Chapter 10
Chapter 10
“Aiya! How did the provisions get delivered so quickly?”
The canal had never been so bustling with activity before . Two fleets of ships from the north and south converged at Dayan Bay on Yang Country’s border and crowded the entire harbor . When Jin Bihui saw a flag depicting a red sun and blue seas fluttering above the southern fleet, she suddenly jumped up in delight and shouted to Shen Tiexin, “Elder Brother is here with a fleet of ships! My brother, my brother has actually delivered the provisions himself!”
The smile of the woman dressed in red was similar to fresh flowers in full bloom, colorful and alluring .
Laughing and shouting, Jin Bihui even forgot to lift her dress . That is, when she leaped out of the ship’s cabin swiftly, unexpectedly her foot landed on the front of her dress and she nearly staggered and fell . She suddenly launched into a rage, tearing off half of the front of her dress .
“Hey, hey, how come you’re still acting like this even after being married off?” Abruptly, she heard someone laughing in her ears and asking while receiving a heavy thump on her shoulder . Jin Bihui didn’t even think about it but swung her fingers around, and with a flash of snowy light between her fingers, the Water-Splitting Dagger shot out like a bolt of lightning . “Hah! It’s not like marriage is reincarnation anyway . Why do you want me to change how I act?”
Clang . That small dagger trembled slightly between the man’s rugged fingers, and the tall chestnut-skinned man suddenly laughed, “Ha! Looks like Dad finally miscalculated for once! Fifth Sister, it seems even if you’re beaten to death you’ll never change your tomboyish ways . ”
“Third Brother! Why did Dad let you come here from the South Sea?” The red-clothed woman hopped over and firmly seized her elder brother’s hand with a jubilant yell . She pressed her head against her brother’s chest like a spoiled child . The sight stupefied Vice General Shen who had come out after her . [1]
It turned out that this tall man with bronze skin tanned by the scorching sun was the Sea King’s third son . He was known as the South Sea’s King, Suanni . [2] Ever since the Sea King returned to land to rest and recuperate, his four sons inherited his maritime career . The four of them divided and took control of one side of the seas . Each of them was in charge of a fleet of ships and they all became kings . It was said that all of them were heroic and extraordinary .
“Not only am I here, but First Brother and Second Brother are all here as well!” The smile in his eyes was suddenly restrained, and he patted his little sister’s shoulder, “Don’t ask why we’re all here — You also realize, Dad is…serious this time . ”
“Serious? What serious?” Jin Bihui raised her head, unable to fathom, and looked at Third Brother’s face .
Suanni’s thick eyebrows furrowed as his hand settled on his sister’s shoulder and he said word for word, “Dad is serious about making you Empress of Li Country!”
The woman in red was suddenly alarmed and jumped away as if she had received an electric shock . She stared incredulously at her elder brother, “Are you all, are you all insane?”
“What insane… Isn’t this a very appropriate course of action? What a person Dad is! All four brothers own the four seas and even Aunt is Yang Country’s Empress Dowager . You are our younger sister . Why should you be the only one left behind?” Suanni raised his eyebrows, his gaze scornful . “It’s not as if you don’t know that Dad has always doted on you the most — This time he chose a husband for you and even wanted to give you Li Country as a dowry . ”
“Nonsense! What intentions do you all harbor in sowing discord?” Shen Tiexin finally couldn’t help but shout in anger . Such words were simply blatantly inciting the Seventh Highness to revolt against the Crown Prince! —Fortunately, the soldiers he brought with him this time were all from the left flank . If the Crown Prince’s subordinates heard about it, wouldn’t Prince Xueya be under suspicion?
“Brother, shut up! Why didn’t you all ask my opinion on such a messy arrangement?!” Jin Bihui was brusque and her hands were on her hips as she glowered at her Third Brother .
