Zhu Yi’s shouts echoed through the palace as he pursued, but the distance between him and the dozen black shadows ahead only grew wider.

He anxiously pounded on Qi You, urging him to go faster, even faster.

Qi You wiped away his sweat and said helplessly, “Young Minister, the snow is too heavy, the path is difficult to traverse, and visibility is poor… I’m doing my best.”

Zhu Yi glared at him, feeling utterly helpless, when suddenly several riders galloped past. They wore the attire of the White Marsh Guards and were accompanied by eunuchs specifically assigned to deliver imperial edicts, but all were dressed in plain white mourning clothes.

Zhu Yi hurriedly stepped forward to block their path, saying, “Where are you going! Lend me your horse!”

The mounted soldier replied, “Lord Zhu, we are following the orders of Vice Minister Duan to leave the palace and report to the various lords’ residences, urgently summoning all the lords to enter the palace.”

Zhu Yi asked, “Report… has His Majesty passed away…”

The rider, remembering Duan Yande’s instructions, lowered his face and said tearfully, “There is also news of the Crown Princess being assassinated and deceased.”

Zhu Yi was struck as if by lightning.

“No… impossible!”

Seeing the rider about to spur his horse onward, Zhu Yi suddenly leaped up from the snow, pulled down the eunuch he was carrying, mounted the horse himself, and said, “You don’t need to take him anymore, let him walk by himself. You take me – we’re going to pursue the Liaodong assassins!”

The rider was shocked: “My lord! How can we pursue with just one rider! We don’t even have the authority to deploy troops, what use would it be even if we caught up!”

“They killed His Majesty, they killed the Crown Princess!” Zhu Yi roared. “Now there’s chaos in the palace with no one in command, and those outside can’t react in time, so they can take advantage of the confusion to escape from the capital. But they’ve forgotten – how many people in the capital adore the Crown Princess! When they could resist the Xiao family to welcome her back to the capital, now they can intercept anyone who wants to harm her!”

He seized the rider’s whip and lashed it fiercely, “Go!”

…

Before the palace city, atop the broken walls and scattered ice among the ruins, long-separated people faced each other in amazement.

Pingzong laughed maniacally from atop the city wall, then after laughing, cursed angrily: “Bah, two idiots!”

The two great martial arts emperors had no words in response.

Di Yiwei breathed a sigh of relief. Watching the two stare at each other for a long while, Sang Ruo gracefully descended from the city head, shading her eyes with her hand, while Duanmu produced a black umbrella like magic and held it over his head.

The two landed in the snow, smiled at each other, and prepared to turn and leave.

Just as they lifted their feet, someone blocked their path.

The person fearlessly blocking their way was Di Yiwei, holding her pipe. Facing the two great masters, she unhurriedly took a puff of smoke and said through the clouds of smoke, “You two, leaving just like this wouldn’t be quite appropriate, would it?”

Duanmu glanced at her sideways, while Sang Ruo showed no expression.

“These palace walls, this city gate, these dead and wounded soldiers.” Di Yiwei gestured with her pipe. “Don’t you two intend to give an explanation?”

At that moment, the palace gates opened and several riders rushed out, dressed in plain white mourning clothes and carrying white flags, causing Di Yiwei’s pupils to contract instantly.

She turned and pointed at those riders who didn’t stop at all, saying slowly, “You two have also seen – something major has happened in the imperial palace. Without doubt, someone has instigated and used you both, causing this disturbance and leaving the palace city vulnerable, allowing them to take advantage and create chaos within the forbidden palace. Even if you don’t intend to compensate us for the damage to our city walls, you should at least compensate for the Crown Princess, right? You should at least settle accounts with those who schemed behind the scenes and manipulated you, right?”

Sang Ruo was silent for a while, then sighed: “The world has indeed changed.”

Someone actually dared to ask him for compensation.

Going back several decades, there weren’t even people with the courage to stand before him.

Duanmu looked back at the palace city, laughed once, and said, “What good intentions does Tie Ci have? Why didn’t she tell me earlier that Sang Ruo was at her place? Didn’t she also harbor thoughts of using me? If she had spoken earlier, how could today’s disaster have occurred? Why should I compensate her for this?”

Pingzong leaned against the wall top and spat another mouthful of saliva at the two great masters below, cursing: “What about me? Sang Ruo, have I wronged you in any way? Your old lover came and beat me like a dog, and you have nothing to say about it!”

Sang Ruo frowned.

How were all these girls nowadays both able to fight and skilled at unreasonable pestering?

Duanmu’s expression darkened.

Having finally reunited with Sang Ruo, he now only wanted to go with him to some uninhabited place to properly reminisce and talk about how they had spent these years of separation. But these people insisted on pestering them relentlessly.

A flash of killing intent appeared in his eyes.

Sang Ruo grasped his hand.

He said, “That you and I can reunite is a joyous occasion. We should be grateful for heaven’s mercy and also grateful to the Crown Princess. Let us not shed more blood. Moreover, you and I were manipulated by those people, and by the slightest margin, we would have been separated forever. This account should indeed be settled clearly.”

