On the sandy ground, the vast sky and desert were distinctly blue and yellow. Tie Ci was like a beam of light that flew into Feiyu’s eyes.
Sliding down from such a height while carried by the wind was extremely exhilarating. Tie Ci couldn’t help but laugh.
The next instant, fine sand rose like a curtain with a bang as she crashed into Feiyu’s embrace.
Feiyu caught her in one swift motion and spun three quick circles, dissipating all the downward momentum.
In the expanse of golden yellow, their flying garments intertwined as they whirled together.
The group stood atop the sand dune looking down. Tian Wu was eager to try: “It looks quite interesting. Yixiu, Yixiu, why don’t you go down first and catch me?”
Yang Yixiu rolled his eyes so hard they could reach the heavens: “Please, me catch you? Then you’d have to dig me out of a ten-foot deep pit. You catching me would be more like it.”
Qi Yuansi said sarcastically from the side: “What’s it to you two? Can’t you see those two are flirting like young lovers?”
Yang Yixiu clicked his tongue regretfully: “I can’t help feeling like good cabbage has been devoured by a pig…”
Tian Wu said honestly: “I think it’s fine. Master Rong is talented in both appearance and ability, quite a good match.”
Qi Yuansi let out a cold laugh and swept his sleeves as he left.
Tian Wu looked at his retreating figure in bewilderment and asked Yang Yixiu: “Yixiu, Yixiu, why is Little Qi angry?”
“Him—” Yang Yixiu sighed: “Once there was an excellent marriage opportunity right in front of him, but he didn’t treasure it. By the time he regretted it, he discovered it was already too late.”
Everyone at the academy knew about those broken engagement stories. Tian Wu made an “oh” sound, but then said: “Actually Little Qi needn’t feel so frustrated and remorseful. I think even if he hadn’t broken the engagement, the Crown Princess wouldn’t necessarily have wanted him. Look, the Rong family didn’t break their engagement, and Supervisor Rong is such an excellent talent, yet the Crown Princess was just as cold to him.”
Yang Yixiu burst into hearty laughter, patted his shoulder, and said: “Fat Tiger, honestly, though you may be simple, your mind isn’t muddled. That’s exactly right!”
He leisurely walked away saying: “When flowers bloom and can be plucked, pluck them straight away; don’t wait for no flowers to pluck empty branches…”
With that, he lonely slid down the sand dune with a rumbling sound. With no one to catch him, he landed alone in the sand pit where Rong Pu had fallen earlier.
Tie Ci stood beside Feiyu, watching everyone slide down one by one. At first they were a bit reserved, but later they let loose, shouting and yelling as they slid, their voices echoing across the desert, their faces distorted by the wind.
They were all young people who normally bore heavy training and dangerous missions. Having just experienced the tense and thirsty journey crossing the desert, they had finally seen the oasis. Though their future remained uncertain, before the next leg of their journey began, they should indeed relax properly.
She said: “Do you know this is Singing Sand Mountain? Due to some inexplicable reasons, when people slide down the mountain, the sand makes a roaring sound.”
Feiyu said: “I always feel you’re very learned, knowing many things others don’t know.”
“That’s all what my master taught me. She knows everything in this world, whether it exists or not.”
“You seem to revere your master greatly.”
“Of course.”
“But don’t depend on your master, Eighteen. Depending too heavily on one person, once the great mountain collapses, your whole world will be destroyed too.” Feiyu said beside her ear amid the roaring wind and sand: “But except for me. I can let you depend on me for a lifetime.”
“No.” Tie Ci smiled and shook her head: “I won’t depend on my master, nor will I depend on you. Everyone is an independent individual. Everyone must take responsibility for their own life. Placing the hope and future of one’s life on anyone else is unfair to both oneself and that person.”
Feiyu let out a soft sigh and reached out to embrace her waist.
The hard leather armor pressed against his arm, but the heart within was warm and soft.
Though he felt somewhat regretful, wasn’t it precisely this independence and strength that had initially captivated his unwavering gaze?
