Chapter 6, Initial Display of Talent
To capture the leader before the followers, he picked up a long spear from the ground, aimed carefully, and with great force hurled it. The spear flashed with a cold light, resembling a long rainbow flying out. In the distance, the Qin general was taken aback, feeling a fierce wind rushing towards him, seizing the initiative, and hurriedly raised his shield to defend himself
Long Tianyu held the trembling beauty in his arms, focusing his gaze ahead. He saw, several zhang away, a slender and graceful young girl, dressed in exquisite embroidered attire. Her shoulders were as sharp as if chiseled, her waist as delicate as silk, her skin fairer than snow, and her lightly furrowed brows indicated that she was clearly in pain from a sword wound on her left arm.
When Yu Ji awoke, the night had deepened. A new moon wept alone in the vast, boundless night sky, its tears crystal clear, scattering in the darkness and forming droplets of starlight, rendering the night sky even more silent and lonely
After several bouts of clouds and rain, Long Tianyu's heroic spirit remains undiminished. However, Yu Ji, having just experienced the affairs of the world, can no longer endure after several blooms of the plum blossoms. It is only then that they embrace and fall into a deep sleep.
Yu Ji's cheeks flushed, and she smiled gently, saying: "I am not afraid at all; Brother Long cares for Yu Er too much!"
Yu Ji exclaimed, "Is your esteemed father the Mr. Guo Zong, who is known for crafting weapons from iron ore and employing naval strategies?"
More than a decade ago, during the coronation of Ying Zheng, it was rumored that the Wu family was uprooted by the King of Qin, leading to the extermination of their nine clans. Subsequently, both parties aged and passed away, and their family business, handed down to the next generation, lacked the ability to manage it, resulting in a significant decline. In contrast, my Guo family faced a downturn as well, as the six states had been destroyed, the frequency of wars decreased, and weapons could only be supplied for the use of the Qin army, causing our business to gradually decline
Long Tianyu fondly caressed the other's delicate back and rounded hips, nodding and saying: "This is indeed true; as long as I, Long Tianyu, am alive, I will not allow anyone to dare bully you"
In the moment of fusion, Yu Ji slightly furrowed her delicate brows and let out a soft, tender call. Her body suddenly tensed, and her limbs tightly wrapped around Long Tianyu's body. She murmured to herself, as if to affirm her own resolve, yet also as if speaking to her beloved: "Brother Long, I will always be yours..."
Such strength and accuracy are rare in this world, and the warriors of various families cheered and applauded, greatly boosting their morale, as if they were breaking through bamboo.
Long Tianyu let out a low murmur from his throat, pressing heavily down. At this moment, he disregarded history and the Western Chu Hegemon, only wishing to cherish the beauty in his arms, using all his strength to protect and love her
Long Tianyu embraced the young girl at her slender waist, lowering his head to gaze into her embrace. Their eyes met, and he felt an irresistible aura of elegance emanating from her. Her delicate nose was prominent, her fragrant lips resembled cherry blossoms, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her cheeks were a fair pink, radiant and pure, with an extraordinary grace. Although her beauty was slightly inferior to that of Yu Ji, she possessed an added touch of nobility and ethereal charm.
Long Tianyu was taken aback upon hearing the name of the other party, thinking to himself: "Guo Jing? Could it be the one who knows the 'Eighteen Palms of the Dragon Subduing'?" However, he quickly realized that it could not be the case, as Guo Jing is a character from the martial arts novel 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes.' Even if there were a historical figure by that name, it would have been during the Southern Song Dynasty, so how could he appear in the Qin Dynasty? With this understanding, he then said: "It's just a small effort, not worth mentioning"
The first is Wu Yingyuan, the great king of livestock in the Qin state, whose cattle and horses are so numerous that they cannot be counted by head but must be measured by valleys; the second is Bai Gui from the Wei state, who manages the grain and silk industries, and in years of drought, borrowing grain from him is more convenient than borrowing from a major power; the third is Qidun, whose granaries contain enough salt for the entire world to consume for several years
Seeing this, Long Tianyu could no longer contain himself. Eager to save the person, he leaped off his horse and rushed forward with swift steps, moving like a tiger or wolf, exuding a fierce and powerful aura
Long Tianyu humbly said: "Sir, please do not be so polite. My surname is Long, and my given name is Tianyu. May I ask why those Qin soldiers are besieging you and your clan?"
