Chapter 399 - I Will Rest In Peace Now
Shao Ping had pushed the sword towards Wang Hao to kill him when a speeding arrow hit his hand and the sword fell from his hand. "Ahhh," he cried in pain as the arrow pierced through his skin. He turned and saw many arrows started to come in their direction, hitting a few of his soldiers. Wang Hao stood up and ran towards the Crown Prince.
Sheng Li had picked the sword from the ground. He tightened his grip on the hilt as the Han forces joined them. Commander Sun and the soldiers in his lead attacked those Generals and Shao Ping.
Sheng Li fought with the masked attackers as Wang Hao approached him. Sheng Li quickly cut the ropes tied to his hands and picked another sword from the ground. They both fought fiercely with the attackers. Soon, they all were killed.
The Han forces were getting heavy on the forces led by Shao Ping.
Sheng Li turned to Wang Hao and asked him if he was fine. "Forgive me, your highness," Wang Hao said. "Why did you drop your weapon? You are not supposed to do that," Wang Hao proclaimed.
"I cannot let you get harmed. You are precious to me," Sheng Li affirmed.
"Sheng Li, you are the Crown Prince. Think of yourself before me. My life is nothing compared to you," Wang Hao for the first time called his name. "How can you make that decision? He would have killed me anyway, whether or not you would have dropped the weapon. Please, never do this," Wang Hao requested the Crown Prince.
"I will never let this kind of problem arise again," Sheng Li stated. They both were intervened by Hu Jingguo.
"You two shall talk later. You need to help Commander Sun, Hushu. I do not think I will jump into such a battle. I might get harmed. So, I will watch from here," Hu Jingguo asserted. Sheng Li smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Take care of Wang Hao," Sheng Li walked ahead.
Wang Hao looked at Hu Jingguo. "You save us all! The Crown Prince could have been harmed," Wang Hao said with a dejected expression.
"I only called them," Hu Jingguo stated, looking at Commander Sun. "I am glad that I was not late, else worse could have happened," he added. "Come with me. Let's go to a safer place," Hu Jingguo stated.
"Let's stay here. I am alright. The Crown Prince is still here, so we shall not let our guard down," Wang Hao suggested. Hu Jingguo did not force him, as he also agreed with him. They watched them fighting. "He fights so well. Shall I get training from him when we return to Luoyang?" Hu Jingguo murmured while looking at Sheng Li. He panicked when he saw Shao Ping was going to hit Sheng Li from behind with the sword.
"Sheng Li, watch your back," Hu Jingguo said as loud as he could. But among those clankings and other noises, his voice was not audible to him. Wang Hao, with an injured leg, moved forward to protect Sheng Li when Hu Jingguo ran past him.
Shao Ping was injured already, so it was a little difficult for him to reach near Sheng Li, who was fighting with another General of Tan Gengxin.
"I will kill you," Shao Ping mumbled as he ran towards Sheng Li.
Hu Jingguo dashed in between the soldiers towards Sheng Li. "Sheng Li," this time, he shouted at the top of his lungs. Sheng Li slashed the throat of the general in front of him and turned to see. He was shocked upon seeing Shao Ping and, before he could react, Shao Ping was already close to him.
"Die, Sheng Li," Shao Ping screamed. The sword was drawn to him, but then something happened which Sheng Li had never thought about. Hu Jingguo came in between them. The blade pierced through his back, and he fell on Sheng Li.
"Jingguo," Sheng Li muttered his name, who had hugged him tightly.
Commander Sun pushed away from the soldier with whom he was fighting and then killed Shao Ping. The sword was pulled out, and Hu Jingguo coughed blood.
"Ahh," he winced in pain and coughed.
Sheng Li got on his knees while Hu Jingguo was on his lap. The soldiers surrounded Sheng Li, protecting him while Wang Hao arrived near them.
"I-It's hurting," Hu Jingguo said. His breathing was heavy. "Earlier, I looked cowardly when I ran away, leaving you behind. Forgive me," Hu Jingguo said while smiling.
"Shh. Don't speak. You need to keep your strength. Bring the doctor for him," Sheng Li commanded Wang Hao, but he did not budge from his place.
"Sheng Li, m-my time is near."
"Will you shut up?" Sheng Li was a little angry at him. "I told you not to save me. Then, why? I will beat you up later," Sheng Li's eyes filled with tears.
Hu Jingguo smiled. "You always say that, but you never do that. Of course, I-I w-was joking that time. I promised Lili and myself if such an incident arises, I will protect you. I wish you could beat me, but i-it is the end," he coughed more blood. The tears poured down his eyes.
"Bring the physician here. Wang Hao, go," Sheng Li commanded him again. He tilted his head back and looked at Wang Hao, who had lowered his eyes. Sheng Li quickly shifted his gaze towards Commander Sun. "You go. Listen to my command," his voice for the first time stuttered.
He felt Hu Jingguo's hand on his. "Take my body to Luoyang, to the same mountain where we first talked comfortably with each other. T-that was the day when I found a big brother in you. I will rest peacefully there. Tell Lili…" he paused and winced in pain before coughing some more blood, "...I am grateful to her. I will always watch her. I-I am happy." He cried as he could not control his tears.
The sky thundered, and raindrops fell on them. Sheng Li could not control his tears. "You should not have done this, Jingguo. How am I going to live with this?" Sheng Li's voice broke. "I still need to give you an expensive present and then we need to go for a picnic as well. You do not annoy me. I lied to you. Just bear for a few more minutes. The Physician will be here. Nothing will happen to you," Sheng Li assured him as he caressed his cheek.
"I wish...wish it could come true. I know you always lie to me. Thank you for everything, Sheng Li. I got to see a beautiful world with you and Lili, despite being a slave." Sheng Li cried upon hearing his words. General Wang and Commander Sun had also turned emotional.
"I enjoyed the day with you. I will rest in peace now." Hu Jingguo's eyes gradually closed. There was still a tiny smile on his lips.
Sheng Li embraced Hu Jingguo tightly. "Jingguo," Sheng Li mumbled and kept crying. "Don't leave your friend behind," he murmured as he kept weeping. The rain had turned heavier, and everyone lowered their heads.. Sheng Li, who had never got affected in war or battle, was now completely devastated.