The Voyage In The Blizzard - Chapter 60
Alone on the battlefield, alone in spirit and heart, struggling to get up and continue his life, Lei, looking straight ahead, saw the distant images of long-legged and long-armed creatures covered with black coarse fur who never ceased walking straight ahead, carrying only one thing – death.
A snow-white field covered with blood and hardened bodies of warriors, long ago turned into a place that life itself bypassed.
Here, there was no place for thoughts, feelings, or suffering. And the only living person who remained literally all over this white world was Lei.
Staying for a year in this place where death itself lived, Lei still remembered who he was and what prompted him to live on, to fight on. Bearing his punishment on himself, under all the threats of death, he was still able to raise his head and look without any fear into the eyes of the beasts. Sometimes, he even felt himself like a beast, sometimes he also lost control over himself and turned into something that was beyond life and death.
Having destroyed several thousand beasts in a year, he still found time for long his thoughts and dreams. At night, not feeling tired like everyone else, he found peace and harmony in his memories of the only person who motivated him to continue to fight and not give up.
And now, keeping in his heart that very letter written by Longwei, Lei found strength in himself, while no one else could stand up..
Touching the letter, which was covered in dried blood, Lei brought it to his lips. Feeling a slight aching pain all over his body, feeling the taste of blood from the wounds that bleed incessantly in the corners of his lips, Lei could only hear his heartbeat. A beating that was repeating only one name. And this name was his engine for the hundredth time.
Gaining all the forces taken away by the war, Lei reborn like a phoenix.
Locks of hair, wet with snow, covered his face, and only two lively eyes sparkled in the semi-darkness.
Taking off his bloody vest, one hand clasped around the shaft of his sword, Lei went to meet the crowd of beasts again.
Jumping upward, striking blow after blow, feeling the crunchy flesh of the beasts through the blade of his trusty sword, Lei killed several creatures at once with just a few hand movements, two precise take-offs and precise landings.
By acting as if he were the master here, Lei was a role model. And despite the fact that his reputation slightly deteriorated, everyone still admired him.
Throwing his sword straight ahead, thereby killing three beasts in a row at once, Lei caught the gaze of one warrior who had been trying to get closer to him for several hours.
In iron armor, with an expressively large sword, a warrior whose face and hands were covered in blood finally came closer to Lei and said, “So it is you Lei.”
Brushing still beating heart of the beast off the blade, Lei nodded his head without looking.
“I always wanted to meet you. I have to admit I’m a fan of yours.” the warrior said.
Without looking at him, Lei groaned and simply walked away.
“Wait!” Running up to him, the warrior stood in front of him and holding out his hand said, “My name is Shufen. I am from the Third Clan.”
Ignoring his efforts to introduce himself, Lei continued on his way towards the cave.
“And you are very rude. Well, that’s how I imagined you. Cold and emotionless warrior.” continued Shufen following him. “You know, this is my first fight and I met you. I think I am lucky.”
Lei remained silent.
“I heard a lot of stories about you. And they say that you are the real enemy of these creatures. They say that even death is afraid of you. But I also heard that you were sent here for several years as a punishment. But you know what, I do not believe all the rumors. I do not believe that a warrior like you could act so low and have a connection with a soldier.”
Stopping, Lei swung his sword and in the next second it was already at Shufen’s neck. Meeting the gaze of a warrior who looked tired but nevertheless optimistic, Lei said, “Don’t think you know me if you’re a fan of mine. You don’t know anything, so don’t say such things. You have the gift of speech not for to talk in vain.”
Noticing that Lei was clearly offended by his words, Shufen stepped aside from the blade of the sword and replied, “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just wanted to say that despite the rumors, you are still the best. What I wanted to say is just.”
Interrupting him, the joyful voice of Dewei was heard from the distance. “Brother! I have news for you! Xing Fu has given you permission to return to the clan!”
“If Lei were here, he would have come up with something.” Longwei whispered and immediately retorted to himself, “No. Lei doesn’t have to worry me anymore. I now have another responsibility.” Looking at Yun Qi, who was sound asleep after a long journey through the frightening forest, he leaned against the stone wall of the cave and asked, “Anyway, what should I do now? Where can I hide you? Or should I tell Xing Fu about you? No I can’t do that. ”
Dropping his head on his knees, Longwei sighed heavily.
“Dad, will you leave me?” Came a quiet voice from under the cloak.
Startled, Longwei raised his head. In such a short time, feeling full responsibility, Longwei could no longer just leave her or forget about her as everyone did. With tenderness looking into her clean eyes, he shook his head and replied, “Of course not. I will never leave you. I just worry about you. You see, you are very different from everyone. And as I understand, this world does not really like those who is different from them. I’m afraid for your future. That’s all.”
