The Voyage In The Blizzard - Chapter 72

“Longwei, can I have a word with you?” asked Sun on the way to the foot of the mountain.

After waiting until all the warriors went ahead, Sun resting his hand on the stick, walked as if his leg was wounded. Longwei, not daring not to mention it, said, “I see one of your pets has finally hurt you.”

“No. It was done by some of the warriors of the First Clan. But I do not blame him. It was also a bit unexpected from my side, I mean to lead a whole clan. But soon everyone will understand that by doing so, I want to improve the life and safety of everyone.” As if reading Longwei’s thoughts, he continued, “The fact that I was able to subjugate these beings for myself is a great achievement. You will not believe how much sweat I shed working on this plan. And yet I was able to find a way to control them. I want to get to know them better. And in the end to free this world from them..”

Without taking his eyes off Yun Qi who was striding far ahead, Longwei replayed Lei’s plan and words in his head. “I have to endure all this until we get to the battlefield.” he thought, ignoring Sun and Ju Long who was walking along the side of the road.

“Longwei, do you understand me?”

“You killed Xing Fu, for what?” Suddenly asked Longwei knowing the answer.

To which Sun, without a drop of shame and remorse, replied as it is, “You are still very young. When you are at my age, you will understand life. I did not want to kill Xing Fu, but it had to be done. To be honest, I did it because he interfered with my plan. He wanted to stop me by all means. He interfered with the future of everyone.” Looking at Longwei with an insolent smile, Sun did not hide his joy.

“You are either crazy or pretending to be so. You are a murderer, you are an insidious type. Do you think that warriors, since they cannot read and think correctly, they are so stupid not to notice reality?”

“Perhaps you are right. I’m crazy. But what’s wrong with the fact that I just want to live? And I so curious about what you think.”

Stopping, Longwei clenched his fist and asked, “Why are you telling me all this? Why are you so interested in what I think of you?”

Walking right up to him and lifting his head to look into his eyes, Sun lightly slid his finger across his cheek and said, “Because I see the future in you. Because you are different from everyone. And you are my next target. I will definitely win your trust. Yours and his.” Pointing at Lei, Sun whispered with a smile, “The three of us can create a better world.”

“You are definitely insane. But insanity does not last long. Usually, it quickly ends.”

Sun stroking his short black beard, thought about something for a second and then continued walking.

In full tension, walking close to each other, the warriors were panting and emitting steam, which immediately turned into part of the icy and painful wind.

Divided into three groups, the warriors of the Second and First Clans walked along the same path, while the young soldiers walked ahead of everyone.

At the very end of the forest beyond which the steppes began, several warriors of the Third Clan were waiting. Lei, walking between Baofeng-Xue and Delun, slightly turning his head back in a whisper, asked, “What did he tell you?”

“I don’t want to repeat his words.” Longwei answered.

Supporting the warrior who was barely walking and jumping on one leg, Longwei told him, “Hold on. We are almost there. When you see the first cave, go there right away. You should not be sent to the beasts in such a state.”

“If I don’t kill Sun today, then I won’t be Delun.” Delun said with anger. “He killed Eagle. He killed him.”

“I don’t think it is the right time for talking.”

“Teacher Zihao? When did you arrive? You weren’t here.”

Walking away from everyone, Zihao replied, “You shouldn’t talk. Save your strength for battle.”

Looking at the new teacher, Longwei did not know why, but felt a certain calmness. Intuitively trusting him, he knew that he could trust him and, if necessary, ask for help.

“And also, to survive, try to stay near the woods. There, you have more chances to hide and therefore survive. The most dangerous place is the middle.”

“Yes teacher.” the quiet and frightened voices of the new warriors were heard.

Further, walking in complete silence until the battlefield, the armies of soldiers stopped in front of the cave where the wounded warriors were resting.

Entering the war territory, Yun Qi looked at the ground and noticed that even the snow here, falling down, immediately turned into the color of blood. Looking at the bloody roads that led into the depths of the clouded place from where screams were heard, she approached Longwei and, without showing fear, asked, “Why don’t monsters come to this place?” Pointing to a cave that led directly into the ground, Yun Qi watched the warrior crawling without both legs.

“If it’s scary then don’t look.”

“No, I’m fine.” she whispered.

“There are certain places in this world where monsters cannot go. And this is one of them.” Lei replied, hiding the warriors’ bodies which were beyond recognition with his body.

“This fight will be the hardest. We have two goals now. And the main one is to protect our children.” While testing his son’s sword, Baofeng-Xue said.

