“Your Majesty!”

An older follower who had been dismissed by Murong Xi couldn’t help but step forward quickly and call out to Murong Xi.

This man came from the Xianbei noble Helou clan. Previously, when the Tuhe, Wei and other clans had been persuaded by Murong Ti to betray Murong Xi and support Murong Ti’s rise to power, they had extensively slaughtered Murong Xi’s trusted followers. The Helou clan had close relations with Murong Xi. Though they had remained in Longcheng for years, they too faced purges. Upon hearing the news, they fled overnight with their tribe, thus escaping death. Later, though they reunited with the surviving Murong Xi, they had no place to establish themselves. Over these years, they constantly thought of reclaiming their homeland, but given the vast disparity in strength between the sides, they remained hidden, secretly gathering forces while waiting for the right moment.

Now the opportunity was about to come.

After the previous defeat at Luoyang, Murong Ti’s vitality had been severely damaged. Though he had now allied with Western Liang, easily defeating Li Mu seemed unlikely. Once war broke out, Li Mu would certainly give his all.

They were waiting for both sides to engage in fierce battle, then seize the opportunity to strike. If nothing else, taking advantage of Murong Ti’s unpreparedness to reclaim Longcheng, or even catching him off guard to capture the poorly defended Yan Prefecture, was within reach. Given the importance of the matter, a month ago Murong Xi had personally gone into hiding around Yanmen Pass to gather intelligence. Several days ago, according to plan, the group was originally supposed to retreat, but Helou learned that Murong Xi intended to abduct Xiao Yongjia as well.

Murong Xi’s stated reason was naturally to hold Xiao Yongjia hostage as insurance against future actions by Li Mu against the Xianbei.

This plan was certainly not bad. But trying to rescue an important hostage from the Xiongnu’s main camp – the difficulty could be imagined.

Out of caution, Helou didn’t want extra complications and initially disagreed with this obviously impulsive plan proposed by Murong Xi. But Murong Xi stubbornly insisted on his view, so Helou could only obey his orders.

Tonight’s events had originally been proceeding according to plan. Their side facing Gao Qiao alone had extremely high chances of victory. They just needed to capture the person and quietly leave quickly to achieve complete success. He hadn’t expected things to suddenly change like this. Seeing the Heavenly King recognized by that Southern Dynasty princess and provoked by a few words, things had deviated from the plan. Watching his emotions seem somewhat out of control as he actually wanted to duel with Gao Qiao, Helou grew anxious and quickly went forward to quietly dissuade him: “The greater matter is important! Please don’t let momentary anger lead to complications, Your Majesty.”

But Murong Xi seemed not to hear.

The Heavenly King’s martial prowess was unmatched, with great prestige among the Xianbei. Unfortunately, his character was stubborn, and at crucial moments, he was often indecisive and couldn’t be ruthless enough. Years ago, if he had listened to Zhang Ji and himself and eliminated Murong Ti early when they detected his treacherous intentions, the later catastrophe wouldn’t have occurred.

Helou saw his gloomy expression as he drew his blade and passed by without looking back, heading toward Gao Qiao opposite. Knowing he still wouldn’t listen to advice, Helou could only sigh secretly.

Fortunately, in terms of dueling, Gao Qiao seemed in no way a match for the Heavenly King. Since things had reached this point, he could only hope for a quick victory so they could leave this place soon.

Helou had no choice but to retreat again.

Years ago, though Gao Qiao and Murong Xi had clashed several times on battlefields, they had each commanded troops in battle. As commanders of both sides, they hadn’t had opportunities for true close combat.

Gao Qiao blocked Murong Xi’s first strike aimed at him.

As blade met sword amid ear-splitting clashing sounds, he felt the overwhelming force from his opponent like a mountain pressing down. Even his grip was shaken. If he hadn’t immediately stepped back and used skillful technique to deflect most of the force, in direct confrontation, his hundred-forged precious sword that had accompanied him for half his life would likely have shattered on the spot.

