"Lady!" The civillions on the road dispersed in fear as a horse galloped forth. Covered in fresh blood, one could no longer tell Ah Jing's clothes' original color.
"The prince is retreating from the Zi Jin Gates, heading towards the West gates. Follow me, with haste!"
Quitely, Chu Qiao nodded. Throwing aside her problems, she trailed behind Ah Jing.
Heartrending cries could be heard along the entire street. Turning around Zi Wei Square, one could see the Iron Eagle war flag of Yan Bei fluttering in the night sky that was a tinge of crimson. Countless soldiers stood on the street in from of the Zi Wei Square, with their glistening blades drawn and ready to strike. A man in black robes rode on a horse proudly, with his gaze fixed to the front. His face was a pristine white and his eyes exuded confidence. Handsome and elegant, he was like a drawn blade, beautiful yet emitting an overwhelming murderous intent.
Chu Qiao was stunned and stopped still in her tracks, as if she was stranger. Startled, Ah Jing reminded her, "Miss, why are you not going?"
"Oh, never mind." She replied in such a small voice, that under the chaos of the night even Ah Jing found it inaudible. Even then, that man who was over a hundred feet away suddenly raised his eyebrows, and twisted his head around. Like a sharp sword, his gaze pierce the lady. The grim expression vanished like mist, and was replaced by a grin. Yan Xun steered his horse toward her and loudly called, "Ah Chu!"
It has been eight years since Chu Qiao last saw him smile so brightly. Putting all stray thoughts behind her, Chu Qiao exhaled slowly. Whatever. Even if it was a path littered with bodies, even if it was a path filled with dangers and difficulties, she resolved herself to walk together with him. At this moment, how could she be focused on any minor details? As long as he was around, as long as he was fine, as long as they could still peek into each other's eyes and smile, everything was well.
The lady maneuvered her horse forth, and on her face was also an overwhelming smile. It was just then, crackling of the hooves resounded from the direction of the Zi Jin Gates. Both Chu Qiao and Yan Xun were startled. At this time, was there still anyone exiting the palace?
"Brother Xun!" A lady dressed in bright red wedding dress jumped off the horse, and blocked off Yan Xun's path. Her eyes were bloated, and her expression was pale. Stuttering, she said, "No, don't do this! Chun'er would not marry you anymore, Chun'er would not force you anymore, run away! My father would kill you! Wait, no, go and apologize to my father! Brother Xun, it's my fault! It's my fault!"
Yan Xun's brows furrowed slightly, and he looked at Chu Qiao in confusion. Chu Qiao's heart sank, and she turned to face Zhao Chun'er with pity. Chun'er's hair was a mess, and her face was pale as a sheet. Chu Qiao's past dislike towards Chun'er disappeared without a trace. This stupid lady, even now, does she not understand?
"Brother Xun, do not do stupid things!" The lady started crying in anguish, and feebly sat down on the ground, covering her face with both hands. Tonight, she had really gone through too much. Big drops of tears seeped through her fingers, and dripped onto her beautiful red dress.
"Yan Xun! You madman, you dare to rebel? To think that I had thought of you as a friend all these years, look what you've done!"
Another horse bolted over. Zhao Song, donning a robe of green, dashed forth. Spotting Zhao Chun'er, his expression turned to that of rage, and he exclaimed, "Chun'er, why are you still there? This man planned to rebel, and you are still following him?"
Zhao Chun'er stood up in a panic, and turned to face Zhao Song. Although scared, she did something that shocked all. Slowly opening up her frail arms, she stood in front of the massive army, and stubbornly shook her head, "Thirteenth Brother, it is like this. He just refuses to marry me, and wants to protest against our father..."
"Dumbass!" Zhao Song bellowed. "He is doing this to control Yan Bei's army! You dumb sister!"
Zhao Chun'er frowned, and her face was pale. Quietly, she replied, "Control of the…army?"
"If you do not believe me, ask him!"
Like a puppet, Zhao Chun'er slowly put down her arms. Turning around, her eyes widened in disbelief as she softly asked, "Brother Xun, he is lying, you are not trying to rebel, am I right? You just want to talk it out with father, am I right?"
Standing in the chilling wind, her small figure looked so frail, as her face looked drained of blood. Looking at Yan Xun, she seemed as if she was looking at her last vestige of hope in life.
Yan Xun's eyebrow raised slightly, and he looked slightly impatient. Finally, he declared, "It has been a long time since I wanted to rebel, and it was completely unrelated to you. And I had never thought of marrying you either."
