Chapter 20: Separation Since Ancient Times

On the cliff, Li Qing’an rebandaged his wounds and then made his way along the foothills toward the Turgesh camp. At that moment, flames soared and thick smoke billowed from the valley entrance—the Tang army had set fire to the trees and the bodies of the Turgesh soldiers. Dozens of Turgesh soldiers were nearby, seemingly checking the situation. After observing for a while, they turned and rushed back to their camp.

The Turgesh camp was about three li from the valley entrance, with over thirty tents set up. Their warhorses were enclosed by a large wooden fence, guarded by a dozen soldiers, though the defense was not very strict.

Li Qing’an hid behind a large rock by the river and observed for a while, wondering how to approach the horse pen. Suddenly, he noticed a Turgesh soldier carrying several leather bags walking toward him, cursing under his breath.

Li Qing’an knew Turkic. He heard the man saying that it was almost time for the lambs to be born and asking when he could go back.

Li Qing’an stepped out from behind the rock, bent down, and slowly approached the man. Suddenly, like a leopard, he pounced, his sword flashing—the man fell dead. Li Qing’an changed into his clothes and quickly rushed toward the horse pen. It was completely quiet; not a soul in sight.

He leaped into the horse pen, where thousands of warhorses were kept. Moving swiftly like a weasel, he reached the feeding area in moments. There, piles of dry grass were stacked, and two soldiers were leaning against them, chatting. Li Qing’an quietly sneaked behind them and whistled softly. Both soldiers turned at the same time—just as a cold blade flashed, two bloody heads fell to the ground.

“Sorry, brothers!” Li Qing’an laughed. He immediately took out flint and a firesteel. With two clicks, a flame ignited in his hands. The horses nearby were frightened and turned to flee.

In an instant, flames soared, growing larger and larger. The warhorses in the pen became panicked, thrashing around and neighing loudly. Li Qing’an grabbed a strong warhorse, mounted it, and pulled the reins toward the fence. Upon reaching it, he swung his sword—its blade flashing as it created a five-zhang-wide gap in the fence. The horses rushed out through the gap. Li Qing’an turned his horse and galloped toward the camp. By then, the Turgesh soldiers, alarmed by the blazing fire, were rushing toward them in large numbers.

Li Qing’an shouted all the way, “There’s a fire! Come and put it out!”

Just then, he suddenly saw dozens of Turgesh soldiers riding toward him, while the rest were coming on foot. Only this group was on horseback. The one at the front was Douluo Xian, who had escaped from his hands last year.

Li Qing’an quickly drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and hid it behind the horse’s head. He rushed forward and shouted, “General Duluoxian!”
Duluoxian immediately reined in his horse and asked sternly, “What happened?”
“The main force of the Tang army is coming! Look! Right behind you!”
Duluoxian and the others were shocked. They all turned to look. In that split second, Li Qing’an drew his bow and shot an arrow with great force. The arrow pierced Duluoxian’s back of the head, passing through his skull. With a muffled groan, Duluoxian fell off his horse.
Before the others could react, Li Qing’an had already run away, disappearing into the vast darkness of the night…
With the warhorse fleeing and the commander killed, the Turkic cavalry was in complete chaos. They were originally a loosely organized group of herdsmen put together hastily. With Duluoxian’s death, there was no longer any restraint, and they all took excuses to flee in pursuit of their horses. By dawn, only two hundred of Duluoxian’s personal guards remained in the camp…
…
Dawn gradually broke. The valley was quiet. The fires lit by the Tang army had gone out, but thin trails of smoke still rose from the burned debris. Dozens of Tang soldiers watched the valley nervously, bows drawn and arrows nocked. Although the sentries on the mountain reported that the Turkic cavalry’s camp was empty, they dared not relax until they received confirmed news.
At that moment, the sound of horse hooves came from afar, causing everyone to become tense. Moments later, a warhorse rounded a rock, and Li Qing’an’s tall, straight figure appeared on it. He waved his hand and shouted from afar, “Come over! The Turkic cavalry has retreated.”
After a brief moment of surprise, the Tang army erupted in cheers. They hugged each other excitedly, throwing their helmets and bows high into the air. Instantly, the news reached the merchant caravan. The merchants were moved to tears. They knelt on the ground and bowed repeatedly toward the rising sun, thanking the God of Light for his protection.
Shi Julan rushed over like the wind, shouting, “Where is your general? Is he safe?”
“Our general is over there,” said a soldier, pointing toward the valley.
Shi Julan saw Li Qing’an. She rushed toward him excitedly. After a few steps, she stopped. Her deep blue eyes were filled with tears of joy as she gazed affectionately at the hero in her heart. Bathed in the morning sun, she looked especially beautiful.
Li Qing’an also saw her. He smiled, bent down, and extended his hand to her. Shi Julan rushed up and let him lift her onto the warhorse. In the golden morning light, they rode toward the endless Gobi Desert…

On a high mountain peak, an eagle soared by. On the flat rock beneath it, they were passionately entwined. The early spring sun turned Shijulan’s snow-white skin a purplish-red.
She fully exposed her pure and flawless body between heaven and earth. Her proud breasts trembled in the sunlight, her long black hair fluttering in the wind. Her deep blue eyes were filled with the intoxication of first love, as if this vast world belonged only to the two of them. Burning passion and a man’s strength would utterly conquer her.
Amidst the pain of virginity and extreme pleasure, she couldn’t help but cry out passionately, “O God of Light! Burn brightly! Give my chastity and life to my hero!”
…
After another fifteen days of travel, the Tang army escorted the merchant caravan to Kucha. Li Qing’an had already sent someone back in advance to convey news, but as the commander of this encounter, he still had to report the details immediately to his deputy, Gao Xianzhi.
It was time to part. The Tang army bid farewell to the merchants one by one, exchanging blessings. Dozens of Uyghur girls hugged the Tang soldiers, tears in their eyes.
Li Qing’an stepped forward to Shijulan, smiling at her. Tears shimmered in Shijulan’s eyes. Though she knew this moment was inevitable, the sadness of separation still overwhelmed her.
“General Li, will I… see you again?” Her voice was choked with emotion.
“Yes. You’ll meet me on the way back. I’ll escort you out of the Tang borders.”
Li Qing’an was also saddened, but he had to make a choice between his military duties and personal feelings.
Shijulan could no longer hold back her sorrow. She threw herself into Li Qing’an’s arms and wept bitterly. Love might be like a firework—brilliant and stunning for a moment, but its beauty fades quickly. After displaying its splendor, it disappears, leaving longing in both hearts.
Li Qing’an gently raised Shijulan’s chin and softly wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Go to Chang’an! See the wonders of the Tang Dynasty. If you fall in love with it, you can choose it as your home.”
“I will.” With tearful eyes, Shijulan gazed at Li Qing’an dreamily. “If there’s also a trace of you in Chang’an, I’ll fall in love with it.”
The sound of horse hooves grew louder. A cavalry rider rushed over urgently. “General, the deputy commander orders you to report immediately!”
Li Qing’an released Shijulan and smiled gently. “I have to go. Take care on your journey. Smile! I look forward to our reunion.”

Shi Julan smiled through tears. Li Qingan suddenly turned his horse and rode away, never looking back at Shi Julan again. The cavalry members also spurred their horses and followed their commander. A sandstorm arose, and Shi Julan stared blankly as Li Qingan’s tall, upright figure gradually disappeared into the swirling dust.