《Daiyu's Ascent》26. Journey to Nanchang
Advertisement
"Are you sure, Ah Daiyu? The Jianghu is not for the faint of heart."
"After all I've endured, I think I can handle it."
Liang Yingzhou closed his eyes and weighed the pros and cons. He eyes slowly opened. She looked at him, patiently waiting for his answer.
"Alright, I'll take you there."
She beamed, tilted her head happily, and clapped with delight. He held up a hand to stop her though. Tang Daiyu pouted and crossed her arms.
"What?"
"Promise me, Ah Daiyu, that whatever challenges arise in the future, you will never forget your morality. I know some things will be hard and really test your common sense, but you've always know right from wrong. Rely on that."
She winced, and closed her eyes.
I'm sorry, Zhou-ge. But this promise will eventually be broken.
Tang Daiyu agreed and promised him. Satisfied, he poured her another cup of tea.
"Get better soon. Then, we'll leave for Nanchang."
~~~
A few days later, Tang Daiyu had fully recovered. They left Mentality Inn and returned to the forest. After finding the exiles' camp, she entrusted the faked evidence to Xia Dongya to guard. With Liang Yingzhou by her side, she bid farewell to the men. Then, they returned to Nanning where he presented her with a horse-drawn carriage.
Holding the front flap to the side, he said, "Get in."
Tang Daiyu didn't argue and climbed inside. He let the flap fall back down and mounted the horse. Flicking the reins, Liang Yingzhou urged the horse to move. The carriage lurched, and they were on their way.
The journey to Nanchang was long. Tang Daiyu, sitting inside, leaned back and closed her eyes.
Mother, Father, Baobao, I'm getting closer. I can feel it. You can count on me; I'll live for all of us. No one will ever dare try to underestimate the Tang family ever again.
Advertisement
Her eyelids suddenly fluttered open the the carriage came to a sudden stop.
She called out, "Zhou-ge? Why are we stopping?"
He pulled aside the flap and hurriedly motioned for her to get out. Though confused, Tang Daiyu stepped forward and took his hand. He helped her down.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"I'm getting a bad feeling. Come on, I'm afraid we're going to have to walk for now."
She didn't bother to argue and took off with him. Still holding her hand, Liang Yingzhou led her away from the main road a ways before facing northeast again. They walked briskly until he finally slowed down.
"What happened back there, Zhou-ge?"
Before he could answer, they were suddenly surrounded by masked men. Liang Yingzhou unsheathed his sword and held it out. He put an arm in front of Tang Daiyu, shielding her.
"Who are you?" he demanded. "What do you want?"
No response.
Tang Daiyu tugged on his sleeve. He turned an ear towards her.
She whispered, "While I was in the palace, I heard rumors about an elite suicide assassin group trained by Prince Baisong, who just so happens to be Prince Yelang's most trusted confidante. I think that's who they are."
Liang Yingzhou's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, causing his knuckles to turn white. Tang Daiyu took a step closer to him.
He said to her, "When I tell you to run, you run. Do you understand me?"
She nodded and didn't ask any further. He took a deep breath and slashed out with his sword. Tang Daiyu took a step back to allow him room to move. Three assassins flew forward and fought with him. The shining blurs of steel contrasted with the green bamboo trees and the brown dirt. She watched the fight, worried for her Zhou-ge.
Advertisement
When two more assassins descended upon him, Liang Yingzhou yelled, "Go, Ah Daiyu! Get out of here!"
Without hesitating, she picked up the skirt of her dress and took off.
He can’t know I know martial arts.
She sprinted away from the battle behind her, but a couple more assassins began to run after her. Tang Daiyu’s eyes widened, and she kept moving. When she heard a roar of pain, her head whipped around. She watched, horrified, as the assassins attacked Liang Yingzhou. The two following her turned around and started back for him. Tears sprung to Tang Daiyu's eyes, and she went back to watching where she was going.
I'm sorry, Zhou-ge. I could help you. But if I do, then I'll be damning myself. I'm so sorry. Father, watch over him, please. I, I can't lose him too.
