Having accepted Princess Helan’s challenge, He Su didn’t waste words and directly walked to the center of the clearing. Princess Helan, pleased by his straightforwardness, followed.

He Su clasped his hands and said, “Princess, let’s keep this friendly.”

Princess Helan’s response was a fierce crack of her whip. “You Central Plains people talk too much!” The long, flexible whip lashed out mercilessly toward He Su. As a former shadow guard and chief among Ye Li’s four elite guards, trained personally by Ye Li herself and with nearly a decade of military experience, He Su would have to retire from military service if he got hit by Princess Helan’s attack.

He Su didn’t even draw his weapon. With a casual sidestep, he avoided Princess Helan’s seemingly fierce strike. The princess was somewhat surprised – while she hadn’t arrogantly assumed she could defeat one of Ye Li’s capable generals, she hadn’t expected him to dodge her whip without even moving.

She snorted lightly and smiled, “Indeed impressive. Let’s see how you dodge this!”

Princess Helan stopped testing and her whip moved like countless venomous snakes surrounding He Su. He Su stepped back, dodging the princess’s whip with bare hands. The two exchanged moves in the clearing. After fifty or sixty exchanges, He Su felt he had shown the princess enough face. With a light snort, he ignored the encircling whip shadows and firmly grabbed the whip’s end. With a slight shake, Princess Helan lost her grip and He Su took possession of the whip.

The crowd burst into cheers. He Su collected the whip and walked to Princess Helan, saying, “Thank you for the match, Princess. Your whip.”

Princess Helan looked him up and down. “The Mo Family Army’s general is indeed formidable. Helan admits defeat.” Taking back her whip without further contest, she returned to sit beside Ye Li.

The Northern Border generals watching naturally saw that He Su had been holding back. While admiring He Su’s skills, their fighting spirit grew stronger. The young man who had previously requested to challenge Ye Li was the first to stand and challenge He Su. Fighting a man required no special consideration like when fighting a woman. He Su readily accepted his challenge. The two began exchanging moves in the clearing.

Though Northern Border people generally didn’t practice internal martial arts, their external strength and physical prowess far surpassed Central Plains fighters. He Su grew interested and decided to fight using only common military martial arts moves without internal power. Their exchange was naturally far more intense than the match with Princess Helan. The surrounding crowd watched the fierce exchange of punches and kicks with blood pumping and excitement.

He Su fought five or six Northern Border men in succession without falling behind. Then Qin Feng, Lin Han, Zhuo Jing, and others also joined the matches, each showing martial arts no less impressive than He Su’s. Not only were the Northern Border generals full of admiration, but the surrendered Central Plains generals on their side were equally shocked. If even these unnamed young generals under the Princess Consort were so formidable, how impressive must the famous generals be? They couldn’t help but feel relieved at having surrendered early to the Prince Consort’s mansion. In truth, this was a beautiful misunderstanding. Among these four, except for He Su, their military leadership abilities might not surpass the present generals by much. However, their martial arts could rank in the top ten of the entire Prince Consort’s mansion and Mo Family Army.

At dawn, fifty li northeast of Changqing City, three hundred thousand Northern Border soldiers were heading north under the leadership of various tribal chiefs. They would exit through the passes there and return to their familiar lands. Since Ren Qining’s appearance in the Northern Border regions, too much has changed over these ten-plus years. They had once been blinded by desire and ambition, following Ren Qining’s dream of establishing a vast empire and eternal legacy, wanting all the fertile lands under heaven to become hunting grounds for Northern Border warriors. But they paid an enormous price – in just over a decade, from the earlier tribal wars to the later invasion wars and two confrontations with the Mo Family Army, the Northern Border population had decreased by 60% compared to a decade ago, with young adult males decreased by over 80%. If they continued blindly, only tribal extinction awaited them. So now they led their remaining warriors back to familiar places to restart peaceful lives. Perhaps in another decade or so, the Northern Border would once again be populous as before.

“Princess Consort, we’re leaving. Thank you for this time. The Prince Consort mansion’s great kindness, we of the Northern Border will never forget,” Princess Helan said sincerely, holding a horse by the official road.

