I no longer have a hometown—you are my hometown now.
That was what I had planned.
But I never expected this day to come so soon. I had hoped to take Prince Duan away for you. Tomorrow, I will do my best. If I succeed, your burden will be lighter. If I fail, follow the instructions on the last sheet of paper—it should still help you escape.
After that, the road ahead will be yours to walk alone. The world is vast and treacherous, so take care.
Though I’ve lied to you many times, these words are true: you are the most capable and courageous person I’ve ever met in both my lifetimes. You will surely emerge victorious and carve out a brighter future.
If you ever forgive me by then, have a small hotpot on holidays. Consider it my way of keeping you company.
Zhang San
……
In addition to the letter, the envelope contained a sheet of densely written words and a small object.
By the time Yu Wanyin finished reading the last line, the evening glow beyond the horizon had completely faded. The Shadow Guard pulled vines over the cave entrance and softly urged her to rest early.
She tucked the letter into her bosom, pressing it against her chest, and lay down fully clothed for the night. The mountain night was cold, the chill creeping up from her feet until her entire body turned stiff as stone. Afraid she might never wake again, she kept her eyes open, counting silently in her head. The faint sounds of the Shadow Guard changing shifts and the distant, mournful cries of foxes filled her ears.
At dawn the next day, they set off again, finding a small stream to wash away the bloodstains.
Yu Wanyin was already dressed in plain men’s clothing—likely changed into by Xiahou Dan to aid her escape. The bundle also contained her usual disguise tools, spare clothes, flint, a dagger, and other essentials.
By the stream, she applied makeup, glued on a beard, then stood on the bank and lit the letter, watching it curl in the flames before scattering as flecks of ash into the water, carried away by the current.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed several Shadow Guard members hesitating as if wanting to speak. Only then did she realize she hadn’t uttered a single word since reading the letter the night before.
Clearing her dry throat, she asked, "How are your injuries?"
The Shadow Guard replied in unison, "Just minor wounds, already healed."
"Good. We’ll need to reach inhabited areas to gather news about the capital."
Seeing her composed demeanor and no further insistence on returning to the capital, the Shadow Guard visibly relaxed. "Our orders are to protect you, Your Majesty. Given the uncertain situation, as long as Prince Duan lives, the Three Frontier Armies he deployed will still converge here to suppress the Imperial Guards and secure his ascension. These forces approach from the north, east, and south. We believe we should find a gap before they unite—"
"We’re heading south," Yu Wanyin said, picking up her bundle and turning to leave.
The Shadow Guard froze, then hurried after her to take the bundle. "Your Majesty, the southern route leads toward the approaching Right Army."
Without glancing sideways, Yu Wanyin replied, "South, to Peiyang. That was His Majesty’s instruction."
Peiyang was an unremarkable small town with no strategic significance. The Shadow Guard couldn’t fathom why they were heading there.
Had Xiahou Dan stationed reinforcements there? But if so, why hadn’t they been deployed yesterday?
Yu Wanyin remained cryptic but pressed onward. "I appreciate your efforts in escorting me there. Do we have any food left?"She took the provisions and forced herself to chew and swallow as she walked.
The Shadow Guards exchanged worried glances behind her. They didn’t know the contents of the letter, so they couldn’t be sure whether showing it to her in advance had been a mistake.
After half a day of silent travel, scattered villages appeared ahead.
Apart from their group, there were few people on the road, and those they did see hurried past with fearful expressions, like startled birds.
The Shadow Guards attempted to speak to the villagers, but upon seeing strangers, the villagers instead asked them for news. Both sides were equally clueless, and after exchanging what little information they had, all they learned was that the capital had descended into chaos the day before, with rivers of blood flowing through the streets. Today, however, the city had been sealed off, leaving an eerie silence. The villagers had no idea who had won or even who had been fighting whom.
By evening, Yu Wanyin began to feel waves of chills, her head spinning until she could barely walk. Only then did she raise a hand to her forehead—burning hot.
The Shadow Guards panicked, but she remained expressionless. “It’s fine. I’ll be better after some rest. We can’t go to an inn—it would expose our whereabouts. Find a place to stay for the night.”
After another half-mile, the sky darkened, and ahead, the faint flicker of firelight could be seen from behind a courtyard gate.
The Shadow Guards knocked, and an elderly woman with swollen eyes answered. “Who is it?”
One of the guards smiled apologetically. “Madam, we were on our way to the capital to visit family when our belongings were stolen along the way. Then we heard about the trouble in the capital and couldn’t go any further. Now our companion has fallen ill, and we’re at our wits’ end. We only have a little money left—could we trouble you for a meal?”
He handed over a handful of copper coins.
The old woman sighed. “Come in, then. We’re all suffering these days. Lately, many homes in the village have been robbed. Seems there’s a gang of thieves about…”
Muttering to herself, she turned and led them inside. Only then did they realize the firelight came from an earthen basin in the courtyard. The old woman ushered them into the house before returning to the basin, tossing in more paper offerings.
The Shadow Guard asked, “Madam, this is…?”
The old woman shook her head without turning around, her sobs muffled. An elderly man emerged from the inner room and whispered, “Her younger brother lived near Beishan. Yesterday, when Prince Duan rebelled, everything was in chaos. Somehow, he… didn’t make it.”
Yu Wanyin’s heart skipped a beat. “Did Prince Duan succeed?” she rasped.
The old man shook his head repeatedly. “The messenger only said many people died—mostly Imperial Guards. He couldn’t tell us anything else.”
Yu Wanyin’s vision darkened, and she swayed unsteadily.
Mostly Imperial Guards…
Either the Imperial Guards had turned on each other, or Prince Duan had hidden forces. Either way, Xiahou Dan’s chances were slim.
The Shadow Guard beside her quickly steadied her. “Sir, we hate to impose at a time like this, but our… our brother is seriously ill. Could you spare some noodles for him?”
A short while later, they wolfed down their meals under the dim glow of an oil lamp reflected in their bowls.
The farmhouse was surprisingly well-off—Yu Wanyin’s bowl even had an egg in it. She sipped the hot broth, her hands trembling less violently now, her sluggish mind gradually regaining some clarity.
