On the official road to Liu River County from West Maliang, a group of people waited quietly. The moonlight at the horizon was dim and desolate. The patches of white moonlight shone upon this group below. A contingent of over ten thousand troops remained silent, without a sound, each person gazing toward the eastern official road, seemingly waiting for something.

Miss Yu had just entered the main tent when the men inside immediately stood up. The woman’s brows furrowed, but her tone remained characteristically calm: “Has any news been sent back?”

“Not yet,” said a man dressed in a scholar’s blue robe as he stood up. His features were open, appearing somewhat thin with a slightly yellowish complexion. He said, “Miss need not worry. Since Master Wu has asked us to wait here, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“I’m not concerned about ambushes,” the woman’s face was rather pale, with obvious dark circles under her eyes, clearly having not rested well for a long time. While massaging her temples, she sat in a corner to the left and said in a deep voice, “Our scouts and reconnaissance riders cover thirty li in all directions. I’m worried about the Young Master’s injuries. Fortunately, Master Wu arrived in time, otherwise who knows what use those incompetent doctors would have been?”

The others similarly wore gloomy expressions. Yan Xun was severely injured, yet he insisted on not leaving West Maliang. Halfway through their journey, the patient, who had been unconscious, woke up, forcibly dismounted from the carriage, got on a horse, and rode back to Bieya Slope. This was the first time the gathered people had witnessed such stubbornness and willfulness from their iron-blooded master, and at this moment, everyone felt uneasy, with no enthusiasm even for conversation.

Miss Yu sighed and said to the blue-robed man, “Kong Ru, how many troops did the master bring, and have they been properly settled?”

“He brought three thousand troops for support. You’re already in Yan Bei’s jurisdiction. The county magistrate of Liu River County ahead is Mr. Meng, the Southwest Treasurer of our Great Unity Association.”

Miss Yu raised an eyebrow and asked with confusion, “Isn’t Mr. Meng the private tutor of the county magistrate’s office? When did he become the county magistrate?”

Kong Ru smiled and said, “Liu River is a small county, no wonder Miss doesn’t know. The previous Yan Bei Governor sent from Zhenhung City was a greedy and insatiable fellow. As soon as he took office, he sold official positions. Our leader spent a large sum to buy official positions in every county along the route from the imperial capital to Yan Bei. All for today.”

Miss Yu nodded and slowly said, “The leader’s thinking is cautious, and the plan is indeed thorough.”

“Miss!” Suddenly, rapid footsteps came from outside. Miss Yu quickly stepped forward and pulled open the tent curtain. Bian Cang, panting heavily, jumped off his horse and said, “The master says we should camp here and wait for him and His Highness to return.”

Miss Yu frowned but finally nodded and said, “You take two hundred men and go back. If there’s any trouble, report back immediately.”

“Yes!”

Just as Bian Cang was about to leave, Miss Yu suddenly remembered something and quickly called out, “Bian Cang, who did A Jing arrange to escort the thirteenth prince of Great Xia back?”

At these words, everyone behind her immediately looked displeased, even the guards at the door showed traces of anger. These members of the Great Unity Association all came from humble backgrounds—fallen clans, lowly commoners, and most were slaves of low status. Great Xia had a rigid class system and long implemented tyrannical rule. The people and the court were estranged, and those living at the bottom harbored deep resentment toward Great Xia. Now that a prince of Great Xia had severely injured their master yet was allowed to leave safely, everyone in the military camp felt resentful.

Bian Cang, knowing this topic was inappropriate to raise at this time, deliberately spoke with little concern: “I’m not very clear about it either. It’s better to wait for A Jing to return and ask him in detail, miss.”

Unexpectedly, Miss Yu raised her eyebrow and said in a sharp voice, “Nonsense! If I could wait for him to return, why would I need to ask you?”

Bian Cang’s old face reddened with embarrassment. He nervously rubbed his hands. Before the most renowned leader of the Great Unity Association, he didn’t dare to be too careless, so he had to mutter, “A Jing seems to have selected ten men from the Twelfth Battalion.”

Miss Yu continued to press, “Did A Jing personally select them?”

“Ah?” Bian Cang was startled, then vaguely said, “Yes, yes, I suppose.”

