Mo Li

"Master Han... have you finished your reunion? If we don’t act soon, the people from Ding Royal Palace will arrive, and it’ll be too late." The Sick Scholar's voice slithered from behind, cold and sinister.

Han Mingyue let out a light hum, casually pulling the dagger from his shoulder and tossing it aside. The wound made him frown slightly as he regarded Han Mingxi with a calm gaze. "Mingxi, step aside. Don’t force me to act." Han Mingxi clenched his teeth, struggling to his feet and shielding Ye Li. "If you want to touch her, you’ll have to go through me first." Without another word, Han Mingyue reached out to grab Han Mingxi’s shoulder. Having just taken a palm strike earlier—though Han Mingyue had retracted most of his Internal Force at the last moment—Han Mingxi was still severely injured. His left arm could barely move, and he was no match for Han Mingyue to begin with.

From behind Han Mingxi, Ye Li yanked him aside and pushed him away while simultaneously countering Han Mingyue’s attack. Though her inner energy was lacking, Ye Li excelled in close combat. Every move was precise and lethal, her silver dagger leaving shallow but steady trails of blood with each flash. This relentless, deadly style made Han Mingyue frown. He retreated several steps with a few sweeping palm strikes. "Nearly a year apart, and Sister-in-law’s skills have improved at an astonishing pace." If a year ago, Ye Li had subdued him purely by surprise, this time, both were relying on true skill.

Ye Li arched a brow coolly. "I dare not accept that title, Young Master Han. I conducted business with your Pavilion of Heavenly Unity openly and fairly, yet you turn around and sell me out—is this how you do business? Or does the Pavilion thrive by swindling its clients?" Han Mingyue’s expression remained as sincere and helpless as ever. "The Princess Consort is as witty as ever. But in this world... there are many things one finds oneself forced to do, whether willing or not. Isn’t that so?"

Ye Li smirked. "If Mo Xiuyao were here right now, would you call this another ‘misunderstanding’?" Han Mingyue merely smiled without answering. The Sick Scholar sneered, "If Mo Xiuyao were here, he’d just die alongside you!"

Ye Li glanced back at the restless Sick Scholar, her tone mocking. "Third Pavilion Master, I advise you not to act rashly. If anything happens, I won’t be able to explain it to Ling Gezhu." The Sick Scholar let out an angry snort and stepped forward, about to speak—when two arrows whistled past him in quick succession, embedding themselves in the ground less than a foot away. His face paled, then flushed with fury. Ye Li chuckled. "I did warn you, Third Pavilion Master—I’ve never been fond of risks."

Watching the Sick Scholar’s ugly expression, Han Mingyue chuckled softly. "Sister-in-law, there’s no need to scare us. I’ve already had the shadow guards lured away. At most, you only have two or three people with you after rushing here in such haste." Ye Li smiled. "Even so, we have three people here. And you, Young Master Mingyue? How many do you have?"

From where he sat on the ground, Han Mingxi declared loudly, "Not three—four." It was clear he had firmly chosen to stand against his own brother.Han Mingyue ignored his younger brother, smiling at Ye Li as he said, "Last time in the capital, the Princess of the State already left me deeply impressed. This time, you've managed to surprise me even more. The dignified Princess of the State actually disguised herself as a man and came alone to the Southern Border. I presume the commotion in the palace yesterday was also your doing?"

Ye Li replied indifferently, "Young Master Mingyue must have been in Nanzhao for quite some time to set up such an elaborate trap here today. Why ask questions you already know the answers to?"

Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow. "A mere coincidence. Had I known the Princess was here beforehand, I would have prepared more thoroughly and wouldn’t have resorted to such a risky move."

Ye Li arched a brow and smiled. "Then, does Young Master Mingyue believe you can kill me today?"

Han Mingyue shook his head and laughed heartily. "The Princess misunderstands. With the Princess of the State in hand, how many things could be accomplished? Killing you now would be such a waste."

"Han Mingyue!" Sick Scholar snapped in displeasure. The only reason he had cooperated with Han Mingyue's plan was to kill Mo Xiuyao's wife—what was Han Mingyue implying now? His cold, sinister eyes glared at the handsome man before him. If Han Mingyue dared to use him and then break his promise, he would make sure the man understood why no one in the martial world dared to provoke Sick Scholar.

