Chapter 29: Mei Xi (Twenty-Nine) was caught up
The night was like a huge inky curtain, completely covering the rolling barren hills. The cold wind howled through the valley, making a whimpering sound like ghosts and wolves howling, and swept up the dead branches, fallen leaves and fine sand on the ground, whipping them on the face, bringing bursts of stinging pain.
Lin Jiaojiao and her group, like a colony of ants lost in the darkness, trudged along the rugged and steep mountain road. Shi Hu, holding a sharpened wooden stick, walked at the front of the team. His burly figure was like a rock in the darkness.
With his military acumen and experience in the mountains, he tried to identify the direction and avoid the steep cliffs and loose gravel. Behind him were several equally vigilant elite soldiers. They gripped their weapons tightly and scanned the thick darkness around them with sharp eyes, guarding against possible wild beasts or... even more terrifying bandits.
In the middle of the team were Lin Jiaojiao, Chun and Wanyan.
Lin Jiaojiao, supported by Chun, walked with one foot deep and one foot shallow. The wound on her right shoulder ached slightly from the bumps and cold, but she gritted her teeth and said nothing. The two girls, Wanyan, had long lost their former pampered demeanor. Miss Yan had blisters on her feet and grimaced in pain, but she forced herself not to cry out and just held Miss Wan's arm tightly. Miss Wan tried hard to remain calm, but her pale face and rapid breathing revealed her fatigue and tension.
At the rear of the procession came Kuding, Asang, and the robust palace slaves. Their carts were loaded with the scant provisions, medicine, a small jar of salt, and some handy tools. Asang, accompanied by a few nimble palace slaves, carefully searched the roadside for any edible roots, shoots, or wild fruits by the dim starlight as they moved. Their movements were swift and focused, a testament to their survival instinct.
"Stop!" Shi Hu's low voice came from the front. He raised his hand and signaled the team to stop. He squatted down, carefully looked at the ground, and listened to the movements around him.
"What's wrong, General Shi?" Lin Jiaojiao walked forward with Chun's support, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of nervousness.
"My Lady," Shi Hu pointed to a dark hillside covered with jagged rocks ahead, "The terrain ahead is complex, with many rocks. It's hard to see at night, and it's easy to sprain your ankle or even fall. And..." He lowered his voice, "I seem to... hear the howling of wolves..."
"Wolf?!" Lady Yan screamed in fear and covered her mouth tightly.
Everyone's heart instantly rose to their throat, and fear, like a cold poisonous snake, instantly wrapped around everyone's heart.
A pack of wolves?! In this desolate wilderness, encountering a pack of hungry wolves would be disastrous.
"We can't stop here!" Lin Jiaojiao forced herself to calm down. "General Shi, is there a place nearby where we can take shelter temporarily? A cave? Or... a leeward valley?"
Shi Hu's eyes flashed as he scanned the surroundings. After a moment, he pointed to a slightly lower depression in the front right, backed by a massive rock formation. "Over there! There's a small depression! It's sheltered from the wind and has a relatively wide view. We can rest there for a while and start a fire! Wild animals are afraid of fire!"
"Okay!" Lin Jiaojiao made a quick decision. "Everyone, be quiet and follow General Shi closely. Go over there!"
Led by Shi Hu, the team moved cautiously towards the depression. Gravel was everywhere underfoot, making each step extremely difficult. The howling of wolves seemed to be getting closer, carrying with them a chilling feeling of hunger.
Finally, they arrived at the depression, which was indeed sheltered from the wind and had a relatively flat ground. It was backed by a huge, screen-like rock, forming a natural barrier.
"Quick! Gather dry wood and start a fire!" Shi Hu immediately ordered, "Shi Tou, take some people to guard the surroundings, and everyone else, gather around."
The soldiers immediately took action and quickly collected dead branches and leaves around them. Asan brought a few strong palace slaves, holding sharpened sticks and stones, and vigilantly guarded the edge of the depression. Chun held the bag of grain tightly in his arms.
