Rebirth of a Star General Chapter 215

Chapter 215: General He

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It snowed all night, and the next morning, a layer of silver frost covered the courtyard.

Qingmei got up early to cook porridge. Before starting, she peeked into He Yan’s room to see if anyone was inside. Seeing He Yan getting dressed, she wondered, “Miss, why are you up so early? It’s cold; you should get some more sleep.”

“No problem,” He Yan stretched lazily. “I’m used to it.”

In Liangzhou Garrison, they had to wake up early every day. It wasn’t easy to change this habit after returning to Shuojing. While Qingmei was cooking porridge, He Yan picked up a broom from the corner of the courtyard to sweep the snow.

“Miss, please put that down. How can you do these things? Let me handle it.” Qingmei nervously suggested.

He Yan smiled, “You still have to make porridge. How can one person do two things? Well, it’s just sweeping the snow. I did much harder things back in the garrison. Don’t worry about it.”

Qingmei insisted, “No, Miss, you take the heater and sit inside; I’ll handle it here.”

“It’s really not a problem.”

Crouching in the corner, Chiwu suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Although he was tasked with protecting He Yan, the He family was quite poor, with only Qingmei as their servant. Now, the young lady and the maid were arguing over who would sweep the snow. As a large man, it was awkward for him to pretend not to notice. After hesitating for a moment, Chiwu stood up and said, “I’ll do it.”

Before He Yan could say anything, Qingmei smiled and handed the broom to Chiwu, saying, “Thank you, Guard Chiwu!”

Chiwu: “…” He suspected that the maid was deliberately waiting for him.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, He Yan, considering Chiwu’s status as a talented person in the Nine Banner Battalion, thought he probably hadn’t done tasks like sweeping before. Having a sword-wielding guard doing such chores might give the impression that they were mistreating him. He Yan said, “Forget it; I’ll do it.”

“No problem,” Qingmei grinned. “Guard Chiwu is great; he’s strong. Miss, you’re not feeling well, just rest.”

Chiwu thought that the maid probably hadn’t seen Miss He lifting a hundred-kilogram stone by herself in Liangzhou Garrison.

However, with two women here, it might be better for him to handle the snow sweeping. So, Chiwu picked up the broom and started sweeping the snow under Qingmei’s guidance. Qingmei instructed him on sweeping techniques, saying, “Guard Chiwu, don’t just sweep the center; also sweep the corners. What if the young master comes home at night and doesn’t see it and trips? There’s also some snow left on the left…”

After Chiwu finished sweeping, Qingmei cooked the porridge, and the three of them had a meal together. After eating, He Yan sat in the room, lost in thought.

She wanted to go to the Xu family to find Fuwang, but when she opened the drawer, there wasn’t a single silver left. She regretted not borrowing some from Xiao Jue while she was at the Xiao family. Now, with her current status, she felt embarrassed to ask for a loan. Otherwise… should she go to Lin Shuanghe?

As He Yan was worrying about the money issue, a gray-feathered pigeon flew into the storage room where Chiwu lived. It landed on the beam, its black-bean-like eyes fixed on him. Chiwu opened his hand, and the pigeon flew onto it. There was a small copper tube tied to the pigeon’s leg. Chiwu untied the tube and extracted a piece of paper from it.

After reading the note, his eyes showed a hint of confusion. However, after a moment, he composed himself, organized things, and released the pigeon. Then, he went to He Yan’s room and knocked on the door. 

When she opened it, seeing Chiwu, she asked, “What’s going on?”

“The young master’s Drinking Autumn Sword, during the previous battle with the Wutuo people in Jiyang, had its scabbard cracked,” Chiwu explained. “The Drinking Autumn Sword was forged by the master swordsmith Lu Daichuan. Currently, the sword is in the hands of Master Lu for repairs.”

He Yan nodded, not understanding how all this related to her.