Murong Xi looked at Gao Qiao forced back by his opening move, a cold smile crossing his face. Without giving him any chance to react, his second strike followed.

Gao Qiao defended against Murong Xi’s continuous attacks, retreating step by step.

Blade and sword edge constantly crossed and collided, even chipping, sparking in the night.

In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over ten moves. Gao Qiao had been entirely on the defensive, his situation worrying. Murong Xi’s blade whistled fiercely, pressing closer step by step. Several times, if not for Gao Qiao’s timely evasion, blood would have splattered immediately.

Xiao Yongjia was extremely anxious.

In late autumn and early winter weather, after nightfall the cold was already pressing. Yet her back quickly broke out in cold sweat that clung tightly to her clothes.

With a “whoosh,” cold light flashed as the blade slashed toward Gao Qiao’s throat again.

He stepped back once more, his body quickly leaning backward, thus avoiding the blade that passed within inches of his throat.

At this point, there wasn’t much room left behind him to retreat. Another two or three steps and he would step into empty air – there was a weed-covered cliff slope.

Xiao Yongjia was so tense she could barely breathe.

She held Xiao Qi tightly, turning his head away and pressing his face against herself, not wanting him to see more.

But Xiao Qi struggled free from his mother’s restraint. His small hands clenched tightly into fists as he tried hard to turn his head, eyes wide open, watching the figure of the man called father amid the flashing blades and swords.

Though Murong Xi seemed to have the complete upper hand, after over ten consecutive strikes that each seemed about to hit his opponent but ultimately missed, he too grew frustrated. Seeing Gao Qiao driven to the cliff’s edge, a murderous glint suddenly flashed in his eyes. With a roar, he raised his blade again.

This strike concentrated all his strength, power penetrating the blade’s back. Under moonlight, the blade edge was like a snow waterfall falling toward Gao Qiao.

Gao Qiao didn’t dodge but raised his sword to meet it directly.

Blade and sword crossed again.

His blue-edged sword finally couldn’t withstand the blade’s force and shattered in one blow, breaking into two pieces.

With a “clang,” sparks flew as one broken sword piece shot high into the air before falling to the ground.

In Gao Qiao’s hand remained only a broken sword less than a foot long, and the distance between the two men was now extremely close.

Murong Xi shouted “Die!” as his blade continued falling toward Gao Qiao.

He expected Gao Qiao would repeat his old trick, attempting to evade through movement as before.

So this strike was merely a feint.

Before striking, he had already planned his next killing move, determined to draw blood and give no further chance for evasion.

In Gao Qiao’s pupils, two points of snow-white brightness were clearly reflected.

Those were the blade’s shadows under moonlight, entering his pupils and becoming two white dots.

The white dots’ shadows grew larger and larger, reaching him in an instant.

Murong Xi suddenly reversed his grip, trying to change from a slash to a thrust.

An unexpected scene occurred.

Just when everyone thought Gao Qiao would use his old technique and evade this killing move through movement again, not only did he not retreat, but at the moment when Murong Xi reversed his grip to change the blade’s path and cut off his escape route, he moved toward the blade, advancing to meet it.

With a “thud,” the blade entered his body.

In an instant, his clothing was sliced by the sharp edge.

A long gash over an inch deep ran from his chest to one shoulder, with large amounts of blood flowing from the wound.

Xiao Qi struggled down from his mother’s embrace, his legs moving to run over, but was caught and held from behind by Xiao Yongjia.

Murong Xi never expected that facing his killing move, Gao Qiao not only wouldn’t avoid it but would actually close in, feeding his body to the blade.

He couldn’t react in time, his blade-holding hand pausing slightly.

Before he could make another effective response, Gao Qiao, who had been in a defensive position throughout, finally struck.

It was also his only strike, swift as lightning, giving the enemy no chance.

Murong Xi felt a sword flash pass before his eyes, followed by a chill at his neck.

The broken sword’s blade pressed against his throat.

A strand of his beard was severed by sword qi, floating down from one side of his cheek to the ground.

