A’Luo had not been lying in Yuhua Hall for long when she saw Chu Nan burst in. Several others rushed in right after him, and the two sides fought fiercely. Her heart raced with anxiety, yet she couldn’t move at all. Watching Chu Nan strike with such ruthlessness, Yuhua Hall was filled with screams and spraying blood everywhere. She couldn’t help but close her eyes.

Chu Nan killed everyone who had come. He turned and scooped A’Luo up into his arms. She opened her eyes wide, glaring at him furiously. Chu Nan smiled wickedly, “My princess, come with me.”

He must be insane — did he not know that abducting her would spark a war? A’Luo could only glare at him.

Chu Nan chuckled softly and shook out a long cloak, wrapping her completely from head to toe. A’Luo felt them gradually leaving through the palace gates. Strangely, they encountered no resistance at all — she remembered Mingzhu’s words and realized there must be a major upheaval happening in the palace, leaving no one able to spare attention for this. Not long after leaving the palace, Chu Nan mounted a horse with her still in his arms. Before long she heard the sound of flowing water, and thought — they must already be outside Feng City, on the Duning River.

Once aboard the boat, Chu Nan, estimating they were now some forty or fifty li from Feng City, finally released the acupoint restricting A’Luo. She slowly looked around and confirmed without doubt that she was in a cabin. She began moving her hands and feet.

“The princess truly amazes me — not crying, not making a fuss, remarkably composed,” Chu Nan said, arms crossed, watching her, growing more delighted the more he looked.

A’Luo glanced at him, speaking calmly, “What good would crying and fussing do? I can’t overpower even one of your hands.”

“Oh? If the princess had formidable martial skill, would she want to cross blades with me?” Chu Nan wanted to laugh. In Linnan City, this princess was known for her extraordinary courage and had learned a bit of amateur skill, though without any internal energy — enough to handle an ordinary person, perhaps.

A’Luo laughed lightly, “If you didn’t rely on your martial skill, do you think I’d be afraid of you?”

Excitement surged in Chu Nan’s heart. “Without using martial arts, do you think you wouldn’t be afraid of me?”

“Then let’s test it,” A’Luo said unhurriedly.

“How do you want to test it?” Chu Nan’s interest was piqued, that desire to conquer her growing stronger.

A’Luo thought for a moment. “We’re on a boat, right? Let’s go into the water — no internal energy allowed — and see who can stay under longer.”

“Ha, fine!” Chu Nan agreed without hesitation, his eyes bright beneath thick brows. He didn’t believe he could possibly lose to her.

“Can I change into men’s clothing?” A’Luo looked down at her silk skirts, somewhat troubled.

“Someone, bring a set of men’s clothes!” Chu Nan agreed without the slightest hesitation.

A’Luo walked slowly out of the cabin with him. Under the moonlight, the Duning River flowed gently, its surface calm. A’Luo felt a twinge of frustration — if only the current were more turbulent. But she thought, as long as she could get into the water, it would be better than staying in the cabin. She lifted her chin toward Chu Nan. “Into the water now?”

Chu Nan looked at her, moonlight’s clear glow reflected in his eyes, utterly harmless-looking, yet also as if she looked down on him. A heat rose in his chest and he laughed loudly. “Fine, let’s go in and compete.”

A’Luo silently cursed him for a fool — competing over nothing like this. If she won, she could escape; if she lost, she’d still be in his hands regardless. She slowly took off her long boots, holding them by the straps, glancing at Chu Nan. “Come on!”

She stood at the boat’s edge, her long hair braided into a glossy plait, her feet bare and white as jade, her expression proud — an indescribably impish, adorable air about her. Chu Nan’s heart skipped half a beat, his breath catching. He turned his face aside and gave a small snort, thinking — surely he wouldn’t actually lose to her? He leapt up, smiled at A’Luo, and dove into the river in one graceful motion.

Seeing him surface, A’Luo watched him, smiled, and leapt in as well, her hands rising up — as she entered the water, both hands had already pinched the boot openings shut.

The two exchanged a glance, then both plunged their heads underwater. Without a second thought, A’Luo let the current carry her downstream. In an instant she was already several zhang away from Chu Nan. Chu Nan was alarmed — his martial arts were useless in water — and watched as A’Luo drifted further and further away. He slapped the water with his palm and leapt out onto the deck, grabbing a rope, wrapping it around the mast, and shot downstream like an arrow.

Just as Chu Nan leapt, A’Luo had already begun struggling to swim back. Feeling her breath running out, she released the boot tops, took a deep breath, and swam back upstream toward where the boat was.

