Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Beauty Walks Away

  In the carriage, velvet curtains hung down, and the light was dim. In the dim light, a person sat with his back against the seat, his blue collar flowing like water to his knees, his fingers holding the scroll were snowy white, and a ray of sunlight shone on his slightly tilted eyebrow, shining as if there was gold light.

  Tai Shi Lan stopped for a moment.

  Li Fu Zhou put down his book and smiled at her, "Good morning."

  Tai Shi Lan was taken aback for a moment before returning to normal, nodding her head and sitting down.

  "Are you going to Beiyan too?"

  "I am one of the two protective assistant instructors sent by the 25th Regiment."

  "Uh-huh."

  After a brief conversation, both of them fell into silence. The car had already started moving, and the rumbling sound of the wheels entered the semi-enclosed space, making it feel even quieter.

  The carriage swayed slightly, the compartment was not large, and two people sat almost without leaving any space. Knees would occasionally touch each other, unintentionally, without making a sound, but it was unclear whether they were bumping into each other's hardness or softness.

  Tai Shi Lan suddenly turned around, picked up the blue and white porcelain vase sitting next to her, and placed it between the two of them. The position was a bit cramped, with the round buttocks of the vase squeezed between their bodies. Li Fu Zhou sat on the left side, while Tai Shi Lan sat on the right side.

  "I'd better get down." Li Fu Zhou said lightly, "I shouldn't have sat in your carriage in the first place, it's just that I thought Official Qiao was coming to see you off earlier."

  Tai Shi Lan gave him a glance, was he afraid that Qiao Yu Ruo would make another move, so he took precautions in the carriage ahead of time?

  Suddenly I thought of the poem "Moistening things silently", the people in front of me, like spring rain, soft, gentle, quiet and soundless, bringing life to all things.

  He didn't want to bother with him at first, but finally spoke up, "Are you also going to Beiyancheng? Will Qiao Yurun follow you there?"

  Sticking out one's neck, looking straight ahead, and making a facial paralysis expression.

  Li Fu Zhou gazed at her, his eyes curved, and his smile was even more gentle and soft.

  "The National Congress has been keeping her busy, and I've also left some trouble for her." After a pause, he said softly, "Miss Qiao and I are actually just acquaintances, Fu Zhou is just an ordinary person, not daring to have high aspirations for her."

  Tai Shi Lan stood straight with her neck, her eyes not daring to glance sideways, thinking to herself what he was explaining this for, had she just shown jealousy a moment ago?

  "I don't dare to hope for perfection, but seek true beauty." Li Fu Zhou said again, "That's what I want, or maybe I've already met, it's just that such reality is too beautiful, suddenly I also don't dare to hope."

  His voice was soft and gentle, like a silk string being plucked quietly, each note slow and flowing with fragrance.

  Time is like a long flowing river, air is like sweet and fragrant flowers.

  Tai Shi's lips pursed even tighter, and the blue porcelain in her arms suddenly started pushing her, muttering "Why rub me, why rub me..."

  Tai Shi Lan's hands shrank back, and she sat even more stiffly.

  Fortunately, Li Fu Zhou was not like Rong Chu, he never liked to make women uncomfortable, after a light sentence, he didn't speak again, only saying: "Tired? Sleep for a while."

  Tai Shi Lan quickly closed his eyes, originally just wanting to pretend to sleep in order to avoid some awkward atmosphere, but after all, he hadn't slept all night and had been running around, so he soon fell asleep.

  In a daze, she seemed to feel warmth on her body. She vaguely knew it in her heart, but didn't open her eyes, and just fell into a deep sleep.

  She looked up at Li Fu Zhou with wide eyes, who was gently covering Tai Shi Lan with a soft blanket, and suddenly asked: "Hey, what are you doing..."

  Li Fu Zhou raised his finger to his lips and whispered, "Shh."

  Jing Tai Lan closed his mouth, but after a while, he still couldn't help it and whispered in a low voice: "You like Lan Lan..."

  Li Fu Zhou was taken aback and smiled slightly.

  "I also like Lanlan." Jing Tai blue shifted excitedly on his knees, "Want to sleep with her, want to touch her... uh... do you think so too?"

  Li Fu Zhou leaned back and almost hit the hard car wall.

  Heaven must forgive unclear expressions of children...

  "It's better if you don't say anything." Li Fu Zhou smiled awkwardly, "I don't want to tell on you and have her beat you up."

  Jingtai Lan shrunk his neck and took a glance at Taishi Lian, making sure she was still asleep. His courage grew again, "She is mine..."

  "Yes." Li Fu Zhou said.

  "Don't snatch..." Jing Tai Lan waved her small fist.

  Li Fu Zhou gazed at him, suddenly smiled and whispered in a low voice: "What if I want to snatch it..."

  His tone was full of jokes, Jing Tai Lan looked at him uncertainly, seemingly wanting to throw a punch, but then thought that this idea wasn't rational enough. His family had always said, if you can't beat someone with your fists, then use your wits to convince them, yeah, this one is really big, need to use wits to convince.

  The little boy gnawed on his own fist, his eyes rolling wildly for a moment, and then hesitated to say: "...... I'll trade with you."

  "What do you want in exchange?" Li Fu Zhou smiled gently.

  Jingtai Lan suddenly shrank back, staring at him warily, motionless.

  Li Fu Zhou also stepped back and smiled more warmly, taking another quilt to wrap Jing Tai Lan tightly.

