Aghast, Qu Fongning bolted in and wrapped around Nien Hanr’s waist. “Little Hanr,” he interrupted, “where is the item you promised me last time?”

Nien Hanr, eyes delirious from drink, saw him, and his luscious blush instantly screwed into revulsion. “What item? Who promised you? Don’t touch me!” And wriggled his arm, wanting to break off his hand.

Qu Fongning cycled his strength to a pinch; Nien Hanr couldn’t take the pain and winced back in a sharp breath. Qu Fongning took the opportunity to carry him down. “Why are you doing this to yourself? You’re such a lightweight, and still like to hold a grudge with me,” he spoke in concern, and pretending to pat his back, his left hand snaked around his waist and jabbed a sharp stab.

Nien Hanr was about to return some ugly words and curses, then a sudden rumble in his stomach, and he opened his mouth, wanting to barf. That military commander put on a look of disgust and recoiled to the side. Qu Fongning apologized: “I’ll take him inside. Sir, please sit.” With tugs and drags, he took him into the wine cellars and shoved him against the corner. “You motherfucker had enough to live?”

Nien Hanr regarded the hand clasping on his collar, admired his livid expression, and smiled decadently. “Yeah, I don’t want to live anymore.”

“No one gives a fuck about your pitiful life, don’t drag me into it,” said Qu Fongning, insidiously.

Nien Hanr started giggling, spraying a spread of alcoholic vapor onto his face. “Don’t be so mean, little big brother Qu. If I die alone, how lonely would I be? Pity me a little, be my nice little cushion.”

Qu Fongning shone malignant. The five fingers held fast to his throat, but as his thought turned around, the hold softened. “… What’s up with you? Did you hurt your head?” Finding his face awfully red, he checked his temple.

Nien Hanr swept off his hand and tittered. “No, no, I didn’t hurt it, I lost it! I am mad, you are mad—that man in the carriage is the maddest of all, hahaha!” His mouth, covered by Qu Fongning, went for an unrelenting bite.

Qu Fongning found his behavior exceedingly deranged, surmised that reasoning would not do, and held him down with a slam. “You need to find a better time to lose it! Who is that outside? What can’t you say, don’t you have any idea?”

“I just want to say it all!” Nien Hanr writhed. “Twelve carriages, that man, Moli Pass, crimson-gold banners, twenty-years! I’m fed up with these eight years! Better if everyone dies together!”

Qu Fongning almost couldn’t hold him down, then his mind spun a lightning cycle. “Who is the Crown Prince of Dali, Han Yuegui, to you?” he said.

Nien Hanr stiffened completely, his pupils dilated for an instant, and pulled up a wry sneer. “Crown Prince? How dare I associate with His Highness?”

Qu Fongning, no longer suspected, swept over with a slap. “Caving dead and alive for a man, can’t you have any sense?”

Nien Hanr’s head swung to the side from the strike, but his sneer diminished not. “I don’t want to live. I just want to die! I want to die! I want to die! Die!” As he roared the last few words, his throat cracked, and faintly took along a sob.

Qu Fongning scrutinized him coolly. “I don’t know what sort of knots you tied in the past, but both being here, we are the same,” he said. “You speak without a veil, what you bury is the ten-thousand leagues of land and rivers behind you!”

“You and I are the same?” Nien Hanr jeered. “You are also the spawn of a concubine of questionable backgrounds? Did you also witness, with your own eyes, your mother falsely accused and hang herself from the girder in silence? Were you always bullied ever since a child, ridden on, stepped on, doused head and face in piss every day?”

Qu Fongning, startled by a slight, loosened his hold. “Why, young master? Did I scare you?” Nien Hanr smiled sweetly. His eyes turned contempt. “Young master, tell me!” he rasped, “What am I to do with these ten-thousand leagues of land and rivers?”

Qu Fongning was silent for a moment, and said quietly, “Then have you considered for the Crown Prince? That… was a gift from him, wasn’t it?”

Nien Hanr unconsciously recoiled his hand, then once again curled his lips. “What is it to you whether I consider for him? He’s a family man now! Hmm, I wish him great happiness in his new marriage, to old age and silver hair, to love as true as gold. What elopement under the moonlit night, going beyond the palace to raise a life of camellias? He can tell all that to his Baiyi bride!”

Qu Fongning watched him going mad to insane, his countenance the zenith of disappointment, and said in an undertone: “This man has broken his vows and promises, has no credit or honor whatsoever. What’s he got worthy of your attention? Can you stop being a bitch?”

Han Nienr laughed between his gasps. “So what about being a bitch? The moon and the stars are meant to be together forever!” A tearing slash, he tore open his tunic, and a jade ring as white as the moon rolled onto the earth.

Qu Fongning lowered and picked it up. “This sort of rubbish is only good enough to coax little girls like you,” he scoffed, and offhandedly pulled over his figure and took him into his arms. “Scram! Scram!” screamed Nien Hanr. “What are you pretending to be a good person?” Then finally lost his strength, he collapsed into his arms and let himself break into wails.

“You are just like a dog, being like this,” Qu Fongning said icily. Then came a sharp stab of pain to his shoulder; Nien Hanr had taken a deathly bite. Qu Fongning resisted the pain and laughed. “Fuck, the dog biting the saint.” But his embrace tightened instead.

After a long time, Nien Hanr’s trembling figure finally calmed down, silently loosened his bite, and spat out a mouthful of blood. “You smell worse than the dead.”

“You’ve bitten the dead?” Qu Fongning chuckled. Finding the wound on his shoulder pouring with blood, he lauded: “The little girl’s got some vigor!”

Nien Hanr stood up, expressionless. “Give me.”

Qu Fongning made a tsk, passed over the jade ring. Just as it touched his hand, he suddenly retracted and chuckled. “Little Nien Sis, big brother will teach you a sweetling. You can’t really rely on what other people promise you. Whatever is it you want, you need to take it for yourself.” He flicked his finger and gave it back to him.

“Then what of something taken?” Nien Hanr’s gaze shifted.

“Then take it back!” Qu Fongning said coldly.

Nien Hanr lowered his head, stroking the jade ring, and suddenly laughed. “You really are an asshole.”

“Same to you,” replied Qu Fongning. He flicked an eye towards the door and whispered: “Who’s that outside? How did he come to the knowledge of the carriages?”

Nien Hanr’s face remained pale, but his volume dropped: “He’s called Cher Nuha, a centurion commander under Cher Baochi. A month ago, when he was on surveillance in Liangzhou, he met a drunkard boasting to others, saying how he was a confidant of Huang Weisong and partook in a top-secret mission. He took notice, and through his investigation, found out that the man was only an ordinary Southern veteran, who had a few months of undefined travel records during his service in the Northwestern Legion eight years ago. He followed along this thread and found the carriage driver of the day, and through torture and beatings, forced out the matter of the carriages of Moli Pass. As to the identity of the persons within the cars, and, for what, the driver knew nothing. But if they were to really dig, it would only take the blink of an eye.”