“Was it or wasn’t it?”

“It was,” Bian Cang immediately said, “He selected them personally.”

Miss Yu let out a long breath and said with relief, “That’s good then.”

“Miss, shall I go now?”

“Go ahead.”

The sound of hooves arose. Bian Cang quickly rode away from the main tent, then came to the side of the military camp, selected two small squads, and headed toward Bieya Slope in West Maliang.

The moon was cold as water, and the air grew increasingly desolate. Many times, what changes history is just a small lie. The speaker didn’t pay attention, and the listener didn’t take it to heart. Those small matters seemed like a grain of mud thrown into a great river in the face of earth-shattering events, and no one would notice. But in some neglected corner, that tiny grain of mud miraculously flowed into the floodgate holding back the raging waters, becoming the last straw that broke the gate. Then, the gates were destroyed, the flood came surging, and people faced disaster in panic, cursing the injustice of heaven’s ways, not knowing that the disaster had taken root and sprouted from their own hands.

Bian Cang didn’t know that on that night, A Jing hadn’t personally selected the men to escort Zhao Song. He had been thrown into confusion by Yan Xun’s assassination attempt and, in his panic, had handed this inconspicuous task to his subordinate. His subordinate was a military man with extraordinary martial skills who could wield a two-hundred-jin broadsword. This skilled man deeply felt that A Jing, as head of security, had insulted his abilities by assigning him such an insignificant task, so with a wave of his hand, he shouted: Whoever wants to go can go!

Thus, those who had been oppressed for half their lives, whose family members had died tragically under the imperial blade, who harbored deep hatred against the Great Xia Dynasty—these warriors competed eagerly for this task.

In the end, the ten warriors with the loudest voices, the most determined attitudes, and the most stubborn looks won this honor and took on the great task of escorting Zhao Song and Zhao Chun’er back to the imperial capital of Zhenhung.

Many times, we cannot help but marvel at the accidental nature of history. Let us hypothetically suppose that, on that day, Security Chief A Jing had not casually delegated this matter to such a military man, but instead to a proper civil official, or if this military man had not selected these warriors as if recruiting from the general public, but had simply assigned a small squad, or if Miss Yu had asked one more question, if Bian Cang had answered seriously, the outcome might not have been what it is today.

But we also cannot help but marvel at the inevitability of history. At that time, Yan Xun was injured, and A Jing, as Yan Xun’s personal security chief, naturally couldn’t escape responsibility. He simply had no mind to deal with such tedious matters. And his subordinates were all fierce warriors protecting Yan Xun’s safety; there weren’t many who were good with their minds. And Wu Daoya’s sudden arrival made Miss Yu and Bian Cang lose their original vigilance.

Thus, an inevitable result slowly took root in the southwestern land. History changed dramatically from this moment like a great river suddenly making a turn and heading in a completely different direction. Many hands that should have been joined, many shoulders that should have stood side by side, many locks of hair that should have been tied together—they all lost their chance and reason to be together. Until much later, when years howled past and flowing time passed when weathered eyes once again met, they would deeply understand the profound meaning of the phrase “life is unpredictable.”

“Young Master,” Wu Daoya slowly walked up the hillside, wearing a blue-green cape, with clear features, frost-like sideburns, and still very steady steps. With a slightly hoarse voice, he said, “It’s windy here. Let’s wait in the tent.”

“No need,” a deep voice slowly sounded, like a cold wind blowing through the woods, carrying such thick fatigue and heaviness. The weather wasn’t particularly cold, but Yan Xun still wore a white fur cloak. The white sable tails clustered around his neck, making his face appear increasingly paper-white, without color. He leaned on a chair converted from a stretcher, with thick white satin quilts covering his legs, sighing softly: “Let me properly feel the wind of Yan Bei. It’s been many years.”

His words were left unfinished, but Wu Daoya knew what “many years” referred to. Master Wu nodded and agreed, “Yes, it’s been many years.”

Yan Xun suddenly laughed softly and said, “Back in the imperial capital, I always told Chu Qiao that Yan Bei’s wind is sweet because it carries the scent of the snow lotus from Huihui Mountain. But now, I can no longer smell it. If she were to come, she would surely blame me for deceiving her.”

