Rebirth (Bing Hu Chong Sheng)

The sunlight was dazzling, and when Chu Qiao first saw that person, she couldn't help but feel a sense of helpless amusement.

Zhan Ziming's gaze naturally fell upon Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing, whose attire was strikingly different from the others. After silently observing them for a moment, she suddenly seemed to recall who they were.

"Fifth Miss, these people are all runaway slaves from our estate. Five are still at large, but the rest have been captured by this old servant."

They were all runaway slaves from the Zhan estate? Chu Qiao was slightly taken aback. Slaves rarely attempted escape because without money or travel permits, they would quickly be recaptured. For so many to flee the Zhan estate at once—what had happened?

"Leave these two here. Send the others away together."

The old servant acknowledged the order and led the others away.

Zhan Ziming, dressed in a sky-blue gown with simple and elegant attire, glanced at Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing before saying, "You two are not slaves. You may leave."

Chu Qiao was startled and asked, "You're just letting us go like that?"

"What else should I do?" Zhan Ziming replied indifferently. "With your skills, I cannot keep you here. Rather than having you escape later, I might as well be generous and let you go now."

With that, Zhan Ziming turned and left without another glance at them, displaying a strong and decisive character.

Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing exchanged bewildered looks, surprised that they could leave so easily—far beyond their expectations.

A servant approached and, noticing their refined attire, did not treat them lightly. "This way, please. Since the young lady has allowed you to leave, you should go quickly."

"Thank you, uncle."

Liang Shaoqing politely asked, "May I ask where this place is?"

"This is the Zhan estate," the servant replied. "This is our Zhan family's residence in Tang Capital, located in the eastern part of the city. If you head west after leaving, you'll soon reach the central square."

Chu Qiao nodded. The place was quite remote, suggesting that the Zhan family's influence in Biantang might not be very strong.

"Uncle, may I ask what happened in the estate? Why are there so many runaway slaves?"

"I know about this," Liang Shaoqing suddenly interjected. "I was among those who escaped."

Chu Qiao was taken aback and turned to him. "What happened?"

"The Crown Prince of Bian Tang is getting married. To curry favor with the higher-ups, the Zhan estate is offering one hundred slaves as Human Sacrifice. When everyone found out, they fled collectively."

"Human Sacrifice?"

"You don't know? It means using living people as offerings. There's Earth Sacrifice, Fire Sacrifice, and Heaven Sacrifice—essentially, it involves burying people alive, burning them, or feeding them to eagles alive to summon the spirits of ancestors, burn incense, and announce the joyous occasion."

"What?" Chu Qiao abruptly halted, her face turning pale with shock. She could hardly speak and pointed in the direction where the group had just been taken away, exclaiming loudly, "You mean, those people..."

"Yes, they all fled because they knew they were to be sacrificed. We've been capturing them for a long time," the old servant said cheerfully. "Fortunately, we've caught them all. Otherwise, even an old man like me would have been sacrificed. Young ones, you two are very lucky."Chu Qiao's face was ashen, her lips pale and bloodless. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she grabbed the old servant's sleeve and urgently asked, "What about Jing Zisu? Where is she? And the other two named... named... right, Jin Lian and Cai Qin—were they used as sacrifices? Have they been sent away?"

The old servant looked panicked, stammering as he replied, "The... the three Jing sisters were sent away long ago, in the first batch. They've probably reached the Meishan Imperial Mausoleum by now."

A dull roar echoed in her mind, like a thunderclap exploding inside her head.

Chu Qiao's mind went blank, her vision blurring. In her panic, she couldn't utter a single word.

———————*—

Daxia had suffered a severe blow to its dignity this time. Zhao Chun'er's scheme to fake her loss of virtue had backfired—not only had she failed to capture Chu Qiao as planned, nor succeeded in provoking the Great Tang officials into advocating for war, but she had also ruined her own reputation. It was a classic case of overreaching and ending up with nothing.

Fortunately, Emperor Xia was a formidable ruler with many offspring. He quickly dispatched another princess for the marriage alliance. This time, both Daxia and Biantang took extra precautions to avoid any further mishaps. On the sixth day of the ninth month, the Meishan Sacred Temple was bustling with activity. According to Great Tang tradition, before the wedding, the Crown Prince had to pay homage to his ancestors, perform the Live Sacrifice ritual, and announce it to the world to fulfill the ceremonial rites.

Although Chu Qiao considered the Live Sacrifice an unforgivable atrocity, to the locals, it was a commonplace affair. A few thousand slaves were worth less than a good horse, and no one truly cared. Yet, no one knew that as the imperial carriages gradually approached the Meishan Imperial Tomb, a massive conspiracy was slowly descending upon the empire.

Estimating the distance to the shore at no more than a thousand meters, Chu Qiao moved stealthily to the stern of the boat, carrying her pack. Seizing the moment when the crew wasn't paying attention, she slipped quietly into the river.

It was already autumn, and the river water at night was bitterly cold. A thousand meters wasn't far, but by the time Chu Qiao swam to the bank, she was slightly breathless. Having been ill and injured recently, her body hadn't fully recovered, and such strenuous activity was ill-advised.

Under the bright moon and sparse stars, this was the essential waterway to Meishan County. To remain hidden, Chu Qiao had boarded a cargo ship headed for Meishan. Thanks to the swift river current, she reached the imperial tomb at the southernmost tip of Biantang in less than a day. Choosing a secluded spot to come ashore, she hid among the shadowy trees, quickly changed her clothes, and opened her pack to retrieve her belongings.

Grappling hook, steel needles, throwing knives, dagger, rope, lock-picking tools, knockout incense, along with some dry rations and money.

The best scenario would be to meet Li Ce and request the release of the prisoners from him directly, avoiding any conflict. That would be ideal.

But she knew all too well that while it might be easy to deal with the king, his underlings could be troublesome. Aware of her precarious situation in Biantang, where every step was a struggle, she might have to rely on herself after all.

Whether out of duty or conscience, she couldn't let Jing Yue'er's sisters be buried alive. This was a matter she had to intervene in, no matter what.

After packing her things, Chu Qiao stood up, looked up at the stars to determine her direction, and then hurried eastward along the riverbank.Meishan, also known as Southern Meishan, is a mountain peak located in the southern part of Biantang. Though called a mountain, it isn't entirely accurate—from a distance, Meishan appears as a massive stone cliff, standing just over a hundred meters tall. Majestic and towering, the entire structure seems carved from a single giant rock, forming a perfect ninety-degree angle with the ground. It rises straight up and down with no noticeable protrusions, as if sliced cleanly by a knife. The interior of the cliff has been hollowed out entirely, and Biantang invested immense manpower and resources to construct Biantang's sacred temple within. Beneath the temple lie the tombs of Biantang's ancestors, preserved for centuries.

At thirty meters above ground, there is a platform built of marble, projecting outward and spacious enough to accommodate over a thousand people. Meanwhile, the top of the cliff has been leveled entirely, forming a vast square.

Chu Qiao crouched deep within the dense forest, holding paper and pen, meticulously sketching the geographical layout of the Meishan Imperial Tomb and the surrounding guards. After spending an entire day on this task, as dusk once again began to fall, she resolved to take the risk. She knew that the Live Sacrifice would be carried out on the eve of the formal ancestral worship ceremony. If Li Ce did not arrive tonight, those people would surely meet a tragic end.

And she could not take that chance.

Quietly, she ate two pieces of dried rations. Time passed minute by minute, the setting sun dipping below the horizon, the lingering crimson glow in the sky fading until, finally, night descended.

Chu Qiao slowly rose to her feet. The moonlight tonight was poor, obscured by thick clouds. She narrowed her eyes slightly, stretched her limbs, and then, crouching low, swiftly made her way toward Meishan under the cover of darkness.

