The imperial prison of Wangling Kingdom was built on the rightmost edge of the capital city of Huadu. Within a radius of a hundred li, few common people lived there. Besides being heavily guarded, there was also a training ground nearby for drilling elite city defense troops, making it a strategic location for the imperial family and the Ministry of War.

Yan Qige and Yusang had been imprisoned here for most of the day. Since they were locked in the cell, no one had come, not even to bring them a sip of water. Yusang paced back and forth inside, examining the four walls repeatedly before showing signs of anxiety. All four walls were made of granite mixed with iron casting, polished to be incredibly smooth. The only small window was five zhang high above their heads—unless someone opened it from above, even a gecko would find it difficult to climb up.

“Yan Qige, think of some way! Are we going to wait here to die?” Yusang complained to Yan Qige about her anxiety.

Yan Qige remained good-natured, standing with his hands behind his back before one wall, looking calmly at the dark wall before him. He beckoned to her, saying, “Why rush? Wait a bit longer. Come here, I’ll give you something.”

“Wait, wait, wait! If I die because of you, I won’t spare you even as a ghost.” Yusang complained with her mouth, but her steps didn’t slow as she walked over to stand beside Yan Qige.

Yan Qige extended his hand, lightly turning his wrist to summon the Soul Collector lantern into his hand, then handed it to Yusang, saying, “Take this. Someone will come to take you out later.”

“Give it to me?” Yusang looked at the Soul Collector lantern in surprise, unable to believe what she was hearing.

“Yes, to you. Haven’t you always wanted this lantern? As long as you leave this place, it will be yours.”

“Do… do you know what you’re saying?” Yusang asked tentatively.

Yan Qige turned his face from the darkness, showing Yusang a smile she had never seen before. He took her hand and stuffed the Soul Collector lantern into it, saying, “You and I are from different worlds—human and demon. Following me will always bring you many inconveniences. After you leave, don’t come back.”

“Yan Qige, what’s wrong with you?” Yusang felt very strange. This didn’t seem like the Yan Qige she knew. Just as she was about to ask questions, the skylight above was suddenly opened with force, and someone lowered a rope for Yusang to climb up.

Yusang looked at Yan Qige hesitantly, hoping he would say something, but Yan Qige only showed a slight smile, put away the Soul Collector lantern, placed it in Yusang’s dimensional pouch at her waist, and signaled for her to leave.

“Even if you killed the Emperor, I can rescue you and escape together. You don’t need to fear those officers and soldiers.” Yusang spoke with what sounded like several traces of pleading.

“No need. I have my plans.”

“What plans?” Yusang blurted out, then gradually understood from looking at Yan Qige’s expression—it was about Imperial Consort Chen.

“In this palace upheaval, Imperial Consort Chen has been implicated. I need to help her…”

“Forget it, no need to explain to me. If you want to stay, then stay.” Yusang harshly interrupted him, inexplicably feeling a surge of anger. Using the rope’s strength, she leaped upward, saying coldly, “And here you talk about humans and demons being from different worlds—you’re just eager to send me away. Fine! Since you’re so desperate for me to leave, I’ll leave.”

After leaving the prison, Yusang was brought to a wasteland about a hundred meters from the training ground. One person with two horses was already standing there. The person who brought her retreated and left, and the mounted figure turned around—it was Zhao Yirong.

Zhao Yirong tossed the horse’s reins to Yusang, saying, “This is what Yan Qige arranged for you. Silver, dried provisions, and the exit permit are all in the bundle on the horse’s back.”

“You’re helping him?” Yusang asked back with some surprise.

Zhao Yirong understood where Yusang’s surprise came from. He pulled his horse’s reins and walked a couple of steps to face her directly, smiling, “Don’t tell me you think this prince ordered his arrest to kill him?”

“Then what is it?”

“His Majesty has passed away, the court situation is ever-changing, the maternal relatives are stirring restlessly—it’s not something that can be explained clearly in a few words. This prince had a prior agreement with him. Imprisonment is just a stopgap measure to deceive those restless ones and make them lower their guard before making their move. Since he asked me to arrange for you to leave the city, this prince will do as he wishes. After tonight, the capital won’t be peaceful. If you want to leave, depart before dark.”

Yusang still had some doubts in her heart, but she was also angry with Yan Qige. She understood in her heart that now that she had obtained the Soul Collector lantern, leaving would be best for her, saving her from many previous worries. Though she thought this way, she unconsciously turned back to look at the distant prison.

“What, can’t bear to leave?” Zhao Yirong smiled ambiguously and teasingly.

Yusang turned back to glare at him, mounted her horse, and pulled up the reins. But unexpectedly, Zhao Yirong suddenly reached over to hold her horse’s reins, smiling, “Yan Qige doesn’t know how to cherish, but this prince is quite devoted to beauties. If you want to stay, you could very well remain by this prince’s side. After this matter passes, becoming this prince’s consort wouldn’t be impossible either.”

“I’ve always been timid. Since great events are about to happen, it’s better to flee for my life early.” Yusang replied unkindly, then kicked her horse’s belly hard and galloped urgently in the direction outside the city.

Riding out of the city, although the entire capital was under martial law due to the Emperor’s death, with Zhao Yirong’s permit, Yusang traveled unobstructed. By nightfall, she had reached a small courtyard in the suburbs to rest. Sitting in the empty, dilapidated house, Yusang lit a fire for warmth, took out the Soul Collector lantern, and stared at its light in a daze, wondering how Yan Qige was doing now.

“He was only good to you because you resemble someone else. Using you was more the case. Now you’ve obtained the Soul Collector lantern, and from now on, you have no connection with him. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it.” Yusang commanded herself, waving her sleeve to cast a barrier around herself before lying down on her side. Yusang closed her eyes and lay there, but couldn’t fall asleep no matter what. As she tossed and turned, she felt the flame in the Soul Collector lantern beside her flickering.

The flame in the Soul Collector lantern was an ancient divine fire, even more powerful than Red Lotus Karmic Fire—a spiritual flame. Its flame connected with the master’s soul. The Soul Collector’s flame was unaffected by wind and fearless of rain; the only thing that could influence its flame was the lantern’s owner. When the lantern exists, the person exists; when the lantern dies, the person perishes. Seeing the lantern’s flame flickering, Yusang was amazed that Yan Qige, a mere mortal, could link his fate with this lantern, but she also became worried. Now that the lantern’s flame was so restless, he must be encountering danger.

“It’s none of my business, none of my business.” Yusang irritably waved her sleeve and lay down on her side again, but even without looking at the lantern’s flame, her heart was extremely uneasy, as if her heart was being roasted over fire.

In less than half the time it takes to drink tea, the flame in the lantern suddenly became quiet, glowing motionlessly, but the firelight became weak, seeming about to extinguish. Yusang sensed something unusual, leaped up from the ground, held up the lantern to examine it, gritted her teeth, and finally took the lantern, went outside, mounted her horse, and headed straight for the capital city of Huadu.