TGWM Ch. 12

Chapter 12: Falling from the Horse

As Lin Aoxue gradually approached the third target, the once-boisterous crowd fell into silence. This final arrow was crucial—it would determine Lin Aoxue’s overall performance in the competition and influence how the other soldiers viewed her in the future.

She had already missed two shots. If the last arrow also failed to hit the mark, the reputation she had built as a fearless and highly skilled warrior would collapse completely. Many were eagerly waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

Yet, standing at the center of attention, Lin Aoxue seemed completely unfazed. She remained calm and composed, riding her frail, unsteady horse at a leisurely pace. Those closely watching her couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat on her behalf.

Just as she was about to pass the third target, her gaze sharpened. In one swift motion, she pulled the final arrow from her quiver, drew her bow, and let the arrow fly in a seamless, fluid movement.

The weak horse beneath her trembled slightly, and the arrow shot forth, cutting through the air in a beautiful streak.

Before everyone’s eyes, the sharp arrow whistled toward the final target. The moment it struck dead center, a crisp sound echoed through the silent training ground.

The arrow had embedded itself precisely one inch into the target—without the slightest deviation.

For a brief moment, there was complete silence. Those who had earlier sighed and sneered at Lin Aoxue were now like ducks with their throats clutched—eyes wide with disbelief, unable to utter another laugh.

Beichen Ji and Shang Wu, who had been standing outside the field with their horses, clapped their hands in admiration at Lin Aoxue’s perfect shot. Even the anger on Beichen Long’s face dissipated, replaced by an amused smile as he turned to Yang Jin and said, “That little rascal! Even in an official competition, he dares to mess around. Just wait—I’ll deal with him later!” He still assumed that Lin Aoxue had deliberately missed the first two shots as a joke.

Yang Jin’s expression was one of helplessness, though he couldn’t directly contradict the grand general. Seeing Beichen Long grinning so widely, it was obvious he had no real intention of punishing Lin Aoxue. Instead, he was probably already thinking about which spear to choose as his reward.

Lin Aoxue’s impressive display of archery left everyone speechless. As she leisurely rode out of the training ground, her expression remained calm—showing neither pride nor arrogance over her success.

Lu Sheng was now completely in awe of Lin Aoxue, deeply moved by her consideration for him. Stepping forward, he respectfully helped remove her quiver and adjusted the saddle.

“It’s your turn now,” Lin Aoxue said, the corners of her lips curving slightly in a rare, faint smile.

“Yes, sir!”

This time, Lu Sheng showed no hesitation. He swiftly took hold of the reins, leaped onto his horse, inhaled the fresh, damp spring air, and said to Lin Aoxue, “Platoon leader, I’m heading in.”

Seeing Lin Aoxue nod, Lu Sheng pressed his legs against the horse’s sides and galloped toward the training field.

His months of hard training had paid off—his first arrow landed solidly on the target. Though it didn’t hit the bullseye, it was only half an inch away, an even better shot than Liang Hui’s.

Beichen Long nodded repeatedly in approval, exclaiming, “Lin Aoxue is not only highly skilled herself but has also trained her soldiers well.”

Yang Jin nodded in agreement. “This Lu Sheng is indeed someone who can endure hardship.”

As they spoke, Lu Sheng had already ridden past the first target and was now heading toward the second.

The second target was placed near the corner at the edge of the training field. Lu Sheng tightened the reins and squeezed the horse’s sides as he approached the turn, trying to guide the horse in the right direction.

But at that moment, the horse beneath him suddenly let out a sharp neigh, reared up on its hind legs, and, as if it had gone mad, crashed through the temporary fence—violently throwing Lu Sheng off its back!

Lu Sheng hit the ground hard in a chaotic tumble. His head buzzed, and before he could even register what had happened, a sharp, searing pain shot through his right leg, making it impossible for him to get up.

A massive shadow loomed over him from behind, casting a dark silhouette on the ground. A terrible sense of foreboding struck Lu Sheng, and he instinctively turned his head—only to see the frenzied horse raising its front legs high, about to stomp down on him!

For an instant, his breath caught in his throat, and even his heartbeat seemed to stop.

The disaster unfolded too quickly, leaving him no time to react. In his shock and helplessness, he had already stepped one foot into death’s door.

The hooves came crashing down mercilessly. But before they could land on him, a figure shot in from outside the field like a blur, reaching his side in the blink of an eye.

With a deafening crash, the entire training ground trembled. Many people stood up in alarm—even Beichen Long and Yang Jin held their breaths.

The crazed horse collapsed to the ground, thrashing for a moment before falling still—its neck broken.

Lin Aoxue crouched beside the fallen horse like a wolf, her right hand still pressed against its throat. The sheer force of her impact had left a deep crater in the ground beneath her.

Lu Sheng lay there, drenched in cold sweat, his body still trembling from the near-death experience.

Lin Aoxue rose from the dust, the sunlight outlining her figure in a golden glow. The mask on her face only added to the aura of mystery and dominance she exuded—like a deity descending upon the battlefield.