The wise Great Unity military advisor sighed deeply: “The wind in Young Master’s memory is sweet, but the current Yan Bei is no longer the Yan Bei in Young Master’s memory.”

“Indeed, the people who were once here are no longer around.” Yan Xun’s gaze was profound as he looked at the large expanse of ink-like darkness ahead. The cold wind blew from the distant post road, disheveling Yan Xun’s black hair on his forehead.

“I remember, the year I left Yan Bei, I was only nine years old. At that time, the imperial court ordered each local garrison prince to send hostages to the capital, but the princes unanimously refused to respond, and Prince Jing even publicly refuted the emperor’s decree. One day, the emperor sent a letter to my father. After reading it, my father remained silent for a long time, then told us brothers, ‘Among you, who wants to go to the imperial capital, just for one year, and upon return, will become the heir of our Yan Bei.’ None of us wanted to go, nor did anyone want to be the heir. My eldest brother, being older and understanding matters, asked Father, ‘Aren’t you and the emperor brothers? Why does the emperor still guard against you?’ Father remained silent for a long time before saying in a deep voice, ‘Precisely because we are brothers if I don’t support him, who will?’ That day, I decided to go to the imperial capital. He is my father; if I don’t support him, who will?”

Yan Xun suddenly laughed lightly, a bitter smile, his gaze as gentle as water, yet revealing bone-deep vicissitudes. He didn’t look like a man in his twenties, but rather like an old man who had experienced decades of life’s changes.

“The journey to the imperial capital held uncertain fortune. Both my eldest brother and third brother competed to go, but because they both held official positions, my father ultimately chose me. On the day of departure, they followed my carriage all the way, escorting me to Duoma Ridge, Liu River County, West Maliang. Finally, standing on this Bieya Slope, father, eldest brother, second sister, and third brother stood together, followed by a large contingent of Yan Bei warriors. In the sky flew father’s golden lion flag. Looking back from afar, I could still see my second sister secretly wiping away tears, hear my third brother shouting hoarsely for me to be careful, and my eldest brother saying that the imperial capital was colder than Yan Bei. He made me a hand warmer, which I used for five years until it was shattered by officials from Zhenhung City on the day the news of Father and the others’ tragedy arrived.”

Yan Xun gave a cold laugh, his tone detached: “Bieya Slope, Bieya Slope, truly living up to its name. On that day of parting, we became worlds apart.”

“Master?” Yan Xun turned his head, smiling faintly, “Great Unity sent you over, fearing I would deal with those soldiers of the Southwest Garrison, right?”

Wu Daoya was startled, not expecting Yan Xun to suddenly bring up this matter. He smiled slightly, shook his head, and said, “No, Young Master is overthinking.”

“Hehe, you’re truly not honest.” Yan Xun smiled and said, “You must have been ordered to stop me. After arriving, you suddenly heard that the person leading the Southwest Garrison was Chu Qiao, so you no longer had this concern and simply didn’t mention it to avoid offending me, right?”

Without waiting for Wu Daoya to answer, Yan Xun directly said, “Regarding the Southwest Garrison, I did indeed have thoughts of killing them. Initially, I kept them in the imperial capital, not only hoping they would confront the armed forces there but also hoping they would be eliminated and no longer be an eyesore in this world. But Chu Qiao saved them and brought them back over thousands of miles. Well, consider them fortunate.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Daoya’s expression brightened, and he smiled, “Young Master’s heart is broad, merciful, and generous. To have Young Master as a leader is a blessing for Yan Bei.”

“Don’t give me this empty talk. You know I hate the Southwest Garrison to the bone; it’s just that I’m forced by circumstances. If I were to wipe out the troops that Chu Qiao brought back over thousands of miles, she would fight me to the death with a blade.”

Recalling that slender, frail, yet stubborn and persevering young girl, Wu Daoya couldn’t help but smile. He coughed twice and slowly said, “Well, given Xiao Qiao’s personality, that’s quite possible.”

“But this way, I won’t be able to answer to the spirits of Yan Bei below the ground.”

