Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with a Chronicle of Tragic Love

Chapter 36 Using the horse as bait, the long sword as the hook

Since passing the master's trial in his hometown, Sangdao hadn't felt this level of fear in a long time...

The person before me... no, he can no longer be called a "person".

Seeing the figure who was pierced by crossbow bolts but still held two large swords and stood blocking the way in front of Yifu Gorge, he felt a little scared.

Twenty-seven people.

When he left his hometown, he was accompanied by seventy people.

After arriving on the land of the Great Yi Dynasty, people died one after another during the plundering.

In the end, when they arrived at Plum Blossom Mountain, only thirty-seven people remained.

Just now, a fierce battle broke out in front of the Moon Gazing Pavilion, and another ten people were killed.

There are now 27 people left.

Although there were far fewer people, they were all warriors clad in full armor, wielding sharp blades, and weathered by life.

This trip to Meihua Mountain was his "last order".

As long as I kill the sister of the prince of the Great Yi Dynasty, with this achievement, I will surely be famous throughout the land when I return to my hometown.

At that time, with these warriors who have fought alongside him through countless battles, and the common people of Yi Dynasty who have served as cannon fodder, he will be able to build a real army.

They were able to bring stability to their village and earn their father's respect.

But now...

They're all dead?

Twenty-seven men, a full twenty-seven battle-hardened warriors, were all killed by this unknown kid.

No... it's alright.

From the increasingly rapid breathing of the other person, and from the decreasing amount of blood flowing from the wound, it is not difficult to draw a conclusion.

This person is going to die.

But he still didn't step forward.

By now, all the ladies of Jinling City had already fled.

The refugees who were originally intended to be used as cannon fodder have already slipped away.

The only things he could salvage were the two precious swords in Yi Ren's hands and the beautiful woman behind him.

He had glimpsed the inscription on one of the knives.

Ding Tang.

Tang... what a daunting name.

Heh... It's just a pity that even the greatest dynasties will eventually decline.

In the end, only a precious sword remained to boast of its former glory.

As for that woman...

After arriving in Yi Dynasty, he tasted the flavors of many women.

Although I never saw the woman's face, I could tell from her voice alone that she was a truly exceptional woman.

He licked his lips, raised his crossbow, and aimed it at the figure in front of him.

With a "whoosh," the arrow pierced straight into his heart.

Jiao Si tried his best to turn his body, but it felt as if a huge burden was weighing him down.

The arrow missed Jiao Si's heart by half an inch, but still pierced straight into his chest.

"Yi Ren, you are very strong."

"But you're still going to die."

"After you die, your sword and your beautiful woman will all be mine."

Jiao Si was panting heavily.

The black fog before his eyes and the empty, cold pain in his mind both told him that what Sangdao said was true.

But since they're not dead yet, it would be good to kill one more.

With a clang, Huju and Dingtang slipped from his hands.

The broad, heavy blade kicked up a cloud of dust.

Jiao Si fell to the ground, and several arrows were knocked out from the front by the impact of the ground.

"Sangdao, you're right, I'm going to die."

"You are a very strategic and cautious person. Someone like you, born in an island nation, is truly born at the wrong time."

"Now that I'm on the verge of death, perhaps we should put aside our hatred and misunderstandings and have a proper chat?"

"I know a place called Tsushima Island. It's a really good place where you can either launch a major offensive or retreat back to the Japanese islands."

"For a ruthless leader like you, what could be more precious than an island like this?"

Sangdao's expression shifted between light and dark.

He had indeed heard of the island that Jiao Si mentioned.

If I could find this island and set up camp here, I would surely accomplish something extraordinary.

But... is he really going to die?

"Yi Ren, it's fine for you to talk to me from a distance."

"I've heard that the people of Yi Dynasty value their reputation most. Tell me the location of the island, and I can assure you that I won't harm your woman."

The sound of the iron zither paused for a moment.

Then it grew even more joyful, like a phoenix soaring high in the clouds, with a hint of contempt, mocking the owls on the ground.

Jiao Si understood the meaning in the music, turned his head and exchanged a glance with Liu Ru, and smiled at each other.

"Sangdao, I'm bleeding out, and I'm struggling to breathe. Every time I speak loudly to you, it takes a toll on what little life I have left."

Come on, come here.

"If you don't come now, I can't tell you the location of Tsushima Island..."

As he spoke, Jiao Si's voice gradually weakened, as if he had lost all his strength.

Sangdao's eyes were hesitant and uncertain.

At that moment, his gaze swept over Qian Qianyi, who was trembling with fear, peeking out half his head from the ditch beside him.

"Young Master Qian, you go and try, see if this Yi Ren is really going to die."

"Huh? Me?"

Qian Qianyi pointed to himself.

"I...I can't, I just injured my leg, I can only lie down right now..."

An arrow pierced the soil in front of him.

Qian Qianyi reluctantly got up from the ditch, swallowed hard, and slowly moved towards Jiao Si.

Ten zhang...

Five zhang...

One zhang...

It finally stopped about ten feet away.

He picked up a tree trunk from the roadside.

He gently poked the knife wound on Jiao Si's body.

Jiao Si hissed in pain, looking angrily at Qian Qianyi, but did not get up, seemingly powerless to stop him.

Qian Qianyi is much bolder.

He took a few more steps forward.

He raised his foot and stomped heavily on the crossbow bolts embedded in Jiao Si's body.

The crossbow bolt was pressed several inches deeper, but no more blood flowed out.

It seems I'm really going to die.

Qian Qianyi was overjoyed.

"Jiao Si, die!"

"No...you need me to torture you a little longer!"

"If it weren't for you, what happened to me on Plum Blossom Mountain today would never have reached Jinling!"

He laughed as Qian Qianyi kicked and stomped wildly at Jiao Si.

Liu Rushi played the zither with her left hand, producing a sound as sharp as splitting stone, while her right hand gently gripped the dagger hidden in her sleeve.

But Jiao Si stopped him with a look.

Just as Qian Qianyi was becoming increasingly arrogant, a sound like the sky being torn apart was suddenly heard.

Then, with a "roar," Qian Qianyi clutched his thigh and fell to the ground.

"Sangdao, what are you doing? I'm doing exactly what you said!"

Sangdao ignored him.

Instead, he went straight to Jiao Si and kicked the wailing Qian Qianyi aside.

He glanced at Jiao Si's wound, which had already begun to congeal.

"Yi Ren, I'm here."

"I know you won't tell me the location of Tsushima Island for no reason, but your time is really running out."

"So, if you have any requests, just say so."

Jiao Si stared blankly at the sky.

"No problem."