Chapter 96: Night Talk in the Military Camp

  On this day, the troops marched to Yao Pass, and Qing Xia was accompanying Xi Lin Chen in a horse-drawn carriage, where Shi Hang was receiving acupuncture treatment. Shi Hang felt that his days were numbered, and his life depended on Xi Lin Chen's care. Seeing Xi Lin Chen's respectful attitude towards Qing Xia, he devoted all his attention to her, serving tea, offering water, and showing great solicitude. Qing Xia maintained a stern expression, responding briefly and indifferently, leaning against the soft cushion, and enjoying the service of the two dancing girls with an unchanged face. Despite her young age, even with her face deliberately painted black, she still exuded a refined and elegant demeanor. The two dancing girls saw that even Shi Hang treated Qing Xia with such respect, so they didn't dare to slack off, each displaying their skills and showing great deference to Qing Xia. Qing Xia's eyes were half-closed, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she indeed had an air of a seasoned courtesan.

  At this time, a messenger suddenly reported that there were troops advancing ten miles ahead. Shi Xing, a young master of a large family, was about to lose his own life and didn't care who the approaching army belonged to. He ordered the scout to quickly investigate and come back to report, then lay down in the carriage with a sigh, pretending to be dead.

  Scouts soon reported that a Qin supply convoy had entered the western Sichuan border, with an escort of over 30,000 soldiers.

  Qing Xia furrowed his brow, this four-nation relationship was indeed strange. Just a while ago, they had just ended a bloody battle, and now they were getting along to such an extent. In Qing Xia's view, opening the country gate to let the enemy army in was basically no different from seeking death. Not to mention the host country taking huge risks, those generals who dared to enter the enemy's country would also face immense pressure. This simple logic shouldn't be something people wouldn't understand, it seemed there must be some hidden meaning behind this.

  It's said to be the grain convoy of Great Qin, Shi Xing stood up straight and spirited, giving orders to his soldiers to inform the vanguard of a thousand men to speed up their march, they must leave the Qin people far behind.

  After walking for two days, the Qin army had already fallen behind by over a hundred miles. Shi was delighted and thought that the two armies were in a race, and he took great pride in being faster than the Qin army.

  But Qing Xia was being cautious in secret, without any obvious reason, only her keen sixth sense over the years told her that under this seemingly calm surface, there were actually crises lurking everywhere, and it was not simple. She ordered Bambur and others to be vigilant at night and guard against any loss of grain and fodder. Bambur and others did not understand why they had to stay awake and defend even when it was not their turn to stand watch, but they had always respected Qing Xia, so they became doubly cautious.

  That night, Qing Xia slept until midnight and suddenly felt thirsty. When she got up to drink water, she saw that Xi Lin Chen was no longer on the bed. Qing Xia had a few worries, so she put on her armor and walked out of the camp tent.

  Qing Xia walked in a quiet military camp, at night, the lights flickered, and the sound of silk and bamboo music came from the direction of the main account. Suddenly, a clear and elegant Xiao sound came from afar, the voice was sad and melancholic, with a hint of unspeakable sorrow. Qing Xia followed the sound and walked over, climbed over a small snow slope, and saw Xi Lin Chen standing on the snow slope, wearing a green robe and hat, his clothes were neat and tidy, holding a Xiao in both hands, playing quietly. The bright moonlight cast a soft glow on his body, illuminating the surrounding area with a white glow. Qing Xia's nose was sour, only then did he remember that it had been two years since he left Nan Chu. Two years ago, on this day, the Xi Lin family was destroyed, and Xi Lin Chen narrowly escaped death, completing his magnificent transformation from a young master to a wandering beggar. Now, with the passage of time, everything has changed, and nothing is as it used to be.

  Qing Xia knew that this young man must be hiding something in his heart, things that gnawed at his soul day and night, making him learn to face everything with a faint smile, yet always being cautious and calculating about everything. This was not his original nature, but a change after the great upheaval for survival's sake. She only hoped that she could stay by his side, slowly changing him, leaving a place in his heart, waiting for the moment when he would be willing to risk everything, having some chips to hold onto him.

  Qing Xia stood there for a while, feeling the chill in the air. He looked up to see big snowflakes falling from the sky. Xi Lin Chen was standing in the midst of the heavy snowfall, looking even more ethereal and otherworldly. Qing Xia didn't disturb him, but instead turned around and walked towards his tent.

  Suddenly, a low, tuneless singing voice was heard in front of Xiao Cang. Qing Xia stopped in her tracks and listened carefully, only to realize that it was the Sundance song that Du Yihua's aunt used to hum. This melody is almost universally known among the people of Beidi, its main meaning being to thank the great god Sundance for protecting one's family's safety. However, the great god Sundance, whom Du Yihua's aunt had believed in her whole life, did not protect her in the slightest; on the contrary, she was brutally murdered by the Muren people who also worshipped Sundance.

  Through the gap in the tent, Qing Xia tilted his head and gazed faintly at Ke Duo's gentle face. This young man usually had a dull and impulsive look on his face, but who would have thought that he would also be thinking of his mother silently on such a night, running out of the tent alone?

  Qing Xia was about to leave without saying a word, but as soon as he moved, his foot suddenly stepped on a withered branch. The crackling sound instantly echoed in the darkness, making it very noticeable.

