Hello Pricess and Stia! Here’s the update you’ve been waiting for. As we know this part ends the second chapter. Two new male characters are introduced. Gu Yun meets one of them in a dramatic, violent way! A little bit of the mystery surrounding Bing Lian is also unveiled. Let’s find out.
Chapter 2: The military training ground of the mighty army, Part 5 of 5
She gently pushed the door open, no one was inside. Shrugging her shoulders she wanted to leave, suddenly Gu Yun somewhat longed to see Bing Lian again, that’s indeed a good sword which makes people yearn to hold it again. Since the courtyard was empty, taking a look at it should be fine, right?
Stepping inside the courtyard, Gu Yun quickly entered the room which she left before, spotlessly white as jade the long sword still hangs on the wall, shining cold silvery light from top to bottom. Gu Yun stood on her tiptoes, the tip of her hands barely reaching Bing Lian, suddenly a cold light streaked across the sword. Gu Yun greatly alarmed, quickly dodged sideways, peng, with a loud thud, the solid wooden chair below was split in half.
A halberd
(image from runescape.wikia.com)
In a second she looked up and saw a nearly two meters tall man came, his thick and broad stature resembles a big mountain, his hands holding a double-edged halberd[1] wielding it like a tiger born with might. Gu Yun glanced around the broken wooden chair, she cannot help but be inwardly scared, this man’s arm strength is good and powerful! In the same manner the heavy wooden chair was hacked into two, if she too will be hit by his long halberd, absolutely her muscles and bones will break into smithereens.
“A bold thief, so brazen to dare steal a sword from the General’s room!” Han Shu’s loud and clear voice shook a person’s eardrums such that it left the ears with a growing buzzing echo.
Gu Yun stepped backwards, explaining: “I’m not here to steal the sword.” Who is this man? She did not seem to have seen him in the General Manor!
Hearing clearly Gu Yun’s voice, the man knitted his brow, he was just preparing to go to the training ground today to take a look at the actual drill of the new battle field formation of Lieutenant General Su, however he accidentally discovered a fleeing man dressed in black, a small thief sneaking into the general’s courtyard. Following closely he came in to look, sure enough, exactly as he expected, the man was ready to steal the general’s precious sword. But, who knew that the small burglar is actually a woman.
Pointing to Gu Yun, the man shouted loud: “Still daring to quibble, considering you’re a woman, obediently surrender, I may spare your life.”
Gu Yun disdainfully and coldly snorted: “What a joke!” He not distinguishing between right and wrong, prior to putting his hand into something, rude afterwards, and now spouting rhetoric!
Gu Yun’s words enraged the man, his face darkened, allowing no explanation, again he heaved the long halberd in his hands facing Gu Yun he advanced to strike.
Bing Lian
(photo taken from pinterest.com)
Anticipating beforehand that he would strike again, while she was speaking a moment ago Gu Yun has already shifted her position, lightly jumped up, skillfully holding Bing Lian’s cold scabbard with one hand, another hand gripping the sword hilt, gently drawing out, in the wake of it a light sound like that of a shrill cry of a dragon, the gorgeous white sword blade jerked out of its sheath.
She had long admired this sword, even though she cannot possess it, but to be able to fight alongside with it just for once is also not bad!
Gu Yun’s mood in high spirits, the sword in her hand seemed to be somewhat responsive in a way, grasping across the sword hilt, she lifted her arm, the sparkling white blade interlocked with the long halberd, crisp and sharp collision sound emanated, Gu Yun at first felt her arm sinking, but soon the feeling of heaviness disappeared, this man’s strike, his force is absolutely no less inferior to Su Yu’s with his broad single-edged sword, however this time around she did not feel the slightest amount of either pain or numbness in her hand!
The man rocked by a formidable force fell several steps back, just a moment ago for a split second he felt a current of chill encroaching his heart through the halberd! Did he imagine it? The man unwilling to give up brandished again the halberd heading towards the chest of Gu Yun. She was ready this second time, calmly raising the sword in her chest, she faced him and swept away a great swing, instead of defending she countered to attack. The long sword actually got along with her, its icy cold, powerful energy came round and attacked! The sword’s power is excellent and strong! The man was stunned, he hastily leaped back, embarrassed he dodged away, who knew the small young woman, unexpectedly has fine sword-wielding skills.
Gu Yun was also stumped for words, the sword in her hands she can wield so effortlessly, like floating clouds and flowing waters [natural and unforced], she can even feel its excitement! How could this be?
A pool of clear water from a deep, clear spring, a not very calm lake in front, an unobtrusive wooden pavilion stood to the side of it. Inside the pavilion, strewn on a simple, small stone table were a few jugs of wine of varying sizes. Two men sat opposite each other, a man in blue clothes sitting on one side, his ice-cold face without expression, his attention only on the wine cup in his hands. Across him, was a man in red clothes, his skin is white, his flesh resembling snow, his hair dark as lacquer, lightly swiveling around his wine cup, his face wore a faint smile, he appeared to be deeply enjoying the scenery around.
