Vol Chapter 9 (1/2)

Chapter 9: Cunning bandit, Part 1 of 5

The capital of the northwest border is indeed very far away from the imperial city; although the army rushed, it is still slow to catch up, it took eleven days’ time. For more than ten days, Gu Yun was indeed riding a horse in the same way as Su Ren and Han Shu. In the evening she slept in makes.h.i.+ft army tents, ate dry food to get by. From beginning to end, she has not complained even once, but appeared to be energetic as ever.

During these last ten days, she not only earned the respect of the entire army of soldiers, she also won Lou Mu Hai over. This woman is good! The Qing family in Hao Yue is also regarded as a rich family, but it did not raise its daughter pampered and under extravagant airs, no wonder Su Ling took fancy on her!

Since entering the northwest territory, the mountains are full of wild trees, valleys, streams, rivers are everywhere, the humidity in the air is significantly higher, especially now that it’s summer, the hot air is intolerable.

Dense thickets border on both sides of the main road, a quick glimpse of them, indeed one cannot see beyond the edges of the road. The sun has gradually set, in about an hour it will be completely dark.

Han Shu closed the topographic map, facing Su Ren he stated: “Another sixty miles distance to the city of Pei.” If they hurry, tonight they should be able to reach Pei city.

Su Ren suddenly stopped his horse and asked: “Senior General Lou, how is the terrain en route to Pei city like?”

Lou Mu Hai nodded and replied: “ah, there’s still a very long valley ahead, after pa.s.sing through this valley, there’s only ten miles to go to Pei city.”

Su Ren knitted his brows pondering for a while, then he said: “it’s getting late, for now let’s pitch camp here first.”

“Yes.”

Han Shu wondered, at this rate they’re going, they would have reached Pei city in another four hours, why does Su Ren want to pitch camp here?! Although he has misgivings inside, but right now Su Ren is the commanding officer, a military order must be obeyed, if he says camp, then camp they will!

The camp was set up well, by now the sky has completely darkened, inside the main tent, Su Ren, Han Shu, and Lou Mu Hai were seated around a big table. Gu Yun holding a piece of plain white cloth was gently wiping the icy, snow white sword blade. Although her eyes were not looking at them, her ears were not idle, as they conversed she listened to every word they uttered.

“Senior General Lou, you have the longest time spent defending the northwest territory, you’ve dealt with the bandits for years, why don’t you first brief us a bit about Pei city and the bandits’ situation.”

“Alright.” Lou Mu Hai nodded and began to narrate earnestly: “in those days when the late emperor has not yet conquered this part of territory, Pei city and several neighboring towns were all just some wild lands. They had always been under the leaders.h.i.+p of the Yong Mu tribe, the tribe’s chieftain was their leader. Later, the late emperor wanted this small region which is the common border between Qiong Yue and the neighboring country of Lin to be annexed to Qiong Yue. After a two-year war, most places surrendered, but the chieftain of the Yong Mu tribe led his tribesmen along with those other natives unwilling to surrender to escape and retreat into the west patch of the forest. The late emperor had already dispatched twenty thousand troops to exterminate them once and for all, but they failed in the end to do so; every now and then Yong Mu’s tribesmen come out and loot goods from the border posts, rebelling against the imperial court, for this reason, the imperial court set up a garrison west of Pei city and a.s.signed a general on duty.”

Puzzled Han Shu asked: “Over these past years? You were not able to vanquish them?”

Lou Mu Hai’s face darkened, sighing he said: “No, I was not able to vanquish them, really I’m … powerless.”

Powerless? To his knowledge, the west garrison general commands thirty thousand soldiers, some remaining lawless bandits actually make him powerless, Su Ren doggedly asked: “why’s that?”

A look of frustration flitted over his face, Lou Mu Hai replied: “most of the time they hide inside the forest. I had already sent troops three times to lay siege to the forest. Not only did I fail to annihilate them, but my army casualties were disastrous. As a last resort, I can only station troops outside to surround three miles from the forest, if they come out in ma.s.s, then we can besiege them. But in the last two years, I noticed the number of times they plundered goods became fewer, and when they did, each time their weapons have become more and more sophisticated than those of our army, that was why I rushed to the capital to report.”

Nothing but a patch of forest! Han Shu begged to disagree and wryly countered: “They live inside the forest, so they always need to replenish their daily necessities, you could block all exits, surround them, they will all die inside.”