Guo Jing clearly admired him greatly and inquired, "May I ask your esteemed surname and given name, and from which place do you hail?"
Long Tianyu could not help but think of the wars during the unification of the six states by Qin, which were not only the final conflicts of the feudal lords at the end of the Warring States period but also the earliest feudal unification war in Chinese history. Qin Shi Huang spent ten years successively defeating the six states: Yan and Zhao in the north, Han and Wei in the central plains, Qi in the east, and Chu in the south, thus ending the chaotic situation of feudal fragmentation that had lasted for five hundred years since the Spring and Autumn period, and establishing the first centralized state in Chinese history. Such historical achievements are truly awe-inspiring.
Guo Jing and Long Tianyu rode side by side at the front, overlooking the endless magnificent scenery
Guo Jing snorted coldly and said: "Isn't it all Zhao Gao who is wielding power! Since the Qin King unified the six states, confiscated all weapons, and gathered the wealth of 120,000 households and books from the six states to Xianyang, in terms of financial resources, only three people among the six states can compare to my Guo family
Long Tianyu showed no expression despite becoming the focal point of criticism. He tore off a corner of his garment to bandage the girl's wound and asked with concern, "Does it hurt badly?"
Yu Ji pressed closely against his chest, her heart at peace. She hoped that this love would last forever, wishing to spend her life with the one she cherished, raising children and supporting her husband. Even the status of a renowned courtesan, adored by many, would no longer be of any importance to her.
At this moment, Long Tianyu had already removed his clothing and leaned in, making contact without any barriers. In an instant, a blaze ignited within the blood of both individuals.
Long Tianyu glanced around, observing the astonished expressions of those present. He shrugged and smiled, thinking that the spear he had just thrown was purely a matter of luck, and he might not be able to hit the target again next time. Feeling somewhat guilty, he paid no attention to the servants and warriors present and slowly walked towards Yu Ji.
Yu Ji first tasted the flavor of love, transforming from a young girl into a married woman. She joyfully sang and danced before her beloved all day long, performing charming tunes from Jiangnan, reminiscent of the style of the Chuci. This left Long Tianyu unable to help but admire her talent. Had she lived in his era, she would undoubtedly have become a superstar in the entertainment industry, a female artist renowned worldwide
The delicate young girl stood shyly beside her father, stealing glances at him.
A heart-wrenching scream echoed, startling everyone and causing them to change color in shock. They all forgot the fierce battle and turned to look in the direction of the sound, only to see a Qin army commander on horseback swaying unsteadily; a long spear had pierced through his shield and armor, entering his chest and protruding several inches from his back
Guo Jing slightly nodded and praised, "Indeed, the young lady is exceptionally talented. My clan and I are about to hurry back to Shouchun, and this place is still far from Jiangnan, with many diverging paths. Traveling at night can be quite inconvenient, especially since your esteemed wife is as beautiful as a celestial being, deserving of someone to attend to her. If the valiant one does not mind, you may join us on the journey, and we can look out for each other along the way"
On this day, they arrived at a forest, just as the two were about to embrace and express their love for each other, when suddenly, the sound of clashing weapons came from behind the distant trees. Yu Ji's body trembled slightly as she curled up in her beloved's arms, her face displaying a look of astonishment
The young girl blushed deeply, having always looked down on men with an air of arrogance, casually scolding them without a hint of respect. At this moment, her heart raced like a startled deer, her long and graceful neck drooping like that of a swan, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to find her voice, merely shaking her head in response
The young girl was embraced by him, her delicate body involuntarily leaning against him. She raised her head to look at the man who had saved her life, his handsome face and deep, tiger-like eyes exuding a certain spirit. Under his burning gaze, she couldn't help but blush, her heart racing, and shyly said: "Thank you, young master"