These words were spoken very lightly, like a gust of wind, but the smile on Wu Daoya’s face instantly froze. In these bland words, he seemed to hear bone-deep hatred and smell the intense scent of blood. Wu Daoya hurriedly said, “Young Master, although the Southwest Garrison was suspected of defecting back then, most of the old soldiers in the camp are no longer there, and…”

“Joining such a military camp itself is an act of disloyalty to Yan Bei!”

The young ruler’s face was cold, his tone resolute as he said, “Back then, the Southwest Garrison turned traitor at the front line, defecting to Great Xia, causing father’s defeat. Although most of these people later died in assassination and revenge by the Great Unity Association, the very fact that there are still people willing to enlist under such an infamous battle flag is itself a desecration of Yan Bei’s bloodline, a betrayal of the Yan family lineage.”

The chilly wind suddenly blew, and the eagle flag above their heads fluttered fiercely in the black night. The young Yan Xun’s face was cold, his voice deep as he slowly said, “Treason is the greatest crime, absolutely unforgivable! Perhaps Great Xia’s harsh governance is like a tiger, perhaps they had no choice, but I must let the people of Yan Bei know that regardless of the reason, betrayal leads only to death. No matter what stance or reason, it will not receive heaven’s forgiveness! If I forgive the Southwest Garrison today, then tomorrow there will be a second, third, fourth, hundredth, and thousandth Southwest Garrison. At that time, Yan Bei would surely retrace its former footsteps, falling once again into a sea of blood. Now, since they managed to escape from that death prison, they must pay the price for their actions. After they return, send them to the western frontier to guard the border, all assigned to the vanguard battalion.”

Wu Daoya’s brows tightened. The western frontier’s vanguard battalion? That place was Yan Bei’s alternative form of execution for death row prisoners. Because Yan Bei had a sparse population and was frequently harassed by the Quanrong people, criminals who committed serious crimes in Yan Bei were all sent to suicide squads to confront the Quanrong people. Without supplies, without support, even without weapons and equipment, death seemed to have become the only way out.

“Xiao Qiao won’t agree.”

“She won’t know.” The man said decisively, “Although Chu Qiao appears strong on the surface, she is a kind-hearted person inside. Even to enemies, she never kills indiscriminately. For such matters, it’s best not to involve her. I presume those who know about this won’t disturb her either.”

These words were meant for him. Wu Daoya sighed silently but finally didn’t try to change anything. Suddenly, footsteps came from afar. A Jing walked up, bowing slightly, and said softly, “Your Highness, it’s time for your medicine.”

Yan Xun took the medicine bowl and drank it in one gulp. Black medicine juice flowed from the corner of his lips. The man wiped it away with a white handkerchief and said in a low voice, “Master Wu, don’t always think about the support and thoughts of the common people. In terms of popular support, ten Great Xia empires can’t compare to one Great Unity Association. But the Great Unity Association has roamed the Western Mongolian continent for hundreds of years and is still just a faction organization, not a political power. In the end, the reason Great Xia can rule the Red River land is not because of public opinion and votes, but because of the blade in their hands.”

“I understand, sir.”

A smile curled Yan Xun’s lips, and he laughed lightly, “Do you understand?”

Wu Daoya didn’t want to continue the conversation and changed the subject, “Young Master, dawn is approaching. If Miss still hasn’t arrived, we should…”

“I should go with you to Liu River County for treatment. You’ve said it a hundred times already.” Yan Xun frowned impatiently, then turned his face to look at the pitch-black post road, his face suddenly lighting up with confidence, “You’ll see, she will come!”

Just as Yan Xun said, at this time, the Southwest Garrison was less than a hundred li from West Maliang. The warriors rode on horseback, traveling through the night, advancing rapidly!

At the third watch, the night grew deeper. The army stopped at the foot of White Stone Mountain. For caution, Chu Qiao sent out thirty scouts to West Maliang to gather information and contact the Yan Bei army. Over four thousand soldiers sat in place, lit bonfires, ate dry rations, and waited quietly.

It had been raining for the past few days, and the grass was wet. He Xiao took a piece of fur felt, walked up, and somewhat awkwardly handed it to Chu Qiao, stammering, “Miss, sit on this. The ground is cold.”

“Thank you.” Chu Qiao took it and smiled at the young officer, “General He, have you eaten?”

