The sun had set for the day, a day had pa.s.sed since that fight to death touching stage.

For the whole day, Duan Shun Jie seemed to be in a dream. His heart, his mind, all filled with the affectionate expression on Yan Xi Cheng’s extremely beautiful face last night. Everything reminded him on that pa.s.sionate memory which embarra.s.sed him and made him wish to just die, made his mind be in turbulence, unable to calm down.

Since long ago he had placed all of his heart and his feeling on Yan Xi Cheng. To confront and completely open his heart to welcome him into his life, Duan Shun Jie didn’t hesitate in the slightest bit. The fate that brought them together was like a magnificent flower that suddenly burst into bloom in his more than twenty years tranquil like a desert life, making Duan Shun Jie besides being caught unprepared, nervous and fl.u.s.tered, also had this even more difficult to suppress delight. 

When it was almost dusk, Duan Shun Jie already couldn’t sit still in his tent, fidgety and restless. Yesterday, before parting, he and Yan Xi Cheng had made an appointment to meet at dusk. Even though it wasn’t the appointment time yet, his heart already flew to his beloved side since long before. Barely concluded his meeting with all the Vice Generals, Duan Shun Jie untied Cong Yun’s halter right after he rushed his way to his tent and prepared himself to go out. Seeing him like that, Chang Er was unable to hide in his astonishment and asked: “General, you don’t want to eat?”

“No need. I have a little matter to attend to, you don’t have to wait for me this evening, you go to sleep first.” With all his might he covered up his jumping for joy heart, Duan Shun Jie enjoined him with the greatest extent of his calm and serene tone. 

Speeding along throughout the journey, in no time, the large yard of the Yan’s family white walled blue tile house had appeared before his eyes.

At the front of the yard gate, he flew down from his horse. There was already a young attendant who greeted him and took over the reign of his horse, also another one who guided him to Yan Xi Cheng’s bedroom.

Pushing open the lightly closed door leaf, Duan Shun Jie was greeted and wrapped around in a pair of strong arms. Surprised, he was about to turn his head to look at the young attendant who guided him to the room, but Yan Xi Cheng was whispering with a low voice in his ears: “Don’t mind them! They all understand the rules and are well-behaved.”

His cheeks flushed red at once, although the young attendant by his back had retreated with a lowered head and closed the door for them in pa.s.sing, towards this kind of intimacy, Duan Shun Jie still had a bit of sheepishness and terrified feeling.

Perhaps he could see his sense of shame, Yan Xi Cheng did not speak any further, just lightly dragged his hand and led him to enter the layer upon layer curtained bed, pressing the both of his hands to slowly push him down on the piling up in layers bluish-green bed curtain.

In hoping to make Duan Shun Jie completely realized the reality that he belonged to him, Yan Xi Cheng utilized the utmost leisured pace to slowly strip off his clothing. Looking at the gradually becoming naked Duan Shun Jie, he still didn’t have the slightest intention to undress himself. Instead, he fetched the earlier prepared scented oil and poured it on his hands then smeared it on Duan Shun Jie’s back hole.

Gazing fixedly and indulging in Yan Xi Cheng’s limpid and beautiful to the extreme pair of eyes, only when Duan Shun Jie felt the finger entering the depth of his inner body that he timidly shifted to break their line of sight. The backyard which only yesterday he found out that it could be used for this kind of thing had been throbbing and having a fit of pang while tightening. The just now about to struggle to resist from Yan Xi Cheng’s pressing down a.s.sault, was losing will power when his lips were suddenly covered up by him. Slowly, he relaxed his body to allow his fingers to enter deeper inside his body. Unconsciously moaned softly as he took his pair of legs and entangled them on Yan Xi Cheng’s waist…

Sensing that the erection under Duan Shun Jie’s hip already became hard and stiff to the extent of painful, Yan Xi Cheng stubbornly did not touch the s.e.x organ that had been pressing against his belly. He just minded to delightfully move his fingers in a revolving jerk, to feel that the originally tightly hooped muscle had slowly opened.

“Ahh...” Duan Shun Jie gave a violent jolt from head to toe all of a sudden, the tip of his s.e.x organ was twitching while spitting out a thick white muddy fluid. However, Yan Xi Cheng chose to thrust into his inner body with a sudden force at the moment when he was ejaculating. The originally in the flabbiest limp and the most weakened state body because of this kind of a.s.sault became nervous at once, making Duan Shun Jie unable to hold in his surprised cry, the kind of cry that even when he heard of it, his face became red thoroughly.

One of Duan Shun Jie’s thigh was lifted and powerfully pressed at his back, Yan Xi Cheng made use of this posture to forcefully push forward, his s.e.x organ compared to the ordinary men was thicker and bigger, now that originally bulkier thing had entered the depth of Duan Shun Jie’s r.e.c.t.u.m, even his intestines could feel the thin friction from the nudged open rubbing feeling, that kind of feeling made Duan Shun Jie felt pained yet excited. His entire person was shivering unceasingly as if he was running a fever. By every of Yan Xi Cheng’s pushing forward and pulling out movement, he would let out a soft cry without any awareness. 