At that very moment, she had no idea that a momentous event was unfolding fifty miles away in the desolate outskirts—a storm was brewing across the empire. Horses galloped at breakneck speed, soldiers with bloodshot eyes raced toward her location!

After traveling for over half an hour, she finally reached the foot of the Meishan Imperial Tomb. In the distance, several soldiers patrolled back and forth. With a major event scheduled for the following day, the guards here could not afford to be careless. Chu Qiao observed carefully for a while, identifying several inconspicuous hidden sentry posts. She committed them to memory, took a deep breath, and began to stealthily advance.

Using the cover of darkness, Chu Qiao deftly avoided the areas monitored by hidden sentries and soon arrived at the base of the mountain. Without hesitation, she drew the grappling hook from her waist, its tip wrapped in sound-muffling cloth. Holding it firmly, she waited silently.

A sudden gust of wind rustled the leaves loudly. Seizing the opportunity, Chu Qiao swiftly threw the grappling hook. With a soft clink, it securely caught onto the second-level platform. The rustling leaves completely masked the sound. Gripping the rope with both hands, she rapidly scaled the stone wall, her movements agile and nimble. In moments, she had silently landed on the second-level platform.

Facing downward, she curled her body and executed a forward roll, moving out of the moonlight's reach. Quietly, she pulled the door open, slipped inside, and just like that, effortlessly infiltrated the Great Tang Imperial Tomb—the most heavily guarded site within Biantang's borders.Chu Qiao crouched low to the ground, carefully observing her surroundings. Everything was silent and still. The sacred temple, hollowed out from stone walls, featured a spiraling upward architectural design reminiscent of ancient Roman style. Her objective, however, was simple: the slave detention area would be in the lowest, foulest, filthiest, and most dilapidated part.

She dared not let her guard down. The imperial mausoleum had a unique terrain and was surely heavily guarded. If she alerted the soldiers, not only would escape be uncertain, but rescue would be utterly impossible.

Moving cautiously on her belly, she blended her body with the shadows in the corners, careful not to reveal the slightest trace of her presence. After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, she successfully evaded five patrolling guards and reached the underground level.

Just then, the deadly sound of footsteps echoed from the left corridor. Chu Qiao immediately stood up, pressing her body tightly against the corner wall. There was nothing to hide behind here; if the other party lit a torch, she would be instantly exposed.

As the footsteps drew nearer, a sliver of hope arose in Chu Qiao’s heart—there was only one person approaching, which wasn’t too troublesome.

The iron door creaked open, and a head poked out. The person was quite young, holding a torch, seemingly on patrol. His eyes swept around and immediately landed on Chu Qiao. The girl, clad in a dark golden close-fitting martial attire, flashed him a bright, clear smile, momentarily stunning him.

In the next instant, a throwing dagger shot out and struck his head with a heavy thud. The soldier’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed. Chu Qiao rushed forward, catching his body and lowering it slowly to the ground without making a sound.

For Li Ce’s sake, she refrained from killing him, but the blow from the hilt was enough to keep the man unconscious until dawn.

Still uneasy, Chu Qiao forced a large dose of knockout incense down his throat before turning to leave.

After walking for over half an hour, faint cries finally reached her ears. Following the sound, the weeping grew louder, interspersed with the desperate shouts and struggles of women. Frowning, she quickened her pace. Just then, two soldiers, seemingly alerted by the noise, approached to investigate. With no time to hesitate, Chu Qiao struck first—her dagger stabbed fiercely while her other hand formed a claw, silencing both men before they could utter a sound and sending them to hell.

The air was thick with a pungent stench, filled with a nauseating odor.

Pushing the door open, Chu Qiao was stunned by the sight before her. In a vast stone chamber, over a thousand young women were huddled together, their hands and feet bound. The oldest were no more than in their twenties, the youngest barely eleven or twelve. They crouched fearfully on the ground. Two soldiers, naked from the waist down, were each pressing down on a fully stripped woman, moving vigorously and growling with beastly satisfaction.

The surrounding women wept, yet none dared to stand up. Chu Qiao’s furious gaze swept over them and landed on one woman whose face was strikingly familiar—it was none other than Jing Cai Qin, one of the women from the Jing family.Rage surged from the depths of her heart straight to her head. Chu Qiao slowly stepped forward. Only then did the women around seem to notice her entrance, all staring at her in terror. Yet the two soldiers remained oblivious, still indulging in their revelry.

Chu Qiao drew her dagger and plunged it into the carotid artery on the side of one soldier’s neck. The man’s eyes instantly widened, blood spurting out in an instant. Like a convulsing sea fish, he collapsed to the ground in panic but couldn’t make a sound.

Without even glancing at him, Chu Qiao walked directly to the other man. His companion was already on the way to the underworld, yet he was still lost in the peak of his excitement, wildly carried away. With almost no effort, she swung the blade down, leaving a trail of blood.

"Ah!"

The slaves immediately screamed. Fortunately, they had been screaming and weeping all along, so it wouldn’t arouse suspicion from the soldiers above.

Chu Qiao helped Cai Qin to her feet. The young girl was dazed, trembling all over with fear. She stared blankly at Chu Qiao, her eyes vacant, unable to utter a word.

"Cai Qin, Sister Cai Qin," Chu Qiao’s heart ached as she held the girl’s thin shoulders, saying firmly, "I’m Yue’er, I’m Jing Yue’er, your younger sister. I’ve come to rescue you."

"Yue…"

Cai Qin seemed stupefied, staring dumbly at Chu Qiao. Suddenly, tears and mucus streamed down together. She threw her arms around Chu Qiao, wailing loudly, "Yue’er! Yue’er!"

She might not have held any particular affection for Jing Yue’er, but in such circumstances, her sorrow and fear erupted abruptly. Chu Qiao held her, gently patting her back, her own throat choked as she repeatedly comforted, "It’s alright now, it’s alright."

"Yue’er?"

From the crowd, a young girl ran forward, her face full of shock, yet she hesitated, afraid to approach. Chu Qiao turned to look—it was Jin Lian, the girl who had followed Jing Zisu to see her last time. The girl’s upper garments had been stripped away, leaving only a bright red undergarment. She stood there, her skin pale and unhealthy, her eyes red-rimmed, tears streaming down in lines.

"Sister Jin Lian."

"Yue’er," Jin Lian bit her lip, sobbing uncontrollably. Chu Qiao picked up the torn clothing from the ground but couldn’t manage to dress either of them properly. Luckily, the weather was cold, and Chu Qiao wore multiple layers—outer and inner garments. She took off her outer and middle layers, dressing the two girls in them. Wiping the tears from their faces with her hand, she forced a smile and said, "Don’t cry anymore. I’m here to take you away. Where’s Sister Zisu?"

Jin Lian’s tears fell like rain again as she lamented, "Sister Zisu was taken away yesterday, said to be serving someone upstairs. I don’t know where she is."

Chu Qiao frowned, saying gravely, "If she’s serving someone, she should be safe for now. I’ll take you two away first."

After cutting the ropes binding Jin Lian and Cai Qin, the three prepared to leave. Suddenly, a chorus of desperate wails erupted from behind. The women cried out loudly, "Miss! Please save us! We don’t want to die! Save us!"

Chu Qiao paused slightly, seeing the despair on the women’s faces as they knelt and kowtowed to her. Their tender, pale foreheads were soon bleeding from the impact, the blood snaking across the ground like crimson worms."Yue'er?" Jin Lian cautiously took Chu Qiao's hand, seeming to want to say something, but when Chu Qiao looked over, she started in fright and didn't dare speak.

