A Shocking Dream

The gloomy sky seemed tightly enveloped by a thick, dark cloud, oppressive and suffocating. I looked closely and saw an arrow blade lodged in Lin Bingshuang's heart, bleeding profusely. The bright red blood gushed out, glaring in the dim light, dripping drop by drop onto the dusty ground, scattering fine particles of dust. Behind her, the sound of hurried horse hooves approached like thunder, evidently drawing nearer. She was being pursued.

She saw me, her eyes filled with hatred and disgust. That look was like a sharp arrow, piercing my heart. She galloped past me, stirring up a sharp wind, tinged with the scent of blood and despair. Arriving at the city gate, she shuddered at the sight of her parents' heads. She bit her lip, but the tears in her eyes stubbornly refused to fall. Her fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms. Blood oozed, yet she seemed insensitive to the pain.

The shattered city walls stood silently in the wind, pockmarked with knife and arrow holes, as if telling of the brutal battle they had just endured. A deathly silence reigned within the city, and corpses lay scattered everywhere. There were soldiers from the Snow Country and the Great Qi. Their cold bodies, intertwined with the remains of their broken weapons, formed a heartbreaking scene. The air was thick with the nauseating smell of blood.

"Why? Why is this happening?" Lin Bingshuang's voice trembled, filled with pain and anger. Her voice echoed in the silent space, sounding particularly desolate.

I opened my mouth, but I didn't know what to say. I knew that her country, her family, everything was because of my tricks and Prince An's ambition. I felt an immense sense of guilt and self-blame.

She turned and looked at the devastating scene in the city, her eyes filled with determination. "I will not be a human being until I have my revenge!" Her voice was hoarse and firm, as if announcing her resolve to the world.

Seeing her gallop away, I rushed to the city gate without hesitation, opening my arms to stop those who were chasing her. The dust raised by the horses' hooves gradually dissipated, and the figures gradually became clearer. It turned out to be Prince An leading his soldiers in the pursuit of Lin Bingshuang.

"Is that enough?" I shouted like a roar, and my voice echoed in this empty city, carrying endless anger and despair.

Prince An was surprised to see me, narrowing his eyes slightly before halting his pursuit. He looked down at me, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

"What are you doing? Why are you stopping me?" Prince An's voice was cold and carried an irresistible majesty.

I glared at him, my eyes filled with grief and anger. "You've already caused so much suffering to the people of the Snow Country, isn't that enough? Why are you still going after Lin Bingshuang?"

Prince An snorted coldly, "She is a general of the Snow Country. As long as she is alive, she may rebel against me. I cannot leave any trouble behind."

"Your ambition has caused too many people to lose their lives. Don't you feel any guilt at all?" I asked.

Prince An laughed heartily. "Guilt? In these troubled times, only the strong can survive. Everything I do is for the strength of Daqi. I have already promised you not to attack Yun Kingdom, so you should be grateful."

I looked at Prince An's cold face, and my heart was filled with despair. I knew that he had been blinded by power and ambition and would not listen to any advice.

But I couldn't give up like this. I had to protect Lin Bingshuang and seek justice for the people of the Snow Country. I straightened my spine and looked King An in the eye without flinching.

"If you want to kill her, you have to step over my body first." My voice was firm and resolute.

A flicker of hesitation flashed across Prince An's eyes, as if he were weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he waved his hand and led his soldiers away.

I watched Prince An's retreating figure, my heart filled with worry. Although he'd left for now, no one knew when he'd return. He wouldn't stop hunting Lin Bingshuang easily, and Lin Bingshuang, gravely injured and burdened with a deep blood feud, was in dire straits.

I worried about Lin Bingshuang's injury. The arrow lodged in her heart could kill her at any moment. Even if she managed to survive, how would she survive in this hostile world? How could she fulfill her unwavering vow: "I will not be a human being until I have avenged this vengeance"?

I mounted my swift horse and chased after Lin Bingshuang outside the city. The sound of horse hooves echoed rapidly across the empty land, as frantic and urgent as my own heartbeat.

The wind whistled past my ears, ruffling my hair. I gripped the reins tightly, my gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead. I didn't know where Lin Bingshuang was going, but I knew I had to find her.

Her eyes, filled with hatred and disgust, and her severely injured yet stubborn figure, kept resurfacing in my mind. I was filled with guilt and worry. I wanted to explain to her, to face this cruel reality with her.

The horses galloped, raising a cloud of dust. I passed through a desolate forest and spotted Lin Bingshuang's horse. My heart tightened, knowing she was nearby. I quickly dismounted and looked around, trying to spot her. There seemed to be a commotion up ahead, and my heart instantly jumped.

I approached cautiously, each step filled with tension and anxiety. When I finally saw the scene ahead, my heart sank. Lin Bingshuang stood at the edge of the cliff, her face as pale as paper. Behind her was a thousand-foot cliff, like a giant black hole that could swallow her at any moment.

Before her stood a dozen men in black, each holding a sharp blade and with a cold look in their eyes. Lin Bingshuang had been forced into a desperate situation, but she remained upright, her eyes burning with an unyielding fire.

I hid behind a nearby bush, my mind racing, thinking about how to rescue her. These men in black were clearly assassins sent by Prince An. They would never let Lin Bingshuang go easily. I couldn't just stand by and watch her fall into danger. I had to find a way and act quickly.

I surveyed the surrounding terrain, searching for an opportunity to exploit. The wind whipped past the cliff edge, sending Lin Bingshuang's hair flying. There was no fear in her eyes, only unwavering determination. I knew she wouldn't give in easily, even in the face of death.

But I couldn't let her die like this, I had to find a way to rescue her. In this tense moment, I took a deep breath, tried to calm myself down, and thought about the best rescue plan.

Before I could even come up with a plan, I watched helplessly as Lin Bingshuang jumped off the cliff in despair. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, my mind went blank, and only endless shock and grief remained.

"No!" A desperate voice cried out, and then a young man in white rushed over and was about to jump after Lin Bingshuang. His face was filled with pain and determination, as if he had lost the most important thing in his life. However, he was held tightly by the person behind him, unable to break free.