Volume Two: Outlaws Among Us Chapter Ninety-Six: Worlds Cast from the Same Mold

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Power in this world has never lacked a seat.

With Yu Wenruo dead, and the rebellious Yu clan utterly wiped out, the noble families fell silent, lowering their pride and showing loyalty to the master of Anma City.

At the monument of Liang Su, people came to pay their respects—some with sorrow, others with anger—and countless tears coalesced into a single sentiment: “Lord Liang, eternal in name, yet ill-fated in who he met.”

But when it came to the most renowned figure, even accidentally passing by the Yu family estate was considered bad luck.

Those with conscience kept silent, while the unscrupulous spat curses.

Overnight, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—the Yu clan failed to live up to their role as the leading beacon for the noble lineages.

Ma Hui refused visitors, tightly shutting the manor gates and locking himself away in the deep courtyard to drink.

Du Zhaolin took charge outside, handling affairs both within and without, and today all the limelight was on him alone. Ma Hui was content, staring absentmindedly at the clouds drifting across the sky, savoring a peace he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Yet how could such elegance belong to a mere bandit? They preferred to believe the rumors of a blue-faced, fanged monster who devoured three hundred children in a single meal.

Hmm, old comrades had left one way or another—some died in the northern lands, others found peace as wealthy men. Today, another had brought about his own downfall.

“A Yu Wenruo was born in the north; guess what? After all those years of sticking with me, he just turned traitor on a whim!” Ma Hui, now drunk and roused, bared his chest and shouted curses at the heavens and earth.

Soon, exhausted, he collapsed into a corner of the yard, snoring deeply as he fell asleep.

Clouds drifted from one patch to another, and only the sun’s rays brightened the blue sky—this blue sky was the beauty people longed for.

Has the sky over Anma City changed? The sky over Anma City has never changed.

...

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“Why has the tribute grain sent this month increased so much?” Lin Changtian’s eyes widened in surprise, and upon closer look, a faint blush of embarrassment colored his face.

Could the Lord of Sishan feel embarrassed? Liu Shiyong rubbed his eyes, convinced that his end was near, so he saw good intentions in everyone.

“There’s no need for concern. This time, I returned to report truthfully to my lord about the young master’s progress, and Lord Lin Yuan was quite pleased. So consider these extras as a token of gratitude,” Liu Shiyong said respectfully. He couldn’t tell this lord that Lin Yuan had learned from him that Sishan had two boundary masters.

Lin Changtian nodded, the blush gone, and gave Lin Peiyou a kick, saying, “See? I told you your old man would buy this, but you wouldn’t believe your master.”

“You... know, master,” Lin Peiyou drooped his head, listless. He wanted to retort but had to live under Lin Changtian’s authority, so he swallowed his curses and vented in silence.

“Look at you! A man born of heaven and earth, what is there to fear? Be bold and speak your mind. I am not an unreasonable man,” Lin Changtian stretched lazily, a broad smile on his face. Today he was in good spirits and decided to be kinder to Lin Peiyou.

Lin Peiyou squinted, tentatively asking, “What if I spoke ill of you, master?”

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“See, you’re still ignorant, aren’t you?” Lin Changtian sighed and pinned Lin Peiyou to the ground, speaking slowly, “After all this time, you still don’t understand my excellent character? I am not to be scolded, struck, or insulted—and above all, I detest those who speak ill of me in their hearts. You’re not like that, are you?”

Lin Peiyou’s expression turned solemn. Swearing by heaven and earth, he vowed, “If I ever harbor one bad thought against my master, may I lose the chance to be taught by him forever, in this life and the next, never to meet again!”

Had Lin Peiyou not burst out laughing at the end, he might have avoided his beating today.

...

Lin Changtian waved his hand, tired from the scolding, and comfortably lay on top of Lin Peiyou, pointing to the horizon, “Do you know how the Central Lands differ from this place?”

“Well... I haven’t traveled far, and I’ve never really been to the Central Lands. The farthest I went was the mountain pass to the north. I vaguely remember the Central-North being ruled by the Zhou clan; you, master, are well-learned—you must have heard of them,” Lin Peiyou said, raising his head suddenly and pricking up his ears at the mention of the Central Lands.

“Zhou clan, huh...” Lin Changtian drew a circle on the ground and placed a dot inside, pointing to it. “They were the old rulers, but later met a ruthless foe and were dealt with. As for those in charge now in the Central-North, coincidentally, they share our surname.”

Lin Changtian sniffed the wind, a bit melancholic, seemingly stirred by old memories he could not shake.

“Ah, all of the Lin family, then? I once gazed from afar at the cities beyond the pass—they are vast, and everything seems to soar freely there... so free,” the youth said with youthful enthusiasm, gesturing excitedly as his face flushed.

“Freedom?” Lin Changtian curled his lips and ruffled Lin Peiyou’s hair. “Your father has sheltered you well, but freedom has nothing to do with what you do.”

Clouds drifted from north to south, and to those who understood, they bore a different meaning.

