Tan Hua - Chapter 96: Only Missing You

Chapter 96: Only Missing You

The twisted branches of the poplar trees were illuminated by the moonlight, casting strange and distorted shadows on the ground. People moved through the forest, almost blending into the darkness; it was a perfect cover.

Upon closer inspection, a person was carrying another on their back, rushing eastward through the forest. Their speed was faster than that of the unburdened person behind them, their footsteps crunching in the fallen leaves.

The blood on his face had dried, his clothes were dirty and tattered, and he was none other than Jun Qiyu, one of the survivors.

Song Liqing didn’t know how long they had been running. The shock from the death of Old Master Qi, combined with his tight nerves, had made him drowsy. Without realizing it, he had fallen asleep against Jun Qiyu’s shoulder.

When Jun Qiyu stopped, Song Liqing woke with a jolt.

“What happened? Did someone catch up?”

Song Liqing asked anxiously, but the surrounding area was empty. Then he remembered that they were still on the run and that his task was to guide Jun Qiyu, yet he had slept so peacefully.

“Jun Qiyu, I’m so tired…” Song Liqing sleepily explained.

“It’s fine. With Xiao Qi leading the way, you can sleep at ease,” Jun Qiyu’s deep voice said, soothing Song Liqing’s anxious heart. He turned to look at Qi Miao, whose face, worn with exhaustion, was also clouded with sorrow and grief.

“Where are we now?” Song Liqing asked. “Why did we stop?”

“We’ve entered Jingguo’s territory. No one dares to attack us here… Look ahead.”

“Huh?”

It was still dark, so Song Liqing hadn’t noticed the distant city wall in the east, with its imposing, high fortifications.

“It’s a city wall!”

Song Liqing exclaimed with joy. Jingguo’s border defenses were heavily guarded, and no foreign forces would dare to invade within a radius of dozens of miles. Being close to here meant safety.

“Mm, Prince Xiao would never have guessed that we abandoned the closer Jiayu Pass and came to the more remote Yumeng Pass. There’s still a river to cross ahead, but the stone bridge is only a few hundred meters from the city gate.”

Though they were fleeing, Jun Qiyu had carefully chosen the route.

After resting for a moment, he started walking again. Qi Miao, though tired, dragged his legs along and managed to follow.

Song Liqing looked at the eastern sky, which was gradually turning pale, and saw the city wall becoming clearer. Ahead, a river indeed appeared, and they crossed the stone bridge.

“Jun Qiyu, how did you know there was a bridge here?” Song Liqing asked.

Jun Qiyu replied confidently, “This bridge was built after we conquered Yili Kingdom. At first, the river served as a natural defense, but once the entire Western Region was under control, we no longer needed it, so we began building bridges and roads.”

“Oh…”

Song Liqing had forgotten that Jun Qiyu knew the Western Region even better than he knew the capital of Jingguo. Even if he were blind, he could still identify landmarks and their locations.

“Jun Qiyu, put me down.”

Song Liqing requested, and Jun Qiyu paused briefly before complying.

Song Liqing’s feet hit the ground, and he let out a breath.

“Jun Qiyu, Qi Miao, you’re safe now,” Song Liqing said after a pause. “I’ll leave you here.”

His thoughts were with Pei Xingxu, but he had no idea what had happened to Loulan City. From what Jun Qiyu had said, Prince Xiao had come well-prepared, and the situation in Loulan didn’t look optimistic.

Jun Qiyu spoke, “Liqing, you…”

“Liqing, aren’t you coming with us into the gate?” Qi Miao asked with concern.

“I need to go back to Loulan,” Song Liqing said, looking down. “I promised Xingxu I’d return to find him.”

Jun Qiyu furrowed his brows and asked, “When did I see you make such a promise?”

“I…” Song Liqing snorted, “I promised him in my heart.”

“No!” Jun Qiyu’s tone turned firm. “I won’t let you go back alone.”

Song Liqing was taken aback. “I already told you, I’ll only take you to safety. Are you going back on your word?”

“I’m not going back on my word,” Jun Qiyu said again, “except this time.”

“You…”

Song Liqing didn’t want to argue with him and turned to leave, but Jun Qiyu grabbed him.

Jun Qiyu spoke seriously, “Liqing, don’t you know that Loulan is already in flames? Everywhere is full of Prince Xiao’s people. What can you do if you go back? Besides, do you even know the way back? Do you have the strength to make it to Loulan?”

“… Don’t look down on me.”

Jun Qiyu’s words made him feel like a useless waste.

Song Liqing was angry, but also somewhat defeated. He couldn’t help Xingxu much. The Western Region was desolate and treacherous. He was afraid that before he even reached Loulan, he’d either be captured by Prince Xiao or eaten by wild wolves.

Song Liqing looked at the vast poplar forest and shivered. If he were alone in the forest, he wouldn’t even know which direction to go, let alone make it back to Loulan.

Song Liqing gritted his teeth. “I know I’m not capable, but I can’t let Xingxu down. Even if I die… die on the way to find him, at least it will prove my feelings for him.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Stay alive and wait for me to bring troops to help him, okay? Hmph, you want to die together? Even if you die, I won’t bury you together. You won’t even meet in the afterlife.”

Jun Qiyu’s words, driven by his frustration at Song Liqing’s stubbornness, were harsh.

“You… you can actually say such things?!” Song Liqing was stunned. “How cruel, truly cruel!”

Song Liqing was deeply angered. Before he could resist, Jun Qiyu had already pulled him into an embrace.

“I was just talking in anger,” Jun Qiyu’s voice softened. “How could I bear to let you die? Be good, come back with me. You’ve been away from home for so long, don’t you want to return and have a look?”

“Home?”

Song Liqing froze.

“Mm, I’ve built an identical house in my Qilin Manor in the Western Region. Everything is just the same, and the things inside have all been moved over. You can come home and see, Liqing… everything is the same, except for you.”

Jun Qiyu’s words were beautiful, but Song Liqing’s current state of mind couldn’t empathize with him.

“My home is in Loulan,” Song Liqing said.

“Liqing, you really know how to stab me in the heart…”

Jun Qiyu decided to say no more and directly picked Song Liqing up, carrying him toward the city gate.

Song Liqing wasn’t willing to be dragged away and began to struggle.

“Jun Qiyu, put me down!”

His command had no effect. Song Liqing became desperate and began shouting and threatening, but Jun Qiyu ignored him.

“Did you hear that? You untrustworthy scoundrel! I saved you, and you repay kindness with malice… You’re going back on your word! You shameless villain! Bully! Thug! Scoundrel! Demon…”

Author’s Note:

It’s late, I’m so tired. Goodnight…