The sheep pen was muddy and damp, filled with manure and filth, unbearably dirty and foul-smelling.

Before dawn, Tali brought food, mare’s milk, felt blankets, and precious medicine to Li Xuanzhen and his companions once again.

“The camp’s warhorses are in the northwest corner, heavily guarded. When you leave, head southeast – there are several sick mares there with few guards. Those horses have already recovered and are very fast.”

Before Tali left, she remembered something Yaoying had said before.

“Young master, Princess Wenzhao said that the Northern Rong royal family is constantly fighting, with princes scheming against each other. Prince Aling is not of Northern Rong descent and has deep rifts with the other princes. After you escape, try to reach the territories of other princes.”

Li Xuanzhen nodded and committed this to memory. The group broke free from their leather bindings and gave all the medicine to Li Zhongqian, bandaging his wounds.

Everyone rolled in the mud pit, coating themselves with mud and manure to mask their scent – the Northern Rong camp kept hunting dogs with keen noses.

Stars filled the sky as silence fell over the ice and snow-covered land beneath the heavens.

Li Xuanzhen leaned against the fence, patiently waiting for the right moment. He knew that during the night watch change between midnight and dawn, the guards would be most relaxed – that would be their best chance to escape in the confusion.

At midnight, Li Zhongqian regained consciousness. His phoenix eyes swept around before he struggled to sit up and tightened the bandages on his wounds.

“Can you move?” Li Xuanzhen asked coldly.

“Don’t worry, I won’t die,” Li Zhongqian replied expressionlessly as he tightened the gauze. His whole body trembled but his face remained numb, as if he felt no pain. In the night, his phoenix eyes held a beast-like gloomy gleam. “Until I find Mingyue Nu, I won’t let go of this breath.”

The brothers had nothing to say to each other and closed their eyes to rest.

In the late night, Li Xuanzhen quietly gripped the short blade Tali had given him and woke his guards, telling them to get ready – he would lure over the Northern Rong guards.

“Wait.” Li Zhongqian suddenly opened his eyes. “Listen, there’s movement.”

Li Xuanzhen listened carefully, his eyes narrowing.

In the distance came a slow rustling sound like wind through pine trees – one might mistake it for the wind if not listening closely.

Li Xuanzhen said: “Light cavalry, four to five hundred men.”

Li Zhongqian met his gaze: “The Crown Prince’s men.”

The Crown Prince was taking advantage of Haidu Aling’s absence in Gaochang to capture his tribal camps one by one.

Warning horns soon sounded, brutally shattering the silence. The whole camp descended into chaos as sleeping men jolted awake and rushed out of their tents while women and children huddled trembling inside. The Northern Rong people at the camp’s outer perimeter erected barriers to slow the approaching cavalry and force them to reduce speed.

The enemy came swiftly – several hundred leather-armored cavalry charged into the camp shouting, cutting down anyone in sight. The camp’s people fought back hastily, but the first men to rush out were run through with blades.

Amidst the roars and battle cries, Li Xuanzhen and his guards cut down the fence, avoided the fighting Northern Rong warriors, and made their way southeast. Several Northern Rong men charged at them with long sabers, but Li Xuanzhen and his guards quickly dispatched them and found the mares Tali had mentioned, mounting them.

The camp was now surrounded, with archers outside losing arrows – thousands flew through the air amidst blazing fires.

Li Zhongqian gripped a long saber he had just seized, fighting through his pain as he cut down a Northern Rong warrior. “We can’t just charge out like this – we won’t make it.”

Li Xuanzhen looked around and made a quick decision: “Release all the prisoners.”

They turned back to free all the captives from the sheep pen. The prisoners scattered in panic, picking up fallen weapons and following them as they charged out of the camp.

The Crown Prince’s light cavalry maintained orderly formation as they launched the first wave of attacks, breaking through the camp’s defenses. Two more forces attacked from the flanks, wielding curved blades and short axes, howling as they coldly slaughtered. By their fur clothing, they appeared to be scattered troops recruited from various tribes.

