Chapter 12

Even deep in the mountains, the guards never lost their vigilance. They set up night sentries on all sides of the camp, strictly protecting Mr. Pei's safety. At this moment, the sound of weapons clashing came from the northern sentry post. The sound was as dense as a sudden rain, indicating that they had encountered a formidable enemy.

There were six guards serving Mr. Pei. They were all well-trained and reacted extremely quickly. Two of them immediately drew their swords and rushed to the northern sentry post. The other four formed a human wall in front of Mr. Pei, urging him to move quickly.

Mr. Pei, however, remained calm and composed, moving as usual. Even at this moment, he didn't forget to hold the delicate hand of the young maid beside him.

Lu Yao suddenly moved!

He had been sitting upright, but suddenly sprang up and lunged at Mr. Pei.

The guards roared in anger and tried to intercept him. However, Lu Yao's transition from stillness to movement was as swift as a thunderbolt, and the four guards failed to stop him. One of them felt a numbness in his wrist, and the knife in his hand was already in Lu Yao's possession.

Lu Yao rushed to Mr. Pei and swung the knife.

In Mr. Pei's dark eyes, the figure of Lu Yao swinging the knife was already reflected.

Amidst the sound of the blade cutting through the air, a long arrow flew from the dark night and split in two under the knife's edge.

At this moment, Lu Yao reached out and grabbed Mr. Pei's arm, feeling its softness as if it had no bones. He didn't have time to think much, said, "I apologize!" and then exerted his strength, pulling Mr. Pei behind him, and they both rolled backward.

Mr. Pei flew several feet and fell to the ground with a cry. At the same time, three arrows were deeply embedded in the ground where he had been standing.

Before they knew it, Lu Yao had just pulled Mr. Pei away from a barrage of arrows, and the guards, risking their lives, rushed over. Their faces were fierce, and their swords flashed, as if they regarded Lu Yao as a mortal enemy.

Lu Yao, who had fought the first-rate expert of the Xiongnu, Liu Cong, for dozens of rounds, was of extraordinary skill. Although the guards were chosen from the best, they were no match for him. He casually wielded the knife and forced them back. Then he heard Mr. Pei shouting from behind, "He saved me! Stand down!"

Just as Lu Yao was about to respond, a loud roar came from the dense forest to the north: "Rogue, dare you!"

This roar was like a thunderclap in the deep mountains, startling the birds for miles around.

Lu Yao was not just surprised but also overjoyed. He let out a long whistle and shouted, "Old Xue! He Yun! Is that you?"

The one who had been fighting the guards was indeed Xue Tong. The one who had used the rapid-fire arrows to attack Mr. Pei was naturally He Yun, who was skilled in archery.

After Lu Yao forced Liu Cong to retreat, he fell into a deep coma. Xue Tong and He Yun took him into the mountains and settled him in an abandoned hut. For several days, Lu Yao remained unconscious, and his wounds began to fester. Both were very anxious. He Yun, who came from a hunting family, knew a bit about herbal medicine, so he and Xue Tong went to the mountains to dig for herbs.

They had planned to return quickly, but the mountain paths were difficult to navigate, and they lost their way, spending several hours to return to the original spot. To their shock and anger, Lu Yao had been taken away!

Since the breakout from Dalin, they had relied on Lu Yao's leadership to escape. Now, with Lu Yao's life in danger and taken away right under their noses, they couldn't accept it. Xue and He were furious and vowed to find Lu Yao.

They pursued him urgently, and He Yun's tracking skills proved invaluable, leading them to the campsite where Mr. Pei and his group were staying. Xue Tong and the sentry clashed, and both sides, already tense and anxious, immediately engaged in a fierce battle. He Yun, being ruthless and decisive, immediately shot arrows at the enemy leader.

If Lu Yao hadn't recovered, both sides would have engaged in a life-or-death battle.

Lu Yao took great pains to explain Xue and He's identities and apologized to Mr. Pei for his rash actions.

The guards were extremely dissatisfied with their reckless behavior, but Mr. Pei didn't mind. He said with a smile, "Since it was a misunderstanding, why argue? Lu Junzhu thanked me for saving his life just now, and now you've become my savior too."

His robe was dirty from being pulled to the ground, but in a blink, he had changed into a new one, still looking dignified. Perhaps because Lu Yao had shown not only his knowledge of military strategy but also his outstanding skills, Mr. Pei treated him more kindly, speaking as if they were old friends.

These high-born children might be mediocre in other abilities, but their social skills were honed from a young age. Simple words often carried deep meanings, and if you took their politeness seriously, you would surely suffer. Lu Yao warned himself and carefully responded.

Lu Yao had an instinctive aversion to the high families of Luoyang. Therefore, when Mr. Pei showed signs of wanting to recruit him, he subtly changed the subject. However, having served in the military for many years, he was used to dealing with rough and uneducated soldiers, and his conversational skills were long forgotten. After a short while, he was sweating.

