Chapter 19 Chapter Eighteen

Ji Ting breaks the bad news to them.As soon as Lei Xi and Bo Di returned to Xin's territory, Ji Ting ran across the courtyard to stop them.As soon as they saw his dignified face, they knew something serious had happened. What's wrong?Lacey asked. Ji Ting explained breathlessly: Mrs. Bu and Ke Leiqi are missing, and we can't find them anywhere. How long have they been missing? Ji Ting shook his head.have no idea.When I came back from my father's house, Anton had already left the territory with soldiers to find them in the south.I'm about to join the search. They can't go far.Lacey said.The sun is going down, we have to find them before dark.

Without further ado.Boddy said.Ji Ting, you lead someone to look east.Lacey, you look north.I look west. Two Fei's soldiers on horseback waited in fear near the bottom of the valley.They watched as Ji Ting led a group of soldiers galloping westward. You go tell Lord Cloth.Ellen whispered. Kerr shook his head.You go tell him, I don't want my nose bridge to be broken by him again.I'm going to tell Lacey. Birdy and Lauber led the team, followed by Dillon, Liam, and Oehlen.They had just crossed the prairie when they heard the shouting.When Di Liang saw Fei's soldiers, he turned his horse's head, while the others continued to move forward.

Ellen reported the important news angrily.Josiah followed the two ladies as they headed north. Di Liang blew his whistle, and within a few seconds, Bo Di and others surrounded Fei's soldiers. Ross stalking my wife? Boddy's sharp eyes made Ellen almost speechless with fear.He saw Mrs. Bu and Ke Leiqi riding north. Are there soldiers escorting them?asked Ollen. No, they acted alone, and Ross followed them when he felt unsafe.He said he would bring them back Then why haven't they come back yet?Lian En asked. I don't know, Ellen muttered.There must be a delay.Kerr and I were going to find them when Jiting came back, and you and Lacey arrived right after.

If you lie to us, I will skin you alive.Lauber threatened. By God, I speak the truth.My friend Kerr went to inform Lacey. take him with you.Boddy ordered.He rode his horse into the forest, telling himself not to panic.God!Why did she go into the wilderness alone?A boy protecting two women?Something must have happened, otherwise Ruos would have brought them back long ago. Birdie prayed for the first time in his life, asking God to keep Leanne safe. Liane couldn't take it anymore.She really couldn't move on, it was too dangerous anyway, the sky was getting darker and the fog was getting thicker.They stopped by a creek; she was about to tell Roth whether he would help or not, and she was about to pull out the arrow, when there was a loud rumble in the distance.After a few seconds the ground started shaking.

Ruo Si drew out his long sword, and Lei Qi also hurriedly went to get the bow and arrow.Lian pulled out the dagger from her waist and rode close to Lei Qi. Ready to fight!cried Roth, grimacing as his voice trembled. Maybe Ellen and Kerr.Reki shares her hopes. Too many horses.Jos rode his horse in front of the two women. Seconds later, Boddy emerged from the fog.He stopped his horse hastily when he saw the three of them.He was so relieved to see that his wife seemed to be safe that he almost couldn't stand when he jumped to the ground. His soldiers followed.They dismounted and went straight to Rose.Ros was shaking so much that he looked as if he was swinging his long sword at them.But he didn't back off or run away.Although afraid, he still sticks to his post.

Put away your sword, boy.Di Liang ordered. Birdie rushed to his wife.Leanne, are you okay? He planned to scold her after she nodded.Didn't she understand how important she was to him?How could she take such a risk? Seeing Bodie was so comforting to her that she didn't care if he was angry or not.No, I'm not good, but it's nice to see you, Birdie. With trembling hands, Roth tried three times to get the sword back into its scabbard.He was about to jump off when he saw Birdie reach out to Liane.Russ threw himself on Birdy, shouting, Don't touch her. Bodie threw Rose to the ground with lightning speed.what happened to him?

Di Liang grabbed Ross by the collar and pulled him up from the ground, then began to shake him.How audacious you are to command my lord. She's nailed to the saddle with an arrow!Ross yelled angrily. Di Liang let him go immediately upon hearing this.Boddy walked around to the right side of the horse for a closer look.Let me see what you have done to yourself. Her back stiffened.I was just trying to escape.If it wasn't for Roth, Reki and I would have died long ago. The three of them suddenly began to explain what happened at the same time. They are Xin people.Ross said. It was Leanne they were going to kill.Reki said.

