Chapter Forty-Two: I Will Surely Rescue You

Jiang Chen had already guessed what was going on. The dark-skinned, unsmiling butcher from the mountains standing before him must have a deep connection with the Iron Cavalry of Qishan. Indeed, Old Wu admitted it himself: “Twenty years ago, I was an officer in the Xiao Battalion of the Iron Cavalry of Qishan. When Han Yuyang showed me his identification token to prove his identity, I could no longer stand by and do nothing!”

“There was a sudden upheaval in the army, and he escaped with the military tally by sheer luck. There must be a massive conspiracy behind all this, and he must reach Longjiang alive if there is to be any hope of turning things around.”

“Judging by Wu Da and his two companions tracking him here today, Han Yuyang’s journey has been fraught with peril. It seems he left without a word for fear of dragging me into trouble. But ahead of him lies an even more dangerous road, one from which there may be no return.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen was secretly amazed by Old Wu’s breadth of mind and courage—so different from the harsh, indifferent butcher he had seemed before. Here he was, not the least bit anxious about his own predicament, but worrying about Han Yuyang’s fate instead.

“But there’s something I don’t quite understand,” Jiang Chen asked. “How can you be sure he was telling the truth?”

Old Wu replied without hesitation, “Because if he had really done those things, he would never have shown up before me.”

“I’ve lived in seclusion in Shanguan Town for twenty years. In the army, only one person ever knew where I was. That one must have told Han Yuyang about me before dying. If Han Yuyang himself were the culprit, he could never have known this secret.”

Jiang Chen nodded. So that was the reason.

Just as Jiang Chen was about to ask why Han Yuyang would risk so much to seek out Old Wu, the old man decisively insisted that Jiang Chen take his family and leave.

“Yue’er is an innocent and kind child. I don’t want her to be endangered because of me. Qingshan may be rash and simple-minded, but he’s deeply loyal. If something happens to me, I fear he may do something foolish in a fit of passion.”

“Jiang Chen, you may be around their age, but you’re much more seasoned in dealing with people and know your limits. I entrust my only son and daughter to you, confident that you can protect them.”

Facing Old Wu’s burning gaze, Jiang Chen firmly refused. “No!”

“This isn’t the time for such defeatist talk. Han Yuyang has already been gone a long while now, so they couldn’t possibly find any clues from him. Give me some time—I’m sure I can get you out of here.”

Old Wu’s expression shifted slightly. “I get the feeling you’ve become a completely different person lately.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve found courage and daring in the Four Books and Five Classics!”

Jiang Chen smiled and replied, “In troubled times, there’s little hope for a mere scholar. All I ever wanted was for Yue’er to live a peaceful, comfortable life. But to make that happen, I have to toughen myself first.”

“Trust me. I will save you!”

Meanwhile, outside the county office, Wu Qingshan and Gu Jun waited anxiously. News of Old Wu’s arrest finally reached Wu Yue, who rushed over, tears already welling in her eyes.

“Where’s Father? Where is he?” she cried.

Qingshan said, “Don’t worry, Sis. Dad will be fine.”

“How did this happen? Father’s just an ordinary butcher. We’ve always kept to ourselves—why isn’t that enough?”

Gu Jun quickly tried to reassure her. “Let’s wait for Jiang Chen to come out. He’s always got a plan—he’ll think of something.”

Hearing that Jiang Chen was inside, Wu Yue’s emotions calmed a little. In this difficult moment, her heart was in turmoil, but at least she had someone to rely on.

Inside the dark cell, peace returned after Jiang Chen left. Old Wu let out a barely audible sigh. He knew men like Wu Da would never give up until they achieved their aims. Torture was sure to follow, and at his age, he might not survive it.

Jiang Chen’s final words had comforted him deeply, but he wasn’t so muddled as to drag the younger generation into his troubles because of his own choices.

Remembering his glory days, charging across the battlefield on horseback, Old Wu felt a long-lost surge of heroic spirit. He made up his mind and calmly awaited the coming battle.

Perhaps it would be the last battle of his life.

“From now on, you all must listen to me!”

“In short, trust me—I will get Old Wu out!”

As soon as Jiang Chen stepped out of the county office, he was surrounded. Though Wu Yue and Wu Qingshan had a thousand questions, time was too short for explanations.

He quickly led everyone away from the entrance, first warning Wu Qingshan not to do anything reckless.

Then he turned to Gu Jun. “Brother Gu, I have something very important to ask of you. Please promise me!”

Gu Jun immediately agreed. “Whatever it is, I’ll do everything I can!”

Jiang Chen spoke earnestly, “I need you to protect Yue’er. You mustn’t let her come to any harm!”

“Leave her to me!”

Wu Yue, sensing the gravity of Jiang Chen’s request, asked anxiously, “Chen, where are you going?”

“I’m just going to find a way to save Old Wu. Don’t worry. You all stay here for now. Home isn’t safe—Wu Da and his men may come looking. It’ll be trouble if you’re there.”

Qingshan wanted to help, but Jiang Chen relayed Old Wu’s words to him, which finally calmed both siblings. Then, without delay, he hurried out of the brewery courtyard, heading straight for the Wu household.

The situation was clear. Wu Da and his men were after Han Yuyang, and Old Wu was determined to protect his junior from the army, refusing to betray him even in captivity.

But the problem was, a ruthless man like Wu Da, hardened by blood and steel, would not be so easily deceived. He was fixated on Old Wu; if he gained nothing, he would never let the old man leave alive. So Jiang Chen’s only chance to save Old Wu was to give Wu Da the outcome he wanted.

With a clatter, Jiang Chen found the secret Old Wu had guarded for twenty years—hidden in the inner wall of the Wu family’s kitchen.

“If you had to leave Shanguan Town, where would you go?”

“Qishan in the Eastern Prefecture.”

That was Jiang Chen and Old Wu’s final exchange in the prison cell, and Old Wu’s bold, resolute answer still echoed in his ears.