Ye Li smiled gently, “Take care on your journey, Princess. Forgive me for not seeing you off further as there’s still fighting in the rear.”

Princess Helan smiled, “No need to see us off. Your Central Plains is very interesting. When there’s no more fighting, I’ll come visit you.”

Ye Li smiled, “You’re welcome anytime.”

Princess Helan mounted her horse and clasped her hands toward Ye Li, “I’m off then. Oh, Princess Consort, that Ren Qining is vindictive and ruthless. Now that I’m gone, he’ll surely direct all his fury at you. You must be extremely careful.”

Ye Li nodded with a smile, “I understand. Take care, Princess.”

Princess Helan nodded and turned her horse to catch up with the main force ahead when suddenly a sharp whistling sound cut through the air. Princess Helan turned her head to see a gleaming arrow shooting straight at her.

“Princess, watch out!” Ye Li called out. Simultaneously, something silver flew from her sleeve toward the arrow. At the same time, Zhuo Jing and Lin Han by Ye Li’s side leaped up, their swords slashing through the air at the arrow. They managed to knock it down just before it reached Princess Helan.

Though Princess Helan wasn’t hurt, her horse was startled. With a neigh, it reared up, about to throw Princess Helan from its back. From the side, Qin Feng flew forward, lifting Princess Helan off the horse’s back while striking the horse with his palm. The mighty steed immediately fell to the ground, not dead but lying there uneasily shaking its head.

Princess Helan, still shaken after being lifted down by Qin Feng, couldn’t help exclaiming, “What’s going on?!”

“Wench, prepare to die!”

Before Ye Li could answer Princess Helan, countless black-clad figures had surrounded them. Ye Li calmly glanced around, “These are Ren Qining’s men!” Princess Helan immediately flew into a rage, her hatred and anger toward Ren Qining no less than his toward her. Originally she had planned to be satisfied with tricking Ren Qining once since the Prince Consort’s mansion would deal with him anyway and there was no need to waste more Northern Border soldiers’ lives. But she hadn’t expected Ren Qining would dare send assassins after her.

“As if I fear you a lot!” Not bothering with her whip, Princess Helan drew the short blade at her waist and charged at the assassins with her few guards. Ye Li told Qin Feng beside her, “Don’t let Princess Helan get hurt.”

Qin Feng nodded, waving his hand as the Prince Consort mansion’s guards surged forward. The ensuing melee was hardly less intense than a small battle.

“Ren Qining, I know you’re here. Show yourself!” Princess Helan shouted after cutting down a black-clad assassin.

A cold voice responded from nearby, “I’ll grant your wish.” Ren Qining leaped down from a small hillside by the road, his sword shooting toward Princess Helan like a spirit snake.

He Su and Qin Feng simultaneously flew forward, their two swords striking Ren Qining’s blade simultaneously to force him back. Behind them, Lin Han had already pulled Princess Helan back to Ye Li’s side. Ren Qining swept his gaze over He Su and Qin Feng before him, then at Lin Han and Zhuo Jing guarding Ye Li, knowing he couldn’t touch a hair on Princess Helan without dealing with these people first. Without further words, his sword swept toward Qin Feng.

While Ren Qining’s martial arts might not be the highest under heaven, he was certainly among the highest few. Years ago, Ling Tiehan and Lei Zhenting had personally acknowledged Ren Qining as one of the world’s top ten masters. Though He Su and Qin Feng’s martial arts still had some distance from Ren Qining’s level, the Prince Consort’s mansion, especially the Qilin, excelled at coordinated fighting. Previously, several novice Qilin members had captured Mu Qingcang, one of the four great masters under heaven. Now with He Su and Qin Feng working together, Ren Qining couldn’t break free for the moment.

Ren Qining fought He Su and Qin Feng for over half an hour. By this time, his assassins had mostly been cleared out by the Prince Consort mansion’s guards. Ye Li noticed Qin Feng and He Su gradually showing signs of falling behind and couldn’t help but admire that regardless of Ren Qining as a person, his martial arts were indeed exceptional, at least far superior to Tan Jizhi.

“Young Master Ren, continuing like this will lead nowhere. Why not hear my suggestion to end this?” Ye Li called out.

Ren Qining gave a cold laugh, his attacks growing even fiercer.

