Chapter 98: Azure Sea and Clear Sky

  Like being in a raging fire, east, south, west, and north, heaven and earth, there was no escape route. In the vast red light, everywhere were ferocious flames and scorching magma, those ancient totems were yelling and tumbling in the flames, as if they would sweep her away, countless desperate souls were screaming around, seemingly pulling her down into that bottomless abyss, she stood on a protruding rock, feeling the entire space was crazily shaking, shattered rocks, surging magma, scorching flames, the earth seemed to be enraged, so it brought down this heavenly punishment of fierce flames, wanting to burn to death this woman with bloodstained hands and murderous intent.

  She knew she might be about to die.

  She wanted to curl up the corners of her mouth and force out a wry smile, but the scar on her lips stopped her from doing so. Just the intention alone made her frown tightly in pain.

  "Emma..."

  A low voice sounded in my ear, very close, yet seemingly so far away. It was like the clouds at the horizon, floating there, far, far away, with a sacred white color and a warm sound.

  Qing Xia stood in the midst of a raging fire, slowly extending her palm to shield her eyes, peering through her fingers to get a clear look at the clouds. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't make out their shape, as a thick veil of white mist obscured her vision, leaving her blinded. She knew that the pristine whiteness could only be admired from afar, and not approached or touched, for fear of sullying it.

  She smiled comfortably for the first time in her life, and all her fear of death disappeared. She didn't know if it was because she had nothing to live for or because she was truly too tired.

  In this life, she has killed too many people, her hands are stained with blood. Until today, she can no longer deceive herself that all of this is just.

  This turbulent life is like a rootless wild grass, drifting with the chaotic world, where can it stop? The young general stood in front of the bed, staring at the pale-faced girl in front of him, only to feel the pain in his heart surging like a tide. He slowly sat down, holding the woman's icy hand, his lips tightly pursed, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, his gaze calm as water, like a deep ancient well, rippling with quiet waves.

  "Yima," a deep, mellow voice sounded in the large tent, Qin Zhiyan gazed at Qing Xia's pale and thin face, his fingers gently stroking the wound on her neck, his voice calm as he said, "I know you can hear."

  "I once gave you the chance to fly, I told myself that you are a white eagle that cannot be bound by shackles, what you need is a free life and vast sky. I once convinced myself to give you such freedom, unfortunately, you didn't seize the opportunity, you can't take care of yourself."

  He faintly curled up the corners of his mouth, and a warm smile slowly expanded on his face. The wind at night was very cool. Outside the tent was a large round moon. Under the moonlight, everything was white with snow. Countless cowhide packages looked like steamed buns covered in snow. Soldiers as sturdy as stones stood guard at each corner of the camp, watching over this quiet night.

  Inside the tent, it was warm as spring. Qin's eyes were like a calm sea on the prairie, and he smiled lightly, but there was an inexplicable bitterness in his smile.

  "Your martial arts skills are exceptional, and you can kill with a smile, seemingly fearless. But in reality, you're the one who's worst at protecting yourself. You've always been helping others, but have you ever truly considered your own well-being? Your entire life has been spent being driven by others, constantly fighting for their sake. Have you ever thought that you too are made of flesh and blood, just like ordinary people, capable of feeling pain, getting hurt, bleeding, and dying? Since you won't take care of yourself, I'll do it for you. If you can't take care of yourself, I'll take care of you. Yima, once you enter my Flame Camp, don't ever think about leaving again. This time, I won't let go."

  A crystal tear suddenly flowed down from the tightly closed eyes of the woman, Qin Zhiyan bent down and gently wiped away her tears with his icy fingertips, a smile as gentle as the April willow, with the vitality of tender green branches.

  "Yima, I'll take you back to Xianyang, buy you a big house, open a large business, be your supporter, and let you earn a lot of money. I'll also take you to school, let you study, and you can eat mountain delicacies and seafood every day, wear silk and satin, bully the weak on the street with an air of superiority, and no matter how much trouble you cause, you won't have to worry about being caught and taken to see the officials."

  "You will become the most powerful merchant in Xianyang, with countless mountains of gold and silver. You can do as you please, dominating the land, and if anyone dares to bully you, I'll use my authority to send them all to labor on the border, never to return to the Central Plains again."

  "When the war is over, I will take you to your country. We'll board a big ship and sail across the ocean to find that chicken dish you like, to the land where you lived, your hometown, breathe in the air there, see the white snow and warm sunshine again, and then find those who bullied you and give them a good scolding."