If Prince Duan had won, Xiahou Dan might already be dead—or imprisoned in the palace, awaiting execution so Prince Duan could ascend smoothly. They could only pray it was the latter.
The old woman finished burning the paper offerings and returned inside, wiping her tears as she cursed, “That damned Prince Duan, even the heavens can’t stand him. They’ll send an earthquake to take him.”"Keep your voice down," the old man whispered. "And what kind of good man is that emperor? The elders always say, when a ruler lacks virtue, the earth trembles! That tyrant even killed the Empress Dowager..."
Yu Wanyin's chopsticks paused mid-air.
The old woman retorted, "Are you certain the Empress Dowager was killed by him? How would common folk like us understand the affairs of royalty?"
The old man waved her off. "Woman, your hair is long but your understanding short. I won't argue with you."
"If I lack understanding, does my brother too?" the old woman snapped. "He told me the emperor implemented land redistribution and tax reductions! And executed many corrupt officials!"
Yu Wanyin echoed, "Corrupt officials?"
The Shadow Guard shot her a warning glance, silently urging her to stay silent.
Unaware, the old woman counted on her fingers, listing names: "My brother said these were all fat cats who preyed on the people. Over the years, the emperor has rid us of many scourges."
The old man tapped her shoulder. "Who knows if those names are even real? Stop embarrassing yourself."
She had indeed mispronounced a few and mixed up ranks—likely repeating half-truths from capital gossip. Those living near the palace walls always had a taste for such tales.
Having been here this long, Yu Wanyin knew some officials belonged to the Empress Dowager faction, others to Prince Duan's. Yet she'd never bothered to investigate their backgrounds or recall if their names appeared in the original story.
Truthfully, she'd never cared whom the "original tyrant" had executed, assuming it was just predetermined plot points. Tyrants, after all, indiscriminately slaughter loyal and treacherous alike.
Perhaps even Xiahou Dan himself didn't know how many he'd rightfully or wrongly executed before her arrival.
Perhaps he couldn't bear to face the exact count.
Suddenly, Yu Wanyin remembered Xiahou Dan's theatrically delivered lines during their script rehearsal long ago: "I'm but a mad king with blinded eyes and muffled ears. Who's to say who's loyal or treacherous beyond what's written in the Official Memorials?"
Back then, she'd assumed his self-mocking desolation was just masterful acting.
The old man continued arguing: "Do you remember Minister Xu..."
Ah, Minister Xu.
Yu Wanyin recalled Xiahou Dan asking after Xu Yao's death: "What was his fate in the original story?"
"I think he stayed with Prince Duan as a civil official."
After a pause, Xiahou Dan had smiled bitterly. "So we killed him."
From then on, he stopped inquiring about characters' original endings. He advanced his plans ruthlessly, dispensing life and death with an impassive face. "If you ever need someone eliminated," he'd said, "tell me. Let me handle it."
He'd added, "I'll repay my debts when I descend into hell."
—He vehemently denied paper dolls had souls, yet believed in hell within their paper world.
Right now, she almost wished he didn't.
The old woman persisted: "...Anyway, if the emperor's replaced, mark my words—we'll lose what little we have. Hey, what's wrong with this young man?"
The Shadow Guard shifted to shield Yu Wanyin, improvising: "Perhaps worried about family in the capital."
The old woman murmured a prayer and refilled her soup bowl.
After the meal, the guard helped clear dishes. Not wanting to appear privileged, Yu Wanyin rose too—only for her legs to buckle. She caught herself against the table.The old woman reached out to touch her forehead. "Oh dear, you're burning up. We should find a physician to take a look at you."
Yu Wanyin quickly stopped her, insisting she was just exhausted from traveling and only needed a place to stay for the night.
The old woman hesitated, but the old man was reluctant. "It's not that we're being unkind, but with so many young men in your group, we only have one bed, and there aren't enough blankets to go around."
The Shadow Guard produced some copper coins. "Elder, just one blanket for the sick one to sleep on the floor. The rest of us can meditate."
The old man pulled his wife aside. "Who knows where they came from? Have you forgotten about all the recent thefts in the village?"
His voice wasn't particularly hushed, and everyone heard him.
The Shadow Guard's expression darkened as he glanced at Yu Wanyin.
Wan Yin forced a pale smile. "In that case, we won't impose any further. Thank you both for the noodles."
Summoning her strength, she headed for the door.
Just then, a faint, almost imperceptible sound came from the direction of the kitchen—like a window rattling in the wind.
The elderly couple noticed nothing, but the Shadow Guard tensed, silently signaling. Without a word, the group abruptly changed course and rushed toward the kitchen.
The old man exclaimed, "Hey, what are you—"
Wan Yin turned back in surprise, her hand gripping the gun hidden in her sleeve.
A commotion erupted in the kitchen, punctuated by unfamiliar cries of pain. The Shadow Guard soon emerged, dragging a small, struggling figure between them.
The Shadow Guard reported, "This man just climbed in through the kitchen window. We caught him red-handed."
The captive was scrawny as a monkey, with disheveled hair and a filthy face. His sunken eyes glared at them with such malice that Wan Yin felt an inexplicable discomfort, as if pricked by needles.
He clutched a bundle tightly, which the Shadow Guard seized and opened, revealing an assortment of items—money pouches, jade pendants, cured meat—strewn across the table.
The old woman gasped, "That's our New Year's meat!" She peered closer. "And this jade pendant looks like Old Wang's?"
The thief suddenly let out a hoarse, piercing wail, thrashing wildly, but the Shadow Guard pinned him firmly to the ground.
The old man fell silent.
Moments after accusing their guests of being thieves, they now watched those same guests catch one. The old man's face flushed crimson as he stammered out apologies, which Wan Yin gently brushed aside.
The elderly couple, simple and honest folk, promptly prepared hot water and bedding to express their gratitude, offering Wan Yin a place to stay. They also asked the Shadow Guard to help tie up the thief and lock him in the woodshed out back, planning to report him to the authorities at dawn.
After drinking a bowl of ginger soup, Wan Yin lay down in bed for the first time in two days and fell into a deep sleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.
