It is almost dawn, and Chu Qiao on her usual coldness threw some spring water to the young lieutenant's face, and suddenly Ge Qi woke up like he was in a spring body of water looking like drowned.
Startled, Ge Qi scrambled up, searching for his dagger. He turned his back to the figure with the bloody open hood, but Viper stood imposingly behind him, her right hand tapping her folded whip against her left palm, her gaze fierce.
Chu Qiao, wanting to defuse the situation and prevent Ge Qi from becoming defensive, said calmly, "At ease."
When Ge Qi recognized Chu Qiao's voice, he asked, "Are you really General Chu Qiao of the Xuili army?"
Hearing her name spoken with such reverence felt like music to Chu Qiao's ears. She replied, "Yes, I am Chu Qiao, the lost general of the Xuili army, if that's how you prefer to address me."
Overcome with relief and respect, Ge Qi dropped to his knees and said, "Long live General! We've been searching for you for a year. We thought you were lost at the lake. Seeing you alive and well today, I thank the heavens for your return."
Ge Qi on his tears and joy bowed his head to the ground, and Chu Qiao came close to lift his head and said: Now can you show me the troops of Xiuli army?
Ge Qi nodded eagerly, ready to stand, but Chu Qiao stopped him. "Before we go anywhere, have a hearty meal first."
Viper presented the cooked food, and Ge Qi, who had been delayed by hunger, eagerly dug in. He Xiao had arranged for supplies from Yanbei's granary: rice, meat, medicines, light weapons, extra scabbards, and garments.
As Ge Qi ate, Chu Qiao tended to his wounded foot. She cleaned the infected area with spring water, dried it with a cloth, applied balm, and then bandaged it carefully.
Ge Qi, with tears still in his eyes but his mouth full of food, looked up at Chu Qiao and said, "Thank you, General Chu. I'm ashamed to be in this state, but I'm grateful you're here."
Chu Qiao replied firmly, "Stop thanking me. Finish your meal, and then we'll meet the troops."
As she watched him eat, Chu Qiao felt a mix of emotions. She was both new to and familiar with this role, struggling with the weight of being a general for an army that was barely surviving. Her feelings of loss and anger mingled with a sense of mercy and coldness towards those responsible for their plight. She even wore one of their General uniforms and feels not worthy of it.
After a short while, the three of them walked through a barren grassy plain and into a forest. Chu Qiao called for a break and told Ge Qi he could change into one of the garments provided by He Xiao. Ge Qi gratefully accepted and headed to a nearby lake.
He bathed and changed into fresh clothes, emerging looking youthful and refreshed, a stark contrast to his previous disheveled state. Viper and Chu Qiao remained where they were, casually nipping at stalks of long grass, giving him privacy.
When Ge Qi returned, Chu Qiao approached him with a new sword. She handed it to him and said, "I didn't bring everything, but we have enough supplies for the troops. He Xiao reserved this for you. Take it."
Ge Qi, still overwhelmed, said, "I even forgot what a sword looks like. Thank you, General."
Chu Qiao smiled and replied, "You'll not only remember it but also feel its protection."
Ge Qi tested the sword with some impressive swordplay, and both Chu Qiao and Viper clapped for him. Ge Qi, in a show of gratitude, bowed deeply as if taking a curtain call. But suddenly, an arrow shot from the shadows, aimed at his back.
Viper dashed into the forest to track down the attacker, while Chu Qiao quickly moved to Ge Qi's side. "At ease, I've got you," she said.
Ge Qi, feeling the strain but comforted by Chu Qiao's presence, looked up into her calm and beautiful eyes. "I'm grateful to see the true beauty of the Xiuli army—our General who defended and fought for us, never abandoning us despite our mistakes. Now, I can truly say General Chu never left us, and she is here with me at this moment of my life."
Chu Qiao gently hushed Ge Qi, saying, "Shhh… Do not speak such words yet. You are young. We will remove this arrow and get you back to your troops."
Ge Qi replied, "I just wanted to thank you, General. Even if I were to die here, I am grateful to see your face once more, even on these treacherous roads."
A cold wind swept over them, and Chu Qiao, in a fleeting moment, was reminded of Feng Mian, the loyal servant of the Yanbei prince. She remembered holding Feng Mian in a similar way, and tears welled up in her eyes. The memories of countless moments with Feng Mian flooded back, like grains of sand filling a reservoir.
