Chapter 46: A Friendship Forged in Life and Death

The chirping of birds—where was it coming from? Amid the pungent scents of blood and medicine, there was a surprising hint of fresh bamboo leaves. An unpleasant sting coursed through her body, and Dayin suddenly opened her eyes from a half-conscious daze.

Before her stood several soldiers, their faces filled with panic, hair disheveled, uniforms in disarray. Seeing her awaken abruptly, they rushed forward with excitement. “General, the general is awake!”

At their shout, more soldiers crowded around. Dayin watched them in a haze, her mind still numb.

“The general has just woken, don’t disturb her. You all should leave for now,” came a steady voice.

The soldiers quickly covered their mouths and filed out one by one.

Dayin slowly moved her gaze around—a bamboo hut, sparsely furnished. The voice from earlier appeared in her field of vision, belonging to a masked man dressed in black. He was tall and slender, hair tied back, and behind him stood an old man with a flowery beard carrying a medicine box.

“How do you feel?” he murmured. Dayin watched the emotionless eyes of his, saying nothing.

He beckoned to the old man, who promptly stepped forward to examine her wounds. Her gaze never left the black-clad man.

“The poison is no longer a problem, thanks to timely intervention. The arrowhead was removed, the corrupted flesh excised, stopping the spread of the toxin. Otherwise, even if I possessed miraculous skills, the lady’s arm would likely be lost,” the old man declared.

“Thank you for your efforts,” said the black-clad man calmly.

“I’ve prepared several antidote pills, refined from various herbs. Keep them at hand for convenience. If you wish for full recovery, you’ll need to rest,” the old man advised.

“Thank you, doctor.” The black-clad man drew a silver ingot from his robe and pressed it into the old man’s hand. “You’ve worked tirelessly these days. This is just a token of gratitude.”

The old man smiled. The black-clad man gripped his wrist firmly. “Please, do not speak of today’s events outside. Otherwise, it might bring trouble upon you.”

Half warning, half gratitude—an old man who’d lived most of his life could easily understand such words. He nodded, and only then did the black-clad man release him and respectfully see him out.

Turning to Dayin, he met her gaze. She spoke calmly, “How many days was I unconscious?”

He pondered briefly. “Not long. Two days.”

“You saved me?”

“I happened to pass by.”

Dayin smiled and beckoned him closer. He approached her bed, crouching beside it, his eyes glinting. “What does the general command?”

“You know I am a general?”

“I heard it from your soldiers.”

“How did I come here?”

“You were ambushed outside the forest. Though your soldiers fought bravely, they were outnumbered. I happened upon the scene and brought you here.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“To save those in peril is my duty.”

“Please, thank His Majesty for me,” Dayin said softly, her eyes meeting his.

The masked man paused, then understood. “General—”

“No need to hide it anymore.” Dayin slowly raised her hand, grasping the black cloth on his face. He instinctively tried to evade, but did not, only watching her. “I should have known it was you. Who else would he send?”

She removed the mask, revealing a young face—sharp chin, narrow eyes, usually stern lips now softened into a slight smile at her words. “Commander of the Imperial Guards, Ji.”

“The soldiers were right,” Ji smiled. “I serve at the Emperor’s side.”

“After this battle, I truly believe you are his man,” Dayin sighed. “Who else would know of my danger so quickly? Who else would come to my rescue?”

Ji replied, “My identity outside is as a member of the Dai family.”

Dayin nodded, “He must have his reasons for that.”

Ji regarded her, his expression serious. “His Majesty feared the Dai family would harm you, so he sent me here to support you.”

“Did you see who fired the arrows?”

“I never entered the forest, so I did not witness it. But based on what I know, it was likely not the Nangong faction.”

Dayin’s gaze was somber. “Why?”

“Because you are a rare talent, and Nangong would wish to capture you alive, to serve him. If he values you so highly, why would he secretly try to kill you? Besides, such base acts are not something the veteran General Quan would commit.”

“So you suspect the Dai family?” Dayin’s eyes sharpened, belying her weakness.

“Not suspicion—certainty,” Ji replied.

“Oh?”

“Dai Yuheng stated that the campaign against Nangong was his idea, hoping to kill two birds with one stone. Since Nangong failed to eliminate his target, he took matters into his own hands. And what death is more natural than one on the battlefield?”

Dayin smiled faintly. “The Commander has great insight, which matches my own.”

“You guessed already?”

“I suspected. Now, your words confirm it.” Dayin glanced at her tightly bound shoulder, wrapped like a rice dumpling. “My injury should be fine now?”

“We can travel. Once back in the Central Palace, His Majesty will summon the best imperial physicians for you.”

“To return to the Central Palace…” She sighed. “I wonder what charges Dai Huang will concoct against me this time.”

“Rest assured, General.” Ji looked at her with sympathy. “His Majesty will not always be swayed by the Ziyu Palace’s influence—he will do his utmost to protect you.”

