UCTOOT CH70

Shi Shu rubbed the snow in his hand, stood up, and smiled. “Xie Wuchi, you’re joining the fun too?”

Xie Wuchi approached, his hair flying in the wind and snow, a faint light seemingly around him. He held a horsewhip in one hand until he walked up close.

“Asking you to be obedient seems like a luxury.”

Seeing him, Shi Shu remembered the hairpin incident, and the smile on his face faded. But with so many people around, including Song Sinan watching, he changed the subject: “You haven’t been back for a few days, didn’t know what you were doing, so Zihan and I came out to check. No problem, right?”

“Mm.”

Xie Wuchi took a waist token from his belt and handed it to Shi Shu.

The wind and snow were heavy. Shi Shu’s hand was taken by him, the touch warm. He heard Xie Wuchi say, “The logistics team is safe; you can follow them. But it’s too cold tonight—”

His voice lowered: “Come sleep with me.”

Shi Shu paused, took the token, and while his head was lowered, Xie Wuchi’s fingertips brushed his face.

What the hell?

Who is he inviting?

I’m a straight man.

Shi Shu was still a bit maladjusted. Xie Wuchi turned and mounted his horse, walking away with the grain inspectors. Shi Shu stared blankly at the cold token in his hand. Du Zihan said, “Yo, what’s with the mumbling? Brother Xie left you a token?”

Shi Shu turned back, got on the carriage, and waved the whip: “Left a token? What are you doing, talking like I’m ordering a male model.”

Du Zihan: “Ordering a male model implies you ordered him, not him ordering you, right? Look at him exuding charm again.”

Shi Shu: “You’re still talking? Say more and I’ll speed up, let the carriage bump you off. The snow on the ground is cold, perfect for you to cool down.”

Du Zihan laughed three times then shut up. Only Song Sinan scratched his head, looking puzzled. “What ordering male model?” “What does male model mean?” “Speed up what?”

The logistics team finally arrived at the campsite. The first team had already set up camp, so the second team moved and arranged the supplies. The north wind cut their faces. Until the sky grew darker and darker, the group moved supplies and set up camp against the cruel wind and snow.

During the break, the group walked towards the logistics team’s tents. Shi Shu ate and washed up with them until bed assignments were made. Du Zihan asked, “You’re not sleeping with us, right?”

Shi Shu: “What does that mean?”

Du Zihan grinned slyly, turning to Song Sinan: “He’s going to find his brother. I’ll spend the night with you guys, won’t delay their brotherly reunion.”

Song Sinan heard this and immediately laughed: “Hahaha, how old is he?”

Shi Shu: “……”

Shi Shu’s ears flushed shamefully. He wanted to throw the token ten thousand miles away, but held back: “I’ll just go see him and come back. Keep my bed.”

“Hey, don’t forget the stuff!” Du Zihan shouted. Shi Shu caught a lotus leaf packet. “It’s filled with dripping crisp (a type of pastry), take it for your brother to taste.”

Shi Shu was about to refuse: “Waste… Xie Wuchi is a rich kid, eyes on the top of his head, looks down on everything. He might not eat it if I give it to him.” He might even throw it away as trash.

Shi Shu took it anyway and walked towards the front army tent of the campsite. With the token, the way was unimpeded. It was sunset, clouds flying, mist and snow weaving together, the road almost invisible. Shi Shu asked his way as he walked, cold all over, until he reached the staff officer’s tent.

Shi Shu entered. A large copper basin was in the tent, burning with crimson charcoal. The furnishings inside were simple. Xie Wuchi was sitting at a long table writing something, wearing loose, clean robes, giving off an elegant and ancient feel. As soon as Shi Shu arrived, he stood up and walked over to him.

Shi Shu was just about to say: “Xie Wuchi, they asked me to bring you candy…”

Before he could finish, hot lips pressed down. The coldness all over Shi Shu’s body was instantly assaulted. His face was cupped, lips pecked. Xie Wuchi’s dark pupils looked at him quietly.

“Generally speaking, I control my sugar intake, but since you brought it, I can taste it.”

“………………”

As expected of the self-disciplined brother.