Ye Li’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, “Young Master Ren, I’ve never been one to follow the gentlemanly rule against using numbers to overwhelm.” The implication was clear – if Ren Qining insisted on fighting, she wouldn’t mind using superior numbers. Ren Qining barely had the upper hand against He Su and Qin Feng, and if they fought all out, he might not escape unscathed. Add Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, and Ren Qining would have no chance of victory.

After a moment, Ren Qining finally snorted coldly and withdrew with a dark expression. The remaining few assassins also stopped fighting and stood behind Ren Qining. Looking at the gloomy-faced man opposite, Ye Li smiled faintly and stepped forward, “Young Master Ren, I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon after Li City.”

Hearing this, Ren Qining’s expression grew even uglier. He swept a gloomy look over Ye Li’s group and pointed his sword at Princess Helan, “Hand over that wench, and the matter between me and the Prince Consort’s mansion can be settled on the battlefield.”

Ye Li shook her head regretfully, “Princess Helan is a friend of the Prince Consort’s mansion. At least until she leaves the border region, the mansion cannot allow anyone to harm her. If Young Master Ren really must kill her, you can wait until she returns to the Northern Border. Then I won’t be able to interfere nor be troubled, right?”

Ren Qining laughed coldly repeatedly, staring at Ye Li, “So Princess Consort is determined to protect this wench?”

Ye Li sighed somewhat helplessly, “I must. Please understand, Young Master.”

“You think I’d dare come with just these few people?” Ren Qining said gloomily. “I must tear that wench to pieces!”

“Enough, Ren!” Being called a wench repeatedly by Ren Qining, Princess Helan naturally couldn’t stay quiet. She stepped forward beside Ye Li and glared at Ren Qining, “Is there anyone more despicable than you in this world? My cousin saved your life, my uncle married my cousin to you. Yet you deceived them by playing pitiful. And you even got my cousin killed! You used our Northern Border men to fight for you and help you establish a nation, then turned your back on us, plotting with evil intentions to cause our tribes’ extinction. In your Central Plains words, someone like you should be called scum! Trash! Low-life! The spirits of our hundreds of thousands of wrongfully dead Northern Border heroes won’t let you off. This lady curses you to be childless and die alone in this life and the next. You despicable wretch still dream of restoring your nation? Keep dreaming your spring and autumn dreams!”

On the side, Ye Li couldn’t help covering her mouth to suppress her laughter. Though Princess Helan’s Central Plains speech was mediocre, her cursing surpassed what three Central Plains people could manage. Just seeing Ren Qining’s handsome face turning from green to blue to purple showed how spectacularly she had cursed him.

Ye Li coughed lightly and said to Princess Helan, “That’s enough, Helan.” This wasn’t a place for fighting, especially with everyone so close together. If Ren Qining truly went berserk with rage, someone could get hurt.

Princess Helan still seemed unsatisfied but reluctantly fell silent out of respect for Ye Li.

Seeing Ren Qining calm down, Ye Li said, “Young Master Ren, I’m not qualified to intervene in the grudge between you and the Northern Border, nor can I say who is right or wrong. I just want to ask you one thing – what effect would kill Princess Helan have on the current situation?”

Ren Qining was taken aback. At this point, with the Northern Border army already departed, killing Helan or not would have no impact on the situation. At most, it would just vent his anger or slightly embarrass the Prince Consort’s mansion. But if Ye Li wouldn’t back down, how much would he have to pay to take Helan’s life? Looking back at the mere handful remaining from the hundred assassins he’d brought, Ren Qining’s eyes darkened.

Ye Li continued, “I know you still have forces in hiding. But surely Young Master Ren knows I wouldn’t come here with just a few guards either. Honestly, Princess Helan’s life or death doesn’t affect Prince Consort’s mansion, but if Young Master Ren insists on acting, I’ll have no choice but to respond in kind. The Prince Consort’s mansion promised to see the Northern Border people safely away, and we absolutely won’t go back on our word.”

After a moment of silence, Ren Qining looked at Ye Li and laughed coldly, “Princess Consort let them leave now, but aren’t you afraid of nurturing a tiger that will bring calamity? When I first persuaded them, do you think they were just deceived by me? If they didn’t have their ambitions, how could my words have moved them?”