Duanmu immediately said, “I’ll follow your lead.”

Sang Ruo said, “The Empress Dowager deceived and exploited me for nearly twenty years. I will settle this account with her.”

Di Yiwei immediately said, “The Empress Dowager belongs to the Xiao family.”

Sang Ruo said, “I will take action against the Xiao family once for you.”

Duanmu said, “Jingxu dared to deceive me, he should also pay a price.”

Di Yiwei said, “Jingxu belongs to the Prince of Liaodong.”

Duanmu said, “I’ll help you kill one person from Liaodong.”

Di Yiwei: “Then go kill Prince Da’an.”

Duanmu: “…”

But Sang Ruo sighed and said, “But not now.”

They were already bearing accumulated injuries, and although today’s actions seemed to intimidate the imperial palace, the toll was actually quite severe.

Di Yiwei was thinking about how to first retain these two as fighters when she suddenly saw several riders galloping toward the palace city.

The red flags on their shoulders and backs representing urgent military intelligence were quite striking.

Di Yiwei’s gaze tightened as she hurried forward to meet them.

The messenger’s voice was hoarse, penetrating the vast square.

“Report—Ten days ago, Liaodong raised an army of 300,000, divided into three routes attacking Kaiping, Cangtian, and Xining, consecutively capturing three cities. Yongping is in danger!”

“Report—Da Yan cavalry crossed the border to plunder civilians, Prince Changle inexplicably allowed passage, and now Da Yan cavalry has reached Yuzhou!”

“Report—The Shengdu garrison suddenly broke camp under the pretext of protecting the emperor, city gates had inside collaborators who opened them, the gate commander was killed, and the Shengdu garrison has entered the city!”

“Report—The Xiao family’s private army emerged en masse last night, carrying Da Yan desert horses to raid the Ministry of Justice in the night, destroying half the ministry building, breaking down prison walls, and rescuing Xiao family members from prison. Da Yan cavalry ran rampant through the capital streets, killing eleven Ministry of Justice officers and countless civilians!”

“…”

A moment of deathly silence.

Everyone was stunned senseless by this series of catastrophic news.

Xia Houchun, who had rushed over, drew a sharp breath and urgently asked, “Why were the city gates suddenly opened? The Xiao family was already in prison, so who secretly opened the city gates? Have the Xiao family and Da Yan colluded? How did Da Yan get in?”

“Reporting to the Commander, the city gates were suspected to have been seized and opened by Lady Rong, née Di, who led people up the walls and caught them off guard. As for Da Yan… we don’t know yet.”

Xia Houchun was about to ask more when Di Yiwei blocked him with her pipe, saying, “You go to the palace to request orders, I’ll go to the city gates.”

Suddenly, great wailing arose from within the palace gates, with someone shouting, “His Majesty has passed away! The Crown Princess has also died!”

The crowd erupted in uproar, countless people collapsed in shock, kneeling in the snow.

Xia Houchun was so startled that his entire corpulent body trembled.

For an instant, only four words filled his mind:

The Great Qian is finished!

Di Yiwei’s expression finally changed.

She had already known something was wrong when she saw the white mourning flags, and His Majesty’s sudden death in his prime was already catastrophic news. She had barely controlled herself while bargaining with Duanmu, but who could have known this disaster would compound!

How could Tie Ci die?!

She turned abruptly to look toward the snow-covered imperial palace.

Indeed, if Tie Ci were fine, she would definitely have sent orders by now, rather than only seeing mourning messengers without any military commands.

But Tie Ci—would she die so easily?

What exactly happened in the palace?

Xia Houchun suddenly grabbed her, saying, “Enter the palace!”

“No!” Di Yiwei forcefully shook off his hand. “I’m going to the city gates. If I can’t retake the gates, I’ll die at the gates. If I can retake them, I’ll go directly to Yongping. My stronghold has been invaded by the Liaodong white bears, and my sons are waiting for me to return!”

“But…”

“There are no buts. I don’t believe Tie Ci is dead.” Di Yiwei said, “Xia Hou, let’s do our own duties well. As long as you and I don’t die, the Great Qian will not perish!”

She thrust her pipe behind her neck, leaped onto her mount, and led her people like a dense cloud, breaking through wind and snow, sweeping across the square.

Xia Houchun stood in place, watching her retreating figure. After a long while, he turned back, mounted his horse, and galloped toward the palace gates.

Going in the opposite direction from her.

“Return to the palace!”

…

A pale blue appeared on the horizon, and the snow gradually lessened.

Dawn had broken.

Under the heavy snow, the capital was brighter than usual, and the people rose early to clear the snow.

The people who came out to clear snow on Tianming Street in the eastern part of the city suddenly felt a fierce wind pass overhead. Looking up, they saw a group of dark figures passing over their heads.

Then they heard urgent hoofbeats, and saw at the end of the street a single rider treading snow against the wind, galloping madly toward them.

The group of black-clad figures ahead suddenly changed direction, heading south.

The pursuing horse made a smooth turn, leaping high over a ditch.

Ahead, Chazi kept looking back, irritated and surprised: “They’ve actually managed to pursue us all this way, like maggots attached to bone!”