Han Mingyue glanced at Sick Scholar and smiled faintly. "Third Pavilion Master, the Princess of the State truly cannot be killed yet. Though you hail from Western Liang, you must have heard of the turmoil in Great Chu’s capital over the past six months. If we kill the Princess now, neither you nor I will escape the relentless pursuit of Ding Royal Palace."

Sick Scholar sneered. "You're afraid? I'm not." Who in the world was more skilled in killing than King of Hell Pavilion?

Han Mingyue lowered his head with a helpless, bitter smile. "I admit, I am a little afraid. Third Pavilion Master, today I will take the Princess of the State with me. In the future, if you ever need assistance, Han Mingyue will not refuse. Besides... your grudge is with Mo Xiuyao, not his wife. Killing her would at most humiliate him—it wouldn’t truly hurt him."

Ye Li frowned coldly at Young Master Mingyue. "When discussing someone else’s fate, shouldn’t you first confirm whether you truly have ownership over them? Third Pavilion Master, it’s best not to deal with businessmen. Look at me—not only did I lose money, but I’ve also been sold out."

Han Mingyue smiled. "My apologies, Princess. The one who took your money was Han Mingxi. He didn’t hand over a single coin to Pavilion of Heavenly Unity, so at most, this was just him using the pavilion’s resources for private work. As for whether I have ownership..." He raised his hand, and with a sharp crack, a burst of flame exploded in the daylight sky.

Ye Li listened carefully—the sound of a large force approaching from all directions was unmistakable.

"Does the Princess have anything else to say now?" Han Mingyue asked.

Ye Li pressed her lips together in a faint smile and raised her hand, making two quick gestures in the air. "It seems I have no choice but to surrender?"

"The Princess is a wise woman," Han Mingyue said, eyeing her strange hand signals. Though he didn’t understand their meaning, he clearly sensed the two hostile gazes fixed on him earlier had vanished—likely a signal for retreat. "Every time we meet, your courage and resourcefulness never fail to astonish me."

Ye Li chuckled. "Actually, you should be more astonished by my good luck."Han Mingyue's handsome eyes darkened as he warily stared at her. The members of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity gradually encircled the surroundings. After scrutinizing Ye Li for a long time, Han Mingyue finally relaxed slightly. With so many people surrounding them, even if Ye Li grew wings, she wouldn't be able to fly away. Moreover, given his keen perception—

How could Han Mingyue not know about the intelligence from Sick Scholar? Ye Li's Light Body Skill and internal energy were far from outstanding. Ye Li glanced around calmly, showing no trace of panic. "Sister-in-law, Xiu Yao and I are friends. Surely you wouldn’t want me to resort to discourtesy, would you? Will you come with me willingly, or…?" Han Mingyue spoke softly with a smile.

Ye Li frowned slightly and shook her head. "Actually, you could just forget that you and Mo Xiuyao were ever friends. The more you mention it, the more I dislike you."

Han Mingyue chuckled. "No matter how much you dislike me, it doesn’t change the fact that Xiu Yao and I were once brothers and friends."

"You said it yourself—once." Ye Li couldn’t help rolling her eyes at him. Was this man out of his mind? While reminiscing about their past camaraderie, he spared no effort in destroying whatever remnants of friendship remained between them. He never stopped talking about his bond with Mo Xiuyao, yet when it came to action, he never showed any mercy. Well… last time, he did hold back, but Mo Xiuyao had also shown leniency, hadn’t he? "Young Master Han, this time, you’re not causing trouble for me on behalf of someone again, are you?"

Han Mingyue’s expression stiffened. "He told you?!"

"Did he need to? I was there, remember? But… Mo Xiuyao did promise me something afterward. Would you like to hear it?"

Han Mingyue’s refined demeanor turned rigid as he forced a faint smile. "I’m all ears."

"I’m not in the habit of repaying malice with kindness, and I suspect Mo Xiuyao isn’t either. So, last time was the first and last."