Chu Qiao suddenly strode forward, taking nearly half an incense stick's worth of time to cut through all the ropes. She looked at the room full of women and spoke slowly, word by word: "Listen to me. I can't save all of you, but I'm telling you - there are less than two hundred guards outside, while you number over a thousand. If you gather your courage and run, they might not be able to catch all of you. You might die, you might escape, but since you're all destined to be Human Sacrifices anyway, since you're going to die regardless, you might as well take this chance. Right now we're on the underground level. When you go out, turn left to find stairs. After going up, keep turning right, pass three intersections, and you'll reach the main gate where you can rush out. Those who are afraid, those who fear death, those without courage - just stay here and wait to die."

As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd suddenly rose to their feet with a rush, then these women ran out like madwomen, terrified of being left behind.

The foul, fishy stench from their bodies swept past Chu Qiao's nostrils, so revolting. Chu Qiao stood where she was, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the anger and sorrow in her heart.

Li Ce, come and see, your country, your people - what exactly are they doing?

"Yue'er, aren't we leaving?"

The room had quieted down now, with no one else remaining. Jin Lian came forward and asked quietly.

Chu Qiao slowly shook her head: "We're not going that way. With so many of them, they're bound to alert the guards. You come with me."

I'm sorry, it's not that I don't want to save you, but I have no choice. I don't have that much power. I'm sorry.

Her nose tingled with emotion. Chu Qiao took a deep breath and led the two Jing family members toward the direction she had infiltrated from.

Two hours later, Chu Qiao finally managed to get the two Jing sisters out. After making some arrangements, she returned to the Meishan Imperial Tomb once more. Having infiltrated once before, this time was much simpler, and because of those women's escape, they had alerted almost all the tomb's guards. Chu Qiao didn't know how many had escaped, nor did she have time to concern herself with it. Right now, she had to find Jing Zisu and rescue her. Because if people were escaping or dying, she might very well be taken back to serve as a Human Sacrifice. Chu Qiao still held deep feelings for this sister.

Moving stealthily all the way, the chaos below gave Chu Qiao the perfect opportunity for action. She almost openly made her way upward, yet no one stopped her. It seemed the important figures hadn't arrived yet - the defenses here truly weren't tight.

Just as she reached the top level, the sound of a woman crying suddenly reached her ears. The voice sounded quite familiar. Chu Qiao hurried forward a few steps and saw a woman in white slowly walking while carrying a basin of water, sobbing as she went, tears pattering into the water basin and splashing up bubbles of various sizes.

Searching endlessly only to find it without any effort!

Chu Qiao's heart leaped with joy and she immediately stepped forward, about to stop Jing Zisu, when she suddenly heard a woman say coldly: "What are you crying about? Do you want to die that badly?"

Chu Qiao's body jolted, immediately stunned!

"Your Highness!"Jing Zisu thudded to her knees and cried out loudly, "I beg you, save my two younger sisters! They are about to be used as Live Sacrifices soon. I beg you, save them!"

Zhao Chun'er snorted coldly, not even glancing at her as she walked straight past. While walking, she said coldly, "If I weren't short on people around me, do you think someone as lowly as you could serve by my side? Don't daydream. If you say another word, I can send you back to accompany your two sisters at any moment."

Why was Zhao Chun'er here?

Chu Qiao's mind raced. Shouldn't she have returned to Daxia? Why was she in Biantang's sacred temple? What was she staying here for? Did she have some purpose?

Before she could ponder further, hurried footsteps suddenly approached. Zhao Chun'er turned around as several guards closed in protectively around her. A middle-aged general in his thirties, clad in military attire, strode directly toward Zhao Chun'er. She greeted him with a radiant smile, but the man—thick-browed and fierce-looking with a savage expression—crudely wrapped his arm around her waist. His large hand brutally groped her chest as he sneered, "You little slut, you've grown even fuller."

A flicker of anger flashed in Zhao Chun'er's eyes, but she quickly concealed it. Smiling, she hooked her arms around the man's neck and asked, "How did it go?"

"Mission accomplished."

"Really?"

Zhao Chun'er was instantly overjoyed. The man leaned in with a lewd grin and said, "Aren't you going to give me a reward?"

Zhao Chun'er dodged slightly. "There are people watching."

"So what? I love having an audience." With that, the man ripped open Zhao Chun'er's clothes, revealing a crimson undergarment beneath. A low growl escaped his throat as he shoved her onto the corridor floor and pinned her down. Tearing off the undergarment, he sank his teeth into the pale flesh of her chest.

"Mmm... ah..."

Soft, sensual moans filled the air. The man's brutish movements were akin to a wild beast's. The soldiers and guards on either side didn't retreat but watched with keen interest. Jing Zisu knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly as if paralyzed by fear.

Just as Chu Qiao was considering whether to step forward and eliminate the despicable pair, a sentence drifted to her ears—exploding like a thunderclap.

Between heavy pants, Zhao Chun'er gasped, "Li... ah... is Li Ce really... dead..."

"Louder!" The man bit down hard on the rosy peak of her breast, grinding his teeth against it. "Scream louder!"

"Ah!" Zhao Chun'er arched her back violently and cried out, "Tell me! Now!"

"He's dead... you little bitch. Your husband is dead. Are you heartbroken?"

A dull roar echoed in Chu Qiao's mind as if thunder had struck directly overhead. Darkness clouded her vision, and her thoughts froze completely.

Li Ce? Dead? Dead!!!

After their passionate encounter, the man stood up. Despite being a princess, Zhao Chun'er knelt to dress him. The man chuckled triumphantly and said, "With you and Li Ce both dead, and the Great Alliance Society's foolhardy idiots taking the blame, Biantang has no choice but to declare war on Yanbei. The proclamation has already been issued nationwide. Soon, armies from the Northern Shu, Southern Qiu, Liaodong, and Xinyang military regions will march toward Meishan. We've firmly control the Central Army fools too. Once war breaks out, I'll hold military power. Let's see who in Biantang can stand against me then!"

Zhao Chun'er hissed venomously, "I only want the heads of those two."

"Don't worry. Since he promised you, I'll make sure it's done."The man laughed heartily. Just then, a series of agonized screams erupted from below. Jing Zisu’s expression shifted abruptly, and she staggered to her feet before kneeling beside Zhao Chun’er, crying out desperately, "Princess, General Zhong Peng! Please save my sister! The Live Sacrifice has begun! I beg you, save my sister!"

Zhong Peng!

The commander of the Northern Shu Army, Biantang’s infamous butcher, Zhong Peng! The same General Zhong Peng who had buried 100,000 Southern Barbarians alive during the Southern Hill War! Could it really be him?

"Who is she?" Zhong Peng narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low, menacing tone.

"Just a servant," the man chuckled darkly. "But she’s quite a looker."

With that, he strode forward, grabbed Jing Zisu, and ran his fingers along her neck. Then, with a sharp tearing sound, he ripped open her clothes, exposing her pale, delicate skin!

"Beast!"

Chu Qiao’s cold shout cut through the air as she sprang into action. Her mind was still reeling from the news of Li Ce’s death, her eyes red-rimmed. With a swift flick of her dagger, she dispatched one of the guards. She rolled on the ground and delivered a sweeping kick to Zhong Peng’s knee, causing the man to buckle and crash heavily to the floor.

"Assassin!"

Almost instantly, a swarm of guards materialized. Chu Qiao stood her ground, unflinching, her movements ruthless and lightning-fast. In moments, she had taken down four of them.

But then, a furious roar echoed through the hall. Zhao Chun’er stood with a long sword pressed against Jing Zisu’s neck, the blade already slicing into her skin. Blood trickled down as the princess fixed a cold, piercing gaze on Chu Qiao and said icily, "The world is truly small. We meet again so soon."

———————*—

In the span of a single day, the political landscape had been thrown into chaos. Under the directive of Yanbei, the Great Alliance Society had assassinated Crown Prince Li Ce on his way to the Sacred Temple and killed Princess Zhao Chun’er, who had been rushing back to Daxia under the cover of night. The emperor, though not fatally wounded, had been targeted in a palace assassination attempt and was now bedridden. Biantang’s power structure had collapsed in an instant, as if swept away by a massive tornado, leaving devastation in its wake.

