On the vast snowfield, the wind howled, and the golden light on the horizon was like bright red blood spilled all over the earth, illuminating the entire Lichuan River.
Helian Ye looked down at the person who had collapsed on the icy river, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and chuckled.
"Kill me with your own hands?"
He suddenly lifted her by the neck, bringing them within inches of each other in an instant. Their breaths mingled, and the sound of their hearts pounding could be faintly heard.
The vast expanse of white reflected the boundless sky and earth, while vultures soared high in the sky, emitting piercing, high-pitched cries.
Chu Changning turned her face away with red eyes, but he grabbed her neck and twisted her back, making her stare straight at him.
"What can you use to kill me? With those useless people from Daqi, or with your frail body?"
She didn't speak, her reddened eyes glaring angrily at him.
Helian Ye raised an eyebrow. His features were strange, with narrow eyes and crimson lips. He looked at her face, gave a wicked smile, and said nothing more.
All was silent; the wind and snow seemed to have stopped. Birds flew across the cold river surface, making a fluttering sound.
Their eyes met in mid-air, and his rough fingertips caressed her fair and delicate neck, which was as smooth as the finest white jade.
Chu Changning's expression stiffened slightly, and he reached out to pry the hands that were gripping her neck, trying to pry them off forcefully.
He wouldn't let go, letting her struggle, his alluring eyes sweeping over her lips as he leaned in, slowly drawing closer.
The man's scent hit her face, and she froze. Summoning a sudden strength, she bent her knee and kicked his weak spot, managing to utter a strained cry, "Don't—don't touch me—"
Helian Ye paused, a shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes. His hand tightened unconsciously, and he said in a deep voice, "The person is dead. Who are you going to keep your chastity for?"
Chu Changning winced in pain and struggled to pry his hand off.
Seeing her flushed cheeks, he gave a cold shout, slowly pulled his hand away from her neck, and released her.
Heart-wrenching coughs accompanied by howling winds swept across the vast snowfield, startling birds in the sky into flight.
Chu Changning picked up the knife, clutched his neck, and stood up.
The world was a vast expanse of white, and on the desolate, empty frozen river, the rolling wind swept past the two figures silently.
Helian Ye glanced at her, looking her up and down with a mocking look.
"You've gotten so thin in just three years. Is this how he takes care of you?"
She didn't say anything, and turned to leave.
Her shoulder blade was suddenly grabbed, and on the vast snowfield, the two figures suddenly started fighting. But after only a few moves, he grabbed her hand, squeezed it tightly, and looked down at her.
"A-Wan, you still owe me something."
"The Western Regions are vast and boundless, with a bright moon in the sky, the Huqin and the Heavenly Horses, and the Green Waist Wine. Awan will like it."
The arrogant voice of the boy from the past suddenly rang in my ears, as if echoing faintly from a very, very distant place, rippling in my heart.
In just a few short years, it has become what it is today.
Chu Changning looked up, her gaze sweeping across his face like shards of ice in the dead of winter, lightly piercing his heart.
"I'm sorry, I have to break my promise."
A cold voice echoed across the desolate snowfield, and it felt as if a hole had been torn open in my heart, letting in a gust of cold wind.
The north wind howled past, the surroundings were quiet, and the flying snow blurred their vision.
Helian Ye stared at her intently, without saying a word.
Chu Changning's expression was cold and indifferent as she pried open his fingers one by one, forcefully opening them.
"Next time, we'll meet on the battlefield, and there'll be no mercy."
Suddenly, he chuckled, his gaze turning cold and sharp as he looked at her.
A silent wind blows, and the world is shrouded in a vast expanse of white.
Chu Changning's eyes were cold and clear as snow as she tried her best to pry his fingers open.
Helian Ye's mind cooled down under her gaze, and he took the initiative to let go.
With a whoosh, a warhorse came galloping by. He leaped onto the horse, tightened the reins, and rode with untamed arrogance.
"My battle flags will be planted all over the six million square kilometers of the Great Qi territory in the Western Regions. I will break through the gates of Tongguan and personally go to Jiankang to capture you alive. At that time, I will not let you go."
The warhorse suddenly galloped away, the desolate wind blowing its red fur coat, and disappeared into the vast snowfield.
---
The Battle of Chishui was fierce, with the Western Regions and the Northern Capital fighting for two months. Both sides suffered heavy casualties in their struggle to seize Chishui, an important military city.
In December of the fourth year of the Jianyuan era, this life-or-death battle began on the Beichuan Plain.
The war between the two sides over the past year has plunged the entire northern region into chaos. Whoever captures Chishui City and advances westward to seize the fourteen cities of Yinshan will unify the northern region and end centuries of division in the north.
After returning to the military camp, Chu Changning discussed with Xie Xuan the plan to launch a surprise attack during this major battle.
In the military camp, the medicinal soup burning on the stove was bubbling and steaming.
Xie Xuan leaned back in his chair and said in a deep voice, "When Yan Er sent out his troops, he said that if they were defeated, they should retreat to Tongguan."
"So, he anticipated his defeat, but did he ever consider the possibility of his death?"
The air around them seemed to freeze for a moment, and the tent fell silent.
Chu Changning suppressed his emotions as he looked at the huge map and spoke.
"This is an opportunity for us. The two sides have been fighting for a whole year, suffering heavy casualties and huge losses of manpower. Their supplies are not keeping up. It is time for us to make our move."
Xie Xuan remained silent, as did the other generals in the military tent.
He Xing glanced around and stepped forward. "Your Majesty, before the battle of Lichuan, His Majesty issued a death order: if we were defeated, we must defend Tongguan to the death. We have not received any orders and dare not disobey."
Chu Changning looked around at the generals, and a sudden crack appeared in his heart, a thought he dared not even think about.
"Why isn't Wang San at the military camp?"
A general replied, "The general was seriously wounded in the battle of Lichuan a year ago and went to the northern frontier to recuperate. A few days ago, he sent a message by carrier pigeon saying that he would be returning soon."
Northern Xinjiang?
Chu Changning lowered her eyes, the candlelight crackling and illuminating her face. Her expression trembled slightly, and it was unclear what she was thinking.
Xie Xuan saw through her thoughts at a glance and said calmly, "His Majesty was already dead when Wang San went to support the battle of Lichuan."
The surrounding air was silent and still; no one dared to speak.
Chu Changning glanced at him sideways, but didn't say a word.
Xie Xuan paused slightly under her gaze, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Your subject knows nothing."
When he arrived, this was already the situation.
"----"
Chu Changning didn't speak again, and slowly walked out. The curtain of the tent was lifted, and the cold wind blew her hair. His words before he left echoed in her ears, "Wait for me to come back."
Her eyes, initially filled with confusion, disappointment, and sadness, gradually transformed into unwavering determination.
Come back, wait for him to come back, come back, he will come back---
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