Dawn had fully broken. Under the pale morning light, the Fifteen Gangs members stood disheveled in the wilderness, watching in bewilderment as the Silent Army departed with extreme speed and decisiveness. The confusion in their eyes was the same as when they had seen the Silent Army charge forth with extreme speed.

From beginning to end, the Fifteen Gangs people never understood where this army that suddenly appeared in darkness and departed fiercely at dawn had come from, or which side they belonged to.

Because they had been embroiled in combat the entire time, they hadn’t yet noticed Ming Yan’an’s approaching army. Pei Shu and Yelu Qi discovered this situation and immediately made the decisive choice to gather their people and order an immediate attack on the Fifteen Gangs members, taking the opportunity to kill quite a few more.

But Jing Hengbo issued a “withdraw troops” command, calling back everyone. The experts in formation turned back – Jing Hengbo, who had been devastated just moments before, had already returned to normal composure. Only those eyes that had just shed tears were slightly red, making her gaze more fierce and heart-stopping when she looked at people.

She no longer looked toward the Silent Army’s direction, but raised her arm to point at the distant direction where Ming Yan’an’s army was positioned, saying, “Preserve our strength and prepare to break through.”

“We can’t get through that route now,” Pei Shu objected. “What we should do is take advantage of Ming Yan’an not yet having time to form an encirclement, break through the gap on the Fifteen Gangs’ side where there are fewer people, charge back first to rendezvous with reinforcements from Yi Kingdom, then strike back. Not charge forward now into the combined encirclement of Ming Yan’an and the Fifteen Gangs, completely destroying ourselves.”

Jing Hengbo’s gaze turned, and everyone showed agreement, even Seven Kills was seriously nodding.

She knew this was very reasonable and had been her original thinking, but she had changed her mind now.

When Gong Yin left, he had thrown her in that direction. Gong Yin said when things were abnormal there must be demons – better to confront them and see clearly.

She trusted Gong Yin.

Moreover, breaking through the Fifteen Gangs’ blockade and fleeing all the way back – who knew when they might encounter Yi Kingdom’s army? Who knew if Ming Yan’an would pursue? Who knew if Ming Yan’an might just take the opportunity to secure the three counties? If so, it would be even more difficult for her to retake the three counties and Daimao later.

No, she didn’t want to delay her plans. She wanted to retake the three counties and capture Daimao at the fastest speed. She wanted to quickly become the true Black Water Queen, to possess power and status as soon as possible.

With these, Gong Yin wouldn’t need to disguise himself in various ways for her sake, venture alone into danger, and place himself in perilous situations!

She didn’t want to be rescued by him again and again, forced to accept separation in the midst of ten thousand troops with a broken heart.

If I wish to be strong, I must first be baptized in blood.

Eternal achievements are sought in danger!

“No, charge forward!” Her arm never lowered, pointing straight at that direction.

Under the morning light, in the breeze carrying a faint bloody scent, everyone looked at her uncomprehendingly, their eyes even holding slight dissatisfaction – the Queen looked like a woman who had lost her reason due to losing her beloved, stubbornly disregarding everyone’s lives for a moment of willfulness!

Everyone silently gazed, leaving her alone to stubbornly point at that dangerous horizon.

Jing Hengbo remained motionless, her heart full of determination. If not one person was willing to go with her, she would go alone!

After all, Ming Yan’an wanted her too!

The morning wind swayed the wild grass like dancing, making this corner appear even more silent as death. A deep red ray of sunlight struck Jing Hengbo’s arm, then extended to the desolate smoke and sprawling weeds, like drawing a chasm between her and her subordinates.

This scene was so strange that even the exhausted Fifteen Gangs didn’t attack, watching curiously from afar.

After a long while, Jing Hengbo’s arm grew tired. She smiled self-deprecatingly and lowered her hand, preparing to turn around.

Suddenly there was another person beside her, smiling gently, his appearance like midnight spring light – rich and mysterious.

“I’m always on the same path as you,” he said.

