The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 44 Part 2

As the arrow pierced her body, an image of Yun Yan flashed before Lin Aoxue’s eyes. A sudden, wrenching pain gripped her heart—not just from the wound but from sorrow and unwillingness.

For the first time, she felt true fear. Her body trembled, her mind filled with terror and unease. The overwhelming tide of emotions crashing over her stemmed from one terrifying realization—she was afraid to die. She didn’t even stop to consider what would happen if she miraculously survived this ordeal. If the military doctors discovered her true identity, how could she continue to stay in the Northern Frontier Army?

What haunted her instead was a single thought: if she died, she would never see Yun Yan again. She would never be able to return. The girl who had promised to wait for her at the medical hall—she would wait in vain, forever.

Lin Aoxue’s heart clenched with grief, but she didn’t stop moving. Even as the sharp arrow lodged into her back and tore through her chest, she forced herself to keep running.

***

The barbarian general initially felt relief when he saw that one of his arrows had struck Lin Aoxue. But to his astonishment, despite being pierced clean through, she continued to run forward.

His face darkened. Did the arrow miss a vital spot? Had it failed to deal a fatal blow?

Suspicion flickered in his cold eyes, and he pressed on with his soldiers, determined to finish her off.

As they neared the forest’s edge, he saw Lin Aoxue staggering, barely keeping her balance. Yet she pushed forward, step after step—until, after running more than a thousand paces, she finally collapsed.

She lay motionless on the ground, making no attempt to rise.

Just then, the distant sound of war drums thundered from outside Xingbei Pass. The barbarian general’s expression changed instantly. He halted, sweeping another glance at Lin Aoxue’s still form before letting out a cold snort.

So, she had only been holding on through sheer willpower, barely managing to escape before reaching her limit.

Confident in his archery skills, he was certain the shot had been fatal. And now, with Beichen Long personally leading a large force to retrieve her, the general’s lips curled in a mocking smirk.

He signaled for his soldiers to retreat.

With only a hundred men under his command, engaging Beichen Long’s twenty-thousand-strong army was out of the question. The smartest choice was to withdraw.

After all, Lin Aoxue had taken his arrow. Judging by her lifeless state, she was as good as dead. Even if Beichen Long retrieved her, she would be nothing more than a corpse—of no consequence to their plans.

With that thought, the barbarian general made his decision without hesitation. He led his men in retreat, leaving behind only the bodies of a dozen fallen soldiers. To him, the mission had been a success.

***

Beichen Long rode at the head of his forces, charging toward Lin Aoxue’s location.

From afar, he spotted her lying on the ground, the arrow still embedded in her body. She hadn’t moved.

A sense of dread seized his heart, and his brows furrowed sharply. If Lin Aoxue was dead, then all her efforts—everything she had risked—would be in vain.

Fury and unease churned within him as he led his troops past the treeline.

By then, the barbarian forces had already withdrawn. Lin Aoxue lay alone in the dirt, an arrow buried in her back, appearing lifeless.

Still holding onto a sliver of hope, Beichen Long ordered Yang Jin to check on her.

A soldier lifted Lin Aoxue from the ground as Yang Jin approached. Her entire body was covered in blood and dirt. Strands of disheveled hair had fallen loose, partially obscuring the scar on her face.

Reaching out, Yang Jin felt for her breath.

There was still a faint, fragile warmth of life. She wasn’t dead—just unconscious.

Relief washed over him, though it was tinged with an unspoken heaviness and heartache.

Lin Aoxue had once been just another name on a roster he had reviewed. Yet, in just over a year, she had thrown herself into battle for Xingbei Pass, again and again, achieving countless merits.

And now, to gather intelligence deep in enemy territory, she had suffered such grievous wounds and barely made it back alive. Seeing her like this—clinging to life by a thread—he couldn’t help but feel a deep sorrow.

Yang Jin reported to Beichen Long that Lin Aoxue was still alive. Overjoyed, Beichen Long immediately ordered a stretcher to be brought over, having Lin Aoxue lie face down on it. He quickly led the troops back to Xingbei Pass and commanded the military doctors to do everything in their power to save Lin Aoxue—no matter the cost, she had to survive.

