On the mountain path, the wind howled fiercely. Yao Ying gazed at Bi Suo, her dark pupils like lakes embedded in the snowy plains of Tianshan, clear and pristine, reflecting Bi Suo’s handsome face with its surprised expression.

His heart trembled, and after a moment of silence, he said, “The Regent is on the mountain. I saw the marks he left. He’s now suffering from martial arts backlash and can’t get too close to crowds.”

Yuan Jue shuddered.

It was precisely because they had discovered Su Dangu’s marks and knew he was on the mountain that they suspected he was the killer.

Yao Ying’s expression remained unchanged as she said, “This is the only main road into the city. Merchant caravans pass through here every day. The Regent being on the mountain doesn’t prove he’s the murderer.”

Bi Suo’s jade-colored eyes fixed on Yao Ying, his lips curling into a smile. “Princess, what if I haven’t guessed wrong, and the Regent truly has gone berserk and killed people?”

Yao Ying held the reins, her gaze sweeping between Bi Suo and Yuan Jue’s faces as she said softly, “Anyone can suspect the Regent, but you and Yuan Jue are his most trusted people. You shouldn’t suspect him without even thinking.”

Yuan Jue froze for a moment, and lowered his head, his fists clenching with audible creaks, his face alternating between green, white, and red.

Bi Suo remained silent for a long while, his jade eyes seeming to hold overcast skies, emanating a cold aura.

He glanced at Xie Qing and the others looking up from the bottom of the mountain, turned his horse around, and continued upward.

“If the Princess truly trusts the Regent, then follow me.”

Yuan Jue raised his head, eyes widening in surprise.

Yao Ying’s face showed no fear as she followed.

Yuan Jue furrowed his brows, glanced at Yao Ying, and spurred his horse to follow Bi Suo. He whispered something in Sanskrit, to which Bi Suo replied. Yuan Jue’s expression turned hesitant as he looked back at Yao Ying. Bi Suo let out a low shout, and Yuan Jue sighed, turning his face away.

The three pressed forward against the bitter north wind, struggling along the mountain path.

The world was a vast expanse of white, ice and snow piled layer upon layer, with black rocks jutting out stark and craggy.

As the winding mountain path gradually obscured the view below, Bi Suo suddenly turned around, drawing his sword. The gleaming blade tip cut through the wind and snow, pointing at Yao Ying’s pale face.

“General!”

Yuan Jue shouted, drawing his sword to block.

Bi Suo knocked Yuan Jue away with his palm, his blade steady at Yao Ying’s throat.

Yuan Jue’s expression changed from shock and panic to anger: “General, Princess Wenzhao is the King’s honored guest. How will you explain harming her to the King?”

Bi Suo asked coldly, “If Princess Wenzhao endangers the royal court, will you still protect her?”

Yuan Jue gripped his sword hilt tightly, eyes bloodshot: “I swore an oath to the King to protect the Princess! No matter what reason the General has, my oath won’t change! Please withdraw your sword!”

Bi Suo’s lips curled slightly as his wrist pressed down, the blade tip pushing aside Yao Ying’s hood.

The cold steel slid against her skin beneath her clothes like a snake crawling under the fabric. Yao Ying shuddered, unable to suppress a shiver.

“Is the General going to kill me?”

She asked calmly.

Bi Suo rode closer, his usually smiling jade eyes now revealing killing intent.

“Princess, you’re so perceptive, always attentive to detail, nothing escapes you. The Regent’s martial arts backlash is a royal court secret, known only to me, Yuan Jue, and a few close guards. He left marks, so something must have happened. That’s why I had everyone wait below… Since the Princess has figured it out and spoken of it, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

She would eventually guess Su Dangu’s true identity.

Bi Suo’s gaze turned cruel.

“For the Regent’s safety, I must do this. I’ll tell your guards you accidentally fell off the cliff.”

Yao Ying looked at Bi Suo, saying nothing, her dark eyes calm.

Beside them, Yuan Jue anxiously scratched his head: “General, you can’t do this! You also swore an oath to the King! Have you forgotten your oath?”

Bi Suo ignored him, raised his sword, and slashed down fiercely, his expression momentarily turning savage.

