The East Mountains, where the Ximeng continent lies, are characterized by vast ranges, stunning sunsets, harsh snowy plains, dark forests, and unforgiving deserts. The people here are divided into various tribes, each forming factions, defectors, rebels, and outlandish warriors. The continent is also home to sagacious tribal leaders, powerful spiritual healers, and mystical underground forces like the underworld league of spies.
The beauty of this land lies in its imperfections and the unpredictability of its people, especially in the absence of a strong regime to control its borders and gateways to the outside world. This sense of freedom and adventure made Yuwen Yue hesitate to return to his homeland; instead, he chose to live a simple life on his own.
He had never experienced this kind of freedom before, nor truly seen the world through the eyes of ordinary people. Living simply, with little to nothing, he learned to apply and test his principles. Embracing rejection in this new life, he became a servant to the heart of a master, reaching a level of wisdom he never thought possible.
Though his aristocratic nature was exposed to a broader and more diverse world, Yuwen Yue's core character remained intact. As he delved deeper into this new life, he became like iron sharpening a blade, gaining knowledge and enriching his experiences like a well-read book.
It had been a year since the icy lake tragedy, and much had changed in Yuwen Yue's life, including his lifestyle and the people around him. However, one thing remained constant: his heart never forgot about his Xinger.
As the master of the Eyes of God, Yuwen Yue was adept at gathering information and effectively disguising himself, so no one suspected he was the missing heir. He possessed great wisdom and well-tested strategies, but he understood that such power was only effective when supported by the necessary resources, people, and authority.
For now, Yuwen Yue knew how to act as a master in times of limited resources. He learned to blur lines of defense, develop cunning abilities, and make people believe in his capabilities, even when he had nothing tangible to offer. He focused on achieving his goals without the need for rewards, punishment, or coercion.
What Yuwen Yue learned from books had transformed into a deep well of experience. He never took shortcuts or cheated to avoid the steep roads; instead, he embraced the challenges until he learned how to run.
Now, he felt it was time to return and reclaim the pieces he left behind at the frozen lake, aiming to build a solid foundation. With autumn upon him, he knew his journey would be long and fraught with danger.
Yuwen Yue had a passion for writing letters, and his room was filled with them—ordinary sheets of paper rather than the formal documents bearing the master's seal of the Eyes of God. Among these were simple thank-you notes and farewell messages to his wealthy landlord, who ran a lodge with his son. He owed them a great deal for never making him feel inferior or treating him like a servant.
Zuo Zong, the Shaolin master, never let a day go by without seeking out his so-called master, Yuwen Yue. Although Yuwen Yue never acknowledged him, Zuo Zong's presence sometimes frustrated him, yet he also felt a pang of loneliness when Zuo Zong was absent. Occasionally, Yuwen Yue would visit the temple just to check on him.
Despite the wealthy lords of the East, the peddlers he worked with, and the beautiful peasant girls he encountered, none could replace Xinger in his heart. He resolved to distance himself from these people, having shown them only his humble side. Yuwen Yue intended to leave quietly, seeking to become someone again as he returned to a family that had easily disowned him.
He was uncertain of the situation awaiting him in Wei, where chaos, war, famine, and Yan Xun's plundering reigned. However, he felt prepared; his body and mind were completely healed and ready for the challenges ahead.
Yuwen Yue chose to leave at night but needed to deliver his letters that afternoon. He packed only the essentials, including some small daggers and a unique bow made from driftwood, with arrows recycled from the feathers of Yuwen Parrot. He cherished the bow, which was colorful and symbolic, even though he carried no sword for protection.
The only companions on his journey would be his night owl and the Yuwen Parrot. With a sense of purpose, Yuwen Yue walked out of the lodge and into the streets, determined to begin his journey back.
As he neared the end of his route, a humble-looking man approached him.
"Master!"
Zuo Zong, with his usual greeting, was surprised to see Yuwen Yue, though for Yuwen Yue, it was no surprise at all. Maintaining his indifferent demeanor, he continued walking, unfazed by Zuo Zong's presence beside him.
"How's the weather, and what's that you're carrying?" Zuo Zong inquired.
"I'm not carrying anything," Yuwen Yue replied, concealing something inside his clothes.
"I see," Zuo Zong said, sensing something was amiss. A strange sadness filled the air as they walked in silence.
Feeling the weight of the moment, Yuwen Yue realized he needed to explain. He reached into his pocket and handed Zuo Zong the only handkerchief he had kept since before the icy lake incident. It was a memento of Xinger, a piece of his sentimental heart.
