Now that emo mopey smurf is out of the picture (for the time being), Da Mo Yao returns to the action-packed scale of the earlier chapters in volume 1. Yu Er finally is back in Xi Yu, and headed into Xiong Nu territory soon. She’s too busy learning to ride a horse and training her new disciple that she hardly has time to pity herself and wallow in sadness. Her relationship with Huo Qu Bing retains its usual bickering attentiveness, but suddenly there is much more potent chemistry between them in the wilds of the army base compared to in the structured confines of Chang An. As much as Yu Er wanted to run away from her problems, now she finds herself voluntarily staying put despite refusing to consider where this all leads. Will it lead her into Huo Qu Bing’s arms, or confirm further that her heart belongs to Jiu Ye forever?
Chapter 18: Emotional Threads
Li Cheng was moping, muttering under his breath “How could they say leave and leave so quickly? When I woke up the entire army base was empty.”
I can see he’s in no mood to teach me to ride so I practiced by myself. I stopped being so impatient and slowly got acquainted with the horse by trotting. I ended not falling off once, but after the morning was gone, Li Cheng was still sitting on the ground looking depressed.
I jumped off and walked over to talk with him, but he was so down that he answered once for my every ten questions. “Must you seek revenge?” He nodded, if he didn’t kill the Xiong Nu to avenge his family, then his life is meaningless. I stare at him, yet another person seeking revenge for the death of a loved one. “Little teacher, if you spar with me, and in one hundred strokes you don’t lose, then I promise to beg the General to take you along on the next battle.”
He raised his head “A real man makes good on his promises, right?”
I solemnly nod my head and he immediately gets up. He pulls out his sword and faces me. I make a stance “Will the Xiong Nu wait for you to attack?” and he immediately rushes me with his sword raised. My martial arts, if I was sparring with another person, I’ll likely lose. But if it was a life and death situation, the opponent will likely die. The wolf pack has the ability only to kill its prey, so everything I learned is used to kill. My attacks are extremely vicious, aimed at using the least amount of time to kill the opponent. Because of that, I have never really tested my martial arts skills, this being the first time.
In the beginning he was somewhat hesitant, but after I almost wrenched his elbow off, he stopped holding back and every attack became deadly vicious as well. After the fifty-first stroke, I aim for his eyes and then sweep him off his feet, his sword flying out. I clap my hands and crouch down “If I used a little bit more strength, your arm would be useless. The Xiong Nu would never hold back their strength.”
He didn’t say another word, just picking up his sword and attacking me again. I smile, this boy can be taught. There is no politeness on the battlefield. After six days, all I do is learn riding and spar with Li Cheng. He is very persistent. One time I punched him on the nose and he ignored his bloody nose and tears, continuing to hack at me. His last sword thrust actually sliced my sleeve. But he still only lasted eighty-seven strokes before I punched him out cold.
In six days time, Huo Qu Bing’s army left Long Xi, and using the fastest imaginable speed and distance, quickly surrounded the enemy’s flank and rear. The battle is swift and fierce. In a short six days, Huo Qu Bing’s army is like the most devastating wind storm in the desert, swallowing up five Xiong Nu tribes, capturing and killing multiple officials and royal family members. In total, he killed or captured over eighty thousand Xiong Nu, allowing the Xiong Nu’s most beautiful mountain region the Yen Zhi Mountains to fall into the hands of the Han Empire. The Han expansion continues westward.
The Xiong Nu’s most revered speed army forces are no match for Huo Qu Bing’s army, and in his first foray as a General, he’s struck a major blow for the Xiong Nu. But the cost of this victory is steep indeed, with ten thousand men setting out and only three thousand returning. But this is the first time the Han army has used a swift attack formation against the Xiong Nu’s typical swift attack, and it was a complete victory for the Hans. It was the first time an agricultural culture has battled a nomadic culture on horseback and emerged victorious. It may not remain the only time, but this was indeed the first such time in history.
I sit in the tent and hear the roaring cheers in the base. With this victory, the Emperor is sure to heavily reward everyone in the army, but right now those who returned alive are just happy to be here. The door opened and Huo Qu Bing was standing before me. He was covered in dirt and dust, his face completely exhausted. But his eyes were twinkling with joy. I smile and stand up “I thought you would go to the celebratory feast first!”
He didn’t say a word but continued to smile warmly towards me. I avoid his eyes and try to be casual “I’m sure in seven days you haven’t gotten off the horse. Go bathe first!”