Chu Qiao looked at Ge Qi, who was fading fast. The arrow had struck accurately and might be dangerously close to his heart. Only a skilled healer could remove it without causing further harm.
With a firm yet soothing voice, Chu Qiao reassured him, "You will live. You are too young to die like this. This is not the end of your story."
Viper returned with the enemy archer, who was tied up and kneeling. When she saw Ge Qi's critical condition, her anger flared. "No, he cannot die like this. No! No!"
In her rage, Viper strangled the archer, but she stopped short of killing him, needing to interrogate him first. Chu Qiao, her face set in determination, addressed the archer coldly. "If he dies, I will ensure your soul is sent straight to the underworld."
The archer, visibly shaken by Chu Qiao's threat, trembled in fear.
Viper then commanded the archer, "Kneel and lay your head to the ground!" The archer complied, immobilized by his bindings.
Turning to Chu Qiao, Viper said, "Mimi Gongzhu, if you are willing, you could use your Higanbana powers. As the leader of the Wind and Cloud Decree, you have the ability to employ these powers, but the consequences are unknown. Last time, it caused you to lose all your memories. Are you prepared to risk part of yourself to save this young man?"
Chu Qiao, still grappling with fragmented memories, faced the difficult decision of sacrificing part of herself to save Ge Qi. Although they had only met the night before, she felt a deep, almost ancient connection to him, reminiscent of her memories with Feng Mian.
Determined, she addressed Viper with resolve. "I will do it."
Gently, Chu Qiao laid Ge Qi's head down, his eyes still closed and his breathing labored. She then stood up, slowly removing her bloodied hood and letting it fall to the ground.
Peeling off her Xiuli general's uniform, she was left in her white inner garment, revealing her slender and delicate form. Her face was calm, almost blank, as she prepared herself for the ritual. The flower tattoo on her back began to flicker with fire, and she felt the familiar, intense pain of the ancient inscription.
As she closed her eyes, Viper spoke softly, "Mimi Gongzhu, you know where to return. I trust you in this moment."
Chu Qiao nodded, steeling herself for the sacrifice she was about to make.
…..
Chu Qiao, having made her decision, began the ancient ritual of Hing Ba Na. The process demanded a heavy toll, involving her crossing the metaphorical Higanbana flowers of forgotten rivers, which were said to belong to the underworld. This ritual, with its roots deep in ancient lore, allowed her to alter the course of time and destiny for those she sought to save.
As she invoked the power of Hing Ba Na, a haunting, ethereal light enveloped her, and the air around her shimmered with otherworldly energy. The Higanbana flowers, symbolic of the boundary between life and death, seemed to bloom in her mind's eye, their dark petals whispering secrets of the underworld. Each step she took symbolically crossed these spectral rivers, binding her own fate with that of the young lieutenant she sought to save.
The ritual's power surged through her, mingling with the pain of her own sacrifice. Chu Qiao felt herself being pulled between realms, her consciousness stretching across the boundaries of time and space. The Hing Ba Na's influence was profound, capable of resurrecting the dead but demanding a profound personal cost.
As the ritual reached its zenith, Chu Qiao focused all her will on Ge Qi, channeling her energy to heal his wounds and stabilize his condition. Her own strength waned, but her resolve remained steadfast. The mystical light surrounding her began to fade, leaving her exhausted but hopeful.
Finally, as the ritual concluded, Chu Qiao slumped to her knees, her energy spent. Ge Qi, now stabilized and breathing more steadily, began to regain consciousness. The price of her sacrifice was evident in her drained state, but the young lieutenant was saved, and the dark magic of Hing Ba Na had worked its mysterious, life-altering power.
What happen in this part. . .
In a trance-like state of a white dream, the young man's soul found itself enveloped by an unblinding light. He was surrounded by a vast field of flowers, their sweet scent enticing him to explore further. As he gazed around, the sight of the endless flowers was both mesmerizing and unfamiliar.
The young man looked across the river, but all he could see was a dense shroud of darkness and mist—an expanse where no one had ever returned to describe what lay beyond. The uncertainty of the unknown and the impossibility of seeing through the veil of obscurity made the situation even more daunting.
Unable to speak or voice his questions, the young man felt a sense of helplessness. He was bound by the limits of his current state, restricted to only accepting what was offered to him. His only choice was to reach out and take the old man's hand.
