Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty, Chapter 034: Snowbound Returnees
by Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
"Big Brother!" Wei Shu Ye shouted, raising his brow as he rode his horse toward Wei Shu Yuo.
A sharp whispering sound cut through the sky like a bolt of lightning. A meteor-like flash of poised arrows was released from Wei Shu Ye's bow, accurate and steady. Aiming with his right eye, he fired. The arrow was swift, hungry for blood. His head was filled with fury as mournful cries echoed through the sky. Wei Shu Ye skillfully jumped, though his landing was slightly awkward, standing on the snow under the dark night.
A child squatted on the ground, holding a dagger in her left hand, the blade pointed at Wei Shu Yuo's neck. In her right hand, she gripped a crossbow, the tip resting on Wei Shu Yuo's shoulder and aimed at Wei Shu Ye's forehead. With a quick motion, she used her mouth to set an arrow, her arm moving with precision. Her expression remained calm, her eyes cold as she addressed Wei Shu Ye, "Major General, for that random kindness you showed me in Carpe Myrtle Square, this arrow will not kill you. Consider it a debt repaid. But the next arrow will not be so kind, and it will not miss its mark. For your own sake, I advise you to stay back."
All eyes were on her, astonished by both her actions and words directed at the Major General. The snow-filled night was silent, as if frozen in time. Thousands of Huang Cheng soldiers—most of them elite fighters—along with the royal family and the empire's best generals, stared in disbelief at this child, who was no taller than three feet. She wore an oversized soft leather armor, a blue leather collar protecting her thin face. Her large, pitch-black eyes and small nose gave her an innocent appearance, while her lips were pursed in slight anger. Her frail arms seemed like they could be twisted off with little effort. Despite her fragile appearance, she radiated a sharp, deadly aura that defied expectation.
Contrary to her looks, the child standing below Wei Shu Ye's waist had taken his breath away, breaking through the fortified gates of the Wei family and defeating their elite forces. Using her cunning mind to exploit their weaknesses, she squatted there, fearless in the face of thousands of soldiers, the elders' judgments, and the might of the Great Summer Empire. Her cold expression and calm demeanor, with the major general's brother as her hostage, left everyone paralyzed.
This was the first time Chu Qiao faced the might of the Great Summer Dynasty. Despite the emperor's vast armies and elite forces, her goal was simple: to escape with Yan Xun and lead his men back to their families in Yanbei.
A brief treaty was born from the tension. "Put down your weapons and open the gates. I won't say it twice." Her voice was low as her eyes scanned the crowd. She turned her body, and the crossbow followed. Her gaze, sharp and bloodthirsty, slid over the crowd like a predator surveying its prey.
"Your hands!" Wei Shu Yuo shouted, unable to tolerate being used as a pawn to breach the Wei stronghold. With noble defiance, he raised his head, even as the knife grazed his neck. "Finish—!"
Before he could complete his sentence, there was a sharp "shak" as two of his fingers were severed by the child. His scream pierced the night. Since the founding of the Great Summer Dynasty, no young official had ever suffered such a fate.
The child's voice, cold and mocking, said, "Listen to orders, or face the consequences. Wei Da Gongzi, you have two choices: shut your mouth or lose your neck."
Her eyes moved to Wei Shu Ye, and with a sneer, she continued, "If your brother dies, you can take his place. Is that what you want? Would you rather play by the rules or let this one die?"
"Untouchable!" Wei Shu Ye spat, swearing under his breath. "We choose our brother. You don't need to provoke the nobles anymore."
The child smiled, her dagger still at Wei Shu Yuo's neck, as if enjoying the moment. Her smile, filled with evil charm, was far from the innocent expression of an eight-year-old.
As Wei Shu Yuo was tied up, the child's technique in knotting the rope was clever. If he moved, he would harm himself. It was in his best interest to remain still.
"Off we go!" The child's voice was cold and indifferent, as if nothing had happened. She turned to Wei Da Gongzi and said, "It would trouble you to send us off with a kiss of goodbye."
The sky was thick with clouds, hiding any starlight. Even the cold moon refused to shine on this grim night.
The child did not ride a horse, but Wei Shu Yuo was taken, sitting confidently on another horse. Behind him rode Yan Xun's men, and close behind was the child, crossbow in hand, her eyes sharp and ready to strike at any moment.
"Yan Xun, shall we?"