“Today is the day to retrieve the sword, but the young master has left the city. I also need to leave the city, so I cannot go to get the sword. Master Lu has a rule; if you miss the appointed day, you have to wait a hundred days before you can go again. The only ones allowed to retrieve the sword, besides the sword’s owner, are the person closest to him.”

“Ah?” He Yan was speechless. “That seems a bit too strict.”

However, skilled artisans in the world often had some quirks. If Lu Daichuan could forge a precious weapon like the Drinking Autumn Sword, having some eccentricities was understandable.

“Miss He, as the fiancée of the Commander now, Master Lu will agree if you go to retrieve the sword. So, Miss He, could you please help the young master by getting the sword from Master Lu?” Chiwu asked.

He Yan said, “It’s not difficult, but how do I prove that I’m the Commander’s… um, fiancée?”

“Don’t you have the young master’s Snake Mark Black Jade?” Chiwu replied. “You can use that.”

He Yan took the black jade from her waist. “Can this prove the young master’s identity?”

Chiwu said, “Exactly.”

“Can I use this to exchange for some silver at the bank?” He Yan asked.

Chiwu, “….If Miss He needs silver, you can inform me. The young master won’t stand idly by.”

He Yan chuckled and said, “I’m just joking.” However, she secretly understood that it seemed the black jade could be used anywhere, and exchanging it for some silver shouldn’t be a problem.

She then said decisively, “Alright, it’s not a big deal. Give me the location of Master Lu, and I’ll go later.”

“Master Lu lives in the mountains to the north of the city, and the journey is a bit far,” Chiwu explained. “I will prepare a carriage and guards for you to prevent any dangers along the way.”

He Yan replied, “No need. Your guards aren’t even stronger than me. If there’s real danger, who knows who would end up saving whom. Just give me the location, and I’ll be fine. Besides, since the incident with the assassins last time, the city’s defenses have doubled. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

Her attitude was stubborn, and Chiwu couldn’t persuade her. In the end, he had to relent.

Seemingly in a hurry, Chiwu quickly wrote down the location of Lu Daichuan’s residence for He Yan before hastily leaving the mansion. After soothing Qingmei, He Yan led her horse, Xiang Xiang, out of the gate. Although Lu Daichuan’s residence was distant, it wasn’t difficult to find. In the winter, the accumulated snow in the mountains was thick, and the surroundings were covered in a blanket of silver. If she had taken a carriage through the mountains, it would probably take a day and a night. He Yan was glad that she hadn’t listened to Chiwu’s suggestion of taking a carriage; riding a horse would at least allow her to reach Master Lu before sunset.

This Lu Daichuan is also an interesting person. He Yan originally thought that since he lived on the mountain, he must be a lofty and dignified expert. Who would have thought that this person had built a palace-like residence in the mountains, extravagantly decorated. As soon as He Yan entered, two giant tigers came running towards her, growling softly at her.

Xiang Xiang was startled and almost threw He Yan off. He Yan held the reins, calmed Xiang Xiang, and dismounted to take a closer look. Only then did she realize that these two colorful giant tigers were actually made of wood, with eyes made of black gemstones emitting a greenish glow. In the dim light, they sparkled, looking indistinguishable from real tigers at first glance.

He Yan was amazed. This was probably Lu Daichuan’s handiwork, truly a skilled craftsman, creating an atmosphere of fantasy and artistry. 

The door was ajar, and the two giant tigers continued to growl at He Yan, but they made no other movements. After a moment of thought, He Yan pushed the door and entered. Inside, it felt like a miniaturized version of the Great Wei.

In the courtyard of the northern estate, a small canal reminiscent of the water towns in the south was dug. Small boats, each only accommodating one person, were moored there. The boats were adorned with hanging gauze curtains, and enchanting music emanated from them. Upon closer inspection, there were no people in the boats, only a wooden box.

