The suddened rumbling in the air travelled into Fanlu's ears.

"Strange," Fanlu looked up, staring at the small black spot in the sky, "This kind of circling is typically a result of breeding falcons. Why would it suddenly fly over us?"

Pingting followed his gaze and looked up. She clearly saw the rather restless falcon high up in the sky and frowned, "When the Duke came to Qierou, he arranged a small squad to stay behind at the border between Yun Chang and Bei Mo to keep an eye out on enemy movement. Their captain owned an old falcon. Could that be his? Why did he fly here?" Hearing the falcon's unceasing caws, it seemed that there was something urgent. She hurried into the room and grabbed the falcon bell Chu Beijie left behind. She shook it, and the sound of bells were heard continuously under the eagle.

This bell was one the falcon's owner gave to Chu Beijie specifically to pass on messages. When the falcon heard the bell sound, it would know it had found the right place. With another long caw, it plummeted down.

Fanlu's eyes were quick. He snatched the bell from Pingting's hand and threw it onto the stone table. That falcon was already in sight and considerately sheathed its wings. It firmly stopped on the stone table, grasping tightly onto the bell.

There was a small piece of cloth wrapped near the bell. Fanlu reached out to take it.

Zuiju was standing at a distance, urging, "Be careful you don't get pecked at!"

Her words had yet to fall when the cloth was already in Fanlu's hands. Fanlu smiled, "This falcon is more considerate than you. It won't randomly peck at other people. Let me see the news it brings." He opened the cloth, his expression suddenly changing.

Fanlu had interacted with him for a long time, but this was the first time she'd seen such an ugly expression on his face. She hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

"He Xia has already led two regiments to attack Qierou."

"Ah!" Zuiju cried in panic, hurriedly muffling her mouth with her hand. She looked at Pingting.

At Fanlu's words, Pingting's face was drained of colour. She too, abruptly stood up, her body shaking to and fro for a bit. She asked, "Which two regiments? When will they arrive in Qierou?"

Fanlu bitterly smiled, "How do I know? The cloth only says that much. But looking at this sloppy writing, the situation must be very urgent."

Zuiju urged, "He Xia's arrival will be terrible. Has Miss got any good plans? Oh gosh, why did the Duke choose today to leave?"

Pingting shook her head, "It's good that he left today." Her voice trailed off in the end.

Fanlu gravely said, "You must immediately leave. I will withstand here and try to detain He Xia as long as possible."

His expression showed the colour of rare generosity.

Zuiju was in extreme panic and almost cried out.

Pingting thought for a few moments, abruptly raising her head. She made her choice right there, "Complete withdrawal immediately. If he is rushing towards Qierou, then he must know everything already. His sword will come down on you without waiting for a single word."

Huo Yunan and the others hurriedly arrived. Hearing Pingting's words, Huo Yunan asked, "It can't be that dire, could it? The falcon is much faster than the army, so there should still be time. We can wait until the Duke returns, so the planning can be more assured."

Pingting resolutely shook her head. "No, we must immediately pull out of Qierou. Fanlu, you think of a way to reach out to all of our people in the city. No need to assemble, we must immediately leave the city and flee in the direction of the Shuitai Regiment."

Fanlu frowned, "We still don't know whether Qing Tian's side is going well. What if he refuses to join us and leads his troops to support He Xia. If we bump into the Shuitai Regiment on the way, won't that be falling right into our deaths?"

Pingting sighed, "He Xia is leading two whole regiments here, while we only have a mere thousand. If the Duke can't successfully win the Shuitai Regiment in time, our deaths are certain. If the Shuitai Regiment joins the Duke and we can meet up with them, then we still have a chance at living."

She understood the situation well, and her few words were enough to portray a thorough analysis. The people immediately saw the situation before them was very grim, and their hearts sank. They didn't even bother packing up their luggage. They were ready to leave immediately.

Fanlu summoned several of his residence's cabinet officers. He gave each of them a large amount of silver coins, affably instructing, "Today, I have a task for you to complete. Each of you are to write ten announcements and post them in conspicious places throughout the city. Complete this in half an hour, and I will then reward more silver to each of you."