  "Who?" Nakdo suddenly sprang up from the ground like a small leopard, grabbed his long gun and rushed forward.

  Qing Xia hastily said: "That's me, Ke Duo." To avoid being attacked by this young man.

  "What's wrong?" Nakudo was taken aback, put down his long gun and walked over slowly.

  Qing Xia smiled and said: "I couldn't sleep at night, so I just took a walk and disturbed you?"

  He smiled awkwardly, thinking that his unmelodious singing had been heard by Qing Xia, and his dark face couldn't help but flush slightly. He said slowly, "I also can't sleep, I heard you say things might not be peaceful lately, so I came out to take a look."

  Qing Xia patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "There's nothing else to do anyway, let's go sit down together."

  Kogane lit a brazier in front of the small warehouse, and Seika felt a warmth spread through her body as the chill was instantly dispelled. She sat down next to the brazier, took a flask from Kudou, and tilted her head back for a swig.

  These days, her drinking capacity has also been trained. Walking in such a snowy place, not drinking strong liquor is really unbearable.

  "Xia Qing, you think someone will really come to raid the camp?" As soon as he mentioned fighting, Ke Duo's eyes suddenly shone with a burst of light.

  Qing Xia smiled and patted his head, just like patting her own younger brother, saying: "I knew you'd think of this. I'll tell you, if someone really comes to raid the camp, you only need to protect our own grain and grass well. If you rashly engage in battle with the enemy, I won't forgive you."

  Na Ke smiled foolishly and didn't respond.

  Qing Xia continued, "That Ke Duo, I don't expect you two brothers to achieve great things or become high-ranking officials. All I know is that it was I who brought you two out, and I must bring you back safely. Otherwise, the spirit of Muo Yi Hua will not forgive me."

  As soon as his mother was mentioned, Na Ke's expression turned gloomy and he lowered his head, no longer speaking.

  Qing Xia sighed and said in a low voice, "I'm not saying I don't want you to take revenge, nor do I think you can't. The hatred for the one who killed your mother is something that cannot be shared with others, and if it were me, I would also go for revenge. However, I hope that while taking revenge, you can think about your sister, your mother, and Xudalai. I don't want to see you being blinded by hatred, forgetting everything around you, and having your heart filled with only hatred, unable to see anything else."

  Na Ke lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. Qing Xia said this while looking towards the other side of the snowy slope.

  I already have someone like that by my side, Na Ke Duo. I just don't want you two brothers to be like him too, with even the roars in your dreams being suppressed.

  "Xia Qing?" Nakudo's voice suddenly sounded dull, Xia Qing turned her head and saw his bright eyes staring at herself, sincerely asking: "Am I very stupid?"

  Qing Xia furrowed her brow and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Why ask like that?"

  Nakmu thought for a moment, then said in a low voice: "I know I'm not as smart as Bambur, let alone Li Xian and Sun Jie, those Han people. And don't even mention compared to Xi Linchen. The things you talk about, I always understand last. But you also say that if you want to be a general, you must learn those things, so I know, I'm very stupid, and can only be a small soldier forever, not a general."

  Qing Xia smiled and said, "Na Ke Duo, do you know what a truly foolish person is like? It's someone who knows they're stupid but doesn't dare admit it, and instead indulges in fantasies of being invincible every day. If you can recognize your weaknesses, you'll work even harder, put in more effort than others, and eventually get more rewards. Besides, each has their own strengths - you have the greatest physical strength and martial arts skills, and among all the people I've taught, you're the fastest learner of our school's techniques. They excel at marching formations, but you excel at guerrilla warfare. In this northern region, the importance of guerrilla warfare far surpasses that of siege warfare, so why would you belittle yourself here?"

  Na Ke Duo was indeed a straightforward person, and after hearing Qing Xia say so, he felt that it was indeed the case. He himself had excellent riding skills, and his martial arts were better than theirs. He couldn't help but smile with joy and said: "That's right!"

  Qing Xia saw him happy and couldn't help but smile, her mood also improved. The worry about Xi Lin Chen was slightly alleviated, and she happily clinked glasses with Na Ke Duo, taking a big sip of wine.

  Naked and in a good mood, he said loudly: "Xia Qing, you are the most capable person I have ever seen. We all say privately that if you were to be the general, you would definitely be much stronger than that kid Shi Xing."

  Qing Xia smiled and didn't respond, just shook his head slightly as he drank his wine.

  Naked Duo saw her shaking her head, thinking she didn't believe him, and hastily widened his eyes to say: "Really, look at that kid's rotten mud can't be put on the wall, every day is a waste of money, sooner or later he will be finished off by someone without even knowing it."

  Qing Xia said: "I don't have such great ambitions, I just hope you all are safe and sound, as long as nothing happens, that's good enough."

  Na Ke smiled foolishly and said: "We'll follow you, I guarantee nothing will happen."

  Qing Xia's heart was moved, warm and cozy, as if she were soaking in a hot spring. She smiled and stood up, waved at Ke Duo, and walked towards her own camp.

  When she got back, Xi Linchen was already back, lying on the sheepskin blanket, as if he had never left. He remained still in his previous sleeping position, not moving at all. Qing Xia stared blankly at him for a while before walking over to pull up his quilt and move the brazier closer to him. Only then did she let out a soft sigh and fall asleep.

  In the darkness, Xilin Chen's eyes shone brightly, like stars, twinkling like stars.