Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 1 of 7
The midsummer afternoon sunlight was scorching hot. Below the cliff was an open area, not a single tree stood where one could take shelter. The blazing sun stung the skin and impaled people’s eyes making them feel dizzy. Before her eyes each and every one’s st.u.r.dy figure kneeled on one knee on the ground, their backs ramrod straight and motionless, altogether showing their persistence and determination. Sweat and dust on their faces left dirty traces of water on their swarthy skin. Their young faces previously displaying both utter indifference and disdain to the point that even their eyes were taunting, but right at this moment full of admiration and sincerity were staring straight at her.
But, that outcry “Boss” moved Gu Yun unexpectedly and filled her heart with delight. This meant they have finally officially accepted her!
Although Gu Yun’s face was deadpan, yet her heart could not help but be startled. This young pack of lads acting shaken and nearly shamed, compared to being plain and ignorant incompetents, moreover arrogant cowards, this kind of brave soldiers she would definitely take pleasure in training!
Gu Yun looked grim. The young men remained silent for a while, afterwards all the soldiers again yelled in chorus: “We beg Boss to teach us the skill to climb a mountain!” Calling out so extremely loud! Beneath the valley’s cliff wall naturally their deafening roar vibrated and echoed moving a person’s heart!
When they were getting ready to yell for the third time, Gu Yun frowned and stepped forward. With her voice and temper cold she said: “Enough! Get up! The knee of a person is for moving about. It’s not meant for kneeling. In the future whoever kneels down unthinkingly will be punished with one thousand leapfrogs!”
All the soldiers glanced at one another. Does this mean that Boss is willing to continue training them? Watching them still kneeling on the ground with their hesitant faces, “a pile of blockheads!”, Gu Yun suddenly thought it was ridiculous. Feigning anger, her face black, she continued scolding them: “Now do you wish to be punished? Yes or no?! Get up! It’s a command!”
“Yes!” She finally began to rant again. The soldiers’ minds were suffused with joy. Together they all quickly stood up from the ground because n.o.body really wanted to do a thousand leapfrogs. Of course, they had no idea as yet that because of their extremely poor leg strength Gu Yun has long decided to make “thousand leapfrogs” as an essential item in their daily training routine.
Gu Yun went over to Ge Jing Yun, held out her hand and said: “Give me the rope. Help me hold the other end.”
“Yes.”
Knowing that she will be demonstrating to them how, everyone waited in antic.i.p.ation.
While Gu Yun was tying the end of the rope to her body, she was also explaining: “Today’s third training is teaching you how to use simple tools and your own strength. Most people cannot climb up perilous peaks. In the whole land, there’s no mountain peak exactly the same with another one. In rock climbing using your bare hands you must have physical stamina. Excellent body coordination and flexibility are utmost requirements. It will put to the test your sense of judgment, your adaptability, but rest a.s.sured, I’ll have the appropriate training program to help you improve in all these aspects. Nevertheless, there’s one thing you have to overcome on your own – and that is, your fear. Here in front of you is a cliff only about a hundred feet high, as well as ropes to protect you. However, in the future in a real combat situation perhaps you’ll be confronted with a thousand feet high mountain summit, and there wouldn’t be anyone supporting you with ropes. At that time, that will be the real test to your ability!”
She was right. It was exactly their fear. The soldiers realized now clearly in their minds. Because they believed they couldn’t do it. The root cause was mainly fear. Looking up to the cliff once more, many soldiers clenched both their fists, secretly vowing to themselves, they’ll surely climb up this perilous mountain peak!
Arriving at the foot of the cliff wall, Gu Yun darted a quick glance to Ge Jing Yun. He looped the rope on his arm tightly around three times and nodded towards her.
“Now I’ll demonstrate it once to you. Observe closely the path I’d take and compare how it differs with yours. Watch my technique and the way I move.” Then, Gu Yun turned backwards. Her sharp eyes a.s.sessed again thoroughly the wall and quickly noted its structure and the features of the rock. Quickly choosing the best path she began to climb. Her speed was awfully fast. Every movement was so smooth, each climbing point she took was very precise. Her lithe body and the formidable strength of her arm enabled her to maneuver effortlessly and jump with ease. Observing her from afar, her black-clad body’s vigorous ability to be steady on the wall was like a gecko and her bravery like a goshawk.
In only but a moment, she has easily climbed the peak of the rock. Afterwards the people beneath, after a spell of blank daze, finally broke out in cries of wonder.
“Wow! Boss’ speed was incredibly fast!”
“She was extremely powerful!”
“Boss completely, without qing gong, really climbed all the way up!”
“How did she do it?”
Han Shu from the start remained standing behind the troops. His pair of fierce eyes also tensely followed Gu Yun’s progress upwards. His eyes blazing and in his heart emotions were stirred up which he alone understood.
In a military war campaign this rock wall is visible at any time. In most cases the military would choose to circle around. Only as a last resort will they climb over to force entry. Naturally the vanguard [second-in-command] advances first. Unconsciously, Han Shu’s hand gently stroked his old wound on his shoulder. The injury no longer caused him pain, but his heart invariably suffered sharp pangs of pain whenever he recalled that battle.
At that time they had to climb a cliff wall many times higher than this rock. Halfway to it they were discovered by the enemies. Just as she said, the enemy troops threw boulders down and during this one time they suffered heavy casualties. He also for this reason lost his most competent lieutenant! In those days if they could climb at this speed, perhaps they have long reached the top. The casualties back then wouldn’t have been so high!
Profound, heated eyes were firmly fixed to the woman easily descending to the bottom of the cliff, the contours of her confident face under the scorching sun were unexpectedly so dazzling. Reflected in the eyes of the soldiers were open and undisguised awe and admiration. Watching this enthusiastic group of young soldiers suddenly full of confidence, Han Shu also suddenly recalled in his mind the idea of elite forces she mentioned at noon. Perhaps the Su family army really needs such a team!