  The conversation just now was like a child's play or like the wind passing by.

  From Dongchang's distant suburbs to Beiyancheng, it would take three days by road. Originally, they should have stayed overnight in the small town they passed through, but who knew that halfway through the journey, Shen Meihua suddenly got a stomachache and frequently ran to the side of the road. The caravan had to wait for her, delaying them for more than an hour. As a result, when night began to fall, they still hadn't arrived at Qing Mountain Town where they had planned to rest, and ended up lodging in a desolate mountain wilderness with no shelter nearby.

  "It seems we'll have to camp out for the night." Huaxianhuan came over to find Ta Shilian, since the convoy set off, everyone instinctively regarded Ta Shilian as their leader and would come to her first when something happened.

  The young men from humble families had a lot of hard labor-like courses every day, sleeping outdoors was nothing, they automatically dispersed to find suitable places to rest, those ten noble sons stood far away with gloomy faces and folded arms.

  "There's a forest over there, backed by a mountain body, with a spring nearby, suitable for camping." Soon, students came to report back.

  Li Fu Zhou and Tai Shi Lan nodded, the crowd entered the forest, where the climate was dry, the ground was soft, and years of fallen leaves covered the ground in layers. Stepping on it made a slight rustling sound, which was actually ready-made firewood.

  The sons of poor families dispersed to find food and water, dug stoves, lit fires, and cooked dry rations, busy with joy. Shi Xiaocui glanced at those noble sons who sat down comfortably, muttering: "Every time it's like this, why do we have to serve the masters."

  "This time it's not necessarily so." Xiao Daqiang took a look at Tai Shi Lan, who was picking up firewood with Jing Tai Lan. The little one stumbled and staggered, picking up two sticks and dropping one, like a bear husking corn. Tai Shi Lan loudly praised him for being capable, and Jing Tai Lan's small face lit up with excitement, pushing down the firewood that Su Ya had already picked up and picking it up again.

  The fire crackled to life, with plenty of firewood, someone brought back wild chicken, someone speared fresh fish, and someone picked wild fruits and vegetables. The branches crackled and popped as they burned, the water in the pot quickly boiled, and the cleaned fish was put in, extremely tender and fatty, without adding oil, a layer of shiny oil floated to the surface. Su Ya added some wild thyme, and instantly the rich aroma filled their nostrils.

  On the grill, the wild chicken was bright red and shiny, sizzling with oil. Shi Xiaocui opened a mud pit next to the fire heap, scooped out a black muddy ball, slammed it to the ground, and instantly the mud shell and feathers fell off together, revealing the delicate white chicken meat inside. The aroma wafted out, mixed with a rare fragrance. Shi Xiaocui said, "The mud contains wormwood grass, this way of cooking is called 'huà jī' (mud-cooked chicken) and has more flavor."

  Jingtai blue's saliva has overflowed into a river.

  Everything was ready, and Tai Shi Lan invited everyone to sit down, forming a large circle around the fire pit. The flickering flames cast a warm glow on their youthful faces.

  The idle and proud young men who had been waiting on the side came over, rudely pushing aside those who were already seated, and squeezed in.

  "Not bad, worthy of a rough worker." A young man in yellow clothes praised and tore off a chicken leg to gnaw.

  The sons of humble families had a look of resentment on their faces. In the past, when they went out, they would wait upon the aristocracy, which had become a rule. However, tonight, such a rule suddenly seemed unbearable to them.

  It is because of one person's arrival that awakens the consciousness of self-respect and equality.

  Only Assistant is here, Tai Shi Lan is here, and everyone is unsure whether to cause a conflict over such a small matter, affecting safety, and all eyes are on Tai Shi Lan.

  Tai Shi Lan raised his hand and threw out a package, which landed with a loud crash on the man's chicken leg.

  "Your dinner is here." she said softly.

  The bundle was opened and out came hard pancakes and cold steamed buns, which were the dry provisions prepared for the road.

  "How dare you!" The young masters of Pinliu stood up in anger, "What are you, to speak to us like that?"

  "Don't think about getting something for nothing, first see if you have the qualifications." Ta Shi said calmly, "We start a fire and catch fish, the two assistant teachers go hunting, even Jing Tai Lan picks his own kindling, what have you done?"

  Jingtai blue raised its oily little face with a chicken strip hanging from its cheek, revealing three big teeth, looking very satisfied.

  "Our identity is our qualification!"

  "Xiong Xiao Jia." Ta Shi Lan said, "Let Flower Assistant Professor take a look at your recent grades."

  Xiong Xiao Jia suddenly stood up, his iron tower-like figure casting a shadow over half of the bonfire. His slender waist, like a water snake, attacked Xiao Da Qiang, who was laughing and looking up at him with eyes full of pride.

  Xiong Xiao Jia strode over with big steps, it's really rare for him to blend his majestic aura and delicate footsteps so perfectly. His posture was so wonderful that everyone couldn't bear to look at him, except Shi Xiao Cui who cheered excitedly, "Big Bear, squeeze tighter! Squeeze tighter!"

  "What are you doing!" The young man in yellow shirt retreated with a flustered expression, "The 25th camp does not allow private fights... Two assistant instructors, will you take care of this or not?"

  "Come on, this is called roasted chicken, try some." Hua Xunhuan handed a chicken wing to Li Fuzhou.

