Jiangjiang the Skeleton Spirit - Chapter 2

Once Song Yu recovered completely, he began looking for work in town, leaving early every morning and returning late.

But our peaceful days didn’t last long. Several unwelcome visitors brought them to an end.

Even after attaining human form, I’d kept my habit of basking in moonlight in the middle of the night.

That night, I hung from a tree branch, quietly enjoying my moonlight bath.

Suddenly, several dark figures vaulted into the courtyard.

They moved nimbly, heading straight toward a particular room.

I took a closer look. Oh no!

That was Song Yu’s room!

I scrambled down from the branch and shouted, “Song Yu, run!”

Sounds of fighting came from inside.

Yet a moment later, the dark figures were kicked out.

A commotion stirred nearby. Shadows filled the night; at some point, a large group of armored men had appeared around us.

They held bows and shot the black-clad men’s calves with unerring aim.

Song Yu emerged from his room fully dressed. He regarded the assassins calmly, as if he’d known all along what would happen.

The lead guard approached him, cupped his hands, and dropped to one knee. “General, just as you said. They couldn’t hold back any longer.”

General?

I stood rooted to the spot, staring at this baffling scene.

Moonlight fell on Song Yu’s face, casting shadows across it.

He pressed his thin lips together, his gaze fixed on me. “A-Pei. Take them alive.”

How could anyone with such an imposing presence be a hunter’s son?

Once I learned his true identity, I knew he would leave.

In the days before his departure, he had all sorts of treasures sent over.

Rare jewels and ornaments, along with pastries and delicacies from Minglou.

I looked at everything in the room and felt no interest at all.

“Once I’m no longer beside you, don’t go hunting or digging for mushrooms on the back mountain alone. If you need anything, send someone to tell me.

“I’m also leaving a few good soldiers with you. They can keep you safe.

“Your body runs cold. You must be especially careful not to overindulge in food.”

I covered his mouth with my hand and stared straight into his startled eyes.

“Are you saying goodbye forever? Are you never coming to see me again?”

I lowered my hand and stubbornly waited for an answer.

Song Yu’s lips tightened into a line. He watched me in silence.

Still unwilling to give up, I asked, “Can’t you really take me with you?”

His eyelids lowered slightly. Again, he gave me no answer.

But I knew that was his answer.

Something knotted in my chest, as if a pair of hands were pressing down on it, leaving me stifled.

I’d never felt anything like it.

I raised a fist and struck his shoulder hard.

As a skeleton spirit, I was naturally strong.

He grunted and stumbled back several steps.

“Then get out.”

I turned away so I wouldn’t see the emotion on his face.

Ungrateful wretch. I’d rescued you from the mass grave and treated you so well, only to discover you didn’t care about me at all.

Hooves thundered.

On the day Song Yu left, I didn’t go out to see him off. Instead, I secretly cracked open a small window in the upstairs room.

In military dress, astride a tall horse, he really did look like a mighty general.

He waited outside the bamboo cottage for a long time, hoping I’d come out and say goodbye. I stubbornly refused.

Only when the sun was close to setting, and his men kept urging him on, did he finally ride away.

I heard Sister Suhe sigh behind me.

“Looking back with every few steps. He clearly can’t bear to leave.”

That, I understood.

“If Song Yu can’t bear to leave me, why does he have to go?”

Sister Suhe gave a bitter smile, as if recalling the past.

“There are always reasons why someone must go.”

Reasons why he must go?

What reasons could Song Yu have?

Suhe rose, slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, and opened the window before me.

Birds startled into flight. There was no one left outside, only a scattering of hoofprints.

“Song Yu is a general. He can’t live for one person alone.”

She turned toward me, sorrow in her eyes. “If you have the chance, go after him.

“Don’t be like me, waiting alone by an empty window for someone who may never return.”

Something seemed to split open inside me, releasing an overwhelming longing.

Trying to steady my pounding heart, I asked, “Can I really?”

Suhe smiled. “Warhorses are fast. Wait too long, and you won’t catch him.”