Jixiang was stunned.
Following the Emperor's gaze, in an instant, the group of people rushed up to them.
The one in the lead was Pei Jue, who came in the pouring rain.
His clothes were already drenched, his urgency like that of chasing a beloved. Only when he got close, and saw Xiao Cheng and his guard, did he slowly rein in his horse and come to a stop.
Ta Xue neighed, its front hooves rising high, splashing a spray of raindrops.
Xiao Cheng slowly moved the umbrella forward, waiting for the raindrops to pass by before removing it to look at Pei Jue.
"Great General, it has been a long time."
The two had encountered each other on the Bingzhou battlefield, but from a distance, without the proximity of sharing the same rainy space, face to face, eye to eye. Even in the dim night, unable to see each other's expressions, one could feel the hostility and indifference from their presences.
But the "long time" Xiao Cheng referred to was not Bingzhou.
It was separated by a lifetime.