lu Youxiong, upon reading it, flew into a rage, tore it to shreds on the spot, and shouted, “Men! Bind this old scoundrel and take him out to be executed!”

A few soldiers rushed forward, seized Xu Yaozu, twisted his arms behind his back, tied him tightly, and began dragging him out to be beheaded.

Yet Xu Yaozu’s expression remained unchanged. He threw his head back and burst out laughing, his laughter chilling Lu Youxiong to the core.

Lu Youxiong slammed his hand on the table and barked, “Insolent! What’s so funny?!”

Xu Yaozu lifted his head, not even sparing Lu a glance. With a snort, he declared, “Everyone calls you a hero of unmatched renown, but in my eyes, you’re nothing but a fool who does not know what’s good for him!”

Lu Youxiong was infuriated. From the moment this old man entered, he’d worn that arrogant face, never once showing the slightest respect. Even now, facing death, he remained unchanged. Truly, the world holds some who do not fear death!

In a cold, harsh voice, he demanded, “And how, pray tell, am I a fool? You lot can’t take the city by force, so you resort to such tricks. Do you think your grandfather will be fooled?”

Xu Yaozu laughed heartily. “You? Hold off our three hundred thousand strong? Are you joking? We’ve long since found a way to neutralize your Soul-chasing Red Lotus! It’s nothing but poison! Our great commander has invited the two Elders of Emerald Mist Mountain, the patriarchs of all antidotes! Even if you had ten times the Red Lotus, we would not be concerned. The only reason we haven’t stormed the city is compassion for the common folk—we would not see the innocents suffer for your sake!”

“Hiss…”

Lu Youxiong sucked in a breath at these words. He had long heard of the Black and White Elders’ reputation. It seemed the rebel army truly was extraordinary—even such reclusive masters would lend them aid. With those two on their side, his Soul-chasing Red Lotus was as useless as dead grass. No wonder Mu Shijin and Xiao Ling could strut about under his walls, challenging him so brazenly. This time, he was truly in trouble!

Yet, with his parents, wife, and child still in Xiang Buer’s hands, he steeled his heart and declared, “Honored elder, since Xiang Buer is not here to witness this, I shall act as if none of this has happened. I will not kill you. Go back and report to your two marshals: when the city falls, if there must be slaughter or punishment, let it be borne by me alone. My parents, wife, and child are innocent—see that they are well treated.”

Xu Yaozu nodded approvingly. “A true man! Worthy of respect!”

Then his face darkened, and he scolded, “But your death alone is not the end. Die in this manner, and your family will be shamed, unable to walk the earth with heads held high!”

“Ah!”

Lu Youxiong turned deathly pale at this, bewildered and lost.

“Oh, heavens!”

He cried out, rubbing his hands together in despair.

Finally, Xu Yaozu relented, comforting him, “General Lu, our rebel army understands your predicament. Take my advice: do not throw your life away for Xiang Buer any longer. We will see your family safely rescued and protected. Do you remember Mu Shijin, the general skilled in disguise? Perhaps he has already taken on the appearance of a demon soldier and found your family, preparing to bring them to safety!”

“Is it true?!”

Lu Youxiong’s face instantly brightened with hope.

Before Xu Yaozu could reply, a messenger outside announced, “General! The madam, the master, the young madam, and the young master have all returned!”

Lu Youxiong was beside himself with joy and hurried to welcome them when suddenly, a furious shout rang out, “Where’s that wretch?! Where is he?!”

An elderly man entered, trembling with rage, his beard and hair white, yet his face youthful and vigorous. Leaning on a staff, he shook with fury.

At the sight of Lu Youxiong, he raised his cane and began to rain blows on him.

“Father! Your son has been unfilial and caused you suffering!” Lu Youxiong fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed deeply, not daring to move as the cane struck him.

“We’d have been better off dead!” The old man gasped, nearly out of breath with anger. “You unfilial son! How could you let yourself be blackmailed by that fiend Xiang Buer into shaming our ancestors? What do you fear? If we die, so be it! All men must die someday—better to die a hero!”

“Father, I know my wrongs, I won’t do it again!”

Lu Youxiong

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He kowtowed forcefully several times, begging for forgiveness.

The old lady, young wife, and little son all began to weep. The little boy clung to the old man’s leg, crying, “Grandfather, don’t hit my father! He knows he was wrong!”

Xu Yaozu could not help but shed tears himself. He stepped forward, “Elder, as the saying goes, a prodigal who turns back is worth more than gold. Lu Youxiong knows his error—let him be!”