Yao Ying didn’t move.

The cold wind howled, and as Bi Suo met Yao Ying’s dark, bright eyes, just as his blade was about to strike her neck, he suddenly bit his lip. His killing intent abruptly withdrew, the blade tip grazing past her temple, forcefully stopping in mid-air.

Yuan Jue’s eyes were round as coins, his sword already drawn to intervene. Seeing this, he sighed in relief and sheathed his weapon.

Bi Suo sheathed his sword, his hands still trembling as he looked up at Yao Ying, his jade eyes now devoid of killing intent.

“Princess, you’re incredibly perceptive. When I drew my sword, you weren’t surprised at all.”

“Princess, knowing I might kill you to silence you, why did you still risk coming to remind me not to suspect the Regent?”

Yao Ying met his gaze and calmly replied, “Because I feared something would happen to the Regent, so I came.”

Their grim expressions clearly showed they suspected Su Dangu, and in such a situation, they might conflict with him when they found him.

Bi Suo could hardly believe it and asked, “Is it that simple?”

“It’s that simple,” Yao Ying nodded, speaking softly. After a pause, she added, “Besides, I knew the General wouldn’t kill me.”

Bi Suo’s lips curved upward: “How did the Princess know I wouldn’t strike?”

Yao Ying smiled slightly: “The General is the most trusted brother-in-arms of the Buddha’s Son and the Regent, and my friend.”

Bi Suo’s gaze lingered on her face for a long time before he turned away to look at the misty snow.

“The Princess guessed correctly. As soon as I saw the corpses, I suspected the Regent.”

His tone carried a hint of melancholy.

“Once, there was a royal guard who practiced the same martial arts as the Regent. Later, he couldn’t suppress his power, gradually lost his humanity, and became a cruel villain who killed indiscriminately, committing many evil deeds. So, Yuan Jue and I swore an oath to someone that if the Regent was also overcome by his martial arts and went berserk, hurting people, we must kill him ourselves to prevent him from falling into darkness.”

Pain flashed across Yuan Jue’s face.

Bi Suo turned back to look at Yao Ying: “Can the Princess guess who made us swear this oath?”

Yao Ying’s eyes flickered, her mind suddenly clear: “Was it the Regent himself?”

Bi Suo nodded, “Correct.”

Yao Ying’s mind raced, her gaze suddenly turning sharp: “So the General isn’t here to kill the Regent?”

A cold light flashed in Bi Suo’s eyes as they narrowed.

Yuan Jue looked confused, glancing between Yao Ying and Bi Suo.

What did the Princess mean?

Yao Ying continued: “Since the Regent made the General and Yuan Jue swear such an oath, he knew the dangers of his martial arts and was prepared to die if he suffered backlash… Does the General fear that the Regent, truly affected by martial arts backlash, discovered he had killed merchant civilians and fled to the mountain to end his life? The General is here to stop the Regent!”

The mountain wind roared, snow flying everywhere.

Ashina Bi Suo’s whole body trembled as he looked at Yao Ying, his jade eyes lighting up with disbelief, amazement, admiration, and a trace of melancholy.

This Han Princess was quick-witted indeed. While Yuan Jue was still confused, she had already guessed his thoughts, expressing exactly what was in his heart without missing a word.

His lips curved upward with a hint of roguishness: “To tell the Princess the truth, even if I saw the Regent kill people in a frenzy with my own eyes, I wouldn’t raise my sword against him.”

Yuan Jue’s lips trembled as he disagreed: “General, you swore an oath to the Regent!”

Bi Suo glanced at him and snorted: “Let me ask you, if we find the Regent, could you do it?”

Yuan Jue stiffened, his fists clenched as he shouted, “I swore an oath to the Regent! I must keep my word!”

Bi Suo raised his sword and struck him hard: “Stop shouting! I know you’re loyal. If you can shout like this when we find the Regent and then kill him without hesitation, I’ll be your son in the next life!”

Yuan Jue fell silent.

Yao Ying let out a breath, her expression softening.

Bi Suo glanced at her, lost in thought for a moment before his expression turned solemn. He clenched his right fist, placed it over his left chest, leaned forward, and bowed to her: “Thank you, Princess.”