But she hadn't slept long before someone shook her awake.
The room was dark, the elderly couple having retired to their own quarters. The Shadow Guard sat meditating against the wall beside her makeshift bed.
It was one of them who had woken her. "Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty. When we tied up the thief in the woodshed earlier, his struggles drew the attention of some villagers. The old man returned the stolen goods to the neighbors, and now five or six households know we're here."
News of mysterious visitors with exceptional skills who caught a thief would spread through the village by morning.
They had avoided inns precisely to keep a low profile. This incident would multiply their chances of exposure.
The Shadow Guard lowered his voice further. "Your Majesty, shall we eliminate them?"Yu Wanyin's fever had left her mind in a daze, her thoughts sluggish as she stared blankly at him.
The Shadow Guard said, "We can still kill these families under cover of darkness and frame the thieves to erase any trace of our presence here."
Yu Wanyin instinctively replied, "No."
It took her a few seconds to gather her thoughts: "We need to leave now and head to Peiyang as quickly as possible."
She tried to sit up, but her joints felt as if they had rusted, weak and aching.
The Shadow Guard held her down. "Your Highness should rest a while longer."
Yu Wanyin knew her current condition would only slow them down if she forced herself to travel. "Two hours. Wake me in two hours."
But she didn’t get to sleep for the full two hours.
Deep in the night, the sound of hoofbeats invaded her dreams, pulling her into an endless slaughter. It was as if she had returned to the foot of Bei Mountain, watching helplessly as the rebel forces swallowed Xiahou Dan. A thousand blades rained down on him, stripping flesh from bone in an instant, yet he seemed to feel no pain. His gaze cut through the crowd, finding hers—calm and tender.
From afar, he mouthed a single word: "Run."
Yu Wanyin jolted awake, forcibly dragging her consciousness back to reality.
The hoofbeats were coming from the earth itself. Moments later, the village dogs began barking in a chaotic chorus.
The Shadow Guard beside her helped her up, grabbed their belongings, and gestured toward the door in the dim light.
A man’s voice, amplified by inner energy, carried far through the silent night from the village entrance: "Any household harboring suspicious travelers must report immediately—ten taels of silver as reward—"
A few seconds later, he repeated the call.
Yu Wanyin cursed inwardly.
By the third call, Yu Wanyin had already cracked the courtyard gate open when she heard the creak of nearby doors swinging open one after another. The sound of hurried footsteps rushed toward the village entrance—clearly, the villagers were eager to claim the reward.
She cursed again in her mind and turned. "Escape through the backyard!"
There was no time to hesitate. The group quickly dashed toward the rear of the house, passing by the elderly couple’s bedroom, where lamplight now flickered through the window.
The Shadow Guard didn’t slow, vaulting over the backyard fence first before turning back to help Yu Wanyin.
The sound of hundreds of footsteps drew closer, and the glow of torches already illuminated the front gate.
The Shadow Guard hoisted Yu Wanyin onto his back and sprinted away.
The elderly couple’s home was on the edge of the village, and not far behind it lay a stretch of woods. But in the darkness, it was impossible to tell how vast the forest was or where it led.
The biting wind lashed at her face. Yu Wanyin squinted, about to direct the Shadow Guard to hide in the trees, when a dark figure flashed at the edge of her vision.
She focused—the figure had just climbed out of the backyard and was fleeing in another direction. The short, monkey-like silhouette looked eerily familiar.
The thief had escaped the woodshed.
The thief struggled with the ropes binding him as he ran, freezing for a split second when he spotted them before vanishing with a "whoosh" into the darkness. All they could see was him disappearing down a narrow alley behind a neighbor’s house.
Yu Wanyin’s mind raced: This thief had been stealing in the village for so long without getting caught…
A commotion erupted from the elderly couple’s house, followed by a sharp command: "Search in all directions!"
At the same time, Yu Wanyin made her decision. "Follow that thief!"
The Shadow Guard ducked into the alley just in time to see the thief’s back vanish again ahead. They sped up, rounding the same sharp corner.
The thief: "?"
The thief fled for his life.
The Shadow Guard gave relentless chase.The thief's chosen route was indeed extremely tricky, clearly demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the village's layout. Scaling walls, crawling through dog holes, his figure as slippery as an eel—even the keen-eyed Shadow Guards nearly lost him several times.
Midway, the thief suddenly halted, turning around to glare at them in frustration. He lifted his clothes and shook them wildly, as if to show he no longer carried any stolen goods, completely baffled as to why they were chasing him so relentlessly.
Yu Wanyin: "We're not after you. Stop dawdling and lead the way!"
Thief: "???"
Shouts and cries closed in from behind, and the thief reflexively changed direction. After running a short distance, it suddenly dawned on him—the pursuers weren’t after him at all.
So he really was just a guide.
Furious, the thief rolled his eyes behind his back and changed course again.
The commotion had roused the entire village. Lights flickered on in every household, doors and windows creaking open as curious faces peered out.
The Shadow Guard carrying Yu Wanyin suddenly barked, "Where the hell are you taking us?"
It turned out the thief had led them in circles, straight into the path of their pursuers!
Realizing he’d been caught, the thief ducked low, ready to bolt.
The Shadow Guard lunged to grab him.
Behind them, torchlight flickered as someone shouted, "I see shadows—this way!"
Shadow Guard: "Split up."
The four Shadow Guards dispersed instantly. Two stayed with Yu Wanyin while the other two deliberately took a conspicuous route to draw attention.
The Shadow Guard seized the thief, crushing his wrist with a sickening crack before muffling his scream. "Try anything funny, and you’ll be the first to die. Understood?"
Trembling, the thief nodded in humiliation.
The two decoys successfully diverted the pursuers, and the clamor behind them gradually faded.
The thief led them deeper into obscurity, finally scaling the wall of a household’s courtyard. Yu Wanyin hesitated but signaled to follow.
The house was unlit, its backyard overgrown with wild grass, seemingly uninhabited. The thief swiftly crouched and crawled into the waist-high weeds, vanishing from sight.
The Shadow Guard set Yu Wanyin down and followed, then turned back and whispered, "Tunnel."
