Murong wanted to go outside to check the situation, but had barely reached the gate before she was stopped by the men outside.

“The Second Young Master’s orders — not a single person is permitted to leave.”

Murong saw that Captain An was not present, so she went back to the room and retrieved a package.

The two guards at the door saw her acting furtively and grew instantly wary.

“Two gentlemen, this is a small token of our Miss’s regard.” Murong pressed the package into the arms of one of the guards and lowered her voice: “I don’t want to make things difficult for the two of you. I only ask that you help find out — who are the people outside, and how did they manage to surround the Shi Mansion with such audacity?”

The guard lifted a corner of the package and nearly had his eyes dazzled by the gold and silver jewels inside.

“Gentlemen, times are so chaotic now, and who knows whether the Second Young Master will win or lose in the end. There’s nothing more important than having money of your own.” Seeing the two of them tempted, Murong continued: “This money is enough for both gentlemen and your families to take refuge somewhere safe. What is there still to hesitate about? We’re not asking you to set us free — only to find out a piece of information.”

“All right.” The guard tucked the package away neatly and signaled with his eyes to the other man.

Murong saw that one of them had walked away, and only then turned and went back inside.

“Miss, don’t worry just yet. That man has gone out to find out what he can. We should hear something very soon.” Murong said reassuringly: “Whoever has come, they are at least standing in opposition to the Second Young Master — they should not give us a hard time.”

Yan Qing had thought of this possibility herself. She believed the most likely candidate was Liu Qingnian, since only he would have the power to do this.

In the anxious wait shared by the small group, the guard returned.

“Miss, let me go and take a look.”

Murong went to the courtyard, and the guard trotted over to her. Seeing his ashen, shaken expression, Murong thought he must have been badly frightened.

“So who are they, this gentleman?” Murong asked urgently.

The guard said with a look of shock: “It’s — it’s the Commander in Chief.”

“The Commander in Chief?”

The other guard spoke up: “How can that be? Wasn’t the Commander in Chief said to be gravely wounded and beyond saving? Going by the time, his body should have already started to decompose.”

“It really is the Commander in Chief — my eyes aren’t blind.”

Hearing the words “Commander in Chief,” Murong had not yet fully absorbed what they meant. A moment later, it came to her that she should tell Yan Qing.

If the Commander in Chief was alive, then the Commander should also be safe and unharmed.

But just as she had barely turned around, she heard the sound of rounds being chambered behind her, followed immediately by the rapid approach of a great many footsteps.

“Don’t move.” Murong heard a sharp shout and sensed a murderous intent pressing against her back. She knew that if she took one more step forward, a bullet would pass through her head.

Murong did not act recklessly. She came to a slow stop.

Yan Qing heard the noise outside and looked out through the door. She saw Shi Guang leading a detachment of elite soldiers who had surrounded the entire courtyard, various rifles and short arms all raised and trained in position.

Yan Qing gave Jiangguo a gentle pat on the head. Jiangguo lowered its head and nuzzled its snout against her trouser leg.

Shi Guang did not come in but stood in the middle of the courtyard. Shortly after, Yan Qing saw a familiar figure and quickly stepped over the threshold in haste: “Mother.”

Luo Huaimeng entered the courtyard supported by her maid, followed by several armed soldiers.

These soldiers watched Luo Huaimeng enter the room, then positioned themselves on all sides, their gun barrels pointing toward the entrance, and pushed Murong inside as well.

“Mother.” Yan Qing hurried forward to support the weakened Luo Huaimeng. “Are you all right?”

Luo Huaimeng sat down in a nearby chair and did not first answer Yan Qing’s question. Instead, she gripped Yan Qing’s hand with urgency: “Yan Qing, has Shi Guang given you any trouble?”

“Fortunately, the Commander in Chief returned in time,” Yan Qing said. The memory of what had just occurred still left her heart pounding.

“The Commander in Chief?” Luo Huaimeng was startled. “The Commander in Chief is back? How can this be? Wasn’t it said the Commander in Chief had suffered grave injuries and would not recover?”

