"Giddyap!"
The majestic warhorse kicked up the damp moisture in the forest as it galloped through the jungle path like a silhouette.
The deeper they went into the Mulan Mountain Primeval Forest, the more rugged the road became. In the end, there was only a narrow, overgrown, and thorny path left.
Song Yinghuai and Xu Buyue reined in their horses.
The horses stamped their hooves on the spot, puffing out warm breaths with a low grunting sound.
"There's no way forward, Brother Song," Xu Buyue said, looking around. "We haven't seen the giant python all the way. The forest is so vast. If it doesn't show up, it'll be very difficult for us to find it."
Song Yinghuai twirled the Buddhist beads on his wrist while sitting on the horse. He keenly caught a faint, fishy odor in the air.
A moment later, he dismounted and took out an antelope they had hunted on the way.
He flicked the antelope's hind leg with the Buddhist beads. When released on the ground, the antelope limped along, not moving very fast.
Song Yinghuai patted his warhorse and said, "Go find your own food!"
The warhorse neighed and galloped away with a clatter of hooves. Xu Buyue was puzzled but followed suit and let her horse go too.
Song Yinghuai slung his bow and arrow on his back and followed the antelope at a leisurely pace.
Xu Buyue wanted to ask what he was up to, but seeing him concentrating on following the antelope, she didn't want to disturb him. So she kept quiet and just secretly sized up the man beside her.
His facial features were well - defined. His natural good looks were tinged with an indescribable sharpness and majesty, as if he were looking down on all sentient beings. At this moment, dressed in a tight - fitting black outfit, his eyebrows were as if painted with ink and his eyes were like stars. The natural coldness around him automatically kept people at a distance.
Xu Buyue raised her hand and gently touched her pounding heart.
She always thought that a man's character was more important than his appearance. Since childhood, she had heard her father and brother talk about the deeds of the God of War, the Prince of Yan. Admiration and worship for him had sprouted in her heart. She was so proud that she thought only this man in the world was worthy of her.
However, looking closely at him today, she suddenly realized that a good - looking man could be even more irresistible.
But right now, he exuded an air of coldness that kept people at arm's length. Even she, a female general who grew up in the military, felt a bit timid.
Was he always this cold to everyone?
No, that wasn't right.
She had seen how Song Yinghuai was with Caiyu.
All his coldness disappeared. There were even smiles in his eyes and at the corners of his mouth.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help feeling a bit envious of Caiyu. It must be such a lucky thing to be doted on by such a man.
If only he could be kind to her too...
Xu Buyue let her mind wander along the way and didn't pay attention to her surroundings at all.
Suddenly, Song Yinghuai stopped in his tracks. He stretched out his arm and blocked Xu Buyue, who was about to dash forward, and said in a deep voice, "Be careful!"
Before Xu Buyue could come to her senses, the antelope in front was trembling in terror on its four legs and let out a shrill whine.
"Brother Song!" Xu Buyue had just called out when she saw a huge snake's head emerge from the forest on the left, spitting out a thick mist.
Xu Buyue gasped and stood still in shock.
She had never seen such a huge python before. For a moment, she was at a loss.
In the blink of an eye, Song Yinghuai shook his arm, pushed her back, and stepped backward himself.
"The snake's mist is poisonous!" Song Yinghuai frowned deeply. Seeing the antelope fall to the ground with a thud in the mist, his heart sank.
Pythons were generally non - venomous. He never expected that this century - old giant python was actually a venomous one!
Probably because it had been coiled in the miasma area of the primeval forest all year round. It inhaled and exhaled miasma every day. Over time, it had become a venomous python itself.
Song Yinghuai pulled Xu Buyue back quickly. Soon they reached a valley. Xu Buyue had just let out a sigh of relief when she saw a huge snake's tail, like a whip, emerging from nowhere and lashing towards them.
Song Yinghuai had no choice but to retreat further into the valley.
The snake's tail seemed to have eyes and chased after them relentlessly. Soon, the whole body of the giant python was revealed.