They will kill you too.Liane retorted. Their names are Dou Dun and Faron.Ross said. Birdie was taken aback when he heard the name of the vice-captain of the Shin's Guard.Fallon wants to kill you? That was an ambush.Liane said. I killed Dou Dun.Ross brags. What about Fallon?Did he escape?Boddy asked. No, Mrs. Bu shot an arrow between his eyebrows.Ross replied. Boddy's eyes immediately turned to Lianne.I have to.She explained in a low voice. Birdie reached under Liane's thigh to grab the shaft, but she flinched and pulled his hand away.Ross tried, but couldn't pull it out.she told him.

Boddy took Liane's dagger, lifted her cloak, and slit her petticoat all the way to the thigh.The soldiers squeezed over to watch the excitement, and Lian quickly pulled the cloak to cover her thighs. Now is not the time to be shy.Boddy said. She might want to sleep through it all, lord.Lauber proposed. You're going to wait until she's asleep before doing it?Reki squeezed forward and took Leanne's hand. Leanne is not as innocent as her friend.Lauber's proposal angered her.Nobody wants to knock me out. Just a little tap, Oehlen said.You don't feel it at all. We don't want to see you suffer, ma'am.Lian said.

Then close your eyes. Birdy finally noticed Reki huddled beside him, looking at Leanne with teary eyes.He told her to get out of the way, but she would not, and Oehlen had to drag her away. what are you going to doLauber asked. Bodie drew his sword.Di Liang, hold the arrow firmly.Liam, hold on to the reins. Di Liang stepped forward and grabbed the arrow with both hands, and Lauber went around to the other side of the horse and told Liane to lean towards him.Liane put her hands on his shoulders and leaned slowly towards him.Boddy, don't miss it.she says. She closed her eyes and waited.She heard the whistling of the sword through the air, felt the tremor of the blade cutting through the arrow, and then it was over.When she opened her eyes, she saw that the arrow had been cut in half at a finger's width above Di Liang's hands.She was terrified of what was going to happen next.Birdy put his arms under her knees.Put your hands on my shoulders.he ordered.