At the oasis, the person on the camel stared at those small dots on the distant sand dune.
Watching them laugh heartily and lean on each other.
Even in such harsh desert conditions, some people could still find joy.
He felt somewhat dazed, remembering that just a few months ago, he should have been like this too.
He should have been with this group, laughing loudly and shouting, usually bickering and quarreling, facing enemies together when they appeared.
Yet fate was so cold, turning and overturning lives in an instant.
Like great waves crashing down, sudden changes coming one after another, in a blink falling from clouds to hell, past carefree days never to return.
A trace of sinister coldness flashed through his eyes.
Behind him, something soft and smooth brushed against his cheek like feathers, as if offering comfort.
He turned his head and nuzzled those feathers. The coldness in his eyes hadn’t dispersed, reflecting the vast desert sands—no sweetness visible, only wild spirit remaining.
Beside him, the tattooed man sneered: “Still playing around at a time like this, truly don’t know life from death.”
Cruel amusement flickered in his eyes.
Traveling in the great desert, extremely thirsty, seeing an oasis at such a time and being wild with joy was normal.
Who would think there was an army hidden here?
Watching that group trudging toward the oasis, he looked at them like prey walking into his hunting net.
No suspense, therefore boring.
He turned and descended the high slope, walking toward the deep shade.
“Execute according to the original plan.”
……
Tie Ci and the others had reached the edge of the oasis.
What met their eyes was a crystal-clear pond curving around the oasis like a silk ribbon.
Just looking at this pond made them feel refreshingly cool. Everyone immediately felt as if smoke would rise from their parched throats, and they all rushed forward.
Tie Ci: “Wait—”
As soon as her words fell, a row of feathered arrows swooshed down from the sky, all nailing into the ground in a line before everyone’s feet.
Everyone froze.
In an instant, Tie Ci quickly pulled up the mask she had been wearing on her head for sun protection. The others were equally quick, instantly putting on their masks.
Human heads bobbed in the dense tree shadows across from them. Someone said in a deep voice: “Password!”
Tie Ci narrowed her eyes.
Though she had expected there might be people at the oasis, she hadn’t expected that the ambitious Western Rong army wanting to cross the mountains would be right here.
Moreover, asking for a password right away without immediately shooting to kill—they clearly recognized their dress as their own people and wanted confirmation.
Though they had disguised themselves as Western Rong soldiers while traveling in the desert, this was only to prevent becoming targets if they happened to encounter Western Rong forces entering the mountains again. If they could initially make the enemy lower their guard, their side could gain a great advantage.
However, the enemy was indeed more vigilant than imagined.
Having recognized them as their own people, they still demanded a password.
Tie Ci glanced at the tattoo on her wrist. Fortunately, after several days, she had been very careful. Though it was slightly worn, it looked more realistic covered with dust and sand.
The faces swaying behind the tree shadows across from them were also wearing masks, which made Tie Ci’s heart stir, wondering if she could blend in with this army for a longer time.
That would save the trouble of going elsewhere to gather information…
Tie Ci’s mind raced. She was considering what to do—there might be quite a few enemies, and retreating now was still possible, but there might be no more oases behind them. Without water, how long could everyone hold out?
Rushing in would give them water and food to get out of the desert. But if the enemy was indeed as she suspected—a well-trained complete army—and the mask disguise wasn’t very feasible, then it would be suicide…
Unless…
Everyone was looking at her.
In this instant, she decided to take the risk.
She crouched down, grabbed the arrow nailed in front of her feet, and threw it out viciously while cursing: “You change passwords all the time. I’ve been out digging mountains for so many days, how would I know what you’ve changed it to again? Get lost! I’m dying of thirst!”
She spoke in the Western Rong language, even imitating some of the accent of that Western Rong soldier from before, lowering her voice to the hoarse tone characteristic of those who frequently traveled the great desert.
She raised her wrist high, the white leopard tattoo flashing in the sunlight.
A moment of silence.
Behind Tie Ci, people quietly placed their hands on their curved sabers.