Soon, a bonfire was lit in the center of the depression. The orange-red flames jumped, dispelling the darkness and coldness around them and bringing a faint sense of security. The firelight illuminated everyone's tired and nervous faces.
After the bonfire was lit, the wolf howling seemed to fade away, but it did not disappear, wandering in the distant darkness like a ghost.
"Everyone, gather around the fire and take a break." Lin Jiaojiao's voice was a little tired, but still calm. She sat on a relatively flat stone, and Chun immediately spread a piece of animal skin mattress under her.
The two girls, Wanyan, also sat beside her tiredly, snuggling up to her tightly. Beautiful Yan looked at the leaping flames, her little face still showing a look of shock.
Chun carefully opened the grain sack and counted the meager provisions by the firelight—a few small bags of millet, a few pieces of dried, hard meat, a small jar of salt, and a small packet of basic wound medicine and cold-relieving herbs left by Doctor Zhao. He sighed with a gloomy face, "Princess Yuan, this is only enough food for three days at most, and it's all dry food."
Three days?! Everyone's heart sank again. How could they find enough food in this desolate mountain area in three days?
Asan came over, holding some freshly dug, soiled plant roots and a few shrunken wild fruits. "My Lady, I just found these mountains too desolate."
Lin Jiaojiao looked at the pitifully small amount of food with a frown on her face. The food crisis was more serious than she had imagined.
Survival Resources: Food (extremely scarce). Threat: Wild beasts (continuous). Environment: Harsh (cold, rugged). Team Status: Exhaustion (increasing). Logic Module: Strongly recommend food rationing and enhanced hunting and gathering. Emotion Simulation Unit: ...Redundant data (anxiety) increasing...] The system calmly analyzed the predicament.
"Chun." Lin Jiaojiao looked at Chun, her voice filled with unquestionable determination, "From now on, the strictest rationing will be implemented! Everyone! Daily rations will be halved! Priority will be given to ensuring... the physical strength of the scouts and guards!" She pointed at Shi Hu and his soldiers, as well as Asan and others who were responsible for collecting.
"Yes!" Chun responded quickly.
"A'Sang," Lin Jiaojiao looked at A'Sang again, "Tomorrow morning, you take a few of the smartest and best-eyed people with you to expand the search range, focusing on finding water sources and... anything edible! Roots, young shoots, wild fruits, bird eggs... even... insects! Bring back anything that is edible and non-toxic!" She must let go of all her reserve, survival comes first!
"Yes!" Asan nodded vigorously.
"General Shi," Lin Jiaojiao finally looked at Shi Hu, "Tomorrow... can we... try hunting?" This is the most direct way to obtain meat.
Shi Hu frowned, "My Lady, I will do my best, but there doesn't seem to be much prey in this mountain... and... we don't have bows and arrows, only short knives and sharpened sticks... it's going to be very difficult..."
"Do your best!" Lin Jiaojiao nodded. "Safety first! If you encounter a ferocious beast... don't fight head-on!"
"Yes!" Shi Hu clasped his fists.
After the arrangements were completed, Lin Jiaojiao leaned tiredly against the cold rocks. The jumping campfire brought a touch of warmth, but the cold night wind was still biting. She looked at the people sitting around the fire, silent and tired, and her heart was heavy. Wanyan and the other girl snuggled up to her, their bodies trembling slightly, not knowing whether it was because of the cold or fear.
Lin Jiaojiao sighed softly, took off her relatively thick cloak, and covered Yan Meiren with it. Yan Meiren was stunned, looked up at Lin Jiaojiao, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes: "Sister...you..."
"Put it on," Lin Jiaojiao said gently, "Don't catch a cold."
She looked at Chun again and said, "Chun, use the cold-dispelling herbs that Doctor Zhao left behind to make some hot soup for everyone to share and warm up."
"Here!" Chun responded quickly, and hurriedly went to get the herbs and pottery jars.
Soon, a small pot of warm soup with a light herbal fragrance was ready. Although it tasted bitter, the warmth moistened everyone's dry throats and cold bodies like a sweet rain, bringing a slight comfort.