The crown prince did not turn his head, but his voice echoed in the cold air. Yan Xun's eyes narrowed, then he chuckled, his laugh carrying a mischievous tone. He climbed lazily onto his horse, his men following as they marched forward. He did not care about the enemy soldiers. Chu Qiao led the way, a rope around Wei Shu Yuo's neck as they marched through the snowy forest. Despite her small size, her presence was not to be ignored.
The city in the north was still covered in smoke, the aftermath of the war staining the land with blood. Back in the heart of the empire, reports flooded in, revealing that Yan Xun, the son of Yan Wang, had breached the northwest gate. The elite troops of the Great Summer Dynasty had been rendered helpless, unable to restore order.
That night, history changed. A tiger had been released from its cage, and no one expected that Yan Xun would rise to become the northwest's sleeping dragon.
Zhuge Huai smiled faintly, pleased by the turn of events.
For the Zhuge family, whether Yan Shi Zi returned to Yanbei was irrelevant. What mattered was that they had failed their task of securing the Wei stronghold.
"There is no news more entertaining than this," Zhuge Huai thought, as he instructed his attendants, "Inform the fourth young master, Yue, of what happened. We must return immediately. I need to speak with him."
Zhu Yong bowed and replied, "The fourth young master left the city."
"What?" Zhuge Huai was surprised. "He left the city?"
"He rode out from the north gate with his guards, chasing after some escaped slaves."
"Escaped slaves?" Zhuge Huai frowned. "Who could be so important that he has to chase them himself?"
"It's not clear, but I will investigate."
Zhuge Huai's expression darkened. "I hope he doesn't do something foolish. We're already in a bad situation."
Half an hour later, Yan Xun smiled as he rode along the desolate ancient timber road. He ordered his men to release Wei Shu Yuo and said coldly, "I promised not to take your life. Consider it mercy. Return to the Wei family. Bring him his horse!"
Wei Shu Yuo glared at Yan Xun and his companions before turning toward Huang Cheng, disappearing into the distance.
"Releasing him wasn't part of the deal," the child's cold voice remarked. "Did you not see his eyes? He will return for revenge."
Yan Xun shook his head, watching Wei Shu Yuo fade into the snow. "It's easy to kill him, but Yan North will face conspiracy charges if we do. I can't afford that risk."
Turning to the child, Yan Xun asked, "What will you do? Zhuge Yue won't let you go so easily. He'll follow me to Yanbei."
The child smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, but I have my own plans."
Yan Xun chuckled. "You're just a child. What more could you have in mind after that performance earlier?"
Chu Qiao looked at him with piercing eyes and said, "You still think I'm a child?"
Yan Xun was momentarily surprised. He opened his mouth to argue but hesitated. This child had not acted like a child for hours. His brow furrowed as he pondered her words before finally saying, "Look at your tiny hands, your skinny arms, and small forehead. No matter what you do, you still look like a child."
Chu Qiao frowned, pushing his hand away. "Shut up."
"Hey!" Yan Xun, still playful, immediately stopped. "Is this really what you want?"
"I have to go."
"Tell me, what more can I do for you? Is there anyone bigger than me, Yan Shi Zi, who has done everything to keep you safe?" Yan Shi Zi asked, growing frustrated.
Chu Qiao turned to face him, her expression cold. "Yan Xun, you and I are not the same. We've walked a long road together, and perhaps that's enough."
Yan Xun remained silent, sitting on his horse.
"You and I... who knows what the future holds. Someday, you may become a Great King." With that, she turned her horse and rode off into the snowy field.
The stars and moon hid their light as the child rode away, her figure gradually fading into the snowy landscape. Yan Xun, still processing the moment, urged his horse forward, but it was too late. Sitting on his horse, he shouted into the night, "Hey! I swear! You will come to Yanbei to find me!"
His voice echoed through the snowy night, fading into the cold darkness.
AC Afterthoughts for Chapter:
This chapter introduces a critical confrontation between Chu Qiao and the Wei brothers, showing the complexity of power dynamics, even between adults and a child. Chu Qiao's ability to manipulate the situation, despite her fragile appearance, speaks volumes about her cunning nature and strategic mind. Her negotiation with the Wei forces, especially her cold yet calculated demeanor, sets the tone for future conflicts, hinting at larger battles to come. Additionally, the relationship between Yan Xun and Chu Qiao reveals the tension between loyalty and self-determination, with Chu Qiao slowly breaking away from the path expected of her. This chapter suggests that both characters will face significant transformations as they pursue their separate destinies.