Yan Qing had been confused herself earlier, but by now she had largely worked it out: the Commander in Chief’s supposed “critical injuries” were perhaps only a ruse, or perhaps merely a means of drawing out the snake from its hole.

“The Commander in Chief is fine. He is right outside the gate now, and Shi Guang’s troops have been subdued.” Yan Qing had heard what the guard said, and some of the tension in her heart eased.

If the Commander in Chief was back, then Shi Ting should have arrived as well. Even if he had not returned to Shun Cheng, he should be safe and sound by now.

“What about Xing Zhi?” Luo Huaimeng asked anxiously.

Yan Qing shook her head: “Not yet certain.”

Luo Huaimeng let out a sigh and tightened her grip on Yan Qing’s hand: “From the look of things with Shi Guang, he must have intended to use us as hostages. The Commander in Chief may not concern himself with our lives, but Xing Zhi will certainly be held back by this. Shi Guang has kept us here precisely to guard against this day.”

Yan Qing naturally understood Shi Guang’s purpose as well — they were the trump card he had saved for last, to be used at a critical moment to coerce Shi Ting into yielding.

“Yan Qing.” Luo Huaimeng thought for a moment before speaking: “If they truly use us to threaten Xing Zhi, I would rather die.”

She said this with a sigh: “Mother will not force you. Besides, you are still carrying Xing Zhi’s child. When the time comes and it is absolutely necessary, Mother is willing to give her life to protect you.”

“Mother.” Yan Qing placed her hand over Luo Huaimeng’s and looked at her with clear, warm eyes: “Whatever happens, we must trust in Shi Ting. He will definitely not allow anything to happen to us. Mother must not have such thoughts. If we were to die because of him, how could he go on living alone? You understand Shi Ting’s character — you should know him better than I do.”

Luo Huaimeng was first taken aback, then laughed: “Xing Zhi was born of me, yet you understand him better than I do. Alas — I am rather derelict as a mother.”

Yan Qing also smiled: “Mother, trust in him.”

“Yes.” Luo Huaimeng nodded firmly, and the bewilderment in her eyes was replaced by a resolute steadiness.

Just then, a clamor broke out outside — it sounded as though a great many more troops had surrounded them.

Yan Qing asked Luo Huaimeng to remain seated and walked to the door to look out.

As though sensing her gaze, Shi Guang turned his head at that moment, and their eyes met. His narrowed slightly.

“Shi Guang, have you truly sunk so low that you must use women and children as a shield?” Yan Qing said coldly with contempt. “So this is the final resort of the Second Young Master, who was always said to be so clever — when he can neither outfight nor outmaneuver anyone, he resorts to using women as leverage?”

Shi Guang said: “Yan Qing, there’s no need to say such things to provoke me. I have never been the honorable party in this struggle, so using you as hostages is nothing shameful to me.”

“Then what do you intend to do? Do you think the Commander in Chief would care about the lives of my mother and me? Don’t forget — you are the Commander in Chief’s own son. When you were abducted as a child, the Commander in Chief paid not the slightest attention to you.”

This episode from Shi Guang’s past was brought up, and his face darkened involuntarily. “Yes, that man is unfit to be a father. His eyes see only the world — never his own children. Perhaps I have failed in my duty as a father — but I have never taught you to betray your kin and join forces with the enemy.”

“Shi Guang, there is nothing more to be said now. I only want to know one thing — why did you feign death?” Shi Guang shifted to address the Commander in Chief.

The Commander in Chief looked at him with cold eyes and said in a heavy voice: “If I had not feigned death, how could I have drawn out the ambitions lurking within you? How could I have forced the forces you had hidden in the shadows into the open? Once, I thought Vice Minister Sun was my most capable subordinate — yet it turns out he had long since pledged himself to you. And Secretary-General Chen, General Li — these men I had always trusted most deeply were in reality already your lackeys long ago. As for the hidden troops, the various organizations — with your rebellion, they have all been exposed to the light of day. I had long wanted an opportunity to root out these rats lurking in the shadows. It was you who gave me that opportunity.”