In the blink of an eye, he had already leaped beside the beauty, wrapping his arms around her slender waist to evade the long spear thrusting directly at him. With a swift motion, he drew a dagger, employing the techniques of截拳道, inserting it into the chests of the five Qin soldiers surrounding him with the fastest speed and shortest distance. Blood gushed forth, and they had become five lifeless corpses
After a round of cheers and shouts, the warriors gathered around, eager to see who possessed such extraordinary bravery and astonishing strength
Long Tianyu also awakened, looking down to see the Yu Meiren in his arms entwined around him like an octopus, her small hands continuously drawing circles on his chest. After their intimate encounter, she exuded a more mature allure. The snow-white rabbit pressed closely against him, and with a slight smile, she said: "Do you know that teasing me like this could have serious consequences"
Long Tianyu felt that it was difficult to refuse such kindness, especially since he was unfamiliar with the route to the land of Chu. He then said, "It is better to obey than to decline; I will trouble you further on the road."
Long Tianyu turned around and saw among the crowd of warriors a man approaching, majestic as a mountain, with thick brows and a deep frown, his face bearing a golden hue, exuding an aura of righteousness. His every gesture revealed an air of nobility.
Guo Jing admired the distant mountain scenery and casually asked, "I still do not know the name of the valiant hero, what is your surname and given name?"
She endured the pain, lovingly tracing circles on his solid and broad chest. In that moment, her heart felt significantly fulfilled, finally finding a sense of belonging. Although she had known him for less than two months, those two months had been the happiest days of her life. His talent, his skills, his charisma, and his gentleness all captivated her.
Recently, the Second Emperor ascended the throne. In order to consolidate his power, he forced Prince Fusu to death and ruthlessly harmed loyal officials in the court. He imposed heavy taxes and indulged in extravagant pleasures, leading to the fragmentation of the various lords, who retreated to their former territories. My father and some relatives have returned to Shouchun, but unexpectedly, they were suspected by Zhao Gao, who dispatched a large number of Qin soldiers to intercept and assassinate merchants returning to their clans. My daughter Yuying, our servant, and I are among the third group of returnees, and we encountered this obstruction. Fortunately, Tianyu came to our aid!
Yu Ji's legs were slightly curled, lying sideways with her body stretched out. Her pair of delicate eyes seemed to be half-open and half-closed, and her jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, accentuating her smooth, fair complexion. She appeared delicate and fragile, with a face so vividly red it seemed as if it could drip with water. Her heart raced wildly, and her palms were clammy with sweat, while her full bosom quivered slightly in a gentle tremor.
The entire mountain gorge suddenly resonated with a beautiful melody
Upon seeing this scene, Yu Ji was immediately reminded of the days when she was part of the song and dance troupe, which was brutally trapped and slaughtered by the fierce Qin soldiers beneath the royal tomb. She could not help but feel a lingering fear, covering her face and nestling in her beloved's embrace, unable to bear to look any longer
Long Tianyu caught a glimpse from afar and saw her distinctly contoured, enchanting profile, unable to help but secretly praise her beauty as exquisite as jade and her demeanor as radiant as a rainbow.
Guo Jingwei was taken aback, chewing on the words for a while before finally understanding the meaning of "What need is there to have known each other before meeting?" He couldn't help but regard him with a higher esteem and said, "There is no need for a brave man to overthink. My family and I are all merchants, having built our family business on iron smelting, specializing in the trade of weapons"
Long Tianyu held the beautiful Yu Ji, dressed in a flowing emerald green gown, on the back of his horse, riding together with her. Surrounding them was an expanse of undeveloped land, with endless towering forests. Majestic horses, deer, goats, and wild rabbits were visible everywhere, along with the ever-present wild wolves, which sometimes chased in packs behind the horse, making the journey exhilarating.
