Chapter 45 Gong Kang II

　　—Fate is an inescapable destiny; heroes often end in tragedy.

　　Upon the square outside Wangqiu City nearly ten thousand soldiers holding long spears—infantry and cavalry divided into two columns—stood in neat ranks, valiant and spirited, awaiting inspection.

　　Gong Kang’s prestige within the LongSpear Corps was extremely high. First, his martial skill was outstanding and no one failed to admire it. Second, although he was the noble eldest son of the Great Chieftain he put on no airs whatever, mixed freely with the soldiers of the LongSpear Corps, loved the soldiers as his own sons, and was clear in rewards and punishments.

　　Although the LongSpear Corps was only a militia force it was in no way inferior to the regular army and even surpassed it in certain respects—a force of strict discipline and iron commands.

　　The LongSpear Corps was divided into infantry and cavalry. The soldiers all wore leather armor, held shields in the left hand and long spears in the right; five short javelins were thrust into their backs, long bows were slung diagonally, long swords hung slantwise at the left waist, and quivers hung at the right waist.

　　The long spears were more than two meters in length and extremely heavy; the arm strength of every member was that of a man selected from a hundred.

　　When the standardbearer saw Gong Kang and the other two he issued the command; the ceremonial officer sounded the horn. The soldiers of the LongSpear Corps raised their long spears slantwise in salute to the commanderinchief.

　　Seeing the majestic soldiers of the LongSpear Corps, Gong Kang shed his earlier dissipation, drew the DragonFlame Sword, spurred his mount and rode along the front of the ranks; his precious sword was raised high and clashed against the long spears held by the frontrank soldiers, producing a continuous tinkling.

　　“Live toward death!” Gong Kang shouted the clan motto.

　　“Die and be reborn!” the LongSpear Corps responded in unison.

　　“For the clan!”

　　“Fight to the death!”

　　After the clan motto was recited the mood of the troops became passionate.

　　“LongSpear Corps, hear my command—training drills begin!” Gong Kang ordered in a loud voice.

　　The infantry and cavalry first began to deploy formations. As the standardbearer issued commands with the signal flag the infantry and cavalry continually changed offensive and defensive formations; Gong Kang watched and nodded continuously.

　　Thereafter came drills of individual combat ability; the soldiers began to practice javelinthrowing, archery, climbing slopes, leaping trenches, and paired combat.

　　Gong Kang’s requirements for the drills of the LongSpear Corps were extremely strict. Holding a long whip, whenever he saw a soldier being lazy he immediately ordered the man publicly whipped.

　　At that moment Jiang Er, who had already been appointed a squad leader of the scout unit, happened to have no official business that day and, feeling bored, came up onto the outercity gate tower to chat with Colonel Yao Gang. The two of them looked down from the walltower at the drills of the LongSpear Corps.

　　“I never expected the human race to possess so majestic a force!” Jiang Er could not help sighing. “Our human race is always called the lowly, cowardly human race and repeatedly suffers the harassment of the Centaurs. If the human race all possessed such welltrained, strong forces, my mother would not have died at the hands of the Centaurs that year.”

　　“Jiang Er, your eye is good. The force training below is called the LongSpear Corps. Under the careful training of Young Master Gong Kang its combat power is formidable.”

　　“Looking at the clothes they wear—how is it that every one of them looks like common people?”

　　“Jiang Er, the force training below is not the Guard Army. When they put down their spears and swords they are all hunters; they gather only once a week for training and do not show their strength, yet they are the true ace force hidden within the Dragon Tribe.”

　　“Is that so? No wonder since coming to Wangqiu City I have never seen this force—so they are militia.”

　　“Jiang Er, to tell the truth I rather admire the Great Chieftain; it was he who ordered Gong Kang to organize this force. Once war comes in the future this force will certainly shake the world.”

　　“Uncle Yao Gang, speaking of the Great Chieftain, I have one matter that puzzles me greatly. I heard from Elder Brother Gongkong that the Great Chieftain has already led the embassy party away from Wangqiu City. I simply cannot understand why the Great Chieftain prefers to take ordinary humans to the capital rather than take Elder Brother Gongkong.”

　　“That the Great Chieftain does not take Gongkong certainly has his own reasons.”

　　“Elder Brother Gongkong’s spiritual power is so high that at a critical moment he would be far more useful than ordinary humans. Ah—if Elder Brother Gongkong had gone this time he would certainly have taken me along. I have never been to the capital.”

　　“Hush—do not speak of Third Young Master’s secret in public. As far as I know the Great Chieftain would never take Third Young Master to the capital. Follow Third Young Master properly and do the scout work well—do you understand?”