After straightening her slightly large cloak, Yun Qi walked up to him and took his hand and smiled. “I do not know why I am different from everyone, but you should not be afraid. I am with you. And I will become a worthy warrior who will protect you from everyone.”
Touching her cheek, Longwei said with a laugh, “You just came into this world, and you already want to protect me. With this quality you are very similar to one person.”
“What person?” she asked, stretching her bare feet towards the fire.
“My brother Xue. You want to protect me just like him.”
“Brother Xue, is he a good person?”
“Very good.”
“Who’s bad person then?”
“I don’t know Yun Qi. I don’t know.” Longwei answered.
After spending the night in one of the caves that was near the village, Longwei came up with a plan. But before he could re think about it, Yun Qi was already climbing a tree.
“Yun Qi! Get down! It’s time for us to go.”
“I want to see how it is up there.” laughing Yun Qi began to climb up.
“How hard it is to be a father.” thought Longwei and followed her. No sooner had he caught her than she was already on the highest branch. “Get down! Now!”
Pointing somewhere, Yun Qi exclaimed with excitement and delight in her voice, “Look!”
Compared to Yun Qi, Longwei clumsily scrambled upward and suddenly slipped did not fall. “Yun Qi! Get down! Or they will see you!”
“But look! There …”
“Get down quickly!” shouting in a menacing voice, Longwei kicked a branch and it broke into two halves. Feeling slightly dizzy, Longwei fell down.
Feeling someone’s arms wrapped around his waist, he looked up and met Yue Liang’s radiant smile.
“I got you.”
Without letting go, Yue Liang approached and whispered in his ear, “I was looking for you.”
Jumping onto Longwei’s back, Yun Qi, forgetting that she should be silent in front of strangers, said, “Dad, I want to eat.”
Shaking the snow off his clothes, Yue Liang clearly could not hide his surprise from what he saw. “So I finally saw your son.” Coming closer, he held out his hand and introduced himself, “My name is Yue Liang. And your?”
Hugging Longwei’s neck, Yun Qi hid her face in his hair.
“What an unusual child. But this is not surprising. Anything unusual can be expected from you. You, Longwei, are really very unique.”
Stepping aside, Longwei kept wondering if he had noticed that Yun Qi’s voice sounded strange and slightly different than the others. But dispelling all his thoughts, he decided to distract Yue Liang with a conversation.
“Yue Liang, your father, did he go to the battlefield too?” he asked trying to make the girl’s presence as invisible as possible.
“Yes. He went there a few days ago. But it’s strange, he didn’t even tell me about his plans. He just left and that’s all. And Master Xing Fu too. Don’t you think they are hiding something?”
Longwei, noticing a clear change in Yue Liang’s gaze, couldn’t help but say. “And you have changed a lot. Maybe you were given the title of a great warrior for your efforts? You still managed to convince your father that you are strong whenever you want.”
Smiling, Yue Liang picked up a branch from the ground and began to draw patterns in the snow, which interested Yun Qi. “I didn’t become a great warrior, but I think I want to become one. You know, you changed me a lot. And I reconsidered all my life values. My dreams have changed. And maybe now, I’m doing everything to become a warrior like Lei.” Yue Liang said and looked at Longwei. But then turning his attention to Yun Qi, he said, “Let me show your son something.”
Jumping off Longwei’s back, Yun Qi, clearly interested in the patterns in the snow, also took a branch and began to draw lines.
“Let me show you how to draw a person.” said Yue Liang sitting down on his knees.
Following the movements of his hands, Yun Qi drew her first drawing for the first time in her life. Overjoyed at the little man in the snow, she was unable to keep her delight and exclaimed, “Daddy! Look!”
“You can also draw stars and trees. Look.” Yue Liang continued with a quick glance at Longwei.
Exactly copying the patterns in the snow, Yun Qi laughed out loud, causing Longwei to smile and relax a little.
“Longwei, your son is very smart.” Holding out his hand, Yue Liang introduced himself again, “My name is Yue Liang which means Moon, what’s your name? You can tell me. I am not a bad person.”
Noticing Longwei’s approving nod, Yun Qi quietly replied, “Yun Qi.”
“You have to shake hands. Yes, like that.” he said. “Yun Qi. A beautiful name.”
Proudly lifting her head, Yun Qi said, “It means luck.”
“That’s right, it means luck. Longwei, he is just like you. Smart and beautiful.”
Feeling like a mountain had fallen off his shoulder, Longwei said with relief, “Yes, my son took all the best qualities.”
Rising to his feet, Yue Liang, putting his hands in his pockets, looked around and then said, “Longwei, I invite you and Yun Qi to my clan. And besides, I have to tell you something very important.”