Then, as if everything had been meticulously orchestrated, the five major military forces—Southern Hill, Northern Shu, Xinyang, Liaodong, and the Central Army—rushed to the Sacred Temple overnight to participate in the Blood Petition led by Zhong Peng, commander of the Northern Shu Army.

The terrain was flat, the view unobstructed.

On the elevated second tier of the Sacred Temple, a bleak autumn wind swept through. A massive bronze cauldron glowed red-hot from the flames. The warriors of the Great Alliance sat on the ground, their expressions calm and resolute. Though their arms were bound, their backs remained straight and unyielding. Below, soldiers from various factions screamed, "Kill the Yanbei dogs!" "Slaughter the Great Alliance traitors!" "Eliminate the treacherous scum!" Their voices roared like thunder, rising on the northern wind and piercing through the heavens.

Across the continent, those in power harbored an indescribable loathing for the warriors of the Great Alliance.

Now, the nobles sneered coldly, the soldiers roared with bloodlust, and everyone present had eyes burning red, as if filled with rage.

Zhong Peng stood before the crowd, raising his hands to signal for silence. His voice was coarse and resonant, cutting through the air like shattered metal as he coldly shouted, "Kill!"

"Kill!!!"The soldiers roared in unison, their voices piercing the heavens. Several Central Army guards seized a Great Alliance warrior and forced him to his knees before the bronze cauldron. The furnace blazed fiercely, its crimson glow scorching the man's beard and hair. An executioner raised his blade high, holding it above the warrior's neck, and shouted harshly, "Do you confess your crimes?"

The warrior, a man in his thirties with bronzed skin, turned his sorrowful gaze toward the endless square and suddenly cried out, "The Great Alliance will never perish!"

With a swift slash, a spray of blood shot into the sky, instantly staining the white marble steps crimson. The warrior's head was severed and tumbled into the boiling, blazing bronze cauldron. Immediately, thick black smoke billowed upward, accompanied by a sizzling sound that pierced the ears. The army erupted into cheers, numbly celebrating the death of yet another "scheming" Great Alliance rebel.

"Next!" Zhong Peng said coldly.

Another Great Alliance warrior was dragged to the cauldron. The blade fell before he could finish shouting "The Great Alliance will never perish," while the cheers below swelled like crashing waves—so fervent and wild they were unbearable to hear.

Yet another was brought forward. The man's eyes were as cold as ice, filled with disdain as he looked upon the Biantang soldiers. Suddenly breaking free from the guards behind him, he shouted the Great Alliance slogan and dashed his head against the scorching bronze cauldron. Brains splattered and blood sprayed like a winding stream, flowing across the ground.

The crowd gasped, and the cheers momentarily softened. A young woman in her early twenties was forced before the cauldron. She was strikingly beautiful, with clear, innocent eyes that made her seem kind and harmless. Yet she, too, screamed the slogan before meeting her death.

Gradually, the crowd grew hoarse, but the followers of the Great Alliance Society continued to step forward, one after another. There was no fear, no weeping—they were as calm as if setting out on a journey. Their eyes held no fanaticism, only a serene, unwavering resolve as they walked forward to die for their beliefs.

Chu Qiao felt as if every sensory cell in her body had died. Her eyes burned crimson, her arms stiffened, and her fists clenched tightly. She groped for the dagger strapped to her arm, quietly biding her time, yet the suffocating rage in her chest threatened to burst forth and shatter her ribcage.

The slaughter continued, but the cheers below grew increasingly faint. Every fallen warrior faced death without fear, shouting their slogan like martyrs—steadfast, confident, and unyielding.

"The Great Alliance will never perish!"

"The Great Alliance will never perish!"

"The Great Alliance will never perish!"

Would it truly never perish? Yes. Over thousands of years, countless dynasties had risen and fallen, emperors turned to dust, noble houses vanished like flowing water, and powers dissipated like smoke. Yet only the Great Alliance Society—this organization born from the fields and risen from suffering—had been passed down through generations, lineage after lineage. No matter how fiercely the government suppressed them or how many bounties the nobles offered, they always rose from the ruins and stood tall amidst seas of corpses.

It was an organization like a plague—inescapable, forever clinging to the decaying empire, shadowing its every move.The crowd began to grow restless, and some among the nobility even vomited. Zhong Peng's eyes gradually darkened with gloom. He felt he should find a submissive warrior to stabilize morale, then turned to scan the crowd and suddenly spotted a very young child.

The child was only about twelve or thirteen, bound hand and foot, hidden behind the other warriors, his face already pale with fear. When he noticed Zhong Peng looking at him, his lips trembled even more violently.

Zhong Peng was overjoyed. He grabbed the child, dragged him to the front of the bronze furnace, pressed his head down, and sneered coldly, "Child, as long as you admit your guilt, I will spare your life."

The entire square fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on the child. He was small and thin, with delicate features. Around him lay more than a dozen headless corpses, scattered haphazardly, their blood soaking his trousers. His eyes reddened as if he were about to cry. Terrified, he lifted his head and gazed at the dense, countless ranks of soldiers. Suddenly, he was so afraid that his entire body trembled.

Zhong Peng's voice echoed like a nightmare in his ears once more: "Child, it was you who killed the princess. The Crown Prince died at your hands. The one commanding the Wolf Army now is an imposter from your ranks. You are about to attack Great Tang, aren't you?"

The child was terrified, trembling too much to speak.

"Speak!"

A furious roar erupted suddenly, and the child's knees buckled in fear. Like a frightened rabbit, he opened his mouth wide but could make no sound.

General Zhong Peng, like a demon, bellowed fiercely, "Speak!"

"The Great Alliance Society will not fall!" The child suddenly burst into tears, crying out loudly between sobs, "The Great Alliance Society will not fall! Everyone under heaven will have enough to eat!"In an instant, like a sharp arrow, the child's tender voice pierced through the barriers in people's hearts."

The noblewomen and ladies began to weep, their cries growing louder—whether out of sorrow, fear, or the cowering dread of one faction before another. Yet, how absurd it was—weren't they the ones in control of their fate? Weren't they the ones high above? Then why, amid this child's trembling sobs and the fearless march to death by the warriors of the Great Alliance Society, was the entire empire shaking?

"Clang!" The executioner's blade fell to the ground. The seasoned headsman, accustomed to killing, trembled and let out a mournful howl like a broken beast, then turned and fled. The supervising soldiers immediately fired their arrows, and before he had run more than a few steps, he was riddled like a sieve.

"Go build your Great Alliance in the underworld!"

Zhong Peng snorted coldly, lifted the child, and threw him whole into the bronze furnace!

"No!"

Chu Qiao cried out in anguish as the child's figure vanished into the roaring flames. A piercing, agonized scream shot skyward, like a demonic night owl, causing even battle-hardened veterans to cover their ears.

"You madman!"

Chu Qiao shouted, "I won't let you get away with this!"

"So impatient already?" Zhong Peng snorted coldly, striding forward. The man's burly arm grabbed Chu Qiao by the collar, and he said coldly, "If you're in such a hurry, then you can go first.""

"Warriors! Do you know who this woman is?"Zhong Peng hauled Chu Qiao to her feet and roared, "This is one of the leaders of the Yanbei rebels! She is the one who killed the princess of Daxia, schemed to provoke war between us and Daxia, bewitched the Crown Prince, and then cruelly murdered His Highness! Tell me, should this woman die?"

"Kill her!"

Furious roars echoed across the wilderness before the fortress. Zhong Peng's eyes blazed with fire as he shouted, "Good! Today, we shall use her blood to consecrate our battle flag!"

"Hold!"