Ye Li calmly replied, “No one can guarantee eternal peace and prosperity. At least for now, the Northern Border has no ambition to contest the Central Plains. If not for Young Master Ren, they would likely still be living by hunting and fishing in the white mountains and black waters, with no connection to the Central Plains. I can’t justify exterminating the Northern Border tribes just for some future possibility, can I? If the Central Plains remains strong in arms and horses, foreign tribes naturally wouldn’t dare show any disrespect. But if we allow ourselves to decline, even if we exterminate the Northern Border today, how can Young Master Ren guarantee there won’t be an Eastern or Western Border tomorrow?”

Ren Qining snorted lightly, knowing he couldn’t persuade Ye Li to yield. A woman like Ye Li already had her firm conclusions and was indeed very difficult to persuade. Ren Qining’s gaze shot like an arrow toward Princess Helan, “You’d better not step foot in the Northern Border for the rest of your life, or I’ll spend my life ensuring you die in pieces.”

Princess Helan showed no fear, returning a cold laugh, “This lady will pray day and night to the gods for your early death and reincarnation.”

Seeing Ren Qining compromise, Ye Li said nothing more. She instructed Qin Feng beside her, “Send people to escort Princess Helan to catch up with the advance party. And see the Princess through the pass while you’re at it.” Qin Feng nodded silently, “Princess, please.”

Princess Helan knew Ye Li was having her leave first out of concern that Ren Qining might try something underhanded. She made a face at Ye Li, waved goodbye, and mounted a fine horse brought by her guard, riding away with her escort.

“Princess Consort! Until we meet again!”

After Princess Helan’s departure, only Ye Li and Ren Qining’s forces remained facing each other by the great official road. Though Ren Qining had been greatly angered these past two days, after his true outburst, he managed to maintain some composure when facing Ye Li again. Looking at her beautiful face, he laughed coldly, “Princess Consort has excellent tactics!”

Ye Li brushed aside a strand of hair by her cheek and smiled faintly, “Young Master Ren flatters me. I merely took advantage of the circumstances.” A vein throbbed on Ren Qining’s forehead, his eyes flashing with violent light. To Ren Qining’s ears, Ye Li’s words were mocking his inability to control his subordinates, which had allowed her to scheme against him.

Taking a deep breath to suppress the towering fury in his heart, Ren Qining swept his gaze over those around Ye Li. He laughed coldly, “They say the Prince Consort and Princess Consort are always together, yet how is it I don’t see the Prince Consort this time? Could it be he looks down on me and deems me unworthy of his presence?”

“Why does Young Master Ren ask what he already knows? Our lord is currently at war with the Northern Rong, so naturally, he’s not here,” Ye Li said. “Besides, though we are husband and wife, we are still two different people. How could we never be apart?”

Ren Qining stared at Ye Li, his smile taking on an even more sinister flavor: “I’ve long heard the Princess Consort is also divine in warfare. It seems I won’t have the chance to experience the Great Chu War God’s methods this time. I’ll have to content myself with experiencing the Princess Consort’s military strategy – that would make this life worthwhile. However… if the Princess Consort fails again… I’d like to see if the Prince Consort will still have the chance to kill my entire family!” By the last sentence, Ren Qining’s words carried additional bloody intent. These past two years, the conflicts between the Northern Border tribes and the former Central Plains officials had intensified, initially beginning with Mo Xiuyao sending people to assassinate the Northern Jin Queen and princes. One could say that Ren Qining’s current defeat had its seeds planted then. In the heat of the moment, one might not see clearly, but looking back, even someone like Ren Qining who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals couldn’t help but feel chilled to the bone by Mo Xiuyao’s schemes and calculations.

Ye Li smiled slightly, pressing her lips together, “How could I let Young Master risk his entire family’s lives again? I will certainly take care of myself, and I sincerely hope Young Master takes care as well.”

“Let’s hope so,” Ren Qining laughed coldly.

“Farewell.” At this point, both sides had shown their true colors, and there was no need for further pleasantries.

“No need to see me off,” Ren Qining replied.

