Yangguan Pass was originally a Southern Dynasty town that had been conquered by Northern Dynasty forces not long ago. Now the Northern Army had retreated back here. The civilians in the city had long since fled as refugees, leaving almost no common people in Yangguan Pass except for Northern Dynasty soldiers.

The residence where Xiao Yin temporarily stayed was originally the prefect’s mansion. Hua Zhuyu was also escorted to the mansion and directly thrown into the underground dungeon.

The dungeon was gloomy and damp, making her feel suffocated, while the wound on her shoulder ached so much she couldn’t help but frown. She sat on the ground, her mind constantly replaying Xiao Yin’s every action on the battlefield. She tried to find clues of his abnormality from his unusual behavior. But ultimately, she had to admit that aside from forgetting her and becoming more heartless, Xiao Yin hadn’t changed much.

He didn’t seem to be manipulated or controlled by anyone. He was still as cold, domineering, and decisive as before. What exactly had happened to him? This was something she absolutely had to investigate thoroughly.

Hua Zhuyu circulated her internal energy, broke free from the ropes binding her, and slowly walked to the cell door. Although the dungeon was sturdy, the guards outside weren’t particularly strict. Obviously, Yangguan Pass had become a heavily defended Northern Dynasty stronghold that Southern Dynasty people simply couldn’t penetrate. Xiao Yin didn’t need to worry about anyone coming to rescue her!

Hua Zhuyu stood before the cell door, waiting. She knew someone would come looking for her!

Sure enough, in the darkness, light footsteps began to sound, approaching step by step.

The cell door rustled with movement, and someone carrying a lantern appeared before the cell door – it was Xiao Yin’s personal guard, Hui Xue.

On the battlefield, when Xiao Yin had shot arrows at her, Hui Xue had tried to stop him. Hua Zhuyu knew that once she arrived here, Hui Xue would definitely come looking for her.

Hui Xue stood outside the cell door holding her lantern, staring fixedly at Hua Zhuyu through the bars. The lantern in her hand cast gentle light, unable to fully illuminate the cell, leaving even Hui Xue’s face unclear in the dim shadows.

After many days apart, Hui Xue hadn’t changed much, still appearing cold and aloof as always, but her gaze toward Hua Zhuyu was obviously very complex.

“Who exactly are you? Why did you impersonate Princess Zhuo Ya?” Hui Xue asked coldly.

Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected Hui Xue to open with this question. This meant Hui Xue already knew she wasn’t Xiao Yin’s sister! If Hui Xue knew, then Xiao Yin must have known and told her. That day, she had told Xiao Yin to ask Lady Bai Ma about something when he returned.

“Hui Xue, who I am isn’t important. When I came to the Northern Dynasty that day, I was only seeking refuge and meant no harm to the Northern Dynasty!” This was all she could say. Currently, she couldn’t reveal her identity as Hua Zhuyu.

“Then how did you come to know Princess Zhuo Ya, and how did you get her token? Where is Princess Zhuo Ya now?” Hui Xue continued questioning. Clearly, Hui Xue didn’t know she was Ying Shuxie – this should only be known by Xiao Yin. Hui Xue also hadn’t suspected she was the Hua family’s young miss, only thinking she was a maid sent as a substitute bride.

When Hui Xue asked about Princess Zhuo Ya, Hua Zhuyu fell silent.

Jin Se’s death remained the most painful scar in Hua Zhuyu’s heart. Every time it was mentioned, it was like tearing open the wound again, revealing bloody flesh.

“She’s no longer here. The token was given to me by her.” After a long while, Hua Zhuyu slowly said.

Hui Xue’s hand holding the lantern trembled, and deep sorrow flashed through her eyes. Obviously, she had already guessed – such an important token related to one’s identity wouldn’t be easily given away unless the person was gone.

“It’s hard to explain in a few words! Hui Xue, right now I only want to know what exactly happened to your emperor. Why did he suddenly attack the Southern Dynasty? How did his black hair turn purple?” Hua Zhuyu asked with furrowed brows.