Before I finished talking, he has collapsed on the pallet. I was so frightened that I went to assist him. He grabbed my hand and drowsily murmured “I’m spent. Even if the sky falls down I’ve got to sleep first.” and with that, he was passed out.
I tried to withdraw my hand but before I can retract it, he gripped it even tighter. I softly sighed and sat down next to him. Under his black robe are traces of blood, and there are a lot of tears and slashes on his sleeve. There is a strange odor, and I sniff him to smell horse sweat mixed with the scent of blood. I immediately pull my nose back.
I pull a blanket to cover him, looking at him with a heart full of worry. From when the sun was in the middle of the sky until it was pitch black out, he slept like a dead pig, not moving a muscle. I tried to jerk my hand out of his, but in his sleep he actually slapped my other hand away. I now believe what he said about sleeping while riding a horse. He can probably sleep and kill the enemy at the same time.
Finally I can’t stand it anymore, and lay down on the carpeted ground next to the pallet. I pull a corner of the blanket over me, but the horrible odor bothers me so I grab a scented handkerchief and put it over my face. That calms me down and I fall asleep.
The moment Huo Qu Bing takes the handkerchief from my face, I’ve already woken up. The tent is filled with brilliant sunlight, and I’m faced with an even more brilliant smiling face. I was a little startled and I kept staring at him.
“Haven’t seen me in awhile, did you miss me?” His one hand was still holding my hand, and his other one was holding the handkerchief and he was using the handkerchief to tickle my face. I slap the handkerchief away “The moment you return I have to sleep on the ground. I must be sick in the head to miss you!”
“This is a huge pallet, why didn’t you just sleep on here?” and he was pulling me up there. I push him away “Keep dreaming!”
As we were pushing and pulling, my head landed on his shoulder and I smelled him again. I covered my nose “I beg of you, Master Huo, stop goofing around. You are stinking to high heaven. Hurry up and take a bath. I had to suffer your stink all last night.”
He lifted his arm and sniffed “I stink? How come I don’t smell it? You smell more carefully again, I think you made a mistake.” and he shoved his arm under my nose. I tried to hide while yelling at him “You’re doing this on purpose.”
In the pushing and pulling, he fell off the pallet with a hearty laugh. I wasn’t able to avoid him so he landed right on top of me. Suddenly the atmosphere between us changed immediately. The both of us turned silent. He stared at me, and his breathing became heavier. I want to avert my eyes but all I can do is stare right back at him. My heartbeat quickens. His face slowly descends and my body tightens. Right when his lips are about to touch mine…. “Brother Jin, aren’t you going to practice riding today? AHHH!……” Li Cheng let out a horrified scream and immediately jumped right out of the tent and ran away. As he was closing the door, his voice shook “I didn’t see anything, I really didn’t see anything……”
The second the door closed, I was released from the thrall and I immediately turned my face away. My cheek appeared to just brush past Huo Qu Bing’s lips. Huo Qu Bing angrily punched the ground and then said with a smile “Yu Er, you can’t keep ignoring it.” [He means this attraction between them, not necessarily the almost-kiss.]
I can’t figure out what I’m feeling so I just shove him without saying a word. He got up while I continued to lay on the ground and stare at the ceiling.
Huo Qu Bing laughed “I’m off to take a bath. When I come back, I’ll assess how your riding lessons have come along. It shouldn’t disappoint me.”
After he had been gone for some time, it was like I finally got my soul back, getting up and washing. After I splashed cold water on my face, I felt more alert. But I buried my face in the towel, my emotions a jumbled mess.
“Brother Jin” Li Cheng cautiously called out to me. I turned around and he was quite down “After breakfast, let’s go riding.” As he ate breakfast, he warily looked at me “Brother Jin, if you are feeling down, we don’t have to go riding today.”
I raised my head to look at him, and suddenly realized what he was probably thinking in his head. I almost spit out my steamed bun, causing me to cough a few times. I slapped him on the head “What is a kid like you thinking about! You need to focus on learning martial arts instead of thinking random thoughts.”
He rubbed his head, pitying himself, with his eyes wide-open, his nose all bent out of shape and his mouth re-arranged, face all swollen, giving me a sympathetic look.
I was afraid of choking so I stopped eating, making an effort to smile extra wide, wondering how to get rid of this kid’s shadowy thoughts. “That was all a misunderstanding earlier. The General’s martial arts is nowhere as bad as yours. We were well-matched in sparring. During the fight, we accidentally fell on the ground, and that is when you walked in on us and misunderstood.”
