Chapter Seventy: The Hero’s Last Stand

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Seeing her second uncle unconscious, Bai Zhuluo pleaded anxiously, “Please, everyone, save my second uncle.” Yang Cheng, seeing that she was unharmed, asked no further questions and turned his attention to the injured man, whose face was streaked with blood and whose wounds appeared severe. There was no time to summon a physician from outside, so he instructed Mei Yuchen to fetch Lu Baichuan instead.

Inside Lu Baichuan’s quarters, the room was as bright as day, and laughter filled the air as two men conversed. Mei Yuchen knocked and entered, finding Sister Hua pouring wine nearby and a stranger drinking heartily with his adoptive father. He had never known his adoptive father to have friends in Wuzhou, yet seeing the cordiality between them, it was clear this was no ordinary acquaintance. With the matter at hand urgent, Mei Yuchen did not conceal the situation and asked his adoptive father to come save a life.

Liu Changqing, observing the young man’s composed brow, surmised that this must be the youth who had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment at only thirteen or fourteen. He felt a surge of envy.

Lu Baichuan, setting aside his wine, asked Liu Changqing to wait a moment and left with Mei Yuchen.

Arriving at the scene, Lu Baichuan checked the man’s pulse and, seeing he was in no immediate danger, nodded. Suddenly, something about the man’s face seemed familiar. He hurriedly wiped away the blood, then recoiled in shock. Turning to Yang Cheng, who looked puzzled, he reached out and removed the man’s headscarf. At once, a cascade of silver hair tumbled down. Yang Cheng gasped in astonishment, “Bai Muyun?”

The four young men were equally astonished, exchanging glances. They had never met Bai Muyun, the “Silver-Haired Jade Sword,” but his name was legendary in Wuzhou, repeated so often it had grown tiresome to the ear. Who would have thought that a casual stroll would lead to rescuing such a figure?

Li Tianxing looked at Bai Zhuluo, about to inquire.

Bai Zhuluo said, “I told you already, it’s my second uncle.”

Everyone was speechless. Who would have guessed that Bai Muyun was your second uncle?

Yang Cheng felt a headache coming on. He was a minor figure and did not wish to invite trouble. To be entangled in the affairs of great clans could mean utter ruin. Yet now that this man had been brought here, it would be unreasonable to cast him out. The priority was to save him; the future could be dealt with later.

Lu Baichuan, having heard Liu Changqing mention earlier that Bai Muyun had appeared as an ordinary man in the arena, dared not be careless. He infused the injured man with a small amount of spiritual energy to aid in his recovery.

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A long time passed before Bai Muyun’s breathing slowed and color returned to his cheeks. After a while, he let out a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

Bai Muyun surveyed the unfamiliar faces around him, sensing no malice, and was momentarily puzzled. “Second uncle, you’re finally awake.” Suddenly, a voice achingly familiar reached his ears. He turned to see Bai Zhuluo, her eyes red and filled with concern.

“Second uncle, are you all right? You scared me half to death! What would I do if something happened to you? Wuwu…” With her anchor restored, Bai Zhuluo’s emotions burst forth, and she began to weep loudly, heedless of those present.

The four young men exchanged glances. Was this really the same spoiled young lady they knew? Only recently they had been discussing how to deal with her upcoming challenge—clearly, that was now impossible.

Yang Cheng sent the Li Tianhu brothers to fetch a basin of hot water, so Bai Muyun could wash the blood from his face. It would not do for the head of the foremost of the five great families to appear so disheveled before others.

Seeing his niece unharmed, Bai Muyun nodded, his heart settling at last. He had traveled widely in his youth, braving countless perils, and after many ups and downs, had long become indifferent to life and death—save for his brother’s only child. Over the years, their bond had deepened to that of father and daughter, and he could not bear the thought of her dying so young.

Lu Baichuan, observing the scene, did not know the details but understood that uncle and niece had surely come through great danger. He stepped forward and said, “Master Bai, you are safe now.” He pointed to Yang Cheng and introduced him: “This is the head of the Yang family of Nanqiu.”

Yang Cheng stepped forward and offered a respectful greeting. Bai Muyun, too weak to rise, could only nod his thanks. He thought to himself that, given the circumstances, only a powerful family would dare risk offending others to save him. Yet this Yang family head looked ordinary and was quite young; Bai Muyun could not recall which powerful Yang family he might belong to.

Though he had long kept to himself, Bai Muyun knew the intricate details of every family in Wuzhou. Of the hundreds upon hundreds of clans, he guessed this must be some low-key, reclusive house.

Had Yang Cheng known Bai Muyun’s thoughts, he would have been mortified. His new clan ranked so low, it was not even worthy of attention.

Bai Zhuluo continued to cry in her uncle’s arms, and the others, at a loss for how to comfort her, simply waited in silence.

Before long, Li Tianbiao and his brother returned with hot water and towels and handed them to Bai Zhuluo. She managed to stifle her tears, helped her uncle sit up, and carefully wiped the blood from his face, tidying his hair.

Despite his torn clothes and pale complexion, Bai Muyun’s bearing as the head of the Bai family was unmistakable—more dignified, the others thought, than the usually cheerful head of the Yang family beside him.

Yang Cheng, noticing the glances shifting between himself and Bai Muyun, was puzzled. Could it be that his own charm now rivaled that of the head of the Bai family?

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As she tidied him up, Bai Zhuluo explained to Bai Muyun that the two of them had been rescued by the four young men, and that their pursuers had been shaken off.

Bai Muyun, much recovered, was able to speak. He said, “Master Yang, and you four young heroes, I thank you for saving my life. I am no longer the head of the Bai family—now alone, I have nothing to offer in return. Moreover, with both the Bai family and the other great clans searching for me, I fear I may bring disaster upon you. Allow me a moment to recover, and I will leave at once, so as not to implicate you.”

The others looked at each other, bewildered.

Bai Zhuluo sobbed, “Second uncle, where can we go? The city cannot shelter us, and the outside world is full of danger. It’s all my fault for neglecting my training—I’m too weak now to protect you.”

Bai Muyun fell silent. Yang Cheng, moved by pity, tried to comfort them: “Master Bai, there’s no need to rush. This place is absolutely safe. You may stay as long as you wish, and when the troubles pass, you are free to go.”

Bai Muyun replied, “Master Yang, I’m no longer the head of the Bai family; you need not address me as such. My affairs are grave, and I cannot bear to bring trouble to the Yang family.”

Yang Cheng said, “I just heard from Brother Lu that you are now an ordinary man. We do not know the details, but in your current state, survival outside the city would be nearly impossible. Your reputation as a hero is well known, but surely you should consider this young lady’s wellbeing as well.”

Bai Muyun, hearing these words, felt they struck true. Looking at Bai Zhuluo, he sighed, “Very well. I will shamelessly remain here for a time. Should anyone discover me, I will leave the city at once and see that no harm comes to you.”

With his agreement, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Though they were not well acquainted, the fame of the Bai family head was deeply rooted in their hearts; none could bear to see a hero brought low and humiliated at the end of his days.