Hui Xue fell silent for a moment but didn’t answer Hua Zhuyu’s question. She looked up at Hua Zhuyu with meaningful eyes, took out keys, and opened the cell door: “His Majesty wants to see you. Come with me! His Majesty has been in a very bad temper lately. If we’re late and anger him, you’ll be in trouble.” Hui Xue said with furrowed brows.

Hua Zhuyu knew Xiao Yin would see her. On the battlefield, she didn’t know what Wen Wan had whispered in his ear that suddenly made him interested in her, prompting him to personally capture her despite his imperial status. Otherwise, given that he didn’t remember her at all, he shouldn’t have been interested in a mere soldier like her. But she didn’t understand why Hui Xue was unwilling to answer her questions.

Hua Zhuyu followed Hui Xue out of the dungeon. At the entrance outside the dungeon stood Liu Feng, another of Xiao Yin’s personal guards. Seeing Hui Xue bringing Hua Zhuyu out, he turned to lead the way. The group followed a bluestone path to Xiao Yin’s residence.

“Your Majesty, we’ve brought that prisoner!” Liu Feng went in to report.

Hua Zhuyu was escorted slowly into the room.

When they parted, there had still been reluctant attachment. When they met again, they were already strangers. Everything had changed like seas turning to mulberry fields. He was still him, she was still her. But when their four eyes met, the “her” in his eyes was no longer her, and the “him” in her eyes was no longer him.

Xiao Yin sat cross-legged on a carpet, leaning against brocade cushions, listening to Wen Wan play the qin. His purple hair complemented his deep purple eyes, and his entire being radiated a heart-stopping, enchanting quality. This hadn’t existed in the former Xiao Yin. Moreover, he seemed colder than before.

Hua Zhuyu walked with slow, measured steps to about five paces in front of Xiao Yin, her hands behind her back, her clear eyes staring fixedly at him. Up close, she discovered that Xiao Yin’s purple hair matched his features so perfectly – that cold, stern face and brilliant hair were so enchanting that she couldn’t find appropriate words to describe it.

Hua Zhuyu raised her eyes to stare at him unblinkingly and said in a deep voice: “I wonder why Your Majesty captured a mere soldier like me?”

Xiao Yin’s gaze swept indifferently across Hua Zhuyu’s face as he laughed coldly: “A mere soldier with such high martial arts naturally interests me. Moreover, I’m told Ji Fengli values you highly. I just don’t know to what extent he values you?”

Did Ji Fengli value her highly? These must be the words Wen Wan had spoken on the battlefield.

“Does Your Majesty believe such words? I’m merely a soldier!” Xiao Yin truly didn’t remember her at all.

“That’s true!” He raised an eyebrow and said lightly, his purple eyes gazing deeply at Hua Zhuyu. After looking for a long time, his sword-like brows furrowed slightly as he asked with interest: “What’s your name?”

“Your Majesty!” Wen Wan stopped playing and sat beside Xiao Yin. She picked up a wine cup and filled it for him: “Have another drink!”

Xiao Yin turned to smile at Wen Wan: “Wan’er, why did you stop playing? I want to hear that piece again.”

Wen Wan’s beautiful eyes flickered as she smiled: “As long as Your Majesty wishes to hear it, Wan’er will keep playing.” She rose and walked toward the qin table. When passing Hua Zhuyu, she paused, her beautiful eyes flashing with an ambiguous smile.

Hua Zhuyu understood that Wen Wan must hate her.

That day, when Xiao Yin had abducted Wen Wan, he told her in the carriage that taking Wen Wan was only to protect her. At that time, Wen Wan’s pressure points had been sealed to make her unconscious, so she hadn’t heard. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t find out later. When the always proud and arrogant woman learned she was brought to the Northern Dynasty merely because Xiao Yin wanted to save a little eunuch, how could she bear it?

Hua Zhuyu smiled bitterly. The accounts between her and Wen Wan were truly complicated.

Wen Wan sat at the qin table and began to play. The Raoliang that she had once used produced under Wen Wan’s fingertips the piece “Sha Polang” that she had once played.

Hua Zhuyu didn’t understand why Wen Wan was playing this piece again. Did Xiao Yin love listening to it? This meant the piece was very likely taught to her by Xiao Yin.

