Chapter 10: Return to the Capital

The southern gate of the capital, as the first light of dawn touched the sky, the rays slanted across the ancient city walls, exuding an air of solemnity and majesty.

Gu Yichen, dressed in a dark robe, dismounted his horse and gazed intently at the familiar street. The breeze brushed against his face as he took a deep breath and began walking towards the old road that led to the residence of the Duke of Anguo. Time passed like a song, past events like smoke, and with each step, he carried the memories he was reluctant to forget.

Soon, he stood before the once-glorious mansion. The vermilion gates were worn and weathered, the seal broken, yet it could not hide the traces of time and hardship.

Once a symbol of a family that shone with brilliance, it was now a desolate ruin. Gu Yichen pushed open the half-closed gate and entered the courtyard that had once been bustling with activity. His steps were light, yet they seemed to cross through the long river of time, carrying the weight of heavy memories.

The weeds had overrun the courtyard, and the once-blooming flowers had long been covered by dust, as if time had frozen here. His gaze fixed on the old tree that stood tall in the wind, its gnarled branches twisting upwards.

It was like a silent witness, standing watch over this forgotten place. Gu Yichen walked to the tree and lightly touched its rough bark, the texture carrying the wear of years.

Scenes from his childhood flashed in his mind: he and his younger sister, Gu Xiyan, playing beneath this tree while their mother smiled and cautioned him to be careful. His father sat nearby on a stone bench, holding a book, occasionally lifting his head to gently remind him. At that time, he was an innocent child, tutored in both literature and martial arts, and highly regarded among the noble families of the capital.

However, the wheel of fate turned. His hand paused on a dent in the bark, a scar from the place where his father had died. Blood spattered the sky, and cries of sorrow filled the air. The glory of the past had turned to dust. This old tree had witnessed countless moments of life and death, and the fall of a once-proud family.

Gu Yichen took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in his heart, and slowly opened his eyes. Calmness and determination began to surface in his eyes. He muttered softly, "Father, Mother, the Gu family will return to its glory." He bowed slightly to the old tree and turned to leave the courtyard. The wind blew gently, as if bidding him farewell, singing a silent elegy.

When he was ten years old, the splendor of the Duke of Anguo's residence collapsed in an instant. The title was revoked, friends and family were purged, the ground stained with blood, and many of the family's trusted servants either died or fled into exile.

His mother, Princess Jinghua, wept daily, her spirit on the brink of collapse. Fearing that she would lose the royal dignity, the emperor had her confined in the palace. Gu Yichen, forgotten by the world, became the only abandoned orphan in the once-vibrant mansion.

His only companion was his father's former confidant, Liu Bo. Loyal and devoted, Liu Bo swore to protect the young master at all costs. Seeing the fall of the Gu family, he took Gu Yichen and sought refuge with his nephew, a poor family in the capital. Though the living conditions were humble, this family, once helped by the Gu family, was willing to take them in. Gu Yichen's identity was kept a secret, and even his name was changed.

Liu Bo never revealed Gu Yichen's identity, and Princess Jinghua was unaware of her son's whereabouts. She wept every day in the palace, her eyes blurry with tears, while the emperor, heartbroken for his sister, made a statement in court: "The Duke of Anguo has passed, and though the case has yet to be settled, Gu Yichen, being young, is still my blood relative. If any noble minister can adopt this child, I will be most grateful."

Although the emperor's words were vague, they were enough to make those who had once sought to eradicate the Gu family hold back their intentions. Gu Yichen's identity remained hidden, at least for a time.

Five Years of Exile: Solitude and Resilience

The glory of the Duke of Anguo's residence had been fleeting, its sudden collapse leaving only a broken family and traces of blood in its wake.

In the whirlwind of this catastrophe, Gu Yichen, a mere innocent child, found himself trapped in the whirlpool of fate.

For five years, he and Liu Bo hid in the dark corners of the capital, far from the former splendor and the sharp swords of power struggles. The bloodline that once made him proud had long since ceased to exist, leaving only untold pain and regret.

