Valley of Terror by Haohui Zhou

Author:Haohui, Zhou
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9781542046558
Publisher: Amazon Crossing
Published: 2017-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

THE DEMON’S DEATH

Early the next morning, He Layi summoned all the young men in the clan and told them about General Li’s plot, infusing them with the will to fight to the death.

He Layi and the thirteen warriors set out first. They had prepared four rattan trunks to bring to the Valley of Terror. A Liya and three of the fiercest fighters were to hide inside the trunks, which would be carried by the other nine warriors into Li Dingguo’s camp.

Waiting at the camp, Lieutenant General Bai saw the procession approaching. The general’s aides had blocked off the entrance to the general’s tent and demanded to see what was inside of the trunks.

“The trunks contain a gift for the general from the Hamo people. I’ve already inspected them.” The second Lieutenant General Bai stepped forward, the rank-and-file soldiers cleared the way for their superior and allowed He Layi and the others to enter.

Inside the tent, the general sat at the altar, studying a lambskin map. Two of his bodyguards stood behind him, swords drawn. According to legend, the ruthless, unconquerable demon was clad in armor, and he had a chiseled face and thick brows.

Lieutenant General Bai announced the procession with the utmost graciousness: “Commander in Chief, the lady He Layi of the Hamo people has arrived.”

General Li lifted his head. There was sincerity in his eyes as he stood up and looked at He Layi, pressing his right hand against his chest and bowing deeply. “He Layi, I am Li Dingguo, commander of the Southern Ming forces.” Behind her, the warriors had set down the rattan trunks, greeting the general with a punctilious bow.

“Commander, it is an honor.”

The general peered at He Layi with a satisfied look on his face. “Excellent!” was the only word he uttered. He was tall and well built, and his imposing manner was readily apparent the instant he stood up.

When General Li finished studying He Layi, he turned his gaze to the nine warriors kneeling before him. Boldly, he told them, “All of you departed without saying goodbye. This violates the code of military discipline.”

It was as if a current of electricity shot from his eyes. The Hamo warriors had long cast aside their fears of death, but none of them could suppress the ominous feeling that arose from deep within. All of them lowered their heads in fearful silence.

After a brief pause, the general suddenly hollered, “Messenger!”

Instantly, one of his aides appeared inside the tent. “Yes, Commander.”

“Bring the lady He Layi to the West Tent and let her see her injured father.”

“Yes, sir!” the aide replied. He gestured politely to He Layi. “Please come with me.”

He Layi nodded and calmly followed the aide. The warriors all tensed. If, as Lieutenant General Bai had reported, General Li had been plotting to snatch He Layi, they had to act quickly. Their own lives and the lives of everyone in the entire village were at stake. Now was the decisive moment. All of them held their breath, observing the general’s every move.

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