That day, when she had played this piece on the battlefield, after Xiao Yin thought she was his sister, he had asked her to play it twice. Originally she thought Xiao Yin didn’t understand music, but since he could play the huqin, he naturally understood. Probably he had memorized this piece and taught it to Wen Wan.

Hua Zhuyu stood in the room, her thoughts racing amid the resonant qin music.

“Your Majesty, I have a few words to say to Your Majesty. Please dismiss your attendants!” She hadn’t come here to listen to music – there were things she absolutely had to say to Xiao Yin.

As soon as Hua Zhuyu spoke, Wen Wan’s qin music became chaotic. After several sharp notes and a sound like tearing silk, the strings actually snapped. Wen Wan cried out in alarm and raised her wrist, seeing blood slowly dripping from her pale jade fingers. She frowned slightly, apparently in pain.

Xiao Yin’s purple eyes narrowed. He stood and quickly walked to Wen Wan, taking her hand to examine it. Suddenly he bent down, lowered his head, and took Wen Wan’s bleeding finger into his mouth, sucking away the blood.

In that instant, Hua Zhuyu froze! She never would have expected Xiao Yin could be so tender.

Originally, during the marriage alliance, he had seen Wen Wan’s portrait and fallen in love at first sight, personally selecting Wen Wan for the alliance. He had always liked women like Wen Wan. Perhaps his feelings for her had only been brotherly affection. For Wen Wan, that was true romantic love between man and woman.

Watching the two of them nestled together, the sudden pain in Hua Zhuyu’s heart gradually eased. Perhaps Xiao Yin and Wen Wan being together was actually quite good. They were well-matched. If Xiao Yin agreed to withdraw his troops and there would be no more war between north and south, everything would be perfect.

As Hua Zhuyu was lost in contemplation, a fierce wind struck. Robes fluttered as palm wind carrying harsh killing intent attacked her. Seeing those sleeves about to strike her cheek, she instinctively bent backward sharply, dodging Xiao Yin’s thunderous palm strike.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong with you? This isn’t her fault – I played poorly! Please don’t kill her!” Wen Wan rushed over and blocked Xiao Yin’s path.

Xiao Yin narrowed his eyes, the murderous aura in them immediately dissipating. He smiled: “Who said I was going to kill her? It’s fine, this has nothing to do with you. You may go first!”

Wen Wan bowed to Xiao Yin and smiled gently: “Your Majesty, please don’t anger yourself and harm your health!” Before leaving, she glanced lightly at Hua Zhuyu and withdrew.

Hua Zhuyu remained shocked. She completely hadn’t expected Xiao Yin to suddenly fly into a rage. This must be what Hui Xue meant about His Majesty’s bad temper. She had only spoken one sentence, interrupting Wen Wan’s qin playing, and he had become so murderous.

“Say what you want to say quickly. I don’t have leisure time to listen to your idle chatter! If you speak well, I’ll spare your life. If you speak poorly, I’ll kill you!” He stood and walked back to the desk, sitting down leisurely.

Hua Zhuyu reached up to remove the pendant Jin Se had left behind from around her neck. When she came, knowing Xiao Yin no longer remembered her, if she hadn’t still had Jin Se’s pendant, she probably wouldn’t have dared come rashly. She stepped forward two paces and placed the pendant on the desk, asking lightly: “Does Your Majesty still remember this item?”

When Xiao Yin’s gaze touched the pendant, his eyes focused. He quickly picked up the pendant and asked in shock: “How do you have this? Who are you?”

It seemed Xiao Yin hadn’t forgotten this pendant. He obviously hadn’t completely forgotten the past. Hua Zhuyu smiled sadly. She never would have thought she’d need to rely on Jin Se’s pendant to save her life. Jin Se had saved her once again.

“This was left to me by my dearest sister. She said it was left by her relatives and asked me to help her find her family!”

“Where is she?” Xiao Yin held the pendant, stood up, and walked to stop in front of Hua Zhuyu. His deep purple eyes gazed at her, containing a trace of joy and hope.

