Ah! Nangong Clan – Episode 6
006 I'll Protect You (4)
"Lord Shangguan. We must know who the enemy is to prepare against them."
Even so, Shangguan Yilu did not open his mouth. Nangong Zhaoxi sighed and decided to press harder.
"If things continue like this, we will all die. The river bandits have retreated for now, but they are following us at a fixed distance. What does that mean? They are waiting for a chance to attack again. Moreover, since the leader of the Changjiang Six Bandits accepted a contract, even with him as our captive, the remaining five will try to kill that child. They may be waiting at the ferry crossing."
"I know that as well."
"Then tell me what happened. Only then can we think of a way to escape from here."
Shangguan Yilu hesitated for a moment. It was unpleasant to speak of his family's disgrace to an outsider. But neither could he remain silent. In this situation, he needed every hand he could get. Moreover, Nangong Zhaoxi was a master who had subdued one of the Changjiang Six Bandits, the Third Bandit Li Gonghao.
Above all, the man had a chivalrous spirit. When Shangguan Yilu first saw him, he had thought Nangong Zhaoxi was going to ask for help. Instead, the man had offered help, and indeed had helped.
"Promise me just one thing. Then I shall speak."
"Speak."
"Once we leave this place, erase everything I have told you from your mind. You will have heard nothing."
"I shall."
When Nangong Zhaoxi readily agreed, Shangguan Yilu nodded. It meant he trusted him.
"This child is a direct bloodline descendant of the Shangguan Clan. She has two older brothers above her, and one younger brother and one younger sister below. However, the eldest, who was the heir, has gone missing. Because of that, the retainers are each backing a different child as the heir."
He had expected as much. As expected, it was a succession struggle. When his guess proved right, Nangong Zhaoxi's mouth tasted bitter. Had that not also been the reason the Nangong Clan fell?
"Usually a boy is made the heir; are girls not excluded?"
"Exactly. That is why those backing the second and fourth children are fighting most fiercely. This child was caught between them."
It was precisely the sort of situation described by the saying: when whales fight, the shrimp's back is broken.
"The child must have a favorable background."
"Her mother passed away early, but she was from the Zhuge Clan."
The Zhuge Clan was, like the Shangguan Clan, one of the Eight Great Clans Under Heaven. Rather than martial arts, they excelled in civil engineering, mechanisms, battle formations, and other miscellaneous studies, and were renowned for such. Thus, even if Shangguan Morang was not made the heir, having her on one's side would be a great power.
"If Morang were a boy, she would have surpassed the second and fourth to become the heir. Perhaps she takes after her mother, for there is none so clever."
Shangguan Yilu smiled as he looked at Shangguan Morang in his arms. Nangong Zhaoxi could figure out what had happened without hearing more. Those trying to kill Shangguan Morang were either the second son or the fourth. Perhaps both.
The fact that she would be a great power as an ally meant she would be just as difficult to deal with as an enemy. That was why they were trying to eliminate her, disguised as an accident.
"Which side is it?"
When Nangong Zhaoxi asked, Shangguan Yilu stared at him intently for a moment, then sighed and spoke.
"The second."
There were two paths for Shangguan Morang to survive. Choose one side, either the second or the fourth, and stand with them, or go to the Zhuge Clan.
Shangguan Yilu had chosen the latter. If Shangguan Morang remained in the Shangguan Clan, she would have been caught in the struggle between the two sides and died a senseless death. Unable to bear watching that, he had taken her out under the pretense of a sightseeing trip.
But going straight to the Zhuge Clan would arouse suspicion, so he had come to Anhui first, ostensibly on business as well. However, he had not expected those who backed the second child to act so boldly. His one small relief was that those who backed the fourth child had not yet moved.
"That was reckless."
"I prepared for ambushes, but I did not expect them to move in this manner."
"For now, we must escape from here."
"What do you intend to do?"
"They will be waiting at the ferry crossing. So let us dock the boat anywhere along the riverbank and disembark there."
"That is a good idea."