The killing intent loomed in his eyes. “Has he told anyone else?”

“He already reported to Cher Baochi three days ago. Cher Baochi gave him a grand laud, raised him up a whole rank, and ordered him to do a complete investigation,” Nien Hanr said slowly.

“That’s a little hard to deal with.” Qu Fongning grimaced taut, focused in thought, and said, “I need the location of where the driver is kept.”

“I’ll give you that tomorrow,” Nien Hanr said with his head down.

“Good girl.” Qu Fongning smiled and backhanded a strike, slamming a chop at the back of his neck.

Cher Nuha had been waiting with great impatience outside the doors. As the drapes lifted, he saw Qu Fongning dragging Nien Hanr flat out, and gruffed: “What’s up with him?”

“He’s passed out,” said Qu Fongning, lifted his hand and pinched him front and back many times.

Cher Nuha saw Nien Hanr had not a tad bit of reaction, and lost his temper: “When he wakes, tell him to come see me, I have important business to consult him.”

Qu Fongning answered in good-naturedness and darted a glance to Cher Bien: “Follow him!”

~

Cher Nuha was keen on making his merit, and came in early morning to Nien House, to inquire on the case of the carriages. Nien Hanr remained bedridden, and answered weakly: “When this humble one was learning the wine trade in Liangzhou, I vaguely heard about this business. The person in the carriage was about eight- or nine-years old, with the single character surname of Han.” Cher Nuha, excited and exulted, pressed on: “What else do you know?” Nien Hanr shook his head. “This humble one only heard from word of mouth, for the specifics of the day, you need to consult other witnesses.” Cher Nuha immediately returned to camp to interrogate the driver, but gained nothing. Just as he considered returning to further investigation at the Nien House, an urgent order called him to the Ulan gers in speed.

The Ulan gers were Che Baoche’s residence, which was close to the military camps. Although Cher Baochi lived in an absurd style, his military order also muddled, but the two were distinctly divided, and officers were not to enter his quarters without order. Cher Nuha was extremely nervous when he received the call. He especially shaved and styled his face, washed and cleaned his tunic, and came before a soft muslin yurt. He waited respectfully for a long time, but didn’t glimpse the figure of Cher Baochi.

Several Zhang away, Qu Lyn watched his befuddled searches, and swung his order tally with a snort. “How did this guy offend you? Playing with him like this?”

“Master,” Qu Fongning said in a low tone, “this man is especially concerned with the opening of mines at the Rolling Clouds Mountains. Yesterday at the Nien House, he posed many questions regarding transportation and storage.”

“Oh, yeah?” Qu Lyn’s gaze chilled. “Then his curiosity is perhaps too big.”

“Master, please rest assured, let your humble servant take care of it,” said Qu Fongning, respectfully.

~

Cher Nuha was completely unaware of his dangerous position. He waited until the sun fell behind the western hills, and two guards finally sent him off.

A moment confused, he went out of the gates. But before he made out the four cardinals, a team of elite Ulan slaves came in rushed steps and tied him up without explanation. A voluptuous woman with half-revealed breasts sauntered out with three bounces every step, directed her pointy orchid finger at him, and shrilled: “It’s him!”

The overseer threw a fit. “Such nerves, dares to plot on Madam Danki!” He raised the leather whip and served him a solid course. Even though he had been a military man for many years, with a set of iron veins and steel bones, he couldn’t take it and almost fainted.

Still unawares that he had been tricked, he screamed: “General Cher called me here!”

“Bullshit!” The overseer struck another whip. “General Cher left this morning to feast at Wolfbend Mountain, and still haven’t returned!”

He repeated his refutes, but no one listened. It so happened that General Cher returned by his steed, saw his flesh torn open and covered with wounds, and was surprised. “Nuha, what’s this?”

As soon as Danki saw Cher Baochi, her fair eyes flooded with tears, flopped into his arms, full of grievances, and pointed to Cher Nuha. “Ulan hon, look at these subordinates of yours, wholly lawless! Even dares to plot on me!” She bit her lips, wiping at her tears, and recounted how Cher Nuha salivated on her beauty in private, and how he boasted the valiance of the undefeated, mighty spear between his legs, and how he mocked Cher Baochi’s stupidity, of he casually made up an intel and easily traded it for a whole level of military rank, and how he had accumulated so much gold and jewels, and will take her far and away and revel together in wealth and luxury.

Cher Nuha blanched in horror. “There were never such things! I have never even glimpsed the madam’s face, how could there be an elopement?” he cried.

“Just before sundown today, you came to stalk before my tent! You had the galls to do as such, but don’t have the balls to admit it?” said Danki, stomping her feet. And several slave women and guards came forward to give evidence of the truth of the matter.

Cher Baochi’s face had turned very ugly, and he ordered that driver to be brought forward to be questioned in person. Before long, bad news struck: the driver already died in captivity. Then a compressed satchel of gold foil was brought up, and reported to be found beneath Commander Cher’s bed.

Cher Baochi blew up at the sight. “The old man almost believed in your bloody lies!” he roared, and ordered for a bonfire, tossed him into the pyre and burned him alive.

Poor Cher Nuha, even until he croaked his last breath, did not know what wrongs he committed. His pair of bull’s eyes bulged round, and died without closure.

Nien Hanr beheld the rising plumes of fires from afar, his gaze partly amazed, and partly convinced. “Now I am a little curious who you really are.”

Qu Fongning watched the black smoke, a tiny curl on the corner of his lips. “I’d said, I’m a hunter.”

~

After the matter, Qu Fongning met and thanked Cher Bien: “Been a lot of work for you, Second Brother.”

“No trouble, just tugs a little on the heart,” Cher Bien said with a cracked grin.

“Tomorrow I’ll reimburse you with a couple of good ones,” said Qu Fongning, and knocked Gerrgu on the shoulder and giggled. “Brother Gu, how’d it feel last night? Am I good to you?”

Gerrgu was still stupefied and zoned out, at the words even his neck turned red. “Stop, stop it, it’s all bright and day… and General Cher is still here.”

“Don’t worry, he’s got so many wives, he won’t get to you.” Qu Fongning grinned slily, and leaned into him with a question on purpose: “I’m going to see Madam Danki. Got any words you want me to rely?”

Gerrgu put on a small sulk. “Brother Gu is just looking out for you, didn’t you say that guy was bullying you?” he said, pointed to Cher Nuha’s carcass, and stuttered, “It’s not coveting for… the Madam…” His face was red enough to ebb blood, and even his voice became inaudible.