“She’s no longer here!” Hua Zhuyu said slowly. This sentence was very difficult for her to say, and speaking it caused her extreme pain. She knew Xiao Yin would certainly be sad upon hearing it, but she had to tell him eventually. This was necessary!

“What did you say?” Xiao Yin’s eyes focused: “How dare you say she’s gone?”

“She truly is gone. She lost her life saving me.” Hua Zhuyu said painfully, word by word.

That night’s white snow and red blood still flashed in her mind.

Bloodthirsty, tragic light flashed in Xiao Yin’s purple eyes. He suddenly struck out with his palm toward Hua Zhuyu. Hua Zhuyu dodged aside and grabbed Xiao Yin’s wrist, gazing at him quietly: “Could you kill me later?!” She still had so many things to do. She hadn’t yet avenged Jin Se.

Xiao Yin narrowed his eyes, quietly looking at the person before him. Seeing the light flashing in her eyes, for some reason, something seemed to stab deep in his heart, suddenly causing extreme pain.

He abruptly released his grip and staggered back several steps, collapsing into a chair. His hand holding the pendant trembled, and his purple eyes filled with grief. He extended his finger to caress the pendant with extreme tenderness, remaining silent for a long time.

The room was deathly quiet, frighteningly so.

“The person who gave you the pendant was my imperial sister!” Xiao Yin suddenly spoke, his voice filled with grief.

Hua Zhuyu nodded: “I guessed as much. She said it was left by her brother.”

“What did she look like?” He caressed the pendant and asked quietly. Jin Se had been separated from him since childhood, and he still didn’t know what she looked like.

“She was very beautiful, with willow eyebrows showing spirit and almond eyes revealing intelligence. She didn’t like to smile much, probably because she had suffered too many setbacks since childhood. She had a hard life as a child. But she was very kind and loyal. She even for me…” Hua Zhuyu’s voice gradually lowered. Some things she truly didn’t dare say. If Xiao Yin knew Jin Se had been violated and killed, and that she died that very night, if he had arrived just a moment earlier that night, he might have been able to save Jin Se. If he had been willing to listen to her pleas, he might have been able to find Jin Se’s body. If Xiao Yin knew these things, she didn’t know how he would blame himself.

“You said she died saving you. So who killed her?” Xiao Yin’s cold, authoritative gaze fixed on Hua Zhuyu’s face, as if wanting to burn a hole through it.

“I’m still investigating this matter!” She had always thought it was the old emperor’s order, carried out by people sent by Ji Fengli, but she still hadn’t found definitive evidence.

Xiao Yin’s purple eyes narrowed, and a cold gleam flashed through his deep purple gaze: “Good, in the future I’ll investigate with you! Let me ask you – since Zhuo Ya was willing to sacrifice her life to save you, are you her beloved? Did you two marry?”

Hua Zhuyu was embarrassed.

What a huge misunderstanding this was!

“I’m actually…” Hua Zhuyu hesitated about whether to reveal her identity. Since he had already forgotten her, perhaps it was better not to mention this matter, otherwise she didn’t know what kind of upheaval it would cause. Currently, she didn’t know how to handle it.

Xiao Yin watched Hua Zhuyu’s hesitant expression and felt that the person before him, though wearing an ordinary soldier’s uniform, possessed an unmatched, flawless beauty. Especially those clear eyes that seemed to hold endless magic, making it impossible for him to easily look away.

Why was he so willing to keep looking at this person? He truly couldn’t understand. He spoke coldly: “I won’t kill you. Since she liked you and used her life to save you, I won’t kill you either. But I absolutely won’t let you go. When the war ends, I’ll take you back to the Northern Dynasty. You can slowly tell me about my imperial sister. Now, you can tell me what your purpose in coming here is! I know that last night, if you had resisted stubbornly, I couldn’t have captured you.”

Hua Zhuyu stood quietly in the room and looked up to say: “I came to ask again why Your Majesty launched this war. Don’t you feel you’re wronging the world’s common people by doing this?”

Xiao Yin sneered: “The common people? It’s precisely because I’m mindful of the world’s common people’s peace that I have the ambition to unify the realm. Don’t you think that if the world were unified, it would be more peaceful and prosperous?”

