Chapter Sixty: The Tuoba Clan

Jiang Pingchuan held a blood-stained branch in one hand while his other hand was clasped behind his back. The black creature on the ground twitched and convulsed, its life ebbing away. The middle-aged man hefted his broadsword and walked toward Jiang Pingchuan. The moment just passed still flickered in his mind—the instant that black beast lunged at him, death’s presence pressed close. Yet, in the blink of an eye, as the wind swept by, the black bear collapsed beside him. Reflected in his eyes was Jiang Pingchuan’s heroic silhouette. For a moment, the man felt as if he’d seen a long-lost kinsman, and hurried forward to stand before Jiang Pingchuan.

“Brother, thank you, thank you.”

The middle-aged man pressed his hand to his chest and bowed repeatedly to Jiang Pingchuan. The people behind him, too, placed their hands over their hearts and bowed deeply.

“There’s no need for such ceremony, friends. I happened to be passing by and merely lent a hand.”

Jiang Pingchuan smiled warmly, reaching out to help the man up. He planted the branch upright in the earth. When the others saw the deep wound in the black bear’s neck and the bloodied branch stuck in the ground, awe filled their hearts.

Such power was almost divine. Jiang Pingchuan’s prowess could easily be compared to the top masters of the imperial capital.

“Brother, my name is Tuoba Yunlong. May I ask yours?”

Tuoba Yunlong pressed his hand to his chest, looking at Jiang Pingchuan with sincere gratitude. Jiang Pingchuan was momentarily taken aback, but he understood Tuoba Yunlong’s meaning.

“I am Jiang Pingchuan. If you do not mind, you may call me ‘brother’ as well—simply Pingchuan.”

Mimicking Tuoba Yunlong’s gesture, Jiang Pingchuan placed his own hand on his chest. He suspected these people belonged to one of the minority tribes in these lands, though no map he’d seen marked any settlement in this area.

“Haha! Brother Pingchuan, you are truly like a god descended to earth. You have opened our eyes!”

Tuoba Yunlong clapped Jiang Pingchuan on the chest and gave a hearty thumbs-up. Jiang Pingchuan grinned at the dozen or so people before him; those behind them gazed at him with fervent admiration.

“Brother Yunlong, were you hunting?”

Jiang Pingchuan pointed to the lifeless black beast on the ground. Tuoba Yunlong sighed and nodded. With a wave, he signaled the others to carry the carcass away. He then sheathed his broadsword, leading Jiang Pingchuan along a hidden path deeper into the forest.

When Tuoba Yunlong finally stopped, the forest opened up before them. A sprawling encampment stretched below, fires burning all around, silhouettes flitting in the firelight.

“This is our temporary settlement. All the Tuoba clan is gathered here now.”

Tuoba Yunlong pointed to the camp below, his voice tinged with sorrow. Jiang Pingchuan sensed that although the settlement was large, its people were few.

Tuoba Yunlong led Jiang Pingchuan into the heart of the tribe. Though it was night, many had not yet gone to sleep. Some children, seeing the stranger, shrank timidly into their parents’ arms, too fearful to meet Jiang Pingchuan’s gaze.

It was clear to Jiang Pingchuan that most of the people regarded him with hostility—some with hatred, others with deep-seated fear. Following Tuoba Yunlong, they reached the central house of the settlement. Tuoba Yunlong knocked on the door.

“Chieftain, it’s me—Yunlong.”

He waited quietly at the threshold. Soon, there came the sound of an elderly cough from within, and the door opened. A stooped elder appeared, hair silver at the temples, draped in a gray robe, lips sunken, face deeply lined with age. Jiang Pingchuan did not understand why Tuoba Yunlong wanted to bring him before their chieftain.

“Yunlong, why have you returned from the hunting grounds?” the old chieftain asked softly, tightening his robe as he cast a brief, wary glance at Jiang Pingchuan. In that look, Jiang Pingchuan again sensed the blend of aversion and fear.

Looking back, he realized that if he had not saved Tuoba Yunlong, he might well have been torn apart by these people if exposed before them.

