Chapter 32
Iron bones meets dry bones
Two women, their faces covered, suddenly ran through the woods.
They glanced at the trail, then hid behind one of the forest trees. One of the women drew her belt sword, and after ensuring no one had followed them, she returned it to its U-shaped sheath.
The belt sword, the lightest weapon she carried, had become her favorite due to its flexibility, making it ideal for any assassin's job.
After completing her twilight spying mission, she finally arrived at her courtyard.
She changed her clothes, transforming into the splendid Princess of the Liang Palace. Thinking about her upcoming wedding to the Prince of Yanbei, she wondered whether it would be successful, but she couldn't predict the outcome.
"The woman Yan Xun was carrying earlier... Who is she?" she whispered softly to herself.
Without Tao Ye, one of Xiao Yu's spy networks was broken.
Things couldn't go back to the way they were after Yuwen Yue captured and imprisoned her at the Green Hills courtyard. Tao Ye knew all the secret spy locations in Liang State, which Xiao Ce had exposed to teach his sister a lesson by using Yuwen Yue.
But in the end, it was Yuwen Yue who taught the Liang royals a hard lesson: "Do not play with fire when facing ice."
As the incense from the burner mixed with the cold air, the princess's mind and spirit drifted away, ready for rest and the start of a new day.
The night passed, and Chu Qiao woke up in the grasslands of Yanbei.
Smelling the fresh dew of the grass, she was filled with a familiar feeling, one of freedom and boundless space. Beside her was a dark figure. Startled, she moved closer and saw Viper sleeping sweetly beside the bed.
Viper hadn't changed her clothes at all. She slept with messy hair and a trace of drool on her small pillow. Chu Qiao thought, "She's an angel in human flesh."
Viper, with no sense of time or people, shifted her head slightly.
Chu Qiao gazed at her funny face, tempted to poke her charming nose. Her lips, though, were so dark, Chu Qiao thought, "They would be beautiful if they were red, but why are they always the color of wine?"
This darkness made her seem frightening, but her eyes and brows were gentle, like the wind and sea.
Suddenly, He Xiao rushed to their door as dawn broke on the horizon, coming to fetch them with plans to explain later to Yan Xun.
The priority was to get these two women out of the Prince of Yanbei's almost completed palace before the wedding. Yan Xun had been preoccupied not only with the construction of Yan's future structures but also with strategic alliances. His concubines either brought wealth or allies, strengthening his army's advance to the West.
Yan Xun was also deeply involved in a secret project, frequently retreating to the Xiu Xiu Mountains and returning occasionally to oversee the construction, including the Yan Palace.
He Xiao peeked through the window and whispered, "Mimi Gongzhu, are you awake?"
He knocked gently on the door again. Fortunately, no Yanbei guards were posted. Yan Xun, assuming they were He Xiao's beautiful slaves, didn't question their presence in one of the palace's new VIP rooms.
Chu Qiao heard He Xiao and replied, "I am. Come in."
Chu Qiao had hibernated for a year, much like Yan Xun, as she had been busy rebuilding the ruins of the Chu Jing kingdom.
The Qinghai Empire didn't dare interfere with Chu Jing's latest developments due to the kingdom's poisonous walls.
Only the old residents of Chu Jing, who had heard about the secret princess's arrival, returned through a hidden passage known only to the Chu Jing remnants.
He Xiao, panting, entered the room and saw Viper still asleep beside Chu Qiao.
Startled to see He Xiao, Chu Qiao noted his Yanbei General's uniform, adorned with stars and armed with lethal weapons. Among the generals of Yanbei, he was known for his striking beauty.
But in the presence of Chu Qiao, the true beauty of the Xuili Army, He Xiao always stepped aside.
Chu Qiao teased, "A man hanging from a tree, are you a stowaway general?"
He Xiao placed one of his silk-wrapped bags down and replied, "A little flattery will spoil me."
Smiling, he added, "You still haven't removed your scarf. What's hidden beneath it? Here, change into one of these Yanbei General uniforms you wore during one of our past battles. We're heading to Hong Chuan first, and if it's not too chaotic, we can tour Meilin and Changan."
Surprised to see her old Yanbei General uniform, still in good condition, Chu Qiao was touched by He Xiao's thoughtfulness, even if she barely remembered commanding him in the past.
Viper stirred at the sound, opening one eye and peeking at the feet of the handsome man before her. Without warning, she swung her whip, binding his feet and pulling him down.
Caught off guard, He Xiao tumbled onto the expensive carpet. "At ease, girl, it's me, He Xiao," he said.
Viper looked at him again, her eyes wide with surprise. "Really?" she grunted, releasing the whip from his feet without apology.
He Xiao, torn between embarrassment and pride, knelt beside her. Bending down, he lifted her chin, gazing into her angelic eyes. "Remember this man," he said softly, "so you won't ruin me the next time I wear this uniform."
He Xiao gave Viper a sparkle in his eyes that could melt any woman in front of him, especially when he stood there, fully equipped in his Xuili Army General gear.
Viper caught the look from He Xiao but frowned and smacked his hand away from her jaw, to which He Xiao responded with a debonair smile.
