Chapter 7 A Flawless Hand Dares to Hold Up Half the Sky (Part 1) If, the days continue...
As he spoke, he turned and walked toward the door, his steps slightly hurried, as if he wanted to escape the concern that made him feel both at a loss and yet sweet.
Just as his figure was about to disappear into the shadow cast by the doorframe, he suddenly stopped. He had his back to her, and his figure appeared somewhat stiff in the dim light, as if he were going through some kind of intense struggle.
After a long pause, he slowly turned around, his face showing a mixture of hesitation, expectation, and deep unease. His gaze fell on her eyes, which were still staring blankly ahead. His voice was even softer than before, carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension:
"Um...I...I don't know...your name?"
Asking that question seemed to have taken a great deal of courage from him. After asking, he held his breath, like a prisoner awaiting sentencing. He still didn't know her name these past few days, and this felt like a thorn in his heart—he couldn't bear to leave it unresolved, yet he feared offending her.
Ye Yixiang paused slightly. Her name… her real name was a hidden danger that could never be revealed. A faint light flickered in her empty eyes. After a moment of silence, she lowered her eyelashes slightly and answered softly in a voice still hoarse but much clearer:
"Yun Rao..." she uttered the nickname her mother had given her, which was both a concealment and a way to give him a sliver of truth in this situation.
"Yun Rao." Yan Qing repeated softly, as if savoring the words between his lips. His deep, husky voice uttered her name with a unique tenderness.
Immediately, the slight unease and tension on his face dissipated like a thin mist blown away by a spring breeze, slowly transforming into an extremely bright and sincere smile. That smile dispelled the lingering melancholy between his brows, making his entire face come alive, as if warm sunshine were breaking through layers of clouds.
"Yun Rao..." he read it again, this time with genuine joy in his voice, "It sounds so beautiful. Well... Rao, you get some rest. I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything."
The name "A-Rao" came out of his mouth as naturally as if he had called her name a thousand times. He took one last deep look at her before turning around, his steps seeming much lighter. He carefully closed the door slightly to shut out the sounds of the busy activity that was about to begin outside.
Ye Yixiang sat alone on the couch, the deep and gentle sound of his voice, "A'Rao," still echoing in her ears. The faint scent of herbs and blood lingered in the air, mingling with warmth and slowly enveloping her.
She gently curled her fingertips, where the texture of his rough cloth sleeves and the outline of the bandages on his back still seemed to linger. Outside the window, the light and brisk footsteps gradually drifted in, along with the faint sounds of pheasants flapping, water flowing, and kitchen utensils clattering.
She slowly closed her still blurry eyes, but the corners of her lips involuntarily curved into a slight, gentle smile.
If life continues like this... that's fine too.
================
After the snow, only a blinding white and a stark gray remained between heaven and earth. The snow covered all the gullies and withered grass, and the wind whipped up snowflakes, swirling them across the empty fields.
Inside the main tent, the charcoal fire burned bright red, but it couldn't dispel the tense atmosphere.
The military doctor held his breath and carefully used a bamboo skewer to apply the cool ointment to the large burns on Chu Huaili's arms and back. Every movement was extremely gentle, but the skin licked by the raging fire was still red and swollen, with horrifying blisters around the edges, and in some places the skin was even mangled, forming a stark and tragic contrast with the surrounding intact bronze skin.
A strong, bitter medicinal smell filled the air.
The tent flap was suddenly flung open, and a soldier, exuding a chill, rushed in, kneeling on one knee. His voice was solemn: "General! Our patrol spotted a suspicious man who stole a horse during a shift change half an hour ago and is desperately fleeing towards the northern border! Should we immediately fire a signal arrow to kill him?"
Chu Huaili's brows furrowed suddenly, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he raised his hand to stop them: "No need to shoot."
The North? That's the most likely direction for enemy spies to make contact. He risked his life to escape, surely to deliver a message. Killing the small fry would only alert the bigger fish behind.
"Immediately dispatch a squad of light cavalry, the fastest and most skilled trackers and stealth fighters, and prepare three days' worth of rations and arrows." He gave the order quickly and clearly. "I will personally lead the squad, secretly following him. We must find out who he is going to meet and where the rendezvous will be. Without my orders, do not alert him!"
"General!" Captain Pei Hong rushed forward, his face full of worry. "Your burns are quite severe. The army doctor said you need to rest for a few days and should not engage in any more strenuous activity! You can leave the tracking to me!"
Chu Huaili moved his newly bandaged arm expressionlessly, the movement aggravating the injury on his back, but he didn't even flinch: "A little flesh wound is nothing. The military situation is urgent, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."
The old military doctor put down the ointment, looking worried: "General, Vice General Pei is right. Although your injury hasn't reached the root, it covers a considerable area. If you catch a cold or engage in strenuous activity, it might fester and cause a high fever..."
"No need for further words," Chu Huaili interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "I know what I'm doing."
He stood up, and his personal guards came forward to drape him in heavy black iron armor.
