"Yes, Old Clan Leader, may I ask why you summoned me back?" I bowed respectfully and asked.
The clan leader beckoned me to her side. She wasn't seated on the dragon throne but on a nearby couch, and she gestured for me to sit next to her.
At that moment, I noticed He Jinghui emerge from a room, dressed in pajamas. It seemed they were living together.
Could He Xiaoyu be...
Sensing my gaze shifting around, the clan leader said, "He Sheng, we brought you back this time for the sake of the He family. You are the only one among us who can inherit He Jianquan's forensic skills. The others, alas, have studied, but their proficiency simply can't keep up. Therefore, we implore you to cherish your life!"
"I understand, Old Clan Leader. I will not let you down!"
"That's not what I mean. We want you to disband the Sin Punishing Squad and return here."
"What?" My head reeled as if struck by a solid iron rod, a deafening buzz filling my ears.
Ignoring my reaction, the clan leader emphasized, "Indeed, disband the squad that deals with the organization and live in seclusion here, no longer concerning yourself with such matters!"
"I cannot do that!" I gritted my teeth and said with utter seriousness. I never imagined the Old Clan Leader would suggest such a thing. If I had known she wanted me to give up, I would never have returned.
"I knew your character was just like Jianquan's. Otherwise, he wouldn't have met such an end..."
"Clan Leader, I grieve for my grandfather's death and my parents' demise. But if every generation were to hide out of fear and live a life of mere survival, what meaning would such a life hold? It's true! Our He family's forensic art must not be ruined in my generation. But if we were to simply retreat into seclusion, disengaging from the world, not promoting the forensic arts, not investigating the causes of death, not maintaining order, and not saving lives, then what purpose would such a supreme skill serve?"
I was truly enraged at that moment. Even in the presence of the clan leader, I spoke without restraint.
If "unrestrained" were to be more fitting, it would be that I held absolutely nothing back.
However, at this moment, He Xiaoyu sternly said, "Young Master, please be mindful..."
"No, this is truly what I feel!" I stated intently.
The old clan leader's brow furrowed. Her clear eyes seemed to fill with a spring of clear water. Then, she nodded slightly, her gaze filled with hope, "If that is so, then proceed according to your own will, even if it means shedding blood and sacrificing your life!"
"Clan Leader, rest assured, I will bring them all to justice. Therefore, please do not mention retreat again!"
"Good! Good! I won't mention it. But you must be careful. It seems He Xiaoyu and He Jinghui cannot return with you. In that case, you two will follow the Young Master always, until these matters are completely resolved, you are not to leave his side!"
"Yes! Clan Leader!" the two replied in unison.
Only now did I realize that the reason they had left after completing their missions back then was entirely due to the clan leader. Very well, now they could protect me twenty-four hours a day.
The clan leader had the elder prepare a meal, and I stayed at her home. The four of us, like long-lost relatives, gathered around a round table and ate, without any pretense of formality.
The old clan leader appeared quite approachable, without any airs, which earned my deep respect.
In the village, we ate sweet potatoes and cabbage, with some meat. After we were full, He Xiaoyu led me out of the clan leader's home and to a nearby tree trunk. From this elevated position, one could see the entire landscape of Guangming City.
To my surprise, He Family Village was situated on a mountain. He Xiaoyu told me, "Young Master, this is Canglong Mountain. Ordinary people can't find this place. It's because of its hidden nature that we have been able to evade the organization's pursuit all these years."
"I see. I actually quite like it here. But Xiaoyu, can you tell me? What exactly was the conflict between the organization and our He family in the past?"
"Certainly. It's time I told you. It began in the era of our ancestor, He Shenlong. There was a criminal organization called the North Star. At that time, the authorities were helpless against them. Only our ancestors actively fought them. Through meticulous investigation and arduous effort, in his grandson's generation, one of the masterminds was finally identified. However, even that formidable constable only managed to perish together with the mastermind.
And that was merely one of the leaders within the organization. During the Song Dynasty, with the protection of the Judicial Officer Song Ci, our He family assisted him. The North Star organization suffered severe blows. But these individuals were extremely cunning, scattering and committing crimes everywhere, operating throughout China. At that time, both Song Ci and He Tianqiong were framed by one of the criminals and tragically sacrificed. Regrettably, the world only celebrates the Song Dynasty Judicial Officer Song Ci, while no one remembers our He family ancestor, He Tianqiong.
This event is akin to the Battle of Osaka, where Sanada Yukimura and Mori Katsunaga charged into Tokugawa Ieyasu's main camp together, a similarly self-sacrificing feat. Yet, everyone only remembers 'Japan's Number One Soldier,' Mr. Sanada, while Mori fades into the annals of history, ultimately forgotten by the world...
This information is not found in official histories; it's part of folk legends, but it is all true. Much like the history of the He family's forensic art, if our He family hadn't preserved these precious legacies, they would have long been forgotten by the world.
The clan leader's earlier insistence on your seclusion was purely for your safety. If anything were to happen to you, our He family's forensic art would undoubtedly be lost, and that would be the most devastating blow to our family. Therefore, Young Master, I hope you understand the reasoning behind it!"
"The Sanada clan, I know their story. Don't worry, Xiaoyu! I won't make things difficult for you. I'm counting on you and He Jinghui to protect me!"
"No problem! Brother will protect Young Master with his life, just like me!"
"Thank you." I clenched my fists and shouted towards the distant city, as if releasing all the pent-up frustration within me.
Whether it was a coincidence or not, as I shouted, a few leaves fell from the trees.