Chapter 5 The Soldier in Black Armor

  Ten young men from the village of Ye Lin and a sorrel horse turned into the forest, full of anticipation for their journey over the next few days. It wasn't until two or three watches later that they realized how unprepared they were.

  The old woman prepared enough dry rations for two people to eat for three days, but in a short while, they were all eaten up by ten young men, and it was just as a snack, no one felt full.

  The excitement of running away from home gradually disappeared, near dusk, the boys began to shout one by one that they were hungry, only ten-year-old Tu Zi even cried and wanted to go home, at this time, Er Shuang Ke had no way out, in his grand plan, he never considered the problem of food.

  Two pawns had no choice but to temporarily yield the position of leader to Xiao Qiu.

  Xiao Qiu assigned tasks, Da Liang took two people to pick fruit nearby, Er Liang took two people to collect firewood, Xiao Qiu personally went down to the river to find fish and clams, Fangfang and Zao Hongma stayed in place.

  Half an hour later, night fell and a small bonfire was lit on the empty ground. The aroma of grilled fish and shellfish wafted through the air. Er Liang's body always carried something like salt, which came in handy now. He used sour wild fruits to season the meal. Even Tu Zi forgot about his family's dinner at home, claiming this was the most fragrant meal he had ever had. Then he revealed a small secret: "Fang Fang has a gap between her teeth, just like me."

  Tu zi actually wasn't bald, with a round face embedded with two shiny eyes. He didn't originally have the qualifications to play with Er Shuang and his gang, until he secretly brought out a batch of candied fruit from his family's grocery store to bribe Er Shuang, promising to contribute another package every few days, only then was he able to become one of them.

  In this small group, he still hasn't found his place and often blurts out inappropriate words. This time was no exception. Everyone was enjoying their meal when they heard him speak and turned to look at Fangfang.

  The bald man actively opened his mouth, showing off his big teeth, and made a humming noise to indicate that Fang Fang was just like him.

  That's why he laughed loudly after fighting with Fangfang, and also the reason why Fangfang never liked to talk.

  Fang Fang had just finished eating half a grilled fish, her lips tightly closed, her cheeks flushed red, and her hands covering her mouth, not letting anyone see.

  The young people didn't quite understand politeness. After half a day together, they were already very familiar with each other. The more Fangfang tried to cover up, the more everyone stared at her without blinking. Erliang curiously asked: "Fangfang's teeth aren't even fully grown yet, and your dad is already planning to marry you off? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"

  Fang Fang didn't say a word, but Er Shuang spoke up: "It was my dad who was anxious, he invited the fortune teller from Xiao'erbao to come and said that my brother's horoscope is unlucky this year, so he must get married in the summer to ward off the evil spirits, so..."

  "Your brother is an idiot, he's already at a disadvantage, what's there to be afraid of?" Er Liang asked in confusion.

  Er Biao's face was redder than Fang Fang's, and he said loudly: "That's my brother, no matter what, he must be alive. I just don't believe in the fortune teller's words, one look at him is a cheat."

  Er Liang wanted to speak, but was stopped by his brother Da Liang. Fang Fang finally spoke up, her hands still covering her mouth, her voice a bit muffled, "Actually, it was my father who suggested getting married as soon as possible."

  "Why?" The bald man's mouth was stuffed with fruit, his voice even more muffled. "Is your family short of money to spend?"

  Fang Fang slowly shook her head, "No, my father thinks he's ill, he's afraid... I have no one to take care of me."

  "Huh? You still want to run away with me watching? I saw it, you jumped onto the horse yourself, not Little Qiu pulling you up." Er Liang said in confusion.

  "I can take care of myself," Fangfang said stiffly, casting a quick glance at Xiaqiu. "Besides, my father isn't seriously ill, he's just a bit weak and thinks too much."

  The bald man swallowed the food in his mouth, his eyes gleaming with excitement and a hint of pride. Among this group of people, he was the most excited. "Little Autumn brother, I really admire you, daring to snatch the bride in front of the whole town. I heard Liu Er say that it was he who instigated you to snatch the person, but when the Shen family came to the door, he didn't dare to make a sound, haha, it's killing me..."

  Upon hearing others' praise, Xia Qiu's face turned slightly red, and suddenly she understood something - Er Shuang changed his mind to help not only to spite her father, but also to compete for "fame". Xia Qiu looked up and glanced at him, and indeed Er Shuang looked quite displeased.

  Tu Zi was still not satisfied, his two eyes shining brightly under the light of the fire, "Little Autumn brother, how did you think to use the Surprise Horse move? It really scared everyone, my mother hurt her leg and has been yelling in pain, saying that when you get back she's going to hit you a couple of times."

  It's just that Baldy didn't have any intention of remembering hatred, and instead was extremely envious.

  Xiao Qiu's face turned even redder, and she scratched her head, "It was a sudden thought, seeing the crowd, it just came to me all at once."

  "Xiao Qiuge had wanted to save Fangfang for a long time and even asked us for help, unfortunately..." Er Liang said with a hint of regret. If it weren't for his brother stopping him, he would have become one of the "youth heroes" of Yelin Town along with Xiao Qiuge. The people around them had all finished eating and drinking, but he was still holding onto the last half of a large river clam, forcing himself to swallow it down, refusing to waste food. As he chewed, he asked: "Xiao Qiuge, how did you think of saving Fangfang?"

  Baldy hastily said: "Because Fangfang is Little Autumn's wife."

  Fang Fang buried her entire face in her palms, and Xiao Qiu hastily shook her head, "No, no, I... have nothing to do with that person."

  "Huh, why is that? Are you going to be a hero and help me out?" the bald man asked.