“So that is how it was.” Shi Guang suddenly burst into loud laughter: “So you staged this entire play in order to uproot my forces from the ground up and wipe them out utterly. When it comes to ruthlessness, I cannot match you, Commander in Chief.”

“Shi Guang, I have great regret — regret that when you and Qian Lan conspired to harm me, I let you go with mercy,” the Commander in Chief said with feeling. “Had I been hardhearted enough at that moment, none of this would have come to pass.”

“Yes — it was your moment of mercy that led us here. You can only blame yourself for being too softhearted.” Shi Guang laughed: “When I was abducted as a child, you could already disregard me without a second thought. How did you suddenly become kindhearted toward me? That single moment of mercy has brought about the situation we face now. You can only blame yourself for not being ruthless enough.”

“However this may be, you are still my son. Even if your crimes place you beyond forgiveness, I am still willing to let you die with your body whole.” The Commander in Chief’s eyes were cold and clear. “Have your men surrender. Do not add to the futile losses of life — they are all people of Bei Di.”

“The men who are with me share my fate in life and death. They will die fighting — they will not surrender.” Shi Guang retreated two more steps as he spoke. “And the Commander in Chief should not assume that the high ground has already been seized. Even if you have surrounded this place, even if victory is already within your grasp, I still have my own trump card for staying alive.”

As he spoke, Shi Guang’s figure shifted, and he was suddenly standing before Yan Qing. Before she had any time to react, Shi Guang was already behind her, and a dagger had been pressed against her throat.

“Commander in Chief, I want to speak with Shi Ting,” Shi Guang called toward the direction of the gate. “I know he is here. Have him come out.”

The Commander in Chief frowned: “Release Yan Qing.”

“The Commander in Chief is mistaken. This is my trump card for staying alive — how could I possibly put it down? Am I to meekly offer myself up for execution?” Shi Guang swept his gaze over the courtyard packed with men. “If Shi Ting wants to save them, he will have to break through all these obstacles. And if he dares make any rash move, I cannot guarantee he will still be able to find them alive.”

Shi Guang gave the dagger a slight twist, and Yan Qing was forced to draw her neck backward to avoid the sharp edge of the blade.

“Allow me to inform the Commander in Chief — Yan Qing is currently carrying his child,” Shi Guang said coldly. “Even if he cares nothing for his wife, he must care about this child, surely?”

“What did you say?” The Commander in Chief was startled. “Yan Qing is pregnant?”

“There is no doubt of this. Er Yitai can also confirm it clearly.”

The Commander in Chief looked toward Luo Huaimeng, who stood not far away with an expression of anxious distress. Luo Huaimeng gave him an affirmative nod, and at the same time implored him with her eyes to protect Yan Qing at all costs and not let Shi Guang succeed.

“Commander in Chief, have Shi Ting come out. Stop hiding. My patience is limited. And furthermore — I will only negotiate conditions with him.”

“Whatever conditions you have, say them here,” the Commander in Chief said, his tone gentling. “Yan Qing is carrying a child of the Shi family bloodline — it is Shi Ting’s child. I cannot possibly disregard her.”

“The Commander in Chief’s word I will not believe. After all, you were perfectly capable of disregarding your own biological son.”

“Shi Guang, don’t push your luck. State your conditions,” the Commander in Chief said sternly. “You want nothing more than your life — that much is plain.”

“No — I don’t merely want my life. I want Shi Ting to gouge out both his eyes.” Shi Guang’s words came out through gritted teeth. “I will not take his life — I want him to live out the rest of his days in darkness.”

“Shi Guang!” Yan Qing said furiously. “Don’t push your luck.”

“Unfortunately for you, I do have the leverage to push my luck,” Shi Guang said with a sinister smile. “Yan Qing, that man will give up even his life for you — how much more a pair of eyes? I’m trading his two eyes for my freedom. That’s a fair exchange, isn’t it?”

“Your defeat is a foregone conclusion. The Commander in Chief is willing to spare your life — that is more than enough for you to be grateful for. Shi Guang, do not trample on another person’s limit.”

