Chapter 102

  After two days of marching, the Qin army finally arrived at the last pass on the way to Bailu Yuan, Yixia Gorge.

  The Yijian Gorge has a long history, and it was first famous for the Battle of Bailingyuan over 1,000 years ago. In that battle, Qin Shi Huang personally led an army of 100,000 to ambush the main force of 300,000 Xiongnu cavalry, defeating them in one fell swoop and reversing the weak position of the Han people against the Xiongnu people. It can be said that it was a turning point for the stability of the Han dynasty's rule.

  One sword, and his name will be known throughout the land!

  Qing Xia sat on the horseback, gazing at the snow-capped and majestic mountain peaks of Yijiang, and couldn't help but admire the wonders of creation. She jumped down from the horseback with ease, shouldered her tools, walked to the foot of the mountain, stretched her limbs, then grasped the slippery glacier with one hand and began to climb slowly towards the snow-covered peak.

  Modern military intelligence 9th Bureau agent 003, not only is a master of assassination and hidden espionage, but also an extreme sports enthusiast. Every year, she secretly participates in extreme sports competitions held around the world, which is one of her few hobbies that she holds dear. Rock climbing is her favorite among many extreme sports, and she has mastered it to the point where she can climb up a sleek glass skyscraper using only the gap between two panes of glass. If the Tokyo mission had gone smoothly, she was planning to use her vacation time to climb Mount Everest, but unfortunately, that opportunity is now lost.

  Yixian Gorge is famous for its steep terrain, but the whole body is a huge mountain rock that rises from the clouds. In the center of the mountain peak, it seems to have been cut off by the giant axe of the gods, forming a deep and steep mountain valley, which makes people dizzy and fearful at first sight.

  At this moment, on the vast snowy mountain, Qing Xia was like a small gecko sticking to the steep cliff, climbing up at a speed visible to the naked eye.

  It was early evening, the sun was setting in the west, and the sky was a deep red. The snow-capped peaks shone brightly, like a young girl wearing a crimson cloak, her slender body suddenly leaping up to the very top of the summit.

  A pure white double-leafed orchid grew tall on a towering rock, Qing Xia clapped her hands and walked towards the orchid with ease, wearing a snow-leopard short jacket that wrapped her entire body like a small fox, a snow-leopard hat and fur-trimmed scarf covered her face, revealing only a pair of black eyes, sparkling and transparent like stars.

  Qing Xia walked up to the side of the orchid, tilted her head and looked at it carefully for a moment, then suddenly stretched out her hand and with a "poof" sound, completely pulled it out.

  Qing Xia smiled faintly, her smile slipping into her eyes, curved like a crescent moon, revealing a cunning cleverness.

  "Isn't it said that we were born as a pair? Why are you alone?" Qing Xia said in a low voice, thinking for a moment before reaching into her bosom and pulling out a small wooden box. Just as she was about to put something away, a sharp whistling sound came from the front, and Qing Xia, being extremely alert, dodged back, took a step back, and spun around, avoiding the fierce attack by a hair's breadth. Only then did she see clearly that it was a silver soft whip that had come from below the cliff, coiling up towards her. With a swift grab, Qing Xia caught the whip in mid-air, grasping it tightly in her hand, and with a sudden burst of strength, pulled the person from below the cliff up to where she was standing.

  "Standing at the summit, overlooking all the small mountains. I never thought that on this mountain peak, I would still meet such an extraordinary and elegant woman! Ha! I am truly blessed with good fortune!"

  The fragrance wafted before her face, pungent and nose-twitching. Qing Xia's eyebrows furrowed tightly as she retreated a step back. Suddenly, a whistling sound pierced the air, and a man in resplendent attire appeared before her. His black hair danced in the wind as he stood tall, his sleeves fluttering behind him. He wore a jade-green belt around his waist, and his sword-like eyebrows seemed to gleam with a sharp light. His eyes sparkled like stars on a clear morning, and his face shone like polished jade. One hand grasped a whip, while the other held a feathered fan, which he waved gently as he smiled mischievously. His narrow, fox-like eyes gleamed with cunning intelligence, and he stood at the edge of the cliff, as if ready to take flight on the wind.

  "Is it you?" Qing Xia frowned and said in a low voice.

  "What? The girl actually recognizes me?" The man obviously didn't recognize Qing Xia, and said loudly, happily walking up to her.