They sipped their respective wines, as if the two men were ordinarily not acquainted with each other until the red sword held by the man in blue robes sent out dazzling silvery light all over its red body, the blade also kept vibrating. The red-clad man glanced down at the incessantly trembling long sword, and laughed: “Chi Xue[2] seems to be not very contented with its lot, as if protesting against your dispirited loafing about, it’s been too long since it has been brought on the battlefield.”
Su Ling’s eagle eyes narrowed slightly, he whispered back: “Bing Lian.” Chi Xue during times of danger or excitement only emits a red light, if it emits a white light like now there is only one reason, Bing Lian is communicating with it, Bing Lian is acting strange.
Bing Lian? His normally foxy, slim eyes filled with banter, the thin lips of his friend, Mu Yi, curved up, clicking his tongue he laughed: “Is it not always hanging inside your room? It is acting strange, you’re still unhappy to go back, if by some misfortune your manor is looted that’s a small matter, but if Bing Lian disappears, that would be something big! Consider at that time how you will account for its disappearance to your family’s old codgers.”
The Su family has this very funny tradition, legend has it that Chi Xue and Bing Lian are a pair of ancient swords, one is male (sun/Yang/fire), and the other female (moon/Yin/ice), the Chi Xue sword is given to the firstborn son of the Su family, from the moment he is born the sword stays by his side. In the hearts of the Su family elders, only the woman who Bing Lian recognizes as its master qualifies to become the eldest son’s wife, the daughter-in-law of the Su family. This shows the importance of the sword, if Bing Lian disappears, Su Ling now certainly could not find his predestined wife!
Draining his cup of wine in one gulp, Su Ling sneered, “best if it is stolen!” He himself would choose his own wife, when is it a sword’s turn to control him? Mu Yi softly whistled, asked what he already knew in his mind: “So you are not going to go back?”
Naturally he must return, not everyone can touch Bing Lian, it is acting so strange, he feared that something has occurred in the General Manor! His tall, slender body quickly got up. Mu Yi had already anticipated earlier that Su Ling will not disregard the safety of the General Manor, he picked up the recently opened good wine of Kaifeng on the table, poured wine on his cup to the brim, it seems that this jug of top-notch fine wine he alone can enjoy it.
He calmly put down the wine jug, swiftly a pair of big hands took the wine jug, his motion rapid to stuff it with a wooden cork.
“What are you doing?” Mu Yi’s heart suddenly had a bad premonition. Sure enough, Su Ling picked up Chi Xue, carrying the wine jug, he went out of the pavilion, lightly jumped and treaded into the water, holding the wine jug he placed it in the mouth of the spring, underneath a stone recess. “As soon as I come back I will drink it again.” Leaving such succinct words, natural and unrestrained he quickly left.
Mu Yi did not know whether to laugh or cry, this despicable fellow is certain he would not get his clothes wet for a jug of wine just now took the good wine and stashed it away in the water. This man is born exceedingly sly, is born exceedingly overbearing! After all these years, not only has he not changed, as a matter of fact he has gone worse, he cannot wait to see Su Ling fall in the hands of a woman!
Su Ren walked outside of the room, as soon as he heard sounds of fighting coming from Su Ling’s room, he hurried over and came inside, the sight that greeted his eyes greatly astonished him. His utter amazement was neither because of the two people sparring nor the mess they’ve created in the room, but that Bing Lian is unexpectedly in the hands of Qing Mo! On closer look, Qing Mo is not highly-skilled with the sword, but it seemed as if Bing Lian is a part of her body, the person and the sword as one, displaying the maximum formidable power of the person and the sword, the tall Han Shu obviously had no chance, he dodged away from them in defeat.
Could it be that Qing Mo is the chosen one of Bing Lian? Is it really her? Su Ren’s profound eyes calmly watched the fierce, petite woman, if she is, then it does not seem too bad.
A whiff of cold air suddenly wafted in the room, the startled Su Ren finally recovered his composure, chuckled and said: “Stop otherwise, this house will be torn down by both of you.”
Han Shu already having retreated away earlier, Gu Yun was admiring the sharp cutting edge of Bing Lian, when Su Ren came and spoke, Gu Yun was already putting down the sword. Looking at the trail of devastation left in the room, Gu Yun felt also somewhat embarrassed, nevertheless Su Ren did not seem to mind the mess, his eyes fixed on Bing Lian in Gu Yun’s hands, he laughed: “What do you think of this sword?”
Gu Yun voiced out her satisfaction, she praised: “Very sharp.”
“And?” Su Ren continued to ask.
Gu Yun regarded Bing Lian’s spotlessly white sword blade, smiled and said: “Very beautiful.”
“Don’t you think it’s cold?” Just standing on its side, Su Ren felt already the surge of biting coldness, did she not feel it?
Cold?! Gu Yun fondly stroked the long sword, the slight cool feeling is very comfortable. She shook her head, amused she replied: “Cold is gross exaggeration! The most one could say is that it is a little cool. In the summer it is just right!”