"Such an ungrateful dog! I dare you to say that again!" With one swift motion, Zhao Song drew his blade. His green robe fluttered in the frigid night wind, like a ferocious eagle flapping its majestic wings. Usually so easy-going and compassionate, his gaze now turned sharp and unforgiving, and his expression gave off a murderous aura. It was as if the royal Xia spirit was suddenly rejuvenated within him!
Yan Xun too, was not in his usual peaceful mood. His stared somberly at Zhao Song from his corner of his eye. Behind him was the pitch black darkness of the sky. Under his soldiers, the entire royal capital was trembling, and he could almost hear the sounds of collapse of the rotten palaces. Slowly raising the corner of his lips, his voice still piercing like a blade, he replied, "Ungrateful? Yan Bei and the Xia Empire, what gratitude is there supposed to be?"
Zhao Song snorted, and sternly declared, "Our father raised you for over ten years, and viewed you as his own child. Not only bestowing the title of the King of Yan Bei, but he even married Chun'er to you. How big a favor is this! Yet you returned his favor with treason, and massacred the civilians in the royal capital. Yan Xun, you have the heart of a dog, and you deserve to die!"
With his black robe still fluttering in the cold wind, the man smirked, "Raised me for ten years, and viewed me like his own child? The bones are still in the battlefield, and blood is still flowing on the execution stand. Zhao Song, is this the overwhelming favor from the royal family that you were referring to?"
Taken aback for a split second, Zhao Song swiftly stuck back, proclaiming, "The King of Yan Bei was plotting a rebellion in the chaos, and the royal army set out for a rightful crusade…"
"Enough!" Yan Xun loudly barked, his face full of irritation. Coldly, he announced, "You need not waste more words. History is forever written by the victors. All these right and wrongs will eventually be determined by our descendents. We need not debate here. Zhao Song, considering our friendship for all these years, I will let you leave. Return, and tell your dad, I, Yan Xun, have rebelled."
It was just then, a firecrackers shop in the south had been set ablaze by someone, and with a huge boom, the fireworks exploded into the sky, lighting up the sky a deep crimson red. In that afterglow, Yan Xun's eyes shone brightly in the dark backdrop of the night like a bright star, full of life, and firm like a mountain.
Eight years of plotting all for this day. Could this enormous Xia Empire withstand such furor?
"You!"
"Zhao Song!" a clear female voice echoed out. Chu Qiao brought her horse forward, and sternly said, "Go back."
"Ah Chu? You are also going to stand as my enemy?" With a pained expression, Zhao Song frowned.
Chu Qiao looked into Zhao Song's face. Beside her were iron-blooded soldiers, and behind her was the capital that had sunk into the inferno. It was as if everything was just a fleeting dream, as time sprinted past. She was reminded of many years ago, in the gardens, when a young prince arrogantly shouted at her, "It is you again! Yes, I am talking to you!"
In the blink of an eye, so many bloody years had passed. She raised her eyes, and firmly stared at the other man on the horseback, and slowly replied, "I never wanted to be your enemy. Eight years of being by my side, I will never forget."
Zhao Song exhaled in relief, as his expression loosened up, and he quickly continued, "Then that is fine, Ah Chu. Go back with him. Don't leave with him, I will explain to…"
"But I will become the enemy of the Xia Empire," leaving no room for compromise, the lady firmly declared. Zhao Song was completely stunned, only to see Chu Qiao bring her horse next to Yan Xun's. "You should understand my perspective. I never changed from the start."
"Very well, seems like my eyes were rotten." Zhao Song hoarsely replied and laughed miserably with bloodshot eyes. With a loud screech, Zhao Song brought his blades down, leaving a white mark on the marble tiles on the street. His face was dead serious as he affirmed, "From now on, I, Zhao Song, break all ties and relationships with the two of you! If we meet again on the battlefield, we will be nothing other than enemies! Chun'er, come with me!"
Zhao Chun'er's eyes were hollow, and was unresponsive like a lifeless doll. Hearing Zhao Song's voice, she raised her head, and her eyes were still misty. Stretching out her hand, she wanted to hold Yan Xun's boots. The man on the horse furrowed his eyebrows, and pulled his horse back causing her to miss. The pale hand remained stretched out, and there was still a streak of dark red left on it. That streak of blood, was from the messenger that she had killed. It was the first time she had ever killed someone in her life.
