Chapter 19: A Reunion in the Night Rain

The rain had stopped.

It hadn’t been heavy, and Yan Kuang’s clothes were barely damp, so there was no need to change. He simply headed straight for the city gate.

When it was time to leave, one had to be decisive. If he missed this chance, Yan Kuang feared he might never get out again.

Normally, it was impossible to leave the city late at night. Yan Kuang thought that since he was somewhat familiar to the town’s pacification command, the officers guarding the gate would likely let him pass.

He hadn’t brought much—just a sword—but it would be enough to get through the few remaining days ahead.

The rainy night was chilly. The guards huddled in small groups around torches to keep warm. Not far from the city gate, at a street corner, someone lay on the ground.

At first, Yan Kuang paid no mind, but as he passed, the sharp clink of a ceramic bowl hitting the stone rang out abruptly and out of place.

A muffled voice begged, “Please have mercy, please… May good people live in peace…”

Yan Kuang’s steps suddenly faltered, and a frown creased his brow.

“Hey, isn’t that Commander Yan?” A junior officer guarding the gate hurried over upon hearing the voice. Seeing it was Yan Kuang, he promptly saluted.

Yan Kuang shook his head. “I have resigned. No need to call me commander anymore.”

He glanced at the “beggar” on the ground. The figure seemed to sense the gaze, curling up tighter and feigning death, silent.

The junior officer didn’t notice the exchange and said, “Commander Yan, nonsense! Even if you’ve resigned, we all remember your kindness. It’s late—are you headed out of the city?”

Yan Kuang nodded instinctively, then immediately shook his head again, eyes fixed on the beggar.

The junior officer explained, “Don’t mind him, sir. This fellow is strange. He’s been here since yesterday, refusing to leave. He started out decently dressed but insists on rolling about and begging. We can’t chase him off…”

The officer’s tone grew disdainful. “Probably another outsider who failed the exams this year, gone mad…”

“Hmm,” Yan Kuang said. “But he’s still a scholar. Such behavior disgraces the literati and offends propriety.”

With that, Yan Kuang stepped forward and grasped the man’s collar.

“Ah! Hey, hey!” The beggar screamed, struggling wildly to grab the broken ceramic bowl on the ground. The commotion drew the attention of every soldier nearby.

The junior officer looked confused, but Yan Kuang paid no heed. He pulled the man behind him to shield him from view and said, “I’ll handle him properly. Good day.”

Without another word, Yan Kuang dragged the man away by the wrist.

“Sir, please… I’m just a beggar… Ah, it hurts… it really hurts…”

The man howled like a ghost as Yan Kuang dragged him to a narrow alley away from the city gate, then released him, letting him fall with a loud thud.

“Wronged… so wronged!” the man moaned repeatedly.

“Cheng Ruyi, are you having fun?” Yan Kuang said sharply.

At the mention of his name, the beggar trembled, then slowly raised his head. With grimy fingers, he pushed back his hair, revealing a filthy face. His cracked lips parted in an exaggerated, foolish grin.

Yan Kuang sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Honestly, you don’t look much different from when you were in prison.”

Cheng Ruyi, seeing his act was no longer working, hugged the ceramic bowl and stood up. “Yan… sir, what a coincidence… You really resigned?”

Yan Kuang said nothing, his eyes fixed on the broken shards that littered the ground. He reached down, snatched one piece, and tossed it behind him with a crisp clatter.

“Hey!” Cheng Ruyi winced in pain, then sighed deeply. “It’s over. That was my last valuable possession!”

Yan Kuang said coldly, “What kind of charade is this?”

Cheng Ruyi shook his head vehemently. “No act, sir! The silver you gave me was stolen not far from here. What choice does a fugitive like me have? This is how I survive!”

Yan Kuang was silent for a moment, then produced his own pouch of money and tossed it to him.

Cheng Ruyi staggered back two steps from the impact but steadied himself and shook the pouch. “Alright, thanks, sir. Now I can buy a new bowl!”

Grabbing the money, Cheng Ruyi started toward the city gate again but was yanked back by his collar.

Yan Kuang frowned in exasperation. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

Cheng Ruyi turned with a mischievous grin. “Commander Yan, I have a feeling I’ll beg my way all the way to the top of life.”

Yan Kuang’s patience snapped, his voice rising. “Cheng Ruyi!”

“Yan Kuang!” Cheng Ruyi retorted boldly, head held high. “If you’re going to resign, just resign. Don’t meddle anymore!”

Yan Kuang composed himself and said calmly, “If you have nowhere to go, I have a house in Xiuzhou. I’ll write you a letter right now. You can stay there for a while.”

Cheng Ruyi shrugged. “Commander Yan… Can’t I just beg to support myself?”

Yan Kuang’s expression turned deadpan. “Begging is slow money. You’d be better off as a hired thug.”

Cheng Ruyi blinked in disbelief. “Yan Kuang… are you still human?”

Yan Kuang answered sternly, “I am the King of Hell.”

“You… you bastard!” Cheng Ruyi gritted his teeth and stomped. “Who do you think you are? Really the King of Hell? You only get happy by messing with people’s lives? If you’re leaving, just go! Couldn’t you pretend not to recognize me? What kind of King of Hell are you… you’re just a bastard!”