Qu Fongning shoved at him with a grin. He arched his waist into the soft muslin yurt, and offered up a pair of bright pearls. “Much obliged to the Madam’s assistance.”

Madam Danki smiled with her fair eyes, bid her maid to take over the pearls, and placed them onto a jade vessel for close inspection. She then directed a sweet smirk at Qu Fongning. “This brother of yours has some fine technique, and size’s quite good, just a little rash. My knees are still hurting!”

“This humble one will surely supervise him to improve his techniques on my return, and guarantee Madam’s absolute satisfaction next time,” said Qu Fongning, deferentially.

Danki giggled and jabbed at his forehead. “You kid really knows your cheek!” Her beautiful eyes swirled and scrutinized the stout figure beneath his tunic, and spoke saccharinely, “How about you keep me company next time?” The snow-white breasts closed in to him, with them assaulted in a full luscious scent.

Startled, Qu Fongning went rigid all over. “This humble one… is… shallow on the experience, I fear…”

Danki furrowed her willow brows and pulled her face. “You don’t think I’m beautiful enough?”

“The madam’s beauty is stunning enough to conquer the entire steppes,” Qu Fongning said immediately. “This humble one understands his meager stature and dares not to have any thoughts beyond his station…”

Danki laughed like petals falling off branches, and pinched his cheeks. “Little virgin, look how you are shaken! If I’m younger by five or six years, I would probably prefer your flavor. Now ah…” She let out a small laugh, caressed her snow-white neckline, and said, “compared to handsome faces, now I prefer better work. As for the man I want now…” Breathing as sweet as orchids, she leaned into his earlobe and said in a low chuckle, “—there’s only Yujien Tianhung.”

Suddenly hearing the name from Danki’s lips, Qu Fongning couldn’t help a start.

“There’s nothing odd about it. He’s the shared dream of every woman,” said Danki, with a face full of lust. “That mighty lance beneath him, his invincible record, makes us all dream and venerate him. I heard the women that have gone to bed with him can never forget that soul-deep euphoria for their entire life, and since then every man becomes dull and vapid. When he came to attend the feast here last time, I, through a blanket, saw his hulky thighs, and the solid waist, and watched that heavy bulk beneath his underwear, and would sooner turn into a bitch and flounder at his feet and lick every measure of his body. Ulan dear beckoned me to pour wine for him; I walked over and knelt by his side… the scent on him was stronger than dear musk, even the seams of my bones tingled, and all strength left me. He extended his arm to take the wine cup, and when the callus on his hand touched my finger, I was like an inexperienced maiden, blushing all over my face. I greedily eyed the joints and scars on his hands, imagining these hands unfastening my clothes, touching my legs, opening, plunging… and I was completely wet through and through on the spot.

Desire flooded in her eyes, and her words took on a further allure. Qu Fongning only felt embarrassment through his ears. “His hands really aren’t all that unusual,” he thought. But as soon as this thought roused, he was so embarrassed to even lift his head, and almost had smoke rising out of the ends of his ears. Danki bit her lips and tittered.

“You’re a boy. You wouldn’t understand this, eh? It’s just like you going on wars and conquers! The bed is a woman’s battlefield. If we only win once in our lives and die immediately, it would be worth it, heart and soul.” Then her face changed, and spat bitterly, “When that bitch from Shinran married him, we were so jealous! And as soon as I saw that starlight carriage, frenzy consumed my chest, and I would sooner run over to burn it up, pull out that bitch, and kill her to ten thousand shreds…”

Qu Fongning’s head tensed, and he backed a step, then couldn’t help his curiosity. “The Princess Consort… How did she die?”

“Who knows?” Danki laughed out loud. “It’s different there in Shinran, with the wife having a prime position at home. That bitch wanted understanding and sensibility, and promises of one to the end. He’s a hero pillaring the heaven and earth. How would he have the time and care to bother with her little ideas? In the end, she fell ill and died in depression, and you couldn’t blame anyone else.”

“So, it was like this,” thought Qu Fongning, and thus bowed his farewells.

Danki languidly waved her hand and spoke again: “I heard he kept the women the Great King sent him last time, to serve in bed? Does he like the busty ones or the slender ones? Which kind of face and make-up does he like? You frequent the City, take some notes for me. There would be no shortage of benefits for you!”

Qu Fongning agreed on the lips, but laughed privately. “The kind he likes is right in front of your face, but you probably don’t have the ability to imitate.” He touched his boiling cheeks and turned to exit the yurt.

~

And so, for half a month, the winds were even, and the waves were calm. Because all Chao’yoonr wished for was to bear a big, plump son for her lover. Hence, it was rather unusual since she calmed her temper, and even neglected to pick up her beloved whip. However, after several days, her body gained no weight, and she called for a pulse check and found no pregnancy. And in her great dismay, she smashed countless possessions. Qu Lyn was surprised as well, and cajoled her for the good half-of-a-day, and became suspicious: “I’ve counted precisely, how could I miss? This twat is probably acting on purpose.” He called forth several shaman doctors for a consultation. All agreed that the Princess was healthy in body, there should be no concern for infertility, and would the Little Lord Prince please rest assured. Only Jorrji showed some colors of apprehension in his eyes, pointed to a nvquay-embroidered silken pouch to her chest, and inquired, “Your Highness the Princess, where did you get this object from?” Chao’yoonr answered with perplexity, “Uncle Tian gave this to me, and told me to keep it by my side.” Jorrji’s grimace deepened, and before he opened his mouth again, Qu Fongning tugged on his tunic, and called quietly, “Grandpa, come out with me for a bit.”

Jorrji saw him, and naturally, would give him all the attention and slip in another matter of heart, “Little Damu, Songshr is thinking about you every day!”

“I’ll go see her tomorrow,” Qu Fongning said with a smile. The two exited the ger, pulled a few words of greetings and Qu Fongning inquired, “Grandpa, is there something wrong with the thing the Princess is wearing?”

Jorrji’s twin white brows stood up, he shook his head. “I was just confused! The is a rare ice musk hidden in that silk sachet, and if a woman keeps it close to their flesh, they could never bear a child.”

Qu Fongning’s heart was as clear as snow. “I suppose it’s the General’s way of caring for the Princess, not wishing her to be a mother at such a young age. Grandpa, you ought never say this out loud, for it will harm their relationship,” he said, and saw that Jorrji complied. Thinking of the ruthlessness of Yujien’s method, he couldn’t help drenching a shower of cold sweat.

