Chapter Sixty-Four: Miss, You Are So Heavy!

At last, the fire in the pile of wood roared to life. The wild wolf, poised to lunge at Qin Cheng, let out a startled yelp at the sudden blaze. Instinctively, it shrank back. Seizing the chance, Qin Cheng swung his long blade, slicing a chunk of flesh and bone from the wolf’s skull. The beast howled in agony, its strength fading at once. Qin Cheng pressed his advantage and finished it off beneath his knife.

Just as he turned to aid Miss Kong, he saw another wolf hurtling toward her, only to be struck square in the head by an arrow. The animal was flung sideways, collapsed to the ground, twitched its limbs a few times, and then fell still.

“Go!” Qin Cheng grabbed Miss Kong’s hand. Three men, clad as hunters, were running toward them. The eldest, a robust man of about thirty, waved urgently before he even reached Qin Cheng: “General, hurry! If we linger any longer, the wolf pack will catch up and it will be too late!”

With the general’s black armor marking his identity, Qin Cheng was easy to recognize.

“Very well!” Qin Cheng did not stand on ceremony. He took Miss Kong by the hand and followed the man. The other two hunters quickly positioned themselves behind them, arrows nocked and eyes wary as they watched the woods. Qin Cheng had not gone far when he looked back and saw that Miss Kong was gritting her teeth, her expression twisted in pain. Only then did he remember the wound on her leg and asked in alarm, “Has your injury split open?”

Miss Kong shook her head. “It’s just a small wound, nothing to worry about. Don’t mind me.”

“Brother, get the general out of here! The wolves are almost upon us!” one of the younger hunters, stationed at the rear, called out as he hurried after them.

“General, come with me!” urged the eldest, his tone anxious.

Qin Cheng glanced at Miss Kong, apologized with a quick “Forgive me, miss,” and lifted her onto his back, following the leading hunter down the mountain.

Though Miss Kong was embarrassed to be carried, there were no other options; survival was all that mattered now. If she slowed them down, it would endanger everyone. She said nothing more, her cheeks flushed, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.

Qin Cheng, bearing Miss Kong, darted through the woods under the hunter’s guidance. Fortunately, the moonlight was bright that night, making the escape easier. The two younger hunters followed close behind, never overtaking him.

The howls of wolves echoed faintly in the distance. Perhaps the fire Qin Cheng had set earlier delayed the pack, or perhaps their own pace was swift, for the wolves never caught up.

It proved wise that Qin Cheng had chosen this direction when leaving the cave. After nearly an hour of running, they emerged from the forest. Beyond its edge, a cluster of lanterns shimmered—not a small number, surely a village.

“We’re safe now, General. You can rest easy,” the leading hunter said, breathing heavily as he turned back to Qin Cheng. Relief was evident on his face.

Qin Cheng, drenched in sweat from carrying someone across the rugged mountain paths, was finally able to set Miss Kong down. Without thinking, he told her, “Miss, you’re quite heavy!”

Miss Kong’s eyes, filled with gratitude, had been shining with a deep blush—her demeanor almost as if she longed to offer herself to him in thanks. But at his words, her face flushed an even deeper red, this time with annoyance. Though she could not bring herself to scold someone who had just saved her life, she still turned away with a huff.

“Thank you, brave sirs, for coming to our rescue. I am deeply indebted to you,” Qin Cheng said, seeing he had offended Miss Kong and, not wanting to embarrass her further, turned to thank the eldest hunter instead.

“General, please, there’s no need for such formality. My brothers and I are mere country folk; we don’t deserve such honor. The privilege of aiding you today is our good fortune—please, don’t humble us so,” replied the eldest, bowing in return.

“No matter. If not for you, I would have perished in those woods today. My thanks are well deserved.”

After some polite exchanges, they all made their way to the brothers’ home. The three were hunters of the village, living with their elderly mother. Upon hearing that her sons had saved a general, the old woman was overjoyed. Despite the late hour, she insisted on cooking for Qin Cheng herself, and he, unable to decline, accepted her kindness and offered a deep bow in gratitude.

Qin Cheng dined with the three brothers, while Miss Kong, as a young woman, joined their mother in conversation. The brothers, though proud to have rescued the general, were at first uneasy sharing a table with him. Qin Cheng put them at ease with warm words and a hearty, approachable manner, and soon the atmosphere became more relaxed.