A clear, sharp cry suddenly rang out. The crowd turned in surprise to see several dozen riders galloping swiftly across the grassy plain. The man at the forefront wore a blue robe embroidered with ink-bamboo patterns, brandishing a sword as he rode, shouting, "Spare her life!"

The newcomer moved with astonishing speed—his brows sharp as swords, eyes bright as stars, gripping a long blade. This was none other than the Fourth Young Master of the Zhuge Clan, the Daxia noble who had recently arrived in Biantang for the birthday celebrations.

Zhong Peng's heart sank with dread and he immediately moved to act. Just then, Chu Qiao suddenly twisted free, a dagger sliding down her arm as its sharp edge severed the ropes binding her wrists!

"Seize her!"

Zhong Peng yelled, and soldiers of the Central Army surged forward.

"Young Master!" Yue Qi shouted, drawing his bow and releasing an arrow that thudded deeply into the cliff face.

Zhuge Yue spurred his horse forward, leaping nimbly like a swift ape, using the embedded arrow to haul himself upward. His subordinates followed suit, their archery skills extraordinary—firing powerful arrows that pierced the cliff, creating a makeshift ladder of shafts.

The tide of soldiers erupted into chaos, rushing forward to block the Zhuge family's advance. Three thousand imperial guards swarmed forth, shielding the Zhuge retainers and confronting the allied armies. Bows were drawn, warhorses snorted plumes of steam—the battle hung by a thread.

"Cease!"

In moments, Zhuge Yue had reached the second-level platform, holding a gold-and-jade command token. Drawing a deep breath, he proclaimed, "I hold the command token of the Crown Prince of Tang! By his order, all troops stand down—he arrives shortly!"

The autumn wind howled fiercely. The man in blue stood tall upon the platform, his jade-like face and starry eyes radiating heroic vigor. His words sent chills through the crowd. Elder Liu started forward, exclaiming, "What did you say? His Highness is coming?"

"Correct," Zhuge Yue turned, casting a cold glance at Zhong Peng as he stated gravely, "Crown Prince Li is not dead. He will arrive with troops soon."

"Nonsense!"

Zhong Peng shouted, terrified of what else might be revealed, and bellowed, "Kill him!"

Central Army soldiers on the second level charged forward. Zhuge Yue thundered, "Do you dare rebel?"

"Young Master Zhuge, as a subject of Daxia, instead of avenging your princess, you insist on speaking for Yanbei and repeatedly meddle in our Great Tang's affairs—what are your intentions?"

"Zhong Peng! As a subject, you neglect your loyalty to the state, instead conspiring to disrupt governance and leading troops to besiege the palace—what are your intentions?"

Zhong Peng wiped his mouth with a bloodthirsty smirk and sneered, "It seems you, like the Crown Prince, have been bewitched by this little sorceress!"Zhuge Yue's expression turned cold as he immediately drew his sword with unbelievable speed! The Central Army soldiers could hardly believe their eyes—blood splattered, figures tumbled, and within moments, Zhuge Yue fought his way to Chu Qiao's side, kicked up a battle blade and tossed it to her, shouting, "Follow me!"

Zhuge Yue moved like a ghost, plunging headfirst into the thick of the enemy. Cold steel flashed as soldiers, their eyes bloodshot with rage, surged forward like a tide. Brutal close-quarters combat ensued—enemies were everywhere. Chu Qiao followed closely behind him, her arms still numb from the earlier bindings, but she quickly adjusted and kept pace with Zhuge Yue.

Breathing grew heavy, stamina gradually waning. Yue Qi and the others were protected below by the Imperial Guards. Seeing the danger above, they tried to charge up, but the narrow path beneath the cliff face was heavily guarded by layers of Northern Shu troops. The Imperial Guards had to fend off the Five-Faction Alliance forces—over twenty times their number—while simultaneously fighting the Northern Shu army at their backs. For the moment, even self-preservation was a struggle.

Fierce collisions scattered the crowd like a broken tide. Just as they were about to break into the inner sanctum of the Holy Temple, Zhuge Yue let out a long cry, his sword tracing a circle in the air as a spray of blood flew up. Grabbing Chu Qiao's arm, he leaped forward and landed inside the Holy Temple.

Zhong Peng and the others were shocked—they hadn’t expected them to break through such tight defenses. They immediately gave chase.

"Zhuge Yue! Daxia will punish you!"

With a large force of pursuers close behind, Chu Qiao shouted as she ran.

Zhuge Yue’s face was ashen. Sword in one hand, he tightly gripped Chu Qiao’s hand with the other, weaving through the narrow, maze-like corridors without answering.

"Your family will punish you!"

Chu Qiao continued to yell, "Leave now! They won’t do anything to you—don’t throw your life away with me!"

With a loud bang, the two dashed into a spacious hall. Zhuge Yue kicked the door shut and bolted it. Immediately, violent pounding erupted from the other side. Fortunately, every door here was cast from iron—it would take a long time to break through.

"Are you insane? What are you doing here? Have you forgotten what you said back then? Why do you keep interfering in my affairs?"

Chu Qiao punched Zhuge Yue in the face, like an enraged lioness, her eyes red as she screamed, "You’ll die! Do you even realize you’ll die?"

"And do you realize," he finally roared back, the corner of his mouth swollen and bleeding from her blow, "that if I had arrived a moment later, you’d already be dead?"

He shoved her against the wall, his voice low but filled with immense fury. "What do you think you are? A savior? The Buddha? Damn woman, you’re an idiot! You’re a fool! You’re a complete moron!"

Tears welled in Chu Qiao’s red-rimmed eyes, her emotions overwhelming her. "So what if I’m an idiot? So what if I’m a fool? Then why did you come back? I’d rather have died fighting on the terrace than watch you throw your life away with me!"

Zhuge Yue’s gaze suddenly calmed. He closed his eyes heavily, then slowly turned away, letting out a self-mocking laugh. "Because I’m even more foolish than you."The air suddenly grew still. Just beyond the door were the wolf-like pursuers, their heavy pounding against the door echoing one after another, accompanied by the soldiers' shouts and curses. Chu Qiao's eyes stung, and she suddenly felt the urge to cry. Weakly turning her head away, she spoke word by word, "I don’t want to owe you any favors."

"You already owe plenty."

Chu Qiao immediately spun around and yelled, "I don’t want to owe you any favors!"

"If you don’t want to owe, then stay alive to repay!" Zhuge Yue turned to face her, his sharp brows furrowed as he snapped, "Did you hear me? If you dare die, I’ll hunt you down to the halls of the underworld!"

Once dead, what’s there to fear from being hunted? Chu Qiao cursed inwardly, fighting back the tears. She turned away and said calmly, "I know where Zhao Chun'er is. As long as we find her, the rumors will collapse on their own."

"Good. I’ll draw the pursuers away. You go find her."

Chu Qiao nodded and was about to turn when Zhuge Yue suddenly grabbed her.

The man's eyes were deep and profound, as if something was concealed beneath them, so deep, so unfathomable that one couldn't discern it clearly. He suddenly opened his arms and gently embraced Chu Qiao's shoulders, then handed the Moon Breaker Sword to her, saying in a low voice, "Be careful."

Chu Qiao's nose felt slightly sore, and her voice was muffled as she nodded heavily. "If you die, I'll set off a hundred strings of firecrackers to celebrate never having to remember owing you a favor."

Zhuge Yue smiled casually and lightly clenched his fist. "I'm afraid you won't get the chance to set off those firecrackers."

"Take care."

Zhuge Yue nodded. "You go first. After you leave, I'll open the door and lead them in the opposite direction."

Chu Qiao nodded, glanced at him once more, then turned and sprinted away.

The corners of her eyes were moist, but no tears fell.

"It's fine, nothing will happen."

Chu Qiao murmured to herself, then quickly ran up the stairs of the sacred temple, heading toward the place she had heard about earlier.

