Futile Devices Scans

At sunset, within Kuiyuan City.

The smoke of battle had yet to disperse. Nothing remained of Kuiyuan’s outer city but scattered bricks and tiles, while the inner city was likewise a scene of devastation.

Fortunately, the reinforcements had already entered the city. They bustled back and forth treating the wounded, carrying away and burying the dead, and tending to the survivors, filling the surroundings with noise and activity.

Wang Xu was leading several personal guards covered from head to toe in dust and ash, searching for something amid the broken walls and ruins.

Hoofbeats came racing toward them, followed by the hurried thuds of two men dismounting. Zhang San and Li Si joyfully threw themselves at Wang Xu, squeezing him between them from front and back like two enormous flatbreads sandwiching a piece of bear meat, and gave him a crushing embrace.

Zhang San cried, “Brother Xu! I knew you were still alive! Hehe!”

Li Si went, “Huh?” Why was Brother Wang rolling his eyes?

Wang Xu croaked, “Gah…”

–

The weakened General Wang had survived the war, only to nearly perish beneath the affection of his friends and family. Once he caught his breath, he swung his bear paws and gave them both a furious beating. Knowing they were in the wrong, the two younger brothers hung their heads and did not dare fight back.

Once the beating was over, the pair immediately became jubilant again. Supporting Brother Xu from either side, they prepared to take him to find Chief Commander Wang.

Wang Xu had once been a mighty hero built like a mountain bear. Now, only a bear’s skeleton remained. The two lifted him until his feet left the ground, making him curse angrily, “Haven’t you two been fighting for just as long? How do you still have so much strength?”

Zhang San laughed. “Hehe! It’s because you’ve gotten thinner! Don’t trouble yourself walking. We’ll carry you over!”

–

Chief Commander Wang was consoling the wounded and reassuring the civilians inside the inner city. The pair arrived carrying Wang Xu between them, and the four naturally enjoyed another joyful reunion. Chief Commander Wang then took them to see Uncle Rong. When the elderly man heard that the young master was safe in the capital, tears streamed down his aged face as he repeatedly exclaimed that it was wonderful.

Li Si kept feeling as though someone was missing from the city. After thinking for quite some time, he suddenly asked, “Where is Prefect Zhang?”

Grief crossed the faces of Wang Xu and his father.

Several days earlier, after the outer city fell, the defenders had retreated into the inner city. With too few soldiers and commanders remaining, Prefect Zhang had been forced to lead troops into battle personally and take responsibility for defending the inner city’s southern gate. The gate had held, but he himself had been seized by the Xiao army amid the chaos, and his whereabouts remained unknown.

Wang Xu had been searching inside and outside the city for his body earlier, but had found nothing.

–

The surviving people of Kuiyuan hung lanterns and decorations amid the shattered walls and ruins to celebrate their victory. Yet beneath the joyful laughter came faint sounds of mourning for the loved ones who could never return.

Grief and joy intermingled throughout the city, encompassing all the separations and reunions of mortal life.

This protracted battle to defend the city had finally reached its conclusion.

–

One month later, Great Xuan’s reinforcements recaptured Shiling Pass north of Kuiyuan, and the war settled into a stalemate. Both sides had suffered considerable losses in soldiers, money, and provisions. Moreover, Mo Han, the son of Xiao’s chancellor, had been captured as a hostage, so Xiao took the opportunity to propose peace negotiations.

Although the two sides remained entangled in disputes over possession of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and the negotiations made no progress, the war between the two nations temporarily ceased. More than one hundred thousand reinforcement troops withdrew from the north and returned to their respective garrisons. Only the forces of Wang Qi and Zong Duo remained stationed in Hedong and Hebei.

The old city of Kuiyuan had been ruined beyond use. The Empress Dowager issued an edict ordering Jinyang City rebuilt and the soldiers and civilians of Kuiyuan relocated there.

–

After the war subsided, State Preceptor Qiao Shen bade farewell to the Empress Dowager. He wished to relinquish the titles of Prince Fu and State Preceptor, formally enter the Daoist registers, and return to the Daoist temple in Jinyang City. There, he would care for Uncle Rong, devote himself to cultivating the Dao, and never again concern himself with worldly affairs.

The newly appointed prefect of Jinyang also submitted a memorial requesting funds from the court to rebuild Ant County, allowing the villagers to return home. The refugees who had once wandered into Ant County also settled there and were entered into the local household registers. The brothers Zhou Qi and Zhou Ba received several plots of farmland beneath the mountain to cultivate. At last, they no longer had to keep watch and could return to being farmers.

Li Si returned to the capital and reported back to the Imperial City Directorate. Through Chancellor Li’s arrangements, he obtained transfer orders placing him under Chief Commander Wang’s command, where he became the personal guard of Zhang San, one of Wang’s subordinate generals. He then moved Grandma and Godmother to Jinyang and used his savings to open a small restaurant, asking Godmother and Elder Sister to manage it together. Cook Wu and her husband also became helpers at the restaurant.

