Jing Hengbo’s heart turned cold in an instant.

She felt that what she faced now was the greatest danger of her life thus far.

At this moment, Luoyun had completely torn away all pretense. Now the entire nation was her enemy, and she was right in the heart of this tribe’s territory.

When she was expelled from Imperial Song, Gong Yin had disguised himself to protect her, Yélu Cheng had sincerely wanted to keep her, and the common people of the entire city had fearlessly protected her with their lives. But now, the journey from the core outward was still thousands of li, with everyone in the nation as enemies. Though the few people beside her were all masters, everyone knew that no matter how strong individual martial prowess was, it couldn’t break through a massive state apparatus. No matter how abundant one’s inner force, it would be worn down to the last drop by that endless stream of military might.

Even if one or two could break out, someone would have to fight to the death, but she couldn’t afford to lose anyone here.

Gong Yin, Pei Shu, Yélu Qi, and Zuo Qiu Mo all gathered beside her. Except for Zuo Qiu Mo saying “Your Majesty, you go first!” none of them spoke, only blocking in front of her.

They all knew that even if only she could leave at this moment, she definitely wouldn’t go.

Across from them, Ge Shen was sneering coldly, cold light flashing in his eyes. Jing Hengbo saw his eyes were completely bloodshot, obviously having cried hard before. Her heart stirred.

She had heard that Ge Shen doted on Ge Heng extremely. From what she saw now, this was indeed true.

That he could brazenly turn against her, a Queen, for Ge Heng’s sake, not fearing bringing disaster to Luoyun, showed his immense hatred for the killer.

If she could find the real killer and provide solid evidence…

From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the side of the arena—on that row of wine shops and tall buildings, on a deep blue eave corner, a white shadow flashed.

Suddenly she felt someone was missing from the arena. Where was Ji Wen, whom she had brought?

After a brief search, she found Ji Wen standing in a corner below the stage. She probably felt that having no martial arts, she would be a hindrance, so she hadn’t rushed onto the arena first. At this moment she was cleverly hiding in the shadowy corner of the arena, standing with a group of serving maids arranged by the Luoyun court to serve tea and water.

It happened that she was also dressed as a serving maid, so she looked completely unrelated to Jing Hengbo.

Jing Hengbo felt delighted and slowly walked a few steps toward Ji Wen’s direction, saying, “Ge Shen, have you considered that if the killer is someone else, your actions today not only won’t avenge Ge Heng, but will bring you disaster. How pleased would that hidden killer be?”

Ge Shen gave a savage smile. “Your Majesty’s words sound very familiar. Any killer wanting to exonerate themselves would create such confusion and doubt.”

“I think you’re sometimes clever and sometimes muddled.” Jing Hengbo sighed. “Think about it—I’m staying as a guest here, in the heart of your Luoyun territory, with only about a hundred guards brought into Luoyun City. This is your domain, with no less than fifty thousand troops in your city. What kind of madness would possess me to want to kill your beloved son? If I really wanted to go that mad, why would I only bring a hundred guards into your Luoyun?”

“That sounds very reasonable.” Ge Shen laughed coldly. “But Your Majesty, do you really not know your own reputation? Aren’t you famous for being unrestrained and wild, willful and fearless? As soon as you were welcomed into Imperial Song, you killed Grand Priest Sang Dong, threw the Imperial Song court into chaos, got expelled from Imperial Song, and caused deaths wherever you went. When you fought back to Imperial Song and just became Queen, you induced your ministers to rebel and executed nearly a third of them. At that time your position in Imperial Song was unstable—logically you shouldn’t have been so mad either. You’ve done things like that, so what’s killing one or two crown princes in Luoyun City? If my son hadn’t struggled to write your name before dying, how would I dare easily suspect you? You, the killer, would have been respectfully escorted out of Luoyun by me. That would truly be painful for the loved ones and pleasing for the enemies!”

“You seem to understand me very well—I don’t even think I’m that kind of person.” Jing Hengbo smiled with narrowed eyes, her gaze casually sweeping over Ji Wen below the stage. “But you only understand the surface. In the past, those I killed all had deep grudges with me or were opponents in power struggles. Your Luoyun Crown Prince and I haven’t reached that level yet. If I really wanted to kill, I should have targeted you, Ge Shen. Ge Shen, we’re both rulers of nations. A ruler should understand that the killing of crown princes is more often related to a nation’s internal politics. Whoever can benefit from this struggle is the real killer, not me, a passing guest!”

