Yellow sand stretched endlessly, the camel path desolate and vast.

A fully armed Xianbei army of about a thousand men had set out from Yan Commandery, the capital of Northern Yan, half a month ago, traveling by day and resting by night, heading westward.

To the west, neighboring the Xianbei’s Yan state, was Western Liang, established by the Xiongnu leader Liu Jian several years ago when he took advantage of Northern Xia’s internal turmoil.

From the day the army departed, Gao Huan had been following along the entire way.

This army appeared to be transporting supplies to the Xianbei garrison in Yanmen Commandery, but from the day it set out, one extremely ordinary-looking carriage mixed among dozens of supply wagons had been Gao Huan’s target for approach.

If what Murong Zhe said was true and the Eldest Princess was indeed in Murong Ti’s hands, then what place could hide someone better than the heavily guarded palace?

After infiltrating Yan Commandery, he disguised himself as a Xianbei and, with his fluent Xianbei language and generous spending, quickly became familiar with several palace guards who frequented gambling houses, calling each other brothers and indirectly gathering the information he wanted. One day after drinking, he finally gleaned some intelligence from a guard’s mouth – this army heading west from Yan Commandery was supposedly transporting supplies, but that was actually a cover. The real purpose was to deliver the person in the carriage to Western Liang, to hand over to Western Liang’s Emperor Liu Jian.

In the carriage, it was said, were a mother and child, but their identities were mysterious. Exactly who they were and what Murong Ti’s purpose was in this, they had no way of knowing.

In their bones, the Xianbei revered the strong and despised the weak. When Murong Ti had previously replaced Murong Xi as emperor, over these years he had continuously expanded Xianbei territory, suppressing neighboring northern kingdoms established by other barbarian tribes like Western Liang. The Xianbei gradually came to accept his rule, and as their mentality became increasingly inflated, they also knew that with Li Mu, whom they saw as their true formidable enemy, they still lacked a decisive battle.

The entire clan had placed great expectations on the war to invade Chang’an that the emperor had finally launched not long ago.

They hadn’t expected that this campaign involving almost the entire nation’s strength, beginning at Tongguan Pass and ending at Shangjin Mouth in the Central Plains, even with the help of that once-in-a-millennium flood at the end, had still failed to achieve victory and ended in complete defeat.

The failure wasn’t just reflected in losing the war, continuously retreating, and finally even handing over the area south of the Yellow River centered on Luoyang. More importantly, Northern Yan’s Emperor Murong Ti’s prestige was completely ruined by this campaign.

When that guard mentioned Murong Ti, his tone already carried some disrespect. Talking about how he had changed from his previously tough attitude toward the Xiongnu, this expedition with such fanfare only to escort someone over, seeming to have some designs on Western Liang, he became even more full of complaints and actually began to reminisce about Murong Xi’s mighty invincibility when he was alive, implying that if Murong Xi were still around, this battle might not have been lost so catastrophically.

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was attentive. Gao Huan immediately thought of the Eldest Princess and her child, then followed and tracked them, wanting to investigate thoroughly. But that carriage was always tightly surrounded by soldiers and supply wagons. Not only could he not get close, but after so many days, he hadn’t even caught a glimpse of the people inside the carriage.

Seeing that they were getting closer and closer to Western Liang and would reach the border area of Yanmen Commandery in just a few more days, he became extremely anxious. That day, a great sandstorm happened to arise, and the procession couldn’t advance, so they made camp at a wind shelter. That night he no longer hesitated and decided to venture into the tiger’s den to conduct nighttime reconnaissance. He ordered several attendants to wait nearby while he changed into Xianbei military clothing, waited for an opportunity to infiltrate, and headed toward the center of the camp.

The camp was heavily guarded everywhere, with night patrol guards passing back and forth at regular intervals. Gao Huan dodged all the way, using the cover of night and tents to avoid the sentries along the route, gradually approaching the center of the camp.

There the guards were even more stringent, with posts almost every few steps. Around one particular tent, several guards were stationed, never leaving their posts.

One soldier was probably tired and yawned, looked back at the tent behind him, and muttered in Xianbei to a companion beside him: “Just a Han woman and a child – what could happen? Having us stand guard like this every night…”

Before his complaint was finished, someone quickly emerged from the shadows behind them and raised his hand to deliver a resounding slap to that soldier’s face.

The soldier covered his face and looked up to see it was the team leader on duty tonight. He quickly covered his face and lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.