“Xi Cheng… Xi Cheng…”

Looking at the scarlet face with dazed mind and confused expression of Duan Shun Jie, Yan Xi Cheng stretched out his hand to take off his own clothes and cast them on the floor. He exerted all of his strength to rock his waist.

Duan Shun Jie didn’t even find the opportunity to refuse, all of his attention had been seized by the warmth of Yan Xi Cheng’s naked body which leaned close to him. Seemingly all of his strength could only be used for experiencing the unceasingly surging up ultimate pleasure. Hysterically panted and gasped for breath, gradually he lost control. All of his mind was as if it could only feel the burning hot place where he and Yan Xi Cheng’s interlinking remained with the dense and thick sensation…

When the early morning light shone upon his body to wake him up, only then Duan Shun Jie remembered that last night he actually hadn’t even a grain of rice entered his belly. He slept just like that after being intertwined with Yan Xi Cheng until exhausted to the utmost. He couldn’t help but shake his head to laugh at his own silly att.i.tude.

“You are leaving now?” Most probably woken up by Duan Shun Jie’s movement, Yan Xi Cheng opened his eyes --- even if he hadn’t had his early morning washing and dressing up routine, his mind-blowing facial features was still as beautiful as before, beautiful to the point of making people forget to breathe.

The him with no merit and ability, actually was lucky enough to have the chance to know each other and to cherish each other with this celestial being like person, might be because the Heaven took pity on him who was orphaned and helpless since childhood, thereupon bestowed him with this blessing --- Duan Shun Jie was deeply moved, from the bottom of his heart he prayed that every day he could wake up and see Yan Xi Cheng in this kind of gentleness for this lifetime. 

“Mm.” He nodded his head, although by every means he hated to part with Yan Xi Cheng when they were together, Duan Shun Jie still didn’t dare to forget that he was still the Pingnan Troops Commander-in-Chief, also, at this moment they were in the middle of standing in alert for the enemy troops’ confrontation.

“Tonight come a bit earlier, okay?” The delicate and long fingers lightly slid on Duan Shun Jie’s waist, deliberately looking at the hidden place which still remained with the trace he left off last night, Yan Xi Cheng revealed a misleading exceptionally beautiful smiling face so much so that it confused the ordinary people in a mundane world.

Even though there was a threadlike hesitation in his eyes, Duan Shun Jie still couldn’t resist the charm of Yan Xi Cheng, silently he nodded his head.

Looking at the tall and strong man that had been reduced to a harmless little deer, a threadlike complicated yet crafty expression slipped on Yan Xi Cheng’s eyes. Unfortunately, the blinded by love eyes of Duan Shun Jie completely didn’t notice it.

After sending Duan Shun Jie off, Yan Xi Cheng returned to his bed to rest for an hour, after that he called the Palace servants to wait on him for washing and dressing routine. He dawdled on another one hour to eat his breakfast, then listlessly rode on the Imperial carriage to go back to Datong’s camp.

Once he entered the camp, Pei Jin Tian was already there and urgently greeted him: “Your Highness, just now the spy has reported, yesterday, the Pingnan troops hastily concluded their training after only a little while of training. From what your subject saw, they lack the battle spirit, this will be the best opportunity to lead our army to strike.”

Shooting him a sideway glance, Yan Xi Cheng languidly yawned, his tone of speaking was cold and solemn: “When to attack, I have my own calculation. You don’t have to talk more. You just have to supervise the officers and soldiers to diligently train on the strategy, when the time has come, I will give the order.”

Pei Jin Tian touched his nose dejectedly. Of course he would be unhappy. However, given Yan Xi Cheng’s status and his ability to awesomely use the army, he wouldn’t dare to go against him.

Yan Xi Cheng couldn’t possibly not know that he was unsatisfied, slowly burst forth a laugh: “General Pei don’t worry too much. Your dedication, I understand clearly in my heart, after we win this war, I will report to Imperial Father to have you rewarded. Please General Pei bear with me for the time being.” Since childhood he was adopted at scheming and very calculating, most understand what to say to wave people’s feeling. To win over a General like Pei Jin Tian, of course it would be as easy as blowing off dust.

Originally, towards this youth who was nicknamed “The Cruel Prince”, Pei Jin Tian was having a slight ill-feeling. But seeing him to modestly pose a humble att.i.tude towards him, the remaining unpleasant feeling naturally would be reduced by more than half: “Your Highness need no to be so formal. It is Your old subject’s duty to be utterly loyal to our country. Seventh Prince awesomely deploys the army, Your old subject naturally would follow your lead, only wishes to win the battle, to quickly wipe out the traitors.”

Yan Xi Cheng nodded his head to show his approval, without many words, he turned his body to enter his own tent.

“General… General… General!!” The getting louder and louder shout by his ear side finally called back Duan Shun Jie who had been severely absent-minded. It was after a period of time when he realized that the whole army had completed their training. They were standing as a sign of respect while expecting him to give another order.

