Chapter 28

"Qi Ran, Bu Sha really needs a new name—what should we call him from now on when we're out?" Changing names is something like that; I didn't even glance at the cold‑faced Bu Sha beside me, I went straight to Qi Ran and asked.

"Call him Ye." Qi Ran pondered for a moment, then replied.

"Ye?" I glanced at him—black clothes, black hair, black eyes, and a perpetually poker‑faced face—and couldn't help but "puchi" laugh, saying, "Good! Ye it is!"

……

"Bu Sha, have you heard this saying?" I leaned back against Qi Ran, gazed up at the star‑filled sky, and suddenly smiled faintly, "When the night grows dark enough, the stars will shine brightly."

"I haven't heard it."

Corpse, iceberg, cold‑blooded killer!

"Call him Wu Ye!" I shook off the memories filling my head, looked at him quietly, and said, "Even a night that embraces the stars is still too lonely… how about… Wu Ye?"

"I only have one last question." Seeing him nod, I couldn't help but smile, tossed him the pack, and said, "Since you're a guard, this heavy work is naturally yours to do!"

I always felt he was like a black line dropping down; I asked with a bitter smile, "Why?"

"Why me?" I had asked that same question of that god‑like perfect boy before; the words were identical, but the feeling was completely different: "Those you meet should have someone who genuinely wants to help you—why follow me? Even to the point of becoming the guard of an ugly, low‑class woman?"

Wu Ye stared deeply into my eyes for a long time; I finally sighed and spoke softly, "Actually, you're still pretty cold‑hearted—I didn't notice that just now. Come on, new partner!"

After saying that, I didn't look at him again, turned and left. Sure enough, light but steady footsteps followed behind me—it seems I've inexplicably gained a formidable companion!

Sigh, I really don't know whether to call it fortunate or unfortunate!

I really can't figure out what kind of place this is; since bringing Wu Ye along, we've been walking for three whole days in these bird‑less deep mountains, yet there's not a sign that we're nearing a town.

To be honest, if it were just me and Xiao Yin, two directionally challenged folks, it would be understandable—but we have Wu Ye, who claims to know this area well, guiding us, and yet we've walked this long; it's simply unreasonable.

"Wu Ye," I said, tapping my legs that had gone numb and sore, my tone unable to stay pleasant, "Is this what you meant by 'not far from Qianniao Town'?"

Wu Ye hesitated, then respectfully replied, "Mas… ter, it's not far—only seven days' journey on foot."

MYGOD. Is there anyone who could give me a heads‑up? Absolutely, absolutely cannot trust the ancient people's sense of time.

"You mean… we still have to walk four more days in these remote mountains and forests?"

"Not exactly." Wu Ye thought a moment, then said, "We should be able to cross this mountain tonight; at its foot there's a village."

"Oh." I replied listlessly; any sign of human habitation would be better than this place where all we hear are ghosts wailing and wolves howling, "Let's hurry on then! Sigh, I'm still unemployed—if I can't find a change of clothes, I might as well become a beggar…"

After walking another half‑day, the sky grew dim, and I finally saw a vast expanse of emerald plain; to the left, a mighty river of unknown origin and destination stretched out, its grandeur quite impressive.

Amid these distant mountains and green waters, a fresh breeze blew; even though I was exhausted, I felt a sudden sense of relief. Seeing the cooking smoke curling in the distance over the plain, though I couldn't yet make out rooftops, I could tell it was definitely a village.

My spirit jolted; I was about to move forward when my sleeve was suddenly tugged—Wu Ye yanked me behind a raised hill, crouched low, and whispered, "Someone's there."

Xiao Yin in my arms also seemed to sense the tension, waking up slowly but staying quietly nestled against me without making a sound.

Sure enough, figures appeared at the far end—from vague dark dots to gradually approaching—and I was astonished to see how many there were. What's strangest is that the dozen or so people running ahead seemed to be fleeing from black‑clad, masked pursuers behind them; their attire marked them as neither common folk nor martial‑world wanderers, but officials.

