The sounds of agreement echoed incessantly. Huang Beishuang’s face was covered in tears, but she stubbornly rubbed her eyes, clenched her fists, and didn’t utter another word. The fourteen of them cried until they were exhausted in the scorching desert.
When Qingyun returned, he brought a large bundle. He tossed it down, kicking up a cloud of sand. “If you’re done crying, change your clothes!” he said with a smile.
“Where did you find these fine clothes?” Huang Beishuang asked as she watched Dao Qiu and the others open the bundle, which was full of beautiful clothes, jewelry, and weapons.
“I collected some interest from Dongbahe!” Qingyun sat on Feita, reached out his hand, and pulled Huang Beishuang onto the horse’s back. He said to the group changing clothes on the ground, “I’m borrowing your Naxiu for a chat!” With that, the two of them galloped away.
“What do you want to say?” Huang Beishuang asked, leaning against his chest.
When they were at a distance, Qingyun stopped and looked at Huang Beishuang. “Make a decision! If you want to be with me, I’ll take you away right now!” His words were very direct as if they had long been intimate.
Huang Beishuang was taken aback, unsure how to respond. She turned her eyes away, not daring to look at him.
“Avoidance isn’t like you. Answer me!” Qingyun gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“I’m very fond of you! In all the world, only you are destined to ride Feita with me!” His breath was domineering, yet Huang Beishuang felt calm and secure in his arms. She knew they were kindred spirits; their feelings needed no words.
Seeing Huang Beishuang’s eyes still flickering, Qingyun tightened his embrace, holding her close.
However, she didn’t hesitate for long before giving her answer, “Without that battle’s support, E’naqi will soon be driven out by Nakuer!”
Qingyun remained silent.
Huang Beishuang continued, “Once driven out, E’naqi will be finished!”
“So, you’re rejecting me?” Seeing her determined expression, Qingyun’s voice was conflicted, seeming to understand her choice yet unable to hide his disappointment.
“E’naqi…” He repeated the name thoughtfully as if weighing something.
Huang Beishuang didn’t notice this, only nodding silently, her heart in turmoil. They couldn’t be together; for her, this was likely the last moment of intimacy. She pressed her forehead against his chest, savoring the final moments of infatuation. Unexpectedly, Qingyun suddenly lifted her head and, before she could react, kissed her passionately, his strength instantly conquering her.
Huang Beishuang loved his kiss, but at that moment, she felt everything was out of control. Though they had only met by chance, spending just a day and night together, why was it so sweet? Why was she so happy? Why did she have to meet him?
Their kiss was intense and absorbing, neither wanting to part. This Qingyun almost took her breath away.
Huang Beishuang’s mind reeled, and just as she was about to faint, Qingyun suddenly released her. With a flourish of his hands, a magnificent red bridal gown, like a blooming peony, fluttered in the wind and gently draped over her shoulders.
In that instant, they gazed at each other, eyes seeing nothing else.
“A kiss as a seal,” Qingyun hugged Huang Beishuang tightly one last time before letting her down from the horse. Huang Beishuang looked up at him, her heart a mix of emotions. Qingyun merely smiled, “Go. I, Qingyun, swear to the heavens, next time, I won’t let go.”
With that, Feita reared up, carrying away Qingyun’s retreating figure, never looking back.
Next time, he won’t let go.
…
“Has Master Qing left?” Dao Qiu, having changed her clothes, stood at the roadside watching Huang Beishuang return alone.
Huang Beishuang smiled forlornly, “Yes. Let’s go too.” She tugged at the red bridal gown draped over her.
The fourteen of them packed their belongings and set off in an orderly manner.
“Let’s go to Yunpei!”
In an instant, the yellow earth and flying dust bid farewell to another group of passionate young souls.
Duozai, I’ve buried you here. Though your bones may be cold, I know you’ll quietly wait, waiting for the day I return. You’ll wait for me, won’t you? Wait for us to meet again on this road! I’ll cry in your arms again, listening to you sing sorrowful songs. Remember, you once told me it was the voice of the underworld, carrying an otherworldly haziness…
The vast blue sky stretches over the sandy frontier,
Thousands of miles, the Chinese zither competes in pursuit,
Once there was a maiden, who raised the mulberry for me.
Once there was a maiden, who warmed my bed.
Spring goes and winter comes, days shorten and nights lengthen,
Eyes open, the previous life becomes history!
The broad, cold wind blows and breaks the waves,
The new moon over the dry sea waves vast,
Where is the maiden, who breaks her heart for me?
Where is the maiden, who shares my tragic love?
Spring goes and winter comes, days shorten and nights lengthen,
Eyes close, this life holds no hope!
— Song of Past Lives
God! If you truly exist, do you hear this sorrowful, helpless ballad?
If you truly hear it, do you still mock the insignificance of life?
If it is so,
God!
I shall forget you…
“Dongbahe, you’ve become senile! If you want to run, run far! Getting caught so quickly, I didn’t even get to enjoy the chase!” As he spoke, Dongbahe’s disemboweled body received another heavy kick. Of course, the one who could casually kick a person into such a state must be Ruo Wen. He shook the blood off his foot and sat down on Dongbahe’s chest. Five hundred escaped bandits knelt on the ground, all ashen-faced, a deathly stillness under his cold gaze.
“Leader! Let me finish him off. Don’t dirty your shoes!” Man Hu interjected excitedly.
“Let me do it! I took care of his son anyway, might as well send him on his way too,” Luo Ying chimed in.
By now, Dongbahe was nearly gone, coughing up another mouthful of blood. He half-opened his eyes to look at the sinister Ruo Wen. Perhaps in a final burst of energy, he summoned his last breath and shouted, “This is not how bandits should be!” With these words, he breathed his last.
“Tch! Stinking old man! What nonsense!” Man Hu kicked him disinterestedly.