“Cough, cough.”

Tie Ci was coughing.

Beneath her body was bone-chilling cold, and something sharp pressed near her wound, causing such pain that stars flashed before her eyes. The coughing further aggravated this pain, nearly making her lose consciousness.

A hand pressed against her back, true qi flowing gently in to suppress this moment’s outbreak of injury.

Tie Ci caught her breath and opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a sheet of hanging blood-red not far away, with countless corpses of various forms filling her vision, making her think she had already entered the eighteen layers of hell.

After thinking about it, though she had killed quite a few people, she hadn’t killed those who shouldn’t be killed, so she shouldn’t have gone straight to the eighteen layers of hell.

After a while, her vision became clearer. Through the white of broken ice between that layer of blood-red, she recognized this was actually the ice waterfall, and those corpses were Da Qian soldiers.

This was the previous battlefield where Di Yiwei and Da Qian soldiers had fought.

Tie Ci breathed a sigh of relief, thinking fortunately she had conserved strength earlier.

Otherwise, teleporting while severely injured might not have moved her out of the explosion’s center, let alone to a location favorable to herself.

But at this moment, clearly Di Yiwei’s battle formation had shifted, and there were no more soldiers above or below the ice waterfall.

Her current position was some distance from the ice waterfall, in that area where slopes and streams intermixed at various heights. Beneath her was a small ice stream, with a half-person-high slope beside her providing cover.

Her whole body was ice-cold, only the hand being held was warm.

Tie Ci didn’t turn to look at the person beside her. Feeling true force still flowing, she broke free from that hand.

She closed her eyes and said: “You should go.”

This would be the last time she saved him. Hereafter, when they met again on battlefields, she would show no consideration for old feelings.

That hand grabbed her again.

“Take me with you.”

Tie Ci didn’t open her eyes.

“Are you forcing me to steel my resolve and angrily behead my enemy?”

“Look, if you’re going to steel your resolve, you still use the word ‘steel’—clearly you can’t bear to part with me. Can’t bearing to part is right, because I can’t bear to part with you either. After all, killing me would require effort.” Murong Yi smiled. “Do you remember what I told you before we went to Xi Rong? If there comes a day when you and I diverge, I’ll keep chasing you until I make you turn back.”

At this moment, Tie Ci finally remembered the name she had seen on the portrait during the blade-throwing husband selection.

“Murong Yi, this isn’t ordinary philosophical divergence. This is Liaodong’s great army pressing at the borders while I am Da Qian’s Crown Princess. What reason do I have not to kill you, and what reason do you have to continue speaking so frivolously?”

“What does Liaodong’s army pressing at borders have to do with me? Are they my troops? Did I give the orders? Am I commanding them? Aren’t you being rather unfair to me?” Murong Yi gripped her fingers tightly, refusing to let go. “I killed my eldest, fourth, and eleventh brothers. Have you ever seen a son treat his father like that? Just now in that cart, I would have been blown up just by standing—have you ever seen a father treat his son like that?”

“You killed your brothers for the Liaodong throne. Your father had you come kill me and set up contingencies to punish your ruthlessness. This is your Liaodong royal court’s fraternal strife and father-son mutual destruction, not a reason for me, a Da Qian person, to judge enemies and friends.”

“Don’t lecture me… about grand principles.” Murong Yi panted, looking at her with watery eyes. “I can’t out-argue you… my wound hurts…”

Tie Ci: “…”

When you can’t win an argument, you play dead and act shamelessly.

Don’t I hurt too?

Murong Yi struggled to sit up, frowning as he looked at the dagger in her chest. “Where’s the treasure armor! The treasure armor I made for you with my own hands! When I struck, I was actually being careful—if you were wearing treasure armor, I could feel it and would have pulled back immediately. Moreover, wearing treasure armor, even stabbing you wouldn’t cause serious injury! But you weren’t wearing it! Tell me! Did you give the treasure armor to that scheming bitch Rong Pu!”