Li Xuanzhen, Li Zhongqian, and their men exchanged glances before turning their horses to charge into the battle formation, secretly blending in with the scattered troops.

Half an hour later, the camp’s final defensive line collapsed.

Li Zhongqian no longer had the strength to fight and retreated from the battle formation with other prisoners. Li Xuanzhen was fighting at the front when he suddenly spotted a familiar figure. His expression darkened as he sheathed his blade and took up the bow from his saddle.

The Northern Rong used light short bows with small arrowheads and light shafts. He tested the bowstring, knowing this type of bow couldn’t pierce armor in close combat but was better suited for long-range shooting. He spurred his horse forward, galloping to a nearby hillside. There he quickly nocked an arrow, aiming the one-armed Han subordinate in the melee, and loosed his shot.

With a soft hum, the arrow cut through the night sky and buried itself to the fletching in the snow.

The wound on his arm felt like it was tearing open, but Li Xuanzhen paid it no mind. He slowly adjusted to the bow in his hands and continued nocking arrows, releasing three in succession. This time the arrows flew with full force – two struck the Han subordinate’s shoulders. The man screamed and fell from his horse into the snow, instantly trampled beyond recognition by the rain of hoofbeats.

“We can’t let Haidu Aling know Li Zhongqian is in Northern Rong.”

Her weakness cannot fall into Haidu Aling’s hands.

Li Xuanzhen knew better than anyone what she would sacrifice for Li Zhongqian.

He commanded his guards in a low voice: “Kill everyone who knows about us today.”

The guards acknowledged in unison, their eyes scanning for anyone who might know their identities, quietly approaching before striking them down when they least expected it.

Dawn began to break as the battle ended, leaving the camp in ruins. The Crown Prince’s forces started cleaning up the battlefield.

An officer-like figure gathered all the prisoners. Since Li Xuanzhen and his men had no identification papers and would be questioned wherever they went, they simply blended in with the group. The officer, believing them to be captured tribal warriors and noting their valor in battle the previous night, directly recruited them under the Crown Prince, saying he needed capable men.

The troops didn’t linger long before quickly departing.

Li Xuanzhen confirmed Tali was still alive before leaving with the Crown Prince’s officer. They traveled hundreds of li, attacking two more camps along the way.

On the sixth day, they arrived at a low plain surrounded by mountains on three sides. They were brought before a man wearing a tiger skin robe with a golden belt. Hearing of Li Xuanzhen’s fierce fighting and excellent archery skills – able to hit a target at a hundred paces – the man laughed heartily and wanted to compete with him.

Li Xuanzhen showed no fear, competing with the man in both stationary and mounted archery despite his injuries. He won at stationary shooting but deliberately missed during mounted archery, losing to the man, ultimately fighting him to a draw.

The surrounding Northern Rong people cheered loudly, and only then did Li Xuanzhen learn the man was the Crown Prince of Northern Rong.

The Crown Prince was aggressively annexing Haidu Aling’s territories, knowing there would inevitably be a great battle when Haidu Aling returned. Eager for talented men, he immediately appointed Li Xuanzhen as an imperial guard.

Li Xuanzhen concealed his identity and successfully gained his trust, infiltrating his inner circle while gathering intelligence, letting Li Zhongqian heal, and looking for a chance to escape.

During that time, the two gradually pieced together what had happened after Li Yaoying was taken by Haidu Aling, learning more news about the royal court from other Han people stranded in Northern Rong.

As Li Zhongqian’s wounds improved, he grew increasingly anxious, and Li Xuanzhen also became restless.

But they couldn’t be hasty.

The Northern Rong situation was turbulent, with complex machinations and tensions running high.

One day, the Crown Prince received a letter that made him dance with joy: “Aling hired assassins to kill several of my brothers – the evidence is conclusive! Now he’s even gone after Jinbo, Father Khan’s most beloved son. Let’s see how Aling gets out of this one!”

Overjoyed, he continued sending troops to seize territory.