A glint flashed in Chu Nan’s eyes — with his lightness skill, A’Luo shouldn’t have been able to swim so far, nor stay submerged so long. The river here wasn’t very wide, and the current wasn’t swift — where could she be? Chu Nan realized he’d been tricked by A’Luo, and alongside his anger, the excitement of the hunt grew even stronger. He shouted loudly, “Lower the small boat and search!”

A’Luo, knowing she couldn’t hold her breath much longer, slowly felt the boat above her head. She was nearly fainting from lack of air, but finally managed to reach the stern. Quietly, she raised her head above water, breathing out a long breath, one hand gripping the stern rail, the other clutching the boots tightly. She observed her surroundings alertly, hearing a commotion on the water’s surface — she knew they were searching for her.

The river flowed slowly. A’Luo looked around — both banks were shallow grass and gentle slopes, with neither forest nor reeds. Footsteps ran overhead. She silently groaned — she’d have to follow the boat downstream.

Where could she be? Chu Nan looked downstream, the view open, able to see clearly for a hundred zhang — no trace of anyone surfacing on the calm water. Chu Nan suddenly recalled the boots she’d been carrying, sneered, and understood. He shouted, “Stop the boat!”

He dove headfirst into the water. In the dark riverbed at night, nothing was visible, so Chu Nan searched along the boat’s edge.

Hearing the words “stop the boat,” A’Luo was terrified out of her wits. She took a deep breath and dove toward the shore. Before long she’d swum to the bank. She gently lifted her head and looked back — the boat was thirty zhang away, the moonlight bright. She knew she couldn’t possibly hide by the shore like this. At that moment, Chu Nan, having circled the boat without finding her, leapt up onto the mast. Anything within fifty zhang was visible to him. His eyes swept across a dark shape by the riverbank, and with a long whistle, he grabbed a rope and lunged toward it.

A’Luo, startled, scrambled up onto the bank using both hands and feet, and ran barefoot. She hadn’t gone more than a few steps when she felt a tightness around her waist, let out a sharp cry, and was yanked backward, lifted off her feet.

Chu Nan laughed loudly, “My princess, you hid so well!” Before he’d even finished speaking, he’d already caught her in midair, spun around, and leapt back onto the boat.

A’Luo groaned inwardly — escaping now would be truly difficult. She glared at Chu Nan. “Let go of me!”

Chu Nan gently set her down, watching her glaring wide-eyed, dripping wet from head to toe, and couldn’t help but smile.

“Where are the maids? Attend to my bath and change of clothes!” A’Luo lifted her chin, utterly imperious.

“Don’t forget, you’re a captive now!” Chu Nan’s interest in A’Luo only grew.

“That’s your claim, not something I agreed to — it doesn’t count!” A’Luo had A’Luo had correctly gauged Chu Nan’s competitive nature. She thought — if you want to act shameless, I’ll indulge you; you abducted me, so don’t expect an easy time of it!

Chu Nan laughed, “Someone, attend the princess’s bath and change of clothes.” His gaze turned cold. “Afterward, send her to my chamber to attend me at night!”

A’Luo was shocked — the people here really weren’t to be trifled with; everyone she met turned out to be shrewd! She pouted, “Attend you at night? This princess has no interest right now. When I do have interest, I’ll summon Your Highness myself!”

Chu Nan laughed despite his anger, “Fine, interesting — I’ll just wait until you’re interested!”

A’Luo looked at the two maids beside her, watching her warily. She snorted coldly. “Withdraw behind the screen! This princess doesn’t like being watched while bathing! Did you hear? Out!”

Her tone turned sharp, and sure enough, the two maids obediently retreated behind the screen. A’Luo thought — it seems she’d been too gentle before. These people bullied the weak and feared the strong. She slowly took off her wet clothes. There was a small window in the cabin. A’Luo assessed it — she could shatter the wooden bars on the window with a single strike. Her mind turning, she jumped into the bathtub, and before long called out, “The water’s gone cold, bring more!”

One maid turned and left the cabin to fetch water; the other remained standing outside the screen.

“You, come in and wash my hair,” A’Luo ordered.

The maid walked in. A’Luo suddenly kicked up a splash of water, drenching the maid’s head and face. Watching her movements, A’Luo could tell she had no martial skill, and without a second thought, stood up from the tub and struck her unconscious with a single blow. She quickly stripped off the maid’s clothes, put them on, and dragged her into the water.

At this point, the other maid came in carrying hot water. “Come in,” A’Luo said lazily, bowing her head as if arranging the unconscious maid’s hair.

The maid entered. A’Luo raised her face and smiled at her, then struck her too. She circled to the window and looked out — below was the rushing river water. Her heart leapt with joy. She stepped back two paces, kicked out, and the wooden window shattered with a crash.

The guard outside the door shouted, “What’s happening in there?”

Panicking, A’Luo dove straight through the window into the river.