　　“Uncle Yao Gang, rest assured—I am now a scout squad leader and have never neglected this work.”

　　After the daytime drills ended, that evening Gong Kang, Ji Jie and Yu Kai returned to a small tavern in the outer city. Ji Jie brought out the game they had hunted last time and ordered the proprietress to stew it.

　　Gong Kang called loudly to the proprietress: “Winehouse, bring wine!”

　　Gong Kang took the wine and, like drinking water, poured an entire bowl down his throat in a few gulps; then, without looking at anyone, he poured another bowl and was about to pour it into his belly.

　　Ji Jie seized Gong Kang’s wrist: “Elder Brother, if you have any unhappiness, speak it out; do not bottle it up and drink dull wine—drinking like this is too harmful to the body.”

　　“Second Brother, it happens that I have something to entrust to you. Hereafter the captain of the LongSpear Corps will be you; you must properly lead this force and not disappoint the Great Chieftain.”

　　“Elder Brother, what nonsense are you talking? The LongSpear Corps will forever look only to you.”

　　“Second Brother, Third Brother, I have told the two of you: because of the matter of Lian Xiang I have already broken with Father. Not only have I lost the succession to the Great Chieftainship of the clan, hereafter I shall have to leave Wangqiu City and wander the ends of the earth.”

　　Ji Jie said: “Elder Brother, the brothers of the LongSpear Corps are all unwilling to let you go. Let us take the LongSpear Corps out and follow you together to roam the ends of the earth.”

　　Beside him Yu Kai agreed: “Second Brother is right. With the strength of our LongSpear Corps finding a foothold upon the continent of Mu would certainly not be difficult. We can occupy a mountain and become kings; the brothers can eat meat and drink wine together—would that not be carefree and happy?”

　　Hearing these words Gong Kang’s face suddenly changed. With a “pa!” he slapped the table and stood up abruptly: “How dare the two of you speak such rebellious words? If you still recognize me as your elder brother, then remember this well: the LongSpear Corps is not Gong Kang’s force; it forever belongs to the Gongyou Clan and is forever loyal to the clan and to the Great Chieftain—do you hear?”

　　Seeing that Gong Kang was angry the two hurriedly stood and apologized: “Elder Brother, you will forever be our elder brother. We know we were wrong—we shall listen to you.”

　　Only after seeing Gong Kang’s anger subside and him sit down again did the two dare to sit.

　　“Second Brother, your martial skill is outstanding, your character kind, and you enjoy the deep trust of the brothers. After I leave, the command of the LongSpear Corps is handed to you; you must properly listen to the Great Chieftain—do you understand?”

　　Ji Jie filled Gong Kang’s bowl with wine: “Elder Brother, I understand. What do you intend to do next?”

　　“I intend tomorrow morning to go to the inner city, see my parents, take leave of them, then take Lian Xiang and from that time wander the ends of the earth.”

　　“Elder Brother, it is our fault—we two have concealed something from you.”

　　“Oh—what matter?”

　　“The Great Chieftain has already left Wangqiu City.”

　　Hearing this, Gong Kang felt as though struck by a bolt from the blue: “What—Second Brother, what did you say? Father has already left? Why did the two of you not tell me?”

　　“Elder Brother, we are truly sorry. These past few days you have been living in a drunken stupor every day; we thought you might still be angry with the Great Chieftain and therefore dared not tell you.” Ji Jie deeply regretted not having informed Gong Kang of the matter earlier.

　　“Yes, Elder Brother—it is our fault. The Great Chieftain left Wangqiu City early one morning several days ago at the head of a group of guards; it is said he is going to the capital to pay homage to the celestial gods. At that time the main thoroughfare was extremely lively; the common people lined up in succession to see them off.”

　　“It is all the wine that has delayed me.” Gong Kang crushed the winebowl to powder with a crack. “I must go at once to the inner city to see Mother.”

　　Gong Kang first bathed and changed his clothes, scraped away the stubble, put on clean garments, and, after making himself presentable, raced toward the inner city.

　　In the inner city Gong Kang met his mother Yu Jiao and knelt to beg forgiveness: “Mother, it is all your son’s unfilial conduct. I have only just learned that Father has already left Wangqiu City. I beg Mother’s forgiveness.”

　　Yu Jiao raised Gong Kang: “My son, rise. Are you no longer angry with your father and me?”

　　“Your son dares not.”

　　“Your father originally intended to take you with him to the capital, yet you continued to be angry with him and refused to show yourself in the inner city. There was no help for it; your second younger brother Gong Yi volunteered of his own accord and was willing to take your place and accompany your father on the embassy to the capital.