He Xiao sat down, saying somewhat vexedly, “How could I eat?”

The young woman raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong? Does General He have something on his mind?”

He Xiao thought for a long time, finally gathered his courage, and said in a deep voice, “Miss, will His Highness truly forgive us? Can Yan Bei accommodate the Southwest Garrison?”

“General He, don’t you trust me?”

He Xiao hurriedly shook his head, “Miss has been a great benefactor to our army. Without you, we would have long perished. How could I doubt you?”

“Then believe me. I promised to protect the soldiers of the Southwest Garrison, and I won’t go back on my word. I also believe that the Young Master of Yan will let bygones be bygones and forgive the mistakes you’ve made.” The young woman’s expression was solemn, her gaze firm as she said, “Yan Bei is in great trouble. We need to stand united to withstand the storms from outside.”

“Miss…”

“General He, everyone has knots in their hearts that cannot be untied, inevitably leading to some crazy actions. Back then, the Southwest Garrison betrayed Yan Bei, and later you were forced to join the Southwest Garrison’s military camp. You served under the same battle flag as those traitors—that is your shame. Being misunderstood, being bullied, only because you weren’t strong enough, had no reason to be respected. But now it’s different. You fought your way out of the Zhenhung imperial capital and swept across the northwestern continent with no one able to stop you. You are now an iron army; you have contributed your lives and sweat to Yan Bei’s independence. General He, people must first respect themselves before gaining others’ respect. No matter what the officials of Yan Bei, the leaders of the Great Unity Association, or even His Highness the Young Master think, you must first have hope for your future. You are their leader; only when you stand up first can you lead your warriors to stand up!”

He Xiao’s face turned red. He suddenly stood up and fell to his knees with a thud, saying loudly, “Miss! We’ve discussed it. Only if you become our leader can we return to Yan Bei with peace of mind.”

Chu Qiao was startled and quickly stood up. “What are you doing? Get up quickly!”

“Miss! Please agree!”

As soon as the words fell, countless voices began to echo behind, in agreement. Chu Qiao looked up and saw that the warriors not far away had all stood up. These men, who had experienced countless life-and-death situations without showing fear, hesitated when about to return home. Their faces were dark, their clothes stained with blood, holding battle blades, their eyes earnestly looking at the petite woman. In their silent gazes were immense expectations and hope.

“Miss, you are talented and chivalrous, risking your life to save all of us, making us submit to you willingly. Moreover, only under your battle flag can we preserve our lives. Please don’t refuse anymore!”

“Miss! Don’t refuse anymore!”

A tremendous sound suddenly roared. All the warriors knelt on the ground, shouting. The men’s steel-like knees struck the mountain rocks, like rumbling war drums!

Chu Qiao stood on a boulder, the wind at the mountain top like a sharp knife, sweeping through the forest, blowing on her slender shoulders. Looking at these eyes full of passion and hope, Chu Qiao finally shook her head slowly and said in a deep voice, “I’m sorry, I cannot agree.”

“Miss!”

“Why?”

Clamorous shouts immediately arose. Chu Qiao extended her palm, gesturing for everyone to be quiet, and finally said in a deep voice, “But I can guarantee with my life that the soldiers of the Southwest Garrison will receive treatment matching your merits. A soldier’s sacred duty is absolute obedience. Even if one day Yan Bei suspends the blade over my head, you must wield your battle blades without hesitation. Only then are you worthy of being true soldiers.”

The world was desolate, with cold moonlight shooting down from the sky. The young woman’s clothes fluttered in the night wind like flapping wings. She spoke deliberately, enunciating each word, “I don’t agree to your request only to let you know one fact: Yan Bei has only one leader, and you can only be loyal to one person. That person is the Young Master of Yan Bei.”

The lonely moon was like silver, and the woman’s silhouette appeared as graceful as an immortal. The soldiers gazed at her in a daze. At this moment, that small figure seemed to possess miraculous power.

“Miss, what about you?”

“Me? I will fight alongside you. I also have my wishes and ideals.”

“What is Miss’s ideal?”

Chu Qiao’s lips curled slightly into a smile of satisfaction and hope: “In my lifetime, to see him ascend to rule the world.”

