She stood atop the city wall, armor protecting her as her cloak billowed in the wind. With heroic bearing, she fought the enemy, blood spattering across the banners. Her gaze was cold and resolute as she defended the people of Luzhou.
Below the wall, devastation stretched as far as the eye could see. Xidan troops had breached the gates, setting fires and looting as the terrified people fled in disarray.
The young lady drew her bow, took aim, and shot down an enemy soldier, saving the little girl beneath his blade: Lu Ge.
In that moment, I thought I had seen a god.
Later, Luzhou fell, and the young lady was imprisoned.
Before the master died, he told me to protect the young lady.
I rushed into the prison and saw her in a prisoner's uniform, covered in wounds. She was curled up in a corner, her hair tangled and disheveled, her life hanging by a thread, as if she might break at the slightest touch. My eyes misted over in an instant. I regretted choosing to return to Jiangzhou.
I killed everyone who had tortured her and carried her on my back, but another wave of soldiers appeared.
"Xie Qi, go. Help me reclaim Luzhou." The young lady lay across my shoulder, speaking weakly. She knew we would never both make it out of here.
A mere handful of men couldn't stop me.
But they kept coming, like shoots after the rain. I'd cut down one wave, and another would appear.
Warm blood splashed across my face. Gradually, I could no longer feel its warmth. They no longer dared charge at me. I carried the young lady forward, step by step, toward the light. They kept retreating.
Finally, stepping over one corpse after another, I carried the young lady out of the dark, narrow prison cell. The light fell on me, warm and bright.
The next moment, I suddenly dropped to one knee. Thankfully, I had my sword planted on the ground to keep me from falling.
"My lady, we're out," I said with a smile.
I didn't look back at her. My face was covered in blood.
Theme: Look ahead
