CH 14

***

“Stop.” The emotionless voice behind her stopped her footsteps. Turning around, Gu Yun didn’t speak a word and just waited. Su Ling bluntly said, “Using the water map to deduce the location was your idea. How can you wash your hands now?”

Gu Yun was annoyed. When did she say she didn’t care anymore and washed her hands?! He didn’t even call her to join the discussion. She wasn’t that shameless to just break into a discussion she wasn’t invited to. Apologies, she wasn’t that cheap!

“Su Ling, you…” Icy eyes met a chilled glance, Gu Yun was about to explode.

Yu Shi Jun had sensed the smell of gunpowder and quickly said, “Yes, yes. It was originally  Madam’s idea, why don’t you participate in the discussion? Please take a seat!” What was wrong with this couple? Not fighting when they met would be as if they didn’t meet at all.

Gu Yun didn’t buy it and icily stared at that beautiful face. She stood at the entrance of the tent, exchanging glares with Su Ling. Su Ling was completely unhurt from being stared at like that and let her stare.

Su Ren softly chuckled, Big Brother obviously wanted the person to stay, yet he didn’t say any kind words. No matter how ‘unique’ and tough Gu Yun was, she was still a woman. Couldn’t he coax the other person? The atmosphere in the tent was bad. Su Ren looked across Su Ling’s bandaged shoulder, and his eyes brightened. He stepped forward and loudly exclaimed, “Please have a seat, everyone! We hardly managed to stop Big brother’s wound. The doctors had warned to be exceptionally careful so the wound won’t re-open.”

That pair of black eyes was still as aggressive as ever. However, his face was much better. She secretly gritted. On the account of saving her yesterday and his status as a patient, she bore it up! Walking back to the table, she pulled out a stool and sat down. Her face clearly displayed displeasure, but she still didn’t speak a word.

Fortunately, Su Ling also didn’t say any words to provoke Gu Yun. The group was finally able to sit in front of the table. As an advisor, Su Ling naturally took the lead. Pointing at the predicted location of the rebel’s hideout, he said, “Taking Lou Mu Hai’s words, there are at least 10,000 rebels here. Tomorrow, Lieutenant Yu will lead five thousand elites to first open the road and then set the mountain on fire. I will lead 20,000 elites to follow you from behind to surround the rebels’ den as the fire slowly approaches to prevent rebels from escaping.

Su Ren had personally seen how bad Su Ling’s injuries were. He anxiously said, “Big brother, you have injuries on your body…”

“Don’t worry, I know my limit.” Su Ling coldly cut Su Ren’s words. Su Ling continued, “The gold location is very accessible. You must lead 10,000 elites to surround from all directions. Don’t let them carry away the gold. Once you’ve found the gold, quickly take it out. At that time, I will arrange Lou Mu Hai to meet you.”

“Yes.” Su Ren didn’t advise him anymore and just received the order. He knew his big brother’s temperament. Saying more would mean nothing to him.

After listening for a lengthy time, Han Shu still didn’t hear Su Ling mention his name. Han Shu, as a vanguard, urged, “What about me?”

Su Ling dismissively said, “Your wounds have not healed yet. Stay at the camp!”

Han Shu quickly rose up and seriously replied, “General, these small wounds do not hurt me. Please let this subject lead a troop to the battlefield.”

His face showed insistence. His shoulders were tight, revealing a firm determination. Su Ling looked at him once again and finally said, “Okay, you follow Su Ren and transport the gold back.”

“Yes.” Han Shu’s mood was very good.

They’d spoken for quite a long time here, but Gu Yun was always silent. Su Ling had thought she was still angry. However, looking more closely, it appeared that she wasn’t paying attention to what they have been talking about. Su Ling was a bit annoyed. Su Ren directly asked, “Sister-in-law, what do you think?”

After thinking for awhile, Gu Yun still decided to tell them about the woman she met earlier this morning, “Today, I met an extraordinary woman in the rainforest who is a good martial artist. She is extremely familiar with the rainforest environment. She appears to be a local, who has been living there for quite a while.”