Although every time he faced the incomprehensible expression of Chang Er he would feel guilty from the bottom of his heart, Duan Shun Jie still had no way to resist Yan Xi Cheng’s touching intonation when he asked for an appointment. He would always choose to quietly leave the campsite on dusk, and would always drag his extremely spent body back at dawn.

For more than ten days he had been rushing about like this, even a strong as iron man would be unable to keep this up. In addition, every night, Yan Xi Cheng’s limitless desire would seriously overspend his physical strength. So, no wonder that Duan Shun Jie unexpectedly would be absentmindedly drowsy during the crucial training of the whole army.

Honestly, with no courage to face the subordinates’ eyes that whether looking at him with their suspicion or doubting him, Duan Shun Jie hastily issued an order to conclude the training, superficially treading with his practically walking on the cloud and mist’s step to return to his tent.

Watching Duan Shun Jie with his muddled and sleepy face paralyzed on the chair, the following him from behind Vice General Rong, finally couldn’t hold in his question and asked with his anxious tone: “General, these past few days, are you feeling unwell? In every training, your face was so pale. The soldiers have been wondering whether you have been contracting a foul disease. This way will certainly shake the morale of the army…”

Duan Shun Jie waved his hand to indicate that he needn’t to continue talking, he himself already knew that he couldn’t continue to indulge himself in Yan Xi Cheng’s warmth every night, yet he couldn’t resist the temptation of the sweet forbidden fruit. Countless time he intended to tell Yan Xi Cheng that he wanted to have a rest for several nights, but once he made contact with those lovely eyes, he would be reluctant to leave the touching eyes and then the words would be swallowed back.

Secretly made a determination that he couldn’t go on like this anymore, Duan Shun Jie straightened up his posture and said: “Rest a.s.sured Vice General Rong. I have my own calculation.”

Although still wore a concerned face, Vice General Rong still chose to believe this youngest yet having the most meritorious achievement, the most splendid General. He nodded his head no longer pursuing the matter.

At night time, when he entered the very room where he intimately spent the nights with Yan Xi Cheng, Duan Shun Jie hesitated over and over again before he finally decided to confess to Yan Xi Cheng.

“Xi Cheng…”

Yan Xi Cheng was welcoming him with his usual smiling face, the seemingly delicate and long but extremely powerful arms pushed him to sit on an old-fashioned wooden armchair by his side, firmly b.u.mped his lips against him, causing Duan Shun Jie to stop his yet to say words and blocked it in his throat.

“Shun Jie, a minute of spring night is worth of thousand pieces of gold. If you have something to say, save it for later.” Whispering with voice br.i.m.m.i.n.g with bewitching charm on Duan Shun Jie’s ear, Yan Xi Cheng wantonly tossed about and sucked on his mouth, his other hand had pulled open Duan Shun Jie’s front clothes.

Although the wooden armchair was s.p.a.cious, but it still couldn’t fit for two tall and big grown up men. Duan Shun Jie was pressed to the point he could only struggle to face upwards. Yan Xi Cheng still unceasingly forced and pressed forward. Forcing his way with his saliva, pressed him and made him unable to breathe.

The extreme lack of oxygen causing Duan Shun Jie became entirely dizzy and muddle-headed. In his misty feeling he could feel that Yan Xi Cheng had taken off his trousers, spreading his both legs and put them up on the chair’s armrest. The tender part between his legs had been rubbed by Yan Xi Cheng’s erection. The pink soft flesh unceasingly twitched, shrinking and contracting as if waiting for the swelling s.e.x organ under his hip to enter.

Taking Duan Shun Jie’s both hands to put on his back while recklessly kissing him, Yan Xi Cheng purposely didn’t put his already acc.u.mulated scorching hot power to thrust in his inner body, but only continuously twist and swing a little part of his front rear on the entrance, letting the sensitive skin of Duan Shun Jie’s entrance could feel him, the movement was unable to comfort the readily to greet him place.

“Xi Cheng…” Hearing that Duan Shun Jie was calling out with his heavy gasp filled with faint and already unable to hold back his pant, Yan Xi Cheng indistinctly pleased with himself for the result of his training on the body for these several days. He could clearly see that Duan Shun Jie’s body already could not be without his embrace anymore, he almost could see the triumph’s waving hand towards his direction.

“What? What do you want me to do? Say it. If you don’t say, how would I know?”

Wickedly brought the front end of his manhood and slightly thrust in a little to the pa.s.sionate entrance then immediately pulled it out in a very fast movement, Yan Xi Cheng restrained with all his might his own impulse to quickly charge and thrust himself in. Actually the tip of his manhood was already so hungry and thirsty to the point of seeping out a sparkling translucent obscene fluid. He merely slightly leaned forward to dye Duan Shun Jie’s whole a.n.u.s with his lewd liquid, but not at all entering his body.

