《《蛮族之花》 Flower of Wilderness》Yina_bubbles

29、第 29 章 The C

　　Chapter 30 — The Chase

　　The night had become bitterly cold. Xie Zheng rode at the front of the small group, while Suyuan was kept safely against him, wrapped in a thick cloak. Her silver-white hair spilled over the dark fabric, making her look almost unreal beneath the pale moonlight. Behind them, the burning palace slowly disappeared into the darkness.
　　They had not gone far when one of the scouts suddenly raised his hand. "General."
　　Xie Zheng pulled the reins and the riders stopped. For a moment, there was only the sound of wind moving across the grasslands.

　　Then—

　　Thud. Thud. Thud.

　　Sound of hooves.

　　Someone was coming from behind. The scout looked toward the darkness.
　　"Several riders."
　　Xie Zheng's expression hardened.
　　"Younis."

　　The surviving members of the Younis clan had gathered what horses they could find and were pursuing them. They had seen Xie Zheng's soldiers leave the burning palace and clearly had no intention of letting Suyuan escape.
　　"Keep moving," Xie Zheng ordered. "Don't let them surround us."
　　The riders immediately formed around him. Suyuan stirred weakly. "Are they following us?"
　　"Yes."
　　She opened her eyes.
　　"You should leave me."
　　Xie Zheng looked down at her.
　　"No."
　　"They won't stop."
　　"Neither will we."

　　There was no anger in his voice just certainty. The Younis riders were getting closer. An arrow flew through the darkness and struck the ground several steps ahead. The soldiers immediately tightened their formation.
　　"Protect the General!" Another arrow came. This time, one of Xie Zheng's riders knocked it aside.
　　Xie Zheng urged his horse forward.

　　The entire group accelerated toward the distant border. Suyuan could hear the pounding hooves beneath her but she was too weak to sit properly, so Xie Zheng kept one arm firmly around her while controlling the reins with the other. Behind them, the Younis riders continued the pursuit. "They're gaining," one soldier called.
　　Xie Zheng glanced toward the horizon. The border was still far ahead.
　　"Don't fight them unless they get close. Save your strength."

　　The riders pushed onward. Suyuan slowly opened her eyes again. Through the darkness, she could see the first faint line of mountains ahead.
　　The border.
　　Xian was on the other side. For the first time in a long while, something unfamiliar stirred inside her.
　　Not happiness.
　　Not yet.
　　Just the smallest possibility that perhaps she had not reached the end of her story.

　　Behind them, another group of riders appeared over the ridge.The Younis clan had not given up and Xie Zheng looked back once. Then he lowered his voice.
　　"Hold on, Suyuan."
　　She barely heard him but this time, she did not tell him to leave her behind. The border was getting closer and the chase had only just begun.

作者有话说

"Thanks for sticking around! ✨ Safe for now, and stronger together!"