Chapter Three: Bonds of Loyalty

After running less than ten miles, Ling Luo suddenly said, “Prepare a swift horse and provisions. At a point five miles ahead, let Junior Brother Chu dismount; from there, he can take a different route back to Chu, and it will be faster.”

A general immediately objected, “For the distinguished grandson of the King of Chu to return in such a manner might make it seem as though our great state of Zheng has not treated its guest with due courtesy. I believe it would be better to invite him to the capital to be our guest for some time…”

Though the words sounded polite, the hidden malice was clear. Chu Gaoge’s expression changed at once, and Ling Luo, enraged, rebuked the general, “Nonsense! The states of Chu and Zheng have long been allies. Now, with the situation so dire, would the King of Chu blame us for a lack of ceremony?”

Still unwilling to give up, the general called out to the princess, hoping she would make the decision.

“The Marquis of Xin speaks with wisdom.”

Chu Gaoge could not help but feel grateful and bowed in thanks to them. Had he been escorted to Zheng’s capital, he would never have returned; Zheng, fearing that Chu might take advantage of their plight, would have kept him as a hostage, forcing Chu to send troops to aid them against the joint armies of the Black Wolf and Han. Chu Gaoge understood this well, as did Ling Luo and Princess Tianlai, yet they chose to let him go, and his gratitude was sincere.

“Though the situation is urgent, I wish to share hardship with my senior brother. I could never abandon him and flee alone. Once we reach safety, then I shall take my leave!”

“Good! With such loyalty, I will not try to persuade you further, lest I insult your honor.”

The accompanying generals could hardly argue further.

They fled for several more miles, when the escorting military commander reported that a great cloud of dust was rising behind them—the Black Wolf army was in pursuit. He requested permission to stay behind and cover the retreat.

“Press onward. In five miles, we’ll reach the mountain road to Pi County—there’s only one bridge. Once we cross, we’ll be safe.”

The escorting soldiers were filled with confidence.

At this moment, Princess Tianlai spoke again, “Ahead is a mountain road—the carriage will only slow us down. There are four horses; why not cut the traces, mount, and ride?”

Ling Luo immediately agreed, and the four of them hurriedly got out. Many of the soldiers had thought the same, but since the princess was noble, none dared suggest that she ride, fearing the hardship. Now, seeing she had made the suggestion herself, they all praised her in their hearts.

The carriage horses had no saddles, but the soldiers vied to offer their own mounts, not allowing the four to sit bareback. So as not to waste time, the four accepted the soldiers’ kindness and exchanged horses.

Before departing, a general smashed the carriage wheels with his sword, using the wreckage to block the road.

Riding hard for three miles, it became clear that their mounts were ill-suited to mountain paths. The Black Wolf army, some of whom were accustomed to mountain life, rode surefooted steeds and soon began to close in. The shouts of their pursuers could be heard behind. Not daring to look back, everyone whipped their horses onward.

After another half mile, arrows began to fly, but the distance was still too great; by the time they reached their targets, they had lost all force, only making faint sounds as they struck the escorts’ armor.

“We’re almost there! There’s the bridge!”

Bu Jingxian had heard of this treacherous pass, but only seeing it with his own eyes did he realize its value. The ravine on either side was a hundred feet wide, the only crossing a suspension bridge. Once they were over, cutting the ropes would ensure their safety.

As they neared, a soldier swung a heavy weapon to shatter rocks and roll them down, buying a moment’s reprieve from the enemy’s pursuit.

Just as they were about to cross, Bu Jingxian’s horse suddenly stumbled and fell. Not wishing to burden the others, he urged them on.

“Go! I’ll catch up after I clear this stone from my horse’s hoof.”

The situation urgent, Ling Luo knew not to argue, telling him to hurry and then escorting the princess across.

Bu Jingxian quickly pried out the sharp stone, helped the horse to its feet, but saw its injured leg could not bear weight. He was about to lead it on when the rubble just broken up by the escorting soldiers suddenly exploded apart.

A horde of Black Wolf soldiers charged out, shouting battle cries.

On the other side, Ling Luo shouted anxiously, “Hurry!”

Many of the flying stones struck Bu Jingxian’s back, two large rocks hitting him so hard he staggered and nearly fell. Regaining his balance, he saw six or seven lances already thrusting toward him. He let go of the reins, slapped the horse’s flank, and sent it galloping over the bridge.

Halfway across, Bu Jingxian suddenly stopped and turned to fight the Black Wolf soldiers pressing after him.

He realized that if he simply fled, the Black Wolf army would cross too, dooming the others.