–

Half a year later, the peace negotiations between Xuan and Xiao finally collapsed. At the chief councillors’ recommendation, the Empress Dowager decided to send troops out once more to recover Yanyun—although, given the two nations’ current military strength, this was largely an impressive declaration rather than a realistic prospect. Still, according to the Empress Dowager’s intentions, they had to recover at least Yanmen Pass and the area around Shuozhou, providing Great Xuan’s territory with additional defenses and preparing for future conflicts between the two nations.

Venerable Pacification Commissioner Zuo had already retired due to old age. The grave responsibility of advancing north into Yanyun therefore fell upon Wang Qi and Zong Duo. The two commanders would lead the Shengjie Army and the Hebei volunteer forces north respectively, with Zhang San and Li Si naturally among their ranks.

–

It was once again the crisp, refreshing height of autumn.

The Shengjie Army, which was about to advance north, had not yet departed. It remained encamped outside Jinyang City, organizing its supplies and equipment.

A field camp outside the city was nothing like the military compound within it. Tent stood beside tent, and even a sneeze could easily be heard by the neighbors, never mind dragons and tigers entwining or overturning rivers and seas. Zhang San had endured seven or eight miserable days of abstinence, until his entire body practically itched.

At last, he was free from duty that night. Taking advantage of the moonless sky and high wind, he dragged Li Si out of their tent in secret. The two darted into the stables, released Big Black Ghost, and rode off together into the grasslands to couple in the wild—no, to admire the scenery.

Afraid of encountering patrolling sentries, Zhang San rode across the Wen River and continued deep into the northern wilderness. He went straight for another two or three li until not even the shadow of a village could be seen nearby, only then slowing the horse. The two found an open patch of ground, dismounted to rest, and sent Big Black Ghost off to graze by himself in the distance.

Li Si spread the soft quilt they had deliberately brought over the yielding grass. He was kneeling on the ground, carefully tugging the corners straight beneath the moonlight, when Brother Xiao suddenly pounced upon him from behind and impatiently pressed him down into the grass.

“I haven’t finished laying it out. Your waist might hurt… Mm… Mmm…”

The two rolled together through the grass without even removing the clothes from their upper bodies. Every so often they rolled beyond the soft quilt, covering themselves in dew and bits of grass.

There was no one in the wilderness, so the tiger’s roars became particularly uninhibited. Fortunately, beneath the vast heavens and across the boundless earth, even the loudest howls were swallowed by the moonlight. Big Black Ghost wandering in the distance appeared not to hear them at all.

Only Li Si was so embarrassed that, even as he bent forward, he flushed crimson and coaxed, “Y-you should be quieter… When you’re like this, I can’t hold back…”

–

After one wild round, the two held each other while catching their breath, both gazing up at the sky. The wilderness night was vast and profound, filled with glittering stars. They became lost in the sight, and for a time, neither spoke.

Only after a long while did Zhang San remember something and say with a laugh, “I once heard Chen Lu say that fooling around on horseback has a special flavor. But then I thought about how lewd that horse demon Big Black Ghost is. There’s no way I’m getting intimate with you on his back.”

An indignant neigh sounded from the distance, as though declaring: I don’t care to have you getting intimate on my back either! You’re the lewd one! Disgusting!

This horse demon could pretend not to hear every rise and fall of the tiger’s roars, yet heard every word the moment they insulted him.

Zhang San burst out laughing and rolled over to straddle Li Si’s waist. “Little Colt, let’s go another round and infuriate him! Hahaha! Giddyup!”

–

Once the Little Colt started “galloping,” it certainly did not stop after a single round. The two fooled around throughout the entire night before collapsing together upon the thoroughly disordered quilt.

When the eastern sky began to turn faintly red, Zhang San remembered that he had to report for morning duty. With a headache, he patted Li Si. “Wake up. We need to hurry back in time.”

Li Si was buried against his chest, dreaming sweetly among soft, drifting clouds. Roused by the shove, he raised his face groggily. Supporting one another, the two staggered upright and looked around while dressing.

Zhang San asked, “Where did Big Black Ghost go?”

Li Si gave several whistles, but there was no sign of the horse. They could only hurry forward in search of him.

Supporting his waist, Zhang San followed behind and called loudly, “Walk slower and wait for me. Every step I take makes it run down my legs. It’s uncomfortable!”

Hearing this, Li Si trotted straight back and hoisted him onto his back.

The two walked another hundred paces or so but still saw no trace of Big Black Ghost. Zhang San asked suspiciously, “Could he have gotten angry and run back by himself?”

That was just wonderful. They were still two or three li from camp, and walking back would inevitably make them late for morning roll call. Chief Commander Wang enforced strict military discipline. At the thought of receiving the military cane, Zhang San’s backside tingled.

“Walk faster, walk faster! This is going to be the death of me,” he wailed.

Li Si had eaten and trained well over the past year, and his body had grown broader and sturdier. Even with Zhang San on his back, he could still trot swiftly and move as though flying. He simply unleashed his full horsepower and galloped forward on his own two feet.

After running for roughly the time it took an incense stick to burn, dawn had begun to brighten the sky. Hoofbeats suddenly sounded in the distance. Li Si raised his head and saw a black horse racing toward them from the northern horizon, apparently carrying a person on its back.