“Xi Cheng…” Duan Shun Jie as if shrieked miserably. His entire body had gone limp not even able to extort a little of his physical strength. But his body which already was accustomed to Yan Xi Cheng’s thrusting because it couldn’t obtain that manhood to fill in felt hollow and unbearably twitching without stopping, as if calling out to him to quickly lay down his weapon and surrender. 

Yan Xi Cheng was unwilling to give up. Simply increasing his effort to grind on his outer part, the skillful and nimble tongue and teeth also unceasingly tantalized and bit Duan Shun Jie’s stood upright nipple that had become bright red.

“Xi Cheng, come in… Yours, come in…” In the end he couldn’t fight the torment of his desire anymore, Duan Shun Jie completely let go of his self-esteem, saying out loud the desire from the bottom of his heart.

“Darling, What do you want to come in? Come in to where? How would I know if you don’t say it clearly!” Yan Xi Cheng was coldly laugh in his heart, but his mouth remained unwilling to let go.

“… I … I want your thing… your thing to… to come inside me…” Duan Shun Jie also couldn’t believe that he was actually immoral to this extent, even these kinds of words he could say it out loud. After saying out the words with much difficulty, he was thinking to lash a slap on his own face.

Stimulated by the words, he could no longer exercise patience anymore. Duan Shun Jie was as if found a complete liberation the moment Yan Xi Cheng entered his body. The s.e.x organ between the two naked bodies was jerking as it pouring out white turbid substance. Following that gradually weakened s.e.x organ, Yan Xi Cheng began to rock his hip in a front and back movement.

That pushing up enormous thing which completely filled the cramped corridor was making Duan Shun Jie feel both anguish and pleasure. He himself already couldn’t tell actually what kind of feeling was that slight pain mixed with extreme pleasure about. He could only close both his eyes to resist Yan Xi Cheng’s more faster and more stronger ramming. He could only feel that that thing inside his body was growing bigger and hotter. Finally, along with Yan Xi Cheng’s one last powerful thrust, he shot in all of his hot s.e.m.e.n inside his body…

“Excellent! Shun Jie, your inside is truly excellent!” Yan Xi Cheng was still in a bliss, he didn’t immediately pull out from Duan Shun Jie’s inner body, instead he tightly hugged him and slowly waited for their heartbeat and breathing spell to be calm down.

The most painful moment in a.n.a.l intercourse was not when the entering and the sliding in and out kind of time, rather it was the instant when the s.e.x organ was pulled out.

Sensing that Duan Shun Jie’s gradually cooling down corridor had started to contract, Yan Xi Xheng also leisurely began to pull out in a very slow motion. He deliberately delayed the process, to ensure that every sensitive fold and crease of Duan Shun Jie could feel his manhood during the slow pulling out moment. Lastly, when he was pa.s.sing the sphincter, he pulled it out altogether, unexpectedly heard a m.u.f.fled groan from Duan Shun Jie who was still in the crook of his arm.

Didn’t even have the time to complain against Yan Xi Cheng’s mischievous conduct, Duan Shun Jie was already hoisted in a bridal style and brought to the bed. He could feel that Yan Xi Cheng’s slender and long icy-cold’s fingers suddenly poked and entered his lower body entrance which still hadn’t had the chance to close properly. Without waiting for his response, there were already three fingers intruding in. Yan Xi Cheng constantly repeated his rotating and spreading gesture.

“What are you doing…” The tight and delicate inner muscle slowly regained it tightness from its flabby condition, but suddenly poked open again, that kind of pain was no different from being stabbed by sword or spear.

Yan Xi Cheng was wearing an innocent face: “Shun Jie, I only intend to draw out the thing inside you, I am worried that you might suffer from diarrhea.”

From the manner of speaking, the whole action was completely for the sake of his partner, but it actually contained Yan Xi Cheng’s sinister motive. He had secretly asked the inner palace private doctor, this kind of unceasingly spreading action which not allowing the muscle a time to recover could create the ultimate flabby aftermath consequences. He actually wanted to use this little underhanded method to make the unaware body of Duan Shun Jie to become a totally different const.i.tution from common men, to become a body which couldn’t make it without the embrace and a thrust in of a man.

Totally unaware of Yan Xi Cheng’s treacherous intention, Even though Duan Shun Jie felt the ultimate out of sorts from his inner part being scratched and rubbed like this, he could only clench his teeth to resist with great difficulty. He was afraid to brush away his beloved’s kind intention.

Using his fingers to move back and fro in Duan Shun Jie’s backyard and intimately played in that part for a period of time, Yan Xi Cheng finally felt that his tired and weakened lower part had regained afresh vitality. Without changing his expression he drew his fingers out, with the moist left behind from the before joyous entangled, in one thrust he entered Duan Shun Jie again.

Thus, this kind of action repeated itself in endless cycles. Yan Xi Cheng would meticulously delay the time of taking out after the e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n, after taking out would repeatedly use his fingers to expand Duan Shun Jie’s inner wall, waiting for the time until he regained his vitality then vigorously tangled with Duan Shun Jie again. Just like this, as if not in the least needed any rest, he tormented Duan Shun Jie for the entire night.