Zuo Zong had never seen anything like it. The handkerchief was made of high-grade fabric, soft and pristine, showing no signs of wear. As he opened it, he noticed it was embroidered with gold thread, revealing the true name of its owner. His eyes widened in shock, as if he had seen a ghost, and he thought to himself, "I was right!"
Yuwen Yue observed that Zuo Zong was completely fixated on the handkerchief, lost in thought and not aware of the distance between them. This was exactly what Yuwen Yue expected; he had given Zuo the handkerchief to signify his departure and to convey that he had to return to his duties, as his time away had been too long. He wanted Zuo Zong to understand that significant changes would follow his departure.
That night, Yuwen Yue planned to sneak out and leave a short note for Zuo Zong, the last person he needed to address before he left. He intended to make his exit quietly, without goodbyes—just like they always did.
As night fell, Yuwen Yue set out for the Shaolin Temple to deliver the note to his closest friend, who felt more like a brother. Despite his aristocratic demeanor, Yuwen Yue held a soft spot for Zuo Zong that he kept hidden inside.
Approaching the temple, Yuwen Yue encountered traps laid around the perimeter. Clad in his neat powder-blue peasant clothes, he gracefully navigated the obstacles, displaying his remarkable martial arts skills. With a series of tumbles, jumps, and leaps, he evaded the traps effortlessly, standing tall and confident once he finished.
After dusting himself off, Yuwen Yue found Zuo Zong waiting for him, a playful smile on his face as he picked up something Yuwen Yue had left behind. "Impressive!" Zuo Zong remarked, clapping his hands.
Yuwen Yue furrowed his brows, his expression turning cold. Zuo Zong, now visibly angry, confronted him, saying, "Master, you can't leave me here. You can't pass this road; it's either you kill me or keep me." Zuo Zong's determination was evident in his eyes.
Zuo Zong, now in his usual fighting stance, readied himself to confront Yuwen Yue. However, Yuwen Yue had no intention of engaging in violence tonight; he simply sought a peaceful escape. But Zuo Zong initiated the fight, and they clashed.
Yuwen Yue controlled the match, using the amateur skills they had practiced together during their free time. Zuo Zong had certainly improved, showcasing his growth as a martial artist.
Suddenly, Zuo Zong halted the fight, stepping back and performing a deep kowtow. "Master, do you think I don't deserve to become your follower?" he asked, his voice filled with sincerity.
Yuwen Yue raised an eyebrow at the question, but internally he felt a wave of compassion. Zuo Zong's gesture reminded him of the master-servant dynamic he was trying to distance himself from. Unable to let him remain in that position, Yuwen Yue quickly dropped to his knees, urging him to rise and cease the kowtow.
At just over twenty years old, Zuo Zong was still young and somewhat immature, but his unwavering determination suggested he could indeed become a worthy companion to Yuwen Yue. Looking directly into Zuo Zong's eyes, Yuwen Yue finally said, "I cannot guarantee a good life ahead, but you may come with me if that is your wish."
In that moment, Yuwen Yue felt a soft spot in his heart awakening, one that echoed the loyalty his own master had once shown him. Just then, to Yuwen Yue's surprise, a group of savage fighters from the lodge emerged, each with packed bags, ready to join him on his journey.
"If Zuo Zong goes, so do we," said a swift dagger warrior from the Far East, skillfully throwing a twin dagger that effortlessly sliced through the leaves of a nearby tree.
The solidarity among the fighters filled the air with a sense of camaraderie, and Yuwen Yue realized that he was not alone in his quest to return home. It seemed he had formed bonds with these unlikely allies, each of whom was eager to join him in the face of uncertainty.
"I too," said the rapid blade warrior, stepping forward. He was a lean figure with sharp features and an intense gaze, emanating confidence. He bowed with his sword held upright in front of Yuwen Yue, a gesture of respect and allegiance.
"I am from the tribes of Wu, and my skills are at your service, Master Yuwen," he declared. His voice was steady, filled with determination.
"Me too," said the flashing spear warrior, stepping forward with agility that belied his stature. He was from the tribes of Shi, his presence commanding as he thrust his spear into the ground with a sharp thud. The spear stood like a banner, a symbol of his readiness to fight.
He bowed his head deeply before Yuwen Yue, his expression a mixture of respect and determination. "I am honored to follow you, Master Yuwen. My spear is at your command."
Another figure leaped gracefully from behind, a junior monk clad in the traditional robes of the Shaolin temple. His movements were fluid and precise, a testament to his training. He landed softly, a wooden staff in hand, which he twirled effortlessly before settling into a bow before Yuwen Yue.
"You will need a staff warrior," he proclaimed with confidence. "At your service, young master."