Feiyu stood beside her, cooperating with her movements by making a motion of kicking the arrow shaft to break it.
The deathly silence was unbearable.
Tie Ci’s back tensed as she prepared to tackle someone to the ground if arrows came flying.
“Hahahahaha—”
Suddenly loud laughter pierced through the dense forest, making everyone tremble slightly.
Tie Ci was quick-eyed and fast-handed, grabbing Yang Yixiu who was about to bolt from his stress response.
“…Alright, alright, don’t be angry. Just playing a little joke with you!” someone shouted from the woods. Several Western Rong soldiers dressed exactly like them emerged, led by one holding a bow who actually bowed to Tie Ci first: “Greetings, Leopard Chief. Leopard Chief and all the brothers have worked hard. Come drink water! After drinking and resting, Eagle Chief wants to question you in the main tent!”
Tie Ci was stunned.
She hadn’t expected that the small Western Rong squad she had killed was actually led by a general.
No wonder they had preferred death to surrender.
Tie Ci knew that Western Rong leaders were also distinguished by animal names. The Western Rong had many tribes, each with different totems and deities. Generally, Wolf Chief referred to the national leader, with Lion Chief, Leopard Chief, Eagle Chief and others beneath. As for their rank hierarchy, it depended on which tribal territory that military unit was stationed in—very complex, even locals couldn’t figure it out clearly.
Looking at this Leopard Chief’s status in this army, it was actually quite high, and this entire small squad should have belonged to him. So after the other side confirmed her identity, they stopped checking the others?
Everyone behind her let out long sighs of relief.
Those people called out to hurry and wash up properly, then scattered in all directions.
Everyone quickly crouched by the stream, first hurriedly drinking their fill and washing and refilling their water skins.
They didn’t dare bathe or remove their masks—who knew from which tree shadow more people might emerge.
Lieutenant Yu quietly asked Tie Ci: “Eighteen, there are quite a few people in this oasis. We can fool them for a moment but not forever. Should we leave now that we have water?”
Tie Ci gazed at the water surface and said calmly in a soft voice: “Can we leave?”
Lieutenant Yu hadn’t answered when a head suddenly poked down from above: “Hey, why aren’t you bathing!”
Everyone was startled.
Tie Ci had vaguely sensed something before. Now looking at that person, she saw he was covered in brown-green paint, almost completely blending with the trees.
Quite skilled at concealment.
As evening approached, in the darkness there were fine rustlings—like moving tree shadows, like flying sand, like countless hidden figures.
Feiyu grabbed a handful of pebbles and threw them out. The person above laughed strangely as he climbed and leaped away through the trees.
Tie Ci watched that agile figure, thinking the legends of Western Rong warriors’ strong physical abilities were indeed true.
With people watching, it would seem very strange for people who had just returned from long desert travel not to hurry and bathe.
Moreover, this was probably also a way to check tattoos and confirm identities.
Tie Ci found it odd that they didn’t check faces, then remembered that Western Rong armies were organized by tribe, and only each tribal leader would be most familiar with their own people—other tribes might not recognize everyone.
She signaled for everyone to quickly undress and bathe.
Lieutenant Yu and those soldiers had the least inhibitions, immediately stripping naked and jumping into the water with whoops and hollers.
The several academy students all looked toward Tie Ci in unison.
Their eyes flashed with embarrassed yet excited light.
This was serious—they had to bathe.
Whether bathing in front of the Crown Princess or having the Crown Princess bathe in front of them, just thinking about it was quite… thrilling.
Feiyu’s suspicious gaze drifted over.
These guys all had ambiguous expressions, faces full of spring feelings, twisting and fidgeting.
No matter how he looked, something was off.
Could it be… they all knew Ye Ci was female?
He had long known that the academy people treated Tie Ci differently, even ostracizing him because of it.
His understanding was that everyone revered and admired Tie Ci, so they wouldn’t tolerate his disrespect.
Rong Pu and Qi Yuansi’s attitudes were somewhat different—they were both from the capital and might have known early on that Ye Ci was female. This he could accept.