A few days later, news came from Yizhou that Haidu Aling had returned from Gaochang and surrendered himself to Khan Wahan, openly admitting all his crimes and only asking the Khan to spare his subordinates.

The Crown Prince immediately led his men back to Yizhou – he had to compete with his other brothers for Haidu Aling’s territories.

On the way, a personal letter from Khan Wahan arrived at the Crown Prince’s tent. The Khan said he had already punished Haidu Aling by stripping him of his prince title and ordering all his sons to remain in their territories without leaving.

The Crown Prince was furious: The Khan was weak and indecisive – Haidu Aling had murdered his brothers, yet the Khan still showed him leniency!

His advisors urged the Crown Prince to remain calm, but he overturned the food table with one slash: “I cannot swallow this anger! Father Khan has grown old – his former courage has long been worn away by the Buddhist monk at court. He’s no longer the mighty Khan who once led our people to conquer north and south! He wants to show mercy to that ambitious wolf Haidu Aling! Wolves never feel gratitude – they only submit to the strong! Father Khan’s weakness will get him killed by Haidu Aling eventually! I’m going to Yizhou to slaughter Haidu Aling myself and use his skull as a wine bowl!”

The advisors tried desperately to persuade the Crown Prince not to act rashly.

Li Xuanzhen and Li Zhongqian observed coldly, remembering Li Yaoying’s words and forming a plan: Now that Northern Rong was in chaos and they couldn’t leave yet, not knowing how long they’d be trapped, since Haidu Aling and the princes were already at odds, why not add fuel to the fire and make Northern Rong even more chaotic?

Better yet, they could borrow another’s blade to force Khan Wahan to execute Haidu Aling.

Northern Rong blocked the Central Plains from the Western Regions, and Haidu Aling was determined to have Li Yaoying – they had to eliminate this calculating man.

Once Northern Rong was too chaotic to maintain control, they could slip away to the royal court.

After discussing, the two made up their minds.

Li Xuanzhen and his men deliberately spread rumors in the camp: Why did the Khan spare Haidu Aling? Why won’t he let the Crown Prince return to Yizhou? Could the Khan have some unavoidable difficulty?

People began to understand, breaking out in cold sweat as they speculated: Khan Wahan wouldn’t forgive Haidu Aling so easily – the reason he didn’t kill Haidu Aling must be because Haidu Aling had already gained control over him!

That’s why the Khan wouldn’t let his other sons return to Yizhou – the letter was written under Haidu Aling’s coercion.

The advisors grew increasingly convinced that Khan Wahan must be under house arrest by Haidu Aling and began to worry: If the judicial officials were helping Haidu Aling control Yizhou, wasn’t his next move to target the Crown Prince and others?

The Crown Prince had been looking for an excuse to return to Yizhou. Upon hearing these rumors, he flew into a rage: “Haidu Aling has wolfish ambitions! He assassinated Jinbo, secretly harmed my brothers, and now commits the crime of rebelling against the Khan, intending him harm! As a son, I must go to Yizhou to save Father Khan!”

So the Crown Prince pretended to obey Khan Wahan’s order while secretly mobilizing his forces, marching through the night while persuading other brothers and nobles to assist him as he headed straight for Yizhou.

Outside Yizhou city, as dusk fell, straight columns of cooking smoke rose into the sky from within the city.

The advisors noticed the royal court seemed peaceful and, fearing the Khan’s anger, urged the Crown Prince to reconsider.

“It seems the Great Khan is not under house arrest by Haidu Aling after all. The prince must proceed with caution.”

The Crown Prince laughed coldly: “I’ve endured for these years, but I can’t endure any more! Since I’ve already brought troops to Yizhou, there’s no turning back – whether Father Khan is under house arrest by Haidu Aling or not, I must kill Haidu Aling.”

The advisors were helpless – the Crown Prince had previously seized Haidu Aling’s territory and slaughtered his subordinates. If Haidu Aling lived, he would surely seek revenge. Now the Crown Prince was past the point of no return and truly had no other choice.