Leiqi wrung her hands, unable to bear to watch Lian suffer so much pain.You'll feel better if you call out.she blurted out.I will. Birdie stared into his wife's teary eyes.She won't make a sound. His aggressive strategy really worked.She immediately yelled angrily: I should be the one who said that, not you.If you call me brave, I'm not really brave when I'm brave.I She did not make a sound, but gasped as Bodie picked her up and let the remaining arrows pass through her thighs.She hugged his neck tightly, and buried her face in the socket of his neck as tears welled up in her eyes. He didn't know who was shaking more.Without saying a word, he hugged her and turned towards the stream.Lei Qi wanted to follow her to help, but Di Liang stopped her and told her to wait where she was. never mind.Boddy whispered hoarsely, holding her tightly, unwilling to let go.It took him a while to get over the shock of almost losing her.He kissed her forehead and begged her not to cry. She wiped her face with his cloak.You want to yell at me, don't you? Exactly, he admitted.But I'm willing to wait until you recover. She didn't believe it at all.You are so considerate. What the hell are you thinking, you don't even have a guard with you!Liane, you risk your life. The more he scolded, the more vigorously he scolded her while washing off the mud and blood on her legs with stream water.He stopped in the middle of cursing and reluctantly admitted that the injury was not as serious as he had imagined, but immediately yelled at her and tore a cloth strip from her skirt to bandage her to stop the bleeding.By the time he had bandaged her, her leg was barely hurting, but her self-esteem was shattered. He picked her up.When I get home, I swear I'll have four guards around you at all times.You will never have the chance to scare me like this again. Yelling at me won't help. Who said that?he said gruffly.That made me so much better. She dared not laugh, thinking that would only irritate him further.Don't be so unreasonable. It took me quite a while, but I finally figured it out. Figured out what? Trouble follows you like a shadow, Leanne.You get hurt every time you move.I swear, if a tree decides to fall now, it will fall on your head. Oh please.she muttered.i admit i'm unlucky He interrupted her.Unlucky?Since I knew you, you have been beaten, cut, and now shot with arrows.If this goes on like this, you will die within a month, and I will be very angry at that time. I was beaten, but that was before I met you.she says.Alex didn't cut me, he just cut me, but it was all because he was scared.As for the arrow, you also saw that it was just a flesh wound. An arrow has the potential to pierce your heart. But it doesn't. She asks him to put her down, and walks a few steps to prove she's okay.She leaned against the trunk so she wouldn't hurt that leg from taking too much weight.She forced a smile.Do you see it?I am fine. He turned his back on her, gazed thoughtfully into the night, and remained silent for a few minutes. I made up my mind long ago that I would never let any woman rest in my heart again, and I will not let it happen again. what are you saying? He suddenly lost his temper.We had an agreement when we got married and you had to fulfill your side of the terms of the agreement. What agreement? You married me for my protection. I marry you because I love you.Tell me, Birdy, why did you marry me?What do you get out of this deal? He refused to answer, but she asked persistently: Did you marry me because you love me? Love makes a man weak, and I am not a weak man. She bowed her head so that he wouldn't see how much his words hurt her.You said you wanted to protect my reputation, but I know that's not the real reason you married me.I thought you liked me.I know you thank me for saving Alex, but you must not marry me out of gratitude.To express gratitude, just saying thank you is enough. I have a duty to you, Leanne, and that's all you need to know. I know you like me, Birdie. He refused to face her.He has always been straightforward, but at this moment he deliberately evades.That made her worry even more.What he didn't say frightened her.Is it really that difficult for him to express his feelings?I ask again, why did you marry me? Lacey has arrived.He talked about him from left to right.I'll carry you back, and then you tell the two of us what happened today from the beginning. I can go by myself.You go first, I'll be there later. You come back with me now.Without any explanation, he picked her up and walked towards the open space. A fire had been lit in the middle of the clearing, and Bruce's soldiers were sitting around the campfire.Ross, Kerr, and Ellen stood together near Lacey and his men.Leiqi stood in front of Leixi, and Lian could tell at a glance that Leixi was criticizing Leiqi.Birdie put Liane on Di Liang's unfurled cloak, but as soon as Birdie turned away, she got up and walked towards Leiqi. Lacey, don't blame Laki for what happened today. So was she forced to leave the territory? His tone was gentle, but Liane knew he was holding back his anger.of course not. I take full responsibility for my actions.Reki said. If anyone is responsible for what happened today, it's you, Lacey.This could have been avoided if you kept your word to me. What promise?Lacey asked. Is that promise not so important to you that you've forgotten it? Lacey glared at Boddy.Your wife thinks I'm responsible. She was wrong. Folding her