“Limit? Is Shi Ting’s limit not you? As long as you are in my hands, he will obey my every word like a dog. A limit like that — why would I not trample on it?” Shi Guang looked toward the Commander in Chief. “My patience is limited. Have Shi Ting come out now.”

“Shi Guang, I’ll be your hostage,” Luo Huaimeng said urgently. “Let Yan Qing go — I promise I will not resist.”

“Second Concubine, save your breath. The two of you will behave yourselves and not cause any trouble — that is all I ask.” Shi Guang said coldly. “I am counting to three. If Shi Ting has still not come out, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

As he spoke, the dagger moved closer to Yan Qing’s neck again. “Enough talk. Have Shi Ting come out.”

“Haven’t I been here all along?”

The voice that sounded from behind him made every hair on Shi Guang’s body stand on end. Before he had a chance to react, a steel ball struck him squarely in the gap of his hand, and the dagger he had been gripping fell to the ground. In the same instant that he reached out to grab Yan Qing, Yan Qing had already been pulled into a firm embrace.

Shi Guang moved to step forward, and a shadow suddenly darted out from the side — the speed of that person’s hands drew gasps from those who witnessed it.

At this point, Shi Guang’s own men finally reacted, swiftly raising their weapons and aiming them all toward this side.

But in what seemed like a single instant, the one held hostage had changed from Yan Qing to Shi Guang. An eagle-claw-like hand had locked around his throat.

Shi Guang could not have imagined he would be seized in so short a time. He had not even clearly seen how the other person had moved.

His own martial arts were not weak — in a direct confrontation with Shi Ting, he would not be at a disadvantage so quickly. Therefore, the person who had moved against him was not Shi Ting.

Shi Guang tilted his head slightly but could not make out the other person’s features. Yet the cold air radiating from that person’s body sent a chill through him.

This person’s killing intent was overwhelming. Even without a weapon, they still possessed extraordinarily lethal power.

Such a bearing made him think of one person — Mu Bai.

Only someone as terrifyingly capable as Mu Bai could subdue him in an instant.

Shi Guang’s gaze swept around, and he caught sight of a familiar figure. Shi Ting, who had not appeared at the Commander in Chief’s side throughout, was now standing not far away — and Yan Qing was held tightly in his arms, entirely unharmed.

“How did you get in?” Shi Guang could not understand this. The outside of this room was guarded on all sides — it should have been impossible for anyone to enter or leave freely without alerting someone.

“I have been here all along,” Shi Ting said. “Before you came in, I was already here.”

“That’s impossible.” Shi Guang repeated at high volume: “That is impossible.”

Yan Qing said in a calm tone: “Nothing is impossible. The two guards who were watching the door earlier — I bribed them. One of them went out to gather information, and when he came back he was no longer the same person. You can see that everyone here is wearing a hat and a military overcoat. As long as the overcoat’s collar is turned up, only two eyes are visible — it’s very hard to tell anyone apart.”

Shi Guang said: “If he had come so early, why did he not take you away first?”

“I trust in Shi Ting,” Yan Qing said, her gaze becoming incomparably tender. “Only this way could all your forces be gathered together and caught in a single sweep. And with him and Mu Bai here, I was never in any real danger.”

Furthermore, she was not the only person here. If they had taken everyone and fled recklessly, the soldiers outside were no pushovers either — with no Shi Guang on the scene, no one could guarantee these men would not open fire.

“So you knew all along. Your performance just now was also an act?” A dangerous glint formed in Shi Guang’s eyes. “You were playing me, watching my final struggle. What I thought was my trump card was already in your hands all along. Well done — you have schemed your way down to the very bone.”

Shi Guang was agitated, his emotions somewhat out of control, and the hand locked around his throat tightened a fraction more in warning.

Shi Guang had no doubt whatsoever that if he pressed just a little harder, his neck could be snapped with ease.

Even so, he soon laughed again: “You trust him so much — yet he nearly cost you your child. If it had not been for that tiger, if the Shi Mansion had not been suddenly surrounded—”