Yu Ji's delicate body trembled, and in her flustered state, she opened her beautiful eyes, only to meet Long Tianyu's smiling gaze. As their eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze, but this act of evasion only heightened her enchanting allure
The next morning, Long Tianyu gathered his emotions and set off southward with Yu Ji. The two enjoyed the mountains and waters, traveling by day and resting by night, naturally indulging in deep affection and tender intimacy along the way
Although the young girl was injured in her left arm, she showed no fear. With a swift movement of her delicate body, she swung her sword and killed two Qin soldiers. However, fighting while injured caused cold sweat to bead on her forehead, and she gasped for breath, feeling somewhat powerless. After delivering two more strikes, her energy waned, and with a loud "clang," she could no longer grip her long sword, which was knocked from her hand.
The Han gentleman cupped his hands in salute and politely said: "I am Guo Jing. Thank you, brave warrior, for your timely assistance. My beloved daughter and the members of my clan are now safe and sound!"
Long Tianyu originally intended to reveal his name, but considering it was their first encounter and they were not familiar with each other, as well as the fact that he and the lady needed to continue their journey, he thought it unnecessary to complicate matters. Moreover, he was unsure how to explain his own identity, so he said: "We must have met before! My wife and I are from Jiangnan, and we must return to Chu. We shall part ways here, sir."
Long Tianyu looked towards Yu Ji, seeking her opinion, while Yu Ji smiled sweetly, indicating that everything was up to him
The Qin soldiers were intimidated by the man's extraordinary valor, leading to a disintegration of morale. Without any commanders to direct them, they immediately fell into disarray and scattered in all directions
Yu Ji originally wished to ride together with her beloved, relishing the feeling of snuggling in his embrace. However, she was enthusiastically pulled into the carriage by a beautiful young woman who was her equal in beauty. Although Yu Ji was extremely reluctant, she felt that being too intimate with her husband in front of so many onlookers would invite ridicule, so she had no choice but to unwillingly share the carriage with the young woman.
Long Tianyu came to his senses, feeling quite embarrassed. He released the grip on the lady's arm, smiled faintly, and remained silent. He turned to look not far away, where a Qin army leader was commanding the slaughter with a raised sword.
Long Tianyu was filled with rage, and he did not even spare the maid who had no means to defend herself. How were these Qin soldiers any different from bandits?
Ah... suddenly a woman let out a delicate cry, her left arm was grazed by a sword, and she stumbled backward.
Along the way, various types of fir trees such as spruce, balsam fir, redwood, and hemlock are interspersed with ginkgo, sweetgum, and other trees, creating a diverse and ever-changing natural landscape. This area is not only a paradise for birds but also a habitat for golden monkeys, macaques, antelopes, and spotted deer, teeming with life. Wild trees and grass cover the deep mountains and high ridges, featuring unique peaks and strange rocks.
Long Tianyu felt curious: In chaotic times, there are many thieves and bandits. This area is densely forested; I wonder who is fighting here? He turned to Yu Ji and softly said: "Let us go take a look. You stay behind me and do not make a sound. If there is danger, we will ride away. If someone needs help, I will just happen to uphold justice and act as a hero!" At that moment, although Yu Ji was quite worried, seeing her husband so eager, she could not bear to oppose his wishes and gently nodded.
Long Tianyu responded with a smile, guiding his horse towards the source of the sound of weapons. The two arrived beside a thicket, peering through the leaves towards an open area in the forest where the sound originated. They saw over a hundred Qin soldiers surrounding a group of people in the center, while the family’s warriors vowed to resist to the death. Although there were some skilled fighters among them, many of the less experienced servants and unarmed maidservants fell one after another under the swords and spears of the Qin soldiers.
At this moment, Yu Ji led the horse to her beloved's side, linking her arm with his, her concern evident in her expression
"This brave man, please wait!" someone called from behind.