The team leader angrily scolded: “Do you know what that woman’s identity is? Don’t think that just because we’re almost there you can slack off! That person is extremely important! Before departure, His Majesty said that if anything goes wrong on this journey, not just you all, but even I would have to die to atone!”

The guards responded with trepidation. The team leader lectured them for a few more sentences before turning to leave.

Gao Huan, hidden in the darkness, heard everything clearly and couldn’t suppress a surge of excitement.

If he had originally been somewhat uncertain, then just now, because of that overheard conversation, the flame of hope in his heart immediately began burning.

A Han woman of special identity, plus a child – nine times out of ten, this should be referring to his aunt and her child.

He wished he could immediately rush in to see for himself, but the guards around that tent were truly dense, and he couldn’t find an opportunity to get closer. He could only continue lurking nearby, eyes fixed tightly on the front, hoping to personally see the people inside come out.

As if sensing something in his heart, just as he held his breath and waited, he saw the tent flap suddenly lifted and someone bent down to emerge from inside.

The moonlight revealed the silhouette of a slender woman, thin as bamboo but with her waist and back held perfectly straight.

Though still at some distance, Gao Huan immediately recognized her at first glance.

That woman was none other than his Eldest Princess aunt who had been missing for several years and whom he had thought was long dead!

Xiao Yongjia seemed unable to sleep in the deep night and had stepped out from the tent, standing at the tent entrance, looking up and gazing at the bright moon in the night sky as if lost in thought.

Several nearby soldiers, seeing this, immediately became alert and walked over to block her path.

One soldier who could speak Chinese ordered her to go back inside immediately.

Xiao Yongjia’s expression was calm. She looked coldly at the soldiers surrounding her, slowly surveyed the pitch-black wilderness around them, then turned around, bent down to enter, and her figure disappeared behind the tent flap.

Though it was only a brief glimpse, for Gao Huan it was enough.

His blood boiled throughout his body. Suppressing his heart that was almost leaping out of his throat, he slowly retreated, then turned and quickly withdrew toward the camp’s perimeter.

Just as he was about to leave, suddenly, without warning, two patrolling soldiers who had come to urinate together turned out from the shadows beside him.

“Password!”

The soldiers saw him and immediately demanded in Xianbei.

Gao Huan had no time to dodge. He paused for a moment and quickly looked around.

This was near the edge of the camp with no one else nearby.

His mind immediately calculated how he could kill these two suddenly encountered Xianbei soldiers in the shortest time without alerting others, then quickly leave.

He lowered his head as if he hadn’t heard and continued forward. One hand secretly gripped the short blade hidden in his sleeve.

“Stop! Give the password!”

The soldiers stopped with alert expressions and questioned again.

A killing intent flashed in Gao Huan’s eyes. Just as he was about to draw his blade, suddenly a voice giving the password came from behind him.

Someone caught up and quickly walked to Gao Huan’s side.

Gao Huan felt his hand gripping the blade being secretly pressed down by the other person. That person also smiled apologetically and continued explaining to the soldiers across from them in Xianbei: “He’s new here, always thinking about fighting to get rich and find a wife, but was assigned to drive carts with me instead. He’s sulking about it, and his brain is slow. He just woke up and came out to relieve himself, momentarily forgetting the password!”

Though this voice sounded very low and aged, the moment Gao Huan heard it, he had a sense of familiarity.

He was extremely surprised. He really couldn’t figure out how, at this moment, right in the enemy camp, someone would suddenly appear to help him like this.

But that the other person was friend not foe could be completely confirmed.

He immediately released his grip on the dagger, followed this person’s lead, cursed a few crude words in Xianbei, then grumbled: “If I’d known being a soldier meant pulling carts and doing hard labor, when they forcibly conscripted me that day, even if it cost me my life, I wouldn’t have come…”

After Northern Yan’s defeat at Luoyang, they were supplementing troops by forcibly conscripting soldiers everywhere. The patrol soldiers, hearing his complaints, immediately dispelled their suspicions, said “nothing wrong, return to your tents,” and left.

After those two left, Gao Huan immediately looked at the person beside him. Under the moonlight stood a low-ranking Xianbei veteran dressed similarly to himself, hunched over with an aged figure, half his face covered by disheveled beard and hair, making his true appearance completely unrecognizable.

But the moment he met those eyes that flickered with night-like gleams in the moonlight, his chest suddenly jumped again.

That subtle sense of familiarity struck him again.

A person appeared in his mind.