Han Mingyue gave a strained smile. "It seems Xiu Yao truly values you, Sister-in-law. Then… with you in our hands, I believe he’ll still show us some leniency."

Ye Li smiled. "Let’s hope so. Since Young Master Mingyue has already revealed his hand, why not see what cards I hold?" Han Mingyue was taken aback. "What do you mean?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow and let out a sharp whistle. In the distance, beyond the perimeter of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity, a dark flower of flame burst into the sky. Then, from even farther away, another dark flare rose. Soon after, the rhythmic thunder of hooves approached.

Han Mingyue listened intently, his expression shifting dramatically. "The Black Cloud Cavalry… How could the Black Cloud Cavalry be in the Southern Border?!"

At the mention of the Black Cloud Cavalry, not only Han Mingyue but even Sick Scholar and the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity members paled in shock. It was common knowledge that the Black Cloud Cavalry was the most elite force under the Ding Royal Palace. The Mo Family Army was invincible on the battlefield, and the Black Cloud Cavalry served as its vanguard—unstoppable in breaking formations, slaying enemies, and leading charges. If they were truly surrounded by such an army, not only would the hastily assembled Pavilion of Heavenly Unity forces in the Southern Border stand no chance, but even if the entire Pavilion of Heavenly Unity and the King of Hell Pavilion joined forces, victory would be impossible.

Equally surprised was Ye Li. She had only mobilized the shadow guards stationed in the Southern Border beforehand—none of whom were from the Black Cloud Cavalry. In fact, she hadn’t even known the Black Cloud Cavalry was present in the Southern Border.Han Mingyue gritted his teeth and lunged toward Ye Li. Once trapped within the Black Cloud Cavalry's encirclement, there would be no escape. The only way out now was to capture Ye Li first and then find a way to break free. However, Ye Li was not someone easily subdued. The moment they clashed, Han Mingyue's chest garment was sliced open by a blade—fortunately, he dodged swiftly enough to avoid injury.

In a regular duel, Ye Li would inevitably lose over time due to her limited inner energy. But in a life-or-death struggle, her battle-honed instincts and meticulously refined combat techniques proved far more effective. Besides, Ye Li had no intention of prolonging the fight—this would be settled in a dozen moves or less. The black-clad riders on their swift steeds had already arrived, engaging the forces of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity.

The Pavilion of Heavenly Unity was an intelligence organization, not an assassin guild or a martial arts school. While its members knew some martial arts, few were true masters. Compared to the Black Cloud Cavalry—veterans of the battlefield, their killing intent palpable—they were at a clear disadvantage in both skill and morale. Moreover, the Black Cloud Cavalry was exceptionally disciplined; even while mounted, they swiftly locked onto their targets and coordinated seamlessly to cut down their enemies.

Two of the cavalrymen dismounted mid-gallop, charging at Han Mingyue from both sides. Seeing this, Ye Li slashed her dagger in a sharp arc, forcing Han Mingyue back before retreating swiftly. Han Mingyue tried to pursue, but the two cavalrymen intercepted him, leaving him no room to maneuver. Even Sick Scholar, who had been observing from the sidelines, was not spared—the Black Cloud Cavalry clearly recognized his identity and denied him any chance to approach, bombarding him with whips and spears.

An Er and An San landed beside Ye Li, who asked curiously, "Why is the Black Cloud Cavalry here?"

An Er replied grimly, "Your Highness, something has happened. The original shadow guards were reassigned by Qingchen Gongzi. This unit of the Black Cloud Cavalry was training near Yongzhou and was dispatched specifically to escort you."

"What happened?" The fact that the Black Cloud Cavalry had ridden hundreds of miles from Yongzhou to meet her sent a jolt of alarm through Ye Li. "Mo Jingli?!"

An Er nodded. "Three days ago, the army from Lingzhou suddenly attacked Yongzhou. At the same time, Snowbreak Pass was assaulted by Nanzhao forces. The Black Cloud Cavalry knew you were in the Southern Border, so they rode through the night to ensure your and Qingchen Gongzi's safe departure."