Yelu Qi’s secret guards silently followed over.

Pei Shu shouldered his spear carelessly, shouting loudly, “This woman’s brain is fried!” He waved at his guards behind him, glaring, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and protect the Queen! No matter how fried her brain is, she’s still the master you’re sworn to protect with your lives, understand?”

Seven Kills came over with silly laughter, seven pairs of eyeballs rolling at the same frequency.

“Doesn’t matter which side – I think lots of people are fun.”

“I miss Ming Yan’an. The old guy appeared in my dreams last night saying he wants to abdicate to me. I need to hurry receive it.”

“We’re not not coming over – we were completely shocked by you just now. Little Bobo, you looked so cool just then!”

“Right, right! My wife is becoming more and more like a man. Marry me!”

“Aren’t you our common wife, Little Seven Seven?”

…

The chaotic chatter rang in her ears as Jing Hengbo smiled slightly.

This group of people who seemed unreliable but were always actually reliable – no matter what storms and upheavals, what worldly trials, they were always by her side.

Even if this transmigrated life was treacherous and never peaceful for a day, meeting this group of people made her journey here worthwhile.

Yelu Qi and Pei Shu looked up slightly at her smiling alone in the elevated position.

Dust, blood, and sweat remained on her face. Through the grime and bloodstains showed skin like snow and jade. That wonderful face, when it smiled, began from her eyes – a bright light in her pupils also like dawn, shining from her pupils like stars flashing in the sky, like sun blazing in deep heaven, seeming to illuminate all of heaven, earth, and humanity in an instant.

Her lips curved in a three-part smile – the most gorgeous national flower in spring colors. When this flower bloomed, all other flowers lost their color.

Yelu Qi slowly rolled up his sleeves. Pei Shu gripped his long spear tighter.

After a moment of heart-stirring, came slow, long pain.

“Let’s go.” Jing Hengbo took the lead, spurring her horse to lead the group galloping toward Ming Yan’an’s direction.

The Fifteen Gangs members had originally arranged their formation, alert to her breaking through from their side. They hadn’t expected her to actually seek death herself. They immediately relaxed, not advancing but following from afar, sealing off her retreat.

Ming Yan’an’s army hadn’t continued advancing, only blocking the sole passage into Daimao. Now the great army was arranged in a line before a mountain pass called “Tianyi Gorge.” To enter Daimao, one had to either fly over the mountains on both sides, or fight through several li of army.

Jing Hengbo stopped ten zhang before the army front, seeing in the distance a yellow silk canopy fluttering before the formation. Under the canopy was Ming Yan’an in golden crown and white robes, with a slender, beautiful woman standing beside him.

Ming Yan’an looked no different from before, but his complexion seemed somewhat blue, his body posture slightly tilted. Jing Hengbo remembered he had suffered a stroke. In ancient times, someone who had a stroke was essentially sentenced to death. That Ming Yan’an could recover to this extent surprised her somewhat.

Looking again at the woman beside Ming Yan’an – given his nature, allowing someone to share the yellow silk canopy indicated the other party’s absolutely important status. She looked carefully and her eyes jumped.

Chai Yu.

The weight loss had truly succeeded.

She hadn’t personally handled arranging for Chai Yu to lose weight and infiltrate Ming Yan’an’s side, nor had she had time afterward to track the situation. Now it appeared Chai Yu had succeeded. But having accomplished all this and regained her appearance and status, was Chai Yu still willing to risk herself for that original hatred?

She now shared the yellow silk canopy with Ming Yan’an. Obviously, if she was willing, Ming Yan’an would make her a royal consort again.

With the Daimao Princess Consort position regained, was Chai Yu still Chai Yu?

From the current situation, it seemed everything had indeed developed variables.

Under the yellow silk canopy, Chai Yu stood gracefully beside Ming Yan’an, occasionally turning to speak with him, her manner gentle.

She didn’t spare Jing Hengbo an extra glance. Jing Hengbo couldn’t discern her current psychological state from her expression.