As he approached the old man, the figure extended a gnarled hand, offering silent guidance. The young man, driven by a mixture of curiosity and necessity, hesitated only for a moment before grasping the old man's hand.
Somewhere between darkness and light, Chu Qiao arrived in the underworld, her presence marked by an ethereal grace. With her indigo scarf obscuring her face, she walked with an elegance that seemed to transcend the very realms of existence. Each step she took was accompanied by the delicate drop of plum blossoms onto the underworld's cold, barren ground, their fragrance filling the air and calming the spirits and elements around her.
She moved through the underworld like a majestic procession, her path adorned with the soft petals of the plum blossoms. The spies of the underworld—spirits with human forms and souls, existing in a realm that straddles the line between light and darkness—watched her with reverent awe. These beings, part human and part otherworldly, resembled angels of both light and shadow.
Their reaction was one of deep respect. As Chu Qiao continued her journey with her eyes closed, they bowed to her, acknowledging her authority and the serene beauty of her presence. The plum blossoms that fell in her wake seemed to enhance the otherworldly atmosphere, adding a touch of peace to the underworld's often tumultuous realm.
Chu Qiao suddenly sensed the flow of time come to a halt as the tattoo on her back began to manifest itself. It spiraled outward from her body, taking on the ethereal form of a Higanbana flower, its petals unfolding in the air.
In an instant, she found herself beside the forgotten river. The ancient man, who had been awaiting her arrival, appeared both surprised and reverent. He bowed and accepted the Higanbana flower, its presence seemingly resonating with his deep, sagging eyes that bore the marks of time.
With a gentle touch, Chu Qiao closed her eyes and reached out to the young man, whose hand was offered to her in return. As their hands met, a blinding light erupted, consuming their surroundings. For what felt like an eternity, the young man's vision was engulfed by this intense light, and then, just as suddenly, it vanished, leaving him out of sight.
Suddenly, sand dunes and endless deserts, Chu Qiao must find her path.
In between her consciousness and subconsciousness she knows where the trail is.
It is not her first, she is more confident and knows the way, this time, and she continued to walk, feeling lost her empty stares, her memories faded in time in exchange for a life.
Like the lyrics in a song, so is her mantra.
"Look at the state we're in," she mused, her voice tinged with weary resignation. "This docile apathy, where we fight and stumble aimlessly."
"We've broken our promises one too many times," she continued, her words heavy with regret. "When hope becomes a mere ghost and fear survives."
"I'm just gonna sit here," she said softly, "gonna stay here for a while. I need to catch my breath. What do we do now?"
She observed the empty stares of once-mighty men, now fallen and fragile, their confidence shattered. "Who do we look to now?" she wondered aloud. "How can we trust again when hope is a ghost and fear survives?"
This was the price of her role as the secret princess, a life bound to hidden paths and secret dimensions. While her mortal body remained anchored to the earth, her soul traversed through endless deserts.
She descended through hell itself but was not lost. Time had no meaning in this journey. She wandered through the beautiful curse of her powers, trading her memories for the chance to save others—a sacrifice so profound it defied the limits of any human soul.
Ge Qi woke up feeling some pain in his back and saw he was in the Xiuli army post. Confused, he asked the medic, "Where is General Chu?"
The medic, with a gentle look, replied, "General Chu Qiao hasn't been here for a week. She and Viper brought you here and then had to leave for urgent matters."
Ge Qi's heart sank. "She saved me, but she left?"
The medic nodded. "Yes, she made sure you were in good hands before she left. Rest now; you're safe."
Feeling a mix of relief and sadness, Ge Qi thanked the medic. As he lay back, he hoped he would one day be able to repay Chu Qiao's bravery.
Wu Danyu, a young Xiuli lieutenant from the Du Wei troops, entered just in time to see Ge Qi awake. He told the corpsman to give Ge Qi some space to collect himself, noting that the young lieutenant's wounds had healed unusually fast.
Ge Qi, feeling more at ease with his comrade, said, "I'm not losing my mind, but I saw General Chu and a woman with a long whip. It felt like a strange dream."
Wu Danyu, unsure of what Ge Qi was describing but recognizing his need for rest, gently guided him back to his bed. "We'll discuss it more once you're fully healed. For now, focus on resting and getting better. We need you back on your feet soon."
With that, Ge Qi settled back, hoping for more clarity about the strange events he'd witnessed.
Wu Danyu smiled and patted Ge Qi's shoulder, telling him to rest. Ge Qi, feeling disbelieved, closed his eyes and thought about General Chu Qiao.