"Do you have any subordinates who can steer a boat?"
"I do."
As Shangguan Yilu spoke, he called someone over. A middle-aged man with an injured arm approached.
"Can you steer this boat?"
"If it is simply following the river's course, it is possible. But I will need someone beside me to help."
"Take one man and dock the boat at the riverside."
"Understood."
The boat that had been drifting along with the current gradually began heading toward the riverbank. Then they could see the river bandits who had been following at a distance shouting in surprise.
"Can you move?"
"I feel better after resting a bit."
"That is a relief."
He did not look to be in good condition, but there was no need to say anything pessimistic.
"You said Nangong Clan, did you not?"
"I am Nangong Zhaoxi."
"I have a request."
"Speak."
"If something happens to me, take this child to the Jinling Inn in Hefei. I am to meet people from the Zhuge Clan there."
His tone was calm, but his eyes were desperate. It meant he cherished Shangguan Morang that much.
"That... I cannot promise. I too have a child I must protect."
"That child, then."
Shangguan Yilu spoke, looking at Nangong Jianghai. Shangguan Morang had said that he helped her so she would not be afraid.
"Your son?"
"My nephew."
"He seems clever."
"I have great hopes for that child."
"I understand that feeling. I too have great hopes for Morang."
"It seems so."
"Take this."
Shangguan Yilu took something from his bosom and held it out. Nangong Zhaoxi received it. It was a blue jade in the shape of half a Taiji. A small hole was drilled through it with a cord threaded through.
"What is this?"
"It is a token proving one's blood relation to the Shangguan Clan. Collateral relatives carry blue jade; direct bloodline descendants carry red jade. Any establishment run by the Shangguan Clan, anywhere, will suffice. Show them this, and they will treat you with the utmost courtesy."
"Why are you giving me something so precious?"
"A gift."
Nangong Zhaoxi hesitated over whether to accept it or not. Calling the blue jade a gift was one thing, but if something happened to Shangguan Yilu, it was the price for taking Shangguan Morang to the Jinling Inn.
Right now, it was a struggle just to look after Nangong Jianghai. He had no confidence he could protect Shangguan Morang as well. Yet he was reluctant to refuse, for the value of the blue jade tempted him.
"Do not feel burdened. Just help Morang escape from this place."
That much was doable. He nodded and accepted the blue jade.
"I shall."
"Thank you."
Nangong Zhaoxi hung the blue jade around the neck of Nangong Jianghai beside him. The value was too great for him to keep himself. If Nangong Jianghai possessed it, it would certainly be of help someday.
"I was wanting to give you something anyway, so this is good. From now on, this is yours."
"But Uncle. Is this not precious?"
"That is why I am giving it to you."
Nangong Zhaoxi smiled and stroked Nangong Jianghai's head. This was the child who would revive the fallen Nangong Clan. What would he not give him? His heart was full of wanting to give the boy even more.
"We have arrived."
When the boat reached the riverbank, the Shangguan Clan warriors helped Shangguan Yilok and their injured comrades disembark. Meanwhile, Nangong Zhaoxi checked Li Gonghao's bonds once more and pulled him along. The bandit still had value as a hostage.
"Where are we going?"
"If you shout even once more, I will cut out your tongue."
Nangong Zhaoxi had perceived that Li Gonghao was trying to signal his comrades, and quietly threatened him. The startled Li Gonghao clamped his mouth shut.
When they left the riverbank, a small path appeared. Beside it grew a thicket of reeds in abundance.
With many injured, their movement was slow. At this rate, they would soon be caught. By now, the bandits who had been following at a distance would have docked at the riverbank as well.
Nangong Zhaoxi pondered briefly and let out a small sigh. In this situation, there was no other way.
"Lord Shangguan."
"What is it?"
"If we go on like this, they will catch us."
"Is there another way?"
"I will lure them away. In the meantime, get as far away as possible."
"Then will you not be in danger?"
"Must I not fulfill the price of receiving the blue jade? Do not worry, and go."