While he was talking with Mr. Pei, Xue Tong and He Yun were still facing off with Mr. Pei's guards. He Yun's rapid-fire arrows had seriously offended the guards, and one of them pointed at He Yun and shouted, "Brat! Do you know who you almost injured? If our master is harmed, you won't have enough heads to spare!"

Although He Yun was young, he had a proud and defiant nature from the battlefield, and he retorted. Both sides started arguing, almost coming to blows. Lu Yao had to step back, taking Xue Tong and He Yun away from the scene, agreeing to travel together the next day.

The three found a sheltered cliff bottom not far from Mr. Pei's camp.

After a while, Mr. Pei sent a maid with blankets and other items. Lu Yao thanked her repeatedly and politely sent her away.

The three gathered some dry grass and wood, lit a small fire, and boiled some water in a helmet. The wood crackled, and the flames gradually rose. They sat around the fire, looking at each other and couldn't help but laugh, feeling as if they were in a different world. He Yun, laughing, suddenly burst into tears. Lu Yao and Xue Tong understood that he was mourning his fallen comrades and felt sympathetic.

Xue Tong threw some wood into the fire and suddenly asked, "Daoming, are you going to follow Mr. Pei to Luoyang?"

"Hmm? Why do you think that, Old Xue?" Lu Yao asked.

"That Mr. Pei's actions and demeanor are extraordinary, far surpassing those of ordinary aristocratic children. I've seen officials like the Inspector of Bingzhou and the Chief Clerk, and none of them can match him." Xue Tong said solemnly, "He values you highly, and this is a rare opportunity."

Lu Yao nodded slightly, "The He Dong Pei family is on par with the Langya Wang family, both being high families. The eight Peis and eight Wangs are renowned scholars. Not to mention their family's marriage to the Prince of Donghai, which gives them a lofty status. If you can gain the favor of the Pei family, your career will be much smoother."

"We are brave warriors who have fought on the battlefield and earned our military achievements. Why should we curry favor with the high-born? Look at those guards earlier; they treated you like a thief even though you were trying to save someone. These people who look down on others..."

He Yun couldn't help but voice his opinion. After a few words, Xue Tong shouted, "Wasn't it you who caused the trouble just now? Adults are speaking, what are you, a child, doing here?"

Lu Yao and Xue Tong were both in their late twenties, while He Yun was only seventeen, much younger and of a lower rank. Xue Tong's words made He Yun pout and retreat to a corner to sleep.

Lu Yao smiled, "Old Xue, the young ones are impulsive, don't take it to heart." He picked up the helmet on the fire, drank some water, and looked thoughtful, "The choice of life's path is like drinking water; the taste is known only to oneself. What seems clear and cool might be bitter, and what seems sweet might be poisonous..."

Xue Tong took the helmet and drank some water. He sighed, "Daoming, I understand your point. Climbing the ladder of power rashly is indeed a dangerous path."

"Yes..." Lu Yao gazed at the steam rising from the helmet, speaking slowly, "The lessons of Lu Shiheng and Lu Shilong are before us; I can't help but be cautious."

Xue Tong nodded casually, about to respond, but suddenly jumped up, "Lu Shiheng? Lu Shilong? Daoming, you... you are a descendant of the Jiangdong Lu family?"

Lu Yao stood up, dusted off his clothes, and bowed solemnly to Xue Tong.

"Brother Xue is right. I, Lu Yao, Lu Daoming, am a direct descendant of the Wu Commandery Lu family. My grandfather, Lu Kang, was the Grand Marshal and Governor of Jingzhou of Eastern Wu; my father, Lu Jing, was the son-in-law of the last emperor of Eastern Wu, the Marquis of Wucheng, and served as a General and Commander of Zhongxia. He died in battle when Wu fell."

He looked at the stunned Xue Tong and continued, "The Lu family once followed Lu Shiheng and Lu Shilong to the north, but they offended a small person and were almost exterminated. I am a survivor under the axe of the court, and I truly do not wish to cause more trouble. Therefore, I did not reveal my background earlier, and I hope you will not hold it against me!"

Xue Tong tried to get up to return the bow but tripped and fell. The revelation that his comrade-in-arms was a descendant of a noble family and the bloodline of the Eastern Wu emperor was too shocking.

At that time, people's evaluations were heavily influenced by family background. Although the direct lineage of the Jiangdong Lu family was not highly regarded by the northern aristocracy, it was enough to make ordinary people look up to them. Moreover, Lu Yao was the grandson of the last emperor of Eastern Wu, Sun Hao, and his noble blood was undeniable. As for Lu Yao's uncles, Lu Ji and Lu Yun, they were known as the best scholars and talents of the Taikang era.

"No wonder... no wonder... I should have realized it earlier..." he muttered, "Daoming, with your insight and talent, how could you be an ordinary commoner? Besides, you are even an old friend of the first-rate expert of the Xiongnu, Liu Cong... You are indeed a descendant of the Jiangdong Lu family!"

