The sky was pitch black, with clouds hanging low, making the air extremely stuffy. Wild winds swept leaves and stones in swirling patterns across the ground, emitting beast-like growls. Trees shook violently as if about to snap in half. Though it was noon, the sun was nowhere to be seen, only a grayish light enveloping the entire Tang capital.

A torrential downpour was brewing.

The carriage raced forward as the driver shouted vigorously. Soldiers on horseback surrounded the carriage in a thunder formation, escorting it along the road near the city wall, moving swiftly through the vast imperial city.

The strong wind hurled sand and stones against the carriage, creating a rustling sound. Chu Qiao’s hands were covered in blood, with white silk concealing half her face. She discreetly surveyed her surroundings, waiting for the best moment to escape.

She needed to find Yan Xun immediately. He probably hadn’t entered the city yet; otherwise, he would have appeared today. He might be outside the city. But once this matter reached his ears, she dared not imagine what might happen. Though Zhao Chun’er was foolish, she was right about one thing: she and Yan Xun were not only each other’s strength but also each other’s fatal weakness.

As for Li Ce, she didn’t believe anyone could so easily outmaneuver him. He was a fox; those who didn’t get schemed by him should count themselves lucky. Even if something happened, she believed Li Ce could easily turn the situation around.

Hoofbeats shattered the tranquility of the long street. The autumn wind whistled, sand and stones flew, creating an even more desolate atmosphere.

As the carriage was about to turn onto the main road leading into the inner imperial city, Chu Qiao made a decisive move. If she didn’t leave now, it would be difficult to find another opportunity. She bit her lip slightly, her hand reaching for the dagger on her calf, quietly waiting for the right moment to strike.

…

…

Just then, a clear whistle cut through the rhythmic hoofbeats. The sound of crossbows followed instantly!

The war horses let out painful cries. In an instant, the Da Xia troops fell into chaos, with men tumbling and horses collapsing, angry shouts and painful screams unceasing. From the tall trees and walls on both sides, deadly assassins leaped down, with flying knives, crossbows, bows, and sharp blades, their strikes precise and flawless. These Xia soldiers, who had just experienced a major upheaval, had no chance to resist under the sudden attack. Half of them were injured and fell from their horses. The formation of over three hundred men immediately disintegrated!

“Heaven helps me!”

Chu Qiao was overjoyed. It seemed Zhao Chun’er had many enemies indeed. With such a heaven-sent opportunity, she would be a fool not to seize it.

She nimbly jumped from the carriage and was about to escape when a cold flash appeared before her eyes. Two black-clothed masked men blocked her path. Chu Qiao gritted her teeth; it seemed these people’s target was the unfortunate Princess Zhao Chun’er.

Twisting her body, she took a step forward and confronted them head-on, testing who was faster!

With two dull thuds, Chu Qiao kicked both men hard in the groin. Piercing screams immediately echoed, sounding particularly horrifying on this eerie street. Chu Qiao had no time to admire her handiwork and ran without looking back. Considering they were also Zhao Chun’er’s enemies, she didn’t strike with full force, but whether they could still function as men after her kick was beyond her concern.

A murderous aura filled the air, with sword and blade flashes everywhere. The black-clothed men were extremely brutal, seemingly intending to leave no survivors. The men following behind each carried a cleaver, hacking at anyone still alive. All around were gruesome blood stains and exposed brain matter—enough to make any ordinary person vomit at the sight.

Such brutality!

Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes, channeling all her strength into running at an astonishing speed. At this point, if she could reach the main street, she would succeed. She didn’t believe these people would dare to commit violence openly on the main street.

The enemy seemed to see through her plan. Suddenly, a black shadow darted up from behind, moving extremely fast, with agility no less than Chu Qiao’s. In an instant, it closed in, only five or six steps away, running parallel to her. While running, it drew a crossbow from behind, aimed while in motion, and shot an arrow!