Ming Yan’an, however, greeted Jing Hengbo from afar, “Has the Queen been well?”

Hearing his voice, Jing Hengbo’s lips curved, “Morning, Old Ming. So happy you’re actually still not dead.”

All around fell quiet, then Ming Yan’an was coughing, probably not expecting someone to speak so venomously in this situation.

“Stop coughing,” Jing Hengbo said pityingly. “Look at you – maintaining that elegant gentleman appearance is hard enough already. How can you handle all this coughing? Look, your face is crooked, right? Your leg is shaking, right? Oh my, drool is coming out – hurry up and wipe it, sweetie!”

Ming Yan’an’s drool flowed faster from one corner of his mouth, one leg shaking like a plucked string. The Shangyuan army looked at him worriedly, afraid their king might be angered to death by the Black Water Queen’s few words right here at Tianyi Gorge, making today’s joint Daimao forces’ encirclement of the Queen a joke.

Chai Yu took out a handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped Ming Yan’an’s lips. Her gesture was very tender, her fingers brushing across Ming Yan’an’s face. Ming Yan’an’s features, somewhat askew from anger, immediately straightened considerably, and his drooling lessened greatly. Apparently Chai Yu’s handkerchief contained medicine.

Then Chai Yu collected the handkerchief soaked with Ming Yan’an’s saliva without disgust, placing it close to her body. She smiled and stroked Ming Yan’an’s temple, saying something softly. Ming Yan’an’s expression was full of trust as he stepped back slightly, closed his eyes, and actually assumed an attitude of “I won’t lower myself to your level – let others deal with you.”

Jing Hengbo shrugged. She hadn’t expected to poison-tongue Ming Yan’an to death anyway. Anyone who could become a king – which wasn’t thick-skinned, black-hearted, and vicious? Ming Yan’an’s attitude might just be to paralyze her.

She gazed lightly at Chai Yu across from her. Chai Yu looked at her as if at a stranger.

“Your Majesty,” Chai Yu said with a light laugh. “Before Tianyi Gorge, there’s only one road. You cannot pass through this road today. Fortunately, my king is merciful and willing to give you two paths. Are you willing to listen?”

“Speak,” Jing Hengbo said expressionlessly.

“First, you bring all your people before this Tianyi Gorge, cripple your own martial arts, and in front of everyone, swear never to step foot in Daimao again, never again to seize Daimao’s power. We’ll spare your lives and let you leave with all your people. As for your Horizontal Halberd Army remaining in Daimao territory, they’re now surrounded by our people. After you leave, we’ll execute all Horizontal Halberd Army soldiers. Of course,” she smiled, “by then you’ll have left and won’t need to witness such tragedy – you can pretend not to know.”

“I’d also like to hear the second option,” Jing Hengbo said, cupping her chin and looking at her with great interest.

“Second, we allow you to return to the Daimao you’ve dreamed of day and night, but by losing your freedom,” Chai Yu smiled. “Same as before – you and all your subordinates cripple your martial arts and surrender without resistance. We’ll escort you back to Daimao in prison wagons, letting people along the way watch, letting everyone see with their own eyes the fate of opposing the King. Of course,” her smile suddenly gained some smugness, “I know your heroic nature – you’d surely prefer death to humiliation. But hear me out,” she paused, “we allow you to enlighten the surrounded Horizontal Halberd Army with righteousness, persuading them to surrender. Once they submit to our Shangyuan command, they can naturally be spared death. Your Majesty, think about it – tens of thousands of lives, tens of thousands of lives—”

Her voice was full of temptation, cunning light flashing in her eyes, “Your Majesty, haven’t you always been benevolent to all? Haven’t you always loved your people like children? Those Horizontal Halberd Army soldiers, those passionate young men – they originally enlisted because of you. They fight for you, die for you, spill blood for you. Now can you bear to disregard their lives merely for your own dignity?”

Tianyi Gorge fell completely silent. No one moved, not even the most hot-tempered Pei Shu showed any reaction to these words.

