Chapter 0121 – Rage

"You're Cai Yan, also known as Zhaoji, or Wenji. The daughter of the great scholar Cai Yong." At that moment, even Yi Tianxing couldn't help but react, despite his usually composed nature. A complex feeling welled up in him. The woman standing before him was far too renowned—even in the modern era, she was a figure celebrated throughout Chinese history for generations.

Cai Yan, courtesy name Zhaoji, also known as Wenji, daughter of the esteemed Confucian scholar Cai Yong. Her talent was extraordinary—proficient in literature, music, calligraphy, and more. Compared to many male scholars and literati, she stood out even more impressively. She was the epitome of both talent and beauty, her presence alone captivating.

"A chest filled with poetry brings a natural grace;Talented men drink deep and think vast as oceans; Women are not necessarily lacking in talent; With talent comes virtue, naturally."

That old saying, "A woman's virtue lies in lacking talent," was merely nonsense used by male chauvinists to belittle women. In Huaxia's long history, countless talented women proved otherwise—possessing both moral character and notable achievements, benefiting the people and the state. Compared to many so-called male prodigies, they were vastly superior.

Could one still claim "a woman without talent is virtuous" after witnessing such greatness?

"I am Wenji," Cai Yan nodded and bowed to Yi Tianxing.

She had received a wealth of memories—being called Zhaoji or Wenji was both acceptable. Her current self was based on her unmarried state, with memories selectively integrated.

This fusion and transformation had refined her further, molding the most perfect version of herself.

"Wenji, this is the village chief of Xuanhuang Village—Yi Tianxing. He single-handedly founded this place and protects its people. If not for him, your Uncle Huang here would likely have perished under the claws of savage beasts. He wouldn't have survived this long."Huang Chengyan spoke with sincerity as he introduced them.

"Wenji thanks Village Chief Yi once again for saving Uncle Huang," Cai Wenji said with another graceful bow.

"There's no need for formalities. In Xuanhuang Village, we don't stand on ceremony. In this chaotic world, we're all brothers and sisters, kin and comrades. Only by uniting can we survive in this new era. We're of similar age, and since you're acquainted with Elder Huang, you're one of us. You can call me Tianxing, or Brother Yi. Once you're in Xuanhuang Village, it's your home. As long as this village stands, no harm will ever befall you here."Yi Tianxing spoke with a warm smile, admiration flickering in his eyes.

His gaze wasn't hidden, but it wasn't inappropriate either—any more, and it would've been rude.

"So this is the Village Chief of Xuanhuang Village... He may not be traditionally handsome, but his capabilities far surpass those so-called charming men," Cai Wenji thought quietly as she looked at him.

Women often judge men by their looks, and handsome men are naturally attractive to many. But some women—especially those with insight and talent—look deeper, at one's intellect and ability. Such women have their own judgment, discernment, and values. They know what is real and what is merely superficial.

A man like Yi Tianxing, who could build a powerful village from nothing and protect so many people, possessed a unique and powerful allure.

"Then I shall call you Brother Yi. You may call me Wenji, or Zhaoji, whichever you prefer."Cai Yan's voice was crisp, her eyes bright with intelligence.

Huang Chengyan, observing from the side, caught that look from Yi Tianxing. That wasn't the gaze of an ordinary man—there was admiration, awe, and a kind of reluctant captivation.

And Cai Yan… Though shy, she wasn't rejecting it.

He looked at the two and quietly stroked his beard, nodding thoughtfully.

He didn't comment, but inwardly he mused, "Zhaoji is now alone in this world, yet her talents are rare even among women. Both her beauty and her intellect are peerless. The lord is a man of immense ambition and courage, capable of shaking the world even in chaos. If fate allows them to be together, perhaps it would be a good thing."

Still, he didn't plan to interfere. If fate brought them together, so be it.

"By the way, Zhaoji, you were captured by the Xiongnu. How did you manage to escape? Knowing them, they wouldn't have let you go so easily," Huang Chengyan asked.

