The wind and snow at Yan Pass had grown fiercer still.
Yang Qing, Bu Er, and Jiang Zhizhou sat in the Marching Tent, listening to the blizzard howl outside.
"Bu Er, have you gathered everything we need to take tomorrow?" Yang Qing looked at Bu Er.
"If I said everything was ready, some things still wouldn't be; but if I said it wasn't ready, it could still count as ready." Bu Er delivered a thoroughly tongue-twisting reply.
Yang Qing steadied himself and looked at Bu Er. "Send word to the Dark Alliance. After tomorrow, all our brothers remaining here in Western Chu are to lay down their arms. Only the Northern Hawk branch will remain in service."
"Lay down their arms? Young master, why? The Dark Alliance was the old alliance leader's life's work. How can you treat it so lightly?" Bu Er grew agitated the moment he heard this.
"Besides, with your health as it is, you still need people to look after you. If you send them all away, where will we find anyone later?"
Yang Qing waved a hand. "Years may pass on this journey, and there's no telling when I'll return. Western Chu is no land of joy, either. Having our brothers lay down their arms is simply a way to let them live more peacefully."
He paused before continuing. "Besides, these past few years, they've rushed from place to place and worn themselves out over matters concerning me alone. It's time they rested."
"But..." Bu Er wanted to say more, but Jiang Zhizhou cut in. "Do as your young master says. He has his reasons."
With great reluctance, Bu Er replied, "As you command!" Then he sprang away and vanished.
Yang Qing's gaze remained fixed on the direction in which Bu Er had left, lingering