Chu Qiao’s head was wrapped in white silk at this moment, her face covered with blood, her long hair messily falling over her forehead, looking like a madwoman. But none of this hindered her movements or vision. Seeing the enemy’s arrow flying toward her thigh, she grabbed a protrusion on the wall and used it to leap upward.

With a crisp crack, the arrowhead hit the wall and broke instantly, showing how powerful the shooter’s force was.

What skill!

Chu Qiao glanced sideways and saw that the attacker, undeterred by missing the shot, was already pulling out another arrow.

She wouldn’t let him succeed again. Chu Qiao snorted coldly, reached into her pocket, and then shouted, “Flying darts!”

After the battle with the central army, Chu Qiao was already at her limit, drained of energy. Now, pushed to the edge of danger, she erupted with her final burst of potential. Although her voice was hoarse beyond recognition, in this life-and-death struggle, the man still heard her. The black shadow reacted with extreme agility, making an eerie somersault to dodge, but where were the flying darts?

By the time he looked back, Chu Qiao was already far gone. The man snorted in dissatisfaction and chased after her again.

This area was remote, full of small streets and alleys. Chu Qiao ignored the shadow following her like a ghost, rushing through the small lanes, turning left and right.

However, she quickly sensed something wrong. The opponent’s reactions were too quick. When she was fast, he was fast; when she slowed down, he slowed down; when she turned, he followed without even needing a moment to react. His pace, speed, and movements matched hers perfectly, following her like a shadow, and throughout it all, he remained completely silent!

What kind of person had that idiot Zhao Chun’er offended?

Chu Qiao was extremely frustrated. In a flash of thought, a large banyan tree appeared in the middle of the path. Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes, quickly ran toward the tree, then suddenly stopped abruptly, her silhouette flashing as she hid on one side of the banyan tree. According to normal reasoning, no one could stop suddenly without preparation. Even if that person was agile, by the time he stopped, he would inevitably be a step ahead of Chu Qiao. Calculating this, Chu Qiao swung out her dagger.

But at that moment, a sharp sense of crisis immediately swept over her. Chu Qiao almost instinctively crouched down. Then, she felt a flash of a blade passing over her scalp from the other side of the banyan tree. A few strands of her hair even floated down!

Damn it!

Chu Qiao could barely resist cursing out loud. The opponent had seemingly anticipated her move, with his pace and steps perfectly calculated. When she was confidently waiting to outwit him, he had already prepared his counterattack!

So damn frustrating!

In a flash, Chu Qiao had already activated all the battle neurons in her brain, adjusted her posture, and immediately prepared for optimal combat.

If she didn’t take him down, she would not be worthy of her modern instructors and would tarnish the reputation of modern special agents.

But just then, a whooshing sound suddenly rang out overhead, approaching violently, carrying a large gust of wind. Chu Qiao was startled, and before she could react, her back was hit by something with tremendous force. The immense pain almost made her spit blood!

But what happened next really made her want to vomit blood.

Following closely was a high-pitched crying sound. A seven or eight-year-old child was straddling Chu Qiao’s back, wiping his colorful face, and crying loudly!

It turned out that before they ran here, a child had been playing in the tree. She, who prided herself as a super commander of the intelligence department, didn’t even know someone was hiding in the tree. During their fight, the child was so frightened that his hand slipped, and he fell directly onto Chu Qiao!

Could anything be more infuriating?

Chu Qiao pushed the child away and was about to counter-attack with desperate hope when a battle blade was already at her neck.

Hurried footsteps rapidly approached, immediately surrounding her. Several battle blades were pointed at her. Chu Qiao raised her head fiercely and glared at the still-crying child. Then she heard someone behind her say quietly, “I didn’t expect the Princess to have such good skills.”

Another person added, “The Zhao family was raised on archery and horsemanship; being skilled in martial arts is natural. I just didn’t expect the Princess to be so skilled.”

What did they call Zhao Chun’er?

Princess? Were they from Da Xia?

A war horse galloped from afar. The man on the horse jumped down; his head and face were also wrapped in black cloth. He ran up quickly and said, “Our people are still delaying them; there’s still time.”

