BEHIND THE CURTAINS

Dark clouds were running around the sky making the whole world appear gloomy and mysterious. It was awfully quiet, not even a single bird can be seen for many miles. The foul smell of blood was whirling around the whole battleground. The dead bodies of soldiers were piled up on the ground everywhere.

A man wearing a dark blue combat uniform with golden-colored armor was on his knee with his helmet thrown to the ground. His hair was messy and his whole body was covered with blood. His tan face was covered with many dark purple bruises and cuts.

But still, his eyes were not showing even a hint of fear. He has a lazy smile on his face while looking at the person in front of him. ”What
e you waiting for, General Bai?? Im already on the point of your sword but you
e still not killing me… don tell me you fancy– ”

That man stopped talking when General Bai pressed the sword tip against his neck a little forcefully causing some blood to drip down from the new wound. That blue-robed man yelped from surprise and then started to laugh.

The other mans face was still cold and void of emotions which made others feel like cowering away from this dominant and suppressing feeling. He has fox-like eyes with a pointed nose and thin lips. A beautiful mole was situated under his right side eye.

His red combat uniform with silver-colored armor was flying in the air. Many soldiers dressed in the same pattern as him were standing around enemy soldiers.

Both sides faced huge losses as this battle continued for more than nine months. Finally, their army was able to overpower the enemy troops but still if they continued to fight both armies will perish in the end so they decided to negotiate but looks like the vice general of the barbarian is too arrogant to talk like a human.

”Ah, I forgot General Bai doesn have the authority to kill someone without his leaders permission. Indeed a dog– ” Before he could speak more suddenly something hit his head harshly causing him to again yelp from shock. He looked down to see it was a bronze coin.

Suddenly they heard the loud footsteps of a horse. Soon a man came into view riding a horse toward them. He was wearing a red combat uniform like General Bai and his hair was tied into a high ponytail, which was swaying in the air as he gets closer to them.

His almond eyes stopped on that general with a smirk lingering on his face. ”Oh my!! Don tell me that bronze coin hit you. I deeply apologize, I just saw a wild boar and threw that coin at him but it mistakenly hit you ”. Even though his voice was filled with guilt but his face didn show a hint of remorse.

That general fumed in anger and opened his mouth to shout but General Bai beat him to it and turned to that man and asked ”what happened? ” That man stopped smirking and took something out from his waist and threw it toward general Bai, who caught it effortlessly.

He opened the letter and relief washed over his face. He closed the letter and turned to his soldiers and said ”release them. Marquis just send letter saying barbarians General agreed to negotiate ”. Finally, everyones tense back was released and they felt relief wash over them.

MILITARY CAMP

After collecting their friends, families, and brothers bodies they buried them and paid respect to them. After that everyone came back to camp and had a small celebration. In these nine months, they lost many soldiers but now they can finally be in peace for some time.

That night everyone drank and ate to the hearts content. Inside Marquis camp, a young man in his early twenties was lying on the bed covered in bandages. His eyes were closed trying hard to sleep but unfortunately, beside him, someone was sniffing and wiping snot in loud sound.

That man had enough and angrily opened his eyes, directly glaring at the boy in front of him. His hair was draped on his shoulder while he was half naked as his upper body was covered in bandages. His Phoenix eyes were naturally curved upwards a little making him appear cold and dangerous. He has a straight nose and very thin upper lips. His lower lips were a little wide compared to his upper lips.

In a word, this man was a piece of art. He sighed and rubbed his forehead before saying ”Duan Qing, why the hell are you crying?? ” That boy named Duan Qing wiped his teary eyes before saying in shaky voice ”I saw your blood and thought youll die– ” Again he started to cry loudly while other just sat there helplessly.

”whats going on here?? ” saying this a red-robbed man entered the marquis quarter with a tray filled with food. He was none other than that man from before, who had hit barbarians general with a bronze coin. That wounded man feels like he has seen not a person but an angel himself. ”Han Qin, you
e finally here!! Talk with him. He has been sitting there and screaming in his ugly voice for nearly an hour. If he doesn stop screaming Im sure if I didn die from these wounds, Ill die from his ugly scream ”.