Nangong Zhaoxi spoke with a smile. His injured arm still had no feeling. But his right hand was unharmed, so he could hold a sword. Even if the bandits caught up to him, he would not fall easily. Moreover, he had a hostage in Li Gonghao.
"I will go too."
Hearing Nangong Jianghai speak, Nangong Zhaoxi shook his head. The reason he was deliberately taking this risk to lure the bandits was because he wanted Nangong Jianghai to be safe.
"No. For now, follow Lord Shangguan. I will lure the bandits and follow soon after."
"You saw earlier on the boat. I can help."
"I know your abilities are outstanding. But for now, trust me and do as I say."
Nangong Zhaoxi knelt down on one knee to meet the boy's eyes and spoke. There was no persuasiveness to it at all, yet Nangong Jianghai silently nodded.
"Good child."
Nangong Zhaoxi stroked his head once and stood up. Then he looked at Shangguan Yilu and spoke.
"Lord Shangguan. Pass through the reed thicket. Meanwhile, I will make traces leading in this direction."
"Understood. Please be safe."
As Shangguan Yilu left, Nangong Zhaoxi's gaze, which had been watching him silently, turned to Nangong Jianghai. Just then, the boy looked back, and their eyes met. Nangong Zhaoxi smiled and nodded as if to say not to worry.
***
Once Nangong Jianghai disappeared into the reed thicket, Nangong Zhaoxi moved busily. He had to create traces of several people moving along the path. He walked forward, then walked back, then walked forward again, repeating this continuously.
Unless someone looked carefully, they would not notice. They would think the group had gone this way. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he sensed movement behind him.
Nangong Zhaoxi dragged Li Gonghao to a large tree by the roadside. Then he gagged him so he could not shout, threw him into a nearby bush, and climbed the tree to hide. Shortly after, the bandits swarmed in.
"Where are they?"
A tall, gaunt man with a sharp face and a goatee asked the bandits. Nangong Zhaoxi searched his memory briefly and soon recalled who he was.
He was surely Zhang Yangliang, the Fourth Bandit of the Changjiang Six Bandits. One could tell by his appearance, and by the short spear on his back. When drunk with merriment at a banquet, he would have his subordinates throw wine cups at him, and he would pierce them in an instant with his short spear—a true master.
"They went this way."
"Lead the way!"
The bandits followed the traces Nangong Zhaoxi had made. They did not realize they were fake. Just as Zhang Yangliang came beneath the tree—
Despite Nangong Zhaoxi shallowing his breath to hide his presence to the utmost, Zhang Yangliang looked up.
"It would not be a bird. A rat, then? Or a monkey?"
Zhang Yangliang smirked as he spoke, then suddenly leaped up, kicked off the tree, and thrust with his short spear. Nangong Zhaoxi had not expected an ambush of that sort, so he could not react in time. Unable to even draw his sword, he desperately dodged, and the short spear grazed his shoulder.
"Keuk!"
It was not a deep wound. But a stinging pain surged through him. Zhang Yangliang's attacks continued. Having climbed into the tree, he swung his short spear at Nangong Zhaoxi's legs.
Nangong Zhaoxi jumped lightly to avoid the attack and belatedly drew his sword and swung. With a sharp whistling sound of cutting air, the sword dug toward Zhang Yangliang's neck.
"Hmph!"
It was a rather ingenious technique, but Zhang Yangliang snorted and blocked it lightly. Then he tried to kick Nangong Zhaoxi in the chest to send him falling.
Nangong Zhaoxi performed a somersault, dodging the attack while swinging his sword. But this too was blocked by the short spear.
Clang!
The weapons of the two clashed, ringing with the sound of metal.
Nangong Zhaoxi, who had descended from the tree, realized Zhang Yangliang's martial arts were similar to Li Gonghao's.
Glancing down, he saw the bandits had completely surrounded the tree. Their number was roughly fifty. Even if he somehow felled Zhang Yangliang, it was doubtful he could break through them.