"Since you know my background, Old Xue, you should understand my dilemma," Lu Yao sighed, "Luoyang is like a deep, murky pool. In the past, how brilliant were Lu Shiheng and Lu Shilong? Once they arrived in Luoyang, they were no longer in control. They ultimately fell into disgrace. I am not talented enough, neither in literature nor in martial arts, and my rank is only that of a military commander with no subordinates... How can I dare to plunge into that murky pool?"

Xue Tong hesitated, "Daoming, although the state has been in ruins for years, now that the Prince of Donghai is in power, the atmosphere in Luoyang seems different. The Prince of Donghai is known as a virtuous prince, and he is assisted by the great scholar Wang Yan, Wang Yifu. His court is filled with talented and virtuous people like Xie Kun, Ruan Xiu, and Wang Dun. If managed well, the revival of the Jin Dynasty is possible..."

"Ha ha ha... Ha ha ha..." Lu Yao suddenly coughed and laughed.

Although he and Xue Tong had only known each other for a few days, they had shared life and death several times, and their understanding of each other was deep.

In Lu Yao's eyes, Xue Tong was brave and strong, a model soldier. However, he had a significant flaw: a strong desire to glorify his family. The Xue family had been forcibly relocated after the fall of Shu, and Xue Tong might have felt discriminated against. In his view, any difficulty could be overcome to bring glory to his family. This was why, when he saw that Mr. Pei valued him, he advised him to follow Mr. Pei to Luoyang.

However, Lu Yao saw Luoyang as a bad place. Not only because of the fate of Lu Ji and Lu Yun, but also because his memories from his previous life clearly told him that the capital of the Jin Dynasty would soon become a target for foreign invaders. Over the years, the once-prosperous city would be ravaged by war and filled with corpses. Out of self-preservation, he did not want to start his new life in Luoyang.

He couldn't tell Xue Tong this reason, so Lu Yao continued to laugh coldly, "Ha ha ha, virtuous scholars and talented people? The revival is possible? Old Xue, you should focus on being a brave general on the battlefield; statecraft is not your forte."

He patted Xue Tong's back, "Old Xue, let me tell you about these so-called virtuous scholars and talented people."

"That Wang Yan, Wang Yifu, is known as a great scholar and talent, unmatched in the world, and can only be found among the ancients. But this man only pursues his own wealth and enjoys idle talk, never thinking about the affairs of the state. Soon after taking office, he persuaded the Prince of Donghai to appoint his brother Wang Dun as the Governor of Qingzhou and his cousin Wang Cheng as the Governor of Jingzhou, as a strategy for self-preservation—Old Xue, have you ever seen a virtuous scholar in a high position who doesn't think about the state but only about self-preservation?"

"Then there's Xie Kun, Xie Youyu, who is skilled in the studies of Laozi and the I Ching, but he became famous by flattering the powerful with singing and playing the zither. His neighbor, a beautiful woman from the Gao family, he tried to seduce, and when she hit him with a shuttle, knocking out two of his front teeth, he still claimed it didn't affect his ability to sing and play."

"Then there's Ruan Xiu, Ruan Xuanyi, who likes to act strange and considers himself a hermit, but dislikes seeing common people. If someone is considered vulgar by him, he will leave without a word. Such a person can only be a clay or wooden statue, not someone to consult on state affairs."

"As for Wang Dun, Wang Chuzhong, he is not an ordinary person, truly a man of both literary and martial talent, and a rare hero of his time. However... Old Xue, let me tell you a story. Once, the Dragon Soaring General Wang Kai held a banquet and had a beautiful woman serve wine. If a guest did not finish the wine, the woman would be killed on the spot. The guests, fearing the loss of life, drank reluctantly. But when it was Wang Dun's turn, despite his large capacity, he refused to drink. The woman was terrified, but Wang Dun remained calm and indifferent, like a stone. That day, Wang Kai killed several women, but could not make Wang Dun drink a single cup. Wang Kai was a beast, but what kind of person is Wang Dun?"

"Old Xue, Old Xue, the virtuous scholars and talented people you see are just this kind of people. Do you really expect them to save the country? All they are good at is idle talk and factionalism." Lu Yao laughed coldly, "High mountains become valleys, and deep valleys become hills. Alas, the people of today, why do they not learn from the past? Those who place their hopes in them will ultimately be buried with them!"

Xue Tong looked dejected and was speechless.

Lu Yao felt a bit sorry for him and consoled him, "We are in the mountains, and we don't know the situation outside. Why worry so much?"

"So, what should we do next?"

Lu Yao hesitated for a moment, "I heard Mr. Pei's guards say they will go to Funiu Fort tomorrow to replenish supplies and find a new guide. We will go with them. We'll see what happens when we get to Funiu Fort."

He felt waves of chaotic memories coming again, perhaps a side effect of his穿越. The confusion in his mind made him dizzy. Lu Yao lay down, looking up at the sky, and muttered, "Sleep, don't overthink it."

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