Shi Shu looked down and opened the lotus leaf packet, handing it to him seriously: “Eat.”

Unexpectedly, Xie Wuchi kissed him again, bumping Shi Shu’s chin so hard it hurt, forcing him to step back against the cold tent wall. Shi Shu just wanted to speak but was hugged by the waist, his vision sinking into dimness. In the darkness, the tactile sensation on his lips became especially clear. Xie Wuchi’s tongue drilled in, hooking and licking his tongue tip, then moved endlessly inside his mouth until Shi Shu couldn’t breathe well. His cold, handsome boyish face turned red from the heat, the corners of his eyes also reddening. Panting, he looked at Xie Wuchi, his empty hand involuntarily resting on his shoulder.

Maybe because they hadn’t seen each other for a day or two, Shi Shu panted, frowning, feeling somewhat unfamiliar.

Xie Wuchi asked: “Feel good?”

Shi Shu: “No… good.”

Just finished speaking, lips were kissed again. Shi Shu slowly felt his center of gravity shift, picked up by Xie Wuchi holding his legs, kissed while being held.

Until he was sat down in a place with a warm back, very close to the fire basin, placed on Xie Wuchi’s lap.

Shi Shu was almost out of breath, clutching the dripping crisp packet tightly. Xie Wuchi pried his fingers open while laughing, until Shi Shu’s hand was freed.

“Were you good these past few days? Miss me?”

Shi Shu suddenly felt the topic was crossing the line, blushing: “Don’t understand what you’re saying—but you’re doing so well now, living in a tent alone. I’m squeezed with at least ten people over there.”

Xie Wuchi turned his face straight: “Come sleep with Brother from now on.”

“………………”

Damn it, who are you seducing.

Shi Shu’s upright, straight-guy handsome face turned completely red.

If I knew Xie Wuchi was like this, I’d really regret running away at night from Xiangnan Temple every day, hmph.

Shi Shu wanted to get up from his lap but was held too tightly. He changed the subject: “Dessert, have a piece?”

“Baby feed me.” Xie Wuchi insisted Shi Shu feed him. Shi Shu had to mentally prepare himself to feed him a piece. Xie Wuchi ate while pressing Shi Shu into his arms.

“I miss you.”

“……” Shi Shu listened, face flushing red again, holding his breath and daring not to make a sound. No matter how many times Xie Wuchi confessed, he wasn’t used to it. Looking at Xie Wuchi, he only wanted to compete as a male.

Shi Shu sat in his arms, not knowing where to put his hands, letting them hang by his sides.

“Five more days until your birthday?”

Shi Shu: “Mm.”

“So good.”

“……” Shi Shu bristled, not knowing where he was ‘good’.

Xie Wuchi only ate one piece of the pastry, rinsed his mouth with water, and spat it into a teacup. Then he adjusted his posture holding Shi Shu, placing a hand on his back and adjusting Shi Shu’s legs forward a bit.

Then, eyes meeting, they kissed again.

“Brother kiss.”

Ahhh stop using double words (baby talk)!

Shi Shu looked like a martyr going to his death, face held by Xie Wuchi, lips lightly sucked and repeatedly pressed. Shi Shu’s fair face turned bright red. To be honest, if Xie Wuchi was direct, he could still look blank, but being this gentle made Shi Shu shy.

Xie Wuchi gently pried his lips: “Open your mouth.”

Shi Shu actually clenched his teeth stubbornly until stroked open by his fingers, tongue tip licking into the mouth again.

Very warm candlelight. Shi Shu was held on his lap and kissed. When they separated again, Shi Shu’s entire spine was soft. Meeting Xie Wuchi’s gaze, the heat in their mouths entangled; for a moment, Shi Shu’s scalp tingled.

Silver threads stuck to their lips. Xie Wuchi looked at him, speaking slowly, voice low and husky.

“Мне ты нравишься.” (I like you.)

Shi Shu was puzzled: “What? You’re not cursing me, are you?”

Xie Wuchi smiled and kissed him again.

