Volume One: The Crescent Moon Over Chang’an

Chapter One: A Young Man, A Fierce Tiger

Yuan Prefecture was located in the southwest of the Great Tang. The southwest was mountainous, and in the mouths of Tang people, this was a land of barren hills and turbulent waters. If it weren’t for its border with the Southern Zhou, the nobles of Chang’an probably wouldn’t mention Yuan Prefecture even once a year.

Southern Zhou was wealthy, but under the deterrence of the invincible Tiger Guards of the Tang, they still had to bow their heads. With no border troubles, Yuan Prefecture’s status had become even lower. Officials who could be posted to Yuan Prefecture were either those without backing or losers in the political struggles of Chang’an.

“Far from the emperor’s reach”—that was the officialdom of Yuan Prefecture.

Now, the magistrate of Dingnan County, Samuel Grant, had his wife fall ill. After a round of diagnoses, the doctors demanded a certain medicine. Samuel Grant offered a reward, promising that whoever could obtain this medicine, everything would be negotiable.

If this happened in Chang’an, the censors would have impeached Samuel Grant to pieces.

……

“What kind of illness needs a tiger’s kidney, and it has to be fresh?”

Village head of Xiahe Village, David Bolton, looked at the snow-capped peak of Dongyu Mountain in the distance and cursed, “Early spring, the tigers and wolves in the mountains have been hungry all winter, their eyes are green with hunger. At this time, is it people hunting tigers, or tigers hunting people? Damn it... who dares to go?”

Several able-bodied men stood behind him. One said, “There are only tigers on Dongyu Mountain nearby. Every year, the tigers have eaten several hunters. Southern Zhou also hired experts to hunt them, but those people never came back—most likely fed to the tigers and wolves. Now, when the tigers of Dongyu Mountain are mentioned, even the best hunters fall silent.”

“Something’s wrong!”

Someone behind cried out in alarm. David Bolton turned to see a young man running from the village entrance.

“Village head, Robert Clark has gone into the mountains.”

David Bolton’s face changed dramatically. “That boy is looking for death!”

Several riders galloped over. As they drew near, it turned out to be government soldiers.

A soldier looked down at David Bolton from horseback and barked, “Recently, Southern Zhou spies have been rampant, preparing to cross Dongyu Mountain. The prefecture has ordered all villages to keep watch. If you spot any suspicious people, report immediately...”

The officer behind had sharp eyes and said in a deep voice, “But remember, do not act rashly for merit. Those spies are skilled in stealth and combat. No matter how many of you go, it’s just sending yourselves to death. Just report, that’s all.”

Military orders were absolute. David Bolton loudly agreed.

The cavalry rode off.

David Bolton cursed, “Tell Edward Clark, Robert Clark is done for!”

One of the men muttered, “Robert Clark may be young, but he’s the best hunter in the village.”

David Bolton felt his authority challenged. He turned and stared at the man, enunciating each word: “It’s not just tigers—there are even more terrifying Southern Zhou spies. Those spies are formidable. Unless the metaphysics students from the Imperial Academy are sent, even the prefecture’s soldiers are helpless.”

But the Imperial Academy was far away in Chang’an—distant water can’t put out a nearby fire.

David Bolton silently gazed at the snowy mountain peak in the distance. After a long while, he softly said, “Poor child, this is... fate!”

……

In Dongyu Mountain.

The snow was gradually melting, trickling into the stream.

The brook babbled, accompanied by crisp birdsong, sounding especially ethereal.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Heavy footsteps approached from afar.

A hunter, carrying a huge tiger on his back, strode briskly along the left side of the stream.

The hunter was not tall, so it looked as if the tiger was walking upright—quite a frightening sight.

A man had been resting downstream. Hearing the footsteps, he quickly packed up his water pouch and turned his outer robe inside out, then lay flat on the ground. Unless you looked closely, he seemed just like a patch of dead grass...

A flash of a blade beneath the dead grass.

A killing intent burst forth!

The hunter walked step by step.

Suddenly, his ears twitched slightly, his muscles tensed, then relaxed.

When he reached the patch of dead grass, it suddenly sprang into the air.

Flap!

Startled birds took flight, wings beating. The snow on the branches shook loose, scattering powdery flakes.

A flash of a blade.

At the instant the dead grass flew up, the hunter’s body sprang, and the tiger flew through the air.

The Southern Zhou spy had intended to kill the hunter, but what came at him was a flying tiger.

He was midair, and the only thing he could use for leverage was the tiger. The spy shouted and struck out with his palm, trying to use the force.

Clang!

The horizontal blade was drawn!

A flash of the blade!

The hunter sheathed his blade, then lunged at the fallen tiger, “Don’t poke holes in the hide, it’ll lose value.”

The boy’s face was full of distress. His mother had long wanted a tiger skin for a mattress—if this one was ruined, where would he find another tiger?

At this moment, the spy crashed heavily to the ground.