It’s so easy to hookwink a kid and Li Cheng immediately brightened up. He continued eating and was hollering about how he was going to spar with me today. When Huo Qu Bing arrived, we had just taken the horses out. He saw how lively I was, and how beaten up Li Cheng was, and couldn’t help himself and asked “When I ordered him to teach you to ride, even if you weren’t happy about it, there was no need to beat the crap out of him?”
I smirked and didn’t answer, but Li Cheng quickly replied “Brother Jin is teaching me martial arts, he wasn’t beating me up.”
Huo Qu Bing shot me a shocked look “Teaching martial arts? If all the teachers taught this way, then no one would dare learn martial arts.”
I slapped the horse and got on “This is the only method I know how to teach, letting him learn when he is facing life or death. There are no strokes, just learning how to kill the opponent with one shot.” Huo Qu Bing laughed and got on a horse, telling Li Cheng “You don’t need to teach today, go get some rest!”
Li Cheng said yes, and I told him to go find the older brothers who have just returned from battle and ask to fight them. They are all surely still itching to fight and will make great sparring partners. He happily ran off.
Huo Qu Bing and I rode side by side “Are your raising a baby wolf? Be careful he doesn’t get his legs broken by my wolves.” I giggled “I already warned him! Great sparring partners means he ought to have the understanding he might get the tar beaten out of him. He might turn from a baby swollen pig head into a big swollen pig head.”
Huo Qu Bing laughed “I was just thinking what good luck he had, that you were willing to teach him. Now I think it was his bad luck to run into you.” I glared at him “Both his parents died by the hands of the Xiong Nu, did you know that?”
He answered “No, I didn’t. There are so many soldiers here I can’t possibly know their life stories. I am only concerned whether they are capable. I found this kid to teach you to ride at the recommendation of Zhao Puo Nu.” I explain that I promised Li Cheng that if he could withstand one hundred strokes from me, I will endeavor to get him on the battlefield. Huo Qu Bing replied “The way you are teaching him, he ought to get on the battlefield. But first, let’s look at your riding skills these past few days” and then he kicked his horse and was off.
I was eager to show off my improvement to him, so I hurried to catch up to him. But he wasn’t trying to race me on speed, instead turning left and right, and then making a U-turn. Try as I might, I couldn’t keep up with him, with each turn pissing off my horse so that I almost got thrown a few times.
When fighting Li Cheng I’m totally in control, but a few runs with him and I’m covered in sweat. While he was perfectly composed, only smiling at me. Not being able to show off to him left me depressed and I dejectedly jumped off the horse and sat on the ground. He sat next to me “You’re riding very well. The improvement in the last few days far exceeded my expectations.” I gave him a disbelieving look and he laughed “I’m not trying to make you feel better, I’m being serious.”
I couldn’t help but smile a tad. “Yu Er, tomorrow I have to take some troops back to Chang An.” My smile immediately disappeared and I rested my head on my knee, moping and staring at the ground. “Don’t worry, I won’t force me you return to Chang An with me. But you can’t secretly run back to the desert either. Aren’t you teaching Li Cheng martial arts? Keep practicing your riding and I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
I didn’t say anything and he sat there quietly. Suddenly the horse whined and broke our silence. Huo Qu Bing laughed “You ought understand now the joy of riding. Forcing you to learn is not just hoping that one day you can ride and roam the world with me. But it’s believing that you surely will love riding like the wind. I don’t want your life to miss out on this pleasure.” He pulled me up “Come, let me teach you my secret horse riding skills.”
It was the middle of the night and I was sleeping soundly, when suddenly I felt a body slip under the blanket with me. I was about to rage and use my elbow to poke his stomach when Huo Qu Bing quickly pulled me into his embrace. He enveloped my struggling body and lowly whispered “Yu Er, I’m not intending anything. I’m leaving tomorrow, and I just want to lay here and rest for a little bit. Don’t kick me, I’ll just lay on the pallet and I won’t touch you.”
I thought for a moment and then quieted down. He let me go and moved away. I scooted inside and opened up more room on the pallet for him. He whispered “Thank you” and then slid a bamboo stick into my hand. “What is this? Why does it feel like a fortune telling stick?”
“It is a fortune telling stick. It’s the very one you asked for.”
My heart lurched, remembering that day when I threw the stick away. And I immediately remember him standing under the acacia tree, not moving. He actually went back and found the stick. My heart filled with this soreness and hurt, and in the pain there was this odd warmth and comfort. The pain quickly subsided, so that I couldn’t immediately understand what I was feeling, and where these feelings came from.
“The words on the fortune telling stick are: the vast silver desert, chasing love wishing for twin stars; the unending yellow sand, burying the shadow of sadness.”