A rewind of a week ago…
Viper took his magical whip and recited some oracles, the whip became a gold whip and flew on air and suddenly with some light floating on air suspended in time then on Viper's closed eyes the whip slowly went to the Ge Qi's back and gently took out the arrow with some of its light closing the wounds.
Ge Qi was dead for a time but was revived. The enemy archer, who was made blind by Viper's prayers, did not witness the healing. He lived but would remain blind for the rest of his life.
The cost of using their powers was high, with Viper's energy drained and Chu Qiao descending into hell to return. Viper then placed Ge Qi on a horse, whispered to it, and the horse, guided by the map from He Xiao, sped away swiftly.
Viper, exhausted, placed Ge Qi on a horse, whispered to it, and let it sniff the map He Xiao provided. The horse then galloped away quickly.
Arriving at the Xiuli army gate, the guards were shocked to see Ge Qi. They quickly took him and the saddlebags. Meanwhile, the horse turned and headed back to Viper. Some guards chased after it.
The guards' horses, in poor condition, were no match for Viper's and Ge Qi's horse.
Viper, exhausted, collapsed in the forest near Chu Qiao, who remained unconscious. The horse found Viper and, sensing its master's presence, stayed close.
The next morning, Viper, now rejuvenated, carefully moved Chu Qiao to a safer spot still near the forest.
Chu Qiao lay cold and still, her palms slightly burned. She slept peacefully under the forest moss, with birds singing around her. Viper could only hope that this time, recovery would be quicker than before, when it had taken weeks for Chu Qiao to heal and stand again.
The young lieutenant Ge Qi had fully recovered and returned to his duties, with the Xiuli army resuming its normal operations. Wu Danyu frequently visited Ge Qi, discussing their recent past. The Xiuli army had become a stronghold for Yanbei at the Meilin border.
Ge Qi reflected on their history, recounting: "After the Xiaoqi cavalry's brutal conflict with Yanbei's firefox, they burned Beishou and Hong Chuan cities and captured the Xiuli army. We were prisoners of war until Prince Yuan Che restructured us as a subordinate force under Wei's Xiaoqi army."
He continued, "The Xiuli army's dark past included General Lui Ziye, who chose suicide over serving Prince Yuan Che. After the execution of the Yan royal family, except for hostage prince Yan Xun, the General's hopes were dashed. Prince Yuan Che then appointed He Xiao as the new leader of the Xiuli army."
Wu Danyu asked, "Do you remember the first time we met General Chu?"
Wu Danyu reminisced, "We first met General Chu in her casual archer outfit—an unassuming figure who could easily be underestimated. We encountered her at the Xiaoqi camp after the Wei emperor issued a decree that was read throughout the camp:
'To govern with civilization and suppress rebellion with military might. Commanders and generals are the pillars of the nation and government. I promote individuals based solely on their ability, not their background. Chu Qiao is well-educated, skilled in military exercises, and both virtuous and talented. She is loyal, honest, and a model of excellence. Assigned as Coach of Arrows in the Xiaoqi camp, I expect her to serve selflessly on the battlefield and uphold public interest.'
Ge Qi, gazing into the distance, recalled, "I remember our first encounter vividly. Vice Commander He Xiao was tied up and facing execution on accusations of plotting rebellion against our troops. I was trying to mediate between him and Commander-in-Chief Xue Zhelig, looking for a resolution."
Wu Danyu's mind is traveling back in time said: "I can recall those events vividly. The order has been passed on and our deputy is about to be executed when General Chu came and you asked for an excuse for the deputy that he didn't mean to arouse any plot of rebellion and you were so brave at that time."
Ge Qi replied, "You were the one who gave the second motion, asking Commander Xue to show mercy. It was quite a bold move, trying to convince him, but were we really prepared to risk our lives back then?"
He smiled, reminiscing about the past.
Wu Danyu chuckled, "Do you remember why General He Xiao and Commander Xue always clashed?"
Ge Qi laughed softly and answered, "Because He Xiao kept talking about returning home to Yanbei?"
"Ha… ha… ha… As petty and trivial as it is, they accused He Xiao, our Deputy General, of shaking the Xiuli army's morale," Ge Qi chuckled.
Wu Danyu, still laughing silently, nodded in agreement.
Ge Qi added, "I also recall how General Chu defended General He Xiao that day."
