Chapter 136 Silver Needles Pierce the Heavenly Rivers and Mountains
Yang Xiao closed her eyes and couldn't help but shiver. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
"Hidden weapons are not meant to harm people; in a critical moment, they can save your life."
Qi Lu's voice suddenly echoed in her ears. She abruptly looked up at Bai Ming, her bright eyes as firm as a rock, soothing the worry and panic in Bai Ming's eyes. She calmed herself down and nodded slightly, then gently leaned the mechanism of the arm guard against the iron chain.
With a "snap," a silver needle appeared at Yang Xiao's fingertip. She took a long breath, completely banishing the panic and helplessness she had just felt.
The war drums continued to beat, rising and falling like waves.
Yang Xiao closed her eyes briefly, then looked up at Bai Ming with an air of certainty.
As Bai Ming looked into Yang Xiao's eyes, his emotions gradually calmed down.
Suddenly, a cold light flashed from Yang Xiao's fingertips and caught Bai Ming's eye. It was exactly the same light that had swept across Cheng Feng's neck years ago. He immediately understood everything, then looked resolutely at Yang Xiao and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Yang Xiao met his equally determined gaze and nodded slightly, as if counting down.
three.
two.
one!
"Release!" Yang Xiao roared, and the iron chains beside her clanged loudly as a flash of cold light pierced the air. Bai Ming's arrow also flew abruptly from the bow, pinning the man who had kidnapped Yang Xiao to the rack.
The iron chain on Yang Xiao's wrist vibrated and hummed continuously, and the knife at her neck suddenly fell to the ground with a weak thud.
A sudden flash of cold light caught Xiao Yun's eye, replacing it with surprise and astonishment. Unable to dodge in time, he shuddered violently, his limbs suddenly losing strength, and the sword in his hand wobbled precariously.
A drop of blood trickled down his forehead. He stared in disbelief at Yang Xiao and Bai Ming, his sword falling to the ground with a thud, and his body gradually lost consciousness.
He died without understanding why the situation had turned out this way.
The entire scene erupted in chaos. Before Bai Ming could even catch his breath from the shock, he spurred his horse and charged toward the execution rack.
With pursuers closing in from behind, Bai Ming's heart tightened, and he couldn't help but frown.
"Zhaoqing, go without worry!"
With a loud shout, the scabbard of the sword shot out, and the enemy general behind Bai Ming was thrown off his saddle.
He turned around abruptly, only to see Cen Xun wielding a broadsword, charging in from the flank. "Chen Mo and I are here! You don't need to worry!"
"Thank you both!" Bai Ming didn't even have time to clasp his hands in thanks before he hurriedly threw down his spear and rode away.
Cold sweat poured down Yang Xiao's forehead, her hand gripping the chains trembled uncontrollably, and blood flowed down her wrists. She collapsed completely, panting heavily, still hanging on the rack by the chains.
She watched as Bai Ming rushed towards her without hesitation, and she could no longer hold back her tears. The tears blurred the image of Bai Ming throwing down his spear, removing his helmet, and finally discarding his armor, and seeped his worried figure into the flames of war in her mind.
Bai Ming removed all the iron objects from his body, and before his warhorse had even come to a complete stop, he jumped off the saddle and charged straight at the rack.
"Ah Xiao!" He scrambled up the rack in three quick steps, pulling Yang Xiao tightly into his arms, calling her name repeatedly. His breaths and sobs mingled, making his voice tremble slightly at the end, "Ah Xiao, you've suffered so much..."
Yang Xiao's tears flowed uncontrollably. She gently rested her head against Bai Ming's chest, burying it in the crook of his neck, letting her tears soak his collar. Bai Ming felt a pang of heartache, and his arms around her tightened involuntarily.
He stood on the rack, one arm around Yang Xiao, the other untying the iron chain firmly bound to her wrist. Tears welled in his eyes as he gently twisted the chain, discovering that Yang Xiao's wrist, where she had thrown the needle, was already a bloody mess. The rusty chain was embedded in her flesh, oozing blood.