Ye Li's expression darkened. "This is reckless. If Nanzhao is attacking Snowbreak Pass, why aren’t the Black Cloud Cavalry assisting General Murong in defending the border?"

An Er gave a bitter smile. "The Black Cloud Cavalry’s southern training was conducted in secret. The emperor was not informed in advance. If they were to appear at Snowbreak Pass now, an imperial decree condemning King Ding would arrive at the Ding Royal Palace immediately."

In truth, the emperor had no desire for the Black Cloud Cavalry or the Mo Family Army to train at all—he would have preferred to confine them somewhere, rendering them useless and weak."Understood, finish this quickly!" Ye Li's clear and beautiful gaze swept over Han Mingyue, who was still engaged in battle, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. An Si had not sent any messages, proving that Han Mingyue had not returned to the capital but had come directly from Western Liang to the Southern Border. Back in the capital, Han Mingyue had been eager to reconcile with Mo Xiuyao, and Ye Li believed his intentions had been genuine at the time. But now, having just arrived in Nanzhao, he had immediately attempted to kidnap her to threaten Mo Xiuyao... What exactly was his purpose in coming to Nanzhao?

A well-trained army was entirely different from a ragtag group of martial artists, so it took the Black Cloud Cavalry only a quarter of an hour to sweep across the battlefield. The Sick Scholar fled in disarray, and one of the Black Cloud Cavalry swiftly drew a bow from his back, aimed, and released the arrow—

The long arrow shot toward the Sick Scholar's back with thunderous force. Suddenly, a dark figure leaped up and swung a sword to deflect the arrow. Two metallic clangs rang out, sparks flying. A tall, imposing man in deep blue robes stood with his sword, laughing heartily. "The Black Cloud Cavalry's unparalleled archery truly lives up to its reputation." Behind him, the Sick Scholar collapsed weakly, his face as pale as paper, murmuring, "Elder Brother..."

The Black Cloud Cavalry raised their bows in unison, dozens of arrows pointing at the blue-robed man.

Ye Li raised her hand. "Hold your fire. Let Ling Gezhu leave."

The blue-robed man was none other than Ling Tiehan, the master of the King of Hell Pavilion. Ling Tiehan raised an eyebrow, studying Ye Li before cupping his hands in salute. "Princess of the State, my third brother acted rashly and offended you. I hope you can forgive him." Ye Li nodded with a faint smile. "My elder brother considers you, Ling Gezhu, a close friend. There’s no need for formalities. However, the Third Master's temper..." Ling Tiehan sighed, glancing back at the Sick Scholar on the ground. "My third brother has suffered many misfortunes, and his temperament is erratic. I will discipline him more strictly. Here is the King of Hell Token. From now on, if you have any matters, simply present this token and send someone to the King of Hell Pavilion to find me. As long as you hold this token, my third brother will never dare to act against you again." Ye Li caught the black iron token Ling Tiehan tossed to her, carefully tucking it away. "Thank you, Gezhu." Ling Tiehan bent down to lift the Sick Scholar. "In that case, I take my leave."

"Farewell."

Watching Ling Tiehan depart, Ye Li turned back to see Han Mingyue, now surrounded by several Black Cloud Cavalry, barely holding on. The Black Cloud Cavalry had no qualms about ganging up on a single opponent—as soldiers, not chivalrous martial artists, their only goal was to defeat the enemy, regardless of numbers.

"Jun... Jun Wei." Han Mingxi, who had been silently watching, struggled forward despite his severe injuries. Ye Li glanced at the still-fighting Han Mingyue and sighed inwardly."Please, spare my elder brother." Han Mingxi looked at her with bitterness in his eyes. Although he now knew Ye Li's true identity, he had genuinely wanted to be friends with her. Yet he also understood that once these words of plea left his lips, any chance of friendship would likely be gone.

"I need Young Master Mingyue to provide some information," Ye Li said with a frown. She truly didn't want to let Han Mingyue go—he gave her an extremely unsettling feeling. If she hadn’t been wary of him from the start and secretly made preparations the moment she sensed something amiss, she might have truly fallen into his trap this time. But... seeing Han Mingxi’s haggard face, weakened from severe injuries, she found herself unable to voice a refusal.