The three wasted no time crawling inside, pulling the weeds back over the entrance.
The tunnel was tiny, its original purpose unknown—perhaps dug by the thief himself as a hideout. Now crammed with three extra bodies, it was so cramped they could barely turn around.
The thief, pinned in the farthest corner with a dagger at his throat, didn’t dare breathe too loudly.
Moments later, voices drew near.
A small search party arrived, rummaging through the backyard. Yu Wanyin gripped her gun, holding her breath.
Voices overhead: "They can’t be here. The others chased them toward the woods."
"Didn’t that village woman say it was a group of men? We’re probably after the wrong people again. How many villages have we combed through now?"
"Could be a disguise."
"Tch, that damn woman sure knows how to run. The higher-ups said dead or alive—if she falls into our hands, why not let the brothers have a taste of that imperial—" The rest was left unsaid, drowned in lewd chuckles.
Footsteps scuffed the ground mere inches above them before fading away.
Only after a long silence, certain the pursuers were gone, did Yu Wanyin’s tense body gradually relax, trembling faintly.Her fever hadn't subsided, and after this ordeal, she saw stars before her eyes as she slowly slid down against the cave wall.
She had still clung to a last shred of hope that it wasn't Prince Duan's men who had come. But after hearing the conversation just now, the situation had become completely clear.
The capital is now under Prince Duan's control.
What about Xiahou Dan? Could he still be alive?
A Shadow Guard removed his outer robe and draped it over her.
Yu Wanyin: "Thank you." Her hands trembled as she tightened the robe around herself. "Those two brothers who just separated from us—"
"They will likely use the forest as cover to wear down a group of pursuers," the Shadow Guard said calmly. "They will take their own lives before being captured, leaving no clues behind."
Of the twenty who had escorted her at the start, only two remained.
Yu Wanyin fell silent for a moment. "This is my fault."
She had saved the five households of villagers but at the cost of two Shadow Guards' lives.
The Shadow Guard was startled and searched for words to console her, but Yu Wanyin suddenly asked, "What are your names?"
From the day she transmigrated, she had avoided this question. Because according to the original story, all these young men were destined to die. She didn’t want to know their names—as if keeping them faceless would lighten the burden of guilt she carried.
Shadow Guard: "This subordinate is Twelve, and he is Forty-seven. The ones who just left were Sixty-five and..."
Yu Wanyin: "Your real names."
"This subordinate has no real name. His Maj—" The Shadow Guard glanced at the thief nearby and corrected himself. "The Master said that on the day we received our numbers, he had already engraved our real names on tombstones. From then on, our pasts were erased, never to be spoken of again."
Yu Wanyin hugged her knees and buried her face between them.
In this vast world, there was one person who could see all her suffering.
As she trudged forward alone, she realized every step she took fell upon his footprints. The path ahead was so long and dark that she couldn’t even see her own outstretched hand. He had walked so far ahead that even his silhouette had vanished from sight.
The underground cave was deathly silent, save for the heavy breathing of the thief with the shattered wrist.
Yu Wanyin’s throat tightened, but she insisted again, "Your real names."
The Shadow Guard paused, as if smiling faintly. "This subordinate is Twelve."
Nearby, Forty-seven was quietly interrogating the thief about the escape route from the village, but after a long while, he got no response. With a flick of his dagger, the thief cried out in pain, whimpering incoherently.
Forty-seven: "So, a mute."
Yu Wanyin: "Search him. He must have had tools hidden on him to escape the woodshed earlier."
After some rustling, Forty-seven retrieved a blade and a new piece of information: "...a female mute."
Lin Xuanying led his troops toward the capital, encountering some resistance on the first day, which they crushed with overwhelming force.
From the second day onward, the opposition was so passive it was almost negligible. Some prefectures even surrendered without a fight, opening their gates wide to let them pass, eager to send these fierce warriors on their way.
Soon, they learned the reason. The capital was in chaos—the Emperor had "suddenly fallen gravely ill," and Prince Duan was now acting as regent.
Meanwhile, Prince Duan had declared that the enchantress empress Yu Wanyin had attempted regicide and was now plastering wanted notices everywhere to capture her.
At the same time, a new secret missive reached Lin Xuanying’s hands.
He skimmed it and tore it up. "Prince Duan is pressing us again, demanding we keep an eye out along the way to help him capture her."
A subordinate frowned. "How strange. If Prince Duan has already won decisively, why is he in such a hurry?"
Could it be that he was still facing some unforeseen challenge?
Lin Xuanying urged his horse forward, narrowing his eyes. "Are you hoping for his victory or his defeat?"
The young subordinate was taken aback and quickly replied, "This subordinate is loyal only to the Deputy General. Whoever the Deputy General wishes to kill, we will kill."Lin Xuanying chuckled and shook his head before asking, "All practiced?"
His subordinate swallowed hard. "Yes, all practiced."
Lin Xuanying nudged his horse's flank. "Then let's move."
By the time the horizon lightened to the color of fish belly, the village had fallen silent, with no sign of the pursuers.
Twelve crawled out to scout and returned to report, "They've all left, but a few stubborn villagers are still lurking around, probably hoping to capture us for the bounty."
Yu Wanyin cleared her throat. "Hey, this... young lady."
In the faint dawn light, she could see the deaf-mute thief open her eyes and glance her way.
Yu Wanyin asked, "Peiyang isn't far from here. Have you been there?"
Seeing that this person had no fixed abode and likely wandered around stealing to survive, she began forming a plan.
The deaf-mute girl remained silent for a long while until Forty-seven raised his dagger again, at which point she warily nodded.
Yu Wanyin tried to sound as kind as possible. "We need to get there quickly, taking backroads to avoid notice. If you can guide us, you'll be handsomely rewarded—enough that you won't need to steal anymore. How about it?"
The girl still didn't react.
Forty-seven threatened, "Or would you rather die here?"
Yu Wanyin quickly played the good cop. "Put the dagger down and talk properly."
Between one's threats and the other's coaxing, they argued for a while until suddenly—a loud gurgle. Someone's stomach had growled.
The deaf-mute girl: "..."
Slowly, she extended her hand, making a begging gesture.
