Chapter 75: I Beg You, Don

The inner courtyard of the Huang residence.

Hong Luan handed two porcelain vials to Huang Qing and smiled: “Young Master Li said these are Beauty-Preserving Pills—he really understands a woman’s heart.”

Huang Qing took the two vials, cradling them fondly, a smile on her face.

But then she glanced at the distant smoke of war and sighed: “I wonder how Brother is doing over there.”

At that moment, Huang Ling walked over and said: “Beauty-Preserving Pills? I’ve read widely, yet I’ve never heard of such an elixir. I’ve heard Daoist Priests make Longevity Pills—but those are poisonous. Could this be the same?”

Huang Qing frowned: “Sister, Young Master Li isn’t the type to act recklessly. If he says they’re Beauty-Preserving Pills, they must work. I trust him.”

“You’ve only met him a few times, and you already trust him so much?” Huang Ling sounded upset. “I’m your own sister, yet you don’t believe me.”

Huang Qing sighed: “These are two different matters.”

“Sister, I’m just warning you not to take random elixirs.”

"Sister, don't bother trying to persuade me anymore."

Huang Qing uncorked one vial, poured out two green pills, and swallowed them whole.

The two pills dissolved instantly upon contact with her tongue.

“Sister, don’t eat them—!” Huang Ling was too late to stop her; she stamped her foot. “Why are you so stubborn?”

“I’m nineteen. In half a year, I’ll be twenty.” Huang Qing’s expression turned serious, almost cold: “I’m not like you. I carry foreign blood. You always say I deserve better—but have you ever considered that Father and Mother may have already arranged a marriage to nobility for me?”

Huang Ling froze.

“Do you know how they see me?” Huang Qing pushed her long hair forward: “When they see my yellow hair, they sneer. When they see my eyes, their mockery deepens. They don’t show it openly, but I feel it.”

“Sister, you’re beautiful—don’t care what they think…”

“Your opinion doesn’t matter. It’s what men think that counts. I must marry someday.”

Huang Ling opened her mouth but said nothing.

Now, Huang Qing’s expression was bitter, no longer the gentle, understanding girl she once was.

Yet Huang Ling still couldn’t accept it: “Li Lin is just a lowly Patrol Officer, a mere Spirit Hunter—not worthy—”

“But he sees me,” Huang Qing’s eyes sparkled with joy: “The moment he saw me, I knew—he wanted me to bear his children. That look… it was clear, unhidden, unmistakable.”

Huang Ling was stunned by her sister’s fervor. “But… his status is ordinary.”

“I’m just a foreign-blooded bastard. Compared to him, my status is far less noble.” Huang Qing smiled: “Sister, you’re the legitimate eldest daughter—you have the right to pursue nobility. I don’t. And I don’t think Young Master Li is inferior to them. This is my best chance, my only real chance at marriage. Miss it, and I’ll regret it for life. I’m begging you, sister—don’t ruin it, please?”

Huang Ling stepped back instinctively.

She had used the word “begging.” Huang Ling could feel how deeply this mattered to her sister—how much pain it caused her to be opposed.

“I just want what’s best for you…”

“I don’t need it.”

Huang Ling finally broke down, covering her mouth as she ran off weeping.

It was the first time her sister had ever shown her hatred—it crushed her heart.

Huang Qing stood still, a flicker of guilt on her face, then her expression hardened again.

Hong Luan whispered beside her: “Miss, you spoke too harshly.”

“I know my sister. If I hadn’t said it like that, she wouldn’t have given up.” Huang Qing’s voice was soft, distant: “Hong Luan, you understand—this is my only marriage, the only one I truly accept.”

Hong Luan smiled. “I support you, Miss.”

“You’ve taken a fancy to Young Master Li too—do you think I don’t know?”

Hong Luan blushed slightly: “Hehe, isn’t that a good thing?”

Meanwhile, Li Lin and the others waited at the southern city gate. Soon, Shi Dudou arrived with several hundred men.

Though only four hundred militia, they were followed by two hundred auxiliary troops to carry supplies—totaling six hundred men.

Shi Dudou rode a tall horse, clasped his fists, and said: “Gentlemen, I thank you for your service on this journey.”

Everyone returned the salute.

Su Huafang said: “No need for formalities.”

The army set out, with the Spirit Hunters following behind.

Six hundred soldiers would normally deter any ordinary wilderness spirit, but one can never be too careful—having Spirit Hunters along meant any trouble could be handled swiftly.

Zhao Xiaohu clutched his spear and edged closer to Li Lin, clearly nervous: “Brother Lin, will we run into trouble?”

“No,” Li Lin smiled. “If anything happens, stay behind. Understood?”

Zhao Xiaohu nodded eagerly.

Bai Xiaofan walked over and patted Zhao Xiaohu’s shoulder: “Brother, I’ve got your back.”

Zhao Hao added with a laugh: “Brother Zhao, don’t fear. Our Yulin County Spirit Hunters stick together. Stay at the very back—we won’t die until you’re safe.”

Once they learned Zhao Xiaohu was only thirteen, everyone treated him with extra care.

Hearing this, Zhao Xiaohu’s nerves eased considerably.

Nothing happened along the way.

Bobai Military Garrison was about five days’ march from Yulin County, but with forced marching, they arrived in just three and a half days.

The northern gate of Bobai Military Garrison was closed, but patrols were visible atop the walls.

Seeing reinforcements arrive, a soldier shouted down: “Who are you?”

“Yulin County, Chief of Militia Shi Dazhu!”

“Wait—we’ll open the gate.”

Reinforcements arriving from behind were almost certainly friendly, so the guards opened the gate without hesitation.

Shi Dudou led the militia inside; Li Lin and the others followed.

There, they saw Huang Qi standing ahead.

He wore a scale armor—once a dashing scholar, now he carried the bearing of a learned general.

Shi Dazhu stepped forward and saluted: “Sir, the County Magistrate ordered me to bring four hundred militia to reinforce you.”

Huang Qi’s skin was no longer as pale as before. He returned the salute: “You’ve arrived just in time. With four hundred extra men, Bobai Garrison can hold out until General Tang arrives.”

After speaking, Huang Qi spotted Li Lin. He strode over, clapped Li Lin on the shoulder, and smiled: “Kunge, didn’t expect you to come too.”

“I draw the state’s salary—I have to show up when trouble strikes.”

“But you came at the perfect time. I need your help right now.”

“What is it?”

“Follow me.”

Huang Qi first ordered Shi Dudou to station the troops, then told Su Huafang and the others to find barracks for rest.

He then led Li Lin to the southern city wall.

This was a fortified pass—the surrounding rivers blocked all other routes; enemies could only advance by capturing this stronghold to reach the heart of Da Qi.

From the height of the wall, the southern plains stretched out—but not far away, an enemy camp stood.

Before the camp, a tall wooden pole bore several naked corpses, swaying in the wind.

“Those are our Da Qi soldiers,” Huang Qi said, voice thick with grief and rage: “They’ve been humiliated like this by the enemy. I heard you know the Thunderbolt Spell—can you use it to strike down that pole?”

The distance was sufficient. It could be done.

As Li Lin prepared to form the hand seals, someone shouted from beside him.

“Don’t!”

(End of Chapter)