Chapter 26: The Plan to Go with the Flow

In the courtyard, the clash of blades between Du Fuwei and Du Yu rang out incessantly, their duel fierce and unresolved. Li Dong stood aside, observing closely, and soon discerned Du Yu’s weakness. Although Du Yu’s attacks were swift and seemingly flawless at first glance, with time, his faltering steps and lack of agility became apparent. Li Dong hesitated, torn about whether or not to intervene.

At present, Du Fuwei commanded a thousand troops, making him Li Dong’s sole asset after his defeat by Zhi Shilang, his only chance for a comeback. Du Fuwei could not be allowed to die or suffer any mishap; otherwise, Li Dong would truly be left alone in the world.

Du Yu had previously shown both Li Dong and Du Fuwei great kindness. His nature was bold and generous, but also stubbornly loyal. Li Dong had long wished to win him over. Now, seeing Du Yu intent on killing them both, Li Dong found himself in a difficult predicament.

If Du Yu were killed now, the opportunity to recruit him would be lost forever. But sparing him was fraught with danger—there were not only Zhi Shilang’s men to contend with, but countless others eager to eliminate Li Dong. In the eyes of the people of Zhangqiu, both Li Dong and Du Fuwei were notorious traitors, hated and hunted by all. They could not openly defend themselves, for Zhi Shilang would never tolerate Li Dong’s rebellion. Every move Li Dong made had to be shrouded in secrecy, concealed even from his own father, Li Hun.

Why, then, had Du Yu betrayed them—first saving, then attacking? The answer lay in Du Yu’s upright character and unwavering loyalty to the Sui Dynasty. Though the empire had not been especially generous to him, his devotion to the old regime remained unshaken. When Du Fuwei opened the city gates to let Zhi Shilang in, Du Yu resolved to eliminate him. Encountering Li Dong by chance, he decided to kill them both together—for Zhangqiu’s sake, and for Lu Li’er. He willingly risked his own life, driven by a single-minded desire to end theirs.

After watching for a while, Li Dong seized an opportunity when Du Yu turned, leaping forward as quick as lightning. In a flash, he pressed his blade to Du Yu’s throat and said coldly, “Brother Du, why go to such lengths? One day you’ll understand our reasons.”

“Bah!” Du Yu spat back, undaunted despite the blade at his neck. “Ungrateful traitors! To think Lu Li’er favored you, even wanted you as a son-in-law. He must be blind to have chosen so wrongly—no better than a beast! My life is in your hands. Do it! End it now, so I need not see your faces again. Don’t hesitate—show me at least that much courage.”

Du Fuwei quickly called out to Li Dong, urging him to show mercy and not act rashly. He feared Li Dong, for the sake of their greater plan, might harden his heart and kill Du Yu without hesitation.

Would Li Dong truly do such a thing? Even Du Fuwei sensed that to kill Du Yu now would only bring regret later. But letting him go might be just as perilous—Du Yu could return at any time, striking from the shadows against both him and Li Dong.

To kill a man, one must destroy his resolve.

Li Dong recalled a famous film he’d seen before his journey to this world, in which a classic line spoke of exploiting an enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, luring him into a carefully laid trap.

For someone like Du Yu—so bold yet so unwaveringly loyal—only one method would work: give him a new purpose, something to keep his hope alive, so he would not be driven to desperate hatred and cease his endless pursuit of vengeance against Li Dong and Du Fuwei.

The county magistrate, Lu Li’er, along with the constable and other officials, were imprisoned. As a jailer, Du Yu knew the prison’s defenses all too well, yet even he did not dare attempt a rescue, proof of how tightly guarded it was. Forced to abandon that plan, he had instead come for Li Dong and Du Fuwei.

But now, there was another suitable candidate—someone, if Du Yu saw her, would divert his focus. The risk was that Du Yu, with his exceptional skills, might take her and flee far away, beyond their reach. Yet there was no better option.

Li Dong steeled himself and called out, “Brother Du, forgive me for this injustice…”

“Stop!” As the three struggled, a sharp, clear voice rang out. Of course, Li Dong and Du Fuwei knew who it was—who else but Lu Rou?

Du Yu was taken aback.

In this unremarkable courtyard stood a young woman of striking beauty: her eyes, her brows, her nose, her face, her figure—every feature exquisite, her poise more befitting a lady of noble birth than a sheltered maiden. More importantly, her tone suggested she sided with him, commanding Li Dong to stay his hand.

Du Yu turned his head slightly and asked Li Dong coldly, “Who is this young lady?”

Lu Rou’s appearance was perfectly timed. Li Dong thought for a moment and replied, “She’s right there—why not ask her yourself?” With that, he withdrew the blade from Du Yu’s neck and gave him a gentle push toward Lu Rou.

Du Yu did not know Lu Rou, nor did she know him, but their hearts were aligned—they both saw Li Dong and Du Fuwei as their greatest enemies.

Du Fuwei quickly introduced her, “This is Lu Rou, daughter of Lu Li’er.”

Upon hearing this, Du Yu immediately bowed low. “I, Du Yu, am late. Miss Lu has suffered—please forgive me.”

Lu Rou replied, “Please, brother, rise. I am no longer a gentlewoman—thanks to these two ‘heroes’ before us. If ever I have the chance, I will personally kill them both, to avenge my suffering father.”

Du Yu nodded, rising to stand protectively before Lu Rou. “You two will go no further unless it is over my dead body.”

Lu Rou sighed. “They’ve done me no harm. If not for Du Fuwei’s intervention, I shudder to think what fate would have befallen me…”

Now, Du Yu was utterly confused.

Li Dong and Du Fuwei had betrayed their master, letting Zhi Shilang into the city and imprisoning Lu Li’er and others—so why show such leniency to Lu Rou? Hiding her away in such a secret place could only mean they wished to protect her.

Then again, Lu Rou was so lovely—any man would be moved by her beauty. Could they have designs on her? As long as he drew breath, Du Yu would never let them succeed.

Seeing Du Yu standing guard before Lu Rou, Li Dong knew his plan had worked, and he felt greatly relieved. He nodded to Du Fuwei, saying, “Let’s go!”

Du Yu barked, “Where are you going?”

“Protect Lu Rou. We have important business to attend to—we’ll be back soon.” Li Dong meant that after completing their urgent task, they would return, entrusting Lu Rou’s safety to Du Yu.

Yet, because of his earlier suspicions, Du Yu thought they meant to return and harm him and Lu Rou. Thus, the misunderstanding between them only deepened.

After leaving the courtyard, Li Dong explained Du Yu’s character to Du Fuwei. “Du Yu’s life is a hard one. He wants to kill us to avenge Zhangqiu’s people, but he also wants to protect us. That’s why he killed the two scouts Zhi Shilang sent to track us. Now, charged with protecting Lu Rou, he’ll feel better. With her in his care, we can act without worry.”

Du Fuwei nodded in agreement, though he did not know Du Yu as well as Li Dong.

After a moment, Li Dong asked, “What do you plan to do with the three county officials of Zhangqiu?”

Du Fuwei understood that Li Dong already had an idea in mind, but, being the chief interrogator himself, Li Dong was only hinting at his wishes rather than giving direct orders.