With more warriors gathering around him, Yuwen Yue felt the weight of destiny pressing down. It seems that if Yuwen Yue will make an enemy with them tonight, even if you are a former master of all spies you are likely to be reaped early on their sickle, it's not nice and wise to refuse these warriors bowing in front of him.
He only sowed one seed of kindness, and its fruit became a field of warriors waiting for the time of their life of adventure with Yuwen Yue to lead them to the good path.
Yuwen Yue seems did not have many options to choose, but one and that is to just accept this fate. With the right kind of leader, he knows these warriors will experience the best time of their lives. And on the other hand, Yuwen Yue does not know what lies ahead, so it is safe to take it with him a band of brothers full of talents.
With Zuo Zong who is very good at espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination and not to mention a master of kungfu martial arts he can assume to be his person and can be trusted for his governmental or personal affairs.
Yuwen Yue knelt before his brothers, his gaze steady as he spoke. "I cannot promise you a bed of roses; what lies ahead are thistles and thorns. But I am loyal to few and ruled by no one."
The warriors erupted in joy, embracing one another in celebration. They stood tall alongside Yuwen Yue, encircling him as they raised their hands high into the air. It felt as though they had already won a significant battle—the battle for Yuwen Yue to become their leader. The night echoed with their shouts of camaraderie, solidifying the bond they had forged. In that moment of shared exhilaration, they felt invincible, united by a common purpose and a newfound sense of belonging.
Over fifty men joined Yuwen Yue on his journey back to his homeland that night, following him despite having nothing. These warriors traveled with a leader who possessed no weapons, horses, or food. As they navigated the treacherous roads together, they grew closer, forming bonds like brothers.
These warriors follow a leader with no arms or horses, not even food to eat. On the treacherous and uncertain roads they walked together, they became closer, and you can say like they were all treated as brothers. Yuwen Yue an advance planner and thinker, he set up some ranks inside his so-calledwalking cavalry.
Men with no horses, men with no honor, men with nothing but courage, talents to defend or offend, men who are ready to die at any moment. Yuwen Yue gathered all of their present arms and shared their own possessions.
They call themselves a "band of brothers" and Yuwen Yue, their "Master brother."
Yuwen Yue established a unique banner for their group, with each warrior tying a handkerchief to their arm. They made a small cut to scar the ancient Chinese character 越 (Yuè), meaning "to exceed," "to climb over," or "to surpass."
While the others bore their wounds on their right arms, Yuwen Yue chose to mark his left arm, near his heart, a symbol of his commitment to his brothers. This placement served as a reminder of his vow: "I am loyal only to the few and ruled by no one."
Zuo Zong, Yuwen Yue's devoted companion, also bore the same creed on his left arm, signifying his loyalty to his Master brother.
Zuo Zong was responsible for tactical movements, leading a team of five brothers on his spying missions. The swift dagger warrior commanded five men, the rapid blade warrior had ten, the flashing spear warrior also had ten, and the stick warrior, a Shaolin junior monk, led another five men.
He is the Shaolin monk whom Yuwen Yue strangled before and warned not to speak anything about Zuo Zong and their fight at cloud mountain where Zuo almost fell.
Yuwen Yue promoted the young Shaolin monk, calling him the stick warrior for now, but he assured him that once he matured, he would be known as the staff warrior. He was the youngest among the ranking junior brothers and had a close bond with Zuo Zong.
The others were designated as cold warriors, with no specific rankings assigned to them yet. Yuwen Yue trained some of them to handle bows and arrows. While they weren't all skilled in using such weapons, he encouraged them with the words, "It cannot be learned; it can only be felt."
Yuwen Yue pointed to his pulse and closed his eyes, tuning into the sound of the cold wind as it howled around him. With a swift motion, he extended his left arm straight out, forming a steady aim, while his right arm bent at an angle. The bowstring emitted a squeaky stretch as he drew back a heavy feathered arrow, preparing for a long-distance shot.
As he felt the rhythm of his pulse, he released the arrow. When he opened his eyes, he found everyone staring in astonishment. The target, which they hadn't expected, was a large kingbird resting on the ground.
The cold warriors approached the kingbird, initially believing it to be dead. To their surprise, they discovered that while the bird had been brought down, it was unharmed. The arrow had struck true, but the pointed tip had detached upon impact, leaving the bird unscathed.
Earlier, Yuwen Yue had demonstrated a deadly arrow, showcasing its sharpness. Now, as they examined the scene, they marveled at the skill involved in his shot.
From its cage, the Yuwen Parrot chirped excitedly, "Master brother, great! Master brother, master brother!" The warriors exchanged glances, astonished by Yuwen Yue's abilities. Only he possessed such advanced skill, wielding his weapon with the wisdom to choose whether to hunt and kill or to hunt and heal.
