Chapter 69: Crimson Tears' Departure

  The commander of the 3rd battalion of the 3rd division of the 5th army, Long Yun, felt very uncomfortable and sat alone in the battalion headquarters drinking wine.

  When he returned to the imperial capital for vacation, he went to support Hong Piaoyu at Tianxiang Building, spending 10,000 gold coins in exchange for a night of intimacy. However, just as they were about to undress, they encountered a police raid.

  This matter, for a team officer, was originally something that could be made big or small, as long as everyone's face was saved. So, at the time, Long Yun hastily put on his clothes and walked to the front of the officer in charge, secretly handing him a bag of gold coins.

  "If you don't want to add another charge of bribery, take your hands off," the officer said coldly. "Now, please show me your ID."

  Looking at the gendarmerie officer's official and serious demeanor, Long Yun knew that this time he had kicked an iron plate. Under normal circumstances, the gendarmerie on patrol in the imperial capital would give some flexibility even to the lowest-ranking military officers. Since they were all in the military, the gendarmerie also knew that it was not easy for military personnel and would let them off with a bribe.

  "Long Yun, commander of the 3rd battalion of the 3rd regiment of the 5th army. Hmm, very well, take him away!" The officer ordered his subordinates after checking the documents.

  "Judging from his tone, it seems like he's coming for me? Which god have I offended?"

  Soon, Long Yun was taken to the Imperial Military Affairs Bureau. After an investigation, he was demoted one rank and had his leave cancelled, being sent back to the Third Regiment.

  "Damn it, when commoners go to buy smiles, that's called stealing oil; when talented scholars visit brothels, that's called having fun; when high officials summon prostitutes, that's called socializing; but when I, the old master, get involved with a red card, that's called making a mistake. The most regrettable thing is that I haven't even succeeded yet! And now I've been demoted again, this world is really damn dark!" Long Yun sighed and gulped down his wine in big mouthfuls.

  "Captain!" A knock at the door was heard from outside.

  "Come in!"

  Pushing open the door was Vice Captain Hyouga of the 3rd Division. Hyouga always gave off a cold feeling, like a knife ready to drink blood at any moment.

  "Squad leader, drink with me?"

  "Don't call me Captain anymore, I've been demoted again. What does the Deputy Captain want with me?"

  "I'm no longer a deputy team leader either. I am the captain of the first squad." said Huan Jian.

  "I got demoted, what's it to you? How could you also get demoted?" Long Yun shouted angrily, his face red with rage.

  "Because you're now the deputy team leader, I'll let you take my place."

  "Haha, poor brothers! How many times have I been demoted now?" Long Yun reacted and laughed loudly, seemingly not taking the demotion seriously.

  "For the fifth time. I think this time you are giving up your seat for someone else again."

  "Do you think anyone can sit stably in this position?" Long Yun laughed and said.

  Huanjian shook his head. He thought of how the new team leaders had ended up slinking away with their tails between their legs after Longyun's previous four demotions.

  "Three teams, I'm always in charge. As long as I'm alive, nothing can change the sky. Even if a prince comes, he'll still have to scram!"

  "I came just to ask, should we make some preparations to welcome the new team leader? Or is everything going on as usual?"

  "Of course, as usual. Brothers, we all follow me and live a good life when there's no war to fight. We'll drink wine, play cards, chase girls, just don't slack off during training." Long Yun said.

  "Yes."

  "Damn it, I didn't go to the Imperial City for nothing. The women on the streets outside are just the same, right? Looking for a high-class prostitute, what a joke. Alas! One million gold coins gone down the drain, looks like I need to find some fat sheep to slaughter." Longyun muttered to himself after Xuanjian left.

  "Herald!"

  "Yes!" A staff officer trotted into the room.

  "Go and bring me a few of those fat sheep near our camp!"

  "Yes."

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  The culprit who made Long Yun skip class, Liu Yun, was also in trouble at this time. The day after the night banquet at the wine tower, Hua Xiang left him a letter and left the imperial capital.

  Cloud:

  The girl left, taking with her the memories you once gave her.