Chu Nan happened to be standing on the deck, considering whether to abandon the boat and go ashore — he estimated pursuers would soon catch up to this vessel. Thinking of A’Luo’s beautiful face, her spirited manner, he couldn’t help but smile. He knew taking her had been a real gamble, but Chen and Xia had already formed an alliance, presumably already attacking Linnan City. Capturing her might not necessarily be a bad thing. Suddenly he saw the cabin window below shatter, a figure diving straight into the river, and he immediately leapt down after her. In the darkness, he grabbed hold of one of the falling person’s feet and hauled her up, holding her upside down.

A’Luo, just celebrating her escape, suddenly felt a tightening around her ankle as a large hand seized it, and was immediately hauled up.

Chu Nan, seeing clearly it was Qingluo, grew furious. “Well now — bathing manages to shatter a window and escape?”

“Who said that? The window on the boat was clearly broken, nearly causing this princess to fall into the river and drown. Fortunately Prince Chu Nan rescued me in time — this princess will surely report this to the king and reward you handsomely!” A’Luo said idly, following up with a yawn. “Falling into the river twice in one night — I’m exhausted. Your Highness may enjoy the night view at leisure. Someone! Attend to this princess’s rest!”

Chu Nan sneered, “To prevent the princess from accidentally falling into the river again, this prince will personally attend to you!” With that, he scooped her up around the waist and strode back into the cabin.

A’Luo knew struggling would be futile. She cursed inwardly — how unlucky, that he’d happened to fish her right out of the water like that.

Once inside the cabin, he set A’Luo down, grabbed a dry cloth to wipe the water from his hair, and casually stripped off his clothes. A’Luo’s hair stood on end all over her body, and she stammered, “You — don’t, don’t try anything!”

Chu Nan, wiping the water off his body, moved closer to her. “Afraid?”

A’Luo stepped back, turning her head away. “Is this fun for you?”

“You’re right, it’s really not fun — I hate forcing myself on women most of all. But you can’t leave this cabin — it’s this small a space. If you’re afraid of me looking, you needn’t change clothes.” Chu Nan said provocatively.

A’Luo looked at herself, then at Chu Nan’s bare torso. She casually picked up a dry cloth to dry her hair, bowing her head to wring the water from her clothes. She thought — if she stripped in front of him, that would be like delivering meat right to the wolf’s mouth; not eating would mean he lacked any beastly nature at all.

Chu Nan snorted. “There’s only one bed too. If you don’t want to sleep with me, find your own spot!”

A’Luo shot him a glare and, saying nothing, walked to a corner and sat down. After a whole day of being tossed about, she was truly exhausted. She closed her eyes and fell asleep leaning against the cabin wall.

Chu Nan couldn’t sleep at all, tossing and turning as he watched A’Luo, still in her wet clothes, actually fall asleep sitting on the floor, her small face full of exhaustion. A sudden reluctance welled up in his heart. He sighed deeply and rose, reaching out to carry her, then worried about waking her. He extended a finger to touch her sleep acupoint, and called for two maids: “Change the princess into dry clothes and help her to bed.”

He left the cabin alone. The long Duning River carried only the sound of rushing water, both banks silent and still. Chu Nan thought — was he truly bewitched by her? He, known for his ruthlessness and cruelty, why couldn’t he bring himself to be harsh with her? He gave the order in a low voice: “Pull ashore and stop the boat. We’ll switch to traveling overland.”

The day after A’Luo was abducted, Liu Jue mustered his two hundred thousand eastern troops and rushed south.

Cheng Siyue, having received his orders, released the falcons, tracing along the Duning River. The next day, the falcons circled above a boat moving slowly along the river. He smiled and followed the boat’s path.

As night fell, the boat pulled ashore and stopped. Cheng Siyue’s heart sank — could A’Luo not be aboard? He changed into night-travel clothes, and the moment he put them on, the sense of the dark night settled over him.

He suppressed his smile, his eyes gleaming sharply, and used his lightness skill to leap onto the ship’s bow.

An attendant happened to be passing along the deck. Unnoticed, the shadow of night followed behind him, flipped his long sword, and pressed it against the attendant’s neck: “Make a sound and die! Is Chu Nan aboard?”

The attendant shook his head stiffly. The shadow reversed his sword hilt and struck him unconscious.

Finding several more people this way, the shadowy figure learned that Chu Nan had already disembarked, indeed taking A’Luo with him. He calculated the direction and pursued toward the southern cities.

A’Luo woke to find herself in a carriage. She blinked, feeling nothing amiss, and sat up. She saw Chu Nan sitting at the other end of the carriage, watching her calmly. “Awake? Hungry?”