Watching Ye Li’s group leave composedly, Ren Qining stood by the ancient road with his hands behind his back, lost in thought. Seeing him like this, the remaining assassins didn’t dare approach to disturb him. After quite a while, an impatient subordinate commander came looking for him, and seeing Ren Qining standing there in a daze, hurriedly came forward to pay respects, “Your Majesty, the Northern Border army and…”

“They’re gone,” Ren Qining said coldly.

“Shall I immediately send men to pursue them?”

“No need.” Ren Qining shook his head and turned to walk back, saying in a deep voice, “Let’s return. We must prepare for a great battle immediately. In at most three to five days, Cold Huai’s troops from Purple Thorn Pass will surely arrive.” The commander behind him was startled, “If that’s the case, won’t we be caught between the Mo Family Army’s forces? Your Majesty, shouldn’t we retreat first?”

Ren Qining turned back, looking at him calmly, and asked, “Retreat where? Purple Thorn Pass lies behind us, and if we break through Ye Li’s blockade to the north, do you think the Northern Border people wouldn’t take a bite out of us at this moment?”

The commander’s face changed involuntarily, and after a moment’s thought, he broke into a cold sweat, “Your Majesty, what should we do?”

“What should we do?” Ren Qining walked ahead, his steps perfectly steady. But no one saw the flash of bewilderment that crossed his face… I too want to know what we should do…

Outside Purple, Thorn Pass had always been sparsely populated, with few proper cities. In such a place, warfare hardly required sophisticated military tactics or terrain considerations. On the flat plain, all troops were exposed under the broad daylight with nowhere to hide.

But even though Ren Qining’s forces were in poor condition, they still numbered a million. As the saying goes, enough ants can kill an elephant. Cold Huai’s Mo Family Army of over 200,000 that had arrived, combined with the surrendered forces on Ye Li’s side, only totaled about 500,000. For a time, the two armies found themselves in a stalemate outside Purple Thorn Pass.

After a few days, an edict in the Princess Consort’s hand was issued from the Mo Family Army, stating that the common people were innocent, and with the Mo Family Army fighting barbarians in the north, they were even more unwilling to raise arms against their people. Any soldiers under the Northern Border willing to surrender would be pardoned for all past actions. Those willing to continue serving could join the Mo Family Army, while those unwilling could lay down their arms and return to farming.

Meanwhile, news spread from somewhere that Ren Qining was not an orphan of the previous dynasty. Several of Ren Qining’s former old ministers personally testified to this. As a result, not only did the common soldiers begin to desert, but even commander Ren Qining had trusted began to waver. In the Northern Border camp, soldiers deserted daily. Worse still, some surrendered directly on the battlefield, and no matter how severely Ren Qining punished them, he could not stop the tide, leaving him helpless.

On the fifteenth of the eighth month, the two armies met again ten li outside Changqing City. Cold Huai, who had been fighting on a separate front, joined forces with Ye Li and He Su. Meanwhile, Ren Qining, who once commanded a million troops, now had barely 200,000 remaining. Their morale was low and their formation disorderly, a stark contrast to the imposing Mo Family Army in their black uniforms behind Ye Li and the others. Everyone knew this would be the final battle.

Ren Qining wore imperial yellow dragon robes, mounted on a chestnut warhorse, coldly regarding Ye Li and her people opposite him, showing some spirit of losing the war but not the bearing.

After a moment of silence, Ren Qining drew his sword and pointed it at Ye Li, saying in a deep voice, “Princess Consort, my defeat today is not due to warfare, but because Heaven has betrayed me…” In terms of military command, deployment, and battle tactics, there was truly nothing to criticize these days. Originally with a million troops, Ren Qining shouldn’t have been defeated so quickly, but unfortunately, he held neither favorable timing, terrain, nor human factors – how could he not be defeated? And having been defeated, how could he accept it? Before Ye Li could speak, Cold Haoshuo behind him laughed coldly, “Heaven helps those who follow the Way. How has Heaven betrayed you when you betrayed Heaven first?”

Ren Qining’s face darkened, and he spoke no more of it. “If that’s the case, Princess Consort, may I request one battle?”

