Ballad of the Desert

Chapter 19: Pigeon Souls

The army is leaving after resting for two days. Huo Qu Bing and Gong Xun Aou discuss how to attack the Xiong Nu from both sides in tandem, while General Li Guang's army brings up the rear. In the blue black sky, there isn't a single star, just a crescent moon shining coldly on the earth. Under the sound of horse hoofs, with thousands of armor glittering, there is only unending dust before and behind me. I feel a sense of inexplicable uncertainty.

Huo Qu Bing looked at me and reached out to grab my hand "Don't worry, I won't let the Xiong Nu hurt you." I bit my lip "I'm worried about Li Cheng. Was I wrong? I don't know the cruel dangers of the battlefield. The moment he gets on that horse is life and death. It's not like having good fighting skills means survival."

Huo Qu Bing's hand is around his horse whip, his eyes look straight ahead with a coldness like the shiniest moon "If killing the Xiong Nu is his greatest wish in life, then even if he dies, it's doing something he wanted. There will be no regret. Does he want to live an ordinary life? No one can guarantee whether they will survive in a battle."

I smirked at him "That was contradictory. Didn't you just promise nothing would happen to me?" He turned and smiled at me "That is because I am Huo Qu Bing, and you are the exception."

I wrinkled my nose at him but still smiled, the worries of moments ago having dissipated. After traveling for a day and a night, the army finally sets up camp. I tried to prepare myself, but after such a long time on a horse, my hips and waist feel like it doesn't belong to me. When I heard Huo Qu Bing call for rest, my body slid off the horse and I laid down on the ground. Huo Qu Bing sat down next to me "Now you now how hard I work to earn my money? In the future don't spend it so easily."

Chen Kang An suddenly walks up and with a somber expression announces that there has been no communications with the armies led by the other generals. Huo Qu Bing asks him to keep trying to reach them, and especially not to reveal word that we have not been able to reach General Gong Xun Aou.

I thought about it, and based on my extensive reading of military texts, I know the proper response is to retreat. If the army you are coordinating an attack with suddenly disappears, plus the rear flank is also unreachable, then this battle is a mess before it has even started. Huo Qu Bing paced a few times and told me to get some rest and not think too much. He actually laid down and went to sleep.

That confused me so. He wasn't thinking of what to do under these circumstances. But then I thought about it some more and decided that if he wasn't freaking out, I shouldn't be either. If the sky fell he would be the first person hit. I curled up and went to sleep.

Before the sun even rises the army is ready to leave. There is still no word from Li Guang or Gong Xun Aou. Huo Qu Bing laughs that Li Guang has gotten lost in the past, but now it appears Gong Xun Aou has also gotten lost. I ask what to do, and he points to the distant Qi Lian Mountain "We're going there."

I immediately let out my pent up breath and stare at the Qi Lian Mountains. My emotions calmed down. He's not new to fighting alone. The first time he took eight hundred troops and sneaked into the Xiong Nu army base. Next he took ten thousand troops and with the speed of the wind destroyed five Xiong Nu tribes in six days. Even though the plan had changed, he can handle fighting alone.

Qi Lian Mountain is rich and fertile, the place where the Xiong Nu herd their livestock. It is also one of their pride and joys. This battle will not be easy, but if we win, Papa will surely be very happy. Papa....

He saw me staring at the mountains, apologizing "I thought this battle would be easier, who knew we'd be rushing yet again." I gather myself, not wanting him to worry, acting casual "I won't let you make us wolves seem useless.""