These cabinet officers never once held so much silver in their hands. They felt almost disorientated by their good fortune and bowed deeply. "What does Sir want us to announce? We will definitely write it beautifully."

Fanlu's eyebrows droop, "What rubbish! Who told you to write it beautifully? Quick, it must be done quick! On them, write the words—Hurry! Scram, go east! Just those four words and don't ask what it means. Just do as I've instructed. Listen clearly, it must be completed in half an hour!"

Once his cabinet officers were shooed away, he hurriedly went out the back door. Zuiju and the others had brought the horses from the best stables. When she saw Fanlu, she immediately tossed some reins at him. Fanlu got on the horse and raised his voice, "Let's go!"

The sound of hooves instantly thundered. The group of people rushed towards the city gates. The market was not active today, so the city gates closed earlier than usual. When Fanlu got to the foot of the city gates, he raised his head and shouted, "Open the gates! Hurry up and open the gates for me!"

When the city guards saw their governor yelling at them to open the gates, they immediately panicked and opened it. At that moment, the effect of the announcements of the cabinet officers seemed to kick in as many more people streamed out from inside the city on horses. These people were all Chu Beijie's subordinates who snuck into Qierou, lying in wait. When the city gates opened, more than one hundred people had already materialised.

The city gates opened with a clack, revealing a gap that only allowed one person to open. Fanlu's horse went out first but when he was just about to bolt outside, he was greeted by a sharp arrow breaking the wind. Fanlu's head tilted to one side, the arrow flying past his face. With a thwack, it lodged itself on the gates.

Zuiju said, "Not good, they're already here. Hurry up and close the door. Maybe we might be able to get some time."

"No." Pingting calmly said, "That was a hastily shot arrow, as they cannot fully eat us. While they're still in the middle of their encirclement, we must go out fast. Fortunately, we are a bit faster than He Xia." She smiled slightly.

At such a critical moment, her smile was even brighter than a shooting star.

Seeing her like that, everyone's worries were unknowingly put to rest, their courage becoming stronger.

There had always been several thick shields of the soldiers guarding the city and Fanlu picked one up. He raised his voice, "Let's charge!"

His limbs jolted as he bolted once more.

There were more arrows flying this time. They came in waves but as they were hastily done, they weren't like the rows of strong arrows filling the sky on the battlefield. This meant Pingting was right, and Fanlu was secretly delighted since they were only tiny squads that arrived. He raised his shield, blocking off the arrows one by one. By then, the city gates was fully opened, and the people behind Fanlu followed suite, getting a thick shield to protect their body. Those who didn't have shields hid behind those who did and small battle arrays were formed, tightly surrounding Pingting, Zuiju and Huo Yunan, as they collectively fought their way out.

They frantically crossed the huge empty space in front and could already see their enemies. They seemed to reach the outskirts of Qierou city, only amounting to one hundred men or so. They didn't have any more people than Pingting and the others had. Most of them were archers anyhow.

Fanlu shouted, threw away his thick sword, and pulled out his long sword from his waist. He started stabbing the moment he withdrew his weapon. The people behind him had also arrived. All of them were elites Chu Beijie carefully chose so all of sudden the glints of swords appeared. War began.

Fanlu's swordsmanship wasn't particularly good, but he was very fast and his opponents weren't particularly good swordsman either. There were several continuous screams before a few enemies tumbled off their horses, bloodsoaked.

Pingting was afraid he'd be hurt and urged, "Fanlu, don't try to fight. Run!"

Fanlu knew her good intentions, but he knew that despite the archers being cowards up close, if they ran, it wouldn't be funny when they shoot from behind. He shouted, "You go run, I'll butcher these people before catching up."

He just finished dealing with an enemy who flung away.

Wuuu!!

The sound of a horn began to vibrate. Although it was low and somewhat far away, it seemed to be right next to everyone's ear, its vibration directly jolting into their hearts.

Pingting paled and said, "Damn! The army has arrived! Scram!"

Everyone knew He Xia had arrived, and their hearts went cold. About ninety percent of these early squads were killed. They gathered their reigns and bolted for the east. Pingting brought the whip down to reach full speed. She then had time to look back, seeing a thick dust rolling in the distance behind them. Tens of thousands of soldiers were treading through the earth towards them.