By the end, his tone was sinister, murderous intent fierce. His weakness disappeared, his pain vanished. Presumably if Rong Pu were in front of him, he would flip over and stab him with a knife.

Tie Ci felt tremendous admiration for his ability to still righteously feel jealous—how could someone in this world be so thick-skinned, treating everything as if it didn’t matter?

The pressing army, the corpses everywhere, their opposing positions, the enormous chasm of their identities, and now the wounds they had inflicted on each other—any one of these would be an insurmountable barrier for most people’s entire lives. How was it that for him, none of it mattered?

She wanted to laugh a little, but also felt helpless. Within that helplessness grew heartache, and she couldn’t help sighing deeply.

When she sighed, Murong Yi couldn’t maintain his feigned jealousy anymore.

Could he act as if nothing had happened?

Actually, he couldn’t.

But if he couldn’t act as if nothing had happened and cross this chasm, then afterward they would grow increasingly distant until they parted ways forever.

He had always known she carried family and nation in her heart, originally not thinking much of it. After all, every man has responsibility for his nation’s rise and fall, and academy students especially value the common people. Youthful spirit and grand ambitions were normal—just a woman with aspirations.

Only now did he confirm that this ambition and noble spirit stemmed from her inescapable responsibilities and incomparable status.

Mountains, rivers, heaven and earth—others could cross over them, but she couldn’t.

Only he could strive to cross over, like Kuafu chasing the sun, pursuing relentlessly, knowing no fatigue, fearing no life or death.

He was about to say something more when Tie Ci suddenly propped herself up, gazing into the distance.

Murong Yi moved forward, helping her out of the ice stream and slowly supporting her onto the nearby slope.

Tie Ci had no mind to deal with him now, staring intently at the distance.

Since gaining clairvoyance, her eyesight far exceeded ordinary people’s. From afar, she saw red-armored cavalry on the battlefield continuously falling, their battle formation in disarray.

But she didn’t see any attacks from Liaodong soldiers.

What was happening?

Clearly when she teleported away, Da Qian had been in excellent shape overall.

Over there on the plain, Di Yiwei’s army that had planned to outflank was withdrawing, instantly abandoning their attack on Liaodong.

Tie Ci vaguely saw infantry also continuously falling—the faster they ran, the faster they fell.

Tie Ci’s heart began pounding.

Murong Yi wasn’t watching the battlefield, anxiously pressing beside her wound. “Calm down, calm down—your bleeding is getting worse!”

He didn’t dare pull out the blade for her now. As he looked around for a suitable hiding place, Tie Ci suddenly grabbed his hand.

Her fingers were ice-cold, breathing rapid. “Your father king… what is your father king’s attitude toward this battle!”

Murong Yi fell silent briefly, understanding her meaning. “I was captured by my father when I was assassinating eldest brother. After that, I didn’t participate in any military planning, only being guarded while following the army’s movements.”

Tie Ci was somewhat disappointed, then heard him say: “But from my understanding of my father king, he’s a steady person who dislikes rash actions. Previously we predicted that for him to launch war against Da Qian, he should wait at least five more years. For him to suddenly decide to act, there must be… certain assurance of victory.”

Tie Ci’s heart sank.

As she had suspected.

She had originally felt Liaodong’s attack was somewhat too sudden.

She had thought it was due to the Liaodong King’s impatient temperament, but since he wasn’t a rash person, this great battle must have its foundation of confidence.

This really wasn’t good news.

“…Take me… take me to the battlefield…”

“No.” Murong Yi refused decisively. “The situation has already changed. Even if you go, you can’t stop it. Di Yiwei has always been both prepared and adaptable in warfare—she’ll have solutions. Don’t worry.”

“Cui Shi…” Tie Ci said. “Chi Xue realized he was the Poison Maniac’s disciple and killed the Poison Maniac, taking his poisons. I sent people to chase him but didn’t catch him. Now it seems he… he actually secretly allied with the Liaodong King… He is the Liaodong King’s confidence… The Poison Maniac’s toxins can destroy ten thousand armies… Take me to find Rong Pu…”

She suddenly stopped.

