The long night seemed endless. The red - and - white battle armor of the Hu cavalry gradually disappeared in the night like red plum blossoms in a snow - wave.
In the distance, there was the faint sound of rapid hoofbeats, like the rumbling of thunder approaching.
The sound of thousands of horses roused the waters of the Tiexian River, making it surge like a flood breaking through a dam, a truly imposing sight.
The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly, as if an ancient fierce beast had just awakened and was about to break through the ground and roar out.
Caiyu gritted her teeth and stepped backward.
Song Yinghuai was coming. If Sheng Jiangli didn't leave now, he wouldn't be able to escape.
Sheng Jiangli's eyes suddenly felt a bit sour. Watching Caiyu's graceful figure, he said with a gentle smile,
"Shuer, my men have found out that my second sister, Xiang'er, is stranded in the Tartar territory. Are you sure you don't want to go with me to the Yan - Yun area to find her?"
Caiyu's body suddenly tensed up. She stared fixedly at Sheng Jiangli, unable to tell if she was excited or angry.
He was always like this!
He would never show his cards until the last moment!
He knew how much she missed her missing second sister, but he had always refused to reveal a single bit of information.
Only now was he willing to say it.
He was forcing her to leave with him!
Sheng Jiangli curled his thin lips slightly. "Come with me. I'll take you into the Yan - Yun area to find our second sister."
Caiyu's hands at her sides clenched into fists, then relaxed. Her eyes were red - rimmed, but finally she shook her head.
"I'm already very happy that Brother A Li is willing to tell me about Second Sister. At least I know she's still alive..."
"As long as she's alive, there will always be a day when we meet again. It's the same for Second Sister and me, and for you and me too."
"Brother A Li, you should go quickly!" Caiyu urged. "Go!"
Even the news of Lan Jinxiang couldn't make her leave!
Sheng Jiangli gave a self - deprecating smile. A long sigh escaped from his throat, as if he could see his own failure and helplessness.
"Okay, I'm leaving." In an instant, Sheng Jiangli changed to a relaxed expression and said coquettishly, "Shuer, we'll meet again!"
Caiyu believed they would.
They served the same master, so they were bound to meet again. So she didn't feel too sad or reluctant. She just watched him leave.
However, at that moment, a sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the night. Carrying the might of thunder, it howled from afar.
Sheng Jiangli's pupils suddenly shrank. Almost in the blink of an eye, he took a quick step forward and grabbed Caiyu's wrist.
Caiyu had no idea what was happening behind her. Before she could react, she was pulled into Sheng Jiangli's arms, and he suddenly turned her around.
Just as she was about to get angry, she heard a muffled groan from Sheng Jiangli above her.
She felt the man's tall body bend down. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a powerful arrow pierce through his left shoulder!
It went through his back, and blood gushed out with great force.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. The blood oozing from Sheng Jiangli's lips was deeply engraved in Caiyu's eyes.
Her mind went blank.
However.
"Whoosh!"
Another powerful arrow came!
"Brother A Li!"
For the first time, Caiyu lost her composure. The arrow shooting towards them like a meteor was reflected in her pupils. Her hands and feet were numb, and she didn't know how to save him.
Thankfully, Sheng Jiangli located the arrow by its sound and pulled her to one side.
The arrow came extremely fast. It brushed past their hair and shot into a crack in the pebble by the river, creating a spark when it hit the stone and illuminating the dark night.
"Let go of Caiyu!"
A clear, cold shout filled with profound internal strength came from afar.
Immediately afterwards, countless horses and soldiers suddenly appeared on the land of Yanbei. There were at least a thousand of them. Everyone was wearing black battle armor, and the cold blades glinted in the night.
"Brother A Li, how are you?"
Caiyu supported Sheng Jiangli. A look of panic quickly flashed across her eyes.
After the initial panic, she quickly calmed down and weighed the situation.
So many Hu cavalry had disappeared from this mountain earlier. Sheng Jiangli must have had a secret escape route!
Sheng Jiangli watched the tears fall from her eyes. His heart felt as if it was being gripped by something. He lifted his fingertips, which were trembling uncontrollably, and his voice was tense.
"It's just a minor injury. I'm used to it on the battlefield... Shuer, are you sure you don't want to come with me?"
How could he still remember this at a time like this!