“Nghh…” Contently looking at Duan Shun Jie’s slightly open backyard revealing the crimson soft and tender flesh containing white s.e.m.e.n in it, with a look of barely had any breath left, Yan Xi Cheng was lethargic like a cat that had been fully fed. Hearing that Duan Shun Jie was calling out his name, he merely listlessly rolled to the side, then secured Duan Shun Jie’s waist in his arm, sliding his hand to gently caress him in up and down movement.

“I… I have an important thing to deal with in this couple days, starting from tomorrow, I won’t be able to come for a while…” Stretching his head, there was a knife. Shrinking back his head, there was also a knife. Being in the middle of two tight and difficult choices, Duan Shun Jie finally determinedly decided to temporarily absence from Yan Xi Cheng. But upon Yan Xi Cheng’s sudden severe expression, he was frightened for a while, didn’t dare to state his reason.

Earlier he was showing an unable to believe expression, soon after that he changed to a about to tear up expression --- looking at that translucent water drop dripping from Yan Xi Cheng’s pair of matchless eyes, Duan Shun Jie felt a fit of unable to restrain heartache at once, he couldn’t help but stretch out his hand to pull him and seize him in his bosom.

“Shun Jie, you actually don’t want me anymore… right?” Burying his head in Duan Shun Jie’s embrace, n.o.body could see the faint wicked smile floating at the corner at Yan Xi Cheng’s mouth. “I know that you mind about me and you being the same gender, but I really think that we are truly in love with each other...”

The main subject as if choked by the tears, all of a sudden Duan Shun Jie couldn’t help but be more pained to the extreme because of this.

Why in the world didn’t he want to forever indulge himself in this honeymoon like happy life with Yan Xi Cheng? However, reality had always been cruel. He was not only a man who loved Yan Xi Cheng, but he also had to bear the heavy responsibility to overthrown Datong’s tyranny ruler, he had to maintain the hundred thousand lives of the Pingnan soldiers and officials on his shoulders. He couldn’t just drown himself to death in the land of warmth and tenderness, to be drowned in the embrace of Yan Xi Cheng. 

“Xi Cheng…” He was about to open his mouth to explain about his own difficulty, but he was strongly shoved to the side by Yan Xi Cheng.

“Go! Just go! You just go now! Several days ago my father had sent another letter asking me to hide to the outer side of the mountain, also said that he will arrange a marriage for me to carry on our family line. I gave him a thousand ways and a hundred plans as my excuses, I thought that since now I have you, how could I possibly marry another woman, but who would have thought that today you would actually be the first to say that you don’t want me anymore… You… You you… You are such a cruel person!” Imitating the expression of the copulate women he used to see since his childhood, Yan Xi Cheng performed in an excellent voice and expression, he almost couldn’t restrain himself for giving an applaud for his performance.

As the result, Duan Shun Jie was unbearably saddened by his mournful content of speech. Holding Yan Xi Cheng in his arms, he wished that he could dig out his heart and show it to him: “Xi Cheng, I absolutely have no intention to break up with you just like this, honestly, this is my last resort…”

“Last resort? What kind of situation do you have to make you have no choice at all…” Yan Xi Cheng step by step pressed hard on the subject. He was set to corner Duan Shun Jie to the point of no more s.p.a.ce to move back circ.u.mstance. Duan Shun Jie heaved a long sigh, knowing that if today he didn’t come clean, certainly he wouldn’t be able to pacify Yan Xi Cheng. Deep in his heart he was anxious and fearful that after Yan Xi Cheng learnt about his status, whether or not his att.i.tude would change, unable to restrain his helplessly hesitating expression from showing up.

Holding back his impulse to laugh, Yan Xi Cheng pressed harder and asked: “Quickly tell me! You didn’t say anything, how can I possibly trust you!”

“I… I actually, I am the Commander-in-Chief of Pingnan’s Troops.” Carrying the determination of death, Duan Shun Jie honestly confessed his actual status. Surprisingly he realized that Yan Xi Cheng’s face was not even showing a surprised expression at all. 

“What? You… You have already known?” It was as if Duan Shun Jie was somewhat the most surprised one.

Yan Xi Cheng softly laughed, said: “Stupid! This Mount Panlong is a battlefield, there weren’t anyone who dared to breakthrough. From earlier I already could guess, if you are not from Datong’s army, then you must be from Pingnan’s army, only never have guessed that you actually are Pingnan’s army’s Commander-in-Chief.”

Looks like Yan Xi Cheng’s response was not as severe as he had imagined, Duan Shun Jie unwittingly let out a relieved sigh: “Since it is like this, you have known that for me to choose to temporarily part with you is something that I am forced to do without a choice… Wait until after I put Datong’s army to flee, I will definitely come to fetch you at Jinling, we will rest and fly together, never again to be separated.”

Yan Xi Cheng seemingly was seriously considering his words, quite a while later he revealed his tender and beautiful touching expression, gazing straight at Duan Shun Jie, his eyes showed his sincere grief.