~

Within three to five days, a letter came from Yarrdu City. The letter read: Chao’yoonr’s maternal grandfather was ill beyond treatment, and was in critical condition. Chao’yoonr’s parents heard the news and forthwith called the slaves and servants to prepare their return. It was Chao’yoonr’s first engagement of love, and she was hard pressed to separate with her lover. “Then why don’t our dear son-in-law come with us, also to visit the elders?” said her father, words precise to her likings. And Qu Lyn thus had to comply. Before his departure, he watched Qu Fongning holding Watering Chill, solemnly tying it to his waist, and bidding in an undertone, “Master, come back soon.” Qu Lyn, with a belly full of suspicion, eyed him several glances, climbed up and left with the car.

Qu Sharraugh, shrewd with insight, saw that this old grandfather’s illness came with much peculiarity, and secretly ordered spies in swift steeds towards Yarrdu City. Before the spies returned, Qu Fongning had intercepted a confidential document from a red eagle, with the entire text composed in cipher. Qu Sharraugh blanched after the decoding, and sprung from his seat with a strident cry, “Strike forces immediately to rescue Qu Lyn!”

Unexpectedly, Qu Lyn was brilliant even without his old man’s aid. That very night he stole away with Chao’yoonr on light cavalry. He gleaned his father-in-law’s sudden change of demeanor right after they took to the road, of refusing him leave even for a single step. He surmised something was wrong, and ordered a guard with a similar build to dress into his like, and feigned to be asleep from sickness. And he lied to Chao’yoonr about the stuffiness of riding the coach and wanting to find an alternative path to travel, for the convenience of their intimacy. Chao’yoonr knew nothing of the plot, and in radiant joy, made countless covers for her lover. And so, with rapid rides and whips, they rushed back to Chienye.

The father and son met again, and before the sobs and weeps, they at once unrolled the confidential document and discussed the great matter. As Qu Lyn read, he felt more and more terror, and broke into grand curses. What do you think the cipher contained? It was a new decree to be issued by King Andai the next year. In it, regulated that: In our country, apart from military soils, none shall hold land for life; it is to be accounted for by year, after the planning of the Grand Ministers, and redistributed. Legalize the rights of slaves to own possessions, intermarry with civilians, and at the end of their term, redeem their freedom! Beneath the secret paper, printed a flagrant emblem of the sun, along with the marks of Yujien Tianhung, Suerhu, and various significant civil and martial officials, apparently all conferred and agreed.

“Father,” Qu crunched the root of his teeth and spoke tremulously, “when this edict is issued, Our Konan State of ten thousand slaves disintegrates in an instant, and would never have a place in the world!”

Qu Sharraugh’s eagle eyes finally unveiled their sharpness. “Yujien Tianhung wants to use you as a hostage; it shows that our track had been exposed! The preeminent strike takes the lead, the subsequent party suffers the loss — Call the coup!”

~

Yongning fourth year, summer, Qu Sharraugh accused King Andai of foul play of his legitimate inheritance, raised the banner of rebellions, joined forces with Aryishan, Türrmus and several other commanders, and began a blatant revolt.

The vicissitude shook the states. The longhorns bellowed through the long night, and King Andai appointed the three armies of Shivon, Dardum, and Ting’schi to the counterinsurgency. By night, the rebel forces gathered beneath the Rolling Clouds Mountains. King Anndai, relieved of his armor, came before the rows, and cried his plaintive: “Oh Little Brother Prince, though we were not born of the same mother, we had been thick since babes, much closer than true brothers. I bestowed you innumerous cattle and land, when had I ever failed you?”

“You never failed me, but you failed Prince Amin!” Qu Sharraugh sneered. “Back then, after he granted you military power and land, and allowed you to hold slaves, how did you repay him? When you cut off his head, he died with his eyes wide open. You can even betray your elder brother for your own greed! How can such a cruel lord command over our tribe?”

King Andai gave a wry laugh and shook his head. “So you’ve determined to rise against me, even going to the extent of making up such ludicrous lies.”

Qu Sharraugh voiced no more, opened his bow and made a shot towards King Andai.

“Oh Brother Prince, since you’ve resolved so, don’t fault my lack of mercy—” King Andai stood behind the shield wall, his gaze solemn. “—Charge!”

Qu Sharraugh raised the insurgency on short notice; in the rush deployment, the many tens of thousands of troops he secretly accumulated were no match against the well-trained Chienye elites. After the first battle, he lost and retreated into the Rerhaan City. A hundred and sixty li from Jursu Heights, Rerhaan City had originally been Qu Sharraugh’s enfeoffment, and was one of his three holdouts. With the reinforcements from the city garrison, they won an initial grand victory, and annihilated eight-thousands of Shivon’s forces. In their victorious ecstasy, the rebel forces kowtowed and sung mountainous salutes of Long live the King. Qu Sharraugh held his bow and howled his laugh, booming in spirits. However, within a few days, the Western Army arrived and charged on with powerful assaults, and broke through the city. Qu Sharraugh thus had to led his forces to retreat into Za’yii, and seize able-bodied men along the way to fill the army. For a time, fear struck the hearts of the people, and fleeing nomads filled the banks of the Mei waters. But this sort of grass-strewn forces, how could it compete with formal military? And since the battle of Rerhaan until they were forced into the Angis City in Za’yii territory, the rebels gained not a single victory.

~

Came the war, Chao’yoonr became immediately placed under maximum security. She did not initially know of her in-law’s insurrection, and threw a great temper. Upon the news, she was utterly shocked, but displayed no fear whatsoever, and instead told Qu Lyn: “You are really foolish! In war, your father is far behind my Uncle Tian’s match. You better surrender fast and admit your defeat, and this princess might still open her golden lips and beg for your favor.”

Qu Lyn had suffered multiple losses through the days, and had long accumulated a gut full of fury. Hearing her words, obviously already certain of his defeat, a sudden rage flared, and he extended towards the dagger on his belt.

Yet Chao’yoonr’s voice lowered and said, raising her face: “Qu Lyn, I’m your wife. No matter what wrongs you’ve committed, and what punishment you need to suffer, I will always forgive you, and always love you.” She caressed her belly gently, her face a small blush, and said, “You are my first man, and the father to my children!”

Qu Lyn listened to her naïve confession, his face a flush of green and a flush of white. The hand on the dagger hilt gradually loosed, and he turned and left.

Ever since the beginning of the battle, in order to avoid suspicion, Qu Fongning begged Qu Lyn for a full set of equipment: hand and leg shackles with all the ends and odds, the iron chain dragging long, and as he walked, it dinged and donged and was audible within half-a-li. Apart from this, his movements and living had no impact or restrictions. At this moment, he was waiting outside the tent, and hearing Chao’yoonr’s words, he couldn’t help rising an evil idea: “If I tell her what’s in that fragrance pouch, how would she react?”

