No one expected that this grand excursion would end in such a disgraceful and tragic manner.
No, it hadn’t ended yet.
After burning the camp, the Turkic people began a pursuit and massacre. Because it was a surprise attack, the people on this journey didn’t even have ti to form into groups. Everyone scrambled out of the camp, fleeing south the whole way.
This night, even many years later, was the most terrifying night in Shang Ruyi’s mory, one she dared not recall.
Her ears were filled with screams, exclamations, complaints, and cries of despair. These sounds suffocated her even more than the blood splattered on her from those hit by arrows around her. During this ti, the Da Ye Dynasty’s army tried a few tis to resist, but each ti, due to the darkness, the enemy’s fierce attacks, and the chaos of fleeing crowds, they could hardly stop the enemy’s advance.
Escape, they could only escape!
They couldn’t see the road ahead, but could feel the bloody knives behind them closing in step by step. Everyone had turned into panicked prey, even though the Turkic people hadn’t charged yet, many were trampled and killed.
The road was strewn with corpses and blood for miles.
Finally, at the break of dawn, they looked up and saw the tall dark silhouette on the horizon. It was the Da Ye Dynasty’s northernmost line of defense against nomadic cavalry—Yann County!
The people running in front cheered: "We’ve arrived, we made it to Yann City!"
"Run fast!"
"Get into the city to survive, hurry!"
A young man riding ahead couldn’t help but wave his arms and shout: "Run fast, we—"
Before he could finish speaking, an arrow whizzed through his throat. Shang Ruyi’s eyes widened as she watched the young man’s body stiffen. After shaking only twice, he fell off the horse.
"Ah—"
Everyone around scread in fright.
Shang Ruyi’s face turned pale. Looking back in panic, she saw a group of Turkic cavalry galloping fiercely in pursuit of their small group. Among them, the fastest ones swung their sabers, charging into the crowd and slaughtering them. Amidst the screams, several people fell from horseback, and the pounding hooves turned them into a pool of blood and flesh. The cavalry behind held bows and arrows, shooting at them non-stop, hitting one person after another beside Shang Ruyi, causing them to fall off their horses.
At this mont, they were like hunted prey.
Death was at their doorstep!
Cold sweat had soaked her clothes completely. Instinctively, Shang Ruyi hurriedly lay down on her horse’s back, clamping its belly tightly. The steed galloped with effort, and she saw the gate of Yann City getting closer and closer.
Arrows from behind flew past her body one by one. Although they didn’t hit her, the intense murderous intent made her tremble uncontrollably.
Just when Shang Ruyi looked back again, she suddenly saw a bow and an arrow tube strapped behind the saddle!
Last night was chaotic. Mu Xian had randomly grabbed a horse, and she had also mounted it without thinking. Only then did she realize that this horse was theirs for patrol work, and the bow and arrows were standard patrol equipnt.
Shang Ruyi was like finding a treasure, hurriedly grabbing the bow, and pulling an arrow from the tube.
Just then, a Turkic soldier who was chasing closest behind saw a woman pick up a bow and arrow. He imdiately laughed, waving his saber while galloping straight at Shang Ruyi, sneering, "I want to see what you’re capable of—"
Before he could finish speaking, a sharp glint flashed before his eyes.
The Turkic soldier only felt a searing pain in his eye socket. Before he could react, a powerful force had his head bending backward. The searing pain spread from his eye socket through his entire body, making him scream as he fell off his horse.
Everyone around was stunned by the scene.
Shang Ruyi held the bow in one hand, keeping the posture of releasing an arrow with the other, her fingertips swelling and numb.
Luckily, luckily...
At this mont, she only wanted to go back months and thank Yu Wenye at the Taiyuan Military Camp. If it weren’t for his provocation and her subsequent archery match with Huang Gongyi, which sparked her interest and led her to practice at ho, she wouldn’t have had the chance to clear a path with that arrow!
But her shot imdiately attracted the attention of those Turkic soldiers behind.
Having chased them all night with little resistance, they never expected a seemingly delicate woman to kill their leader with one arrow!
The Turkic soldiers instantly flew into a rage, abandoning others fleeing for their lives, and started chasing and attacking Shang Ruyi.
"Don’t run!"
"Today, you’re going to be minced into paste!"
Shang Ruyi was dumbfounded.
In an instant, she wished she could go back and harshly chide the reckless self that wielded a weapon.
She should have stuck with the main group. Now, by killing one Turkic soldier, she had drawn all their attention, bringing death upon herself!
She had no ti even to cry, let alone think. Seeing these n driving their horses towards her, she quickly drew another arrow, lying flat on her horse’s back and pulling the powerful bow sideways. Although her fingers were shaking uncontrollably with tension, pursued so closely by the Turkic soldiers, she didn’t even have ti to aim, shooting another arrow that instantly pierced the chest of the soldier nearest to her.
"Ah—!"
Another scream followed as he tumbled from his horse. Several others, charging too quickly to avoid him, accidentally trampled his large body, resulting in his pitiful wails. The horses stumbled over him, toppling over, blocking the riders behind.
Overjoyed, Shang Ruyi quickly turned around, gripped the reins tightly, and spurred her horse forward.
At that mont, under the tall city gate, the fleeing crowd appeared like sheep chased by wolves, desperately squeezing into the gate. And Shang Ruyi saw Wang Shaoji leading the Imperial Guard, just having escorted soone into Yann City.
Was that... His Majesty the Emperor?
So now, he was safe?
At this mont, strange thoughts surged in Shang Ruyi’s heart, a mix of regret and relief, especially as the chaotic crowd entered the city gate. A familiar gaze seed to look back at her, amid thousands, further tangling her emotions.
But there was no ti to worry about her feelings now!
Although most people had entered Yann City, she hadn’t yet. Moreover, those two arrows had thoroughly enraged the Turkic soldiers behind her. They abandoned the chase for other scattered escapees, rushing at Shang Ruyi like wolves scenting blood.
Amidst the surging crowd, the shouts of the Turkic soldiers echoed far and wide—
"Capture that woman for !"
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