Murong Xi’s body stiffened, all his blood suddenly becoming scalding hot, eyes wide with shock. The arm holding his blade barely moved before he felt a sharp pain at his throat.

Blood flowed unimpeded from his cut skin.

“Though the sword is broken, the edge remains.”

“Murong Xi, you’ve lost.”

Gao Qiao’s voice sounded in his ear.

The blood that had been scalding the moment before suddenly cooled with these words.

Murong Xi felt the pressure at his throat ease, the sharp pain disappearing.

He stood rigidly in place, maintaining his original posture, unable to move.

Blood slowly gathered along the blade he still gripped tightly, finally forming drops that fell from the blade tip to the ground.

“Jingshen!”

“A’Ye!”

He heard voices in his ear.

He turned his stiff neck slowly, watching Gao Qiao discard the broken sword and walk toward the approaching Xiao Yongjia and child.

Initially, his steps were steady. After a few steps, his pace became slow. He paused, straightened his body, and continued forward.

“Jingshen, how are you?”

Xiao Yongjia almost ran over, supporting Gao Qiao and helping him sit on the ground.

Blood continued flowing from his wound, having already stained large areas of his clothing with blood.

Xiao Yongjia knelt beside him, hands trembling as she used her teeth to tear strips from her skirt hem, binding them over her husband’s wound.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a flesh wound. I’m fine.”

Pain and blood loss made Gao Qiao’s face pale, but his expression was relaxed. After comforting his wife, he even lowered his head to quietly instruct Xiao Yongjia on how to properly bind wounds for fastest bleeding control.

Tears in her eyes, Xiao Yongjia followed her husband’s guidance to bandage his wound. When finished, Gao Qiao comfortingly squeezed his wife’s cold, blood-stained hands, then looked at Xiao Qi who had been watching him from the side, quietly laughing: “A’Ye is useless. Is Seventh Young Master disappointed in A’Ye?”

Xiao Qi bit his lip tightly, looking at his father with adoring eyes, desperately shaking his head.

“A’Ye bled so much but says it doesn’t hurt. A’Ye is a great hero.”

Gao Qiao laughed heartily, raising his uninjured arm to pull his son into his embrace, lips close to his ear as he whispered: “When we return home later, would you like A’Ye to teach you reading and writing?”

Xiao Qi nodded vigorously.

Murong Xi watched fixedly, then suddenly turned, raised his blade, and walked over step by step.

After bandaging her husband’s wound, Xiao Yongjia had been watching the movements of Murong Xi’s group not far behind. Seeing him actually approaching with his blade again, moonlight revealing a somewhat twisted expression, she couldn’t help feeling alarmed. She immediately stood up and sternly said: “Accept defeat gracefully! Murong Xi, if my husband hadn’t shown restraint just now, you’d already be dead! You still won’t leave – are you planning to break your word?”

Murong Xi stopped, staring at Xiao Yongjia under moonlight.

This Southern Dynasty Eldest Princess – from the first moment he saw her years ago, he had been completely smitten. Later, if not for her sake, that night he wouldn’t have completely lost his vigilance, leading to his nephew’s easy harm against him.

His nephew Murong Ti had a chillingly devious mind, but he didn’t know that before his birth, when Murong Xi was still young, he had accidentally consumed poison. To detoxify himself, he had tried all kinds of strange remedies, including many that used poison to fight poison.

During that period of over a year of medical treatment, he felt like he was in hell, several times going to death’s door and returning, suffering unbearably. Fortunately, his constitution was far stronger than ordinary people. He finally recovered, and afterward gradually discovered his body had changed – as if blessing came from disaster, his tolerance for poison far exceeded normal people.

That night, after being stabbed and falling, almost by instinct he immediately held his breath and feigned death, then lost consciousness.

Heaven also meant to give him a way to live. First, Murong Ti was too confident in that poisoned dagger and didn’t carefully check before leaving his “corpse.” Second, his niece Murong Zhe still remembered some final blood kinship, arriving in time to prevent the rebel army from abusing his “body” and arranging for his transport back to Longcheng for burial.