A’Luo nodded. Chu Nan casually produced a basket of food. A’Luo picked up a piece of cake, looked at it, and put it in her mouth. Chu Nan poured a cup of tea and set it on the small table. A’Luo took it and drank. She thought — isn’t this Gucheng’s plum-blossom steamed cake and flower-pistil tea? Had they already passed Gucheng and headed further south? Wasn’t Chu Nan worried about being discovered along the way? She calmly ate her fill, and with the carriage curtain down, she heard no voices outside, suggesting they hadn’t entered a city. She turned her head aside, closed her eyes, and pretended to sleep.

Finding her silence rather dull, Chu Nan held his teacup and spoke idly, “I didn’t expect the princess to have such a fine figure. Quite an eye-opener for this prince.” His eyes glinted with a beast-like light, watching A’Luo, wanting to see her flustered and panicked.

“Oh? Can Your Highness see this princess’s graceful figure through thick cabin planks? Have your eyes been soaked in peacock bile? How venomous! Tsk tsk!” A’Luo answered nonchalantly.

Exposed by her words, Chu Nan choked on the tea he’d just swallowed, his face flushing red. “You — you — how do you know I wasn’t the one who changed your clothes?”

A’Luo’s ears caught the sound of voices — the carriage was nearing a town, and she thought, every town surely had officers on patrol. She laughed lightly, “Simple enough — if Your Highness had changed my clothes personally, would I still be unharmed?” As she finished speaking, she raised a hand to lift the carriage curtain, but the moment her mouth opened, her body went numb and collapsed.

Chu Nan chuckled low, “Do you really think I’m that foolish?”

A’Luo glared at him, thinking — could it be that they truly couldn’t be intercepted all the way south?

Chu Nan read her expression, looking pleased with himself. “Since I’ve chosen this route, I naturally have my own methods. Don’t think about escaping.”

Entering the town, officers indeed checked the carriage. Chu Nan flipped up a floorboard, revealing a hidden compartment lined with cushions. He placed A’Luo inside, smiling, “My apologies to the princess.” The board flipped back down, sealing it.

A’Luo heard an officer lift the curtain and ask, “Old sir, traveling alone?”

Old sir? Had Chu Nan disguised himself? A quavering, elderly voice answered, “Returning to my old home in Linnan. Just been to Feng City to visit my son.”

The carriage then entered the city, driving straight into a courtyard and stopping. Light flooded in as the compartment lid was opened. Chu Nan carried A’Luo out of the carriage. Looking around, A’Luo saw it was the garden of some wealthy household. She quietly memorized the garden’s layout — this must be one of Chen Guo’s secret bases established within Ning Guo.

Once inside, Chu Nan released A’Luo’s acupoint, looking pleased with himself. “How was that?”

A’Luo clapped in approval. “Not bad, not bad — the voice was very convincing, and the disguise looked the part too. Can you teach me? Transforming like that seems fun.”

Chu Nan looked at her, his voice suddenly turning gentle. “Once we reach Chen Guo, you can play with whatever you like. Rest early — we have more travel tomorrow.”

A’Luo nodded, appearing obedient.

The moment Chu Nan left, she leapt up, ran to the window and looked out — they were on the second floor. She quickly pulled a firework signal from the jade case hidden at her neck. The window was sealed shut, so she reached her hand out and flicked it hard — a puff of blue-violet smoke shot into the air and burst open.

A’Luo hurried back to sit in the chair.

In an instant, the door was kicked open, and Chu Nan strode in, his face dark. “I truly underestimated you.”

A’Luo grinned at him. “You were already dark-faced — now you look like the Kitchen God!” She intended only to stall for time. She thought — once they saw the firework, it would take at most two quarters of an hour before someone came looking.

Chu Nan suddenly struck. A’Luo dodged sideways, kicking out, relying on her agility to evade him, thinking she could delay a little longer. Chu Nan, angered, unleashed his lightness skill, his figure flickering. A’Luo, realizing she couldn’t keep up with his movements and things were about to go badly, had her acupoint struck the moment she thought this. Furious, she thought — everyone skilled in martial arts here seemed to know this same trick, and it was infuriating that she herself had no internal energy and couldn’t strike acupoints — otherwise she’d have made a few puppets to play with too.

Chu Nan, his face grim, pulled A’Luo downstairs, stuffed her back into the carriage, and swiftly left the residence. An hour later, the carriage stopped. Chu Nan lifted the floorboard, carried A’Luo out, and walked into another residence, while the carriage continued on.

Once inside, Chu Nan stared fixedly at A’Luo. “If you scream, before the sound carries far I can strike your acupoint. If you want to fight, you can’t beat me either. I’ll release you now — you know what to do.”

A’Luo let out a long breath, rubbing her wrist, bruised purple from Chu Nan’s grip, and cursed, “Do you know lying in there is like lying in a coffin?”