With a loud "bang," dust flew as the door to the room was kicked open. A nimble young woman rushed in, her dagger slashing horizontally, embedding itself deeply into the neck of one guard. Another guard drew his blade, but before he could fully unsheathe it, a gleaming silver sword flashed through the air, piercing straight through his chest.

Chu Qiao was covered in blood and grime, her dark golden robe accentuating her tall and slender figure. She clapped her hands, retrieved her dagger and sword, and coldly stared at Zhao Chun'er, who sat on the bed, her face pale with shock. Chu Qiao sneered, "I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."

———————*—

At the summit of the high mountain stood the majestic imperial mausoleum of Biantang, while the roof of the royal sacred temple was an open platform. Chu Qiao, holding Zhao Chun'er captive, kicked open the platform's door, stepped out, and locked the iron door behind her.

On the plains below the sacred temple, thousands of Great Tang soldiers stood at the ready, awaiting orders from Commander Zhong Peng. The sudden appearance of Chu Qiao startled them all, and a collective cry of alarm rose from the crowd.

"Soldiers of Great Tang! Open your eyes wide and see for yourselves—who is this person?"

With a swift motion, she flung aside the large cloak, revealing Zhao Chun'er's grief-stricken and furious face under the sunlight. The noisy crowd fell into a momentary stunned silence, but soon, disbelieving shouts erupted, crashing over them like a torrential flood.

A "rumbling" impact sounded from behind as the massive iron door groaned like a wild beast. Dust swirled, and wood splinters fell. Zhao Chun'er trembled slightly, her face as pale as a ghost's.Chu Qiao gripped Zhao Chun'er by the collar and shouted to the soldiers below Meishan: "Warriors! Your nation spans vast territories, your army is incomparably powerful, you occupy the most fertile lands on this continent and possess the most industrious people! For millennia, you have ruled this land, defending the Eastern Continent's legitimacy with your blood and sweat, repelling barbarian tribes from the frontier, and protecting the people of Ximeng. You are knights of supreme honor. But today, right here, you have been deceived! Scheming ambitious individuals have exploited you, setting up shameless traps to redirect calamity eastward—to provoke war between Biantang and Yanbei, to let the flames of sin consume the lands of Great Tang!"

A wave of stunned confusion rippled through the crowd. These dust-covered soldiers didn't know how to respond to what they were witnessing. Some shouted angrily, some questioned doubtfully, but most were silently interrogating themselves: What exactly is happening?

"You are soldiers! A soldier's duty is to safeguard the nation's interests and protect the people's lives. But tell me—what are you fighting for?"

The howling wind swept across the endless fields of withered grass that roared like wolves. Under the blood-red sunset, Chu Qiao stood firm against the wind and declared solemnly: "Soldiers shed blood to defend their homeland, their families, their parents, wives, and children! But you—for what are you fighting? For so-called dignity? Or for this Daxia princess who, though living, has repeatedly deceived you?"

The crowd erupted instantly. Then Chu Qiao's voice rose above the chaos: "Wake up! Consider what outcome awaits you! When Yanbei's cavalry charges into Daxia, peaceful vast lands will be reduced to war-torn ruins. Your property will be plundered, your parents slaughtered, your wives and children abused! Your homes, your farmlands, everything you have will turn to ashes in the flames of war! Ultimately, both you and Yanbei will be mutually weakened. Then, the powerful enemy lurking in the north—the executioner's blade waiting greedily nearby—will hang over your heads. Then, Great Tang will repeat the tragedy of three hundred years ago! But this time, it won't just be Hongchuan—there will also be Liaodong, Bianxu, Nanqiu, and Dongling! You will fight to the death until you lose the last foothold!"

"Boom!"

A dull thunderclap suddenly exploded overhead. A tremendous peal of thunder cracked across the sky. The soldiers' eyes flashed with lightning-like sharpness—crimson, like a bloodthirsty glow.

Behind her, the iron gate emitted a crumbling, agonized shriek. The sunset bled red, the wilderness stood iron-hard, and the towering mountain pierced the sky like a sword. The snow-white imperial mausoleum and sacred temple loomed high. Clad in dark golden robes, Chu Qiao stood tall and straight, gripping her longsword, facing alone the enraged Central Army soldiers and the endless, ocean-like mighty forces covering the mountains below.

The sunset cast golden rays upon her sacred and exquisite face. The woman pointed her sword diagonally toward the group of Biantang elders in splendid robes standing in the square and declared coldly: "Warriors! You have been betrayed!"In an instant, like a volcano erupting, raging floodwaters carrying swift-moving boulders shattered the fragile embankment. The soldiers' clamor roared like thunder as a slender woman raised her voice in a piercing cry: "Daxia is unrighteous, its ruler addicted to tyranny! For a hundred years, they have never abandoned their ambition to destroy Great Tang. We share a common enemy, we share the same blood feud! Yanbei is a friend to Great Tang—we must never slaughter our own kin!"

"Never slaughter our own kin!"

A sudden shout erupted from the crowd. Soldiers who had marched thousands of miles only to discover they had been deceived roared in fury, brandishing their blades and bellowing: "Kill all the Daxia dogs! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Stop shouting! Stop shouting!"

Bai Bi, deputy commander of the Southern Hills Army, screamed: "Shoot her! Shoot her! This sorceress! Kill her!"

But before he could finish, soldiers raised their bows—dozens of sharp arrows suddenly shot forth, instantly piercing through Bai Bi's gaping throat in unison!

"Soldiers! Return to your barracks, obey your commanders, support your sovereign! Do not be deceived and misled by schemers! Biantang has no war—resist firmly!"

"Biantang has no war!"

"No meaningless battles!"

The crowd seemed to have gone mad, thousands of arms waving in the air. Zhao Chun'er's eyes were red-rimmed, her face filled with grief and indignation. She slowly turned her head, glaring venomously at Chu Qiao, and said in a cold, vicious voice: "You lowly woman! You sorceress who deludes the people!"

Chu Qiao turned her head, looking coldly at her, and slowly said: "I once told you—you are no match for me. Never will be."

"Don't leave! Don't leave!"

Across the tide-like square, officers could still be heard shouting themselves hoarse with desperate persuasion: "We have military orders! For the empire's honor, for the army's dignity..."

"To hell with military orders!"

The soldiers erupted in fury. The earlier unexplained troop movements had already made them uneasy; now, seeing the supposedly deceased Daxia princess standing alive before their eyes, who would still believe the conspiracy theory about Yanbei plotting against Great Tang? Especially witnessing the fearless Datong warriors and hearing Chu Qiao's inflammatory words—the soldiers' blood boiled with refusal to fight.

These men were not the idle Central Army dandies from the capital, nor were they delusional fanatics dreaming of imperial glory without ever experiencing war. They came from Southern Hills, Northern Shu, Liaodong, Xinyang—all commoners from poor families. They had joined the army merely for three meals and a meager salary to support their families. If the nation were truly in peril, men would answer the call without hesitation—but what hardships would an unnecessary war bring to these commoners' families?

People had not forgotten the horrific Northern Expeditionary Wars, nor the villages left with only widows and orphans after battles against Huai Song. War had long become the most detested and hated thing in the nation's heart. Years of continuous defeat had utterly shattered their confidence in warfare. If they could initially be stirred to march thousands of miles and pledge to remonstrate at the cost of their lives, now they had completely lost the will for a decisive battle.

The supervising inspectors trembled as they raised their bows, intending to shoot the deserting soldiers—but the next moment, they too dropped their weapons and melted into the human tide.In an instant, a clearing emerged as soldiers discarded their war blades to declare their neutrality. On the square, aside from the bewildered Central Army troops, the allied forces from Nanqiu, Beishu, Liaodong, and Xinyang had all withdrawn. The Central Army soldiers, pale-faced and gripping their war blades, hesitated before the three thousand black-armored imperial guards.