Yu Wanyin smiled benevolently. "Do we still have any rations? Give her some."
Shortly after, the deaf-mute girl led them silently out of the village, heading south.
The route she chose avoided populated areas as much as possible, but a small town still blocked their path halfway. Worried about encountering last night's pursuers, Yu Wanyin quickly disguised herself and the two Shadow Guards, this time as an elderly woman.
But the situation in the town was even more alarming than she'd imagined.
The streets were plastered with wanted posters, her portrait fluttering in the wind, accompanied by bold words like "Fox Spirit Reborn" and "Bringer of Calamity."
Several patrols of soldiers marched through, their leader shouting, "Report any suspicious men or women—generous rewards await!"
The deaf-mute girl guided them through twists and turns to evade the patrols. After hearing the shouts from afar several times, she suddenly turned back, giving Yu Wanyin a thoughtful glance.
Twelve, following behind, whispered, "Your Highness, be wary of this girl."
"Yes, she might betray us for the bounty."
After three days of walking, Yu Wanyin's feet were covered in blisters. Waves of chills wracked her body—she knew she was at her limit but gritted her teeth and kept quiet. Still, her steps inevitably slowed.
Staring ahead, she muttered, "Keep a close eye on her. Kill her if necessary."
Perhaps sensing the murderous intent behind her, the deaf-mute girl, realizing escape was impossible, became unusually docile, obediently leading the way without protest.
Just as they were about to leave the town, she suddenly vanished from under their noses. The Shadow Guards panicked, ready to give chase—but then she reappeared, seated on a donkey cart.
Yu Wanyin: "...Did you steal this? For me?"
The deaf-mute girl rolled her eyes and gestured impatiently for them to hurry up and get on the cart so they could flee.
With the Shadow Guards keeping watch over the girl, Yu Wanyin finally lay down inside the cart, catching her breath.
Her body was exhausted to the extreme, but her nerves remained taut, her mind still racing.
Come to think of it, Prince Duan's exaggerated efforts to capture her were somewhat suspicious.Logically speaking, as a woman without military power or a real royal heir in her womb, she posed no immediate threat to overturn the situation. Prince Duan, having just ascended, should have focused all his efforts on stabilizing the capital. Why would he divert so many troops to hunt down an insignificant woman like her?
Unless...
That faint glimmer of hope, nearly extinguished, flickered back to life.
What if he wasn’t just searching for her?
The pursuers in the town had shouted, "Any suspicious man or woman"—why emphasize "man"? Was it to prevent her from disguising herself, or... were their targets originally both men and women?
Had Xiahou Dan escaped?
This was less a deduction and more a prayer.
If she could stand before him again... what would her first words be?
As she pondered this, a bitter calm settled over her like night snow, lulling her into a miraculous slumber amidst her desperate flight.
When the donkey cart could go no further into the wilderness, the group dismounted and continued on foot.
Yu Wanyin sincerely thanked the deaf-mute girl and had the Shadow Guard tend to the wounds on her wrists. To show goodwill, she even handed the girl a handful of silver pieces in advance as payment.
The deaf-mute girl cradled the money, offering her first smile since they’d met.
In return, that night, she sneaked into a nearby farmhouse and stole an oxcart.
Yu Wanyin: "..."
After several such changes of transportation, they finally arrived at the outskirts of Peiyang City by dusk the next day, unscathed.
As expected, soldiers at the city gates were meticulously checking the people entering, holding wanted notices. This group of guards stood rigidly, their cold faces exuding menace, like underworld judges incarnate.
Twelve’s eyelids twitched. "Those men are wearing border army armor."
Peiyang wasn’t just fallen—it had been completely taken over by the border army!
But why would the border army, occupying the city, still leave the gates open for civilians? Were they hoping to catch the wanted empress this way?
As he wondered, Yu Wanyin joined the queue to enter the city.
Twelve: "..."
He whispered a warning, "Your Majesty, if we enter and they trap us inside, we’ll truly have no escape."
Yu Wanyin: "Don’t worry."
From her sleeve, she produced an object.
It was the small item from Xiahou Dan’s envelope, which she had hidden all this way. Now, she tucked it into her hair.
Twelve: "What is that?"
"A token."
Yu Wanyin stepped forward, instructing, "Don’t act later."
The soldier at the gate scrutinized Yu Wanyin from head to toe before waving her through.
Hunched over and supported by Twelve, she had barely taken a few steps when the soldier called out, "Halt."
Twelve and Forty-seven instinctively tensed to strike, but Yu Wanyin commanded firmly, "Don’t move."
She turned slowly, meeting the man’s gaze. He studied her with suspicion; she remained unshaken.
After a pause, he said, "Come with me."
The others were left behind as the soldier led Yu Wanyin alone to the magistrate’s residence.
The original magistrate had vanished, and the opulent estate was now occupied, heavily guarded by border troops.
The study was brightly lit.
Lin Xuanying lounged in an armchair, reading military reports, when a voice announced from outside, "Vice General, we’ve found her."He glanced up at Yu Wanyin and said casually, "Bring her in. The rest of you may leave."
The door closed.
Lin Xuanying tossed aside the military report and stood, walking over to Yu Wanyin. He stared intently at her disguised face.
Yu Wanyin smiled, reaching up to remove the dangling ornament from her hair and handing it to him.
—A silver hairpin, carved into the shape of a bird in flight. But instead of tassels hanging from its end, there were two long lark feathers.
Lin Xuanying's eyes instantly reddened.
Yu Wanyin: "...A Bai, long time no see?"
The person before her was subtly different from the "A Bai" in her memories. Though his face remained the same, it was as if he had suddenly shed the disguise of youth, revealing the visage of a young man.
His eyes were still the same—the darker the surroundings, the more startlingly bright they became, like tempered glass. Yet paired with his current attire, those clear eyes inexplicably carried a sharp edge.
Yu Wanyin momentarily hesitated over what tone to use with him.
Xiahou Dan's letter had mentioned reinforcements in Peiyang, but perhaps fearing interception, he hadn't explicitly stated A Bai's identity. When she received the hairpin, she guessed A Bai must have infiltrated the army, but she never expected him to transform into the leader of the troops.