The night was cold as water. On the pitch-black White Stone Mountain, gusty winds passed through layers of forests, howling toward the distant north. Those firm beliefs, persistent words, shattered and cracked in the wind, scattered in the boundless night.

Grasslands of Yan Bei, I am finally about to arrive.

“Miss!”

A sudden urgent call came. A scout was seen galloping in on horseback, his shoulder stained with blood, shouting, “Our brothers encountered an ambush ahead!”

“Ambush?” He Xiao stood up with a start and asked loudly, “Who? How many troops do they have?”

“Only seven people, unknown origin. Our brothers hadn’t even started to ask, and those people charged at us with weapons.”

Chu Qiao stood up and said in a deep voice, “Let’s go see!”

The soldiers of the Southwest Garrison mounted their horses, following the woman ahead, thundering away.

Thirty people against seven—the outcome was determined as soon as they engaged. By the time Chu Qiao and her group arrived, the scouts of the Southwest Garrison had already subdued the seven. Not knowing the identities of the opponents, they didn’t deliver fatal blows, but everyone’s clothes were stained with blood, a sorry sight.

At a glance, Chu Qiao found them familiar. Before she could speak, one of the men exclaimed with delight, “It’s Miss Chu!”

The young woman frowned, “You know me?”

“I am Song Qian, a subordinate of Security Chief A Jing!”

“You are A Jing’s subordinate?” Chu Qiao suddenly realized and said to the others, “They’re our people. It’s a misunderstanding.”

He Xiao and others were startled. Having just arrived in Yan Bei, they were already uneasy, and now having a conflict with the local troops made them even more fearful. They hurriedly untied Song Qian and the others, approaching them warmly as if they were old friends.

“What are you doing? Why are you wearing civilian clothes? On a mission?”

As soon as the words were spoken, several people’s faces turned awkward. Song Qian thought for a moment, then smiled uncomfortably, “Miss, we are on a mission. You should quickly go to West Maliang. His Highness the Young Master has been waiting for you and hasn’t left yet.”

As soon as the words fell, everyone immediately felt a surge of joy. The Young Master of Yan was taking a huge risk waiting for them. Perhaps he truly hadn’t intended to abandon the Southwest Garrison, and the words about sending Miss Chu to assist them were all true?

But there wasn’t a trace of joy on Chu Qiao’s face. She frowned at Song Qian and his companions, saying in a deep voice, “What mission are you on?”

“Miss, it’s a secret mission.” Song Qian covered up, “We don’t dare wear uniforms. There are many people here with loose tongues, not good to talk about.”

“What’s not good to talk about?” The young woman frowned and said sternly, “The Young Master has always been open with me about his actions. Now that we’re at war with the inland, you’re suspiciously heading toward the inland. What exactly is your mission?”

Her sudden anger frightened everyone. Song Qian’s lips trembled, and after thinking for a while, he still couldn’t find an excuse to explain.

“Speak! Are you spies from the imperial capital?”

“We are not!”

With a “swish,” Chu Qiao drew the sword from her waist, her phoenix eyes cold as ice, saying in a deep voice, “Speak! Are you or not?”

Song Qian was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a thud, shouting, “Miss, we are not! We were ordered by the Security Chief to escort the thirteenth prince back to the imperial capital.”

“Thirteenth prince?” Chu Qiao’s expression immediately changed drastically, “What did you say? Where is he?”

“He is… he is…”

“Where?” The cold sword was suddenly at Song Qian’s neck. The young woman’s face was like iron, filled with the coldness of an approaching storm.

“There… there.”

Chu Qiao’s face was icy as she strode forward. He Xiao and others quickly protected her from behind. Two soldiers pulled open the bushes in front, and a dark cave suddenly appeared. Taking a torch for illumination, when they saw what was inside, everyone’s faces turned pale.

Chu Qiao stood at the entrance of the cave, holding her sword, her brows tightly knit, her chest heaving violently. Crazy killing intent surged in her eyes, like overwhelming seawater, raging and ravaging everything.

Three naked Yan Bei soldiers looked at Chu Qiao and her group in panic, trembling like sieves. Behind them, the woman’s clothes had been torn to shreds, her hands and feet bound, her face swollen, her lips full of blood, her hair in disarray like a mess of weeds. There were marks all over her body where she had been pinched and bitten, a complete mess below. She lay there like a corpse, desperate humiliation emanating from that body. Her tears had dried up, leaving a bright white trail at the corner of her eye.