“To protect me?” Dayin’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Indeed, he should.”

Ji seemed puzzled by her meaning, gazing at her in confusion.

“Call the soldiers in. Let them tidy up; we should depart.”

“Yes!”

Down a remote path, Ji, masked in black, rode ahead. Dayin sat in a swaying carriage, two warhorses providing the strength, soldiers briskly walking alongside, scanning their surroundings with vigilance.

As sunset approached, Ji halted atop a hill and gazed into the distance, sighting a heavily guarded post station. He exhaled, ran to the carriage, knocked softly, and said, “General, we have crossed the border and entered Central Palace territory.”

Dayin’s tired voice answered, “Where are we?”

“The border post, where we may rest briefly.” He paused, concern in his tone, “Are you feeling unwell again?”

“I’m fine,” Dayin’s voice was hoarse, as if she were forcing herself.

“General, please follow the physician’s advice and take the antidote— it will help.”

“Alright.”

“General?”

“Let’s hurry. No more delays.”

“Yes.”

Ji spurred his horse, urging the soldiers to quicken their pace. They pressed on to the foot of the mountain. Ji rushed to the post station, where two soldiers ran out to meet him. The three conferred briefly, and the pair hurried to Dayin’s carriage.

“General, we have awaited your arrival. Please, follow us!”

The accompanying soldiers needed no instructions, jogging ahead.

Inside a clean and elegant room, Dayin was carefully settled. An elder with a medicine box immediately came forward to check her pulse and complexion, then reassured the tense crowd, “Please rest easy, General Dayin is safe, merely weak. With a few days’ rest, she’ll recover.” Only then did the group relax.

The old man took several herbs from his box, bundled them neatly, and placed them by the bedside. “These are to detoxify and nourish. Take them regularly and you’ll soon be healed.”

“Thank you,” Dayin managed a smile.

The group escorted the old man out. Ji closed the door, shutting out the noise. Dayin exhaled and laughed, “You’ve really gone to great lengths.”

“It’s my duty,” Ji answered.

“Even imperial physicians were summoned here. You are truly dedicated,” Dayin remarked with a smile.

Ji looked slightly embarrassed, forgetting that Dayin, familiar with the palace, would recognize these veteran physicians. “All this was arranged by His Majesty. If you wish to thank anyone, thank him.”

“Him again?” Dayin murmured.

“Now that you are safe, I must return to the training camp. If Dai Yuheng notices my absence, he’ll grow suspicious.”

“Your position is awkward; it’s not easy for you to stay away so long.” Dayin turned to him. “Your rank is not below mine, Commander. You need not address yourself as a subordinate.”

“General,” Ji smiled, “I serve His Majesty, so naturally I am your subordinate.”

Dayin fell silent.

Ji was about to open the door when it suddenly pushed inward from outside, a burst of noise filling the quiet room. “General! Has the general returned?”

Ji had no time to rebuke them, as Dayin’s eyes widened in disbelief at the newcomer. “Geng?!”

Bandages hung from his body, and he was sniffling and crying—wasn’t this the young, reckless commander Chang Geng?

“General, thank heavens you returned alive! You don’t know how afraid Chang Geng was that he’d never see you again!” Ignoring decorum, Chang Geng threw himself at Dayin’s bedside, sobbing as if reunited with his long-lost mother.

Dayin was both amused and exasperated, stroking his messy hair like comforting a small animal. “It’s alright, it’s alright. I’ve survived countless battles; I won’t die so easily. I’m back, aren’t I?”

Chang Geng only wept.

The soldiers who followed him inside were uncertain whether to console or restrain him, standing awkwardly at a distance. “Commander, the general’s wounds are just beginning to heal. Don’t disturb her, and mind your own injuries as well.”

Ji shook his head and stepped outside.

Chang Geng could be heard roaring, “My wounds are already healed! After two days of good food and sleep, who wouldn’t recover?”

“Commander…”

“General, please permit Chang Geng to lead a squad back to Yilin!” Chang Geng suddenly declared.

“Yilin?” Dayin was surprised. “Didn’t we just escape from there? It’s full of Nangong’s men…”

“I have to rescue Kaiming!” Chang Geng blurted, halting Ji’s departing steps.

“Kaiming?” Dayin was stunned, her voice changing. “You mean Kaiming is in Yilin?”

“General knows the female soldier Kaiming from the Fourteenth Squad?” Chang Geng was also puzzled.

“She’s in your squad?” Dayin exclaimed. “When did she join you?”

“Just a few days ago,” Chang Geng replied, frustrated. “I don’t know who she offended, but she was assigned to me. At first, I underestimated her, but she’s saved me twice. Now she’s still in Yilin, fate unknown.”

“Kaiming saved you?” Dayin was astonished. She knew the timid female soldier—surviving was impressive enough, but to save her own commander?

“She is both brave and wise—a friend worth having,” Chang Geng declared firmly. “General, please permit me to save this comrade in life and death!”