The cold metal pressed against the freshly treated wound, the pressure and friction causing the guard's hands to tremble slightly. Seeing the faint blood seeping through his undergarments and the large, blurred wound on his back, the guard said, "General! You should let me..."
Chu Huaili seemed oblivious, deftly tightening the belts of his armor and reaching out to grasp the heavy halberd standing to the side, its blade gleaming coldly.
“After this incident, there must still be traitors in the camp who have not been eliminated. We need a capable person to stay and keep them in check, to prevent any further chaos, and to ensure the supply of provisions to the rear.” He looked at Pei Hong, his gaze calm and full of trust. “If you stay and guard the camp, that will be a great achievement. If we are not back by dawn, we will immediately send reinforcements. We will leave markers along the way.”
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Upon hearing the reply, he lifted the curtain and stepped out into the icy, snowy landscape.
Outside the tent, a team of over twenty elite light cavalrymen had silently assembled. The men and horses held their breath, like lurking snow wolves, waiting for the alpha wolf's command.
Chu Huaili mounted his horse with fluid movements, showing no sign of hesitation. He tightened the reins, and the warhorse reared up and neighed.
"Set off!"
The silence of the snowfield was broken by the hoofprints of horses. The group followed the fresh hoofprints on the snow at great speed, heading northward.
The terrain gradually became undulating, with withered trees standing tall, and the shadows of the mountains becoming increasingly clear in the distance.
Chu Huaili's gaze was sharp as an eagle's, constantly scanning his surroundings. The deeper he ventured into the area where the Northern Di might be active, the more vigilant he became. The markings he left along the way were also extremely well-hidden.
After nearly a day of tracking, dusk was falling and snow began to fall again. Suddenly, the scouts ahead gave a warning signal.
Chu Huaili immediately reined in his horse and raised his hand to stop the procession. He stared intently and saw that the trail left by the deserter led to a narrow valley with steep mountains on both sides.
"General, the trail has entered the valley," the scout whispered.
Chu Huaili stared at the valley entrance, which resembled the gaping maw of a giant beast, his heart pounding with alarm. This place was perfect for an ambush. "Something's not right," he said in a low voice. "The rear guard becomes the front guard, retreat immediately..."
Before the words were even finished, a sudden change occurred!
"Woo-woo-woo-woo-"
A desolate horn sound suddenly rang out from the mountain peaks on both sides, tearing apart the silence of the snowfield!
In an instant, snow collapsed from the slopes on both sides, and countless figures camouflaged in white fur emerged like ghosts, their bowstrings drawn taut, the cold arrowheads gleaming with a deathly light in the dim light.
The black banner of the Northern Di king was unfurled in the wind and snow.
Oh no!
It's an ambush!
"Form ranks! Defend!" Chu Huaili remained calm in the face of danger, and his roar was like a thunderclap, instantly stabilizing his slightly agitated subordinates.
The well-trained light cavalry immediately formed a circular formation around him, shields facing outwards and halberds like a forest, aimed at the enemies surging in from all directions.
A northern barbarian, wearing a wolf-skin hat and a magnificent fur coat, rode a magnificent black horse, surrounded by a group of elite soldiers, slowly emerging from the valley. The escaped traitor was kneeling before his horse, eager to claim credit.
"Hu Yu, is this a sincere gift?" The traitor's voice was full of smugness.
Geshu Lin lowered his eyes to look at the Central Plains troops standing ready below, a smile of approval curving his lips. He spoke in his thick but booming Central Plains dialect, "Not bad, your master's gift is indeed generous and sincere! Men! These people down the mountain are distinguished guests! Take them back to the royal tent, capture them alive! Especially that General Chu!"
The next moment, arrows rained down like locusts!
"Raise your shields!" Chu Huaili shouted.
The clanging and clattering sounds were as dense as a sudden downpour! The neighing of warhorses and the muffled groans of soldiers wounded by arrows rose and fell.
"Crossbowmen, counterattack! Aim at their horses!" Chu Huaili's voice was frighteningly calm, as if he were not on a life-or-death battlefield, but conducting a drill. The halberd in his hand moved like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, accurately deflecting several arrows aimed at vital points.
The Northern Di cavalry surged down the hillside like a tidal wave, attempting to break their formation.
"General, be careful!" A guard shoved Chu Huaili aside, but was himself struck in the shoulder by a stray arrow and staggered to the ground.
"Shiyan!" Chu Huaili swung his halberd and pierced through another Di soldier who was charging at him.
The battle was extremely fierce.
The Northern Barbarians had an overwhelming numerical advantage and were well-prepared. The Central Plains soldiers, who had rashly ventured deep into the region, were like trapped beasts in a quagmire; though brave, they were constantly being worn down.
They fought from night until dawn, and then held out from daybreak until nightfall.
The wind and snow continued, corpses piled up like mountains, and blood stained the snow a shocking reddish-brown. The number of soldiers around Chu Huaili dwindled; arrows were exhausted, swords dulled, and each soldier bore countless wounds.
The burns on his back had already reopened, and blood soaked through his battle robes. Every swing of his halberd brought excruciating pain.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Let me see, are there still any fans urging for more updates in the comments section? [Let me see]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com