Startled, Suanni saw that his little sister was genuinely angry . He softened his tone and smiled, “Aiai… Actually, Dad is doing this for your own good—”[3] He paused and looked at the other side’s Shen Tiexin, who brimmed with hostility toward him and drew up his sword, and then said in a loud, clear voice, “General Shen, think about it calmly — Between Prince Xueya and Crown Prince Chengde, which one is the wise ruler in a chaotic world? If Xueya had been Crown Prince instead, there’s no telling if Li Country would have been unified by now!”
Shen Tiexin’s heart was also slightly moved: it wasn’t that he hadn’t had this thought before, but no matter which way he looked at it, these kinds of thoughts were treason . So every time they surfaced, he forcefully suppressed them .
“I tell you, whether or not that guy Yan Bai is fit to be an emperor is one thing, yet whether or not he’s willing to be the emperor is another matter!” Still unyielding, Jin Bihui glared at Suanni .
Suanni burst into laughter, “No way… Little Sister, you’ve only been married for a few days and you’re already turning your arm outside?”[4]
He laughed, watching Jin Bihui’s red face as she gnashed her teeth and rolled up her sleeves to come over and beat him, but his face sank: “Wait . You guys listen to me — We were only supposed to transport provisions over this time and have no plans to move our troops yet . Yet, do you know why First Brother and Second Brother aren’t present at the moment?”
“Why?” Jin Bihui was startled and inadvertently asked .
Suanni gazed at the northern horizon and slowly said, “Yesterday, late at night, I received a message via a carrier pigeon from a spy: Crown Prince Chengde is suspicious about the Seventh Prince Yan Bai and has already decided to kill him! Approximately on this day, finding an opportunity, he will kill him through the hands of the rebel army—”
Having heard this, Jin Bihui was dumbfounded . She remembered Crown Prince Chengde’s normally gentle and calm demeanor, and blurted out, “That’s absurd! It won’t!”
Suanni smirked and looked over at Shen Tiexin . His face was ashen and he didn’t retort — This battle-hardened general obviously knew that not only was this entirely possible, but also how likely it was!
Suanni placed his hand on the side of the ship and raised his eyebrows, “The matter is like putting out a fire . Last night, when the news arrived, we decided that First Brother and Second Brother would split forces and proceed north immediately . Second Brother was to avoid Ye City and head straight to the Dragon Head Plains to rescue Brother-in-law — First Brother was to head back to the sea through Li River to counterattack Fourth Imperial Uncle . Only I will be left to escort the provisions, continuing up the canal and coming to join you . ”
Jin Bihui was startled to see Third Brother’s cautious appearance and then looked at Shen Tiexin’s ashen face . Her hands slowly clenched and she was unable to say anything .
“Little Sister… you have to remember: Even if Second Brother is too late and unable to make it . Even if, even if you become a widow… your brothers won’t leave you behind . ” Suanni’s hand pressed down firmly on her shoulder and shook her heavily, his eyes pitying her .
However, seeing his sister’s eyes suddenly vacant, he was frightened and hurriedly consoled, “He will definitely make it in time! Second Brother’s actions have always been quick . He’ll definitely make it to the Dragon Head Plains in time! Don’t you be afraid… Don’t be afraid!”
“I… I’m not afraid,” Jin Bihui muttered, but her eyes slowly concentrated, as sharp as needles, “In no way am I afraid!”
With a sudden struggle, she freed herself from Suanni’s grip, took a few steps back, and flipped over the side of the ship onto the riverbank . Raising her head to look at her elder brother, she said, “Third Brother! Lend me your Dragon Horse! I’m going to Ye City!”
Swish . Yan Bai’s body instantly leaned back as the long black iron arrow shot past, but the strong wind still stabbed him painfully in the neck . His body leaned back in the saddle, but his mount didn’t stop at all and kept running full speed toward the center of the enemy’s army .
Before he could even lift his body, he once again heard two powerful whistles in the air and knew that Sun Zhiquan’s iron arrows had reached him without interruption causing him to surge with a lofty feeling in his heart . He drew the sword behind his back and observed the arrow’s incoming momentum . The sword’s blade scraped down the iron arrow’s shaft, producing an ear-piercing noise .