Yao Ying looked at him, puzzled.

Bi Suo smiled, showing white teeth: “The Princess is right. I shouldn’t have suspected the Regent just from seeing those corpses.”

He had failed the trust the Regent had placed in him.

From the day the Regent began practicing martial arts, he had viewed him as someone who might go berserk at any moment. Whenever there was the slightest disturbance around the Regent, he would become anxious and rush to deal with the aftermath.

He had never trusted the Regent from the beginning.

Yuan Jue was the same.

Princess Wenzhao, despite knowing the Regent for such a short time, saw things more clearly than they did as his close guards.

Bi Suo smiled self-mockingly, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

How laughable that he had been wrong for so many years, thinking he was the Regent’s only friend.

When the Regent faced their cautious, fearful gazes, was he disappointed?

Bi Suo let out a long sigh, coming back to his senses. He looked at Yao Ying and said, “Princess, this matter is of great importance. Not a whisper of it can reach outsiders. Please keep it secret.”

Yao Ying replied seriously, “Rest assured, General. The Buddha’s Son and the Regent saved my life. I won’t breathe a word of this.”

This was why she hadn’t let Xie Qing follow them up.

Bi Suo looked at Yao Ying deeply several times, new worries rising in his heart.

Had Princess Wenzhao already figured it out?

If she had, what should he do? Confine the Princess?

Thinking of how Su Dangu might be suffering from the martial arts backlash right now, Bi Suo felt anxious and uneasy. He temporarily suppressed his concerns and instructed Yuan Jue, “Take the Princess back down the mountain first. I’ll go find the Regent. Wait for my signal.”

Yuan Jue agreed.

Yao Ying turned her horse around.

At that moment, several sharp cries suddenly came from the clouds above their heads. A massive grey eagle swooped down, its wings brushing past Bi Suo, striking his shoulder hard before spreading its wings and flying toward the snow-covered peaks.

Bi Suo’s expression changed: “Something’s happened to the Regent!”

Yao Ying immediately said to Yuan Jue, “I can go down the mountain by myself. Don’t worry about me. Follow the eagle to find the Regent.”

Yuan Jue looked to Bi Suo, who frowned deeply, glancing down the mountain. They were already halfway up, and he wasn’t comfortable letting Yao Ying descend alone.

“Princess, come with us,” he said decisively. “When we find the Regent, we’ll need the Princess’s help.”

He finished speaking and cupped his hands toward Yao Ying.

“The mountain path is treacherous. Princess, please stay close behind me.”

Yao Ying agreed, wrapped her cloak tightly, and followed Bi Suo.

The three followed the eagle on horseback, climbing steep slopes. As the terrain grew higher and the wind and snow thickened, riding became difficult, forcing them to dismount and continue on foot.

Bi Suo was burning with anxiety, frequently looking up at the soaring eagle as he strode forward quickly. After walking a long distance, he suddenly remembered Yao Ying and looked back.

Not far behind, Yao Ying’s cloak-wrapped figure moved along the rugged mountain path, stumbling and faltering, looking as if she might be blown away by the mountain winds at any moment. Yet she didn’t make a sound, staying close behind him and Yuan Jue.

That morning, the royal guards had gathered around the fire pit drinking soup and eating flatbread, talking about Princess Wenzhao. They all said that though she looked delicate, she could endure hardship without complaint. On the journey to Gaochang, she had lived roughly like them, never uttering a word of complaint.

Bi Suo watched her for a moment before turning away.

Yuan Jue suddenly raised his voice and called out, pointing to an uneven pile of rocks covered with fresh snow: “General, look!”

Bi Suo looked in the direction he was pointing, walked forward, and picked up an arrow, his brows furrowing. He surveyed the area and brushed away the thin top layer of snow around them.

More scattered arrows appeared beneath the snow.

Bi Suo’s frown deepened as he leaped over the rock pile, his figure floating down the slope to arrive at a cliff edge.

The ground was covered in chaotic tracks and hoof prints everywhere.

“These are iron arrows! Someone was surrounded and attacked here… The merchant caravan below might have been killed by these people!” Yuan Jue broke out in a cold sweat.