The black-clothed man who had fought with Chu Qiao nodded. Another person beside him said, “Capture her, go to the square.”

A black-clothed man restraining Chu Qiao said, “Drop your weapon.”

When under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head. She had no choice but to listen.

With a thud, she dropped her dagger. Chu Qiao was considering whether to reveal her identity to these mysterious people and tell them she wasn’t Zhao Chun’er. At this moment, the highly skilled black-clothed man suddenly stepped forward, reached out with his long, powerful hand, and grabbed Chu Qiao’s chin.

Chu Qiao snorted coldly, filled with malice. She violently shook her head and bit down hard on the man’s tiger’s mouth!

The sound of flesh tearing could almost be heard. Blood immediately flowed from the man’s wound. Chu Qiao’s small face was pale and thin, her eyes wide open, with a stream of blood winding down her chin. Her eyes looked like those of an unyielding wolf, fiercely staring at the man.

“Ah!”

A loud exclamation rang out simultaneously, but no one came forward to respond to Chu Qiao’s defiant and audacious action.

The man looked at Chu Qiao, seemingly stunned, letting her bite him without saying a word or moving. The black cloth was wrapped around his head, revealing only a pair of eyes whose shape was concealed. But these eyes, after initial shock, gradually showed signs of amusement.

Chu Qiao was also stunned. These eyes were too familiar. She slowly released her bite, staring up dumbfounded.

“Hahaha!”

The man suddenly burst into laughter, pulled down his head covering, pulled Chu Qiao up, then opened his arms and embraced her tightly.

“I knew you wouldn’t die so easily!”

Zhuge Yue, like a happy child, laughed loudly. His eyes were so joyful, but his face was still pale, with blue stubble on his chin. His voice sounded so delighted, but his arms were so tight, as if wanting to knead Chu Qiao into his body!

Chu Qiao’s head was pressed against his chest. Through his solid chest, she heard his strong heartbeat. Recalling everything that had happened before, Chu Qiao’s vision suddenly blurred. After escaping death, some emotions rampaged through her chest, causing her to momentarily lose composure. She opened her arms, hugged Zhuge Yue’s waist, buried her head in his embrace, and let tears flow freely.

—*—*—*—*—*—*—*—

The entire place was silent. The wind swept the large flag, making a whooshing sound.

Everyone raised their heads to look at Rose Square. Three hundred years ago, this square first became famous throughout the world when, on that high bronze platform, the first imperial traitor of grave crimes—He Lanye—was burned to death.

As the highest official of the Red River Plateau at that time, he watched as the Red River Plateau was occupied by the Zhao clan without making any effective counterattack. Even when the Zhao clan’s wolf soldiers attacked Zhenhang, he fled the city overnight with his entire family, abandoning the northern shield of Greater Tang, giving up tens of thousands of miles of national territory, forcing Greater Tang to retreat to the Biansu Plain, making the only ruler of the continent become history, and initiating the collapse of Greater Tang. They were even forced to change their name to Bian Tang under the threat of the Xia and Song countries, writing the greatest shame in history books.

Starting with him, the Bronze Bird Platform in Rose Square became the place to execute criminals. At this moment, the blood-covered woman was tied to the high bronze platform, her clothes torn, her black hair flying, her face covered in blood, completely obscuring her original appearance.

At her feet were piles of firewood. Soldiers holding torches stood to one side. Much time had passed. There had just been a small-scale riot with people trying to rescue her. These people looked like ordinary civilians, but keen observers discovered that they all carried hidden weapons.

The noise grew louder and louder, with countless people waving their arms and shouting. Zhao Chun’er opened her weak eyes. Her multiple struggles and screams had only earned her several resounding slaps. Those rough soldiers’ hands were covered with calluses, making the pain on her face intense. The indescribable humiliation and anger almost completely overwhelmed her.

Her jaw was dislocated, preventing her from uttering a word. Her eyelashes were stuck together with blood, and she could only look down through a blurry, blood-red vision. Everywhere were excited crowds, unfamiliar faces, and angry expressions.

