Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 32: War songs
Snow covered the trail as a yellow pear palanquin was pulled by eight prime horses racing toward the Western deserts of Yanbei. On each side, the palanquin left deep traces in the snow. The driver, wrapped in a thick leather coat, had frost-covered eyebrows and cheeks reddened by the cold, his eyes squinting against the harsh wind. The terrible weather seemed to have seeped into his bones.
Mr. Wu opened the small window at the corner, gently brushed aside the curtain, and half-squinted against the howling north wind that whipped up the snow around him. He called out to his driver, his voice almost swallowed by the storm. "Li Xian, change course!" But his voice, though loud, seemed like the faint buzzing of an insect, barely audible inside the palanquin.
"Sir!" Li Xian shouted, "The snow is too dense! Please go back inside the palanquin!"
Mr. Wu, deep in thought, held his jaw and shook his head. His young face appeared heavy with worry. He looked up and asked, "How much longer?"
"Two hours, more or less," Li Xian replied.
Mr. Wu gazed toward Urumqi—meaning "beautiful pastureland." A dark foreboding shadow rose from the pit of his stomach, echoing the words of his master. It was as if he could still hear his master's voice: "Yan Wang Ye, there's a hunch—a brewing disaster."
"Li Xian," Mr. Wu said coldly, "Take the Yan Shiba road, the map coordinate for Wei Zhao. Be sure to pass the message to the Shi Zi government. If things don't go as planned, do not contact the Feather Girl waiting for me in the city. Watch over Yan Shi Zi's whereabouts to ensure the safety of the world."
"Got it!" Li Xian answered, his voice cracking with emotion. "Mr. Wu, be careful as well."
With that, Li Xian waved his hand, spurred his horse, and galloped away down the snowy trail.
Mr. Wu watched until Li Xian's figure disappeared into the distance. He let the curtain fall back in place, leaned against the seat of the palanquin, and exhaled deeply, hoping everything wasn't already too late for Li Xian to arrive on time.
At that moment, Li Xian passed by the White Willow Temple, next to the martial arts field. Yan Shiqi, the shadow guard of the Shi Zi government, had just stopped Yan Xun's horses. Anxiously, Yan Shiqi said, "The little prince of the former city is riding at the head of the Song army. They are bringing troops to besiege the Shi Zi manor. Zhuge Huo Yao, the grandfather of the Zhuge family, along with their pro-army, has already rushed to the other Zhuge households. They're on their way here now."
Yan Xun frowned and replied coldly, "Is the Xiaoqi camp following them? Have the Zhuge family elders been informed?"
A loud shout came from behind, along with the sound of galloping horses. A young boy, clearly panicked, cried out, "They're catching up!"
Yan Xun remained calm. "How many are there? Are any of Zhuge Yue's people among them?"
"No," the boy stammered, snow covering his hood. "I saw Captain Wei Shu Yuo with the team."
"Wei family?" Yan Xun's eyebrows furrowed. "When did the Wei and Zhuge families start working together? And how did the news spread to Wei Jiajun so quickly?"
He glanced down at Chu Qiao, sitting in front of him, and frowned. "Star girl, did you provoke the Wei family?"
Chu Qiao, her brows knitted in thought, shook her head firmly. "Not that I know of."
"Hmm... strange," Yan Xun murmured, his mind churning.
Chu Qiao looked at him and said, "This is my doing. You don't need to get involved."
Yan Xun, surprised by her serious tone despite her youthful appearance, smiled faintly but remained silent for a moment before saying, "Star girl, I'm just curious. I won't let you be taken away. If heads roll today, it will be the world sharpening its axe. Tell me the truth while we still have time."
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow and calmly replied, "Castle Peak remains unchanged. We will meet again, as we have today. They want to catch me, but it won't be easy. I'm alone and a small target. You should avoid being dragged into this. I don't want you involved."
Yan Xun's eyes gleamed as he threw a piercing look at her. Chu Qiao, undeterred, dismounted her horse and said, "Yan Xun, I should go. You and I are of different status, but you have helped me many times. I will remember this friendship. If I ever have the chance, I will repay you."
Yan Xun chuckled softly but said nothing. Chu Qiao noticed his odd expression but didn't dwell on it. She still found it shocking that Zhuge Yue had alerted the Wei army and Xiaoqi camp so quickly. In a city this large, she thought, there must be a way to remain hidden.
The child adjusted her tightly fitted dress one last time before turning toward the open street, her body tense.
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves thundered behind her. Yan Xun's laughter echoed warmly. "I don't believe I can't protect you, little star girl. Come, we're returning to Yanbei tonight. I'd like to see how Wei and the Xiaoqi generals fare!"
