Ningzhou’s Weize County was a superior county, permitted two county lieutenants under the laws of Liyang. Due to its remote location and the fierce nature of its people, Weize was particularly difficult to govern. At the slightest tremor in the nation’s affairs, refugees would scatter and hide in the mountains, forming gangs and causing unrest. Liyang placed great importance on horse management, implementing policies for years in regions like Huai. Ningzhou’s meager grasslands rendered it unsuitable for horse breeding compared to other areas. Yet, as one of the original thirteen “elder states” of Liyang, Ningzhou was chosen despite its shortcomings. During the Spring and Autumn period, the entire state was involved in horse breeding, contributing greatly to the Zhao family. Most of the provincial governors were promoted to serve in the capital, but the province’s livelihood had deteriorated, leaving behind a broken mess. Appointments outside the capital were considered favorable, except for Ningzhou, which was seen as a dreaded assignment.
To this day, thousands of former horse breeders turned bandits still roamed Ningzhou, making it the most severe horse-related threat to the imperial court. The previous year, a governor was beheaded by dozens of horse thieves on the treacherous Yangchang Slope, a crucial north-south passage. The thieves looted his valuables, leaving his official robes and seal scattered on the ground, shocking the court. The Zhao emperor, furious, dispatched a cavalry officer with royal lineage and eight hundred elite soldiers to suppress the bandits. They reported many victories and over a hundred bandits slain. However, censors later accused the officer of fabricating these victories by colluding with local officials and substituting prisoners for bandits, including sixteen innocent civilians. The officer was executed on the spot, and the two lieutenants and eight hundred soldiers were exiled to Liaodong.
“Better to be a minor official elsewhere than a high-ranking one in Ningzhou,” indicating the difficulty of governing Ningzhou. Scholars serving as officials faced many rules and subtleties. Being a county magistrate was acceptable, as it was a low-ranking but real position with potential for promotion. However, becoming a county lieutenant responsible for legal matters and arrests was considered a joke. Serving as a county lieutenant in Wuzhe County, near the Yangchang Slope, was seen as a tragedy that brought joy to enemies and sorrow to allies.
Wuzhe County had one of its two county lieutenant positions vacant for a long time. The elderly lieutenant, Yan Wensheng, was from a neighboring county and had a severe drinking problem. He was skilled at flattery, drinking, and entertaining superiors but utterly incapable of suppressing bandits. Yan’s annual evaluations were consistently poor, yet he retained his position. In his own words, he would gladly hand over his official hat to anyone willing to take his place in Wuzhe County, praising them as true heroes.
However, at the end of this year, Yan did not lose his position but instead gained a new colleague, a young man surnamed Song. He arrived with only a poor horse, a young servant, and a chest of books, entering the Wuzhe County office. Yan, along with the county magistrate and clerk, discussed this newcomer. They deduced that he was not an official who inherited his position through family privilege, as no one with such a background would willingly endure the hardships of Wuzhe County. He was unlikely to be from the capital or a graduate of the imperial examinations, as such officials usually received promotions when assigned outside the capital, avoiding demotion. After much deliberation, the three seasoned officials concluded that he was likely a poor scholar who rose to prominence through literary talent. The young man’s handwriting was exceptional, in the popular “Yi Jia Liang Fu Zi” style favored by the Liyang court. Even illiterate men found it impressive. Moreover, his fair, delicate skin made him appear even more refined. Yan did not believe this young man could establish himself in Wuzhe County and thus had no intention of opposing him. He preferred to ignore him, believing he would soon give up and leave on his own.
However, Yan soon regretted his decision. The young man named Song quickly became obsessed with his role as county lieutenant. Upon entering the county office, he immediately retrieved a pile of geographical records, their dust thicker than the books themselves. He frequently approached Yan to inquire about the distribution of bandits in Wuzhe County. If it weren’t for the young man’s occasional humility and willingness to learn, as well as his habit of bringing a bottle of premium apricot flower wine each time, the hot-tempered Yan Wensheng would have already scolded him angrily.
As winter approached, even small places had their own impoverished customs. Yan and the local gentry and wealthy merchants of Wuzhe County mostly wore fox fur robes and sable coats with matching hats. The county’s wealthy gathered here out of necessity, as there was no peaceful place outside the county town. Newcomers to the area often mistakenly believed it to be a peaceful and prosperous era.