While the two were having their moment, Chu Qiao interrupted, "I'm ready. Where are we heading again?" Both turned their heads toward her, and they were mesmerized by the sight.
Chu Qiao was once again dressed in her Yanbian General uniform, but beneath the uniform lay memories of her battles. The Xuili Army, whom she had once saved and nearly died fighting for at Hong Chuan, would meet her again soon.
He Xiao swallowed hard and said, "Perfect outfit. Let's go before the Prince of Yanbei finds us."
Viper nodded.
Hee!
The sound of horse hooves echoed as they sped away from the majestic Yan Palace.
All three horses responded to their masters' commands, their mouths foaming with saliva as they galloped across the grasslands of Yanbei.
Both the horses and their riders, well-rested after a night's sleep, were energized by the fresh air. They were excited for their brief stop in Hong Chuan and the upcoming journey to the Xuili Mountains, home of the Xuili Army headquarters.
Not far from the Meilin border pass, which had become Yan Xun's foothold into Chang'an City, the Xuili Army, often referred to as the "Dry Bones" would be revived from its pit of despair.
Yan Xun awoke feeling lighter than he had in a long time. For the first time since his past burdens had weighed him down, he felt a sense of peace.
As he closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh morning air, he realized that something in his heart had shifted. Perhaps it was because he had visited a place that offered him some sense of peace, or maybe it was the memories of his past slowly surfacing. Whatever it was, the darkness inside him was being replaced by light.
For the first time in a long while, he could smile at his servants, listen to the morning birds, and appreciate the scent of dew on the grass. The shackles of bloodshed and the echoes of lament were distant now. The silent grief, hatred, and thirst for revenge that had once consumed him were fading.
Finally, he felt he could accept whatever came his way and let go of the past.
Yan Xun, dressed in a light purple Jinhua robe, stood gazing at the golden horizon with his bright eyes and handsome sword-shaped eyebrows. He squinted slightly, smiled, and called out, "Send He Xiao to my office right now."
A'Jing, one of his attendants, asked, "He Xiao, Your Highness?"
"Yes," Yan Xun replied, his excitement clear. "Call him now!" He glanced at A'Jing, who still stood there instead of leaving to carry out the order.
"The General... He Xiao left this morning, Your Highness," A'Jing said, concerned. "He left this letter for you."
"What?" Yan Xun's expression hardened as he squinted and frowned at A'Jing.
"He left with his company, the two women. One dressed like a barbarian, and the other seemed important to him. Before they left, the guards saw the woman dressed in a Yanbian General uniform, her indigo scarf covering her face, revealing only her eyes. She became a mysterious figure in the palace, and the guards believe she is He Xiao's woman."
Yan Xun's emotions flared, rising like steam from a boiling teapot. However, instead of anger, he felt a mix of fury and excitement.
He couldn't help but think He Xiao was lucky to have such a woman by his side. Unlike him, He Xiao had someone to share his good and bad days with.
Was Yan Xun envious of his general?
The woman seemed fragile and beautiful. Yan Xun couldn't believe He Xiao had taken such a woman with him.
As his wedding day approached, Yan Xun found himself wanting, just once more, to meet this mysterious woman.
He wanted to understand why he felt this way. For the first time, he was interested in a woman under his general's command.
Yan Xun knew he had the power to order her to his bed.
If it was simply lust, he could satisfy his desire and let her go, winning over He Xiao.
But if he felt something deeper than that, he would have lost to his general.
These unimaginable thoughts troubled him. He was tempted to wreck their relationship and claim the woman for himself.
Beneath his thoughts lay a desire to involve himself, to see where he stood with this woman he had carried in his arms that fateful night.
For him, it feels as though he has already done this for her a million times...
For a long time... And the worst part is, he doesn't even know where this feeling is coming from.
It's as if he's running out of time, forced to choose whether to act or not. The first option feels better to him, making it one of his better days.
"A'jing, I need my horse," he ordered.
"But, you haven't read the letter," A'jing replied, holding the unopened letter in his palm with both hands wide open. Yan Xun didn't bother and said, "Read it yourself. I must see He Xiao again." Quickly, the Prince tapped a bell, and fine maidservants entered to help him dress.
A'jing, confused, thought to himself, "What in the world did the Prince of Yanbei eat last night that made him wake up asking about He Xiao today?"
In fact, He Xiao had been one of his lowest priorities, his reports and communications often went unread. Yet now, despite the letter still being unopened, the Prince was personally going to meet him and ride to the Meilin border, a place he had neglected for some time.
Part of Yan Xun's strategy had been to push the Xuili Army to its limits, allowing them to hold the line on their own while he redistributed resources to other parts of his growing empire. By distancing himself, he taught them to be self-reliant. Loyalty to him was a requirement, but their strength needed to stand independent of him. This was the only way they could repay the blood debt for the Yanbei citizens they betrayed, only when their bones were dry would the Dark Prince of Yanbei be satisfied.
The forest road was quiet, but there was a strange feeling of an unknown presence in the air.
The three warriors' horses suddenly stopped and became dizzy. Without a word, the horses kneeled and fell asleep.
