Chapter 128 -
The cold wind blew hard against the thick tent, but inside, it was warm and smelled like burning wood.
Yueqing was resting comfortably on the soft bed, a warm blanket over her legs. She was happily reading a book she had borrowed from her guard, Lu Yue.
Ah, so peaceful, Yueqing thought to herself with a smile. No drama, no shouting, and no annoying Wenzhe bossing me around. I love this.
Suddenly, loud war horns blew across the whole camp.
HOOOOONK! HOOOOONK!
Heavy, running footsteps slammed against the dirt outside. People were screaming in pain and shouting frantic orders.
"Medics! We need help here!"
"Stop the bleeding!"
"Move out of the way!"
Yueqing sat up fast. Her book dropped to the floor.
Before she could call out, her guard Lu Yue burst into the tent. Her face was pale and scared.
"Young Madam!" Lu Yue gasped. "The General and his soldiers are back! But... something terrible happened!"
Yueqing’s heart dropped. She threw off her blanket and ran outside into the freezing night.
The camp was in total chaos. Torch flames flickered against the falling snow, showing a terrifying scene. Dozens of soldiers were being carried in on wooden stretchers. Their armor was covered in dark red blood. Snow turned red as medics ran back and forth. Hurt men were crying out in pain everywhere.
Off to the side, three bodies were completely covered in white blankets. They had died in battle.
It was a trap. Someone in the camp had leaked their plans to the enemy.
Yueqing looked around, keeping her face calm and blank, though her chest felt tight with fear.
[Where is he?!] her mind screamed in panic. [Where is Wenzhe?! Is he under one of those white blankets?! Nine, tell me he’s okay!]
[System 009: Checking... General Wenzhe is alive. He is in the small meeting tent on the east side of the camp.]
Yueqing let out a quiet breath. She pulled up her long dress and walked toward the east tent with quick steps, Lu Yue right behind her.
Inside the meeting tent, the air was suffocatingly dark and cold. Wenzhe was in a terrible, deadly mood.
He stood at the front of a large wooden table, looking tall and imposing. His armor was covered in dark bloodstains, his dark hair was slightly messy, and his face was twisted in pure, terrifying rage. Three of his main officers stood before him, trembling under his icy glare.
"A trap?" Wenzhe’s voice boomed, dangerously low and sharp. "You are telling me our vanguard walked straight into a hidden archer unit on the high cliffs, and you call it bad luck?!"
"G-General!" Vice-General Chen stammered, bowing low while sweating profusely. "The enemy knew our exact path through the valley! They knew we were taking the narrow trail before our front guard even reached the pass!"
"Because someone in this camp gave them our map!" Wenzhe slammed his heavy, gloved fist onto the wooden table with a loud CRACK, splitting the edge of the wood. "Our routes were sealed! Only five commanders held those scroll orders! Are you telling me the enemy guessed our secret troop movements by magic?!"
"We... we are investigating every messenger, General!" another officer said nervously, his head practically touching the floor. "The guards at the main gate are checking every shift log!"
"I don’t want excuses, and I don’t want promises!" Wenzhe growled, his eyes dark with lethal fury. "Three of my men are dead. Twelve more are bleeding out in the medical tents. If I find out one of you or your subordinates sold our lives for border gold, I will cut your throat myself. Seal every exit in this camp. Nobody leaves, and no messages go out. Do you understand me?!"
"Yes, General!" the officers barked in fear, quickly bowing before rushing out of the tent as fast as their legs could carry them.
When the officers scrambled out, Yueqing stepped inside.
Wenzhe turned his head slowly, his harsh, dark eyes locking onto her. He was still furious, breathing heavily, his entire body stiff with anger. He didn’t greet her softly. He just stared at her, radiating cold, violent energy.
Yueqing didn’t flinch. She crossed her arms, acting entirely unbothered on the outside.
[Look at his arm!] her mind screamed in a flurry of panic. [He’s bleeding out! Look at all that red! System Nine, is he going to faint?! Is he dying?! Why is he just standing there like a angry demon instead of sitting down?!]
Outwardly, Yueqing just tilted her chin up, looking at his dark shirt. An arrow had cut deep into the flesh of his left forearm, soaking the dark fabric with wet, crimson blood.
"You’re bleeding," Yueqing said flatly, her tone smooth and unimpressed. "Did you forget how to dodge an arrow, General?"
"It’s just a scratch," Wenzhe replied harshly, his voice tight and rough as he sat down heavily on a wooden stool, ignoring the pain. He pulled off his heavy leather guard, his face dark as he stared at the floor. "The doctors are all busy with the dying men in the main tent. My wound can wait."
"It’s getting blood on the floor," Yueqing said coolly, stepping closer without showing a single tear or crack in her calm expression.
She turned to the door and called out, "Is there a doctor here?"
A young soldier peeked his head inside, shaking as he looked at Wenzhe’s terrifying expression. "Y-Young Madam! All the doctors are busy helping take care of the worst injuries in the main tent. No one is free right now!"
"Leave us then," Wenzhe ordered coldly, waving his hand without looking up.
The soldier bowed frantically and ran off.
Yueqing stood in the middle of the tent. She kept her face totally calm, rolled up her sleeves, and walked over to the bowl of water and clean cloths on the side table.
[This idiot block of wood,] her inner persona wailed, clutching its head in frustration. [He’s in a horrible mood, three of his men died, he’s bleeding everywhere, and he still wants to act like a tough guy! If I don’t clean this, he’ll probably let his arm rot just to prove a point!]
Yueqing picked up the bowl and water cloth, walking right up to him with a indifferent, stubborn look on her face.
"Fine," Yueqing said in a dry, calm voice, setting the bowl down beside his stool. "Since the doctors are busy, I’ll clean it, you stubborn block of wood."