Tang Daiyu soon disappeared amongst the trees. She slowly made her way back to the main road and continued on towards Nanchang.
~~~
Many li's later, a horse snorted behind her. She turned to see a handsome, twenty-something, finely dressed man coming up alongside her. Doubt instantly took hold of her, and she started to walk faster.
"Woah, Miss. I'm not going to hurt you. What are you doing on this road all by yourself?" his smooth baritone voice asked, genuinely concerned.
She eyed him warily. Rule number two: don't be foolish enough to trust anyone completely.
"Who are you?"
He smiled wide and said, "Bei Qing."
Her brows furrowed, deep in thought. I've never heard of this man or his family before. I need to be careful.
"Where are you from?"
"Nanchang. I'm from the Thunder Cloud Sword Sect."
Her eyes widened. She gasped, "You're a martial artist?"
He nodded. "Are you headed for Nanchang, Miss?"
"Please, call me... Qiao Yue. And yes, I am."
He pulled back on the reins and stopped his horse. After dismounting, Bei Qing motioned for her. "Why don't you ride for a while, Qiao Yue? I don't mind the walk."
Tang Daiyu hesitated before agreeing. With his help, she sat astride on the saddle and let him lead the horse forward.
~~~
After many more days on the road, they finally arrived in the city. Deep in the heart of the martial arts world, Nanchang was bustling with thousands of people. The many buildings stretched on for quite a few li's. Her eyes widened at the sight of the wide Gan River. Bei Qing turned towards her and smiled, waving his arm out wide.
"Welcome, Qiao Yue, to Nanchang."
Advertisement
Gamers App
Join the adventure of a human, a man into what is something much more than just a game. A 17 year old boy while looking for a new game to download for his phone,sees something interesting. In his recommend is an app called 'Gamer'. He was curious about it and so he decided to open it and that was the beginning of something never seen before. What would happen if many people around the world aquired the powers of game characters? Oh boy, let me tell you that that's something to behold. Guns, riffles, helicopters and even tank's will be destroyed by the unrivaled power of these individuals."You shoot at me....Then eat this ;'Inferno'You try to overpower me; 'Strength of a Hundred Bulls'. Join the adventure of a human, a man into something much more than just a simple game.
8 103Threads
Three friends get brought to a world to change their fates. In this world, fighting along side your friends makes you stronger, faster, more resiliant to attacks. In order to return home, they must complete the Thread-weaver's challenge.
8 126Island Paradise (Grashien Chronicles Book 1)
The Grashiens have survived in hiding for millenia, peacefully watching over the human race from within. The arrival of one girl sets in motion a chain of events that will be impossible to stop. What will come of this unexpected change in circumstances? How will the tribes react? And will the Grashiens be able to rejoin society for good? Author's note: This is the first book in what is expected to be an eight-book series. The first few chapters aren't very good since they were written when I was about ten, but the quality improves around chapter 7. Please bear with it; I'll try to get the chapters in as soon as possible. Thanks!
8 95HAVEN ✔
Sophie's future is planned out for her. Having just outgrown her studies and Job Placement in a few months, her path is straight and clear. But when her best friend is captured and taken over the wall that protects them from a wild, primitive people, Sophie makes the most uncharacteristic and dangerous decision of her life: follow her into the Outlands and face every fear she's ever known.Once in the Outlands, she realizes that things are not what they seem. There is a force even more sinister lurking on the outside, bigger than anyone had ever imagined. Seeking the help of seemingly one of the most savage Outlanders, with his handsome, brooding demeanor-not to mention his scary-accurate talent with a bow-they go on a mission that will challenge not just their survival, but that of the entire human race. As the two grow closer, Sophie realizes that no one is safe, and the scariest monsters are the ones inside of us.
8 179(VERY OLD)
Arcanist v1. You must've gotten lost. Here, let me show you the way.
8 426Red Eyes
Devil proposes the deal to a successful criminal at death bed... What shall he do after being given the second chance to live?
8 129