Chapter - 32
By Tea Time Translations
An Cangzhu glared ahead, and when Yisang dismounted and swaggered over, he laughed heartily, "I rushed here from Ma Yuan, but it seems I'm still late. My apologies for keeping you all waiting."
He walked over, took a seat nonchalantly, and only then seemed to notice Pei You'an. He turned towards Pei You'an, bowed, and said, "I apologize for the delay, Lord Pei. Please forgive me."
Pei You'an smiled but didn't respond. An Jilong, on the opposite side, spoke coldly, "It's one thing for us to wait for you, but why did you bring so many people with you? Do you think you're the only one with a sizable group?"
Yisang snorted, "Now that you're the Great Chieftain, what does it matter how many people I have? I don't trust you folks. If it weren't for Pei You'an treating the plague in my Mengding Prefecture in the past, I wouldn't be here today, wasting my time."
An Jilong held back his anger and said, "We had already made an oath to stop hostilities. That person, Ma, was clearly trying to sow discord. Did you really fall for his provocation? Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
Yisang sneered, "Nice words! You've gained all the benefits, even my ancestral land is given to you. Do you really think I'm a fool?"
An Jilong slammed the table and stood up, "This is outrageous! Ma's words were just empty promises. After he left, when did you see anyone from my Mengmu Prefecture cross the border even half a step? On the other hand, your people recently trespassed and caused trouble, injuring several of my men! I see no sincerity in your negotiations! An Jilong doesn't provoke trouble, but I won't back down from it either! If you want a fight, then let's fight!"
Yisang stood up abruptly, saying, "You've all heard it. The Great Chieftain has spoken. If that's the case, what else is there to discuss? I'm leaving; you all can deal with this yourselves!" With those words, he turned and walked away, and the several hundred warriors he had brought with him erupted in cheers.
An Jilong's face turned ashen, and the other chieftains looked at each other in dismay.
"Yisang, you made a blood oath before, promising to cease hostilities. You know full well that Mengmu Prefecture has not violated the terms of the agreement, yet you are causing trouble. What kind of reasoning is this?" A voice came from behind, calm and full of authority, seemingly overshadowing the cheers of Yisang's warriors.
Yisang stopped in his tracks, turned around, and saw Pei You'an walking towards him. He hesitated for a moment and then smiled, "Lord Pei, please don't misunderstand. You shouldn't believe everything you hear from one side. I have no intention of opposing you. I came here today out of respect for you. If we can't reach an understanding with him, then what is there to say? Whatever happens, happens."
He glanced around and saw that everyone was looking at him. He continued loudly, "This is a dispute between me and An Jilong. There's no need for outsiders to interfere. Lord Pei, I have always been straightforward. If I say something offensive, it's because you are a Han, and how can we truly be united? Your purpose in coming here is to mediate, but I heard that you entered Mengmu Prefecture early on. Are you really impartial? You came here, probably because An Jilong promised you some benefits, or maybe you have some hidden agenda, am I right?"
An Jilong was furious and stood up, rebuking, "Yisang! You can smear my reputation all you want, but to slander Lord Pei as well? When the plague broke out in your city, if it weren't for Lord Pei's assistance, you, Yisang, wouldn't be here today, spouting nonsense."
Pei You'an signaled An Jilong not to be hasty and turned to Yisang with a smile, saying, "Yisang, you've hit the nail on the head. I did have a personal agenda coming here."
The chieftains around them began to whisper to each other, and Yisang wore a smug expression.
Pei You'an looked around at the chieftains and said, "As you all know, the Third Prince was entrusted by the late emperor to govern this border region and ensure the peace and well-being of the people. If a conflict were to erupt between Mengmu and Mengding Prefectures due to misunderstandings, it would reflect poorly on the Third Prince, and there might be repercussions from the Imperial Censorate. I am here on behalf of the Third Prince, and if you are willing to show some goodwill, it would help me provide an explanation to them when I return."
Laughter broke out among the chieftains, and one of them loudly said, "Lord Pei, we have always admired you! You can certainly preside over today's affairs!"