The next day, wrapped in a mat and being transported back to Longcheng by cart, he awakened.

The several Xianbei soldiers transporting him were all terrified to see him return from the dead. Awed by his usual authority, none dared resist and all served him.

Thus he had luckily survived, waiting for revenge.

During these long days like a living dead man, never seeing daylight, while constantly plotting revenge, whenever he thought of Xiao Yongjia, he felt even more love and hate intermingled, unable to control himself.

He had once loved her deeply. Years later, he had paid such a painful price because of her. What was wrong with hoping she would respond?

“Gao Qiao just used trickery to defeat me! When he led northern expeditions years ago, he was also blocked by me and returned in failure! He’s always been my defeated subordinate! I, Murong Xi, aside from not being Han Chinese and having inferior literary talent, in what way am I inferior to Gao Qiao?”

Murong Xi replied hatefully.

Xiao Yongjia angrily said: “Murong Xi, you’re far inferior to him! It’s only because the Dayu court was incompetent that you barbarians had the opportunity to move south. I won’t debate the countless bestial acts you committed today. I’ll only speak of one matter. When you captured Gaoliang, you let your subordinates run wild, robbing defenseless civilians and killing innocents indiscriminately. Such behavior – how does it differ from beasts, from your nephew Murong Ti? Your suffering such retribution is your own fault. That you luckily survived then was heaven sparing your life. Years ago you also claimed to have read classics and histories. In terms of character, bearing, and conduct, you and he are as different as clouds and mud! Today what face do you have to dare question thus?”

She sneered: “I beg one more thing of you. From now on, never mention your supposed feelings for me again! I, Xiao Yongjia, cannot bear such ‘deep love’ from you!”

“Do you really think you have such feelings for me? You’re just unwilling to accept it, deceiving yourself and others!”

Murong Xi stared fixedly at Xiao Yongjia. His blade-holding arm seemed drained of strength by something invisible.

The blood-stained blade tip slowly drooped, finally touching the ground powerlessly at his feet.

After speaking, Xiao Yongjia no longer looked at him. She turned to help up the silent Gao Qiao, took Xiao Qi’s hand with her other hand, and said quietly: “Let’s go.”

Gao Qiao’s eyes were slightly sore. He quietly gripped his wife’s extended hand tightly and stood up from the ground.

Night had passed.

In the distance, dawn light was faint, morning colors hazy.

The family of three, supporting each other, continued forward toward the path’s end.

Helou brought his men back to Murong Xi’s side. Looking at the three figures’ backs, he hesitated and quietly asked a question.

Murong Xi’s expression was extremely rigid. Watching the distant figures, he slowly shook his head.

Helou was silent for a moment, then said: “This place isn’t suitable for long stays. Since it’s thus, please Your Majesty also depart quickly.”

“Master, Eldest Princess, this servant came late!”

Just then, over ten figures came running rapidly from the opposite direction, quickly reaching them – it was Gao Qi and others who, unable to wait for Gao Qiao, had come searching along the route.

When the two groups met, Gao Qi was extremely excited to see Xiao Yongjia and Xiao Qi, tears streaming down his face. He brought his men to kneel in greeting but was stopped by Xiao Yongjia.

Gao Qi wiped away tears and joyfully stepped forward. Just as he was about to pick up the young master to continue their journey, suddenly from behind in the direction of the camp, the sound of galloping hooves came from the road, mixed with footsteps.

It seemed a large force was pursuing from the direction of the Xiongnu camp.

Gao Qi’s expression changed slightly. He turned to look, grabbed the young master, and ordered protection for the family head’s quick retreat, but heard Xiao Yongjia say: “Wait!”

On the opposite path, flames blazed as a force of at least several hundred people carrying torches had entered their sight.

By the dim dawn light and torch illumination, they could vaguely see the appearance of those in front – not Xiongnu soldiers’ clothing. The leader seemed to be a young Han general. That youth had excellent eyesight. Peering ahead, he shouted: “I am Gao Huan! Are uncle and aunt ahead?”