“Your clothes were changed — where was that firework hidden?” Chu Nan asked, ignoring her complaint.

A’Luo’s mind raced. She reached up and removed an earring, twisting open the hollow pearl. “Gone — it was hidden here.”

Chu Nan eyed her suspiciously, took the earring and examined it — the pearl flower was hollow, indeed empty. He returned it to her. Then he reached out and grabbed her hand.

“What are you doing?” A’Luo tried to pull away forcefully.

“Don’t move around, let me see if you’re hurt.” Chu Nan turned her wrist over and applied ointment to the reddened, swollen area. “If you’d behaved, you wouldn’t have had to suffer this.”

A coolness spread across her wrist, quite soothing. His gaze was focused, carrying — was that a trace of tenderness? A’Luo turned her face away, not looking, and quickly answered, “Fine! I won’t call out for help, I’ll follow you the whole way, all right? Now get out!”

Chu Nan looked deeply at her; her face showed disdain, and his heart suddenly stung. He grabbed her neck with one hand. “Don’t ever give me that look again! Or I’ll kill you!”

A’Luo’s throat tightened. She quickly blinked and nodded. Chu Nan released her, snorted, and left the room.

A’Luo looked around the room — outside the window was another garden. She thought Chen Guo had established quite a network within Ning Guo — a city with several such large estates serving as bases. She carefully removed another firework from the jade piece and hid it in her shoe. Then she took out another, walked to the window, and flicked it out — another puff of blue-violet smoke rose into the air. She thought — I still have a few left, enough to wear you out yet!

In an instant, the door was kicked open again, Chu Nan’s face darker still, eyes seeming to spit fire. He struck like wind, sealing A’Luo’s acupoint, wrapped her in a cloak, and carried her out without a word. Mounting his horse outside, he rode straight out of the city — by then, night had fully fallen.

A’Luo recalled that the fifteen cities to the south hugged the mountains, while the fifteen cities beyond that lay across open plains. Just as the city gates were closing, Chu Nan rode his horse through. Traveling south for a stretch, he then turned west, entering the mountains. After a while, they reached a stream. He stopped, tied A’Luo to a tree, released her acupoint, and said viciously, “The princess really knows how to cause trouble! This is mountain forest — scream all you like!”

“Uncomfortable now? I thought you had more skill than this.” A’Luo said disdainfully.

Chu Nan, exhausted after a full day, hadn’t had a moment’s peace thanks to A’Luo’s antics. He reached out and removed A’Luo’s earrings. A’Luo knew Prince Anqing had given her three fireworks, and the other earring’s pearl held two more — she let him search and take those, sacrificing the pawn to protect the general. There was still one hidden in the jade piece, and one in her shoe. But her face showed anxiety and disappointment.

Chu Nan poured out the fireworks from the earring, examined them, looked at A’Luo, then casually tossed them into the stream, sneering, “Seems I really can’t trust you too much.” He built a fire, took out dried rations from his horse and ate, then walked over to A’Luo. “I’ll feed you.”

“You’ve already taken all my fireworks, it’s pitch dark here and I can’t run anyway — untie me and let me eat myself?” A’Luo looked at Chu Nan pitifully.

Her eyes were brighter than the stars at night, now welling with a sheen of tears. Chu Nan couldn’t bear to see her like this and said coldly, “If you try any more tricks, don’t blame me for being unkind!”

A’Luo moved her limbs a bit. Sitting there eating, she idly toyed with a burning twig in her hand. Firelight illuminated her face, and Chu Nan’s heart stirred again watching her. A’Luo traced a “W” shape on the ground, looked at it with satisfaction, then suddenly asked, “Why are we heading west? Aren’t you going back to Chen Guo?”

Chu Nan snorted and ignored her. A’Luo asked again, “If I keep setting off fireworks, will it wear you to death?”

“From now on, I won’t leave your side even half a step!”

A’Luo smiled. Between her fingers, she’d already quietly palmed the firework taken from her shoe, and in an instant flicked it into the sky. A brilliant burst of blue-violet bloomed in the night sky. “I had one more — forgot to mention it.”

Chu Nan, furious, struck out with his palm. Just before reaching her face, he deflected it to strike a tree instead. He said through gritted teeth, “I really can’t be too soft with you!” With that, he pulled A’Luo up, mounted his horse, and galloped swiftly along the mountain path.

A’Luo looked back and saw another blue-violet firework rising from the western part of the city — strikingly beautiful. She laughed loudly, “You won’t get far now!”

Furious, Chu Nan struck the back of her neck with his palm, and A’Luo’s laughter abruptly stopped.

