Chapter Forty-Four: A Single Glance at My Jade Gentleman, a Lifetime’s Misfortune

"I, Yang Hu, once begged for food in Lunü City; my very life was sustained by the Zhang family’s generosity. If I must return it now, so be it!"

"If the young master of the Zhang family meets his end at your hands, who in this world would still dare to offer relief to us common folk?"

"The fame of Young Master Yu’s poetry is known throughout Hebei. Nephew of the Wang family, you must not harm him, or you will regret it bitterly!"

Each voice, different in words, found its way from ear to heart.

Zhang Yu laughed, this time with genuine happiness.

So what if death comes? There’s nothing to fear—perhaps he might even return to his original world. At least he had tasted life in the Three Kingdoms; it was enough.

Most importantly, he had learned that kindness never goes unremembered. There are no wasted good deeds in this world; every drop of sweat you shed becomes nourishment for flowers to bloom along the path.

Didn’t Uncle Liu Bei once say, “Do not refrain from doing good even if it is small, and do not do evil even if it is trivial”? No matter where I am, no matter life or death, I, Zhang Sifan, will always strive to be a kind person.

Only then can one be at peace throughout their life—

“Fools, all of you!” Seeing the situation turn against him, Wang Yong, burning with rage, drew the sword at his waist and charged, engaging Han Long in combat.

Most people, however, remained rooted where they stood; only Wang Yong’s old family servants and a handful of loyal cronies followed him.

Perhaps the words of the man in white had left them confused yet awed, but those standing before them were their own elders and kin from Wuji.

How could the sons of the people raise arms against their own townsfolk?

“Spreading wicked lies…” Wang Yong struggled to fend off Han Long’s attacks. “Do you think a mere tongue can ruin the great enterprise of the Wang family? Outrageous!”

In the end, some still joined in; dozens against a few, the outcome seemed all but certain.

The common people could wave flags and shout, and the soldiers might lay down their arms, but to turn against the Wang family for Zhang Yu’s sake—such a thing was impossible.

Zhang Yu maintained a calm, serene smile. Such is the chaos of troubled times—a human life is as cheap as grass.

Even as the son of a great family, with skilled guards accompanying him, both his recent journeys from home had brought him face-to-face with death.

If nothing could change the course of events, then better to accept it with a smile. After all, he was a man of the modern world; even in death, he would die with dignity.

Turning, Zhang Yu looked at the Zhen family, bowing to each of them in turn, greeting the matron, the elder brothers, and the sisters.

The violence before him seemed not to touch him, nor sully his bearing; his ethereal poise made him appear like an immortal descended from the heavens.

At last, Zhang Yu came before Zhen Luo. His tall frame shielded her from the bloody scene, dispelling all her fear and dread.

He raised his right hand to the silver-winged mask he had worn for so long; gently, in the glow of the setting sun, he slid it away. In that instant, the very world seemed to lose its color.

What an astonishingly handsome face! The Zhen matron’s eyes widened, all four sisters were stunned, and even Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao could not help but stare in fascination.

It was as if, with Zhang Yu present, nothing in the world could steal his radiance.

Zhen Luo forgot to breathe. She gazed, entranced, upon the man before her—the one who had borne the brunt of mockery and scorn for her since childhood. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Luo’er, your Yu brother is here.”

“Yes!” She longed to throw herself into his embrace, if only for a second, even if it meant dying right then.

But Zhang Yu merely patted her gently on the head, then turned away.

“Wang Yong!”

“Uh—!”

Wang Yong, locked in combat with Han Long, looked over at the sound of his name. Seeing the face revealed beneath Zhang Yu’s mask, he stood transfixed as if under a spell.

In that split second—

“Han Long!”

“Yes!” The young Han Long already displayed the bearing of a true knight. At his master’s summons, he understood at once: he spun, swept aside Wang Yong’s blade with a single stroke, and, with the speed of a serpent, thrust his sword straight into Wang Yong’s chest!

Indeed, “He who follows the Way finds many helpers; he who defies it finds few.” The Jade Gentleman, blessed with divine beauty, was aided by fate, while Wang Yong, through his misdeeds, met the end he deserved.

“So… did he just die because of how handsome I am?” Zhang Yu’s expression was as complex as orange juice mixed with bitter coffee, a blend of joy and something inexpressible, until little Zhen Luo threw her arms around him—

“Yu brother, we don’t have to die! We’re saved!”

“Young master, the virtuous are always protected by Heaven. Zhang Biao knew you would lead us through danger! It’s just a shame about the second and fourth brothers…”

They had survived the Black Mountain bandits—how could they perish here? Zhang Yu found it hard to accept. After a long silence, he declared, “I swear, as long as I live, I will never again let the four of you die for my sake.”

“Young master, as your attendants, it is our duty—”

“When have I ever seen you as mere attendants? You are my brothers. Zhang San, Zhang Wu, hear my command!”

“We are here!” “Yes!”

“Today, I bestow upon you both new names. Stand tall and proud as true men.

Zhang Er, your new name will be Zhang Junbao. Zhang Si, yours will be Zhang Wuji!”

“Junbao (Wuji) thanks the young master!”

Perhaps this could ease their sorrow a little.

The surrounding soldiers seemed to let go of a heavy burden as well. Even if Wang Yong were alive, they would never have the heart to harm such a beautiful Zhang gentleman. A beautiful Zhou Yu, a beautiful Zhang Yu—there was nothing wrong with that…

This was no exaggeration. In history, a young man named Han Zigao had left behind a similar impression—

Han Zigao, a native of Kuaiji, was of humble birth, making his living as a sandal-maker. At sixteen, he was still a youth, but his appearance was as radiant as a beautiful woman: delicate features, fair and pure, with naturally arched brows and glossy hair. All who saw him were entranced. Even when caught amid soldiers wielding white blades, they could not bear to harm him and repeatedly spared him.

See? Even a sandal-maker could be extraordinary.

The people of Wuji, gathered in great numbers, saw Young Master Yu unharmed and the villainous Wang Yong slain. Their joy was as if celebrating a grand festival.

The Wang family, which had long plundered the people’s wealth and brought ruin to countless families, was now toppled, and all rushed into the grand mansion, whether or not they had personally suffered under the Wang’s tyranny.

“Ingrained habits are not so easily changed,” Zhang Yu sighed, shaking his head. He wanted to rally the soldiers to stop the people from looting, but recalling their recent support for him, he hesitated. Who would have expected—

“Everyone, please stop!” Zhang Yu was startled and turned to look at Zhen Luo.

“Please, don’t take anything more!” Little Zhen Luo called out again.

“Little girl, you were nearly killed by Wang Yong just now—why are you speaking on his behalf?” someone retorted immediately. Many only display righteousness when their own interests are not at stake.

“The Wang family committed many crimes, but how is your behavior now any better? As for their wealth—”

“Shut your mouth, little girl…” A middle-aged peasant began to berate her but was silenced by a look from Zhang Yu, who forced him back to securing his own share of the spoils.

“Luo’er,” Zhang Yu pinched her cheek, “remember this: there are many right things in this world that most people are unwilling to do. Only if we are strong enough can we make others listen to reason and act as we believe is right.”

Zhen Luo nodded, understanding only half. Just as she was about to speak, the ground began to tremble violently!

Houses in the city shook, and in the distance, clouds of dust rose into the sky. Something massive was approaching.

“Is it an earthquake?” Zhang Yu held Zhen Luo close and asked over his shoulder.

“Young master, it’s cavalry!”

“Cavalry?”

“At least a thousand!”