Liu Sheng was holding his arms, bleeding, and staring at the crazy guy in front of him. The reckless idiot with an imperial surname, title of duke, and rank of general, was wolfishly grinning at him, blood all over his face, and trying to explain how they should go forward and not recuperate.
He knew he was the one who came with reinforcements last year and saved Liu Sheng's price and also his life, but hell no. He was not going to send his men to their deaths. They were already fighting for three days straight, and finally, they managed to push Khan back. He wanted to sleep, eat, and hopefully look for his bird, whether he arrived or not.
"They will all die," he tried to explain calmly, but Zhu Shou was shaking his head.
"No, we are stronger. They will not expect it!" Hell no, they won't because only a reckless idiot would do that! Liu Sheng bit his lip, not shouting out loud. This person was really getting on his nerves. Spoiled brat. Well, spoiled old man as he was older than him, definitely. But he was definitely used to everything going according to him. Liu Sheng just wanted to punch him in his face.
He looked around and saw many wounded, soldiers lying dead by his feet, friends of foes… Those who worked under him already knew what was going on and brushed through to see if someone was to be saved.
"They are exhausted, and the winter is already here!" he exclaimed, not able to adjust his emotions. The old guy smiled at him, deepening the grin, and Liu Sheng shivered, gaining goosebumps on his back.
Something moved behind General Zhu, and Liu Sheng grabbed his sword immediately and intercepted the flying arrow. He jumped to the lying Northerner and pierced his chest with more power than was needed, instantly killing him. Yes, that was why the weep was needed. Because if you argue with an idiot on an open battlefield, there might be someone who was just unconscious and can easily kill you.
"You saved me," sounded behind him from the person he wanted to see the least in his life. Liu Sheng just furrowed his brows and nodded. Which idiot would let his guard down like this?
Liu Sheng bit his lip once again, but now because of the pain that went through his upper arm. When he made the move, he heard something snap, and now he feared for the worst as he couldn't move it much around. It felt painful just lifting it up. And it was his right hand!
"Xiamu!" he shouted really loudly. His lieutenant ran to him and saw the limping arm. His face blackened with worry.
"If you want to go and follow them, go alone. I won't follow you. I saved your life. Now I have to take care of my arm so I can keep saving lives. If you want to throw it away, go. But don't drag innocent soldiers into it!" Liu Sheng couldn't keep his composure, he was yelling, his arm hurting, and he was tired. He had no patience for an idiot who was just playing war, wanting to be a soldier, and disregarding basic regulations and tactics.
He turned around, and with Yu Xiamu's help, he limped back to his horse and got up on it. He rode back to the camp where Fang Tao was anxiously stepping before his tent. When he saw him, his expression worsened.
"Did you win?" he asked, running towards Liu Cheng.
"Many wounded be ready," he said grimly. He took out the bag he was given by Jingting and which he wore on his chest, safely tucked behind his armor.
"Use my medicine on me. It's specially made. It should help." Liu Cheng tossed him the bag and dragged himself inside the tent. He fell on the bed in the armor and looked at the bird roost. His heart skipped a beat as it was there. Sitting on it. The hawk he sent with Jingting.
"I saw him circling around looking for you, so I have called him in with a whistle." Fang Tao came inside and took out all the ointments and things there we in the bag. Yu Xiamu also came in, followed by Wen Jun, the latter two helped him to get out of the armor, being really careful with his hand.
"Wow, you almost died… Or did you try to die?" Liu Cheng looked at Fang Tao, annoyed.
"No, I had to babysit someone playing soldier. Older brother made me, and tomorrow he is taking care of him alone, otherwise I will kill not only the northerners, but there will be a stray arrow that will find its target," he gritted through his teeth because Fang Tao started caring for his wounds.
It hurt. So fucking much, he had to distract himself with whatever was close to him. Which meant the thing he was looking forward to the most.
"Can you take the message out and read it?" he asked Wen Jun, who nodded and took the letter out. Well, it was more of notes than a letter, as the birds couldn't carry too much. But it was still enough. Everything was better than nothing.
'Jin is quickly healing and learning. Jiang teaches Xicheng, who hates you for it. I'm okay. I miss you all.' Of course, Jingting would never write that he misses Liu Cheng only, but he was bemused who the 'all' were, maybe mother and brothers? A tear fell out of the corner of his eye, and he was shivering. The pain in his arm was greater, and now, hotness got into the mix.
"I have to sew it up. It looks like you have severed muscles. You won't be able to move your arm for a long time unless you want to be crippled." Fang Tao said and gave back the candle to Xiamu after he inspected it. No other wound Liu Sheng had was as painful as this. Sweat was rolling down his spine and temples, and he was unable to do anything with it.
"Maybe you can ask him to come back and heal you? Or you can go there and have a nice holiday once again," Fang Tao had quick reflexes, so he dodged Liu Cheng's left arm with laughter and smacked him back on the back.
"I still have my left arm, and I know how to use that one for a sword. Do you think I can leave that…" he stopped because the tent opened, and that guy, whom he just wanted to call an idiot, came in. Fuck you! Liu Sheng thought for himself and yelled out as the needle bit into his arm.
"Peien's pastes are usually better. Where did you get this one?" Fang Tao asked, furrowing his brows.
"You did not put painless powder in yet… only bloodstopping…" Wen Jun said and gave him the bottle with it. The healer looked at his sweating commander and swore in his head, hoping he would live through this night.