Vol 3 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Volume 3 Chapter 3: Don’t tell me this is a misunderstanding (2)
It was late in the night, and the curtains of darkness had descended upon the forest. Tonight’s moonlight was exceptionally bright, so bright that it was comparable to the full moon of midautumn. But even so, it could not s.h.i.+ne through the myriad layers of yellowing leaves, and only scattered dots made it through to the forest floor.
Because we were afraid of exposing our presence, we never lit any lights since the sky turned dark, and now we can only count on our sense of touch to advance further.
From time to time, the cries of insects would resound from the tall gra.s.s. I don’t know what insect that is, all I know is that the cries were chilling and were cries that the dying made.
“Tread lightly everyone, and listen closely for anything out of the ordinary.” I lightly ordered, and Yi De as well as the 2 platoons of soldiers nodded slightly in affirmation.
Just now, as I was lying in my tent, I heard some dubious noises and sounds of people talking coming from the forests. I’d thought that it was my misconception or some soldier had awoken suddenly for some reason and emerged from my tent, not fully suspicious that mischief may be at work. However, I didn’t expect that everyone had also heard what I heard.
Because I felt that something was amiss, I told Feng Xian and the rest before bringing this small band into the forest to investigate.
For me, the cries of insects was truly a hindrance. Not only did it interfere with my sense of hearing, it also impaired my concentration.
— *Sou* *Sou*
(TL: Sound of something zooming past, like an arrow or someone sprinting.)
Behind!
“Take care of your back!” I yelled and raised my broadsword as I turned and stared at the tall gra.s.s.
“Behind, is it?”
“Yi De wait–”
“Yaa~”
Before I could even finish my words, Yi De had already swept up the Serpent Spear which seemed at odds with her size, and turned in the air before slamming it down onto the tall gra.s.s.
Because of her height, Yi De had to jump up in the air to exert strength.
All we heard was a *Bang*!, and the 2 trees shuddered as many leaves fell.
“… How was it?” I weakly asked.
“n.o.body, it doesn’t feel like I cut anyone.” Yi De said disappointedly.
On hearing this, I heaved a small sigh of relief.
Hai~~~~ I really can’t stop her. What if the other side had set a trap?
Maa, I do have to admit that my little sister is not the average reckless idiot who will be easily taken in by a surprise attack.
“Un, the presence that had been hiding in the gra.s.s has dissipated.” I said as I inspected the area. “But don’t get careless and pay attention to your surroundings. What we heard just now was not a delusion. They are definitely still nearby.”
Are they spies? How many? 1… From the presences, a maximum of 2.
“But big sister, you really are impressive, to be able to tell the enemy’s position so quickly just from detecting their presence.” Yi De said nonchalantly with no nervousness whatsoever as she put in strength into her arms to pull out the Serpent Spear that was stuck in the ground, throwing up much soil about.
“It’s nothing much. You can learn it if you just sit around quietly a little more.” I swept my vision across the surrounding tall gra.s.s before focusing on areas further afield. “But now is not the time for this, if you want to learn it, I can teach you any time.”
“No, I don’t want to. Too troublesome.”
“…”
Yi De… Can’t you give me some face in front of 2 platoons…
–*Sou* *Sou*
Un?
“General Guan, it came from the south this time.”
“Un, I heard it.”
The opposite direction from before huh? …
— *Sou* *Sou*
Un?!
“Th, this one came from the west!”
“Everyone be careful, there are 2!!” I focused my line of sight on the centre of these 2 directions as I called out to be able to defend attacks from both direction.
— *Sou*
“Th, there’s movement on this side as well!”
What?! The east as well?
— *Sou*
“Big sister, there are sounds coming from the direction where we first heard sounds from.” This time, even Yi De heard it loud and clear.
“Tch!” I clicked my tongue as I raised my broadsword anxiously.
Does this mean that we have been surrounded? … I’d thought there were only one or two but now things have gotten troublesome.
And just like that, the sounds of something moving through the gra.s.s came from all 4 directions. These sounds were making me much more infuriated than the insect cries.
“Big sister, what do we do now? Attack in all directions?”
“No! It’s too dangerous!” I firmly denied Yi De’s suggestion.
Attacking in all directions meant scattering our forces, and with so many sounds in the gra.s.s, we don’t know how many the other side has…
“…”
Un? Wait a second.
“Big sister?”
“Be quiet for a moment…”
*Sou* *Sou* *Sou*
I listened closely to this unpleasant sound.
*Sou* *Sou* *Sou*
… So that’s what it’s about.
“Oh~” I probably had a look of realisation now.
These sounds were not because many people were moving about. They were made intentionally!
When listening closely, the sounds that came from all 4 directions had a certain rhythm, and sounded like someone who was kicking the gra.s.s on 2 sides of the road in turn as they walked.
Like this… Are there 4 people? No, less than 4… I can only detect 2 presences.
But thinking about it from their angle, why would they try to attack us when we have a numerical advantage? Do they not know their limits or is this action backed by legitimate strength…
“Ah~~~ Hu~~~” I took a deep breath and gave a long exhalation while I was deep in my thoughts. “Stay here everyone, and don’t move… Ah, Yi De you too.”
“Eh eh? Why?”
“Just do as I say first.”
I brushed off Yi De who pouted at this, and closed my eyes once more. I then stuck my Green Dragon Crescent Blade into the ground and grabbed a clump of hair with my left hand and stroked it.
‘What people call cultivation is to understand oneself, and also understanding nature and the world in the process of doing so.’ This was something Wen Yuan said to me not long after we met. I felt that it made sense and made it a personal ethos of mine.