The Legend of Chu Qiao - V1C14
Prologue 1- Major Chu Qiao
Prologue 2- A Storm is coming
Prologue 3- Time's up!
1- Royal Hunt
2- Zhuge, Wei, Mu, Jue, Che... and Yan
3- Fifth Brother
4- Fate is a Bitch!
5- Bloody Heart
6- Bastards
7- Snakes
8- Boundaries
9- Rocks and Plum Blossoms
10- Thank You, Sisters!
11- My name is 'None'
12- The Lantern Festival
13- Liar, Liar!
14- Everything Happens for a Reason
15- Ambushed by a pervert. Saved by a prince.
Chapter 14
The winner is the predator
The winner is the predator
Behind the lavish scarlet gates of the wealthy, meat and wine were squandered, while the bones of the impoverished lay frozen along the roads. Just as the Xia Dynasty proclaimed a lack of resources to support those of different races and proceeded with massacres, the city's elite reveled, celebrating with vivid displays of joy.
The woman's waist was as slender as a willow, her skin glimmered like jade, her smile was sweet, and her arms were toned. The so-called "hardworking" officials of the Xia Dynasty shed their robes to indulge in sensual pleasures.
Outside, icicles formed and snow accumulated. Silk ribbons danced lightly on the various illuminated lanterns. The Lantern Festival was a national celebration, even for the women. At that moment, the hurried footsteps of horses shattered Wei Guang's sweet dreams, the head of the Wei family. The elder, white-bearded yet still handsome, squinted and waved away the throng of adorned women around him. They adjusted their clothing and half-kneeled on the floor, retreating without daring to raise their heads.
Wei Guang lifted his teacup, took a deep breath, and reclined back into his plush bed. The incense burner gradually released a fragrant cloud, the smoke swirling like a graceful dragon and rising steadily. Watching it felt almost surreal.
A voice of respect came from outside, "Master, Master Shuye has arrived."
He was expected. The elder raised an eyebrow. Wei Shuye had arrived earlier than anticipated, diminishing Qinglou[1] Jade's efforts to entertain him. With a low voice, the elder instructed, "Let him in."
The doors opened smoothly, and a young man entered the most opulent room in the brothel. His moon-white robe was so simple and unadorned that it seemed almost out of place among such grandeur. Wei Shuye appeared angry and, skipping any pleasantries, immediately asked the elder, "Why?"
Wei Guang understood his question. Squinting his eyes, he replied slowly without glancing at him, "When you see an elder, you should pay your respects. Are these the manners I taught you?"
Wei Shuye frowned as the candle in the corner crackled. Time passed slowly, and at last, the young man lowered his head and muttered, "Uncle."
“Not every matter can be divided into right or wrong. Jing Er is younger than you, yet you should be learning from him now.”
Wei Shuye scrunched his face and earnestly said, "Then why did you send me there? I made a promise to them..."
"You are the heir of the Wei family destined to lead the Xia Dynasty, with royal blood flowing through your veins. You belong to the most esteemed family in the land; there's no need for you to make promises to those lowly peasants. Their existence is meant to serve the nation. You haven’t erred, so there's no reason for guilt. You need not be here to question your uncle," the elder interjected sternly, cutting off Shuye's words.
Wei Shuye shook his head and frowned. "Uncle, this is not what you taught me before."
"Once, I was as naïve as you, and it led to your father's death during our family's internal conflicts." Wei Guang's eyes opened, glistening with emotion. He turned slowly to face Wei Shuye, speaking deliberately, "In this world, the winner is the predator. Do you still not grasp this after all these years, Ye Er?"
"Uncle," Wei Shuye replied, his expression serious, "the country needs people to head westward to cultivate the land. The youth from our community placed their trust in me and embarked on that journey. Why can’t the elders look after their families? They traveled great distances to follow me to the capital because I assured them you would provide them with homes. They left their own settlements and forsook their nomadic lifestyles on my promise!" He lifted the incense from Wei Guang’s table and shouted in anger, "You claimed the country lacks the funds to support them, yet look at this! This incense is from the Song Empire, and a single bundle costs two hundred gold coins—enough to sustain an entire tribe for ten years!"
