The Innocent Heart - Chapter 64

“It’s terrible, Cao Song! Your horse! Something’s happened to your horse! I just saw it in the stable, lying there foaming at the mouth!”

Not long after Guan Yueyao had finished telling Cao Song about what she had overheard, and just as the two were rushing toward the stables, a panicked soldier ran head-on toward them.

Guan Yueyao watched as the youth, who had been standing beside her just a moment ago, suddenly slipped and sat limply on the ground.

“My horse… my horse…” Hit by such a sudden blow, the youth didn’t know how to respond. His limbs felt weak; he struggled to stand while tears streamed down his face.

“Don’t panic…” Seeing Cao Song’s state, Guan Yueyao offered hurried words of comfort while reaching out to pull him up from the ground.

While her face appeared calm, her heart was racing. What to do, what to do! If only Qubing were here, he’d definitely know what to do!

However, because Huo Qubing believed an incident during the Du Shi (military trials) could not be taken lightly and the culprits had to be caught, they had parted ways outside the stables. He had headed toward the viewing stands. He didn’t necessarily intend to report directly to the Emperor, but since something had happened during the trials, it was only right to inform General Wei Qing and General Han Anguo.

But no one expected that something would happen to Cao Song’s horse anyway.

“Let’s go see your horse first! Maybe he just ate something bad and will be fine in a bit!” Guan Yueyao spoke words of encouragement, and in her heart, she truly hoped it was true.

“Oh, right! We’ll find the army horse doctor! Master Zhao is amazing; there’s nothing he can’t do when it comes to setting bones, delivering foals, or treating illnesses for military horses!” At this thought, Guan Yueyao felt a bit more settled. As long as Doctor Zhao came, Cao Song’s horse would be fine!

She turned to the soldier who had brought the news and asked him to fetch the doctor. But the man shook his head; he wasn’t part of the Northern Army and wasn’t familiar with their camp layout. Finding a specific doctor in the vast Northern Army camp would be no easy feat for him.

Guan Yueyao sighed. Together with the soldier, she supported the nearly paralyzed Cao Song as they hurried toward the stables, her eyes searching the area for any familiar soldier she could ask to find Doctor Zhao.

However, the path was strangely quiet; she didn’t encounter a single soul. Guan Yueyao frowned; this was far too abnormal. After all, while the Northern Army had infantry, it was dominated by light chariot riders and cavalry. The stables should have been one of the most bustling spots in the camp.

What is going on today? Guan Yueyao was puzzled, until the group nearly reached the stables. Only then did she realize that people weren’t missing—they were all gathered at the stable entrance.

“Quick, quick! It’s Attendant Guan and Cao Song! Cao Song is here!” Some onlookers turned and recognized Guan Yueyao and Cao Song.

Cao Song was originally just an ordinary soldier from a border commandery, but because his performance in the previous matches had been so brilliant, he had left a deep impression on many in the Northern Army. Indeed, in the military, having a singular outstanding skill allows one to stand out and be remembered easily.

The crowd turned and parted to make a path for Cao Song. Standing beside the youth, supporting him, Guan Yueyao could feel the pity in the gazes directed at them. Her heart sank; it seemed things had not turned out for the best.

“Does anyone have a moment? Quick, go find Doctor Zhao!” she couldn’t help but shout. But no one answered, and no one moved. Everyone lowered their heads, seemingly unwilling to face Cao Song and Guan Yueyao.

Perhaps because he had spent so much time with his steed, an indescribable bond had formed between them. Cao Song suddenly broke free from Guan Yueyao’s support and ran toward the stall where his horse had been staying.

A moment later, a heart-wrenching wail echoed nearby. Guan Yueyao hurried over and saw Cao Song slumped over the already stiff carcass of his horse, weeping so hysterically he nearly fainted.

Seeing this, the onlookers turned their faces away, unable to bear the sight. Most of the soldiers currently at the stables were cavalrymen; they could deeply empathize with Cao Song’s devastation. To build rapport with their mounts, these riders lived and breathed with their horses, caring for them meticulously. Many likely spent more time with their horses than with their own families.

Humans are not made of wood or stone; how could they be heartless? To an outsider, a horse might just be one of the six domestic animals—an expensive mode of transport. But to these riders, a horse was a comrade-in-arms, a partner, even family. To have one’s horse poisoned to death—how could one not be consumed by grief and fury? Even the most cold-hearted person would at least feel the sting of such a massive material loss.