“Yes, perhaps your thinking is correct. But right now the world is already stable with no warfare! You’ve caused so much killing – don’t you feel any guilt? And your subordinate generals and soldiers – last night’s battle caused many casualties. Don’t you feel guilty about that either?”

Xiao Yin sat in his chair, looked up at Hua Zhuyu, then suddenly threw back his head and burst into loud laughter. He squinted at her: “Don’t you think what you’re saying is ridiculous? Where there’s war, there are casualties. My soldiers are not people who fear death. From the day they enlisted, they were prepared to sacrifice their lives for the country at any time. Dying for the nation is their glory.”

“Is that really so?” Hua Zhuyu asked again quietly.

Xiao Yin’s purple eyes flickered. He leaned back in his chair and said nothing more, his cold, stern face showing no expression.

“Have you finished saying everything you wanted to say?” he said coldly. “If you’re done, return to the dungeon! Someone come!”

Hui Xue, who had been waiting outside the door, quickly walked in and escorted Hua Zhuyu back to her cell. Before leaving, she gave Hua Zhuyu a bottle of medicine for her wounds.

Hua Zhuyu sat in the dungeon, thinking dejectedly that this trip to the Northern Dynasty had been in vain. Or rather, coming to this battlefield had been pointless too. She had said everything she needed to say, and staying longer might be dangerous. So now she could only return. But speaking of returning, she wasn’t sure where she should go back to.

Now that Xiao Yin had led his troops in retreat to Yangguan Pass, the Southern Dynasty army had probably already surrounded Yangguan. If she returned now, aside from the Southern Dynasty military camp, there was nowhere else to go. But returning to the Southern Dynasty camp, she didn’t know what punishment she would face.

When leaving the city, she had told Ji Fengli that she wasn’t a Northern Dynasty spy. She had sworn earnestly that she would absolutely not leave with Xiao Yin. Yet in the end, she had still come to the Northern Dynasty.

She could be certain that now, in Ji Fengli’s eyes, she was a Northern Dynasty spy. Returning to camp at this time, Ji Fengli definitely wouldn’t spare her. But not returning would be equivalent to admitting she was a spy. This was something she absolutely could not allow.

Hua Zhuyu sat on the dry straw on the ground with her knees drawn up. The wound on her shoulder suddenly flared with tearing pain – she had forgotten to apply medicine earlier. Taking out the medicine bottle Hui Xue had given her, she pulled out the cork and fumbled in the darkness to apply the medicine to her shoulder wound. Enduring the stinging pain, Hua Zhuyu drew in a sharp breath and tore strips from her clothing to carefully bandage the wound. After years on battlefields, being injured had become routine, and her movements in applying medicine and bandaging were extremely skilled.

Alone in the dim dungeon, unable to hear any other sounds and wounded besides, Hua Zhuyu felt as if she had been abandoned, with no home in either the Southern or Northern Dynasty. No matter how strong she was, she couldn’t help feeling desolate. She wanted to cry somewhat, but crying here was impossible.

The night was too quiet. Not knowing what hour it was, Hua Zhuyu felt drowsy but the dungeon was too cold for sleep. She hugged her knees and was about to sit in meditation to circulate her energy when she suddenly heard running footsteps above. Upon hearing the commotion, Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately grew alert. She stood up and walked to the cell bars, asking the guard outside: “What’s happening?”

Hearing Hua Zhuyu’s words, the guard answered coldly: “What else could it be? The Southern Dynasty army has begun attacking the city! Our emperor is about to go meet the enemy!”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately grew cold. The Southern Dynasty army was attacking the city?

The Southern Dynasty army had traveled all the way from Yu Capital to the northern frontier, exhausted from the march. Having won one battle at Su Province, they should have rested and waited for the troops to recover before attacking the city. If this battle failed and Xiao Yin counterattacked, Su Province might fall. Why was Ji Fengli so eager to attack the city? He didn’t seem like someone who was impatient for quick success. Moreover, this war with the Northern Dynasty definitely couldn’t be won overnight.

She couldn’t understand it. Just then, Hua Zhuyu heard the sound of the dungeon’s main door being opened. She and the guards in the dungeon simultaneously looked toward the entrance.