She suddenly felt so afraid, trembling all over.

Was she going to die? Was she going to be burned to death?

At this moment, a name suddenly flashed through her mind like lightning. That woman’s sharp gaze, cold words, and disdainful expression swept through her heart like a raging fire.

Chu Qiao! Chu Qiao! Chu Qiao!!!

Her expression gradually turned ferocious. Such hatred—enough to destroy heaven and earth, ravaging everything. Even searching the highest heavens or the deepest underworld couldn’t reduce it by half.

It was she who stole her lover, took away her happiness, overthrew her country, violated her dignity, and caused her to wander and suffer. She was even insulted by those despicable, lowly, disgusting commoners!

Now, it was she again who caused her to be about to die here!

She couldn’t let her go!

Even as a ghost, even down to the eighteenth level of hell, even as a vengeful spirit, she would never let her go!

Zhao Chun’er gritted her teeth, looking like a ferocious ghost. She must kill her, must kill her, must!

“Execute!”

A loud shout suddenly rang out, but just then, there was a sudden commotion in the crowd—it was the same group of troublemakers from before!

Zhao Chun’er’s heart suddenly rose with a desire to live. Her eyes looked over with burning hope. However, another strange thought immediately emerged.

Anyone who dared to come to rescue her at this time must be coming to save Chu Qiao!

She suddenly, perversely, hoped no one would come. She couldn’t help but laugh coldly, her voice like a night owl, full of self-mockery. Even if she were saved today, it would be thanks to Chu Qiao?

The people below saw her laughing madly and thought she had gone insane, pointing and discussing among themselves.

The long wind howled, carrying all sounds far away. The crowded central avenue was packed, like flowing water. Someone seemed to be deliberately guiding the chaos here, preventing people from outside from rushing in.

Situ Yu looked at the chaotic central avenue with furrowed brows. More than ten young Yan Bei warriors quickly approached. Zuo Tinglin said in a deep voice, “General Situ, there are too many central army soldiers. We simply can’t break through. Even if we could, we wouldn’t be able to rescue the young lady.”

Xiao He frowned and said, “I’ve already sent a carrier pigeon to notify the young master.”

“It’s too late to notify the young master now,” Situ Yu said in a deep voice. “Have you found out who those people delaying time are?”

Zuo Tinglin said, “No, they’re very secretive. But in my view, among the young lady’s friends, those who could provide aid at this time would either be the fourth young master of the Zhuge family or the Crown Prince of Li Tang.”

“It should be the Zhuge family’s people,” Situ Yu nodded. “The Tang Crown Prince is still outside the central avenue.”

“What do we do now? Since the Zhuge family is buying time, they must have a plan of action.”

“We can’t just rely on them,” Situ Yu shook his head, looking at the central avenue. He suddenly raised his finger and said, “We’ll go there!”

“The central avenue?”

“Yes!” Situ Yu nodded. “We’ll go clear the path for the Li Tang Crown Prince!”

However, just as the Yan Bei warriors rushed into the chaotic crowd, someone in the crowd suddenly cried out in terror. In an instant, everyone looked up, revealing incredible shock!

Under the dark clouds, high above the rooftops, a snow-white steed was galloping across the roofs, leaping and rushing as if on flat ground. The man on the horse wore pine-green brocade robes, with features like a painting, handsome beyond mortal men!

The horse was a divine steed with cloth wrapped around its hooves. Wherever it passed, the rooftops cracked and collapsed, dust rising, in complete disarray. Amidst the swirling dust, the man’s figure was like a ghost. After a few jumps, the horse suddenly reared up, gave a long neigh, and leaped down into the grand square below. Dust clouds rose all around, and countless voices shouted in unison. Thousands of central army spearmen from the perimeter rushed forward, holding long shields uniformly pointed at the solitary horseman!

“Who dares to stop me?”

The man raised his eyebrow slightly, his eyes cold and indifferent as they swept over everyone. His cold shout wasn’t particularly loud, but it instantly made everyone shudder with fear.

