Chapter 82 (1/2)
Chapter 82
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
”All is well, let us go,” Yan Xun replied.
Chu Qiao nodded and took a quick glance behind her. ”Where are the troops of Southwest Emissary's Garrison? Why did they not catch up?”
Yan Xun obviously would not use the story of them sacrificing themselves for the country to fool her, so he smiled and replied, ”Do not worry, they will arrive shortly. We will leave first.”
”Okay.” Without a single doubt, she followed him and headed towards Chi Shui.
With haste, the troops initiated the river crossing. Although there was only one bridge, but within one hour, most men and horses had already crossed. Chu Qiao stood beside Yan Xun and observed the river crossing that was happening while Zhen Huang City was engulfed by flames. Suddenly, she heaved a sigh of relief. ”It's been eight years. We've finally been out.”
Yan Xun sighed, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. With an emotional voice he said, ”AhChu, it's been hard on you.”
Chu Qiao shook her head, and her eyes sparkled with happiness. ”No, it was you who gave my life meaning, who gave me motivation to live. All these years, we relied on each other, helped each other, cared for each other, perfected each other's plans, and fixed each other's mistakes. That is precisely why we were able to survive day after day in that corrupted palace. We do not owe each other anything.”
”Yes, we do not owe each other anything. Since long ago, we have been bound, our fates tied together.” Yan Xun revealed a tender smile.
”Indeed,” Chu Qiao gently nodded, ”our fates have since long ago merged into one.”
”Your Highness, all men have crossed the river. We can leave,” AhJing ran up and reported.
”Yan Xun!” Chu Qiao shouted out, ”Are we not waiting for the Southwest Emissary's Garrison?”
Yan Xun shook his head. ”Fret not, they will catch up to us.”
”If the floating bridge is removed, how will they cross the river?”
Yan Xun had already thought up an excuse. Slowly he explained, ”The empire's pursuing forces are of no concern to us. They can go down the official path to Xi Ma Liang to rendezvous with us.”
Chu Qiao nodded. ”Oh, I see. Let's go”
Having walked a few steps, the lady suddenly frowned. She touched her waist and suddenly panicked. ”Where did the Command Token from Da Tong that you gave me go? It disappeared!”
Yan Xun frowned. The command token was of great importance, thus he became anxious as well. ”How could it be? Did you not carry it with you all the time? Try to think of where you could have misplaced it.”
Chu Qiao searched herself up and down two times, but was unable to find it. Suddenly, she slapped her forehead. ”I am so stupid! I left it in the pouch on the horse saddle. I will go and get it now.”
Yan Xun swiftly grabbed her arm, as out of nowhere, he suddenly got an ominous premonition. He added, ”Let someone else go. You can wait here.”
”There are so many horses, how do they know which is mine? Do not worry, I will come back quickly.” Before he could stop her, she jumped onto the floating bridge. Her light and frail body would not even cause the floating bridge to wobble. After about a minute, she had already reached the other side. Yan Xun ordered his men to light up the flames, only to see that Chu Qiao had already found her horse, and brought it to the waterside. She stopped, as if contemplating something.
Yan Xun was startled and shouted, ”AhChu, have you found it? Hurry up!”
The lady lifted her head. Her face was as white as sheet, but her gaze was filled with determination as she stared firmly at Yan Xun.
At that instant, as if struck by lightning, Yan Xun pushed AhJing aside, and started a maddening run towards the bridge. Almost at the same time, Chu Qiao pulled out her blade, and without any hesitation, struck the bridge. The floating bridge fell, and floated down the river along with the current.
”AhChu! What are you doing?” Yan Xun bellowed in fury.
The young lady stood besides the waves of the torrential current, her gaze fixed on Yan Xun, full of conviction. She replied, ”Yan Xun, you just told me, our fates have converged! Disaster or prosperity, we will be in it together. That's why I will not sit around and watch you make such a blunder!”
With that said, Yan Xun attempted to jump into the river, only to be pulled back by AhJing and the rest. He howled, ”AhChu! Do not be stupid! Come back immediately!”