The wind and snow were heavy. Letting him hold him to warm up, this intimate atmosphere was like dating. But Shi Shu’s thoughts turned, remembering the hairpin. He said, “Xie Wuchi, I saw a hairpin exactly like yours in Du Zihan’s luggage.”

Xie Wuchi didn’t look surprised. He lowered his head, eyes shadowed: “Oh, really.”

Shi Shu’s back suddenly went cold: “You knew already?”

Xie Wuchi stood up, flipping through papers at the table. He was silent for a moment before looking up, saying indifferently: “You spend day and night with Du Zihan, yet only discovered Zhang Tong’s relic these past few days. I’m somewhat surprised.”

Wind and snow howled. Shi Shu was confused, stunned on the spot: “So his name was Zhang Tong. You met him? But you told me before that I was the first time traveler you met.”

Xie Wuchi: “Sit down, I’ll tell you slowly.”

Shi Shu didn’t sit. Xie Wuchi flicked the papers with his fingertips, seemingly pondering his words. A moment later he said: “He was full of hostility the moment he saw me, even before I showed any aggression. I only realized recently seeing Du Zihan that one reason he committed suicide back then was to save his (Du Zihan’s) life.”

Shi Shu: “Speak clearly.”

Xie Wuchi looked up at Shi Shu: “Don’t be too nervous. I admit, I harbored ill intentions towards you at the start. I need to apologize to you first.”

Shi Shu: “I don’t understand. Speak more carefully.”

—But before their voices fell, outside the tent, a horn blast suddenly tore through the sky—dull, solid, heavy sounds, vibrating and cutting through the entire flying snowy night, penetrating everyone’s nerves. Shi Shu had never heard this horn sound before and instantly turned to look outside the tent.

After the horn, the uniform sound of shoes treading on the ground rang outside the door. A large troop was passing quickly.

Xie Wuchi’s brows rose sharply: “War has started!”

A guard’s report sounded outside: “Staff Officer Xie! General Zhao invites you! Please come to observe the battle!”

Shi Shu glanced at Xie Wuchi, eyes not saying much, turned and ran out of the military camp. He seemed to hear shouts behind him but ignored them. Sure enough, gathered troops, uniform formations, wearing black heavy cold armor, spread like black mist outside the camp. The sharp contrast between snow white and pitch black, like a river rushing into the sea.

Shi Shu ran out into the snowy night. When he ran back to the logistics unit, Song Sinan was waiting anxiously: “Come quick, come quick!”

Shi Shu: “What happened?”

Song Sinan hooked his finger: “I’ll take you to a good spot to watch!”

Shi Shu called Du Zihan. Seeing him, Xie Wuchi’s words returned to his mind. Several youths ran wildly along the flat sandy snow, snowflakes smashing onto their faces. Shi Shu’s hands and feet were cold. He ran all the way to a moon-shaped mountain range.

Song Sinan pointed excitedly: “Look, right ahead!”

“Get down! Get down and watch!”

Shi Shu lay prone in the snow, staring at the confrontation at the Cha River section ahead. Torches waved, figures moved chaotically. The opposite camp was set on fire, raging flames rising to the sky, mixed with screams, shouts, and cries of misery. On the other side, war drums thundered. It was clearly a silent late night, but the shocking atmosphere echoed between heaven and earth.

Song Sinan was ecstatic: “My brother’s vanguard must have won! They finally started the battle to meet up!”

Shi Shu mumbled, saying nothing. Du Zihan lay beside him, rubbing sleepy eyes: “Is this fighting a war?”

It should have been invisible in the dark night, but the enemy’s watchtowers and camps were burned. Black shadows could be seen falling twistedly in the fire, or being chopped down from high buildings by spears or broadswords. Shi Shu stared tightly at a certain spot, seemingly the key point of contention. People poured towards this place continuously but were burned by the raging fire, falling to the ground. Yet more people surged out, holding siege tools, charging forward violently. One could imagine the blisters and blood stains caused by fire on human skin.

Human figures flashed before Shi Shu’s eyes. Suddenly, he stopped Du Zihan: “Is your teammate named Zhang Tong?”

Du Zihan: “Yes, how did you know? Did I tell you?”