What happened to the carefree young martial artist? Could the unrestrained, lawless aura from their first meeting have been entirely feigned?
Did Xiahou Dan know his full background? Could she trust him completely? Even if he was a friend rather than an enemy, what about the entire city full of soldiers?
Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, Lin Xuanying grasped her shoulders tightly. "It's enough that you're alive, it's enough..."
Since her transmigration, Yu Wanyin had never been in such a wretched state—her body reeked. Yet Lin Xuanying seemed completely oblivious, his familiar tone identical to A Bai's.
Yu Wanyin stared at him blankly, suddenly recalling the fireflies and watermelons in the Secluded Palace's backyard. Countless questions surged to her throat, momentarily choking her.
But Lin Xuanying gave her no chance to speak. He checked her pulse, his brow furrowing deeply. "You're ill?"
"It's nothing serious."
"No, this could leave lasting damage." Without waiting for her response, he turned and called for attendants.
There were no maids in the military camp—several soldiers arrived instead. Lin Xuanying sent them to boil water and prepare medicine. Shortly after, they escorted Yu Wanyin to a guest room equipped with a bathtub, bowed slightly, and left without ever glancing at her.
This was clearly a highly disciplined unit.
Then again, whoever had come for her wouldn't need to go through such elaborate measures if they wanted her dead.
Yu Wanyin didn't dwell on it further. She locked the door behind her and silently soaked in the medicinal bath, washing away the accumulated grime and bloodstains.
A set of clean men's clothing lay beside the tub. After changing, just as she began surveying her surroundings, a knock sounded at the door.
Lin Xuanying stood alone outside, holding a bowl of medicine. "Get under the covers quickly."
He sat on the edge of the bed, scooping up a spoonful of medicine and blowing on it. "Will you drink it yourself, or shall I feed you?"
After a moment's thought, Yu Wanyin took the bowl and downed it in one gulp. "Thank you, General Lin."
Lin Xuanying paused, then smiled wryly. "I figured you wouldn't sleep without understanding the situation. Go ahead—ask, and I'll answer."
Yu Wanyin: "..."
Since he was being direct, she cut straight to the point: "Are you General Lin, or A Bai?"While soaking in the bath earlier, a new possibility suddenly occurred to her: the real Lin Xuanying had already been disposed of, and now it was A Bai impersonating him. This would explain his abrupt change in identity.
But then she heard him say, "I am Lin Xuanying."
Seeing Yu Wanyin's bewildered expression, he grinned, flashing a row of white teeth. "Xuanying means pitch black, and A Bai is the nickname my master gave me. Look at my skin—who do you think was more wicked, my parents or my master?"
Yu Wanyin grew even more confused. "So you really are from the martial world? But if you’ve just completed your training, how did you become a deputy general?"
Lin Xuanying coughed, his gaze drifting away. "Well, about that..."
In those two seconds, Yu Wanyin figured it out herself. "Oh, because you didn’t just complete your training."
At that moment, many things came back to her.
A Bai had first appeared before her when General You returned to the capital to report on his duties.
A Bai was intimately familiar with both the Yan and Qiang Kingdoms.
A Bai had once told her, "I know a lot of things. I’ve even killed..." but was interrupted by Xiahou Dan.
A Bai had once suggested stuffing Wang Zhao into the Right Army and escorting him on a diplomatic mission to Yan, but Xiahou Dan refused, insisting he stay at his post. Yet in the end, Wang Zhao still left via the southwest route.
After playing his part in their act, A Bai had hurriedly disappeared again when General You left the capital, saying only that His Majesty had assigned him another task—she had wondered at the time why Xiahou Dan trusted him so much.
A sudden realization struck her. "Our first meeting wasn’t your first meeting with His Majesty, was it? How long have you known each other?"
Lin Xuanying scratched his head. "That involves some secrets I can’t reveal."
"If you’re referring to His Majesty’s past, he left me a letter and told me everything."
Lin Xuanying’s eyes widened in surprise. "He actually told you? He’s been trying everything to keep it from you, afraid it would scare you away."
At the mention of Xiahou Dan, both their expressions darkened.
Lin Xuanying narrowed his eyes in recollection. "Five years ago—no, six now—my master, the Nameless Wanderer, cast a celestial divination and foresaw the arrival of a child from another world who would alter the nation’s fate. He had intended to emerge from seclusion to assist, but the divination drained his vitality, forcing him into retreat. So he sent me out to find His Majesty.
"His Majesty said at the time that he had already cultivated a group of Shadow Guards loyal to him in the palace, so my protection wasn’t crucial. But he urgently needed control over military forces—without that leverage, no amount of maneuvering could topple his enemies at court."
And so Lin Xuanying infiltrated the Right Army.
They chose the Right Army among the three for two reasons: first, it had the least connection to Prince Duan, and second, its leader, General You, was utterly incompetent and incapable of controlling his troops. This made their covert operations less likely to draw Prince Duan’s attention.
To truly command tens of thousands of soldiers, a military tally alone wasn’t enough—both martial prowess and prestige were indispensable.
This couldn’t be rushed; it required years of patient plotting.
Fortunately, Lin Xuanying was already highly skilled. Through battle after battle, large and small, he gradually distinguished himself and won the troops’ loyalty by sheer ability. Working in tandem with Xiahou Dan—one in the light, the other in the shadows—they employed every means to undermine General You under the noses of various factions, eventually becoming the de facto leaders of the Right Army."By last year, we were almost ready. We planned to purge the entire Right Army and then launch the war. Though we still had no guarantee of victory, striking unexpectedly would at least take down the Empress Dowager and Prince Duan in one fell swoop—those were His Majesty's exact words. But just then," Lin Xuanying smiled, "you appeared."
Lin Xuanying first heard of Yu Wanyin before setting out on their mission. When the Nameless Seer divined Xiahou Dan's existence, they also foresaw another person from another world would arrive, though the time and place remained unknown. The fates of these two were deeply intertwined, but whether their bond would be auspicious or calamitous remained as obscure as flowers veiled in mist.