I thought about it but couldn’t understand the meaning. Is it about me hoping for twin stars, and ending up with only a shadow of sadness? I though the first verse applied to Huo Qu Bing, but I couldn’t understand the second verse. I didn’t want to overthink it “The fortune telling sticks are forever filled with these nebulous statements.”
He said “I just had a nightmare, a dream that when I returned from Chang An, I couldn’t find you. I rode a horse without stopping, but I couldn’t find you. Yu Er, can you promise me, now matter what happens, please don’t just leave. Wait for me to return.”
In the darkness, his eyes were missing his usual arrogance and confidence, and in its place was uncertainty. He was quietly looking at me, and didn’t force me and didn’t beg me. His emotions were crystal clear, just revealing his longing. It made my heart hurt, and before I could think it through, the words were already out of my mouth “In the future, I will never leave without a word. Even if I leave, I will say goodbye to you properly.”
He smiled “I will make it so that you will never want to part from me.”
This guy, you give him an inch, he takes a foot. I coldly huffed and turned my back to him “Oh right! When you return to Chang An, don’t tell anyone where I am.” He was silent for some time “Anyone?” I thought of Li Yan, Hong Gu and those folks “Yes.” He agreed. I turned my head to him “It’s almost dawn, you should try to get more sleep.”
He smiled, nodded his head and then closed his eyes. I also closed my eyes, but my mind couldn’t rest. If Li Yan knew I was with Huo Qu Bing, maybe she will destroy Luo Yu House immediately. I thought I could just leave a few letters and then jump out of the pit of fire that was the mess of politics in Chang An. But life really is like the complicated vines Huo Qu Bing mentioned, it’s not something I can just turn my back on and forget everything.
My mind was still churning so I didn’t know when I fell asleep. When I woke up, the pallet beside me was empty. I don’t know if his movements were light as feather, or I slept that soundly, but I didn’t know when he left. I touched the place where he laid and sat there in a daze.
…………………………………………………………
“One hundred!” Li Cheng tossed his sword aside and collapsed on the ground in exhaustion. I wrinkled my brow at him “If you don’t want to die before you reach the battlefield, go patch yourself up now.” He smiled at me before leaving “One hundred strokes, Brother Jin. You make good on your promise.”
I smiled and nodded “I will. Go get yourself fixed up and I’ll take you out to eat on the town tonight.” In town, I ordered a stewed chicken with dates, which made him disappointed. I thought it was already better than what they served in the base, but he said it was too light, like what a woman would eat after she gave birth. I laughed, and told him that he was lacking blood lately so this was perfect.
Two men finished eating and left, and I chanced to see the wolf brand on the bottom of their horse flanks. It looked familiar but I couldn’t place it. I ask the waiter if those two men were locals? He wasn’t sure, they appear to be retainers of a rich family, looking for a girl who was lost.
Life became simple and quiet. Everyday I sparred with Li Cheng or riding, playing with Xiao Tao and Xiao Qian, or wandering around whiling away the time. Right when I’m getting bored, Huo Qu Bing’s letter arrived.
“…..I am with General Gong Xun Aou deploying from the North, and Li Gan has also deployed this time……” I frown “Don’t frown, he’s with his father General Li Guang, and we’re going our own ways. We likely won’t meet until the very end. Once you receive this letter, go with the courier North and we’ll meet at the Northern base.”
The courier reminded me that he was to take me to the Northern base. I sighed, agreeing to go, but requesting that I bring Li Cheng with me. I can tell the courier is nervous and tell him to relax. He tells me that not only the General tasked him with this, his own father told him that he could not fail in this mission. Turned out the courier Chen An Kang was the son of Housekeeper Chen, and of course he knew I was really a girl in disguise.
I handed him the cage and got ready to leave. During the carriage ride, I feigned sleep while Li Cheng was all excited and bugging Chen An Kang for information about the battles. Having gotten used to riding, the carriage feels especially comfortable. Before I knew it, we had arrived at the Northern base.
I had just jumped out of the carriage when I was immediately pulled into Huo Qu Bing’s embrace. He whispered in a low voice “I haven’t seen you in a month, I’ve been worried for a month. I was worried that one day I would wake up and receive a letter saying that you had left. Thank goodness you may not always tell the truth, but at least you keep your promises.”
This guy seriously does whatever he wants without a care for what others might think. I try to push him off me but he holds my shoulders tight and doesn’t budge. Chen An Kang has his head down, currently analyzing the soil of the Northern region with intense concentration. But Li Cheng looks stunned and stares at us with his eyes wide open.