She strode quickly toward Lu Sheng, her brows furrowed in concern. With a cold expression, she demanded, “Lu Sheng! Are you hurt?!”

It was only then that Lu Sheng’s senses slowly returned. Awareness crept back into his body, and with it, a piercing, bone-deep pain radiated from his right leg. His face turned deathly pale as he instinctively curled up, clutching his injured limb. In a weak voice, he gasped, “Platoon Leader…”

Lin Aoxue’s heart sank at the sight. She immediately shouted, “Medic!” 

Her sharp command jolted both the stunned military doctor and the onlookers, who had been left speechless by what had just transpired.

Beichen Long’s face darkened as he leapt down from the viewing platform, striding toward them with a furious roar. “What the hell happened here?!”

No one dared to answer. The guards stood stiffly, afraid to speak, only following Beichen Long in haste as they gathered at the scene.

The military doctor had been startled by the sudden emergency, but he was experienced with battlefield injuries and quickly regained his composure. He prevented the soldiers from moving Lu Sheng and instead knelt to examine him on the spot.

A tense silence followed. Under Lin Aoxue’s piercing gaze and Beichen Long’s stern presence, the doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead and, with great difficulty, announced, “His right leg is broken. It must be set immediately.”

Lin Aoxue took a sharp breath, while Beichen Long furrowed his brows. He glanced at Lu Sheng, whose face was growing even paler, and asked in a heavy tone, “After setting the bone, what are the chances of a full recovery?”

The military doctor hesitated. 

Beichen Long raised his voice. “Speak freely.”

At those words, the doctor suddenly lost strength in his legs and dropped to his knees, his head hanging low. Beichen Long hadn’t expected this reaction, and an ominous feeling surged within him.

“Grand General,” the doctor said, his voice low. “If the bone is set within an hour, there is a forty percent chance of a full recovery. With proper care, he may avoid any lasting complications.”

Neither Lin Aoxue nor Beichen Long looked relieved—because they both knew there was more.

“But,” the doctor continued, “the camp is missing a crucial medicinal herb. Without it, the treatment will be far less effective. Even if the external wounds heal, he will be left with a permanent limp.”

Upon hearing this, despair and self-mockery flashed in Lu Sheng’s eyes. His face was deathly pale. Meanwhile, Lin Aoxue’s expression darkened like a storm, and Beichen Long’s veins bulged at his temples, his clenched fists audibly cracking.

The shortage of medicinal herbs in the camp was something Beichen Long was already aware of. The early spring battle had consumed a significant amount of supplies, including medicine. To address the immediate crisis, he had ordered the purchase of herbs from pharmacies in Xingbei City.

After the battle, he had sent a request to the imperial court for supplies. However, when the court finally delivered provisions, the grain amounted to less than half of what he had requested, and the medicinal herbs were even scarcer. Even now, the camp was still suffering from shortages.

Beichen Long’s face turned ashen, his fists trembling.

No one could have predicted such an accident. If there were another option, he would never consider giving up on Lu Sheng’s leg. The possibility of saving him was right in front of them, yet all they could do was watch time slip away. This kind of helpless frustration was enough to drive a person mad.

Beichen Long wrestled with the dilemma, unable to make a decision—until a voice suddenly rang out from nearby.

“What is the missing herb called?”

It was Lin Aoxue.

“Xuduan,” the doctor immediately replied.

Lin Aoxue patted Lu Sheng’s shoulder reassuringly before stepping toward Beichen Long and volunteering, “General, please grant me permission to enter Xingbei Market and search for the herb.”

Lu Sheng was just a squad leader—not particularly outstanding—but he was the first soldier Lin Aoxue had taken an interest in training since joining the army.

He had a good temperament, was diligent in learning and practicing, and, most importantly, the horse he had ridden was one Lin Aoxue had entrusted to him. She felt responsible for what had happened. Both personally and professionally, she was unwilling to give up on him so easily.

Beichen Long knew that the chances of finding the herb in Xingbei City’s pharmacies were slim, but as he looked into Lin Aoxue’s determined eyes, he found himself unable to refuse. He gave a reluctant nod.

Lin Aoxue thanked him, then turned to the military doctor and instructed, “Take good care of him. I will return within an hour.”

Whether she found the herb or not, she had to come back.

Lin Aoxue swiftly left the training grounds, channeling her qinggong to its fullest. In less than the time it took to finish a cup of tea, she had arrived at the market.

She went straight into the nearest pharmacy and asked the shopkeeper if they had xuduan.

When the man shook his head, she immediately turned and left, heading to the next shop. But again, she found nothing.

She searched four or five pharmacies in a row, only to come up empty-handed.

Even with her usually steady nature, Lin Aoxue couldn’t help but grow anxious. The last hope was the medical clinic ahead—the final place in Xingbei that might still have xuduan.

The closer she got, the more uneasy she felt. If she truly couldn’t find the herb, would Lu Sheng’s leg be ruined just like that?

Carrying this heavy uncertainty, she stepped into the clinic—only to see an unexpected person standing inside.

Yun Yan.