  "Thank you." Li Fu Zhou was very polite.

  Cries for help and screams whizzed past their ears like the wind...

  "Bang." A muffled punch was accompanied by a pained cry, and in an instant, Xiong Xiao Jia walked back, looking embarrassed, "Not good, originally wanted to hang him from the tree..."

  Everyone nodded silently - actually sticking in the shrub cluster is more effective...

  In a quiet tone, Tai Shi Lan's voice was still cold, "Do you understand this time? Absolute strength is the only qualification."

  The Pinliu brothers looked at each other, then silently walked away. No one paid attention to the yellow-shirted boy who had fallen into the bush. Shi Xiaocui couldn't help but say: "Aren't you going to do anything about him?"

  "There's a thorn..." someone muttered.

  Su Ya Mo silently walked over, pulled the young man out from the bush, and beckoned to Shi Xiao Cui. Shi Xiao Cui unwillingly took out a needle from her bosom, and together they helped the young man remove the thorns all over his head and body.

  The faces of the young masters were a bit awkward, and the yellow-shirted youth hung his head, his face bright red, gritting his teeth to endure the pain without crying out. Only after the two girls finished helping him did he murmur thanks.

  Su Ya still didn't speak, Shi Xiaocui pushed him and chuckled: "Yang Cheng, next time just say a few less disgusting words and it'll be fine."

  Yang Cheng's face was full of shame, he silently picked up the dry rations on the ground and went to eat at one side, also not with his wealthy classmates.

  The bonfire scene was lively again, but this time the crowd was more clearly divided, and the sons of good families also showed signs of division.

  Perhaps further fragmentation is integration.

  Tai Shi Lan took a few bites, swept her gaze around, and suddenly felt that someone was missing. Immediately after, she heard a faint sobbing sound coming from behind her back.

  She stood up, took half a chicken, turned around several trees following the sound, and stopped her feet.

  It was Shen Meihua who cried alone behind a tree. She hugged her knees and buried her head, her shoulders shaking with sobs, unaware of Tai Shilan's arrival.

  She had also wanted to work with the poor scholars before, but everyone rejected her with disgust. Traitors are always difficult to be accepted. Later, she planned to join the noble scholars together, of course, they also expelled her.

  She didn't even know where to go for a meal, her stomach was both hungry and painful, the faces she encountered were all cold and rejecting, she could only hide in the shadows and cry.

  Shen Mei Hua was crying sadly when she suddenly smelled a fragrance. Immediately, her arm was touched by something warm.

  She raised her head and saw Tai Shi Lan's eyes.

  Stardust sprinkled down from the dense treetops, and his facial features were clear-cut, with brown eyes shining like stars.

  Faintly cool, yet not distant, a radiance within arm's reach.

  A half-roasted chicken in front of her, emitting what seemed not to be heat, but the only redemption one encounters at the most desolate moment.

  Shen Mei's mouth was agape as she stared foolishly at Tai Shi Lan, not daring to accept.

  Tai Shi Lan's personality is too distinct, leaving a deep impression after just one or two encounters. Shen Mei Hua doesn't think she's a soft-hearted pushover.

  She looked around cautiously, fearing that Tai Shi might still have a knife behind his back.

  Tai Shi Lan's hand relaxed, and the greasy roasted chicken fell onto Shen Mei Hua's sleeve. She hastily caught it, sniffed the roasted chicken, and finally couldn't resist the temptation of her hunger, opening her mouth wide to take a big bite.

  "Hmm... delicious... " With her mouth full of chicken, she mumbled in praise, but suddenly stopped chewing.

  She held the chicken in a daze, and Tai Shi Lan didn't pay attention to her. After a while, Shen Mei Hua let out a sob, and big tears fell down, "Woo... my roasted chicken is also very delicious..."

  Tai Shi Lan didn't say anything.

  "Waaah... I didn't mean to show off... I'm just too excited..."

  "Waaah... I don't want to curry favor with those rich kids... I just... I just... got used to it..."

  "Waaahhh... I didn't mean to say bad things about you... I am... I am..." She lifted her tear-stained and snotty face, sobbing a few times, "...a little jealous of you... You don't say nice things... Don't love to laugh... But they still like you... I'm jealous..."

  Tai Shi Lan sat down beside her, furrowed her brow, took the roasted chicken that was almost stained with tears, tore off half a chicken leg and threw it back to her.

  Shen Meihua cried for a while, and her mood calmed down a bit. She looked at Tai Shilan, who was eating chicken legs beside her with no expression on his face, neither comforting nor forgiving her. Suddenly, she felt that the gloom of the day had all dispersed.

  The person beside me is cold and hard, without any circumlocution or euphemism. Yet, standing by my side, she seems like a mountain supporting my back.

  She tore off a chicken wing, nudged Tai Shi Lan with her elbow and said, "Hey, the chicken wings are delicious, the bones are all crispy."

  Tai Shi Lan didn't even look at him and said, "Your hands are dirty from grabbing."

  The plum blossoms smiled.

  "Alas," she tore at the chicken's skin, shaking her head and sighing, "I thought I had learned to command respect from everyone, but today I finally understand that true strength lies in winning people's hearts."

  "Turn back and sit with Su Ya." Ta Shi Lan said, "Those who abandon their origins are often despised by others. Only by transcending one's origin can one have dignity."