If Haidu Aling lived, he would be an endless source of trouble.

The Crown Prince sneered: “I must avenge my brothers! Who can stop me?”

At this time, Khan Wahan learned that his eldest son had defied his orders and come to Yizhou. Enraged, he sent ministers to reprimand him.

As torches blazed and the two forces faced off tensely, Li Xuanzhen, who had infiltrated the troops on the Crown Prince’s orders, suddenly struck, killing a minister with one slash.

Everyone was stunned.

The Crown Prince drew his blade and killed several others, shouting in rage: “You are running dogs of the judicial officials, secretly colluding with Haidu Aling – did you think I couldn’t see through it? It’s because of treacherous people like you that Father Khan has become as soft and timid as a woman! Today I will kill Haidu Aling with my own hands! Anyone who tries to stop me dies!”

Seeing the ministers already lying in pools of blood, the Crown Prince’s followers dared not hesitate any longer. They surrounded him as they charged toward the most heavily guarded royal tent.

The Northern Rong royal family fought constantly, and the nobles were extremely dissatisfied that Khan Wahan wouldn’t execute Haidu Aling. The Crown Prince had previously bought off the Yizhou commanders who had conflicts with Haidu Aling. The city’s defenders quickly scattered, and the Crown Prince met almost no resistance as he charged straight in.

Li Xuanzhen stayed close to the Crown Prince, fighting his way through while searching for any sign of Haidu Aling.

“Fool!”

At the battle line, an authoritative roar of rage thundered through the fighting crowd, reaching everyone’s ears.

In the flickering torchlight, Khan Wahan appeared wearing battle armor, mounted on a magnificent warhorse. Surrounded by his guards, though his face was aged, he carried an imposing presence like towering mountains, glaring at the Crown Prince: “Surrender now!”

The old Khan had spent his life in warfare and commanded great authority. As his tiger-like eyes swept across the crowd, the fighting soldiers all felt their hearts tremble and began to lose their will to fight.

Several small soldiers were so frightened they rolled off their horses.

The Crown Prince also felt fear rising in his heart, but not wanting to show weakness before his subordinates, he bit his tongue to steady himself, gripped the reins tightly, and shouted: “Father Khan, Haidu Aling’s blade is already at our brothers’ throats, yet you still won’t kill him! Must you wait until our heads fall before you’re willing to deal with Haidu Aling? Who is your son?!”

Khan Wahan thundered in rage: “I am already aware of Haidu Aling’s crimes and will deal with him accordingly. You left your territory without permission and attacked the royal tent – do you acknowledge your crime?”

“I have committed no crime!” The Crown Prince’s face was contorted, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Tonight I will settle things with Haidu Aling once and for all! Since I’m bound to die by his hand sooner or later, might as well make it quick today!”

Khan Wahan’s temple throbbed with anger: “Fool—”

Before he could finish his curse, there came a sharp whistle through the boundless night as an arrow suddenly shot forth, swift as a meteor, piercing through his gleaming breastplate.

Khan Wahan’s towering frame swayed before tilting backward.

With a heavy thud, the old Khan whom the Northern Rong people viewed as their lead wolf collapsed into the snow.

This sudden catastrophe left everyone dumbfounded.

The camp fell silent for a moment, filled only with the howling wind and neighing horses.

The Crown Prince, who had been burning with rage just moments before, was now terrified, his whole body trembling, face ashen.

At this moment, Li Zhongqian, who had fired the stealth arrow from among the soldiers, quickly hid his short bow while spurring his horse forward, shouting in unison with the hidden imperial guards: “Haidu Aling has assassinated the Khan, attempting rebellion!”

“Haidu Aling has rebelled!”

The bewildered Crown Prince, hearing this, regained his senses and instinctively roared: “Haidu Aling has rebelled and assassinated the Khan – quickly capture Haidu Aling!”

While shouting with a trembling voice to distance himself from the crime, he rode toward Khan Wahan.