Pei You'an extended his gratitude to the chieftains with a bow and continued, "In terms of seniority, I, Pei You'an, am far inferior to the chieftains present here. I am grateful for your respect. I have only one thing to say. War brings no luck, and chaos offers no safety. The Imperial Inspector Ma has come here, seemingly unrelated to all of you, but in reality, every person here will be affected. Mengmu and Mengding Prefectures hold significant influence in the southwest, and if conflict were to erupt again, how can you, esteemed chieftains, avoid being drawn into it? You might be coerced or forced to protect yourselves, and the slightest disturbance could escalate. Add to that the presence of external enemies eagerly awaiting an opportunity, and the stability of the southwest will be lost forever!"
The smiles on the chieftains' faces gradually faded, replaced by solemn expressions.
Pei You'an turned to Yisang and said, "Chieftain Yisang, if you were to engage in war once more with Mengmu Prefecture, how much chance do you have of winning?"
Yisang sneered, "Even if I have to give up my life and bones, I will not allow outsiders to seize an inch of my ancestral land!"
Pei You'an smiled faintly and said, "Well said! However, I'd like to ask the chieftains this: when Inspector Ma verbally promised to transfer Anlong Pass to Mengmu Prefecture, you reacted so vehemently that you violated the treaty, ignoring the facts. So, may I ask, why did you secretly send people to occupy the Mu State today, while many chieftains are gathered here? What is the reasoning behind that?"
As Pei You'an's words echoed through the assembly, Yisang's face changed, and the entire gathering erupted into a buzz of discussion.
Mu State was An Jilong's ancestral land, and he was shocked. He rushed forward and shouted, "Yisang! You dare commit such a shameless act! Do you think I, An Jilong, fear you?"
An Cangzhu had drawn his dagger and led his twenty guards to charge forward, angrily saying, "You despicable scoundrel, I'll kill you right now!"
Yisang let out a loud call, and immediately, hundreds of his warriors surged forward, surrounding the meeting place with their swords and bows at the ready, poised for action.
The chieftains all changed their expressions, rising from their seats and berating, "Yisang, what do you think you're doing?"
Yisang surveyed the surroundings and sneered, "All of you are nothing more than An Jilong's lackeys. Pei You'an, now that you know about it, I have nothing to hide. I've already sent a large group of men and horses to Mu State. There's no way Mu State will escape. I'll make it clear here: Anlong Pass originally belonged to Mengding Prefecture for generations. If An Jilong doesn't agree to hand over Anlong Pass completely, not only will Mu State not be spared, but each and every one of you will also have no hope of leaving!"
Angry voices filled the air, but Yisang remained unfazed, with a group of his trusted guards protecting him, exuding a high degree of arrogance.
Pei You'an observed him, his expression gradually turning cold. Suddenly, he clapped his hands, and one of his guards standing behind him released a signal flare. The flare shot into the sky, bursting with a loud pop. Moments later, a group of people came racing from a distance and quickly arrived. Yisang turned to look, his face changing dramatically.
Yang Yun approached on horseback, drawing his sword and pointing it at a man tied up and hung from the side of a horse. He shouted sternly, "Yisang, take a look at who this is! If you don't apologize to Lord Pei, I won't recognize your son!"
The man who was bound was none other than Yisang's beloved eldest son, Inu. He was known for his martial prowess and was Yisang's right-hand man, viewed as his heir.
In this secret operation, he had sent Inu with two thousand elite soldiers to launch a surprise attack on the poorly defended Mu State. He had expected it to be an easy victory, but he never anticipated such a turn of events. After collecting himself, he immediately turned to Pei You'an and said, "What are your intentions? If you dare to harm my son even a little, I swear I won't rest until we settle this!"
Pei You'an replied coldly, "Yisang, your son is being held at swordpoint, and not a hair on his head has been harmed. Yet, you are already so anxious, threatening to take both our lives. If I fail to stop your scheme in time, will you show even an ounce of mercy to the defenseless people of Mu State? Your son shares your flesh and blood, but would you have the same pain for someone who is not your kin?"
Yisang glanced at his son, who was struggling and had his mouth covered. His face turned extremely ugly.
"Now, order your men to withdraw," Pei You'an demanded sternly.
Yisang shivered all over, involuntarily taking a step back. His face alternated between red and white as he signaled for his men to retreat.
Soon, the hundreds of warriors retreated like a tide, disappearing from sight.
The tense atmosphere from earlier finally eased, and the chieftains collectively breathed a sigh of relief. They glared at Yisang with anger in their eyes.