I let out a long sigh. What lie can I concoct this time? What kind of martial arts requires embracing to practice?
omg omg, i keep on refresh and i am rewarded! thank you ms Koala!!! I must thank all Gods today!!! 😀
I bow in gratitude….
One of my favourite chapters of the book! Thank you koala!
it’s hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee! can i squeel loud enough??? here it ms k?? thanks much! for the fast translation! bow.
Back to Mo Zi and Taoism – thanks for the break Koala….
I’m.such.an.addict.
Okay I’m done with my first paper so now I can comment on the chapter.
I’m surprised she didn’t make the connection to the men looking for a young woman with Jiu Ye. He told her about the wolf symbol and she’s seen the symbol before too.
I love that HQB finally showed her his vulnerable side. I mean, she’s seen hurt puppy from him, silent observer/friend, shoulder to cry on, arrogant smart ass, and pissed off, but up until the night before he left for Chang An I don’t think she had seen scared HQB before and the fact that it pulled at her heart in a such a way.
He’s so sweet – will someone please find me an HQB? I need a guy that is sweet like that but can also put his foot down and tell me what to do (not many can do that). Forget Prince Charming, where’s my HQB?
hahaha funny 😉
oh i squealed in happiness when they almost kissed! Ah Li Cheng, why u come at the wrong time!!! haha I heart heart heart!!!
The funniest episode yet! I kept laughing at Li Cheng who witnessed ‘Brother Jin’ and Gen. HQB’s intimate interaction or “martial arts.” 😀
Ha! I love the last line. ^_^
I like HQB much better in this chapter. It’s easy to forget he’s so young and probably doesn’t really know much about anything…but still, I wasn’t a fan of his actions in the last chapter. Nevertheless, this book is going to make a stunning drama, and I really hope that even if they change the pace of the book or even some of the plot that they don’t mess with the development of the relationship between HQB and Jin Yu.
Thanks for translating this for us, unni. You’re the bestest. ^_^
THE DRAMA HAS THE LAST SEQUENCE AND ITS SO PERFECT OMG!
I couldn’t agree more
thanks! lol to “What kind of martial arts requires embracing to practice?”
I know… Poor Li Cheng…. he’s probably scarred for life!
taekwondo…clinching to catch your breathe so I would love to spar again but my joints are tired….aging!!!!
i know….judo 😉
oh yeah
Thanks for the translation! I tried reading it online, but ending up floundering through all the characters I didn’t know. Thank goodness for your blog and your hard work. I already cannot wait for Da Mo Yao to come out; it’s going to be a long and painful one. This is especially true since I just finished watching BBJX for the first time. I marathoned it and finished in 3 days (at the expense of my college education), but it was well worth it. I usually hate sad shows, but despite the rather tragic ending, I was completely satisfied (a first for me). I cried and cried during the last ten episodes until my eyes swelled up to twice their size, which I had to explain to my roommates (via an emotional rant/rave explaining the drama and its epicness). Tong Hua is seriously a genius.
My stalking has paid off. I’m so addicted and in love with HQB that i keep refreshing your site? I’m so grateful for your translations.
“but my mind couldn’t rest. If Li Yan knew I was with Huo Qu Bing, maybe she will destroy Luo Yu House immediately.” The mess from Book 1 really is going to come back and bite her isn’t it? Sigh…. I just want HQB/JY to have happy times.
“Two men finished eating and left, and I chanced to see the wolf brand on the bottom of their horse flanks. It looked familiar but I couldn’t place it. I ask the waiter if those two men were locals? He wasn’t sure, they appear to be retainers of a rich family, looking for a girl who was lost.” Oh dear, I think this is the first time I feel sorry for Jiu Ye… I couldn’t even feel sorry for him at the end of Book 1 for some reason but for him to still be looking everywhere like 2 months (?)… poor guy. A moment (or well, 3 years in his case) of hesitation really is a lifetime of regret.
Thank you for the update!!
i’m surprise your website didnt combust into flames with this chapter, Koala~chan. Coz it totally set fire to my heart and took my breathe away. Oh gawd….Huo Qu Bing….now i know why you’re so crazy bout him. He’s such a lovable rascal. All that sparring and skinship…*whew* excuse me whilst i fan my face. The days are getting warmer, dont you think?!
It was a totally bold move of HQB to get under the covers with Yu Er. Isn’t it absolutely scandalous considering the era they are in? I mean, you get slightly raised eyebrows in this day and age if a guy and a girl sleep on the same bed. Of course, HQB could get away with it considering Yu Er is cross dressing as a boy. oohh…..poor poor confused Li Cheng. hahahahah!