As Lin Aoxue was being carried back, she gradually regained some awareness. She struggled to open her eyes, her mind racing as she tried to lift her arm.

The soldiers carrying the stretcher noticed she was awake and immediately reported it to Beichen Long. He personally approached, worried that Lin Aoxue had something urgent to say. If the military doctors failed to save her, she needed to deliver whatever intelligence she had gathered before it was too late.

Though it seemed cold and ruthless, to Beichen Long, Lin Aoxue’s mission had always been about obtaining information. Her life, while valuable, was secondary to the intelligence she carried.

Lin Aoxue understood this as well. She fought to stay conscious, her mind spinning as she searched for a way to avoid exposing her true identity. Within moments, she had a plan.

Taking a labored breath, she forced out her words, “General… this time… I’ve obtained… extremely important intelligence… but I have… one request.”

Beichen Long’s expression was serious as he looked at her in confusion. “Speak freely.”

“You know that I have always… always admired Doctor Yun, sir. Even after she left the army… I still think of her often. I know my injuries… better than anyone. I doubt… I’ll last much longer. I will… tell you everything before I die. But please, General… grant me this one request. Let me see Doctor Yun one last time… Have her treat my injuries.”

No matter how much Beichen Long despised Yun Yan or how furious he was at Lin Aoxue’s foolishness, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse. Lin Aoxue’s injuries looked truly dire—she seemed as if she could stop breathing at any moment.

Watching as her face turned even paler after speaking, he clenched his fists tightly, suppressing his frustration and anger. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he shouted, “Someone! Go to Xingbei Market and bring Doctor Yun here to treat Qianhu Lin’s injuries!”

Beichen Long kept a close watch over everything in Xingbei Pass. The moment Yun Yan left the army and opened a medical clinic there, he had known about it.

At his command, soldiers immediately set off at full speed.

Hearing this, Lin Aoxue felt a quiet relief in her heart, though she made herself appear even weaker. With a feeble voice, she said to Beichen Long, “Thank you… sir…”

Beichen Long shot her a glare, his expression carrying both helplessness and regret. He barked, “Stop talking about dying! You’ve always been tough!”

The last time Lin Aoxue ventured beyond the pass, she had suffered grievous wounds, yet she had survived. Deep down, Beichen Long didn’t want to lose such a promising soldier. Seeing her in such a frail state now, even his bull-like eyes reddened slightly. He quickly turned away and urged his men again to hurry.

***

At Xingbei Market, inside Yanxue Medical Clinic, Yun Yan had just finished checking a patient’s pulse and was hurriedly writing a prescription when a group of soldiers suddenly barged in, startling the attendants.

Yun Yan turned to look, eyes filled with confusion. She immediately noticed the soldiers in northern frontier uniforms had locked onto her, striding toward her with urgency. Rising to her feet, she asked, “What brings you all here?”

The soldier did not beat around the bush. His face showed urgency as he called out loudly, “Doctor Yun! The general requests that you come to the camp to treat Qianhu Lin’s injuries!”

Yun Yan was startled and instinctively asked, “Qianhu Lin is injured?!”

The soldier nodded, his expression solemn. “Please, Doctor Yun, come with us.”

Yun Yan had no idea what reason Lin Aoxue had given to persuade Beichen Long to summon her, but if Lin Aoxue was injured to the point that she required Yun Yan’s treatment, it had to be serious.

A deep sense of panic gripped Yun Yan’s heart. She quickly packed her medical kit and followed the soldiers toward the camp, leaving in such a hurry that she forgot to give any instructions for the clinic in her absence.

Even as anxiety flooded her, she felt a slight sense of relief. She forced herself to calm down and rationally assess the situation—Lin Aoxue was injured, but she had at least made it back alive. Yun Yan needed to get there as quickly as possible.

Following the soldiers, she smoothly entered the military camp and soon arrived at Lin Aoxue’s tent. The moment she laid eyes on Lin Aoxue, Yun Yan’s eyes reddened, and she froze at the entrance, forgetting to step inside.

