Chapter 18: Joining Forces to Defeat the Enemy

A whistling arrow cut through the air.

Fang Xian loosed his arrows with unhurried precision, gradually expanding Cai Golden Blade’s disadvantage. Wounds multiplied across Cai’s body, his strength waned, and the number of surviving bandits from the Crouching Tiger Stronghold dwindled rapidly in the distance.

With a desperate cry, Cai realized that, at this rate, he would be whittled down and killed. Suddenly, abandoning all pretense of defense, he lunged straight at Ye Hongxiu, as if determined to drag her to death along with him.

Ye Hongxiu was indeed startled, hesitating for a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Cai used her as a shield against the deadly arrows, then with a nimble leap, swiftly retreated toward the mouth of the valley. He had deliberately edged closer to the cliff’s rim during the fight; now, less than ten meters from the edge, he needed only a single breath’s time to leap into the ravine and escape.

Just as he’d hoped, the hidden archer did not dare fire as he retreated with Ye Hongxiu between them. In the blink of an eye, he reached the precipice, dropped to the ground, and, with only a few rolls, could tumble down into the valley below.

But just as joy sparked in his heart, Ye Hongxiu leaped high into the air. An arrow shot like lightning from beneath her feet, piercing straight through Cai’s thigh and pinning him immovably to the earth.

“Die!” With a fierce shout, Ye Hongxiu’s sword followed, flying through the air and plunging into Cai’s throat, nearly severing his neck and ending his life on the spot.

“Wife, I’ll go ahead to scout. They must still have horses—let’s not let them get away.” Fang Xian’s voice rang out then, his feet seeming to flicker with starlight as he vanished into the distance with a few light bounds.

With Cai dead, the remaining dozen or so bandits scattered. Most were cut down on the spot or felled by arrows; only a handful managed to flee into the woods.

“Don’t pursue them—secure the field and go down to support our brothers,” Ye Hongxiu ordered as she retrieved her sword. The others began to gather valuables from the fallen bandits. Er Niu picked up Cai’s golden blade and hurried down the valley to rejoin the men guarding their rear.

“Where’s the young lord’s husband?” Da Niu asked, not seeing Fang Xian.

“He’s gone ahead to intercept their horses. We’ll catch up with him now,” Ye Hongxiu replied, leading her group and what remained of their horses quickly through the valley.

Several miles ahead, Fang Xian discovered the bandits’ horses in a forest—twenty or thirty of them, guarded by only two men. The fleeing bandits had not yet returned, unable to match his speed.

With two swift arrows, Fang Xian took down the guards before they could scatter the horses. He then climbed a tree for a better vantage point.

Soon, the rapid drumming of hooves approached, but it was not Ye Hongxiu and the others. Fang Xian readied his bow, wary of possible reinforcements from the Crouching Tiger bandits.

But when three riders appeared, he recognized the uniforms of Green Cloud Stronghold soldiers. Their faces were etched with anxiety as they urged their mounts faster.

“Halt!” Fang Xian called, leaping down from the tree. The three reined their horses in sharply, their mounts rearing and neighing before settling.

“Brother-in-law!” they exclaimed in relief on recognizing him.

One quickly blurted out, “Brother-in-law, Young Lord Zhou’s wife fell and can’t give birth—we’ve come to find you!”

“It’s urgent, sir—please hurry back,” another pleaded.

“What?” Fang Xian’s heart clenched. “Give me a horse. Wait here for the young mistress; she’ll be along soon. I’ll go ahead.”

He mounted up and dashed off, leaving the soldiers to guard the horses.

Shortly after Fang Xian’s departure, Ye Hongxiu and her party arrived and found only the soldiers waiting.

“What’s happened? Where’s Brother-in-law?” she asked.

They quickly explained. “He’s already rushed back and told us to wait here for you.”

“Ah, my sister-in-law is in labor? What now? I hope my husband reaches her in time,” Ye Hongxiu fretted, but she could not abandon the group. With Fang Xian already on his way, she instructed everyone to swap for the faster horses and hasten their return.

Fang Xian spurred his mount relentlessly, reaching the base of Green Cloud Peak in less than half an hour. He rushed straight to the Zhou family’s compound.

As he approached, cries of grief reached his ears, mingled with Zhou Tianming’s heart-wrenching wails. Fang Xian’s heart sank. Had he come too late?

At the gate, Ye Qingyun emerged, face heavy with sorrow. He started on seeing Fang Xian. “You’re too late, my son. Your sister-in-law is gone—she never delivered the child.”

“Father, let me see her.” Since marrying Ye Hongxiu, Fang Xian had begun calling Ye Qingyun father, and Ye Qingyun called him son in return.

“She fell an hour ago, and when the midwife saw the baby’s foot at the birth canal, she was too frightened to act. They struggled for ages but couldn’t turn the child. Your sister-in-law screamed herself hoarse, and not long ago, she stopped breathing,” Ye Qingyun explained as they walked inside.

“It’s my fault—I didn’t look after her. I let her fall…” Fang Xian entered the main hall to find Zhou Tianming sitting on the ground, hair disheveled, face streaked with tears and the red marks of recent blows. He took no notice of Fang Xian’s arrival.

All around, Zhou Bexiong, his wife, Zhou Yuyan, a few maids, and several other women from the stronghold wept in mourning.

Zhou Tianming’s wife had already been laid on a door panel, blood still dripping steadily to the floor. Fang Xian caught a drop in his palm—it was still faintly warm.

He checked her breath—none. He felt her pulse—barely perceptible, a faint thread that beat only after long intervals.

A spark of hope flickered in Fang Xian’s heart. He sent a mysterious energy along her veins, probing within. He discovered her heart still beat, ever so weakly—too faint for ordinary detection—and the child within her belly still had a heartbeat as well.

“Elder Brother, she’s not dead!” Fang Xian shouted, startling everyone. “Quick—fetch the midwife and boil some water!”

“Did you say she’s alive?” Zhou Tianming snapped back to himself, clutching Fang Xian’s arm with desperate hope.

“Yes, she and the child will both be fine. Trust me. Bring the midwife, oil lamps, and hot water at once,” Fang Xian replied, issuing a series of orders.

At once, Zhou’s household sprang into action. Zhou Bexiong leapt up to direct the commotion. Maids ran to fetch hot water, and several women—midwives from the stronghold—hurried over.

Fang Xian took out his silver needles, sterilized them over the flame, then swiftly inserted dozens into her head and chest, protecting her heart and ensuring she would survive.

“Sir, the baby’s foot is still at the birth canal—what should we do?” a midwife asked, palpating the belly anxiously.

“Don’t worry, I’ll turn him,” Fang Xian replied. He had them bare Ah Fang’s swollen belly, and with a sudden movement, he inserted a needle below her abdomen, withdrawing it immediately.

To the astonishment of all, movement stirred within—clearly the child was alive. The tension in the room eased, if only a little.