Suddenly, Zhao Chun'er kneeled down, and started to vomit. The stomach acid poured out of her mouth and stained her beautiful dress, dirtying the pair of mandarin ducks that were supposed to symbolize eternal fidelity.
"Why did it turn out this way?" The young woman, with her unhealthy white face, looked as miserable as a furless puppy in winter. Her tears, like opened floodgates, once against started flowing. Her voice did not tremble, but gave people an acute heartache. As if everyone around her no longer existed, she spoke to herself, "It was all me, it was all my fault… Yan Xun, why was Chun'er not by your side when father killed all of the Yan Family?
"All these years, I was always regretful. If I was there back then, even if I could not save the Yan Master, but I could at least protect you from being bullied. But Chun'er was still too young. Mother locked me up in the palace, and regardless of how much of a tantrum I threw, she refused to let me out. Xiao Tao helped me stack up wardrobes so that we could step up and flip open the roof tiles, wanting to escape from above, but I carelessly fell down, alerting mother."
Zhao Chun'er started to sob, and her voice started to tremble. Her tears became even more torrential. "And then…and then, Xiao Tao was beaten to death by Mother's servants. I…I saw it with my own eyes, her waist was broken, and blood poured out from her mouth, flowing…flowing so far that it soaked into my shoes. It felt so hot, like fire.
"Yan Xun, I am really so useless, I will never escape again. Even the first two years after that, I did not dare to look for you in your house. I was scared, I was timid, and I always got nightmares. I dreamt that Xiao Tao's blood engulfed me, covering my neck, my mouth, and even my eyes."
Zhao Chun'er hugged herself tightly and shivered, as if blood was really about to drown her. She bit her lips and raised her head. Her tears continued to pour out from her tear ducts, but her soft voice transmitted across the chaos of the night audibly and clearly. "But Yan Xun, do not rebel, please? Father will kill you. Chun'er does not want anything, and will not force you to marry me. As long as you continue to live, even if it is somewhere far away I cannot see, as long as you continue to live happily, that is all I ask for."
Yan Xun's furrowed his brow even deeper, and avoided Zhao Chun'er's eyes. He instead turned to the side. The side view of his face looked even colder and firmer.
"Chun'er, come back!" Zhao Song shouted, enraged.
Zhao Chun'er suddenly dropped down, and crawled forward. She reached out to clinch on to Yan Xun's robe, and started wailing again, "Brother Xun, do not rebel, I am begging you!"
Zhao Song's eyes were filled with pure rage. He exclaimed, "Chun'er, what are you doing?" Saying that, he whipped his horse and dashed forward. At that instant, the warriors of Da Tong Guild simultaneously stepped forward, and shielded Yan Xun with their blades, giving off an intimidatingly warcry!
"Brother Xun, Chun'er is begging you! Father will kill you! He will send men after you!" Zhao Chun'er wept on the ground. Yet Yan Xun was completely unmoved, and he raised his head to look at the heavens, completely disregarding his robe that had was being clutched by Zhao Chun'er. His eyes were slightly blocked by his hair, but when the chilling night wind blew past, one could see that on his well defined face there was a pair of eyes shining in the dark that spoke of unparalleled resolution and determination.
It was just then, intense sounds of blades clashing came from afar, and an golden burst of flames exploded in the sky above the south side of the city. Yan Xun and Chu Qiao both turned their heads at the fireball with grim looks.
"19th Division has charged in! Yan Xun, if you do not want other innocent people to die with you, quickly surrender yourself!" while brandishing his blade to force the warriors of Da Tong back, Zhao Song loudly proclaimed.
"Yan Xun, we cannot delay any further."
Yan Xun turned back and slowly nodded, and instantly turned his horse around. Without hesitation, he headed toward the source of the conflict. Zhao Chun'er, still sitting on the ground, lost her balance and fell flat on the ground. Chu Qiao and the black armored warriors followed behind Yan Xun. From afar, Chu Qiao could still see Zhao Chun'er still crawling and wailing with Zhao Song sitting upright on his horse beside her, his hand tightly gripping his blade. The cold wind continued to send his robes fluttering, and even his ruffled jet black hair seemed to exude a sense of loneliness and desolation.
Eight years of friendship, ultimately was just a fleeting dream, and returned to oblivion. From that instant when she followed Yan Xun into Sheng Jin Palace, the result was already destined. Thirteenth Prince, I have ultimately betrayed your friendship and trust.
