Chapter 1410 - 1086: Shi Yuxin

One stretch of mountain, one stretch of water.

As the sun slanted down once again, Shang Ruyi sat on the ground, her eyes stung by the golden sunlight, almost bringing her to tears, so she silently turned around. But because her hands were bound behind her back, the movement was extremely difficult.

Someone immediately shouted beside her, "What are you doing!?"

Shang Ruyi looked up but said nothing; Wo Xue, sitting beside her with hands similarly bound, immediately responded, "Why are you shouting!"

The one speaking was a soldier who squinted at Shang Ruyi and then looked at Wo Xue’s face smeared with dust and bloodstains, feeling a surge of anger. After all, when they captured them yesterday, others were manageable, but this seemingly delicate woman gave them a lot of trouble, knocking several soldiers over due to their underestimation. Especially himself, whose bruises on his back hadn’t faded, and his wrist faintly throbbed.

He then cursed, "I’m not just shouting at you, I’m going to hit you—"

Saying so, he raised his big hand to slap Wo Xue’s face.

Just then, a low voice rang out behind him, "Stop."

Upon hearing this, the soldier’s hand paused mid-air, hurriedly turning to salute, "Miss."

A faint scent wafted over.

Shang Ruyi lifted her head but couldn’t see the newcomer because the soldier stood in front blocking the view, while the calm voice softly said, "I already told you not to mistreat the captives, how dare you disobey my orders right in front of me?"

The soldier hurriedly replied, "I wouldn’t dare. It’s just—"

"Just?"

The voice increased slightly, "Just, feeling reluctant because a little girl beat you back, is it?"

The soldier hesitated, not daring to speak.

The voice continued, "She can knock you down, a few of you, that’s her skill, while your skills fall short; you should go practice diligently. If you lack even this broad-mindedness, then you’re inferior to this girl in more than just martial arts."

These words made the soldier’s face turn red, and he could only retreat.

As he stepped back, Shang Ruyi immediately saw a tall and imposing figure approaching, bathed in golden sunlight like a deity.

This was the female general Shi Yuxin, who had fought fiercely with her in Hu Yang Valley for days, ultimately capturing her.

At this moment, she was close, and once again Shang Ruyi was astonished to realize that this general, who seemed imposing and notable even among thousands of troops, was not physically large, not even taller than her barbarian aunt. However, unlike most weak and delicate women, Shi Yuxin’s armored step was steady, her face rugged yet beautiful, eyes sharp, nose high, thin lips pressed into a line with a heroic air.

Seemingly not someone easy to deal with.

She walked over, glanced at Shang Ruyi, and then looked at Wo Xue beside her, who bore a dissatisfied expression. She suddenly raised her leg and pulled out a short knife from her boot.

Seeing the blade gleam, Wo Xue was shocked, awkwardly twisting to shield Shang Ruyi, exclaiming in terror, "What are you going to do? Anything, take it out on me!"

Shi Yuxin’s amber eyes reflected the golden sunlight, appearing calm and aloof. She reached out to lift the bound Wo Xue aside, then swung the knife at Shang Ruyi.

"Ah—"

A short gasp was heard nearby, then silence followed.

Shang Ruyi felt a loosening on her wrist; the rope binding her was cut by Shi Yuxin’s knife. She stared at the figure before her, slightly startled, and after a while, softly said, "Thank you."

Shi Yuxin also looked at her and said, "You lack martial arts; even if released, you wouldn’t get far. Go feed yourself."

As she spoke, Shang Ruyi saw several soldiers approaching, the cooks of the troop bringing dinner over. One portion was handed to her; the other two were placed at the tightly bound Wo Xue and Lu Xiao’s feet.

Shi Yuxin said, "After you eat, feed the two of them."

Shang Ruyi didn’t speak, twisting her numb wrist, ready to nod, when Wo Xue exclaimed, "I don’t need it; release me, I’ll eat on my own."

Shi Yuxin gave her a calm glance, "Capturing you is easy, but I don’t intend to waste effort."

Wo Xue angrily bowed her head.

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, pointed at Lu Xiao by Wo Xue’s side, who was evidently startled by Shi Yuxin’s knife-drawing gesture, and said, "She lacks martial arts too, and is even less likely to run than I am, could you also release her, heroic one?"

Shi Yuxin glanced at Lu Xiao, "Less likely to run?"

Shang Ruyi said, "She is an old acquaintance of Xiao Yuansui."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao’s already tight breathing suddenly halted, as if her whole body was tense, and Shi Yuxin raised her brows slightly, sizing her up, "Old acquaintance? He never mentioned you."

"..."

Lu Xiao’s pupils shook violently; though still under the golden sunlight, her entire demeanor seemed to darken.

Shang Ruyi gave her a glance, immediately saying, "They parted four or five years ago."

Shi Yuxin said, "Oh? So, before Xiao Yuansui went to Wanggang Village?"

"Yes."

"Oh..."

Her drawn-out voice revealed some understanding; she glanced at Lu Xiao again. In fact, she needn’t be told by Shang Ruyi; just watching their behavior she could tell this woman was the first among them to stop resisting, even seeming expectant of capture. Hence, she approached and cut Lu Xiao’s bindings as well, reminding sternly, "Freeing you is not trusting you; it’s knowing you can’t run. If you try to escape, what awaits won’t be ropes."

Lu Xiao bowed her head, "Yes."

She lacked spirit; even after being freed, she sat stunned for quite a while until Shang Ruyi urged her to eat, only then did she pick up the utensils to tastelessly eat a little.

Shang Ruyi, however, devoured the bread softened in bland broth in big bites, then turned to feed Wo Xue.

Shi Yuxin sat on the grass at the other side, eating roast meat, watching Shang Ruyi perform these tasks quietly. When the soldiers nearby finished their meal, she beckoned, and they immediately came over bowing, "General, what orders do you have?"

Shi Yuxin addressed them, "You will now depart for Hulao Pass and inform Xiao Yuansui and my brother that I have abandoned the assault on Chang An, and I’ll return by midday tomorrow."

The men immediately accepted the order, mounting their horses and riding off in a cloud of dust.

Watching their retreating silhouettes and the swirling dust, Shang Ruyi’s brow gradually furrowed into a knot.