Duan Shun Jie still hadn’t enough time to say anything but rea.s.suring, Yan Xi Cheng already opened his mouth to plead: “Shun Jie, I really can’t give you up. You have to come again for the last time tomorrow night. If I can connect with you for one more night, the next day I will leave Mount Panlong, whole-heartedly waiting for you to force the enemy to flee and after that come to fetch me, alright?” 

The lingering meaning of words was completely filled with the melancholy of unwilling to let go and part with the beloved one. Although fully understanding that if he delayed for one more day, the danger would be increased by more, but how could Duan Shun Jie heartlessly refuse the sorrowful plead by his lover. Taking into account that these days the Datong army wasn’t making any move, even if he dragged on for another day, it wouldn’t be of much problems. In the end, he nodded his head in agreement.

Most probably because the forced parting was fast approaching, Yan Xi Cheng seized him and affectionately being intimate again. His movement as if exceedingly vigorous and rough. When Duan Shun Jie raised his body to prepare to leave, he felt that his waist’s joint was as if had been dislocated from the bending and twisting. He spent a good amount of strength striving to wash and dress himself neatly.

“Shun Jie, don’t forget about tonight. We won’t leave before seeing each other…” Just before he stepped out the door, Yan Xi Cheng still didn’t forget to faintly tell him. Duan Shun Jie felt the hard to bear sadness, repeatedly nodded to agree, after reluctantly looking back for two or three times, he shoved the door and left.

Hearing the echoed sound of Duan Shun Jie’s galloping away to the mountain in the early morning, the flirtatious sweet and charming expression on Yan Xi Cheng’s face turned to the severely stern one. He completely climbed out of the bed, then shouted: “Someone, quickly come! Hasten to deliver my order, the whole army to be on alert, get ready to attack tonight!”

The physical strength was as if already being spent to the utmost limit. From the Yan’s family Manor, urging his horse to dash back to Pingnan’s campsite, upon dismounted from his horse, Duan Shun Jie felt that in front of his eyes was a layer of blackness. He could only muster his utmost willpower to withstand the fatigued signal given by his body.

Striding with tired and sleepy steps, he entered his own tent, the first thing to greet him was the disapproving looks of Chang Er.

But the Duan Shun Jie now honestly had no power to explain to him, he could only walk rapidly for several steps then tumbled on the chair by the side.

“General, these several days, where have you actually been to? Your face color is so unsightly.” Hesitating for quite some time, Chang Er finally couldn’t restrain himself from asking.

“Chang Er, please don’t ask anymore…” His head was dizzy and muddled, perhaps due to extreme exhaustion, Duan Shun Jie truthfully couldn’t draw out any unnecessary mood to answer him.

“General!” Chang Er was seemed to have something more to say, but looking at Duan Shun Jie waved his hand to dismiss him, he could only swallow back the bellyful words he wanted to say, turning his body and left the tent.

Leaning on the chair for a while, Duan Shun Jie saw that the sky was already so bright, he could only brace himself to stand up, then walked to the tent in the center of the camp.

“General.” Seeing Duan Shun Jie stepped in, Rong Vice General and the others stopped the things they were discussing and came to greet him.

“Datong’s side has made any movement?” Duan Shun Jie sat on the chair and asked them.

“Report, General, for the time being, there is no movement.”

How weird… Pei Jin Tian rarely exercised this kind of patience.

Carefully researched on Pei Jin Tian’s usual practice on battle, Duan Shun Jie couldn’t recall that he had a record for holding back his troops without moving for this long.

It is good too, wish that he will hold his troops for another day before moving… Duan Shun Jie was very doubtful that if the Datong’s army was about to attack now whether or not he would have sufficient strength to command the battle.

He himself clearly understood that he shouldn’t go on like this to indulge himself in the taboo game with Yan Xi Cheng. However, since the very first meeting, all of the ecstasy of love had drowned all of his rationality. Completely forgot the cruelty of reality, forgot that he was still glaring each other like a tiger watching his prey poised for battle with the enemy army, could only forget himself and got carried away, throwing himself into the gentle smiling’s face and luscious embrace.

Tonight would be the last time he pampered himself in this self-indulgent.

Duan Shun Jie knew that he absolutely may not indulge in this kind of sensual pleasures, illicit s.e.xual relations. But that kind of insanity upon the thought of meeting with Yan Xi Cheng, the impulse to tightly embrace each other with him always made his chest surge with turbulent waves. Once he remembered that after tonight, the both of them had to temporarily part with each other, a stream of nameless, indescribable pain of separation fluctuated in his heart, making him unable to help but have both longing and fearful for dusk to befall.

Under the disapproving eyes of the Vice Generals he hastily ordered to conclude the training. Even though Datong’s army unusual long biding time was causing Duan Shun Jie to have this kind of something-was-off kind of feeling. However, the him now was fully occupied to have time to take into consideration that perilous message , he only minded to hurriedly arrived to his beloved’s side a bit earlier, so that he would have more time to stay together with him.