“It’s… It’s His Highness the Crown Prince…”

In the crowd, someone trembling said these words. Then, like a plague, everyone immediately panicked. The sound of thumping was incessant. The shield-bearers in the front row were so scared their hands trembled. No one knew who took the lead, but suddenly they all threw down their spears and knelt on the ground!

“His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“It’s His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“His Highness has come!”

The huge shouts rose like a tidal wave. Even the bravest central army soldiers didn’t dare to directly confront the Crown Prince of Da Tang. Once the psychological defense collapsed, these people immediately knelt like sheep at Li Ce’s feet. On the clean white Rose Square, countless figures densely knelt on the ground. Those heads that had earlier been righteous and just finally shrank down, wishing they could bury their heads in the earth!

Li Ce was dressed in fine brocade, his eyes indifferent, not even glancing at these people.

He held his head high, looking at the Bronze Bird Platform, then lifted his foot and steadily stepped forward.

The officials beside Zhao Chun’er, unable to bear seeing all their efforts wasted, actually stepped forward to try and stop him. But before they could speak, before anyone could see Li Ce’s movement, a flash of silver instantly cut through the man’s throat. As he crossed paths with Li Ce, the man fell with eyes wide open.

With a “boom,” a cloud of dust rose.

Li Ce took out a clean white handkerchief, casually wiped his bloodied wrist, then discarded it on the ground.

The spotless handkerchief with dots of fresh blood immediately flew away with the wind, tumbling violently in midair.

No one dared to speak, no one dared to look up, no one even dared to make any sound, not daring to breathe.

The usually muddleheaded, lustful, and unrestrained Crown Prince Li Ce suddenly appeared in this dazzling manner before all eyes, carrying immense thunder-like anger, with an aura of killing intent enough to make ferocious beasts within a hundred miles retreat.

Facing such a person, even the proud and unruly soldiers of the central army found it difficult to summon even a bit of courage to resist.

“All of you, disperse!”

The road of the central avenue was finally cleared. Li Ce’s followers rushed in like a tide from afar, each holding a wolf blade, with fierce expressions. People only needed to glance at them to feel a chill down their spines.

Those were the continent’s renowned number one rogue soldiers, with only an impressive name, yet would lose to the central army’s imperial wolf soldiers even in brothel fights—Li Ce’s private army. At this moment, they were serious, in orderly formation, holding sharp blades, charging into the crowd with determined faces, like a sharp knife!

Li Ce stood on the Bronze Bird Platform, glancing sideways at the central army soldier holding the torch, his lips slightly parted as he coldly said, “Scram!”

The man was startled, his legs immediately giving way, and he rolled down from the Bronze Bird Platform.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

The long wind blew, and Li Ce’s expression carried an indescribable apology. He frowned, looking at the blood-covered woman whose face was unrecognizable, feeling as if his heart was being slowly sliced, cut by cut, until it bled.

He untied the ropes binding the woman, then held her in his arms.

Through the blurry blood and messy hair, Zhao Chun’er watched as Li Ce approached step by step like a descending god, and the wild joy of escaping death instantly swept over her.

Is this the man I’m supposed to marry?

She was confused for a moment, her mind unclear. She only knew she was about to die, and now, the man she was to marry had come to save her.

Her tears immediately poured out, and she wept sorrowfully.

Li Ce’s brows furrowed as he picked her up at the waist and walked down from the platform.

Freed from restraint, Zhao Chun’er clung tightly to Li Ce’s waist like a wounded animal, her body trembling.

But in the next second, the man well-versed in the ways of romance stopped in his tracks. He looked at her, seeming a bit dazed. Then, he crouched down, half-holding her in his arms, reached out his finger, and gently brushed aside her black hair, but there was still so much blood.

He was so gentle, as if afraid of frightening someone, his tone like the lake water in March, asking softly, “You? Who are you?”

Zhao Chun’er made ah-ah sounds but couldn’t speak.

