Chapter 37 - Old Wounds (2/2)
If they decided to move the whole army, they may arrive too late and so the generals decided to split the army, with one half speeding ahead to break the enemy lines and back up the main army, while the other half travels behind with the rest of the artillery and provisions. The generals had decided and advised that it was best for Jun Kai to stay behind with the second troop, as the situation was too dangerous and unpredictable. At that time, the voice in his head had insisted that he go with the first troop, but he had brushed it off as his own mind acting up, he wasn't afraid of going into battle, but this was not the time to be stubborn and insistent, he told himself that there will be plenty of opportunity in the future to prove himself and so he agreed to go in the second troop.
The first troop broke off and left immediately.
The next evening when the second troop made camp, they were suddenly ambushed, not by the Han army but by the Beiyuan army, a neighboring country of Han country. They were greatly outnumbered and it was turning into a slaughter, their commanding general shouted to retreat and Eunuch Li pulled Jun Kai and ran into the surrounding forest along with the dispersing troop, with the enemies chasing behind.
After a while of running and fighting, their group ended up cornered by the enemies. The other soldiers who were around them were taken out, leaving only Eunuch Li and Jun Kai facing tens of enemy soldiers. When all seemed grim, a group of black-clad warriors arrived on the scene and joined the battle and swiftly overturned the tides. Jun Kai was confused at the scene but kept fighting, when the enemies were defeated, the black-clad warriors then turned and bowed towards him and Eunuch Li and the one at the front explained, ”Your highness, General Li, we have alerted the Long army ahead, reinforcements should be arriving soon. For now, we will give our all to protect the prince.”
Jun Kai looked at them with a confused frown
...General?...Then this must be...
He glanced at Eunuch Li, who explained to him that they were part of his troop from the Xia army and they all followed him into the Long empire and have sworn to protect Jun Kai and his mother, the remnants of the Xia royal family and the only hope for their people. While Jun Kai was trying to process this scene, three arrows came wheezing towards him, Eunuch Li immediately reacted and pulled him to the floor, while a three of the black-clad warriors shot out towards where the arrows came from. Then they heard a whistling sound. Jun Kai groaned on the ground, one of the arrows had hit him in the shoulder on the way down. Eunuch Li pulled him up and broke the arrow, in the next moment another wave of the enemies came running into the clearing and another battle ensued. The enemies seemed to be increasing in numbers and coming from all directions, it was clear that the whistling sound was a signal and the enemies were all converging on this location.
They were all fighting desperately while trying to look for an opportunity to escape before the enemies completely entrap them. Jun Kai ignored the injury and also bravely fought, not wanting to become a burden as it was clear they were being forced into a tight corner. As he was fighting, he realized his vision was going blurry and his movements were getting slower. Eventually, he collapsed and was struggling to get back up but could barely move, he heard the sounds of the battle and Eunuch Li and others calling out to him, but the voices seemed so distant now.
...Of course, the arrow's poisoned...It seems I'm really going to die this time...I guess that's fine too...
Jun Kai struggled to keep his eyes open, glancing up at the warm sun as his mind seemed to be leaving the scene. He squinted his drooping eyes as something caught his attention.
...Is that a petal?...I'm pretty sure the flowers should be dead now...it's not the right season...
Jun Kai's eyes followed the petal as it fell to the bloody ground, and then eventually closed.
...I told you not to go with them!...
...What?...
...I told you not to go with them!...
...Huh? I must really be dying now...I'm hearing ghos-...
...I told you to go with the other troop!... Haah, these children just love to complicate their lives...Next time I say something, you better do it or you will no longer have a next time! Got it?!...
...
...Hey! Are you listening?!...
...
Hey??!!... Ah, he's unconscious...Fine then...