Lin Muyu pulled out the arrow from Qin Lei's arm, hugged him, and said in a trembling voice, "It's okay, it's okay, Brother Qin Lei … I will protect her in your place, I won't let anyone hurt her …"
Qin Lei didn't say anything, his body gradually turning cold, and the last strength of his life slowly faded away.
Wei Chou, Xiahou Sang, and the other imperial guards all dismounted and knelt on the ground, tears flowing uncontrollably.
The imperial guards of the Qin Empire, the commander of the imperial guards, Qin Lei, had died for his country!
…
"Get on the horse and find Her Highness Yin!"
Lin Muyu mounted the horse and wiped away the tears on his face. He thought he was just a passerby in this world, but today, he was no longer.
On the roadside, groups of refugees escaped from Lanyan City, but what awaited them were more and more hunting teams.
Lin Muyu held the Dragon Spirit Sword and rode back and forth with Wei Chou, Xiahou Sang, and the others, but didn't kill anyone. In front of them, a group of ragged commoners were scared out of their wits when they saw them in the Yihe Nation's military uniform, but they couldn't run anymore. They just sat in the forest and cried bitterly.
Lin Muyu took a deep breath and rode forward, saying, "Don't cry, we're not from the Yihe Nation. Let me ask you, do you know where Her Highness Qin Yin is?"
"You … you're not from the Yihe Nation?" a young girl about 20 years old asked while crying.
"Yes, no, we're the imperial army, but we've changed into the Yihe Nation's uniform."
"Then you …" The young girl suddenly burst into tears, rushing forward and waving her fists to hit Lin Muyu, crying and saying, "You trash … What imperial army, you actually let the dogs of the Yihe Nation kill so many innocent commoners. You're not the imperial army, you're just a bunch of trash, a bunch of useless trash!"
Lin Muyu endured her beating without saying a word. Perhaps she deserved it. Every imperial soldier had an undeniable responsibility for the fall of Lanyan City.
On the side, Wei Chou's eyes were cold, and he shouted in a low voice, "Enough! Do you think we don't want to fight? Do you think we have fewer casualties? Do you know that the 17,000 soldiers of the Flying Mount Battalion have already been annihilated? Do you know that in order to save you, only 1,000 of the 20,000 soldiers of the empire were left in the Longdan Army Camp? Do you know that the commander of the Imperial Guards, Qin Lei, and the commander of the Flying Mount Battalion, Chu Huaiying, have already died for their country? Do you know that the person you are fighting has killed hundreds of Yihe soldiers? Yes, you're all civilians. You can choose not to participate in the war, but … Lanyan City is our home. No one can shirk the responsibility for the destruction of our home. We're soldiers, and it's our duty to fight for our country. But … please don't humiliate our dignity as soldiers! "
The young girl stood there in a daze. After a long while, she sobbed and said, "Can … can we still go home in the future?"
"I will."
Lin Muyu said softly, "Lanyan City will definitely be recovered. It won't take long. Run as far as you can. When you hear the news that Lanyan City has been recovered, you can go home."
"Thank you, my lord."
"Let's go."
The group of civilians stood up and left. At this moment, an old man holding a horse-head zither came over and said, "My lord, the person you're looking for is Her Highness Qin Yin … This old man doesn't know her, but I saw a group of people just now. Among them, there was a woman with an extraordinary bearing. She didn't look like a woman from an ordinary family, and she was holding a zither that looked very expensive …"
"A zither?"
Lin Muyu was stunned and asked, "Where is she?"
"She's in the forest to the east. It happened a few minutes ago."
"Okay, thank you, old man!"
Lin Muyu glanced at Wei Chou and the others and said, "Full speed ahead. We've found Xiao Yin!"
"Okay!"
…
More than a dozen people passed through the forest. Further ahead, there was indeed a group of refugees. There were about 200 people, and all of them were staggering. Lanyan City was huge, and the moment they escaped from Lanyan City, they were already exhausted. Yet, they still had to suffer the pursuit of countless Yihe Kingdom cavalry.