The shadow of night traveled south and soon reached Jing City, where he encountered Liu Jue leading his troops south. Liu Jue glanced at him, knowing there was still no news of A’Luo, and couldn’t help feeling despondent. At this moment, urgent word arrived that Linnan City was under Chen Guo attack, on the verge of falling, its naval forces devastated.

Liu Jue had no time to spare for A’Luo — with Linnan about to fall, the fifteen cities on the plains had no natural barriers to rely on, and Chen Guo’s forces could advance unimpeded. He ordered the three armies to march through the night toward Linnan.

At the same time, the shadow of night received word from the pigeon corps — ahead in Yan City, distress fireworks had been sighted, three within a single day, and men had already gathered to pursue westward.

Liu Jue looked at the shadow of night. “A’Luo is entrusted to you.”

“Rest assured, my lord!”

“You be careful too!”

The shadow of night smiled, then suddenly said, “My lord’s Flying Snow technique has been perfected!”

“Indeed! Only after great sorrow and great pain did I truly grasp the technique’s essence — everything became clear!”

“Master once said, if my lord’s Flying Snow technique were perfected, the common people would suffer for it! But I believe it depends on the person!”

Liu Jue looked at him. “If any harm comes to A’Luo, then Master’s words will have proven true. I will bathe Chen Guo in blood!”

The shadow of night sighed softly. “I will certainly bring A’Luo back safely!”

He estimated the location of the fireworks, released the falcon, checked the direction, and guessed that Chu Nan, holding A’Luo captive, was heading toward Xia Guo in the southwest. He too entered the mountain forest, hoping to intercept Chu Nan ahead of the others.

Chu Nan carried A’Luo into the forest. Far from Yan City now, the forest seemed an endless maze, concealing all traces. Chu Nan dismounted, staring at A’Luo. “What should I do with you?”

The mountain forest around them was silent. Dense trees blocked out the moon. A’Luo shivered — a night of dark moon, a night for killing! Being alone with this ruthless Chen Guo prince felt like a rabbit trapped with a wolf. She summoned her courage. “Don’t forget, I’m the princess of Ning Guo, Prince Pingnan’s betrothed wife. If you harm me, my elder brother and Liu Jue will destroy your Chen Guo! Aren’t you afraid of sparking a war by abducting me?”

“Ha ha!” Chu Nan’s laughter echoed through the mountains, his eyes brimming with desire. “Let me tell you honestly — Chen Guo’s army is likely already attacking Linnan City as we speak! What does it matter that I’ve taken you? War was already set in motion the very day of your wedding to Prince Pingnan — you can still serve as a hostage! Destroy the nation? Qi Guo’s army is probably already attacking Ning Guo’s border cities too. With several nations combining forces, Prince Li and Prince Pingnan will likely be overwhelmed on all fronts!”

As his laughter continued, thunder rumbled overhead, and suddenly lightning struck down, illuminating Chu Nan’s face, making it look all the more sinister. A’Luo’s heart lurched with fear, and she slowly backed toward the horses. Finally overcome with fear, she turned and ran.

Chu Nan watched her stumble away, raised an eyebrow, and flicked out a rope that precisely wound around her.

A’Luo felt a tightness around her waist, her forward momentum straining against the rope, nearly losing her breath from the jolt. She turned back to see Chu Nan calmly reeling in the rope, pulling her back step by step, as if hauling in a fish caught in a net.

Dragged back against her will, A’Luo said bitterly, “You just rely on your martial skill, that’s all. I, I…”

Chu Nan’s hand tightened, pulling her close. “You what? You’ve caused me endless trouble with your tricks — I must be mad not to have killed you!”

A’Luo raised her hand and slapped him. Chu Nan casually blocked it, his eyes like a wolf hunting in the night, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. He reached out and embraced her. A’Luo, shocked, kicked, struck, clawed, bit, and cursed, using every trick she had, but Chu Nan ignored it all as if she were merely tickling him, and carried her along swiftly.

Amid the thunder and lightning, a downpour suddenly began. Chu Nan spotted a jutting rock outcrop not far ahead, extending out about half a meter. The ground beneath it was relatively dry, so he walked straight over and pushed A’Luo into the shelter. “If you keep causing trouble and get soaked and fall ill, no one will be there to care for you!” He sat down at the mouth of the rock shelter, his tall frame blocking most of the gap, shielding her from the wind and rain with his back.

A’Luo froze, curled up in the rock crevice, watching Chu Nan. Their faces were very close now; they could feel each other’s breath. She turned her face away. “If you fall ill, I’ll care for you even less!”

Chu Nan gazed steadily at her, damp strands of hair sticking to her face, the rain washing her skin to a jade-like sheen. Chu Nan’s throat went dry, a heat rising in his belly. He abruptly turned his body away, letting his head and face be soaked by the rain, instantly clearing his mind.