  When we met, you were already in my heart; when we got to know each other, she was already yours. I'm afraid of falling in love with you, so I chose to leave.

  You are a cloud drifting at the horizon, occasionally reflected in my heart's lake, stirring up ripples. You are an eagle about to spread its wings, I don't want any feelings for you to become a tether to your flight. So, I want to leave some free space for each other, so we can both breathe easily.

  Your business cooperation will continue. Uncle Leilo will stay in the Imperial City, and when you need help, you can find him directly. You have cultivated Black Eagle with your own hands, and I have witnessed its growth. Please allow me to help you give it wings to fly. If you ask for the reason, then it is: For you, Akane will never be a stingy person. If one day she sees the eagle soaring in the sky, Akane will smile with tears.

  We were once equally proud and lonely people. On this solitary path of life, we once accompanied each other, and Xiao Er will forever be your confidant.

  Flowers move with the clouds, and when they move, they fall. All things in the world have times of emotional change, but only time has a heart of iron, no matter how I beg, it won't give me back any of the fleeting joys that have passed. But I believe that true love is like plum blossoms that have bloomed, even in the cold snow and ice, their fragrance cannot be hidden.

  May the flower that once bloomed by your side leave a lingering fragrance for you when we part ways.

  That's the memory that once belonged to us.

  "Remember what you promised me, don't let me down. The officialdom is full of dangers, take care of yourself!"

  On the letter paper, with a faint fragrance, Liu Yun couldn't help but recall all sorts of things after meeting Hua Xiang. The teardrops seemed to be her tearful eyes, making Liu Yun feel sorrowful and melancholic.

  "Xiang'er..." He couldn't help but think of how many times she had softly asked him to call her Xiang'er, but now she could no longer hear it.

  Shuiling'er walked into the room when Liuyun was standing in front of the window in a daze.

  "Has Sister Honglei left?" Shuiling'er asked softly.

  "Mm." Liú Yún nodded slightly.

  "Why me?"

  Liú Yún shook her head.

  "If you're feeling sad, go find her and bring her back." Shui Ling'er said, biting her lip and holding back tears.

  "Ling'er, if you're feeling jealous in your heart, why must you endure it?" Liu Yun said with a bitter smile.

  "If I really went, I'm afraid it wouldn't be just me who would be heartbroken."

  The little water spirit stood there silently.

  "I just feel like I owe her too much, but I forgot that there's a small vinegar jar by my side." Liuyun smiled and gently pulled Shuiling into his arms.

  "Big brother's wedding is approaching, let's go and help out too." said Shuiling.

  Huā jiàng lèi de lí qù, ràng liú yún yī shí qíng xù dī luò, dàn xiǎng dào dà gē hūn qī jiāng zhì, tā lì kè qīng xǐng le hěn duō.

  "Yes, big brother's wedding is approaching, it's really exciting!" Liu Yun said.

  "Lin Shi Ya, what kind of person are you really? And what will this wedding bring to us?" thought Liú Yún.

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  The horse carriage slowly drove out of the imperial city, and Hua Xiang's tears were already streaming down her face.

  This woman, once synonymous with pride, never thought that one day when leaving the imperial capital, she would be so sad for a man. She also didn't think that a chance encounter would open the dusty gate of her heart.

  Goodbye, perhaps for another reunion, but by then everything may have changed. Hua Die was not a weak person, but facing Shui Ling'er, she didn't even have the courage to compete. How could she hurt the one he promised to protect for life?

  "Kaito!" Suddenly, Lelouch's voice came from outside the carriage.

  "Could it be that he has come to see me off?"

  Hua Die hastily poked her head out and looked back.

  Far away, Leiluo led a group of people, hastily riding horses to come. However, she found that there was no figure of Liuyun among them.

  "What am I still waiting for?" Huajing sighed lightly.

  Lei Luo arrived in front of the carriage with a group of girls following behind him.

  "Ji'er, these ten spirit girls will be your personal bodyguards from now on. He said that with them by your side, he can finally feel at ease."

  Hua Xiang's eyes widened in shock, and she turned her gaze back to the imperial capital, muttering to herself:

  "Will you still worry about me..."