A sudden pang of pain shot through his heart. He gently grasped Yang Xiao's cold hand and carefully placed it against his chest.
A wave of warmth washed over her palms, and her numb hands gradually regained feeling. As if waking from a dream, she looked up at Bai Ming's tearful eyes. His warm breath moistened her eyes, and the person she had longed for day and night was standing right in front of her.
“Bai Ming,” Yang Xiao burst into laughter through her tears, gazing at Bai Ming with a carefree expression. She exhaled with trembling breath, raised her arms to wrap around Bai Ming’s neck, and held him tightly as if afraid he would run away.
She leaned on Bai Ming's shoulder, sobbing as she murmured, "I miss you so much."
Bai Ming's heart skipped a beat as the tear-stained array reappeared before his eyes.
He never imagined that these words, spoken by Yang Xiao, would be more moving than the ink on paper.
Tears streamed down his face, a thousand words stuck in his throat. He felt as if his heart had been pierced by a sharp sword, a heart-wrenching pain.
At this moment, no words could express his true feelings. He could only hold Yang Xiao tighter and tighter until their heartbeats resonated in unison and their breaths mingled.
"Xiao, it's alright, it's all over." He gently stroked Yang Xiao's back and kept nuzzling her ear. "Let's go home."
With Xiao Yun dead, the entire Chang'an formation immediately descended into chaos. His treacherous followers, like headless flies, stumbled around the formation and were utterly purged in no time.
The generals from all factions stood on the saddle bridge, their joy barely concealed as they gazed at the two people embracing before the execution rack.
A moment later, the Chang'an formation erupted again. All the soldiers threw off their armor, raised their weapons, and cheered. The cheers were like a tidal wave, sweeping across the land.
Under the sunlight, horses reared up, eagles circled, and war drums transformed into celebratory drums, with all sides and factions resounding in unison.
"We won! We won!"
"It was General Lingyu who broke the Chang'an Formation!"
Bai Ming carried Yang Xiao off the rack, only to find Ta Yue already waiting in front of it. He pulled on the reins, mounted his horse, and reached out to embrace Yang Xiao, his eyes glistening with joyful tears. "Did you hear that, Xiao? It was you who broke the Chang'an Formation. You did it!"
Yang Xiao, still clinging tightly to Bai Ming's neck, nestled in his arms. She nodded slightly, then looked up at Bai Ming with tearful eyes, "It's us..."
"What……"
"This Chang'an Formation..." Yang Xiao looked up at the joyous scene before her and leaned on Bai Ming's shoulder with a smile, "was broken by all of us together."
Bai Ming felt a lump in his throat. He rested his chin on Yang Xiao's head, nodded heavily, then pulled on the reins and galloped out of the tent.
"Bai Ming..."
Yang Xiao nuzzled her head against Bai Ming's shoulder, her words somewhat muffled.
"I'm here, Xiao, I'm here." Bai Ming hugged Yang Xiao tighter, sighed, and patted her shoulder repeatedly.
The wind gradually swallowed up Bai Ming's words. He looked at Yang Xiao, who was drenched in sweat, with heartache in his eyes. Afraid that she would catch a cold, he raised his hand to protect her forehead, but was startled by the burning heat on her forehead.
"Ah Xiao, you have a fever." Bai Ming's heart tightened. He quickly pulled off his cloak, folded it twice, and gently placed it on Yang Xiao's forehead. "Here, hold it up to protect her. You mustn't catch a cold again, okay?"
Yang Xiao gave a few vague replies, raised her hand to hold the cloak to her forehead, then buried her head in Bai Ming's shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
“Ah Xiao…” A heart-wrenching pain surged in Bai Ming’s heart. He bit his lip and sighed deeply, then held Yang Xiao even tighter.
"Giddy up!" He spurred his horse, and the horse, Tayue, seemed to know what he was thinking. It raised its head and neighed, galloping towards the camp.
