Chapter 370: Infighting (1/2)

Jun Huang followed Oleg Cragfiend and the other medics to the infirmary - a simple tent lined with crude beds. Soldiers whose clothes were stained with blood lay there, panting in pain. Jun Huang's throat tightened. She was close to tears.

It wasn't necessarily out of sympathy. She'd simply never stared death in the eyes and felt it weigh on her like a physical weight. She didn't know how to deal with it. Oleg Cragfiend patted her shoulder in understanding and told her not to think too much.

Jun Huang spent day and night in the tent. Her silver dress had been tainted by blood, but she didn't seem to care. Things were most difficult at night. Every now and then there would be soldiers whose conditions worsened suddenly. Their scream was a terrible thing. They needed immediate treatment. Sometimes, when things got particularly bad, she wouldn't even have the time to drink water.

As a woman, Jun Huang did receive some favorable treatment from the soldiers. Those who were used to making lewd jokes usually fell silent when Jun Huang was around, which she appreciated.

There was a soldier who was particularly attentive to Jun Huang. Some time ago, he hurt his arm. Jun Huang had been the only one available, so she was the one who patched him up. Since then, the soldier often offered her help and retrieved water for her.

Today, Jun Huang and Oleg Cragfiend had saved someone who almost died. She felt lightheaded and weak in the knees. She sat down on the ground, rubbing at her forehead.

“Are you tired?” a man asked. “You should return to your tent and rest.”

Jun Huang looked up to see the young soldier she'd treated before and gave him a weak smile. “I'm fine. I'll return after a bit.”

“Why don't I walk you back? It's late. It's not safe for you to go on your own.” The soldier blushed as he spoke. Junn Huang was too tired to notice. She nodded carelessly and waited until she felt a little better.

The soldier ran up to Jun Huang when she was going to get to her feet. Worried that he'd dirty her clothes, he wiped his hands clean before helping her up, a bashful smile tugging his lips.

Jun Huang gave him a polite smile. She a.s.sumed the young soldier had simply seen too little women in the army; hence, the shyness.

After they'd walked some distance, the soldier came to a stop. Jun Huang gave him a questioning look. “What is it?” she asked quietly. “If you have something to take care of, you may go. The camp isn't far from here.”

“That… that's not it. I have things to tell you.” The soldier's face was flushed red. Even under the dim light of the candles, Jun Huang could see his expression clearly. She frowned. She had an inkling about what the soldier was going to say, but she wasn't sure. She waited silently for him to speak up.

Eventually, the soldier seemed to have made up his mind. With bright, focused eyes, he took a deep breath and said, “It's impressive how devoted you are to bettering the world. You're a heroine who isn't any lesser than any men. After knowing you for a few days, I came to see you as a celestial descending to the earth from heaven. You leave such a deep impression. I… I may not be that smart or talented, but I want to keep you safe and drive all darkness away… I… adore you. Will you be with me?”

His voice became so faint it almost got lost in the wind, but Jun Huang heard everything clearly against the silent backdrop. She wasn't exactly surprised. With a frown, she opened her mouth to explain, but then Nan Xun had come to find her. He pulled Jun Huang close with a dark look on his face.

The young soldier looked at them in shock, too stunned to say anything. Jun Huang sighed. “I'm with Nan Xun. Thank you for your appreciation, but I can't accept it. I hope you understand. You'll find the right woman one day.”

The soldier didn't know about their relations.h.i.+p before. He could see how dark Nan Xun's expression was and how lovingly Jun Huang was looking at Nan Xun. He felt ashamed, but even more overpowering was the sense of loss.

Nan Xun was his general. He could never compare. He lingered a little while before walking away.

“He's gone already. Why are you still looking at him?” Nan Xun spoke unhappily. He was jealous that Jun Huang hadn't turned to him.

Jun Huang turned around and said quietly, “Do you really feel nothing about the loss of your soldiers?”

Nan Xun didn't immediately react. He sighed. “What good will it do if I get devastated for every death? There will always be casualties in war, especially at the border. I've encountered one too many deaths, and I couldn't not get used to it.”

Jun Huang fell silent. She understood. Nan Xun wasn't a heartless man. Of course he was affected by the deaths. However, that wasn't something he could change. The only thing he could do was to make better plans and minimize casualties.

They fell silent. No word was needed at this moment.

The Eastern Wu's army wasn't as peaceful. Sir Zhao had taken more than a hundred soldiers with him, most of whom were Northern Qi's soldiers. There weren't a lot of them, but enough to stir up trouble.