Everyone looked at Jing Hengbo, watching how she would decide before this choice after choosing to charge straight at Ming Yan’an.

Jing Hengbo was looking at Ming Yan’an and Chai Yu. Ming Yan’an, contrary to his usual suspicious nature, had his eyes slightly closed in an attitude of letting Chai Yu decide everything. Chai Yu’s smile was deep – showing neither joy nor anger, her eyes revealing no hints or evasion.

Before Jing Hengbo could speak, someone behind her quietly exclaimed “Ah.”

Everyone turned to see Meng Potian.

The young woman hung far back, standing between them and the Fifteen Gangs. Morning light shone on her face, which showed pain and bewilderment.

Pei Shu’s heart jumped, only now remembering Meng Potian’s current awkward position.

Jing Hengbo also noticed Meng Potian and frowned slightly.

A fierce shout rang out from the Fifteen Gangs crowd: “Potian, come back!”

The speaker was Meng Potian’s father, Frenzied Blade Alliance Leader Meng Kuang. He stared with surprise and anger at Meng Potian, who held a steel blade still stained with Fifteen Gangs members’ blood.

In last night’s chaotic battle, Meng Potian had originally followed beside Pei Shu, fighting the Silent Army. Later Pei Shu brought her fighting all the way toward Jing Hengbo. During the approach, because of that mixed battle, opponents were sometimes Silent Army, sometimes Fifteen Gangs members. In the darkness with many people, everyone only sought to kill for self-preservation. No one had time to identify enemies clearly. Meng Potian never knew that what she finally killed were Fifteen Gangs people.

Now she stared blankly at Pei Shu in front, then at her father behind, looking at the corpses scattered across the wilderness – some faces startlingly familiar. Finally she looked at those Fifteen Gangs members whose eyes were snake-like and cold, her face slowly taking on a deathly pallor.

A Bloodsacrifice Gang leader said coldly, “What a treacherous Sixth Young Lady of the Meng family. No wonder with all our arrangements last night, we couldn’t gain advantage!”

This implied Meng Potian was a traitor. Meng Potian looked up angrily, “I didn’t!”

“Then how are you with the Black Water Queen!” someone said sternly. “We heard long ago you were infatuated with Pei Shu and secretly defected to the Queen for him. Now it’s proven true. Who knows how many Fifteen Gangs secrets you leaked! Who knows how many brothers you killed last night! Such a master-betraying, ancestor-destroying traitor is intolerable to heaven and earth!”

“Potian! Come back now!” Meng Kuang roared, veins bulging on his forehead.

Meng Potian looked up at Pei Shu, her eyes steady, facing the morning light yet seemingly forever immersed in darkness.

Pei Shu looked at her and after a long moment, waved his hand.

“Go back,” he said.

Tears suddenly welled up in Meng Potian’s eyes, but she instantly pressed them back.

Perhaps her gaze was too desperate yet her expression too stubborn. Pei Shu gritted his teeth and finally said somewhat against his will, “Following us, the road ahead is uncertain. Going back, at worst your father can protect you. Go!”

“Potian!” Meng Kuang’s angry shouts exploded in her ears. Meng Potian seemed not to hear, but hearing Pei Shu’s soft words now, she seemed to hear flowers throughout heaven and earth sprouting and growing, about to bloom across the world in a instant.

The earlier trace of tears disappeared. Her eyes were bright enough to be startling, flashing with the clang of blades and swords. But she didn’t respond to Pei Shu. Instead, she stepped forward and stood before Jing Hengbo.

“Your Majesty, promise me,” she said clearly, word by word. “You can choose not to love him, but don’t harm him. Never.”

Jing Hengbo leaned down from her horse to look at her, seeing the blazing flames and cold determination in this young woman’s eyes. Her heart suddenly jumped.

Without waiting for an answer, Meng Potian turned and walked straight toward the Fifteen Gangs crowd. Meng Kuang showed joy and came forward to receive her. He had always valued this most beloved daughter.

The other Fifteen Gangs members watched coldly.