The county office’s drum for reporting grievances was already in disrepair, and even if someone wanted to strike it, they could not find a mallet, nor would it make a sound. Inside the main hall, there were two storerooms built according to tradition: one for food and one for weapons. The weapons in the armory were rusty. A few spears remained uncorroded only because the soldiers and guards used them, wielding them to knock out stray dogs on the streets, dragging them back to the office for dog meat, and then pooling money to buy wine. The entire office could smell the aroma. The senior officials naturally looked down on such lowly fare. However, the young official nicknamed “Xiao Song County Lieutenant” once followed the scent to a group of stunned subordinates, calmly sat down without ceremony, and joined his subordinates for a meal. Afterwards, he left a bag of coins, saying that the next time they had dog meat, he would pay for the wine. This made the group of minor officials delighted, thinking that this young county lieutenant was approachable. Whether he was a clean official was not their concern; they simply believed he would be an easy official to deal with.
The county magistrate and clerk, who lived in the back of the county office, had been watching coldly. After waiting for ten days and seeing that the new county lieutenant had no intention of meddling with the food supplies or making a show of authority, they relaxed their guard and began to feel some affinity for their new colleague. Although they still maintained a certain distance and pride, they at least offered smiles and exchanged a few greetings when they met. The county office’s back hall originally had a residence for the county lieutenant, a spacious house with a large courtyard, but it had long been occupied by the county magistrate’s brother-in-law, who refused to move out. The county magistrate noticed that the young county lieutenant, Xiao Song, remained silent and did not utter a single complaint. He knew that even a small place like this had many ears and tongues, making it impossible to keep secrets.
This made the county magistrate feel relieved and somewhat guilty. He took the initiative to arrange for Xiao Song to rent a quiet house near the county office. The young man did not refuse and did not mention the rent. Instead, he paid a formal visit as a junior, addressing the county magistrate’s wife, who was over forty, as “big sister.” His flattery made the notoriously stingy woman feel light-hearted. She held his sleeve, asking about his well-being. The county magistrate, accustomed to such situations, was not bothered. In neighboring counties, Liu Zhixian was so eager to leave Ningzhou that he even allowed his beautiful wife to open her collar, letting the governor reach inside for warmth, claiming that natural body heat was better than charcoal.
Unfortunately, the governor remained impartial and assigned another county magistrate to a neighboring province. However, Liu was not left empty-handed. It was said that at the end of the year, his performance evaluation, which had always been mediocre, would be upgraded to excellent, accompanied by an eight-character commendation: “Upright and incorruptible!” The county magistrate of Wuzhe County was no stranger to such affairs, finding this young outsider intriguing. He was surprisingly adept at social graces, far beyond his years in the bureaucracy.
If Song was here to enjoy a peaceful life, they would gladly provide him with peace. If he dared to stir up trouble, they would not hesitate to show the local dragons their fangs. Fortunately, the young man named Song Kelǐ proved to be clever, so Wuzhe County remained a harmonious place.
Xiao Song, the county lieutenant, was not particularly diligent in administrative affairs. He often rode out of the city with his handsome young servant to enjoy the snow, leaving in the morning and returning in the evening. During these outings, he usually asked for a meal from woodcutters or hunters in the villages. The soldiers and officers of the six departments in the county office said that although Xiao Song was a scholar, he lacked the pretentiousness typical of scholars. After a month of working together, several old soldiers with no other options discussed among themselves and brought wine, meat, and several new fox fur coats to visit the new county lieutenant’s residence.
A few days later, these men began openly taking over the security duties at the largest brothel in the city with their trusted companions. The local thugs, who had previously occupied the brothel, were furious. In Wuzhe County, even the women were fierce, and almost everyone had relatives or connections with the mountain bandits. Thus, the saying “the people do not fight the officials” did not apply. In the past, when handling such disputes, the county officials would simply mediate, allowing both sides to seek help from their families and patrons. They would then sit down to drink, eat, exchange gifts, and discuss relationships. Whoever had the more influential patron would be considered the winner. However, Xiao Song was easygoing but also fiercely protective of his men. He ordered the Torture Chamber (criminal investigation department) brothers to support the Barracks (military department) with spears and armor. Although these men, once stripped of their official roles, were no different from bandits, with crooked helmets and rusty weapons, Xiao Song treated them without the typical bureaucratic habits of scholars giving orders while soldiers did all the work. He immediately handed over his newly received salary to the Torture Chamber, resulting in the outnumbered local thugs being beaten badly in the bustling streets. The spectators found the scene fresh and exciting. Although many commoners thought the new county lieutenant was no different from previous officials, with some secretly mocking him, the entire city soon recognized Xiao Song’s reputation.