In the innermost part of the cave, a one-armed man covered in blood and flesh lay in a corner. The ropes binding his hands and feet were bloody, clearly showing how this man had struggled earlier. Even in unconsciousness, his face remained ferocious with rage, bearing world-destroying despair and fury!

“You three, come out.”

Chu Qiao’s voice was very hoarse, like a broken harp string. The surrounding soldiers were all stunned when they heard it, looking at her in shock.

The young woman was very quiet. Her finger pointed at the three inside, nodding slightly, “Yes, you three.”

The three men, like frightened rabbits, hurriedly grabbed their clothes and ran out in disarray. The soldiers of the Southwest Garrison cleared a path for them, as if they had some contagious disease, not even wanting to look at them.

With a “swish,” Chu Qiao suddenly let out a fierce cry, using all her strength to cut off one soldier’s head with her sword. Large amounts of fresh blood immediately splattered, blood from the neck spurting like a raging river! The other two soldiers were startled and were about to counterattack with their battle blades when He Xiao and others drew their long knives and surrounded them.

“He Xiao,” Chu Qiao stepped on the man’s corpse, walked into the cave, and coldly dropped a sentence, “Hack these two to death.”

“Yes!”

Intense sounds of killing immediately came from behind. Chu Qiao no longer had the strength to look. She closed the messy wild grass and walked into the cave filled with the scent of lust. Squatting beside Zhao Chun’er, she helped her up, trying to put those shattered clothes on her.

“Miss! Spare us! Ah!”

A scream suddenly came, and soon the two were again begging for mercy in pain. In the moment between life and death, fear of death made these people lose their rationality. They screamed frantically, “It was His Highness’s order, we were just following commands!”

“Miss, spare us!”

“Miss…”

A tear suddenly slid from Zhao Chun’er’s eye, along her fair skin, falling onto her body, and flowing over those disgusting marks. The young woman was like a broken doll, tears falling line by line. Her mind was blank, those pure days like the winter wind, howling as they departed from her life. Those days of youthful beauty finally became an incomparable irony, doing their utmost to mock her stupidity and lowliness. She bit her lip tightly, tears falling in large drops, forcibly suppressing herself from crying out.

Chu Qiao’s hands gradually stiffened at the sounds outside. She lowered her head but couldn’t manage to put those shattered cloth strips on Zhao Chun’er. Her eyes were wide open, her eye sockets red, her face as pale as paper. She took off her outer robe, put it on Zhao Chun’er, and then went behind her to arrange her hair.

“Can you stand up?”

Chu Qiao stood in front of Zhao Chun’er, asking in a lowered voice.

Zhao Chun’er finally showed a trace of response. She raised her head and looked at this woman in military attire. Chu Qiao stretched out her hand and continued, “I’ll take you out. I’ll send you home.”

Suddenly, intense hatred flashed in Zhao Chun’er’s eyes. She grabbed Chu Qiao’s hand and then, like a crazy beast, opened her mouth and bit down hard!

Blood immediately slid down Chu Qiao’s wrist, drop by drop, all falling on Zhao Chun’er’s clothes. The crazed young woman bit with all her might, refusing to let go. Chu Qiao pressed her lips together, slowly squatted down, and with her other hand embraced Zhao Chun’er’s shoulders. Tears streaming down, the young woman’s voice was low and hoarse, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Mmm… Ah!”

After a brief whimper, Zhao Chun’er finally cried out heart-rendingly. The once heaven’s proud daughter was now like lowly grass, her body covered with wounds trampled by commoners. She hugged the back of this girl she had hated for a full eight years, crying crazily in heartbreak and despair.

“Why? Why treat me like this? Kill you all! Kill you all! Kill you all!”

Chu Qiao remained motionless as Zhao Chun’er struck her with all her might. She looked at the man lying in a pool of blood, at his ferocious face, his tightly knit brows, yet could not connect this man with the youth in pine-green robes in her memory. So many shattered images flashed through her mind, like a great storm. The handsome young man stood before her with a smile, laughing happily, “Chu, I’ve come of age, and can establish my household and take a princess consort!”