“We have brought down the Taishan Bear,” Tuoba Yunlong announced, excitement shining in his expression and voice. Clearly, the beast Jiang Pingchuan had slain was of great importance. At this news, a brief gleam lit the chieftain’s clouded eyes.

“Truly? Where is the bear now?” The chieftain’s voice trembled with excitement, his frail body seeming to fill with sudden strength.

“Chieftain, let me introduce you. This is Brother Jiang Pingchuan—the one who slew the Taishan Bear for us. If not for him, our entire hunting party would have been torn apart.”

Tuoba Yunlong pulled Jiang Pingchuan forward. The chieftain’s wariness faded as he took in Jiang Pingchuan’s white brocade robe, and he pressed his hand to his chest in a grateful bow.

“Thank you, thank you.”

He thanked Jiang Pingchuan repeatedly. Jiang Pingchuan nodded and helped the old man stand. The chieftain’s face was flushed with shame. Jiang Pingchuan could not fathom why both the chieftain and his people harbored such animosity toward him.

“Chieftain, please, there’s no need for such formality. Yet I can’t understand why your people look at me with such hatred and fear. I have never had any dealings with them before.”

Jiang Pingchuan voiced his confusion. He understood it was natural for such a tribe to be wary of outsiders. But the open hostility unsettled him and left him with many questions.

“Brother Jiang, do not fret. After I have seen the Taishan Bear, I will explain everything.”

Clearly, to the chieftain, the Taishan Bear was far more important at this moment. Jiang Pingchuan could only nod. With nowhere else to go, he decided to remain and learn more about this curious Tuoba clan.

The chieftain descended the steps and walked toward the center of the camp, where a great bonfire had already been lit. From afar, it seemed the bear had been brought back.

Many tribespeople emerged from their tents, roused by the commotion, quickly donning their clothes. Jiang Pingchuan followed the chieftain onto a stone platform, gazing at the Taishan Bear laid out in the center. Tears welled in the chieftain’s eyes. The tribespeople stood silent, staring at the beast that now lay still.

“We have succeeded!” the chieftain suddenly cried out. The tribe erupted in cheers, their voices rising and falling in waves. Jiang Pingchuan saw the faces of the Tuoba people light up with joy.

Children ran circles around the bear, women embraced—some weeping, others sighing with relief. Tuoba Yunlong raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down. He grabbed Jiang Pingchuan and led him to the center, the eyes of all the Tuoba people fixed upon him.

Some whispered among themselves, clearly discussing Jiang Pingchuan. Members of the hunting party recounted their ordeal in hushed tones, sending shivers through their listeners. When word spread that Jiang Pingchuan had slain the Taishan Bear with nothing more than a tree branch, the crowd gasped in awe and admiration. Their eyes no longer held hatred, but fervent reverence.

“Today, we have finally brought down the Taishan Bear. All thanks to Brother Jiang Pingchuan, who felled the beast with his own hands! Jiang Pingchuan is a hero of the Tuoba clan!”

Tuoba Yunlong seized Jiang Pingchuan’s right hand, raised it high, and shook it vigorously. In the hearts of the Tuoba people, Jiang Pingchuan was their savior and champion.

“Jiang Pingchuan the hero...”
“Jiang Pingchuan...”
“Jiang Pingchuan...”

As Tuoba Yunlong finished, the crowd erupted once more. The tribespeople surrounded Jiang Pingchuan, tossing him into the air. Everything happened so quickly that Jiang Pingchuan was left dazed.

Gazing at the slain bear in the center, feeling the warmth and excitement of the Tuoba people, Jiang Pingchuan thought to himself that these tribesfolk wore their hearts on their sleeves. They never hid their hatred, but once they accepted you, they cared nothing for your origins. Just as Tuoba Yunlong had said—Jiang Pingchuan slew the Taishan Bear; he was now a hero of the Tuoba.

That night, the Tuoba clan did not sleep. They brought out stores of wine they had long kept in reserve. And it was only then, over drinks with Tuoba Yunlong, that Jiang Pingchuan finally learned why the tribe had looked upon him with such animosity when he first arrived.

Having learned the story of the Tuoba, Jiang Pingchuan resolved to stay and meet the one who held sway over the fate of the entire clan.