Published at 5th of October 2018 09:13:35 PM
Chapter 77
Chapter 77: Young Lover
His warm breath wormed its way from Chen Rong’s ear into her heart, bringing with it a grassy scent that seemed to dissolve her .
Her legs buckled . Ashamed and angry, she watched the mayor of Mo’yang walking away as she took a quick inhale to bark at Wang Hong: “Let me go!”
She elbowed him when he did not comply and again told him to let her go after he gave a grunt .
Wang Hong slightly squinted his eyes at her while clutching his stomach . Then, he raised a lock of her hair to his nose and took a whiff .
He was about to say something when, below the walls, thundering drums drowned out all other sounds and brought with them a deadly air .
Wang Hong gently took hold of Chen Rong’s hand . “I had thought that Ah Rong wasn’t afraid of death,” he said to her with a smile . “It’s all right, don’t be afraid,” he next told her, his voice having softened like mellow spring .
Startled, Chen Rong quickly broke away and turned her head from him .
She saw the Hu slowly retreating to the sides below the walls like a receding tide, making a clear path .
A masked general appeared in the open space . Behind him, a powerful army ceremoniously knelt down on either of his sides .
All Chen Rong could see was rows upon rows of soldiers . Her heart suddenly sank . She placed her hand over her chest and found it the only way she could bring her rampantly pounding heart back down . It certainly appeared that these Hu were united as one! Were the so-called flaws in the past still really there?
At this time, Wang Hong’s light voice sounded beside her: “He is Murong Ke, the Xianbei’s God of War . ”
When he didn’t hear Chen Rong’s response, he couldn’t help but turn around .
He was made to see Chen Rong’s ashen face, empty eyes, and lips that were tightly drawn into a line . Down below, the Hu soldiers rose to their feet at Murong Ke’s wave of the hand .
The Xianbei general gazed up at the walls, his eyes translucent behind his mask .
No matter where he was or how many people were around, Wang Hong always seemed to attract attention with ease . Murong Ke only needed to shift his gaze before he found him .
Meanwhile, Chen Rong cast a glance to see that Wang Hong was also looking down at Murong Ke with a smile .
This strange smile was entirely different from his usually nonchalant and gentle expression . It has seemed threatening to her .
Nobody knew whether Murong Ke had seen Wang Hong’s expression . He merely looked up and quietly appraised the man who stood like an unmoving pine in the wind, as airy as a celestial being .
After a while, Murong Ke withdrew his gaze, waved his hand and whispered something to his generals . They spoke quietly and at a far distance that no one could really hear what they said .
“Let’s go,” said Wang Hong at this point .
He flapped his sleeves and took the lead to descend the fortress wall .
Chen Rong briefly dithered before picking up her pace to follow him .
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She blindly followed him with her head down as she tried to recall the details she had heard in the past .
Wang Hong stayed ahead and did not say anything .
At length, the beating of drums sounded .
Chen Rong looked up .
She only now realized she had followed him to the streets in town . Mo’yang was surprisingly quiet at present . Even when they saw the occasional pedestrians, these people’s faces would be clouded by restlessness as they hurriedly came and went on the streets that were guarded by marching soldiers .
Chen Rong gave the surroundings a scan before turning her attention back to Wang Hong .
He was still walking in front of her .
In the bright daylight and at such a perilous time, his figure remained straight and tall, clothed entirely in white and enveloped by an air of transcendent unworldliness .
Chen Rong watched him, her lips quivering .
Wang Hong chose this moment to turn around .
His eyes were exceedingly transparent under the sun . He looked at Chen Rong and said with a faint smile, “You’ve been preoccupied ever since we met again . May I know what it is that’s on your mind?”
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Chen Rong didn’t have a chance to open her mouth . A burst of rapid hooves was fast approaching them .
“Wang Qilang!” a loud cry woke Chen Rong from her reverie .
A young captain was galloping forth . After he pulled his horse to an urgent stop, he raised his clasped hands toward Wang Hong and relayed: “Sun Yan is looking for you . ”
He glanced at Chen Rong who stood next to Wang Hong . Almost at once, he frowned and ironically smiled: “Only you scholars would still be traipsing around with a lover boy at a time like this . ”
As soon as these words were said, Wang Hong heard a sharp draw of breath next to him .
He slightly tilted his head .
At his side, Chen Rong’s face had reddened . She shot daggers at the young captain and eventually drew her lips into a tight line .
Wang Hong outstretched his hand to lightly press a slender finger on Chen Rong’s lips .
After successfully stiffening her, he turned around, smiled at the young captain and replied, “We should go, in that case . ”
When he finished, he was the first to leave .
The captain alighted from his horse, caught up to him and said, “Murong Ke is here . Qilang, do you think he’ll begin the attack tonight?”
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From the front, Wang Hong’s airy voice sounded: “Tonight? He won’t . ”
He sounded rather certain .
“Why not?” asked the young captain in surprise .
They talked as they walked, going farther and farther until their figures disappeared around the corner . Only then did Chen Rong stomp on the ground in vexation and made a sound, flushing and gnashing her teeth all the while . But her voice was small and vague, and never did form a complete sentence .
After fuming for a time, Chen Rong turned around .
She kept her head down while limply walking back to the mayor’s estate .
She had scarcely entered the front door when she heard Old Shang’s voice: “Miss . ”
Worry was apparent on his face . “Miss, you and Wang Qilang…” he began . He then sighed and murmured: “The city will soon fall . There are only a few more days for indulgences . If you like him, then do as you please . ”
Chen Rong didn’t expect to hear such a suggestion from the ever old-fashioned and loyal Old Shang .
She was so infuriated that her small face flamed red . She opened her mouth to curse, but then closed it up, flapped her sleeves, and whipped around to go inside .
She stopped after five paces, whirled back and shouted at Old Shang: “Prepare the carriage . I’m going to see General Sun . ”