Chu Qiao’s tears finally could no longer be held back. She covered her mouth, no longer able to control herself as she cried out in pain.

Thirteen, thirteen, thirteen…

That night, it started raining from the fourth watch. After Zhao Chun’er and Zhao Song boarded the carriage, Chu Qiao came to the open grassland, followed by a large group of Southwest Garrison soldiers with ferocious expressions. Song Qian and others looked panic-stricken, like a pack of sneaky wild dogs.

“Who cut off Zhao Song’s arm?”

“Was it His Highness who cut it?”

Chu Qiao frowned and shouted sternly, “You’re lying!”

“Miss, I’m not!” Song Qian, frightened with tears all over his face, shouted, “It was His Highness who cut it off. He came to assassinate His Highness and was cut by His Highness. Miss Yu wanted to kill them, but His Highness wouldn’t allow it and let us escort them back to the imperial capital.”

Chu Qiao took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice, “Why didn’t His Highness kill them?”

“Security Chief Jing said, said he feared miss would be angry.” As soon as Song Qian finished speaking, fearing Chu Qiao would bring up the matter of their unlawful punishment, he hurriedly added, “But, if we acted on the road, miss wouldn’t know, wouldn’t be angry.”

Chu Qiao’s voice was low, with the heavy rain pouring on her hair, “Were those words also from Security Chief Jing?”

“This… yes, yes!”

Seeing Chu Qiao’s displeased expression, He Xiao immediately shouted sternly, “Dare to speak nonsense again, and I’ll cut you down!”

“No need to say more,” Chu Qiao raised her head and said in a deep voice, “Take them away, execute them all!”

“I haven’t spoken nonsense!” Song Qian cried, “Miss, look at us. Which one of us hasn’t suffered the most at the hands of the Xia people in the army? How many of our parents, wives, children, brothers, and sisters have not died at the hands of Great Xia officials? If they didn’t want us to act, why select us from various battalions?”

“Right!” Another soldier shouted, “What’s wrong with us beating him? What’s wrong even if we slept with the princess of Great Xia? My sister was defiled by the nobles of Great Xia, and when my parents went to report it, they were beaten to death in court! What did I do wrong?”

“Exactly! Miss, what did we do wrong? Why punish us?”

“Let me tell you what you did wrong!”

A lightning bolt exploded, making the world momentarily bright white. The young woman turned around, pointing at the carriage, slowly enunciating each word, “Because the people who killed your parents, who insulted your sisters, who bullied and persecuted you, were not them!”

Tremendous screams immediately sounded. Chu Qiao didn’t turn back. She just quietly looked at the carriage, her steps as heavy as if weighed down by a thousand-jin stone, unable to move forward.

“Miss!” He Xiao strode forward, wiped the water from his face, and said gruffly, “Those beasts have been slaughtered.”

“He Xiao, you go to West Maliang yourselves.” Chu Qiao’s face was pale as she said softly, “I can’t accompany you anymore.”

“Miss!” He Xiao was greatly shocked and shouted, “Why?”

Thunder rumbled, heavy rain poured, the torrential rain hitting their faces, hiding tears unwilling to be shown.

“Because I have more important things to do.”

The morning sun rose, the heavy rain stopped, and the world was fresh as if all filth and evil had been washed away by the rain.

On the high Bieya Slope, a man stood tall, dressed in a white long fur robe, his face pale, his gaze like ink, quietly looking at the distant mountains and waters.

“Young Master, we should go.”

Wu Daoya stood behind Yan Xun, speaking softly.

Yan Xun didn’t speak. He looked into the distance. The cold wind blew, and his weak body suddenly began to cough violently, the sound so heavy that there seemed to be a salty taste of blood in the air.

“Young Master?”

“Mmm.” Yan Xun waved his hand, slowly turned around, refusing Wu Daoya’s attempt to support him, and while coughing, slowly walked down the hillside.

The mountains rolled in succession. Behind the unseen mountain ridge, a blue-cloth carriage slowly moved. High in the vast sky, white eagles circled and cried mournfully, following the carriage, gradually leaving the sky of Yan Bei.