  "Transcending one's origins, that's where dignity lies..." Shen Meihua murmured to herself, repeating it once more, and smiled, showing her teeth. "Tai Shi Lan, Su Ya was a foolish woman who said she wanted to follow you from the start, I didn't think much of her then, but now I think she had good eyesight."

  Tai Shi Lan shook her head, "No one needs to follow me." She closed her eyes and began to meditate, quickly entering a state of calm, with long, even breaths.

  Shen Mei Hua looked at her with envy, also learning to curl up her legs, but she would sway her body for a while, and then touch her hair, not being quiet for half a day.

  As she was about to calm down quietly, Tai Shi Lan suddenly opened her eyes.

  The wind was calm on all sides, and in the distance, a bonfire crackled. The students' chatter was lively and incessant; everything seemed perfectly normal.

  However, in his heart, there was a sense of foreboding, like a steel wire vibrating beside his ear, buzzing incessantly.

  Tai Shi Lan has recently been cultivating her Qi mechanism, nurturing her spiritual sensitivity. With a solid foundation, her progress is rapid. At this moment, although nothing seems to have happened, she feels that danger is approaching.

  "Zhao Thirteen." She raised her head and shouted out loud.

  Zhao Thirteen swooped down from the treetop of a tree, Taishi Lan said: "I feel something is wrong."

  Zhao Shisan was taken aback, his expression immediately tense, he closed his eyes and carefully felt for a moment, then bent down to listen for a while, shaking his head: "No."

  Li Fu Zhou and Hua Xun Huan also came over upon hearing the noise, saying it was nothing. The three of them were all skilled fighters, their intuition wouldn't be wrong. Shen Mei Hua let out a sigh of relief, but Tai Shi Lan said, "We can't not be on guard."

  "Plum Blossom." She turned her head to Shen Mei Hua and said, "I'll give you twenty people. You're in charge of arranging them. Ensure that no one gets hurt when danger approaches. Can you do it?"

  Shen Mei's eyes lit up, but she hesitated: "...... Will they listen to me......"

  Tai Shilan clapped her hands and the students gathered around.

  "Assistant Li just said that we rarely come out, and it's still early, so why not have a drill?" She said calmly, "Let's test everyone's learning outcomes over this period of time, and exercise our reaction and adaptability."

  Hua Xun's eyes lit up, she was originally a bit worried, there was no movement at all, Tai Shi Lan made such a big fuss, it would bring panic to the students and affect Tai Shi Lan's status. Unexpectedly, Tai Shi Lan lied smoothly, in case of danger, he could respond immediately, without danger, the students' self-practice could also be passed off as true.

  Li Fu Zhou smiled as he looked at Tai Shi Lan, seemingly pleased that she had easily seen through his lie.

  The students indeed came with interest, asking how to practice. Taishi Lan said: "Divide into two groups, one group attacks and the other resists. Li Assistant and Hua Assistant will not participate in the battle, leave first, they will play the role of enemies at an appropriate time, launch an attack on both sides, what you need to do is to respond randomly, then gather together to resist them, the two assistants will score your performance according to their discretion, and add it to the annual assessment score of the 25th camp.

  The students were overjoyed and eager to try, Taishi Lan said: "You can choose whether to participate or not."

  "I'm going, I'm going." The disciples of the Cold Gate were very enthusiastic. The disciples of the Product Flow were hesitant, and Tai Shi Lan's proposal was both challenging and scoring, as there were few opportunities for competition within the Second Five Camps, and everyone was tempted.

  After hesitating for a moment, Yang Cheng, who was covered in thorns, finally spoke up, "I... can I participate?"

  He nodded and said, "Now it's a drill, but later you may be on the battlefield. On the battlefield, there are only brothers who entrust their lives to each other, no comrades who escape halfway. Human life is equally precious. No distinction between nobility and humility is allowed. Cowardice, betraying comrades, fearing the enemy, refusing to cooperate, deduct points."

  Yang Cheng nodded and stepped into the group of children from poor families, "You always laugh at us for being spoiled. Let's see if you're real men today."

  With him leading the way, more and more sons of good families joined in succession.

  "Dead woman, with so many people, how can we divide the score?"

  "Look who's pleasing to the eye and give it to them." Tai Shi walked away calmly.

  Flowers seek joy,"......"

  "This is an opportunity to test what we have learned in our daily lives." Taishi Lan said, "Be good at something and take the initiative to work together."

  The students gathered together to discuss, Hua Xun looked from afar and clicked his tongue in admiration, "Mr. Li, look, the poor and the wealthy are gathering together for the same thing, this is the first time since the 25th camp was established."

  "Tai Shi's daughter is no ordinary person." Li Fu Zhou smiled, "Perhaps in the future, she will change more than just the Second and Fifth Battalions."

  "I think it's a bigger miracle if she can change you." Huaxian Huan tilted her head and joked, "Mr. Li, I've known you for several years now, but I've never seen any expression on your face except for a smile, nor have I ever seen you treat any woman differently. Will she be an exception?"

  Li Fu Zhou fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "He's here."

  The flower searched for joy, hesitated, leaned in to listen, and changed color. And on the treetop, Zhao Thirteen had already swept over like the wind, issuing a low and mysterious signal from his mouth, beginning to arrange his hidden subordinates.

  The students on the other side had already discussed it, and then they heard Tai Shi Lan say quickly and clearly: "Shen Mei Hua, command! Seven people for hand-to-hand combat, two people for military formation, five people for archery, four people for spear technique, five people for knife technique... prepare for battle!"