"He won’t say anything. Whatever you want to know, I can tell you." After all, they were brothers who had grown up together—Han Mingxi understood his elder brother well. If Han Mingyue didn’t want to speak, no force could pry a single word from him.

"Han Mingxi! Shut your mouth!" Han Mingyue shouted mid-fight, distracted, and immediately suffered a fresh wound on his shoulder.

Watching as Han Mingyue became increasingly battered and bruised, and being scolded by his brother yet again, Han Mingxi finally snapped. "You shut up! If you want to die, don’t drag the subordinates of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity down with you! Open your damn eyes and look at all these people lying here—because of you! The Pavilion’s foundation is in Great Chu, the Han family is in Great Chu, and yet you, with your brain addled, go and provoke Mo Xiuyao? Is that woman more important to you than your own parents and ancestors? Fine! You want to court death? Well, I don’t want to live either—I’ll die with you!"

Han Mingyue was momentarily stunned by his younger brother’s sudden outburst. Seizing the opportunity, a Black Cloud Cavalry soldier kicked him behind the knee, and three blades were instantly pressed against his neck. Han Mingyue glanced down at the cold steel resting against his throat, then looked up at Ye Li with a helpless smile. "It seems I’ve lost again. Kill me or spare me, it’s your call. And... Han Mingxi, have you lost your mind? Stop acting like we’re about to die together in some tragic romance."

Han Mingxi recalled the furious words he had just spewed, along with the faintly amused glances from the idle Black Cloud Cavalry soldiers nearby, and his handsome face darkened. He had thoroughly humiliated himself today.

Ye Li studied Han Mingxi’s stormy expression, then with a flicker of amusement in her eyes, said, "Brother Han, you may take Young Master Mingyue with you."

Han Mingxi brightened, looking at her with gratitude, while Han Mingyue appeared equally surprised. Ye Li gave Han Mingyue a faintly mocking glance and added coolly, "But there’s a condition."

Han Mingxi didn’t care about any conditions—he wasn’t as money-obsessed as Han Mingyue. The mere chance to save his brother’s life was an immense relief.

Ye Li leisurely retrieved a small porcelain vial from her sleeve and handed it to Han Mingxi. "Drink this."

Han Mingxi raised an eyebrow but took it without hesitation, tilting his head back to swallow the contents in one go. Han Mingyue tried to stop him but was too late.

"Ugh, that’s disgusting," Han Mingxi complained, grimacing.

Ye Li smiled. "That was a poison personally concocted by the renowned physician Mister Shen Yang. The ingredients are a secret. As for its effects... if you don’t take the antidote once a month, your meridians will rupture, and you’ll die paralyzed in agony. Because of its foul taste, accidental ingestion is rare, so it’s not very practical. But... there are always those willing to drink it willingly, aren’t there?"Han Mingxi grinned and said, "I know Jun Wei wouldn't want my life."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "Keep a close eye on your brother. I'll send you medicine once a month. If I ever find out he's left your sight or done something he shouldn't have, I'll make sure he personally witnesses you writhing in agony, bleeding all over." Han Mingxi nodded with a smile. "Understood. Big brother... for the sake of your only younger brother's life, you'll behave, right?" He blinked his bewitching eyes, looking pitifully at Han Mingyue. Han Mingyue glared darkly at Ye Li and said, "How do I know you won't deceive me? Whether you'll send the antidote on time?" Ye Li replied calmly, "Han Mingxi is my friend."

Han Mingyue sneered, "Friend? Is this how you treat your friends?"

Ye Li smiled faintly. "If you can treat your own brother like that, why can't I treat my friend this way? If you hadn't done so, I naturally wouldn't have done this, and Han Mingxi wouldn't be in any trouble. Doesn't that mean... I've done nothing at all?" Han Mingyue narrowed his eyes. "What if I find someone to concoct the antidote?"

