The battle didn’t end with Geng Liangcheng’s death. Shen Yun’an’s appearance greatly boosted the morale of the Jingzhou army, making them especially spirited in killing the enemy. The conflict extended far beyond this – the Mongols, who neighbored the Tujue, took the opportunity to begin harassing Yunzhou.

Small-scale armed conflicts also erupted in Kucha, Gongyue City, and other regions of the Northwest border.

All of these were personally quelled by Shen Yueshan. Yes, Shen Yueshan personally appeared. Instead of coming to Jingzhou, he traveled westward from Xizhou, using this incident to conduct a massive cleanup of the entire Northwest, eliminating not only Emperor Youning’s spies but thoroughly removing everyone else’s informants as well.

When the Northwestern Royal City learned that Shen Yueshan wasn’t dead, the entire city erupted in celebration. Remarkably, not a single person felt deceived by Shen Yueshan. They didn’t know why their Northwestern King had returned from death, nor did they wish to investigate the circumstances. They only knew they hadn’t lost their God of War, their King!

As long as the Prince was alive, the Northwest would become increasingly stable, and their lives would become more secure and prosperous.

Shen Xihe left the Northwestern Royal City but left Xiao Changfeng behind. Since their unmasked conversation, Shen Xihe had become completely uninhibited in front of him, refusing to let him follow even when he wanted to.

Seeing the city-wide celebration, as lively as New Year’s festivities, left Xiao Changfeng even more shocked and emotionally conflicted than the city’s mourning during Shen Yueshan’s fake death.

In the Northwest, the Northwestern King was revered as a god, his position unshakeable.

His Majesty’s desire to consolidate the Northwest would be incredibly difficult. At this moment, he finally understood why His Majesty didn’t dare act rashly or move against the three Shen men lightly. If His Majesty were to act, unless it was completely untraceable, even if the Northwestern King didn’t rebel, the Northwestern citizens might split away to maintain their autonomy.

Earlier, he had told Shen Xihe that he could incite the common people. Now he finally understood the source of Shen Xihe’s mockery and derision.

Standing on the city tower, Xiao Changfeng watched the surrounding jubilation. Some people excitedly spread the news, others knelt to thank heaven and earth, and some families embraced each other with tears of joy.

He pondered how Shen Yueshan must have devoted unimaginable effort to the Northwest to earn such devotion from its people.

During his time in the Northwest, observing the words and actions of the Shen father and sons, they showed no signs of rebellious intent. If they could continue coexisting peacefully with His Majesty, perhaps that would be the best outcome for all.

But…

His Majesty had his long-term considerations and worries, while the Northwestern King had his constraints and concerns.

Neither was wrong, but some matters simply have no clear right or wrong.

Shen Xihe knew nothing of Xiao Changfeng’s thoughts. She had successfully met with Ye Wantang, who appeared pale, emanating an air of dejection, her eyes having lost their usual warm gentleness.

“I knew you would find me,” a glimmer of admiration crossed Ye Wantang’s lifeless eyes.

Xiao Changfeng had forced himself on her, and fearing she might attempt suicide, he had posted many guards to watch her. Yet Shen Xihe still found her and subdued all these men.

“I told you before, I hoped you wouldn’t seek me out,” Shen Xihe expressed slight regret.

Ye Wantang had once been one of the capital’s Nine Perfections, born to a noble family, gentle and virtuous, intelligent and refined. If she hadn’t met Xiao Changtai, even if she had married a noble son who wasn’t completely devoted to her, she could have lived a comfortable life. Without love’s obsession, there would be no pain and sorrow, and she wouldn’t have ended up with a heart reduced to ashes.

Ye Wantang lowered her head with a desolate smile: “I should have seen through it earlier, should have awakened sooner, but my heart couldn’t let go, couldn’t release…”

She had many chances to see Xiao Changtai’s true nature, but because she couldn’t completely give up on him, she always turned a blind eye, deceiving herself, naively hoping and imagining everything would turn out well.

Not wanting to discuss this further, Shen Xihe asked: “Why did you seek me out?”

Ye Wantang raised her head, slowly composing her emotions, and gazed steadily at Shen Xihe: “I heard the Northwestern King was safe and sound. Thinking carefully, perhaps this was all your plan from the beginning. I don’t know your purpose, but I understand that by now, he must have fallen into your trap. I want to see him one last time.”

“Are you so certain of his defeat?” Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.

Ye Wantang smiled bitterly: “The fact that you could see me means his defeat is inevitable.”

None of Xiao Changtai’s men could get past Shen Xihe, and her swift arrival to meet proved the capability of Shen Xihe and the Xiao Huayong couple.

“What do you mean by ‘one last time’…” Shen Xihe asked.

Ye Wantang’s gaze turned distant: “Whether alive or dead, I just want to see him once.”

Shen Xihe nodded. If Ye Wantang wanted to see him alive, that might be difficult: “I’ll do my best.”

Standing up, Shen Xihe glanced around and asked: “Do you want to leave with me now?”

“Aren’t you going to ask what I want in return?” Ye Wantang was surprised.

She had requested to see Xiao Changtai once, and Shen Xihe had agreed without stating any conditions.

Shen Xihe turned to look at her: “If I don’t ask, won’t you still offer? You’re someone who understands propriety.”

Lost in thought, Ye Wantang looked at Shen Xihe, feeling a sense of familiarity: “Sometimes you remind me of an old friend, yet you’re completely different from her.”

Her former close friend Gu Qingchi had been equally clever and wise, but too aloof. Gu Qingchi carried herself with a proud and cold detachment that set her apart from others; Shen Xihe was different, exhibiting a composed confidence that emanated from her very core.

Shen Xihe didn’t respond to this, simply gazing calmly at Ye Wantang.

“He has a cache of treasures, I know where they’re hidden; three days ago, he sent a letter to the capital, saying Crown Prince Jiachen was in the Tujue camp, and must surely have connections with someone in the capital.” This was all Ye Wantang knew.

Shen Xihe’s eyes suddenly darkened.

Xiao Changtai had sent word to the capital mentioning Crown Prince Jiachen – in the capital, only one person would fear Xiao Juesong: Emperor Youning!

He must have been unable to contact Emperor Youning directly, but he would have left people in the capital, like Ye Qi, who could find ways to get news of Xiao Juesong’s presence here to the emperor.

If Emperor Youning learned of Xiao Juesong’s whereabouts, he would certainly deploy full force to intercept and kill him. He would never allow this grave threat to escape again.

But Xiao Juesong was Xiao Huayong in disguise. Almost instantly, Shen Xihe realized Xiao Changtai might have figured it out. If he had sent news that Xiao Huayong was here stirring up trouble, Emperor Youning would have been half-believing, and even if he mostly believed it, he wouldn’t have taken such dramatic action.

But with Xiao Juesong, it was entirely different.

Xiao Changtai was planning to use Emperor Youning’s hand to silence them!

She rushed out immediately, taking out a bone whistle and blowing it. Only by finding the Haitan Eagle could she quickly locate Xiao Huayong!