Cold Huai, on Ye Li’s right, spurred his horse forward and said coldly, “Why should the Princess Consort deal with a defeated general? Let this old man experience the Northern Border King’s skills.”

Ren Qining smiled disdainfully, saying, “Old General Cold, at your age why not rest peacefully at home? I won’t stoop to taking advantage of your age and weakness.” Cold Huai’s face turned green with anger. With a roar, he raised his precious Clear Edge sword and charged at Ren Qining. Seeing this, Ren Qining didn’t hold back either, swinging his sword in return, sword qi crisscrossing the air.

The crowd watched Cold Huai and Ren Qining clash without stepping forward to help. Only Cold Haoshuo’s sword eyebrows furrowed slightly as he focused intently on the two combatants, his long sword already drawn. Ye Li sighed softly, “Old General Cold is no match for Ren Qining. Cold Er, go help him.”

Though Ren Qining’s martial arts were excellent, he would be helpless if Qin Feng and the others all attacked at once. Ye Li generally didn’t care for the convention of one-on-one duels before the battle. But Cold Huai had a blood debt with Ren Qining for his killed son. Cold Huai was no longer young, and previously straining himself for months guarding Purple Thorn Pass and the Chu capital had greatly depleted his energy. Yet he still refused to rest, leading troops to guard Purple Thorn Pass just to personally avenge his beloved son. Naturally, Ye Li couldn’t let Cold Huai down.

Cold Haoshuo had long been concerned for Cold Huai’s safety. As soon as Ye Li spoke, he immediately flew forward. His long sword flashed to block Ren Qining’s blade as it thrust toward Cold Huai. Ren Qining laughed coldly, “One dies and there’s still a good son left.” Without another word, he launched three consecutive strikes at Cold Haoshuo and Cold Huai. Cold Haoshuo’s sword danced into a web of blades, blocking Ren Qining’s sword point.

Qin Feng spoke softly beside Ye Li, “Princess Consort, Cold Er, and General Cold likely aren’t a match for Ren Qining.” Ren Qining’s martial arts were not only among the top ten in the world but at least in the top five, lacking only time and experience compared to Ling Tiehan and Lei Zhenting. Of course, he couldn’t compare to natural prodigies like Mo Xiuyao. But compared to someone like Cold Haoshuo whose martial arts were merely decent, or a military general like Cold Huai, he was far superior.

Ye Li calmly said, “Don’t mind them. Begin the attack. We must end this battle today.”

Immediately, war drums shook the heavens as the Mo Family Army behind Ye Li roared in unison and charged toward the Northern Border army opposite them. In recent days, the Northern Border forces had been deserting or surrendering, and those remaining were already terrified and demoralized. Seeing the Mo Family Army advance like a black tide, they began to break apart in moments.

In the chaos, Ren Qining, Cold Huai, and Cold Haoshuo gradually moved to a less crowded area. Finally, Ren Qining impatiently swept Cold Huai to the ground with his sword, seriously wounding him.

“Father!” Cold Haoshuo’s expression changed as he launched several swift strikes at Ren Qining, while behind him Ye Li, Qin Feng, and others caught up. Seeing Cold Huai seriously wounded and Cold Haoshuo injured, Qin Feng drew his sword and joined the fight without hesitation. Behind him, Zhuo Jing also joined the battle. Only then did Ye Li summon people to take Cold Huai away for treatment.

After days of hard fighting, now facing Cold Haoshuo, Qin Feng, and Zhuo Jing simultaneously, Ren Qining gradually began showing signs of fatigue. Qin Feng spotted an opening and mercilessly thrust his sword diagonally through Ren Qining’s chest.

Ren Qining’s face went white, a crimson thread escaping from the corner of his mouth. He swept his sword to force back the three men and leaped forward, speeding away. Seeing him flee, everyone hurried to pursue.

By a quiet lake outside Changqing City, Ren Qining sat quietly in his imperial yellow dragon robes, gazing at the not-so-large city standing in the distance. After half a lifetime of scheming, exhausting all methods, and betraying deep kindness, all he had gained was that small city and an unfinished half-built royal palace.