Later, he asked Xiahou Dan about it. The young monarch seemed to recall it suddenly and said offhandedly, "Ah, now that you mention it, there was supposed to be someone like that."
Lin Xuanying: "...How could you almost forget something this important?"
The young ruler lowered his head and muttered something like, "Probably won't come after all."
In the years that followed, they never brought it up again.
By the time Lin Xuanying himself had nearly forgotten, a new name suddenly appeared in Xiahou Dan's secret correspondence.
Though both were souls from another world, this mysterious Imperial Concubine Yu was utterly different from Xiahou Dan.
Their original plan could be summed up in one phrase: mutual destruction. Yet she immediately proposed an elaborate scheme with countless twists and turns, all to meticulously minimize casualties. To her, every life—whether merchant, laborer, or commoner—was precious beyond measure.
Lin Xuanying was deeply resistant.
He'd seen plenty of such naive do-gooders untouched by the harsh realities of life. On the battlefield, a general's success was built upon countless bones—hesitate like this, and you'd be dead eight hundred times over. Moreover, the situation changed by the minute. Dragging things out like this might cost them their last chance at victory.
Yet Xiahou Dan embraced her idealistic dreams without reservation, scrapping their existing plans and ordering Lin Xuanying to retreat and lie low.
For several days, Lin Xuanying seriously considered quitting.
Later, when he returned to the capital and finally met Yu Wanyin in person, he understood her—but also underestimated her.
At the time, she was disguised in commoner's clothes, stripped of her seductive concubine makeup, standing beside the perpetually shadowed Xiahou Dan. She looked so light, so beautiful. Like a tiny lark caught in a raging storm.
She clearly didn't belong in that deep palace. She should have been sailing freely between heaven and earth, an unfettered wanderer of the rivers and lakes.
When Lin Xuanying urged Xiahou Dan to set her free, he expected anger or refusal.
Instead, the emperor's response defied his understanding: "She has her own aspirations."
What followed shattered his expectations even further.
Yu Wanyin's dreamlike plan succeeded step by step.
While immortals clashed in the capital, overturning the world several times over, peace reigned beyond its walls. In frontier legends, the Emperor had suddenly gained Heaven's favor, effortlessly resolving wars and disasters.
Who could have guessed this "Heaven" bore the surname Yu?
Hearing this, a great mystery in Yu Wanyin's heart finally unraveled.
Yu Wanyin: "On the eve of negotiations with Tuer, His Majesty said he'd lend troops to help eliminate Prince Yan. I never understood where he got those troops to lend! He said it was A Bai, and like a fool, I asked how A Bai could manage alone."Lin Xuanying couldn't help but laugh: "That really wouldn't do. I lent Tuer a contingent of elite troops, though not many to avoid drawing attention. Fortunately, Tuer proved capable and managed to link up with his own people as soon as he returned to Yan."
He looked at her with mixed emotions, his voice tinged with an unknown sorrow: "I misjudged you, but His Majesty did not. When you first arrived, he said you were undoubtedly this kind of person because, in the place you came from, every life is a life."
Yu Wanyin remained silent for a long time.
After reading that letter earlier, she had also wondered if Xiahou Dan had given up during those long, sunless years. That was why, when she transmigrated here, she encountered such a broken world and a version of him that was infinitely close to the Tyrant.
But it turned out that wasn’t the case.
If he hadn’t painstakingly cultivated Lin Xuanying as a powerful trump card, even with the script in hand, she would have been constrained at every turn, struggling to move forward, and her initial plans would have become nothing but illusions.
She could hardly imagine how a middle school student, poisoned from the very beginning, had managed to endure. Perhaps he himself didn’t want to figure out whether the thing that survived was human or ghost. And perhaps, after her arrival, every conversation about the past, about identity, about Paper Dolls had been like a thousand arrows piercing his heart.
Yet, almost from the moment they met, he had staked everything on her.
When Yu Wanyin finally spoke, she realized her voice was trembling: "Any news of him?"
Lin Xuanying shook his head. "We agreed that if he made it out alive, we’d meet in Peiyang. I rushed here to take control of this place, waiting for you both—but only you arrived. That bastard Prince Duan claims the Emperor suddenly fell gravely ill and is recuperating in the palace, but who knows if it’s true. The capital is sealed tight right now, and my spies are still looking for a way in."
He stood up and patted Yu Wanyin’s shoulder. "Get some rest. I’ll go settle the three people you brought. First thing tomorrow, I’ll show you something good."
Yu Wanyin: "...What?"
Lin Xuanying had already closed the door and left.
Whether intentional or not, Lin Xuanying’s little cliffhanger kept Yu Wanyin tossing and turning, but it also prevented her emotions from plummeting into despair. By the time she drifted off into a fitful sleep, she still clung to a sliver of hope for the "something good" he had mentioned.
Before dawn, she jolted awake again, momentarily thinking she was still on the run. She sat up abruptly, staring blankly at the ornate hanging scroll in the guest room.
Two guards were stationed outside her door. Only after she had dressed and freshened up did they knock and bring in breakfast.
Yu Wanyin ate without tasting anything. "Could you inform General Lin for me?"
"I’m here," Lin Xuanying said, plopping down across from her.
Yu Wanyin: "What did you want to show me?"
Lin Xuanying shook his head, clearly enjoying himself. "No rush. Finish your congee first. You can’t afford to fall ill now..."
Yu Wanyin picked up the bowl and downed it in one gulp.
Lin Xuanying: "..."
Lin Xuanying led her to the magistrate’s study, paused at the door, and gestured for her to enter first.
The moment Yu Wanyin stepped inside, several pairs of scrutinizing eyes immediately locked onto her from above.
Four or five burly soldiers stood inside, each towering at eight feet tall, looking like they could punch through city walls with a single blow.
Yu Wanyin: "..."
Lin Xuanying followed her in, closed the door behind him, and suddenly straightened his expression. Dropping to one knee, he saluted and said, "This humble servant failed to protect Your Majesty in time. Please forgive this offense, Empress!"
The giants hesitated for half a second before hurriedly kneeling in unison, echoing, "Please forgive this offense, Empress!"