“I’ve already tried that a long time ago, but unfortunately the forest is very vast, simply to surround it didn’t work, I don’t even know where they come in and go out.” That patch of forest is unfathomable, incomprehensively boundless, how could complete enclosure be possible!

Silent the whole time Gu Yun suddenly asked: “Is there a terrain map of this forest?

He glanced at Gu Yun, meeting her cold, intent gaze, Lou Mu Hai finally replied: “No. I’m ashamed to admit this, but even the number of those bandits, I’ve no idea. They hide in the forest, never come out in force, as far as I know, their number is less than ten thousand.”

Lou Mu Hai is even unclear as to the number of bandits?! Originally he thought they are just some insignificant bandits, thirty thousand elite troops are more than enough, the situation now appears to be much more problematic.

Su Ren asked: “What’s the name of their leader?” This he’d know at least?

Speaking of this, Lou Mu Hai looked somewhat angry, lowered his voice, and replied: “Mu Cang. He’s the deceased patriarch’s heir, his strategy is even more fierce than his father’s, but unfortunately I’ve not had the chance to go head-to-head with him, his two right-hand men, Wu Ji and Yan Ge, have beaten me overwhelmingly.”

Even these men had beaten General Lou? Han Shu grunted, snickered and said: “Is it really this unbelievably dire?!”

Lou Mu Hai felt bitter, when he first was posted here, he also did not believe it, eventually he’s also at his wit’s end how to resolve the problem!

Han Shu gave off the appearance that he could not wait to break through the enemy lines immediately, Gu Yun laughed in spite of herself, said: “Han Shu, you did not quite understand the words of Senior General Lou. If in the Gobi desert, that vast streatch of flat land, I absolutely believe that, going by your military accomplishments and the fierceness of the Su family army, no enemy can escape your watchful eyes. But this time it is different. We have to confront the most dreadful enemy. Not the bandits, but rather that piece of unfathomable, broad and boundless rainforest!”

In fine weather conditions and favorable geographical locations, people can see the difference, this battle very likely is hard to fight!

Lou Mu Hai stared and watched Gu Yun in amazement. He just said only a few words, yet she had already identified their real enemy. That d.a.m.n patch of rainforest! This is his profound a.n.a.lysis after two years of fighting the insurgency in the northwest. This young miss is pretty impressive ah!

Lou Mu Hai is staring at Gu Yun when suddenly the approaching footstep and low roar from far away are heard.

Su Ren feels something is off. Before he can ask a question, someone reports “Report! The army ration suddenly catches fire.”

The army ration has caught on fire?!

The four people inside the tent simultaneously stand-up. Two armies are getting ready for the war, without the ration, they will be defeated before the war starts.

The four people go outside, Su Ren urges “How is the situation of the ration now?”

“Now, we are trying to save it.”

Gu Yun squints her eyes, trying to see further. The fire is not big, she remembers that the army ration was carried by more than 30 horse carriages. Since the fire is small, the situation should not be really serious. However, how did it catch on fire for no reason? If it is an arson, the fire should not be this small, could it be…

Once an idea comes to her mind, Bing Lian is suddenly shaking. Yu Gun alertly looks up, only to find a silver arrow is targeting Su Ren’s chest. Yu Gun shouts, “Be careful!”.

Using Bing Liang, Gu Yun diverts the arrow. In one clash sound ‘Ding’, Gu Yun is able to stop three arrows in one go.

Sudden misfortune startles some people, at the same time, one black shadow inside the forest runs away.

“That side!” Han Shu discovers him and quickly pursues while shouting.

Gu Yun loudly says, “Don’t chase him!”

Don’t drive an enemy too far. Besides, that who knows whether there will be an ambush inside that forest.

Unfortunately, that shadow has entered the forest.

Clenching to Bing Lian, Gu Yun speaks to Su Ren, “You! Stay in the army centre, the ration is more important”, also goes into the forest.

“Qing Mo…”

Not far from there, Leng Xiao and Ge Jing Yun are standing outside the tent, looking at the nearby small fire as it gradually diminishes. They heard a familiar soft voice saying “Leng Xiao, Ge Jing Yun, follow me.”

They look at the voice source, it really is Gu Yun.

Her shadow disappears into the forest. Both of them look at each other, without too much thinking, following her.

