Chapter 139: The Promise

Page (1/3)

In this conversation, Liu Ji harbored no expectations; he merely sought to make contact and discern the character of the cousin mentioned by Sarasvati. Yet the outcome took them by surprise. The lord of Nepo City, named Boniga, readily agreed to their terms without hesitation—that is, to round up all the Tubo people in the city and send them over, without concealing even the total number.

Over one hundred.

“Commander, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something odd about this,” remarked Elder Kang as he watched Boniga and his party depart. Liu Ji, who had remained silent until then, smiled and asked, “What seems odd about it?”

“It’s hard to say, but he agreed too quickly.”

“That’s precisely the problem. Over a hundred Tubo people, and he didn’t even bargain. If it were you, would you trust the Tang so readily? At least you’d compare offers, since we haven’t yet besieged the city or put them under immediate pressure.”

Liu Ji admired this trait in him: the ability to think critically. Never underestimate such a quality; it signifies a mind above that of an ordinary soldier. Those who think usually possess ambition—or perhaps restlessness.

“So what should we do?”

Liu Ji regarded him thoughtfully, deciding to test him: “If it were you, what would you do?”

“Of course, I’d run away quickly,” Elder Kang replied without hesitation, then added uncertainly, “Am I thinking wrong?”

“Ha!” Liu Ji laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder. “You’re right. Knowing they harbor ill intent and still waiting here to die—that’s foolishness. If you die, it’s your own fault.”

“Let’s move on then, find another place. They should be arriving soon.”

With a single call, Liu Ji gathered his men, leaving only two soldiers hidden to keep watch. The rest retreated toward the way they had come—the exit of Peacock Valley, the very bend where they had turned earlier.

This was a narrow pass flanked by towering cliffs. There was no accessible path uphill, and even if there were, it would be impossible for a large force to pass through. This naturally prevented ambushes. Though Liu Ji had only twenty men, this terrain allowed them to block and conceal themselves effectively.

Before arriving, he had already eyed this valley entrance. On the other side, the river valley was as jittery as a startled bird, and Kapilero City was on high alert. This brought them immense advantage—such a critical location left utterly undefended.

Page (2/3)

Perhaps the enemy reasoned that deploying too few troops was useless, yet sending too many risked leaving the city’s defenses insufficient.

But Liu Ji never placed his hopes in a woman like Sarasvati.

Soon, figures appeared from the direction they had come: Mariqi and four or five young men dressed as mountain tribesmen strode swiftly across the muddy ground. In just a few hundred paces, they reached Liu Ji’s group. An old man carried a little girl on his back, who was sleeping soundly.

“You arrived quickly.”

“This path is nothing; it’s just peaceful, not as smooth as mountain trails,” the old man said, lowering his voice as he carefully set the girl—Zhuoma—down. Liu Ji gave a subtle nod, and Elder Kang stepped forward to take the child, with the old man lingering reluctantly.

Liu Ji led them toward the riverbank. The young men casually waded into the water, cupping it to drink, clearly exhausted. The old man glanced back often at the girl in Elder Kang’s arms—it was clear she was his greatest concern.

Liu Ji sighed and stood beside him. “When Zhuoma first encountered us, she was about to run to the Tubo to betray us. My men caught her, and she nearly died.”

“So she’s fortunate.”

Mariqi turned to the young men washing their feet and drinking at the river. “They’re not my people, but warriors from other mountain villages. Their leader was invited into the city by you and killed by the Tubo. When you acted then, you anticipated this, didn’t you?”

Liu Ji said nothing, offering no defense. In such circumstances, any explanation would be futile. What was done was done, and the outcome was beyond his control. Honestly, he never intended to kill anyone. Whoever struck the blow must bear responsibility—that is the logical way to think.

If every event was traced back endlessly, the Japanese of later generations used such logic to shirk responsibility. Were all the Chinese victims of the invasion merely resisting? No wonder those propagandistic dramas desperately excavate the humanity of invaders to prove Western universal values—yet none consider that over thirty million Chinese souls lost in war remain restless!

“So the Kapilero people have made their own decision?”

Mariqi nodded, avoiding further discussion on the prior topic.

“Are you preparing to accept a new king or elect one of your own? Mariqi, is it you?”

“I’m old,” Mariqi shook his head. “Even if I were ten years younger, I wouldn’t give up this chance, because it was won with the lives of my beloved daughter and children. I would never accept anyone else.”

Page (3/3)

“Is it one among them?” Liu Ji had not expected this. “They’re so young—can they command loyalty?”

“Of course not. Even if I could enforce order, once I die, they’ll turn on each other. No one will obey anyone. Once you leave, this land will soon return to the Tubo—they will exterminate the Kapilero without mercy.”

The old man was clear-headed, not intoxicated by hopeful visions. Though the current situation appeared prosperous, their foundation was weak. The old ruling class had been uprooted, and many participants were commoners, but how many truly accepted Kapilero rule? Even the Kapilero themselves doubted it.

The Tubo had over a century of conquest history, deeply rooted in the people's minds. Few trusted the Tang, who were too far removed.

“You have no candidate, and you won’t support remnants of the previous regime, right?”

“Correct. Our people agreed no king should come from above. No matter how sweetly he speaks now, we cannot trust he won’t exact retribution later. We Kapilero have learned that lesson more than once, all soaked in blood and tears.”

Mariqi looked at him gravely. “Though you used some tactics, the Tang still stand with us. You need a sword to clear the weeds. We Kapilero are willing to be that sword, to cooperate and jointly govern this land.”

“Excellent. That is why I chose you. The Tubo are our common enemy. At least here, the Tang and they can never coexist. That’s the foundation for our cooperation.”

“You don’t want a king, and neither do we. Then let us work together to eliminate all who seek to claim that throne.”

Liu Ji extended his hand. Mariqi understood but shook his head.

“For us Kapilero, oaths carry immense significance. Only with the witness of the gods can an agreement between us be binding. Are you willing to complete this rite our way?”

“Don’t you think swearing an oath with me lacks weight? Perhaps I should consult our commander?”

Mariqi shook his head again. “This isn’t about rank or status. We Kapilero trust only you because you’ve shown us your capability. Someone like you cannot be a mere minor player. We are willing to wait.”

Liu Ji smiled and extended his hand once more. The two clasped firmly together.