The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

The morning light was just beginning to break, and a pale golden glow, like melted honey, trickled down through the uneven rooftops of Qingyufang, casting a solemn and warm veil over this small market, usually filled with the sounds of jade carving and the bustling market life. However, today, Qingyufang was unusually quiet.

In the past, at the first light of day, the breakfast shops at the entrances of the town would be wafting the enticing aroma of noodles and the sizzling sound of fried dough sticks, and the men in the jade workshops would be carrying their tools, humming tunes, and beginning their busy day. But now, the streets were deserted, with only a few shops half-closed, revealing shadowy figures and suppressed whispers from within.

An invisible, heavy emotion hung over Qingyufang.

Aunt Liu rose early. She didn't tend to the vegetable patches in the yard as usual, nor did she rush to knead the dough for breakfast. She sat in the dimly lit main room, clutching a half-worn, starched-bleached cotton jacket, stitch by stitch, mending a small, inconspicuous hole on the cuff. Her movements were slow and steady, but her gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if she were looking through the jacket at something far away.

She'd found this cotton-padded jacket a few days ago, rummaging through boxes and drawers, intending to give it to Lin Wei. I heard that the girl with the bright smile and straight back, along with her sisters, was leaving. Not to visit family, nor to rest for a rotation, but... to a distant, dangerous place, to carry out a life-or-death mission.

"Mom, it's time to go. It will be too late if you're any later." Erzhu's voice came from the door, with the clarity unique to young people, but also a hint of heaviness that was inconsistent with his age.

Erzhu wore the same navy blue homespun jacket he'd only just bought for the Lunar New Year. His hair was neatly combed, and his face wore a complex expression of sadness, reverence, and bewilderment. He carried a small bamboo basket containing a few steamed buns, still wafting from the steamed buns Aunt Liu had prepared overnight.

Aunt Liu raised her head, her eyes red. She put down her needlework, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and said in a hoarse voice, "Oh, I'm leaving now. I'm leaving now. Let me take another look... take another look at the sky of our Qingyufang."

She stood up, walked to the courtyard gate, and looked up at the newly risen, not-so-bright red sun in the eastern sky. The sky was blue, like a huge, pure piece of Hetian jade. But beneath this beautiful sky, those young girls had to face the test of blood and fire.

"Let's go, Erzhu. It's too late. I'm afraid you won't be able to see them for the last time." Aunt Liu took a deep breath, as if to suppress the heavy grief in her chest.

The mother and son locked the courtyard gate and joined the sparse stream of people on the street. Most of these people were from Qingyufang. There were elderly people with gray hair, women holding children, men with solemn expressions, and some young men and women around Erzhu's age. They were all heading in the same direction—the main road outside the town. A little further on, the official road led to the county town. At the starting point of the official road, there was a small village gate.

Lin Wei and the others had come from there, and now they were leaving from there as well.

The line grew longer and longer, from a few people at first to dozens, then hundreds. There was no noise, no crying, only the subdued clatter of footsteps and the occasional soft sigh. Everyone was carrying something: a few warm eggs, a handful of freshly roasted melon seeds, a small bag of home-dried pickles... These were inexpensive items, but they were the most sincere gifts the villagers could offer.

No one knew if they would ever return. The words "one last time" were like a blunt knife, slowly cutting into everyone's heart, leaving them breathless with pain.

When talking about Lin Wei and her women's team, the story has to start from half a year ago.

At that time, the war in the north was intense, and the Great Zhou court was stretched thin. Not only did they conscript a large number of men, but they also, unprecedentedly, established several female auxiliary battalions to handle rear-line transportation, medical care, city defense, and other menial duties. Lin Wei and her companions were members of one of these, the "Phoenix Feather Battalion." They weren't formal battalions, but rather logistical support. However, each of them had been rigorously selected and trained, possessing proficiency in horseback riding, archery, bandaging, and even some basic combat techniques.

Although Qingyufang was only a small market, it was still quite profitable due to its abundant jade production. Its relatively remote location had spared it from the direct impact of the war. The imperial court, drawn to its relatively stable environment and abundant jade resources (jade was not only a luxury item but also served as hard currency, even used to exchange for food and supplies with some tribes), dispatched a small detachment from the Fengyu Camp to assist the local government in maintaining order, collecting food and jade, and protecting the market.

When they first arrived, the villagers were somewhat curious, even skeptical, about these female soldiers. What good could a woman do, away from home caring for her husband and children, to join the army in this remote village? Could she handle a weapon or even carry rations?

But soon, Lin Wei and her colleagues changed everyone's views with their actions.

Lin Wei, the team's leader, was twenty years old, of medium height, with a healthy tan and large, bright eyes that exuded a shrewd and capable spirit. She spoke crisply and decisively, and acted with swift resolution. Within days of arriving, she had already led a group of female soldiers to subdue several thugs who had long entrenched themselves around the market, securing justice for merchants who had been extorted.

I remember one time, a small group of horse bandits roamed the mountains outside the neighborhood. Although their numbers were small, they were enough to send the entire neighborhood into a state of panic. The garrisoned county lieutenant and a few yamen runners were so frightened they hid in the county town, not daring to leave. It was Lin Wei, with a dozen female soldiers, who, with a reckless determination, expert knowledge of the terrain, and flexible tactics, used bluffs and traps to not only frighten the bandits away but also captured two of their leaders alive and seized a large amount of loot.

That time, the folks of Qingyufang truly witnessed the prowess of these "heroines." Not only were they no less capable than men, they were even braver and more responsible than some of the more timid men.