"Oh dear, I heard this bottle of poison was concocted by Mr. Shen using unique herbs gathered from a small island in the East Sea. There are no similar medicinal ingredients in the Central Plains. If Young Master Han possesses such divine abilities that he can find the antidote ingredients and brew the cure within a month, then I'll just count myself unlucky. After all, the Black Cloud Cavalry has tens of thousands of troops—sparing a few hundred to hunt someone down year-round shouldn't be too difficult. Coincidentally, I happen to have a King of Hell Token on hand. I wonder if Ling Gezhu would be willing to pursue someone who allegedly used his sworn brother while claiming to be his friend, just for this token. And if worse comes to worst... the Ding Royal Palace has plenty of money, wouldn't you agree, Young Master Han?"

Han Mingyue snorted and fell silent. Han Mingxi, completely unbothered, pushed aside the blade at his brother's throat and smiled at Ye Li. "Jun Wei, rest assured—I guarantee my elder brother won't interfere with your affairs again. I'll have the information you want sent to you shortly. So..." Ye Li smiled back. "If you can truly keep your brother in check, I can let today's matter slide. But... if there's a next time... Brother Han, your pleas won't work every time."

"Understood," Han Mingxi nodded solemnly. He sealed Han Mingyue's acupoints to suppress his inner energy, then waved at Ye Li and dragged his brother away.

"Your subordinates pay respects to the Princess Consort!" the Black Cloud Cavalry chorused in unison.

Ye Li nodded. "Rise. What brings you here?" As she surveyed the formidable black-clad knights before her, she couldn't help but admire them. Truly worthy of being the most elite force of Great Chu—their imposing presence alone surpassed that of ordinary soldiers. Moreover, despite their long journey, not a single casualty had been sustained in the earlier skirmish, a testament to their formidable combat prowess. The lead knight stepped forward. "Reporting to the Princess Consort: Three days ago, the garrison forces of Lingzhou suddenly launched an attack on Yongzhou. Simultaneously, Nanzhao's army began assaulting Snowbreak Pass. General Murong has been defending the pass, and after a full day and night of siege, the Nanzhao forces have made no progress. However... the Lingzhou garrison has been advancing unhindered. It's estimated they'll reach Snowbreak Pass within ten days, at which point General Murong will be caught between two fronts..."

"Does the capital know about this?"

The knight nodded. "An urgent dispatch has already been sent to the capital. The message should arrive by tomorrow at the latest. However, reinforcements would take at least half a month to arrive, and I fear... Snowbreak Pass may not hold out that long. Additionally, Qingchen Gongzi instructed us to inform you: The Crown Princess of Southern Zhao has been placed under house arrest by the King of Nanzhao, who has decreed the Holy Maiden of Southern Border be honored as the Guardian Holy Maiden and participate in Southern Border governance. Young Master Xu urges you to leave Nanzhao immediately. He said... we've all been played by the King of Nanzhao."

Ye Li's expression turned grave. She nodded and asked, "Where is my elder brother now?"

The knight replied, "Young Master Xu took the shadow guards, saying he had some matters to attend to. He plans to leave the Southern Border afterward." Frowning, Ye Li pondered briefly before ordering, "Dispatch a team to locate my brother and escort him out of Nanzhao as quickly as possible. If he refuses... knock him out and take him away by force! The rest of you will accompany me to Snowbreak Pass immediately."

"As you command, Princess Consort!"The Black Cloud Cavalry quickly split into two groups. One team of about twenty men, led by a commander, departed, while the remaining several dozen stayed in place, awaiting orders. Ye Li asked, "What troops are stationed near Snowbreak Pass?" The leading man glanced at her in surprise before answering respectfully, "A few months ago, His Highness did indeed deploy some forces near Yongzhou and Lingzhou. However, the Emperor has been extremely vigilant against the Ding Royal Palace, making large-scale troop movements impossible. Moreover, most of the Mo Family Army is still tasked with deterring the Northern Rong. So, the only forces near Yongzhou that can truly make a difference are the two thousand Black Cloud Cavalry and the twenty thousand garrison troops under the command of Wu Chengliang, the regional commander of Yongzhou in the north. As soon as the conflict broke out, we immediately sent word to Commander Wu. If all goes well, he should arrive at Snowbreak Pass by tomorrow afternoon."