Wu Danyu replied, "General Chu demanded evidence before any action was taken. Commander Xue said it wasn't necessary for the General to know and that he was just 'cleaning house.' But General Chu countered that the soldier in question was not just anyone—he was aVice Commander of Xioaqi camp and the General of Xiuli troop who is responsible for Chang'an City safety. General Chu even advised him to report to Prince Yuan Che first or to General Yuwen which made the Commander's face drop to the ground."
"Can you recall how did the face of Commander Xue turned sour and wants to hurt someone but could not do it?" said Ge Qi.
"Yes, I cannot forget that square face of him, ha..ha..ha.." Wu Danyu laughs out loud.
A loud knock was heard, and the Xiuli guards reported that someone was waiting outside the gate.
Ge Qi asked, "Who are they?"
The junior Xiuli guard replied, "We can't see their faces, but they gave us this."
Ge Qi was shocked and said, "My dagger! Wu Danyu, I'm not mistaken—it's General Chu and the whipping girl."
Wu Danyu raised an eyebrow in curiosity and asked, "Are you sure? Let's go to the watchtower and see for ourselves."
Ge Qi and Wu Danyu climbed to the watchtower and saw two figures in black hoods riding sturdy brown horses in the distance.
The Xiuli guard said, "Lieutenant, those are the same horses that brought you here and then ran off so quickly our horses couldn't keep up."
Excited, Ge Qi shouted below, "Let them pass!"
With a loud crack, the Xiuli Mounties' gate opened, allowing the two figures to enter.
Chu Qiao, in her black hood with a bloody interior, and Viper, similarly clad, rode in. Their appearance was as if the horrors of the past week had never happened.
Ge Qi and Wu Danyu descended and bowed their heads to Chu Qiao, whose lips were soft pink and whose eyes were hidden by the hood. Viper stood behind her.
Their arrival created a buzz among the Xiuli army, drawing them into a circle around the two figures. The contrast between Chu Qiao's angelic pink lips and Viper's dark, wine-colored lips symbolized a clash of light and darkness as they arrived at the camp.
Chu Qiao lowered her head, sensing the weak Chi and energy around her. She let her black hood fall gracefully, revealing its dark, bloody interior, which made her appearance even more intense. The crowd gasped as they recognized her.
Ge Qi was quietly expecting this moment and finally happened.
"It's the lost General Chu, she came back" the words of clamor between the military men that surrounded them. While Viper did not show her face and she became mysterious and did not plan to meet all of them today.
Ge Qi shouted: "Yes, it is General Chu. The General who saved me from the deadly arrow and who also transported the provisions to our camp."
The crowd erupted in noise, kneeling on the dirty ground in their muddy boots and worn Yanbei uniforms. Their helmets were battered, shields were spent, breastplates were faded, and their swords were missing or broken. The once-proud Xiuli flags were tattered.
The Xiuli Army, once renowned Firefox of Yanbei is now living like a dog, in its worse condition greeted Chu Qiao's eyes.
Some men, showing signs of age and wearing ripped, battered uniforms, continued to stand firm. Others cried or tried to get a closer look at their General. They expressed their gratitude to the Qians (heavens) for bringing General Chu back to them and vowed to never leave her side again.
Though Chu Qiao might have felt a sense of loss, with her past memories slipping away, the present moment was vivid and clear. She recognized the faces around her, felt the joy in their tears, and heard the music of victory. To her, this was the world where she truly felt alive and real.
This place was where her heart raced with purpose, where the people's hopelessness transformed into joy, and their renewed faith united them.
Chu Qiao envisioned her dream world: a place free from slavery, conflict, and war—a world illuminated by stars and filled with ultimate peace. She finally spoke to them in a soft voice:
"This is my faith!"
Chu Qiao walked in slow motion everyone moved to the side and let her pass. Chu Qiao saw the disfigured Xiuli flag at the corner, she went and took it and then walked towards the middle of the camp.
All eyes on her, Chu Qiao's face fierce but calm, Viper just stood and waited for Chu Qiao at the center, and Chu Qiao's back was Ge Qi and Wu Danyu who followed her when all of a sudden she raised the big Xiuli flag and then planted its pole on the middle ground.
Wind blowing, the trees gave up their long wait of fall, the leaves were flying on air, Chu Qiao on her might and power she nailed the Xiuli flag, a vibration all over the place by the force she gave was felt by everyone and they all shouted on air: "This is my faith!"