The guard kept his head lowered, remaining silent.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on Xia Jingshi’s face. Surprisingly, he was smiling. “There’s no need to investigate further. Even if we find out, what difference would it make? What’s done is done.”

“Feng Suige—” An exasperated voice called from afar. “Where are you hiding? Come out quickly!” As Feng Suige was about to respond, Xia Jingshi raised his hand to stop him, nodding towards the other direction. “Don’t let her come here—I’ll handle this.” Feng Suige nodded in understanding, took a deep breath, and dashed towards the other side of the forest.

Xia Jingshi watched him leave, then turned his gaze back to the guard still kneeling on the ground. He asked softly, “Was it her?”

“Everyone’s busy, and here you are, lazing around…” Yi Xiao finally found Feng Suige lounging idly in the shade. Annoyed, she pounced on him, pinching him. “Get up quickly, there’s movement below!”

Feng Suige startled, quickly propping himself up. “What kind of movement?” Yi Xiao tugged at him, trying to pull him to his feet. “It seems people have arrived—I can’t explain clearly, come and see for yourself!”

In just a moment, the scattered purple dots at the foot of the mountain had coalesced into large purple clouds, forming a battle formation facing outwards. By the looks of it, reinforcements had arrived.

They were just one step away from the expected outcome. Why did such a serious mistake have to occur at this crucial moment? The guard’s unusual behavior made Feng Suige increasingly certain of his suspicions. However, he couldn’t understand why…

“Is it Weiran and the others who’ve arrived?” Yi Xiao stared intently at the foot of the mountain. “Shouldn’t we be getting into formation?” Receiving no response for a long time, she turned back suspiciously to look at the man beside her, who was lost in thought. “What’s wrong?”

Meeting her clear gaze, Feng Suige suddenly snapped back to reality. He covered up, responding, “Hmm… it’s nothing. I was just thinking about the next step…” “Once they engage head-on, we’ll concentrate our forces and charge down,” Yi Xiao said excitedly, oblivious to his distraction. She pumped her fist. “At that time, they’ll have to deal with both Weiran and us, and they’re bound to leave an opening—yes, if we seize the opportunity, we’ll be able to break through!”

Feng Suige responded absent-mindedly.

He wondered if that person had been caught. If not… Suddenly, his whole body tensed, and he turned to run towards the camp.

Before he could enter the forest, he ran into Xia Jingshi, who was slowly walking out. Feng Suige froze, stopping in his tracks. “Xiyang…” Xia Jingshi calmly replied, “She’s gone too.”

As if doused with a bucket of cold water, Feng Suige couldn’t help but shiver.

Xia Jingshi’s gaze moved past his shoulder, falling on Yi Xiao who had followed him. A gentle smile spread across his lips. “I’ve ended up involving you all after all.”

Yi Xiao couldn’t remember how many times she had fallen on the uneven mountain path, nor did she notice that her cheeks had been cut by sharp grass blades. The anger she had been suppressing for days exploded upon learning the truth. After snatching Feng Suige’s sword, she sprinted wildly down the narrow path behind the mountain. The urgent calls of Feng Suige and Xia Jingshi were left far behind after a few turns.

Even if it was blind pursuit, even if there was no trail to follow, she had to chase.

If she couldn’t catch the escaped Holy Emperor, in no time at all, the hundred or so lives on the mountaintop would be sacrificed under the iron cavalry of the Jinxiu Yulin Grand Camp. As for Feng Xiyang, if she was still obstinate, even at the risk of being hated by Feng Suige afterward, Yi Xiao would kill her, even if it cost her own life.

Catching a shadow from the corner of her eye, Yi Xiao maintained her momentum, abruptly changing direction to lunge to the right, her sword leaving its sheath.

With a clang, the sword’s edge was deflected, the impact forcing Yi Xiao half a step back. At the same time, the person called out, “Commander Fu…”

Yi Xiao steadied herself, withdrawing her sword and stepping back. Before she stood one of Xia Jingshi’s deputy commanders, covered in mud and grass stains, looking at her in despair. “There’s not a single trace, it seems we won’t be able to find them…” “Shut up,” Yi Xiao coldly commanded, sheathing her sword and turning to leave. “If you still have strength, continue the pursuit. If not, go back up and help!”

“But we don’t know which way they went, it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack…” “If it were you, which way would you go?” Yi Xiao paused, turning slightly to look at him. Her voice was hoarse as if asking, but also as if muttering to herself, “Two pampered individuals, on such a mountain path, how would they go…”

Yi Xiao’s gaze slowly moved to the more gentle slope in the distance. “That way.”

Jumping down from a boulder, the Holy Emperor sat down hard, breathing heavily. After a long while, there was a rustling from the grass beside him. Feng Xiyang, who had to take a detour due to her fear of heights, stumbled out of the deep grass and crouched beside him, panting softly.

If this woman wasn’t still useful, he wouldn’t have brought her along to slow him down. The Holy Emperor frowned, glancing at Feng Xiyang, then stood up and said softly, “Let’s go.”

Feng Xiyang struggled to her feet. They had barely taken two steps when the Holy Emperor suddenly spun around and knocked her to the ground, his hand clamping firmly over her mouth to stifle her cry of surprise.

The sound of rustling grass came from not far ahead. Footsteps lingered nearby for a while before continuing downwards, gradually fading away.

The Holy Emperor’s tense body finally relaxed. He sneered, “They’re quick, already chasing us here.” Xiyang, looking dazed, pushed him away and sat up. “They’ve discovered…”

“Having regrets now?” The Holy Emperor stood up, carefully looking around before extending a hand to Xiyang. “Come on, we need to move faster.” Xiyang hesitated, lowering her head to avoid his hand. “You go on your own. I… I want to go back.” “Go back?” The Holy Emperor sneered. “Suit yourself, but if you go back, what I promised you earlier will no longer stand. Don’t regret it when the Yulin Grand Camp levels this mountaintop.”

Feng Xiyang gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stand. “Let’s go.”

“You are beyond saving,” a cold voice rang out, startling Feng Xiyang into a muffled cry. The Holy Emperor also turned around in shock. From the waist-high wild grass not far away, a figure slowly rose. It was none other than Yi Xiao. She coldly tossed aside her scabbard, pointing her sword tip towards the two, advancing step by step. “Go back on your own, or cross over my corpse to go down the mountain. Choose one!”