Someone walked in. Leading the way was a young man dressed in black clothing. Hua Zhuyu recognized him – he was Tang Yu from the Southern Dynasty army. Behind him was another person, dressed in white robes, slowly descending the steps from the dungeon’s dim firelight.

There was no wind in the dungeon, so that white robe fell naturally, like a waterfall cascading down a mountain ravine.

Torches were inserted in the dungeon walls, their dim light shining on his white robe, flickering bright and dark.

His face was somewhat unclear in the dim light, but his pair of ink-black eyes were extremely dark and bright, his gaze falling heavily and quietly on Hua Zhuyu as if it had substance.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart tightened under such a gaze. She never would have imagined that Ji Fengli would suddenly appear here, shocking even her usually calm demeanor to the extreme.

There were about ten guards in the dungeon. Seeing this, they grabbed their weapons and charged forward. But they never even reached Ji Fengli. As they rushed forward, they saw Tang Yu, walking in front of Ji Fengli, flick his sleeves, and a large shower of pink flower petals scattered and danced upward, then slowly drifted down from the air.

It was as if suddenly it was raining flower petals in the dim dungeon. Moreover, this rain was fragrant, carrying a sweet, intoxicating scent.

Those guards were all battle-hardened and knew this fragrance was poisonous, so they all held their breath. But even so, they still collapsed to the ground one by one. They didn’t know that Tang Clan’s poisons were generally colorless and odorless – if there was a scent, it usually wasn’t poisonous. The reason they collapsed was because of the water droplets on the flower petals. When the petals fell, these droplets splashed onto their bodies, and the poison penetrated into their systems.

Hua Zhuyu stood dazedly behind the iron bars. Why had Ji Fengli and Tang Yu come? Were they here to kill her, this supposed Northern Dynasty spy? She couldn’t understand for the moment, squinting as she watched Ji Fengli step through the flickering light, pass through Tang Yu’s shower of falling petals like walking on waves, and arrive before her.

This scene was beautiful!

So beautiful that Hua Zhuyu felt it was somewhat unreal, as if she were dreaming. But the pain from her shoulder wound reminded her this wasn’t a dream. Ji Fengli had really come!

To Yangguan city full of Northern troops, to the dungeon in the residence where the Northern Emperor was temporarily staying, to kill her? Perhaps not to kill her. Because she saw him smiling! His thin lips curved in a very attractive arc that made it hard to look away.

Hua Zhuyu didn’t know why he was smiling, but it seemed that seeing her made him very happy and relieved.

They were outside the bars, she was inside them. She looked at him somewhat puzzledly, while he smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the bandaged wound on her shoulder, his refined brows furrowing slightly.

Tang Yu searched the guards for keys and quickly opened the cell door.

“Come with me!” Ji Fengli said gently.

“Alright!” Hua Zhuyu nodded. She felt that besides saying this word, she couldn’t say anything else. Because Ji Fengli’s words were truly so gentle that she simply couldn’t refuse. She didn’t want to refuse either – she had been planning to leave here anyway.

Tang Yu had already led the way out. Hua Zhuyu followed Ji Fengli as they quickly walked up from the dungeon.

Outside the dungeon, those guards had also been dealt with by Tang Yu. Pink flower petals were scattered everywhere on the ground, drifting in the wind.

In the ink-black sky, a cold moon hung high. The three of them hurried along the corridor toward the residence’s back gate. Along the way, they avoided patrolling soldiers when possible. When avoidance was impossible, they were too lazy to fight – Tang Yu would simply scatter a handful of petals like a heavenly maiden scattering flowers. Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help but marvel at how many petals he had hidden in his sleeves.

They reached the residence’s back gate this way, when suddenly sharp whistling arrows pierced the night sky. Heavy footsteps sounded as a squad of Northern Dynasty soldiers in heavy armor blocked their path. Leading them was actually the Northern Emperor Xiao Yin.

“I truly didn’t expect that a mere soldier would require the Left Prime Minister to personally come rescue him! Moreover, to be willing to use attacking the city as a diversion for one small soldier – truly an excellent strategy. If I hadn’t suddenly felt that your attack on the city was too hasty, I would have already led my generals to defend the walls.” Xiao Yin said coldly, his voice sharp and imposing.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart sank, still unable to believe what she was hearing.

