Chapter Four: Family Feuds

Dao Sansheng patted the fat man on the shoulder. “I don’t mean to blame you; I just want to know what’s happening now. You spoke well, but I still need you to do something else.” He leaned in and whispered a few words into the fat man’s ear.

“Alright, I understand. You go on with your business, Sansheng. We’ll meet back here later.” After their brief conversation, the two parted ways.

Dao Sansheng knew that many people were searching for him now. There was no way he could save his parents; it was up to fate, and he could only hope his plan would work. But he did have a younger sister, and rescuing her was an urgent matter.

Arriving at the village entrance, he saw patrols everywhere. Clearly, he couldn’t take the main road in. Circling around to a small path at the back of the village, he found it was also full of people—there was no way in except by cunning.

He ran through all thirty-six stratagems in his mind, then smacked his forehead, realizing his own foolishness. All these houses were the same height, as were the village walls. Now, with everyone searching for him in the streets, it wouldn’t be difficult at all to slip back home.

Cautiously, Dao Sansheng leaped onto the wall and sped along its top toward his own backyard, crossing over one, two, three houses… Before long, he reached his own home. From a distance, he could already hear the sounds inside—objects being smashed, loud arguments—all sorts of noises mingled in a raucous clamor, yet each was clear to his ears.

Quietly, Dao Sansheng vaulted down into the backyard, hiding amid a pile of discarded items. He plugged his ears, pretending not to hear the commotion in the house.

He waited a long time, but the intruders didn’t leave. Hungry now, he was glad for the dried meat he’d brought, and began to eat as he listened in. Not a bad arrangement, really.

As dusk fell, the people inside gradually left. Mortal bodies could only endure so much; eventually, they had to rest. Once he was certain the house was empty, Dao Sansheng slipped inside.

Bathed in moonlight, a slender, graceful figure appeared in the window—a young girl, only eleven or twelve, yet her silhouette already hinted at future beauty.

“Guess who I am?” Dao Sansheng asked, covering the girl's eyes with his hands.

“Sansheng, you little rascal, up to your old tricks again. I recognized you the moment I saw your shadow. As soon as you entered, the moon gave you away. You’re just as silly as ever, sigh!” Her words suddenly filled Dao Sansheng with guilt. He knew she pretended not to know the truth. Ever since they were children, his sister had treated him with special care, always saving the best food and money for him.

“Sis, I was wrong. Punish me if you must!” Dao Sansheng suddenly dropped to his knees.

“Sansheng, let me tell you a story. Only after you hear it should you apologize.” Without waiting for him to respond, she began:

“That winter, the snow was especially heavy. A man in his forties, covered in snow, burst into our home. As soon as he entered, he knelt on the ground and said, ‘Dao couple, for the sake of the time I saved you both, please care for this infant.’ With that, he handed you over to our parents. You were just over two years old.

The baby’s life hung by a thread. Our parents did all they could to save you, but the man died at dawn. They cared for you with great devotion, but still you did not wake. At last, they took you to the clan elder to see if you could be saved. The elder dripped a single drop of spirit beast blood onto you, and it revived you. In return, the elder demanded you serve the clan for twenty years. Our parents agreed on the spot.

And then, that child was me, wasn’t it?” Dao Sansheng interrupted.

The girl ignored him and turned to fetch a bundle from the cabinet. “This was left for you by your birth parents. You may open it and see for yourself.” She fixed her gaze on Dao Sansheng.

Instead of opening the bundle, Dao Sansheng grabbed his sister’s hand and tried to pull her outside.

She shook him off. “Sansheng, don’t be foolish. I made a promise to Third Uncle. Tomorrow, I will leave for the home of Philanthropist Li in Chicheng County as a servant. If you need anything, come to me. I have wages—I can support you.”

Knowing her stubbornness, Dao Sansheng let go. No amount of persuasion would change her mind. He picked up the bundle and walked out.

Behind him, his sister called, “Sansheng, our parents don’t need you to avenge them. This is a family feud you don’t understand. Don’t act on your own.” With that, she shut the door.

So, he really had come to inhabit this body six years ago; at the time, he’d been just over two years old. The ancient beast’s blood he’d once studied must have been the same as the elder’s.

Using his old methods, Dao Sansheng made his way to the Dao family’s main residence. The entrance boasted a grand gatehouse, and four courtyards lay within—a veritable mansion by village standards.

He vaulted into one of the courtyards, moving stealthily as he surveyed the area. This was the courtyard where his parents were imprisoned. Judging by the moon’s position, it was not yet time—he would search for them first.

Hiding in the garden, Dao Sansheng watched several groups of servants pass by, most of whom he knew. The main threat was the clan patrols; once they passed, he’d be safe.

After a group of young men in identical uniforms and brimming with authority marched through, Dao Sansheng finally made his move. He couldn’t search every room—too risky. Just then, he heard footsteps approaching.

“Those two really were dragged down by that orphaned child. Luckily, Third Uncle sold their daughter to Philanthropist Li’s family as a servant, or she’d be dead too. What a tragedy for a family—all because of a child who came from who knows where.”

The other servant replied, “I say it’s fate. Third Uncle is a good man, asking us to bring food to the couple. He even opened the lunchbox just now to smell it.”

“You want to eat it? That’s a death meal,” the other warned.

The two walked to the end of the corridor, opened a door, set down the food, and left.

Dao Sansheng now knew where the prisoners were held. He tossed something into the air for distraction, then pushed open the door and entered.

Inside, his parents were eating. Dao Sansheng immediately knelt. “I know the truth about my birth, but living or dying, I am your son. Come with me—I can save you.”

The couple said nothing, heads down as they ate, even feeding each other, showing no intention of leaving. Dao Sansheng repeated his plea, but they remained unmoved.

Awkwardly, he waited at the side until they finished. Then they beckoned him over. Reaching out, they stroked his face and head, and solemnly said, “We accept our death sentence. What you did has nothing to do with us.”

Dao Sansheng was puzzled, about to ask, when the woman continued, “We were sentenced because we betrayed the clan and broke our oaths. We have no regrets. This is between us and the clan; it has nothing to do with you. Please understand, Sansheng—don’t bring trouble to the family.”