The familiar camp gradually came into view. Bai Ming reined in the horses and tenderly patted Yang Xiao's head. "Ah Xiao, we've arrived."
Before the two could dismount, a rapid sound of hooves came from behind. Bai Ming turned around and saw Cen Xun galloping up to them. He quickly jumped off the saddle and rushed forward to greet him.
“Come on, Zhaoqing, slow down, I’ll catch her.” She hadn’t even caught her breath before she raised her hand to protect Yang Xiao. “She can’t afford to make any mistakes right now.”
Bai Ming frowned and nodded, then carefully helped Yang Xiao down from the horse.
Her right leg had already been badly injured by Xiao Yun's whip, and the moment her foot touched the ground, excruciating pain spread throughout her body. She couldn't help but groan, almost kneeling, but was caught steadily by a pair of slender hands and pulled into an embrace.
She looked up and her eyes immediately met Cen Xun's bright gaze.
“Tongxi…” She was stunned in disbelief, then suddenly became excited, “It really is you…”
“It really is me,” Cen Xun’s eyes immediately filled with tears. She hugged Yang Xiao and rubbed her head hard. “The strategist is back too, Lingyu, we’re all here.”
Bai Ming, who was standing nearby, also jumped off the saddle bridge and bent down to help Cen Xun into the tent, where he gently placed Yang Xiao on the couch.
Yang Xiao, suppressing her dizziness, forced herself to look up at Cen Xun. She gazed with admiration at his armored uniform and the imposing air about him, and couldn't help but sigh with a smile, tilting her head slightly. "General Cen?"
Cen Xun paused in her movements, then chuckled and shook her head, raising her hand to gently pinch Yang Xiao's nose. "I am Doctor Cen now, Zhao Qing," she said, glancing back at Bai Ming beside her. "Ling Yu has serious injuries on her wrists and legs, and she also has a fever. I alone definitely can't handle it."
Bai Ming nodded in understanding. "I'll go find the army doctor right away." He bent down and patted Yang Xiao's shoulder, gently comforting her, "I'll be right back."
Yang Xiao smiled as she watched Bai Ming run away, then turned to look at Cen Xun, whose eyes were filled with worry. She sighed softly, forcing back the pain, and raised her hand, her cold fingertips trembling as she touched the tear stains on Cen Xun's face. "Two years have passed, and you have gone from Miss Cen to General Cen."
“Yes,” Cen Xun sighed with a smile through her tears, raising her hand to cover Yang Xiao’s cold hand, “All the changes in the army are waiting for you to see.”
"Your swordsmanship is already superb; you're even able to go to the battlefield and save me." Yang Xiao looked at Cen Xun with tears in her eyes, filled with emotion. "I really, really missed you all."
“You have no idea how worried we were about you,” Cen Xun said, her heart aching, as she looked at Yang Xiao reproachfully, “Me, Zhao Qing, the strategist, and everyone in the Eagle Squad…”
Yang Xiao held Cen Xun's hand tightly, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She pulled Cen Xun's hand to her chest, looked up at Cen Xun, and nodded slightly. "Don't worry, I will absolutely, absolutely never leave you again."
"Alright," Cen Xun sighed and rubbed her head. "You still have a fever, so lie down and rest. I need to bandage your wrist quickly."
"Mmm." Yang Xiao nodded with a smile, closed her eyes and leaned back on the couch, quietly watching Cen Xun's busy figure. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep again.
As the sun gradually slanted westward, its warm, red glow shone on Yang Xiao's sleeping face, slowly moving westward.
She only gradually woke up when she felt a sharp pain in her wrist.
Looking up, I saw that the bandage that was usually stuck to her arm was now removed, and her previously bloody arm was now wrapped in a tight bandage.
Looking at Cen Xun's serious profile, she couldn't help but chuckle. "I really can't imagine what it would be like if someone took off my arm guards in Chang'an."
"You probably haven't had a good night's sleep in Chang'an, have you?" Cen Xun tied the bandage and looked at her with heartache. "You've suffered such a serious injury and only slept for a short while. You can imagine how light your sleep is normally."