He witnessed the rout of the rebels along the way, and was convinced head and heels of Yujien Tianhung’s stratagem and tactics. And the only minor flaw in his interlocking plan was the one matter of the return of Chao’yoonr and Qu Lyn. For such an astute person as him, how could he not calculate to this step? It was probably because of Chao’yoonr’s mad infatuation going through her head, of being fully aware of the rough outlook, and still devotedly following her lover without rue or regrets. As for him, he must be awfully displeased with Chao’yoonr’s troublesome sentiments. And if Qu Lyn falls into his hand, he would probably be impaled on the spot without the slightest crease of his temples.

The scene of Qu Lyn’s corpse on the ground and Chao’yoonr crying into a puddle flashed before his eyes. He couldn’t help a laugh, but also faintly feeling a great disquiet. As to what this disquiet was, he could not understand at the time.

~

Qu Sharraugh sat within the Angis city-gates and soldiered on the hard duet with the counterinsurgency. But no matter how he arranged his schemes, the enemy always discerned his moves, almost as if completely calculated. Mad with rage, Qu Sharraugh still gained nothing from the canvas. And one night, in the quiet of winds, an enormous eagle whisked into span under the moonlight, and soared into vertical flight from the city. This caused no small commotion, the garrison atop the city gates were instantly alerted and shot it down. Upon immediate inspection, a secret report was discovered. Qu Sharraugh received the news, laughed instead at the zenith of wrath, slam-dunked his jadeite ring on the throne, and roared: “Such obvious noise of the wing spread; the spy time and time again sieved the intel, how could anyone not have noticed?” He thus personally passed the order to investigate every single household for falcons. And for several days, all spent in fear, and no birds flew spare. Though they attempted to keep the front, the signs of defeat progressively appeared clear.

~

In an abandoned well within the city, Uncle Hwei slowly made his hand gestures: “You’re a ghostling full of wicked ideas.”

Qu Fongning curled his lips, shrunk his wrist, and his hands astoundingly relieved themselves of the shackles. A red-beaked steel eagle soundlessly took flight from his arm and disappeared into the boundless night.

~

Closing in the Sixth month, the rebels were entirely forced to retreat into Angis City. By the middle of the Sixth month, sixty thousand Western army troops surrounded the city. Due to the extended years of rancor between Za’yii and Chienye, they dared not to close near. It was at the height of summer, and the storm deluged. By chance, an attentive Western army commander noticed certain oddities about the drain gutters before the front lines, made a dig along the trenches, and discovered an old coal tunnel, long and narrow, scarcely allowing one to pass. Two vanguards volunteered to go down the well to explore. They returned blushing, and reported, “The end leads to a cell. Princess Chao’yoon… seems to be held there.” General Ting’schi found the two hemming and hawing, and went in person to look. At the bottom, he really saw a damp and musty cellar, and Chao’yoonr tightly bound up hand and feet, hair loosened and disheveled, and completely naked. As soon as she saw her savior, she let out a wail.

It turned out the Angis City sat on top of a labyrinth of mines, and the tunnels ran as thick as webs. Since Qu Sharraugh perceived no hope of victory, he acted forthwith to transfer his resources from the underground tunnels and withdraw his entire forces further into Za’yii territories. Qu Lyn originally planned to take on Chao’yoonr, but Qu Sharraugh only said impassively: “This woman is not to be taken along. When Yujien Tianhung leads his forces here, build a pyre outside and burn her on the stakes, and we can gain two more days.” And Qu Lyn had to comply. Chao’yoonr witnessed the heartlessness of her beloved, like knives flaying her heart, and fainted from her sobs. General Ting’schi let out a quiet sign, took off his cloak and wrapped it around her.

“Is my Uncle Tian here?” cried Chao’yoonr, her eyes all swollen. “General Yujien already crushed the uprising at Western Liang. He is on his way,” General Ting’schi consoled her. He presumed the present location unfit for idling and beckoned for help.

Just as he opened his mouth, a blaring boom, sand and mud shook and fell, falling on two’s heads and faces. Raising his head to look, the mouth of the tunnel had collapsed. General Ting’schi covered Chao’yoonr with his frame, but was struck by a large round stone on the back, and knelt down from pain, barely supporting himself with the Lonicera Trident in his hand. At the end of the smoke and dust, a wooden board flipped up from the ground, and Qu Sharraugh sauntered out of the secret tunnels, his eagle eyes condescending in scrutiny over General Ting’schi. “You’ve come at an unfortunate time, brother-in-law.”

General Ting’schi struggled to hold back the pain. “Old Qu, you’re of noble position, and wealthy enough to measure nations. Why commit such traitorous felonies?”

Qu Sharraugh played with the golden saber in his hand, and lifted the corner of his lips at the words. “What’s done has been done, what can I do? Are you here to quench the mutiny or to talk?”

Pity swirled in General Ting’schi’s eyes. “My wife’s parents had both passed, with only you as her brother… How can I bear taking away her only family?” He coughed, raised his eyes at Qu Sharraugh, and entreated, “Plead your guilt! I’ll vouch for you with my own name; the Great King will never harm you when you return.”

Qu Sharraugh seemed to be moved, his gaze shifted slightly, and dropped his voice, “I only have Little Ya, the one sister, so be it, so be it…”

Suddenly, Chao’yoonr screamed. A section of Qu Sharraugh’s saber had impaled General Ting’schi body. From the tip of the blade, a drip of fresh blood dropped into a pattering splash onto the dusty earth.

Qu Sharraugh watched General Ting’schi’s furious, rabid expression and signed: “But today, I’ve grieved her.”

“You…how could…” rasped General Ting’schi.

Qu Sharraugh plugged back the golden saber and studied him with a wisp of compassion on his lips. “Brother-in-law, you are born to hold the tiger tally. You’ll never understand the desire of people like us towards military power. It’s like somebody’s thirsty for water, but others only care about whether you’re eaten enough, or warm enough…”

“You…” shrilled Chao’yoonr, shivering all over. “How could you kill Uncle Ting’schi, he’s… your sister’s husband!”

“Yujien Tianhung can murder his own son, what about me killing an outsider?” jeered Qu Sharraugh. He raised his foot and kicked her to the side, and lowered to grab the ropes.

Chao’yoonr tumbled on the ground and turned her head to scream: “You’re lying! My brother A’chu died from a Southern ploy!”

Qu Sharraugh guffawed towards the heavens. “Which Southerner? The Southern men are weak and feeble, how would they have the gall! And you think he really cares about you? Not only you, what Lan Suer, Vanrchu, they are all but step stones for his own legacy! What is in that sachet on you? Why can’t you bear a child? Do you want me to tell you?”