Jing Hengbo heard Pei Shu exhale a long breath, but she couldn’t tell if this sound was relief or melancholy.

With Meng Potian’s departure, many of Pei Shu’s subordinates showed disdainful expressions, feeling this woman had pestered relentlessly before but now seeing the young commander in danger, withdrew herself – truly despicable.

Everyone crossed their arms coldly, forming two rows watching Meng Potian pass. Though saying nothing, their eyes and body language were like a grim, towering wall pressing down on Meng Potian.

But Meng Potian showed no shame or shrinking. She walked proudly through Jing Hengbo’s subordinates, never looking aside from beginning to end.

When she finally passed through that human wall, someone couldn’t help their inner resentment and turned to spit, saliva splattering on her boot.

Meng Potian seemed to pause but ultimately didn’t stop, quickly walking before the Fifteen Gangs crowd. Meng Kuang had just relaxed his expression to receive her when she walked past her father without stopping.

“I made mistakes, but I didn’t harm anyone,” she said extremely calmly as she brushed past her father without looking at him. “I want to explain clearly to the Grand Gate Master and ask everyone to forgive my errors.”

Grand Gate Master referred to the Lingxiao Gate Master. As the first gate among the Three Gates, Four Leagues, Seven Gangs, and Thirteen Protectors, Lingxiao Gate had always held the dominant position in Daimao’s martial world, leading the masses and earning the respectful title of Grand Gate Master.

Meng Kuang found this reasonable too – for his daughter to return, she first needed to be accepted by Daimao’s martial world.

Because they passed by each other, he didn’t see the tears that suddenly welled up in Meng Potian’s eyes as she walked past him while keeping her gaze straight ahead.

He also didn’t see that Meng Potian’s hanging hand had sleeves that kept subtly rippling.

Jing Hengbo paid no more attention to Chai Yu, keeping her eyes fixed on Meng Potian’s retreating figure.

She saw Meng Potian didn’t return to her father’s side but walked toward the Lingxiao Gate Master.

The Lingxiao Gate Master also seemed somewhat surprised, coldly sitting high on his horse, listening to Meng Potian humbly explain the situation.

Meng Potian seemed to have shed her former Sixth Young Lady willfulness and indulgence. Before the Lingxiao Gate Master, she removed her weapons, bowed her head submissively, saying she hadn’t known last night that those pursuing were Daimao martial world brothers, and that she hadn’t previously participated in or leaked any secrets. She begged the Gate Master and the uncles of the Fifteen Gangs to forgive past offenses and give her a chance to return.

The Frenzied Blade Alliance people naturally spoke for Meng Potian, saying the Sixth Young Lady had long avoided gang affairs and never participated in any major Daimao martial world discussions. There was absolutely no possibility of treachery – it was just that Pei Shu fellow being dissolute, seducing the young lady into temporary infatuation and pursuit. Now understanding that person’s true nature, she naturally wouldn’t have any more betraying behavior, and so on.

To clear Meng Potian’s name, everyone spoke of Pei Shu in the worst terms, just short of calling him a heartless, shameless flower-picking bandit. To show emotional indignation, their voices grew louder, and many words reached Pei Shu’s ears.

Jing Hengbo glanced at Pei Shu. This violent dragon surprisingly didn’t explode, only showing a face full of disdainful cold laughter. From his expression, he seemed more concerned with Meng Potian’s situation, but since Meng Potian had gone far and he was unwilling to approach that side, he kept his back stiffly turned while listening intently.

With everyone talking at once, Meng Potian’s rare humble manner, and finally even Meng Kuang coming forward to defend her, Lingxiao Gate had suffered greatly under Jing Hengbo during the last three-county struggle and was now not much different from the Frenzied Blade Alliance. Currently valuing every ally, seeing the other side’s full gesture of submission, they were willing to give the Frenzied Blade Alliance face and laughed heartily, calling for her to rise.