Have the son of the enemy she was currently fighting enter Da Qian’s military camp?

Could she still trust him now?

Murong Yi saw the pallor and confusion that flashed across her face. His heart ached, but his expression showed nothing as he only said: “No, you can’t move now. Let me find you a place to remove the blade…”

Tie Ci had already fallen backward, murmuring: “Help me, help me save the great army, and I’ll…”

“And you’ll be willing to continue staying with me?” Murong Yi suddenly supported her.

But at this moment, someone said from afar: “Hand her over to me, and I’ll grant you the Liaodong throne.”

Murong Yi spun around sharply.

He saw emerging from behind those winding hills and streams a group of people. In their center, Prince Da’an stared at Tie Ci in his arms, his eyes like a fierce tiger seeing long-coveted prey.

…

On the plain, infantry were continuously falling.

The soldiers who had just completely defeated the Liaodong troops on the ice waterfall, seized Liaodong sleds to quickly slide down and regroup, suffered inexplicable heavy losses.

Di Yiwei never personally participated in combat but never stayed far from the battlefield either. She was first to discover in the melee that soldiers charging at the front suddenly began convulsing.

Some were spitting blood, some collapsed silently.

The frontmost vanguard almost instantly fell and were killed by Liaodong soldiers in counterattack.

…

On the earthen road, people were galloping.

A small cavalry unit raced across the wilderness like spilled wind, their riding whips nearly creating light phantoms.

Suddenly the frontmost horse screamed and crashed forward violently. Horse and rider slid a great distance, the massive horse body crushing the rider’s leg as the soldier screamed in agony.

The two riders at the rear immediately shouted: “Rein in!”

The other riders all reined in their horses, then saw an iron wire stretched across the road, painted over—impossible to spot while galloping.

There was vague movement ahead.

“Ambush!” Xia Houchun on the rearmost horse said. “Leave ten men to engage—no need to seek victory, just fight and withdraw to hold them. The rest scatter and find another route.”

When Di Yiwei left, she had exceptionally given him authority to deploy troops. This cavalry unit now included both his own subordinates and Yong Ping army members more familiar with local terrain and roads.

Rong Pu behind him said: “There’s only one narrow path here. How do we get through?”

“For Liaodong people to dare intercept us on our own territory, clearly they’re determined to trap the entire Yong Ping army in Wuse Plain.” Xia Houchun’s gaze rose to look at the cliffs on both sides. “Are you afraid of heights?”

“Yes.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s go!”

He hoisted Rong Pu onto his back. Rong Pu grabbed the large bundle beside him, and both men scrambled up the cliff face.

The cliffs on both sides were nearly vertical, but the agile fat man climbed very quickly, like a huge monkey appearing and disappearing among the mountain cliffs.

Rong Pu closed his eyes, listening to the whooshing wind.

Suddenly he heard Xia Houchun curse, and simultaneously felt him lean sharply backward, nearly throwing Rong Pu off.

Rong Pu felt fierce wind strike his face. Opening his eyes, he saw a black shadow scrape past his nose bridge and strike into a mountain crevice with a thud, gleaming blue-green in the sunlight.

A poisoned throwing dart.

Several people were rapidly climbing up the cliff face toward them.

This was the nearest and most dangerous route to Wuse Plain, yet Liaodong people had even stationed people on the cliff faces.

Xia Houchun climbed faster. When someone climbed close and drew a blade to slash at Xia Houchun’s ankle, Xia Houchun had to find footing on the nearly smooth mountain wall while avoiding attacks. Having just found a slightly protruding spot to stand on, he clearly couldn’t avoid this attack.

Rong Pu suddenly reached behind and drew Xia Houchun’s umbrella, stabbing downward. The umbrella tip extended spikes, and with a hissing sound, that person screamed and fell, covering his bloody face.