“And how did it come to this that Sun is now manipulating us too?”

“We have no other choice. We can’t fight back. At least that’s what Lei told us to do.” Ice answered with a grin and displeasure.

“Master Lei, why did you say that? Or are you planning something?”

Without changing his cold expression, Lei replied, “Sometimes you don’t need to respond to evil with anger.”

“I don’t know what you’re saying, but I’ll destroy him. For Eagle’s sake. For his soul to find peace.” Delun said, hitting his fist against a tree.

“Is everyone ready? Time to go.” Zihao, handing everyone garlic, said, “Take this. Following the legends, garlic is able to protect you from death in war.”

“Master, do you really believe this? We’re all dead already. Nothing can save us.” someone said throwing a clove of garlic aside.

Grabbing Yun Qi’s hand before she wanted to go forward, Longwei whispered, “You know what to do? Wait for my signal. And then, without looking back, just go towards the forest. Try not to lose sight of Lei. And also, Yun Qi, be careful with these creatures. Don’t torture them.”

Seeing the glint of courage in her eyes, Longwei added, “Most importantly, don’t lose sight of Lei. Don’t stray too far from him.”

“I understood everything father.” she answered by throwing off her cape and straightening several knives that were chained to her leather vest.

“What could be worse than to see your child walking in the midst of death. Now I understand why almost all warriors do not know their children and why they agree to send them to other clans. If something happens to him, I will not forgive myself.” As he escorted his son to his first fight, Delun could only hope through hardened tears.

Patting him on the back, Longwei said, “Everything will be fine. Your Shidai is very fast and agile. He certainly won’t get into trouble.”

“Brother Longwei, I hope we see each other again. I don’t know why, but I have such a feeling that this is the last time I see you. Maybe this is a premonition.” Slightly embracing him Delun said and disappeared into the blizzard.

“Maybe the last one.” he muttered to himself, touching the book that was attached to his belt inside the vest.

Having entered the very center of the field, Yun Qi, having taken the necessary pose, holding a sword in her hands, looking around, tried to see at least something. But all that was around was just a thick fog that was not going to disappear. Smelling blood in the air, she covered her nose and mouth with a scarf.

Slowly walking back, she tried to make as little noise as possible. Feeling fear for the first time, all alone, she cut the wind with her sword.

Knowing that her main goal was not to lose sight of Lei, and because she couldn’t see anyone through the fog, she was in panic.

Finally, noticing someone’s figure, she quietly asked, “Lei is that you?”

“Yun Qi. Is that you?”

“Xing Fu?”

“Are you okay? Not hurt?”

“No. I haven’t even met a single beast yet.”

“Me too. Don’t you think we’ve gone too far. You can’t see or hear anyone.” said Xing Fu as he approached her.

Standing with their backs to each other, they continued to walk in an unknown direction until they heard the distant sounds of swords and screams.

“We seem to be too far away. But why are there no beasts here? And what is this fog?”

“Hush, can you hear that?” Bending down warily, Yun Qi raised her sword to her face and began to walk forward. A strange sound reminiscent of someone’s quiet cry was heard from somewhere.

Grabbing her hand, Xing Fu pulled her back. “Careful. Better not go.”

“Do you hear that? Like someone is crying.”

“It is a beast. They are capable of making various sounds and speaking with the voices of people.”

“Let go of me. You squeezed my hand too tightly.” Yun Qi grumbled slightly pushing Xing Fu.

“Yun Qi, be careful.”

Walking towards the strange sound that either died down or became louder, Yun Qi held her breath and tried not to feel fear, although her heart was beating in a frantic rhythm.

Feeling all the pressure of the fog around her, she looked at the ground along which blood lines flowed like a river.

Hearing the sound and finally realizing what it was, Yun Qi exclaimed, “Dad!”

“Yun Qi. Yun Qi!” Longwei’s voice sounded so close that she thought he was somewhere behind. But no one was there.

“Yun Qi.”

“Dad where are you?”

Continuing to walk forward until she suddenly bumped into someone and fell down.

“You’re Yun Qi, aren’t you ?!” Helping her to stand, Sun caught her hand and moved closer.

She jumped back and nodded her head.

“You look a lot like Longwei.” said Sun, looking at her from head to toe.

Knowing that Sun is the enemy, Yun Qi coldly said, “I have to go.”

“Be careful. Yun Qi.” Sun said with a kind smile.

“Turn around!” yelling, Yun Qi pushed Sun to the side with force and caught the mouth of the beast that was about to attack him with its hands. First, she struck with a fist and then with dexterity and speed thrusting the knife straight into the chest of the beast, she jumped back.