A’Luo looked at the broad back blocking the entrance before her. Although he’d abducted her, watching Chu Nan shelter her from the wind and rain now, she found she couldn’t quite hate him. She suddenly thought of Liu Jue — being with him, she never had to think twice; all storms would naturally be blocked by Liu Jue for her. The moment the thought arose, she longed desperately to fly back to his side. She quietly touched the jade ornament at her neck, drawing out the last firework and clutching it in her hand. She knew Chu Nan, driven relentlessly by her, hadn’t rested properly in a day or two. But thinking of Liu Jue, she gripped the firework in her hand even tighter.

The rain continued without pause. A chill crept through the mountains; though Chu Nan blocked most of the wind and rain for her, it was still cold. A’Luo, huddled against the rock, curled into a ball, and unknowingly fell asleep.

Chu Nan silently channeled his profound skill to resist the cold brought by the wind and rain. When he opened his eyes, sunlight filled the mountain forest. He stood and turned to look back. A’Luo was still asleep. Her face showed an unnatural flush. His heart sank with unease — he scooped her up, her clothes soaked through, her body burning hot with fever. Chu Nan called out anxiously, “Princess, Qingluo!”

Hearing his call, A’Luo wearily opened her eyes, smiled faintly at him, and weakly waved her hand. Chu Nan’s sharp eyes caught the object she’d thrown and slapped it down — a soft “pop” sounded, blue-violet smoke bursting in his hand, curling up into the sky. Yet another firework signal. Chu Nan, furious, loosened his grip, and A’Luo slumped weakly to the ground. Chu Nan crouched down, glaring at her, almost gritting his teeth. “Sick as this and still sending signals? I truly could…”

He glared at A’Luo lying on the ground, feeling blood rush to his head, as if he could stomp her to death with one foot. A’Luo’s clothes were caked with mud, her body limp and weak. Chu Nan, both furious and aching with concern, scooped her up onto his horse and galloped off. He had to leave quickly.

A’Luo lay limp in his arms, her head dizzy with fever. Chu Nan felt a wave of helplessness. The person in his arms was the one he’d longed to possess, yet she was driving him to madness. Striking her — he couldn’t bear to. Scolding her — she was too weak even to hear it.

Chu Nan didn’t stop all day, crossing mountains and ridges the whole way. As night approached, he spotted a cave and dismounted, carrying A’Luo inside. Her body grew hotter and hotter, her mind clouded with fever.

Chu Nan built a fire and sat down to rest. Days of accumulated exhaustion slowly crept over him. Calculating the journey, once they crossed this mountain ridge, they’d reach the Han River. Once across, reaching the border between Chen and Xia would mean safety. He glared at A’Luo, asleep, thinking she was truly far too much trouble, forcing him to keep exposing their trail. Seeing her in her feverish daze, his hand moved on its own, pulling her into his arms. Her body heat made him feel a flicker of fear. After some thought, despite his exhaustion, he lit a torch and left the cave.

Before long he returned with a handful of herbs, wrung out the juice and mixed it with water to feed her. In her delirium, A’Luo seemed to see Liu Jue’s handsome, familiar face, murmuring, “Liu Jue!”

Chu Nan froze, suddenly feeling a wave of discomfort. He stared at her sleeping form and let out a long sigh, carefully removing his outer robe to wrap around her. Her heart held only Liu Jue — resentment deepened in Chu Nan’s eyes, and he resolved firmly to bring her back to Chen Guo.

At dawn, Chu Nan opened his eyes and touched A’Luo’s forehead, startled — her fever had worsened since yesterday. Chu Nan grew restless, sat in the cave for a while, abandoned his plan to descend the mountain that day, and went out to search for herbs.

The shadow of night raced southwest through the mountain forest. Even through the downpour, he hadn’t stopped. After resting for an hour partway, he pressed on urgently. Along the way he spotted traces of a campfire, and saw the “W” mark as well, further confirming that A’Luo was ahead.

Not long after dawn, blue-violet smoke rose from the forest to the southwest. The shadow of night’s heart leapt with joy, and he quickened his pace. The falcon led him to the cave. By then, Chu Nan had only just left.

The shadow of night stood quietly for a moment, listening for sounds, then slipped into the cave like a cat. He immediately saw A’Luo lying on the ground. He knew Chu Nan must be nearby. He stepped forward and scooped her up — her whole body burned, clearly seriously ill. The shadow of night, unable to worry about anything else, carried her and headed outside.

He hadn’t gone more than a few steps when a fierce wind struck from behind. The shadow of night leapt into the air. Turning back, he saw Chu Nan gripping a short sword, glaring furiously at him. “Put her down!”