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Ding . A strong force rushed toward him and he only felt that his wrist had trembled . The arrow’s tail feathers had touched the blade of the sword .
The arrow was already slowing down, so he flipped up his wrist and promptly caught the arrow . Not waiting for the fourth arrow to reach him, he let out a distinct whistle, grabbed his bow by the side of his saddle, and reflected that very arrow back at Sun Zhiquan .
When Sun Zhiquan saw that the arrow was not fast in any way, he waved his whip and struck it, but the power from the arrow was surprisingly a bit strange . Unexpectedly, the arrow did not fall from this one strike, but merely veered from its original path and scraped a bloody mark on the General’s face .
Even with such an obstruction, the armored cavalry he was with had already approached tens of meters closer .
He saw the cavalryman in front darted toward him like he was flying and the air around his blade was like frost as he swept away all obstacles . Sun Zhiquan wiped the blood staining his cheeks and coldly ordered, “Pass my order, assemble two hundred archers to fire a volley at Yan Bai! As for the remaining messengers, don’t concern yourself with them!”
“Yessir!” The conveying officer at his side hurried away .
Sun Zhiquan raised his hand again and beckoned another conveying officer closer, “Order the left and right flanks to surround them and cut off their way back!”
“Yessir!”
The day was nearing noon, yet the sun was swallowed by pale yellow dust . And on the Dragon Head Plains, only the powerful wind was howling .
Iron Arrow Sun’s eyes were cold and stern — Today, within the confusion, he will behead this Prince Xueya, who’s claimed to be unmatched for the past ten years!
However, as soon as the left and right flanks moved, evidently understanding the other’s intentions, the silvery-white armored cavalryman immediately gave a command and the remaining few hundred armored cavalries noticeably increased their speed — From the very beginning, the few hundred riders displayed precise tactics: Although they were advancing at a rapid pace, their formation was not disorganized in the slightest .
The troops, though small and also constantly losing ground as they advanced, they nevertheless demonstrated astonishing strength when clustered in one place — It was as if they were a sharp sword, tearing open the mouth of the army and stabbing straight down to the heart!
When Sun Zhiquan saw the mess of flags ahead and the repeated shouts, he knew that the opponent was in the midst of rapidly nearing . And once they have broken into his own battle formation, the archers originally allocated would be of no use at all . He picked up an arrow again and shouted an order, “Troops in the front, get out of my way!”
The soldiers one after the other moved out of the way at the order . Exiting the gap, Sun Zhiquan regained sight of the white-robed, longsword-wielding youth, took a deep breath, and drew his bow .
The distance already gradually shortened more and more, and abruptly, Yan Bai leaped up from his horse, even nudging the shoulders of several soldiers around him with the tip of his feet . With a few jumps, he had secured several meters as he got closer and fell into the enemy’s formation .
Seizing the perfect opportunity the moment his figure leaped into the air, Sun Zhiquan followed the trajectory of his figure and fired in rapid succession at the powerless white-robed man in mid-air!
The black iron arrows carried a strong gale and shot straight at Yan Bai’s shoulders and his heart .
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Yan Bai swung his sword to sweep away the first arrow, but the tremendous force of the arrow still tugged at him as it swept his figure upward and he stagnated . Within a split second, two others had already reached him . He stretched out his foot to step on the slightly lower arrow and seized the opportunity to spring up, reaching out to pinch the tail feathers of the other arrow, but he was already half a beat too slow .
With a plop, that black iron arrow nailed into his waist .
Shortly after, a bright red flower blossomed on his white robe .
Sun Zhiquan laughed . And with even less hesitation, he took his bow and launched a series of shots, but he was suddenly startled — Just now, he merely lowered his head to take out the arrow, and when he looked around between the fluttering flags, he suddenly lost the white-robed, white armored shadow!