The flowers and plants on the walls were all artificial but incredibly lifelike. Even in winter, it appeared lively and bustling. Colorful stones scattered on the ground, probably not precious gems, but they sparkled with a subtle light, capturing attention. He Yan felt as if she had entered a legendary dragon palace or a fairyland, marveling at the craftsmanship responsible for creating a sword like Drinking Autumn.

As she approached the main hall, with a rustling sound, the door opened by itself. He Yan stumbled in and saw a large hall where a man in a white robe sat. He was currently carving a dragonfly from bamboo. It seemed he had reached the final step as he pulled and adjusted the tail, and the dragonfly buzzed into flight.

Unable to contain her surprise, He Yan exclaimed. The man turned around, allowing He Yan to see his face clearly.

Indeed, this man was dressed like a hermit, and his white robe seemed exceptionally light and ethereal. However, what set him apart was his appearance. He had a round and chubby face, almost like a perfectly round ball. When he smiled and looked over, he resembled a jovial Maitreya Buddha, lacking the demeanor of a lofty sage.

This was somewhat unexpected for He Yan. She had anticipated encountering a cold, aloof, eccentric old man with a white beard, not this amiable chubby figure. Moreover, he seemed quite young, appearing to be in his twenties—a young, chubby man.

“We have a guest,” the man said with a smile.

“Are you Master Lu?” He Yan took off the jade pendant from her waist and showed it to him. “I’m here to retrieve the sword for Commander Xiao.”

“Oh,” Lu Daichuan saw He Yan’s jade pendant and paused. “How did Xiao Huaijin’s sword end up with you? Are you Xiao Jue’s fiancée?”

He Yan was caught off guard by this question and didn’t know how to respond for a moment. After a while, she nodded, “Yes.”

“So, you’re Huaijin’s fiancée.” Lu Daichuan nodded and looked He Yan up and down. “Not bad, not bad.”

He Yan felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Master Lu and Commander Xiao seem to have a good relationship?” He seemed amiable, unlike the way Chiwu described him as aloof.

“It’s neither good nor bad,” Lu Daichuan smiled and shook his head, clapping his hands. With a creaking sound, He Yan followed the noise and discovered a wooden figurine standing in the hall. It was about a foot tall and crafted to resemble a beautiful woman. It walked into the room, making clattering noises, and disappeared.

“Did Master Lu make all these?”

“Just some wooden figurines,” Lu Daichuan smiled. “There are no living people in my garden, only figurines that help me with tasks.”

It sounded somewhat eerie, but strangely, He Yan didn’t feel frightened. She asked, “Why not hire craftsmen to help or simply go down the mountain?”

“That’s not possible,” Lu Daichuan said. “I’ve lived on the mountain for over thirty years; life below doesn’t suit me.”

He Yan asked, “May I inquire about Master’s age this year?”

He appeared to be in his twenties, so how could he have lived on the mountain for over thirty years?

“Guess.”

He Yan couldn’t guess, so she said, “Judging by Master’s appearance, you’re only in your early twenties.”

This seemed to please Lu Daichuan, and he laughed heartily, holding his belly. “You, child, speak as sweetly as if you’ve smeared honey. No wonder Xiao Huaijin likes you. You’re truly charming.”

He Yan: “…”

She was wondering why this master blacksmith seemed so unconventional. Just as she thought about it, the wooden figurine that had entered the room earlier came back out, clattering. It held a long box and placed it in front of He Yan.

Opening the box, He Yan saw a long sword lying inside, its blade as frosty as snow—it was Drinking Autumn.

“Is it already repaired?” He Yan asked in pleasant surprise, examining the scabbard, which showed no signs of previous cracks.

“It’s just a sword; it doesn’t take much time,” Lu Daichuan looked at He Yan, his smile warm. “Since you’re Xiao Huaijin’s fiancée, in consideration of him, I can also craft a weapon or treasure specifically for you. What do you want?”

