Chapter 24: Get Lost

When Su Yunqing opened her eyes, Banjiu was already standing at the edge of the boat, gripping a large blade in both hands and staring intently in the direction from which the sound of water had come.

Banjiu gestured with his chin, signaling her to retreat into the cabin.

Su Yunqing lowered her body and moved stealthily to his side, asking in a hushed voice, "What is that sound?"

Banjiu replied in an equally soft whisper, "It’s the Wonu (Japanese invaders). I’ll handle this; you get inside quickly and stay hidden. Do not come out."

Su Yunqing knew that she had no experience with the Wonu and understood nothing about them. Staying here would only distract Banjiu and make her a burden.

She nodded at Banjiu. "Take care of yourself, Banjiu." With that, she obediently slipped into the cabin and hid behind the door.

Soon, voices drifted from outside: "Master Chino, look, there is no one near this large boat. Once you board it, you will surely be able to leave this place smoothly."

Su Yunqing’s mind buzzed; these were Dalian people, speaking in clear, articulate Dalian dialect.

Immediately following was a strained, awkward tone: "Mr. Han, thank you. When I return to stage a comeback one day, I will certainly see that you are well rewarded."

"Master Chino, there is no time to lose. Get on the boat quickly."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of someone hitting the water echoed. Banjiu swung his blade, cutting down the first Wonu trying to climb aboard.

"There is someone? Han Jian, did you betray me?" It was the same awkward voice.

Han Jian stammered in panic, trying to defend himself: "Master Chino, how could I betray you? I only wanted to help you leave this place as soon as possible."

"Then why is there someone on the boat?"

Others in the small fishing boat began shouting their anger in the Wonu language.

Han Jian paused for a moment, then asserted firmly, "There is only one person on board. Don't panic, everyone. He is no match for all of you. Take him down!"

Hearing the commotion on the fishing boat, which held at least a dozen people, Banjiu gripped his blade tighter, his vigilance heightened, ready to strike at the enemy’s heads.

Hiding behind the door, Su Yunqing drew the dagger strapped to her leg, holding it tightly as she listened to the sounds outside.

Then came the sound of a second person hitting the water.

Han Jian shouted, "He is only one man! Everyone attack together, quickly!"

Thump, thump, thump, clash... After three Wonu hit the water, the sounds of their counterattack followed. Judging by the footsteps, at least five people had boarded the boat.

Banjiu swung his blade, shouting, "Shameless dogs, get back to your home!"

The fight outside was intense and desperate. Banjiu fought five men at once, his large blade constantly parrying and striking. Before long, a deep, bleeding gash appeared on his arm.

Su Yunqing watched through the door crack. With another thump, Banjiu kicked a Wonu, sending him crashing into another, both falling to the deck.

Han Jian and the Wonu who spoke Dalian had also boarded the boat.

She heard Han Jian say, "Master Chino, he cannot hold out much longer. Let us go into the cabin to rest."

Footsteps drew closer to the cabin door. Su Yunqing tightened her grip on the dagger, bracing herself. If they entered, she would strike.

Outside, Banjiu, already outnumbered, was becoming physically exhausted, slowly losing the upper hand.

This made it clear to Su Yunqing that the Wonu were not so easily dealt with, and a sense of anxiety rose within her.

With a creak, the door opened. Su Yunqing exerted all her strength to swing the blade, but it struck nothing.

It was not because the opponent was agile enough to dodge.

It was because this Chino was incredibly short. Su Yunqing had aimed for the neck, expecting the height of someone like Ling Yuan or Banjiu. Instead, the blade passed right over his head, not even cutting a single hair.

Though uninjured, Chino was badly frightened, and Han Jian had already retreated several steps.

It was now broad daylight. Seeing who it was, Chino reached to draw his sword. Su Yunqing did not wait for his blade to leave its sheath; she raised her dagger and thrust it toward his chest.

Chino reacted with surprising agility, twisting his body to dodge, but Su Yunqing’s dagger pierced his right shoulder. The pain forced him to loosen his grip on his sword. Meanwhile, Han Jian was trembling behind the other side of the door.

Su Yunqing pressed her advantage, kicking Chino to the ground. She stepped forward, pressed the dagger against his throat, and grabbed his collar, hauling him up from the floor.

Witnessing this, Han Jian was already leaking water from his trousers.

"Tell your people to stop," Su Yunqing said, pushing him out of the cabin.

Chino retorted in broken Dalian, "A scholar can be killed, but not humiliated!"

Han Jian stumbled out, shouted something in Wonu at them, and then said to Su Yunqing, "I will tell them to stop. Please, no more fighting."

Banjiu’s eyes were bloodshot, low growls emanating from his throat. Covered in blood, he knelt on one knee, using his large blade to support his body, glaring at them with a ferocious expression.

The five opponents were reduced to three still standing. These three were raising their swords, preparing to strike him down, but hearing Han Jian’s words and seeing Chino under Su Yunqing’s blade, they slowly stepped back and lowered their weapons.

Han Jian pleaded with Su Yunqing, "Hero, spare his life! Do you know who he is..."

Su Yunqing, half a head taller than Chino, held him before her without the slightest awkwardness. She sneered at Han Jian, "Those who invade our Dalian are all thieves. And you—wearing the face of a Dalian person, speaking the Dalian tongue, yet choosing to debase yourself as a lackey for these thieves—you are a hundred times more detestable than the thieves themselves."

Han Jian pointed at Banjiu. "He is severely wounded. If you don't stop the bleeding, he will die. Without him, you are no match for these three warriors. Think carefully: is it worth trading two lives for one?"

Banjiu was already sitting in a pool of his own blood. Su Yunqing’s hand holding the dagger faltered; she only needed a slight pressure to slit Chino’s throat.

Han Jian bowed his hands. "Hero, do not hesitate. If you wait any longer, he will not last."

Banjiu lifted a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Don't listen to him. Wait for Uncle Kun and the others to return." With that, he collapsed to the deck with a heavy thud.

"Banjiu, Banjiu..." Su Yunqing called out repeatedly, but he did not respond.

She looked into the distance. Beyond the faint sounds of fighting echoing from the forest, there was no sign of anyone. She couldn't wait; there was no time!

Su Yunqing held the dagger to Chino and told Han Jian, "Tell these three dogs to go to the stern, smash the rudder, and cut the sail ropes. Quickly, or I will kill him!"

Han Jian immediately relayed her words in Wonu, and the three men complied at once.

Once the rudder was smashed and the ropes cut, Su Yunqing looked at the severed lines on the deck and said to Han Jian, "You, tell the three of them to drop their swords. Then all four of you, get off the boat. You will tie the three of them up, now!"

After Han Jian translated, the Wonu looked at each other, reluctant to drop their weapons, all casting their eyes toward Chino.

Su Yunqing glanced at Banjiu on the deck, then flicked her wrist. The tip of her blade pierced the skin, and blood immediately trickled down Chino’s neck. "Do not make me say it a second time."

Seeing this, the three men hurriedly threw down their swords and jumped onto the small fishing boat. Seeing them disarmed, Chino began to curse in Wonu, but Su Yunqing increased the pressure on her blade, causing the blood to flow faster, and Chino fell silent.

Once the four were off the boat, Han Jian used the ropes to bind the three men. Su Yunqing stomped on the sword at Chino’s waist, kicking it far away. She dragged him to the edge of the boat, grabbed his collar, and shoved him down. He landed heavily on top of the other four.

"Get out of here!"