Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty, Chapter 37: Into the cage
Yan Xun and Chu Qiao went for a ride. It was like a VIP Mercedes-Benz gliding through the open snow—a classic scene.
"Star girl, come with me to Yanbei!" Yan Xun said.
"No," Chu Qiao replied.
The boy laughed. "No? Let's see where you can run this time."
The horses trotted peacefully across the plains, the wind howling over the land, with thunderous hooves crashing behind them like a distant storm. Chu Qiao blushed, grabbing Yan Xun's arm, and coldly said, "Are you insane? You're still being chased, and yet you came back?"
Yan Xun, unfazed, laughed. "Don't worry. What matters is returning to Yanbei. Forget about the Wei family. If you want to travel with us, it's no big deal."
Chu Qiao frowned and frequently glanced back. Seeing Yan Xun's soldiers forming ranks, she bit her lower lip, watching the terrain nervously. "Are you crazy? Everyone is after your head, and you dared to return?"
Yan Xun raised his brow and, still smiling, said, "If I hadn't come back, you might be dead by now."
Chu Qiao's eyes stung with emotion. She looked at Yan Xun's smooth, youthful face. He was still a child, barely old enough to grow a beard, seemingly unaware of life and death. Some kids really were clueless. Yan Xun laughed and joked, "How could you move so slowly and calmly? You're still young. Who knows what you'll be like when you grow up. Or maybe... would you follow me and see?"
"Yanbei rebel! Dismount and surrender!" a voice shouted from the distance.
The ground suddenly trembled as if drunk, with the sound of hooves approaching. Yan Xun raised his brow, grinning. "Looks like we're in trouble." He flicked the whip and spurred the horse forward, faster than before.
The dark armor of the soldiers gleamed in the night, especially among the mountainous terrain. The pounding hooves sounded like a distant thunderstorm, with snowflakes rising like the spray from an avalanche. The earth trembled as if ancient creatures beneath the ground were awakening.
With a tough, iron-hard expression, Yan Xun's beautiful eyes locked onto the horizon as he shouted. His horse responded immediately, kicking into a full gallop. Behind them, the chasing soldiers were soon left far behind.
"Haha!" Yan Xun laughed heartily. The Yanbei soldiers, though composed, couldn't help but glance back and smile at the astonished Wei soldiers. They were clearly outmatched. "The Wei soldiers need an eye-opener," Yan Xun said, grinning like a wolf.
The voice faded as the Yanbei cavalry rode fiercely across the plains. Their horses, fast and fierce, moved with reflexive precision. The platoon leaders let out loud, crisp whistles, their calls echoing across the distance. But suddenly, the horses faltered and stopped. Their powerful bodies, normally roaring with energy, were brought to a halt as if a great king had ordered them to stop.
Chu Qiao breathed heavily. A small book thief named Feng Shuigiao appeared, smiling as he explained, "Our Yanbei horses are the kings of mountain steeds. They aren't like wild wolves. They're trained to respond to danger and help their riders. These noble steeds, gifted to the sons of Yanbei, are not just fast but loyal. Even those who have never been on a battlefield remain fearless."
The Yanbei soldiers laughed heartily, and amidst the chanting, Yan Xun stood tall in his large Qiu robe, facing the north wind.
"Back to Yanbei!" Yan Xun shouted.
"Back to Yanbei!" the soldiers echoed, laughing.
The horses galloped away, snow swirling in the air. The dark sky overhead framed the Yanbei soldiers as they disappeared into the distance.
Suddenly, Chu Qiao sensed danger, her instincts honed by years of surviving life-threatening situations. A sharp wind whistled through the night, bringing with it a deadly force. Without thinking, Chu Qiao punched Yan Xun in the lower abdomen. He doubled over in pain, stunned by the unexpected blow. He barely had time to react before a crossbow bolt flew past, cutting through the air where he had been sitting.
"Yan Xun!" Chu Qiao screamed, trying to control her horse. But it was too late. The horse, in a full sprint, wouldn't stop. Chu Qiao, desperate, leaped from the saddle, rolling in the snow before landing on her feet.
"Yan Xun!" She rushed over, moving like a small, agile leopard. By the time she reached him, Yan Xun had managed to stagger upright. "Are you okay?" she asked, gripping his shoulder.
Yan Xun's eyes were cold. "I'm not dead," he replied curtly.
Suddenly, a hail of arrows filled the sky. Chu Qiao quickly deflected one with a dagger. Yanbei soldiers fought valiantly, but they were surrounded. A man in a black fur coat, the Seventh Prince of Wei, Zhao Che, appeared with a hunting torch, his expression filled with ruthless determination.
Zhao Che's men closed in, aiming swords at Yan Xun and Chu Qiao. "Take them," Zhao Che commanded.
"What about the rest?" an attendant asked quietly.
"They've committed treason. Kill them all," Zhao Che ordered coldly.
The Wei soldiers unleashed a hail of arrows, and the Yanbei soldiers, who had laughed just moments before, fell in the snow, their bodies piling up.
Yan Xun, barely holding on, pulled Chu Qiao close to him. "Star girl, I'm sorry," he said weakly, still managing a sad smile.
"Don't say that!" Chu Qiao replied. "We'll make it out of this."
Yan Xun, still holding her tightly, whispered, "I'll protect you."
As the night deepened, the moon shone down on a lone warhorse in the distance, where Zhuge Yue silently watched the scene unfold. He lowered his crossbow and, despite everything, stayed for a long time before finally turning away.
By morning, the news had spread across the empire. Yan Xun, the Crown Prince of Yanbei, had been captured.
The sun rose on a triumphant empire.
Afterthoughts:
This chapter paints a vivid picture of loyalty, danger, and defiance. Yan Xun's unwavering resolve to protect Chu Qiao, even in the face of death, reveals his deep sense of responsibility and affection. Despite being hunted, Yan Xun's spirit remains unbroken, reflecting his resilience and leadership, traits that set him apart from others. Chu Qiao, on the other hand, showcases her resourcefulness and instincts for survival, highlighting her development into a strong, capable individual. Their bond, forged in the heat of battle, is tested in this chapter as they face overwhelming odds. The tension builds with each moment, leading to the capture of Yan Xun, setting the stage for further conflict and growth in their journey.