Yu Wanyin: "."She knew Lin Xuanying's gesture was meant to establish her authority, so she calmly accepted the kneeling before leisurely saying, "Please rise quickly. You've traveled thousands of miles to rescue His Majesty—how could this be considered a crime?"
Only then did Lin Xuanying stand up, still maintaining his solemn demeanor. "Reporting to Your Highness, the delay in mobilizing troops was due to His Majesty's secret order to manufacture a batch of weapons."
Yu Wanyin's heart skipped a beat.
Lin Xuanying waved his hand, directing two soldiers to carry over a heavy wooden chest, signaling for her to inspect its contents.
Guns.
A chest full of guns.
Yu Wanyin quickly assessed their lethality in her mind. "This batch... what are they called...?"
"The Nine Heavens Mystic Fire Rapid-Fire Sleeve Crossbows," Lin Xuanying cheerfully reminded her.
"How many of these Nine Heavens Mystic Fire Rapid-Fire Sleeve Crossbows are there in total?"
The giant carrying the chest replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, one thousand in total, along with dozens of chests of ammunition."
Yu Wanyin was stunned.
Lin Xuanying added from the side, "The blueprints were sent by His Majesty. To prevent interception, they were divided into countless mechanical components and delivered in over a dozen separate shipments. We enlisted the finest craftsmen, and after several failures, we finally produced the first one. These Sleeve Crossbows were incredibly difficult to obtain, but their combat power is unparalleled. Even facing tens of thousands of troops from the other two armies head-on, they will sweep through them like a storm, hardly needing to draw blood."
The latter explanation was entirely unnecessary for Yu Wanyin. As a modern person, how could she not understand the destructive power of firearms in this world?
Moreover, the enemy remained completely unaware—both in terms of equipment and tactics—making them practically tens of thousands of standing targets waiting to be mowed down.
Lin Xuanying pointed at the sand table on the table, speaking passionately, "The army sets out today and can intercept the Left and Center Armies at the highlands five hundred miles outside the capital. Your Highness, I have endured in silence for years by His Majesty's order, biding my time for this moment of certain victory. Prince Duan has rebelled, and the two armies have abetted his treachery. At Your Highness's command, we shall execute them for the sake of the realm!"
"For the sake of the realm!" the giant echoed.
Yu Wanyin took a deep breath, steadying her racing heart.
Just the day before, she had been fleeing in desperation. Even after encountering Lin Xuanying, she had only seen it as a temporary respite before an arduous struggle.
Who could have imagined that overnight, they were now just one step away from victory?
And yet...
"General Lin, a word in private."
She pulled Lin Xuanying behind a bookshelf in the study corner. "His Majesty's whereabouts are still unknown. If we rashly engage in battle and he truly falls into Prince Duan's hands, what then?"
Lin Xuanying paused for a moment, as if he had anticipated this question. He pulled a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to her. "This is the last secret decree he sent before I departed."
Yu Wanyin quickly scanned it, then closed her eyes as if stung.
This was less a secret decree and more a posthumous edict.
It was extremely brief, consisting of only two paragraphs. The first commanded the Crown Prince to inherit the throne, named Yu Wanyin as Empress Dowager, and appointed several trusted ministers to assist in governance.
The second paragraph contained only one sentence: "As for the traitor Xiahou Bo, execute him without hesitation. Prioritize the realm above all else, regardless of my life or death."
In other words: Just kill him; don't worry about whether I live or die.Lin Xuanying: "He knew his time was limited and didn’t want to become a burden to you in the end, nor suffer humiliation in enemy hands. But he also knew we couldn’t truly abandon him, so he made it clear early on—if he was unfortunately captured by Prince Duan, he would seize any chance to take them down with him. If even that proved impossible, he would… end his own life."
Yu Wanyin stared at him in disbelief, her blood boiling as if she were an animal bristling with shock. "So, you just conveniently gave up on him?"
"Of course not! I’m still sending people to search for him everywhere!"
"Then find him first before mobilizing the troops!"
Lin Xuanying fell silent for a moment. "You know as well as I do that time is running out. The rebels are marching toward the capital day and night, and from Prince Duan’s actions, it’s clear he intends to seize the throne directly. He’s also hunting for you everywhere and will soon trace you back to me. If we’re exposed prematurely, we’ll lose the element of surprise."
"…"
Lin Xuanying: "His Majesty left this secret Imperial Edict to force us to prioritize the bigger picture and act swiftly." His tone was calm. "In fact, to intercept the rebels outside the capital, our vanguard has already set out from the city."
Yu Wanyin’s chest heaved as she continued to glare at Lin Xuanying.
She had never truly understood him. Until yesterday, she hadn’t even known his real name. Now, this man held immense military power, possessed weapons of mass destruction, and even had an Imperial Edict to back him. If he wanted, all the power in the world was within his grasp.
—If he wanted.
Lin Xuanying read the thoughts flickering in her eyes, and his expression darkened. "Believe it or not, I have no interest in any of this. The only reason I’m here is because my master ordered me to assist His Majesty, and His Majesty commanded me to follow your orders."
He spoke each word deliberately. "Don’t you understand? It was him who wanted to clear every obstacle for you, to ensure you ascend to glory and live a carefree life. The things he couldn’t accomplish himself, he believed you could achieve. And once everything is settled, whether you overthrow the Crown Prince’s rule or walk away to roam the world—it’s all up to you."
…
Yu Wanyin: "Was that last part his words or yours?"
Lin Xuanying: "…"
Lin Xuanying: "Mine."
The magistrate’s residence was deathly silent.
In the absence of voices, a faint tremor rose from beneath their feet. The main forces in the city were on the move.
As Yu Wanyin and Lin Xuanying stood locked in their standoff, a nearby officer grew impatient and stepped forward to ask in a low voice, "General, should we distribute these Sleeve Crossbows to the troops and prepare for battle?"
Lin Xuanying stood in the shadows of the bookshelf, silent, raising an eyebrow at Yu Wanyin.
And so, everyone in the room turned their eyes to Yu Wanyin.
An invisible tide surged forth, pushing her to the forefront. She parted her lips—the lives of tens of thousands now hung on her words. This time, it wasn’t a drill, and there was no room for failure.
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