“What does my father have to do with it? Though he is... quite something, most of his care comes from guilt, I suppose,” Lin Peiyou lowered his head, also drawn into old thoughts.

Lin Changtian laughed heartily and smacked his forehead. “Guilt? Was Lin Yuan a child abandoned at birth or thrown out because he was ugly?”

“Neither,” Lin Peiyou said seriously, ignoring the teasing, pointing to himself. “I am the third son of the Western Frontier’s lord, but older brothers, the first and second, are gone...”

Lin Peiyou turned away, hands reaching toward the sky, never lowered.

“So you call that guilt? Then the spirits of your two brothers must be restless. After all, you still have living parents, but at home... you are the only one left,” Lin Changtian pressed his lips, unable to resist adding, “There are so many unfortunate souls in this world who don’t even have that chance. Take General Kuisheng, for example—raised alone since childhood, scorned by all. While others played outside, that boy oddly cried to find someone to be his father. Always... thinking good thoughts.”

The Lord of Sishan was formidable, having caused a stir in the Central Lands and a notorious reputation in the Northern Domain.

Yet some children, scorned by all at a tender age, were unusually mature, neither mischievous nor unruly—perhaps because the burden of survival had drained their strength.

“Hmm, don’t say these things to General Kuisheng, or he’ll beat you up. After all, these are old scandals, no one wants them known. By the way, young master, is freedom your only hope?”

“More than hope—it’s a luxury!” Lin Peiyou leaped up, imagining himself as a green bird, flapping his arms and spinning in place. “Unlike the likes of Ma Hui, our clan’s order isn’t maintained by fists and swords. Even if I refuse to be the family head, they will force me into that seat. If I try to run, they’ll break my legs; if I crawl, they’ll break my arms—like chopping chicken wings! Just like this!”

Lin Peiyou made exaggerated gestures, a green bird with half a broken wing, rolling and thrashing on the muddy ground.

“I’ve heard of Lin Yuan—truly a heroic lord. Have you ever tried talking to your father?”

“Talk? He wouldn’t agree. My older brothers fell at Luoyou Mountain, so he had no choice, and neither did I,” Lin Peiyou stopped rolling, eyes shining with urgency as he asked, “Master, is the Central Lands not so tyrannical?”

Lin Changtian toyed with a sprig of sweetgrass in his hand and glanced at the youth, replying casually, “The Central Lands... aren’t much different from the Northern Domain. Here, people devour people on the surface; there, it’s in their bones. Ah, I have an idea—you can have your father practice a new trick. Hmm, don’t you have no younger brother? While he’s still young, try for a fourth child to contribute to the Northern Domain’s growth!”

The youth looked at Lin Changtian plaintively, suddenly thinking fists and swords were the most useful things in the world.

“Master, since I’ve never seen the Central Lands, I’ll trust your words. When will you take me there to see it for myself?”

Lin Changtian stretched and drew a circle in the air matching the one on the ground. “Soon enough, but with an army, riding the Northern Domain’s iron cavalry to challenge their supreme technology. Tsk tsk, a duel between swords and cannons, huh?”

“Well, actually, in terms of combat power, don’t be fooled by their advanced weapons. Once the Northern Domain’s wolves and tigers cross the border led by someone, the final battle will always come down to sword against sword. I heard this from my father—it was drunken boasting from the oldest elder in our clan,” Lin Peiyou tugged on Lin Changtian’s sleeve; the master now looked unnervingly calm.

“Is that so? Then... we must try it,” Lin Changtian crushed the sweetgrass into powder and rubbed it on Lin Peiyou’s face, making the youth flush with anger and grit his teeth.

The youth rolled his eyes and pressed his face against Lin Changtian’s clothes, shaking his head slightly, leaving a stain on the white robe.

Lin Changtian grinned widely, glad to have a reason to scold this boy.

Seeing Lin Changtian’s grim expression, the youth quickly found a topic. “Master, you’re from the Central Lands too, right? Why bring the Northern Domain’s troops across the border?”

“When did I ever admit I’m from the Central Lands? Before the Awakening Era, I didn’t even know about them. After, a bunch of people up there divided the lands with a few words and laughter. What does that have to do with me? Damn it, I don’t acknowledge them,” Lin Changtian cursed, beating Lin Peiyou until the boy’s cries faded, then stopped his tirade and fists.

“So what did you do before the Awakening Era? Probably robbed roads at night, judging by your harshness,” Lin Peiyou bared his teeth, clearly unrepentant.

“What was the Northern Domain like before the Awakening Era?”

Lin Peiyou thought seriously for a moment. “Not much different, just humans killing humans. Did you kill for greed, master?”

“Hmm, I was a student then, one who buried sand in the sand,” Lin Changtian said as he strode off.

His steps were small but quick; in a blink, he vanished, as if unwilling to recall the past.

He had shed his mortal coil, but even as a boundary master, he lacked the confidence to dwell on former days.

After all, would one who climbed out of the abyss still look down at the view below?

The wind blew by the cliffside, leaving the question unanswered.