“Don’t be too sad… the final match is this afternoon. Those people poisoned your horse specifically to stop you from competing. You mustn’t let them have their way,” Guan Yueyao knelt beside the youth, trying to persuade him.

But her words seemed to act as a sudden trigger for Cao Song. The youth looked up with bloodshot eyes, shoved Guan Yueyao aside, and stood up. He scanned the surrounding crowd, and then suddenly reached out and pulled the saber, Lietian, from Guan Yueyao’s waist.

“Who was it?! Who poisoned my horse!” He raised the blade and roared at the top of his lungs, his emotions clearly spiraling out of control.

The crowd was startled by his frenzied appearance and scrambled out of the way. Guan Yueyao was also stunned; a person wielding a sharp weapon in such a state was far too likely to cause needless casualties.

Without a second thought, she waited for Cao Song to focus on the people in front of him before lunging at him from behind. She gripped his right hand, which held the saber, with all her might, trying to wrench the blade away.

“Let me go! Let me go! I’m going to avenge my horse!” The youth screamed and struggled with everything he had.

His strength was unexpectedly immense; he nearly broke free several times. The soldiers watching from the sidelines retreated a few more steps, fearing the boy’s rage or the blade might catch them.

“Calm down! My friend has already gone to report this to General Wei and Commandant Han. I’m sure they’ll find the culprit for you soon!” Guan Yueyao gritted her teeth, struggling to subdue Cao Song while trying to explain.

“Don’t think I’m a fool! Those high-ranking lords—why would they ever care about the lives of us lowly soldiers…” Before Cao Song could finish, a series of rapid footsteps approached the stables.

Everyone turned to look. A group of soldiers, led by the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wei Qing, had appeared.

“What is this commotion!” Wei Qing was instantly angered by the chaotic and undisciplined state of the stables. He strode inside and barked the question.

Huo Qubing, following behind his uncle, was scanning the area for Guan Yueyao’s voice when he heard a familiar cry of pain. He looked toward the sound and saw the youth named Cao Song holding Guan Yueyao’s Lietian. Fresh blood was slowly dripping from the sharp blade.

With a clink, the weapon hit the ground. Huo Qubing’s mind went blank for a second. He shoved through the crowd and sprinted over.

In the center of the crowd, Guan Yueyao was crouched on the ground, clutching her right arm with a pained expression. Blood was seeping through her fingers; the sight was terrifying.

The youth named Cao Song stood there dazed, staring at the person he had accidentally injured, his entire body trembling.

“Guards! Seize Cao Song! Don’t let him get away!” Wei Qing reacted quickly, ordering his soldiers to subdue Cao Song and take control of the situation.

But Huo Qubing had no interest in some “Cao Song.” Looking at his friend’s arm, which was still bleeding, he felt an immense pang of distress and a wave of regret. If he had only come along, he would never have let A-Yao suffer this misfortune.

Though for a martial artist, a superficial wound was nothing, the fact that the injured person was Guan Yueyao made Huo Qubing feel as if that blade had cut him instead.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. It’s just a small scratch, nothing at all. Once the bleeding stops, it’ll heal in two days.”

While Huo Qubing was drowning in self-reproach, he saw his friend acting as if nothing had happened, grinning foolishly at him. Huo Qubing felt a surge of exasperation. He glared at her, said nothing, and with a sour face, helped her up and headed straight for the military doctor’s tent.

Fortunately, the youth named Cao Song had only slipped up and had not intended to hurt anyone. The wound looked scary at first, but once cleaned and the bleeding stopped, it wasn’t nearly as daunting.

Even so, any hope of Guan Yueyao participating in the remaining matches was gone. She felt a deep sense of regret; she had trained for so long for these trials. Even if it wasn’t for the rewards, she had hoped to test herself against the elite troops from across the nation to gauge the results of her recent training.

“Just focus on healing your hand. The Du Shi happens every year. Next year will be perfect—we can compete together.” Huo Qubing’s expression was still dark, but he spoke words of comfort to his frustrated friend.

Guan Yueyao knew Huo Qubing was right, but she still couldn’t help but ask: “What will Lord Wei do with that Cao Song?”

Thinking of Cao Song, it would be a lie to say she held no resentment—Guan Yueyao was no saint. But knowing he had acted out of accidental distress, her hatred was quite limited. Moreover, she understood exactly why he had lost control. In truth, she felt more pity for him than blame.

“Carrying a blade and injuring a superior in the military… by military law, he will naturally receive twenty heavy strikes and be expelled from the camp.”

At the mention of Cao Song, Huo Qubing’s face, which had just begun to soften, darkened once more.