Vol 3 Chapter 11.2 (1/2)

Volume 3 Chapter 11 Part 2: Don’t tell me this is the strike on Yuan Shu (3)

Yuan Shu POV

Kill!!!–

Ji Ling’s shout was drowned out by several firecrackers that exploded around us. Immediately after that, cries for blood could be heard from all 4 directions and frightened me so much I covered my ears.

“We’ve been ambushed!! Generals go and lead your battalions! Personal Guard! Gather here and protect our lord!” Yan Xiang rattled off orders in quick succession.

Just then, a group of spearmen surrounded us. “My lord, be careful!”

An ambush? What happened?

I still hadn’t regained my senses when I saw the troops led by Cheng Pu charge at me. I could only curl up in fear as I saw the cavalry pa.s.s me by, seeing their long spears nearly made my heart stop. And all around me were thunderous roars which reverberated about my body, so much so that I couldn’t tell if it was the earth or I that was trembling.

My eyes saw everything but I saw nothing. My ears heard everything but I heard nothing. My clumsy, heavy royal robe made it hot and humid and it seemed like every sweat gland was furiously lumping sweat out.

I looked left and right listlessly.

I saw someone’s blood spray on to another’s face as cavalry and spearmen were embroiled in combat. Looking afar, all I could see was a scene of chaos.

This was my first time on the battlefield and my first time seeing such a scene.

Honestly, it was horrible.

Just an hour ago, the forest lost its tranquil. Just a few minutes ago, my troops became a scattered mob.

“The enemy’s mobility is too strong. To think that they could wreck so much havoc with just a few thousand.” Yan Xiang was frantically trying to command the troops and generals around her, her hair flying in every which way. “Where are my 1,000-man generals?! 3,000-man generals? … d.a.m.n it, all of them have been swept away by the cavalry. The only troops that are under our command are just a few hundred.”

“… Hu.” I felt better and calmed down as I watched the frantic Yan Xiang.

Good.

Good that Yan Xiang is still by my side, I don’t want to bear the responsibility for death and failure alone.

… Speaking of which, where is Ji Ling? Where did that Ji Ling fellow run to?

“Ji Ling? Ji Ling where are you?” My thoughts spilled out into my speech but no matter how loud my anxious coice was, there was no way it could penetrate the chaotic racket of the battlefield.

Could it be that in the first charge… No, impossible. She’s my number one general!

All I have to do is ask Yan Xiang. Though she isn’t very likeable, she always has a plan.

“Oi, Yan…” I looked toward Yan Xiang, who was completely occupied with commanding the troops and had no spare capacity whatsoever, and swallowed my words.

I searched any area that was visible from where I was with my eyes, in the hopes of finding Ji Ling somehow. However, my increasing frustration made it hard for me to concentrate on any one point and I was unable to recognise any face as my eyes swept left and right. Right now, I felt exactly as how I did when I did administrative work when I was distracted.

I really don’t get it, why do I have to care about her?! She’s just a servant!

Frustrating thoughts made me even more frustrated and I kept scolding Ji Ling in my mind. But even so, my eyes continued searching for her.

Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’m being so attached to a subordinate.

Speaking of which, Ji Ling has been with me since I was very little and I had always treated her as my big sister… When did I begin to have this unreasonable att.i.tude?

All of a sudden, the 3 rows of spearmen that stood in front of me were hit by another wave of cavalry and now only 1 was left.

“Waa~” The long spears scared the horse and it raised its hoof in front of me and gave me such a fright I hurriedly back away.

“My lord, it seems like they are concentrating their attacks on us noe.” Yan Xiang was now holding a sword in her hands. Its blade was soaked in blood which dripped down the edge. “It will be difficult for the other battalions to support us and I’m afraid that our personal guard won’t hold out long enough for the ambush to be decimated.”

A 20,000 strong force in my hands yet I am unable to command them. What a farce.

When I thought about this, I felt like laughing though the urge to cry was stronger.

But I can’t cry or laugh, because that would be too unbecoming. I am the descendent of a family which has held the 3 prime appointments in Imperial Court for 4 generations, and now I am the Emperor. No matter how perilous or how urgent things may get, I cannot act out.

“My lord!!!”

Un? I think I heard a familiar voice…

“My lord!!! Here!!”

I wiped my eyes with the slightly dirtied royal robe and looked toward where the sound came from.

There stood a female warrior wielding a trident and wearing unfas.h.i.+onable golden yellow plate armour, her breastplate protruding so much it made one mad. At this time, she was slas.h.i.+ng at enemies while waving at and coming toward me whenever she could.

“Ji Ling?!” I wiped my eyes again, unable to believe what I just saw. I pushed Yan Xiang forcefully when I finally confirmed that it was her. “Yan Xiang, Yan Xiang! Ji Ling is over there!”

After looking over when she heard the name, Yan Xiang heaved a sigh of relief. “Ji Ling really is Ji Ling huh.”