He Yan joked, “Master, can you craft a sword for me like Drinking Autumn?”

Lu Daichuan looked at her, smiling, and said, “No.”

“Why?” He Yan smiled and asked, “Does Master think I’m not worthy of your sword?”

“You already have a sword; there’s no need for another one.” 

He Yan’s smile froze for a moment as she looked at Lu Daichuan.

How did he know she had a sword?

“Master, I don’t have a sword,” He Yan said, “I don’t even have a suitable weapon.”

“You will have one,” Lu Daichuan shook his head, the laughter in his eyes seeming to penetrate everything about her. “Your sword will return to you.”

He Yan stared at Lu Daichuan, trying to find any flaws on his face. Unfortunately, apart from his consistently amiable smile, there was nothing else to discern.

He Yan stood up, holding the box containing Drinking Autumn. “Master, it’s getting late. I came here today just to retrieve the sword. Now that I have it, I should go back.” She bowed to Lu Daichuan. “Thank you, Master.”

“No need to be polite,” Lu Daichuan also stood up. It wasn’t easy for him to stand due to his overweight physique. Supporting himself, he walked He Yan to the door. On either side of him were the two colorful giant tigers and the wooden figurine, like peculiar emperors hidden in the deep mountains. “Go.”

He Yan mounted her horse, turned around, and left. However, her retreating figure seemed somewhat like she was fleeing.

As the sound of hooves gradually faded away, Lu Daichuan clicked his tongue and bent down to look at the wooden figurine at his leg. “Fei Cui, do you think I scared the girl away?”

The wooden figurine hung on his leg, silent.

“Never mind,” Lu Daichuan shook his head again, turned around, and muttered to himself as he walked back, “Huaijin, oh Huaijin, as a teacher, this is as far as I can help you.”

…

It got dark quickly on the mountain.

When He Yan arrived, the sun had yet to set. She didn’t stay long in Master Lu’s “alternate garden,” but when she came out, it was already pitch black outside.

Fortunately, the moonlight was bright tonight, shining on the snow-covered mountains, making it brighter than usual. She remembered the way well, rode Xiang Xiang down the mountain, but her mind kept going back to the words exchanged with Master Lu.

How did Master Lu know that she already had a precious sword? Did he already know something, or was he truly an extraordinary person who could see through the truth of her borrowed identity at a glance?

However, she knew nothing about Lu Daichuan at the moment. It was better to wait until she met Xiao Jue after going down the mountain and ask him about Lu Daichuan’s background before making any decisions.

He Yan sighed slightly. The trouble with her previous identity as “Miss He” disguised as a soldier in Liangzhou Garrison had just been resolved, and now another one had cropped up. It seemed like she was constantly dealing with one trouble after another.

He Yan’s gaze fell on the wooden box in front of her. Fortunately, she had finally retrieved the Drinking Autumn sword. She wondered where her Qinglang was now kept by He Rufei. Knowing He Rufei’s caution, he would only reveal it when absolutely necessary, and if it were still with her, she would likely be wiping it daily.

The horse galloped through the mountains, and the biting cold wind cut across her face. Exhaling, her breath turned into white mist in the night, the mountain air exceptionally chilly.

Suddenly, something flew towards her from behind. Startled, the horse beneath her stood up abruptly. He Yan pulled the reins, and in the next moment, someone flew from behind her. The gleaming tip of a sword was aimed at her back.

An assassin!

He Yan sidestepped, dismounted, and before she could clearly see who it was, the person came back again, rushing towards He Yan. The sword in their hand directly targeted He Yan’s heart. Without a word, they were intent on taking her life.

In this desolate wilderness, there was no one around. Even if she shouted, it wouldn’t bring any city guards. Armed with nothing, she was in a difficult situation. In desperation, she used one hand to break the wooden box she had clutched under her armpit. With a “thud,” the box shattered, and the Drinking Autumn sword fell into He Yan’s hand.