Yuwen Yue cradled the kingbird eagle in his left arm, feeling its weight as it gripped him with its strong claws. The impressive wingspan stretched nearly three meters, a testament to its power.
He gently examined the bird's left thigh, sensing the source of its discomfort. When he touched the injured area, the eagle squawked softly, but soon began to move its feet, testing its wings as if readying itself for flight.
The cold warriors watched in awe, exclaiming, "What a magnificent sight!"
Dressed in his powder blue peasant attire, Yuwen Yue's sleeveless V-neck shirt highlighted his muscular arms. His flat black leather shoes were laced neatly, and his hair was tied back at a moderate height. With cold, dark eyes and perfectly shaped brows, he carried himself with a straight posture that radiated a god-like presence, captivating all who beheld him.
The cold warriors endured Yuwen Yue's grueling training, reminiscent of the rigorous lessons he had once shared with his seventh brother, Yue Qi, and his maidservant, Xinger. He imparted some of the Yuwen household's secret techniques, including "The Pulse" and "The Palm."
As they journeyed across the scorching sand dunes and barren deserts, the band of brothers set up tents at twilight, packing up each day to continue their trek toward the western mountains. During the day, they practiced hunting for food, honing their skills in the wild. At night, they sharpened their weapons and shared inspiring stories, deepening their camaraderie.
Despite the challenges they faced and the hardships of their journey, each warrior found joy in their shared experience. They learned to earn everything through hard work and sweat, but each night, they fell asleep with their minds enriched by newfound knowledge and wisdom.
The band of brothers hailed from various backgrounds, including Manchu (Jin tribes), Han Chinese, and Mongol warriors. Without a leader who could unite these diverse cultures, it would have been impossible to harness their unique talents effectively.
After several days of traveling through the Great Wall of China, Yuwen Yue noted that it was still under construction and not yet fortified. This marked his first experience passing an unfinished wall facing the sea, situated south of the Yanbei Mountains and overlooking the Bohei Sea.
The band decided to make a pit stop along the shore, setting up mobile tents and gathering around bonfires and firepits. During their stay, Yuwen Yue discovered that some of his Han warrior brothers were skilled swimmers and fishermen. They taught him how to build fishnets and baits, imparting valuable knowledge on how to survive at sea.
The band of brothers had spent more time at the shore than they had in the mountains and deserts they had previously traversed. The Mongol warriors took advantage of the fresh catch, drying fish and seafood under the sun for a few days, seasoning them with Himalayan salt. They shared their methods for preserving the catch, resulting in a bounty of salty dried fish, shrimp, octopus, seaweed, and squid.
One afternoon, Zuo Zong approached Yuwen Yue's tent, balancing a tray of food in his hands. "Master, you seem busy," he said, noting Yuwen Yue's concentration.
Yuwen Yue sat cross-legged on a carpet, lost in thought as he wrote. He looked cold and detached, momentarily interrupted by Zuo Zong's arrival. The young man placed the tray down, revealing a grilled salmon—fresh from the sea. The delicious aroma wafted toward Yuwen Yue, and he felt his hunger stir as he set aside his writings.
Zuo Zong took a seat across from Yuwen Yue, their eyes locking. "Master," he began, glancing at the unfinished wall in the distance, "did you notice that wall?"
Yuwen Yue turned his focus to Zuo Zong, launching into a discussion about military strategy. "This is a promising stronghold," he said, gesturing toward the unfinished wall. "It serves as a foothold at the edge of the East, leading to the south of the Yanbei mountains."
Zuo Zong listened intently, though he remained unaware of the deeper significance of Yuwen Yue's words or the events that had transpired at the frozen lake. He was an astute spy, and sooner or later, he would uncover the truth about Xinger—the very reason Yuwen Yue had journeyed to that icy shore.
Rumors had spread about Yuwen Yue's disappearance and the subsequent announcement of his death, but Zuo suspected it was all a fabrication. He knew Yuwen Yue was aware of this deception and understood that it was part of the reason he was returning to the Yuwen household.
Yuwen Yue suddenly paused, his attention drawn to the aroma of the grilled fish. "What a wonderful smell," he remarked, picking up his chopsticks, his eyes reflecting his hunger. Zuo Zong caught the hint and smiled back at him, saying, "Ciao," as they shared a moment of camaraderie.
The afternoon was beautiful, the sky a vibrant blue, while the sun began to set, casting hues of golden orange and red across the sea. It was a breathtaking view that brought a sense of peace amid their ongoing journey.