In addition to Lin Wei, there were several other girls in the team who also left a deep impression on the villagers.

The youngest, Chuntao, was only sixteen years old. With a round face and two shallow dimples when she smiled, she looked like the girl next door. She was the most attentive. Whenever anyone in the neighborhood had a headache or a fever, she would rush over with herbal remedies from the barracks to help. She bandaged wounds quickly and effectively. Last time, Mr. Zhang from the east end of the neighborhood broke his leg while chopping wood. It was Chuntao and several other female soldiers who took turns carrying him to the county town for treatment.

There was also a girl named Hongxia in the team. She had a fierce temper and a loud voice, but she was also very kind-hearted. Once, several children from the neighborhood were playing by the river. One of them slipped and fell into the water. Without a word, without even taking off her clothes, Hongxia jumped in and rescued the child. However, she herself choked on the water several times and had a high fever for two days.

There was also the calm and composed deputy captain, Su Lan. She was well-educated and knowledgeable, often sharing stories of the outside world with the villagers and teaching the girls to read. The skilled Xiangling would sew beautiful purses out of scraps of cloth and give them to the young wives and girls in the neighborhood...

They were no longer the aloof, cold-blooded "soldiers," but living, breathing women. They would wash clothes by the river with the women in the workshop, listening to their gossip; they would sing with the children in the open space, watching them laugh and play; when the jade workshop encountered difficulties, they would offer advice and even roll up their sleeves to help carry stones.

They were soldiers, but they were also daughters and sisters. With their hard work and sincerity, they earned the respect and love of all the people of Qingyufang. They brought not only order and safety, but also a long-lost, vibrant atmosphere, bringing more laughter and joy to this somewhat secluded small market.

Aunt Liu treated Lin Wei and the others like her own daughters. Lin Wei, despite her cheerful nature, also had a considerate side. Knowing that Uncle Liu had passed away early in life and Erzhu was still young, and that the family was struggling financially, she would often secretly slip Erzhu a few copper coins, or give him some rice and flour distributed by the military camp that she herself would not eat. Chuntao would often come to help Aunt Liu fetch water, chop firewood, and chat with her.

Erzhu idolized Lin Wei. He often sneaked over to the female soldiers' training grounds to watch them ride horses and practice archery with such valiant skill. When Lin Wei caught him, she didn't chase him away. Sometimes, she even taught him some basic martial arts moves, telling him that strengthening his body was essential for protecting himself and his family. In Erzhu's heart, Sister Lin Wei and the others were the bravest and most remarkable people in the world.

However, good times are always short-lived.

A month ago, an urgent military order shattered the tranquility of Qingyufang. The war in the northern border had escalated dramatically. The enemy had breached the defenses and advanced directly into the heartland. The imperial court urgently dispatched troops from all directions to support the cause, and the Fengyu Battalion received the order as well. They were no longer auxiliary troops in the rear, but were to serve as an independent mobile force, infiltrating behind enemy lines and carrying out an extremely dangerous raiding mission: burning the enemy's food and supplies stored in key choke points, and delaying the enemy's advance as much as possible to buy time for the main force to assemble.

This is almost a suicide mission.

When the news came, the villagers of Qingyufang were stunned. They couldn't believe that the girls who usually chatted and laughed with them and helped them here and there were going to face such a cruel battlefield.

In the first few days, the female soldiers were busy packing their bags and checking their weapons, and the atmosphere became extremely tense and depressing. The villagers wanted to visit them, but they were afraid to disturb them, so they could only pray for them silently in their hearts.

It was not until yesterday evening that news came that the team would set out early this morning and would pass through the village gate outside the town.

Thus, today's scene unfolded. The folks of Qingyufang spontaneously and silently gathered together to bid them farewell, to bid farewell to these heroic daughters of the Great Zhou, to bid farewell to the good girls and sisters of Qingyufang.

After walking for about an incense stick of time, the outline of the village gate appeared ahead. It was a simple gate made of bluestone. It was not very tall, but it had protected the peace of Qingyufang for many years. At this moment, more people had gathered inside and outside the village gate. Almost the entire Qingyufang had come out.

People consciously stood on both sides of the road, leaving a passage in the middle. No one spoke, only the morning breeze rustled people's clothes and hair, making a slight sound.

Aunt Liu's heart was pounding. She gripped Erzhu's hand tightly, her knuckles turning pale from the pressure. Erzhu also held his breath nervously, staring intently at the road outside the village gate.

Time passed little by little, the sun rose higher and higher, casting its warm light on everyone, but it could not dispel the chill that shrouded their hearts.

Finally, a burst of orderly and rapid horse hoofbeats came from far away.

coming!

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Amidst the rising dust, a group of mounted warriors appeared at the end of the road. They wore uniform gray uniforms, scimitars slung at their waists, longbows slung across their backs, quivers and water bottles slung beside their saddles. Each of them wore a resolute expression, their eyes sharp as eagles.

Although they were wearing military uniforms, the villagers recognized them at a glance.

Walking in front was none other than Lin Wei. She wasn't wearing a helmet, revealing her sun-tanned face. Her hair was tied back with a simple red string. Her expression was serious, and her eyes, usually filled with a smile, were now filled with solemnity and determination. But as her gaze swept over the dense crowds lining the road, she visibly froze, and then her eyes quickly turned red.

Behind her were Su Lan, Hongxia, Chuntao, Xiangling... familiar faces, all filled with complicated emotions at this moment.

The team slowed down and walked slowly towards the village gate.