Chapter 1421: Liu Ying and the Simurgh

Chapter 1421: Chapter 1097: Liu Ying and the Simurgh

The two soldiers exchanged another look. They didn’t know much about Princess Qin, only that Hua Ziyang had repeatedly emphasized the importance of guarding and taking good care of her, without any negligence. Moreover, judging by the provisions Xiao Yuansui prepared for her in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, she seemed less like a captive and more like an honored guest.

Now, the honored guest just wanted to meet the great beauty, which indeed didn’t seem like a serious matter.

But—

As the two hesitated, a calm voice sounded beside them: “Since the Princess wants to go, I’ll accompany you.”

Shang Ruyi quickly turned her head, only to see Shi Yuxin approaching from the other side. Instinctively, Shang Ruyi glanced behind her, towards the distant large tent of Xiao Yuansui. If she guessed correctly, they should have been discussing their next move and how to maximize their value to exchange for her brother and seize victory at Hulao Pass.

Shang Ruyi immediately said, “General Shi.”

The two soldiers hurriedly saluted her. Shi Yuxin walked over, and the two women exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting a shared understanding and wisdom, but they didn’t say much. Shang Ruyi knew she was the meat on the chopping block, but as long as the knife hadn’t fallen, she could continue to live calmly. So she said, “Thank you.”

Shi Yuxin nodded and said to the two soldiers, “I’ll go with her, so you needn’t worry.”

With someone taking responsibility, the two soldiers immediately relaxed.

Thus, Shang Ruyi followed Shi Yuxin towards Lu Xiao’s tent. The distance was short, just a few steps away. As they walked, Shi Yuxin said, “I was curious earlier. After being captured, the Princess remained so calm and composed. I just heard Hua Ziyang say that it wasn’t the first time you were captured, and not the first time by him either.”

By “him,” she naturally referred to Xiao Yuansui.

Shang Ruyi gave a wry smile and said, “I guess it’s my own fault for liking to stir up trouble without the ability to resolve it.”

While speaking, she couldn’t help but glance at Shi Yuxin. Though the female general was not tall and not of a mountainous stature, her physique was agile and her steps were steady, marking her as a skilled practitioner of martial arts. Judging only by skill, she was probably on par with Wo Xue. If she had their abilities, she wouldn’t have been captured so dismally. For instance, Wo Xue at least overturned a few boats to earn something back.

Hearing this, Shi Yuxin turned to look at her and met Shang Ruyi’s envious gaze. She smiled faintly and said, “You, Princess, underestimate yourself.”

“Oh?”

“Martial skills and the ability to lead troops can be learned by anyone who is willing to practice, no matter how dull one might be, they can make some progress.”

“That’s true.”

“But character, that cannot be trained.”

Shang Ruyi raised her eyebrow slightly: “What do you mean?”

It was at this moment they arrived outside Lu Xiao’s tent. Shi Yuxin didn’t say anymore, only gestured towards Shang Ruyi. She didn’t ask further, but stepped forward and softly said, “Miss Lu Xiao, are you there?”

…

There was no sound inside.

Could it be she wasn’t there?

Shang Ruyi recalled what she said to Xiao Yuansui in his large tent. Could Xiao Yuansui have called her there to meet?

So she asked, “Did she leave?”

The two soldiers who had been following at a distance walked up as soon as they heard her question. One of them said, “We could see this spot from over there. Miss Lu Xiao never went out after entering. However, earlier, General Hua came here once.”

“He came? For what?”

“We don’t know, but it seemed he took something inside and left shortly after.”

“And she didn’t come out after that?”

“No.”

Shang Ruyi frowned; the unease in her heart now turned into a heavy heartbeat, pounding painfully in her chest.

No, no…

Shang Ruyi shook her head and finally decided, “I’ll go in and see.”

With that, she reached out and lifted the tent flap.

Upon lifting, before she could clearly see the scene inside, a familiar smell hit her, one she had become intimately familiar with over the days, the smell of blood!

During the bloody battle in Hu Yang Valley, she had been so bothered by the smell of blood that it was hard to sleep. Just as she managed to escape that bloody aroma after the ceasefire, she now felt herself falling into a nightmare again, breathing in the familiar smell, her heartbeat suddenly grew heavier.

Why was there such a strong scent of blood?

Startled, Shang Ruyi entered the tent and immediately saw an alcove inside the tent where a couch was placed. Lu Xiao lay upon it, but her posture was not one of peaceful slumber. Instead, she resembled a beautiful and soft robe, loosely draped over the couch, a fair and slender arm hanging down the side, holding onto a bright red, soft ribbon that trailed on the ground.

But in the next moment, Shang Ruyi saw clearly that it wasn’t just a bright red ribbon, it was blood!

Blood flowing from Lu Xiao’s wrist had stained the ground, nearly reaching her own feet, Lu Xiao’s fresh blood!

Shang Ruyi rushed over and saw that her other hand held a short knife, its blade tinged with blood. She had used it to cut her wrist, allowing the blood to flow freely. Her face was ashen, her lips bloodless, her breathing so faint, it seemed her blood was nearly spent!

“How—”

Behind her came Shi Yuxin’s voice as she stepped inside and was shocked by the scene.

Shang Ruyi glanced back at her, too preoccupied to respond. Instead, she shouted, “Someone! Get someone quickly!”

Hearing her cry, the two soldiers outside hurried in, also stunned by the sight, while Shang Ruyi, eyes red, said to them, “Quick, call the doctor, get someone to save her!”

Shi Yuxin said, “I’ll go.”

Compared to others’ panic, she quickly calmed down and left with the two soldiers, while Shang Ruyi in the tent felt her whole body go numb but forced herself to calm down. She quickly ripped a strip of cloth from her skirt and tightly wrapped it around Lu Xiao’s wrist to prevent more blood loss. She then patted her pale cheeks, “Lu Xiao, Lu Xiao, wake up!”

“…”

No response.

She only saw her face slackly tilted to one side, as if with tears at the corners of her eyes.

What is happening, why did it turn out like this!?

Why would she do this?

Just then, Shang Ruyi caught a glimpse of a piece of paper at the corner of the couch. It seemed Lu Xiao had read it before it was thrown there. Quickly picking it up, she saw two simple lines of poetry, but they pierced her eyes like a blade—

If Liu Ying aims to be a Simurgh, there is no need to perch on branches north and south.