It’s hard to break a phoenix’s destiny

Chapter 557 A brief moment of happiness

On the second day, the spies came to report that Liang Zong was unwilling to accept defeat and had followed with a large number of troops.

Liu Yao had no choice but to have his army ready to march immediately and continue to march eastward. They passed a denser bamboo forest, and the cold wind blew through it, which actually had a bleak and miserable feeling. The morale of the soldiers dropped again, and they marched forward in silence.

Gradually, it became difficult to ride a horse in the bamboo forest, and Liu Yao had to lead the horse forward, stepping on the mud. Fortunately, it did not rain, and there was even a sign of clearing up. After marching early in the morning, in the afternoon, Liu Yao ordered the army to stop and rest. Several of their generals also needed to summarize the current situation and could not move forward blindly.

The soldiers took out their dry food and ate it. The cooks made bowls out of bamboos as thick as bowls, which could boil dozens of cups of hot water at once, relieving everyone's fatigue and coldness.

Liu Yao nodded secretly, and one of his followers took out a cake for him to eat. However, Liu Yao didn't want to eat anymore after taking a bite. For some reason, he felt that the cake given by his son Liu Cheng that day was more delicious.

Thinking of Liu Cheng, he asked his deputy general He Chi, "Has the Shaoying Group caught up?"

"Those kids are running fast. They've already caught up with us." He Chi stuffed all of Liu Yao's remaining biscuits into his mouth and almost choked. Liu Yao handed him the hot water in the bamboo cup, which finally relieved him a little. "Just now I saw them move some of the cloth strips that the doctors needed to wash to the stream below... They should be helping to wash them. I think they are basically with the doctors and cooks, so they are safe."

"Well, try to put them in the middle of the team. If something happens, they can protect these people." Liu Yao suddenly thought of Wang Po again. It must be hard for her to run with them in the bamboo forest at her age. "Where are the hunters we caught before? Ask them to come over and tell us about the terrain."

"They also went to the stream, saying that this is the place with the largest and clearest water in the mountains, just right for washing." Deputy General Wei Xing also took off his clothes, "Why don't I go and wash too, I feel like I stink these past few days."

"Or, I will also..." He Chi glanced at the bloodstains on his armor, which had turned into dark brown and looked a bit shocking.

"No, don't wash it. Your wound can't get wet. If you want to wash something, I'll help you." Wei Xing disagreed. Liu Yao nodded, "You can wash your face. Your skin has become thicker now."

It was rare to see Liu Yao teasing others, and these deputy generals also felt a lot more relaxed.

"General, let's go over there and ask those hunters." Wei Xing took off his armor and exposed his arms. His clothes had long been soaked with blood, and his original color could not be seen. Now with his upper body bare, he could see some ugly scars on his front and back. Of course, his skin was dark and rough, and men looked at each other like that. Liu Yao only frowned slightly, but did not look at him any more, and strode towards the stream under the rocks.

Because the terrain suddenly became steep here, the stream that had been flowing gently suddenly became turbulent, and even roared faintly. But after passing this short section of rocks, it gathered in a relatively flat area surrounded by rocks and bamboo forests, and turned into a clear pool of water. Although the area was not large, it was enough for these people to wash here.

A medical officer stopped them and asked the cooks to get drinking water before they started washing their faces and clothes. Because they had a short rest, the soldiers put down their weapons and started washing. However, because the weather was still cold and they were on the march, they did not dare to take off their armor, but simply washed their heads and faces. The medical officers were rinsing bloody bandages and clay pots for boiling medicine, and they looked very busy. Liu Cheng and several young soldiers from the Shaoying Group were carrying things and helping Wang Po and several medical officers to transport items. These people were talking and laughing, and they looked quite happy.

After all, they were still children at heart, and they were even happier when playing with water. The hunters from the mountains were a little nervous following them, but now they relaxed and even taught them the techniques of fishing in this small pond. The children became even more interested, and were eager to try. Some even wanted to jump into the pond, but were grabbed by the collar by a healer.

The doctor was wrapped up very tightly, wearing several coats from someone unknown, and looked very bloated. His face was also dirty, making people not want to look at him any more. Liu Cheng actually followed him and helped him pull the child who was about to jump into the pond, shouting: "You are asking for your life! This pond is quite deep, who knows if there is an undercurrent underneath!"

After hearing this, the man also stepped back quickly. Wang Po also walked over and pulled him away, finally leading him out of the danger zone.

It was just a minor incident and everyone started washing again.

Liu Yao looked at Liu Cheng, who looked like a little adult and actually had some authority when scolding others. He found it funny and gratifying at the same time. His mood was extremely complicated and he didn't know what to say.

Because he left the Han army and lost his protection, he suffered a lot during the unstable political situation in the Han Dynasty. Even his mother lost her life to protect him. He felt a little guilty again. He had beaten him with a military stick before... It was really a bit too much.

Moreover, regardless of whether smashing the iron pot was his idea or not, the credit for this small victory should still be given to him. Thinking of this, Liu Yao's eyes softened when he looked at him.

At this time, Liu Cheng also saw him, grinned and waved in his direction.

The others also stopped what they were doing and saluted him obediently.

Liu Yao nodded, and asked He Chi to call the hunters over and asked them about the conditions of the mountain road. However, the situation was not very optimistic. They still had to walk for a long time before they could get out of the bamboo forest. And because the mountain was strange, if someone ambushed them, they would be hard to defend against.

Liu Yao looked at the topographic map drawn by the hunters and felt annoyed again. He had just eaten a bite of bread and now he felt very hungry. But he was a general and he had to set an example in saving food.

Just when he was about to suppress his hunger, wash his face and turn away, he suddenly smelled a strange aroma of food, even mixed with some meaty aroma.