A woman? “She might be the rebel’s leader’s lover.” Han Shu could only think of this possible scenario. Why else would a woman appear in the wild rainforest for no reason? In addition, she was also familiar with the topography.

Thinking about their short encounter, Gu Yun shook her head, “It is very unlikely! She emitted an arrogant aura, completely unlike a woman who could be someone’s pet.”

Pet?! Several men looked at her again. This woman’s thoughts were very unusual.

Gu Yun was still caught in her thought, so she didn’t care about their expressions. She continued, “My main point is, if there are other people living in the rainforest beside the rebels, their existence could be a potential threat to us. Let’s say we burn the mountain; we will destroy their place to live. Consequently causing problems for the future.”At that time, even if they joined the armies together, she was afraid that even 30,000 soldiers of the Su army wouldn’t be able to handle it.

What Gu Yun said wasn’t impossible at all. The others in the room were silent. They had only focused on the rebels. Only at this time, something else was coming up? Who is the lady?

The original optimism regarding tomorrow’s operation was a bit sluggish. Su Ling firmly said, “Regardless of whether she is the rebel’s lover or a local, tomorrow’s fire attack will have to proceed. The army will only burn a small area of the forest. With the humidity of the rainforest, without fuel, the fire will burn out. As long as the army can do it quickly, within 20 hours the raid will end. Even if there truly are locals, by the time they find out about us and prepare their army, we’ll be leaving the forest.”

Su Ren nodded and replied, “Yes. If we don’t attack by tomorrow, we will have to wait at least half a month before trying to attack again. Then, we will pass the time limit that the emperor gave us.” Disobeying the emperor’s order is not something Su family could afford to do.

Her heart was still uneasy, but she couldn’t tell what was wrong. Gu Yun could only nod, “Okay then, we can only proceed like this.”

Gu Yun was still absent-minded. Han Shu and Su Ling were still injured. Su Ren looked at Su Ling and said, “It is getting late. Everyone looks really tired. Let’s conclude today’s meeting. Let’s continue to discuss the details tomorrow at Chen hour. What do you think Big Brother?”

Su Ling didn’t object and just nodded, “En.”

Gu Yun quickly rose from her seat. Not saying anything, she strode out. Su Ling didn’t even look at her. Su Ren secretly wondered: one was ready to sacrifice his body to save her, the other was using all her strength to help him. Wasn’t it suppose to be ‘The groom had affection, the bride also didn’t mind’? (郎有情，妾有意 It is a proverb I think, basically saying they supposed to have a loving relationship.) Looking at any perspective, why wasn’t the situation like that.

As everyone had retreated, Su Ling also prepared to go back to his tent when a red figure came in. Bringing a bright smile, Mu Yi observed Su Ling and said, “I just left for two days, yet you have been injured like this. Really… being a hero is no fun, especially a hero who saves…”

“Stop talking nonsense. Quickly vanish before me.” Su Ling had gotten used to Mu Yi’s ridicule. He was too lazy to reply Mu Yi’s mockery and just quickly put the water map in a wooden box behind the bookshelves.

Being completely ignored, Mu Yi wasn’t angry. He just sighed while walking towards the exit, “Okay… I’ve finally looked through Miss Qing’s family background after much difficulty… I was originally thinking to discuss that Third Miss Qing. Since you are not interested, it is better for me to walk out.”

Holding the wooden box, Su Ling turned around and coldly said, “Stop.”

The voice was not loud but if people carefully listened, they would find the voice was hinted with anxiousness. Mu Yi’s lips were curved. Not trying to keep Su Ling guessing, Mu Yi sat on a chair and happily said, “Qing Mo. Age, 15 years old. When she was five, she could write poetry. At 7, she could compose ballads. While at 10 years old, she had tied a chess match with the most famous chess master. This story was well-known throughout the country and even to neighboring countries. At her tender age, she possesses superb chess skills, together with the big sister’s zither and the elder sister’s paintings, they were known as Hao Yue’s Three Talents. However, she was timid, she was afraid to meet people and her body was very delicate.”