  At this moment, a cold light flashed and shot towards the man with a swift movement. The man's body suddenly turned, quickly retreating, barely avoiding Qing Xia's flying dagger by a hair's breadth. He stood far away from Qing Xia, his mouth curled into an evil smile as he said loudly: "I thought it was Empty Valley Orchid, but unexpectedly it's a thorny rose with character. I admire that. Miss, are you married or have you ever promised to marry someone?"

  Qing Xia smiled coldly and said, "What? Young Master still wants to marry the 17th concubine again? Ah, it's been a year since we last met, I'm afraid your harem has already expanded greatly. The 17th concubine is probably an outdated model by now."

  The man was taken aback, and after carefully looking at Qing Xia for a while, he suddenly realized: "It's really true that you can meet anyone anywhere in life. That day, I had an urgent matter at my house and rushed back, thinking about the young lady all the time, unable to eat or sleep. I didn't expect to meet again today, it seems that the fate between me and the young lady is indeed not shallow."

  It turned out that this person was the fake Qin Zhiyan who had met Qing Xia in Baiguan County a year ago and wanted to take her as his concubine, the brocade-clad young master. The encounter of life is indeed strange and wonderful, the two people brushed shoulders with each other on that day, but today they meet again at the top of this snowy mountain!

  "Is it? You think it's fate, but I think it's a cursed fate. I'll take my leave now, young master, farewell."

  As soon as he finished speaking, he dropped the whip in his hand and turned to leave. But unexpectedly, the man in brocade clothes suddenly burst out laughing, and the long whip in his hand seemed to have a spiritual quality, suddenly coiling around Qing Xia's right wrist like a spirit snake. Qing Xia frowned, rolled on the spot, and dodged the man's attack with agility. He pulled out the dagger inserted into the ground, turned around, and chopped at the long whip. With a "hua" sound, the long whip was cut in two. At this moment, a strong gust of wind blew from the side, and the man's low laughter sounded beside Qing Xia's ear. Qing Xia had already been caught by someone, his wrist grasped firmly in their hand.

  "With a body as delicate as jade and skin as white as ice, you have the face of a peach blossom. How could I not be captivated by such a beauty?"

  Qing Xia sneered and her wrist suddenly slipped out of the man's palm like a loach, then she reversed her hand and grabbed his wrist, using a small grappling technique to lock it in place.

  The young master in brocade clothes smiled and said, "It's just that the girl has this temper, she must change it properly, otherwise how can she enter my family's gate?"

  "How nice you think!" Qing Xia smiled coldly, grabbed the long whip of the brocade-clad young master and gave the man a military salute with lightning speed, laughing and saying: "You just wait here for your romantic encounter, I have something to do, not playing with you anymore."

  Qing Xia smiled and jumped off the cliff, sliding down the smooth cliff wall, quickly climbing down.

  The wind howled past my ears, the earth was a vast expanse of white, and Qing Xia's hands moved nimbly as he slid down the icy wall. He seemed like a white ape on a snowy mountain. But just as he had slid halfway down, a sudden sound pierced the air from above. Looking up, he saw that the embroidered-robed young master's slightly sinister smile was once again right in front of him, only two steps away.

  "Hmph!" Qing Xia's heart suddenly rose with a thread of thin anger, her center of gravity shifted downward, she swung her arm horizontally and traversed, in an instant, extremely bold like a large bird, swooping down with a whoosh.

  The man above exclaimed in surprise, but quickly burst out laughing and followed closely behind. Just then, a rustling sound suddenly came from below, and Qing Xia looked down to see five or six black shadows rapidly climbing up the mountain towards him, about to get close.

  Qing Xia's heart was filled with rage. This man was extremely troublesome and his identity was also highly suspicious. She hadn't expected that he would appear here and cause more trouble. Lifting her head, she glared at the brocade-clad young master and shouted: "What do you want?"

  Brocade-clad young master saw Qing Xia stop in her tracks, her hands and feet lodged in the rock crevices, stuck to the cliff like a gecko, and smiled as he said: "Two choices, one is you follow me home, become my concubine, let me take you into my private chambers, and pamper you well. Two is hand over the twin lotus on your hand to me, and I'll let you leave safely."

  "So you were thinking of it." Qing Xia was taken aback, and said in a low voice, glancing at the twin lotus flowers on her hand, their white petals sparkling like early winter snow.

  "Not necessarily," said Lang Lang, the young master in brocade clothes with a smile. "If Miss is willing to go back with me, I am willing to bear the pain and cut my love, and give this rare double lotus that appears once in a hundred years to Miss."