Later, a local gang leader with ties to a major Ningzhou faction made a public appearance, wrapping a knife in cotton cloth and parading through the streets. His subordinates hyped up the event, claiming their leader was going to the residence to settle the score. However, this Gallant Hero (chivalrous hero), known in Wuzhe County as the “Sixth Young Master,” returned an hour later, drunk and with a toothpick in his mouth, picking meat from his teeth. When asked, he simply smiled without answering. Three days later, everyone understood the situation: the official and bandits were in cahoots! The Sixth Young Master had been recruited by the county lieutenant into the Torture Chamber as a minor leader. Instead of displacing anyone, the county lieutenant simply added a new position. As a result, the people of Wuzhe County not only recognized the young official surnamed Song but also realized that his appetite for favors was quite unseemly! Surprisingly, neither the county magistrate nor the old county lieutenant objected to Song’s overstepping. Only relatives close to these two families knew that the county magistrate, who enjoyed refined pursuits, had recently acquired a new painting, and the son of the Lord Yan (Yan Laoye), who was mediocre in learning and worked as a clerk in a neighboring county, had somehow written an article that impressed the governor so much that he praised it enthusiastically. This was a rare occasion in the bureaucratic world, akin to a newlywed couple’s bliss. As the New Year approached, wealthy merchants flocked to Song’s residence with gifts. Song accepted everything without refusal, accumulating nearly a Struggle (dou, a traditional unit of volume) of gold daily. However, everyone knew these gifts were not free; favors had to be reciprocated. If not returned, it would break the rules, and if returned inadequately, it would still be considered disrespectful. Despite Wuzhe County’s status as a superior county, the city was small, yet filled with countless trivial matters. Song Kelǐ, a county lieutenant of the ninth rank, was destined to deal with these troublesome affairs, ensuring a busy future.
However, the harmonious situation was soon shattered, swiftly and unexpectedly. The previously unassuming clerk began to target the new county lieutenant first, creating numerous obstacles in official business. He even stripped the Barracks (military department) men involved in the brothel of their positions, leaving everyone stunned. The wives of those who had worked in the Barracks (military department) were initially delighted to earn money and praised Xiao Song as a capable man, even eager to introduce local beauties to warm his bed. However, after their husbands lost their jobs, these women turned into shrews, cursing and shouting in the streets. One particularly fierce woman even poured feces at Song’s doorstep, wishing him a year of bad luck. The six departments of the county office quickly changed their stance, keeping their distance from Xiao Song. The house was also reclaimed by its owner, who refused to rent it for any price. The new county lieutenant, now facing widespread opposition, did not show anger. He and his young servant cleared a small side room near the stable in the county office’s back hall, which was filled with horse manure several feet high. No one else helped them clean it. The county magistrate and clerk watched from afar, seeing Song remain calm despite his foul smell, while his young servant wept bitterly. The two officials exchanged a knowing smile.
Initially, the county magistrate’s wife felt some pity, secretly regretting that she could no longer enjoy the young man’s delicate skin. After being scolded by her husband and learning the truth, she understood the gravity of the situation. It turned out that the young man named Song was actually from a prominent family in the capital, though his exact background was vague and difficult to trace. Even the clerk, who held the second position in Wuzhe County, did not know much. However, the clerk’s mentor had spoken, warning that there was an untouchable official in Ningzhou, a fourth-rank official who had long disliked Song’s family and wanted to teach the impoverished young man a lesson, no matter how harshly.
In the stinky stable, Song laughed as he wiped away his young servant’s tears. The servant, only about fourteen or fifteen years old, wanted to say something but could only cry, overwhelmed by a great injustice.
From being flooded with visitors to being completely deserted, Xiao Song still went out to enjoy the snow whenever he wished or stayed inside to read when he lacked the mood. The gang leader, who had also been stripped of his position, visited the county office once.