“Wait.” Su Ling coldly interrupted Mu Ling’s report. His eyes were full of doubt, “Are you sure you are talking about the Qing Mo that I know?” The first part was still possible, even though it sounded a little bit forced. However, the later part was really… timid and delicate? If Qing Mo could be called delicate and timid, in this world, would there be a bold and healthy woman?

Mu Yi had guessed that he would get this kind of response. He shrugged and replied, “The person I reported was the Third Miss Qing, the question of whether it is the same as Qing Mo in front of us is still unknown.”

Su Ling frowned, “Don’t say that she kept a low-profile for the world to see.”

Mu Yi’s eyes were shimmering. Ling’s first response was not that Qing Mo in the military camp was a fake, but he thought it was her illusion to keep a low-profile? It looked like whether he realized it or not, Ling had fallen for the other person. Secretly laughing, Mu Yi sighed, “It is impossible for her to acquire the experience and ability that she has now from indoor by looking at several military books or punching several punches. It must be obtained through countless training. As far as I know, the third miss has always stayed within Hao Yue’s capital city.”

Listening to Mu Yi’s report, Su Ling was still unaffected, “Maybe she had something past adventures or encounters that other people were unaware of.”

Mu Yi laughed, his eyes were full of arrogance, “In this world, how can there be so many weird encounters that I cannot investigate.”

Although Mu Yi’s words were arrogant, they weren’t unreasonable. Su Ling pondered, “Do you mean that the Qing Mo in the camp is not the Third Miss Qing, but an imposter?!” He never thought of this possibility, but at this time, he didn’t have anything to refute Mu Yi’s reasoning.

“I didn’t say that.” Mu Yi said innocently. Under Su Ling’s chilling glare, Mu Yi laughed, “Truthfully, there is a simple and effective way to prove whether or not she is Qing Mo, thanks to your mother-in-law. However, the verification method is a bit ‘special’… not everyone can do it.”

“Stop talking around, and get straight to the point!” Mu Yi’s malicious eyes shone too bright. Su Ling was able to guess things that he would say would provoke people. It was probably better not to ask…

“Mistress Qing was Hao Yue’s famous tattoo artist. She had tattooed the three misses’ names on their bodies when they were one-month-old.  As long as you search for the ‘Mo’ word on Qing Mo’s body, you will be able to know whether or not she is the third miss. In addition, that tattoo is not a general tattoo; the tattooed word is not usually seen. It will only appear when there is a rise in temperature or emotion. The precise location is on the right chest. You don’t suppose… Looking at her chest while her temperature rises is not something everyone else can do?” Mu Yi deliberately raised his volume and slowed his speech when mentioning ‘temperature rises’. Su Ling’s face got darker as he listened while Mu Yi’s mood was getting better and better. Looking at Ling’s performance, he already knew that Ling has not ‘eaten’ Gu Yun. He was really a good person, giving Ling such an opportunity~~~

Su Ling’s complexion turned cold; he was silent for a long time. Not knowing what Su Ling was thinking, Mu Yi decided to be a ‘good person’ until the end. He pushed Su Ling, “Ling, if it were happening to other families, who she is doesn’t matter. As long as you find her pleasing, leaving her beside you to warm your bed isn’t a problem. However, you are a general. She has entered the military camp and received the love of your soldiers. If she isn’t Qing Mo but an imposter with bad intentions, it is possible that she is a spy the rebels sent to the Su army…”

The words didn’t need to continue, the meaning was already delivered. Looking at Su Ling’s expression, he satisfactorily shut his mouth.

Tomorrow was the day of the raid. As a general, he was responsible for the entire Su Army. He definitely couldn’t afford to have a person of unknown identity staying on his side! The tall and big figure rose up and exit the tent.

“This is very late, where are you…” The voice wasn’t loud, but if people listened to it carefully, it wasn’t hard to detect the mockery in the words.

Tonight’s sky was really sultry ah.

***

The army was facing a water shortage, but Gu Yun wasn’t willing to bathe (open air) in the river. Therefore, she could only take a bucket of water and wipe her body in the tent. Her body was covered with mud and dirt. After ‘washing’, Gu Yun took off her black clothes. This era didn’t have a bra, so she wrapped her chest with a bundle of fabrics. This made it more convenient to run and fight. It was already late in the night, so she put aside the bundle and only wore inner-clothes (肚兜儿, apron-like inner-clothes) then a black outerwear. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, she put on medicine.