Lin Jiaojiao sipped the bitter soup in small sips, her eyes looking beyond the dancing light of the campfire, at the boundless darkness full of unknowns and dangers. The road ahead was difficult, but she had no regrets in her heart. Escaping from Nanchao was her most correct decision. Instead of waiting to die in the tyrant's grave, it would be better to fight for a way to survive in this free wilderness.
As the night deepened, the howling of wolves gradually faded away, and the campfire crackled. Shi Hu arranged for the soldiers to take turns to keep watch, while the others huddled around the fire and fell into a deep sleep in exhaustion and cold.
However, this newly rising sense of hope and freedom was like a fragile soap bubble and was ruthlessly punctured that night.
"stop--!!!"
A roar as violent as that of a wounded beast, like thunder from a clear sky, suddenly exploded from the direction of the valley entrance. The sound was filled with tremendous rage, deep hatred and a heart-pounding madness, shaking the entire valley.
Lin Jiaojiao's entire body trembled violently, her feet instantly nailed to the spot. Her heart felt as if it were being fiercely grasped by an invisible giant hand, nearly stopping. A chill instantly shot from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. This voice... was it him, Xia Jie, how could it be?!
Everyone looked in horror in the direction of the sound, only to see flames shooting up into the sky at the entrance of the valley. Dozens of torches, like ghostly fires from hell, instantly illuminated the dark night sky.
In the light of the fire, a team of cavalrymen like devils from hell rushed into the valley like a torrent of steel. The leader was riding an extremely majestic black warhorse. He was wearing a tattered black royal robe with gold patterns. His long hair was flying in disarray. His face was covered with dust and blood. His pair of red eyes were like the flames of hell burning, fixed on Lin Jiaojiao. It was none other than Xia Jie.
Behind him were the murderous Blood Wolf Guards and Xia Jie's most elite cavalry. They had obviously experienced brutal fighting, their armor was damaged and stained with blood, and their eyes were full of fatigue and... a kind of desperado-like madness.
"Mei Xi--!!!" Xia Jie's roar was like thunder, filled with tearing anger and a twisted, almost pathological possessiveness. "You want to escape?!"
He suddenly kicked the horse's belly, and the warhorse rushed towards Lin Jiaojiao like an arrow. The heavy hooves stepped on the gravel ground, making a deafening roar. The breath mixed with blood, violence and death was like a real tide, instantly drowning Lin Jiaojiao and her group.
"Protect Princess Yuan." Shi Hu's eyes were bloodshot and he roared. He suddenly drew out his bronze sword and led his twenty armored soldiers to block in front of Lin Jiaojiao like a rock. Although they were facing elite cavalry that outnumbered them by several times, there was no fear in their eyes, only a determination to fight to the death.
Asan and the others were pale and trembling. Wanyan and the other two girls were so scared that they hugged each other and screamed.
Lin Jiaojiao's face was as pale as paper, and her body was shaking uncontrollably. She never expected that Xia Jie would catch up with her at this time, and... so fast, so crazy.
[Warning! Fatal Threat! Core Instance (Xia Jie) Locked! Intent: Capture/Punishment! Threat Level: Peak! Logic Module: Mandatory Mission (Kill Xia Jie) Path: Mandatory Return (Nanchao)! Emotional Simulation Unit: ...Energy Core: Overload... Collapse... Zizzle...] The system's alarm was so sharp it pierced Lin Jiaojiao's ears, causing her head to ache.
Xia Jie's warhorse was about to arrive. He pulled the reins, and the horse stood up, neighing loudly. He looked down from above, his red eyes like burning irons, staring at Lin Jiaojiao, his eyes full of brutality, possessiveness and... a twisted sense of "comfort"?
"My beloved..." Xia Jie's voice was hoarse, with a creepy "tenderness" and unquestionable tyranny, "I... am here to pick you up! Follow me... to Nanchao!" He stretched out his hand, a big hand with distinct joints, covered with calluses and bloodstains, and grabbed towards Lin Jiaojiao with an icy chill.
