War Prisoner

CH 3

The afternoon sun hung over the brutal battlefield; the light arrays were pierced through the rolling sand like a shrouded crestfallen shield. From time to time, there were a few flowers of blood accompanied with sand flying into the air. The sand was stained with blood from the earlier battle, as a young man’s body was partially uncovered beneath the sand with an arm that was terribly mutilated. This is cruelty of war and there can be no words to describe it.

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Additionally, what was more devastating about this great battle’s outcome: the country’s reputation, the monarch’s ambitions and the peace of a nation. Since the stakes are high, whether it is Qi or Kim Liao, they have to do their best because they cannot afford to lose.

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Wan Yan Xu and Su Yi, the highest ranking Generals for each side, were against each other at the centre of the battlefield. Both parties were heavily sweating so the body armours appeared to be increasingly heavier. Wan Yan Xu suddenly quietly said, “The outcome has been fixed, why are you still making unnecessary struggles? If you were to surrender, I’ll reward you with wealth and titles. Qi ‘s King and greedy Ministers, are they really worthy of your sacrifice?”

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Su Yi did not reply. He knew Wan Yan Xu was correct that the outcome has already been determined, whether it was the army or himself. Currently, Wan Yan Xu has strengths to speak but for him, he could not utter a word. If he did so, whatever power he has, would undoubtedly be gone.

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Wan Yan Xu’s eyes were flashed with chilliness, coldly said: “You’re so arrogant, not even caring to reply.” In his resentment, with a third force of the strength, he’d willed the long spear and it powered like the dragon diving into the sea or the tiger jumping down the mountain. Su Yi was already struggling to fight, how could he withstand the attack, and for an instance, he was inattentive. His shoulder was injured by an arrowshot and heavily bleeding, which have stained the body armour; his eyes were vertigo and mouth gave a hint of bleak smile. Su Yi was staggering on the horse before his body was completely and gently captive by Wan Yan Xu. The little strength he had, have gathered in his fist and ready to attack the opponent as the man face came closer. Unfortunately, the enemy realised his intention and took hold of his neck.At once, he completely fainted.

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When he woke up again, the heaven was already filled with stars and speckled of very pale light from a crescent, cold moon. Although there was no wind, it was bitterly cold. Su Yi found that his body sweat had formed a layer of thin ice and seemed to erode the skin. The armour he had own for many years was nowhere in sight, presumably took as a trophy by the enemy for his captivity. The squeaky sound of the prisoner wagon travelled in the night was particularly harsh to the ears.

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A woman’s voice suddenly rang out: “The camp site is built. The King ordered me to take Su General to his tent.” In the darkness of the night, a beautiful face slowly revealed. She saw that he has awakened and could not help smiling.The starry moonlight was at this moment deemed under her elegance.

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Wan Yan Xu’s tent was cosy and warm,but could not melt the iciness in his eyes. When Su Yi was in his sight, his frightening face twisted with a cruel smile, and coldly said: “Su General, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day? Three years, one month and five days.Thanks to God’s mercy and with Qi’s Ministers’ helps, they have made my lifelong wish easily fulfilled.”

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Su Yi pursed his thin lips and his eyes were steadfast on Wan Yan Xu. He was surprised to find the other man picked up the roasted lamb’s leg from a dish on the table and placed it before him, taunted and laughed: “Are you hungry? I was surprised at how odd the Invincible General was during our combats. It was until I interrogated your Lieutenant that I’ve discovered the reason, tsk tsk, such a pity. Ah, a famous general, starving without food and had to fight on the battlefield. If this news is spread out, none will believe, ha ha ha.” His maniac laughter did not move Su Yi as he was only coldly staring back at the other man.

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Wan Yan Xu’s laughter was steeply broken for Su Yi’s silence has irritated him, as if he was a clown on a stage and acting in a meaningless one-man show. He grabbed Su Yi’s collar, coldly said:  “I amasking you once more, are you going to surrender or not?”

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Su Yi finally replied and the sound was very crisp, but mellow: “No surrender.”

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Wan Yan Xu suddenly let go, sneered for a moment: “Why? I’ve already said, is such a monarchy worthy of your sacrifice?”

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Su Yi said each word distinctly: “My life is only sold for the Qi people.” His tone was resolute and ringing with mettle.

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Wan Yan Xu’s eyes seemed to be lit up like a ball of fire. Su Yi’s stature was clearly smaller than his, but currently, it was as if he has become much taller than him. This impression made him even angrier, and what was more intolerable was the man’s calm manners, as if he was not the prisoner but vice versa.

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He gripped Su Yi’s shoulder wound. Wan Yan Xu was satisfied when he saw the other man bit his lip. His frantically wicked eyes was staring and grunting slowly: “Su Yi, you probably do not know this. I have always been ruthless with my enemy, especially you, I’ll have no mercy, and do you know how much pleasure it is when I thought of torturing you to cry out for mercy? Since you won’t surrender, prepare to welcome whatever means I’ll cast upon you. Do not attempt to suicide as a martyr, for tens of thousands of soldiers’ lives are depending on you, and all of them are in my hands. If you decided otherwise, I’ll ensure the tortures that are supposed to be imposed on you be implemented double on them, then kill each one so no one will be spared.”