Ye Li frowned and shook her head after a moment of thought. "No! Have him lead his troops to reinforce the Yongzhou garrison and block Prince Li's army. Snowbreak Pass is defended by eighty thousand soldiers. As long as General Murong doesn’t engage the enemy in a decisive battle outside the city, holding the pass for half a month won’t be a problem! Once Prince Li’s forces reach Yonglin City and join forces with Nanzhao, even twenty thousand more troops won’t make a difference!"

The leading man was also startled and quickly said, "I’ll dispatch a fast rider to inform Commander Wu immediately. If they ride without stopping, they should catch up before the troops cross the river tomorrow." With that, he turned to arrange for the messenger. Ye Li rubbed her temples, an uneasy premonition settling in her heart. "Order everyone not to return to the city. We’ll set out directly and head to Snowbreak Pass at the fastest possible speed."

"Yes."

It seemed as if war had erupted suddenly, leaving Ye Li with an unreal sense of disorientation. She looked up at the sky, now overcast with dark clouds, and her heart grew even heavier.

Snowbreak Pass

On the ancient, weathered walls of the pass, garrison soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, standing ready for battle. The young faces of the men bore traces of exhaustion. Today alone, they had repelled three attacks from the Nanzhao army and were prepared for the next wave at any moment. Murong Shen, a man of forty with a resolute expression and sharp, sword-like brows, walked along the battlements, his spear in hand. From the day he was assigned to defend Snowbreak Pass, he had known peace here would not last. But he hadn’t anticipated that the real danger wouldn’t just come from the ever-unrestful Nanzhao—but from within the Chu Empire itself, from the Emperor’s own younger brother, Prince Li. He couldn’t help but recall an anonymous letter he had received before leaving the capital. It bore only four simple words: "Beware of Lingzhou." So this was what it had meant? The sender had known of Prince Li’s treachery all along. Unfortunately… he hadn’t taken it seriously enough. Or rather, circumstances hadn’t allowed him to. The Emperor needed him to guard the border but, because he had once served under the previous King Ding, refused to grant him sufficient military authority. Local officials also constantly hindered him. And now, even knowing that once Prince Li seized Yongzhou and encircled Snowbreak Pass, he would be trapped between two fronts, Murong Shen had no choice but to stand his ground. Because beyond Snowbreak Pass lay over a hundred thousand Nanzhao invaders. If they breached the pass, they would sweep through the southern regions of Chu like a flood or a plague. He could only hope… that reinforcements would arrive in time."Father." A clear voice called from behind, and Murong Shen turned around. Murong Ting, clad in a striking red martial attire with a treasured sword in hand, ascended the city tower. Murong Shen's expression darkened as he sternly said, "What are you doing here? Get down at once."

"Father!" Murong Ting declared firmly, "Your daughter will stand guard with you."

"Nonsense! I ordered you to leave Snowbreak Pass immediately. Why haven't you gone yet?" Murong Shen cherished his only daughter like a precious jewel. Now that Snowbreak Pass was in peril, he had to stay and face the danger, but he insisted that his daughter leave first. Murong Ting stubbornly bit her lip and said, "Ting'er is well aware of the current situation. If I leave Snowbreak Pass now and fall into Prince Li's hands, used as leverage against you, then I would rather die." Seeing Murong Shen about to speak, she quickly continued, "And if you suggest sending me back to the capital under escort, that's even more unacceptable. With the Nanzhao army about to attack, every able hand is needed. How could Ting'er, the daughter of Snowbreak Pass's defending general, take away valuable fighters at such a time? If I did that, I would be unworthy of the Murong name."

Murong Shen was left speechless by his daughter's words. After a long pause, he sighed and said, "Snowbreak Pass is very dangerous now."

Murong Ting replied proudly, "When has any of Father's battles not been dangerous? Since you are determined to defend Snowbreak Pass, how can Ting'er, born of a military family, retreat?" Knowing his daughter's stubborn nature and realizing that the journey back to the capital was indeed unsafe, Murong Shen could only sigh in resignation. "Very well, but be extremely careful."

"Thank you, Father..." Overjoyed that Murong Shen had relented, Murong Ting exclaimed, "Ting'er will never disgrace you!"