You know…i keep anticipating Yu Er to bump into Yi Zhi Xie at every corner she turns. I cant help it. I’m totally enamored with him. When Yu Er was taking a bath in the previous chapter, i thought it would be YZX behind the screen. And when she went to town in this chapter to treat Li Cheng to dinner, i thought she would run into YZX as well. I’d like to think that YZX is still in love with Yu Er. That was why he was so devastated by her ‘death’ and how he *quote* gave strict orders to capture you guys alive….when the Shan Yu learned that you guys were injured during the pursuit, he was so furious that his face turned white…flipped the entire Xi Yu territory upside down but he couldn’t find you… – Chapter 9:Heart Song (Part 1) *unquote* *sigh…* swoon-worthy. I claim first dibs on YZX!! XD
i think i need to get a new keyboard…the F5 button looks ragged. ^^”
Thanks again for the quick update, Koala~chan. I’m totally in love with this book now thanks to you! Hope the author would release an English version. I would love to get my hands on ’em for keepsakes. See you onboard the Xiao Huo Express in the next chapter. Are you still on vacation?
Oh boy, the moments between them are getting hotter and hotter. HQB is really the man. I know it’s complete insanity to fall for a fictional character bec very few men are like him in real life, but what the heck. Like Niki said above, I’m totally onboard the Xiao Huo Express and it feels good. 😀
Also, these two are just too physical aren’t they? *ahem* I wonder how far their martial arts ‘sparring’ will go next time.
Oh…and i need to add…Yu Er is becoming more and more “lover-like” with each chapter of Book 2. In the previous chapter, she bids HQB goodbye whilst laying in bed (makes me think that she’s too tired to get up after a night of shenanigans with HQB. XD ). And in this chapter, she touches the place where HQB laid the night before in a daze. (i dont have to explain myself for this one, do i?? hahahaha…..) i wonder what’s instore for chappie 3…*sly smile*
The fortune telling stick actually foretells that Yu Er will find a love to heal her heart in the desert, doesnt it? And oh…who do we find but HQB being sent to war which “conveniently” takes place in the desert. The desert is a hot hot place which also makes it much easier for “things” to catch fire. hee hee…
niki@ you’re right, what can we imagine how YE feeling about HQB, last than he’s hot man no woman can refuse him…. hot man in hot place….fire everywwhere hee….hee….
this is just the beginning xP these two are very physical lol they’re known for being scandalous XD
@anne:
scandalous, you say? I can only imagine what kind of scandalous ‘martial arts’ these two will engage in. and knowing how young and athletic they are…errrrr, I better stop here. 😉
I was also doubtful about the liberal lifestyle too, until I remember Han era is an era when a man typically dies before 30 (war, famine, corruption, illness, etc) so I’m quite certain procreation is only one or two rugs below survival needs. Skinship is probably not unfamiliar too – his mom borne him out of wedlock, his aunt Empress Wei was also illegitimate – there was sure a lot of touchy-feely going on beneath civilized Han.
Having sorted that out, I am steadyfastly looking forward to their next ‘martial arts’ section.
Thanks Koala!!
I read chapter 17 earlier tonight and decided to check your site one more time before going to sleep. THANK YOU so much for chapter 18!!!
Can I just tell you how much I am loving HQB?! Straightforward and affectionate as ever.
Loving it! 🙂
My, these last 2 chapters filled me with giddiness! So looking forward to more! Thanks a lot!
Don’t Li Cheng and the soldiers wonder why JY lives in HQB’s tent?
On another note, the almost-kiss certainly gave me tingles.
They wonder. But they won’t question. Because they’re subordinates….and HQB has been known for conducting himself outrageously.
The soldiers that went with him to get her from the Inn know she’s a girl.
i thought the cover story was that he (she) is his bodyguard? didn’t he say, you can pass off as my bodyguard? then she turned around and said something about assassinating him? or am i dreaming this up 😛
That’s cover was discussed once they got to the camp and the assassination before she tricked him with stabbing herself on the street.
Some of his men saw him fly out of the window with her screaming and hurling curses at him wrapped up in a blanket. It looks like only the kid does not know she’s a girl. Why tell him? He’s the low man on the totem pole. Let him continue to freak out….LOL
Pranksters.
