Chapter 8 - To Be Killed in a Cruel Way

Book: Legend of the Longsword Master

Author: Huang Yi

Chapter 8 - To Be Killed in a Cruel Way

The sky was still dark and there was still some time before dawn.  The activity within the camp had also quieted down.

Relying on the Red Ring Guard disguise I left the camp without raising any suspicions.

I had barely left the camp when I saw distant torches moving towards me.  I could faintly see a few soldiers quickly returning on horseback and I thought that it was perfect timing for me to go meet them.  If they entered the camp, saving Hua Qian would be much more difficult.  I quickly moved to intercept them.

The first horseman saw me standing in the way, drew back the reins and stopped his horse.  The others followed him also stopping their horses.

All of the sudden the atmosphere became extremely heavy.  Under the light of the blazing torches were six men, but there was no trace of Hua Qian.  It wasn’t long before I noticed something strange.  Among the riders there was one horse carrying two black helmet soldiers, with the front soldier limply leaning his head on the soldier behind.  He was obviously unconscious.  The rear soldier was supporting the front soldier’s body entirely, it didn’t take much to figure out that it was Hua Qian disguised as a Black Helmet Soldier.  The leading soldier cried out, “Imperial Blossoms!”  I recognized the voice as Gao Jin, the man Ge Zhan commanded to go retrieve Hua Qian.  I rejoiced to myself and replied, “Red August!”

Gal Jin coldly said, “What is going on?”  I knew that if I didn’t look like a Red Ring Guard then he wouldn’t have been so  polite.  I took another step forward saying, “Are you Gao Jin?”

Gao Jin was stunned as he sputtered, “You ... ...”  Not allowing him to continue, I took another two steps to stand right next next to his horse, “Ge Zhan and the emperor command you to deliver Hua Qian to me at once.”  As I spoke the last phrase I lowered my voice.

Startled, Gao Jin wasn’t completely confident and at the same time he was anxious to clearly hear what I said so he unconsciously leaned down.

I laughed, “This is for you.”  The light of a sword flashed, from bottom to top and cut through Gao Jin’s throat.  He didn’t even have enough time to let out a scream.

The other Black Helmet Soldiers froze in shock.  My sword wasn’t frozen the least bit.

Like lightning I rushed at the soldier behind Gao Jin and before he even had his sword halfway out I had already pierced my sword through his chest.  Two of the other black helmet soldiers saw that something was amiss and pulled out their swords to face me.  I was afraid of them shouting a warning and attracting another patrol of soldiers, but fortunately just like me they could not afford to be discovered so they didn’t dare raise an alarm.  I bitterly laughed to myself while moving my body quickly to the right coming to the side of the right-hand warrior seeing a long sword above, followed by the sound of ringing metal as he fiercely chopped his sword down at me.  My abnormal strength was wildly out of his expectations and his ribs were easily exposed.  With a quick flick of my wrist my sword seemed to bite like a viper through a crease in his armor.

The soldier screamed and fell off his horse.  The horse was frightened and reared up on it’s hind legs.

Suddenly darkness descended as the soldier carrying the torch and who had been frozen in shock dropped the torch to the ground.  I ducked under the belly of his horse and like lightning thrust my sword through his belly.  I continued by immediately reversing my sword throwing it behind me and my sword rushed like thunder with an appetite for more killing towards the back of the Black Helmet soldier who was trying to flee with Hua Qian.  The sword pierced his armor and he died.  Since I was a child my father drilled me in wrist strengthening exercises until my sword was able to pierce through armor, only then did he think I was qualified.  At that time I almost couldn’t endure those drills, but today I could finally harvest the benefits.  I really don’t know what the emperor’s armor is made of, even my father couldn’t do anything.

Turning around I ran without stopping arriving just as Hua Qian fell off the horse and caughter her.  Unfortunately the horse let out a loud neigh and took off running towards the camp.  I cried out to myself, “Not good!”  This would attract a large number of pursuers so I jumped on one of the remaining horses and immediately made for the thick forest.  I kept going until dawn when I arrived at a wide grassland that spread out until it reached a tall mountain range where I decided to stop.  For the moment it was safe, but I knew that this respite wouldn’t last long.

I removed Hua Qian’s helmet and her pale face reflected in my eyes.  I felt relieved when I didn’t see any visible injuries and I felt an infinite tenderness for her well up within me.

I lightly slapped her smooth face.  She remained unconscious.

