Chapter 116 (1/2)

Chapter 116: Chapter 116

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was already the peak of summer, and the daylight extended late into the evening. The envoy traveled until the sun was already set before settling down in the middle of a valley.

Chu Qiao and Zhuge Yue were assigned to a single tent. The tent was small and short, such that one would hit his head just sitting upright.

With them, servants were also camping in the outer circle of the campsite. After asking around, they found out that not only the Xian Yang Liu family were present, ut that there was also the Wang, Jia, and Ouyang families.

After the entire day of traveling, Chu Qiao felt weaker than ever. Considering the poor circulation within the tiny tent, Zhuge Yue brought her out and leaned her against a tree to relax. He then bought a freshly hunted rabbit from the other servants and started a fire to cook. Before long, the scent of cooked meat wafted in the air.

He tore off a piece of the meat and held it close to Chu Qiao's mouth. Upon seeing that, Chu Qiao eagerly tried to bite into the meat, only to be flicked on the forehead by Zhuge Yue. Sternly, he warned, ”It's hot!”

”Oh.” Chu Qiao heartily smiled, before carefully blowing at it and picking it up from Zhuge Yue's hands. Putting the piece of meat into her mouth, she found it so tasty that she could not help but to praise Zhuge Yue, ”Wow, I never thought you'd be so good at this.”

”I had only learned it during those years in the woods,” Zhuge Yue casually replied, before taking out a dagger and slicing the cooked rabbit into pieces. After which, he passed the delicious meat to Chu Qiao piece by piece.

By now, the night had fallen, as the last vestiges of the sunlight were consumed by the blanket of darkness. Under the sparkling starry night sky, one could hear the cicadas singing, mixed with an occasional chirping of the cuckoos. The valley was peaceful and serene, with only the rustling of clothes as the servants walked around hurriedly.

Sitting in a patch of green grass, Chu Qiao took a deep breath, before displaying an enraptured smile, as though she was an innocent and naive child, and exclaimed, ”How nostalgic!”

Zhuge Yue coolly continued the conversation, ”What is so nostalgic?”

”This feeling…” Chu Qiao leaned back on the tree trunk, as her tranquil expression was tinged with a small smile. Quietly, she elaborated, ”I miss the long grass, green trees, camping, and cooking around the campfire with a group of friends. After cooking, we would just sit around the campfire and chit-chat, maybe drink some alcohol. Most of all, I miss those days when I didn't need to worry about tomorrow, about survival.”

Observing her quietly, Zhuge Yue questioned, ”Have you actually experienced such a life before?”

”Of course.” Chu Qiao lifted her head, as she gracefully smiled. ”It was from long ago. Three good friends and I were in a valley just like this, and were eating roasted rabbits just like this. Oh, but our skills were better than yours, and we had more seasoning.”

”Hmph!” Snorting in disdain, Zhuge Yue turned his face away.

”Xiao Shi learned from a famous chef from France, and her skills were top notch, particularly when it comes to roasting meat.”

Raising an eyebrow, Zhuge Yue inquired, ”France? Is that a restaurant somewhere?”

”Hmmm?” Chu Qiao nodded her head. ”Indeed, that is a restaurant.”

Pouting in contempt, Zhuge Yue replied, ”I've never even heard of it before. Certainly, it is not a famous one.”

In the distance, another campfire sprouted up, as activities buzzed around it.

”Continue.”

”Hmm?” Chu Qiao was taken aback.

”Continue your story. We are bored anyway.” Zhuge Yue lowered his head and continued to slice the rabbit. ”Talk about your friend.”

”Oh, sure.” Chu Qiao nodded and consented. For some reason, her heart was particularly heavy tonight. Perhaps the actions of the Da Tong's Elders had hurt her feelings. She wanted to do something to distract her.

As the grass swayed under the chilly night breeze, her quiet voice sounded out, ”Their martial skills were all better than mine.”

Raising an eyebrow again, Zhuge Yue was slightly taken aback. ”They were all women, right?”

”Indeed,” Chu Qiao took a glance at him as she teased, ”Didn't you look down on women?”

Zhuge Yue did not reply, as Chu Qiao resumed, ”But that was back then. If I were to face them again, I would estimate that I am at about the same level as them. Xiao Huang excelled in precision shooting, ah, I mean archery. Xiao Shi was the most exceptional in close quarter combat, and had once beaten 17 highly skilled men all at once. Mao'er's fighting skills were not as good as them, but when it comes to techniques to kill others, she was the best.”

Zhuge Yue asked, ”What about you?”

”Me?” Chu Qiao chuckled. ”I was an all-around genius.”

Irritated, the man rolled his eyes. ”Such arrogance.”

Chu Qiao did not feel offended, as she merely turned her head around and asked, ”Zhuge Yue, what wish do you have?”

Frowning, Zhuge Yue threw a glance at her direction, before coldly snorting, ”I hope that you can quickly scram back to Yan Bei, and not let me see you ever again. Better remain in Yan Bei for the rest of your life.”

”That would be impossible.” Chu Qiao let out an amused chuckle, as she casually declared, ”Even if you do not invade Yan Bei, I will bring my troops down to the Xia Empire.”

”Is that so? Then my wish is for Yan Xun's reputation to be in ruins, and thus Yan Bei gets annexed by the Batuha family. You spend your life adrift, and finally end up begging at my doorstep.”

Chu Qiao shot a glare at him. ”Such a vicious man. Then again, that would be impossible too.” Lightly laughing, Chu Qiao mused, ”If such a day really were to come, I would probably have already died in the conflict.”