Ge Shen seemed to tremble slightly, showing a thoughtful expression for the first time, then shook his head. “Still the same thing—sounds reasonable but can’t withstand scrutiny. Ge Heng is my son of suitable age, has sat firmly in the crown prince position for years. For his safety, the other princes, except for one just three years old, have all been sent to govern other prefectures and fiefs. You’re not suggesting that my three-year-old who can only cry is the killer of his brother, are you?” He finished with loud laughter.

Jing Hengbo said leisurely, “Must it be a man?”

Ge Shen’s laughter suddenly stopped.

Taking advantage of his momentary color change, Jing Hengbo gave Ji Wen a look, her fingertip slightly raised, pointing toward that wine shop.

Ji Wen had obviously received her gaze but was somewhat confused about the direction her fingertip pointed. With too many soldiers around and the wine shop quite far, Jing Hengbo couldn’t raise her hand to point clearly, so Ji Wen couldn’t understand for a moment.

Gong Yin suddenly turned slightly, using Pei Shu’s body as cover, his lips moving a few times. Jing Hengbo didn’t hear any sound, but saw Ji Wen’s eyes brighten as she lowered her head.

After a while, she quietly retreated through the crowd and disappeared.

Jing Hengbo breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. Fortunately, those around her were all shrewd people who guessed her intention. Gong Yin must have already transmitted words to Ji Wen, instructing her to go to that wine shop to find those two sisters.

As for what to say after going there, Jing Hengbo’s words just now were hints, spoken obliquely. She couldn’t be sure how much Ji Wen could accomplish.

Everything depended on heaven’s arrangement.

Ge Shen seemed to finally be struck at his sensitive point, falling into slight contemplation. Naturally he wouldn’t notice the small movements on this side. Then he still shook his head. “Impossible… she doesn’t have that much audacity…”

The last sentence was very quiet, but Jing Hengbo still heard it and smiled faintly.

Good, it seemed Ge Shen wasn’t completely ignorant about those two sisters.

“Ge Shen, though I have few people here, each one is a master, as you know.” She took a deep breath. “Outside the city I still have my Crosshaft Army camp. Once we start fighting desperately, we’ll certainly suffer great losses, but you’ll also have countless casualties.”

“I know.” Ge Shen said grimly. “But as long as we can keep you here, it’s worth it. And we can definitely keep you.”

“Even at the cost of greatly damaging your vitality, bringing Imperial Song armies, leading to continuous warfare, and finally being watched by surrounding tribes like Fushui who will take advantage to devour you piece by piece?” Jing Hengbo laughed mockingly. “What a great father!”

“Then what do you propose?” After a long silence, Ge Shen stared at her deeply. “Want me to let you go? Absolutely impossible.”

“Give me one day.” Jing Hengbo said. “I’ll be responsible for finding the real killer for you.”

Gong Yin immediately said, “We’re willing to have our martial arts bound and remain as hostages.”

Pei Shu glared at him fiercely—he had wanted to say that too. This guy was usually cold as ice but was quick to speak up!

“You won’t do.” Ge Shen rejected immediately. “You’re the main person, the killer. Moreover, you have divine abilities and can come and go freely. If you escape, what use would keeping them be?”

Jing Hengbo sighed. “Then I’ll stay and let them go out?”

“No.” This time they were all quick, saying simultaneously.

“Nice try.” Ge Shen curled his lip. “These are all masters, and Young Marshal Pei still commands the Crosshaft Army. Releasing all these tigers back to the mountain, I’d first have to worry about someone leading troops to attack Luoyun.”

“This won’t work, that won’t work—what will work?” Jing Hengbo got angry. “Should we all commit suicide in front of you?”

“This King is willing to give Your Majesty a chance.” Ge Shen said flatly. “Except for you, one person from among you will go out to search for evidence of this so-called real killer. The rest will have their qi locked and remain as hostages. If evidence is produced within one day, this minor king will naturally apologize to Your Majesty. If not, I’m afraid I’ll have to give offense.”

“Then let…” Jing Hengbo knew bargaining wouldn’t work here. Her gaze swept among the several people. Pei Shu raised his head high. “I won’t go. I’ll stay with you.”

Yélu Qi smiled without speaking, looking completely willing to accept any arrangement.