I was certain that she had been given some kind of drug which is why I couldn’t wake her up.  This was giving me a huge headache since I couldn’t travel far with her like this, but the pursuing soldiers could arrive at any moment.

I bent down and placed my ear against the ground.  From the East and Southwest  was the sound of many horse hooves striking the ground.  In both directions it sounded as if there was a group of at least several hundred people.  I was struck with horror, how could so many soldiers respond so quickly?  With the horse carrying both us of us it would be hard to go much farther.  It was already completely exhausted long ago.  Right now it was grazing in the field, but if we use it again to try and escape I’m afraid that it won’t even make it one more mile before it falls to the ground dead.

Our only option is to find a decent hiding place, hopefully avoid the enemy’s first search party, and wake up Hua Qian.  Once we reach Mo Nu we will gain a huge advantage.  I walked up behind the horse and heavily slapped it on the thigh.  The horse neighed loudly and took off running back into the forest.

I gazed to the left and chose a tree before securing Hua Qian to my back and climbing up.  Luckily the leaves were thick, giving us good concealment.  The volume of horses and chariots moving was steadily rising in front of us.  I saw a large group of Black Helmet soldiers pass under the tree.

It was followed closely by another group of horses.  When I saw the decoration on the flag, I slightly trembled as I realized they were the princess’ soldiers.  Remembering Ge Zhan’s plot I couldn’t help thinking this was a huge coincidence.  Unexpectedly I accidentally met with them here.

As I finished this though the air was suddenly filled with the sounds of battle.  I saw people disguised in civilian clothes with their faces concealed surround the group.  They already had superior martial skills, and they also had superior numbers so they quickly gained the advantage.  My blood began to boil when I thought that this was simply Ge Zhan’s conspiracy to deal with the princess.   An unusually ornate carriage was coming closer, with guards protecting it on all sides which had to be carrying the princess.  If I were smart I should just watch with folded arms while they massacred each other, but after all the princess was once my fiancee  and no matter how I looked at it she was still innocent so how could I turn a blind eye?

At this moment the chariot and black helmet soldiers who were risking everything to fight while falling back luckily arrived underneath my tree.

I took a deep breath and with Hua Qian still on my back I leaped for the roof of the carriage.  “Peng!”  We landed on the top.

The situationw as chaotic and the soldiers were solely focused on holding off the attackers, now they also had to contend with branches and leaves obstructing their view.  Unexpectedly nobody noticed that we fell from the sky.

I removed Hua Qian and laid her down on the roof of the carriage.  Someone next to the carriage shouted, “Escort the princess out of the forest!”  The carriage immediately began to move while it was surrounded with the roar of battle that was now even more fierce than before.  I was still laying down, but I had my sword out as I waited to see how the situation developed.

The carriage accelerated.  The men Lady Jun sent to escort the princess would certainly be her most elite warriors, so they were more than able to fight against overwhelming odds and break through a disadvantageous situation to escape.

Suddenly the carriage abruptly stopped.  I looked up and immediately cried out “Oh!”  Up ahead I saw another group of men hurrying towards us on horses.  There were over fifty of them, but the princess only had about two dozen guards left, all deployed around the carriage, and with desperate determination they were defending their master.

A majestic voice loudly spoke out, “I just want the Imperial Princess, not you.  Leave quickly!”

From the princess’ guards someone replied, “Who are you people?”  That majestic voice laughed saying, “Aside from Mo Nu, who else would dare confront the empire! Go!”  The sounds of fierce battle became louder.

Blood splashed down as the Black Helmet soldiers fell one by one.  I quickly realized that my opportunity had finally come.

The sound of screams came from the carriage, rising one after another in fear.  The carriage began to move again and I knew that all of the guards were dead.  The ornate carriage had fallen into the hands of the soldiers sent by Ge Zhan.

I quietly crawled to the edge of the wide roof to examine my surroundings.  I saw a powerful man driving and only four others guarding the carriage.  All the others left once they finished killing the guards.

“Heng!” I coldly snorted in contempt as I leaped down.  The large driver barely began to turn his head before my right foot caught him on the side and sent him tumbling off the carriage.

I violently pulled the reins and the horses jumped in response as the carriage came to a stop again.  At the same time the four big soldiers attacked from both sides.

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I shouted ferociously as my sword weaved back and forth.  In succession, four people were hit by my sword and in the twinkle of an eye the princess was already in my hands.  I whipped and shouted, turning the horses away.  Leaving behind confused muddle of dead corpses, I quickly headed for Mo Nu.

