7. To be a Slave or to Die?

Inside the chamber, silence was broken by the sound of fingernails tapping against a table. A man with a crown upon his head sat glaring at the table, where a sword lay, its hilt and scabbard adorned with golden dragon carvings.

"Your Maj—"

Before the words could be finished, the man with a murderous gaze and suffocating aura raised his left hand.

"Eunuch Bao," he called, making the man he had cut off swallow hard.

"Y-yes, Emperor Huang…" Eunuch Bao lowered his head even more, realizing the Emperor’s mood was foul.

"Tell me, what should I do with this sword? Should I burn it?" Huang Fu asked while reaching for the weapon before him.

"Answering Your Majesty… as far as I know, the Emperor greatly desired this sword. Moreover, Your Majesty obtained it with much difficulty. So…" Eunuch Bao dared not finish his sentence. He did not know what the Emperor truly wanted, whether to keep the sword or to destroy it. What he did know was that his head could easily roll if Huang Fu disliked his answer.

"Leave! All of you, leave!" Huang Fu roared, his eyes bulging from their sockets. Instantly, Eunuch Bao and the attendants trembled and rushed out of the chamber.

Alone, Huang Fu slammed the sword down on the table, the sharp clang splitting the silence. His breath came harsh and ragged.

"How could he appear in my dream!" he hissed. His eyes returned to the sword on the table.

"Who is this so-called heir, truly? How could I be deceived by Xiu Jian’s charade? No! I must uncover the truth!"

***

When the door opened, Xiu Zhangjian’s eyes swept slowly from left to right across the room. Four figures were watching him.

Though he could sense their displeasure in their gazes, most still wore cordial smiles, except for one, whose cold face and sharp eyes made Zhangjian lower his head.

'Looks like Brother Li Min really will kill me this time,' he thought.

Brother Li Min rose from his seat and approached Zhangjian, who was still standing at the threshold. Each step only deepened the knot of anxiety in Zhangjian’s chest.

"Where have you been?" Li Min demanded, his tone sharp. Though it was merely a question, in Zhangjian’s ears it sounded like an accusation.

"I… this morning I felt so hungry, so I… ah!" Zhangjian yelped as a sharp flick landed on his forehead. He quickly rubbed the reddening spot, then, meeting Li Min’s gaze again, could only show a sheepish grin.

"Pay your respects to the elders!" Li Min barked. Indeed, Zhangjian had forgotten. When he first opened the door, his mind had been clouded with dread at seeing all the leaders of the White Tiger Sect assembled.

"Forgive my younger brother for making the elders wait," Li Min said gently, bowing once Zhangjian had offered his salute. His tone was soft and deferential.

That startled Zhangjian into glancing at him. 'So sweet! Is this really the same man who just snapped at me?'

"Patriarch Li, no need for courtesy. Let us begin this discussion," Feng Yin replied, followed by nods from the other two elders.

Li Min inclined his head and gestured for Zhangjian to sit beside him.

"Not long ago, an envoy from the palace arrived, bearing a decree from Emperor Huang. The decree commands us to submit to him," he said.

"You mean… Emperor Huang wants the White Tiger Sect to pledge allegiance to him?" asked Elder Ho, brows knitted. He was the one who usually led morning training, and his shock was plain.

The same astonishment was clear on Elder Kang’s scarred face. Yet Feng Yin remained calm, and from that Zhangjian understood: Feng Yin had already known of this outrageous command.

"Yes, Elder. Not only the White Tiger Sect, but all White-path sects in Quzhou," Li Min continued with a sigh.

"What?" Zhangjian blurted reflexively, drawing all eyes upon him. Realizing his reaction was excessive, he quickly covered his mouth with both hands. "Forgive me."

The cause of his outburst was clear, he feared vengeance against Huang Fu and the swordsmen of the Alliance of Gongliao. Those who had killed his father were already terrifyingly strong; if they gained the backing of White-path sects, what chance would he ever have to take revenge?

"If we refuse, they will attack," Feng Yin added, his teeth gritting as he cursed Huang Fu inwardly.

"Outrageous! They give us no choice. What sect dares stand against the imperial army and the Alliance of Gongliao? If they march on us, the outcome is certain—enslavement, or death! Huang Fu has crossed the line!" Elder Kang’s hand twitched, almost slamming the table.

Hearing the elders’ words, Zhangjian clenched his fists. His jaw tightened, his chest constricted. 'Even if I must die, better that than surrender or slavery!'

"We must not surrender, nor bow to slavery! If death is the last path to preserve our honor, then so be it," Elder Kang pressed on, as if echoing Zhangjian’s very thoughts.

"No, Elder Kang," Feng Yin countered, unwilling to be rash. "If we perish, they will no longer restrain themselves. Though Emperor Huang has already oppressed the people with suffocating taxes, he still holds back, fearing the unified voice of the White-path sects. If we are gone, nothing remains to check his tyranny."

"Then what must we do? Submit to his decree just to preserve our lives? Everyone knows no sect surpasses the Sacred Dragon Sect. Had the Crimson Demon Sect not acted alone back then, Huang Fu would never have triumphed. Now, with his position as emperor and as leader of the Alliance of Gongliao, who can survive opposing them? If even the heir of the Sacred Dragon Sword was beheaded, then—" Elder Kang cut himself short, suddenly remembering that Xiu Jian’s son sat among them. His eyes darted to Zhangjian, worried he had spoken too far.

Zhangjian could not hide his fury, his face flushed crimson, his expression turned to ice. The killing aura he released was so palpable that all in the room felt it. Rising to his feet, he bowed. Hoarse, he said, "With respect, I beg to take my leave."

The atmosphere grew heavier still. Elder Kang longed to apologize, but Zhangjian’s murderous aura rooted him in place.

"Wait!" Li Min’s voice cracked like a whip. "Return to your seat at once!"

Zhangjian ground his teeth, throat tight as if strangled. He fought desperately not to unleash his rage on the wrong people. Finally, a sharp breath escaped his lips. Calmly, he replied, "Forgive me, Patriarch Li. I cannot." He turned toward the door.

"Stop! You must stay to hear your fate!" Li Min bellowed, louder than ever before, his voice ringing painfully in their ears.

Hand on the door, Zhangjian turned his head slightly back and whispered, "My fate?"