Caiyu pushed him hard. "Do you have an escape route? Hurry up and go!"
On the other side, Subude had been waiting for Sheng Jiangli for a long time. He emerged from the secret passage again. Seeing him injured from afar, he was shocked and rushed over.
In the distance, Song Yinghuai was sitting on his warhorse in a silver - white brocade robe. He had already drawn his bow full again.
There was a golden unicorn embroidered on his brocade robe. A sharp unicorn claw was ferociously coiled on the hem of his robe, shining brightly under the fluttering torches.
He exuded a killing aura, as if covered in ice, colder than a thousand - mile ice field. He said word by word,
"Sheng Jiangli! Let go of Caiyu!"
Subude rushed over, drew out his Hu curved sword, and stared menacingly at the Yan army in the distance.
Sheng Jiangli shook his body, supported Caiyu's shoulder, and laughed loudly at Song Yinghuai in the distance.
"I didn't expect that His Highness, the Prince of Yan, is such a lovesick man. He has been chasing this humble general relentlessly for a servant girl... Since that's the case, this humble general would like to make another deal with Your Highness!"
He whispered in Caiyu's ear,
"I'm sorry, Shuer. I have to trouble you to be a hostage."
Caiyu was in a complete mess at the moment. She only hoped that Sheng Jiangli could retreat safely. Being a hostage was nothing.
She had already been mentally prepared when Sheng Jiangli abducted her.
It was just...
She looked at the arrow in Sheng Jiangli's shoulder, from which blood was flowing, and smiled bitterly to herself.
Would she, as a hostage, be of any use in Song Yinghuai's eyes?
Sheng Jiangli raised his head again and said loudly, "Your Highness, if you let me leave, I will surely return Caiyu safely. How about it?"
Exchange Caiyu?
Zhu Xiao and the others immediately looked at Song Yinghuai.
Zhu Xiao's expression became complicated.
This was a difficult matter!
If they agreed, Sheng Jiangli would be like a tiger released back into the mountains. It would be a minor thing if the integration of the Hu cavalry camp failed. If Sheng Jiangli went to the capital and sued the prince, that would be a real headache!
But if they didn't agree... what about Caiyu?
Ma Mo, who knew the least about their relationship, blurted out, "Your Highness, you mustn't! She's just a servant girl. How can she be worth the exchange?"
"In my opinion, we should charge forward with the army!"
Tan Xiong clicked his tongue. "Old Ma, shut up!"
Song Yinghuai's arm holding the bow didn't show the slightest sign of loosening. There seemed to be a blood - thirsty and terrifying light in his eyes, but he didn't shoot the arrow out.
His black eyes were sharp, covered with a thick layer of cold frost. He said,
"Is General Sheng joking? Exchanging your life for a servant girl's. Do you think you're so worthless?"
Sheng Jiangli also replied with a smile. "Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, once asked this humble general to exchange all the women of the sixteen tribes in the Yan - Yun area for her. How can she be worthless? She's much more valuable than this humble general."
Song Yinghuai sneered. "It was just a joke between men. You don't have to take it seriously..."
His voice was cold and ruthless. "If you want to take her as a hostage, go ahead. If she dies in your hands, I will surely capture you and cut you into a thousand pieces to accompany her!"
He never fought a battle without certainty. The way Sheng Jiangli looked at Caiyu was unmistakable.
He wouldn't harm Caiyu's life.
But Caiyu didn't know what Song Yinghuai was thinking. She knew her own identity, but every time Song Yinghuai so casually let her risk her life, Caiyu still felt a dull, numbing pain spreading.
Sheng Jiangli had lost a lot of blood. His face was pale, and his body was shaking slightly.
"Shuer." His voice was a bit faint but teasing. "You hear, His Highness, the Prince of Yan, doesn't seem to like you as much as you said... He's not willing to exchange my life for yours!"
Caiyu was worried. "Stop joking. Can you just retreat with me as a hostage?"
Sheng Jiangli couldn't help but laugh. "Shuer, why are you so cute? How can I bear to use you to threaten him like this..."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Suddenly, Sheng Jiangli pulled Caiyu in front of him, his five fingers clasping her neck, and retreated.
"Okay! I'll listen to Your Highness. Your Highness can just shoot your arrows!"
"As long as the arrow pierces through her body, this humble general won't be able to escape!"
"Come on!"