Bi Suo’s face was grave.

The Regent was strict but fair in rewards and punishments, offending many nobles. Many wanted to assassinate him. The Regent’s martial arts were formidable enough to escape, but this time he happened to be unable to suppress his martial arts…

He tossed aside the iron arrow and quickened his pace to keep up with the low-flying eagle.

Yao Ying followed behind him, climbing up a steep, narrow mountain path. The fierce wind whipped around them. She dared not look down at the valley below, keeping her eyes fixed on Bi Suo—only this way could she stay close behind him.

The eagle flew lower and lower, leading everyone up and down until finally circling a small flat patch of snow at a high point.

Strange rocks were piled up in front, blocking their view.

Bi Suo craned his neck to look ahead, gripped Yao Ying’s arm, and helped her leap onto the snow patch.

Yuan Jue followed shortly after.

Once Yao Ying landed steadily, Bi Suo released her and went around the strange rocks. His face immediately lit up with wild joy.

Behind the craggy rocks, a person sat cross-legged in the middle of the snow patch. He had broad shoulders, his face covered in fierce wounds, his black robes torn and tattered—it was Su Dangu, who had left alone the night before.

Yuan Jue’s face brightened with joy as he stepped forward.

Bi Suo stopped him, saying coldly, “Wait. Do you want to be injured again?”

Yuan Jue’s heart trembled. He collected himself and carefully looked around, only then noticing that Su Dangu’s eyes were tightly closed, his body surrounded by what seemed to be surging energy. His muscular arms were visible through his torn clothes, true qi visibly coursing beneath his skin.

Killing intent lay hidden.

Yuan Jue remembered with trepidation and hesitated to move. His gaze fell on Su Dangu’s chest, and he was shocked: “The Regent is wounded!”

Su Dangu’s chest was covered in blood, the snow before him drinking in the fresh blood, a brilliant red.

Yuan Jue gritted his teeth: “No, the Regent is injured. I must go to him!”

Bi Suo shook his head at him and looked to Yao Ying, taking out a medicine bottle and handing it to her: “Princess, you don’t know martial arts and won’t resist with internal energy, so you shouldn’t be hurt by the backlash. You can approach the Regent. He’s injured—please deliver this medicine to him.”

After speaking, he added, “Be careful, don’t get too close. If the Regent suddenly moves, stop. If you’re scared, call out, and I’ll save you.”

Yao Ying responded with a sound of agreement, took the medicine bottle, and stepped forward.

Yuan Jue held his breath, watching her nervously.

Yao Ying continued forward, step by step approaching Su Dangu.

Su Dangu remained motionless.

Yao Ying got closer and closer, pausing several steps away from him. Seeing he did not react at all, she tentatively moved her boots forward, walking up to him.

“General Su?”

She called to him softly.

In the distance, Yuan Jue and Bi Suo watched Su Dangu unblinkingly, not daring to make a sound.

Up close, Yao Ying finally saw Su Dangu’s chest wound. Where his robes were torn, a thin layer of ice had formed.

The wound looked deep—if not treated soon, it would be trouble.

Yao Ying’s brows furrowed slightly. Gathering her courage, she stepped forward, bending down, her boots creaking in the snow.

A cold gaze fell on her face.

Jade eyes suddenly opened, silent and still, with a cold blue flame burning in their depths.

Yao Ying froze completely, meeting Su Dangu’s gaze that held not a trace of human warmth. She held out the medicine bottle in her hands.

“General Su, you’re wounded.”

Su Dangu looked at Yao Ying, his jade eyes reflecting her wind-reddened face. The next moment, his figure exploded into motion, his hand pressing against her neck as he pulled her into his embrace.

Yao Ying was caught off guard. Before she could react to being pulled into his arms, Su Dangu wrapped his arms around her and rolled with her several times through the snow.

After the world stopped spinning, Yao Ying heard the sharp sound of iron arrows grazing the strange rocks.

She clutched Su Dangu’s robes tightly and looked from within his embrace toward where she had been standing.

Several iron arrows were embedded in the snow, their feathered ends swaying and humming.