Yang Xiao smiled and shook her head, looking up at Cen Xun with lingering affection. "I was sleeping soundly just now. If you hadn't taken off your arm protector, I wouldn't have even noticed."
"Oh?" Cen Xun sat down beside her, tilting his head with interest. "Could there be some secret hidden in that arm guard?"
Yang Xiao helped her sit up, smiling and nodding, "Yes, that arm guard is actually a needle box."
Cen Xun froze upon hearing this. She glanced at the blood-stained arm guard, then at Yang Xiao's feignedly relaxed eyes, "No wonder your wrist was so badly injured."
"Flying needles," Yang Xiao shook her head with a wry smile, then waved her hand casually, "are unavoidable."
Cen Xun sighed, took her bun and gently stroked it, but suddenly paused as if he thought of something, and looked up at Yang Xiao, "So when I went north, it was no accident that you beat Yu De in darts?"
Yang Xiao glanced sideways and smiled noncommittally, "You figured it out?"
"Well, you're something else. We thought you were a darts prodigy." Cen Xun shook his head with a smile, then pointed at Yang Xiao. "We never imagined you were also good at needle throwing. You're good at everything."
She chuckled and sighed, "Fortunately, these flying needles saved your and Zhaoqing's lives at the last moment. You have no idea," she said, tapping Yang Xiao's nose lightly after bandaging him, "when Xiao Yun fell from his horse, everyone in the Chang'an formation was stunned. We couldn't believe it."
"I guess I've really amazed everyone?" Yang Xiao smiled, glancing sideways, but still couldn't bear the pain in her head. She raised her hand to her forehead and gently shook her head.
“Although you have plenty of energy, you must get a good rest tonight.” Cen Xun sat down next to Yang Xiao and gently rubbed her head. “I’ll turn away all visitors for you tonight. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Yang Xiao nodded in agreement, smiling at Cen Xun, “I’ll do whatever you say.”
Cen Xun chuckled and patted her shoulder. "Although your wrist is badly injured, as long as you don't move it around or put any strain on it, it won't develop into a chronic condition. As for your leg injury, I can only stop the bleeding for now. We'll wait for Zhao Qing to bring the military doctor over so we can give you a thorough examination."
Yang Xiao took Cen Xun's hand, leaned on her shoulder, and sighed with emotion, "Back then, before I was executed, you were the one who applied medicine and bandaged me like this. In the blink of an eye," she turned and smiled at Cen Xun, "we even broke the Chang'an Formation."
“Yes,” Cen Xun put his arm around Yang Xiao, “I will never forget what you said back then. It can be said that without you, there would be no Cen Xun as we know him today.”
Yang Xiao closed her eyes and nodded gently, then leaned wearily on Cen Xun's shoulder and asked, "Now that the world is at peace, what are your plans?"
Upon hearing this, Cen Xun sighed, "I haven't decided yet. I have fulfilled Yu De's long-cherished wish, but as Cen Xun, I am still somewhat... at a loss. But there's no rush," she said with a light smile as she looked at Yang Xiao, "Since the lord has not yet ascended the throne, I can still be 'General Cen' for a while longer."
“Okay,” Yang Xiao looked into Cen Xun’s smiling eyes and nodded heavily. “I just want to say that as Cen Tongxi, whatever decision you make, we will fully support you.”
"Don't worry." Cen Xun smiled and ruffled Yang Xiao's hair. He looked up and saw a shadow flash by at the door.
“Look,” she said, raising her head toward the door, “Zhaoqing is here.”
Before he could finish speaking, the door opened with a "snap," Bai Ming slipped in, gently closed the door behind him, and hurriedly walked to Yang Xiao's side.
"Xiao, how are you? Does your head still hurt?" Before Bai Ming could catch his breath, he took Yang Xiao's hand, looked at her with concern, and reached out to feel her forehead.
Before Yang Xiao could answer, Cen Xun smiled lightly, nodded, and got up to walk out the door.
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