“Yes, it remained loyal to me until the very end,” Qing Yun’s voice was gentle, revealing deep affection for his horse.
“Hah!” Huang Beishuang laughed, as if remembering something. She said dreamily, “I have a Fei Ta too!”
Qing Yun looked at her.
“It’s there,” Huang Beishuang’s gaze fixed on a point, pointing in the direction they had escaped from last night. “Right there!”
“Have you decided?” Qing Yun’s grip tightened.
Huang Beishuang nodded, and the two, along with the horse, turned back towards the bandits’ stronghold.
It was decided, regardless of the rocky path ahead, despite the reluctance in their hearts.
It was decided, that no matter the sorrows of the past, the shadows in their memories.
It had long been decided, that as long as you don’t leave me, I won’t leave you,
It had long been decided, that as long as time continues, as long as fate persists.
I can temporarily forget, I can temporarily abandon—
The songs that were once scattered by the wind and sand in the distance…
About fifty li from Ruo Wen’s camp, a group of horsemen was approaching. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be another band of bandits, though their equipment and demeanor were far inferior to Ruo Wen’s group.
In some ways, the life of desert bandits was even harder than that of slave tribes. They had no oasis of their own, nor could they produce anything. Mainly composed of fallen fugitives, their only means of survival was desperate plunder.
“Who goes there?”
A hoarse shout suddenly erupted from the group. A circle of bandits quickly surrounded two people and a horse – Qing Yun and Huang Beishuang, who had ridden back through the night.
“What should we do?” Huang Beishuang asked in a low voice.
“We can fight our way out, or negotiate with them,” Qing Yun said nonchalantly, adjusting the reins in his hand.
“Why are there so many bandits in this area?” Huang Beishuang was surprised and grew anxious.
“They probably heard that Ruo Wen scored quite a haul this time, and want a piece of the action!” Qing Yun smiled.
“You mean they’re after Ruo Wen?”
“It’s possible,” Qing Yun said, his arm around Huang Beishuang’s waist. Neither of them dismounted; instead, they casually chatted. “Bandits often prey on their kind.”
“Are you done talking? Get off the horse, you bastards! Quick! Or we’ll chop you up right now.” The bandits’ leader seemed to be approaching, and the underlings wielding large sabers grew restless, shouting with fierce expressions.
“Don’t move!” Qing Yun held back Huang Beishuang, who was about to dismount. Fei Ta stomped its long legs, kicked out with its hind legs, and circled, kicking all the surrounding bandits. The horse seemed quite proud of itself, occasionally snorting through its nostrils. It was truly a rebellious steed; an ordinary person likely couldn’t have made it their mount.
At this moment, Qing Yun and Huang Beishuang sat atop Fei Ta, looking down imposingly.
“What’s going on? What’s going on? Weren’t we supposed to be looking for that Ruo Wen brat? Why are we blocking these two?” Before long, the leader emerged, his gaze unfocused and his hair disheveled. Unlike Ruo Wen, he didn’t immediately strike one as formidable.
“What are you two up to? The little miss is quite pretty!” He hunched over as he walked to the front. “Why are you sitting up there? Think you’re big shots? Get down now!”
Qing Yun looked at him and suddenly chuckled mockingly.
“What are you laughing at?” The man shuddered, perhaps angered, and coughed violently.
“A bunch of shameless, incompetent good-for-nothings dares to block the path of me, Qing Yun?” Qing Yun’s eyes flashed, causing the leader to take a step back. But then, thinking of his superior numbers, he regained his courage. “Brothers, attack!” he shouted, waving his hands.
Before anyone could take a step forward, Qing Yun had already dismounted. Three of his fingers were tightly gripping the leader’s throat; with just a bit more force, he could end the man’s life. The crowd was startled but remained poised to strike.
“Back off! All of you, back off!” Without Qing Yun needing to speak, the leader, clearly a seasoned veteran, knew they had encountered a skilled killer. One wrong move and there would be no coming back.
“Hmm, at least you’re quick-witted,” Qing Yun said, releasing his grip. “What do you want with Ruo Wen?”
“Well… it’s embarrassing to say.”
Although Qing Yun had let go, the leader dared not retaliate, fearing further losses. He answered honestly, “Ruo Wen’s forces are now the strongest in the North Desert. Though not the most numerous, they control all the loot within a hundred li. The rest of us can’t survive, and no one dares to raid his territory. This time, I had no choice but to lead my brothers to join him, or we’d all starve to death!” His words were filled with helplessness and were not lies.
Qing Yun’s eyes flickered. He asked, “How many men do you have?”
“About three hundred!” the leader replied.
“That’s not right!” Huang Beishuang immediately exposed his lie. The leader looked up as Huang Beishuang jumped down from the horse. She walked calmly to the leader, propped open his eyelids, and examined them for a while. Then, smiling, she returned to Qing Yun’s side and said with a smirk, “Five hundred and nineteen men, yet you claim about three hundred. What are you up to?”
The bandit leader blinked his examined eyes and chuckled slyly, “Little miss, I’m just getting old and confused. How could I keep track of exactly how many men we have? You’ve got sharp eyes, miss. You’ve counted every man and horse!” As he spoke, he cursed inwardly: Why did we have to run into these troublemakers today?
Seeing his eyes darting around, Huang Beishuang knew he was scheming something, but she didn’t pursue it. She simply said, “The sun is almost at its zenith. Shouldn’t you be making preparations?” She finished with a smile, tinged with mockery.
Hearing this, the group of bandits were stunned, all staring at her with wide eyes.