  "Hmph!" Qing Xia coldly snorted and said in a chilly tone: "That depends on whether you have the ability to do so."

  Qing Xia took off her hat, and a head of jet-black long hair instantly fell onto the snowy mountain, in the cold wind, it seemed like a piece of high-quality satin, smooth and flowing with colors, setting off her bright eyebrows and white teeth, magnificent and beautiful, just like a fairy in the mountains.

  The young master in brocade clothes was slightly stunned for a moment, and then suddenly clapped his hands and burst out laughing, looking extremely delighted.

  Qing Xia put the lotus flower in his hat, suddenly stood up dangerously on the steep cliff, turned around and said coldly: "Farewell for now, we will meet again someday!" After speaking, he suddenly let go of his hand and slid down the precipice with a loud whoosh!

  The young master's face changed, and he shouted: "Hey!"

  Only to see Qing Xia's figure swiftly and fiercely slide down the ice, like a bullet, extremely dangerous, disappearing in an instant on the glacier, turning into a wisp of white smoke.

  In a short while, only the sound of horseshoes ringing out was heard. Qing Xia rode on horseback, leaving a trail of snow mist on the snowy plain.

  The young master in brocade clothes and several subordinates stared blankly as Qing Xia slowly moved away, even losing the enthusiasm to chase after her.

  With a cup of tea's work, Qing Xia returned to the big camp, rushed into the military camp, jumped off the war horse, and let the gatekeeper take away the horse. He came to the tent of Mr. Cang Xiu, the military doctor, in three strides, lifted the curtain and shouted: "Old master, I'm back!"

  "Hehe," the old man chuckled, standing up and rubbing his hands together. He shook off some medicinal powder from the hem of his garment and said, "You're quite speedy, young lady."

  "Here you are." He took out the lotus flowers from his hat and said, "I was afraid of missing the time and delaying the effect of the medicine, so hurry up and do it quickly."

  The old man with a grey beard said: "Everything is ready, just waiting for the girl to come back."

  "Old sir," Qing Xia thought for a moment and whispered in a low voice: "Don't let His Highness know about me going to pick herbs, no matter what."

  The old man with the grey beard was taken aback, then nodded his head. Qing Xia smiled and walked out of the camp. He ran into Ke Duo and Li Xian, who were walking towards him. They had recently enlisted in Qin Zhiyan's military camp and joined the regular army. The Flame Camp was renowned throughout the land, and everyone was thrilled to have entered the elite ranks of the Qin Kingdom's regular army.

  "Qing Jie!" Li Xian's eyes were sharp and he spotted Qing Xia at a glance, calling out loudly.

  Qing Xia smiled and walked up slowly, saying: "Are you guys free now?"

  "We've just received our military uniforms." Nakudo said with a bright smile, holding up his uniform.

  The dark green armor of the regular troops of Yanziying, under the sunset in the evening, shone with a colorful glow. Qing Xia patted Ke Duo's shoulder and smiled: "Good job!"

  "Qing sister! The prince is in the main tent, just finished discussing matters. General Yi Zhou will lead the troops to advance on Bailu Plain tomorrow." A few of them had previously been ambushed by Bailu Fortress, although they said it was a blessing in disguise, but they were also secretly holding back their anger, especially Ke Duo who wanted to make a name for himself and avenge his mother.

  Qing Xia nodded and greeted them before heading towards the main tent.

  The guards who were guarding the camp had known Qing Xia for a long time and didn't stop him. Qing Xia lifted the curtain and saw Qin Zhiyan sitting in the center of the main tent, bowing his head to write something.

  Qin's flames wore a cyan-colored Confucian robe, with his head wrapped in a Confucian scarf, his eyebrows and eyes were distant, and his whole body emitted a gentle and elegant aura, no matter how you looked at him, he didn't look like a blood-stained general who had fought on the battlefield.

  Upon hearing the sound, Qin Zhiyan lifted his head and looked at Qing Xia standing at the door with a smile on her face, wearing a snow-white fox fur coat. He smiled warmly and said: "It's cold outside, come in quickly."

  Qing Xia put down the curtain and walked in, seeing Qin Zhiyan with an empty bowl on his small table, knowing he had obediently eaten the pear and lotus seed porridge she had cooked. She said happily: "What are you writing? You've rushed for a whole day, take a rest."