Certainly, Xiao Yin’s sudden appearance shocked her greatly, but his words shocked her even more. He said the Southern Dynasty’s attack on the city was a diversion, just to rescue her!

She didn’t believe it! How could she believe it!

Ji Fengli had no reason to come rescue her! But she also had to admit that he had indeed just rescued her from the dungeon!

Hua Zhuyu looked up at Ji Fengli in shock, but saw that he wasn’t looking at her, instead squinting as he stared at Xiao Yin.

The two men’s four eyes met, and the air instantly filled with murderous intent like approaching storm clouds.

“Since the Northern Emperor finds it strange, this minister will explain. This soldier previously worked in the Prime Minister’s residence. He holds something important of mine. I brought him away merely to destroy that item. Now that I have the item, the person is no longer important. If the Northern Emperor wishes to imprison him, this minister can certainly leave him behind!” At this tense moment, Ji Fengli’s lips curved in a rippling smile, instantly dissolving the heavy atmosphere.

Hua Zhuyu was stunned. She hadn’t taken anything important from Ji Fengli. He said this to make Xiao Yin believe she wasn’t important to him or the Southern Dynasty. Actually, there was no need for this – she truly wasn’t anyone important.

Xiao Yin threw back his head and laughed loudly: “Leave him behind? Left Prime Minister, do you think you can still leave? Tonight, not only him, but all of you must stay. Not one of you can leave!”

Hearing this, Tang Yu slightly raised his sleeves, and several throwing darts shot straight toward Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin drew his sword, sharp sword light suddenly flared, and a web of cold light wove together, reflecting the darts back toward Ji Fengli.

Ji Fengli smiled at the corners of his mouth, blocking with his folding fan and knocking the rapidly approaching darts to the ground.

“So the Left Prime Minister is actually a hidden master. Since you’ve come, today would be perfect for a sparring match!” Xiao Yin pointed his long sword at Ji Fengli, coldly challenging him.

Only then did Hua Zhuyu suddenly realize that Ji Fengli had exposed his secret of knowing martial arts this time. It seemed he no longer planned to hide it.

“This minister has never been interested in sparring in martial arts. However, if there were some stakes involved, this minister would be willing to accept the challenge!” Ji Fengli said carelessly.

Ji Fengli’s arrogance aroused Xiao Yin’s interest. Cold light flickered in his purple eyes as he said coldly: “Good! If the Left Prime Minister can defeat me tonight, I’ll let you few leave the city and won’t touch you!”

“The Northern Emperor is truly magnanimous. It’s a deal!” Ji Fengli closed his folding fan and said with a smile.

“It’s a deal!” Xiao Yin gently stroked his sword blade and said coldly.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart kept rising and falling. Tonight’s events were beyond her expectations. She hadn’t expected Ji Fengli to come to Yangguan, much less that Xiao Yin and Ji Fengli would encounter each other and even spar in martial arts. She knew Ji Fengli’s martial arts were unfathomably deep, while Xiao Yin’s martial arts were already strong and had recently increased dramatically. If these two sparred, it would certainly be extremely exciting. She actually wanted to watch these two contemporary masters spar.

Everyone else seemed to have the same thoughts as her. The guards all retreated far away, and Hua Zhuyu also retreated with Tang Yu. In the vast back garden, only Xiao Yin and Ji Fengli remained standing opposite each other on the open ground.

The night sky was dark as ink, while torches illuminated the area bright as day.

Though they were enemies on the battlefield, they were still extremely courteous in their martial arts sparring. Both cupped their fists and retreated several steps.

Xiao Yin raised his sword, true energy surging, making his purple hair billow and fly like a purple silk banner – extremely enchanting.

Ji Fengli stood calmly, his white robes fluttering, sleeves carried by the wind. He shook his folding fan and smiled as he looked at Xiao Yin, his expression amiable. However, his eyes were sharp.

Xiao Yin shook his right hand, his sword bursting with sword light as his form flashed toward Ji Fengli.