An old woman turned around and saw Lin Muyu and the others. She immediately shouted in terror, "Oh no … oh no, the Yihe Kingdom demons are here again. They're here again!"
However, no one seemed to be able to run. One of the middle-aged men held a shovel and said, "Fight them to the death!"
"Yes, fight them to the death!"
As Lin Muyu galloped over, the man with the shovel suddenly bent down and swept the front hooves of Jiedi. However, Jiedi was a fine horse bred in the Endless Forest, and he leaped to avoid it. Lin Muyu quickly turned back and whispered, "Don't attack, we're not Yihe Kingdom soldiers!"
However, the sound of a sword being unsheathed came from behind. Lin Muyu suddenly turned back and saw the golden God Binding Chains martial soul hovering around the blade. He hurriedly lifted his cloak and shouted, "Xiao Yin, it's me!"
"Ah …"
Qin Yin suddenly cried out, and the Zither and Zither in her hands fell to the ground. She leaped into Lin Muyu's arms and cried loudly, but she didn't say a word.
Lin Muyu hugged Qin Yin and gently stroked her back. After nearly ten minutes, Qin Yin finally raised her head and said, "Yan Lanyan City has fallen … The Empire no longer exists …"
"No, the Empire will be rebuilt, and our home can be rebuilt, but we can't lose confidence." Lin Muyu looked at her deeply and said, "Xiao Yin, you must be strong. All of us are waiting for you to lead us to rebuild the Empire."
Qin Yin responded with a whimper, and her tears fell uncontrollably. "How … is Yan Lanyan City?"
"All four sides of the city wall have fallen."
Lin Muyu said in a trembling voice, "Chu Huaiyin died for the Empire … Qin Lei also died for the Empire …"
"Ah …"
Qin Yin's body trembled slightly, and she looked in the direction of Yan Lanyan City with teary eyes. "What happened to the Empire … Brother Yu, do you have any news of Commander Feng Jixing?"
"No."
Lin Muyu shook her head and said, "Xiao Yin, do you have any news of Qu and Chief Deacon Lei Hong? And … Chu Yao, do you know anything?"
Qin Yin said, "Qu was originally with us, but in order to divert the attention of the Volunteer Soldiers, we got separated. Chief Deacon Lei Hong escorted the medical officers of the Spiritual Medicine Department to seek refuge in the Holy Temple. Sister Chu Yao is among them, but … but I heard that Luo Lan, the God State expert, has already gone to the Holy Temple. I'm afraid … I'm afraid …"
"Sister Chu Yao will be fine …" Lin Muyu said blankly, but even she couldn't convince herself with these words.
At this moment, Wei Chou suddenly said in a low voice, "Commander, there are people coming. They are from the Yihe Nation, and there are at least a thousand cavalrymen. What should we do? If we leave, I'm afraid Princess Yin and the people will … "
"We won't leave!"
Lin Muyu said indifferently, "Even if we die, we must protect this group of people. But don't act rashly. We can't beat a thousand cavalrymen."
"Yes!"
… …
Lin Muyu turned her horse around and walked over to the Yihe Nation soldiers. There was a Captaincy in this group, and when he saw Lin Muyu's military rank, he immediately cupped his fists and smiled. "So it's the general here. This subordinate is Captaincy Ding Xi of Sunset City. I wonder why the general is here … with a group of traitors of the Empire?"
"So it's General Ding Xi."
Lin Muyu smiled and said, "I've been fighting non-stop these days, and my body is a little tired. When I chased here, I found a zither girl in the crowd who knows how to play music, so … heh, I stayed behind to listen to her play a few songs."
Ding Xi's gaze swept across Qin Yin in the crowd, and a trace of shock flashed across his face. Then, he revealed an understanding expression. "The general has a good eye. The Marshal has already ordered the massacre of the city. If the general likes this girl, you can take her with you. Heh … as for these traitors of the Empire, this subordinate will take care of them for the general!"
"No need."
Lin Muyu raised her hand and said, "Don't let the blood spoil the mood. General Ding, go by yourself. This group of people … I will take care of them myself later. Don't worry!"