Shi Shu didn’t answer but asked: “In the days before his suicide, did he avoid meeting you, push you away, not let you stay with him?”

Du Zihan nodded: “Yes, he said he had an infectious disease and would definitely die, that being near him was unsafe. Any suspicious points?”

Shi Shu suddenly grabbed a handful of cold snow, clumping it into a ball, freezing his palm cold. He said, “I’m thinking about some things.”

The war ahead continued, but the hellish flickering fire left afterimages in his pupils. That heat transmitted to his skin from far away. Through this fire shadow, another picture emerged before Shi Shu’s eyes—

—In the military settlement village of Xingu Prefecture, Zhang Tong gave his handmade goods to others. So in the fields of early spring, farmers farmed, and a tall, upright figure stopped among the paths, asking about the source of the products.

The farmers all pointed to the desolate temple where Zhang Tong lived. Xie Wuchi stayed in the village, visiting under the eaves of the bedridden Zhang Tong every day, while Du Zihan and others went out to work, perfectly missing his sight.

At that time, Xie Wuchi was alone, not knowing someone had already met a friend, assuming Zhang Tong was alone. Zhang Tong was also conveying this message, constantly sending Du Zihan away so that Xie Wuchi failed to notice him.

What happened between them? To make Zhang Tong leave an ambiguous suicide note and kill himself within a few days?

Did Zhang Tong want to commit suicide originally? Or was it to protect Du Zihan from being targeted by Xie Wuchi? Was his time running out anyway, so he had to commit suicide?

The relationship between time travelers isn’t friends, but enemies? Xie Wuchi knew early on? Or was he observing and prying long ago, and I never suspected?

What is going on with all this?

Shi Shu’s heart was in turmoil, hands cold. He lay on the snow until numb. The battle before him continued. Whenever someone from the other side fell from the fire, new people would quickly come up to hold the defense line.

At first, there were even several fierce generals of Northern Min riding tall horses towards the other end of the Cha River, moving the vortex center of the battle to the border of Great Jing, but soon they were forced back by Great Jing soldiers.

The night was too cold; people couldn’t stand it. There seemed to be several short breaks in between, hearing war drums then strangling together again. Cold snow. Shi Shu finally saw signs of retreat on the opposite side vaguely. Unknown what intelligence was received, the tide broke through this blockade.

Shi Shu returned to the logistics unit. Several people warmed their frozen bodies by the fire. The horizon finally brightened. He hadn’t seen clearly last night, but when walking by the Cha River in the daylight, Shi Shu stopped abruptly, pupils dilating.

“What kind of hell on earth is this.”

“Hell? What hell? We won the battle.”

Song Sinan and others from the logistics team were dragging away corpses blocking the road, shouting: “Hurry up, hurry up!” “You go left, he goes right!” “The fire was huge yesterday, the ice on the Cha River almost melted, many people froze to death inside.” “These people are all frozen stiff!” “Search out all weapons and valuables on them!” “Go quickly, the bodies are stuck to the ice and snow.”

Song Sinan looked back and saw Shi Shu, saying: “You two get moving too, the army still needs to pass!”

Shi Shu stared blankly at the corpses in front of him. After looking at Du Zihan, his expression was extremely strange. The corpses on the ground were either red or charred black by fire, blood coagulated and no longer flowing due to extreme cold, lying in disorder all over the ground.

Shi Shu knelt down, groping for valuables on the corpses, stripping off armor and clothes, pulling out knives stuck in bodies. In just a while, Du Zihan disappeared, rushing aside to vomit.

Shi Shu identified face after face. Besides Northern Min faces, there were also Great Jing faces. Faces had become sculpture-like ice gray, terrifying. Shi Shu observed others; everyone looked normal, some even cheering and encouraged. Only he and Du Zihan became outliers.

Shi Shu moved corpses. At first he didn’t hear what he was saying clearly, slowly until the chanting became louder: “Why? Why? Why? Why…”

Why? Why? Why?

After moving the corpses on the ice, the group embarked on the journey deep into Northern Min again. Shi Shu lay on the carriage, motionless.