Only then did Li Ce realize her jaw was dislocated. Using some technique, there was a snap, and Zhao Chun’er’s jaw immediately went back into place. The woman’s tears gushed like a spring, and immense sadness rose from her heart. She cried and said, “I am the Eighth Princess of Da Xia, I am Zhao Chun’er.”

Li Ce was completely stunned. He raised his head, looked down to where the wolf soldiers were facing off against the central army, with some ready to fight. The commoners knelt trembling on the ground, looking at him in panic. Heavy clouds hung in the sky, and strong winds raged everywhere.

Li Ce suddenly smiled. He smiled so gently. He lowered his head, looked at Zhao Chun’er, and said something Zhao Chun’er didn’t understand:

“I knew it. Who could bully her?”

Then, with a “thud,” the Crown Prince of Da Tang stood up, completely disregarding the flower-like princess in his arms, letting Zhao Chun’er roll on the ground like a ball.

He even stepped right over Zhao Chun’er, striding toward the two armies facing each other. Waving his arms exaggeratedly, he shouted to the central army soldiers, “Don’t get excited, don’t get excited, everyone stay calm.”

In the blink of an eye, he turned back into that nonsensical, troublemaking crown prince. He stood in front of the wolf soldiers, grinning casually: “I heard there was something big happening here, so I came to join the fun and brought them along to watch. Don’t mind us, continue, continue!”

And the fifty thousand wolf soldiers behind him, seeing their master’s change in expression, also instantly relaxed, immediately reverting to their usual behavior. They were all casual, arm in arm, with no semblance of formation whatsoever, as if what everyone had just seen was an illusion.

They happily came up, patted the central army’s shoulders, blinking their eyes saying, “Hey brother, wasn’t our formation just now powerful? We practiced for several months. Haha, was it neat?”

The entire scene was in uproar, with soldiers running towards Zhao Chun’er, who had fallen to the ground.

The woman raised her head and cried out in grief and anger, “I am the Princess of Da Xia!”

The Da Xia officials, suddenly hearing the princess’s voice, were startled and all ran forward. A moment later, the entire scene was in chaos.

Zhao Chun’er was helped up by Da Xia officials, all hands and feet. Through layers of people, she only saw Li Ce happily mixing with the soldiers, laughing exaggeratedly without dignity, arm in arm, completely unlike a crown prince.

Recalling his actions just now, and that sentence, everything seemed like a sharp arrow piercing Zhao Chun’er’s heart. She let her subordinates wrap her in blankets, her teeth tightly biting her lower lip, almost drawing blood.

Chu Qiao, Chu Qiao, how can I not hate you?

The grief and anger in her chest almost overwhelmed her. Her tears had already dried up. She slowly raised her head, looking at the black clouds in the sky, but didn’t even have the strength to shout.

Zhao Chun’er swore here today that in this life, she must personally see you abandoned by all, see you with nothing, see you die miserably. I swear I will not rest until then!

The long wind howled, and this farce finally slowly came to an end. The chaotic crowd gradually dispersed. Who would cast even a glance at that defiled princess?

“Heaven is fair.”

On the way back, Li Ce, riding his war horse, smilingly said softly, “Those who scheme against others will be schemed against. Until the end, no one can determine who will win.”

“Your Highness,”

Sun Di stepped forward and said, “We’ve found Tie You.”

“How is he?”

“Severely injured, but not fatally. The central army soldiers haven’t completely lost their minds.”

Li Ce nodded and said, “Good, they’ve saved themselves once again.”

“Zhao Chun’er…”

“No need to worry about her,” Li Ce laughed coldly. “She’s caused such a big mess. Let’s see how Da Xia handles it.”

Sun Di nodded, “What do we do now?”

A cold light flashed in Li Ce’s eyes, like a sharp knife. He seemingly casually lowered his head, smiling gently: “Others have given me such a big gift. It would be impolite not to reciprocate. I’ve never been willing to accept such anonymous goodwill.”

The long wind blew, and the man’s voice was so gentle, yet so cold.

“It’s my turn to make a move now.”