"Yes, general. Then this subordinate … heh, this subordinate will also stay behind and listen to a song with the general before embarking on the journey."
"Okay."
Lin Muyu sat down cross-legged. Wei Chou, Xiahou Sang, and the others also sat down. Under Lin Muyu's gaze, Qin Yin lifted her cloak to cover her face. She silently sat cross-legged on the grass. After straightening the strings of the zither, she slowly began to play. Her red lips moved slightly, and she sang the battle song of the Qin Empire, "The Ballad of the Autumn Goose." Every word fell on the heart of every soldier of the Empire like a drizzle — The world is vast, the mountains and rivers are vast, the cold moonlight shines into the battlefield, the rice river is green, the breeze is blowing, the warriors of the Empire go to war together to kill all the jackals and wolves, a life of frivolity, who will comfort my wounds, the road home is already impossible to look forward to, only sighing at the high mountains and long rivers, unhindered in all directions, forever defending the country, what harm is there for the soul to return to the ends of the earth? Broken battle robes, warriors, where will the autumn goose be buried, please take my soul back to the hometown …
When the song ended, Wei Chou, Xiahou Sang, and the others all had tears in their eyes. Lin Muyu also felt a lump in her throat, thinking of the deaths of Chu Huaiyin, Qin Lei, and the others. Perhaps, this song of Qin Yin could comfort these dead souls, as well as herself and Wei Chou, the remaining soldiers of the Empire?
Ding Xi's eyes also turned red. He turned over and mounted his horse, cupping his fists, and said, "General, I will take my leave … I hope that General will take care of yourself. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, there is still hope for the future!"
Lin Muyu was stunned. Could it be that Ding Xi already knew that the girl playing the zither was Qin Yin?!
It must be, but Ding Xi actually let them go.
Not long after Ding Xi led his troops away, the sound of hooves came from the east again. A large group of people rushed out of the forest, holding the battle flag of the Longdan Army Camp in their hands. Although this group of people looked battered and exhausted, under the morning light, the Empire's insignia on their chests glowed with a charming luster. It was Luo Yu and the others!
"Milord!"
Luo Yu also recognized Lin Muyu and the others. She immediately dismounted and knelt down, saying, "We … we didn't find Her Highness Ying …"
"It's okay, I found her."
Lin Muyu stretched out her hand and pointed behind her, saying, "Quickly come and greet Her Highness Ying."
Immediately, more than a thousand Longdan Army Camp mercenaries dismounted and knelt down on one knee, saying, "Your subordinates greet Her Highness Ying!"
Qin Yin was moved. She raised her hand, saying, "All of you, rise!"
Lin Muyu said, "Time is of the essence, don't delay anymore. Wei Chou, Luo Yu, the two of you join forces and escort Her Highness Ying out of Lanyan City."
"Milord, where are we going?" Luo Yu asked.
"Dragonrocky Mountain …"
Lin Muyu thought for a moment, then said, "After getting in touch with Cloud Province, escort Her Highness to Twilight Rain City. No matter what, Duke Yun is Her Highness' maternal grandfather, he will protect her."
"Yes."
Looking at the way Lin Muyu mounted the horse, Luo Yu was stunned. She asked, "Milord, where are you going?"
"I … I'm going to look for Chu Yao."
Lin Muyu's expression darkened, and she said, "Once Big Brother Chu Huaiyin is dead, I will be his only relative. I must find Chu Yao, otherwise, I will be letting down Big Brother Chu's spirit in heaven."
"Your subordinate will go with you!"
"Don't be ridiculous, you guys escort Her Highness out of here, I can come and go freely by myself, you guys will only be a burden if you follow me!"
"Yes, Milord …"
"Yu," Qin Yin suddenly called out softly.
"What's the matter, Xiao Yin?" Lin Muyu asked with a smile.
Although Qin Yin's heart was filled with unease, she smiled slightly and gave him her best look, saying, "The mountains are long and the rivers are far, we will meet again if fate allows it."
"Yes, we will meet again!"
Lin Muyu nodded and rode away.
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