In the chaos, Li Zhongqian caught up to him, secretly drawing a short blade. He spurred his horse forward, nearly reaching the fallen Khan when the Khan’s guards came to their senses, hurriedly lifting the old Khan and protecting him as they retreated.

Other loyal guards also reacted, forming ranks with their long sabers like a forest, their defensive formation so tight that not even a wing could penetrate.

Li Zhongqian’s pupils contracted.

What a pity – if they could have killed Khan Wahan in the chaos, Northern Rong would surely have split apart.

He reined in his horse, glancing at the anxious-faced Crown Prince. Just as he thought to draw his blade and kill him, the Crown Prince’s guards caught up on horseback.

Li Zhongqian decisively turned his horse, rejoining Li Xuanzhen and the other imperial guards as they followed the Crown Prince’s confidants in searching for Haidu Aling.

The sounds of fighting and screaming merged into one.

Suddenly, a thunderous rumbling came through the night, like the roar of mountains and sea, surging forward as the ground trembled.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw what appeared to be shadows moving in the pitch-black night to the south. The shadows grew longer, higher, and closer, like surging waves, one after another.

With the approaching black flood came the glinting of countless blades.

Then came the spine-chilling sound of bowstrings being released in unison as thousands of arrows formed an iron net in the sky, descending upon the fighting crowd below.

Screams erupted everywhere.

The iron arrows could pierce straight through thick wooden boards – there was nowhere to hide. The soldiers, already demoralized from seeing the old Khan fall from his horse, could only cover their heads and dodge while howling in terror.

The Crown Prince and the Khan’s guards were struck with terror, warning simultaneously: “Enemy attack! We’re under attack!”

That wave-like black shadow was an ambushing cavalry unit! The cavalry was charging in!

This iron cavalry was commanded by Northern Rong nobles. They had secretly surrounded the royal tent while the Crown Prince and Khan Wahan were confronting each other, approaching silently – they must have rebelled!

The imperial guards fled in panic.

The Crown Prince was utterly terrified.

No wonder the situation in Yizhou had been so strange.

No wonder he had been able to charge into the royal tent without resistance.

No wonder the nobles had secretly supported his actions.

He was just bait – the nobles had rebelled!

The Crown Prince sat dumbly on his horse, soul-stricken.

The cavalry charged forward, blades flashing.

“Father Khan!” The Crown Prince snapped back to his senses, gripping his curved blade with bloodshot eyes as he fought his way to Khan Wahan’s side with his guards. “Take my father Khan away – I’ll hold them back!”

Under the heavy encirclement, the guards loyal to the Khan quickly gathered, surrounding the old Khan in their center. There was no time now to question the Crown Prince as everyone drew their blades to fight while retreating.

Li Zhongqian and Li Xuanzhen were among them.

The two exchanged a glance at the dark mass of cavalry, their hearts heavy: While more chaos in Northern Rong would benefit them, even they hadn’t anticipated how things would develop – they might not be able to escape.

The cavalry was ruthless, cutting down the imperial guards one after another.

The Crown Prince, filled with regret, fought with exceptional valor.

The brothers fought the enemy while secretly considering ways to escape, their bodies covered in blood.

Just as the Crown Prince was falling into complete despair, drum beats suddenly sounded from the hills to the west.

“Protect the Great Khan!”

Following a shout filled with powerful internal energy that echoed across the battlefield, the sound of thundering hoofbeats approached like a downpour. From the hillside, another unit of cavalry in black armor charged down like lightning.

Their commander was tall and strong, his light armor outlining smooth, powerful muscles. In the firelight, his hawk-like sharp eyes gleamed golden in the night, his whole being emanating a fierce killing intent.

“Men, follow me to protect the Great Khan!”

He roared as he led the cavalry charge.

This force, appearing as if descended from heaven, fought their way into the chaotic formation, arduously cutting open a small gap in the heavy cavalry’s encirclement.

The Crown Prince stared for a long while, taking a deep look at Haidu Aling before escaping through the gap with Khan Wahan.