Li Yiqing, Mu Shijin, and Zhou Chaogui also stepped in to intervene.

The old man finally relented and ordered, “My son, listen well: from this day forth, you will obey these heroes in all things. Do as they command—no shirking! Fail in any task, and I’ll flay you myself!”

Lu Youxiong agreed at once and was about to arrange for his family to be moved when a soldier burst in, panic-stricken: “Bad news! Xiang Buer is here with many demon soldiers! He claims to have seen a thief run into our house and insists on searching—he’s waiting outside right now!”

Everyone was startled; none expected Xiang Buer to arrive so quickly. Li Yiqing, Mu Shijin, and Zhou Chaogui each drew their swords with a clang.

Xu Yaozu, more composed, stopped them and turned to Lu Youxiong. “General Lu, is there any place in your home to hide people?”

Lu Youxiong was drenched in cold sweat. “Yes, there’s a wine cellar, but it’s quite small. With so many of us, it will be cramped.”

“We have no choice—hide at once!” Xu Yaozu commanded.

Mu Shijin transformed himself into the appearance of a common soldier and stayed by Lu Youxiong’s side.

Only then did Lu Youxiong go out to greet Xiang Buer.

From a distance, he cupped his fists and said, “Commander, forgive your subordinate for not coming out to welcome you sooner!”

Xiang Buer put on a false smile. “No need, General Lu. You work hard enough as it is. Were it not for this little thief, I wouldn’t dare disturb you today.”

How had Xiang Buer arrived at just this moment? It turned out that when Li Yiqing, Mu Shijin, and Zhou Chaogui rescued Lu Youxiong’s family, they did so with utmost stealth. But one demon soldier had not fully died; after they left, it crawled up and raised the alarm, bringing Xiang Buer.

When Xiang Buer found the hostages gone, his first suspicion fell on Lu Youxiong’s home. Yet, unwilling to break with Lu too openly, he pretended to be searching for a thief and came to search the house.

Lu Youxiong welcomed him inside. After taking a seat, Xiang Buer ordered his demon soldiers, “Search thoroughly and find that thief—lest General Lu suffer for it. Be gentle—don’t break anything! If any of you damages a single item, I’ll break your legs myself!”

He then laughed and explained to Lu Youxiong, “My men are clumsy, always needing my reminders even for the smallest task.”

He sipped tea and chatted about trivialities. Soon, the demon soldiers returned to report that they’d found nothing. Xiang Buer nodded, dismissed them, and prepared to take his leave.

Just then, a clatter sounded from the backyard.

Suspicion flickered in Xiang Buer’s eyes. Sly as ever, he gestured to the front of the house. “General Lu, your house is quite impressive. Why not let me take a look around?”

Lu Youxiong dared not refuse and replied politely, “Not at all—it’s an old house from my great-grandfather’s time, already falling to pieces. If you wish to see it, be my guest.”

Xiang Buer laughed. “I insist! I’m thinking of building something similar myself—let me see and take some ideas.”

With that, he strode toward the backyard.

Lu Youxiong broke out in a cold sweat. Why? Because the wine cellar was in the backyard. There was no stopping Xiang Buer now, and with no weapon on him, he could only clench his fists and follow, prepared to knock Xiang Buer out and take him hostage if need be.

Xiang Buer stopped in the middle of the yard. In the corner, a flower hoe had fallen, breaking a flowerpot. He scanned the courtyard—there seemed nowhere to hide anyone. His suspicion eased.

But as Xiang Buer relaxed, Lu Youxiong grew more anxious. Why? Because Xiang Buer was standing directly atop the cellar door. With his massive weight, could that flimsy cover hold?

The first move wins, the second loses! Now was the critical moment. Lu Youxiong was about to strike when—

“Meow!”

A cat’s cry rang out. Lu Youxiong looked up to see a small cat perched atop the wall.

“Haha!” Xiang Buer also spotted it and laughed. “So, you’re the little rascal making a fuss!”

He strode over, scooped the cat into his arms, and stroked it lovingly.

Lu Youxiong finally relaxed his fists as Xiang Buer stepped off the cellar. He walked over and said, “Commander, this stray cat is always sneaking in to steal food. I don’t know who it belongs to.”

Xiang Buer stroked the cat, delighted. “Is that so? Since it isn’t yours, then I’ll take it with me!”

Lu Youxiong bowed and replied with the requisite flattery, “Of course! To have you as its master is fortune beyond measure for this little creature.”

Xiang Buer laughed, cradling the cat. “Sorry to have disturbed you.”

And with that, he strode out of Lu Youxiong’s house, utterly satisfied.