The camp was unusually busy.
Soldiers moved quickly, preparing weapons and horses.
The air was tense far from the usual training atmosphere.
Yue Ling looked around, confused.
"…What's going on?"
She spotted Shen Yan giving orders, his expression as serious as ever.
"Prepare the troops.
We move immediately."
"Yes, General!"
Yue Ling raised an eyebrow.
"…Looks like something's happening."
She walked toward him.
"Hey, what's going on?"
Shen Yan didn't even look at her.
"Stay here."
She frowned.
"Huh? Why?"
"It's dangerous."
Yue Ling crossed her arms.
"I'm more dangerous."
Silence.
Then
"…No."
"NO?!"
She followed him.
"Excuse me, General, I'm your assistant, right?"
No answer.
"Then I'm coming with you!"
He stopped walking.
Slowly turned to her.
"…You will only get in the way."
Ouch.
Yue Ling blinked.
"…Wow. That hurt."
She stepped closer.
"Want me to prove myself again?"
Shen Yan stared at her.
Then
"…Fine."
Her eyes lit up.
"YES!"
"But"
He stepped closer.
"If anything happens, you follow my orders.
No arguments."
She saluted playfully.
"Yes, sir!"
MISSION START
The forest was darker than before.
The soldiers moved carefully, staying alert.
Yue Ling walked beside Shen Yan, whispering
"So… what's the mission?"
"…Bandits."
Her eyes widened.
"Oh… so this is a real fight."
"Stay close."
"…Are you worried about me?"
No response.
She smirked.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you."
Shen Yan stopped walking.
"…Ridiculous."
Suddenly
RUSTLE!
Arrows flew from the trees.
"AMBUSH!"
Chaos erupted.
"Protect the General!"
Yue Ling's eyes widened.
"That was sudden!"
A bandit rushed toward her
Without hesitation
She moved.
KICK!
The man fell.
Another came
She ducked, then struck
Fast.
Precise.
"Okay… I can do this…"
Nearby
Shen Yan fought effortlessly.
His sword moved like lightning
Clean.
Deadly.
Enemies fell one after another.
Yue Ling glanced at him.
"…He's so cool."
But suddenly
She froze.
A bandit appeared behind Shen Yan
Sword raised
"SHEN YAN!"
Without thinking She ran toward him.
"YUE LING—WAIT!"
Too late.
She pushed him aside
CLASH!
The blade grazed her arm.
"Ahh!"
Everything stopped.
Shen Yan's eyes widened.
"…You "
Yue Ling held her arm, wincing.
"Ow… it's okay… it's just a scratch…"
Before the bandit could attack again
SWISH!
Shen Yan struck him down instantly.
His expression darkened.
Dangerous.
"Retreat!"
The remaining enemies fled.
Silence filled the forest once again.
Shen Yan turned to Yue Ling.
"…Are you hurt?"
His voice
Different.
Yue Ling blinked.
"…Are you worried?"
He frowned.
"Answer me."
She smiled a little.
"…I'm fine. Just a scratch."
He grabbed her wrist gently
Inspecting the wound.
Yue Ling froze.
"…Hey…"
For a moment
They were too close again.
Her heart beat faster.
"…Fool."
His voice was low.
"You disobeyed my order."
She pouted.
"If I didn't, you'd be dead."
Silence.
He didn't reply.
But his grip
Didn't loosen.
"…Why?" he suddenly asked.
Yue Ling blinked.
"…Huh?"
"Why did you protect me?"
She looked at him.
For a moment
Her playful expression disappeared.
"…Because…"
Her voice softened.
"…I already lost you once."
Shen Yan froze.
Something
Shifted.
Deep inside him.
He quickly let go of her.
"…We're going back."
Cold again.
But not completely.
As they walked back
Yue Ling looked at him quietly.
"…Gu Jin…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"…I'll find a way to bring you back."
Shen Yan walked ahead.
Silent.
Do you think Yue Ling made the right choice going with them? 😳
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But his mind
Was no longer calm.