Li Xuanzhen recognized Haidu Aling, his blood boiling as he tried to spur his horse forward, but a group of iron cavalry attacked. He raised his blade to block, retreating together with Li Zhongqian, whose eyes were also red with the desire to charge forward.

The two cavalry forces ground against each other in deadly combat, blood flowing like rivers.

The imperial guards urged Li Xuanzhen and Li Zhongqian: “Young masters, the Crown Prince must have realized we’re spies. We must retreat now, or we’ll lose our chance!”

Li Zhongqian gritted his teeth and turned his horse.

They had already thrown Northern Rong into chaos – they needed to escape and find Li Yaoying quickly.

Her safety was paramount. Haidu Aling could be killed later; he couldn’t risk losing everything for a small gain.

Li Xuanzhen spurred his horse to follow Li Zhongqian, leading the imperial guards in retreating from the royal tent.

Behind them, under the brilliant stars, the fighting continued.

…

Haidu Aling led his cavalry in covering Khan Wahan’s retreat.

A confidant rode to his side, speaking softly: “Prince, why don’t we take advantage of the chaos and rebel? The Great Khan is severely wounded – if anything happens to him, the Crown Prince and others won’t spare you!”

After their plan to assassinate the princes had failed, they returned to Yizhou from Gaochang, only to find Khan Wahan had already taken control of all of Haidu Aling’s loyal subordinates.

Haidu Aling had secretly met with the judicial official and, knowing he was trapped with nowhere to escape, had carefully considered before taking the risk of going to the royal tent to admit all his crimes.

His gamble had paid off – Khan Wahan hadn’t killed him.

The princes were furious. The Crown Prince had brought troops to the royal tent demanding justice, and other princes were on their way.

Haidu Aling had received the news and, worried Khan Wahan might cave to pressure and change his mind about executing him, had avoided the city while observing the situation. When the nobles rebelled, he weighed his options before bringing his troops to escort Khan Wahan to safety.

His confidant was anxious: “Prince, the princes hate you to their bones – why don’t you take this chance to rebel?”

Haidu Aling stabbed through an iron cavalryman, casually wiping away the thick blood that had splattered on his face, and shook his head.

“You think rebelling would save my life? All my territory and subjects are in the Great Khan’s hands. If he dies, I have nothing – none of those nobles respect me. With the Great Khan alive, I can earn merit today despite my crimes and regain his trust in the future.”

A thick smell of blood permeated the air under the starlight.

Haidu Aling raised his long blade.

Since last year, nothing had gone his way. His conflicts with the other princes had deepened, and now he had suffered a major setback, years of effort wasted. He would have to start over.

He couldn’t just give up – he was still young, full of energy and strength. Given time, he could rise again.

He would lead armies to conquer the most fertile lands and take back the most beautiful woman from the royal court.

But first, he had to stay alive.

Haidu Aling let out a great roar and continued fighting.

…

That night, Northern Rong was turned upside down.

The nobles rebelled, and Haidu Aling escorted Khan Wahan and the Crown Prince out of Yizhou.

In the chaos, Khan Wahan ordered the court to move to Woluoduo, summoning tribal cavalry from all regions to come to defend the Khan there. He also ordered news to be suppressed everywhere, especially watching the royal court’s movements, commanding border troops to patrol day and night, and shooting down all messenger birds flying toward the royal court.

Li Xuanzhen and Li Zhongqian took advantage of the chaos to leave, galloping dozens of li through the night only to discover a pursuit force closely following them.

The wounded Khan Wahan had questioned the Crown Prince while retreating to Woluoduo, suspecting spies in his army, and quickly sent out several pursuit teams.

As Li Xuanzhen’s group evaded pursuit, they remarked: “Khan Wahan truly deserves his title as the Great Khan of Northern Rong… not to be underestimated.”

Although Khan Wahan had nearly lost everything due to the conflict between his sons, almost dying from Li Zhongqian’s stealth arrow and having his royal tent taken by rebelling nobles, he was still the Northern Rong Khan. Once he came to his senses, he quickly controlled the situation, escaping to Woluoduo, sealing the borders, and intimidating restless tribes – his swift and decisive actions struck fear into people’s hearts.