Ji Fengli’s body floated backward – his lightness skill was considerable, moving like flowing clouds and light smoke. The folding fan in his hand suddenly closed, meeting Xiao Yin’s lightning-fast sword.

With a clang, the material of his fan ribs was unknown, but they could actually block Xiao Yin’s sharp sword. If it were an ordinary folding fan, it would have been cut in half long ago.

Ji Fengli borrowed the force to fly backward, while Xiao Yin followed like a shadow, thrusting his sharp sword again. Ji Fengli dodged aside, his folding fan spinning to strike at a vital point on Xiao Yin’s back.

The two figures crossed and spun in flight – white robes fluttering like light and shadow, purple clothes hunting like lightning and flash. Xiao Yin’s sword techniques were fierce, his internal energy profound. Every move and stance carried the force of wind and thunder, making them difficult to counter. Ji Fengli’s techniques were like his person, carrying a composed and unhurried bearing. No matter how fierce Xiao Yin’s moves, he could dissolve them without showing any emotion.

Hua Zhuyu watched the two men’s duel intently, feeling they seemed evenly matched.

Ji Fengli’s toes suddenly spun, actually stepping on Xiao Yin’s sword blade and borrowing the force to float in the air, spinning several times. His white robes fluttered in the wind, rolling freely. His folding fan suddenly opened as he dove down from the air.

In an instant, his airborne form seemed to fragment into countless phantoms, making it impossible to distinguish which was real and which was fake.

Hua Zhuyu knew Ji Fengli’s martial arts were very high, but she hadn’t expected his techniques could be this fast. Seeing the folding fan striking toward Xiao Yin’s back, with Xiao Yin caught off guard, this move seemed impossible to dodge.

Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help crying out in alarm: “Be careful!”

Ji Fengli’s refined brows immediately focused, and his hand gripping the fan handle paused slightly. At that moment, Xiao Yin twisted his body and lunged forward, dodging this strike. Rolling on the ground, his sharp sword suddenly thrust out, piercing Ji Fengli’s left ribs.

Hua Zhuyu covered her mouth in horror. Ji Fengli turned his head slightly, his cool gaze falling on Hua Zhuyu’s face without a trace, his eyes like torches, as if wanting to burn into her heart.

Xiao Yin slowly withdrew his sword. Hua Zhuyu saw bright red blood flowing from Ji Fengli’s body, staining his white robe with a large bloodstain. Her heart suddenly tightened, and she looked up anxiously. Ji Fengli had already calmly looked away.

Tang Yu looked at Hua Zhuyu with displeasure and said coldly: “Are you stupid? Warning the Northern Emperor to be careful – don’t you want to leave here?” After speaking, he rushed toward Ji Fengli.

Hua Zhuyu also followed behind Tang Yu, slowly walking over.

The night was deep, the firelight dim.

Ji Fengli’s phoenix eyes closed slightly as he pressed his hand to his rib wound, his lips still bearing a faint smile: “I wonder if the Northern Emperor wishes to continue sparring?”

Xiao Yin’s form swayed as he said proudly: “I concede defeat. If not for his warning, I probably would have lost. My word is my bond – I’ll let you leave now. Tomorrow, we’ll meet on the battlefield!”

“Good!” Ji Fengli responded faintly and, supported by Tang Yu, slowly walked outside.

Hua Zhuyu stood in place without moving, looking back at Xiao Yin. She saw his expression was cold and stern. Meeting Hua Zhuyu’s gaze, his lips curved in a faint smile: “Boy, we’ll meet on the battlefield. Someday, I’ll capture you and bring you here again.”

Hua Zhuyu felt sour in her heart, but her lips curved slightly, showing a ethereal smile. She turned and followed Ji Fengli and Tang Yu outside.

Xiao Yin was right – when they met again, it would probably be on the battlefield.

On the battlefield, there were no so-called siblings, no friends, and no lovers – only enemies facing each other across battle lines.

Her heart wasn’t without desolation. After all, he had once protected and loved her. Originally, she had thought the Southern and Northern Dynasties could coexist harmoniously, that they could at least be friends, because they were connected through Jin Se. But all of this had finally turned to bubbles tonight.