Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 10 Sharing Life and Death

Inside the tent, the flickering candlelight illuminated Zhang Peng's pale, paper-white face. The army medic, drenched in sweat, anxiously treated his wound; an arrowhead was deeply embedded in his shoulder blade, blood gushing out and staining the sheets crimson. Outside, the wind howled, as if mourning the cruel war.

"General, the arrow wound is too deep, I'm afraid..." The army doctor hesitated, his face showing distress. At this moment, Lieutenant General Li Ming was extremely anxious and knelt down beside the bed with a thud: "General, you must hold on! This battle is still waiting for your command, and the brothers cannot do without you!"

Zhang Peng endured the excruciating pain, his breath weak but firm: "Don't panic, I won't die... Pass down the order to strengthen defenses, the enemy will definitely take advantage of our confusion to launch a counterattack." Before he could finish speaking, a violent cough struck, and blood flowed down the corner of his mouth.

Back in the Prince's mansion in the capital, Xia Lijuan spent a sleepless night. She paced back and forth in the courtyard, gazing northwards, her unease growing stronger. Suddenly, a carrier pigeon fluttered down. She rushed forward and took the letter from its leg. Unfolding it, she learned that Zhang Peng was injured. Her hands trembled instantly, and tears welled up in her eyes: "Prince, you mustn't be hurt!"

Without hesitation, Xia Lijuan sold her jewelry to raise enough money for the journey. Disguised as a man, she hired a horse-drawn carriage and traveled day and night to the border. Along the way, the roads were rugged and dusty, and she endured wind and rain, sleeping in the open, with only one belief in her heart: to see Zhang Peng.

A few days later, Xia Lijuan finally arrived at the border military camp. She was stopped by soldiers outside the tent and anxiously shouted, "I want to see Zhang Peng, I am his family!" The soldier looked troubled: "Miss, the general is recuperating, no one is allowed to disturb him." Xia Lijuan was extremely anxious and was about to continue arguing when Li Ming happened to pass by.

Li Ming looked her up and down. Seeing that she looked anxious and didn't seem to be faking it, he asked, "What is your relationship to the general?" Xia Lijuan hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "I am his betrothed." Li Ming was shocked and quickly led her into the tent.

Xia Lijuan entered the tent and saw Zhang Peng lying unconscious on the bed. Tears welled up in her eyes again. She quickly walked to the bedside, took Zhang Peng's hand, and whispered, "Your Highness, I'm here. Wake up." Perhaps hearing her voice, Zhang Peng's fingers twitched slightly.

The military doctor shook his head and sighed, "Miss, the general's injuries are too severe. If he doesn't wake up within three days, I'm afraid..." Xia Lijuan held Zhang Peng's hand tightly, her gaze firm, "No, he will definitely wake up."

In the days that followed, Xia Lijuan stayed by Zhang Peng's side without rest, wiping his body and feeding him medicine. She also inquired about folk remedies for injuries and personally went up the mountain to collect herbs. One day, while collecting herbs, she accidentally tumbled down a hillside, scraping her arms and knees, but she ignored the pain and continued searching for herbs.

Finally, under Xia Lijuan's meticulous care, Zhang Peng slowly opened his eyes on the third day. Looking at Xia Lijuan who was guarding his bedside, his eyes were filled with surprise and emotion: "Lijuan, it really is you... How did you get here?" Xia Lijuan smiled through her tears: "Your Highness, you're finally awake. I'm relieved. I was worried about you, so I came."

Zhang Peng struggled to get up, but Xia Lijuan quickly pressed him down, saying, "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, don't move around." Zhang Peng looked at her and said with heartache, "You've suffered so much, look at all these injuries." Xia Lijuan gently shook her head, "As long as you're alright, what does it matter if I get hurt?"

At that moment, the enemy's shouts of battle came from outside the tent. Zhang Peng's expression changed: "The enemy has gone too far. I will make them pay the price." Ignoring Xia Lijuan and the military doctor's objections, he insisted on getting up, donning his armor, and going into battle.

Zhang Peng stepped out of the tent, and the soldiers' morale soared upon seeing him, shouting in unison, "General! General!" Zhang Peng mounted his horse, spear in hand, his eyes blazing as he looked towards the enemy ranks: "Brothers, follow me to kill the enemy!"

Xia Lijuan stood before the tent, watching Zhang Peng's departing figure, silently praying. On the battlefield, the shouts of battle shook the heavens. Zhang Peng led his soldiers in a valiant fight, his heart filled with only one belief: to protect the country, and to return home safely with Xia Lijuan.