Chapter 71: Golden Wind and Jade Dew
When Wang Ba found Instructor Liang, he was speaking with Shen Han, with Zheng Xuan and a few others standing nearby. Shen Han’s expression was extremely grim, and only fragments of their conversation could be heard: "disobeying military orders... Crossing Mountains..."
Zheng Xuan was still speaking when someone suddenly charged at him. Before he could react, a heavy fist struck his face, knocking him to the ground.
"Wang Ba, have you lost your mind?" Liang Ping snapped out of his daze and shouted to stop Wang Ba from further action.
"Instructor Liang, did this bastard tell you that He Yan disobeyed orders and went Crossing Mountains alone, and still hasn’t returned?" Wang Ba panted.
Shen Han and Liang Ping exchanged a glance. Wang Ba sneered, glaring at Zheng Xuan as he scrambled up from the ground. "This shameless coward! Zheng Xuan, do you dare say who saved you? You were the one who crossed the mountains and got surrounded by wolves! If it weren’t for He Yan, you’d be dead! And what do you do? Not only did you run away, but you also threw dirt on your savior! Are you even a man?"
Zheng Xuan’s face paled, blood trickling from his split lip. He wiped it away and stood up, saying, "Instructor, don’t listen to his nonsense. It was He Yan who crossed the mountains. If you don’t believe me... ask them!" He pointed at the two other recruits who had gone up the mountain with him.
The two recruits hastily nodded. "Yes, it was... He Yan insisted on crossing. We tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen..."
Wang Ba’s fury flared, and he lunged forward again. "Is that the kind of bullshit you’re spouting?"
Shen Hong, the timid one, would spill everything under the slightest pressure—he wouldn’t dare lie. Besides, though Wang Ba wasn’t particularly fond of He Yan, he knew He Yan wasn’t the type to seek death recklessly. Compared to Zheng Xuan’s despicable behavior, He Yan seemed far more decent.
Instructor Liang pulled Wang Ba back, fuming. "Enough! Look at yourselves! If the Commander arrives, every one of you will be punished!"
"What’s going on?" Speak of the devil—Xiao Jue’s voice rang out from behind them the moment the words were spoken. He walked over from the rear courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Shen Han. "Explain."
Shen Han’s scalp prickled as he answered truthfully, "Today, these men went up the mountain together, but He Yan hasn’t returned. Zheng Xuan claims that He Yan disobeyed orders and crossed the mountains alone. When they couldn’t find him, they had to return before sunset."
"That’s not what I heard," Wang Ba scoffed. "These Ingrates were the ones who crossed first, provoked the wolves, and He Yan lured the pack away to save them. But these bastards ran off, leaving him to die, then pinned the blame on him! In our bandit code, people like this have no honor!"
"Commander, don’t listen to him!" Zheng Xuan hastily knelt. "We all tried to stop He Yan, but he refused and insisted on going. As it grew late, we had no choice but to return and seek help."
His words were earnest, his expression sincere. Xiao Jue glanced at him, his thoughts unreadable.The sun had completely set by now, the last traces of crimson clouds swallowed by the mountain peaks. The forest was silent, and with each passing moment, He Yan's chances of survival grew slimmer. Wang Ba gritted his teeth. "Since none of you instructors are willing to take the risk for him, I'll go rescue him myself!" He turned to leave. "I've been a Mountain Bandit in these hills for years—a few beasts don't scare me! Though come to think of it, these days, humans are worse than beasts!"
He had barely taken a step when—thunk!—a sword grazed past his scalp and embedded itself into a wooden post ahead, startling Wang Ba into a cold sweat.
Turning around, he saw their Right Army Commander Xiao Jue looking displeased as he warned Instructor Liang: "Liang Ping, control your men."
Liang Ping: "..."
He forced himself to acknowledge the order, inwardly wailing countless times. He'd thought this might be his chance to earn Commander Xiao's favor, never expecting to be singled out for reprimand instead. His spirits sank instantly, wishing he'd never come here at all.
Shen Han hesitated before speaking: "Commander, if we take men into the mountains now—"
"No need." Xiao Jue cut him off.
Wang Ba stared at him in disbelief, while Zheng Xuan's eyes flashed with delight.
"The mountain terrain is complex—there may be traps. You're not suited for this. I'll go." With that, he called out, and from the distance came galloping a magnificent black steed with snow-white hooves and striking green ears, its coat gleaming unusually bright. It moved as if riding the clouds, stopping before Xiao Jue to affectionately nuzzle his hand.
This was Xiao Jue's beloved mount, Green Ears.
Xiao Jue swung himself onto the horse.
Before Shen Han could say more, Xiao Jue had already ridden off.
Liang Ping asked dazedly: "Chief Instructor, when the commander mentioned traps... are there others on the mountain?"
Shen Han remained silent. Of course he knew—they currently suspected He Yan might be problematic. That He Yan had disappeared on the mountain could very well be intentional. The "traps" referred to He Yan, not any enemy.
He could only hope they were overthinking it.
......
Night on the mountain grew increasingly colder.
The trap pit was deep, making it difficult for her to climb out alone. Now injured, movement was even harder. The scent of blood would attract nearby beasts—if she tried walking while bleeding, she wouldn't make it far before being devoured.
This place isn't so bad.
He Yan looked up at the sky. The night was segmented by the trap opening, leaving only a perfect circle of stars. From here, she could see the glittering Milky Way—the cool night like water, countless brilliant stars across the firmament composing the silhouette of a beautiful evening.
She adjusted her position to better view the stars, feeling the cold again. The pit contained nothing but her and a wolf carcass. After some thought, He Yan wriggled partially beneath the wolf's body. Though cold, its fur provided some shelter from the wind.
Reaching for her waist flask, she found only one mouthful of water left. Drinking it dry, she tossed the flask aside. Cold, hungry, and thirsty—it had been years since she'd experienced such hardship.
Suddenly she recalled Hong Shan's words that morning: "Come back early—we'll celebrate the festival together tonight."
It was a clear autumn night—the moonlight like silk, fireflies dancing, stars abundant against the pale river of sky, magpies at the Magpie Bridge. Gazing at the distant constellations, He Yan murmured: "Every household gazes at the autumn moon while praying for skill, threading countless crimson silks through needles."She sighed and smiled helplessly, "Today is the Qixi Festival..."
The silent night held no words, while in the distance, the Magpie Bridge carried the Cowherd and Weaver Girl across the heavens. A cool breeze rose, scattering all joy and sorrow.
A voice spoke up, laced with mocking amusement.
"What? Did you still want to go release flower boats by the river with your sweetheart?"
He Yan looked up in surprise, only to see a tall figure suddenly appear against the vast round sky. Standing by the edge of the trap, bathed in the shimmering moonlight, he gazed at her with playful interest.
It was Xiao Jue.
(End of Chapter)
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