As we travelled the plain was deserted, and between heaven and earth it appeared as if we were the only ones left.  A soft voice rose from behind me, “Who are you?”  I was excited, knowing it was the princess speaking to me from inside, through the small window on the carriage.

I was wearing the Black Helmet armor, so it was only natural that she couldn’t recognize me.  Lowering my voice I said, “Princess!  I am a Red Ring Guard, dispatched to assist you.”  The princess quietly gasped, “Lan Te!  Don’t think you can deceive me.  Who else can wield a sword like that?”

I almost fell off the carriage in surprise hearing her correct guess.  He tone wasn’t hateful, but carried resentment instead.  The princess’ tender voice came again, “Lan Te!  Lan Te!  Wherever you are going, take me with you.  Why should I stay behind?  Don’t tell me you don’t know that I love you?  I cried out in surprise, “What?  I am only your fiancee, but he is your father!”

The princess firmly replied, “No!  He is not my father.  He was never a father and he never treated me as a daughter.  Every since I was a child until I was grown he didn’t touch me once, he never shared things with me, and he didn’t care about the things that troubled my heart.   On the surface he holds me in the highest regard, but when he looks at me it is like a pair of cold eyes staring at an inanimate object.  He doesn’t have normal feelings, so sometimes I wonder if he is a devil.  He was never my father, otherwise he wouldn’t have killed my mother and her family before the marriage.”  My heart was touched by the princess’ unquestionable sincerity.  She was now caught between her father and her fiancee and she had clearly chosen my side.  How could I possibly abandon her?

The carriage continued to speed over the grasslands.  It wasn’t until midnight that I chose a hill to stop at.  Hua Qian was still unconscious and I didn’t know what method Black Widow used on her.  Apparently I would have to reach Mo Nu first before I could find a way to wake her up.  As the night progress the sky clouded over and lightning flashed from time to time, but it still didn’t rain.  The cold wind whistled as it blowed while the princess and I huddled together within the carriage, with Hua Qian laying unconscious on the other side.  Although it was chilly outside, it was getting hot inside the carriage.

I told the princess about Ge Zhan’s plot against her.  Clenching her teeth the princess said, “That hateful scoundrel.  Fortunately I met with you, otherwise...otherwise I couldn’t avoid being used by other people.”

I watched the tears fall from her eyes and although she was precious like a gold bar or jade leaves, her situation wasn’t any less dire than Qi Bei and Xi Qi who were forced to rely on each other for survival.  Maybe from this point on she can start a new life.  She laid her head on my shoulder saying, “Lan Te! Tell me, do you still love me like you used to?”  I turned towards her and gazed at her only to see a jade beauty that was like flowers in full bloom.  My heart was overflowing so I firmly kissed her delicate lips.  The princess let out a surprised noise before becoming intoxicated by the warm touch.

The wind blew cold outside making the people inside the carriage feel even more warm.  Suddenly the body laying to the side let out a miserable groan.  I was awakened from the warm kiss and gently pushed the princess away to move to the side of the reclining Hua Qian.  From the edges of Hua Qian’s lips the normal color was slowly starting to spread again as she continued to groan and her eyelashes trembled, but she still didn’t wake.  I was overjoyed as I embraced her in my arms.  I lightly patted her face calling, “Hua Qian!  Hua Qian!”

Hua Qian suddenly began to struggle violently while shouting, “No!  No!  I don’t know!  I don’t know!”

I embraced her firmly shouting, “Don’t be afraid!  I am here!  I am here!”  I felt resentment spread in my heart.  Black Widow must have used some evil methods, otherwise this strong woman wouldn’t be so cared.

Suddenly Hua Qian opened her eyes and couldn’t believe that she was looking at me.  I gently said, “It’s all over now, I rescued you from Black Widow’s hands.”

With mixed feeling of grief and joy Hua Qian buried her head into my arms and wrapped her arms around my waist to embrace me.  Apparently she was still very afraid, but she gradually began to relax like melting snow.

I said to Hua Qian, “Let me introduce you to someone.”  Without looking up she said, “Who?”

I turned back to the princess, but besides Hua Qian and I the carriage was empty.  I thought that just a moment a go my attention was completely focused on Hua Qian and I was trapped by extremely emotional feelings so I didn’t even notice that the princess left the carriage.

I left Hua Qian’s embrace, pushed open the door and walked out of the carriage.  Outside it was pitch black.

I shouted, “Princess!  Lady Bao!”  There was no response.

