Not long after Hua Jin left, the scouts sent out returned, bringing news that made General Li and the others overjoyed.
The enemy had suffered heavy losses from a night raid; their morale was unstable, making it the perfect opportunity for them, a chance not to be missed, catching them off guard when they were frightened.
Troops were quickly mobilized; only five thousand soldiers remained to guard the city, while nearly twenty thousand were personally led by General Li to attack the deserted village, taking half of the remaining thunder bombs and sky cannons.
This battle was unprecedentedly easy.
Upon the appearance of the thunder bombs and sky cannons, the Beicang army, already on the verge of collapse, was utterly hopeless.
Especially seeing the brothers who had just fought alongside them now turned into fragnts, they didn’t even have the strength to pick up their weapons.
The enemy had such powerful weapons, while they were rely flesh and blood; how could they possibly resist?
The opposing morale was high, each soldier filled with killing intent; more and more people perished under the Gu Yan army. The Beicang Tartar army, already weak in spirit, ultimately paid a heavy price, with countless casualties and the few remaining completely surrendering.
The prolonged battles in Lingyun State for several months suddenly ended in victory, a victory so dreamlike that the entire army felt surreal. Once they realized it, those n who only bled and sweated without shedding tears all got teary-eyed, for their brothers and for themselves, and they survived.
Hua Jin didn’t know this, as she was hurrying on her journey at that ti.
By the ti Hua Jin arrived at the foot of Hua Village, it was already evening.
As she passed through the grove at the village entrance, she glanced at the thatched huts within the forest, and at the villagers of Songjiagou working hard to clear the land, she smiled slightly and headed towards Hua Village.
It’s wonderful, more and more people are surviving.
"Grandma, Mother, your dearest darling is back."
Welcod by several warm hugs, Hua Jin shouted into the courtyard.
Though Grandma and Mother were not out yet, two sisters-in-law and Hua’er and Wan’er were called out.
"Jin’er..."
"Sister Jin..."
Both the big and small ones looked at her with surprise, even the little children in their arms ahhed, seemingly recognizing their little aunt surrounded by the kids.
Hua Jin was so delighted, she had been missing them, quickly washed her hands and face in the wooden basin in the courtyard, hugged this one and that one in a burst of affection.
"Alright, alright, you just got back and don’t mind making the kids dirty." said the old woman from the back who was tidying the garden, hurriedly running to the front yard upon hearing her girl’s voice, her heart lting at the harmonious scene, but seeing Hua Jin making the kids laugh nonstop, distressed about her grandchildren (great-grandchildren) getting a stomach ache, she quickly chided.
"Grandma, Mother, why did you just co! I’ve missed you to death." Upon seeing Grandma and Mother co over, Hua Jin’s eyes brightened, she imdiately changed her target, leaving the three kids to their mothers, and ran into Grandma and Mother’s arms like when she was little, acting spoiled and cute, such straightforward nature making the big sister and Yun Niang quite envious.
Although their family was also very good, they never had the chance to express their feelings so unreservedly.
As for Yun Niang, she purely never had the chance, after all, her parents were gone when she was very young.
"Alright, alright, aren’t you afraid of your sisters-in-law laughing at you?" the old woman tapped her good granddaughter’s forehead, her gums showing in happiness.
"My sisters-in-law wouldn’t laugh at , right, big sister-in-law, second sister-in-law?" Hua Jin playfully winked at the two sisters-in-law.
"Yes, yes, yes, how can we not love you?" Big sister and Yun Niang laughed straight away.
"I wonder who she got that thick skin from?" Qi Shi was helpless with her daughter.
"Hungry, aren’t you? Mom will make sothing delicious."
"Yes, yes, I’m so hungry I could eat a cow, Mom, I want to eat chicken."
"Alright, alright, Mom will go kill one." Seeing her daughter back safe and sound, Qi Shi felt both joy and relief. Even if it was a sheep, she would have no hesitation.
"Granny, did you miss your sweet granddaughter?" As her mother left, Hua Jin began teasing the old lady.
"Such a sweet mouth, of course, I missed you." The old woman scraped her granddaughter’s nose and had a cozy mont with Hua Jin. But ultimately, feeling sorry for her granddaughter, she urged the child to take a bath and rest for a while, then hurried to the kitchen to help her daughter-in-law prepare the evening al.
Yun Niang handed her child to her elder sister-in-law and rushed to help too, not letting Hua’er and Wan’er leave either.
Hua Jin was indeed tired, having traveled for several hours straight. After changing clothes and taking a bath in her room, she lay on the bed and fell asleep soon, not even noticing her mother and grandmother coming to check on her, sleeping soundly.
And it made the two feel incredibly sorry, knowing that the child must have been exhausted from the journey. They carefully covered Hua Jin’s belly and quietly left.
That night, the family had a joyful and sumptuous al, with Hua Jin’s bowl soon filled with her family’s deep love for her. Even Little Four, who was usually focused on eating, didn’t forget to pass her a chicken wing, making her eat ’til she was stuffed, just as expected.
After regaining her strength, she returned to her space to do so work, only then feeling comfortable.
The next day, after a fragrant night’s sleep, Hua Jin was fully recovered, spirited and bright, practicing martial arts together for a while, then heading back ho amidst Luo Song’s affectionate gaze, without noticing Qin Shu’s gaze on her and Luo Song.
Ever since the people of Hua Village returned, Qin Shu had joined the troop to practice daily, appearing in the Hua Village’s drying field every morning. Though a scholar, he had considerable strength, and with a good capacity for hard work, his physique beca stronger over the months, nearly matching the young n of the village.
He was working this hard partly because he wanted to beco stronger, hoping for the chance to stand before a certain soone.
He knew she was outstanding, sotis so much so that even the great n felt ashad in comparison, but he still wanted to try.
Noticing Luo Song’s gaze, Qin Shu’s pupils deepened significantly, and he suddenly t Luo Song’s gaze, nodding slightly with a light smile.
Luo Song too, catching his old friend’s gaze, responded with a slight smile and walked toward Qin Shu.
Though they had been in the sa village for months now, they rarely had the chance to talk, each being busy.
"Brother Qin"
"Brother Luo"
The two smiled at each other. Though their relationship wasn’t as close as with Hua Yunao, it was better than re acquaintances, one of the few people he could talk to in class.
"Let’s get together soti," Luo Song suggested, smiling gently.
"Sure," Qin Shu agreed without hesitation, "no ti like the present, how about today? If Brother Luo doesn’t mind, you can try my mother’s cooking."
Luo Song: "I don’t mind at all, not at all, then I’ll intrude."
"It’s no intrusion," said Qin Shu, as the two walked toward the back of the village.
"Honestly, Brother Qin’s family has greatly contributed to Hua Village, and Brother Luo is truly impressed by that!"
"Not at all, it’s us who are grateful. If it weren’t for moving to Hua Village, who knows what would have beco of us?"
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