Chu Nan’s martial skill was formidable — even fighting with everything he had, the shadow of night could at best achieve a draw. His mind turned quickly, and sharp light flashed in his eyes. “I act on the Eldest Prince’s orders to take the princess away. Does the Second Prince disregard the Eldest Prince’s command?”

“I told you to put her down. I might spare your life,” Chu Nan’s tone turned icy.

The shadow of night sneered. “I’ve heard the Second Prince has taken a liking to her. My lord, fearing she’d bring calamity as a beauty who spells disaster, already gave orders — if she can’t be brought back to me, kill her on the spot.” His hand moved, the sword already pressed against A’Luo’s neck, drawing a thin line of blood.

Chu Nan started, looking at A’Luo with pained concern. “Go back and report to my elder brother — Chu Nan has his own judgment. She is my woman. Better not scheme against her.”

“Second Prince, our Chen-Xia allied forces have been attacking Linnan City for days now. My lord urgently awaits Second Prince’s return. Is it worth turning against your elder brother over a woman?” the shadow of night said, slowly provoking him.

Chu Nan’s thick brows shot up, cold menace flashing in his eyes. “I’ll say it again — go back and tell your master, my affairs are not his concern!”

Anger flashed across the shadow of night’s face, but he said helplessly, “Then Second Prince should return to Huaicheng camp as soon as possible.” He slowly set A’Luo down and retreated several steps.

Chu Nan glared at him, then strode forward, reaching out to embrace A’Luo.

The shadow of night’s sword flashed like lightning toward him. Chu Nan twisted aside, but his back was slashed open with a gash. He spun around, cursing, “Vermin! Attacking from behind!”

The shadow of night sneered coldly. “My lord’s orders — with the war critical, I must bring back the princess as a hostage!”

Chu Nan smiled coldly, his short sword flickering like a swimming dragon as he lunged at the shadow of night. The shadow of night swung his sword up urgently, his form drifting; the moment their blades crossed, he realized Chu Nan’s skill surpassed his own. Taking advantage of the clash, he leapt back three zhang, smiling. “This subject is no match for the Second Prince. If Second Prince brings the princess back, remember the Eldest Prince’s words — she is to be held hostage. This subject will now return to report.”

Chu Nan, worried about A’Luo, didn’t pursue. His heart now harbored deep resentment toward his elder brother Chu An. He carefully examined the bleeding line on A’Luo’s neck, relieved to find only a minor break in the skin. He carefully picked her up, feeling how fragile she seemed in his arms, as if she might vanish at any moment. An unprecedented protective urge rose within him, wanting to cradle her gently in his hands.

Back in the cave, Chu Nan brewed herbs in a bamboo tube and fed them to A’Luo. Only then did he tear a strip from his clothing to bind the wound on his back. He pulled A’Luo into his arms, leaning against the rock wall, silently resenting his heartless elder brother. Exhaustion overtook him again, and he slowly fell asleep.

Meanwhile, the shadow of night had already sent a signal, rallying the Black-Robed Cavalry who’d rushed from Yan City to surround the area tightly. The shadow of night waved his hand, and just as the Black-Robed Cavalry were about to charge in, Chu Nan, carrying A’Luo on his back, burst out of the cave with a great shout. His refined internal energy had restored his strength, and the unusual atmosphere outside the cave put him on guard.

The shadow of night grew anxious — with A’Luo bound to Chu Nan’s back, he dared not use hidden weapons. He sneered coldly. “Second Prince, forgive our offense — my lord’s orders are that the princess must be personally brought back.”

Chu Nan, furious, snarled, “Chu An goes too far!” His short sword struck with lethal intent.

The Black-Robed Cavalry, long resentful of him for killing their brothers in the palace, attacked Chu Nan with fierce determination.

The shadow of night smiled cunningly. His long sword swung, aiming for A’Luo herself. Chu Nan, alarmed, spun to block urgently, his arm slashed open with another wound. Not daring to prolong the fight, he retreated while fighting, eventually breaking free of the forest, standing at the edge of a cliff. Below roiled the rushing Han River. Ahead stood a group of masked figures in blue robes, each formidably skilled.

The shadow of night spoke. “Second Prince, my lord only requires that the princess be brought back. Otherwise, would you care to return with this subject to Huaicheng camp? This subject will not make things difficult for you.”

Chu Nan laughed loudly. “That Chu An has always been jealous of Father’s favor toward me, fearing I’d steal his throne. Treating me like this today — why would I go back to help him? Absurd!” With these words, he leapt off the cliff into the Han River, still carrying A’Luo.

The shadow of night, alarmed, peered over the edge — Chu Nan, after hitting the water, had already been swept dozens of zhang downstream by the swift current. He sighed. “None of us are his match. Now, even if he returns to Huaicheng, he won’t harm the princess. Let’s go back!”