Having escaped from the military camp, Mo Li followed the familiar scent emanating from Hua Mulan and ran towards the depths of the forest.
Mo Li panicked with worry, "You absolutely mustn't get into trouble!"
Just as he was feeling anxious, his foot suddenly slipped and he came to a sudden stop. In front of him was a steep hillside, and the darkness made it impossible to see the depth.
"Xiao Bai..." Sensing that familiar presence, Mo Li immediately leaped down—
Mulan carried a bow and arrows on her back and two prey animals in her hands, limping slowly forward.
"Ouch—" Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. "Damn it, why did it have to happen at this time..."
Because I was chasing prey and didn't realize it was getting late, I accidentally fell down the hillside and sprained my ankle. Now, I've suddenly gotten my period. It's like when it rains, it pours!
Looking up at the forest, devoid of moonlight and starlight, Mulan instinctively hugged her arms tightly. She had never known that the night could be so terrifying; countless towering trees stretched out their arms, as if staring at her...
Just as she was filled with fear, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her foot, as if she had been bitten, and she couldn't help but cry out, "Ah!" This sudden cry sounded just like a young girl's voice.
Mulan watched as a nimble snake darted out from beside her face in the darkness, and a chill ran through her—
Hearing Mulan's exclamation, Mo Li hurriedly ran towards her and soon saw her leaning wearily against a tree, her sleepy eyes staring blankly into the distance.
“Mulan…” Mo Li hurriedly stepped forward.
Hearing footsteps, Mulan raised her eyes, her mind becoming hazy. "Who..."
Seeing Mulan's pale face, Mo Li knew something was wrong and quickly grabbed her hand to check her injuries. Unexpectedly, Mulan pushed her hand away and spoke aggressively:
Don't touch my prey!
Mulan's strong food guarding left Mo Li somewhat amused and exasperated. What kind of time is this to still be guarding her food? Are you a glutton?!
Mo Li was a little angry, but then Hua Mulan weakly spoke up, "This, this is what I hunted for my friend, please don't take it..."
Mo Li's pupils suddenly contracted. Could the friend she was talking about be herself? She felt a little touched.
"If you need one, please take it. Could you deliver the other one to a military camp outside the third level?" Her pleading gaze was like that of a girl in her first love, holding a token given to her by her lover with adoration.
Mo Li grasped Hua Mulan's icy hands and finally couldn't help but speak, "You silly girl! You're still thinking about others at a time like this, you're really... incredibly stupid!"
Mulan looked at the figure in front of her with suspicion. "You, how did you know I'm a woman?"
"I..." Mo Li hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I am the fox spirit of this forest, so I naturally know this!"
"A fox spirit... I never thought I would encounter a fox spirit before I die..." Hua Mulan's eyelids grew heavy, and her breathing became rapid.
Seeing this, Mo Li hurriedly said, "Hua Mulan! Cheer up!"
Hua Mulan watched him close his eyes weakly, and Mo Li immediately panicked, "Xiao Bai! Xiao Bai..."
——
Mulan had a wonderful dream in which she defeated the barbarians, regained her female identity, and danced gracefully in a long pink dress.
Strangely, the location was inside an ice and snow castle, yet it didn't feel cold at all; instead, it felt cool and comfortable...
Just as she was enjoying this comfortable life, she was suddenly awakened by someone shouting, "General Hua!"
She slowly opened her eyes and saw Cheng Jin looking at her with a worried expression. Looking around at the layout of her own tent, she realized that she had returned to the military camp.
With tears in his eyes, Cheng Jin said, "General, you're finally awake! You've been unconscious for three days and three nights."
Hua Mulan suddenly remembered being bitten by a snake and was somewhat surprised, "I'm still alive?"
Cheng Jin wiped away his tears and said, "If Mo Li hadn't sent everyone out to look for you, General, you probably would have really died out there!"
Hua Mulan was stunned. "Mo Li? Where is he?"
"I don't know either. After we rescued you, General, he just ran away and I don't know what he's doing. Since he's not one of our soldiers, nobody cares about him." Cheng Jin shrugged, indicating that he didn't know.
Just as Mulan was wondering, a cry of surprise came from outside the door: "Come quick! Young Master Mo has brought back a wild boar!"
Outside the tent, Mo Li was surrounded by people, and next to him on the ground was a dead, robust wild boar.
"Young Master Mo, I thought your victory over that rookie barbarian was just luck! I didn't expect you to be such a hidden talent!"
"Hahaha, now you know how powerful our Young Master Mo is!"
Mo Li smiled slightly, looking quite handsome, as he listened to everyone's words. Just then, someone shouted, "General Hua has woken up!"
Mo Li looked towards the outer edge of the crowd and saw Hua Mulan emerge from the tent with a pale face. He immediately rushed forward and asked, "Your injuries haven't healed yet, why did you come out?"
Mulan said irritably, "Come out and see what kind of mess you've made of my camp!"
Mo Li choked, scratching his head awkwardly. "I just thought everyone had worked hard in the recent battle, so I was planning to improve their meals! Besides, so many soldiers need rest and recuperation, they should all get some nourishment, right?"
Hua Mulan glanced at the wild boar carcass and said irritably, "Since you brought it back, why don't you dissect it while you're at it! Have the cook stew it for the soldiers tonight!"
Mo Li chuckled, "Yes, General!"
Hua Mulan glared at him and turned back to her tent. Cheng Jin, who was behind her, looked at Mo Li, who was being supported by the crowd, and for some reason his face turned gloomy.
——
At night, the campfire blazed brightly, and the soldiers gathered together to eat wild game, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter.
Mo Li sat alone in a corner, raised his jade flute, Chang Shang, and began to play softly. The flute music was filled with sorrow and melancholy, making the listener yearn for their hometown.
Hearing the familiar sound of a flute, Mulan couldn't help but step out of her tent. Looking at Mo Li sitting in a dark corner, her melancholy gaze filled with profound sorrow, Mulan felt a deep sense of empathy and grief.
Mo Li put away the long scarf and let out a breath. Turning her head, she was somewhat surprised to see a group of people staring at her. "Why are you all looking at me?"
"Young Master Mo, your music reminds me of my wife! Although she's not exactly beautiful, I really, really miss her!"
"I don't even know if my newborn son has grown up yet..."
"My sixty-year-old mother is still waiting for me..."
...
Listening to everyone's heartfelt words, Mo Li gripped the jade flute tightly, his mood growing heavy. All of them had left their homes to come here, facing war every day and dancing with death, not knowing when they would die, and not knowing if their loved ones at home were safe and sound. Among them were many young people, whose youth had not even begun before their time was over.
Therefore, Mo Li is now even more determined to drive out the barbarians and restore peace to the world! So that these warriors who cannot return home can go back to their hometowns to protect their loved ones…
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