But looking at this group of brats now, they looked like young maidens about to enter bridal sedan chairs…
He strode over, hands on knees, looked into Tie Ci’s eyes, and said seriously: “Let me ask you something.”
Tie Ci knew this was bad and deflected: “Now isn’t the time…”
“When did they know you were female?” Feiyu said: “Don’t tell me they all knew back at the academy? Don’t tell me I was the only one who found out last?”
By the end, his voice was quite dangerous.
Tie Ci smiled, thinking there was something even worse—everyone knew her real identity except him.
Terrible social connections.
“How could that be? They’re not smarter than you.” Tie Ci pushed him: “Maybe someone was a big mouth and told them.”
Feiyu immediately looked toward Rong Pu.
This guy wasn’t big-mouthed, he was malicious.
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He turned around, stripping his clothes as he walked, soon bare-chested, and jumped into the stream with a splash.
Tie Ci was just thinking his skin was too pale compared to Western Rong soldiers and hoping he wouldn’t be discovered.
But she saw that when he jumped in, he splashed up a huge column of water and immediately dove underwater. In the darkness of the dense forest, it was hard to see clearly anyway.
The several academy students still hadn’t bathed. Just as Tie Ci was about to find an excuse to walk away, she saw Rong Pu crouch down to test the water and say in very standard Western Rong: “A bunch of dirty pigs, they’ve muddied the water! Come on, let’s go upstream and not bathe in their dirty water.”
With that, he led those academy students upstream.
Tie Ci silently praised Rong Pu’s quick thinking. She casually began undressing while walking toward the water’s edge.
Feiyu like a handsome merman quietly swam close, his gaze burning as he stared at her.
The viper on his lower back seemed to come alive in the rippling light and shadow, slithering across his slender, graceful form.
Tie Ci suddenly stepped on loose stones, her foot twisted, and she cried out.
Dan Shuang, who had been following beside her, moved to help but also slipped on the smooth pebbles by the river.
Lieutenant Yu and the others, splashing in the water, called: “What happened!”
The soldiers stationed in the north, especially officer-level ones, basically knew some Western Rong and Liaodong dialect—this was Di Yiwei’s requirement, and this selected group of soldiers was the same.
Tie Ci hissed as she rubbed her ankle: “Nothing, twisted my ankle. You wash first, we’ll wait.”
Feiyu gestured for Tie Ci to come over. He hadn’t been speaking Western Rong at all. Tie Ci assumed he couldn’t, so she went over and asked what he wanted.
Feiyu said nothing but pulled off her boot in one motion.
Tie Ci didn’t dodge—this time and place wasn’t for being prissy. She just considered herself a Western Rong male soldier.
After Feiyu removed her boot, her ankle had already swollen.
Western Rong soldiers were fierce and warlike. Once they detected something wrong, they could immediately draw their sabers. At this critical moment, they had to act convincingly even in their performance.
Feiyu dragged her foot into the water. The ice-cold water soaking her ankle made Tie Ci sigh comfortably.
Feiyu gently massaged her ankle, helping disperse the blood stasis, while saying in a low voice: “Why is it always you who sacrifices yourself?”
“What else can we do?” Tie Ci smiled as she looked down at him. In the distinct light and shadow of the water, Feiyu’s sharp, refined features appeared both deep and crystalline.
“Release a snake to bite those guys, then they’d hurry up and get out,” Feiyu said matter-of-factly.
Lieutenant Yu and the others on the other side heard this and quickly bent over to cover themselves.
Others saying this could be taken as a joke, but when the Fire Chief said it, no one dared not take it seriously.
Splashing water sounds—soon Lieutenant Yu and the others finished washing and came ashore. Feiyu also boldly stood up in front of Tie Ci. Water cascaded down from his shoulders, his skin gleaming as if translucent. Tie Ci looked up to see moonlight filtering through tree shadows, outlining his graceful side profile, with a red viper winding down from his tailbone…
She quickly covered her nose.
