Flying Eagle was also panting heavily. He lowered his head to look at Lu Heng, who sat under the tree with his eyes closed, gasping for breath.

“Second Master, are you alright?”

Lu Heng kept his eyes closed and refused to speak. His brow was tightly furrowed, creating deep lines between his eyebrows. His tightly pressed lips had turned white from excessive force, while his chest rose and fell violently from rapid breathing, clearly showing how enraged he was.

Flying Lian and Flying Eagle exchanged glances, their eyes flashing briefly with guilt, but more with determination.

Since they had already decided to pledge allegiance to the second master, they had to show some sincerity. Otherwise, how could they gain people’s trust? Although doing this was somewhat unfair to Lu Heng, and they didn’t know how the second master would deal with him after handing him over, people had to look out for themselves first—they couldn’t worry about so much else.

The two sat down on either side of Lu Heng to rest temporarily.

Flying Eagle took a sip of water, wiped the moisture from his mouth, and said: “Second Master, don’t be angry. This is just how things are now. Even if you make yourself sick with anger, you still have to go home, don’t you? We won’t make things difficult for you. As long as you behave and don’t cause any trouble along the way, once we arrive home safely, won’t everything be fine?”

“Yes, Second Master, you don’t need to worry. Although the second master has become the family head, he might not necessarily do anything to you. After all, you’re still a legitimate son of the Lu family with a reputation outside, aren’t you? Even if His Majesty wants to punish you for the khan’s assassination, I believe the second master, remembering family ties, won’t hand you over. You can rest assured.”

Lu Heng still kept his eyes closed, his tightly clenched fists showing white knuckles.

“You can shut up now.”

“Hey!” Flying Eagle laughed heartily: “Second Master, what kind of talk is that? Are you displeased to hear these truths we’re speaking? But that’s right—you’re the high and mighty Second Master, the Old Master’s favorite, the next family head who would inherit directly over the other masters. Of course you’re not used to hearing such plain truths.”

“But in the current situation, when you go back, Second Master, you might end up as a prisoner. What’s there to be picky about? In prison, wearing shackles and chains, getting whipped with a water-soaked whip—all your grievances would be settled then.”

“Flying Lian!” Seeing Flying Lian’s inappropriate words, Flying Eagle scolded in a low voice: “We’re just bringing someone back. Do you have any business meddling in other matters? Don’t be disrespectful to the Second Master!”

Hearing this, Flying Lian snorted lightly. After thinking it over, he ultimately didn’t continue speaking, to avoid making the man sick with anger and then having to take care of him on the road.

Lu Heng’s initially surging anger gradually subsided. After his mind calmed down, he began analyzing the current situation.

He could already foresee that once he returned to the Lu family, he would be pushed forward for sentencing. The second branch was worried about not being able to establish connections with Li Qitian—how could they let such a good opportunity pass?

Lu Heng wasn’t afraid of death, but he was unwilling to die so miserably. If there truly came a day when he had to face death, he hoped he could die gloriously and meaningfully, not be deceived and kidnapped by two servants and then handed over to Li Qitian like tribute to the Tatars.

But in the current situation, aside from first pretending to be calm while following the two back and then looking for opportunities to escape along the way, he couldn’t think of a second secure method.

Fortunately, Lu Heng was quite familiar with these two men’s characters, so making them lower their guard wouldn’t be too difficult.

Seeing Lu Heng silent with his eyes closed, the two didn’t know what to do for the moment.

Flying Eagle said: “Let’s continue forward for a stretch. It’s my turn to carry him this time.”

Flying Lian frowned: “Carrying him on our backs again? The Second Master isn’t a child.”

But Flying Eagle secretly cursed Flying Lian’s stupidity. No matter how good Lu Heng’s physical condition was, when unwilling, he couldn’t possibly put effort into traveling. Would they let Lu Heng’s pace delay them the entire way? It would be much more convenient for them to take turns carrying him. Once they reached Great Zhou, they could hire a carriage and tie him inside—then everything would be settled.

Flying Eagle felt pleased with himself. He bent down to force Lu Heng to stand, then turned his back and, with Flying Lian’s help, forcibly hoisted Lu Heng onto his back. The two continued forward with Lu Heng.

Who would have thought that just as the two were feeling relaxed, a strong wind suddenly struck from behind.

Flying Eagle turned around and saw a figure flash past him. Before he could react, the weight on his back suddenly lightened.

“Ah!” Flying Eagle angrily shouted: “What are you doing!”

When he saw who it was, Flying Eagle’s expression immediately turned ugly.

Because the newcomer was none other than Cao Yuqing.

In Flying Eagle and Flying Lian’s impression, they still thought of Cao Yuqing as someone who wholeheartedly served Qin Yining like an old servant.

Who knew this weak woman had such exceptional skills, able to snatch someone away in the span of a breath? No wonder she could find Qin Yining by herself—with such abilities, she needn’t worry about anything else.

At this moment, the sound of mixed horse hooves came from outside the distant woods. Soon they saw Qin Yining, Uncle Alhan, the three Azure Sky Alliance members, and two Minuo tribe members riding from the main road, gradually slowing down as they approached.

This time, Flying Lian and Flying Eagle were truly shocked.

How could they have imagined that Qin Yining would bring people to pursue them?

Seeing Qin Yining, Lu Heng’s dejected face, which had been deeply affected by the betrayal, broke into a strong smile.

“How did you know I was here?”

Qin Yining blinked her long lashes but didn’t mention that Liao Zhibing had placed a tracking insect on him. She only said: “My people saw some figures leaving, and when your tent was empty, we specifically pursued you. Are you alright, Second Master Lu?”

Lu Heng smiled and shook his head: “I’m fine.”

His smile was truly forced, and Qin Yining didn’t take it seriously, nor did she press the matter. Instead, she turned toward Flying Eagle and Flying Lian.

Cao Yuqing and Liao Zhibing flanked her on either side, watching Flying Eagle and Flying Lian warily.

Looking up at Qin Yining as she drew closer, meeting her eyes that gleamed coldly like a wild beast’s, Flying Eagle and Flying Lian had no mind to appreciate the beauty—they only thought about how to escape safely.

Qin Yining stood with her hands behind her back, stopping not far from the two men, and looked down to ask: “Whose orders are you following? Your household’s second master or third master? Or did you come on your own, intending to capture Second Master Lu and take him back for a reward?”

Hearing this, Lu Heng’s entire body trembled with rage.

Flying Eagle and Flying Lian’s expressions also turned very ugly.

Flying Lian said: “Don’t act so righteous—what do you mean by reward? We’re working for His Majesty. His Majesty’s future rewards will be countless—would we care about them? Back in Tatar territory, if it weren’t for our young master helping you, could you have survived until now with your purity intact? Now you come here acting all mighty with us.”