Wei Guang remained calm as he listened to Wei Shuye’s outburst, the atmosphere thick with the youth's ire, primed for conflict. After a pause, the elder smiled gently and replied, "Ye Er, you went alongside Major General Zhi Lu to address the civil discord, which ended unsatisfactorily. His fate is uncertain, and yet, here you stand unharmed, arguing with me. Why is that?"
Taken aback, Wei Shuye's anger faltered, leaving him speechless.
You can stand here without harm because you are a Wei. I understand your compassion for the peasants and your disdain for discrimination. Yet, despite your feelings, you are still a descendant of the Wei family, my nephew. Everything you've enjoyed since birth—the food, the possessions, the status, the power—has come from this family, and that will not change. Anyone who has benefited from privilege has no right to denounce it. Wei Guang took a deep breath, leaning back on the bed, his chest rising momentarily.
His voice became deeper, tinged with despair. "Everything in this world has its reasons. Today, it was the Weis who massacred the Biantas[2], not the other way around, because the Weis have fought for the growth and prosperity of our family for three centuries. Throughout these years, the Wei family has defended our empire's borders and won critical battles, while the Biantas have wandered, and the Wei children have learned the art of war, honed their business acumen, and evaded numerous schemes. The Wei family is among the seven great clans, yet the nomadic population continues to dwindle. Ultimately, child, fate is impartial. It offers no favoritism. The Biantas lost because they didn't strive hard enough. The weak cannot blame the strong for their struggles. To avoid being hunted, they must grow stronger. If you pity them, consider that if all descendants thought like you, those who died today could have been your siblings."
Wei Shuye stood frozen, tension etched on his face, unable to voice his thoughts.
Wei Guang gradually rose, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Ye Er, I am aging and can’t shield all of you forever. When I am gone, who will protect the family? Who will defend my children from outside threats? Who will prevent my daughters from being raped? Who will safeguard you all? Will it be you?"
Then the doors swung open, allowing a wave of enchanting music to wash in. The elders' footsteps faded into the distance. Wei Shuye straightened, feeling a burning weight on his shoulders. He felt pressed by an invisible burden; he wanted to shrug it off but found himself unable to.
The night sky was dark, but it paled in comparison to the turmoil within him. Fraught with inner demons, he felt his morality eroding. The struggle seemed futile, and he eventually sighed, falling silent.
Some things are predetermined by birth—like blood ties and fate.
He slumped back in his chair, raised his wine glass, and drank deeply, swallowing his pent-up thoughts and resentment.
The woman's waist was as slender as a willow, her skin glimmered like jade, her smile was sweet, and her arms were toned. The so-called "hardworking" officials of the Xia Dynasty shed their robes to indulge in sensual pleasures.
Outside, icicles formed and snow accumulated. Silk ribbons danced lightly on the various illuminated lanterns. The Lantern Festival was a national celebration, even for the women. At that moment, the hurried footsteps of horses shattered Wei Guang's sweet dreams, the head of the Wei family. The elder, white-bearded yet still handsome, squinted and waved away the throng of adorned women around him. They adjusted their clothing and half-kneeled on the floor, retreating without daring to raise their heads.
Wei Guang lifted his teacup, took a deep breath, and reclined back into his plush bed. The incense burner gradually released a fragrant cloud, the smoke swirling like a graceful dragon and rising steadily. Watching it felt almost surreal.
A voice of respect came from outside, "Master, Master Shuye has arrived."
He was expected. The elder raised an eyebrow. Wei Shuye had arrived earlier than anticipated, diminishing Qinglou[1] Jade's efforts to entertain him. With a low voice, the elder instructed, "Let him in."
The doors opened smoothly, and a young man entered the most opulent room in the brothel. His moon-white robe was so simple and unadorned that it seemed almost out of place among such grandeur. Wei Shuye appeared angry and, skipping any pleasantries, immediately asked the elder, "Why?"
Wei Guang understood his question. Squinting his eyes, he replied slowly without glancing at him, "When you see an elder, you should pay your respects. Are these the manners I taught you?"
Wei Shuye frowned as the candle in the corner crackled. Time passed slowly, and at last, the young man lowered his head and muttered, "Uncle."