I was shocked.  Where did this delicate child think she could go on a night like this?  Is the power of jealously so formidable?  Suddenly I heard a rustling sound from all around as a large group of people approached from many directions.

“Clang!” four flames flashed, as they sputtered to life.  I was surrounded by many people as the blazing torches completely revealed me under their illumination.

I grunted contemptuously as I was about to start killing.  From within the group of warriors came a voice, “Oh!  It is actually the Noble Lan Te!  I am Mo Nu country’s Bai Dan.”

I relaxed as we examined each other.  I vaguely remembered him from the Demoness’ tent when he entered briefly to make a report, but now he was wearing a tight fitting black outfit with a much different set of armor.  It took me a long time to recognize him, so I thought it was Ge Zhan’s soldiers still chasing from behind.

Bai Dan said, “You are in extreme danger here, the imperial army has begun to move and could arrive at any time.  We came to gather military intelligence.  I thought you had already gone to the sea long ago.”

Moved I exclaimed, “Take me to Mo Nu immediately, I have some very urgent news to discuss with the Demoness.”

Next I asked him to send some people to find the princess as we hastened on in our journey through the night.  Early the next morning Mo Nu was already in sight.

Mo Nu city was probably the greatest city on earth.  Compared to the imperial Sunrise City and Moon City it was even more imposing.  Stretching continuously were high thick walls with a wide moat.  Outside the city everything appeared to be calm and quiet, but I knew that inside the city walls they were furiously preparing for war.  Everyone was determined to take their fate into their own hands and fight against the destroying emperor to remain free.

According to my father, before the Emperor founded the Empire his character wasn’t so brutal, therefore my father and Qi Bei both fully agreed to help their righteous master.  After he founded the Empire his temperament underwent a huge change provoking two of his most trusted leaders to rebel one after another.  As we passed over the moat on a long wooden bridge I could see it was filled with black liquid.  Hua Qian asked, “What is that?”

Bai Dan’s face revealed a reverent expression as he said, “This method is from the directions of the Demoness.  The black oil was taken out from underground.  One spark will change it into  eternally burning flames that will stop a violent enemy attack.”  I was shocked, not only was the Demoness a superb leader she was also an expert in strategy.  In the empire this kind of burning black oil was famous for it’s strong smell.  The Demoness actually knew how to use it, no wonder the Emperor dreaded facing her so much.  As I thought about this I couldn’t help feeling a burning anxiousness.  I nudged my horse with my feet, advancing ahead of the group as I shouted, “Quickly!  I need to see the Demoness as soon as possible.”

Hua Qian, Bai Dan, and the warriors with him raced to catch up with me and in a flash over twenty riders sped over a hundred feet across the wooden draw-bridge.  The horseshoes rumbled over the wooden surface and the tall city walls loomed over us like a soaring mountain.

The Mo Nu soldiers wore snow white armor and the wall was filled with tiny white points, and raised flags fluttered in the wind.  The people of Mo Nu called their warriors the “Bright Soldiers” [could be snow, or white but I like bright as it sounds the coolest] and with the black helmet soldiers of the empire it made a very sharp contrast.  Ever since the founding of these two nations they have apparently never been compatible.  The Emperor’s cruel brutality fostered people who were callous and ferocious, whereas the Demoness’ warm and graceful affection resulted in many adoring citizens.  They were two extremes like fire and water showing once again that these two people shared a mysterious relationship.

Until now the Emperor didn’t dare to personally attack Mo Nu.  Before he dispatched my father Lan Ling and Qi Bei to assassinate the Demoness and steal the Canon of Wisdom.  If Qi Bei had not fallen in love with the Demoness and ruined his plan, then Mo Nu would no longer exist.  That original plot also caused the current crisis, but I don’t know if the Emperor’s trap hidden in the copied Canon of Wisdom will be successful or not?  The white city gates opened with a loud grinding noise apparently operated by some kind of machine, and by this alone it is obvious that Mo Nu is far more advanced than the Empire.  It is no wonder that being weaker and with fewer people Mo Nu could escape from the Empire’s larger army that outnumbered them many times over.  The Empire was like a large beast that is constantly militaristic and aggressive, unceasingly nibbling away at other tribes and territories, so that every day it’s reach is increasing.  On the other hand Mo Nu is growing very slowly, when a tribe voluntarily joins or when territory is granted as a gift which is a completely different style than the Empire.  Like a whirlwind we burst into the middle of the city.

