Chapter 194 (1/2)
Chapter 194
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
It was as though time had gone back nine years. Nine years ago, on the vast snow plains outside Zhen Huang City, she had chosen to stand beside Yan Xun without hesitation. And with eyes of hatred, she looked at that arrogant child. On this day, nine years later, fate had again presented them with the same situation, and she chose the same choice again. People changed, and the only thing that remained the same was the frigid weather that covered this entire country. All noise ceased as snow fell on the face that she was all too familiar with.
Chu Qiao's fingers dug into her skin as she clenched her fist. Despite the fact that her nails were already buried in her skin, Chu Qiao did not feel any pain.
Yue Jiu recognized her, and with bloodshot eyes, he scolded, ”You ungrateful woman! Our master came here for you, yet you ambushed him! After today, as long as the Guards of Yue still exist, we swear to make you pay for what you have done today!”
”Such arrogance,” Yan Xun casually stated. He ordered, ”Go, trample them.”
”Roger!” His bodyguards acknowledged his order and were about to charge over. But a thunderous wave of horses galloping sounded from beyond the plains. Those on the horses wore all kinds of clothes. There were merchants, farmers, storekeepers, scholars, and even Yan Bei officials! Whipping their horses, they brandished all kinds of swords and blades. They quickly gathered around Zhuge Yue.
”Master!” A middle age man around 40-years-old charged up. He was wearing a Rank 5 Standard Class administrative official's uniform, and carried a huge blade with him. Jumping off his horse, he charged in while shouting, ”Yue Da has arrived late! AhJiu, bring Master to safety! Brothers! Charge with me!”
Nine years ago, when Yan Shicheng had died and Yan Xun was trapped in the royal capital, Zhuge Yue had carefully set up his men in Yan Bei. Obviously, he had not expected such a situation to occur. Initially, he had merely arranged for them to infiltrate Yan Bei should a day come when he struggled for control over Yan Bei with the other noble families of the Xia Empire. Then he could gain the upper hand. Yet, when Yan Xun escaped and rebelled, these men became sources of intel. In the battle of Cao Qiu, it was thanks to them that he was able to escape safely.
A thunderous battle began, and sounds of blades clashing rose once again, with the gleam of swords shimmering across the entire battlefield.
He Xiao cautiously approached and asked, ”Master, shall we fight for His Highness?”
Chu Qiao stared absentmindedly at the battlefield, a myriad of emotions and thoughts rushing through her mind. Zhuge Yue's face, Yan Xun's face, among many others, flashed before her eyes. She did not know where she had gone wrong. An overwhelming sense of weakness filled her entire body. Anger, heartache, regret, guilt, and many other emotions that were impossible to describe filled her heart, blocking her eyes, nose, and mouth. She felt so tired—so tired that she could just fall into a coma and die.
”Master? Master?” He Xiao's voice resounded in her ears and jolted her back to reality.
With a tremble, Chu Qiao returned to reality as she drew out He Xiao's blade and jumped off her horse. She shouted, ”Follow me!”
The Xiuli army followed behind her, as their lust for battle boiled. Yet, just as they were about to head to the Xia forces, Chu Qiao's blade slashed a Yan Bei soldier's chest. With the blood splattering onto her face, her upright figure seemed like a firm and tall tree.
One, two, five, ten…
The entire scene quietened down as Chu Qiao attacked whichever Yan Bei soldier tried to approach her. Zhuge Yue's guards stared at her although they kept their distance. Yan Bei's soldiers looked at her in surprise as well, then started to back off. Even the soldiers of the Xiuli Army were utterly stunned, as they stood rooted to the ground, not knowing what to do.
”AhChu, what are you doing?” Yan Xun walked over. With eyes that seemed to be teeming with displeasure, he stared at her and questioned.
Chu Qiao did not speak, and merely held her blade and glared back at him. She looked at the man that she had spent all of her efforts to assist and follow, and suddenly felt that her entire life seemed like such a fleeting dream, like she was a puppet merely acting on other people's instructions.
A few Yan Bei soldiers cautiously tried to test the waters by closing in on her slowly. Yet, Chu Qiao's blade flourished, and a line of blood flew up into the sky. In the stunned eyes of all onlookers, those soldiers dropped to the grounds, convulsing like a mad dog that was about to die. With no flamboyant moves, she calmly pointed her blade at her supposed allies. Standing atop the vast snowy plains, her figure stood alone.
”Chu Qiao! What are you doing?” Yan Xun bellowed through the snowy plains. Having seen the standoff between them, Yue Da quickly started to inform his subordinates to initiate retreat. Seeing that, Yan Xun coldly ordered his subordinates to cut off their retreat. With that, Yan Bei forces started to give chase. Yet, Chu Qiao deftly moved up and blocked them from pursuit. The soldiers of Yan Bei had long been fully concentrated in the battle, and seeing that Chu Qiao stood in their way, they started to attack her as well. Seeing that, He Xiao picked up a sword in rage, and bellowed, ”Brothers! Protect Master!”