Rong Pu used too much force and lost balance, flipping backward and about to tumble off the cliff.

A hand suddenly grabbed his ankle. Xia Houchun deftly lifted him back up, using that protrusion to climb another zhang higher, nearly reaching the cliff top.

But at this moment, several faces suddenly appeared in the sky above.

Large faces with thick beards, wearing fur, black armor with white trim—clearly Liaodong people.

Someone was actually waiting like hunters on the cliff top.

Xia Houchun turned, trying to find other climbing routes to leave the range these people could affect.

But all sides were bare, without even a tree root.

People were still rapidly climbing from below.

Tigers above, serpents below—trapped on the precipice.

Rong Pu had never encountered such a desperate situation in his life.

His palms were slightly sweaty. In this critical moment, his heart suddenly thought of Tie Ci.

How many such life-and-death situations had Her Highness experienced in her lifetime?

What did she think at those times?

Was she afraid?

This thought flashed by.

Xia Houchun suddenly saw birds flying up from the cliff top.

He immediately shouted: “You thieves, why do you Liaodong people trespass into our Yong Ping territory—do you want to invade villages to burn, kill, and pillage?”

Rong Pu reacted extremely quickly, also crying urgently: “Are you coveting the silver in the bundle on my back!”

The two Liaodong men above were startled.

Arrow sounds suddenly came from behind them.

The Liaodong people knew trouble was coming. They instinctively turned to parry with their blades, but forgot they were standing on the cliff edge to intercept those below. With one turn, they fell down.

As he fell, Xia Houchun smoothly raised his hand and lightly redirected his massive body, changing its direction. With two thuds, he knocked down two Liaodong soldiers climbing up.

The other man on the cliff wanted to retreat, but suddenly a dog charged over and bit his ankle.

That man hurriedly dodged while also avoiding arrows shot by hunters hidden in the trees, becoming somewhat flustered.

When he finally kicked the dog away, a massive black shadow suddenly swept past behind him, and pain struck his neck.

Xia Houchun had used this opening to jump onto the cliff.

He kicked this fellow off the cliff too.

He then moved several rocks and pushed them down. Amid screaming, the Liaodong soldiers climbing the cliff had to give up.

Xia Houchun and Rong Pu landed, then turned to see a young hunter emerging from the grass, looking at them curiously.

When Xia Houchun earlier saw birds flying up, he guessed there might be a hunter with dogs passing by, the running dogs having startled the birds.

His shout was to identify these Liaodong soldiers and call on locals to join in eliminating the enemy.

Rong Pu, for extra assurance, specifically indicated he had money on him.

Indeed, this hunter acted upon hearing this.

But the hunter clearly didn’t act for money. After hearing their thanks, he waved cheerfully and pointed to a small mountain path: “Since you two have urgent military matters, there’s a small path here. Though it’s harder to travel, with your skills it should be fine. Go this way—emerging from this path should put you above the ice waterfall at Wuse Plain.”

Both men were delighted, hastily thanking him again. This time Rong Pu truly pulled out a large amount of silver, but the other kept shaking his head: “You’re Commander Di’s subordinates. Commander Di has protected and helped the people for so many years guarding Yong Ping—how could we take the army’s money? We only hope the Commander continues her great victories to protect Yong Ping’s peace.”

The two entered the small path, but the hunter called them back again. Scratching his head with a somewhat simple, somewhat shy smile: “We heard the Crown Princess came to Yong Ping and even helped the Commander. Don’t know if you know the Crown Princess—what’s she like? Such a high official and a woman too—she won’t be like those previous pale-faced bad officials who bullied our Commander, will she?”

Rong Pu stopped in his tracks.

He was silent for a moment, then said calmly: “No.”

“She won’t bully anyone. She’s the finest woman in this world.”

“Moreover, she won’t fail Di Yiwei. They’re both the most outstanding women in this world. They will forever shine like twin stars across Da Qian’s heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, throughout the realm.”