He shuddered and almost jumped up. Just as he was about to blurt it out, that person quickly looked around, shook his head, and said quietly “follow me,” turning to lead him away.

Gao Huan’s heart pounded with tremendous excitement as he immediately followed that person, quickly sneaking out of the camp to a secluded, deserted dark place.

“Uncle! How can it be you!”

Gao Huan was about to kneel before this person.

“Liu Lang, get up!”

That person straightened his back, no longer deliberately lowering his voice, and immediately reached out to support Gao Huan.

Standing before Gao Huan, this Xianbei veteran was none other than Gao Qiao, who had been missing without a trace all these years.

“Uncle! How did you come to look like this…”

For a moment, Gao Huan simply couldn’t equate this person before him – with disheveled hair and beard, weathered face, and the sorrowful appearance of an old soldier – with his uncle Gao Qiao.

He stared fixedly, his eyes growing hot and his voice choking with emotion.

Gao Qiao smiled slightly and gently patted his arm.

“Uncle is perfectly fine, no need to worry.”

It was this smile and these words that let Gao Huan instantly capture something of his uncle’s former spirit.

He finally felt somewhat reassured, and knowing this wasn’t a good time for detailed reminiscing, he steadied himself and briefly recounted his journey.

“Uncle, I saw clearly just now! That person is Aunt!”

Gao Qiao said: “I also know. Your aunt and your… younger brother are indeed here.”

He paused and closed his eyes, as if also calming his emotions, then quickly opened them.

“These years, I and the people I sent out have searched everywhere north and south of the great river. Only recently did I obtain this lead.”

“Uncle, do you know what Murong Ti intends by sending Aunt and little brother to Western Liang?” Gao Huan asked urgently.

“I heard that Murong Zhe is currently imprisoned in Chang’an?”

“Yes! That day below Chang’an city, when Uncle and eldest brother disputed whether to storm Chang’an, she impersonated little sister, forged Uncle’s handwriting, and falsely transmitted Uncle’s orders, nearly causing great disaster. Originally she was to be executed, but learning of Aunt’s whereabouts from her mouth, her life was temporarily spared.”

Gao Qiao nodded: “That explains it. The Xiongnu Emperor Liu Jian greatly admires Murong Ti’s sister. He previously sought to marry Murong Zhe, but she refused. Murong Ti, unwilling to give up after his defeat, intends to ally with Liu Jian to attack Chang’an from east and west, which is why he’s sending your aunt to Western Liang to hand over to Liu Jian.”

“I understand! He wants to trade Aunt for Murong Zhe! But given the barbarians’ shamelessness, I fear that even if brother-in-law returns Murong Zhe, they won’t easily release both Aunt and little brother simultaneously!”

Gao Qiao glanced toward the camp in the distance and withdrew his gaze.

“Liu Lang, you need not linger here any longer. Return quickly and tell your brother-in-law about Murong Ti’s collusion with Western Liang’s Xiongnu to attack Chang’an from both sides, so he can prepare early. Also tell him to prepare for war as he should, without considering other matters. Leave your aunt and little brother’s affair to Uncle. Uncle will certainly rescue them both!”

Gao Qiao’s expression was calm, his tone steady, without any forcefulness or hint of oath-making.

But it was precisely such an ordinary-seeming statement that, coming from his mouth, sounded to Gao Huan like taking a calming pill, immediately setting his mind at ease.

He nodded: “Nephew will follow all instructions! Nephew will return now. Uncle, please be careful! Nephew looks forward to seeing Uncle, Aunt, and little brother all return together soon!”

After speaking, he respectfully bowed to Gao Qiao and turned to leave. Suddenly he heard Gao Qiao say: “Wait a moment.”

Gao Huan stopped and turned around. He saw him step forward a few paces, take out a folded sheepskin scroll from his chest, hand it over, and say: “These years, Uncle searched for your aunt throughout the north, with footprints even beyond the passes, and drew this during intervals. Though it’s a rough map, it marks the locations of important pass defenses and granaries within Northern Yan territory. Take it back to your brother-in-law for reference in warfare.”

Gao Huan was overjoyed. Coming back to his senses, he hurriedly received it with both hands, carefully hid it in his chest, and said respectfully: “Nephew thanks Uncle on brother-in-law’s behalf for your thoughtfulness!”

Gao Qiao gazed at him and nodded slightly: “Not seeing you for several years, Liu Lang, you’ve also become so capable. Uncle is both gratified and relieved. The situation is urgent and shouldn’t be delayed – go back quickly.”