Pei You'an instructed Yang Yun to bring Inu forward. As Yang Yun pushed him, Inu continued to struggle and refused to kneel. Yang Yun kicked the back of his knee, causing Inu to fall to the ground. He glared at Pei You'an and continued to whimper.
Yisang finally composed himself and asked, "Lord Pei, I have fallen into your hands today. What do you plan to do with my son?"
"Yisang, while your family has held the position of chieftain for many generations, it was only your great-grandfather who managed to expand its influence. I've heard that during the time of the previous chieftain, Meng Li once attacked your city of Ma Yuan, and the city was on the verge of falling. Both your chieftain and the city were in great danger. Fortunately, the people of Ma Yuan came to your aid with all their might, and you managed to turn the tide of the battle. After that, your family began to prosper. The reason the people of Ma Yuan helped your chieftain was because he was known for his kindness and love for the people, always keeping his promises. He was a true hero. Why did Meng Li lose the support of the people? It was because of his warmongering ways and the suffering of the populace. Now, your family has gained power, and where is Meng Li? He has long turned into a mound of yellow earth."
"People cannot thrive without trust. I know you're eager to be appointed as the Great Chieftain by the imperial court. However, with your current attitude, merely because you didn't get the benefits you expected, you harbor dissatisfaction. Your vision is limited to your immediate gains, and you disregard the sanctity of promises and oaths. How can you establish yourself as a leader? How can you earn the trust of your people?"
As Pei You'an's words fell, there was silence all around.
Yisang's face turned red, and he was so overwhelmed by Pei You'an's presence that he dared not speak. He watched as Pei You'an turned to face An Cangzhu and reached for his waist sword.
An Cangzhu immediately drew the sword and presented it with both hands. Pei You'an accepted it and lightly touched the cold blade with his finger, a frosty glint in his eyes.
He took a step forward, approaching Yisang's son, Inu, and crouched down to remove the wooden gag from his mouth.
Inu immediately shouted, "Father, don't worry about me! If he wants to kill me, let him! This Han man is full of tricks. Don't fall for it!"
Pei You'an used the back of the sword to press Inu's face to the side, and with a slight force on his wrist, Inu's head became immobile, his eyes glaring angrily at Pei You'an.
The atmosphere grew tense, and everyone held their breath. Yisang turned pale, gritted his teeth, and said, "If you kill him, I will be your sworn enemy!"
Pei You'an, with a calm expression, raised his hand and brought the blade down, cutting Inu's arm. Yisang was taken aback and had not yet reacted when he saw Pei You'an repeat the action, slashing own his arm. A fresh red gash appeared, and blood began to flow down his sleeve.
The entire assembly was stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening. Inu, lying on the ground, also ceased struggling, bewildered by Pei You'an's actions.
Yisang, whose heart had been in his throat, hesitated upon seeing Pei You'an's behavior and asked, "Lord Pei... What is your intention?"
Pei You'an gazed at him and said, "Yisang, you just said, 'Since you are an outsider, how can you join hearts?' Did you not see that I, along with your eldest son, may not be of the same ethnicity or appearance, but beneath our skin, our blood is of the same color? Can't we put aside our prejudices and unite? You and An Jilong are like twin tigers in the southwest, with many coveting your positions, wanting to replace you. Have you heard the saying that when two tigers fight, one must die while a dog benefits? Before I embarked on this journey, the Third Prince once said that you are indeed a good man, but your heart is somewhat narrow. You were incited and manipulated into this conflict without realizing it, leading to today's dispute. An Jilong never intended to be your enemy, and the third prince hopes you will pull back from the brink. Whether it is war or peace is now up to you."
Yisang stood dumbfounded for a moment and then rushed forward, bowing deeply and prostrating himself before Pei You'an. He said, "Lord Pei, I have never admitted defeat in my life, but today, I willingly acknowledge my mistake! I was wrong! Whether to kill or spare, it is entirely up to you, Pei sir!"
Pei You'an replied, "No one is without flaws. Yisang, the chieftain, is willing to lay down arms and make peace. This is a great virtue. Rise."
Pei You'an then turned to An Jilong and asked, "Chieftain An, Yisang's people attacked your city of Mu State. How do you wish to resolve this matter?"
An Jilong, though initially furious and frightened, was relieved that the situation had not escalated into a disaster. He took into consideration Pei You'an's intervention and decided to let the matter go. He said to Yisang, "Yisang, today's events, fortunately, didn't result in a catastrophe. For the sake of Lord Pei, I won't hold it against you. However, let me make it clear that if you trespass into my Mu State Prefecture again, I won't easily forgive you!"