“Not every matter can be divided into right or wrong. Jing Er is younger than you, yet you should be learning from him now.”
Wei Shuye scrunched his face and earnestly said, "Then why did you send me there? I made a promise to them..."
"You are the heir of the Wei family destined to lead the Xia Dynasty, with royal blood flowing through your veins. You belong to the most esteemed family in the land; there's no need for you to make promises to those lowly peasants. Their existence is meant to serve the nation. You haven’t erred, so there's no reason for guilt. You need not be here to question your uncle," the elder interjected sternly, cutting off Shuye's words.
Wei Shuye shook his head and frowned. "Uncle, this is not what you taught me before."
"Once, I was as naïve as you, and it led to your father's death during our family's internal conflicts." Wei Guang's eyes opened, glistening with emotion. He turned slowly to face Wei Shuye, speaking deliberately, "In this world, the winner is the predator. Do you still not grasp this after all these years, Ye Er?"
"Uncle," Wei Shuye replied, his expression serious, "the country needs people to head westward to cultivate the land. The youth from our community placed their trust in me and embarked on that journey. Why can’t the elders look after their families? They traveled great distances to follow me to the capital because I assured them you would provide them with homes. They left their own settlements and forsook their nomadic lifestyles on my promise!" He lifted the incense from Wei Guang’s table and shouted in anger, "You claimed the country lacks the funds to support them, yet look at this! This incense is from the Song Empire, and a single bundle costs two hundred gold coins—enough to sustain an entire tribe for ten years!"
Wei Guang remained calm as he listened to Wei Shuye’s outburst, the atmosphere thick with the youth's ire, primed for conflict. After a pause, the elder smiled gently and replied, "Ye Er, you went alongside Major General Zhi Lu to address the civil discord, which ended unsatisfactorily. His fate is uncertain, and yet, here you stand unharmed, arguing with me. Why is that?"
Taken aback, Wei Shuye's anger faltered, leaving him speechless.
You can stand here without harm because you are a Wei. I understand your compassion for the peasants and your disdain for discrimination. Yet, despite your feelings, you are still a descendant of the Wei family, my nephew. Everything you've enjoyed since birth—the food, the possessions, the status, the power—has come from this family, and that will not change. Anyone who has benefited from privilege has no right to denounce it. Wei Guang took a deep breath, leaning back on the bed, his chest rising momentarily.
His voice became deeper, tinged with despair. "Everything in this world has its reasons. Today, it was the Weis who massacred the Biantas[2], not the other way around, because the Weis have fought for the growth and prosperity of our family for three centuries. Throughout these years, the Wei family has defended our empire's borders and won critical battles, while the Biantas have wandered, and the Wei children have learned the art of war, honed their business acumen, and evaded numerous schemes. The Wei family is among the seven great clans, yet the nomadic population continues to dwindle. Ultimately, child, fate is impartial. It offers no favoritism. The Biantas lost because they didn't strive hard enough. The weak cannot blame the strong for their struggles. To avoid being hunted, they must grow stronger. If you pity them, consider that if all descendants thought like you, those who died today could have been your siblings."
Wei Shuye stood frozen, tension etched on his face, unable to voice his thoughts.
Wei Guang gradually rose, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Ye Er, I am aging and can’t shield all of you forever. When I am gone, who will protect the family? Who will defend my children from outside threats? Who will prevent my daughters from being raped? Who will safeguard you all? Will it be you?"
Then the doors swung open, allowing a wave of enchanting music to wash in. The elders' footsteps faded into the distance. Wei Shuye straightened, feeling a burning weight on his shoulders. He felt pressed by an invisible burden; he wanted to shrug it off but found himself unable to.
The night sky was dark, but it paled in comparison to the turmoil within him. Fraught with inner demons, he felt his morality eroding. The struggle seemed futile, and he eventually sighed, falling silent.
Some things are predetermined by birth—like blood ties and fate.
He slumped back in his chair, raised his wine glass, and drank deeply, swallowing his pent-up thoughts and resentment.
[1] Geji (歌妓/歌伎):
Literally "singing girls," these were high-class courtesans prized for
their artistic talents in literature, poetry, and music.
[2] The tribe that was slaughtered.
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