Chapter 122
Feng Suige followed his gaze upward, feeling all the blood in his body surge from his heart to the soles of his feet—amid the howling gales, a slender figure clung to the nearly vertical cliff face. She was descending without pause, her robes fluttering wildly behind her like butterfly wings.
That—who else could it be but Yixiao?
Xia Jingshi stood nearby and suddenly smiled. She was still the same—once she set her mind to something, she would throw caution to the wind.
"This is madness..." Feng Suige cursed under his breath, cold sweat beading on his forehead, not daring to blink. "At a time like this, she still acts so recklessly..."
"No," Xia Jingshi interrupted softly. "She isn’t one to disregard what’s important. If she chose this path down the mountain, something major must have happened." Before he could finish speaking, Yixiao dislodged a piece of weathered rock, sending her sliding down with a cascade of debris before she managed to steady herself again.
The one who fell winced in pain, while those watching broke out in cold sweat.
Feng Suige stomped his feet in agitation, lifting the hem of his robe as if to climb up after her, but Xia Jingshi grabbed his arm. "Don’t. Don’t distract her."
Despite the close call, it wasn’t long before Yixiao neared the bottom. Just as Feng Suige moved to meet her, she suddenly leaped, landing unsteadily on the rugged slope. She stumbled a few steps before he caught her, but before he could scold her, she collapsed to the ground, exhausted. "The Holy City’s pursuers are coming..."
Far in the distance, birds took flight in alarm from the forest. Standing at the rear of the battlefield, Xiao Weiran had already sensed something amiss. Suppressing the dread in his heart, he clenched his fists, swallowing back the order to retreat multiple times.
His Highness must have already taken action by now. Just hold on a little longer—just a little longer, and they might break through...
Suddenly, a resounding horn blast shook the heavens, silencing the war drums that had been rallying both sides. The fighters in the melee froze momentarily.
That brief silence was enough for everyone to clearly hear the thunderous approach of countless hooves from the side. The Holy Emperor heard it too, rising to his feet involuntarily.
The tremors of the earth traveled up through their feet. Xiao Weiran gave a bitter smile. It was too late.
In the blink of an eye, golden war banners embroidered with the Brocade emblem fluttered like a vast sea. The pounding of hooves, mingled with the heavy clatter of armor, surged forward like a tidal wave. A dark tide of elite soldiers and generals appeared on the horizon.
"Hahaha... hahahaha..." Triumphant laughter spilled from the Holy Emperor’s lips, growing louder and louder until he was doubled over with mirth, forcing the Imperial Guard General beside him to hastily reach out to steady him. "Your Majesty—" The Holy Emperor abruptly shoved his hand away, turning his gaze toward the mountaintop with a chilling glare. "Xia Jingshi! Let’s see where you can run now!!!"
The Brocade army was like an unsheathed blade, slicing straight into the battlefield. Within moments, they had separated the two opposing forces. The Holy Emperor strode forward, pointing at the General of Agile Cavalry who had just dismounted and barked, "Perfect timing! I command you to swiftly crush the rebels and then—"
But instead of bowing, the general shouted, "Commander Fan of the Imperial Guard Battalion! A word, if you please!" The Purple-Robed General at the Holy Emperor’s side was taken aback and snapped, "The Emperor is present! Show some respect!"At that moment, a commotion arose from the rear. The Holy Emperor turned to see a small cavalry unit emerging from the mountainside, not clad in the purple armor of the Imperial Guard Battalion. Without hesitation, he shouted, "Stop them!"
As the Imperial Guards moved to act, the General of Agile Cavalry merely raised a hand. A waiting cavalry unit immediately charged forward while infantry from the rear advanced, swiftly blocking the Imperial Guard Battalion's path.
"How dare you! Are you rebelling too?" The Holy Emperor finally sensed something amiss, his face turning pale as he stumbled back several steps. The Imperial Guards quickly gathered around him, forming a protective circle.
"Not at all," the General of Agile Cavalry replied coldly, a faint smirk playing on his lips at the emperor's distress. "The Old Prime Minister ordered me to lead troops here to protect Your Majesty and escort the Emperor back to the capital to restore order."
"By my command, arrest all the traitors at once!" the Holy Emperor roared, regaining some composure but unable to suppress his fury. "Why are you standing there? Move!"
This was the second time riding together with him. Exhausted, Yixiao wrapped her arms around Feng Suige's waist and buried her face against his chest.
If she hadn’t met him, if he hadn’t married her, if he hadn’t accompanied her to Brocade...
"Foolish woman..." she faintly heard Feng Suige murmur. Instinctively, she lifted her head—yes, he was speaking.
Amid the violent jolting, his fragmented words reached her ears: "This reckless move won’t change anything. Wouldn’t it have been safer to stay on the mountain? You might have escaped..."
"If I must die..." Yixiao struggled to shift her weight, trying to glance ahead. "I’d rather die on the battlefield—can we break through?"
"Unlikely. Tell me, do you think they’ll bury us together?" Feng Suige chuckled softly before suddenly exclaiming, "What’s the Holy Emperor up to now?"
"What’s happening?" Yixiao twisted around to look but lost her balance, slipping sideways off the horse. "Yixiao!" Feng Suige shouted, reaching out too late. He could only watch helplessly as she tumbled to the ground. The officer riding behind them yanked hard on the reins, trying to halt the galloping horse, but its momentum carried it forward.
Amid the gasps of the others, Xia Jingshi—who had been half a length behind Feng Suige—leapt from his saddle, catching the dazed Yixiao in his arms and rolling aside just in time to avoid the horse’s hooves.
She’s safe. She’s unharmed...
Xia Jingshi exhaled deeply and asked softly, "Are you all right?"
Hearing his question, Yixiao instinctively looked up. Meeting his gentle, concerned gaze, she froze momentarily. Meanwhile, Feng Suige had already wheeled his horse around, dismounted, and rushed over anxiously. "Are you hurt?"
Xia Jingshi stiffened and released her.
As Yixiao struggled to her feet, Feng Suige pulled her into a tight embrace. "You nearly scared me to death..."
"My arms were weak from climbing earlier—I couldn’t hold on," Yixiao mumbled, stealing a glance at Xia Jingshi. He was taking the reins of his horse from a returning Military General. She blinked and offered an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry. We were supposed to charge through, but now I’ve made everyone stop.""If I had known you'd be so restless, I would have gladly tied you to me with a rope. But—" Feng Suige said, tilting his chin to gesture behind her, "it seems they don't have time to bother with us now..."
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