The Legend of Chu Qiao - V1C1

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Prologue 1- Major Chu Qiao Prologue 2- Time's up! Prologue 3- The red dot on the GPS vanished 1- Royal Hunting 2- Zhuge, Wei, Mu, Jue, Che, Yan. 3- Fifth Brother 4- Without a Tinge of Regret 5- Bloody Heart 6- Bastards 7- Snakes 8- We Should All Know Our Place 9- Do You Know Who I Am? 10- Thank You, Sisters! 11- My name is 'None' 12- The Lantern Festival 13- Liar! 14- Everything Happens for a Reason 15- To escape, or not to escape?

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Chapter 1

Royal Hunting

The Xia Empire was situated on the northern bank of the Hong River. Their people commonly practiced martial arts, and their army was brave. Since ancient times, they have been a nomadic people who traveled in search of water and green pastures.

The first long chime from the city's clock rang majestically at dawn, as if it were miles away. The city's gates opened slowly as the clock sounded with sunlight shining, marking the start of a new day in Zhen Huang City under the empire's strict rule.

"Go!" a clear voice shouted strictly.

A handsome black horse raised its white hooves and galloped across the snow outside Zhen Huang city, kicking up snowflakes. Its hooves clanged as they hit the ground, leaving ten men behind.

"Yan Shizi[1], You're late!" Zhuge Huai said to them after a hearty laugh while steering his horse forward. 

Standing next to him were four teenagers, the youngest between eleven and twelve, and the oldest between thirteen and fourteen. All of them were dressed in brocade, standing behind him, looking handsome and intelligent. At the sound of his voice, they turned together to face the man approaching.

Yan Xun stopped his horse with a shout. His horse reared and neighed loudly before steadying itself on the snowy plain. Yan Xun wore azure-colored robes, with a few carp embroidered in gold and silver thread at the hem. He had a long white fur coat draped over his shoulders. 

He laughed, "I heard the news of you, Brother Zhuge. The eighth princess was at my house, and I couldn't leave her alone. Sorry to keep everyone waiting." His voice was hearty, and he smiled with youthful energy. Only through his half-closed eyes could one tell he was slightly introverted. He looked noble, relaxed, and graceful, with a mink scarf around his neck. Yan Xun was no older than thirteen or fourteen but exuded the elegance and presence of someone much older.

"I did not know you had a date with a beautiful woman. It seems like we have spoiled the mood for you, Your Royal Highness," the prince said while walking forward. He was wearing turquoise clothes, and his voice sounded prepubescent. He looked no more than twelve or thirteen years old, and his eyes curved like a fox's. He spoke with cheer.

Yan Xun chuckled softly and said calmly, "Second prince of Wei, you must be joking. If you hadn't caused me to break the princess's glass cup during the state banquet a few days ago, I wouldn't have had the chance to have her over today. Speaking of which, I must thank you for giving me that opportunity."

The young prince smiled and was not offended. He turned to another teenager beside him, dressed in green robes, and said, "You see, Mu Yun, I told you his Royal Highness wouldn't let this go and would talk to me about it."

Mu Yun raised his eyebrows and said, "How many people in this imperial city have suffered because of you? Royal Highness Yan has a lot of patience. If it were me, I would have gone straight to your place and confronted you the night before."

"Are we still competing? If you two want to keep talking, we might head back!" A teenager in black clothes walked forward, a giant, bright yellow bow at his waist, obviously his weapon of choice.

Yan Xun looked as if he had just noticed this teenager. He jumped off his horse and bowed respectfully, "Oh, the Seventh Highness is here. Please pardon my poor eyesight." 

Zhao Che[2] gave Yan Xun a slanted gaze and smirked to acknowledge their presence. "My eighth brother and I have got to head to the bookstore during dinner time; we don't have much time to waste," he said straight to Zhuge Huai.

Zhuge Huai laughed and said, "Since Royal Highness Che is here, let us begin."

The prince of Wei clapped his hands and chirped, "What did you find us this time? Quick, let us have a look."

Zhao Jue said, "I see a bunch of animal cages over there. You're not asking us to hunt, are you? That's not very interesting. Maybe that's why your fourth brother did not want to come."

Zhuge Huai shook his head and said in a mysterious tone, "He has an awkward character. When has he ever joined us at our gatherings? But you'll see, I have put in quite a bit of effort today." After finishing, he clapped his hands twice. The sound was clear and crisp, echoing throughout the snowy plain.

In the distance, the arena that was fenced up opened its gates. Pushing large carts, Zhuge Huai's followers walked into the arena. Six cages were placed in a straight line in the arena. Black cloth covered them, hiding whatever was inside.

Prince Wei was very interested in the cages. He chirped, "What is in the cages? Stop keeping us in suspense, Zhuge."

Zhuge Huai laughed and waved to his men in the distance. The black clothes were being pulled out of the cages with a swoosh. Prince Wei was startled and momentarily dazed but soon started smiling gleefully.

In those vast cages were a few young girls, aged seven to eight. Each cage held twenty girls, and they wore only rough, short gowns. Significant words written on their chests made them look like prisoners, and these words varied from cage to cage. There were 'Mu,' 'Wei,' 'Yan,' and 'Zhuge.' However, Zhao Jue and Zhao Che were distinguished by 'Jue' and 'Che,' respectively. These children had been confined in a dark cage for too long. When a light suddenly shone in the cage, they couldn’t open their eyes and huddled together in shock, like a bunch of cowardly rabbits.