Ling Luo, seeing him stop, cried out in desperation, “Junior Brother, run!”

“You all go! I’ll catch up!”

“Nonsense! Go!” Ling Luo shouted, watching as the Black Wolf soldiers pressed Bu Jingxian back, step by step. He was about to go help when suddenly his neck went cold, his vision blackened, and he fainted.

Chu Gaoge struck Ling Luo unconscious with a palm, then apologized to Princess Tianlai, “Forgive me, but Senior Brother’s affection runs too deep for reason in such a moment—I had no other choice.”

Princess Tianlai, angered, began to rebuke him, “If Marquis Xin can do this, do you think I would abandon—”

Before she could finish, Chu Gaoge struck again, a single finger leaving her reeling. An attendant caught her as she nearly fell.

“Forgive me, all of you—both the princess and Marquis Xin are too important to risk today.”

None of the soldiers blamed him for his rudeness; all knew the princess and Marquis Xin could not be allowed to jeopardize the escape. They hoisted the two onto horses and rode on.

Before leaving, Chu Gaoge looked back, torn, and gazed at Bu Jingxian still desperately fighting the Black Wolf soldiers. He hesitated, then drew his treasured sword from his back and hurled it with all his might, shouting, “Third Brother! I hope you can return this sword to me in person one day!”

The sword landed with a spinning roll, yet did no damage to the wooden bridge.

Hearing the shout, Bu Jingxian knew they were leaving. Though this was what he wanted, he felt this was likely a final farewell, separation by death. He doubted he would ever return Chu Gaoge’s sword; he knew that this gesture was a true expression of feeling—though Chu Gaoge did not believe he would survive, he left the sword as aid, expressing his guilt at not being able to accompany him through life and death.

“Second Brother, go!”

“Take care!” Chu Gaoge called, then whipped his horse and sped off.

Princess Tianlai, still partly conscious as she was lifted onto a horse, felt the animal galloping ahead. She saw Bu Jingxian’s silhouette receding on the bridge. She tried to reach for him, but he only grew more distant; she tried to call out, but her voice was so faint even she could not hear it. Tears streamed down her cheeks beneath her veil, uncontrollable.

Chu Gaoge soon caught up with the Zheng generals, and after five miles of hard riding, he saw a cloud of brilliant color sweeping across the land ahead. Recognizing the robes of the Flying Immortal Sect, he knew they were saved. He rode forward, calling, “Sect Leader of the Flying Immortal Sect, my third brother has stayed behind to cover our retreat!”

The new sect leader, Zheng Linran, immediately formed a plan. Before Chu Gaoge could finish, she said urgently, “I must trouble you all to lead the way for our sect’s disciples. I’ll go ahead and rescue him myself!”

With that, she spurred her horse to a gallop. The others, thinking her anxious to save her betrothed, hurried after her with the Flying Immortal disciples, the Zheng soldiers following for fear of mishap. But Zheng Linran’s steed was swift as the wind; soon, she was out of sight.

Chu Gaoge borrowed a sturdy horse from a Flying Immortal disciple and gave chase, praying he would arrive in time. After a mile, two riders thundered up from behind. Chu Gaoge saw that the woman on the left wore a robe of golden brocade and a phoenix-patterned gold ornament in her hair—surely this was Elder Qiu Ye, famed as the greatest martial master under heaven at the Shenwu Arena.

He recognized the one at Qiu Ye’s side as well, also dressed in gold brocade. To his surprise, July—whom he had met before—had changed greatly, now a favored companion of Elder Qiu Ye.

July and Qiu Ye had both been in the Zheng capital when they received the sect leader Zheng Linran’s summons, learning that Princess Tianlai was heading to Mount Beiling to meet Marquis Xin Ling Luo and bring him back. They galloped to rendezvous, and upon arrival, heard from the Zheng soldiers that the third disciple of the Northern Spirit Sect had stayed behind alone to cover the retreat. Anxious, July spurred her horse on, ignoring Qiu Ye’s calls, so the elder could only leave the main group and ride with her.

July thought of years of separation, of finally meeting again in such a moment. She remembered their many hardships, how Bu Jingxian, exhausted, would still carry her on his back, how he had even saved her with his own blood on Mount Beiling. July’s heart clenched with sorrow, and she could only fight back tears.

But she was no longer a child—she could not cry. Nor did she dare speak, for fear that opening her mouth would bring forth tears.

The Bu brother in her heart was as loyal and kind as ever. Among so many Zheng soldiers, only he would risk his life to hold back the enemy alone.

‘Heaven is just, the immortals are watching—someone as good as my Brother Bu will not be allowed to perish! He won’t, he won’t…’