She just felt it a little cool! Su Ren inwardly sighed, it appears that she really is the chosen mistress of Bing Lian.
Casting a quick sidelong glance at the panting person, standing in the sides, yet not forgetting to glare at the tall, strong man, Gu Yun asked: “Who is this boorish fellow?”
She called him a boorish fellow? Han Shu was just about to flip out, Su Ren’s neither light nor heavy words straightaway stupefied him.
“Sister-in-law, he is the big brother’s trusted second-in-command, Han Shu.”
“Sister-in-law?” Han Shu stood stiff on the spot, his eyes almost popped out. The general got married? How come they were not aware of it?
“Su Ren, what’s wrong with you?” Gu Yun’s brow twisted, since when did she become his sister-in-law?
Su Ren with a look of confirmation on his face replied: “You are currently placed in the manor as the only woman of eldest brother, if you are not the general’s lady, then who are you?” The most important thing is that you are the chosen mistress of Bing Lian, who dares to say that you are not the general’s wife?!
“I do not have any relationship with Su Ling, you should not spread rumors!”
Su Ren shrugged his shoulders, his face with an ambiguous expression on it he replied: “This will have to wait until eldest brother returns, both of you will carefully deliberate on the matter, and how will outsiders like us know the truth of this situation?”
Damn it! Su Ren is so sure, she dreads he is not a man who talks randomly! Taking a deep breath, Gu Yun told herself to remain calm, to talk more about this matter to him is pointless. Gu Yun placed the long sword in her hands on top of a low, small table, the only one left undamaged, she did not want to start talking about it, immediately spoke of the things she wanted, “I need fifty ten-feet long thick hemp ropes, five hundred daggers, get them ready for me tomorrow morning before mao shi[3].”
“Tomorrow morning?” Is it really that urgent?
Gu Yun who was already in foul mood, after hearing his hesitation, replied bluntly: “Does the entire Su family army lack even these basic supplies?”
“You…” Unable to bear her arrogant countenance, Han Shu roared again, however Su Ren’s hand stopped him, Su Ren just listened to her, politely smiled and said: “We do have them. Certainly these will be delivered tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks.” Expressing gratitude completely lacking in sincerity, Gu Yun turned around and left.
Su Ren gazed at the long sword lying on the low, small table, his eyes twinkled, facing the departing back of Gu Yun he cried out: “This sword! If you like, you can take it with you.” Gu Yun’s footsteps halted, without turning around, nonchalantly retorted: “A gentleman who does not take things forcibly is a good person, but I would appreciate it if the things are delivered on time tomorrow in the forest.”
Considering her totally disinterested words, her figure leaving casually, Su Ren is inwardly stumped for words, to his knowledge and experience there has not been anyone who ignores sharp Bing Lian afterwards, but also one who does not get puzzled by it! Seriously, is she really this carefree and easygoing?
Taking note of Su Ren’s deferential treatment to Qing Mo, Han Shu is somewhat convinced now, that the arrogant woman is indeed the general’s wife, recalling her words before she left, Han Shu asked: “She wants so much ropes and daggers, what for?”
Su Ren thoughtlessly replied: “She and the third brother have a competition in training new army recruits, it will last for half a month.”
“Training soldiers with ropes and daggers?” Han Shu stared blankly for a moment, then he laughed out loud, “I admit her martial arts is indeed not weak, but to practice martial arts and to train soldiers are two quite different things, how can a woman possibly train soldiers?” Dismissing Gu Yun, Han Shu is now more interested in the silvery white sword, after all it is a precious weapon, unexpectedly it was so ferocious.
Su Ren turned around, just in time to catch sight of Han Shu reaching out his hand to Bing Lian, immediately he yelled: “Do not touch it!” Unfortunately it was still too late, Han Shu has already grabbed the scabbard.
“Ah…” After a blood-curdling screech, peng, Bing Lian fell to the ground.
“So icy! So icy!” Han Shu stared disbelievingly at his already red, frost-bitten hands, at a loss he looked inquiringly to Su Ren, bewildered he asked: “Why was she all right holding it?” She even held it for a long time, remarking it was only a bit cool!
Su Ren went to the bed, folded the silk bedding into a thick pad, walked beside Bing Lian and picked it up, quickly he hanged it back on the wall, even in this way, he still felt the bitter coldness, his ten fingers were frozen stiff. Gently rubbing his fingers, Su Ren faintly replied: “Perhaps it is – a will of heaven!”
Bing Lian is acting strange this time, Chi Xue must have already sensed it, right? For the first time Su Ren is hoping that big brother returns home in a hurry.
[1] Halberd – a long-handled weapon with pointed tip and crescent blade, a combined spear and battle-ax
[2] Chi Xue (赤血) lit. means red blood; in the novel referring to the fire sword of Su Ling
[3] Mao shi – between 5-7 am in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in ancient times in China