Gu Yun runs at the front, followed by Leng Xiao and Ge Jing Yun at her back. As they get deeper into the forest, the land is more slippery and the surroundings are darker. Therefore, they can only see the silhouette really faintly.  When all three of them do not know which way to go, they hear the sound of weapon fighting not far from there,  pointing out the direction.

“It is weird, the weapon sound did not continue for long”, Gu Yun doubts. She has fought against Han Shu before, his martial art is not weak, but how come there is no more sound?

Although there is no more sound to guide them, luckily, they went to the right direction. Soon, there are a group of dark shadows, visible from afar. Seen from the stature, approximately, there are three to four people.

They are forcing something into a big bag, Gu Yun observes anxiously, Han Shu is actually captured. They either used some underhand methods or they have high martial arts.

After seeing two of the a.s.sailants motioning to leave along with the bag, Gu Yun roared, “Stop!”

The culprits were surprised. After looking around, they discovered there were three silhouettes in the forest, bolting towards them. They were not surprised that there were pursuers, but how come there was a woman in the Su army? That roaring sound before was definitely a female’s voice.

“Take him and go first, I will handle them.” Gu Yun heard the sound of a man in the darkness. The accent was a little bit weird. It did not sound like the accent of people who live in the mountains. With the surrounding darkness, it was hard to observe the opponent’s appearance. However, it sounded like the voice belonged to a young man.

Three people at his flank quickly lifted the bag and left. In this kind of surrounding, letting them go meant it would be impossible to find Han Shu again. This lad should be these people’s leader and his martial arts very skilful. Gu Yun secretly a.s.sessed the situation, and then ordered Leng Xiao and Ge Jing Yun, “Both of you, chase after them!”

“Yes.”

Leng Xiao and Ge Jing Yun chased them from the right and left sides.

The man’s eyes were coldly staring, a long whip was produced on his hand, even in the darkness of this forest, a strange golden strand on the whip could be seen.

Before he had time to whip, Gu Yun had already taken out the sword, a chilled fizz and swift cold air were sensed as Bing Lian appeared from its sheath.

Observing the white jade colour of the sword, the man was a little bit shocked. Bing Lian that could move by itself left his heart trembling. What a beautiful sword it was!

Just as the man was dazed, Leng Xiao and Ge Jing Yun pa.s.sed him, pursuing the three people.

The man did not really care, as he was more interested in the sword before him and its owner.

As the woman came towards him, a kind of frostbite feeling neared. The man was amazed, what kind of woman was yielding this wonderful sword.

In a split second, a small-stature woman was in front of him. She was wearing a black clothes as dark as the night. Her features could not be seen clearly. He could only see her handgrip posture on the sword, indicating her expertise.

Holding his whip, the man was not reserved in using his full power to whip towards her. Gu Yun’s body quickly deflected the attack. The whip severely flogged the ground, leaving a 3-inch depth groove.

Gu Yun’s wrist reversed, using Bing Lian on her hand, charged towards the man. As the cold light flashed, the man leapt above the Gu Yun’s head level and then sprung back. The whip on his hand also seemed to have a spirit, rapidly wrapping around Gu Yun’s unarmed wrist from behind.

Gu Yun turned around only to find the distance between both of them was really close. Gu Yun took this opportunity to observe the man in front of her. He dressed in a blue long gown. His black hair was not knotted as the army leaders but braided to his back. His temple was covered by fine hair reaching his eyes, making people unable to see through to his eyes and reading his intentions. This was the first time she met a man who wore such a vibrant colour. In the darkness, he seemed so unique.

Gu Yun secretly sighed, as the lash around her left arm tightened, the pressure penetrated deep into her muscle. Gu Yun quietly snorted. Bing Lian on her hand could feel her pain and slightly tremored. A cold light radiated from the sword’s edge, Gu Yun could feel Bing Lian on her hand emitting enormous power; she almost could not control it.

No longer able to hold the pain, Gu Yun’s left hand grabbed the whip and forcefully pulled it while her right hand thrust Bing Lian into the man’s chest.

The sword attacks that brought coldness to the bone bewildered the man. He could only retreat the lash that wrapped around Gu Yun’s left hand. Just as the lash met the edge of the sword, the gold coloured whip, made of a mysterious iron, fractured. Fortunately, the whip blocked the attack, reducing the speed of the cold sword and gave the man an opportunity to escape the fighting ground.