It was a python as thick as a bucket and more than three zhang long. Its tail stabbed at them like a huge sword. Its jaws opened wide, spitting out streams of poisonous mist that spread over the valley.
Xu Buyue accidentally inhaled a mouthful of the mist. Immediately, her vision went black and her whole body went limp.
If it weren't for Song Yinghuai holding her up, she would have collapsed on the spot.
Song Yinghuai frowned tightly, his heart heavy.
He should have insisted on refusing Xu Buyue's company.
He had underestimated this giant python. He never thought it was venomous, and he wasn't good at dealing with poisons.
Now, having Xu Buyue with him was like carrying a burden.
So he grabbed Xu Buyue and continued to retreat into the valley.
Fortunately, Xu Buyue had only inhaled a small amount of the poisonous mist. After a brief dizziness, she came to her senses again.
When she opened her eyes, she was shocked by Song Yinghuai's speed. He was like a roc spreading its wings, stepping on the tall tree crowns for leverage and flying. He dragged her along without showing any sign of fatigue.
Only then did Xu Buyue realize that her skills were really insignificant compared to the God of War.
Song Yinghuai's expression was very serious. He knew that the deeper they went into the valley, the denser the bushes would be, and the greater their risk would be. But now that he had someone with him, he had no choice but to enter the valley.
Suddenly, Song Yinghuai changed direction and led Xu Buyue into the dense forest on the left!
Then, he stuffed Xu Buyue behind a huge rock and said, "Stay here and don't move around."
After saying that, Song Yinghuai took out a bottle of medicine from his bosom and stuffed it into her hand. "There are antidote pills in it. Take one first."
Xu Buyue knew the situation was critical and didn't say much. She quickly poured out a pill and swallowed it.
As soon as the antidote pill entered her stomach, she felt much more awake.
Seeing that her complexion had improved, Song Yinghuai took his bow and arrow from his back. Leaning half of his body against the rock, he drew his longbow and stared warily at the outside.
Xu Buyue leaned against the rock and stared blankly at his smooth - lined profile. Her heart started pounding again.
The giant python had chased them into the valley, but now it suddenly went silent.
As if sensing Song Yinghuai's intention, the giant python didn't charge at them wildly as before. Instead, it hid in the dark and slithered silently on the ground.
Song Yinghuai's back was as straight as a mountain. He always stood upright, pricking up his ears to listen for any movement from all directions.
Xu Buyue also put aside her excited mood and closed her eyes to sense the movement.
If she couldn't help Song Yinghuai, at least she shouldn't cause any trouble.
After a long time of slithering, the rustling sound in her ears finally disappeared into the dense jungle.
Xu Buyue opened her eyes and whispered, "It's gone."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Song Yinghuai suddenly turn around and aim his bow and arrow at her!
Xu Buyue's heart skipped a beat. She stared at the man in horror as he shot the iron arrow in his hand!
"Whoosh!"
The iron arrow flew past her temple at high speed and shot towards the back of her!
The arrow was like thunder on the string. Along with the sharp whistling sound of breaking through the air, the huge snake's tail shot up into the sky and stood just a few meters behind them. It swept across like a whip!
Xu Buyue's heart stopped. She watched the towering snake's tail soar into the clouds and then stab at her like a sword!
She gritted her teeth and drew out her long sword to swing at it, but was knocked off - balance by the wind from the snake's tail.
With a dull thud, the iron arrow shot by Song Yinghuai sank deeply into the snake's tail, slowing down the giant python's attack.
Song Yinghuai made a prompt decision. He picked up Xu Buyue and soared into the air. Just as they took off, the snake's tail had already reacted and lashed down hard at the place where they had been hiding!
Suddenly, the huge rock made a deafening noise, and stones flew everywhere!
It was really a soul - stirring moment!
Song Yinghuai landed on the tallest tree in the valley with Xu Buyue in his arms. The whole situation of the valley was laid out before their eyes.
The giant python disappeared again after failing its attack.
Song Yinghuai re - nocked an arrow on his longbow. Xu Buyue took a deep breath and stood back - to - back with him on the thick tree trunk. Her sharp eyes scanned the valley warily...