Xiao Yongjia, tense all night, finally completely relaxed. Her legs went weak and she swayed, caught by Gao Qiao beside her.

Gao Qi also sighed in relief, joy showing on his face as he loudly responded: “Sixth Young Master! It’s indeed the master and Eldest Princess!”

Gao Huan brought his forces rapidly forward, a joyful smile on his face. Seeing Murong Xi’s group nearby showing nervous expressions and drawing blades, knowing they were enemies not friends, he ordered his forces to first surround the opponents completely, then quickly ran to Gao Qiao and Xiao Yongjia, greeting them. But seeing the large bloodstains on Gao Qiao’s chest, he was startled and asked what happened.

Gao Qiao said: “I’m fine. How is your brother-in-law’s situation?”

Actually, seeing Gao Huan appear here, he had already guessed the battle’s outcome.

Indeed, he heard Gao Huan say: “Uncle and aunt, rest assured. Brother-in-law has just captured the pass, so I could come to meet you.”

Speaking thus, he turned to look at Murong Xi’s group surrounded by soldiers, asked about their identity, and learned the leader was actually Murong Xi, who had once been Northern Yan emperor. After surprise, his expression suddenly turned gloomy. With one command, hundreds of soldiers immediately drew bows and nocked arrows, aiming at Murong Xi and others in the encirclement.

Helou’s face changed dramatically.

If hundreds of iron bows fired simultaneously, the fate of their group was imaginable.

He looked toward Murong Xi, who seemed detached from the situation, still standing motionless. In desperation, disregarding everything else, he hastily said: “General Gao, His Majesty just spared Minister Gao and the Eldest Princess. If you don’t reciprocate, how can you treat us thus?”

Gao Huan sneered: “None of the Murong clan are good! You people all deserve death! Today you’ve run into my hands – if you want to blame someone, blame fate!”

“All listen to orders – don’t let a single one escape!” He suddenly raised his voice.

Soldiers all drew their bowstrings taut.

Seeing this young general’s face full of killing intent, Helou was greatly alarmed. He hastily ran toward Gao Qiao and Xiao Yongjia’s direction but was stopped by the arrow formation before him. He shouted: “Minister Gao, Eldest Princess! If His Majesty hadn’t let you pass just now, you—”

His words were interrupted by sudden loud laughter from behind.

Murong Xi looked up to the sky and laughed wildly several times, slowly turning toward Gao Huan, raising his hand to point at Helou and the dozen followers behind him.

“These people all come from the Helou tribe. Their descendants have carried out sacrificial and watch duties for generations, always remaining in Longcheng, never entering the Central Plains to commit slaughter. When I was emperor, they also advised me to return early. These years, because of loyalty to me, they’ve been unable to be tolerated by Murong Ti. I hope you can spare them…”

“Your Majesty, we wish to live and die together with Your Majesty!”

Helou and the followers beside him all ran toward Murong Xi, expressions excited, kneeling and kowtowing.

Murong Xi seemed not to hear, continuing: “I swear by the spirits of the Xianbei people that they will take their tribe back beyond the passes and never set foot in the Central Plains again. If they violate this oath, may their children and descendants suffer calamities for generations!”

“As for me—”

He paused.

“Young General Gao, if you want my life, I, Murong Xi, have it here. You needn’t act – I can end it myself. In my lifetime I’ve killed countless people. Whatever day I die is no loss. What does death matter!”

He looked up to the sky and laughed wildly again. As if this still couldn’t vent his current emotions, he then gave a long whistle.

The whistle sound shook eardrums, part indignation, part desolation, part self-mockery.

“I, Murong Xi, have spent half my life rampaging through chaotic times, been a famous general, been a captive slave, been a dead man, and been an emperor. Today falling here – it’s not man destroying me, but heaven destroying me!”

In the whistle sound, he suddenly raised the blade in his hand, closed his eyes and tilted his neck back, the blade edge toward his throat, slashing across.