"Kill!"

The battle cries were truly earth shattering. They were catching up to them from behind.

Master, Master had caught up...

No, it was He Xia.

The He Xia who killed Yaotian. The He Xia who killed the King of Bei Mo. The He Xia who killed the Royal House of Gui Le.

The earth was about to be pierced by the thudding.

The wind howled, and the sand lunged. The waves of raining burst out with successive whooshes, causing the several powerful men tightly protecting around Pingting to fall off their horses.

Zuiju cried in panic.

Pingting shouted, "Don't look! Run forwards!" She fiercely slapped Zuiju's horse.

Every time the rain of arrows fell, there were always a number of guards falling down. Every drop of blood that was lost became the way to survival for the remaining people.

The horses that were struck screamed and hung around the corpse of their dead master. They were too frightened to gallop on and would eventually fall under the never-ending array of arrows.

The horn's rumble seemed to extend from the ends of the world, tearing at the people's heart and lungs.

The arrows behind them fell like pouring rain, and the condition was brutally fierce. Only a dozen people remained to guard Pingting, compared to the hundred at the beginning. They have yet to reach the small hill before their eyes.

But it seemed like the hooves that came from hell, getting closer and closer towards them.

Fresh blood constantly splattered near Pingting as the guards were struck by the sharp arrows. The hot liquid would draw numerous beautiful arcs in the air.

Why?

Marquess of Jing-An, why?

How many souls have you buried between heaven and earth? Where is your gentleness, your romanticness, and your carefree smile of the past buried?

For what reason are you seizing these blood-filled mountains and rivers?

The wind stung at her eyes. The warm blood and apathetic world mixed into a strangely beautiful landscape. Pingting was in the midst of it, letting her tears mix into her sight.

Bei Mo, Dong Lin, Gui Le, Yun Chang...

He Su, Gui Changqing, Princess Yaotian...

How much fresh blood was fed to this country, to give birth to such breathtaking mountains and rivers?

"Ah..." A muffled sound came from behind again.

The sound of a person falling was heard, another passionate man to forever remain on this patch of land.

It was only a while before only four or five people remained behind Pingting.

Huo Yunan was the oldest, so Zuiju arranged the best horse for him. He didn't fall behind the whole way. When Zuiju saw her Teacher was at the front, she was more at ease.

Fanlu was protecting Zuiju and Huo Yunan at first, but was terribly afraid Pingting would be harmed this time. He had fell beside Pingting from the front, murmuring, "I'll protect you."

Pingting shook her head, "Protect Zuiju." Fanlu gave her look and Pingting raised her hand, whipping down on Fanlu's left arm. She viciously said, "Protect Zuiju!"

At such a delay, the pursuing soldiers behind them got even closer. It felt like they were the tiny prey of crazed wolves.

They suddenly heard a gasp from Zuiju. The horse she was on had been struck. It painfully treaded forward a bit before abruptly rearing up. Zuiju didn't hold on tightly enough and slid right off the horse's back. She didn't land though for Fanlu had already rushed forwards and gathered her in his arms.

Several arrows continuously came and Fanlu protected Zuiju with one hand while the other waved around his sword, knocking away the arrows heading towards Zuiju. He suddenly felt an immense pain on his back and knew he had been hit. He was afraid Zuiju would worry, so he clenched his teeth and didn't make a sound of pain. He simply surged forwards again.

At that moment, the final guard protecting Pingting fell off his horse.

The situation was hopeless.

The pursuers from behind were gradually getting closer, and the one at the very front was He Xia in his red robe. The desperately escaping squad had been in formation, but his archers mowed them down, leaving a meagre number of survivors.

When the final guard fell, a familiar slender figure suddenly jumped into the corners of his eyes.

At that very moment, He Xia's heart felt like it was tumbling.

Tumbling rapidly at high frequency, at violent amplitutes.

His mother carried in a young girl, smiling as she treaded through the snow.

"Look, what a liable baby girl. Her fate must be connected to the House of Jing-An."

"Xia'er, do you know what is fate?"

No.

No!

What fate? Where was the House of Jing-An?