  Then came Shen Meihua's voice, "Three people with tools as sappers, dig trenches three feet from the side of the forest! Fall back three steps and set up stakes!"

  "Seven people beat the wings and wait!"

  "Form a military array with two people, one attacking and one defending, adjust your team's formation!"

  "The arrow is on the tree."

  "Archers, form three lines of defense!"

  ……

  "Tai Shi Lan is really amazing..." Hua Xun Huan murmured, "How did she find out after all..."

  "The plum blossoms will bloom if they meet a wise ruler." Li Fu-zhou said, "Their future achievements will be immeasurable."

  Huaxun didn't quite understand the command, and upon hearing it, Li Fuzhou said: "Taishi Lan said it was a battle of confrontation, but Shen Meihua knew the inside story. So her arrangement seemed to be a division of offense and defense, but in fact they were mutually responsive, and could instantly transform into an offensive formation. She knew that the enemy had not yet been identified, so it was not suitable to disperse and attack separately. Therefore, she concentrated her forces, with a sharp knife array, yet layered control, prioritizing defense... This command is indeed brilliant."

  Hua Xun looked at Su Ya, who was closely following Ta Shi Lan, and said: "Su Ya is steady and firm, the best defensive talent. Shen Mei Hua seems rough but is actually meticulous, with a keen sense of news and skilled in command. Ta Shi Lan, however, is a born leader. When they grow up... tsk, tsk..."

  "How could I forget you?" Li Fu Zhou smiled, his eyes seeming to hold a deeper meaning. "Hua Xun's origins are from the Five Barbarians, she is proficient in all languages of the various countries, her martial arts skills are extraordinary, and she is fiercely brave in battle, the best female general under my command."

  "Haha." Huaxuan was laughing so hard that she was bent over, "Mmm, you're right, maybe we women are the future rulers of Southern Qi, hehe, from now on, be careful not to offend me, the person in front of you is a future powerful figure, the new master of Southern Qi, oh ho ho..."

  She was overjoyed and went off rubbing her belly, but Li Fu Zhou's smile gradually faded.

  In the blink of an eye, the deployment was complete, and everyone took their positions. Jing Tai Lan remained in the central tent, and Ta Shi Lan wasn't worried about his safety because Zhao Thirteen led a whole team nearby, who wouldn't care about anyone else's life or death, only being responsible for Jing Tai Lan.

  The students were excited and nervous, holding their breath. Su Ya did not participate in the confrontation, but stood beside Tai Shi Lan, slowly wiping her bow. Shen Mei Hua was with them, hiding behind a tree in the center.

  "Su Ya, you should go and participate in the exercise." Tai Shi Lan frowned.

  "I said I'd follow you."

  "I haven't done anything for you, no need." Tai Shi Lan was never polite.

  "I don't care." Su Ya's voice was hoarse, "We who roam the rivers and lakes, repay kindness with gratitude. How can I forget that you taught me more than just a drop of water? My brother died under a hail of arrows, I dream of learning archery to shoot back. She spoke word by word, "Without you, I would never have learned such profound archery skills."

  Tai Shi Lan stopped speaking.

  At this moment, the wind is getting stronger and louder, and the sound of horseshoes can be vaguely heard. Shi Xiaocui smiled softly and said: "Ah, Hua Shouzhi and Li Shouzhi are really coming, they even rode horses!"

  "Divided attention during battle, deduct points!" Shen Meihua shouted coldly, with a somewhat murderous tone.

  Shi Xiaocui shut up...

  The moonlight is hazy, and outside the forest there is a winding path that extends from the official road. At this moment, a figure appears at the end of the small path.

  Everyone was stunned, originally thinking that the attacking and defending sides would start fighting first, but unexpectedly "the assistants" arrived so quickly. In this case, they should join forces to resist the enemy first.

  Everyone held their breath and waited with bated breath. Shen Meihua's hand hovered in mid-air, and as soon as it fell, they would launch a simultaneous attack.

  The two assistant instructors had already given their instructions, seeing the "enemy", they didn't need to hold back and went all out. In the students' eyes, their own tricks were not enough for the two assistant instructors to see, so at this moment, the weapons used were real knives and guns.

  That figure was initially vague, vaguely visible as riding a horse, only the riding posture was strange, crooked and slanted, rushing all the way to the edge of the forest, suddenly falling down.

  His falling posture was stiff, not like flying out, but like falling down.

  "Is it Assistant Hua? You really learned from him." The students secretly laughed.

  Only Shen Meihua, who knew the inside story, had sharp eyes and didn't dare to relax. Upon discovering this, her hand, which was halfway raised, suddenly stopped.

  But still someone because of tension, full bow out of control, "whoosh" sound, an arrow flying out, beyond the forest.

  "Ah." A low, pained cry escaped his lips as he rolled on the ground, an arrow shaft protruding from his thigh, its surface slick with blood.

  Everyone was stunned - were the two teaching assistants too much in character?

  Tai Shi Lan suddenly patted Shen Mei Hua's shoulder.

  Shen Mei's head lifted up, and she saw a large patch of black shadow in front of her, mixed with the sound of horseshoes galloping wildly.

  Indeed there is a large number of enemies!

  At this moment, the students were divided, Shen Mei Hua suddenly came up with a clever idea and shouted in a low voice, "This is also a test! Don't fall for the two assistant teachers' trick, follow the original plan!"

