Though they had prepared themselves mentally, no one expected the pursuers to arrive so quickly.

On the road to the uninhabited zone, if not for Qin Yining and Lu Heng calculating the timing to avoid them, they would have nearly engaged the thousand cavalry in close combat.

The pursuing force could only chase behind the Minuo tribe group, and each time, aside from kicking over the remnants of campfires, they could find no other way to vent their frustration.

“General, something’s not right about these Minuo tribe rebels! The direction they’re fleeing is clearly toward the uninhabited zone!”

The commanding general’s expression was grave as he waved his hand to stop his subordinates’ words, his mind already in complete chaos.

Obviously, the Minuo tribe had been driven to desperation by their pursuit and planned to take the baggage into that vast desert of the uninhabited zone to die. Even in death, they didn’t plan to surrender the grain!

These slaves might feel satisfied, but what about those ordered to pursue them?

Could they really go to the Khan with straight faces and say: “How shameful – we rode horses but couldn’t catch up to a group of old, weak, and disabled carrying baggage. We chased them into the uninhabited zone but didn’t dare pursue!”

If they said such words, none of them would survive!

“Pursue! Increase speed! We must catch up to them before they enter the uninhabited zone!”

Seeing the general panic, the usually steady subordinates also became urgent, hurriedly urging the soldiers who were eating dry rations with cold water to quickly mount and give chase.

When it involved life and death, who dared slack off?

But they pursued all the way from the camp to the direction of the desert entrance without catching a single soul.

Horse hooves trampled the sandy ground beneath them. Watching the fierce wind blow past, instantly transforming what had been a substantial sand dune into flat sandy ground, there was no possibility of tracking footprints!

Looking ahead at the boundless great desert, everyone fearfully tightened their reins, no longer daring to step forward even half a pace.

The commanding general’s face was ashen as he swung his fist through empty air, as if this could dispel the frustration in his heart.

“General, what do we do?” The deputy general looked at the uninhabited desert zone where the terrain changed instantly under harsh weather conditions, and swallowed fearfully.

If they said to continue pursuing now, probably few of these brothers would have the courage to charge in.

Everyone knew the terror of this great desert in the uninhabited zone – harsh weather, constantly changing terrain. Flat ground could become sand dunes in a quarter hour, and perhaps sleeping one night could result in being buried alive by sand. Moreover, here one could find no direction to advance, because no one knew how far the other side of the uninhabited zone was or what lay there.

Entering here was equivalent to stepping half into hell.

No one had the courage to challenge it.

“Those Minuo tribe madmen!” The general spat viciously and said through gritted teeth: “Set up defenses here, guard all around the uninhabited zone. I don’t believe this Minuo tribe group isn’t afraid of death! They have similar numbers to us – perhaps before long some will escape, and we might even catch them having internal conflicts! When that happens, capturing even one alive to take back will be enough explanation for us.”

“The general is wise!” Everyone saluted, secretly breathing sighs of relief.

As long as they didn’t have to charge in to capture people, anything was fine!

The pursuers divided into groups around the uninhabited zone and set up camp, waiting to cast their net wide for a big catch.

But how could these people understand the stubbornness and unity of the Minuo tribe?

Qin Yining was now leading the group across a vast expanse of desert, with fierce winds driving sand into the gaps of her headwrap. Sometimes the wind was so strong it nearly knocked her down, yet she persisted, holding the reins of a horse dragging grain and water skins, walking at the front of the group.

Lu Heng also led a horse close by her side. When her slender figure was blown by wind until she could barely take steps, he wanted to reach out to support her. However, his outstretched hand never actually touched her; instead, like a guardian, he spread his arms to shield her.

Watching the two at the very front of the group, Uncle A’er Khan, Chagan Bala, and the Ha’er Bala brothers all felt somewhat bitter in their hearts.

They could all see Lu Heng’s affection for Qin Yining, but they could also see that Qin Yining’s heart was entirely devoted to her husband. She simply regarded Lu Heng as a trustworthy companion.

Now they traveled together on this journey, and with each step, they seemed to draw closer to death. At this time, continuing to worry about who loved whom and who accepted whom seemed superfluous.

If they could leave this uninhabited zone alive, it would be Heaven’s mercy that their lives were not meant to end.

Though they were also afraid, facing this great desert that seemed endless, a chill always crept into their hearts. Yet none of them complained, because if they had stayed in the capital, they might have been tortured to death by the Tatar court long ago.

The nightmare of being enslaved, oppressed and exploited, and arbitrarily slaughtered had finally ended. They could now control their own life and death. Even in such a tragic manner, as long as companions persisted together beside them, they were satisfied.

Just as Qin Yining’s group entered the uninhabited zone and the pursuers camped outside the desert like a great net waiting for them to run out, in the imperial palace of Great Zhou’s capital, Li Qitian stared at Li Guanwen with a face dark as water: “What did you say? Say it again.”

