The dock at Heng City was extremely crowded. Large official vessels were loaded with elderly people, women, children, and wounded soldiers, all to be evacuated across the Ta River. Although the flames of war had once again reached their doorstep, perhaps because the people had already experienced this once before, or perhaps because Song territory was protecting them, their faces showed worry but not despair, and there was no outbreak of panic or chaos.
Luo Ying accompanied Mo Zi this time and sighed. “Are the Daqiu people really that good at fighting? Even Master Sikong has no solution?”
“Yuan Cheng isn’t a god, and Wu Yanqie isn’t a common fool either. Victory and defeat are commonplace in military affairs. Today we retreat; tomorrow we might fight our way back.” The Daqiu cavalry’s arrogance naturally came from their strength, not to mention that the Song forces had lost the initial advantage this time. Mo Zi wasn’t particularly concerned at this moment about whether Heng City could be defended, but rather about the reason Yuan Cheng had urgently summoned her. From what she understood of him, he didn’t like placing her at the front lines. Something must have happened, and it wouldn’t be anything good.
“Everyone’s retreating, yet my man called me here—clearly he needs help. Before he came to Heng City, I said let’s go together, but he said something about our daughter having no one to care for her.” Luo Ying continued talking to herself.
“Luo Ying, Water Snake called you here?” Mo Zi had thought it was because of herself. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. “Did he give a reason?”
“No. He also told me to bring our daughter along. In all this chaos of war, bringing Xia Mi would just be a hindrance—better to leave her at your house to keep Yuan Bao company. Yuan Bao made such a good choice at his selection ceremony—a piece of jade, so refined and cultured. Unlike my girl, who actually grabbed a fishing net—looks like she’ll become a fisher in the future.” After becoming a mother, Luo Ying had developed quite a talent for rambling and began to drift off topic.
Mo Zi wasn’t really listening. She was thinking that Yuan Cheng calling her here and Water Snake telling Luo Ying to bring her daughter seemed to be connected somehow.
After disembarking, someone was already waiting.
“Elder Sister!” Luo Ying was especially happy to see her senior martial sister.
Hua Ying wore full battle armor with two long sabers crossed on her back. Behind her were over twenty Thunder Gate disciples who, rather than looking like wandering martial artists, had the bearing of female generals. She tried to squeeze out a smile for Luo Ying but it looked worse than crying, so she simply turned her head and addressed only Mo Zi with a solemn salute.
“Madam, was your journey smooth?” Like her father, Hua Ying respected and was grateful to Yuan Cheng, and regarded Mo Zi as her mistress.
Mo Zi took in Hua Ying’s expression completely and asked in a low voice, “What exactly has happened?”
“It’s…” Hua Ying’s grief could no longer be concealed. “Young Uncle… won’t make it much longer.”
Stinky Fish!
Mo Zi’s eyes instantly turned red.
Luo Ying’s face showed disbelief as she gripped her sword hilt tightly, wanting to say this was no joke, but knowing that Hua Ying wasn’t that kind of person.
Stinky Fish was the main commander of the vanguard warships. While directing a flanking attack and covering the main force’s retreat, his ship had been surrounded by Daqiu warships. He fought to his last soldier, and though he escaped to Heng City by diving underwater with flotation bags, he was gravely wounded. Medicine and herbs were useless now—there was no way to save him. That was why Yuan Cheng had summoned Mo Zi to see him one last time.
Mo Zi spurred her horse forward at full gallop, tears flowing unchecked the entire way.
Luo Ying followed closely behind her, continuously saying, “I should have brought our daughter, I should have brought our daughter…”
Mo Zi’s heart ached even more hearing this. When she reached the gates of the Regional Inspector’s mansion, she dismounted and charged inside.
Seeing Yuan Cheng, with no time for tender feelings between husband and wife, she asked urgently, “Where is Stinky Fish?”
Yuan Cheng said nothing more, just grabbed Mo Zi’s hand and began running in short steps toward the interior. He was rarely this anxious, but because he empathized so deeply with his wife’s anxiety, his actions aligned with hers.