  Xiao Qiu was even less willing to speak, shaking his head repeatedly. However, when Fang Fang revealed a curious gaze from behind her palm, he hesitated and awkwardly removed his straw hat, fanning himself in front of him, "It's really hot."

  "Xiao Qiuge had a dream." Da Liang couldn't help but ask, as he was the only one who knew, "He dreamed that Fangfang came to him for help."

  The boys simultaneously made strange noises, they had only a vague concept of love, and it was more accurate to say that they felt amused rather than envious. Xia Qiu's face turned red as she picked up a shell and threw it over, "Shut your mouth."

  Daliang smiled and dodged away. After straightening up, an idea suddenly occurred to him, and he said loudly: "Let Xia Qiu and Fang Fang get married!"

  The boys were full and wanted to do something to vent their excess energy, they suddenly shouted in unison, Fangfang's face was hidden behind her palm again, among the group of boys she felt isolated and rarely spoke.

  Xiao Qiu shook her head even more vigorously, "No way, no way, I... just won't do it."

  Daliang and Erlang led the way, several young men rushed forward, lifted up Xia Qiu and pushed her towards Fangfang. The others shouted around them to add to the excitement, startling the birds in the forest into flight.

  Xiao Qiu struggled with all her might and finally managed to save Er Shuang.

  "Alright, alright, that's enough. Listen to me," Er Bing said, holding back the rowdy crowd. His companions stopped in their tracks as he placed a hand on Xiao Qiu's shoulder, speaking in a tone reminiscent of an elder: "Don't worry, you'll eventually marry Fang Fang."

  "I wasn't in a hurry anyway." Xia Qiu shook off the other person's hand. "No, I didn't save Fangfang for the sake of getting married."

  No one believed Xia Qiu's words, and Er Bing didn't believe them either. "Wait until we arrive at Xi Jie City, I'll let my uncle take charge and preside over the wedding ceremony for you two, then everything will be proper."

  "What about your father? Will he agree?" the bald man asked worriedly.

  "It's nothing, my uncle and dad don't get along." Er Bao made up his mind to make this happen, to become the leader of the young people in Ye Lin Town, even if it means offending his father.

  The young man's enthusiasm came and went quickly. Since Er Mao had spoken up, no one insisted on continuing the conversation, and they chatted idly around the bonfire.

  "The Xuanfu Army is here!" a loud voice shouted from behind the trees. Xia Qiu and Er Chui almost jumped up at the same time, nervously looking around in all directions.

  It was Dizzy who ran out, he just went behind the tree to pee and decided to play a joke on everyone.

  "You're not Xuanfu Army, you're a barbarian monster!" Upon discovering the truth, Er Bing accelerated to full speed and pounced on him, "I am the real Xuanfu Army!"

  Before long, the well-fed young men rushed to join in, grabbing and fighting each other. The youngest bald boy danced on the sidelines, cheering everyone on, while Fangfang covered her mouth and laughed so hard she was doubled over.

  This was a game often played by the young men of Ye Lin Town, simple yet barbaric, just right for expending excess energy. A moment later, the young men were lying down to sleep in all directions, while Xiao Qiu and Er Chui were still arguing over who had the qualifications to be the commander of the Xuanfu Army.

  No one had brought a quilt, only Fangfang was sleeping with the package prepared by Feng Popo on the other side of the bonfire, and it wasn't until she fell asleep that her hands slipped from her mouth.

  Two consecutive days of rushing around had disrupted Xia Qiu's sleep habits, and he was unable to wake up naturally before sunrise. Instead, he was woken up by something, and when he opened his eyes, he found that it was already bright outside, with birds chirping all around him, and a tall figure standing in front of him.

  Xiao Qiu sprang up with a start, all sleepiness gone, staring blankly.

  A soldier clad in armor was looking down at him with his head bowed, and the thing that had just been used to slap him was a black scabbard.

  This is the true Xuanwu Army.

  Xiao Qiu was like looking up at a large tree, but this tree had no greenery, its entire body was made of black metal, even its eyes were hidden inside, it was unknown how it observed the outside world.

  On the black armor, strange patterns were engraved, like words and yet like clouds rising in a piece, Xiao Qiu had seen the Xuanfu soldiers from afar before, but at that time he only saw a ball of blackness, this was still the first time seeing the patterns on it, the whole person was shocked, staring blankly with his mouth agape, unable to say a word.

  Xiao Qiu was the first to wake up, and the other boys were awakened one after another, all of whom were frightened. Er Shuang tried to escape in a daze, but was lifted into the air by a soldier with one hand and slammed to the ground, after which no one dared to resist again.

  Eleven Xuanfu soldiers and eleven war horses surrounded the fleeing boys.

  Although the two had been warned about this, they still felt unbelievable. Like all the young people in the town, they had made a lot of trouble, some of which were more serious than elopement, and they did not provoke the Xuanfu Army, but eleven people, a small troop.

  No one dared to make a sound, the young men were like a flock of docile sheep, quietly squeezing together in a heap. Xia Qiu and Fang Fang were squeezed together, looking at that terrified little face, he suddenly felt a surge of courage in his heart, squeezed to the front, puffed out his chest and said loudly: "It was me who eloped with her, take me away, it has nothing to do with them, Fang Fang...Fang Fang is already married to me, she can't marry into the Shen family again, even if you catch her back, it's useless."

  The Xuanfu soldiers stood like statues, silent and seemingly from another world, completely unable to understand the boy's words.

  After a good while, one of the soldiers finally spoke up. Among the eleven, only he had never dismounted his horse and sat upright on its back. His voice was cold and unfeeling: "The crime of violating national law will not be pardoned, you will all receive the punishment you deserve."

  The bald man could no longer bear it and burst into loud sobs.