Just then, a thunderous "boom" echoed as dust clouds erupted. The heavy iron gates were smashed open, and Zhong Peng, acting commander of the Central Army, charged forth with a bloodstained war blade, followed by a large contingent of hawkish factions, storming furiously toward Chu Qiao.

"Seize this sorceress!"

The setting sun blazed like fire, and the woman's robes fluttered in the wind like dancing flames. Watching the advancing Central Army soldiers, she slowly drew her war blade, a faint, disdainful smile curling her lips.

Having faced this elegant yet ruthless warrior before, the Central Army troops knew her prowess, and for a moment, none dared charge forward directly.

Is this the end?

Chu Qiao's lips curved into a subtle, serene smile, her eyes shining as brightly as the azure June sky. There was no fear, no dread—only a trace of quiet concern, overshadowed by immense conviction.

How regrettable that until death, I cannot see you one last time, nor lay eyes on Yanbei, the land I've fought for all my life.

She turned her gaze northwest, where fiery clouds blazed across the horizon like a raging inferno. The wind whipped the banners on the flagpoles, snapping fiercely. Vivid crimson roses sprawled across the white, blue-edged flags like searing blood, flowing fiercely in the howling northern gale. From the mountain peaks came the piercing cry of an eagle, sharp and resonant—like the Yanbei War Eagle Yan Xun had so often described, its gray-brown wings beating against the lofty heavens.

"Yan Xun, I have done all I could. Now, I am about to die. I have never feared death; I only feared I might not die as I envisioned. Today, I give my life for my beliefs, and I have no regrets, for I know you will inherit our convictions, honor our pact, and press on—resilient, unyielding, steadfast. I love you, and I would sacrifice everything for you. Now, I depart before you, but my eyes will forever watch over you, my heart will always accompany you, as you raise the golden war banner, leading the people of Yanbei out of that barren land, guiding the citizens of Ximeng from their shackled cage. You will not disappoint me! May you be brave! May you be strong! May you be safe! May you fulfill the ambitions in your heart and realize all we have hoped for!"

A fierce gale surged, scattering withered grass and leaves in its wake. Pines and cypresses swayed, and the earth seemed to grimace. The Beishu troops, spotting their commander, let out low, tense breaths. Zhong Peng's sharp eyes swept over them like blazing fire.

"Capture her alive!"

Zhong Peng's voice was low, laden with immense, unspoken fury.

Zhao Chun'er turned her head, casting a cold glance at Chu Qiao, and sneered with venomous glee, "You're finished.""Is that so?" Chu Qiao let out a disdainful laugh, then fixed her gaze upon the wolf-like Central Army generals. "I've said it before—I never allow myself to be cornered."

"Oh? What else can you possibly do?"

Indeed, what more could she do? She had fought to this point with every ounce of strength, completely exhausted, with no possibility of escaping through another fierce battle. Her arms trembled, barely able to grip the heavy-backed war blade. Her throat burned with pain, and her injuries were severe. Yet she remained standing, looking down contemptuously at those who sought to capture her alive to use as leverage against Yanbei, her laughter cold and mocking.

"I may not be able to choose how to kill you, but at the very least, I can choose how I die."

As soon as the words left her lips, Zhao Chun'er gasped in shock, reaching out to grab the hem of Chu Qiao's robe. But Chu Qiao was quicker. In an instant, she leaped from the high platform atop the mountain peak, her magnificent robes spreading like the wings of an eagle, fluttering and billowing beneath the blue sky!

"Ah!"

Screams of terror echoed across the scene. Everyone stood stunned, hands covering their agape mouths.

Zhao Chun'er froze in place, her hand still outstretched, clutching only a torn piece of fabric. The silk, woven in the southern hills, was soft and smooth like fine white jade, brushing against her fingertips with the chill of ice and snow.

Zhong Peng roared in fury, his eyes bloodshot. He kicked aside a Central Army soldier and rushed forward two steps, but could only bellow in helpless rage.

The nobles of Biantang stood dumbfounded on the second-tier stone platform, watching the woman's resolute descent. Thoughts slowly surfaced in their minds: What was truly right? What was truly wrong? Had they been deceived, manipulated, and played like fools? Could this woman, who had staked her life on a bloody protest, have been speaking the truth all along? Had they, in fact, been wrong?

Thousands of Great Tang soldiers stood in stunned silence, the entire scene frozen as if turned to stone. The fury that had simmered in their hearts after days of relentless pursuit suddenly subsided. What were they fighting for? The army was the nation's blade, but could it truly have no mind of its own? If the army were merely a weapon, what calamity would befall the nation if it fell into the hands of schemers?

The world fell into silence; the gasps and cries of the crowd faded away from her. Chu Qiao's body plummeted decisively from the mountain peak. On the sheer, knife-edged cliffs, a lone eagle let out a mournful, piercing cry, as if screaming in anguish.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly yet rush by in a flash. The wind whistled past her ears, and the fluttering military banners surged like tidal waves. There were the crimson banners of the southern hills, the pitch-black banners of northern Shu, the earthy yellow banners of Liaodong, the pale blue banners of Xinyang, and those of Biantang—adorned with fiery roses.

But in an instant, Chu Qiao's vision blurred. As she fell swiftly through the air, a banner with a golden background and a black eagle emblem—the Golden War Eagle flag—struck her eyes like a bolt of lightning!

"Look!"

A soldier suddenly roared, almost at the exact moment Chu Qiao leaped from the peak. Beyond the horizon, a line of furious black emerged!The line resembled a small stream, but in an instant transformed into a surging river, expanding from a single thread into a vast expanse. It roared like a hundred rivers converging into the East Sea, and in the blink of an eye, became an endless black ocean!

"For freedom!"

A deep, thunderous roar echoed as the Yanbei Black Hawk Army’s unified battle cry shook the heavens. Thousands of cavalry surged from beyond the horizon, charging with an overwhelming, earth-shattering momentum. Wielding their sabers and clad in armor, they resembled an enraged ocean, roaring like a storm. Their horses' hooves mercilessly trampled the land of Biantang, kicking up vast clouds of dust.

That was Yanbei’s Army of Freedom! The iron cavalry that had swept across the northwestern lands, forcing even the fierce Batuha Family to bow and retreat! The continent’s most elite force, one that even the iron-blooded Daxia Gendarmerie Division could not withstand!

In an instant, the entire Meishan region erupted in chaos. People stared in horror, unable to believe their eyes. At this tumultuous moment, when Daxia had openly declared its intent to attack Yanbei with its vanguard already dispatched, and Biantang had rebelled, vowing to fight Yanbei to the death—the most formidable legion of the northwestern continent, the number one enemy of the entire Ximeng land, the Yanbei Black Hawk Army, had appeared on Biantang’s border!

"My heavens!"

Elder Liu collapsed to the ground, muttering in disbelief, "It must be Yanbei’s demon lord!"

A surge of adrenaline rushed to her head, and her body seemed to unleash its last vestiges of strength. The woman, still plummeting through the air, swiftly drew the grappling hook from her waist and swung away! With a sharp crack, the hook firmly latched onto an ancient tree on the cliff face. The violent jolt nearly tore Chu Qiao’s arm apart, but it still managed to arrest her fall.

Zhong Peng cursed loudly, drew his saber, and hurled it with immense force toward Chu Qiao.

Chu Qiao twisted mid-air to evade, but Zhong Peng, true to his reputation as Biantang’s top military commander, displayed astonishing accuracy. With a snap, the rope above the grappling hook severed. Chu Qiao, who had just stabilized, began to plummet once more!

At that moment, a sharp whistle pierced the sky. The black-clad army had already reached the foot of the mountain. A man in black robes at the forefront wielded a powerful crossbow, drawing and firing three arrows in rapid succession. His skill was breathtaking—the arrows seemed to have eyes, striking the rope above the grappling hook with three resounding thuds, one after another!