By now, heavy iron chains dragged along the tunnels, Qu Fongning poked his head out. He saw General Ting’schi with blood splashing five feet away and had a small start. “Lord Master, Master had asked you over,” he said. The sharpness flashed away from Qu Sharraugh’s eyes.

“Very well, you tie her up and take her down.” He sheathed the golden saber back into the hilt and walked towards the tunnel’s entrance.

“As per my Lord Master’s command,” said Qu Fongning. As he spoke, with his back to Qu Sharraugh, his wrist silently came free and quietly pulled up the Lonicera Trident from the ground.

Chao’yoonr held tight to the cloak and watched his movements with astoundment. Qu Fongning met her eyes with no change to his expression and opened his mouth: “Lord Master.”

Qu Sharraugh subconsciously turned his head and only felt a drilling pain in his chest. He lowered to look; the pain was real, his heart had been punctured alive.

Qu Fongning maintained the thrusting position, his gaze impassionate, until Qu Sharraugh dropped with a dong, falling flat on his back.

He then finally knelt down, and embraced General Ting’schi’s upper half, and examined the blade wound on his chest. That stab had pierced through the lung, blood had soaked through his clothes, and he looked difficult to save. He felt sorrow in his heart and slapped the vertex meridian on his crown to help him wake. “Please bear a little longer. I’ll help you out,” he said.

General Ting’schi’s eyes opened by a sliver, but unable to focus, only after long did they fall onto his face. “You… You’re…”

“I am Qu Fongning, Little… Little General’s friend,” said Qu Fongning in a hurry.

General Ting’schi seemed to have remembered something. “Oh, yes, Yu, Yu’er… I have some words…” Then sprang a violent cough, and his face turned into a sheet of death.

“I’ll take you back to Wolfbend Mountain. You can… tell him yourself, okay?” Qu Fongning said in a low voice.

General Ting’schi had a rush of urgent coughs and spoke with blood all over his lips. “No… I’m no good. This matter… is important, you must…” Black blood gushed out of his nose and ears, his lips shuddered, and it was hard to continue.

Qu Fongning pressed on his chest and mutely circulated Sky Mesh palms, sending energy into his rapidly deteriorating body.

General Ting’schi consciousness returned a little, and he rasped, “I have already arranged the matters after my death… I’d left a hundred hectares of garrison land, eighty thousand elites for Yu’er, and hoped… he would enter the military, with Termurr and Uyghren help him manage, Uyghrnier and Lakshin teach and tutor him strategy and formation. Mechanist Aishin, Armory Corps Commander Jiriwan… and Hadan and Tuler, those two old men had struck a vow to help me support Yu’er for life.”

Qu Fongning memorized the names, and answered: “Yes, this humble one has remembered.”

A wry smile emerged on General Ting’schi’s pale face. “No, no need. I want you to tell Yu’er, he doesn’t need… to bother about any of this. I want him… to live… a nice, free life.”

Perhaps it was the rebound of death. His gasps gradually calmed, and his speech became cohesive. “I’d spent the last ten years forcing him to inherit the military title, and had always only asked him whether he did things right, and never asked whether he was happy… I’m an incompetent father. From now on—” An emesis of violent coughs, and the words dropped.

Qu Fongning’s nose prickled, and his tears almost flooded out. “No, you… you’re an excellent father. Little General always idolizes you, and wants… to become someone like you.”

General Ting’schi minutely curled his lips. “What’s good about… being like me, even my son… needs to help me take care of his mother…” His finger raised somewhat towards his chest, he seemed wanting to say something else, but fell short.

Qu Fongning was silent for a moment, and took out the tiger tally, intel papers, trust flags, and name lists, and respectfully laid flat his body. Then he came before Qu Sharraugh’s corpse, arched and lightly pulled out the golden saber, and turned towards Chao’yoonr.

Chao’yoonr witnessed the deftness of his murder, and remembered that she had wronged him, and already started to panic. Then, seeing his expression opaque of joy or ire, coming one step after another towards herself, she backed into the corner in terror.

The shackles on Qu Fongning’s feet made a chain of dull thuds, the blade in his hand still bloody red. Seeing her inhuman pale color, he knelt down and helped her tighten the cloak, and smiled gently. “Don’t be scared.”

Chao’yoonr calmed her heart, and returned to her usual princess’s tone, “You take me out, I’ll make Uncle Tian reward you… reward you big, raise you as… superintendent, no, commander.”

“Mn, then thank you very much,” said Qu Fongning. The golden saber in his hand moved, thrusting right into her bosom.

Between now and then, Chao’yoonr’s almond eyes broadened enough to bulge out, looking at the blood blossom on her snow-white chest in disbelief.

Qu Fongning knelt before her on one knee and pushed the blade into her inch by inch.

“Does it hurt, Lord Princess?”

“Make a guess, compared to the little girl who you cut off both legs, dragged behind your horse for ten li, and died whimpering from loss of blood, who hurts more?”

“Yes, exactly, Ji Bozhao’s granddaughter, the one with the pretty ribbon shoes.”

Chao’yoonr’s breathing turned short, the sinews on her face contorted. “You… Who are you…”

A wisp of mockery streamed out of Qu Fongning’s eyes. “You’ll never guess now.”

Chao’yoonr’s fingers curled up, like a drowning person trying to catch onto anything. Qu Fongning gently held her hand. “Princess, don’t be scared. I just want you to know, you are not the only one in the world with a caring uncle.”

Chao’yoonr spasmed several times and finally rounded her eyes, turning into a grudging ghost. Her expression, livid in horror, evidently suffered a singular pain in death.

Qu Fongning pursed his lips, offhandedly tossed the golden saber by Qu Sharraugh’s corpse, and recovered his hands into the shackles.

A sudden hubbub above his head, seeming to be the clash of weapons. Qu Lyn’s anxious voice rang up in the tunnels: “Father, why haven’t you still…” And he eyed the corpse on the ground, thunderstruck. “Father—” he cried.

Qu Fongning drooped his eyes and wept solemnly. “Your humble servant came late. General Ting’schi was too fast…”

Qu Lyn prostrated by his father, his voice cracked, “Father, Father.”

Qu Sharraugh’s chest was pierced by the trident, his eyes watched deathly towards the heavens, obviously in disbelief before his death.

Qu Lyn’s throat croaked a few times. Then he suddenly pulled up the trident, and plunged towards General Ting’schi’s carcass, once, twice, thrice…

Qu Fongning slowly came before his back, and said gently: “Master, my condolences.”

Qu Lyn was full of grief, the golden crown on his head loosened, and blood veins filled his eyes. Seeing him appearing behind his back like a phantom, alarm stirred in his heart, and Watering Chill instantly came out of its sheath.

Qu Fongning watched the frigid air around the sword, his gaze bottomless. A rapid clink from the shackles, and his fingers already climbed the blade.

