"Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu? Are you okay?"
Luo Yu struggled to open his eyes, and his parents' worried faces loomed over his sickbed.
"Ahhh—"
His left shoulder wound had been bandaged, but he could still feel sharp pains radiating from it.
"The Qiang soldiers, the Qiang soldiers? Is everyone alright?"
In his first moments of awakening, Luo Yu didn't inquire about his own condition but instead turned to worry about others.
Wu Chengliang felt a pang in his heart and softly reassured him, "Don't worry, everyone is fine; the bandits have been driven away. But you, why did you go to such lengths? Fortunately, the sword didn't strike any vital points; it only grazed your flesh. You just need to rest for a few days."
"Yu'er, you scared me to death!" Luo Yunshu's eyes were red-rimmed as she said, "What would I do if something happened to you?"
"Hehe, Mother, I'm fine," Luo Yu forced a smile. "As long as you're okay, I'm at ease."
Wu Chengliang stood up and coldly looked toward Chang Rushuang. "This time, our son took a sword for you and nearly lost his life. If you still want to prevent them from entering the residence, isn't that a little ungrateful?"
The atmosphere grew tense again, and Wu Rubai behind them quietly tugged at his mother's sleeve.
"Hmph!"
Chang Rushuang snorted coldly, but in her gaze toward Luo Yu, there was finally a hint of softness. "This time I owe you a life. Allowing you and your mother to enter the residence is not out of the question."
Luo Yu's heart soared; it seemed the sword strike wasn't in vain after all.
"Don't celebrate too soon; hear me out."
Chang continued, "Your father started as a mere Lieutenant. After thirty years of battling on the battlefield, having flirted with death countless times, he became today's Eastern General. I, Chang Rushuang, gave him four sons, all of whom went into the military. The third and fourth died on the battlefield before reaching eighteen."
At this point, Chang paused, her eyes reddening as memories of her sons on the battlefield surfaced. Luo Yunshu and Luo Yu's pupils contracted; they were surprised to learn of such a past.
Luo Yunshu felt a pang in her heart; as a mother, she understood the deep, indelible pain.
To bury one's child before one's own old age—what could be more tragic than this?
Chang Rushuang inadvertently wiped her eyes, her tone becoming stern again. "I share this to tell you that the Wu family is loyal and brave, and all the men are strong and valiant. Biological sons or illegitimate ones alike—if you want to enter the Wu family, you must be worthy of the surname Wu! Good-for-nothings or cowards, even if they are my own sons, must be driven out of the house! Since you took a sword for me, I can allow your mother to enter the residence, but you, not yet. Right now, the Western Qiang army is pressing down, and battles rage. All regions in Longxi are conscripting soldiers. If you want to enter the Wu family, you must earn your place by establishing your reputation on the battlefield. If you can't do that, then please take your mother and leave the Wu family. Your father can't afford to lose face."
"Isn't that a bit harsh?" Wu Chengliang frowned. "He doesn't have an official position, has never stepped onto a battlefield; how difficult is it to become a fifth-rank general in just five years?"
"If you're afraid it's hard, then don't enter the Wu family!" Chang Rushuang's tone was resolute. "The flames of war sweep across seven nations, and the rivers and mountains are in ruins. Cowards don't deserve to live in this world! Why should men not wield swords and ride into the fray to secure peace across the land? This is what he himself said!"
"I accept!" Luo Yu clenched his fists. "Five years is five years; I ask you to treat my mother kindly, Madam Chang!"
"Yu'er, the border is too dangerous!" Luo Yunshu was still reluctant. After living at the border for so many years, how could she not know the cruelties of battle? How could she bear to send her son into such danger?
"It's fine, Mother; I can do it." Luo Yu smiled brightly. "The five-year pact is set!"
…
Amidst the vast yellow sands, a cavalry of fifty came to a halt. The gleam of their iron armor shone coldly, and their weapons glinted intimidatingly. Today, Wu Chengliang was set to take Luo Yunshu back to the capital.
Luo Yu stood by the roadside, carrying a bundle on his back. Although he had a wound on his left shoulder, Luo Yunshu was giving him endless advice, filled with reluctance. They didn't know when they would see each other again.
Wu Chengliang spoke earnestly. "Everything a father needs to say was said last night. The road ahead will be yours to walk; the Wu family won't offer you any assistance."
Wu Rubai seemed to take a liking to his younger brother and patted Luo Yu on the shoulder. "A Wu family's son is no coward."
The three of them had talked through the night about so much.
"I understand." Luo Yu gently cupped his hands in a salute. "Rest assured, Father and Brother; I won't let you down."
"Yunshu, let's go." Wu Chengliang gently took Luo Yunshu's hand. "A good man should set his sights high. Since you want to be part of the Wu family, this path is one you must walk."
In a chorus of sobs, Luo Yunshu was helped into the carriage, but Chang Rushuang was halted by Luo Yu.
"Madam Chang, may I have a word?"
"Oh? What do you want to say to me?"
Chang was curious. In her eyes, she was supposed to be the vile woman who constantly made things difficult for Luo Yu. Was he coming to say goodbye?
"Madam Chang, you have quite the strategy."
"What do you mean?"
"The Qiang soldiers that ambushed the camp—those were people you hired to impersonate, right?"
A slight smirk appeared on Luo Yu's lips. "I have to admit, it was quite a good show. But since you played Qiang soldiers, you should at least have changed the weapons, right? How come they were still wielding the Wu family's swords?"
"You…"
Shock and confusion appeared on Chang Rushuang's face as her gaze sharpened. "Since you saw through it, why did you still take a sword for me?"
Luo Yu shrugged his shoulders. "I only noticed when the sword pierced my shoulder. If I had known, I wouldn't have intervened; I would have avoided the wound. You used a sedative to feign poison to test my filial piety. You sent people masquerading as attackers to test my courage and my sense of family towards you, isn't that right?"
"Haha."
Chang Rushuang suddenly laughed. "Indeed, he is Wu Chengliang's son—intrepid, perceptive, courageous, and possessing a sense of kindness. I find myself liking you a bit now; not bad."
"Madam, you flatter me."
Luo Yu smiled. "Father secretly told me that Madam Chang has a sharp tongue but a kind heart. I shouldn't hold grudges against you."
"That old Wu is truly something!"
Chang Rushuang's annoyance was mixed with a hint of jealousy. "It seems he truly cares about you and your mother. Well, a larger household can be livelier."
The atmosphere eased considerably.
Luo Yu respectfully bowed. "I entrust my mother to your care, Madam; I cannot thank you enough."
"Rest assured!"
Chang Rushuang lifted the curtain of the carriage and glanced back at Luo Yu. "Don't forget, if you fail to fulfill the pact, your mother will be sent away. As a man, you should create a future for your mother—not rely on the charity of others. If you fulfill the pact, I, Chang Rushuang, will personally welcome you into the General's residence. If you die on the battlefield, I will come to collect your body with your mother! Your spirit will be alongside my sons!"
"It's a deal!"
Luo Yu shouted loudly toward the departing carriage. "In five years, the name Luo Yu will resound throughout the world!"