Han Youhai decided to be a savior and turned to Duan Qing but before he could speak he suddenly tripped and fall on the ground with a loud thud. That wounded mans face was showing nothing but disappointment. He deserves it. Who told him to ask for help from another trouble to solve this trouble.

Just then another man barged inside like this room belongs to him. ” Bai Chi, can you ask before entering!? All you three do is cause trouble all day– ” he was in the middle of shouting when Bai Rongyi threw his armor, hairpin, and shoes on the ground and jumped on the bed with a satisfied sigh.

”Finally after a long. I felt like my back is going to break from standing and my hand is going to break from holding the sword for so long ” he dramatically cried and started to roll on the bed which was not even enough for one person and in a blink of an eye he fell on the ground with a loud thud.

That man closed his eyes and started to count from one to ten to calm himself. When he opened his eyes he jumped from shock after seeing three pairs of eyes right in front of his face. He groaned and pushed them off his face before asking ” How are others? Did you change guarding border team? What are they do– ”

”Marquis Jiang weve already finished everything. You just worry about yourself and get well soon. Everyone just wants you back on the training field soon but…. healthy ” Rongyi said in a strict but gentle tone, which made other laugh. ”I get it… Bai Chi ” hearing the last word Rongyi gritted his teeth then smiled mischievously.

”well then Jiang XiMin, don blame me later. Remember you brought this upon yourself ” saying this he jumped on Xi Min, who started to use his leg to pry him off of himself. Seeing this Youhai also joined them. Xi Mins one leg was busy pushing Rongyis face while the other was kicking Youhai mercilessly.

Just then a bird came and as the trio were busy fighting Duan Qing went to take letters from that bird. After taking two letters he let that bird fly back and then came to the trio, who were still busy in fighting. Duan Qing coughed slowly before opening his mouth and shouting ”There are letters for you ”.

Hearing sudden shout trio became shocked and turned to him at the same time. Duan Qing suddenly smiled which was more creepy than cute. Others just looked at him with weird gazes before motioning him to read. He coughed twice before opening the first letter but suddenly his eyes widen and he quickly gave that letter to Xi Min.

Xi Min started to read while the other two from both sides also pushed their head inside to see what was written in the letter. Xi Min can read because of the two big heads in front of the letter so he angrily closed the letter and turned to them ” Ill read in loud voice, so stop putting your dusty hair inside of my mouth and nose ”. Hearing this others laughed awkwardly and moved a little away from him.

Xi Min opened the letter and started to read,

”A-min, in some days an envoy will go from the palace with an imperial decree. Just accept it and come back. Ive something very important to tell you but can write it over in the letter. Be safe and take care of yourself on the journey ”

The whole atmosphere suddenly became serious. In six years this was the first time his mother called him back. Everyone sighed then Duan Qing suddenly remembered another letter and said ”Theres a letter for Bai Chi… ge¹ ” hearing the last word Rongyis face became cold while the other two started to laugh.

Feeling an immense amount of pain XiMin remembered he is still a patient. His friends aren humans but devils in disguise of humans who want nothing more than for him to suffer. Now that hes sick he can just imagine beating the shit out of them but after some days he can surely fulfill his dream. Suddenly his mood became good.

Duan Qing happily opened the letter and started to read in a loud and clear voice that can be heard by others from outside.

”Bai Chi, I know you
e coming back soon so don even dare to think about going to A-mins house to hide. If you want your both leg safe and sound then quietly come home after going to the palace. Ive found a very beautiful girl for you. She is just like a diamond in stones. Ive already talked with her guardian so don think about denying it. If you don marry this time then don think about going back to the frontier. Also if you dare to stay there Ill personally go there and drag you here. Also, Bai Chi wash your every underwear before coming here. What if those maids will tell your wife in the future about your habits and she leaves you then our family won have a face to show the world!!! ”

Soon the trio started to laugh loudly while Rongyi quickly took that letter and burn it with a red face. Xi Min said in a teasing voice ”looks like even in between of his treatment Bai shushu² succeed in finding a diamond-like lao po³ for our Bai Chi ge~ ”. After a while, many loud laughs came from outside. Rongyi can help but think his friends aren humans but devils in disguise of humans.

[1] Ge- older brother

[2] Shushu- uncle

[3] Lao po- wife