He was startled, it could not be imagined that this small woman who appeared so weak could be this formidable. The sword on her hand was not just your usual weapon, it was extremely sharp and able to freeze people.

Although he was able to escape, he knew himself that he was not Gu Yun’s opponent, or should it be said he was not the sword’s opponent. He quickly took his whip back and fled to the deeper areas of the forest.

“You want to escape?! It’s not that easy!” Gu Yun rapidly chased from behind.

It was a pity. The man’s qing gong (轻功 is the practice of martial arts, whereby the pract.i.tioners can move swiftly in a superhuman speed. In the movie, usually, it appears as the defying gravity skill, source: Wikipedia) was superb. Although Gu Yun’s strength was very good and her movement was also fast, she was not a pract.i.tioner of qing gong. As a result, the distance between the two gradually widened. The man set his foot on the mountain slope and jumped down. Gu Yun also chased him down. Not realizing that the slope which appeared to be slightly inclined when it was actually quite steep, she almost sprained her ankle. It was also because of this matter that the man’s figure had already disappeared. From far away, he arrogantly said, “If you really want to save Han Shu, let Su Ling enter the forest by himself. If he is afraid, please go to Crow’s Valley to collect the corpse three days from now.”

She still wanted to pursue him, when a constrained and pained voice from the south was heard… that was Ge Jing Yun’s voice.

“d.a.m.n!” Yu Gun quietly cursed. The purpose of these bandits was to use Han Shu as a bait to lure Su Ling. His life should not have been endangered. Gu Yun turned around and ran towards the direction of the sound.

After the sound of Gu Yun’s footsteps had gradually faded out, the man who was hiding behind the rock mountain could only loudly sigh. He looked at the whip that he has been using for many years. Now, the whip had broken into two parts. The man’s eyes hardened. In the future, this woman would be the leader of the main opposition.

Gu Yun did not need to run far before she spotted Ge Jing Yun, who laid on the ground. A thick and heavy blood odour was smelt in the air. He was injured!

After taking several coa.r.s.e breaths, Ge Jing Yun answered with difficulties, “I… I am alright.” Judging from his voice, he was still conscious. However, his constantly bleeding arm made Gu Yun worry.

The light was not bright enough. Gu Yun could not clearly see where the injury was. She orderly tore the clothes, in an attempt to make a wound dressing. Gu Yun asked, “Where are all the injuries?”

As the tearing sound pierced through the night, Ge Jing Yun’s heart felt a little bit warmer. He quietly replied, “Left shoulder.”

Gu Yun sighed grimly, luckily it is the shoulder. She grabbed his arm, helping him to apply a dressing on his wound. She accidentally touched some metal still embedded on his arm. What kind of weapon was this?

Gu Yun carelessly touched, making Ge Jing Yun more pained and produce a cold sweat. Gu Yun did not dare to touch anymore, only quickly bandaging the open wound.

Just as she finished bandaging Ge Jing Yun’s arm, Gu Yun sensed there was a shadow approaching them. She quickly grabbed Bing Lian and was on alert. As the man neared, the silhouette matched with Leng Xiao’s.

“Leng Xiao?” Gu Yun asked to confirm.

The person who was running towards her replied, “Boss, I let them escape as I was afraid if I pursued further, I would not be able to get Ge Jing Yun back.”

Gu Yun sighed and said, “You’ve made the right judgement, help me carry him. Let’s leave this place first!”

Both of them helped Ge Jing Yun to walk towards the forest exit. Although she applied a simple bandage, Ge Jing Yun’s blood was still continuously dripping. Gu Yun secretly speculated whether or not the opponent’s weapon was the arrow that she previously knocked down. In such a limited light source, the opponent could shoot accurately? That man’s skill had definitely reached a very high level.

After walking a bit, Gu Yun could see a search party that held torches, headed by Su Ren’s subordinate. She urgently spoke, “We’re here.”

Hearing some sounds, Yu s.h.i.+ Jun quickly went there and was a little bit fl.u.s.tered upon seeing the other three people. Yu s.h.i.+ Jun anxiously asked, “Madam, are you alright?

Gu Yun shook her head, “I am fine.”

As he only saw three of them, Yu s.h.i.+ Jun asked, “How about Vanguard Han?”

Gu Yun did not answer the question and heavily said, “There is a casualty here. We can talk again once we have returned to the camp site.”