Lin Aoxue was lying on her stomach on the bed, her face turned to the side, resting on a pillow. Her complexion was deathly pale. Strands of hair fell beside her ear, covering the scar on her right cheek, making her already sickly white face look even more fragile—so delicate that it seemed as if the slightest touch would shatter her.

Inside the tent, Beichen Long and Yang Jin were present. Lin Aoxue was speaking to them in a weak, strained voice, her eyes half-open.

When the soldiers led Yun Yan to the entrance and announced her arrival, Lin Aoxue immediately stopped talking. Her eyelids fluttered as she glanced toward the doorway.

Beichen Long’s expression was grim. He gave Yun Yan a quick glance before saying, “See to Aoxue’s injuries.” Then, he turned to Lin Aoxue and instructed, “Focus on recovering first. We’ll discuss everything else once you’re in better shape.”

With that, he and Yang Jin left the tent. Lin Aoxue had already relayed the intelligence she had gathered during her mission beyond the border.

Wu Ping had betrayed them. The steppe forces were consolidating. The Rongwei Tribe had sinister plans. Each of these developments was an alarming threat to Xingbei Pass. The fact that Lin Aoxue had managed to report all of this despite her serious injuries was no small feat. Allowing Yun Yan to treat her wounds could at least buy her some time.

Beichen Long had no way of verifying the truth of her words. The informant he had planted among the barbarians—Wu Ping—had already turned traitor. As for the other informant, he no longer wished to dwell on it. But based on his experience, he believed that at least eighty to ninety percent of Lin Aoxue’s report was accurate. A formidable leader had indeed emerged among the barbarian forces, and under her command, they would become an even greater threat. Their ambitions extended beyond the northern border—to Beichen itself. This was no empty talk.

Weighed down by the crisis at hand, Beichen Long strode back to the command tent with Yang Jin. Yang Jin, still stunned by Lin Aoxue’s revelations, remained silent for a long while.

Once they were back inside, the two engaged in a detailed discussion. After Yang Jin left, Beichen Long continued deliberating with the camp’s strategist. Finally, he made up his mind, took up a brush, and personally penned an urgent report. He ordered a messenger to deliver it to the imperial court in the capital at top speed.

***

With Beichen Long and Yang Jin gone, no one dared to enter Lin Aoxue’s tent without permission. Outside, the guards stood at attention.

Inside, Yun Yan’s eyes were red, her gaze fixed on Lin Aoxue’s pale face. She bit down so hard on her lower lip that she nearly drew blood.

Yet, in contrast to her usual nervousness around Yun Yan, Lin Aoxue was unexpectedly calm. A faint smile curved her lips, and a light shimmered in her eyes—something Yun Yan had never seen before. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse, as though she hadn’t had water in days.

“Yan’er, if you don’t come over and check my wounds soon… I might not make it.”

Yun Yan snapped out of her daze as if waking from a dream. A flash of urgency crossed her face, and she strode toward Lin Aoxue, both shocked and furious, her voice sharp with worry. “What nonsense are you talking about?!”

She reached the bedside and stretched out her hands to remove Lin Aoxue’s clothing, only to find them trembling uncontrollably. The moment her fingers touched Lin Aoxue’s robes, she recoiled as if burned—the thick, sticky sensation of fresh blood sent a shudder through her.

Lin Aoxue was too weak. So weak that it filled Yun Yan with an inexplicable fear, shattering the steady composure she had always prided herself on. This wasn’t the first time. Faced with Lin Aoxue’s injuries, she found herself hesitating, unable to bring herself to begin treatment.

“Yan’er, don’t be afraid. As long as you’re here, I’ll be fine.”

Lin Aoxue had survived even the most perilous moments. Now, with Yun Yan by her side, she felt unexpectedly at peace. Turning her head slightly, she caught sight of the panic flickering across Yun Yan’s face. It reminded her of the time they had carried out a mission beyond the pass, when a barbarian scout had stabbed her. They had hidden in a mountain cave, and Yun Yan had looked just like this.