  "Yima, I've never regretted anything I've done before, but now I really do. Why did I let you live alone in this chaotic world? Even if you hate me, I should have tied you to my side. Why did I believe Chu Li and give him the chance to be with you? Even if it led to Qin and Chu becoming enemies, I should have killed him and taken you back. Yima, one misstep leads to another, do you think there's still a way for me to make things right?"

  "Yima'er, I will protect you until the day I am no longer capable. If that day really comes, I will also find a way out for you and won't hurt you in the slightest."

  "Yima'er, you once said that this name means eternal life. So, please, you must hold on. In the Imperial Mausoleum, we made a vow that no one would abandon anyone else. We persevered in such a harsh environment and now, you can't give up either."

  "I'll be right here guarding you, if anything happens to you, I'll let the entire White Deer Manor, the entire Western River, and the entire world accompany you in burial."

  "I'm a man of my word, Emma."

  Qin Zhiyan's voice gradually faded away, his sleeve placed beside Qing Xia's face, already wet with a large patch of tears. He gently stroked her face, her small face so pale, thinner than the last time they parted. The candles in the room flickered and crackled, occasionally bursting into tiny sparks, like a child throwing a tantrum. Warm air circulated around them, Qin Zhiyan's face soft and serene, like a landscape painting. He held Qing Xia's hand, gazing at her quietly, unmoving, as a gentle breeze lifted his hem, lightly lifting a small corner, wafting the faint scent of Chinese angelica.

  Time slowly passed, the hourglass was dripping golden sand. The dream insect, the clouds at the edge of the sky were getting closer and closer, the blue sky and white clouds, the distant green, the fierce fire gradually receded, the darkness slowly disappeared, the clouds at the edge of the sky whispered softly to her, the voice was hoarse, just like the soft hands of a mother in memory, gently smoothing out the wrinkles and scars in her heart.

  If this is a dream, let me keep dreaming. Those warm words surrounded her, making her feel as if she was soaking in a hot spring.

  Please don't blame me for indulging in such warmth, I'm just very tired and want to find a safe place to rest. Those who have not been trekking in the dark for a long time will not understand the magic of sunlight to such a person.

  Like a gentle breeze, the morning dew glistens on the delicate petals of the flowers that have just bloomed. All the storms seem like a dream, and when you wake up, there is still the dawn's light. Xilin Chen will bring her warm water to wash her face, Bambur and Nakduo will laugh recklessly, Xudalei will return from afar, riding horses and hunting in the wilderness, Duifahua will smile foolishly, leaning against the door of her home, reminding the children who are about to go out, Amuye will follow a group of village kids, jumping with the steps she taught them. The fine bird songs sound like ethereal music, and the air is filled with sparkling hope.

  The village is quiet everywhere, and one will live there for a lifetime. There is no war, no turmoil, and the flames of war will never reach here. No military missions with danger lurking, no continuous traps and conspiracies, no complicated identities entangled, nothing but new life, new days, new beginnings.

  If this is a dream, let me live in it forever.

  Her hand suddenly gained a bit of strength and gently moved in Qin Zhiyan's palm.

  It was just such a slight movement that suddenly startled the man sitting on the bed, Qin Zhiyan's eyes became a little scorching. He gently called out Qingxia's name, his voice so small, so careful, so cautious, as if he was afraid of scaring someone away.

  "Emma..."

  "Emma..."

  "Depending on... Mā ěr..."

  ……

  Her eyes slowly opened a slit, and the piercing sunlight was dazzling. The bright colors made people who had been in the dark for a long time feel a little uncomfortable. She slightly furrowed her brow, but still tried hard to open them, gradually, gradually, opening up.

  Phoenix eyes, sleeping silkworm eyebrows, gentle brow and eyes, faintly smiling mouth corners, just like the warm smile in the golden hall of the Yellow Earth Temple.

  "Qin... flames..."

  A hoarse voice slowly rose, without surprise, without shock, and even without a hint of emotional fluctuation. Everything seemed so natural, as if it had been rehearsed thousands of times before. The man smiled softly, gently lifting Qing Xia's head, and leaned her forehead against his sturdy shoulder.

  "Yima," Qin Zhiyan smiled softly, with a faint glimmer in his eyes, his voice rich and pleasant, carrying the deep emotions of a man like the ocean.

  "Welcome back."