As a child, Gu Yichen had been hardened by the world's coldness and indifference, no longer showing the bright spirit of youth. Time passed quietly, and he remained the same weak, lonely figure.

During these five years, he hid away in an inconspicuous little school, enduring bullying and cold stares from his classmates. Unlike other innocent children, his gaze was always indifferent, as though he had become numb to the world around him.

The poverty and humiliation of life never made him show the slightest vulnerability. In front of Liu Bo, he never shed a tear nor spoke of his inner pain or confusion. For he knew well that the world had never offered him any comfort. Only by relying on himself could he survive.

"Young master, do not forget the glory of the Gu family," Liu Bo often whispered in his ear, his voice steady, filled with silent expectations. Every time these words were spoken, a subtle ripple would form in Gu Yichen's heart. But he never answered, silently picking up the worn scrolls and continuing to read by the dim light.

At that time, his eyes showed no brilliance, only a deep determination, as if silently vowing: the glory of the Gu family must be restored by his hands, even if the world had forgotten the name.

In that unremarkable school, Gu Yichen immersed himself in studies, devouring ancient texts like Records of the Grand Historian, Zizhi Tongjian, and The Art of War, drawing strength from the wisdom of the ancients, yearning for that power beyond the mundane.

Each scroll was studied meticulously, as though he could feel the pulse of history within the lines. The great legacies of ancient figures seemed to connect with his own fate, as if their voices were telling him: Only by understanding the past can one see through the future.

He had already mastered the strategies in The Art of War, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated," which was not only military strategy but also a way of survival.

Gu Yichen understood that in order to survive in this world full of power struggles, he must learn to hide his talents, to stand firm in the shifting tides of conflict. He searched the pages for the faint images of his father's troubled legacy, hoping to find clues and uncover the secrets behind the political machinations.

In the many strategies and wisdom found in The Spring and Autumn Annals and Strategies of the Warring States, he absorbed them passionately. Every time the night grew deep and the oil lamp flickered, he would lose himself in that wisdom, no longer the abandoned orphan.

In addition to his studies, Gu Yichen also showed remarkable determination and talent in martial arts.

As night fell, the cold wind howled, he would walk alone to an empty courtyard to begin his daily practice of swordsmanship.

At first, his sword skills were awkward, and his movements unfocused, but he never gave up. Liu Bo stood by, offering guidance, every stroke infused with deep hope and silent protection.

Gradually, Gu Yichen's swordsmanship became steadier, his movements more practiced. With each swing, there was a sense of calm and resolution in his heart.

Not only swordsmanship, but he also invested countless hours in archery, throwing darts, and horseback riding. Every arrow shot made him feel the perfect harmony between the arrow and the wind; every dart, skillfully thrown, struck its target, as though he was releasing all his pent-up frustration and anger; every ride on horseback made him feel the exhilarating connection with the steed, the wind and speed blending in a thrilling rush.

He knew that only by constantly refining his body and skills could he stand firm in the storms of the future.

Liu Bo silently watched from the side, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. The young master had changed so much, and he could feel it deeply.

The boy who had been naive and unaware five years ago had now grown into a resilient and determined youth. Whether in his study of strategies or in martial arts, he had shown extraordinary talent and unwavering resolve.

The five years of exile had tempered Gu Yichen from a fragile child into a deep and composed young man. Every drop of sweat, every swing of the sword, every scroll of books was an effort to restore the glory of the Gu family.

No matter how the winds and storms may change, he remained steadfast in his belief—he would rebuild the glory of the Gu family, and he knew that only by walking this path alone could he eventually bring light back to the family.

Liu Bo, watching the young master's increasingly cold and resolute eyes, couldn't help but feel a surge of mixed emotions. He knew that this once naive child had now grown up to bear the future of the Gu family alongside him.

In these five years of exile, Gu Yichen's heart had hardened, and he had