A dozen or so soldiers surrounded a man in official robes, apparently fighting to the death to protect him.

But I don't understand the official uniforms of this world, so I can't tell which country they belong to.

"It's Qi Guo," Wu Ye whispered in my ear; we're far enough upwind that we needn't worry about being heard, "Look at the clothing of those being chased—they're likely Qi Guo officials and soldiers."

I furrowed my brows and asked, "Which country's territory is this?"

Wu Ye blinked, then two looks like I was a monster fell on me. Sigh! Come on, it's understandable for a handsome guy to look at me that way, but you old‑looking face—just give me a break.

"Mas… ter, this is still the border of Yin Guo." At least my reaction speed is decent.

Speaking of which, from the first day Wu Ye followed me, whenever I asked a question his reply always tacked on either "master" or "Yes, master." Finally I couldn't take it anymore, snatched the backpack he was carrying, and said coldly, "If you utter the word 'master' again, I'm sending you packing right away!"

Isn't this clearly meant to keep me from having a peaceful day? If others hear him call me 'master,' they'll think I'm some cult leader or holy maiden—no wonder I'd be asking for trouble.

"Then how should I address you… mas… ter?" He forced back the final syllable, good! He's teachable, and it seems he doesn't want to be sent packing after all.

"Call me Bing…" I blinked; that name seemed off limits now. Deep down I realized, aside from those two people, I didn't want anyone else calling me that—"Call me Xiao Yi, or just 'miss' as before, or even nothing at all—anything's better than the two words 'master'."

From this it seems my guard is still quite obedient, even if he can't change his habit right away. I just can't fathom why he insists on using that "good‑for‑nothing" form of address.

"Then it's quite possible that Yin Guo's people are chasing after Qi Guo's officials."

Wu Ye thought a moment and answered honestly, "Not necessarily. Qi Guo and Yin Guo have always maintained good surface relations, and even if the Yin Guo king were foolish, he wouldn't openly kill Qi Guo officials on his own soil—more likely it's a frame‑up."

I nodded; these political intrigues are too complex, and who's to say this drama isn't a plot and counter‑plot in motion? Once you're caught in such a whirlpool you lose control, so it's best to avoid it if you can.

Suddenly thinking of a question—I knew Wu Ye was a Qi Guo citizen—I solemnly asked, "Wu Ye, do you want to save them?"

Wu Ye stared blankly, then realized, gave a (zombie‑like smile, best seen rarely) and said seriously, "No! After all I've been through, after seeing the world's warmth and coldness, do you really think I'd still cling to loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness?"

This time, however, I was left stunned. It seems I've always underestimated Wu Ye; he may be pedantic at times, vulgar at others, but having endured so many hardships and paid a heavy tuition for it, to say he's shown no growth is utterly impossible.

I gave him a faint smile and spoke softly, "Those hardships weren't suffered in vain."

In a way, Wu Ye is the same kind of person I used to be. Having seen and endured too much, I came to recognize the weakness and ugliness in human nature. Sympathy, pity, loyalty—these lofty feelings are, frankly, just a way to feed oneself before extending charity to others, or merely a pastime.

Back then I stood in the light but looked back at the darkness; back then I clung to people's hearts, yet despaired that they were as dirty as I was.

That's why, the first time I saw Qi Ran, I wanted so desperately to seize that ray of sunshine. It was like a drowning me, filthy all over, grabbing at a lifeline of straw in my deepest despair—if I held on tight, I could always breathe fresh air.

But I forgot Nietzsche's warning: I am the sun, and then I went mad. For no one can truly be the sun, only shine on others.

Moreover, Qi Ran never wanted to be the sun.

Yes, Qi Ran didn't want to be the sun. I, too, only after a long time—watching him constantly rush between patients, yet still turning back to give me a gentle smile—did I slowly realize how wrong my earlier judgments of him had been.