Yan Kuang folded his arms, nodding occasionally. “Yes, I’m a bastard. Keep going.”

“Bastard… bastard!” Cheng Ruyi ran out of insults, his heart full of an inexplicable grievance—one he couldn’t even understand, let alone express.

“Want some water?” Yan Kuang offered, taking out a water skin.

Cheng Ruyi snorted and turned his head away. “No thanks… It just rained, and my neck’s still stiff.”

Yan Kuang produced a cloth and handed it over.

Cheng Ruyi glanced at it but refused to take it. “Whose keepsake is this? Don’t waste a maiden’s affection… I’m a wreck, can’t clean this face.”

Yan Kuang, not wanting to argue, took a deep breath, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. He suddenly swept Cheng Ruyi up in his arms and started walking.

“I… uh…” Cheng Ruyi gagged. “Yan Kuang, put me down! What crime have I committed?”

“Eyesore, spoils the city’s appearance,” Yan Kuang replied, striding toward the nearest inn.

Cheng Ruyi was speechless, then said, “That’s not your business! You’ve resigned!”

Yan Kuang nodded, face stern. “Yes. But though I’ve resigned, I still care for the country and its people. I have not forgotten my original purpose.”

They soon reached the inn. Yan Kuang knocked. The waiter, seeing Yan Kuang’s stern face and sword, dared not ask questions and quickly made way.

Yan Kuang instructed, “Please prepare some hot water and clothes. This brother has been traveling hard for days and needs a hot bath to relax.”

Cheng Ruyi immediately dropped to the floor and feigned death again. The waiter nodded repeatedly and led them upstairs.

Yan Kuang set Cheng Ruyi down and turned to leave, but felt a tug on his sleeve.

Cheng Ruyi clutched his garment. “Commander Yan, wrong place, isn’t it? If you’re worried about the city’s image, shouldn’t you send me to the crematorium?”

Just then, the waiter came up with clothes on his shoulder and water in hand. Yan Kuang brushed aside Cheng Ruyi’s hand, took the bucket, and pushed him toward the bath.

“Wash. Clean yourself before the cremation.”

With that, Yan Kuang turned and closed the door.

Cheng Ruyi sighed, staring at the closed door.

...

Yan Kuang folded his arms and leaned against the door. Soon, there was a knock from inside.

“Yan… Commander Yan? To thank you, I have a classic trick to show you.”

Yan Kuang turned as the door opened, revealing Cheng Ruyi with half-dried hair draped over his shoulders, freshly washed and dressed in ivory-colored clothes. He leaned against the doorframe, eyes shimmering like moonlight and stars.

Cheng Ruyi smiled, eyes crescent-shaped. “Behold, the great transformation—alive again!”

Yan Kuang clapped without expression.

His eyes were as calm as an ancient well as he said, “Your talent is remarkable. I admire you.”

Cheng Ruyi was speechless.

Faced with Yan Kuang’s reaction, Cheng Ruyi felt utterly defeated. He had hoped to tease this cold-faced King of Hell, to see his helpless, speechless look—to hear him call him “childish” in exasperation.

But somehow... it seemed only he had made a fool of himself.

Yan Kuang glanced inside again. “This room has felt your poison. I doubt you’ll sleep tonight. I’ve reserved another one. Come with me.”

Cheng Ruyi hesitated but had no choice but to follow. Watching Yan Kuang enter, set down his sword, and start making the bed with practiced ease, he couldn’t help but ask, “Commander Yan, you’re traveling after resigning, but don’t you have an old servant or something?”

Yan Kuang paused, then looked up at Cheng Ruyi.

“Commander Yan… I wouldn’t dare pretend old in front of you,” Cheng Ruyi quickly turned away, avoiding Yan Kuang’s scrutinizing gaze.

Yan Kuang replied, “Did I say anything?”

Cheng Ruyi rolled his eyes. “Commander Yan, your mindset must have changed since you resigned… so serious.”

“If we don’t sleep soon, dawn will come,” Yan Kuang said, turning to pick up his sword and head out.

“Yan Kuang!”

Seeing Yan Kuang about to leave again, Cheng Ruyi’s heart tightened, and he called out, though unsure what to say, his face tight with displeasure.

Yan Kuang paused, turned, and softly said, “Wipe your face. There’s water.”

“No, thanks…” Cheng Ruyi started to refuse, but before he could finish, Yan Kuang reached out and wiped away the water marks on his cheek.

Cheng Ruyi froze, instinctively stepping back twice, then sidestepped to block the doorway.

“What are you doing?” Yan Kuang asked.

Lowering his eyes, Cheng Ruyi said softly, “You and I were struggling earlier. Your clothes got dirty. At least change into something clean, then…”

“Are you trying to keep me here?” Yan Kuang cut in directly.

“I... I…” Cheng Ruyi couldn’t answer simply. He couldn’t say yes or no, nod or shake his head. He didn’t even understand what he truly wanted or what he was doing.

Seeing his hesitation, Yan Kuang sighed. “Then why?”

“Why what?” Cheng Ruyi asked.

“Why come back? Why beg? Why… let yourself end up like this?”

Cheng Ruyi understood and gave a bitter smile. Then he said frankly, “It’s not easy to get clean… but easy to get dirty. Ah… Mom even said you went to great lengths to save me, using up a favor she owed you…”