arms, she turned defiantly to Boddy.I warned you that if Lacey doesn't keep her promise to order my sister to meet me by noon today, I'll take care of myself.Reki was just doing me a favor. Lacey was furious.I don't have time to talk to your sister, your impatience nearly killed you. I was the one who came up with the idea of ​​following Spong.Reki insisted. No, you told me that Anton came up with the idea.Liane retorted. What does Anton have to do with this?Lacey growled. Only then did Lian realize that Lei Qi hadn't told Lei Xi the whole truth.Anton told Reki that he would follow Spong to find out where my sister lived. He told me he followed.Reki said.He also gave me clear directions, which I kept in mind so as not to get lost. He sent us into a trap. Lacey was shaking with anger.I'm going to kill that bastard myself. No, you can't.Boddy said.He tried to kill my wife.I will kill him with my own hands, that is my right. No wonder.Lacey grunted.I'll make him live his life before he dies. After midnight, Liane and Reki sat side by side on a tree trunk.Although they were so tired that they could barely open their eyes, they still listened to the conversation of the two lords. Everyone else is asleep.Lacey and Birdie sat by the campfire, talking gravely and quietly.Lacey kept poking at the embers with a long twig; Birdy gazed into the distance, occasionally nodding in response to Lacey's words. Reki nudged Leanne lightly.Lacey thought he had wronged the Fei family because he thought it was a Fei family who kidnapped Mai Yali.Do you understand what he is saying? clear.Liane replied.I'll explain later, keep listening. I am listening.Reki said, and a minute later she turned to Leanne again.He said he should not have kept the cadres in place while he went home to fight for the lordship.He did it out of good intentions and did not expect to make a big mistake. Reki continued to listen for a moment.Lacey said he decided not to delay.He wants God!He wants to marry Fei Meixin.She trembled with a deeply shocked face. Oh Reki, that's him, right?The one you love is him. Tears rolled down her cheeks.Yes, I love him for a long time. Liane took her hand.Unfortunately. Reki wiped away tears.Men are fools. That's right.Liane said.What did Boddy say? He was talking Lacey out of that idea, he'd just told him to think twice before making that commitment. He himself did not do what he advised others to do.she whispered.He is mad at me. Presumably.Reki replied.He had just told Lacey that marriage was a sacrifice.A minute later she said again: I don't understand this. What? Lacey said that as far as Birdy was concerned, his sacrifice was worthwhile because he got the English name.do you know what he is talking about Liane was suddenly furious.Did Lacey say he thought Birdy married me just to get the English name? What Englishman? I'll explain later.Tell me, did he just say that? Seeing Lian's excited expression, Lei Qi quickly replied: Yes, Lei Xi said that, and your husband also agreed. No, I don't believe Birdie married me to get an English name.No one would marry for that reason.That would be so immoral, he wouldn't do that.He must be talking madly.I know he cares about me, he's just too stubborn to admit it.He told me he felt compelled to take responsibility for me. Of course he cares about you. Maybe Buddy will persuade Leixi to give up the idea of ​​marrying Fei Meixin. Not likely, Lacey sounded determined.He puts the interests of his people on his own land, and he will fulfill his responsibilities as a lord.But I don't think I can bear to see him with Fei Meixin.Now I must leave. where are you going? have no idea.Lacey's wife won't like me staying at the castle. Maybe you can go back to your mother's house. impossible.She has already made it clear that she doesn't want me anymore, no one wants me.Reki said pitifully, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.That fall made me a crybaby. Lian pretended to believe that sentence, but she knew very well that it was Lacey who was crying.She closed her eyes, thinking that Reki was right before falling asleep.Men are fools. At daybreak they set out for the Lacey home.Leanne insists on riding her own horse, and Birdie reluctantly agrees.Before long they were walking across the meadows towards the castle gates.When riding under the city wall, Lian looked up inadvertently.A soldier suddenly appeared in the narrow passageway atop the ramparts.Her breath caught in her throat and her heart began to beat faster.She jerked the rein to stop the horse. Boddy!she shouted. The soldier retreated behind the battlements when he saw her. Birdie and Lacey turned their heads immediately.What's wrong?Boddy asked. Why did you stop suddenly?Lacey asked. Did you see the man on the wall?Lacey, did you see him? Bodi replied: I see, that person is Ji Ting.He was probably on his way to meet Lacey at the city gate.You met him the day we arrived, don't you remember? She shook her head desperately.No Bodie, I don't. You have.Lacey insisted. NO, I have not!she shouted.But I've seen him before, and he's the one who betrayed you. Lei Xi's cry of killing resounded through the sky, alarming the guards guarding the gate and calling everyone to prepare for battle.In just a few minutes, every entrance and exit was sealed.Soldiers ran up the city wall to set up arrows and draw bows, and more Lacey supporters jumped on horseback and galloped into the valley to surround the territory.No