The Hsien soldiers were collectively executed after Jiangjun Han Li's body was given to the angry villagers for further torture. Their fate was tragic but not as abominable as what had happened to their jiangjun whose half-dead body was being salted and ridiculed by the enraged villagers who demanded revenge. Jiangjun Han Li's head was decapitated after.

A huge abysmal grave was dug from a considerable distance outside of the village. All of the Hsien soldiers were securely tied wrists and feet to avoid them from escaping; they were then harshly kicked into the pit. After all of them were hauled to the grave, the Chao archers positioned their chokunu to them and shot an endless number of arrows. The sight was so grotesque as dark, vile blood splattered ferociously like that of the raindrops from a vicious typhoon as it landed to the ground.

Once the shooting of arrows halted, fire was set upon the Hsien soldiers after several huge pots of hot pork lard were poured into them - this was done to scald those who were possibly alive and to ensure that not one Hsien soldier would abscond death. The grave looked like the mouth of a rabid dragon as the fire further intensified; it blazed furiously like the hottest fire of the inferno.

The thick black smoke emanated by the conflagration had greatly defiled the wide pristine noon sky. It looked like a gargantuan dark spot upon an immense white silk cloth. The pungent smell of roasted bodies drifted through the air.

Yan Mei Ling's body shook with intense anxiety even if she did not watch the execution of the Hsien soldiers. She heard the outrageous growls and pitiful lamentation of the Hsien soldier even from a distance. It made her cringed but they deserved what happened to them - they plundered and took many lives without mercy. Now Karma had finally unfolded itself upon them in its most appalling manner like the most vicious vengeful demons from the depths of hell.

"You are trembling, Tang Lao Fang." Lady Chao Biming said worriedly. She together with one of her maidservants went near Tang Lao Fang who was currently staying in her tent. She gently touched his forehead and frowned. "You are very cold. I think you need more blankets."

"I am fine. I am just nervous. The.. violence.. its gruesomeness disturbs me." Yan Mei Ling answered in a shaky voice, algid sweat bathed her entire body, thoroughly drenching the clothes that she was wearing. Somehow, she could still taste the bitter remnants of her vomit in her tongue.

The tent's door was hoisted up and another maidservant entered. She was carrying a pot of tea along with a few small bowls.

"Lady Chao Biming, the tea is now ready." The maidservant said politely as she went near Lady Chao Biming.

"Thank you, Wen Lanfen," Lady Chao Biming said gratefully as she received the tea.

"You are welcome, Lady Chao Biming," Wen Lanfen bowed her head respectfully. She took a peek at Tang Lao Fang lying figure and blushed deeply upon seeing his beautiful face. "Is there anything else that you want me to help you with, my lady?"

"Yes, I do. Kindly fetch me some extra blankets as well as a basin of water and some wash cloths." Lady Chao Biming ordered gently.

"Most definitely, my lady," Wen Lanfen nodded her head.

"Thank you." Lady Chao Biming uttered in gratitude before she turned to one of the maidservants in the room, "Huian Jinjing, please accompany and assist Wan Lanfen in getting those things that I requested."

"Yes, my lady." Huian Jinjing bowed her head with regard.

"Thank you."

Huian Jinjing rushed to Wen Lanfen's side who was already standing near the tent's door waiting for her.

"He is a very handsome warrior," Wen Lanfen whispered enthusiastically to Huian Jinjing.

Huan Jinjing giggled and agreed in a low voice, "Indeed, he is."

Both maidservants threw another admiring glances to the sick warrior being tended by Lady Chao Biming and their fellow maidservants before hoisting the hatch up to exit.

Lady Chao Biming graciously poured some tea into the cup and served it to Tang Lao Fang who was still shuddering. "Please drink this tea. This will calm your nerves and ease your agitation, Tang Lao Fang."

Yan Mei Ling could see her vision blurring as she stared at Lady Chao Biming. Tears began to descend slowly from her eyes to her cheeks.

Why is it that I always remember Li Lei Shuang whenever I look at Lady Chao Biming? How is she doing right now?

Yan Mei Ling tightly closed her eyes as spasms of loneliness and reminscence racked her heart. She clamped her lips together to control herself from sobbing like a miserable fool.

Wait for me, Li Lei Shuang. I am on my way to save you from the evil Lord Hsien Mao Dong. We will be together again.

"What is the matter, Tang Lao Fang? Why are you crying? Is there something in you that feels hurt?" Lady Chao Biming asked a series of questions. Her beautiful face shone with tenderness; her musical voice was fraught with extreme concern.

"No, nothing," Yan Mei Ling hiccuped, shook her head, and immediately wiped her tears with the back of her fists. "I am just grateful for your concern. Thank you so much for taking care of me, Lady Chao Biming."

"You are welcome, Tang Lao Fang," Lady Chao Biming said gladly - it immensely pleased her to see Tang Lao Fang appreciating what she did to him. Her heart was overwhelmed with a very strong emotion and it took so much of her willpower to not kiss and embrace him in front of her maidservants. However, she could clearly see the sadness within Tang Lao Fang's expressive eyes. "Here is the tea. Kindly drink this one."

Yan Mei Ling extended her hands to receive the cup of tea but Lady Chao Biming told her, "You are still trembling, the cup might slip and spill on you - this is still hot. Allow me help you, Tang Lao Fang."

Yan Mei Ling nodded listlessly.

Lady Chao Biming immediately yet gently held Tang Lao Fang's nape in her other arm. She gingerly placed the cup to the beautiful warrior's mouth.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Jinzhou Lu Wang Wei stood outside of the Chao Village staring expectantly into the sky. A lot of time had been wasted since the tragedy had struck and the need to arrive to the Hsien Capital had been so strong, he almost lost his patience.

He wanted to go home now and take a long vacation after his Augean odyssey. He wanted to rediscover himself and hopefully cleanse himself from the things that had unhinged his sanity.

He needed to go home now, and maybe forget - forget this unwarranted desire that his treacherous body felt. He could not allow himself to plunge into its dangerous ocean because it would only drown him in the sea of disaster. It might had felt good but it was utterly wrong - it just could not be.

He might just try to search the beautiful maiden his heart desired before this illicit feeling he had for Tang Lao Fang started or if she was nowhere to be found; if she was naught but a beautiful dream, then maybe he would marry someone else. His heart broke into small painful fragments at his second choice but it was immensely better than to fall for Tang Lao Fang; a male just like him.

He took a deep breath to ease the dull ache between his chest. His eyes suddenly narrowed as he saw a bird approaching his direction.

"Shan de Tiangkong!" He whispered in excitement as he recognized his falcon. He whistled a distinctive tune to the bird who in turned responded with a delighted cry.

The falcon landed happily on Jinzhou Lu Wang Wei outstretch arm. He affectionately caressed the bird's crown as well as its beak while checking if it had any wounds or injuries.

He smiled when he saw a scroll attached to its tarsus. He gently removed the scroll and opened it while the falcon roosted on his forearm.

Jinzhou Lu Wang Wei

We have reached the Silver Bird Forest and had walked way past the area where you had possibly encountered the Hsien armies. I am glad that you are received by Baron Chao Bo and, I hope that he will show the same courtesy to us the moment that we arrive in his village.

Worry not, we will not tarry any longer. We are almost near.

Jiangjun Yu Hui Cheng

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°