Free Web NovelAfter listening to Dragon Xiang's words, Lu Yibei fell silent. She really wanted to help Dragon Xiang, but...
Would doing this really not affect the past? Perhaps, the Longxiang Army Armored Soldier responsible for sending those tokens back to Yumen Pass was originally supposed to die on the way.
If the past really changed because of this, wouldn't this reload be in vain? It would be like seeing the answers only to find the questions had changed, and perhaps they would have to start over again.
What's more, our dear Miss Shen, the Reloading Princess, would definitely refuse such a thing, right?
Lu Yibei thought, subconsciously looking at Shen Baiwei, and then froze there.
Shen Baiwei, after a brief hesitation, seemed to have made a difficult decision. She clenched her small fists, her gaze burning as she looked at Dragon Xiang, and loudly declared, 'Don't worry, leave it to us!'
As she spoke, her flushed face and gritted teeth made it seem as if she were going to fight someone to the death.
However... perhaps she really was going to fight to the death? Lu Yibei thought. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Although the main force of the Shaman King's army was not yet in this vicinity, various small vanguard groups, scouts, and light cavalry units had already begun to roam around Yumen Pass. With their luck, it would be difficult for them not to encounter any.
Of course, encountering attacks was secondary; what was truly fatal was what would happen after escorting the two Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers to Yumen Pass.
Shen Baiwei had told Lu Yibei that arbitrarily influencing the past would result in punishment, and Lu Yibei had also personally witnessed how much pain Shen Baiwei endured every time she reloaded.
Now, Shen Baiwei had actively agreed to Dragon Xiang's request. From a certain perspective, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was risking her life to complete this escort mission.
'...'
This is strange! Before, she was so worried about affecting the past that she wouldn't even interact with passersby, but now she's willing to risk her life?
What on earth caused such a huge change in her mindset? I've been with her this whole time, and I haven't seen anything strange happen to her!
Could it be because she secretly looked at me dozens of times just now? That shouldn't be it. If looking at me worked, wouldn't printing out my photos and distributing them widely lead to world peace?
Lu Yibei scrutinized Shen Baiwei, finding it more and more odd the more she thought about it. Yet, for some reason, Shen Baiwei suddenly became much more pleasing to her eyes.
Seeing Little Shen, who rarely spoke, suddenly open her mouth, Dragon Xiang was also momentarily stunned, but quickly regained his senses.
He only knew that with the abilities of the two Miss Shens, escorting the family letters and tokens of the Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers back to Yumen City Pass posed almost no danger. He didn't know that Shen Baiwei had accepted the commission by risking her life, so when he saw Shen Baiwei so tense that all her muscles were taut, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.
'Hahaha! Miss Shen, you don't need to be so nervous. It's just a small favor to help out. If you really encounter an enemy you can't handle, you can simply abandon them!'
'No...' Shen Baiwei shook her head. 'As long as I draw breath, I will definitely escort them to their destination.'
Although she feared the punishment of time, feared dying again, and being driven by the invisible great snake that was always by her side back to that small room which was like a Nightmare to her, she also really wanted to help those Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers.
It's just helping them deliver some letters and items, it shouldn't be too big of a problem, right? Shen Baiwei thought.
'Hahaha, Miss Shen is truly a heroine who rivals men!' Dragon Xiang heard this, patted Shen Baiwei's shoulder, and laughed heartily. 'With your words, I am at ease. When I return victorious, I will surely have a good drink with you!'
Lu Yibei listened to their conversation from the side, irritably rubbing her throbbing temples.
A small matter? As long as I draw breath? Return victorious and drink with you?
Please! Don't set so many flags, alright?
Even the King of Hell would want to give you a single '6'.
Lu Yibei thought, musing for a few seconds, then shook her head and sighed silently,'Since she has already agreed, there's nothing more for me to say...'
Anyway, they'll have to start over again, so if she wants to be willful, let her be.
And... time, or was it age? Never mind. Anyway, you'd better pay attention: Shen Baiwei did this, it has nothing to do with Bei Bei. If there's punishment, punish her, don't involve Bei Bei!
Although I also had that thought, I haven't acted on it, have I?
Just as Lu Yibei was silently praying that Shen Baiwei's willful actions wouldn't implicate her, Dragon Xiang waved his hand, beckoning two Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers who were hiding behind a wind-eroded boulder nearby.
The two looked to be about the same age as Dragon Tang. Their faces, rough and dark from the Gobi Desert's scorching sun and sand, still retained the unique youthfulness of teenagers. The black armor they wore hung loosely on their somewhat slender bodies, not quite fitting.
On their shoulders, each carried a firewood carrying frame. The two iron boxes, containing the family letters and items of the Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers, or rather, their hopes, were tightly bound to the wooden frames with several hemp ropes.
The two walked up to Dragon Xiang, cupped their fists in unison, and said, 'General, we...'
They seemed to want to say something, but before they could finish, Dragon Xiang waved his hand, interrupting them. 'Don't say it. I know you want to stay and fight the enemy with everyone, but sending these two iron boxes back to Yumen Pass is also very important. I can only trust you with this task.'
