After descending Wei Mountain and replenishing their water at the stream at the foot of the mountain, Feng Xiyang was ordered to continue riding with Yi Xiao. The mare that had previously carried her now bore the tightly bound Holy Emperor, led by Jinxiu army officers, closely following Xia Jingshi’s horse. Feng Xiyang seemed to understand the urgency of the situation, and her body, tied to Yi Xiao’s back, no longer conveyed obvious rejection and hostility. Feng Suige had also put aside his playful attitude. After reorganizing the formation for wartime marching, the troops began to move at full speed.

The mountain wind whistled past their cheeks. The purple flag of the Imperial Guard must have been fluttering in the wind like the corners of their robes. Yi Xiao felt as if her heart would leap out of her chest with the jolting of the horse. Her blood surged with a cry from the depths of her heart: Hurry, hurry, hurry faster.

As the sky gradually darkened, Yi Xiao gritted her teeth and raised her whip, lashing it hard against the horse’s flank. The horse, already exhausted and foaming at the mouth, let out a cry of pain, but its speed didn’t increase. Before the second lash could fall, Xia Jingshi stopped her in a low voice, “Even if you beat it to death, it won’t help. Why bother?”

Yi Xiao angrily pulled back the whip, fuming, “It looks like we won’t make it till dawn. I wonder when we can change horses again…” “No need,” Xia Jingshi smiled. “Let’s leave it at this.” Before Yi Xiao could understand his implication, Xia Jingshi called out to the accompanying officers and reined in his horse to stop.

Feng Suige pulled up his horse in surprise. Xia Jingshi and his group had already retreated to the roadside with the Holy Emperor. Seeing Feng Suige stop and look back, Xia Jingshi calmly said, “Prince Feng, why don’t we part ways here?” Feng Suige frowned and asked gruffly, “What do you mean?” Yi Xiao also exclaimed, “Your Highness, what are you doing?”

“If we continue like this, none of us will escape,” Xia Jingshi avoided Yi Xiao’s gaze and glanced at the Holy Emperor as if to hide something. “With him here, the Imperial Guard won’t dare to act rashly.”

Feng Suige stared at him steadily, suddenly breaking into a knowing smile. “So, to save yourself, you’re willing to abandon your companions?” Before Xia Jingshi could react, the officer beside him burst out angrily, “His Highness is not that kind of person…” “Then,” Feng Suige lazily interjected, “you think I’m that kind of person, is that it?”

Silence suddenly fell around them.

Seeing the officer lowering his head in shame, Feng Suige’s smile faded, and he shouted, “Tell the Jinxiu people, are we Su Sha men that kind of people?!”

“No—!” The roar of over a hundred Su Sha soldiers echoed through the valley.

“Very well, let’s continue on our way,” Feng Suige raised an eyebrow and was about to turn his horse when Xia Jingshi suddenly called out, “Wait…”

“Your Highness,” Yi Xiao interrupted loudly, her face showing rare solemnity, “Things have already been said to this point. It wouldn’t be appropriate for Your Highness to refuse now, would it?”

“Even Yi Xiao has learned to put on a stern face and lecture people,” Xia Jingshi smiled helplessly. “I just wanted to say that there’s a relatively isolated hill a few miles away. If we hurry there now, we still have some time to build some defensive works. This way, we should be able to hold out for a few days without any problems.”

At midnight, torches began to light up at the foot of the mountain.

Hearing the alarm, Yi Xiao rolled over and sat up from her felt mat. “They’re here!” Feng Suige stopped her from getting up. “Sleep easy, I’ll go.”

In the cleared space outside, Xia Jingshi was standing by the palisade, looking down. Hearing the greetings of the soldiers coming and going, he said without turning his head, “They might send scouts up the mountain immediately. We need to be more cautious tonight.” Feng Suige glanced down and casually said, “Before they come up, why don’t we send someone down to talk to them?”

“Planning to negotiate with them?” Xia Jingshi turned to look at him. Feng Suige shrugged indifferently, “Actually, it doesn’t have much to do with me. It mainly depends on what you think—by the way, about that matter, how have you considered it? Or do you want to tell me that you’re still hesitating?”

Seeing Xia Jingshi’s silence, Feng Suige scratched his head in frustration. “This is what I’ve never understood. Some people without ability are still desperately climbing towards that position, while you, who are just a step away, refuse to take that final step.” He paused and looked at Xia Jingshi suspiciously. “Is there something wrong with your head?”

“No,” Xia Jingshi answered expressionlessly. “Ha,” Feng Suige laughed dryly, “Could it be that there’s something wrong with my head?” “Maybe,” Xia Jingshi didn’t want to dwell on this issue any longer. He pointed to a place where torches were gathered at the foot of the mountain. “That should be the main tent—if you were the commanding general, what would you do now?”

Feng Suige’s expression became serious. After a brief thought, he answered simply, “On one hand, we need to stabilize the people on the mountain and try to rescue the Holy Emperor unharmed. On the other hand, we need to set up defenses to prevent them from breaking through or calling for reinforcements.”

Xia Jingshi nodded slightly. “At this point, they will certainly prioritize the Holy Emperor’s safety. So, in the short term, they won’t make any big moves. However, they will be on guard towards Lu City, not allowing us to wait comfortably for reinforcements to arrive.”

“I see,” Feng Suige narrowed his eyes, seriously considering. “You’re from Jinxiu and understand them better. Do you think the person down there is more supportive of you or of that unfortunate fellow tied up behind us?” “The Jinxiu Imperial Guard wears purple and participates in the capital’s defense, but they are essentially the emperor’s troops,” Xia Jingshi sighed lightly. “For them, holding the Holy Emperor hostage is a great act of treason…”

“Just say they support that person,” Feng Suige said dissatisfied, finally understanding. “This is troublesome—well, since we’ve been dragged into this, it seems wrong not to get involved.” He leaned closer to Xia Jingshi and said softly, “With the Holy Emperor kidnapped and the nobles in chaos, not just anyone can clean up this mess. Tell me, when that time comes…”

Xia Jingshi looked alertly into Feng Suige’s eyes. After a moment of eye contact, Xia Jingshi smiled bitterly, “Why must you force me to that step?” “What step?” Feng Suige smiled and stepped back. “You’ve had a hard night. I’ll take over tomorrow.”