"I'm hungry." Su Changhe licked his lips as he smelled the aroma of food, pulling out an oil-paper package from his robe. Inside were peanuts, and he tossed one into his mouth. "A peanut to curb the craving." He munched as he walked, arriving at the village entrance and sitting on a large roadside rock.
The mountain breeze scattered a few leaves, the surroundings silent save for the rustling of foliage and the sound of Su Changhe chewing peanuts.
"Come out, Three Officials. When I want to find you, you vanish without a trace. When I don’t, you keep showing up. Tell me, isn’t that just shameless?" Su Changhe viciously bit down on a peanut.
"Why are you here?" The Earth Official stepped forward first.
"Exploiting weaknesses, using them as leverage—isn’t that what you people—no, what we people—always do?" Su Changhe smirked disdainfully.
The Earth Official frowned. "We expected someone here, thought it might be Umbrella Ghost. Never imagined it’d be you."
"Because I’m just like you. This homeland holds the only worldly ties for many Dark River People. But I have no ties. I’m not afraid to fight you. You could slaughter the whole village—it doesn’t matter. I just need to kill the three of you." Su Changhe finished the last peanut, blew the dust off his hands, and drew a dagger. "Enough talk. Let’s fight."
The Earth Official sneered. "So confident you can kill all three of us alone? Even the previous Head wouldn’t dare say such a thing."
"You’re welcome to try. Don’t worry—if anything happens here, Dark River will send word to Heaven Revelation City. Su Muyu won’t negotiate with whatever hand lurks behind Dark River. He’ll just draw his sword." Su Changhe pointed the dagger at the Earth Official. "Dark River is now ruled by the Nameless Ones. It’s a fresh start. We can abandon that house full of gold and treasures. Don’t think you hold enough leverage."
"If it’s a fresh start, then it’s no longer Dark River. If you insist on keeping the name, then we do have leverage," the Earth Official retorted.
"Too much talk." Su Changhe lunged forward, his dagger aimed at the Earth Official’s throat.
The Earth Official snorted, swinging his Judge’s Brush. The two passed each other in a flash.
Su Changhe twirled his dagger lightly and grinned. "Sitting high in your temple, have you forgotten what killing even is?"
The Earth Official stiffened. His Judge’s Brush clattered to the ground, a thin line of blood appearing on his wrist. "Such swift movement," he muttered.
"Inch Finger Sword—killing within inches," Su Changhe said with a laugh. "Who did you think you were facing?"
"Young man, you’re far too arrogant." The Heaven Official appeared behind Su Changhe, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Su Changhe tilted his head slightly. "Now, Heaven Official, your movement is the truly swift one."
"One squeeze, and your shoulder is done," the Heaven Official said coldly.
"Try it?" Su Changhe raised an eyebrow.
"Fine!" The Heaven Official tightened his grip without hesitation—but Su Changhe’s shoulder slipped free. Shocked, he gasped, "Bone Melting Skill!""Ha ha ha." Su Changhe took a light step back, retreating three paces, and sheathed his dagger. "You want the power of Dark River, but we still don’t know what you can offer us."
"What do you mean?" the Heaven Official said solemnly.
"Negotiate. Show us the sincerity you ought to have. Stop thinking about how to threaten us. This Homeland—I hope to never see your shadows here again. Otherwise, it’ll be mutual destruction." Su Changhe tilted his head slightly. "Mutual destruction is something I do often, as you know."
"Fine." The Heaven Official and Earth Official left together, and the Water Official, who had remained unseen until now, finally spoke: "I admire you, Su Changhe."
Su Changhe smirked. "What gives you the right to admire me?"
"Just let it go?" the Earth Official asked indignantly.
The Heaven Official remained expressionless. "Since Su Changhe anticipated our arrival here, he must have prepared accordingly. As he said, right now, we need their power. If we break ties here, it’ll be hard to explain to Heaven Revelation City."
The Water Official smiled faintly. "The Shadow Sect in Heaven Revelation City has already declined, while Dark River is stronger than ever. Our choice, perhaps—"
The Heaven Official narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"
At the village entrance, Mu Yumo studied Xiao Chaoyan curiously. "You’re so beautiful. How can you be content staying in such a small village?"
"What does appearance have to do with where one stays?" Xiao Chaoyan laughed. "This village is wonderful. If you stayed here for a while, you wouldn’t want to leave either. It’s different from the outside world—no disturbances, as if time has frozen."
"I hope I get that chance," Mu Yumo said with a smile. "You said Su Muyu is your elder brother?"
"Not exactly. My father was his father’s disciple. By seniority, I should call him ‘Uncle.’" Xiao Chaoyan lowered her head with a soft laugh. "I always thought I’d see him soon."
"Soon, very soon. He’s gone to do something important. Once it’s done, he’ll definitely return here. I once heard him mention Homeland. I thought it was just a dream of his, but I never imagined such a place truly existed." Mu Yumo nodded.
At that moment, Su Changhe strolled over, humming a tune. "Even now, I still think Su Muyu is dreaming."
"All settled?" Mu Yumo glanced at Su Changhe, noting he was spotless—no signs of a fight.
"They’ve left for now, but we can’t stay here. You and Su Muyu’s dear little sister should take the villagers and relocate," Su Changhe said.
Xiao Chaoyan shook her head. "We’ve lived here for many years. This is our home. We won’t leave."
"Is your life more important, or the village?" Su Changhe asked.
Xiao Chaoyan patted the longsword at her waist. "We have the strength to protect the village ourselves. This is Homeland. If we could abandon it so easily, how could it be called Homeland?"
"Though I still think you’re not quite right in the head, you’ve got courage." Su Changhe turned away. "Yumo, gather some people to guard this place. Once Su Muyu and I resolve everything, there’ll be no need to move. This will be the safest Homeland."Mu Yumo sighed softly, "I thought it was already over before, but I never expected it to be the beginning of another new battle."
"Indeed," Su Changhe said, looking up at the sky. "But I always feel that as long as I, Su Changhe, live in this world for even a day, my fight with it will never cease."
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