Ice Island Palace Chapter 144

Yu Goan jumped up and looked at Siauw Bwee and Coa Leng Bu happily. However, his face immediately turned gloomy as he said,

"Bwee-moi, Gi-hu has passed away, and this is his grave,"

He pointed toward the new grave.

"Bastards! They killed him?"

Siauw Bwee shouted angrily. Yu Goan shook his head.

"No, Bwee-moi, Gi-hu died from his injuries, especially because his old illness relapsed."

"Where are those villains? How did you escape, Twako?"

"Bwee-moi, Supek, they turned out not to be villains, but secret envoys of the government. They freed me here to take care of Gi-hu's remains, and they had only captured the two of us initially to use us as shields when leaving the valley. They are government officials, and I myself saw their letters of authority and warrants. In fact, that Ang Hok Ci is a disciple of Bu Kok Tai, the koksu negara, who deliberately sent him to the valley to retrieve the manual left behind by Bu-tek Lo-jin."

"Whoever he is, he is clearly a cursed deceiver, thief, murderer, and troublemaker!"

Said Coa Leng Bu.

"Yu-twako, where are they?"

"They entered the city of Sian-yang to meet Bu-koksu, who happened to be in that city. I was left here to take care of Gi-hu's remains. Bwee-moi, now that we know they are government envoys, do we need to get involved?"

"Yu-twako! I don't care if they are envoys of the government or envoys of the King of Heaven or the King of Hell! What is clear is that they are rotten troublemakers who caused disaster on the cliff and in the valley, and they caused Gi-hu's death, and even stole the manual left by Bu-tek Lo-jin! Their actions are enough for me to oppose them, no matter what kind of people they are! What is your opinion, Twako?"

Yu Goan furrowed his brow and sighed deeply.

"Bwee-moi, forgive me. My parents and my grandfather strictly instructed me before I left to wander that I should not commit acts against or oppose the government, even encouraging me to assist the government, to become a hero and a patriot for the sake of the homeland and the nation. Therefore, how can I oppose those who did not kill me, but instead freed me and gave me a letter of introduction to the commander of the troops in Sian-yang? Bwee-moi, please realize that they are merely officials, and if we oppose them, it is the same as opposing the government. Is it possible for us to oppose the government, which means opposing our own nation?"

Siauw Bwee smiled bitterly.

"Twako, many people do not know that the government is not the same as the nation! The running of the government is in the hands of the king and all his assistants, and precisely those assistants who are the implementers are often dishonest and evil! They are so wicked and cunning that people who truly possess the spirit of a hero can be considered traitors, while traitors and villains like that person surnamed Ang can easily be considered heroes!"

"I will pursue them to Sian-yang, I must retrieve the heirloom manual, and kill the person surnamed Ang. Will Ji-wi come along?"

Coa Leng Bu, who was impatient listening to the debate, said this and leaped forward, leaving them behind.

"I'll come, Supek! Twako, are you going too?"

Yu Goan shook his head.

"Forgive me, Bwee-moi, I cannot violate my parents' instructions."

"That's a pity, Twako. Well, farewell!"

Having said that, in a flash, Siauw Bwee vanished from the spot, going to follow Coa Leng Bu who had already run toward the gates of Sian-yang city. Yu Goan sat lost in thought and sighed repeatedly. He felt as if his spirit had been carried away, flying alongside Siauw Bwee. However, he gathered his inner strength and finally realized that it was perhaps for the best. This difference in understanding—regarding devotion to the government—created a distance between them that would alleviate the suffering in his heart caused by failed love.

After Siauw Bwee left, he felt his heart empty, and as if in a dream, Yu Goan took out an envelope he had received from Ang-siucai. It was a letter of introduction for the commander of the Sian-yang city guard troops, where he would work and have the opportunity to prove himself to the government, as advised by his parents. With this job, he would be busier every day, thus comforting the wound in his heart caused by separating from Siauw Bwee. After the day was almost dark, the heartbroken youth finally rose, left the grave of the late Ouw-pangcu, and slowly walked toward the walls of Sian-yang city, which were visible from that spot.

The city of Sian-yang was a large and bustling city, not only a commercial hub but also a defensive city surrounded by an extremely strong fortress. In the chaotic state of the country at that time, with enemies threatening from various directions, every major city became a strong military fortress, and Sian-yang was no exception. In fact, Sian-yang was made into a fortress city that served as the center of the surrounding region, becoming one of the defensive strongholds along the road leading to the capital city. The dense population of Sian-yang city still carried out their daily routines as usual; markets remained busy, spectacles continued to hold performances, and restaurants and inns were always full.