Terrified, Qu Lyn unleashed the sword swing before thinking, a slanted slice like his usual sword work. Silver light blinked, a numbness beneath his wrist, and the short sword had already been snatched away.

He then finally remembered who had taught him this combat art, and a chill scurried up his spine. The muscles beneath his lids pulsed. He fixed his stare on Qu Fongning.

Qu Fongning held the short sword on its hilt, and made a light slice on the shackles, and the iron board soundlessly split into two. He stretched around his wrist, then his left hand rapidly struck out. Qu Lyn only felt a piercing pain in his left ear; he had torn off half of the ear!

Qu Lyn held onto his wound. Bean-sized sweat drops dripped down without cease.

“You—” he cried, manically.

Qu Fongning nipped the ear flesh in his hand, the Mantis preys the Cicada¹ earring still swaying lightly on the bloody meat.

He raised his eyes at the blanched Qu Lyn and slowly gave over the hilt of the short sword.

“Give me a thrust.”

“Wha… What?” Qu Lyn almost couldn’t believe his ears.

“Give me a thrust. Then…” Qu Fongning repeated one word after another. Hearing the stomp of hooves above his head, he dropped his voice, “… go!”

Qu Lyn took over the short sword and regarded him in disbelief. “You…”

“My combat is much better than yours. If I let you go easily, it’ll raise suspicion,” Qu Fongning said calmly. He pointed to his lower abdomen and said, “Here, do it here. Thrust deep, don’t show mercy!”

Qu Lyn’s lips shook uncontrollably. Before he could open his mouth, Qu Fongning grabbed his hand, and impaled his own stomach!

Watering Chill shaved steel like mud; piercing through flesh and blood, it instantly burrowed to the hilt.

Qu Fongning fell onto the ground, his forehead a deep crease, but the side of his lips curled a small smile. “Master, Yujien Tianhung cares for me with a hundred tenderness, and sees me… as his own. I suppose he would not condemn me. Your humble servant shall stay by his side, in order to be Master’s… mole. I shall wait for Master’s rise… cough… to your glorious cause.” The chill entered his body, almost freezing his blood to ice, even his lips froze cyanotic.

Qu Lyn’s heart quaked. “Why would you, for me…” he rasped.

Qu Fongning’s teeth gritted noisily from the cold, but there lit a plane of fire in his eyes. “I am forever your slave… You are forever my master.”

Qu Lyn was moved. He came forward and touched his face.

Iron hooves sounded a tumult above their heads, a low, austere voice suddenly rang up: “The leader of the rebel forces is right here! I am saying this once more, they must be taken alive! Whoever acts in recklessness, death without mercy!”

Both immediately recognized the voice. “Go! Blow up the tunnels!” said Qu Fongning, quaveringly.

Qu Lyn gave him one deep look, huddled up his father’s corpse, and leaped into the secret tunnels, escaping in a rush. As the floorboard closed, a muted boom of explosion, the entire underground base shook many a shake.

Qu Fongning raised the shackles to cover the swamping sand and mud, until a beam of red light appeared before his eyes, and he finally fainted in reassurance.

~

Unknown to have slept for how long, he only felt a storm assaulting through his stomach. The frigid ice pierced in drills, the wintry gusts stung in blows, but his nostrils and throat burned like fire. Flickering of cold and heat across his body, sweat soaked through countless times. The soft stretcher turned into a bed, then turned into a tumbling carriage. In his deep dream, he vaguely felt someone dressing his wounds and swabbing his flesh, someone opened his eyelids and muttered to themselves, and a familiar voice called by his ear. He shifted his lips, but could not respond.

When he woke, his throat was so thirsty it almost cracked. It was dark all around. He was within a heavily draped, golden-lit and jade-hued grand ger. There was a thick layer of medicinal gauze around his abdomen. A little guard sat by his feet, his head bobbed up and down, dozing off. He at once struggled, “Please, give me… water.”

The little guard had a frisson, woke in an instant alarm, stared at him nonplussed for half a moment, and suddenly jumped up and dashed out. Soon, Yujien’s heavy boot steps came hurriedly in and stopped by his bedside.

Qu Fongning’s eyes met with his, and saw a frightful mess of blood veins, looking like he hadn’t slept for a long time. His lips moved, wordlessly calling a “General.”

Yujien touched his cheeks, his movement extremely light, grazed over his parched lips, and stopped. “Want some water?”

Qu Fongning nodded. Yujien helped him up and held the water to feed him.

Qu Fongning drank a sip, the pain in throat unutterable. He pained to swallow, then looked towards Yujien and rasped, “I’m sorry, General. I couldn’t save… Princess Chao’yoon.”

A color of pain surfaced on Yujien’s face. “It’s not your fault. It’s my lack of consideration.” The surrounding arm tightened. “As long as you are okay.”

Qu Fongning’s lashes shuddered, and he drank another sip of water. “The Little Lord Prince… did you catch him? What about my uncle and them?”

“Qu Lyn fled into Za’yii territory,” said Yujien, and helped him wipe the water off his lips. “The other people are fine. You recover at ease, don’t think about other things too much.”

Qu Fongning nodded compliantly. “I’ll call someone over to cook your medicine. You sleep for a bit,” said Yujien. He helped him lie down and adjusted his sleeping position. Found Qu Fongning staring fixedly at himself, he enquired, “What is it?”

“… I thought I’ll never see you again,” whispered Qu Fongning.

“I know your abilities,” Yujien said in a low tone. He lowered and touched his cheeks with the arch of his nose. “Did you miss me?”

Qu Fongning’s lashes flickered. He made a swallow and dared not to answer.

Yujien looked like wanting to kiss him, but forced himself to hold back.

“Close your eyes, sleep.” His voice was very low.

Qu Fongning obediently closed his eyes. Soon there was a fog in his mind, and he fell back into the land of slumber.

~

The half-dream and half-wake haze continued for several days, the pain in his body subsided, and the wound gradually closed. Uncle Hwei, Gerrgu and the others came forward to visit, and finding each other safe, they teared and wept. This day the guard brought up the medicine, and Qu Fongning didn’t want to drink, minding the bitterness. Just as he made a few excuses, he saw Yujien striding in, and immediately changed his tune: “You can leave it there. I’ll drink it when it cools a little.” Yujien came over impassively, sat down by his bedside, took over the medicinal bowl, and motioned to feed him. Qu Fongning saw the guard standing by the side, eyes blazing bright, and really couldn’t open his mouth. “I’ll… do it myself.” He caved in his face, and sat up disobligingly, and nibbled a tiny sip. Yujien’s eyes took up the hint of a smile. He placed down a bundle. It was Watering Chill, the tiger tally, intel papers and such, and the earring he gifted to Qu Lyn was also within. Qu Fongning recounted to him General Ting’schi’s last wishes, Yujien heard a few words and stopped him: “This is not for me to know.” And he called for Little Ting’yu to come over.