"Giddyup!" With a short cry, Chu Qiao whipped her horse and sped away. Leaving not just the duo, but also those fleeting eight years behind. Her eyes were fixated on the front, on the black Iron Eagle war flag.
On Nan'An Road, the riotous civilians had already been suppressed. 19th Division Commander Fang Baiyu held his longsword with his body bathed in blood, killing any belligerent along the way with his soldiers. Everywhere he went was left a mess.
The messenger sped through the battlefields, bringing back piece after piece of disadvantageous news. Yan Xun sat on his horse, speechless and expressionless, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Chu Qiao squinted and asked, "Is it not enough yet?"
Yan Xun replied softly, and calmly shook his head, "Not enough."
"There have been great casualties!"
"I know."
Chu Qiao inhaled deeply and frowned. In a serious tone, she replied, "Yan Xun, the casualty rate is too great, the Xi Nan Town Emissary's forces cannot hold out any longer. If we continue to wait, they will be crippled."
Yan Xun retorted, "The 12th Division and 36th Division are still waiting for an opportunity outside the city. If we retreat now, they will pounce upon our men. Should that happen, our return to Yan Bei will not be smooth sailing, and will be continually harassed by the empire."
"Even then, if we continue to wait, our casualties will be severe! Treating the wounded and arranging a retreat will create chaos among our own ranks."
Yan Xun gave a light frown, but immediately followed with a shake of his head. "Worry not, I have my plans."
"Yan Xun…"
"AhChu, leave the capital first."
Chu Qiao was dazed, but immediately replied replied, "I refuse."
"AhChu." Even under in the afterglow of killings and blood, the man put up a gentle expression, and softly said, "Leave the capital first, and go to Chi Shui to arrange river crossing operations together with AhJing. He is not very good with intricacies, I am worried."
"No way, I want to be with you!" Chu Qiao stubbornly shook her head, and insisted.
Yan Xun put up a harsh face, and sternly admonished her, "Chu Qiao, this is a matter of great importance, do not be childish now!"
"There is danger everywhere in this capital, and the 12th Division and 36th Division are staring at us, waiting for an opportunity to strike anytime, how can I leave you here to face this alone!"
Yan Xun smiled. "Dumb*ss, how am I alone? There are still the ten thousand soldiers from Xi Nan Town. You need not worry about me!"
Chu Qiao immediately retorted, "They just switched sides, who knows if they would capitulate again? How can I trust them?"
"If Xi Nan Town's forces are not reliable, even if you remain, we would not escape our fate. AhChu, one should not rely on someone they doubt, and should not doubt someone they rely on. That line, was what you taught me."
Chu Qiao looked suspiciously at Yan Xun, and expressed her doubts, "Yan Xun, do you really trust them that much?"
"I do not trust them, I trust myself!"
Sounds of war cries pierced the night sky yet again. It was another round of attacks and counter attacks. Arrows dotted the sky, and the city was tainted the color of blood. His black robes still fluttering, Yan Xun's gaze was sharp like a sword, and he peacefully observed the clash of blades in front of him. Slowly, he stated, as if a fact, "Apart from capitulating under me, they have no other way to survive. Fight to the death, they still have a glimmer of hope of survival. But if they surrender themselves to the empire, they will be viewed as traitors by both Yan Bei and the Xia Empire."
"But this battle is too bloody. I worry for your reputation of benevolence."
"Benevolence?" Yan Xun scoffed. "Father was too benevolent, and that was how he died on the highlands of Yan Bei. I will make sure I will not be like him."
Suddenly, it was as if Yan Xun's face was shrouded by a layer of black mist. Taken aback, Chu Qiao lifted her head and looked towards him, and softly asked, "Yan Xun?"
Yan Xun lowered his head, and looked toward Chu Qiap. Still on horseback, he spread his arms open and tightly enveloped her frail figure in his embrace. "AhChu, trust me. Wait for me at Chi Shui. We would leave together."
The wind intensified, and Chu Qiao suddenly felt chills. She stretched out, and returned the embrace, with a noticeable trembling in her voice. "Yan Xun, if something happen to you, I will make sure to get revenge for you."
The whooshing of the wind sweep across the road, and the warcries from afar seemed so distant. Ink black hair fluttered on King of Yan Bei's handsome face, as he lifted the lady's chin with one hand, and smiled tenderly. Looking at each other, their emotions for each other were overflowing. Eight years of companionship through life and death, their relationship had long been engraved deep into their souls.