But this did not stop the beast. Pulling out the knife, it growled, emitting thick clouds of smoke. Getting on all fours, the beast lifted its back and thereby showed all its sharp vertebrae.

Without waiting for it to attack her, Yun Qi, holding her sword point forward, ran straight at it. The beast immediately jumped over her and landed behind, grasping Yun Qi with its long arms and opening its large mouth.

Without giving up, Yun Qi struggled to reach for the knife and felt the claws of the creature sinking into her flesh. With a cry, she was able to raise her hand and thrust the knife into the body of the beast.

With the loudest scream, the beast, still not letting her go, fell to the ground.

And the next moment, stopping to scream and chaotically move its hands, the beast under the power of Lei’s sword let out its last breath.

“Are you okay?” Lei asked while checking several scratches on Yun Qi’s shoulder.

“Yes. I could have won it myself. You didn’t have to interfere.”

“Don’t leave me. Do you remember our plan?”

“Hush you.” Looking around her and not seeing Sun, she whispered, “I remember. Where is Dad? Is he okay?”

“Yes. Now let’s go. And don’t leave me.”

Through the fog that closer to night turned into a dark substance, seeing an endless rows of beasts, the warriors said goodbye to this world and began to attack like mad.

Running away from the ugly beast, which for some reason was much larger than the others, Xiaoli’s son Longwei fell down on his way.

After dropping his sword, young Longwei, looking back, finally did not see two red eyes. Stopping, he sighed with relief and reached for the sword and at that moment when the fog slightly cleared, his gaze fell on the dead body.

Coming closer to check who it was, Longwei fell back in horror and froze in one place.

Lying with glassy and frightened eyes, Xiaoli with both hands tightly gripping his sword, with a deep wound in the stomach was already dead.

“Father!” Rubbing his shoulders, young Longwei shouted loudly, attracting the attention of nearby beasts.

“No. Dad! No!”

Not noticing that the three beasts were already running at him with all their might, young Longwei, pressing his father’s head to him, sobbed loudly.

Not noticing how someone easily attacked three creatures at once, young Longwei continued to pray to his father to wake up.

Longwei, thrusting his sword directly into the beast’s mouth for the second time, wiped the blood from his face with his sleeve.

“I’m sorry.” he said. “Longwei, we have to go. You can’t sit here.”

“I cannot leave my father. Please help him.” falling face down on the cold ice, young Longwei continued to cry like a small child. “I won’t leave him.”

“Get up, or they’ll kill you!”

“No! I’m not going anywhere without my father!”

Hearing the heavy breathing approaching, Longwei, unable to leave him alone with grief, threw Xiaoli on his back and ran forward. “Run fast!”

Heading towards the cave, Longwei noticed Baofeng-Xue not far from him. “Brother Xue! Help me!”

“Xiaoli? Is he alive?”

“No. Careful!”

Covering Longwei from attacks, Baofeng-Xue was a shield on the way to the cave.

“Where is your son?” Longwei asked, bowing under the weight of Xiaoli’s body.

To which Baofeng-Xue replied, “He is fine. I saw him next to Yun Qi.”

“Xue! On the right!”

The beast literally flying at them wanted to grab Baofeng-Xue’s neck, but the young Longwei managed to thrust the sword from behind.

“He’s still alive! Faster!”

Longwei, holding Xiaoli’s cold hands, ran as fast as possible, but the strong wind prevented him from accelerating. Closing his eyes from the snow and trying to wipe the frost from his eyelashes, he finally saw a tall tree under which the entrance to the dungeon was located. “Brother Xue, you can go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Finally, reaching the entrance to the dungeon, Longwei gently threw Xiaoli off his back and closed his eyes. “Rest in peace brother.”

Grabbing his hand, young Longwei fell to his knees shedding tears.

“Longwei, hold on.” Longwei said embracing him.

Noticing that it was getting darker, Longwei, letting go of Xiaoli’s son, handed him a handkerchief and left without saying anything.

Trying not to lose sight of the treetops that were so far away, Longwei fell right on the ice and reached for his head to check if it was bleeding. Jumping up, he shouted, “Lei!” But his voice immediately disappeared in the whistle of the wind.

Walking calmly across the battlefield, Sun stopped at the place where Longwei fell and picking up a book from the ground asked, “What is this?”

Opening the first page, and in spite of darkness he could make out the first words. “It can’t be!” he exclaimed, laughing in a happy mood, he eagerly opened the next page.