Thanks for the update yet again!! 😀 LOL, this chapter had me laughing and smiling the whole time! Poor Li Cheng, stunned and confused HAHA x] HQB and JY are just too unforgettable now… I can’t spend more than ten minutes not thinking about whether a new chapter is up. xD
Thank you so much Ms. Koala!!! :DD Your translations are always wonderfully written. 🙂
Thank you for the sizzling chapter though poor Li Cheng may never recover from his first encounter with “funny” sex! I’m waiting eagerly to learn how Jin Yu plans to extricate herself from Huo’s embrace while concocting a highly implausible story to convince Li Cheng that she and the General aren’t having a scandalous affair. Poor Jiu Ye! How long are you going to search for someone you’ve treated so thoughtlessly and so stupidly? Jin Yu isn’t the sort to go back on her decision to irrevocably given up on Jiu Ye, for whom she does wait and wait for two whole years, dreaming that her patience and steadfast love will be reciprocated in the end. Though I do like this Jiu Ye character, I don’t think his rather placid and dithering style is suitable for her fiery and carefree personality who loves and hates passionately and openly in equal measure. Huo, on the other hand, has never swerved in his pursuit for a single moment. This tenacity may help heal the wounds in Jin Yu’s heart, finally. Still, I’m looking forward to Jin Yu’s meeting with YZX once again. Poor Huo will be lamenting his fate that the girl he loves has so many admirers and he’ll have to fight off his rivals like he does in the battlefields. Thanks for your untiring efforts to keep us all over the world entertained daily. We, especially the non-Chinese speakers/readers, really appreciate being able to follow the beautiful story unfolding every day.
since i woke up, i have refresh this page over 20 times!! thank you so much …..
thanks ms koala…….
I do enjoy this story, can’t wait for the next cheater
the first few chapters of volume2 had me giggling and trying to stifle those giggles lest anyone comes across me acting like a loon… Yu-er is getting more aware of her feelings for HQB but she isnt quite willing to confront those yet… although the distance from Chang-an and a certain JY is helping to slowly nudge her forward…
i love that he isnt afraid to show his affections to her (even if it may cause grievious misunderstandings- poor LiCheng) in front of everyone.. but doesnt take any liberties with her, respecting her space and feelings. that scene where he explains why he wants her to learn horse-riding epitomises his attitude towards her.. always transparent about his intentions yet noting that her welfare always comes first..
Thank you so much! Can’t wait until the next chapter!
How many volumes does Da Mo Yao have since this is volume 2 already?
HQB sounded a little traumatised – what with nightmares and daily worries that she’d run away again. Which makes one wonder, what is it about Yu Er that he loves so much? It’s not like she encouraged him in his affections or did much for him over the years, unlike what she did for Jiu Ye.
it is becos she saved him, i think… and she rode horse at the back of him… think chemistry sparks from thereon…
Yeah, she stole from Jiu Ye and saved HQB. She was taken with his bravery in saving his companion.
Also, it looked this was her first embrace when they rode the horse together when she acted as their guide….Sparks indeed.
She saved his life (kind of) once and therefore that’s the reason why he’s so single-mindedly in love with her for years without any form of reciprocation?
I mean we all love the way he loves her (and that’s what make the romance so fun to read) but frankly, I can’t really figure out the reasons behind his passion for her. Love at first sight probably. But if it was love at first sight, why did he not attempt to do more back when they first met, like ask her to go to Chang An with him or something.
Well, she told him she would take them so far as a guide so he could not do much with her at that point except to tempt her.
He did that by inviting her to Chang An if she was so inclined. She went there for him and wonderlust, but Jiu Yu found and helped her first.
*Jiu Ye
Koala you rock! This chapter makes me giddy and smile like a loony since I am reading your post at the hotel lobby while waiting for my business meeting. I can’t help but laugh while imagining Yuer and HQB when they are about to kiss and are in their military uniform and then the shock face of Li Cheng upon seeing them. I hope the drama can capture this moment and do justice to my imaginations. I am waiting in high anticipation for the next chapter. I pray for your good health because I now it’s such a hard task to translate and type this book the same time. Just always remember us tons of your fans biting our nails and checking your post every seconds of the day needed to appease our longing ang nerve
wracking curiosity for this amazing story.
i refreshed ur site a MILLION times today …. thank god on my million-ith and one time – i was rewarded! 😀
more please ?
So close!
I want that kiss!
