“I know that my time is up.” She exhaled lightly and continued in a low voice, “I knew that this day would come. I didn’t expect it to arrive so soon.” A warm and gentle face appeared in front of Lady Yu, but she could not make out the person as her vision blurred. Lady Yu smiled as blood oozed non-stop out of her wound and seeped through the bandage. She reached out her hand with great difficulty to caress the face, as she thought of their first meeting many years ago. They were young back then; she had been brought to the streets to be punished for trying to escape. She was beaten to a pulp but did not cry out. He passed by the bridge along with his teacher, and squatted down to hand her a bottle of ointment. He said as he frowned, “Apply it once during the day, and once at night. Remember to recover well.”

　　As Lady Yu maintained her smile, she said in a tired voice, “AhChu, I’m going to sleep for a while. Remember to wake me up when Daoya arrives.”

　　Chu Qiao bit her lower lip and nodded forcefully. Lady Yu closed her eyes as she felt assured. Her expression was fatigued. Softly, she whispered, “I’m going to sleep for just a while. I’m too tired. Just a while.” Her long eyelashes formed a light shadow on her beautiful face as her heartbeat gradually slowed and stopped. Her hands slumped lifelessly onto the ground, landing between the crook of Chu Qiao’s arm.

　　The winds outside became stronger as the rain blew into the small straw hut. Chu Qiao’s body stiffened. She looked down as she shed a tear onto Lady Yu’s icy cold face. The droplet of water flowed down and blended into the pool of blood below.

　　“General!” He Xiao dashed into the hut. As he saw Lady Yu’s lifeless body, the man was suddenly stunned.

　　Chu Qiao looked up at him silently, replying in a hoarse voice, “What’s the matter?”

　　He Xiao thought for a long while before saying slowly, “Mister Wu is here.”

　　It was still raining when they saw Mister Wu. Chu Qiao wore a raincoat as she was escorted by He Xiao and the rest to the border of Qiulan Plains. The soldiers lit up the torches with pine oil, brightening up the pitch-dark piece of land. Corpses which had turned white from the storm littered the ground everywhere. He Xiao was standing under a desert poplar tree, holding a big umbrella. Mister Wu was kneeling there, facing Chu Qiao and her people. There were three arrows embedded in his back; one of them was buried in his heart. His face was pale as a trail of blood flowed down his mouth. He was lifeless, but his eyes were open; he was seemingly looking out for something as he did not collapse onto the ground. His eyebrows were deeply locked together as he maintained his determined gaze.

　　“When we got here, Mister had already died.” He Xiao’s voice echoed out from beside her ear. The night was pitch-dark, without any traces of light. Chu Qiao straightened her back and sat on her horse. Her eyes were dry; she could not muster up any tears.

　　“Each person has his own wishes. As for mine, I wish to be closer to my own beliefs. For this, I am willing to give up my freedom and love, because I feel that it is worth it.”

　　In that instant, Chu Qiao seemingly heard the words that Mister Wu had told her one year ago on Huihui Mountains. The night winds howled on as the rain continued to fall. Chu Qiao closed her eyes as she looked up, causing the rain to splatter on her face like sharp knives.

　　Lady Yu, you must wait on. The person you were waiting for is finally here. This life, the both of you have tired yourselves out. In your next life, don’t take on too many responsibilities. You guys must remain together and live happily ever after. Don’t think about anything else.

　　The heavens and earth were desolate as the wind ravaged its way across the landscape. The long night had just begun…

　　The dark clouds hovered low above the night sky. The wind raged on, letting out low-pitched sounds.

　　“Fire!” a low voice issued the orders repeatedly. The soldiers dressed in red, who were surrounded in the valley, were shot down one by one as blood splattered everywhere and cries of agony sounded out. The sounds of the clock echoed out loudly, as over 20 distress signals were fired out. This was at the southern slopes of Huolei Plains, which was less than half an hour’s journey from Beishuo City by horse. They did not understand why the troops from Beishuo did not save them. Had they been surrounded? Who were the enemies that were attacking them?

　　“Who is this?” An arrow was embedded in Xiaohe’s shoulder, causing blood to stream out from his body. His comrades, who were fighting alongside him, collapsed one by one like maize ready to be harvested. His eyes were bloodshot as he struggled to comprehend the situation in front of him. He did not understand. He had received Yan Xun’s orders to head back to Beishuo for an award to be conferred upon him. Why had he been ambushed by unknown enemies?

　　Xiaohe looked at the madness which was unfolding in front of him, which was akin to a living nightmare. The situation was like a giant boulder which had fallen down a slope. No one was able to stop it from escalating. Those who tried to resist were crushed effortlessly.

　　They had not exchanged direct blows with the enemy. As they were in the territory of Yan Bei, and that they were on the way to an award ceremony, they did not bring any weapons capable of long-distance assaults. They had no shields nor arrows. The army of 5,000 was trapped in this valley, surrounded by enemies everywhere. The arrows homed in on them, leaving no room for them to retaliate. The soldiers who were courageous enough to try and break through were mercilessly shot down, as blood stained the ground. Mountains of corpses littered the ground as the surviving soldiers shouted out, “Who’s at the opposite side? Why are you attacking us?”

　　“Why is no one coming to rescue us? Where are the guards from Beishuo?”

　　“They are using the successive firing technique! It’s our own forces!”

　　“Who exactly are they? Who wants to kill us?”