The vast rear garden of the Regional Inspector’s mansion had become a medical hall, wounded soldiers everywhere. The Hua couple, the Ji couple, familiar faces and strangers—many people were helping out.
“Elder Sister.”
Mo Zi heard Dou Lu’s voice. At least her younger sister was still safe. She had no time to look around; her steps didn’t pause.
At the doorway of a side room, Yuan Cheng said softly, “He’s inside.”
Water Snake came out. Upon seeing Mo Zi, this man of iron reddened his eyes. “Brother Mo, A Yu he—”
Luo Ying ran up crying. “Why didn’t you explain clearly? I thought you wanted my help—I didn’t even bring our daughter.”
Water Snake was good-tempered with his wife. “Don’t cry. It’s better the girl didn’t come. A Yu said he didn’t want to frighten the child.”
“Mo Zi? Mo Zi.” Yuan Cheng gently patted her shoulder. “Go. If you see him off, he’ll be happy.”
Mo Zi’s tears streamed down her face, impossible to wipe away even with her sleeves.
“Mo Zi, you know Stinky Fish’s temperament. Even if he’s dying, he won’t want to see you crying your eyes out.” He was someone who loved to laugh and to make others laugh—a great jovial treasure.
Mo Zi knew Yuan Cheng was right. Stinky Fish loved liveliness so much—if she went in crying like this, it would make him uncomfortable instead. Taking a deep breath and forcefully suppressing the grief in her heart, she finally stopped her tears and entered the room.
“That barbarian tried to ambush me, but didn’t know I had eyes in the back of my head. He got a hole in his chest, died without even blinking. What good is having more people? Every one of us is a hero who can fight a hundred men.” Ding Gou was recounting the latest battle. “Brother, drink a few more bowls of medicine and get better quickly. Come fight alongside us and make those barbarians cry for their mothers.”
Stinky Fish chuckled, then suddenly had a coughing fit and spat blood that soaked half a cloth, his complexion ashen gray.
Mo Zi turned her head away, desperately blinking to clear the mist from her eyes.
“Brother Mo, you’ve finally come.” Ding Gou heard movement behind him and turned to look. The smile he’d been maintaining for Stinky Fish disappeared, replaced by deep sorrow.
Seeing Mo Zi, Stinky Fish grinned widely, laughing genuinely. “Brother Mo is here—now I can relax. Those damn barbarians secretly learned about our ship’s throwing devices and giant crossbows. Though they’re not as sophisticated as Brother Mo’s designs, they really pack a punch when used. Brother Mo, you mustn’t be careless.”
Mo Zi was infected by that smile and actually smiled herself. “They imitated too slowly. Our ships have been upgraded now—the throwing devices aren’t powerful enough. When you recover from your injuries, I’ll let you try them out. You’ll definitely find it satisfying.”
The deathly gray color of Stinky Fish’s face suddenly blazed with the intense light of life. “I’ll be waiting. When the time comes, Brother Mo, give me a hundred or eighty ships and I’ll beat those barbarians all the way back home.”
Ding Gou got up and walked out. “I’ll go get medicine.” He needed some air or his heart would explode.
Mo Zi sat down. “Where are you hurt that you’re so weak?”
“Here—their hook gouged a hole. The internal injuries are a bit tricky. Everyone thought I was about to die, but I didn’t expect to hold on this long and be able to wait for you, Brother Mo.” Stinky Fish laughed carelessly. “If I’d known, I should have started a betting pool—could have saved up more silver for getting a wife. Brother Mo, I’m only telling you this—Old Man Hua is called a miracle physician, but he’s actually a bit mediocre. All doctors in the world are pretty much the same. When they encounter something they haven’t seen before, they say it can’t be cured. But that depends on who they’re treating, right? I, Stinky Fish, can’t be killed.”
“That’s right, of course.” Mo Zi inadvertently touched his hand—it was burning hot, he had a fever. “We came from Jingyu Shoals—even Heaven can’t do anything to us, much less people. Whoever stabbed you, we’ll definitely find them and stab them until they cry for help. You know me—I keep my word, I never lie.”