I can’t help but be reminded to a similar scene in BBJX….where the 4th prince/ king also requested to lie on the same bed as the girl…without doing anything of course…LOL
I like sleeping on the chest of the guy to smell his scent and hear his heart beat under a starry sky….innocent love 😉
anyone has any idea where can we get online reading for chapters after 17???
english version. No where. Chinese? Everywhere…just type read online DMY…lol. I did that…
HQB if I’m not mistaken, why would I ride your horse when I can ride the wind, did I not grow with a pack of wolves….I would spring and pounce like a blue eyed fury dog with all agility….yup from my point of view as a wolf girl I would have wrestled martial arts with this guy….before riding his horse why…beacause I am a wolf girl hahaha 😉
And I imagined after pinning him down I’ll brush my nose with his and say “Huh riding your horse right?” then stand up brush my skirt flip my hair walk back to the horse laughing….yup wolfie 😉 hyper imagination meh….
somehow when your hurt it would be hard to be pinned by a man again….I don’t know its hard to breathe when your trying to free yourself from hurting….I mean if JY really love her vine….it’s push and pull….I can’t love I’m broken….help me make me feel again 🙁
the chinese names giving me head aches….I meant Yu Er….I’m lost
Many thanks for your wonderful translations! And what a fun read . . .”I didn’t see anything, I didn’t see anything, . . .” hee hee.
So grateful for your labor of love and sharing it with us. Enjoy the day.
“I let out a long sigh. What lie can I concoct this time? What kind of martial arts requires embracing to practice?”
Yu Er is too funny. 🙂
She’s getting used to Huo Qu Bing’s embraces….Good.
Thanks Ockoala!
thank you… can’t thank you enough…. been hitting the refresh button all day!!!
ooohhh… swooooooon….. as in super swoon…. i love HQB character…
definitely hook, lineand sinker with this novel…
I really appreciate your effort Ms. Koala…
Bless you…
HQB can even anticipate her frowns! So funny!
Laughing to self….That was spot on of him. <3<3<3
LOL!
Best.line.EVER!
Made me laugh at them. The two birds remind me of them. The female is fierce and the male docile but they match perfectly and are like two peas in a pod.
The next chapter please, I can’t sleep waiting for it, please…please…please
Seriuosly. Chill out. Miss koala here is already translating at a crazy speed… I have no idea how she manages to find the time, with her new demanding job and all. Plus the chapters are getting so long! Less and less summary and more and more deatailed translations! We’re getting totally spoiled here~
Ok my 2 cents about this chapter and all the posts: big LOL! Everyone seems to be on fire after reading this chapter XD Not that I can blame anyone, there sure was a lot of smoldering and sizzling going on! I was grinning like an idiot the whole time (and getting some weird looks from ppl around me) ^^;;;; Also, I’m loving the gender bender bit, always got a soft spot for those kinds of stories. HQB is just too awesome, no wonder YJ’s drawn to him. But more importantly, as ppl have pointed out already she’s more herself when she’s with him. Love their relationsihp.
“This guy, you give him an inch, he takes a foot.”
That line just cracked me up. Lol. Thank you for another great chapter!
Wah~ Da Mo Yao is so good! I marathon-read all the chapters yesterday and woke up to see new chapter 18! YAY!!! 😀
awesome! omg i’m suppose to be studying but i cant because i even dream about reading your recaps! i love them – i love Jin Yu with HQB. whats so swoon worthy about HQB is not only that he is passionate and straight forwards with his love for Jin Yu, but that he KNOWS her. he knows her reaction, and what she wants even if she doesnt know for herself or willing to admit. some would call it very high handed of him – but damn if i cant fall in love with a guy who wants the best for me and call out my bull when i’m rying to avoid something!
I would have appreciated a confrontation than a chase….but then it will be the end of the story lah….wedding bells…. 😉 so okay let the story move on lol
omg baaaabe, you’re too pro.. i swear i tried to read d online novel itself & almost split my head before deciding to simply re-read your previous chapters whilst waiting for d next.
just.too.painful…
your dedication is v much appreciated!!!
Li CHeng is even more traumatized since he things JY is a guy… i.e. he thought that he’s seeing some yaoi scene puahahahaha
Thinking about starting a DMY anonymous group. I need therapy, read this chapter 4 times since last night.
*raises hand* me too… i have finished the novel but i am still lurking here. reading round 2.
my dreams are full of what happened in DMY
I let out a long sigh. What lie can I concoct this time? What kind of martial arts requires embracing to practice?
LoL… looks like li chen would know their secret soon…
Can’t wait for the next chapter…
Koala Di thank u so so so much…..HQB definetly catches many heart…i just luv dis chap 🙂 U know wot DMY writer should know bout this ,thru ur translation many are being familiar wid dis novel (who don’t know chinese language,like me)
Thank you so much for the translations, Ms. Koala.. You’re such a sweetie, really.. True, just like what you said, read it the second times around help me to get more in depth with this book, and more in love with HQB.