one can get in, and no one can get out. Every able-bodied man ran to support their lord, and for the first time since the merger, there was no prejudice or antagonism between the two races of soldiers.They stood staggered and surrounded the courtyard, all for the purpose of protecting Lacey. Ji Ting stood in the middle of the courtyard, and the eleven traitors around him were soldiers of the Xin family who were loyal to Ji Ting.Ji Ting is full of confidence and can't wait.The moment he's been waiting for has finally come, and he's soon to kill Lacey and become Lord of the Sin.He believed that once Lacey died, all the clansmen would naturally be loyal to him. Birdie orders Liam and Oehlen to escort the two women to the cabin, but Liane orders them to stay and protect Birdie.Boddy nodded in agreement.Liane led Reki to the cabin.She wanted to tell Boddy to be careful, but he was so preoccupied with the battle ahead that she dared not distract him.She turned her head and saw Leiqi crossing herself, knowing that she was also praying to God to bless her sweetheart. Lacey and Birdie jumped to the ground before the horse stopped, and they drew their swords and walked to the middle of the courtyard. Ruos wanted to follow, but Di Liang pushed him away.You are not yet qualified to protect your lord. So who has it?asked Ross. Of course it's the Bruce people.Watch and learn, kid. Liam put a hand on Rose's shoulder.We are grateful for your protection of our lord's wife, but until you are well trained, you will only drag your lord down and force him to distract himself from protecting you.Be patient, boy.Do as Di Liang said, watch and learn. Ji Ting stepped forward boldly.Lacey, I now challenge you for the domination of the Xin Clan!he shouted. Lacey sneered.You challenged once, asshole.I should have killed you then. Why do you come back and take what belongs to me?Ji Ting screamed loudly.I should be the lord, not you.I am fit to be the lord. Are you fit to be a lord?Lacey growled.You do not hesitate to bully women and children in order to usurp the throne. Are you worthy of being a lord like this?Only a coward would conspire with the English to try to kidnap and kill my brother.You return to England to order the execution of a five-year-old boy when McAleigh is mistakenly caught.No, you don't deserve it, you coward, traitor, bastard! In order to gain the allegiance of the Xin clan, I did only what I should do.Both you and Michael should be damned.I'm not weak like you, Lacey.You not only let Ke Leiqi reject me, but also let Fei's scum pollute our land.How dare you think they can be our equals.When I become lord, I will drive them all from my land. Lei Xi hooked his fingers towards Ji Ting.Come kill me.he challenged.Let me see what you can do. Ji Ting screamed and raised his sword to attack.His friends rushed forward together, planning to hit more with less.Bo Di and Di Liang strode forward, and the two enemies were knocked down before they could swing their swords.A veteran Xin soldier and two Fei soldiers joined the battle in an attempt to regain the numerical disadvantage. With murderous intent in his eyes, Boddy approached Anton aggressively.Seeing this, Anton wanted to run away, but Di Liang had already blocked his retreat.Bodie pierced Anton's throat with his sword in two strokes.After Anton fell to the ground, Birdy spat at him as a final insult. Ji Ting let out a shrill scream, and Lacey's sword slashed from his shoulders to his waist, almost splitting him in half.Ji Ting knelt down, his face full of astonishment and disbelief.As he drew his last breath, Lacey kicked him to the ground and raised his sword aloft with both hands.you lose.He thrust the sword into Ji Ting's heart with all his might. Lacey stood next to Ji Ting's body and tried to control her anger.There was a dead silence in the courtyard, only his heavy breathing could be heard.There was a pungent smell of blood in the air.He shivered, and then pulled the sword out of Ji Ting's chest. Who else wants to challenge me?he growled. No.Shouts came from deep within the crowd.We all serve you, Lord. Deafening cheers followed, and Lacey stared indifferently at the corpses all over the ground and the grass stained red with blood.He turned to the three soldiers who had joined the fray.Drag the corpse outside the city to feed the wild dogs. He noticed that both his and Birdie's hands and feet were covered in blood.I'm going to wash off their blood. Boddy followed Lacey to the lake without looking back. Lacey turned to him as he moved away from the others.We leave for England tomorrow. Boddy nodded.dawn. Ruos went to the hut to report the execution of Ji Ting's gang of traitors, and then escorted Laiqi home.Lian waited until the afternoon and did not see Bodie back, so she had to go out to find him.A Fei's soldier had told her that Boddy and Lacey had left the estate, possibly to inform the Maien traitors. At night, Birdy still didn't come back.Liane waited and fell asleep. Birdie woke her up in the middle of the night when he pulled her into his arms and made love to her.His gestures were rough and urgent, but instead of resisting or rejecting him, she comforted him with caresses.They made love wildly, satisfying her in his arms as he climaxed deep inside her. She told him she loved him, and he cherished those words because he knew her love was about to be severely tested.At this time tomorrow night, she is likely to hate him to the bone.