Her hand injury was getting better. However, a whole day staying in the humid rainforest forced Gu Yun to put on more medicine to prevent infection. Rolling the sleeves up to her shoulder Gu Yun gently unwrapped her bandage. Some blood was oozing from the wounds and stuck onto the dressing. To take out the gauze quickly, Gu Yun gritted her teeth, closed her eyes and pulled the gauze with force. She painfully grimaced. At this time, the tent’s curtain was rudely opened and a big tall figure came in.

Gu Yun was surprised. Her hands quickly grabbed the knot on her waist. Luckily, although the outerwear was loose, it was still covered the things that needed to be covered. Gu Yun heavily sighed and coldly glared at the unwanted intruder, “Great General Su, didn’t anyone ever tell you to knock before entering someone’s room?”

Su Ling strode into the tent, coolly replied, “No one.”

Gu Yun was stupefied; the way he answered was really self-righteous! Okay then, the other person was a great general. At this moment, she only wished for him to leave and wasn’t interested in teaching him manners. Single-handedly holding the medicine bottle, Gu Yun used her teeth to open the cork. She mumbled, “What is your problem?  Just speak.” After you are finished speaking, please quickly leave.

The inside of the tent was very dark; there was only one bedlamp in front of the bed. A bloody gauze was thrown on the ground while several bottles and clean clothes were scattered on the bed. Her petite body was shrouded in the dim light and her hand was in an awkward position, sprinkling the medicine powder.

Su Ling’s face darkened. He was slightly annoyed. This woman didn’t look like a woman, only knew conceit. Su Ling’s face got uglier. His action was also rough (mannerless). Grabbing the bottle from Gu Yun’s hand, he brusquely sprinkled the medicine, took a cloth and silently helped her to bandage her wound.

Gu Yun was stunned for a moment but quickly recovered. She withdrew her hand. Although he was not very good at bandaging, his work was still better than Gu Yun’s singlehanded work. Gu Yun secretly wondered about the reason Su Ling came to find her. A quick movement pained her, “Ouch…” Su Ling mercilessly hit an acupuncture point (结). Gu Yun softly cursed, damn it! She knew he didn’t have a good intention. It was so hurtful!

Hot glaring eyes met a pair of deep cold eyes. Su Ling icily asked, “Who are you?”

“What?” For a moment, Gu Yun didn’t understand his meaning.

“Qing Mo was timid and docile. Moreover, she doesn’t know martial art, so who are you?” The voice wasn’t loud, but every word was compelling. Gu Yun finally understood that he came here to interrogate! If she wasn’t Qing Mo, what did he want to do?

Gu Yun slowly stood up, standing face-to-face in front of him and aggressively asked, “You really want to say that I’m not Qing Mo but an imposter sent to infiltrate your camp, right? In your heart, I helped you save Han Shu, train the elites, and draw the maps to gain your trust. Then, I will send a report to the other side, right?” Every one of Gu Yun’s word was ended with ‘right’. This seemed like it was pointing out how ungrateful Su Ling was.

Su Ling icily answered, “Personally, I don’t really think that you are a spy. However, as a military commander, I cannot allow anything that might have a risk to threaten my army. I’m coming tonight to verify whether you are Qing Mo or not.” He was clearly aware of all those things she did for Su army in his heart. However, he must find out who she is tonight!

Gu Yun lost her humor. He said as a general he was responsible for the entire army. This reason she could understand, but to verify? How could he verify? With her arms crossed in front of her chest, Gu Yun icily asked, “Even if I said I am Qing Mo, you will not believe it. How are you going to verify it?”

Su Ling suddenly didn’t speak. His head was slightly lowered. It was unclear what he was thinking. His back was facing the lamp, so Gu Yun couldn’t see his facial expression and didn’t know that at that moment the cold and arrogant great general’s face was a bit dark red. After a while, just Gu Yun was getting impatient, she heard his cold awkward voice mumble, “The Qing sisters’ chests were tattooed with their first name.”