  The student woke up, reinvigorated, and Yang Cheng learned to shoot. The scout saw a large group of black smoke in front and stuck out his tongue: "Two assistant instructors are working hard, finding so many helpers!"

  "Tai Shi Lan." Shen Mei Hua's expression was stern. "The other side has many people and their intentions are unclear, we can't make the first move."

  "You arrange." Tai Shi Lan handed over the full power. He himself went forward and helped up the person who was injured by the arrow, that person's face was covered with dust, his expression was haggard, half dazed and muttered: "Save me, save me..."

  "The enemy is numerous, implement the tactic of luring them in deep, change formation!" On that side, Shen Mei gave the order.

  The two assistant instructors who were sweeping the trees in the distance nodded secretly without leaving.

  In an instant, that group of people had rushed before his eyes.

  "Fire!"

  Arrows shot out in unison, green long arrows whizzing out, passing three feet outside the forest, a loud thud, nailed to the ground in front of the horse that was charging at the very front.

  An arrow shot in front of a horse three feet away, on the Jianghu road in Southern Qi, is a warning and an inquiry.

  Knight on horseback suddenly reins in his horse, the fine horse neighs loudly as people stand by, under the moonlight a heroic silhouette is cut out.

  "Enemy!" The man shouted loudly, "Kill!"

  One word "kill" came out, Tai Shi Lan knew it was bad.

  Most likely encountered mountain bandits!

  "Fire!" She gave the order loudly before Shen Meihua could react.

  Her voice and the other's "kill" were almost simultaneous, as soon as the words fell, a loud sound rang out, and the other shot an arrow!

  Double bow and double arrow!

  Black arrows, like the dense clouds that suddenly exploded on the other side of the mountain, had just appeared behind the mountain and were now overhead. Wherever they passed, branches as thick as arms were blasted off, shattered twigs and leaves flying wildly in all directions.

  "Ah——" a pained cry, an inexperienced and tense archer, peeking out from behind the tree, was shot through the arm by an arrow, his bow and arrow fell to the ground, and in an instant he was supported away by the students in the back row.

  "Good grief!"

  Shen Mei Hua was shocked and furious - she never expected that the other party wouldn't even ask any questions before ruthlessly killing someone!

  Earlier, Tai Shi Lan inexplicably said there was a warning, but she didn't believe it. Only now did she breathe a sigh of relief in her heart, thinking that if they hadn't been prepared earlier, who knows how many would have died or been injured when this group of people rushed in without distinguishing between right and wrong?

  The opponent was indeed ferocious, and after shooting an arrow, he didn't stop at all. The first one let out a loud laugh, "Kill them all!" and charged in on horseback.

  The horses' hooves flew wildly, and the masked men drew out their knives from behind the horses, chopping and hacking frantically. The knife light was dazzling, with a faint hint of blood color. Trees fell to the ground in all directions, and thorns splashed everywhere. The students were fine, still thinking that "this is a high-difficulty test", at most feeling too deeply into the scene, needing to muster their spirits to respond. But Shen Mei Hua knew the inside story, after all, she had never truly faced such a bloody scene before, and was momentarily stunned, forgetting to give orders.

  At this moment of her silence, Tai Shi Lan's voice rang out in time.

  "Fire!"

  "First three rounds, shoot and switch!"

  "Seize him!"

  One after another, the students gave orders in an orderly manner. The first batch of horses was led to the shallow trenches by a group of arrows, and those people rushed in, never expecting that the troops they encountered would still be able to prepare horse trenches. When the fastest horse rushed into the trench, it let out a loud whinny and fell down, pulling down several horses behind it, which were instantly trapped and blocked, and more than ten horses fell in an instant.

  The splashed turf fell on Shen Mei's feet, and she suddenly woke up with a red face, quickly taking over the command.

  "Zhao Thirteen!" Tai Shi Lan shouted harshly, "If the skin is gone, where can the hair attach? Come here!"

  Zhao Thirteen quickly led the way, and he also saw that the enemy was ferocious. He didn't stop at the edge of the forest, but instead charged in. Unfortunately, everyone followed him, including Jing Tai Lan.

  "First round victory!" Ta Shi Lan exclaimed loudly, "Hua Shou Jiao ordered me to keep score for everyone. Whoever annihilates the enemy will be rewarded by reporting to the General Affairs Office!"

  Great rewards must have brave men. The students originally faced fierce and brutal killings beyond their imagination, and were somewhat intimidated. At this moment, they were stirred up with blood and energy. Xiong Xiao Jia let out a loud "Ah" and swung his wolf-toothed club as he rushed out. His teammate Shao Da Qiang closely followed behind him, shouting "Charge, charge!"

  Xiong Xiao Jia was born with a physical advantage, rushing out and swinging his bat to knock down those who were tripping over each other. He knocked them all unconscious one by one. Xiao Qiang was behind him, constantly directing "Left rear! Right turn! Enemy at the back!"

  A black fatty jumped off his horse and rushed over, stepping on the corpse of his companion. Before he arrived, the light from his knife was like a hanging sword. Xiong Xiao Jia calmly welcomed him, took a deep breath, and shouted "Hey!" There was a loud crash, both of them stumbled back, the black fatty retreated half a step, and Xiong Xiao Jia's dark face turned bright red.