In their conversation, Qin Cheng learned the brothers’ surname was Ran, and that they were renowned among the village hunters. The youngest, Ran Min, was especially skilled with a bow. Though only seventeen or eighteen, he had not yet served on the frontier. Qin Cheng, hoping to recruit him, asked for a demonstration. That night, in the darkness, Ran Min shot a crow perched a hundred paces away. The bird fell silent, struck dead in an instant. Qin Cheng was astonished and studied the young man closely. Ran Min had striking features, a refined air, and a tall, robust frame that exuded both scholarly grace and a hunter’s vigor.

Satisfied, Qin Cheng invited him to join the army, promising a bright future. The older brothers were moved to tears and offered deep bows of gratitude.

But Ran Min himself seemed reluctant. While his brothers prostrated themselves before Qin Cheng, he stood aside, unwilling to kneel. Sensing this, Qin Cheng asked, “What is it, Ran Min? Do you not wish to come?”

Ran Min hesitated, then replied, “Please forgive me, General. It’s not that I’m unwilling, but I don’t wish for you to grant me a future simply because my brothers and I saved your life. Such a thing would not befit a true man.”

“Oh?” Qin Cheng raised an eyebrow, admiring the young man’s spirit. His resolve to recruit Ran Min only firmed. “You’re mistaken, Ran Min. I, Qin Cheng, may not be a great hero, but I do not use my power for favoritism. I ask you to serve under me because of your talent, not out of gratitude. Once you’re in the army, everything will depend on your own merit. I’ll give you a soldier’s uniform, but your achievements will be your own.”

Ran Min froze, then his face lit up in surprise. “General, are you truly Qin Cheng? The same Qin General who, not long ago, crushed the Xiongnu cavalry and slew the Left Bone Commander?”

Qin Cheng laughed. “It was the Han army that defeated the Xiongnu, not me alone. Don’t give me all the credit!”

“It is truly General Qin! I have long admired your exploits. To meet you in person today is a blessing beyond compare. Forgive my earlier rudeness, General. Please, accept my bow!” Ran Min, overcome, dropped to his knees. “If I am fortunate enough to serve under you, I will give my life in your service!”

“General Qin, please accept our bows as well!” his older brothers followed suit.

“My little brother has always been proud of his talent, General. He holds no one in esteem unless they are true heroes. But you—he has always admired you, saying that a real man should be like General Qin: wielding a three-foot blade, cutting down the Xiongnu! Now that he has met you, General, please forgive his earlier disrespect, and let him follow you into battle to make a name for himself!” pleaded the eldest, Ran Dahuo, his voice trembling with emotion.

“Rise, all of you. Please, don’t kneel,” Qin Cheng said, hurrying to help them up.

At that moment, the brothers’ mother, supported by Miss Kong, entered the courtyard. “General Qin,” she said, “my son may be unworthy, but he has a loyal heart. Please, do not turn him away! I would be eternally grateful.” She made as if to kneel, but Qin Cheng quickly caught her, preventing her from doing so.

“Please, madam, there’s no need for such formality. Ran Min is exactly the kind of talent the army needs. I would be a fool not to accept him—unless you cannot bear to part with him?”

“I can bear it, I can bear it! A man should serve his country, win honor in battle. Even a simple woman like me knows: the nation comes before the family,” she replied, eager to see her son accepted.

“Very well. Then today I promise you, I will take Ran Min into my ranks, to fight for the Han, to safeguard our borders!” Qin Cheng declared.

“Thank you, General Qin!” the three brothers chorused as they knelt once more.

Off to the side, Miss Kong watched with a complicated expression, her head bowed.

With the mood so stirred, Ran Dahuo and his brothers insisted on sharing a rough cup of wine with Qin Cheng, to properly play host. Qin Cheng could not refuse, and so they returned to the main room to eat and drink, talking all the while.

Qin Cheng, exhausted from a day of fleeing through the woods and carrying Miss Kong for an hour, soon drifted into a deep sleep after the feast.

The next morning, when he awoke and went to look for Miss Kong, he learned she had already left. She had also left behind a few words for him. Qin Cheng took the brown cloth from Ran Min’s hand and read:

“I owe you my life, General, and my gratitude is beyond words. My departure without farewell is out of necessity. Please, do not blame me. If we meet again, I will give you an explanation.”

After reading her note, Qin Cheng gazed toward the village entrance and murmured, “Miss, do you really think I don’t know your true identity? That you are the one who incited the Zhao traitors and orchestrated this attempt on my life—the daughter of the Xiongnu Chanyu, the Xiongnu Princess?”

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There have been many matters lately; I will make up the missing word count tomorrow.