Chu Qiao, Viper, and He Xiao had no choice but to dismount, setting their saddlebags aside. Viper sensed a dark energy in the area and suspected someone had followed them.
Suddenly, ropes were thrown where they stood. Looking up, they saw three assassins approaching from the trees, while a hidden crossbow sniper lurked somewhere in the shadows.
The assassins threw star darts to separate them.
While they succeeded in scattering the group, Chu Qiao caught all three star darts. Feeling the cold hunting wind, she closed her eyes and, in one swift move, threw the darts back, hitting the hidden sniper with perfect precision, a bullseye.
The sniper never had a chance to react.
Viper, impressed by her Mimi Gongzhu, watched as He Xiao, eyes sharp and alert, drew his sword and began fighting the three assassins.
Viper leaped into the trees, waiting for her moment.
Chu Qiao stood still, watching as He Xiao, hungry for the swordfight, finished off the three assassins without any help. Viper clapped her hands, but He Xiao knew the applause wasn't out of admiration. Viper jumped down from the tree, dusting herself off.
He Xiao felt disappointed, sensing that Viper hadn't been impressed by his moves.
Chu Qiao, still on guard, suddenly noticed three more assassins descending from the trees like acrobats, exchanging places in mid-air.
He Xiao was caught, and Viper moved to help him. But before she could act, a belt sword whipped out and entangled her own weapon. Another assassin snagged her feet with a rope, leaving her hanging upside down, unable to escape.
Now, only Chu Qiao was left.
The ninja assassin shifted from defense to offense, hiding her sword at her waist. Chu Qiao, though her eyes were closed, sensed the assassin's Skyshadow martial arts, feeling the movements through the air. She stood still, waiting for her enemies to tire themselves out.
Though unarmed, Chu Qiao had her bow and arrow, her scarf covering her face, her gongfu, and the Higanbana flower, its power starting to burn her back like a knife. She controlled its energy through an ancient oracle she recited, knowing she had to harness the flower's power instead of letting it consume her.
The black-clad ninja assassin, her face hidden, finally spoke. "I didn't come to kill, only to look at you."
She was about to remove Chu Qiao's scarf when suddenly, another figure entered the fray, attacking the ninja assassin. The two martial artists clashed, their movements like a deadly dance.
Blue feathers floated through the air, creating a confusing but beautiful scene, reminiscent of peacock feathers slowly drifting to the ground.
The black ninja remained unfazed, but the newcomer sustained a shallow cut to the palm. Dark red blood began to trickle down. Suddenly, the assassins fled, leaving He Xiao and Viper suspended in the air, dizzy as they spun on their ropes.
Chu Qiao opened her eyes, recognizing the newcomer as a familiar comrade. But instead of revealing herself, she silently approached, pulled out a small bottle of celadon, and applied the balm to the woman's wounded palm.
Like magic, the wound healed slightly, turning into a dark brown scar. "The poison will stabilize. In three days, the wound will disappear, showing that the poison was cured by another poison," Chu Qiao said coldly.
She then used He Xiao's sword to cut the ropes, freeing He Xiao first, and Viper next. As Viper fell, she caught He Xiao mid-air, rescuing him as she always did.
But when it came time to cut Viper down, Chu Qiao did so without warning. He Xiao, expecting to catch her, was surprised when Viper leaped from the tree branch, landing gracefully on the ground.
He Xiao watched, stunned by Viper's agility, but Viper appeared furious as her eyes landed on her sister, Zhong Yu.
He Xiao approached Zhong Yu and asked, "Are you hurt, General Zhong?"
"I'm fine, just a little dizzy," Zhong Yu replied.
"Why did you come here? Are you escorting the World (Yan Xun) on his tour today?"
"Yes," Zhong Yu answered. "The World is heading here. I'm his advance party. He's going to Meilin to meet you."
He Xiao thought to himself that perhaps the prince had read the letter, but even if he had, Yan Xun likely didn't fully understand it.
He Xiao glanced at Viper, and Zhong Yu already knew that Viper was with Chu Qiao. She had kept this knowledge from Yan Xun but had told Mr. Wu, though only Zhong Yu and Mr. Wu knew the true reason behind it.
He Xiao turned to Viper and said, "I can't go with you. Here, take this map and head to the Xuili Mountains with Mimi Gongzhu. I've arranged for an advance party, and a Xuili Lieutenant is waiting for your arrival."
Chu Qiao and Viper nodded. Zhong Yu added, "A'Chu, we have a lot to catch up on. I'll see you on the other side. Viper, please, take care of her this time... She's worth more than anything else."
Chu Qiao nodded, recognizing the familiar household name "A'Chu." She suddenly remembered that she used to call Zhong Yu "A'Yu." They had been through many battles together, and memories of their shared struggles flooded her mind.
Zhong Yu smiled slightly and bowed to Chu Qiao. He Xiao and Zhong Yu left, while Chu Qiao and Viper began their journey to the Xuili Mountains. He Xiao, meanwhile, headed to Hong Chuan to divert the Prince of Yanbei's tour to Meilin, buying time for Chu Qiao to reunite with the Xuili Army.
No comments:
Post a Comment