Yan Xun's eyes were dead serious, and he whispered, "AhChu, I never told you this before. I will only say this once, so listen carefully. I want to thank you for accompanying me all these years in hell. Thank you for not abandoning me during the darkest days of my life. Thank you for standing by my side. If not for you, Yan Xun is nothing, and would have probably died in the snowy night eight years ago. AhChu, this will be the only time I say these words. I speak with actions, and will make it up to you with the rest of my life. There is something between us that we need not say to understand. AhChu, you are mine alone, and I will protect you. I will leave with you. From the moment I held your hand eight years ago, I never planned to let go."
Chu Qiao slowly closed her eyes. The night wind was whooshing like the silkworm, and in that instant, her heart felt like Morus leaves being slowly eaten up.
Yan Bei, Huo Lei Plains, Hui Hui Mountains…
"Yan Xun, I have no home. It was because you were here with me that I think of your hometown as mine."
The man deeply inhaled, and tightened his arms. His heart was like a huge lake melting in the warmth of spring. "AhChu, trust me." He lightly sighed. He had not said what to trust him about, but AhChu understood. She told him in her heart that of course she would believe in him. If she did not trust him, who else could she trust? In this world, they only had each other.
"AhChu, there is something I wanted to do for very long."
The young lady's pristine white face was suddenly tinged with redness that was clearly not from the reflection of the flames of war. She raised her head, and tenderly smiled. "Then what are you waiting for?"
"Haha!" The young king gallantly laughed, and leaned forward. Gently, he pressed his lips against her tender lips.
At that moment, Chu Qiao closed her eyes, and loosened the reins of her mind and emotions. All the bits and pieces of emotions within the past eight years rumbled in her mind. Meanwhile, in the distance, rallying cries shook the earth, and closer to them, sounds of blades clashing reverberated. All of Zhen Huang City was trembling under their footsteps, and it sounded like the last shrieks of a cornered beast. The majestically embellished Sheng Jin Palace had been engulfed in flames, along with the surrounding golden towers and palaces, sinking into a blazing inferno. The corrupted elders and nobles of the empire rubbed their eyes in disbelief, unable to believe their sight.
Eight years ago, no one would have believed that two frail and powerless children would have such courage and strength. Now, eight years later, no one would doubt it, that the cubs of the past had grew up, and they had been polishing their claws, ready to tear apart the walls of the capital to escape from this land of degeneracy into the outside world.
"AhChu, wait for me!"
"Sure." Letting go of the man, Chu Qiao's face blossomed into a smile. "We will ride in the grasslands of Yan Bei Plains, step into the snow of Hui Hui Mountain. I will wait for you, Yan Xun!" In the violent night wind, with a click of her tongue, the young lady signalled the horse to move. With a team of escorts, they dashed towards the West Gate!
Yan Xun sat still on his horse and fixed his gaze on Chu Qiao, who was slowly fading into the darkness of the night. Under the night sky, his figure was like a tall tree standing aloof in the plains, without a single indication of bending or breaking. "History will not remember the details, it will only remember the results. And these results are always written by victors!"
"Prince! The 12th Division is starting to move, and 36th Division is also showing signs of advancement!" A Scout galloped forth on his horse, and Yan Xun nodded, muttering, "It is about time."
A streak of light flashed across in the night sky. The dazzling fireworks were flashy, and the sky blue color of the flames attracted everyone's attention. On the desolate plains, a group of men were quickly moving along, but upon seeing the fireworks, everyone halted.
"The complete counterattack has begun." Chu Qiao's face was tense, and she quietly muttered under her breathe, "Yan Xun, take care. Giddyup!" On the grassland, the young lady rushed toward Chi Shui riverside. Meanwhile, on a tower, a man with a serious and firm expression raised a cup of liquor and proudly declared, "Warriors! The glory of Yan Bei is now dependent on you! The many elderly in Yan Bei Plains are depending on us. We lose, they die with us! I, Yan Xun, will await your victorious return!"
The tens of thousands of soldiers immediately roared back, "Long live your highness! Yan Bei will not perish!"
"Yan Bei will not perish!" The deafening roar echoed in the skies above the capital. Even Sheng Jin Palace seemed seemed to tremble under the might of this war cry. Yan Xun pull out his blade, and and loudly shouted, "Yan Bei War Eagle, will soar in across all land and rivers. We will never be restricted by anything! Warriors, use your blades to tell this useless capital what the war spirit of Yan Bei is!"