Li Guanwen was so frightened he fell to his knees with a thud, repeatedly kowtowing: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This servant, this servant indeed heard that Prince Zhongshun left the city with his household guards.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Qitian grabbed a teacup and smashed it violently on the marble floor. With a crisp crash, porcelain shards flew onto Li Guanwen’s face, cutting several bloody marks, yet he didn’t dare blink.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

Li Qitian angrily stood up, his large palm repeatedly pounding the memorial scrolls stacked on the desk: “Pang Zhixi, what a Pang Zhixi! He dares ignore me to such an extent! Defying imperial orders once is already a capital offense. Since I didn’t take his life, he dares cause more trouble for me! Actually taking his household troops and running – does he want to rebel? Someone come! Surround Prince Zhongshun’s mansion! I will personally go ask how those two old things from the Yao family and that base woman taught their son!”

With His Majesty in such fury, who dared say half a word of disagreement?

Li Guanwen hurriedly agreed and actively went to prepare for His Majesty’s departure from the palace.

At this time, fifty li outside the city gates, Ji Zeyu sat astride the silver-white steed Pang Xiao had given him, wearing a fire-red fox fur coat like burning flames. His pale, slender hand held a black riding whip as he stood sideways in the middle of the small road.

Pang Xiao reined in his black horse and smiled in surprise: “A’lan? Why are you here?”

Ji Zeyu shook his reins and rode closer. Though the Tiger Guards behind Pang Xiao showed no expression, they all tensed their bodies.

Ji Zeyu’s long eyebrows slightly furrowed as he swept his gaze with dignified authority, making all the Tiger Guards behind Pang Xiao uncomfortable and causing them to restrain their sharpness considerably.

“You’re going to find Miss Qin? You can’t hold back anymore?”

Pang Xiao’s sword-like brows also furrowed as he nodded: “These past days, my heart has been in chaos. I keep feeling that if I don’t go, something will happen to Yining.”

Ji Zeyu looked at Pang Xiao’s handsome face, made more angular by recent weight loss, and said with pressed lips: “Do you care about her this much?”

“A’lan, she is as important as life itself to me.”

“But didn’t you once say that a great man need not worry about lacking a wife? No matter how wonderful Miss Qin is, can one person’s life rival the lives of everyone around you? Aren’t you afraid that leaving like this will implicate your family? I believe even if something happened to Miss Qin, she would hope you could live well, take care of your family, and also look after her parents, rather than impulsively leaving the capital privately like this. You must know your current behavior is touching His Majesty’s forbidden zone!”

Ji Zeyu was a cold person who spoke very little, but whenever Pang Xiao’s matters were involved, he would change his usual habits.

Pang Xiao was moved and leaped down from his horse, his black sable cloak billowing to reveal his long, powerful legs wrapped in black trousers beneath the cape.

He tossed his whip to Huzi behind him and walked toward Ji Zeyu.

Ji Zeyu also dismounted and walked toward Pang Xiao with furrowed brows.

He had been frowning so much that a line had formed at the center of his forehead. The fire fox fur made his jade-like complexion appear even more fair.

Pang Xiao sighed and patted his shoulder, saying in a low voice: “While His Majesty still trusts you, you should think of an escape route early. Don’t wait until something really happens and be caught unprepared.”

Ji Zeyu glared at Pang Xiao: “If you weren’t acting on impulse, His Majesty would trust you too. Now I’m lecturing you – how did you turn it around to lecture me?”

Pang Xiao laughed: “You’re still the same as when we were children – when you’re happy inside, you show it but insist on being stubborn.”

Ji Zeyu glared at Pang Xiao again but ultimately didn’t say anything in rebuttal. He only asked: “You’re determined to go?”

“Yes. I must go, otherwise I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

“You’re clearly not someone who acts on impulse. Where has all the composure gained from years of experience gone? You say you don’t want to regret for life, but in this world there are always many helpless situations that force you to make choices. Where is there anyone who truly never regrets?”

“A’lan, I know your good intentions. I’ve already sent my maternal grandparents and mother to the Qin family. My father-in-law knows about my departure – he should help look after family matters.”

Seeing that Pang Xiao’s mind was made up with no room for change, Ji Zeyu could only sigh: “If you must go, then go. Don’t worry, I’ll also help you keep watch.”

Pang Xiao nodded emotionally, then said: “You must also be careful. Remember my words – prepare an escape route early.”

Ji Zeyu smiled faintly: “Don’t worry. I’m different from you – you have many attachments, but I have no family. I fear nothing.”

“How can I truly be at ease? Who could have imagined that we three brothers would reach this point today? A’lan, take care of yourself. I’ll try to return quickly.”

Seeing Pang Xiao’s solemn expression, Ji Zeyu nodded and handed Pang Xiao the whip in his hand: “Take this. The Longxiang Army stationed at the border are all my former subordinates. About a hundred of my trusted men have infiltrated that force – they all recognize my token. If you need help, take this whip to find their leader Tao Jun. He currently serves as a captain in the army, over thirty years old, with a scar on his forehead, and he’s a heavy smoker. You’ll recognize him at a glance when you go.”