Shi Hu roared angrily and swung his sword forward to block the attack, but the armored soldiers behind him were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot under the charge of Xia Jie's personal cavalry, and were instantly dispersed. Screams and the sound of weapons clashing rang out instantly.
"No!" Lin Jiaojiao screamed in shock. She couldn't bear to see Shi Hu and the others die in vain.
Just when Xia Jie's hand was about to grab Lin Jiaojiao, Lin Jiaojiao suddenly took a step back and avoided his palm. She raised her head and met Xia Jie's crazy eyes. Her voice was filled with a hint of forced calmness and... just the right amount of "grievance": "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. I... I am not trying to escape. I am following your order to go to Nanchao. It's just that the road is difficult and I have lost my way and am looking for the way..." She tried to make a final struggle.
"Xinlu?!" Xia Jie sneered, his crimson eyes scanning the simple luggage and food carts behind Lin Jiaojiao, clearly meant for escape. A murderous intent surged in his eyes. "What a traitor! I think you're planning to betray me!" He yanked out the great bronze sword from his waist, pointing it directly at Shi Hu. "Kill these traitors for me!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Lin Jiaojiao's heart was in her throat. She knew that if she hesitated for even a second, Shi Hu and the others would surely die. She suddenly knelt on the ground, her voice trembling with just the right amount of "pleading," "Your Majesty! I'm truly lost! I encountered the Shang army yesterday and barely managed to escape. Besides, now is the time to use our men. Please leave General Shi and the others behind. Please, Your Majesty, spare them."
Xia Jie's sword paused slightly, his red eyes fixed on Lin Jiaojiao who was kneeling on the ground. In the firelight, her pale face was covered with traces of tears. Her beauty, in her "surrendered" posture, seemed even more fragile and moving, like a delicate flower ravaged by wind and rain, making people want to hold it in their hands.
The brutality and murderous intent in his heart seemed to be slightly diluted by this "fragile" beauty. His Adam's apple rolled and he let out a low and satisfied hum.
"Hmph!" Xia Jie retracted his greatsword, his voice still icy. "I wouldn't dare betray me! Get up!" He no longer looked at Shi Hu and the others, as if they were mere insignificant ants. He shouted to the guards behind him, "Take them with you! Set off immediately! Return to Nanchao."
"Yes!" The guards immediately stepped forward, roughly drove away Asan and others, and took over the grain carts and luggage.
Shi Hu and the surviving soldiers were forcibly disarmed and pushed aside. Their eyes were filled with humiliation and unwillingness, but looking at Lin Jiaojiao kneeling on the ground, they could only suppress their anger.
Xia Jie's gaze fell on Lin Jiaojiao again, with an unquestionable command: "My beloved! Get on the horse! Follow me!"
Lin Jiaojiao felt disheartened. She knew that her last hope... was shattered. She slowly stood up and walked towards Xia Jie with Chun's support.
Xia Jie pulled her onto the horse's back and held her roughly in his arms. The force was so great that the wound on her right shoulder instantly felt a tearing pain. The strong smell of blood and violent aura wrapped her tightly.
"You are alone! Always!" Xia Jie growled in her ear, his voice filled with morbid possessiveness and satisfaction. He suddenly kicked the horse's belly, and the warhorse neighed, turned around, and galloped away in the direction of Nanchao.
Lin Jiaojiao was forced to lean on Xia Jie's cold, blood-stained chest, feeling the bumps of the galloping warhorse and the severe pain in her right shoulder. She took a last look at the dark, barren mountain that symbolized freedom, her eyes filled with despair and unwillingness. Could she not escape after all?
The Blood Wolf Guards and Xia Jie's personal cavalry drove Shi Hu, Asan, Chun, the two girls Wanyan, and the palace slaves like escorting prisoners, following behind Xia Jie's horse and galloping towards Nanchao, which was destined to become a Shura field.
The sound of horse hooves was like a death knell, shattering the fleeting hope. In the dark valley, only a few cold corpses were left, and the lingering glow of the campfire, which had not yet been completely extinguished, like the embers of hope...
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