He hurriedly stopped and lowered Brother Xiao to the ground. Big Black Ghost galloped over and neighed before them, showing them the man lying across his back while swishing his tail happily.

A severely weakened man lay across the horse. His clothing was torn, and his face was haggard, but his mind remained clear. He wore Xiao clothing yet had the features of a Xuan man. He and Zhang San and Li Si looked at one another, and all three were startled, though none recognized the others.

Only Big Black Ghost was familiar with all three of them. He whinnied repeatedly in delight. But even as a horse demon, he could not speak to introduce them, so he could only pace anxiously back and forth.

Zhang San spoke first. “Brother, are you a Xuan man? We belong to the garrison stationed at Jinyang.”

Joy appeared on the man’s face. He struggled to prop himself upright. “I am indeed a Xuan man. I was heading toward Jinyang… to request an audience with Commander-General Wang Qi of Hedong Circuit…”

Zhang San and Li Si hurriedly helped him sit up. Zhang San removed his water flask and gave him a drink, then took off his outer robe and draped it over the man. Li Si searched all over himself and produced several pieces of secretly hoarded dried flatbread and candied fruit. He broke them into small pieces and fed the hungry, freezing man.

Once the man had recovered somewhat, the two walked beside the horse and escorted him toward Jinyang City. Zhang San showed him his military identification token. “I serve under Chief Commander Wang Qi. My name is Zhang San, and this is my personal guard, Li Si. May I ask where you have come from and why you seek Chief Commander Wang?”

After seeing how familiar the black horse was with the two men and confirming their identities, the man finally relaxed. “Commander Zhang, to tell you the truth, my name is Sun Ang. I am the son of Sun Yi, Surveillance Commissioner of Shuozhou, and was once a defender of Shuozhou City. I was betrayed by a spy and captured by the Xiao army, after which I remained imprisoned in Yunzhou…”

The two were both astonished and overjoyed.

Li Si exclaimed happily, “You’re General Sun’s son! You’re still alive!”

Sun Ang asked in shock, “You knew my father as well? I heard that he was murdered while coming to reinforce Kuiyuan and had already unfortunately lost his life. May I ask whether that is true…”

Sorrow entered Li Si’s eyes, and he nodded faintly.

Sun Ang lowered his head as tears filled his eyes. He struggled against his grief for a while before sighing. “No wonder Black Jade was taken in by Commander Zhang. On behalf of my late father, I thank you, Commander Zhang.”

Big Black Ghost also gave a sorrowful whinny, mourning both his deceased master and the elegant “Jade” name he no longer bore.

Sun Ang continued with a sigh, “One month ago, a fellow Xuan man stranded in Yunzhou rescued me from prison and sent me south. He also entrusted me with a military map of Yunzhou to deliver to Chief Commander Wang. I know only that he was a Xuan official who surrendered to Xiao after being captured, but he refused to tell me his name. He also said that he was the man responsible for my late father’s death. At the time, I did not believe him…”

Zhang San and Li Si exchanged another startled look. They had already guessed the man’s identity.

Zhang San asked, “If he had a way to leave Yunzhou, why did he not flee south with you?”

Sun Ang shook his head. “I tried to persuade him as well. But he said he still had sins he had not atoned for, and that after losing the integrity of a loyal minister, he had no face to return home. He intends to remain hidden within Xiao territory, obtain more military intelligence, and secretly send it back to help Great Xuan recover Yanyun.”

Zhang San fell silent and turned to look at Li Si beside him.

Sisi had once punched Prefect Zhang squarely in the face. What would he think upon hearing about the man’s present circumstances?

Sure enough, Li Si lowered his eyes, his face filled with thought.

As for right and wrong, merit and fault, future generations would render their own judgment after a thousand autumns.

–

Li Si remembered the night he had first arrived in Kuiyuan. He remembered countless past events and all manner of old acquaintances…

Holding Brother Xiao’s hand, he continued thinking as they followed behind the horse for a while. Then he suddenly remembered that Brother Xiao was physically uncomfortable and immediately stopped. “I’ll carry you again!”

“Tch. Young Master Sun is here. Stop fooling around. It’s embarrassing.”

“What’s embarrassing about it? Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“I-it isn’t that uncomfortable… Hey! Hey! Put me down! Carrying me like this is even more embarrassing!”

The two tussled behind the horse for a while. In the end, Zhang San could only lie across Li Si’s back, choosing a relatively less humiliating way to return to the city.

He had been “riding” all night and was truly exhausted. After resting against Li Si’s shoulder for only a short while, he began snoring comfortably beside Li Si’s ear. The soft rumbling sounded like a great tiger-cat asleep.

Li Si tilted his head slightly and rubbed his ear against Zhang San’s warm cheek. Gazing toward the faint light of dawn spilling across the distant walls of Jinyang City, he felt warmth and peace fill his heart.

He stopped and adjusted his grip slightly, securing the sleeping Brother Xiao firmly against his back. Then, with steady steps, he walked toward the light.

–

Ant’s Cry — End.

Elio’s Notes: This is not yet the end! Please stay tuned for the special/extra chapters. 😍

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