On the day before New Year’s Eve, aside from the families of a few officials who were busily preparing, there were no other official duties in the government office. On this festive morning, a group of horsemen entered the city at dawn, their saddles carrying dozens of large cloth sacks. The city guards saw that Xiao Song was leading them and were too lazy to ask too many questions.
The Barracks (military department) and Torture Chamber (criminal investigation department), which had a large number of personnel, had about a hundred people in total, but only a dozen or so were actually in charge. These key individuals were invited by the new county lieutenant to the government office, with the warning that if they did not come, they would no longer be allowed to work. Few responded, as no one took the fallen “phoenix” seriously anymore. Only those who tried to curry favor or were too timid to refuse showed up at the prison, where they were stunned into silence.
In the prison, a dozen or so muscular men were hanging on the The Gallows (torture rack), including three or four notorious bandits who had been on the city’s wanted list. They were being tortured by outsiders not affiliated with the Torture Chamber (criminal investigation department). There was a large brazier in the prison, with roaring flames. Xiao Song sat on a small stool, expressionless, extending his hands to warm them, occasionally using tongs to stir the coals. He remained indifferent to the heart-wrenching cries of the tortured men. Most of the Barracks (military department) and Torture Chamber (criminal investigation department) brothers, who had come to witness the terrifying scene on this festive occasion, looked at each other in shock, while a few crouched in the corners, vomiting. Several young bandits, feared throughout Ningzhou, could not endure the unbearable pain and gradually revealed the hideouts of their comrades. The gang leader, who was most enthusiastic about the torture, turned to Xiao Song with a grin, his white teeth gleaming, making the Torture Chamber (criminal investigation department) and Barracks (military department) men shudder. Xiao Song seemed unsatisfied and quietly said, “Continue,” before falling silent.
He picked up a string of brass bells from the edge of the brazier. In Ningzhou, bandits were known as “Xiang Ma” (Horse Bandits), and there were two kinds: those who tied copper bells to their warhorses, and before charging into battle and killing, they would always fire a warning arrow with a bell attached. This young scholar, who should have been in a pleasure house listening to a fox-faced courtesan playing the zither and singing, lowered his head, squinted his eyes, and twirled the copper bell between his fingers.
The county yamen was not small, but the commotion here was too great. The families nearby had been so disturbed by the howls and cries coming from the prison that they could hardly bear it. Especially the concubines and children, who were scared into each other’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. The old Lieutenant, Yan Huasheng, stormed over in a rage to demand an explanation, but when he arrived, he happened to see the cold profile of the young Lieutenant Song, and suddenly felt as if he had become a complete stranger. The old Lieutenant, who had blood on his hands, found himself unable to utter a single word.
Lieutenant Song ignored Yan Huasheng, put down the string of bells, and used the fire tongs to pick up a glowing coal. Slowly rising to his feet, he walked toward a notorious, muscular horse bandit. The man was already drenched in blood, but his gaze remained cold and sharp, meeting Song’s fierce stare without flinching.
Lieutenant Song chuckled lightly, “The term ‘Year’s End’ comes from the idea that debts must be repaid before the new year. For those who owe money, the end of the year is like passing through a dangerous gate. You may not have had the chance to study when you were young, so you probably don’t understand this. But the law of heaven is clear: a life for a life. No matter where you go, in any era, this principle holds true. I’ll give you one last chance. If you tell me the hideout of any one of the Fourteen Great Horse Bandits of Ningzhou, I’ll make your death swift and painless.”
The old Lieutenant swallowed hard. Who had ever heard of someone explaining justice while torturing? Once you became a bandit, especially one who had earned a reputation and had a family to protect, loyalty and brotherhood were paramount. Getting them to talk was as hard as climbing to the heavens. Moreover, even if you captured one and received the reward, you might not live long enough to spend it. In Ningzhou, there were many precedents of bandits avenging their comrades by sneaking into the city in disguise and slaughtering entire families. After that, everyone turned a blind eye. Being an official was a good job, but you had to survive to enjoy it.
True to form, the bandit spat a mouthful of blood onto Lieutenant Song’s face.
The leader of the ruffians was about to beat the insolent man, but to his surprise, Lieutenant Song waved him off and simply said, “Pry his mouth open.”