Beside him, Mu Si carried Murong Yi on his back, saying nothing.

On the horse behind, Zhu Yi was bounced almost to the point of his soul leaving his body, yet still felt fortunate.

What good luck—grabbing a random person, he turned out to be originally from the elite Scorpion Camp, a scout by background, most skilled at concealment and long-distance tracking.

Only thus could he pursue this group of Liaodong assassins with superb lightness skills and familiarity with the capital all the way here.

The rider from the Scorpion Camp, however, frowned.

“They’ve changed their route, entering the southern city through the slums. There are no main thoroughfares there, the roads are narrow and complex, cluttered with debris everywhere. Not only is it impossible to ride horses, but it’s also very easy to conceal traces.”

Zhu Yi took a deep breath, grabbed a handful of snow and stuffed it in his mouth to moisten his throat that was about to catch fire, pointed at the retreating figures of the black-clad group, and shouted loudly.

“The Crown Princess has been assassinated! The Crown Princess was betrayed and assassinated by Murong Yi! Now Murong Yi seeks to escape back to Liaodong. Please, fellow villagers and elders, help me stop this villain! The court will surely reward you handsomely!”

This shout startled the surrounding people.

Some stopped their brooms, some stared at him as if he were a madman.

“Is this person crazy?”

“The Crown Princess assassinated? How is that possible?”

“If the Crown Princess was assassinated, why wouldn’t they send the army to pursue, but instead have this scholar chase alone?”

Zhu Yi felt bitter in his mouth.

That was because, even in this situation, Tie Ci hadn’t expressed a single word about pursuing Murong Yi!

He could only shout again: “I am Zhu Yi, former Head of Yue Li Academy, current Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and was once the Crown Princess’s teacher. If I speak even one false word, may heaven and earth destroy me!”

The rider carried him as they galloped, and he shouted while raising his official token.

Because of the Compassionate Heart Society and Yue Li Academy, Zhu Yi was well-known throughout the capital, and the crowd began to stir.

Zhu Yi pursued while shouting loudly: “…Please help me capture this villain! The court will surely reward you handsomely!”

“Please help me capture this villain!”

Suddenly someone leaped from the crowd, saying, “I recognize you! Teacher Zhu, I’ll help you!”

That was a scholar who had once studied at Yue Li Academy.

Someone waved a carrying pole and blocked the road, “This year during the Pingzhou drought, it was the Crown Princess who promptly ordered disaster relief, saving the lives of my whole family. The Crown Princess’s affairs are my concern!”

Someone laughed heartily and ran forward, “There’s excitement here, it would be foolish not to join!”

The city patrol soldiers were alerted and rushed over, more and more people gathering.

The clamor gradually rose, Zhu Yi’s shouts following like a shadow.

It was amidst these shouts that Murong Yi slowly opened his eyes.

As soon as he opened them, he was stimulated by the cold air and coughed, spitting out a little bloody foam.

Mu Si turned his head, “You’re awake?”

Murong Yi’s voice was so faint it was barely audible without careful listening: “…It’s dawn…”

Mu Si grunted acknowledgment.

Dawn had broken.

But it would never dawn again.

So much blood, hatred, grievances, helplessness… all left in last night’s wind and snow.

“…Ah Ci…”

“She’s fine.” Mu Si answered quickly.

Murong Yi seemed to laugh briefly, so that bloody breath again brushed past Mu Si’s ear.

No, she won’t be fine.

But what else could be done?

Murong Yi finally caught some of the shouting behind them, “…What are they shouting…”

Mu Si wished he could cover his ears but couldn’t free his hands while carrying him.

Murong Yi had already heard clearly. After a moment of silence, he said, “…Where are we… going…”

Chazi beside them said, “We’re going back.”

By now they had reached the southern city and were about to disappear into the winding alleys.

Murong Yi suddenly raised his hand and pinched Mu Si’s Tianzhu acupoint.

Mu Si’s body went limp.

Murong Yi then fell from his back, landing with a thud in the snow.

Chazi: “Young Master!”

Murong Yi propped himself up with his hands, swaying as he climbed up, the snow instantly stained with patches of red.

He took a breath and said, “I’m not going back.”

Chazi rushed over to support him, “Young Master! Didn’t you hear what the pursuers were shouting? If you stay, it’s certain death!”

Murong Yi brushed away her hand, saying coldly, “Then I’ll die in the capital.”

“You want to die beside her even in death?” Chazi cried, “Young Master, have you gone mad! Is it worth it!”

Murong Yi’s lips curved slightly, too lazy even to answer, and leaning against the low wall beside him, began walking back.

Chazi: “Stop the Young Master!”

Those unfamiliar Liaodong assassins silently blocked Murong Yi’s path.

“Young Master…” Chazi gritted her teeth, “I cannot let you go to your death… even if I have to knock you unconscious to get you out… forgive me… Young Master!”

With a crack, Murong Yi broke off an icicle and pointed its sharp tip at his own throat.

“Take one more step closer…” he said calmly, “and I shall die first in respect.”