“Then?” Gu Yun frowned. Chest… Tattooed word… Gu Yun’s brain was about to explode. Don’t say he means to…

Damned man!

Gu Yun almost ruthlessly swung her hand to slap him. However, her brain told her to calm down. It wasn’t worth getting angry over such a thing. Calm down! After taking a deep breath, Gu Yun coolly said, “I don’t have a word on my chest. If you think I’m not Qing Mo, then you can put me in prison. You don’t need to employ such a dirty trick!” Her hands formed fists while her voice was shaking with rage. She swore, if Su Ling still dared to talk nonsense, she would mercilessly slap him.

The heaven blesses… Su Ling didn’t say any nonsense, because… he directly took action.

“Excuse me.” Saying such words, Su Ling’s big hand caught Gu Yun’s right shoulder. Though she, herself, had said that she didn’t have the word on her body, he couldn’t easily believe that this woman had been fooling around all along. In order to know the truth, tonight he must personally see it.

Her shoulder sank. Gu Yun was surprised. Don’t say he wants to take an action!

“Bing…” knowing she wasn’t his opponent, Gu Yun wanted to summon Bing Lian. Who knew that when she about to call, a red flash appeared. Su Ling’s Chi Xue sword was standing in front of Bing Lian. Bing Lian could also feel a weird atmosphere and wanted to fly over to Gu Yun. However, regardless of where it went, Chi Xue dutifully stood in front of it. Bing Lian was also angry and flew to fight with Chi Xue. The sparks came because of their battle.

What a great Su Ling?! He came well prepared! Even though she wasn’t his opponent, she wouldn’t obediently give in!

Looking at his injured shoulder, Gu Yun was resolute. She heavily hit his shoulder. As long as he let her go, she could use the opportunity to retreat behind the bed, hence, she wouldn’t be forced by him to the foot of the bed. Who knew that Su Ling could endure it?! Not only did he not stop, he also grabbed her shoulders firmer. The sound of tearing fabric was heard. Gu Yun’s black outerwear was heavily torn in half.

Having a cold shoulder, Gu Yun quickly covered her chest from being exposed so openly. She now regretted not wearing the cloth bundle earlier.

Under Su Ling’s determined eyes, he definitely did not let her escape. His big hand grabbed her thin wrist. Gu Yun defended her chest more anxiously. Both people were competing with their hands. Su Ling silently cursed, how could this woman have such an enormous strength. He caught her hand and forced her to a corner. Her hands were starting to feel numb, and eventually she was unable to compete against Su Ling’s enormous strength. Both of her hands were held behind her. Gu Yun, only wearing underwear (traditional Chinese underwear with the halter neck) and torn clothes, stood in front of Su Ling. Not knowing whether she was angry or ashamed, Gu Yun’s entire face was red.

Under the dim light, she was like a blooming flower. The thin underwear was pressed to her body, up and down, following her breathing. Su Ling stopped breathing for a second. He felt the hot blood rushing through his chest, making him almost forgot what his aim was in coming here. Recovering from his thoughts, Su Ling looked at the right chest. There was only the smooth white skin without a word. Su Ling’s eyes became colder; she really wasn’t Qing Mo?!

Although her hands were clamped together, Gu Yun wasn’t willing to be controlled by others. She kicked Su Ling’s lower abdominal area. Su Ling gasped. Damn it!

Su Ling moved forward. The lower half of his body pressed against Gu Yun’s leg, trapping her between the corner of the tent and his body. Now, it was even difficult to raise her knee/leg. Gu Yun continued to struggle. At this time, Su Ling noticed along with her wriggling, the white skin of her right chest gradually reddened. Recalling Mu Yi’s words, Su Ling grabbed both of Gu Yun’s hands with his left hand, while the free right hand stroked her delicate right chest. The smoothness and warmth in his touch once again made Su Ling’s eyes flash. Some parts of his body weren’t obedient…

Gu Yun’s entire body stiffened.

H–he, he, he… He actually…

With both her hands and legs immobilized, the angry Gu Yun didn’t care anymore about her image. She mercilessly bit his closest shoulder!