  Qin Zhiyan put down the brush in his hand, his face calm and gentle, naturally giving up half of his seat. The warm and fragrant scent of osmanthus tea enveloped Qing Xia for a moment, and the fierce aura from just arguing with those people suddenly dissipated. Sitting beside Qin Zhiyan, he slowly let out a breath, picked up the teacup on the small table, and took a sip without caring that it was the one Qin Zhiyan had just used.

  "This is Wu Chun from Nanjiang, it has the effect of nourishing lungs and beautifying skin, you drink a little more."

  Qing Xia said carelessly: "I don't understand tea, I've always been a rough drinker. But this tea is indeed good, you moisten your lungs and I feast my eyes, each taking what they need."

  Qin's flames smiled, shook his head, and didn't say a word. Qing Xia casually picked up the book on the table and looked at it, only to see that they were all military documents, as well as official documents from Xianyang. Qing Xia unintentionally inquired about Qin's military affairs, but only glanced at them briefly before pushing them aside, picking up a geographical map of mountains and rivers on the desk and flipping through it casually.

  Qin's flame sat on one side drinking tea, his face calm and serene, just like a landscape painting.

  "Qin's fire," Qing Xia said vaguely while eating the pastries on the small table, "Master Cang Xu said that you should pay more attention to rest and less to labor, so as to regulate your body well."

  Qin Zhiyan smiled and turned his head around, with a faint smile, "Mm, sir is right, I'll pay attention."

  "Well, don't sit here then, go rest in the back room for a bit."

  Qin's flames slowly shook his head and said: "No, there are noble guests coming tonight, I still have to wait a while. If you're tired, go down and rest yourself."

  "Guest?" Qing Xia's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she asked in confusion: "Who is it?"

  Qin Zhiyan was about to speak when a soldier outside the tent suddenly said loudly, "Your Highness, General Xikuan Yan Hui leads the soldiers of Xikuan and requests an audience outside the camp."

  Qing Xia suddenly stood up, and unexpectedly, the noble guest Qin Zhiyan had been talking about was General Xikang Yan Hui. In this chaotic world, among the four most famous young talents, Qing Xia had already met three of them, leaving only one he hadn't had a chance to meet yet. He really didn't know if he was also as stunningly talented and awe-inspiring as Qin Zhiyan and others, with power that shook the heavens.

  Qin Zhiyan stood up elegantly and walked to the entrance of the large tent. The soldiers outside hastily lifted the curtain, and Qin Zhiyan said calmly, "Form a line, go out of the camp to welcome." Qing Xia put on a cloak for Qin Zhiyan and stood beside him, behind them was the most elite army of the Great Qin, the Flame Camp. Torches were erected everywhere, flags were raised high, and the long wind came from the front at night, the large flag behind them fluttered loudly, what a magnificent military scene.

  The dark and dense army of Xichuan was gradually approaching, Qing Xia stood beside Qin Zhiyan, slowly turning her head to look at Qin Zhiyan's sharp and strong profile, suddenly feeling that he was like a towering mountain, standing in front of the million-strong army, the night wind blowing back his black hair, blowing against his cold armor, torches crackling, iron armor flowing with color, the young general was handsome beyond compare, as if he were a god from a prosperous era, with an air of nobility and elegance that made all the gods jealous.

  Feeling Qin Zhiyan's gaze, Qing Xia turned his head around, staring tightly at Qin Zhiyan's eyes. His warm and wide eyes were like the vast ocean, and suddenly he slightly curled up the corners of his mouth, a gentle smile appeared. In an instant, Qing Xia felt that all the flames in the world had dimmed, leaving only Qin Zhiyan's peerless smile and his jade-like face before him. Qin Zhiyan slowly raised his hand to tidy up Qing Xia's hair at the temples, then put down his hand and tightly grasped Qing Xia's hand.

  At that moment, Qing Xia felt as if she had been electrocuted. She leaned against his side, her petite figure tilting her head to gaze up at the man who had helped her countless times in times of danger. The tenderness in her heart surged like a vast ocean. On this dark and windy night, the two stood shoulder to shoulder on the open plains, hand in hand, gazing out at the approaching cavalry from Xikou. They were as inseparable as two trees that had grown together side by side.