After estimating the remaining distance between them when he last shot at Yan Bai, he suddenly knew it was not good . Right away, he spurred his horse to go back but suddenly heard the of the wind whistling in his ears—
He turned his head in horror and saw the young white-robed general appearing as if from underground . He killed a cavalryman with a single slash of his sword, pushed the corpse off the horse, and sat on it himself . Fishing for the cavalryman’s spear in passing, he raised his hand and hurled it over .
Sun Zhiquan had boasted about his archery skills all his life, yet at this moment, he actually didn’t have enough time to lift his bow and watched helplessly as the throwing spear roared toward him .
“Yang Ding, you can rest in peace . ”
In the instant the spear pierced into his body, Sun Zhiquan suddenly heard someone sigh softly . His eyes bulged out from the pain, and all of a sudden, he let out a dying laugh .
“I never expected! I never expected I…I would still die by your hands…” He coughed as he watched Yan Bai sweep through the chaos, his icy sword swiping toward his neck, and he just enthusiastically laughed, “But don’t, don’t think that you’ll get back alive either! —Your brother betrayed you!”
“Nonsense . ” Without hesitating at all, Yan Bai swept in, his sword in hand, and coldly severed the enemy general’s throat . His hand then stretched forward soon after and gripped the red tassel atop his helmet . Bright red blood gushed out as the head disconnected from the body . Yet, unexpectedly, he still maintained a laughing and gloating expression . [5]
With a single strike, Yan Bai swung back with his long sword and blocked the spears that greeted him . Hanging the enemy general’s head on the side of the saddle, he turned his horse’s head and prepared for a speedy return .
However, his eyes suddenly froze—
Ye City! The gates of Ye City…were closed!
Imperial Brother… Imperial Brother!
Jin Bihui rode the Dragon Horse and followed along the canal, her face turning losing color .
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She leaned over the saddle as the cold winter wind sliced across her head like a knife . Jin Bihui spat out the hair that had blown into her mouth and grimly shouted, “Go! Go!” She already no longer cared to treasure her Third Brother’s unique and precious horse . She ruthlessly used the spurs over and over again and stabbed the horse . Suffering from the pain, the steed galloped, hooves soaring through the air . The scenery around her whirled and swept by, already stretching into a blur .
She didn’t know why her hands were shaking . Cold sweat soaked the reins she held in her hands .
Recalling Crown Prince Chengde with the tall hat and wide sleeves, and how gentle and aloof he had been when she left the city, Jin Bihui felt the cold air from within her heart pouring out layer by layer — Although she was not an expert in strategy, she was still intelligent . In retrospect, if Crown Prince Chengde already had the intention of getting rid of his younger blood brother, in that case, how long had this plan been brewing?
“Sister-in-law, Si Tianjian reports that there is a meteor shower above the Dragon Head Plains tonight,” he had accidentally mentioned that evening .
“Since it’s inconvenient for Seventh Brother to leave, you can ask Vice General Shen to lead more of his right flank’s elite troops and go forward to keep the provision under control . This way I also don’t have to worry about Sister-in-law’s safety . ”
First, he looked for an opportunity to stir up conflict between the husband and wife, and when he didn’t succeed, he had come up with his own assassination, taking the opportunity to divert Yan Bai’s trusted aide and loyal army first — Such a venomous scheme was obviously impossible to come up with all at once . Crown Prince Chengde’s side had clearly been harboring murderous intentions for his blood brother for a long time as well .
Now, it seemed that she had actually fallen into the other side’s scheme step by step and was made into a chess piece .
Jin Bihui’s eyes narrowed coldly and flashed with blade-like light . Her hands did not stop in the slightest as she spurred the steed forward .
Don’t be too late! Second Brother…please hurry . You must not be too late!
TL Note: Sorry for the really late update this time (シ_ _)シ I hope you enjoy my translation of the story so far
Footnotes:
[1] Hahaha
[2] This should be his name… almost thought it was some nickname like “mythical animal” lol
[3] “Aiai”: sighing sound
[4] Turning against, siding with an outsider
[5] It’s describing the red-colored decoration on a helmet that looks like a horse’s tail . Not too sure what if it’s really called a tassel (example)