Chapter 2 - Lu Junyi
A/N: Lu Junyi's chapter… the jade unicorn. Jade unicorn. Hehe. Sounds ridiculous in English…
Lu Junyi poured another goblet of wine. Why was the pain getting worse? He has never had pains like these before.
At the beginning, he was a general in the imperial army. He commanded tens of thousands of troops. His very name instilled fear in his enemies. His prowess in battle was unmatched by anyone, no Guan Sheng, not even Lin Chong. For several years, he defended the borders against the Liao and served the Imperial Court with devotion, a bright future ahead of him, until that one battle. That one battle in which the traitor Tong Guan, out of jealousy, didn't attack as planned, and left him in the enemy ambush as dead. He barely survived, and then was tried for treason. A dreadful, humiliating crime.
He sent the servant away to refill the jug of wine, and stood up to stretch.
Lu Junyi claimed to be innocent in front of the emperor, but no one dared to offend Tong Guan and vouch for him. It was a recurring pattern that everyone knew; those who opposed the minister mysteriously, seemingly by accident, disappeared. And so Lu Junyi's humble ambition to serve the country was dashed, and he went home as a civilian. He, who had once raced across the battlefield, his enemies falling like grass in a breeze before him, reduced to only a civilian. He had money, a luxurious residence, the finest clothing and a multitude of servants, but he was restless and unhappy. The shadow of his defeat always prowled at the verge of his mind. But unlike Lin Chong, his hatred had disappeared long ago. He knew that a heart filled with hatred was dangerous. A life filled with hatred was lonely. So he chose to forget.
Stepping to the prow of the boat, Lu Junyi raised a hand to shield his eyes from the blinding sun.
Adopting Xiaoyi was the best decision he has ever made. The boy has brought him such joy… clever, handsome, and knowledgeable in art, music, and literature. A skilled warrior, undyingly loyal, he was the man's pride and joy, the son he never had. He felt another pang of loss, as he was wont to do these days whenever he thought of him.
The boat glided along smoothly, rocking to and fro gently.
Then, the people of Mount Liang had come. Though they had caused him so much pain and misery in their effort to persuade him into their cause, he never regretted his decision, and he was thankful for their deception. It let him once more don his armor and ride into battle, once more a general of three armies, once more let him realize his true potential. Brother Song Jiang was a man after his own heart. And now, he had finally achieved what he dreamed for – defend his country and serve His Imperial Highness, making a name for himself with the steel in his fists.
On the shores, the lush green land passed by slowly. It was peaceful, picturesque, even.
Yes, he had achieved his dreams, but at what cost? So many of his brothers have died, so many… As a commander, his duty was to lead his troops wisely, to defeat the enemy with as little casualties as possible, to be responsible for the lives of his men… But Fang La had killed over half of his generals. Great loyal men that he knew personally, that he called brothers. His family.
He felt it again, the annoying stab of pain through his body.
Sometimes, Lu Junyi wondered if accepting the amnesty was the right choice. It led to so much sorrow and worry. But what was done was done. He had earned his position through so much bloodshed and loss, and he was determined to fulfill it to the best of his abilities. Xiaoyi warned him of harm, but what could happen to him? Gao Qiu, Tong Guan, and Cai Jing may hate him, but they couldn't harm him. As long as he did not make any mistakes, he was safe. Besides, he spared Tong Guan his life. No one would be so treacherous as to repay that with hostility…
Another spasm of pain racked through his body. He leaned forward, groaning, ad tipped over into the cold, muddy water, blood spraying from his mouth as he coughed. As he struggled to stay afloat, all his confusion evaporated, and the answer became clear. Xiaoyi was right yet again. They didn't need a reason to harm him. And if they dared poison him –
"Brother." The word came out as a gurgle and water rushed into his mouth. The general made one last attempt to free himself, and then the river flowed over his head and claimed him for its own.
Overhead, a shooting star streaked across the azure sky. The skies would be less bright that night, without the star of strength illuminating the way.
Meh... not my best work. Oh well. Hope you like it! And do review.