  "Your Highness!" A clear and melodious voice suddenly rose above the thunderous sound of horse hooves, Qing Xia's eyebrows slightly raised as he coldly gazed forward. Amidst a sea of majestic military flags and banners, a silver-armored general emerged from the crowd, riding at the forefront on his horse, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, his face as pale as jade, and a large red cloak fluttering behind him like a raging fire. His narrow, elongated eyes sparkled with an eerie glow, like those of a fox, as he rapidly approached, dismounting with agility and standing at attention alongside the tens of thousands of Western Chu soldiers, who all bowed in unison, saying: "It's been a long time, Your Highness, your elegance remains unchanged. Yan Hui has arrived to pay his respects."

  Qin's flames faintly smiled, cupped his hands and said: "This time the White Deer Plain hunting meeting will still rely on General Yan's iron armor fine cavalry, I hope the general will not hesitate to give guidance."

  Yan Hui's eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of his eyes rising, making him look even more like a fox. He smiled and said: "Where did you get that from? With the great Qin war god here, how could Yan Hui's humble light dare to compete with the sun and moon? Your Highness shouldn't make fun of me."

  "General, your great talent is known to everyone in the world. If you belittle yourself as a grain of rice, this world will fall into eternal darkness, and there will be no more sunshine."

  Yan Hui heard the words and burst out laughing, his voice clear and bright. His silver-white armor shone with a dazzling light, setting off his devilishly handsome face, making him look like a charming and mysterious god, with an enchanting aura about him.

  "Who is this?" Yan Hui's gaze seemed to have only now shifted onto Qing Xia, as if he had never seen him before. His eyebrows were slightly raised, his expression surprised, with a hint of puzzlement and amusement.

  Qin's flame held Qing Xia's hand, his expression relaxed, his face floating, the cold wind at night rolled up the two people's long hair, entwining them together for a long time. He smiled faintly at Qing Xia and said slowly: "This is the person Qin's flame has been longing for."

  Qing Xia was taken aback, and immediately turned her head to stare blankly at Qin Zhiyan. Although she had long known that Qin Zhiyan liked her, she hadn't expected him to openly acknowledge it in front of others, let alone in such a tone. Yan Hui seemed to be startled as well, and after thinking for a moment, he smiled awkwardly and said: "To have won the favor of Prince Xuan, this young lady must also be a phoenix among men, with extraordinary talent and unparalleled beauty."

  Qing Xia smiled faintly, not expecting to run into her nemesis on a narrow road. This person was none other than the famous Yan Hui, whose fox-like gaze kept sweeping over herself and Qin Zhiyan. With a faint smile, she said: "I don't dare to presume, General Yan is young and elegant, having seen all the beauties in the world, with numerous lovely wives and concubines in his mansion. I'm just an ordinary woman, how could I possibly catch your eye? You must be joking."

  Qin's flames slightly smiled and immediately said: "The camp has already prepared fine wine, General Yan, if you would like to come over and gather together."

  Yan Hui smiled and said: "Your Highness doesn't have to worry, tomorrow at the White Deer Plain, the elite troops of the four countries will gather together. We can drink freely then."

  Qin's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he asked in a deep voice: "What? Did Prince An and the Lord of Chu also arrive at White Deer Plain so quickly?"

  "Exactly!" Yan Hui glanced at Qing Xia standing beside Qin Zhiyan, her cunning eyes slightly raised as she said: "At the battle of White Deer Fortress outside Yao Guan, Your Highness provided timely assistance, allowing me, a young master of the Western Chuan family, to narrowly escape. Afterwards, news spread throughout the land that Miss Summer Qing disguised herself as a man and joined the army, single-handedly fighting against the 3,000 elite soldiers of White Deer Fortress. Currently, the ruler of Chu Li and the Crown Prince of Qi are hastening to White Deer Plain to catch a glimpse of this extraordinary beauty. I, Yan Hui, have also admired her for a long time, and didn't expect to see Miss Summer Qing's true face today - it's truly a blessing from three lifetimes."

  After finishing speaking, he slightly raised his hands and bowed deeply to Qing Xia, saying loudly: "Miss Gao is highly virtuous, it's a blessing for Western Chuan to have a talented and brave woman like you join the army. Yan Hui has already reported to the Emperor, who wants to treat you with the courtesy of a female general, from now on, Miss Qing Xia will be the protector general of Western Chuan, in charge of the northern troops and grand ceremonies, with a status equal to that of a princess of Western Chuan, enjoying first-class salary. From now on, I hope General Qing Xia will support me!"

  A strong gust of wind suddenly rose, Qing Xia's eyebrows and eyes were sharp and stern, coldly gazing back at Yan.