So tired…

The Qilin never missed their mark. Though Qin Feng’s sword appeared to strike off-center, it merely meant a slower death rather than instant expiration. Ren Qining pressed several acupoints, but blood still flowed unceasingly from his wound. He couldn’t be bothered to staunch it anymore. Casually stabbing his precious sword into the ground beside him, he sat alone by the lake and let out a long breath.

Soon after, Ye Li and the others caught up. Seeing the figure by the lake, Ye Li raised her hand to stop the others and walked forward alone. Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing exchanged glances and took up positions watching the yellow-robed figure alertly.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Ren Qining turned his head and seeing Ye Li, smiled faintly, “So you’ve come. Any later and I might not have waited for you.”

Ye Li looked down to see the ground beneath him already stained red with blood. His face was paper-white, showing none of his earlier vigor when fighting on the battlefield.

“Does the Northern Border King have something to say?” Ye Li asked, lowering her gaze.

Ren Qining waved dismissively, “You can call me Ren Qining too. It’s the name I’ve had all my life… I’m too tired to change it now.” In the end, he no longer clung to his title as Northern Border King, or Lin Yuan’s identity. In truth, only Ren Qining was the name that had accompanied him throughout his life – the others were perhaps just what he wanted them to be.

Ye Li changed her address, “Does Young Master Ren have something to say?”

Ren Qining spoke softly, “Nothing much to say. Just… facing death… one doesn’t want to die alone, you see. Though it’s a pity I couldn’t fight against the Princess Consort…”

Ye Li replied, “My meager skills would hardly be worth Young Master Ren’s attention.”

Ren Qining looked at her with an ambiguous smile, “Actually, I seriously considered whether to risk death to kill you. Just imagining Mo Xiuyao’s expression upon hearing news of your death made me quite happy.”

Ye Li raised her eyebrows, “If so, why didn’t Young Master Ren act earlier?”

Ren Qining shook his head, sighing, “I wasn’t confident I could kill you, and now thinking about it, it seems rather pointless. Mo Xiuyao’s heartbreak wouldn’t benefit me anyway… Though many people think all I’ve done is laughable, I always felt… Princess Consort, you wouldn’t mock me.”

“There’s nothing laughable about someone striving for their beliefs, even if others see those beliefs as wrong. Besides… in this world, who can truly understand what’s right and wrong?” Ye Li said softly.

“Well said…” Ren Qining smiled. “So… was I wrong?”

Ye Li lowered her eyes, “If Young Master Ren doesn’t feel he was wrong, then it wasn’t wrong.”

Ren Qining leaned weakly on his sword, murmuring, “Indeed, if I don’t think it was wrong, then it wasn’t wrong. If it was wrong, what would my entire life… amount to?”

Scenes from his past flowed before his eyes. Burdened with heavy responsibility from childhood, the Lin family’s only heir, the sole hope for restoring the previous dynasty. While other children his age were being pampered in their parents’ arms, he was in the study learning classics of statecraft. While others played and frolicked, he studied strategy, manipulation, and military tactics. While others slept soundly in their beds, he had to rise early to practice martial arts, training through the coldest winters and hottest summers. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a genius like Mo Xiuyao, and now he had come to this… one could only say it was fated. But had anyone ever asked him… what did he want to do in this life? Had he ever done even one thing purely because he wanted to?

A pair of beautiful, vibrant eyes flashed in his memory. He had just come of age then when he met that pure-hearted, clever young woman untouched by the world. She saved his life, and during his convalescence, he picked wildflowers and wove them into a crown for her. Her beautiful face was tinged with a faint blush, more enchanting than any beauty he had ever seen.

Then he married her, and she bore his children… if he hadn’t been Lin Yuan if there hadn’t been those responsibilities…

“Su Yier…”

Ye Li silently watched as the bloodied sword swept across his neck. The sword clattered to the ground, and the dragon-robed man slowly fell. “Su Yier…”

Having stayed with Princess Helan for a time, Ye Li remembered her mentioning that her cousin, the princess of the Northern Border and Ren Qining’s former queen, was named Su Yier – Brilliant Pearl.