“Chang Er. If Rong Vice General and the others come to find me, just tell them that I am taking a stroll in the mountain. You also don’t have to wait for me. Just go to sleep early.” Facing the creasing eyebrows of Chang Er, Duan Shun Jie couldn’t restrain but have this guilty conscience. Conveniently reasoned to himself that this would be their very last meeting.

Urging the reins, the person was still on his way, but his heart since long ago had sped up towards the still faraway manor of Yan’s family. 

In a spell of time, the extended large blue tile was projected in front of his eyes. A fit of joyous gushing from Duan Shun Jie’s heart, causing him to hasten his dismount movement, then accelerating his pace to go forward.

“Xi Cheng!” Full of joy and expectations, he excitedly went straight to Yan Xi Cheng’s sleeping room. All the way the normally always had young maidens and servant boys coming and forth courtyard was particularly tranquil today, Duan Shun Jie didn’t give it much thoughts.

“Xi Cheng, I have come!” Pushing the room’s door, inside the room was an extreme of quietness. The furniture and goods were still at the usual position, on the table, a half-read book was tossed just like that, it was as if the owner when leaving considered to return in a short time.

“Xi Cheng?” An ominous premonition slowly and quietly crawled up from the bottom of Duan Shun Jie’s heart, yet he still refused to believe that Yan Xi Cheng would fail to keep his promise to meet with him. Turning his head and charging into another corner and nook of the manor ---- is it possible that Yan Xi Cheng is pulling a joke on him?

“Xi Cheng! Yan Xi Cheng! Xi Cheng, where are you?!” Desperately calling out to him, but seemingly there was only his own voice echoing in the absolutely deserted courtyard.

The servants’ quarter, the kitchen, the anteroom, the backyard… Everywhere was extremely quiet, but the traces and marks which left behind was indicating that the residents were leaving in a hurry, it was like during sunset a tremendous problem had happened, forcing the manor’s residents to leave without have the time to get things and luggage ready.

“Xi Cheng…” Sweat was rolling down from Duan Shun Jie’s forehead. He didn’t understand, didn’t understand Yan Xi Cheng had actually met what kind of problem, to make him unable to fulfill his promise like this, and just disappeared in a rush…

“Xi Cheng… Xi Cheng…” Murmuring the only name that lingered in his heart at this moment, Duan Shun Jie realized that he actually knew nothing about his lover. He only knew that his name was Yan Xi Cheng, only knew that he had a father who was engaged in a trade business somewhere else. Apart from these, he knew nothing at all about him.

In this vast and wide world, given his knowledge about him, where should he go to search for him?

As if he went insane, he searched time and again, circled the manor for several times, before he finally acknowledged that Yan Xi Cheng had left without leaving behind even a word, really had already disappeared from him.

His chest was throbbing in pain to the point of unable to breathe extent, Duan Shun Jie powerlessly sat in the corridor of Yan Xi Cheng’s bedroom, his pair of hands was hugging his knee and curling up into a ball.

He felt that the whole world had crumbled…

Even though from the time knowing Yan Xi Cheng until now it was barely a month, however the alone and lonely for a long time heart of Duan Shun Jie since earlier had regarded him as his closest person in this world. He had lost both his parents since young. Though the King of Pingnan who brought him up extremely loved him as his own child, Duan Shun Jie towards him could only feel deeply indebted and respected him both as his teacher and his father, never had admired and adored whomever like he adored Yan Xi Cheng. Merely parting from him for a moment, he already felt an extreme sorrowful aching like he was about to die. 

Xi Cheng, where are you?

He would rather believe that he had abandoned his appointment with him. No matter what, he didn’t dare to think about the possibilities that Yan Xi Cheng had encountered a mishap. However, this disappearance without leaving behind even a word, letting Duan Shun Jie unable to explain to himself to ease up his anxiety and worry.

Didn’t know how long he had been sitting in front of Yan Xi Cheng’s room, it was the sudden noise of battle drums and horn sounds from the quiet mountain ridge that brought Duan Shun Jie back from his endless distressed world.

The disorder and chaotic trains of thoughts caused Duan Shun Jie to basically not have enough time to find out what exactly had happened, but his intuition as a soldier had made him jump with the fastest pace to mount Cong Yun, madly urged his horse’s reins to rush back as fast as possible to the campsite. 

The faint battling shout and the dense scent of blood pa.s.sing through from the air made the shadow in his heart become more and more vivid. But along the way, there were no few traces of destruction on the only bridge and road on his way back, causing him to waste twice the time he needed to rush back, compared to the time when he came, to the Pingnan’s camp which stationed on the mountain valley.

Gazing from a high place and seeing the battlefield situation, Duan Shun Jie’s heart grew cold to the soles of his feet.

The not in the least prepared and without the Commander-in-Chief to lead Pingnan’s troops, facing the surprise attack from Datong’s army, was like a fish on a chopping block. The formerly prepared numerous battle array formations and traps entirely had no chance to be used. The many people who had been broken up and scattered by the cavalry, even had no time to pick up their weapon had already cut down by the long sword of the Datong’s soldiers.