Yisang, with a look of shame, replied, "Lord Pei spared my son's life, and I owe him a life. I will keep this debt, and in the future, I will be at Lord Pei's service at any time. As for here, let's restore our original alliance and uphold our previous agreements. I will make offerings and apologize publicly before all the witnesses here."
An Jilong, initially hoping that Yisang would concede the control of Anlong Pass to him, was frustrated by Yisang's shrewdness. However, seeing Pei You'an's influence and preferring to avoid further conflict, he agreed. He turned to the others and said with a smile, "Yisang's banquet will have to wait for another day. Today, you've all worked hard. Come to my residence, and I'll host a feast. Lord Pei, please take the seat of honor, and together, we won't leave until we're all drunk!"
The tension in the air began to dissipate as the chieftains agreed to An Jilong's proposal, and they prepared to leave the meeting place for An Jilong's residence.
.....
Jiafu knew that today's events were of great importance, so she waited anxiously in the chieftain's residence. As night fell, she faintly heard the sounds of festivities and music coming from the front, and she guessed that Pei You'an had safely returned. In no time, a guard arrived, saying that Lord Pei wanted to convey a message that everything was fine, and she need not worry.
Relieved, Jiafu's anxiety eased. She eagerly awaited his return, continually going outside to look for him. She waited until the late evening hours (Hai shi), occasionally going out to check, and finally, she heard footsteps approaching. She rushed outside and saw Pei You'an being supported by a guard, his steps slightly unsteady.
Pei You'an had not drunk any alcohol at feasts or banquets since he arrived here, and this evening was an exception. Jiafu had never seen him drink before, and it was a surprise to her. She quickly went to his side, helping him stay steady.
Pei You'an dismissed the guard then withdrew the arm held by Jiafu and walked inside.
Jiafu chased after him, held his arm again, and said, "You've had too much to drink; you can hardly walk steadily. Let me assist you."
Pei You'an paused for a moment, looking down at her. Seeing the concern in her eyes, he hesitated but didn't pull his arm away. He allowed her to support him as they entered the house.
Chapter - 32
By Tea Time Translations
An Cangzhu glared ahead, and when Yisang dismounted and swaggered over, he laughed heartily, "I rushed here from Ma Yuan, but it seems I'm still late. My apologies for keeping you all waiting."
He walked over, took a seat nonchalantly, and only then seemed to notice Pei You'an. He turned towards Pei You'an, bowed, and said, "I apologize for the delay, Lord Pei. Please forgive me."
Pei You'an smiled but didn't respond. An Jilong, on the opposite side, spoke coldly, "It's one thing for us to wait for you, but why did you bring so many people with you? Do you think you're the only one with a sizable group?"
Yisang snorted, "Now that you're the Great Chieftain, what does it matter how many people I have? I don't trust you folks. If it weren't for Pei You'an treating the plague in my Mengding Prefecture in the past, I wouldn't be here today, wasting my time."
An Jilong held back his anger and said, "We had already made an oath to stop hostilities. That person, Ma, was clearly trying to sow discord. Did you really fall for his provocation? Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
Yisang sneered, "Nice words! You've gained all the benefits, even my ancestral land is given to you. Do you really think I'm a fool?"
An Jilong slammed the table and stood up, "This is outrageous! Ma's words were just empty promises. After he left, when did you see anyone from my Mengmu Prefecture cross the border even half a step? On the other hand, your people recently trespassed and caused trouble, injuring several of my men! I see no sincerity in your negotiations! An Jilong doesn't provoke trouble, but I won't back down from it either! If you want a fight, then let's fight!"
Yisang stood up abruptly, saying, "You've all heard it. The Great Chieftain has spoken. If that's the case, what else is there to discuss? I'm leaving; you all can deal with this yourselves!" With those words, he turned and walked away, and the several hundred warriors he had brought with him erupted in cheers.
An Jilong's face turned ashen, and the other chieftains looked at each other in dismay.
"Yisang, you made a blood oath before, promising to cease hostilities. You know full well that Mengmu Prefecture has not violated the terms of the agreement, yet you are causing trouble. What kind of reasoning is this?" A voice came from behind, calm and full of authority, seemingly overshadowing the cheers of Yisang's warriors.