Gong Yin said flatly, “I’d like to stay with you, but I don’t dare entrust your life and death to incompetent hands.”

“Who are you calling incompetent?” Pei Shu glared angrily.

Gong Yin completely ignored him.

Zuo Qiu Mo stepped forward. “If Your Majesty trusts me, let me go. I’m more familiar with Luoyun after all.”

Jing Hengbo shook her head. Let Zuo Qiu Mo go? She’d probably be harmed by those two sisters within an hour.

Actually, only Gong Yin was suitable now, but he always seemed to have mobility issues. This trip would certainly be dangerous, so she hesitated slightly.

Over there, Ge Shen’s lip corner revealed a cold smile as he spoke leisurely, “This King doesn’t seem to have agreed to let the Queen designate who goes.”

Jing Hengbo raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“This King should choose.” Ge Shen’s gaze swept maliciously over those on and off the stage. “Pick one from all the people around the Queen.”

Hearing the word “all,” Jing Hengbo felt something was wrong.

Her gaze swept over those on and off the stage. Tian Qi and Seven Kills were isolated too far away to come over. Now beside her… she suddenly saw Yong Xue standing by the arena’s curtains with Er Gouzi perched on her shoulder.

Ge Shen’s gaze was falling on her.

Jing Hengbo cursed silently at his shamelessness, smoothed her hair, and laughed first, “The Great King wouldn’t be interested in my parrot, would he? Ha! Some people have faces but really don’t know what damn use they are!”

Ge Shen’s old face reddened. He coughed to cover his embarrassment. “Of course not! How about this—we’ll draw lots! Whoever draws it goes!”

Jing Hengbo cursed silently that he was really petty, and could only agree. Ge Shen had someone bring lottery materials. After a while, a palace servant brought a box. Passing by Yong Xue, his foot stepped on the slightly sunken floor, his body tilted, but Yong Xue didn’t help him. The servant instinctively grabbed her sleeve to steady himself. Yong Xue immediately pulled her hand back. The servant smiled apologetically and continued forward. Yong Xue looked at her sleeve, found nothing unusual, and let it be.

The box was brought—a crystal box with several round balls inside. Ge Shen showed each person one by one. “One is heavier. Whoever gets it is responsible for finding the killer. Remember, each of you can only pick once.”

Pei Shu stepped forward first, took one out, and tossed it. “Light as a feather!”

The servant said, “Not it.”

Yélu Qi took one—also not it.

Ge Shen beckoned to Yong Xue. “Why doesn’t this young lady come?”

Jing Hengbo glanced at Gong Yin and nodded to Yong Xue. Yong Xue came to draw lots. As soon as her hand reached into the box, her expression changed.

The box was crystal, so everyone could see the movements inside. They all noticed that as soon as Yong Xue’s hand entered the box, a ball immediately rolled into her palm.

She hadn’t even had time to make a grabbing motion.

Jing Hengbo stepped forward to grab Yong Xue’s hand, but the servant was faster, seizing Yong Xue’s hand and taking the ball, smiling, “The heavy ball—hit!”

Her hand movements were extremely fast—so fast that even Jing Hengbo couldn’t see clearly before the ball was in the servant’s hand. She tossed the ball into a dish with a “clang”—the sound clearly indicating iron had been stuffed inside the ball.

And from that earlier collision, she might have already placed a magnetic ring on Yong Xue’s wrist, which she must have retrieved during that lightning-fast snatch.

Jing Hengbo’s lips curved as she stared at the servant’s hand, smiling, “Such quick hands.”

The servant smiled modestly and stepped back, hiding her hands in her sleeves.

Ge Shen’s lips showed a trace of triumphant smile. “Since that’s the case, please let this young lady…”

“I haven’t drawn yet.” Gong Yin suddenly interrupted him.

Ge Shen raised an eyebrow. “Someone already drew it…”

Gong Yin ignored him, reached into the box, grabbed a ball, and tossed it onto the dish. “Clang!” The sound was thunderous, making several people’s eardrums ring.

“This one is heaviest.” Gong Yin said.

Jing Hengbo almost laughed out loud, especially when she saw Ge Shen’s expression.

Ge Shen stood there rigidly, unable to understand how this could happen. The ball had clearly been tampered with and was meant for that little girl to pick. With that girl alone searching for the killer, she could be killed instantly. And with the Queen’s people bound and helpless, they could be eliminated quietly. Thus revenge would be achieved without losing his own people—truly the best plan.