“Princess Consort.” Cold Haoshuo and others came forward. Looking at the figure on the ground, Cold Haoshuo couldn’t help but sigh, “Who would have thought he would…”

Ye Li sighed lightly, “Give him a proper burial. He was a hero in his own right. Grant him the posthumous title of Prince of Changqing, and prepare to bury him with the Northern Border Queen.” Zhuo Jing hesitated before saying, “Princess Consort, the Northern Border Queen, and the princes’ and princesses’ ashes were taken back to the Northern Border by Princess Helan.”

Ye Li thought for a moment, “Then build him a cenotaph. Send his ashes to the Northern Border. Let Princess Helan handle them as she sees fit.” With that, Ye Li, somewhat dispirited, turned away from the body and returned to camp. The fifteenth of the eighth month… time to return.

“Let Princess Helan handle them?” Zhuo Jing clicked his tongue. Given Princess Helan’s hatred for Ren Qining, she would probably scatter his ashes on the road for people to trample.

Soon, people came to take away Ren Qining’s body. The lakeside returned to tranquility. Much later, a man in blue appeared by the lake, staring at the dark red bloodstains on the ground for a long while before picking up the sword. He tore a piece from his robe and slowly wiped the partially dried blood from the blade, sighing softly, “I never expected you would… I had always thought…” He had always thought they would have one final battle, yet in the end, they had never truly met face to face.

Carelessly tossing aside the cloth, the blue-robed man departed. The bloodstained blue cloth caught in the breeze, falling onto the rippling lake surface, slowly becoming saturated as the blood diffused faintly into the water…

In the Mo Family Army’s main tent, Ye Li looked up at the blue-robed man before her, her gaze lingering on the sword in his hand before asking, “What are your plans?”

Tan Jizhi smiled indifferently, “If Princess Consort plans to keep me imprisoned, that’s fine. If not, I’d like to leave.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly, “Where to? Find another place to start anew?”

Tan Jizhi shook his head, “Perhaps travel around, or… go to the Western Regions, or perhaps sail across the sea.”

Ye Li looked at him with interest, “What about your grand ambitions? Given them up?”

Tan Jizhi smiled bitterly, “With the Prince Consort and Princess Consort here, there’s no room for others with grand ambitions. I still have some self-awareness. Seeing his end… what I couldn’t understand before now seems unimportant.” Two men, with the same name, same mission and responsibilities, but different experiences and resolutions. Seeing Ren Qining’s end, Tan Jizhi, who had deeply hated him, now felt a sense of sympathy for a fallen fellow, his former ambitions turning somewhat tasteless.

“From our generation come the world’s storms, entering the jianghu time speeds by.

Imperial ambitions discussed with laughter, nothing surpasses one moment of earthly intoxication.”

Ye Li recited softly. Tan Jizhi was momentarily lost in thought, then smiled in acceptance, nodding in appreciation, “Princess Consort’s character, such insight… Tan Jizhi admits inferiority. From today on, there is only Tan Jizhi, no more Lin Yuan… Princess Consort, I take my leave.”

Ye Li looked at him, “Don’t you want to go back to see Doctor Lin?”

Tan Jizhi shook his head, smiling bitterly, “Better not. Father surely doesn’t want to see this unfilial son. Please take care of him in the future.”

Ye Li nodded, “Very well, decide for yourself.”

Tan Jizhi said no more, clasping his hands, “Farewell.”

“No need to see you out.”

Watching Tan Jizhi leave, Qin Feng behind Ye Li said softly, “Princess Consort, are we letting him go just like this? If he has other ideas, it could be troublesome.”

Ye Li shook her head, “Tan Jizhi is clever. Knowing something is impossible, he won’t persist. However… if he does cause any trouble, don’t ask questions anymore, just kill him.”

Qin Feng nodded. Alone and having offended Mo Jingli, it wouldn’t be easy for Tan Jizhi to cause any more problems.

“Princess Consort, between Tan Jizhi and Ren Qining, who was the orphan of the previous dynasty?” Qin Feng asked curiously.

Ye Li shook her head slightly, smiling, “I don’t know. Who was and who wasn’t – what does it matter?”

Qin Feng pondered for a moment, then nodded and smiled, “Princess Consort is right.” Who cared who was or wasn’t? If there was ambition, even if they killed Tan Jizhi, there would be a third or fourth Lin Yuan, Wang Yuan, Zhao Yuan…