Yisang stopped in his tracks, turned around, and saw Pei You'an walking towards him. He hesitated for a moment and then smiled, "Lord Pei, please don't misunderstand. You shouldn't believe everything you hear from one side. I have no intention of opposing you. I came here today out of respect for you. If we can't reach an understanding with him, then what is there to say? Whatever happens, happens."
He glanced around and saw that everyone was looking at him. He continued loudly, "This is a dispute between me and An Jilong. There's no need for outsiders to interfere. Lord Pei, I have always been straightforward. If I say something offensive, it's because you are a Han, and how can we truly be united? Your purpose in coming here is to mediate, but I heard that you entered Mengmu Prefecture early on. Are you really impartial? You came here, probably because An Jilong promised you some benefits, or maybe you have some hidden agenda, am I right?"
An Jilong was furious and stood up, rebuking, "Yisang! You can smear my reputation all you want, but to slander Lord Pei as well? When the plague broke out in your city, if it weren't for Lord Pei's assistance, you, Yisang, wouldn't be here today, spouting nonsense."
Pei You'an signaled An Jilong not to be hasty and turned to Yisang with a smile, saying, "Yisang, you've hit the nail on the head. I did have a personal agenda coming here."
The chieftains around them began to whisper to each other, and Yisang wore a smug expression.
Pei You'an looked around at the chieftains and said, "As you all know, the Third Prince was entrusted by the late emperor to govern this border region and ensure the peace and well-being of the people. If a conflict were to erupt between Mengmu and Mengding Prefectures due to misunderstandings, it would reflect poorly on the Third Prince, and there might be repercussions from the Imperial Censorate. I am here on behalf of the Third Prince, and if you are willing to show some goodwill, it would help me provide an explanation to them when I return."
Laughter broke out among the chieftains, and one of them loudly said, "Lord Pei, we have always admired you! You can certainly preside over today's affairs!"
Pei You'an extended his gratitude to the chieftains with a bow and continued, "In terms of seniority, I, Pei You'an, am far inferior to the chieftains present here. I am grateful for your respect. I have only one thing to say. War brings no luck, and chaos offers no safety. The Imperial Inspector Ma has come here, seemingly unrelated to all of you, but in reality, every person here will be affected. Mengmu and Mengding Prefectures hold significant influence in the southwest, and if conflict were to erupt again, how can you, esteemed chieftains, avoid being drawn into it? You might be coerced or forced to protect yourselves, and the slightest disturbance could escalate. Add to that the presence of external enemies eagerly awaiting an opportunity, and the stability of the southwest will be lost forever!"
The smiles on the chieftains' faces gradually faded, replaced by solemn expressions.
Pei You'an turned to Yisang and said, "Chieftain Yisang, if you were to engage in war once more with Mengmu Prefecture, how much chance do you have of winning?"
Yisang sneered, "Even if I have to give up my life and bones, I will not allow outsiders to seize an inch of my ancestral land!"
Pei You'an smiled faintly and said, "Well said! However, I'd like to ask the chieftains this: when Inspector Ma verbally promised to transfer Anlong Pass to Mengmu Prefecture, you reacted so vehemently that you violated the treaty, ignoring the facts. So, may I ask, why did you secretly send people to occupy the Mu State today, while many chieftains are gathered here? What is the reasoning behind that?"
As Pei You'an's words echoed through the assembly, Yisang's face changed, and the entire gathering erupted into a buzz of discussion.
Mu State was An Jilong's ancestral land, and he was shocked. He rushed forward and shouted, "Yisang! You dare commit such a shameless act! Do you think I, An Jilong, fear you?"
An Cangzhu had drawn his dagger and led his twenty guards to charge forward, angrily saying, "You despicable scoundrel, I'll kill you right now!"
Yisang let out a loud call, and immediately, hundreds of his warriors surged forward, surrounding the meeting place with their swords and bows at the ready, poised for action.
The chieftains all changed their expressions, rising from their seats and berating, "Yisang, what do you think you're doing?"
Yisang surveyed the surroundings and sneered, "All of you are nothing more than An Jilong's lackeys. Pei You'an, now that you know about it, I have nothing to hide. I've already sent a large group of men and horses to Mu State. There's no way Mu State will escape. I'll make it clear here: Anlong Pass originally belonged to Mengding Prefecture for generations. If An Jilong doesn't agree to hand over Anlong Pass completely, not only will Mu State not be spared, but each and every one of you will also have no hope of leaving!"