In her past and present, although she had seen and touched it, it was the first time she wielded the Drinking Autumn sword. As soon as she held it, she felt that the sword was truly ice-cold, sharp, and chilling, much like the owner of the precious sword.

Sorry, Xiao Jue, she thought silently. For now, I’ll have to borrow your sword.

He Yan drew the Drinking Autumn sword abruptly, looking at the person in front of her and shouted, “Who are you?”

In the moonlight scattered on the ground, He Yan finally saw clearly. The person was entirely covered in a black cloak, a hood obscuring most of their face, with only a glimpse of a chin, appearing translucent like jade in the night. Before she could take another look, the person was already impatiently sweeping the sword towards He Yan’s neck.

They were attacking without a word? He Yan was shocked, but the imminent threat to her face made it clear that the person wanted to kill her.

It seemed like they only intended to take her life. He Yan frowned. Could it be someone sent by He Rufei again? Last time there was still a group, but now there was only one?

However, He Yan quickly understood why there was only one person this time. Compared to the assassins from the previous encounter, this person’s skills were much more advanced. Even when He Yan engaged with him, she couldn’t help but feel amazed. His swordsmanship was exquisite, seemingly calm as water yet filled with a surging killing intent, matching hers in prowess.

Surprised, she wondered about the identity of this person. Even in Shuojing, individuals with such skills were rare. Could He Rufei really have such a formidable person under how command?

Without much time to ponder, the clash of long swords filled the air with a resonating clang. He Yan dodged the sword thrust from her opponent, but the person seemed to anticipate her counterattack. Evading her elbow strike aimed at his abdomen, he moved to her back and thrust the sword towards her. Unable to evade, He Yan had to face him with a backward stab. The clash of the two swords resulted in a “bang,” and both of them stepped back.

He Yan was momentarily stunned. For some reason, a familiar feeling surged within her. She didn’t know where this familiarity came from, but before she could understand, the person attacked again.

The opponent’s movements were extremely fast, with no gap or pause after each exchange, continuously pressing on. The sword moves were like a swift and fierce storm. He Yan’s Drinking Autumn sword, agile and sharp, had become familiar in her hands, and so the flaws and habits related to “Flying Phoenix General” were not concealed.

Snowflakes danced in the wind, and in the night, the bamboo forest seemed to echo with a light wind, burying the killing intent in a tranquil manner.

He Yan lightly tapped her toes, feeling a strange connection between her and the Drinking Autumn sword. Finally catching a glimpse of a flaw in the opponent’s sword moves, she swiftly moved towards him with a piercing thrust.

At the same time, the person also lunged towards He Yan.

Two long swords clashed in the air with a crisp collision. In the moment they passed by each other, there was a “snap.” The cold-colored sword broke into two pieces, and the black-clothed person’s long sword was cut into two by the Drinking Autumn sword. He Yan suddenly turned around, rushing to strike the person who had not yet turned around.

The sword tip was only a hair’s breadth away from piercing his back.

But at that tiny moment, it abruptly stopped.

Unusually silent around, only the sound of falling snow and the distant cry of wild cranes in the mountain valley. He Yan looked at the person’s back, sensing something. The hand holding the sword handle trembled slightly.

The person remained motionless. Slowly, with a hoarse voice, He Yan asked, “Who are you?”

In an instant, the mountain moon broke through the dark clouds. The moonlight cascaded over the peaks, and the valleys were covered in silver. The person slowly turned around, removing the hood to reveal a familiar face.

“Xiao Jue…” He Yan murmured.

The black cloak fluttered in the snowy night, and the youth’s features were unbelievably beautiful, like a jade carving. In his deep black eyes, there seemed to be inexplicable emotions, and his gaze, fixed on her, conveyed a sense of connection from the past to the present, and perhaps the future.

“Your swordsmanship has improved a lot.”

He curved his lips slightly. “Long time no see, General He.”

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