"Indeed," Yi Tianxing added. "For commoners like yourselves to escape the Xiongnu's pursuit... Was there something else at play?"

"There was a revolt in the Xiongnu camp. Wenji noticed signs of it and waited patiently. Last night, the rebellion finally broke out. A gap was forced open in their defenses, and all the Han people inside seized the chance to flee. Many were killed, but we managed to escape in the chaos. It was too dark to see clearly, so we fled blindly and ended up here," Cai Yan explained, still visibly shaken.

"To incite a rebellion in a Xiongnu camp... That takes serious guts." Yi Tianxing's expression turned solemn.

"It was Chen Sheng and Wu Guang!" Cai Yan added, eyes shining.

Those names needed no explanation—anyone who had read even a little history knew them.

"Chen Sheng... Wu Guang… It was them?" Huang Chengyan exclaimed, visibly shocked.

These two were the first in Chinese history to boldly proclaim: 'Are kings and nobles born to be so?' They had tremendous courage and ambition. History often made heroes, but men who could utter such defiant words must have a burning ambition.

Without ambition, one couldn't speak such words.

"So it was them. No wonder there was rebellion. With Chen Sheng and Wu Guang there, it would be odd if things didn't erupt," Yi Tianxing nodded in understanding.

"The Xiongnu... They eat people!" Cai Yan said suddenly, horror etched on her face.

"What did you say?"Yi Tianxing's eyes flashed with killing intent. A storm of rage surged within.

"Those bastards... They dared to eat humans?" Huang Chengyan shouted, his face flushed red, his beard trembling with fury. As a Confucian scholar, how could he accept such cruelty? This wasn't wild beasts devouring humans—this was humans eating their own. A crime beyond comprehension.

"No, they're not human at all,"

"They forced the men to labor, build walls, or fight beasts on the front lines. Once they died, they were cooked and eaten—called 'two-legged sheep' by the Xiongnu."

"The women suffered even worse fates. They were abused, especially by the Zuoxian King. Every woman who went in came out like a dried corpse, their appearances destroyed. None survived. It was hell."

"If we hadn't escaped, we would've died too. To the Xiongnu, we were nothing but livestock. There was no future in that camp—only death."

"They called us 'two-legged sheep,' fat lambs walking on two legs. Monstrous. Those beasts—worse than animals. These foreign tribes deserve extinction!"

The fleeing villagers all erupted in outrage, shouting in fury. Their accusations against the Xiongnu were filled with hate and horror.

These Xiongnu no longer deserved to be called humans—beasts in human skin, nothing more.

"Eating people... Calling them two-legged sheep? Courting death."

Yi Tianxing's expression turned ice-cold, fury burning behind his calm.

Such behavior crossed a line—his line.

Killing was one thing. Different allegiances, survival, war—these could be understood. But eating people?

That was a crime against humanity.No man with blood in his veins could accept such horror.Yi Tianxing would not tolerate it.

"Who is this Zuoxian King?" he asked coldly.

"Liu Bao," Cai Wenji replied.

She had paid close attention during captivity, and now it paid off.

"Liu Bao... So it's him."

Liu Bao was no simple man. In history, his place among the Xiongnu was significant. When the Han were strong, he aligned with them. When weak, he turned to plunder, slaughter, and pillage. He was ruthless and cunning, well-versed in Han culture, ambitious and capable. Given the chance, he could become a real threat.

"We can't allow someone like him to grow," Huang Chengyan said sharply, his eyes flashing. "My lord, let me go. I'll infiltrate their ranks and slay Liu Bao myself before he causes irreparable damage."

But Yi Tianxing raised his hand slightly, deep in thought.

"The villagers said Liu Bao is practicing some kind of dark art, possibly draining women's essence. He's likely stronger than we expect. And the Xiongnu have already sent scouts—our presence here won't remain a secret for long. He'll hear of us soon."

Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed as he calmly concluded,"We'll wait here. Let the beast walk into our trap. When he does, we'll annihilate the Xiongnu's core forces in one decisive blow."