Where had the Marquess of Jing-An gone too?

He suddenly came back to his sense, only to realise that only an instant had passed. But the raining arrows weren't there as the archers have stopped, waiting for his next command. "Why aren't you shooting, who told you to stop?" He Xia thundered in anger.

He grabbed a large bow from one of his guards and clipped the bow onto the string, aiming at the front.

One of the people beside him pounced forwards, yelling, "Stop!" But He Xia was too fast and the arrow spun out of his hands once loosened. The loud sound of an arrow piercing the wind was heard.

The sharp arrowhead sliced the air, crossing the dampened bloody ground between the two forces, carrying the light sound of the wind with it.

The arrow left its string.

He shot it; he personally shot it.

He Xia watched that arrow fly forward, and although it was a short moment, time seemed to stop there. The fingers that shot the arrow felt numb. He felt a sort of emptiness like they didn't belong to him. It felt like it wasn't his heart either, but an ocean that could not accomodate his desolation that would severely hurt his limbs.

"For the last few years, we studied and played together, even learned how to fight and deal with horses together."

"But I'm only an older brother to you, and you're only a younger sister to me."

"Back then, who said they wanted to find the best possible husband or else they would rather never marry and die a long death?"

But, it couldn't be Chu Beijie...

Why, why did it have to be Chu Beijie?

That arrow directly flew towards Pingting's back. Due to not having enough strength, it had already been weakened considerably by the time it reached her. Zuiju happened to be able to see it due to being in Fanlu's arms. She was almost scared soulless. She hoarsely shouted, "Duck!"

Pingting heard this and ducked forward without hesitation. A cold arrow roared past her back.

She too, broke into cold sweat.

He Xia saw Pingting hadn't been hit from afar. His heart slowed a bit, followed by intense rage. He brutally whipped down on Dongzhuo, yelling, "How dare you!"

"Master, that's Pingting! That's Pingting!" Dongzhuo pounced forwards, only hugging his thigh hanging on the girth. He promptly burst into tears.

He Xia raised his whip but lost some of his will to bring it back then. He looked up and saw Pingting and the others had pulled some distance away from the army again. He Xia's foot twitched, kicking Dongzhuo aside. His voice was very cold, "I'll punish you when I get back." He unsheathed his sword, "Don't shoot, just continue chasing! Catch them alive!"

The army thundered 'yes' as the earth-shattering sound of hooves began to rumble again.

Pingting and the others had no strength to run on. No matter how much they brought down their whips, their horses gradually slowed down. The thundering battle cries behind them were pressing on. The crowd could only grit their teeth, only hoping to get to the top of the hill.

Just as they reached the foot of the hill, Pingting's horse neighed in pain. The horse before her knelt down. Pingting fell to the ground, rolling twice. She raised her head, the dust from the ground she distrubed billowed in front of her. In that haze of yellow dust, there was a very familiar face.

He Xia, the Marquess of Jing-An, the Prince Consort of Yun Chang, the tyrant who poisoned the four countries.

Her Master...

The once handsome, romantic person of even more unripe brilliance, now had a pair of pained eyes.

A lonely kind of pain, unable to find a way out of its suffering.

It was a kind of endlessly suffering pain.

Pingting was caught off guard by her tumble, but now she met the pain in the eyes of the man she had grown up with.

Just a simple raise of her head was enough to startle her.

It seemed that everything was nothing but simple. This way of concluding such chaotic times was just about right.

At that thought, Pingting couldn't help faintly smile at him.

Ever since Pingting fell off her horse, He Xia's eyes never left her. When he saw her smile, it felt like he was captured by magic. It caused all of the noisy battle screams around him to stop, dissipating it to clouds in the breeze.

He Xia stopped his horse.

As his horse stopped, the army behind him all stopped one by one. After a while, all of the horses and men silenced. Although they were splashing blood and their battle cries filled the sky, they were surprisingly quiet all of the sudden.

The entire world silenced.

Is that you?

Is the person before me the person I know?

Or have we forgotten what we used to look like?

Perhaps there was a hint of breeze between them, striding across the space between He Xia and Pingting's gaze. It was like the autumn leavings falling onto the surface of the water, creating tiny circular