The entire campsite was seemingly filled with the dress in dark yellow military uniform Datong’s soldiers all over the places. The Pingnan troops were already scattered in a disposition of formation. Only left several groups of people which still tenaciously stood up to the a.s.sault.

The horrible scene that unfolded in front of his eyes made Duan Shun Jie as if gave up his rationality. Urging his horse like crazy charged in to the battlefield. He grabbed his long sword, faced forward and killed the blocking the way Datong’s soldiers.

The ordinary soldiers could not block his brave and fierce attack, The Datong’s soldiers in front on Duan Shun Jie one by one fell down, just like that, simply killed by him to open up his drenched by blood pathway, until he arrived at the place under the banner of Pingnan’s troops.

“General!” Rong Vice General completely in a difficult situation, he had lost his formerly wise and farsighted, calm and collected self since long ago. Upon the sight of Duan Shun Jie, he dashed towards him with almost crying voice. “General, where have you been?! Datong suddenly launches a surprise attack. No matter how, we couldn’t find you, a host of dragons without a head, everybody was unable to shoulder the responsibility!”

Duan Shun Jie’s heart was already in disorder, how could he face him and explain about his whereabouts. The troops had been beaten in total collapse, even if Kong Ming[1] was here, very likely he would also find it difficult to turn over today’s losing battle.

In a panic he lifted his head to look at all direction. The showing off Golden Dragon banner of Datong’s side on the middle of the mountain as if taunting him, flying upward in the wind. Under the banner was a mult.i.tude distinct colored armors of Datong cl.u.s.tering around to escort a man with magnificent golden armor who stood in the middle.

“This war is actually commanded by Datong’s Seventh Prince. He has always been good in scheming, skillful in surprise attacks. If from earlier we know that he is the one in command for this war, we would be able to warn General to be careful for a surprise attack.” Most probably he noticed Duan Shun Jie’s line of vision, Rong Vice General with his trembling voice explained to him, “General, quick give a retreat order! If not, I’m afraid that the brothers wouldn’t be able to hold up for any longer!”

Looking at the soldiers who dressed up in Pingnan’s uniforms one by one fell down, the surrounding him several soldiers and officials also might not be able to hold out for a long time, Duan Shun Jie knew that even if he gave them an order to retreat, it would be hard to have them come back alive.

It was because of his leaving his post without permission that created this losing battle, moreover, the disappearance of Yan Xi Cheng letting Duan Shun Jie seemed like sinking into the frenzied predicament.

Taking by force a bow from the archer by his side, Duan Shun Jie put an arrow and drew the bow, pointed it at the direction of that magnificent golden armor.

“You quickly give the order to retreat! I will cover the retreat!” A General was not in a position to run away. Rather than escape, return to Jinling and faced the blaming eyes of everybody, Duan Shun Jie would rather to die here and now in the battlefield. 

Concentrating his inner strength on the arrow on the bowstring, the pace of the arrow was of the fastest piercing through the sky towards the leader of Datong. Ordinary bow and arrow absolutely wouldn’t have this kind of far range, but this arrow was infused with Duan Shun Jie’s whole inner power, it was flying towards that person in golden armor as if it had the help from G.o.d.

Watching the arrow was about to shoot the target, Duan Shun Jie and his men as if could hear the crying out in alarm of Pei Jin Tian’s men. At the time of life and death, that person in golden armor actually caught the arrow barehanded, gave it a glance, then threw it to the ground like it was nothing.

“General, quickly go!” Dragging the revealing an extreme extent of shocked expression’s Duan Shun Jie to retreat, Rong Vice General was obviously desperate to protect him and take him to leave.

The war had come to the point that Pingnan’s troops had utterly defeated and failed, he couldn’t let Pingnan’s most powerful General to commit another mistake, even if half of the reason they suffered this defeat basically could be blamed on the General’s leaving the post without permission.

“I won’t go! I can’t just runaway like this!” The extremity guilty conscience mixed with the deep grieve of losing his most beloved, the Duan Shun Jie now had truly given up any wishes to stay alive. He could only think about killing the enemy’s General to redeem his own wrongdoing.

Seeing that Duan Shun Jie now was unable to be reasoned with words, Rong Vice General hardened his heart and strike with his palm the side of Duan Shun Jie’s neck. Propping up the already fainted Duan Shun Jie, with the guards who surrounding them, they began to move back and retreat.

“Your Highness…” The Pei Jin Tian who was observing the battlefield situation from beginning to end, of course would notice the movement tendency of the Pingnan’s leaders. He wanted to remind Xuan Yuan Xi Cheng to dispatch the pursuing soldiers. Xuan Yuan Xi Cheng only waved his hand, to hint that he would let Vice General Rong and the others to flee and not pursue them any further, completely ignoring the expression of disappointment and surprise on Pei Jin Tian’s face.

What could be done if Duan Shun Jie died today? His meticulousness of war deployment was not something that could be concluded just like this. 

End of Fallen Hero Chapter 5.