Two men forced the bandit’s mouth open, and Lieutenant Song, with the fire tongs, slowly inserted the glowing coal into the bandit’s mouth. A piercing hissing sound filled the prison as the flesh burned. Even the old Lieutenant Yan Huasheng felt his stomach churn in horror.
Before the bandit had even died, Lieutenant Song turned again to pick up another coal and approached the next horse bandit. “Earlier, I forgot to mention: if you betray your comrades, I, Song Keli, the Lieutenant of Wuzhe County, will guarantee that your family will be protected after your death.”
The bandit hesitated for a moment, but this time, there was no need to force his mouth open. The young Lieutenant, known for his patience and gentleness, directly jabbed the red-hot tongs into the middle-aged bandit’s mouth, silencing him forever.
Pulling out the tongs, Song turned again to grab another coal. The third bandit, seeing the young man approach with a look more sinister than any bandit, was so terrified that he immediately stammered, “I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”
Song frowned slightly and then said softly, “Suddenly, I don’t feel like listening anymore. Those hideouts—I’ll find them eventually if I spend enough time and effort. In truth, your deaths are not your fault alone. It’s this world and this corrupt bureaucracy that are to blame. You’re just the pawns.”
The man, who had endured several rounds of torture and still managed to laugh bitterly, now wept and pleaded, “Master, I beg you! If you promise to protect my family, I’ll tell you about two of the major bandit hideouts! I beg you…”
Song threw the tongs aside. The young page, who had once wept in the stable, had been silently taking notes all along. Now he hurried over, holding the brush and paper, and squatted in front of the bandit, spreading the paper across his knee. The boy’s eyes were cold and unflinching as he looked up.
Song sat back on the small stool by the fire, pointed at the leader of the local ruffians, and turned to Yan Huasheng with a smile. “Lieutenant Yan, I just happened to be out with Brother Shi Hu admiring the snow when we ran into this group of small-time bandits. So we tied them up and brought them back to the county. It’s almost the New Year, and I didn’t want to trouble the Torture Chamber (criminal investigators) too much, but I also didn’t want to be accused of taking the law into my own hands. That’s why I asked you to come and take a look. But tomorrow, we’ll have to hang the bandits’ bodies on the city walls, so I’ll need the Torture Chamber to handle that. Also, I suspect many of the bandits are hiding in the city, possibly connected to some of the respected elders here. Once the full list is ready, I may need you to help spread the word. I’ll say that Song Keli, newly arrived in Wuzhe County, is poor and can only burn the list as a small New Year gift to the townsfolk. Let’s keep things peaceful and prosperous. Will that trouble you, Lieutenant Yan?”
Yan Huasheng shook his head vigorously. “No trouble at all.”
Lieutenant Song returned to his usual gentle self, smiling kindly. “I should also let you know, Lieutenant Yan, that I won’t be spending the New Year in the county office. I’ve already asked Brother Shi Hu to rent a small house on Taoran Street.”
Yan, who had braced himself for more trouble, relaxed at this minor matter and immediately forced a smile. “No problem at all. I’ll come visit you for the New Year. If you haven’t prepared dinner yet, I know a good chef who’s quite famous in Wuzhe County. I’ll have him cook for you tomorrow.”
With one bandit breaking the silence, the prison finally quieted down. The young page wrote furiously, finishing quickly. Without being told, he took another sheet of paper and made a second, more concise list. After blowing on the ink to dry it, he handed it to the old Lieutenant, whose expression was complex.
Lieutenant Song slowly stood up, and the members of the Torture Chamber and Barracks (military and criminal departments) instinctively took a few steps back in fear.
Song spoke softly, “What happened today is a confidential matter for the county’s military and criminal departments. Just keep it to yourselves.”
They all nodded vigorously.
Song then turned to Yan Huasheng, “Please see Lieutenant Yan off.”
Yan hurriedly said, “No need.”
But Song still walked him to the prison gate. After returning, only a few loyal men of Shi Hu remained, along with the refined young page who had impressed Shi Hu.
Shi Hu looked at Song with a questioning glance, and Song nodded.
A desperate, agonized cry echoed from the prison, and then everything fell silent. Standing in the bloody room, Song asked, “Can you really find more than forty clean-handed men in the martial world?”