I saw a bright scene inside the city walls.  There was an abundant range of beautiful buildings together with trees and a wide assortment of flowers and other plants, worked together in perfect harmony making it seem as if one had wandered into a dreamland.  There were perfectly straight streets that extended out in an orderly fashion from the city square.  Far to the left a tall spire towered above the city, almost exactly like one in the empire now that I thought about it.  It must be the palace of the mysterious Demoness.  At the gate of the palace there were more than ten shiny black cylindrical objects, surrounded by Bright Soldiers who were guarding the entrance.  Although I was anxious to to see the Demoness I still couldn’t help asking, “What are those?”

Bai Dan urged his horse forward to my side and said, “They are used to defend Mo Nu.  Her Highness taught us how to construct them.  We call them ‘Thunder Gods’.  All we have to do is put in a ‘Thunder Ball’ and even the most fierce enemies can’t resist it’s shot of thunder fire.”

My respect for the Demoness increased yet again, she was exceptionally intelligent.  By using such a small tool effectively she was able to keep standing in the face of the furious storm of the empire.  Taking the lead Bai Dan urged his horse down the left avenue that led straight toward the Demoness.

Compared to the crowded and densely packed Sunrise City and Moon City , the houses in Mo Nu city were much different.  There were wide spaces between each dwelling that were filled with beautiful plants.

At the moment there were no pedestrians in the street except for children playing in the tree.  Men and women were hurrying to transport different materials to the city walls in order to prepare for the impending imperial attack.

Even the disposition of the people in Mo Nu was vastly different from the Empire.  In the empire greed and corruption abounded, but instead of faces filled with distrust the men and women of Mo Nu had beautiful and pleasant expressions on their faces.  Unfortunately they were busily preparing for war so their faces were lined with worry, otherwise I would love to sit down and talk with these people who were so different from the warlike people of the empire.

Within my body flows the blood of the strongest man from the empire.

We galloped quickly down the wide street of this beautiful city while people on both sides cheered for us and threw flowers.  They didn’t restrain or hide the appreciation they had for the warriors that would fight to protect them.  In the Empire people feared the black helmet warriors, which was a huge difference.

Suddenly our horses rushed to a large stone bridge that seemed to have no end.  On both sides there were rippling blue waves as the arched stone bridge spanned across a lake.

This bridge demonstrated Mo Nu’s superiority in construction techniques over the Empire.  I remember when Qi Bei talked about Mo Nu lake and how he thought it was beautiful.  Mo Nu palace came into view as the spire jutted up out of the middle of a forest.  The palace was constructed entirely out of giant bizarre white stones that sparkled in the morning sun.

With passion welling in my heart I decided right then and there to devote myself entirely to protecting Mo Nu

.Bai Dan signaled everyone to stop and everyone pulled at the reigns on their horses.  There was a loud sound of horses neighing and hissing as we all came to a stop within a hundred feet.

The bridge was empty and Hua Qian and I gazed at Bai Dan puzzled.  Bai Dan stared into the sky and I saw a small point far above slowly expand with the sound of flapping wings that soon followed.  It turned out to be a carrier pigeon that flew directly into Bai Dan’s outstretched hands.

Bai Dan untied a bamboo tube from the leg of the bird and after reading the message inside said, “My men couldn’t find the princess.  It would have been better if they had a little bit more time, but the Imperial vanguard is rapidly approaching so we have to give up the search.  Please forgive me.”

My heart began to feel tight.  Last night the princess left without a word and it made me very sad that I couldn’t see her right now.

Currently the most important thing was to see the Demoness so I could not personally go look for her.  I could only ask Bai Dan to do it for me and unfortunately they came up with nothing.

From my side Hua Qian softly said, “I might be able to find her for you?”  I understood her good and kind intentions, but I firmly shook my head, “First we have to speak with the Demoness!”

Bai Dan stretched out his hand again and the pigeon flew into the sky.  Once again the horses galloped rapidly over the bridge until we arrived at the big square in front of Mo Nu palace.  Surprisingly there were no guards so it looked like the palace was left undefended.

I jumped off my horse and along with Hua Qian and Bai Dan we ascended the stone stairs of the palace.  White stone was used to build the stairs, and white stone was used to build the great palace, the effect made it seem like nothing was real and that it was straight out of a dream.

At the palace doors stood eight female attendants wearing white robes.  The head attendent cried out as we walked in their direction, “General Bai!  Commander of the Horse Division awaits outside the palace hall.”

As she spoke her face was filled with a worried expression and I suddenly felt troubled.  Bai Dan was also an astute person and when he saw her expression he said, “What has happened to her Highness?”