Angry voices filled the air, but Yisang remained unfazed, with a group of his trusted guards protecting him, exuding a high degree of arrogance.
Pei You'an observed him, his expression gradually turning cold. Suddenly, he clapped his hands, and one of his guards standing behind him released a signal flare. The flare shot into the sky, bursting with a loud pop. Moments later, a group of people came racing from a distance and quickly arrived. Yisang turned to look, his face changing dramatically.
Yang Yun approached on horseback, drawing his sword and pointing it at a man tied up and hung from the side of a horse. He shouted sternly, "Yisang, take a look at who this is! If you don't apologize to Lord Pei, I won't recognize your son!"
The man who was bound was none other than Yisang's beloved eldest son, Inu. He was known for his martial prowess and was Yisang's right-hand man, viewed as his heir.
In this secret operation, he had sent Inu with two thousand elite soldiers to launch a surprise attack on the poorly defended Mu State. He had expected it to be an easy victory, but he never anticipated such a turn of events. After collecting himself, he immediately turned to Pei You'an and said, "What are your intentions? If you dare to harm my son even a little, I swear I won't rest until we settle this!"
Pei You'an replied coldly, "Yisang, your son is being held at swordpoint, and not a hair on his head has been harmed. Yet, you are already so anxious, threatening to take both our lives. If I fail to stop your scheme in time, will you show even an ounce of mercy to the defenseless people of Mu State? Your son shares your flesh and blood, but would you have the same pain for someone who is not your kin?"
Yisang glanced at his son, who was struggling and had his mouth covered. His face turned extremely ugly.
"Now, order your men to withdraw," Pei You'an demanded sternly.
Yisang shivered all over, involuntarily taking a step back. His face alternated between red and white as he signaled for his men to retreat.
Soon, the hundreds of warriors retreated like a tide, disappearing from sight.
The tense atmosphere from earlier finally eased, and the chieftains collectively breathed a sigh of relief. They glared at Yisang with anger in their eyes.
Pei You'an instructed Yang Yun to bring Inu forward. As Yang Yun pushed him, Inu continued to struggle and refused to kneel. Yang Yun kicked the back of his knee, causing Inu to fall to the ground. He glared at Pei You'an and continued to whimper.
Yisang finally composed himself and asked, "Lord Pei, I have fallen into your hands today. What do you plan to do with my son?"
"Yisang, while your family has held the position of chieftain for many generations, it was only your great-grandfather who managed to expand its influence. I've heard that during the time of the previous chieftain, Meng Li once attacked your city of Ma Yuan, and the city was on the verge of falling. Both your chieftain and the city were in great danger. Fortunately, the people of Ma Yuan came to your aid with all their might, and you managed to turn the tide of the battle. After that, your family began to prosper. The reason the people of Ma Yuan helped your chieftain was because he was known for his kindness and love for the people, always keeping his promises. He was a true hero. Why did Meng Li lose the support of the people? It was because of his warmongering ways and the suffering of the populace. Now, your family has gained power, and where is Meng Li? He has long turned into a mound of yellow earth."
"People cannot thrive without trust. I know you're eager to be appointed as the Great Chieftain by the imperial court. However, with your current attitude, merely because you didn't get the benefits you expected, you harbor dissatisfaction. Your vision is limited to your immediate gains, and you disregard the sanctity of promises and oaths. How can you establish yourself as a leader? How can you earn the trust of your people?"
As Pei You'an's words fell, there was silence all around.
Yisang's face turned red, and he was so overwhelmed by Pei You'an's presence that he dared not speak. He watched as Pei You'an turned to face An Cangzhu and reached for his waist sword.
An Cangzhu immediately drew the sword and presented it with both hands. Pei You'an accepted it and lightly touched the cold blade with his finger, a frosty glint in his eyes.
He took a step forward, approaching Yisang's son, Inu, and crouched down to remove the wooden gag from his mouth.
Inu immediately shouted, "Father, don't worry about me! If he wants to kill me, let him! This Han man is full of tricks. Don't fall for it!"
Pei You'an used the back of the sword to press Inu's face to the side, and with a slight force on his wrist, Inu's head became immobile, his eyes glaring angrily at Pei You'an.
The atmosphere grew tense, and everyone held their breath. Yisang turned pale, gritted his teeth, and said, "If you kill him, I will be your sworn enemy!"