One could glimpse his former glory from his prime years.

Li Xuanzhen sighed: “I was still careless.”

He had thought that after Khan Wahan was severely wounded, the princes would immediately fall into internal strife and Northern Rong would split apart, allowing them to escape in the chaos.

Unexpectedly, Khan Wahan had pulled through. Although rebellions erupted in various regions, the Khan had everything under control and could stabilize the situation.

They were still trapped in Northern Rong.

An imperial guard said: “Khan Wahan has been in a standoff with the royal court’s Buddhist monk for many years, unable to take the royal court. The people’s hearts have scattered, and the nobles have complained for years that their Khan is useless. Now it seems the Khan’s blade hasn’t dulled with age.”

Li Xuanzhen glanced at Li Zhongqian, remaining silent.

If Khan Wahan was this formidable, what kind of person was this Buddhist monk of the royal court whom Khan Wahan viewed as his nemesis?

He didn’t want to discuss this with Li Zhongqian.

…

Reaching this point in his memories, Li Xuanzhen let out a long sigh.

They ultimately weren’t familiar with the terrain. Although they had left Yizhou as quickly as possible, they had lost their way in the vast snowy plains and were caught by the pursuit force. After several battles, everyone was covered in old and new wounds, nearly dying under Northern Rong arrows.

Haidu Aling’s subordinates wanted to capture them, so they would have taken prisoners.

Khan Wahan didn’t know their identities and treated them as spies, ordering the pursuit force to kill without question. The pursuers showed no mercy – this time every arrow was poisoned.

The imperial guards died one after another. Li Zhongqian was wounded by a poison arrow, which aggravated his old injuries and left him delirious.

Li Xuanzhen, as he had said himself, had great luck, escaping death several times.

He had no time to feel relieved, as he soon found himself in an awkward situation: While fleeing, they had to avoid pursuit forces and couldn’t stay on main roads. Unable to determine directions, they had gotten further from the royal court and closer to Woluoduo.

During one instance when they were surrounded by pursuers with nowhere to go, Li Xuanzhen decisively dragged Li Zhongqian into the Northern Rong royal tent.

The most dangerous place was the safest place.

His luck had held – after hiding in the stables for half a month, nearly fainting from hunger, he had seen a familiar face: Tali, who had retreated to Woluoduo with the Princess Imperial.

Tali brought him food every few days.

That day, when a patrol of soldiers discovered his hiding place and went to report it, he couldn’t delay. He left Li Zhongqian in Tali’s care and led the soldiers away, diving into the Princess Imperial’s tent.

The Princess Imperial was still looking for the “Central Plains imperial guard” who had escaped from her grasp – Li Xuanzhen had actively fled to her territory.

If Princess Imperial dared to hand him over to Khan Wahan, he would drag her down with him, saying they had worked together to disrupt Northern Rong.

The Princess Imperial’s position was sensitive; she couldn’t risk it.

Faced with two bad choices, falling into the Princess Imperial’s hands at least meant he could keep his life.

Sobbing echoed through the dungeon.

The dim torchlight enveloped these long-separated acquaintances, Li Xuanzhen and Zhu Lvyun.

One remained calm while the other was in tears.

Li Xuanzhen collected himself and raised his eyes to look at Zhu Lvyun: “Yun’er… when you were at the royal court, did you see Seventh Miss?”

Zhu Lvyun froze, tears still on her cheeks.

Li Xuanzhen watched her, anxiety hidden between his brows.

Zhu Lvyun opened her mouth, “You came to Northern Rong to find me… and I happened to go to the royal court…”

Li Xuanzhen shook his head, cutting off her words: “Yun’er, I didn’t come to Northern Rong for you.”

Like a thunderbolt in clear skies, Zhu Lvyun felt as if her chest had been struck heavily, leaving her unable to breathe.