Zhuge Huai smiled. "A while ago, a troop of merchants from the west came to my house, and they taught me this game. Later, I will ask my men to remove the cages and let the wolves out. Those beasts have been hungry for three days and only see red. We can shoot the beasts, or we can shoot the slaves in the other cages. After a stick of joss, we will see who has the most slaves left, and they will be the winner."

Prince Wei clapped and laughed heartily, "This is interesting; it could be fun."

After receiving their orders, his men went to remove the cages and left the arena. The children shuddered and stood frozen as if a cage surrounded them. They did not dare to move an inch.

Suddenly, a loud howl sounded as the gates to the arena swung open on both sides. More than twenty fierce, evil wolves charged into the arena, baring their bloodthirsty teeth and rushing toward the children.

Piercing screams echoed in that moment. The children cried out together, frantic as they ran toward where others stood, huddling close. At the same time, sharp arrows shot into the arena from outside, but not directed at the fierce wolves; instead, they targeted the children.

The stench of blood filled the arena, pitiful screams and pleas shooting into the sky. Sharp arrows pierced through the thin shoulders and chests of the children. With fresh blood flowing from them, their frail bodies looked like red flowers blooming. Agitated by the stench of blood, the pack of wolves became more ferocious. A black wolf jumped into the air and bit one of the children right in the neck, snapping it with a bite. Before she could scream, another wolf tore off one of her legs and another bit through her skull. Her white brains and fresh red blood mixed into a mess, spraying over the snow-covered ground.

The screams continued without end. The pain in her shoulder was unbearable, and her eyelids felt as though they weighed a ton. Jing Yue Er's body was pierced by arrows, and she was roughly nailed to the ground. Her breathing was shallow, almost as if she were dead. But her brows were tightly furrowed, growing more so. A hungry wolf inched closer, its menacing gaze fixed directly on this child. Its foul saliva hung from the side of its mouth. Stretching longer and longer, it dripped onto the child's face with a plop.

Out of nowhere, as if God's gaze had fallen upon this tragedy on earth, just as the wolf's teeth were on the child, she remained silent and focused. It was not the courage and bravado a child should have. Instinctively, her hands shot out and closed the wolf's jaws. Raising her head, she tore off the wolf's tongue, which had been hanging out.

A sharp scream pierced the air at that moment. Everyone turned to look, staring at the child who had bitten off the wolf's tongue. They were stunned and completely forgot about the gunfire.

Zhao Jue was the first to react. Seeing the large 'Jue' on her chest, he chuckled and pulled his bow, shooting an arrow right into the wolf's throat. 

The wolf fell to the ground with a cry. The tragedy in the arena was still ongoing; all the other wolves were right on the heels of the children. Bodies were lying all over the arena, and dismembered limbs of children were strewn everywhere. Heart-wrenching screams and cries filled their ears.

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Jing Yue Er stood up shakily, her eyes wide with disbelief as if she were frozen in place. Torn clothes clung to her body, her hair was disheveled, and her pale face was streaked with blood. Cold winds swept past her with a flurry, making her appear as fragile as a delicate blade of grass.

Suddenly, a sharp arrow hissed through the air toward her. Jing Yue Er swiftly leapt back with grace, narrowly avoiding a deadly shot, but due to her weakened state, the arrow grazed her calf. Fresh blood trickled down her leg.

Prince Wei beamed with joy and nocked another arrow, releasing it once more.

Zhao Jue raised his eyebrows and muttered a cold groan. He drew his bow and shot an arrow straight into Prince Wei’s arrow.

A wolf shadowed her every move, but its foul smell betrayed it. Sensing danger, Jing Yue Er didn’t pause to check her wounded calf and instead sprinted directly toward Zhao Jue.

This man had saved her twice in such a short span. Though her mind was foggy, she chose the most strategic direction to run.

However, in just a few steps, an arrow shot toward her, nailing the ground viciously right in front of her foot. The child was dazed and stopped in her tracks. She frowned as she raised her head, looking at the teenager dressed in black on the red horse with a look of confusion.

Zhao Jue groaned at her in disdain, giving her a sweeping gaze and shooting an arrow through the back of another child.

That child was barely between five and six years old. She screamed and fell to the ground, her blood staining the 'Yan' on her back red, and was torn apart by the wolves in no time.

Time passed so quickly, yet so slowly. The children stood where they were, dazed. Suddenly, she bit her lips and turned quickly. Her speed was unbelievably quick, as if her injured legs did not affect her agility. A wolf was chasing right behind her and pounced viciously. She escaped with a millimeter to spare, barely making it.

A pile of wooden rods and hay for the horses was at a corner of the arena. The child picked up a rod. Without turning her head, she pounded the rod onto the waist of one of the wolves that was sneaking up on another child.

The wolf howled and darted to a corner, obviously heavily injured.

"Come here! All of you, come here!" she shouted while she bent down and picked up two stones, hitting them together. With a spark, the hay caught fire with a roar. The child lit her rod on fire and raised it as a torch. She ran all over the arena, chasing away the pack of wolves that were attacking the children. While doing that, she continued shouting, "All of you, come here! All of you, come here!"

Children of all ages ran towards Jing Yue Er as they wailed, all of them injured. Wolves bit some; some were shot with arrows. After the onslaught, there were barely twenty children left alive.

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[1] Main name Yan Xun. Yan is his family name; Shizi means “Lion.” Yan Xun’s clan emblem is the Lion, and his father is named the King Lion. He is a prince of Yan Bei. Zhuge Huai is calling him Yan Shizi, which is a sarcastic reference. In 770, Yan Xun is 13 

[2] Seventh Royal Higheness (or Seventh brother)