　　Xiaohe’s eyes were bloodshot. His vice-general wielded his sword and shielded him as he shouted, “Protect the general! Protect the general!” As he finished his words, a sharp arrow pierced through his throat, causing his voice to fade away like a deflated wind box. Blood spurted out onto Xiaohe’s face.

　　Xiaohe held his vice-general’s body in his hands. The well-built man, who was about 30 years old, opened his eyes wide and grabbed at Xiaohe’s cloak. Blood streamed non-stop out of his mouth as he managed some words with great difficulty and intermittent pauses, “Who…who…who wants to kill us?”

　　Corpses with missing body parts were strewn on top of each other, forming a small mountain under the feet of Xiaohe. He no longer felt any pain in his wound. The time was between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM of the next day. The rain started to pour on the corpses. The warriors defended valiantly as they stepped amongst the sea of their comrades’ bodies, using them as human shields to block the incoming arrows. Cries of agony, cursing, and swearing dominated the air. After a long while, the waves of attacks subsided. The flurry of arrows stopped, but the enemy forces lay in wait quietly, continuing to surround them.

　　The second squad of the Huoyun Army had almost been wiped out. The people who still stood alive were as good as dead. They no longer had any more strength to resist the attacks of the enemy, as they panted loudly like wild dogs.

　　Silence. Dead silence.

　　Suddenly, the low sounds of machinery being operated echoed out. The warriors widened their eyes in fear and looked up to see another flurry of arrows flying towards them. Swoosh! They were unbelievably sharp and penetrated through the lifeless human shields with ease.

　　“Ah!”

　　“B*tches, I’ll…”

　　Intense sounds of cursing echoed out once again. However, before they finished their sentences, they were cut short by the arrows. Three or four arrows had implanted themselves in Xiaohe’s body, as blood oozed non-stop. His face was indistinguishable from the blood stains. He continued to lash out with his sword, as one sharp arrow pierced through his shoulder, causing him to become stuck with the ensign of the Huoyun Army.

　　“General!” a soldier shouted out and dashed to his side. As he neared, another arrow pierced through the back of his heart, causing the soldier’s pupils to dilate. He lowered his head, seemingly confused. He reached out his hand to feel for the arrow and frowned. Like an innocent child, he knelt on the ground, being supported to his feet by his bow and arrow. Just like this, he died right in front of Xiaohe’s eyes.

　　The young general teared up as he let out a savage roar. “Protect the general!”

　　The warriors swarmed forward. The enemy, detecting their movements, switched their line of fire towards the big group of people. A soldier who Xiaohe had not seen before turned back to look at him, a bright look in his eyes. With a laugh, he said, “Save General. I’ll be leaving all of you first.” Subsequently, he turned around and rushed towards the flurry of arrows. Countless arrows pierced through his chest and brain. He stood there lifelessly, at his original position, as he turned into a human target.

　　A heartbreaking pain surged through his body. Xiaohe dashed forward, roaring loudly as his body withstood the impact of countless arrows. The young general surged forward with his sword, as more arrows pierced through him. The enemies hidden in the darkness were shocked; some of them stopped firing as they saw the blood-stained soldier rushing towards them.

　　Suddenly, at this instant, a sword flew out and struck Xiaohe’s leg. Xiaohe lost his balance and knelt down on the ground with one knee. He looked at the enemy’s camp not far out, his eyes red. The look in his eyes became a living embodiment of indignity and rage driven by desperation and madness. His eyes looked towards the enemy forces dressed in black as he spat out a mouthful of blood. The young general stood up yet again, fueled with frightening willpower. He bellowed loudly, “Who is this? Who’s trying to kill us?”

　　Another dense flurry of arrows flew towards Xiaohe, siphoning the life out of him and disfiguring his face. The ground shook with the thunder as the torrential rain poured down onto the land, onto the cold, lifeless corpses. Blood streamed down the trails of water as the entire army was exterminated.

　　“Burn them,” a low voice sounded out. The warriors dashed forward with their wooden buckets which contained pine oil on the inside. They poured it over the dead bodies of the soldiers; a nauseating smell emanated from the scene as it blended with the pungent aroma of blood. The bodies were promptly torched and set ablaze; even the rain was unable to extinguish the flames. The warriors in black stood there and watched as the fire swallowed up all the indignity in front of them.

　　Yes, massacres were not able to eradicate dreams, but they could eradicate the carriers of the dreams.

　　The night was still dark and chilly. The warriors turned their sights on to Beishuo City, as they lost interest in what was going on behind them. The sky started to brighten up as messenger troops approached the warriors with the following news, “Princess Huanhuan has arrived at the city gates along with her troops. Your Highness orders General to lead your troops there.”

　　The massacre had not ended after all.

　　It was about to continue.

　　“General, there are about 300 people in front. It might be the scouts from Beishuo. Their warhorses are fast. Do we avoid them?”

　　Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows. The rain had just stopped; the dark clouds slowly dispersed, leaving a thin, white layer of fog lingering in the air. She frowned and looked sharply towards the group of people.

　　“General! It’s the Huoyun Army. They are being pursued by large groups of troops. It looks like there are 5,000 people!” The messenger hurriedly sprinted back and said. Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows and ordered decisively, “He Xiao, bring some people with you to save Princess Huanhuan. Stop the troops that are pursuing them.”

　　“Yes!” He Xiao obliged and organized his army of 4,000, before advancing towards the battlefield.

　　Chu Qiao followed closely behind with her troops. The horses’ hooves stepped on the muddy ground, revealing slight traces of reddish liquid amongst the muddy waters.