Good heavens, the seductive consort was tempting the ruler again.
Feiyu seemed satisfied as he chuckled softly above her head, then reached out to pull her into the water. Tie Ci soaked in the water, listening to his wading footsteps moving away.
Feiyu leisurely dressed on the shore, the red viper swaying in the moonlight. Someone in a distant tree called: “Finished washing? Come eat!”
The person pointed, and in the distance smoke rose—no need to ask where to go.
Lieutenant Yu and the others all responded. Feiyu, with his back to Tie Ci, made a reassuring gesture.
Rough desert men didn’t have the custom of waiting for the last person to finish bathing.
However, Tie Ci’s combat ability in the entire team could only be matched by Feiyu, and if you added her innate talents, even Feiyu might fall slightly short. So everyone didn’t mind her staying behind with Dan Shuang.
This delay coincided with mealtime. Tie Ci listened intently and heard rustling sounds moving away through the trees.
Obviously the surveillance had ended and everyone had gone to eat.
Confirming no one was around, Tie Ci and Dan Shuang quickly stripped and had a thorough bath.
At this time.
Deep in the oasis, in the only somewhat worn tent, a masked man slowly sharpened his blade while listening to his subordinate’s report.
“Young Master, did we guess wrong?” the tattooed man said. “The arrivals seem to be our own people—the tattoos are still there.”
“Hmm?”
“Our people have all verified them. You know our tattoos—each person’s is different, impossible to imitate. Moreover, they went into the water to bathe. They’re not painted on either.”
The man listened, his brows slowly furrowing behind the mask.
“Has Mucuo returned?”
“No.”
“Any signals?”
“None either. So this matter is still questionable. If something really happened to Leopard General’s squad, how could Mucuo not signal to notify us?”
The man thought for a moment, then stood: “I’ll go take a look.”
“The other soldiers are at the bonfire, Leopard General is still bathing.”
“I’ll go meet with Leopard General.” The man lifted the tent flap and walked all the way over, passing the soldiers sitting around the bonfire eating—scattered in groups of three or five, barefoot, holding wooden bowls containing a mixture of tree bark and some barely edible fruit from the oasis that looked sticky and gave off a strange odor.
The air was filled with smoke, human sweat, and the mixed stench of wounds rotting without timely medical treatment. Many lay on the ground gaunt and skeletal, staring emptily at the sky.
Constant fighting, migration, and the difficulty of finding food in the desert had gradually stripped these sturdy men of their warrior spirit.
The man walked past, his deerskin boots making soft sounds on the leaf-covered ground.
He stared down at the ground—more and more sand was accumulating.
Sand lines were advancing forward.
He unconsciously touched his earlobe, then remembered it was empty.
His gaze passed over the bonfire to see those several people who had returned today, holding bowls and eating with apparent relish.
He turned away and walked into the deep shade.
By the bonfire, Yang Yixiu ate while whimpering softly: “Waa waa waa, I hate that I’m not a woman right now!”
Qi Yuansi struggled to swallow a mouthful from his bowl, thinking the shit he hadn’t eaten before was apparently all being consumed here.
Tian Wu’s broad face convulsed as he swallowed with a stiff neck while asking quietly: “What? Why do you want to be a woman?”
“Then I could have stayed there bathing instead of eating this disgusting stuff while pretending it tastes good!” Yang Yixiu finished crying, then turned to see Feiyu’s calm expression. Curious, he poked his head over to look and discovered his bowl was bright red. Sniffing, it was chili powder.
He quickly stole a taste and found that once the spiciness hit his mouth, the terrible nausea was suppressed.
Yang Yixiu pleaded: “Chief, Fire Chief, share some with me, I’m going to vomit!”
Feiyu covered his bowl: “No way. I only have this one small bag of chili powder left, I need to save it for Ye Eighteen.”
Yang Yixiu cried even harder.
Not only was it disgusting, he had to pretend to love it. Not only pretend to love it, but also get force-fed dog food.
This world was unbearable.
……