“Ah…” His shoulder was in pain. Su Ling angrily looked at the furious cat-like woman. He couldn’t help but wanted to laugh. The thought of her identity made Su Ling’s face appear solemn. His callous cold thumb gently rubbed the skin on her chest. Under his constant rubbing, the blush becoming more apparent. Slowly, a word appeared. Su Ling’s eyes slightly flashed. He squinted his eyes, glaring at the piece of delicate skin. Soon, the small bloodshot word appeared clearly. That word was… “Mo”!

Seeing the “Mo” word, Su Ling’s heart burst in ecstasy. She was indeed Qing Mo! She was not an imposing spy! Once again looking at the woman who had firmly bit him, refusing to release, Su Ling said, “Little cat, have you bitten enough?” She really liked to bite people. The first time they met, she also bit him once. However… Her actions were still really cute.

His low voice had a trace of laughter. He was really comfortable, ah!! As her mouth tasted blood, Gu Yun released her bite. Compared to Su Ling’s good mood, Gu Yun really wanted to murder somebody now. She roared, “Scumbag! Haven’t you touched enough?!”

Su Ling’s hands suddenly paused. It was not like he never touched a girl. However, he didn’t know before…  how a woman’s body could be this warm and delicate… Gradually removing his hand, he was still dazed.

As his hand slightly loosened his grip, Gu Yun took the opportunity to break free from his ‘jail’. Both of her hands struck his already bleeding shoulder. Taking advantages of his backstep, Gu Yun kicked his lower abdomen twice.

As his shoulder and abdomen were simultaneously hit, Su Ling was forced back five steps. His shoulder was damp. The sharp pain reminded him of the tragic consequences of forcefully plucking a thorny flower.

Gu Yun had grabbed the black clothes on the bed. Under the dim light, her hair looked messy. The blush on her face hadn’t faded. Her eyes were full of rage, furiously glaring at him. It looked like if he once again stepped forward, she would risk her life to fight with him

Su Ling’s black pupil once again looked at her for a while, then he turned around and walked towards the door. Opening the curtain, Su Ling’s footstep stopped. With his back facing Gu Yun, his voice was still cold but held a hint of discomfort, “I will take responsibility!”

Gu Yun’s brain almost exploded from rage. She loudly shouted, “Who the hell wants you to take responsibility? Leave me at once!”

In the middle of the night, this kind of roar left things to people’s imagination…

Therefore, in the army campsite, people said that last night Madam had been ‘eaten’ by the General. It looked like it was not gentle enough so the madam threw a tantrum…

A breeze welcomed Su Ling who had just exited Gu Yun’s tent. Su Ling’s disturbed heartbeat didn’t slow down but jumped more violently. Subconsciously, he looked at his left hand and once again became lost in his thoughts…

“Hey… It is just a body check. Did you really need to be so fierce?” In the darkness of the night, the red-clothed enchantress Mu Yi looked at Su Ling’s bleeding shoulder. His face was clearly filled with a gloating expression.

Both of Su Ling’s hands were on his back, pretending he didn’t see this man who mocked him. Just when their shoulders were about to collide, Mu Yi with a pretending-to-be-sad-voice said, “Destroy the bridge after crossing? (过河拆桥啊 Idiom, it means Abandon one’s benefactor upon achieving one’s goal) If it wasn’t because of me, you wouldn’t have an excuse to strip someone’s clothes, ah! You had the opportunity to have a soft fragrance and warmness (温香软玉, idiom, means feminine charm) in your embrace, so you should be grateful to me, ah!”

“Get away!” The ‘soft fragrance and warmness’ phrase made Su Ling’s face suspiciously dark red. His footsteps became faster.

Did he have blurred vision or did that person just blush earlier? Although Su Ling had left for a long time already, Mu Yi still stood there, stupefied. Was this the so-called embarrassment? The rock has finally started to have emotions… Tonight’s dark sky really stirred up people’s feelings…

For a long time, Mu Yi’s eyes looked towards Gu Yun’s tent with a complex expression. Judging from Su Ling’s attitude, that woman was indeed Qing Mo. But then, why was he not be able to dig out her past life?!