The ancient Tianjin Bridge seemed to have stood silently here since time immemorial, its bluestone paving washed gleaming by the rain.
Beneath the bridge, muddy waves surged along the Luo River, while weeping willows swayed in the wind and rain along its banks.
Liu Ben sat on his horse, his spirits swaying like those willows, rising and falling with an indescribable grief and fury.
His aged father had been persecuted by villains and died wronged. After traveling a thousand miles back to the capital, he had suffered one attack after another.
He looked at his handful of surviving personal guards. After more than ten days and nights of fighting and forced marches, every one of them was wounded and utterly exhausted.
Indignation, hatred, resentment, disappointment, uncertainty...
A tangle of emotions crowded into Liu Ben's heart. He shook the water from his head and struggled to quell his agitation.
Was there truly no justice in this world?
Had the venerable Imperial Preceptor been here, surely none of this would have happened.
Remembering that there had been no word of Imperial Preceptor Li Xingzhi for a long time, Liu Ben's spirits sank. He swung down from his horse.
His guards dismounted as well and followed silently behind him.
"Going into the capital this time, I reckon I'll have one chance of surviving a hundred deaths... Brothers, you've followed me for years... I can't bear to see you throw your lives away. Once we enter the city... go your separate ways!"
Leading his horse, Liu Ben slowly climbed the stone steps onto the bridge, his voice unbearably heavy.
"General..."
His guards were visibly moved by his words.
"General! The old general was murdered. We'll go with you and demand an accounting!"
"General, we swear to follow you to the death. Even through mountains