'It's decided. Follow the two Miss Shens well, and don't say another word, or I will deal with you according to military law!'
As he spoke, he looked at Lu Yibei and Shen Baiwei, introducing them, 'The taller one is Li Tieniu, and the shorter one is Zhu Sanming. If you need anything on the way, feel free to order them around, don't be polite with me!'
'Mm.' Shen Baiwei nodded, secretly noting down their names.
Hearing Dragon Xiang say this, the two fell completely silent, quietly moving from Dragon Xiang's side to stand behind Lu Yibei and Shen Baiwei.
Lu Yibei watched the two Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers, who could still be called children, and suddenly thought of the Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers she had seen in Daimu Courtyard. She secretly made a comparison and slightly furrowed her brow.
She noticed that the Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers she had seen inside Yumen Pass, apart from the ambushing soldiers hidden in Chawan Temple, were either elderly veterans, physically disabled individuals, or teenagers like the two behind her. However, in this camp, all of them were strong, robust men.
Perhaps this was to prevent them from holding back, and also a form of special care? Lu Yibei thought.
As she was pondering, Dragon Xiang stealthily moved closer to her, slipped a letter into her hand, and then winked repeatedly at her.
'Miss Shen, could you do me another small favor? Since you've already agreed to escort Li Tieniu and the other back, could you also take a letter for me to Dragon Tang?'
'There were so many people outside just now, I really felt too embarrassed to come out. Besides, as a general, it's not good for soldiers to see me in a vulnerable state.'
Lu Yibei, '...' freёwebnovel.com
Damn it! How did he get so pushy?
Shouldn't I normally be the one playing this role?
Lu Yibei thought, then impatiently rolled her eyes at Dragon Xiang. 'I thought you were going to give me a red packet!'
'A red packet? It's not New Year's, why would I give you New Year's money?' Dragon Xiang asked, puzzled.
Although 'Miss Shen' did indeed look to be of the age to receive New Year's money, it was only October, so wanting New Year's money now was a bit strange.
Lu Yibei pressed a hand to her forehead and explained, 'It means a bribe. In my hometown, a bribe is called a red packet. Do you understand now?'
'Oh!' Dragon Xiang understood, and nodded. 'I get it, I get it! It's payment, right?'
'Exactly!' Lu Yibei blurted out.
We've helped you with such a big favor. I put in the effort, and the Reloading Princess risked her life, yet there's no payment at all. Is that reasonable? Lu Yibei secretly added in her heart.
'But...' Dragon Xiang said, 'I probably don't have anything on me right now that Miss Shen would find appealing. How about... after you go back, you make a trip to Chawan Temple and have Hong Bian pick out a few treasures for you?'
'That's possible?' Lu Yibei tilted her head.
What's this, cash on delivery? Do you ancient people play this game too?
After complaining a couple of times in her mind, she pursed her lips and silently tucked the letter into her pocket. 'Forget it, forget it. Money is but an external possession; I don't really value it that much...'
When have you ever seen me, the Night Watch, take payment for our work?
Stepping back, ask for payment from that person at Chawan Temple? I wouldn't dare!
What if he has a sudden whim and locks us up again? Lu Yibei thought.
----
With a great battle imminent and the Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers about to break camp and march out, escorting their family letters and tokens back to Yumen Pass should be done sooner rather than later.
According to Dragon Xiang's estimation, the Shaman King's army would arrive in this vicinity within half an hour.
Therefore, after Shen Baiwei agreed to Dragon Xiang's request, they quickly set off and left the Longxiang Army Camp.
Soon after the four departed, the Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers also completed their preparations, and after a brief, deep, and resonant drumbeat, they marched towards the vast Gobi Desert.
Countless footsteps, weapons clashing against armor, the sounds were complex and piercing.
Lu Yibei and Shen Baiwei rode together on a warhorse, their backs to the nerve-wracking clamor that faded into the distance, heading towards Yumen Pass.
After the predictive thoughts like '【She looked back】' or '【They looked back】' flashed «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» through Lu Yibei's mind dozens of times, and when Shen Baiwei and Li Tieniu finally stopped looking back, only then did Lu Yibei loosen the reins, slowing the warhorse's pace, and, like Shen Baiwei, turned her head to look back.
With just one glance, she frowned.
The sound of hooves and the footsteps of the Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers had faded into the distance. Their figures, a mere black line on the boundless Gobi Desert, had suddenly stopped moving, as Lu Yibei now noticed.
Why did they stop? They've only traveled less than two kilometers, right? There's no way they're resting already?
As Lu Yibei was thinking, a dense array of red dots suddenly burst into her field of vision.
Those red dots hung high in the sky, like burning stars.
A few seconds later, the crisp, low hum of steel and bowstrings, followed by the mournful whistling of arrows cutting through the air, successively reached her ears.
Accompanied by the fierce wind, carrying a hint of burnt odor.
Those were the arrows of the Shaman King's army.
Burning arrows.
The Long Xiang Army's Armored Soldiers encountered the Shaman King's army earlier than expected.
War, thus, began without warning...