  Xiao Daqiang immediately struck out like a snake, taking advantage of his opponent's unstable footing and striking him on the foot with one stick.

  "Ahh!" A miserable cry, Hei Pangzi jumped away, the students burst out laughing, the tense atmosphere was immediately alleviated a lot, and their movements became more stable and orderly. The archers were neat and tidy, taking turns shooting arrows in three batches, throwing spears according to command, accurately striking at the moment when the enemy was unstable on their feet. Students skilled in hand-to-hand combat and close quarters walked around the battlefield, specifically targeting fallen enemies, not only blocking them at the edge of the forest but also gradually surrounding them.

  The other side also felt that something was wrong at this time. A masked man growled in a low voice: "What's going on? Does this guy have accomplices hiding around here?"

  "Capture the leader first!" Another man said, "Those three in the woods!"

  His eyes were fixed tightly on Tai Shi Lan Shen Mei Hua and Su Ya.

  "Come quickly!"

  One arrow, three bows, the arrowhead is poisoned, the green light is like a snake's eyes.

  Tai Shi Lan suddenly raised his head in the midst of the intense battle - another ominous sign!

  Before she saw the hidden arrow, she pushed Shen Mei Hua down. Then she pulled Su Ya back quickly.

  "Whoosh!"

  Three arrows broke through the air, making a strange curve in mid-air, passing over the crowd and heading straight for the three people. One arrow brushed past Shen Meihua's buttocks, lifting up a piece of silk fabric, while the other two arrows flew unwaveringly towards Tai Shilan and Su Ya's faces.

  "Twang!" Su Yu, who had been holding his bow all along, continued to shoot arrows as he retreated from Taishi Yan's frantic pullback!

  "Bang." Her white arrow arrived after being shot, hitting the middle of the black arrow, like a snake striking seven inches, with a loud "bang", the arrow handle exploded and splintered in all directions.

  The two arrows shattered into four pieces in the midst of their collision, and the exploding arrow tail collided with the one that was shot towards Su Ya's face, slightly deflecting its arrowhead but still heading straight for her shoulder blade.

  Su Yu remained unmoved - saving Tai Shi Lan from danger was victory!

  Not far away, on a tall tree, Huaxun hurriedly urged, "It's okay! We should take action now!"

  "Wait!" Li Fu Zhou grabbed her shoulder.

  An arrow flew swiftly, and Tai Shi Lan suddenly raised his hand to grab it.

  "Explode!"

  A white palm shadow appeared in the darkness, colliding with the edge of the arrowhead. The arrowhead suddenly trembled slightly and then continued to whizz by, hitting Su Ya's shoulder.

  Su Ya closed her eyes and waited for the pain to arrive, but in an instant she was shocked to open them again.

  A black arrow fell silently from in front of her, Su Ya felt a pain in her shoulder but there was no blood, it seemed like just a bruise. She picked up the fallen arrow with her toes and took a look, her eyes narrowing.

  The arrow was still that arrow, but at some unknown point the tip had become slightly dull, so it hadn't been able to penetrate her hemp outer garment.

  Shen Mei got up from the ground, hugged Tai Shi Lan's thigh and cried loudly, "You saved my life, from now on I am your person..." and was kicked away by Tai Shi Lan.

  "What just happened?" Huaxian asked Lifu in shock, that moment was too fast, it seemed like Tai Shi Lan just wiped the arrow with his palm, and couldn't understand why Su Ya was shot without injury.

  Li Fu Zhou's eyes were deep and profound, and he gently shook his head.

  At this point in the battle, the students had gained the upper hand. The initial panic and awkwardness had given way to smooth coordination, with movements becoming increasingly swift and agile. The opposing force of nearly a hundred people, who had ferociously charged into the forest, could no longer advance further. Attempting to retreat, they found themselves blocked by Zhao Thirteen's group, gradually turning the situation into a one-sided beating. Many had lost their ability to fight and were taken captive.

  "We won the first battle!" Huaxing excitedly clapped her hands, just about to get up and clean up the remaining mess, when Lifu suddenly grabbed her again.

  "Listen!"

  The flower searched for joy and was startled, she listened intently with her ear to the side, suddenly changed color, then her body sprang up, and swiftly dashed into the depths of the forest!

  As she rushed out, several figures suddenly appeared behind the tent in the center of the woods, still masked and silent as ghosts.

  These people obviously took advantage of everyone's focus on fighting the bandits, and quietly snuck into the woods while everyone's attention was diverted to the front.

  As soon as those few human figures appeared, Hua Xun and Li Fu Zhou had just discovered that Tai Shi Lan was also diving down at the same time.

  With a bang, Shen Meihua, who had just climbed up, was pressed down by her and fell into the mud again...

  But it was already too late, a flash of white light, like snowflakes falling suddenly, a cluster of hidden weapons shot out and struck Tai Shi's back!

  Phoenix Tail Needle, Flying Swallow Dart, Golden Coin Dart, Flying Locust Stone, Iron Tribulus... swirling in the air, whistling like a cry, the opponent's hands were extremely ruthless, fearing that one hidden weapon would not be enough to put Tai Shi Lan to death, and dozens of them were launched at once.

  At this time, Su Ya was slow to react to the injury, and everyone else was in front of the forest, which was originally the safest rear, but suddenly became a dead zone!

  "Hiss."