There was only one ball with an iron block. Why was this ball heavier?

He wanted to say the balls had been switched, but the ball was clearly still the original one.

He wanted to say only drawing the iron ball counted, but he had clearly said earlier that the heaviest one would be chosen.

When weighed on a scale, Gong Yin’s ball was indeed slightly heavier.

Ge Shen could only grit his teeth silently and wave for the servant to take the things away. The servant looked completely baffled, examining the ball as she walked. The one Yong Xue had drawn still had the iron block wrapped in a wooden core—small but still there. Finally she picked up the one Gong Yin had drawn, and her face suddenly changed dramatically.

A coldness like a sharp sword, severing tendons and splitting bones, suddenly stabbed into her finger meridians!

“Ah!”

A scream. The box overturned, wooden balls scattered on the ground. Everyone turned back in alarm to see that servant with particularly nimble hands clutching her fingers and rolling on the ground, her screams heart-rending.

Those ten fingers stretched rigidly in the air as if seeking help, but in an instant had turned blue-white with frost.

Ge Shen’s face changed in horror.

Gong Yin watched expressionlessly.

Jing Hengbo smiled, her smile charming as a fresh lotus.

Her compassion wouldn’t be used at such times. If that servant had succeeded just now and sent Yong Xue out to search for the killer, everyone here would have to die.

Better a dead friend than a dead poor person—absolutely necessary.

Those balls rolled down. One of them cracked when it hit the arena’s edge and rolled into the grass below the stage.

Wherever it passed, ice crystals scattered, and all the grass turned white.

On stage, Gong Yin no longer looked at the grim-faced Ge Shen, only gently stroking Jing Hengbo’s hair. “Wait for me to return.”

Jing Hengbo felt these words sounded incredibly comforting, making her extend countless beautiful feelings from them. Her eyes lit up as she nodded repeatedly, smiling as she greeted the others, “We’ll stay here—just enough for a table of mahjong. When we finish playing, everything will be resolved!”

Pei Shu snorted and turned away, unwilling to see Jing Hengbo’s current expression of complete confidence and high spirits.

Even with his unrestrained nature, he couldn’t help thinking sourly—if it were him going, would she be so at ease? If it were him saying that sentence, would she smile or be anxious?

Pei Shu refused to think further. Some answers weren’t unknown, just unwanted to be known.

Yélu Qi kept smiling. He had also seen through the earlier trickery and had ways to resolve that moment of crisis, but he didn’t want to compete.

The one she trusted most was Gong Yin. Currently the most suitable to go was Gong Yin. If he showed off and insisted on going, it would make her anxious and tense. Why do that?

Having traveled together through life and death, starting from watching her laugh wildly like crying below Imperial Song City, he had gradually changed his mindset. He wanted her to be safe and comfortable, wanted to see her composed and at ease. Struggles were just to make her smile, not to hold her in his arms.

Seeing everyone’s expressions, Jing Hengbo also smiled slightly. At this moment, she felt that even facing crisis and trapped in a predicament, her heart was still happy.

Gong Yin turned around.

As he turned, his right leg suddenly made a soft “crack” sound. He paused briefly, then walked out step by step.

His steps weren’t fast, but extremely steady.

Jing Hengbo watched with a smile, then suddenly frowned, remembering that before, his movements had always been swift leaps. She hadn’t seen him walk normally for a long time, sensing that one of his legs wasn’t quite convenient.

Now this was…

Before she could ask, Gong Yin had already descended from the arena. Ge Shen waved with a grim face, and soldiers automatically opened a path, though their weapons didn’t lower—swords, spears, and arrows with cold gleams all aimed at his vital points at close range.

Gong Yin never looked at them once from beginning to end.

The tall white figure gradually disappeared into the iron-black armored crowd. Wherever he passed, the crowd parted like a tide, splitting open a deep black sea. He went toward the tide’s heart, not swallowed by giant waves.

Those raised blade and spear points bent down like grass before him.

Ge Shen watched that composed departing figure from afar. That vague sense of familiarity in his heart grew stronger. That familiarity made him feel ominous, as if seeing a king departing with killing intent, who would eventually return with blade and armor. Those submissive weapon forests would turn around due to great wind, cold gleams and cold stabs entering his heart and lungs, piercing through royal cities and national artifacts, with blood spattering three zhang.