Stinky Fish giggled. “That’s right. Brother Mo always does what you say. Things that clearly seem impossible, following you makes them possible. Being your brother, everyone feels especially great. The revenge for my parents—it was you, Brother Mo, who led the three of us brothers to get it. I’ll never forget it in this lifetime.”
Mo Zi’s eyes sparkled brightly, her brows furrowing and relaxing as she smiled. “All day long I hear you clamoring about getting a wife. Have you set your sights on anyone? I’ll go propose for you.”
Stinky Fish wanted to scratch his head but had no strength left, only saying, “Brother Mo, you’re bringing up exactly what shouldn’t be mentioned. If there were someone, I wouldn’t be injured with no woman to care for me, having to rely on these stiff old men—can’t even enjoy looking at something pleasant.”
Zan Jin brought in medicine, just in time to hear this, and interjected, “Isn’t Brother Mo a woman?”
Stinky Fish grimaced. “Brother Zan, I was just thinking about you. As soon as you arrive, you start arguing with me. Brother Mo just got here, didn’t she?”
Zan Jin’s expression didn’t change as he pushed the medicine bowl forward. “Drink!”
Stinky Fish’s face fell. “Brother Mo, see that? This is how they all act, like I owe them something.”
“So you want Brother Mo to feed you?” Zan Jin sat by the bedside, sending each spoonful forward, very carefully, all blown cool.
The friendship between men lasts longer than love.
Mo Zi actually rolled up her sleeves. “If I’m doing it, I’m doing it. We’re brothers—it’s only right.”
Stinky Fish let out a yelp. “Brother Mo, no! You’re my boss—I wouldn’t dare trouble your golden hands.”
With one saying this and another saying that, the three of them were like they’d returned to the past.
After finishing the medicine, Stinky Fish said to Mo Zi, “Brother Mo, I told the others about this, but none of them paid attention. I can only rely on you.”
Mo Zi blinked. “You want me to snatch a wife for you?”
Stinky Fish laughed heartily. “That’s not urgent. I just want to stay in the lookout barrel for a while. The sun’s about to set—that’s when the scenery is most beautiful. Those rosy clouds, that water surface, those fish bubbles—just looking at them brings satisfaction.”
Mo Zi thought for a moment and nodded firmly. “Done. We’ll use the ship I brought—it’ll be a real eye-opener for you.”
Stinky Fish smiled with his eyes squinted. “I knew it—Brother Mo understands me best.”
Rosy clouds filled the sky, the setting sun golden-red, while overhead remained a patch of deep blue.
Zan Jin used his lightness skill to bring Stinky Fish up to the lookout barrel and handed him a small jar of wine.
Stinky Fish admired the beautiful scenery and drank heartily, shouting toward the distance, “Damn it, every one of you better wash your necks clean and wait. When I recover, I’ll slaughter you all until not a single piece of armor remains—”
His voice suddenly ceased, his arms dropped limply, yet he still wore a smiling expression.
Stinky Fish slept forever.
Zan Jin took the wine he’d drunk from, tilted his head back to drain it, then hurled the jar away forcefully and let out a long, mournful whistle.
Fatty Shrimp turned and walked to the stern of the ship. Hua Ying didn’t follow.
Water Snake jumped into the bone-chilling cold water. Luo Ying could only stand guard by the gunwale.
Mo Zi stood at the bow, following the direction of Stinky Fish’s last gaze before he fell, watching the remaining glow of the sunset, crying silently until the wind dried her tears cold, and Zan Jin brought Stinky Fish down.
“An axe.” Tears fell as soon as she blinked; her sleeve wiped them away.
Someone handed her an axe.
She gripped it in her left hand, then suddenly strode down to the lookout mast and began chopping the wood.
No one knew her intention, but Yuan Cheng did. The lookout was Stinky Fish’s favorite thing in life. She wanted this pole with its lookout barrel to accompany him in death.
Sure enough, after everyone laid the pole flat, Mo Zi shouted toward the setting sun, “Stinky Fish, go well—”
Everyone shouted with her, their cries shaking the heavens, their wails sinking into the water.
Then Mo Zi walked before Yuan Cheng, her gaze like bone-piercing ice, spitting out word by word—
“I want revenge.”