Yun Yan took a deep breath and glared at Lin Aoxue before forcing herself to calm down. To avoid pulling on the embedded arrow and worsening Lin Aoxue’s wound, she swiftly took up a pair of scissors and cut away the blood-soaked layers of fur and cloth, peeling them away bit by bit.

When the garments were finally removed, the soft curves of a woman’s body were laid bare before Yun Yan’s eyes. But all she felt was shock, anger, and a mounting sense of distress.

Because beneath those clothes, there wasn’t just a single arrow wound. There were two gaping, blood-crusted injuries—one on Lin Aoxue’s right shoulder, another beneath her left ribs. The dried blood had fused with the fabric, and as the clothing was pulled away, the scabs tore open, causing fresh blood to well up once more.

Tears spilled from Yun Yan’s eyes in an instant. Even before Lin Aoxue had left, she had mentally prepared herself, knowing that Lin Aoxue would likely return injured. But she had never imagined that the wounds would be this severe.

The hands moving behind her suddenly stilled. Lin Aoxue’s exposed back shivered slightly from the cold, and she turned her head, glancing at Yun Yan—only to see her red-rimmed eyes and tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

Something trembled in Lin Aoxue’s heart. Her throat tightened unexpectedly, and even her nose burned with a sour ache.

She had seen Yun Yan cry before.

But she had never seen Yun Yan cry for her.

Yun Yan’s tears made her truly feel the depth of her emotions. It brought back the memory of that night in Yun Yan’s small residence, when Yun Yan had smiled at her and told her to take responsibility—before forcibly kissing her lips.

At the time, Lin Aoxue had thought Yun Yan was merely teasing her, playing a game. She had been afraid of unlocking the chains binding her heart, of letting desire consume her reason, trapping her in something she could never escape.

But in this moment, she suddenly realized—

From the very first time she had met Yun Yan, from the moment Yun Yan had seen through her disguise, she had already been ensnared.

She had been forced into the warmth of this woman, dragged into an abyss from which there was no return. No matter how she struggled, she was inevitably pulled deeper, breaking apart piece by piece, yet still rushing toward Yun Yan like a moth to a flame.

She was powerless against it.

And gradually, she stopped resisting altogether.

Only in Yun Yan’s soft yet enchanting smile, only in those deep, affectionate eyes, could she truly see herself.

For the first time in over a decade—since the loss of her parents—she saw something real, something that belonged to her, reflected in another person’s gaze.

Yun Yan’s concern, her tenderness, her anxious desperation seeped into Lin Aoxue’s heart.

She couldn’t help but reach out, her fingers lightly covering Yun Yan’s bloodstained hand. When Yun Yan turned to look at her, Lin Aoxue curled her lips into a carefree smile. “Yan’er, you should be happy—because I made it back.” She immediately furrowed her brows slightly, a hint of grievance appearing on her face as she said to Yun Yan, “Are you mad at me? Because I didn’t go to the clinic to find you and instead had you called to the military camp? Does this count as breaking my promise?”

Hearing this, Yun Yan, though still overwhelmed with sorrow, couldn’t help but show a faint smile. How could she not see that Lin Aoxue was trying to act endearing? It was rare for this person to behave like this, and it slowly eased the worry and pain in Yun Yan’s heart, little by little, until it finally began to settle.

“That’s right, you did break your promise. You liar.”

Yun Yan followed along with her words, but the tension within her gradually dissipated. She was finally able to steady herself and focus on treating Lin Aoxue’s wounds.

She first cut off the arrowhead, then told Lin Aoxue to bear with the pain before firmly pulling the arrow shaft out. Without hesitation, she swiftly staunched the bleeding, and once the flow of blood was under control, she quickly cleaned the surrounding wounds and carefully bandaged each of the three injuries.

Throughout the entire process, Lin Aoxue’s face contorted in pain. The intense agony made her brow knit tightly, but she didn’t utter a single sound. She endured the searing pain of torn flesh in complete silence.

Yun Yan’s heart ached for her, so she used the best medicine she had to ease Lin Aoxue’s pain. Her movements were swift and precise as she finished dressing the wounds, then she issued a strict command:

“Lie still on the bed. You are not allowed to move. Not even a little.”