Du Zihan lay beside him: “Are we too weak?”

Shi Shu was weak all over: “Possibly. I want to go home now.”

Du Zihan: “We stand too low. Like General Zhao, Staff Officer Xie, they can watch from the city wall without participating in these things.”

Shi Shu repeated: “Staff—Officer—Xie—”

Du Zihan asked him: “Are you afraid?”

Shi Shu: “I’m a little afraid.”

Du Zihan: “I’m afraid too. I washed my hands desperately just now, but there’s still a smell of corpses on them.”

Shi Shu: “Topics like this, sure enough, I can only talk with you.”

Shi Shu sat up, staring at his hands washed raw: “Really want to go home. I’m a useless thing.”

Along the way, this logistics team followed behind the front army, clearing corpses after battles and collecting reusable spoils. The further forward Shi Shu walked, the colder and harder he felt his heart becoming.

Snow piled up white. On the evening of the second day entering Northern Min territory, the logistics squad arrived at another place piled with corpses where a fierce battle had just occurred. Shi Shu stood on the cliff looking down. This place had experienced burning by war fire. The smell of grain destroyed by fire gathered in the valley, lingering for a long time—a fragrant smell mixed with biting winter snow, with an ambiguous smell of cooked meat in it.

Again, corpses in two types of military uniforms were piled together in disorder. Time of death seemed to be more than two or three days, frozen in ice and snow.

Someone commanded: “Quickly clear the corpses! Sweep for spoils!”

Shi Shu and Du Zihan looked at each other: “Let’s work too.”

Song Sinan said excitedly: “Won another battle. This seems to be Northern Min’s grain storage. Grain and grass were all burned to ashes, grain roads destroyed too. transporting supplies in winter is already hard. Now, the Northern Min army is going to have a hard time!”

Shi Shu: “So that’s it. This army paid a lot.”

Song Sinan smiled and turned away: “Mm. Don’t know where my brother and the others went, haven’t seen them. Let’s work first.”

Shi Shu lowered his head to drag a corpse, straightened the person’s hair, and sighed: “Who are you, and who did you die for?” After speaking, he threw him into the corpse pit.

Suddenly, Shi Shu heard a miserable scream. It was Song Sinan’s voice. When he turned his face, Song Sinan was holding a charred corpse: “Brother! Brother! How could it be you! How could it be you guys? Why are you the ones dead here? Brother! You were lying to me, right? Why is it you who died!”

Shi Shu’s heart slammed, brain feeling like it was punched, sinking into extreme dullness. Du Zihan was also shocked, turning back to look at Shi Shu.

But Shi Shu was both surprised and not surprised. He staggered: “General Song is dead.”

In this team, many were relatives of the Hatred Army squad. Hearing Song Sinan’s crying and shouting, they could no longer care about clearing corpses, searching among them one after another: “Could it be my son?” Others shouted family members’ names, walking back and forth as if the other could still answer; some even sat down on the butt, crawling and digging.

Shi Shu understood in his heart: “Vanguard team, deep into enemy territory. This is actually a suicide squad…”

His hands were cold. He swayed over to Song Sinan, seeing the charred corpse, and patted his shoulder: “Song Sinan, are you okay…”

Song Sinan recognized the wound on his brother’s ear and the jade talisman on his wrist. He cried so hard he couldn’t speak a complete sentence, stuttering: “I want to kill them all… avenge you… Brother… didn’t you say, just going for reconnaissance… why… the vanguard army is almost completely wiped out… didn’t the scouts say only a small amount of troops were stationed here… but how could they be the ‘Lion Armor Army’, the elite main force of the Min dogs…”

“Brother I beg you… don’t die… what will I do in the future? I only have you as a relative left… Mom and Dad were killed by Min dogs, you died too… I won’t forgive them, I will tear them to pieces…”

Shi Shu saw blood beads spilling from between Song Sinan’s teeth. Before he could stop him, Song Sinan took out a knife, carving the word “Hate” onto his arm stroke by stroke.

Shi Shu froze, withdrew his hand, and looked up at the forest where snow was sudden and wind urgent.

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