Sixteen Saves the Beauty

At this moment, dusk was gradually falling, and a few scattered snowflakes began to drift down from the sky. Still, there was no sign of Xiao Zhiyong arriving with his men, and Xiao Tianfeng grew more anxious by the minute, realizing that simply waiting would lead nowhere. Slowly, she edged closer to Bai Xuehua. When they were just a few yards apart, she drew the short sword from her waist and hurled it at Bai Xuehua.

Bai Xuehua understood that Xiao Tianfeng was only testing her, and she knew she could not dodge. Fortunately, Xiao Yuner’s body shielded her head. The short sword, therefore, could only strike her back. Bai Xuehua did not open her eyes; she could sense where the blade was aimed. Though she would be wounded, it would not be fatal.

There was a sharp sound as the short sword pierced her back. Bai Xuehua gritted her teeth and remained perfectly still. Xiao Yuner could not hold back and shouted at Xiao Tianfeng, “You’re truly cruel, aren’t you? Even someone collapsed in the snow isn’t spared…”

Xiao Tianfeng paid no heed to Xiao Yuner’s rebuke. Seeing Bai Xuehua lying motionless in the snow, she finally relaxed and thought with relief, “So she’s already dead. I was frightened for nothing.” Still, she dared not get too close. She said to Xiao Yuner, “She’s dead. Drag her home.”

By now, Xiao Yuner had nothing but resentment toward her, and with a tearful face, he said, “Second Miss, I have no strength left. Why don’t you do it yourself?”

Xiao Tianfeng thought, “It’s getting dark, and dragging the body will be too slow. It would be easier just to cut off Bai Xuehua’s head and take it back.” She stepped forward and picked up her blade, preparing to decapitate Bai Xuehua. Just then, Xiao Yuner, who had been trembling with fear, suddenly found a surge of courage and strength from who knows where. He leapt up and threw his arms around Xiao Tianfeng’s waist, his head pressing tightly against her.

Xiao Tianfeng’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but curiously, she did not grow angry. She had no intention of killing Xiao Yuner; she merely wanted to push him aside, so she did not use her full strength. But Xiao Yuner clung to her with all his might, his head pressed stubbornly against her chest, giving Xiao Tianfeng a strange sensation.

As Xiao Tianfeng’s attention wavered, Bai Xuehua suddenly sprang up like a corpse come to life and struck a vital point on Xiao Tianfeng. Xiao Tianfeng cursed inwardly, “This is bad!” People are bound to make mistakes: Bai Xuehua had made hers, and now Xiao Tianfeng made hers as well.

Bai Xuehua’s kindness had allowed her to fall into Xiao Zhenfen’s trap, and now Xiao Tianfeng’s lack of ruthlessness toward Xiao Yuner had allowed Bai Xuehua to subdue her. Frozen by the strike to her vital point, Xiao Tianfeng’s face twisted in pain and despair. She pleaded, “Bai Xuehua, out of respect for our shared womanhood, don’t torture me. Make it quick.”

Bai Xuehua held the knife to her and replied coldly, “Xiao Tianfeng, there’s only one condition for your release today: when you return, you must not trouble Xiao Yuner or his family. He’s just a child, innocent of the grudges of the martial world. If you have a quarrel with me or my family, you can seek me out for revenge in the future.”

Xiao Tianfeng said, “Very well, I promise.” Bai Xuehua understood that if she killed Xiao Tianfeng here, Xiao Zhiyong and the rest of the Xiao family would surely seek vengeance on Xiao Yuner’s family. She did not wish to implicate the boy.

Xiao Yuner, who had been in a daze, felt greatly relieved once Xiao Tianfeng promised not to harm him. Bai Xuehua, seeing that the promise was made, flung the knife aside and, with difficulty, began to walk away.

Xiao Yuner originally intended to go home, but seeing how painfully Bai Xuehua moved, he could not restrain himself and rushed forward to support her. “Sister Xue, let me help you walk.”

Bai Xuehua wanted to refuse, but in the end let him take her hand, and together they moved off into the distance, leaving Xiao Tianfeng with complicated emotions behind in the snow.

Bai Xuehua was gravely injured and could barely make headway through the snow. She frowned unconsciously. Seeing her troubled, Xiao Yuner asked, “Sister Xue, are you worried because your wounds hurt?”

Bai Xuehua sighed softly. “If I keep going this slowly, anyone could follow our trail in the snow. Not only will I be caught, but you could be implicated as well. Yuner, you should go home. I’ll always remember your kindness.”

Xiao Yuner protested, “No, I can’t just leave you like this when you’re so badly hurt!” Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. “Sister Xue, I have an idea. Wait here—I’ll be right back.”

By now, night had nearly fallen. After a while, Bai Xuehua saw Xiao Yuner riding a large yellow ox toward her. Seeing his solution, even wounded as she was, Bai Xuehua could not help but laugh.

Xiao Yuner declared proudly, “If our beautiful Sister Xue rides this old yellow ox, she’ll be the first and only in history!” Bai Xuehua smiled as well. “It’s only thanks to your ingenious mind. But how did you get the ox?”

Xiao Yuner replied, “I know a few families nearby keep cattle. For my good sister’s sake, I just borrowed one.” The two of them could not help laughing, the shadow of death banished for the moment.

Having grown up herding cattle and sheep, Xiao Yuner was an expert at riding oxen. Bai Xuehua had never ridden one, but as a child of the Western Regions, she was skilled on horseback, and even wounded, she managed well enough. Xiao Yuner helped her onto the ox’s back and climbed up behind her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. Pressed so close, he felt the faint fragrance that seemed to banish the beast’s musky odor. Excitement filled him, and the earlier tension faded away.

The old ox walked slowly, so Xiao Yuner occasionally prodded it along with a branch. Where were they headed? Bai Xuehua herself was unsure.

By now, darkness had fully fallen. Xiao Yuner spoke up, “Sister Xue, I know there’s a cave up ahead. I used to play there all the time. Since it’s so late, why don’t we spend the night there?”

Bai Xuehua was relieved to hear there was a place to rest. “That’s a good idea, though you’ll have to endure the cold with me tonight.” Xiao Yuner smiled, “It doesn’t matter. I’m happy to stay with you—and I wish I could always keep you company.”

Bai Xuehua replied with a bitter smile, “If you stay with me, I fear I’ll only bring you danger, not good fortune.”

“Sister Xue, we’ve reached the cave. Let me help you down,” Xiao Yuner said. Then, giving the ox a hearty smack with a branch, he sent it galloping home.

The cave entrance was small, but inside it was spacious, and, best of all, there was a pile of dry firewood stored within. Delighted, Bai Xuehua quickly lit a fire, and warmth filled the cave.

In the firelight, Xiao Yuner saw that the short sword was still lodged in Bai Xuehua’s back. He said, “Sister Xue, let me take the sword out for you.” Bai Xuehua nodded, though inwardly she worried, “What can I use to bandage the wound?”