Tambores de Guerra Rompem o Céu: A Queda dos Song

The forest whispered, shadows flickered, and all birds and beasts had fled from the sparse woods. Even the few bold rats and sparrows merely huddled in their holes, hoping the hunters with murderous weapons would leave soon, so they might escape with their lives.

After all, one had already paid with its life, its blood spilled as a sacrifice to the king of beasts—there was no hope left for the others.

The air was thick with a rank, metallic scent that made one's skin crawl and sweat stand on end. If not for the tiger’s blood soaking Zhang Xun’s feet, he would have already turned and run. It was no wonder people said that a tiger’s power does not fade at death; even in death, this beast looked fierce and terrifying. A long arrow pierced its eye, straight through to the brain, destroying all vitality. Another arrow lodged in its mouth, the shaft snapped nearby—a clear sign it had failed, merely slowing the tiger for an instant.

Zhang Xun, heart pounding and nearly wetting himself from fear and luck, managed to look back with difficulty. Li Da, who had already stowed his bow and was scanning the area, greeted Zhang Xun with a respectful gesture.

Li Da was his cousin’s attendant; if not for this veteran soldier, Zhang Xun’s hundred pounds of flesh would have been a feast for the dead tiger. Seeing his cousin climbing up the mountainside, Li Da was reassured and strode forward, pulling out a small knife to scrape the “Li” character from the arrow shaft.

“What are you doing?” Zhang Xun was still frozen, his feet heavy as lead, only able to ut