Chapter 71: Golden Wind, Jade Dew*
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*phrase is often used in Chinese literature to describe the beautiful scenery of autumn
When Wang Ba found Instructor Liang, Instructor Liang was talking to Shen Han, and standing beside them were Zheng Xuan and the others. Shen Han’s face looked extremely unpleasant, and only a few words could be vaguely heard: “Not following orders… crossing the mountain…”
Zheng Xuan was still speaking when suddenly someone rushed over. Before he could react, he felt a heavy punch on his face, knocking him to the ground.
“Wang Ba, have you lost your mind?” It took a moment for Instructor Liang to snap back to reality, and he stopped Wang Ba from taking further action.
“Instructor Liang, did this kid tell you that He Yan didn’t follow orders and went over the mountain, and he hasn’t returned yet?” Wang Ba gasped for breath as he spoke.
Shen Han and Instructor Liang exchanged a glance, and Wang Ba sneered, staring at Zheng Xuan on the ground, “You shameless b*stard! Zheng Xuan, dare you say who saved you? You’re the one who went over the mountain and was surrounded by wolves. If it weren’t for He Yan, do you think you could have escaped? But no, not only did you run away, you also want to smear He Yan’s name! Are you even a man?”
Zheng Xuan’s face turned pale, blood trickling from his lips where he had been hit. He got up, wiping away the blood and said, “Instructor, don’t listen to his nonsense. He Yan went over the mountain on his own. Don’t believe me… you can ask them.” He pointed to the other two new recruits who had gone up the mountain with him.
The two recruits nodded hastily, “Yes, it’s true… He Yan insisted on crossing the mountain on his own, despite our advice…”
Wang Ba was fuming with anger, ready to charge forward and hit someone again, “Are you guys even speaking human?”
Shen Hong, the timid one, was scared out of his wits and spilled everything without hesitation. Besides, He Yan… while Wang Ba didn’t particularly like him, he at least knew that He Yan wouldn’t willingly do something reckless. Compared to Zheng Xuan’s behavior, He Yan seemed much more pleasing to the eye.
Instructor Liang stepped in to stop Wang Ba’s actions, angrily saying, “Enough, all of you stop! Look at yourselves, what kind of behavior is this? If the commander comes, you’ll all be punished!”
“What’s going on?” Say the name Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will come. Before he could even finish saying his sentence, Xiao Jue’s voice came from behind. He had walked over from the backyard of the guard station, looked at everyone, walked over, and asked Shen Han, “Speak.”
Shen Han’s scalp tingled, and he answered honestly, “Today, they went up the mountain together. He Yan hasn’t come back yet. Zheng Xuan said that He Yan didn’t follow orders and crossed the mountain on his own. He couldn’t be found, and they could only come down the mountain before sunset.”
“I didn’t hear it that way,” Wang Ba sneered, “It was these few ingrates who went over the mountain first, stirred up the wild wolves, and He Yan had to lure the wolf pack away to save them. But they abandoned their brother and ran away themselves, then tried to put the blame on him. People like this have no principles among us mountain bandits!”
“Commander, please don’t believe his words,” Zheng Xuan hurriedly knelt down, “Several of us advised He Yan, but he wouldn’t listen and insisted on leaving. It was getting late, so we had to come back for help.”
Zheng Xuan spoke earnestly and genuinely, looking sincere. Xiao Jue glanced at him, his thoughts inscrutable.
With the sun now completely set, the last trace of crimson was swallowed by the mountain peak, leaving the forest in silence. In this situation, the chances of He Yan surviving were becoming increasingly slim. Wang Ba gritted his teeth and said, “Since none of the teaching instructors are willing to take this risk for him, then I’ll go save him myself!” After saying this, he was about to leave. “I’ve ruled over these mountains for so many years; I’m not afraid of a few wild beasts! But come to think of it, nowadays, humans are even worse than beasts!”
He had only taken a step when a “bang” sounded, and a sword narrowly missed his scalp, lodging itself straight into a wooden post in front of him. This startled Wang Ba, making him shiver.
He turned around and saw Xiao Jue, the Right Army Commander, looking displeased, warning Instructor Liang, “Liang Ping, control your soldiers.”
Instructor Liang: “…”
He reluctantly said, “Yes,” while inside his heart, he cried out in frustration countless times. He thought he could make a good impression in front of Commander Xiao, but now he was being singled out for criticism. He felt disheartened and wished he had never appeared here.
Shen Han hesitated for a moment and said, “Commander, we are about to lead our men into the mountains…”
“No need,” Xiao Jue interrupted him.
Wang Ba stared at him in disbelief, while Zheng Xuan’s eyes revealed a hint of satisfaction.
“The terrain on the mountain is complex, and there might be a trap. You guys stay back; I’ll go,” he said, and then called out. A jet-black steed galloped over from a distance. The horse exuded an imposing aura, with snow-white hooves, and distinctive green ears, its coat shimmering uniquely. The horse moved as if riding on clouds, coming to a halt in front of Xiao Jue, affectionately nudging his hand with its head.
This was Xiao Jue’s beloved horse, Green Ear.
Xiao Jue mounted the horse.
Shen Han wanted to say something, but Xiao Jue had already ridden away.
Liang Ping asked in a daze, “Chief Instructor, the Commander said there might be a trap… are there others on the mountain?”
Shen Han remained silent. He knew that they were suspecting He Yan now. With He Yan disappearing on the mountain, who could say for sure if it was intentional or not? “Trap” referred to He Yan, not the opponent.
Hopefully, they were just overthinking it.
…
As the night deepened on the mountain, it became increasingly colder.
The pit was deep, and she couldn’t climb out on her own. With her current injuries, she couldn’t move easily either. The scent of blood would attract nearby wild animals. If she were to move on the ground, leaving a trail of blood, she would likely be attacked by wild beasts in no time.
This place isn’t too bad.
He Yan looked up at the sky. The trap divided the night sky, leaving only a circular patch visible. From this position, she could see the shimmering starry sky above. The night was cool, like water, countless brilliant stars forming the shadow of a beautiful night under the vast sky.
She shifted her position slightly, tilting her head to better see the stars. However, she started feeling even colder. Yet, in this pit, apart from her, there was only the corpse of a wolf. He Yan thought for a moment, then moved her body to huddle under the wolf’s belly. Although it was cold, at least the fur provided some insulation against the chill.
She reached for the water flask at her waist. It only had a sip of water left. She drank it all, absentmindedly tossing the flask aside. She was cold, hungry, and thirsty, experiencing such sensations for the first time in many years.
Suddenly, she remembered what Hong Shan had said to her before leaving in the morning: “Come back early and let’s celebrate together tonight.”
It was a clear autumn night, with the moon shining bright, fireflies dancing, the stars numerous and the river milky. He Yan gazed up at the distant stars and murmured to herself, “In every household, young girls wish upon the autumn moon, threading thousands of strands of red silk.”
She let out a sigh, smiling with a hint of helplessness, “Today is the Qixi Festival after all…”
The quiet night sky remained silent, with the magpies on the distant bridge ferrying the Cowherd and Weaver Maid across the Milky Way. A cool breeze blew, dispersing all joys and sorrows.
A voice rang out, carrying a mocking tone that seemed to contain a laugh.
“Oh? Do you still want to go to the riverbank with your beloved to set flower boats?”
He Yan raised her head in surprise, only to see a tall figure suddenly appear in the round sky. He stood by the edge of the pit, bathed in moonlight, his presence enigmatic as he looked down at her with playful amusement.
It was Xiao Jue.
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