Shi Hu grinned, rubbing his hands. “Lieutenant Song, rest assured. I may not have many connections in Ningzhou, but the ones I do have are reliable. Those men are already as ruthless as the bandits. Years ago, I accidentally saved their leader’s life, so they owe me. Besides, I’m not asking them to do it for free. As long as the payment is good, they’d even storm a government office. That’s not something you can do elsewhere, but in Ningzhou, the real power isn’t with the officials—it’s with the outlaws.”
Song nodded with a smile. “You can rest assured too. Whether there’s one or two Lieutenants in Wuzhe County, there will always be a seat for you.”
Shi Hu laughed. “Getting an official title is one thing, but working with you is just plain fun. Not long ago, a wandering fortune teller told me my destined benefactor would have the surname Song. By the gods, he wasn’t lying! I didn’t even give him a tip back then—I feel so guilty now!”
Song didn’t respond. “Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Shi Brother, will you stay with me and keep watch through the night?”
Shi Hu waved his hand casually. “That would be great!”
After Shi Hu and his men left, only Song and the young page remained in the prison.
Song looked at one of the corpses and murmured to himself, “Many troubles must be addressed at their root, and must follow the principle of gradual progress. It’s hard to do, but someone has to do it. And when it’s done, at the very least, no one in Ningzhou will want to become a bandit anymore. You had to die. Someone must do the work, and someone must pay the price.”
The young page asked softly, “Master, with your skills, why did you need that roughneck Shi Hu to deal with these dozen or so horse bandits? Even if you went to one of their hideouts alone, you could cut your way in and out several times.”
Song replied gently, “Rules are the most important thing. If you always try to take shortcuts and ignore the rules, you’ll eventually meet someone even more ruthless than you. As the old saying goes, ‘Walking by the river often, your shoes will surely get wet.’ That’s the truth. A third-rank martial artist can be killed by a second-rank master, who in turn can be killed by a first-rank grandmaster. A King Kong (Diamond) can be killed by a Mystic Revelation (Finger of the Mystic), who can be killed by a Celestial Phenomena (Heavenly Omen). One thing overcomes another—no one escapes. Once you become an official, it’s like watching the martial world from a boat. The hardest part is not allowing yourself any by luck ( by luck means by luck, by luck means by luck)—you can’t even step off the boat once. When the clerk Liang Lun targeted me, he used official methods without breaking the rules. I accepted it. If I couldn’t handle it, it meant my cultivation in the official path was not deep enough, so I had to endure. If I could handle it, I would have established my foothold in Wuzhe County and could gradually build my career. Killing bandits is the duty of a Lieutenant, and since I didn’t break the rules, it won’t narrow my path in the official world.”
The boy pouted and sighed, “But Master, you’re only a ninth-rank official now. How many years will it take to become a third-rank minister like your father?”
Song tapped the boy’s head gently, his eyes warm, his voice scolding, “Didn’t I just tell you about gradual progress? Already forgotten?”
The boy said “Oh” and smiled.
Suddenly, the boy whispered, “That Shi Hu is so stupid—he didn’t even realize the fortune teller was you in disguise!”
Song, who had already laid a series of meticulous plans in Wuzhe County, simply smiled.
Song let the boy sit on the small stool and crouched beside him to warm his hands. He murmured, “It seems someone in the capital already knows I’m here and has started moving against me. It’s strange—no one has offered help to the Song family in our time of need, which isn’t unusual. But even now that the Song family has fallen, someone still remembers a mere Lieutenant? The Song family may have attracted enemies in the past, but we never made deadly enemies in the official world. In the literary world, we did have many rivals, but most of them still had some sense of decorum. Could it be that their aides or confidants are trying to curry favor with those literary giants by stirring up trouble? Otherwise, this cold wind feels a bit off.”
Song stopped tapping his fingers on his forehead, picked up the string of bells, and chuckled bitterly. “If I can’t figure it out, I won’t think about it anymore.”
“I heard the Princess almost tried to stop you on the road when you left the capital.”
“Sentimental attachments weaken the heart. It’s useless to dwell on it, and I have no right to think of such things.”
“But Master, you still have to marry and build a family.”
“Of course. Finding a virtuous woman in Wuzhe County would be fine.”
“How can that be acceptable!”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“How could any of them be worthy of you?!”
After saying this, the page’s eyes turned red, and he began to sob. “Master, you are the young phoenix of the Song family, destined to become the leader of the scholars of the realm!”
Song smiled gently, reached out, and wiped the boy’s tears away.
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