Qi Ran isn't sunshine, nor is he selfless; on the contrary, he might actually be… quite selfish.

Yet the funny thing is, I kept chasing and longing for that sunlight, and only when that illusory ray of light vanished from my sight did I truly… fall in love with Qi Ran.

I pressed my lips together; that love, buried deep, is fine—unforgotten for a lifetime… that's enough!

Coming to, I glanced at the battlefield—unintentionally I froze, as if… my brows furrowed slightly.

"What's wrong?" Wu Ye asked, noticing my odd expression.

"Nothing." I let my gaze drift faintly onto one of the ordinary soldiers; though it wasn't obvious, I was sure… but then I chuckled, "What does it matter to me?"

Suddenly the fighting in the distance stopped. Looking at the once‑pure, serene meadow now littered with lifeless corpses, the air seeming to reek of blood, I couldn't help but feel a wave of sorrow.

This isn't something I can control! I kept reassuring myself, pressing a hand to my chest, but I didn't feel the familiar sensation I remembered—then I realized it was no longer with me. Recalling that person's gentle smile, sapphire‑bright eyes, my heart warmed unbidden.

A figure stepped forward from the black‑clad, masked side, said something to the Qi Guo officials—who knows what—and the Qi Guo soldiers, who had been holding their ground despite being at a disadvantage, fell into panic.

I sighed and said softly, "Looks like we were still discovered."

"Discovered what?"

I pointed at the soldier ahead who was no different from the others and said, "You haven't noticed? Although the Qi State soldiers are few, those black-clad people still can't defeat them; the key is the formation they've set up, which seems to be called the 'Three Heaven Four Earth Formation', and with just seven or more they can defend against many."

I remembered Qi Ran having described this formation in detail before; I had heard it at the time, but only grasped the basics.

"On the surface they seem to revolve around that official, but the one actually placed in the safest 'life gate' has always been that soldier. Therefore, that soldier must be their leader, though such a meticulous sacrificial plan seems to have been discovered after all." Saying the last sentence, his tone inevitably carried a hint of sarcasm.

Wuye stared at me in shock, his eyes unblinking and bulging, as if saying: "You actually know all this?"

I quickly stepped back half an inch, spreading my hands helplessly and said, "Wuye, can you stop staring? If I accidentally drop it, even with my medical skills I can't put it back!"

Wuye's face darkened, he snorted coldly and said nothing more.

On the battlefield. Sure enough, that soldier stepped forward; at such a distance we naturally couldn't hear what he was saying, but seeing his composed demeanor and the dignified bearing that his ordinary soldier's uniform couldn't conceal, it was clear he was no ordinary role. It seemed he had definitely swapped identities with that official.

The conversation continued, but I couldn't hear what they were saying nor see their expressions; it was as dull as watching a mute play. Suddenly, my chest tightened, then naturally recovered. Before I could think much, however, the situation changed again.

The black-clad leader seemed to have done or said something; then that "soldier" suddenly collapsed, with someone naturally supporting him. But judging by his dejected appearance, he must have been injured.

Strange, what exactly happened in that moment just now?

The battle continued. Yet the situation seemed to have become hundreds of times more brutal than before.

Whether because that soldier's injury threw them into disarray or for some other reason, the Three Heaven Four Earth Formation could no longer be formed. Thus those soldiers could only oppose the vastly superior enemy with their flesh and blood.

The chaotic fighting left me seeing nothing but bloodshed, unable to tell who was falling; I only knew that the number of those wearing Qi State soldier uniforms was dwindling one by one.

Then, the impostor in official garb, shielded by those lives, broke out of the encirclement carrying the "soldier" and... ran toward us.

By the time I snapped to attention and tried to leave quickly, they were already within a hundred meters of me. I could clearly see the official's disheveled hair, clothing, and the bloodstains on his face.