  A blue shadow flashed through the darkness, instantly traversing a thousand leaves of emerald trees, rolling up leaves like a thousand layers of waves and ten thousand strands of wind, making a rustling sound, wherever it passed, the sky was filled with shattered emerald leaves, following that person's figure soaring into the air, and then falling down like rain after he passed by.

  That person's sleeve waved, and the leaves suddenly gathered like a jade pestle, or like a green dragon, in that person's wildly dancing sleeves, spinning close to the ground and then suddenly rising, heavily colliding with those thousands of hidden weapons.

  The crackling sound continued, the green leaves shattered again, and the four sides were hazy like a light green silk rain, blocking everyone's line of sight. The dust particles drilled into his eyes, and Ta Shi Lan couldn't help but squint.

  In the blink of an eye, a startled swan glanced at that person, who emerged from the pale green silk rain like a heavenly god. With one step, he strode out, reached out his hand and swept it across, and Tai Shi Lan only felt his body lighten before he was lifted off the ground.

  In an instant, the leaves were misty and lush, with a soft green hue filling my vision and a refreshing fragrance filling my nostrils. It was as if I had caught the subtle yet cool breath of plants, which gently brushed against my face like a tender kiss from someone's lips.

  Tai Shi Lan lowered her head and looked down, the layer of green mist below had not yet dispersed, like a soft cloud flying rapidly, embracing herself, still looking sideways with a calm expression, her eyes fixed intently on something below.

  A serious and strong man, with unique charm.

  The green leaves and rain blocked the view of Tai Shi Lan and Li Fu Zhou, naturally also blocking the enemy's line of sight. Those who shot out hidden weapons had just lost their target, and soon saw a green cloud covering their eyes, with fierce winds rolling in, their eyes were blinded, and they hastily retreated backwards in shock.

  He took a step back, and the green mist in front of him suddenly parted. A person slowly walked out from the green mist, with a slender white hand extending from their sleeve to gently press against his heart.

  That man grunted and fell backwards, the last hidden weapon in his hand still refusing to give up as it flew out, a small spinning axe.

  A small axe flew over, Li Fu Zhou pointed with his hand, and the point was on the axe handle. At this moment, Ta Shi Lan, who was not used to being held, struggled to jump down, pulling Li Fu Zhou's arm. His finger pointing at the axe eye crooked, and the small axe flew out, hitting Ta Shi Lan right in the face.

  At this moment, the distance was extremely close, and the wind rushed past. Li Fu Zhou suddenly pressed down Tai Shi Lan's head with one hand, tightly sticking it to his chest, and shifted his body to one side.

  "Bang." A dull thud, followed by a flash of silver light. The small axe grazed Li Fu Zhou's shoulder, tearing open his robe and creating a long gash, before falling to the ground far away.

  Tai Shi Lan was pressed tightly against Li Fu Zhou's chest, the axe almost grazed her nose as it passed by, her clothes ripped open with a loud tearing sound in front of her eyes, and her undergarments scattered apart, her face was practically buried in Li Fu Zhou's chest.

  Soft to the touch, slightly warm, fine and elastic, like touching a cloud. Still no particularly strong scent, just refreshing, dewy green grass leaves or morning air in general, so clean that it makes you forget everything, only wanting to breathe deeply, or bury your face deeper.

  Tai Shi Lan opened her eyes and saw a glimpse of jade-colored skin, softly glowing. The extension of her line of sight was a faint pink, warm as cherry blossoms...

  Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly a few times, and she quickly raised her head. Li Fu Zhou was still uneasy at this time, and he didn't notice that he had walked into the light. He pressed tightly against her, but Ta Shi Lan's eyelashes blinked too quickly, brushing against his chest and making it slightly itchy. Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation on his chest, which was unusual. When he lowered his head, he saw Ta Shi Lan's dark brown eyes staring straight at a certain place.

  Li Fu Zhou let go of his hand...

  Tai Shi Lan's eyes drooped, and she opened her arms, letting go. As her warm body sprang out of Li Fu Zhou's embrace, he suddenly felt a pang of emptiness in his heart.

  Never having held each other, nor feeling lonely or cold, but in that brief moment, her extremely elastic body, as she struggled like a live fish in his arms, seemed to stir up the calm lake of his heart, creating ripples.

  The two were in a hurry to part ways, but the more they hurried, the more things went wrong. Tai Shi Lan suddenly hummed and tilted his head.

  She tied up her short hair with a pin, hooking it onto Li Fu Zhou's torn chest clothes. She wanted to untie it, but couldn't help touching Li Fu Zhou's chest back and forth, while Li Fu Zhou had to lower his head, their distance so close that neither of them could accept it.

  The two of them exchanged a glance for an instant, then Tai Shi Lan grabbed his hair and gave it a fierce tug.

  "Whoosh" ——

  Digression

  I'm so stupid, really. I only knew that the points at the beginning of the month were not enough to get a monthly ticket, but I didn't know that some relatives had accumulated subscriptions last month, and when they added up to the full amount, it was possible to make up a ticket at any time. I was still worried about calculating the update, thinking that one month might not be enough to fill ten dollars, and this month's ticket pocket should be taken out... I'm so stupid, really.

  Here is the translation:

  "A famous verse of Guishi's poem, full of love and wisdom: "

  Love is precious, but monthly tickets are more expensive, always turn over diligently, don't let it be stained with dust.

  Is this poem well-written? Classic? I'm deeply moved by myself! Applause can be a bit softer, I'm low-key, thank you!