Little Ting’yu arrived momentarily in a full set of plain white mourning dress, his eyes as swollen as peaches. He entered with a call of “Fongning,” and a choke of sobs. The Western Army commanders gathered forth, all with expressions of woe. Qu Fongning’s eyes reddened as well. He held himself up, and said, “Before General Tingschi’s… passing, he left some words for me to give you.” Little Ting’yu, hard suppressed his grief, nodded slightly. The Western Army commanders knelt in unison on one knee and held their blades in the other, listening to their general’s last testament.

“The late general said: he left you a hundred hectares of garrison land and eighty thousand elites. Depend on Termurr and Uyghren for military personnels and supplies, Uyghrnier and Lakshin for strategy and formation. Mechanist Aishin, Armory Camp Commander Jiriwan… and Hadan and Tuler, those two senior commanders will support you for life. And most importantly…”

He raised his head, looking at Little Ting’yu’s pale, handsome face, and enunciated slowly,

“… is for you to inherit his unfinished ambition, to hold forever the powers of the Western Army.”

The Western Army commanders hearkened and kowtowed towards Little Ting’yu in unions, chiming “Commander General” on their lips. Little Ting’yu was always given high hopes by his father, and naturally had no suspicion whatsoever. He took over the tiger tally, remembered that his father had passed, and the hard responsibility now befell onto his shoulders. He truly didn’t know how to face it. In came the unrelenting grief, and he couldn’t help letting out a great cry.

Qu Fongning saw him flanked out by the troops, his lips pursed faintly. Seeing Yujien coming in from the outside, he hurried to take up the medicinal bowl, pretended to take a sip, and pled: “General, Little General is not good at dealing with people, can you… help him a little?”

“He’s your friend and my nephew. How could I not help him? Gold and resources, as long as he asks, there’s nothing I won’t agree with,” said Yujien. He watched him drink a few sips of the medicine, and took over the bowl.

“I can drink myself,” said Qu Fongning, hastily.

Nevertheless, Yujien took it over, put it on the bedside, pushed up the mask to his forehead, lowered his head and kissed on his lips.

Qu Fongning completely lost the command over his body, and even his toes when rigid. He only felt the intense masculine scent through his lips and knew nothing else.

Yujien’s aquiline nose ridge tagged on his brow tip, almost sniffing at his scent, and his voice dropped low: “You accepted me that day, or did I misunderstand you?”

Qu Fongning could not admit the matter straight-on, his face couldn’t help blushing red.

Yujien ruffled his hair and wrapped him in a tight embrace. “I thought you had regrets.”

Qu Fongning was going to say “No regrets,” but he was terribly embarrassed and only shifted his lips.

Yujien twisted his face towards himself and intertwined with his gaze. “It’s too late to regret now,” he said huskily, and kissed in once more. This time, his air was even more determined and flaring, engulfing around his tongue like a raging fire, kissing him almost to a burn.

The lips and tongues entangled for a moment, and their breaths turned heavy. Yujien peaked a number on his cheeks and cuddled him for a while. Qu Fongning’s heart pounded like drums, and his heart was dizzy with weight. The corner of his eyes peeked at his firm lips, saw a sliver of watery glisten, and his heart went on another round of romps.

Yujien’s chin nuzzled on his head, and he remembered a matter, took out a tattered sheepskin parchment from his bosom, and dangled it before his eyes. Qu Fongning looked. It was the death contract of him entering slavery as a prisoner of war, and his eyes at once sparkled. “This is for me?” he said. Yujien smiled. “Took me great length to find it, how can I give it to you?” Qu Fongning eyed longingly at him taking it back into his bosom. “You want to be my master?” Yujien chuckled. “Mn. Let me hear you call master.”

Qu Fongning knew he wasn’t serious and made a rustling call of “Master.” As soon as his voice dropped, Yujien’s gaze darkened, his arm flipped, wrapped around and kissed him. This time, it was not as aggressive as before, but thick of desire. His tongue intertwined and tussled with him, titillating him into moans. Qu Fongning was kissed, weak all over, and couldn’t help the reaction between his thighs. He listened to the increasing weight of Yujien’s breaths and took a glimpse at his lower half amidst the delirium. Pity the darkness of the military garbs, for he made nothing out.

“What chu lookin at?” came Yujien’s husky voice. And he at once grabbed his hand and pressed on his own crotch.

Qu Fongning only felt, beneath the bronze buckle, an extraordinarily bulky, hard and scolding matter against his palm, and withdrew in a start. The firm flesh of the adult male had a thick air. When Yujien’s broad, rough hand stroked along his thighs, a sentence swept across his delirious mind: “imagining these hands unfastening my clothes, touching my legs, opening, plunging…” His lower body instantly warmed by a few more degrees, and he hastened to shrink back in.

Yujien cradled him and kissed him for a while, and gradually laid him flat on the bed. He caressed his body through the clothes and arched over his upper half. Qu Fongning pressed on his shoulders, had a light sheen of sweat all over, and his clothes clung onto his back from the hot moisture.

Suddenly, a bone-piercing spasm at his stomach, and he lurched up from the pain. Yujien instantly noticed. “Pain?” he said, panting, and slightly raised his torso and inspected his abdomen. Qu Fongning hurried to loosen the hand around his neck and responded with a low hum. Yujien undid the dressing, and saw the wound had torn a slit, the inner flesh and blood turned over, and the skin around the scar was full of tiny sweat. He frowned and then smiled. “You are still wounded… Da-ge is too hasty.” He took over the vulnerary, reapplied the medicine, and tightly wrapped the gauze round and round. When he finished treating the wound, he pushed him to the inside, and bid him: “Sleep tight, I’ll guard over here.”

Qu Fongning furtively shifted his eyes, and Yujien flicked on his forehead. “What? Scared that I can’t resist?” Qu Fongning immediately felt embarrassed and turned over to his back. Yujien laid by his side and said quietly: “You be patient as well, let’s talk when your wound heals up.” Qu Fongning suddenly felt he had been underestimated. “I won’t talk to you again,” he rebutted quietly. Yujien cuddled him. “Too late, nowhere to run now.” Qu Fongning wanted to argue, then turning a thought, he couldn’t run either way, and thereby gave up.

That night, Yujien thus slept beside him. On the brink of sleep, he seemed to feel Yujien on his nose tip, on his cheek, kissing him like the dipping of water, kissing for a long time. He was really sleepy and couldn’t wake anyhow, so he let him kiss himself, and as such, fell sweetly asleep.

---