“Your Majesty!”

Helou was greatly alarmed, lunging forward to stop him, but was a step too late. Before he could reach him, the blade was already at Murong Xi’s neck.

Just as blood was about to splatter three feet, suddenly an arrow carrying a tearing-air whistle sound shot straight toward Murong Xi, swift as lightning, quick as a meteor, reaching him in an instant.

With a “ding.”

Accompanied by the collision sound of metal against metal, the arrow head struck the blade’s back, immediately knocking the blade away.

Murong Xi opened his eyes, looking toward where the arrow came from.

Gao Qiao stood there.

Dawn light grew whiter. Perhaps from exerting force and affecting his wound, his complexion looked pale as paper in the dawn light, but his expression was very calm, that lean figure standing straight.

“Murong Xi, you can be considered a man of feeling. Today I’ll temporarily spare you.”

“Listen well – whether it’s the Central Plains or your Northern Yan’s so-called current capital, every inch under your feet doesn’t belong to your kind! Remember your own words just now – take your people back to where you should go!”

Gao Qiao spoke, each word ringing clearly.

Under Xiao Qi’s adoring upward gaze, he slowly lowered the iron bow in his hand and looked at his wife beside him.

Xiao Yongjia and her husband looked into each other’s eyes, smiling slightly at him.

So much love and feeling was transformed into this smile, all understood without words.

Murong Xi stared at the couple for a moment, closed his eyes, opened them, suddenly raised his hands – one holding the blade handle, the other gripping the blade head, his ten fingers exerting force.

With a “clang,” he broke the blade into two pieces.

“When revenge is complete, I’ll gather my tribe and return to Longcheng, never entering Guanzhong again in this life! If I violate these words, may I be like this blade, meeting no good end!”

The broken blade was thrown and stuck in the ground. Murong Xi turned and strode away.

Helou completely relaxed, hastily bowing in thanks toward Gao Qiao’s direction, then leading the remaining men to catch up with Murong Xi, hurrying away.

The group’s figures soon disappeared at the road’s end in the dawn light.

Since uncle had released Murong Xi, Gao Huan had to let it be. Seeing his clothes stained with blood and the wound still seeping blood through the bandages despite being wrapped, he hastily called for wound medicine to be brought over. While Xiao Yongjia applied medicine to Gao Qiao, he stepped forward and picked up Xiao Qi, who was tilting his head curiously examining him, laughing: “You must be our Gao family’s Little Seventh Young Master? I’m your elder brother. Quickly call me Sixth Brother!”

Xiao Qi wasn’t shy at all. He immediately struggled down from his embrace, stood firmly on both feet, then following the proper etiquette A’Niang had taught him for addressing elders and juniors, he bowed respectfully to Gao Huan, properly calling him “Sixth Brother.”

Among the Gao family’s same-generation children, Gao Huan had previously been the youngest. Being respected as an elder brother was his first time in life. He immediately beamed with joy, exclaiming and quickly picking up Xiao Qi again.

Xiao Qi then said: “A’Niang said I also have an elder sister and brother-in-law. Sixth Brother, when can I see them?”

Gao Huan was about to answer when suddenly a mounted messenger galloped rapidly from the direction of the pass. Seeing Gao Huan, he shouted: “Sixth Young Master! General Gao has urgent news to give you. He says if you see the Grand Marshal, you must relay it. Extremely urgent—”

This messenger was sent by Gao Yin, originally from the Gao family’s forces. At first he didn’t see Gao Qiao and Xiao Yongjia. Only when he got close did he recognize the two, startled, he hastily dismounted and knelt in greeting.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

“What happened?” Gao Qiao asked.

“Jiankang has been occupied by Rong Kang! Rong Kang has taken the Empress Dowager and His Majesty hostage, defiled the palace, bullied officials, robbed the people – committing every evil act. General Gao has learned of this and is already on the way back with troops. He requests the Grand Marshal also be informed!”

The messenger presented Gao Yin’s letter while loudly reporting.