This half of a chapter alone took me 3 hours… And so, rather than dragging the upload till I"m done with the whole chapter, I figure I should just uplaod the first half first since I will be busy for now (no, I"m not slcaking off from tl, really). I have 1 a.s.signment deadline for next Monday and 1 more in 2 weeks time, and also rpeparing for my internship for enxt semester…… ahahahahhahahaha

Do tell me if there"s any mistake (cuz I did not check for spelling error before updating)

That ends my complain and what I would comment in regards to this half is that… ? Be prepared once again

The autumn leaves that drop down, the flowers that withers away, the blood that dries up under the bright sun, the sand dust that floats up to the air. The white horse under me has been dyed into the colour of red. The rustic smell covers my whole body and my face feels sticky. The sounds of the horse"s hoof clopping and the clattering of the iron armour can be heard. My heart feels just like the autumn wind that brushes past us.

About more than ten cavalries are left. The man with nice beard has the remaining close aides surround me and brother. Few hundreds of elite soldiers run at the back. Our group of men and horses hurry off on a rough and small path. With the help of the sunlight in between the branches, I raise my head to observe. Only two cliff walls can be seen, and the s.p.a.ce in between the two walls are tight and narrow. And since it is the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the leaves and branches on the trees all intersects one another. Deeply creasing my brows, my heart feels unsettled: The location here is narrow and dangerous, so it is for sure the best place to ambush.
"Uncle Qi, where are we?" Brother also has seemed to sense the danger and inquires.

"This is called the She Yue Valley[1], it is the only way out to the pier." The man with nice beard tightens the rein and called out loudly to the back, "Has the scout returned?"

"Replying to the Field Officer, Shi Tou has not returned!"

Han Qi brushes his beard and controls the horse to go front: "Everyone, we need to run now! we can"t stay here any longer!"

At that moment, dusts fly up in the air. The sounds of hoofs clopping and footsteps echo within the valley. Since it is a dangerous place, only two mounts can cross at a time. Both sides of the road are grown with woods and thorns, which eventually block the road in the mountains. At this time, some of them fall gradually due to hunger and the horses are fatigued as well. Some of them had supported one another so that they can continue their way. And the men who was shot with arrows walk with the pears as their support. When I raise my head, I see the blood on brother"s face has turned dark colour. His lips are dry and has cracks on it, his hair is covered with dust. But the eyes hidden in the dark are bright and energetic.

"What is it, Qing Qing?" Brother lowers his head and looks at me nervously, "Are you injured?" As he says so, he places the spear in between his arms and nervously touch my face: "Where? Where does it hurts?"

"Brother." I hold onto his hand tightly and lean against his iron armour. With a trembling voice, "Qing Qing is alright, but Brother"s face is ruined."

"Hehe~" Brother laughs brightly, "You dummy, men will not be afraid of their face being ruined. Especially after going into war, it will show how manly I can be with the scar on my face!"

"The Young General sure is courageous!" Han Qi tilts his head and his face becomes slightly relaxed, "Young lady, if not for the huge scar under my chin, I will not be forced by the woman in my house to have this beard."

"So, this is how Uncle Qi"s nice beard come to be." I look intently at his black and smooth beard, "Can I touch it when return later?"

"Hahaha~" Han Qi laughs brightly, "Nice beard huh. This is the first time I receive such a praise. The beard can be grown again, but we can"t recklessly send our life to others. Later when we return, Uncle Qi will shave this beard down as a present for Young Lady."

"Field Officer sure is generous towards the Young Lady." A cavalry in front raises the flag in his hand and teases as he turns to look at us, "Last time when Xiao Qing Zi touches it sneakily, the Field Officer chases him to beat him up. And now when the Young Lady ask to touch it, you just give it to her on both hands. Aren"t you being too much!"

"That"s right, that"s right." The soldiers at the back chirp in as well.

"d.a.m.ned brat! Who ask you to talk this much!" Han Qi swings his whip and lightly whips the cavalry.

"He"s angry again! Since he"s already this ferocious on a daily basis, who knows how he will be when he"s in the bed. I wonder how did your wife takes it all!" That man begins to make faces and dirty talks.

"Hahaha~" "The Field Officer sure is magnificent!" "Wrong, it"s his wife who"s magnificent!"

The scolding and laughing voices have washed away the depressing atmosphere earlier and everyone regain their energy. I loosen my grip on the horse"s mane and lightly heave a sigh: "Brother, I wonder how is Father and Mother now?"

A gentle and large hand brushes my fringe from my forehead. A stern voice sounded from above my head: "Didn"t Father said earlier, that he will for sure bring Mother back to You Country. So, for sure they will be alright!"

"Mmn." Brother"s words have settled my insecure heart and made me feel slightly relaxed.

"Hu San Zi, let"s see if I will whip you till you die!" Han Qi is so embarra.s.sed that he begins to feel mad. He then suddenly whips the horse in front of him strongly and the cavalry ducks downwards and dodges his whip.

Seeing that they are almost out of the narrow path, Hu San Zi raises the flag and turns his head over to make faces: "Field Officer, this San Zi shall go and scout the area out…" Before he gets to finish his sentence, an arrow pierced through his temple. The head of the arrow are covered with blood. San Zi"s eyes and mouth widens and he falls out of his horse. I blankly looks at the soldier that did not die in peace [2] and become so startled that my pulses stop.

[1]射月谷 She Yue Valley. She Yue=Shooting the Moon
[2] 死不瞑目 can bring upon two meanings, one is to not die peacefully, and another would be to die without closing their eyes, which will eventually also lead to the first meaning.