Enraged, Zhong Peng viciously grabbed a nearby soldier and hurled him headlong toward Chu Qiao.

The black-robed man let out a cold shout, drew the heavy-backed saber from his waist, raised it diagonally with one hand, and then hurled it with lightning speed toward the flailing, screaming soldier.A wave of terrified screams erupted from the crowd as the war blade plunged into the soldier’s skull with a sickening thud, embedding itself deep into a crevice of the cliff wall. Yet the soldier’s downward momentum did not slow; instead, his body was instantly split in two by the razor-sharp blade. The weapon sliced through his head, neck, torso, and abdomen—accompanied by the gruesome sound of shattering bones and tearing flesh, mingled with his agonized shrieks. A torrent of blood rained down, splattering onto Chu Qiao’s shoulders. Then, the two halves of the man plummeted violently past her on either side, crashing into the ground below with a sickening splatter of blood and mangled flesh.

The crowd was in an uproar, countless teeth chattering uncontrollably. Seizing the moment, the Black Corps pressed closer. Zhong Peng had completely lost his mind—brandishing his war blade, he roared at the soldiers, “Kill! Kill! Shoot her dead! Shoot her dead!”

The soldiers stood frozen, none obeying his command.

Enraged, Zhong Peng swung his blade, instantly cleaving a personal guard’s head in half, and bellowed, “Shoot her! Shoot her!”

As if waking from a dream, the Central Army soldiers nocked their arrows, and a hail of projectiles instantly swarmed toward Chu Qiao.

Just as Chu Qiao stood stunned, a loud cry rang out from the front ranks of the Black Corps: “Jump!”

Without a second thought, she released her grip, her body instantly plummeting downward as if riding clouds and mist. Arrows rained down densely above her head, the chilling aura of killing intent making her scalp tingle. The weightless wind seemed intent on tearing her lungs apart, making breathing difficult, even suffocating. The ground drew nearer, so close she could discern the number of pebbles and blades of grass. The blood and flesh of the soldier who had fallen earlier resembled a mass of mud, foretelling the gruesome fate that awaited her upon impact.

Yet, she felt no fear. A steadfast belief supported her from within, empowering her to make this series of resolute decisions without hesitation. Instead, she was filled with overwhelming joy—so much happiness, immense delight, and irrepressible elation that it spilled from the corners of her lips. In that life-and-death moment, all fear and worry vanished completely. Like a child returning home, she broke into a radiant smile!

"Neigh—!"

A warhorse let out a furious whinny, its hooves thundering like drums!

A man's black cloak billowed in the wind as his steed reared up on its hind legs. In one swift motion, he reached out and caught her by the waist, holding her horizontally. The horse, unable to bear the sudden weight, knelt instantly, but the man held firm, steadily cradling that slender figure against him!

Beneath the blood-red sunset, two hands clasped together firmly. The man settled her onto the horse's back before commanding in a low, steady voice, "Heifeng, stand up!"

The jet-black warhorse, as if understanding his master, leaped to its feet in an instant. Behind them, the Black Banner Legion erupted into cheers, their voices rising and falling like a surging black tide!

"A Chu."

The man looked down, his features still bearing the same appearance as when they had parted, though now more gaunt. Yet, something within him seemed to have reawakened—a spirit reminiscent of the innocent, smiling youth from years past: during the hunting grounds outside Zhenhuang City, by the shores of Chishui Lake at the Lantern Festival, and behind the artificial cliffs in the Zhuge residence.

Free, untamed, and filled with a fearless confidence in the future.

After breaking free from Zhenhuang, this eagle had finally spread its wings. No shackles could hinder his flight any longer. The world was vast, and at last, he could soar freely.

"Yan Xun."

Chu Qiao smiled, her joy radiating from the depths of her heart. She gripped his hand tightly, feeling as if her blood were boiling with fervor. His chin was stubbled with a bluish shadow, clearly unshaven for some time. He was travel-worn and weary, yet his expression remained as familiar as ever. This was the man who had fought side by side with her for eight years, never betraying her. This was the man who had endured humiliation and hardship with her for eight years, never abandoning her. This was the man for whom she had given almost everything, without a single regret.

In that fleeting moment between life and death, whom could you trust completely?

Chu Qiao's smile widened as she spread her arms and embraced Yan Xun's broad chest tightly. Though her lips curved upward, tears streamed down her face, dampening his cold armor and the steady beat of his heart. Through countless narrow escapes, countless humiliations endured, and countless days of wandering and displacement, she had never found it arduous, never considered giving up. Because she knew she was never alone. In her most desperate moments, that person would always step forward, shielding her from the storm, fighting alongside her, never speaking of surrender.Yan Xun's chin brushed against her smooth forehead, his voice as calm and steady as ever, yet it seemed to contain a torrent of scorching emotions ready to burst forth: "I'm here."

Upon hearing the tragic news, he had abandoned all affairs and rushed back to his homeland day and night without rest, traversing thousands of miles. Leading his soldiers, he crossed mountains and ridges, moving like a cunning hare without leaving a trace. In just eight days, he set a new record for forced marches across the continent, creating a new legend of warfare. With thousands of troops roaring and ten thousand horses galloping, he seized strategic passes and breached enemy camps, overcoming countless dangers and twists of fate. Yet when he saw her, all he said was this simple phrase: "I'm here."

Having experienced great splendor and returned to simplicity, they never needed many words between them.

"A Chu, let us fight side by side."

Yan Xun raised his head proudly, gazing at the trembling Biantang soldiers. Chu Qiao, seated before him, also lifted her head, tears still glistening in the corners of her eyes, yet they did nothing to diminish her peerless beauty.

The young woman shook the sharp blade in her hand, pointing at the pale-faced Central Army soldiers, and declared clearly: "Good! Let those petty villains witness the iron cavalry of Yanbei!"

Zhong Peng's eyes instantly tightened in panic. He frantically scanned the crowd of nobles but couldn't find the eyes he sought for guidance. Despair washed over him, making him wish for death.

Just then, distant thunderous hoofbeats came from the north. The blood-red rose war banners of Great Tang swept across the sky as they approached. Leading them was a man in silver-white armor, commanding fifty thousand wolf troops, galloping on horseback, arriving in the blink of an eye.

"Li Ce is here! All conspirators and rebels shall be executed without mercy!"

The autumn wind rustled, sweeping across the undulating land. The Biantang army fell into complete chaos. At that moment, both Li Ce and Yan Xun simultaneously drew their bows, their arrowheads aimed directly at the conspirator Zhong Peng. In an instant, arrows shot forth like meteors. The man roared, still attempting to block with his sword, when two dull "thud" sounds were heard - two sprays of blood bloomed simultaneously on his chest.

Zhong Peng staggered backward as if trying to flee. At the same time, the iron gate behind him was kicked open. A man in elegant blue robes emerged with a sword, the blade flashing as it swept through the air with a "swish," severing the general's throat!

Blood sprayed as the man made gurgling sounds. With a heavy thud, he collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide with unresolved hatred!

Dust rose, blood splattered, and the setting sun cast a crimson glow, as if bleeding dark red liquid.

The wilderness stood firm as iron, the mountain passes stained with blood. Chu Qiao leaned against Yan Xun's chest, gazing at the majestic Meishan Imperial Tomb, the endless vast plains, the acres of mournful wild grass, Li Ce in his military attire, and Zhuge Yue's fluttering robes. Suddenly, she felt so very tired.

Under the sky filled with crimson clouds, only the eternal wind blew slowly across the deathly silent wilderness.

————Division Line————

I was sick for the past couple of days. The "Biantang Volume" has concluded. The next volume will be the "Yanbei Volume." I hope everyone will continue their support.