Gao Huan lingered no more, bid farewell to Gao Qiao, turned and rushed away. After running for some distance, recalling the scene of unexpectedly meeting his uncle again after years of separation, thinking of his aunt and nephew living as hostages in a foreign land and his uncle’s arduous search with temples frosted by wind, he could only hope heaven would show mercy and allow his uncle to successfully rescue his aunt and nephew so the family could reunite and never be separated again.

Unconsciously, he looked back again.

Behind him, where he and his uncle had just spoken, was now empty with no trace of anyone.

He touched the map in his chest, feeling infinite emotion. When he turned back around, his gaze suddenly fixed.

There in front of him, in the heavy darkness of night, on the low hill beside the ancient road, a human figure was actually standing.

The distance wasn’t very far, but not close either. He could see that figure facing the direction of the camp, as if gazing there, motionless and grave as a mountain.

Moonlight shone down from mid-mountain, vaguely illuminating a face full of wild whiskers.

Gao Huan’s first reaction was that the person was his uncle.

But this thought only flashed by.

Uncle must have already snuck back to the camp to secretly protect Aunt’s side – how could he appear here again?

Moreover, though the night was dim and unclear, it was obvious that this rough figure’s outline absolutely couldn’t be Uncle.

Gao Huan suddenly stopped, his hand again pressing on his sword hilt. Suddenly his vision blurred, and in the blink of an eye, that figure abruptly vanished into the night.

Gao Huan quickly pursued, rapidly climbing that hill and looking in all directions.

Under the moonlit night, the four wilds were empty, yellow sand like snow.

Empty and desolate – where was any human figure to be seen?

He hesitated, suspecting he had seen wrong, and shook his head. Touching the map in his chest again and anxious to return with the intelligence, he no longer lingered, leaped down from the hill, and strode away.

…

Chang’an.

After eldest brother left that day, he should still be waiting for the court’s reply. Luoshen heard that the Guangling Army stationed at Shangluo still hadn’t withdrawn for the time being.

But for Chang’an, with Li Mu’s return, this army’s threat seemed to no longer exist.

These days, throughout Chang’an’s streets and alleys, stories gradually began circulating about the white tiger appearing on the hill when the pursuing people came to thank Li Mu at Kanglong Road. People also recalled that day when Chang’an was in military danger, how the white tiger had crossed through the military camp, run to beneath the city gate with magnificent bearing, and finally crouched beside Li Mu’s wife. Various mystical explanations spread without wings throughout the entire city.

Li Mu had accompanied Luoshen for several days, then became busy again in recent days, leaving the city. He only returned today.

Though Luoyang had been recovered, most of the areas north of the river were still in Murong Ti’s hands.

His northern expedition enterprise was not yet complete. There would certainly be another battle with Northern Yan.

Luoshen knew he was busy with war preparations. During the day when he returned and met with Jiang Tao, Sun Fangzhi and others for discussions, she waited patiently for him. She waited until evening and finally saw him return, feeling very happy. The two dined together.

After the meal, Li Mu escorted Luoshen back to her room.

Luoshen thought of Gao Huan going to Northern Yan territory to investigate her mother’s whereabouts. Counting the days, it had been some time, and she didn’t know how his intelligence gathering was going. Worried, she couldn’t help asking him.

Li Mu embraced her and comforted her, saying there should be news from Gao Huan very soon.

Luoshen leaned against his shoulder, thinking of Murong Zhe who was still imprisoned, and couldn’t help becoming slightly lost in thought.

Murong Zhe’s lips were extremely tight. No matter how she was interrogated before, except for revealing that half-sentence about the Eldest Princess’s whereabouts that day, she hadn’t said another word.

Luoshen knew that Li Mu must be keeping some preparation to exchange Murong Zhe for the Eldest Princess and her child, which was why he had always kept her alive.

Coincidentally, just as she was thinking of Murong Zhe, a servant woman’s announcement came from outside: “Li Langjun, the jailer just reported that the Xianbei woman requests to see the Grand Marshal, saying she has urgent matters to tell him in person.”

Though finding it abnormal, Luoshen’s first reaction was that Murong Zhe might have loosened up, and she immediately looked toward Li Mu.

Li Mu’s expression was calm, his eyes moving slightly as if remembering something. He reached out to grasp Luoshen’s hand and said gently: “Come on. Let’s go see together.”