　　“Before leaving, your father also said that he hoped you would assist me and properly handle the affairs of the clan. Gong Yi said that he has never intended to replace you as heir to the clan; after returning from the embassy you three—father and sons—should sit down properly together and discuss the matter of the succession.”

　　“Mother, I did not know that Father was going on an embassy to the capital. Had I known I would have returned at once to protect Father on the embassy to the capital.

　　“Moreover, I regard power as dirt; so long as I can be with Lianmei I can abandon everything else. Tomorrow morning I shall set out to pursue them, let Second Younger Brother return to assist you, and I myself shall accompany Father to the capital. After we return from the embassy I shall leave the clan together with Lian Xiang and from that time wander the ends of the earth.”

　　“You… you still cannot forget your Lian Xiang. This time your father and Chieftain Lian Kui of the FireWorship Clan are going together to the capital; it is the first time in many years that the two great human clans have set aside old enmities and joined hands to petition the celestial gods—an unprecedented good thing.

　　“Yet neither your father nor Lian Kui can tolerate the matter of you and Lian Xiang; both regard you as a thorn in the eye. If you follow, you can only damage the relations between the two clans. Moreover your father and his party have already been gone several days and have already penetrated deep into the territory of the FireWorship Clan—how can you overtake them?”

　　“Whom else did Father take to the capital?”

　　“Gong Wei, Yi Wu, and Chief Instructor Lü Jin—your master and Gong Yi’s—together with more than a hundred and fifty elite guards of the clan.”

　　“Oh—Master Lü Jin has also gone? With so many masters protecting Father I can rest easy.”

　　When Gong Kang reached the small wooden hut at the edge of the forest it was noon; the sunlight outside the window was especially bright.

　　Not long after Gong Kang’s arrival Lian Xiang also reached the hut.

　　“Kangge, these many days I have continually contacted you by carrier pigeon yet never received a reply; I thought something had befallen you.” Seeing that Gong Kang was unharmed, Lian Xiang finally set her mind at rest.

　　The two had raised two carrier pigeons specially for transmitting messages between them.

　　“Lianmei, I am sorry. The matter we agreed upon has now met with a change. I sent the carrier pigeon this time to ask you to come for another reason. Let me ask you—did you meet my father in Junma City?”

　　“A few days ago I heard that your father had arrived in Junma City; my father specially held a welcoming banquet for him in the inner city but did not allow me to attend. After that I heard that your father and my father had already left Junma City and were on the road to the capital.”

　　“Lianmei, I have already raised the matter of our marriage with my parents. As you expected, we now have only one path left—to wander the ends of the earth together. Are you willing to go with me?”

　　“Kangge, everything is as I anticipated. After my father heard of our marriage he was so furious that he locked me in my room and forbade me to come out. Only after my father left Junma City did the guards release me. Today I have packed all my luggage; I wish to elope with you and wander the ends of the earth.”

　　“Lianmei, I too originally intended that today we leave the tribes together and from that time wander the ends of the earth. Yet now my father and my second younger brother have gone together on an embassy to the capital; only my mother remains in Wangqiu City, alone and weak. This time I fear I cannot fulfill your wish.”

　　“What—does your mother not allow you to leave?”

　　“Under the present circumstances I cannot leave. During Father’s embassy I must remain in Wangqiu City to assist Mother. If at this moment I leave the clan with you without a word and elope, would that not make the whole world laugh? A true man acts openly and departs openly. I intend to wait until Father returns from the embassy, formally take leave of them, and then depart. Lianmei, can you wait for my news?”

　　“Kangge, still you consider everything thoroughly. Then I shall wait for your news.”

　　“Lianmei, I feel the child in your belly is moving.” Gong Kang pressed his face against Lian Xiang’s abdomen.

　　Lian Xiang poked Gong Kang’s head with a finger: “You… it has only been a little more than two months; he has not yet taken human form—how can you be so impatient? What do you think our child will look like in future?”

　　“A son of mine, Gong Kang—of course he will be a heroic and majestic man.”

　　“And if it is a daughter?”

　　“Then of course she will be like her mother—not only beautiful but also highly skilled in martial arts.”

　　“Kangge, after we leave the clans and withdraw from the rivers and lakes, let us choose a sparsely populated place and raise the child.”

　　“Yes. Ordinarily I shall go out to hunt; in leisure time I shall teach him martial arts. You shall wash clothes and cook at home and properly teach him to read and write. Our whole family shall live happily and thereafter never again concern ourselves with the disputes of the world.”

　　The two of them looked forward to the beautiful life of the future…