With a crack of the whip, they sped toward the city gates.
"To the world!" shouted Feng Shuijiao and Yan Shiqi excitedly.
Yan Shiqi quickly turned back to organize the troops and horses, as Yan Xun led them out of the city.
Over the horizon, the north wind howled as more than a hundred horses raced through the long street, waking the sleeping residents of Huang Cheng. But no one dared investigate, shutting their doors and windows tightly, fearing the coming storm.
Yan Xun, riding ahead, gave a sharp hand signal to halt the group as they approached Wei Zhao road. His cold eyes scanned the officers ahead. Yan Shiqi, at the front of the group, shouted, "We are from Yanbei! Why is the road blocked?"
A lively voice responded, "I am the lieutenant general of the Northern Army Corps, under orders to seal the road."
Yan Xun's brow furrowed. "Who dares block my way?"
Another voice, soft yet harsh, cut through the night. A man in blue and white pants, adorned with jade and precious stones, emerged from the crowd. His white horse stood tall beneath the torchlight. Smiling, he said, "Yan Shizi, tonight is unfortunate. I have the Feng Sheng circular letter. No one can leave the city tonight."
Yan Xun smiled faintly, then coldly ordered, "Kill, no amnesty."
"Is Wei Shu on tour?" Yan Xun, trying to downplay the encounter, raised an eyebrow. His tone lifted slightly, though not consciously. Behind him, Chu Qiao's horse shifted, her brows furrowed in thought. She instinctively stepped forward. Yan Xun, holding the whip, subtly blocked her path without giving away his intentions. Chu Qiao, irritated by his actions, made faces behind his back. Wearing her Yan Wei uniform, her heart warmed. She gazed up at Yan Xun's tall, straight back. Although several troops blocked her direct view, she felt a growing warmth, as if the coldness of the night had become something more precious.
"Moreover, if I recall correctly, the world's sacred circular letter states that no one leaves the city until tomorrow morning."
Yan Xun chuckled and said smoothly, "The world misses his mother, and tonight, she will be out of the city."
"Isn't it the world's duty to honor his familial ties? Yet it seems the world should be troubled at this moment, should he not?" Wei Gongzi, meaning 'son of nobility,' asked, implying Yan Xun should be preoccupied with his obligations rather than leaving.
"Seriously?" Yan Xun replied, his tone dripping with irony. "Wei Gongzi should allow this 'whimsical youngster' to fulfill his filial duty. Should I not sleep well tonight, with honor given to my forebears?"
"Is that so?" Wei Shu responded in his soft, almost feminine voice. He smiled gently. "In that case, Yan Shizi, you may have to sleep here tonight."
"Enough with your pretenses. Even when we pass at any time, whether for hunting or other matters, who dares block the road? Wei Master, traveling parallel to Yan Shiba and Wei Zhao road, wouldn't you know better? When did you pick your battles to lead to bloodshed?"
"The battle is Sheng Jin Gong's potential," a low voice suddenly echoed from behind. Yan Xun and his men turned to see two groups arriving, led by General Ma Hao. Wei Shu Ye, dressed in green fur, stared coldly at them. Beside him was Zhuge Huai, his face devoid of any friendly expression, as cold as ice.
"The Feng Sheng circular letter is clear," Zhuge Huai stated. "Yan Bei Kang Prince, who refuses to leave, sits at the center of the battle road. Together with his vigilant troops, he stirs rebellion and conspiracy. The special forces of the Northern Wei Army, led by Major General Wei Shu Ye, are here under court orders. Kang Prince squats in meditation, refusing to leave, and Zhuge Huai's court cannot bear to arrest him under their custody."
As his voice faded, a flash of silver suddenly illuminated the road. Goosebumps rippled across the troops as the sound of swift swords being drawn echoed around them. Both Yan and Wei's men were stunned. The swords moved rapidly, positioning themselves to protect Yan Xun.
"Hi!" Chu Qiao pulled out her crossbow from her waist and moved forward to Yan Xun's right side. "Looks like they're all here for you."
Yan Xun's initial shock slowly faded, though anger simmered beneath his calm exterior. Without turning, he addressed Chu Qiao coldly, still focused on the men in front of him. "I'm sorry. You're involved."
"Oh, glad to hear you admit it now," Chu Qiao smiled softly. "Tomorrow's news will be tomorrow's news. Let's finish this battle, then we'll settle the score."
That night, the street turned into a bloodbath. As they moved to Jiuwei's main street, yet another fight broke out. The metallic taste of blood soon filled the air and slowly dissipated as the chaos ebbed away.
The north wind howled, sealing the snowy night. Once again, blood dripped from the swords of those who fought under the moonlit sky.