Go Up to the Mountain
He Yan originally thought that if Xiao Jue called Ma Da Mei and the others to compete with her, she could prove how extraordinary she was and that could lead to something more. However, more than ten days have passed and the days spent were nothing but ordinary. Nothing else happened except for the recruits who came to occasionally challenge her. Not even daily rations were given.
Perhaps, it was just a coincidence? He Yan thought that the few instructors wanted to test out her skills because they were bored in Liang Zhou Guards.
She put the matter at the back of her mind for the time being.
After a few showers of rain, the heat seemed to have diminished a litter. Sometimes, when she got up for a run in the morning, there would be no sunshine. Instead, there would be a cool breeze. It was not long before Liang Zhou Wei’s summer would be over.
It was because of this that the recruits started to enter the mountain a few days ago.
Bai Yue Mountain was huge. It would take at least one day and night to cross the mountain. As such, the recruits were strictly forbidden to go over the mountain. At most, they were only allowed to reach the peak of the mountain. Five people would team up to patrol the mountain daily.
Hong Shan did not understand, “What’s the logic in making a five-man patrol group. If something dangerous happens, would five people be enough?”
He Yan mused. Of course, it wasn’t enough. It’s not like they want us to patrol in the first place.
The recruits stationed in Liang Zhou Guards had been training here for an entire summer. It won’t be long before they would have to ‘fight for the flag’.
‘Fight for the flag’ consisted of planting more than a dozen flags on the top of the entire mountain and then selecting teams of promising recruits to compete for them. There may be fights between the teams in the competition. When the teams finally descend, the team with the most flags wins. The final winner would most likely be stationed in the Forward Vanguard Camp.
He Yan’s goal was not to be recruited into the Forward Vanguard Camp but the Nine Banners Battalion.
Right now, permitting the recruits to enter the mountain every day was, in fact, to let them familiarize themselves with the terrain of Bai Yue Mountain. That way, when it comes to the competition, the show will be much more interesting. Normal recruits would not know this, but as someone who has been in the army, He Yan understood their intentions.
When she fought for the flag in Mo Xian county last time, the place was connected to a desert. As soon as the winds blew, the landmarks would all disappear and the dunes would change. When they were fighting for the flag, the situation was very dangerous. If it wasn’t for an elder brother who discovered a small river, no one would have been able to walk out of the desert alive.
‘Fight for the flag’ not only tested personal skills but also teamwork and cooperation between the members. It was not good to just excel at one thing. The test had high stakes for everyone. Although the actual ‘fight for the flag’ referred to a period of time in the future, the competition, in fact, had already begun. Those who are smart will pick up on the intentions and memorize the terrain when patrolling, but those who are unconscious will never pay attention to their surroundings. This will not help them in the actual competition.
“Brother Ah He, it’s your turn to go up the mountain today. Can you hunt a few rabbits with your bow and arrows? Let’s sneak them back and roast them. I haven’t tasted meat in half a month now.” Mak said while licking his lips.
“I’m not taking the crossbow,” He Yan smiled, “It’s too heavy. I’m planning on taking a knife.”
Crossbows were not suitable for close combat. If a problem arose, it would be of little use. Besides, there will always be people with crossbows in a team, so you could just borrow from them.
After seeing Mak’s sorrowful face, she comforted him, “It’s okay. In a couple of days, we can go up the mountain together and hunt as many rabbits as we’d like.”
Mak was sceptical.
He Yan could not tell him that everyone would be on the mountain when ‘fight for the flag’ starts and no instructor would be present. He might have to spend a few nights on the mountain which meant that he’d be able to eat whatever he wanted.
She tied the belt around her clothes tightly as Hong Shan said, “Then you should leave the mountain early. Let’s spend our time at the festival tonight.”
“What festival?” He yan asked with a blank expression.
“The Qi Xi Festival [1]!” Mak replied.
He Yan almost forgot that it was the seventh day of the seventh month. However, it was hilarious that a group of men would celebrate the Qi Xi festival together.
He Yan teased, “It seems like you just want to spend time with a girl you like? Do you have a girl you like?”
Hong Shan immediately retorted, “Don’t look down on people. There are so many girls who like your Shan brother a lot. If your brother wants to go to the Qi Xi festival, the girls will definitely be happy.”
“I-I don’t,” Mak also replied hastily, “But my brother has! My brother likes sister Xiao Lan from the noodle restaurant opened by Grandpa Sun in the east part of the town!”
Shi did not refute.
He Yan looked over to Shi and noticed the redness of Shi’s ears.
Mak asked again, “Brother Ah He, do you have a girl you like? What kind of girls do you like?”
He Yan causally babbled, “Good looking, smart, has excellent skills, loaded with money. Oh right, she should also be gentle, considerate, lively and interesting. It would be best if she knows how to play qin, chess, is an expert in calligraphy, painting and is a good cook.”
After He Yan left, Mak still had to digest He Yan’s words. He could only mutter in disbelief, “Brother Ah He’s requirements for his sweetheart are high….”
“Don’t listen to him spouting nonsense,” Hong Shan shook his head in disapproval, “He wants to marry a Princess Shang [2]. Mak, don’t follow his example!”
Mak nodded solemnly.
…..
At the practice field, He Yan took out a pair of mandarin duck swords from the weapons rack. Ever since she defeated Huang Xiong with the mandarin duck swords, there were some days where people attempted to practice with the swords. However, they were not as flexible as He Yan when practising and gave up on them after a few practice sessions. In the end, the mandarin duck swords were still mostly used by He Yan along.
When she went up the mountain today, she took the swords with her. If she wanted to make a fire and grill some fish, the swords would come in handy in hunting.
She took the swords and walked to the other side of the racecourse. The other four were ready.
These four people did not know He Yan as they were not under Instructor Liang. When one of the members saw He Yan, he smiled and pointed, “Go pick a horse and let’s go.”
He Yan nodded.
She went to the stable and picked a horse and the five of them headed up to Bai Yue Mountain.
The mountains were densely covered with trees, shading out much of the sun. The trip became much cooler and comfortable as they headed up. From time to time, hares were jumping by on both sides.
“Should we hunt some rabbits?” Someone asked.
“Let’s do it,” The recruit who greeted He Yan agreed, “Who brought the crossbow?”
Everyone looked at each other.
Perhaps the crossbow was too heavy. No one brought it with them because they might have to spend more than half a day on the mountain.
“Well, no one brought it,” A droopy-eyed recruit shrugged as he said monotonously.
He eyed He Yan, “Then, I guess we can only watch.”
Everyone knew that He Yan’s archery was superb so they expected He Yan would be carrying a crossbow.
He Yan looked back indifferently with a calm expression.
Have you got your head caught up somewhere? How audacious was he to ask General Fei Hong hunt rabbits for you. You’ve got some nerves. She thought.
[1] Qi Xi = Chinese valentine’s day
[2] To get marry as a son-in-law who stays at his wife’s home