Pei You'an, with a calm expression, raised his hand and brought the blade down, cutting Inu's arm. Yisang was taken aback and had not yet reacted when he saw Pei You'an repeat the action, slashing own his arm. A fresh red gash appeared, and blood began to flow down his sleeve.
The entire assembly was stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening. Inu, lying on the ground, also ceased struggling, bewildered by Pei You'an's actions.
Yisang, whose heart had been in his throat, hesitated upon seeing Pei You'an's behavior and asked, "Lord Pei... What is your intention?"
Pei You'an gazed at him and said, "Yisang, you just said, 'Since you are an outsider, how can you join hearts?' Did you not see that I, along with your eldest son, may not be of the same ethnicity or appearance, but beneath our skin, our blood is of the same color? Can't we put aside our prejudices and unite? You and An Jilong are like twin tigers in the southwest, with many coveting your positions, wanting to replace you. Have you heard the saying that when two tigers fight, one must die while a dog benefits? Before I embarked on this journey, the Third Prince once said that you are indeed a good man, but your heart is somewhat narrow. You were incited and manipulated into this conflict without realizing it, leading to today's dispute. An Jilong never intended to be your enemy, and the third prince hopes you will pull back from the brink. Whether it is war or peace is now up to you."
Yisang stood dumbfounded for a moment and then rushed forward, bowing deeply and prostrating himself before Pei You'an. He said, "Lord Pei, I have never admitted defeat in my life, but today, I willingly acknowledge my mistake! I was wrong! Whether to kill or spare, it is entirely up to you, Pei sir!"
Pei You'an replied, "No one is without flaws. Yisang, the chieftain, is willing to lay down arms and make peace. This is a great virtue. Rise."
Pei You'an then turned to An Jilong and asked, "Chieftain An, Yisang's people attacked your city of Mu State. How do you wish to resolve this matter?"
An Jilong, though initially furious and frightened, was relieved that the situation had not escalated into a disaster. He took into consideration Pei You'an's intervention and decided to let the matter go. He said to Yisang, "Yisang, today's events, fortunately, didn't result in a catastrophe. For the sake of Lord Pei, I won't hold it against you. However, let me make it clear that if you trespass into my Mu State Prefecture again, I won't easily forgive you!"
Yisang, with a look of shame, replied, "Lord Pei spared my son's life, and I owe him a life. I will keep this debt, and in the future, I will be at Lord Pei's service at any time. As for here, let's restore our original alliance and uphold our previous agreements. I will make offerings and apologize publicly before all the witnesses here."
An Jilong, initially hoping that Yisang would concede the control of Anlong Pass to him, was frustrated by Yisang's shrewdness. However, seeing Pei You'an's influence and preferring to avoid further conflict, he agreed. He turned to the others and said with a smile, "Yisang's banquet will have to wait for another day. Today, you've all worked hard. Come to my residence, and I'll host a feast. Lord Pei, please take the seat of honor, and together, we won't leave until we're all drunk!"
The tension in the air began to dissipate as the chieftains agreed to An Jilong's proposal, and they prepared to leave the meeting place for An Jilong's residence.
.....
Jiafu knew that today's events were of great importance, so she waited anxiously in the chieftain's residence. As night fell, she faintly heard the sounds of festivities and music coming from the front, and she guessed that Pei You'an had safely returned. In no time, a guard arrived, saying that Lord Pei wanted to convey a message that everything was fine, and she need not worry.
Relieved, Jiafu's anxiety eased. She eagerly awaited his return, continually going outside to look for him. She waited until the late evening hours (Hai shi), occasionally going out to check, and finally, she heard footsteps approaching. She rushed outside and saw Pei You'an being supported by a guard, his steps slightly unsteady.
Pei You'an had not drunk any alcohol at feasts or banquets since he arrived here, and this evening was an exception. Jiafu had never seen him drink before, and it was a surprise to her. She quickly went to his side, helping him stay steady.
Pei You'an dismissed the guard then withdrew the arm held by Jiafu and walked inside.
Jiafu chased after him, held his arm again, and said, "You've had too much to drink; you can hardly walk steadily. Let me assist you."
Pei You'an paused for a moment, looking down at her. Seeing the concern in her eyes, he hesitated but didn't pull his arm away. He allowed her to support him as they entered the house.
