Chapter 6: return

As dawn arrived, the flames in Luzhuang surged, yet the fire that once raged within Lu Bu's home had now extinguished. The village, fortunately, wasn't entirely consumed, but this incident marked the end of Luzhuang.

When Lu Bu returned with the *** hatchet, he found his father kneeling amidst the ruins, cradling two charred bodies. A sense of paralysis washed over Lu Bu as he gazed at the scene, his chest heavy. Meeting his father's vacant gaze, Lu Bu managed to utter, "Father..."

"Please, don't..." Father Lu shook his head, his voice weighted: "A humble family like ours must endure grievances and suffering to survive. Your fiery temperament may serve you well, but for a small family like ours, we must swallow our pride and bear hardships."

Was this fair? Lu Bu felt the contradiction. He knew deep down that he was in the right, but somehow, this moral correctness didn't ease the anguish within him. He stood before the charred remains of his mother and sister, words failing him.

News of the incident reached the authorities through escaping villagers, and officials arrived to apprehend the culprits. As they came for Lu Bu, his father held him and said, "Go, my son."

"Let's depart." Father Lu's voice held a somber resolve. Clutching the charred bodies, he added, "I've lived here half my life; I don't know where I should go. You are young, with a promising future ahead. Flee for your life, but as we part ways, remember to temper your temperament. Life won't always be smooth sailing. If you confront every challenge with such passion, regardless of your abilities and potential, it will likely lead to unfavorable outcomes."

"Dad, if you have any words left, I must go." Lu Bu's urgency grew. Though uncertain when the authorities would arrive, he knew he shouldn't delay.

Father Lu remained silent, holding the charred bodies close. "Your mother spent her life by my side, never enjoying prosperity. Now that she's gone, I must accompany her on her final journey. Let her rest in peace. It was you who left, and because of you, she's gone. A father can't leave his daughter's remains to decay in the wilderness."

Lu Bu struggled to find words. Eventually, he flung away the hatchet he held. Having experienced death once before, what was he afraid of?In that moment, the urge to flee dissipated. He decided to face his fate. Joining his father, he dug two graves for his mother and sister. Without resources for a proper coffin, they hastily laid them to rest

In the afternoon, government officials arrived, surveying the burnt Luzhuang and hearing accounts of the previous night. The scene left them speechless. An older official fixed his gaze on Lu Bu and questioned, "So, not only did you repel those who set the fires, but you also caused the demise of Lu Hong's family and razed Luzhuang?"

"That's correct." Lu Bu's demeanor lacked the caution his father had shown. His nod was resolute; he had accepted his fate, even if life hadn't been kind.

"Was Lu Hong's desire for increased taxes the cause?" The older official scrutinized Lu Bu further

"Indeed." Lu Bu confirmed again.

"Young man, your energy and potential are wasted on this." The older official sighed. Killing almost a hundred people in a single night. Could a death sentence be avoided? Lu Bu's young face prompted a sigh. With his abilities, he could be an asset at the frontier. Perhaps he could even rise to a commanding position, honoring his lineage. "Do you have any regrets?"

Lu Bu met the official's gaze. "Why would I regret anything? What's done is done."

"Right and wrong coexist, even if logic dictates otherwise. Life doesn't always follow reason. Many things defy logic. This incident resulted in your mother and sister's death. Even if it wasn't intentional, their fate is tied to your actions. Moreover, consider your future. How will you live in Luzhuang if you stay? How will you survive if you leave? Remember, valuing the bigger picture and considering the consequences is crucial. Sacrificing your family for two adversaries, is it worth it?" The older official's words bore a hint of frustration.

"But that anger..." Lu Bu's dissatisfaction seeped into his words. He struggled most with suppressing his anger.

"Anger? Who in this world doesn't feel it? We all face frustrations." The official shook his head, finding it somewhat amusing. "You're still young. You may not grasp these principles entirely. At your age, you prioritize your emotions. Yet, one day, when you can suppress your feelings for the sake of your family, you might achieve greatness in life. Unfortunately, you might never reach that point."

The older official held a certain admiration for talent, hence his extended words. To him, Lu Bu's youthful courage and ruthlessness weren't entirely positive traits. Having voiced his thoughts, the official departed. Despite the severity of the case, its resolution appeared straightforward.

Due to the scale of the incident—the loss of almost a hundred lives—the execution order for Lu Bu and his father arrived swiftly. They were beheaded, their heads publicly displayed. Thus, Lu Bu's brief life of twelve years concluded.

However, as his head rolled, Lu Bu's consciousness didn't fade. Similar to his arrival twelve years ago, his consciousness floated upward. Slowly, the surroundings materialized within his awareness—the execution grounds, then the county, and beyond.

As he witnessed the aftermath of his and his father's beheading, Lu Bu realized the grotesqueness of their end. An unsettling revelation dawned upon him: he needed to ascertain whether his father's spirit rose as his own did. Searching for signs of his father's consciousness proved futile until he awoke again. Startlingly, he found himself in a dimly lit room. Gradually sitting up, he fixated on an oil lamp, until the voice in his mind returned once more.