But Meng Potian didn’t rise, only saying her sins were grave and she was willing to accept punishment from the elder. She kept bowing before the horse. The Lingxiao Gate Master felt embarrassed and finally dismounted to personally help her up, laughing, “Young niece, who can be without fault? As long as you understand, that’s good…”

Meng Potian rose accordingly, suddenly looked up, smiled, and said, “Yes, dying with understanding is good!”

Before her words ended, cold light flashed and a whistling sound arose.

A blade shot like lightning from her sleeve straight at the Lingxiao Gate Master’s chest and abdomen!

…

Chai Yu suddenly sighed softly.

Jing Hengbo, who had been closely watching that side, was already moving, her body flashing without even time to shout.

Pei Shu whirled around abruptly.

…

“Clang.” A low sound, a brilliant light like aurora shot straight to heaven, flashing once in the morning sun and rosy clouds. Following eyes were forced to close from the stabbing light.

In the crowd, only Meng Potian still looked up, seemingly unafraid of that light’s sting, staring blankly at that dagger.

One strike launched but unsuccessful – the blade tip seemed to hit a spring and was forcibly bounced out.

“Bitch!” came wild laughter with a dull thump. “I knew you’d do this!”

Meng Potian was kicked down by the Lingxiao Gate Master, falling to her knees. She struggled briefly but had been kicked too hard and went limp.

Sword sounds whistled continuously from all sides as seven or eight cold lights immediately scissored down toward her.

In this instant she only had time to turn her face toward Pei Shu’s direction.

Trying to eliminate the Fifteen Gangs’ leader to reduce his pressure had ultimately failed…

“Crack!” A crisp sound – actually not one sound but so many occurring simultaneously that the dense sounds seemed like one.

Stone fragments flew and cold light scattered wildly. Countless stones suddenly flew across the sky, crisscrossing and whistling in circles, knocking aside all those sword points. Stone powder ground by the sword light scattered over Meng Potian’s head and face, even dirtying her eyelashes. She was coughing but refused to close her eyes.

Her gaze remained fixed on Pei Shu. Pei Shu had already dismounted and was about to rush forward but had to stop.

A sword was already pressed against Meng Potian’s back.

The Lingxiao Gate Master’s expression was cruel and cold. “Truly a treacherous bitch!” He stared at Jing Hengbo, “Your Majesty, even if you can manipulate stones and deflect those eight swords just now, can you deflect my sword in time?”

Jing Hengbo lowered her eyes to glance at the silent, head-bowed Meng Potian.

She wasn’t worried about this sword but worried about Meng Potian.

Sure enough, the next instant Meng Potian suddenly thrust her body backward fiercely, ramming herself onto the Lingxiao Gate Master’s sword.

She didn’t even bother speaking, her reverse collision resolute – at that speed, she was apparently planning to skewer herself on the sword then crash into the Lingxiao Gate Master.

Pei Shu rushed forward another step.

But the Lingxiao Gate Master’s sword was faster. “Clang” – he withdrew the sword and decisively slapped Meng Potian’s head with his palm.

This time Meng Potian had no time to do anything before fainting, held in the Lingxiao Gate Master’s grasp.

The Lingxiao Gate Master grinned sinisterly, holding Meng Potian and shaking her at Pei Shu and Jing Hengbo, saying nothing but meaning everything.

Pei Shu moved, and Jing Hengbo raised her hand to stop him.

Pei Shu stopped, staring at Meng Potian, unconsciously clenching his jaw until the muscles slowly bulged, showing blue veins.

Behind them came Chai Yu’s voice, still light and composed with three parts amusement.

“Your Majesty, you see,” she said leisurely, “if you refuse to choose, people will constantly die because of it. Meng Potian is the first, followed by Pei Shu, then everyone around you…” She pointed at each in turn, “Your Majesty, do you really want to calmly let all these people sacrifice and die for you for your selfish desires?”

“Don’t try to provoke me,” Jing Hengbo pressed down Pei Shu’s hand and slowly turned, staring into her eyes.

“For your choice just now, I’ll give you my answer now.” Her lips curved in a smile, “I choose the second option.”