"Wuye, what should we do?" I said hesitantly, "Should we avoid them?"

Wuye was probably still angry about what just happened, so his attitude wasn't good; he said coldly, "Master, if you don't want your life, you can go save them."

Sigh, he called me Master again; he really seems furious. But am I the Master or is he the Master? It feels like when he gets angry, he's much more overbearing than I am.

Although you pitiable ones, my own life matters more. I chanted the Infinite Light a few times, then began retreating quietly with Wuye, hoping not to be discovered...

Suddenly, my footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

I saw that the official's eyes, his face, his expression were all blurry, but only those eyes were unusually clear. In his eyes there was not a trace of spirit.

I looked down at him rushing toward us at full speed, his whole body covered in bloodstains, the wound in his chest soaking through his entire garment. Though his position clearly allowed him to see us, he didn't cry for help, just ran desperately.

Because he couldn't see us at all; he had already lost consciousness, unable to do anything but run.

I don't understand! What kind of willpower sustains such a broken body, fleeing here, still refusing to stop?

Is the person on his back worth such sacrifice?

Is it that he cannot hear news of that person's safety, so even in death he refuses to close his eyes? Is it really necessary to be so obstinate?

"Hurry up and go?" Wuye grabbed me, seeing those two about to climb up the hill we were hiding on.

I was unconsciously pulled by Wuye for two steps, but I couldn't get those hollow eyes out of my mind.

I wanted them to close; a voice in my heart kept shouting, I wanted him to die in peace.

"Wuye." I called out, feeling guilty, inexplicable, also pleading, and stopped my steps, "I want to..."

Because I want to, so I act, and then I will be happy.

That sentence kept echoing in my mind; I calmly said, "I want to save them."

He turned to look at me; those eyes that usually inspire fear now showed clarity. I had always known that for certain matters he sees things more clearly than others.

"Have you thought it through?" He paused, then added, "Master."

I let out a long sigh, head aching, and said, "No! I also know that saving them would be like jumping into a vortex for myself, surely bringing endless trouble later. But by the time I figure it out, who's left alive to save?"

"And... Wuye!" I snapped, face turning cold, "Are you treating my words like wind in your ears? I told you not to call me Master!"

He seemed to smile, though it was hard to tell from his face, so I can only say it seemed so. He bowed his head, said 'Yes,' then turned and rushed to those two.

I watched Wuye strike the official's pressure point, but when he tried to take the soldier from his back, he found the person already tightly protected behind the official.

I let out a breath, walked over, and softly said in his ear, "Don't worry; I will save him."

Once, twice, three times... until his hand slowly loosened, until Wuye caught the unconscious 'soldier' in his hands.

Looking at that utterly lifeless ordinary face, I couldn't help thinking he might truly be just a regular soldier; to die for his master is the highest honor for him.

Yet I couldn't feel anger toward those hollow yet determined eyes, having no stance, only feeling utter helplessness and... sorrow. Looking up at Wuye, that hideously distorted face, I said lightly, "Sympathy is one thing, hatred another. Wuye, if our relationship ever comes to that, I would truly regret bringing you along."

Wuye merely looked at me silently, saying nothing.

In those hollow eyes a light suddenly flared; he seized my collar and hoarsely said, "Must save..."

"I will save him." I said softly; then his last breath seemed to be drawn out, his hand limp and falling. I placed the Little Silver on my wrist, reached out with my other hand, and gently closed his eyes, now devoid of any life.

I also wanted to see what such obstinacy of yours is ultimately for.

"Wuye, while they haven't noticed us yet, let's go quickly!"

I felt a faint unease inside; that 'soldier' must be an important figure, right? So why haven't they sent anyone to intercept? Could it really have been blocked by those few soldiers? Or... is there some other reason?

At this moment I suddenly realized how much trouble my impulsive act has brought upon me. I said earlier I hadn't thought it through!

(End of chapter)