Yan Shang hadn't figured out why Mu Wan Yao, who was supposed to be sightseeing with Pei Qing, would leave the city. As long as they remained within the city walls, his defensive arrangements would never allow the bandits to gain any advantage.
But that was clearly not the immediate concern.
When the military governor treated both real and fake princesses as decoys, and when Yun Shu's trembling voice confirmed that the one captured by the bandits was indeed Mu Wan Yao, Yan Shang instantly understood the situation—
If Pei Qing hadn't betrayed Mu Wan Yao!
Then the current situation served three purposes at once: eliminating Mu Wan Yao, eliminating Pei Qing, and eliminating Yan Shang himself.
Although over the past three years, Yan Shang had managed to maintain harmonious relations with the Jiang clan of Nanyang through his diplomatic skills, appearing conflict-free on the surface, he knew perfectly well that their inherent class positions made true harmony impossible.
Moreover, with the ongoing life-and-death struggle in Chang'an between the common-born officials behind Mu Wan Yao and the aristocratic families supporting the Third Prince, Prince Qin, the Jiang clan of Nanyang—as Prince Qin's maternal family—would naturally seize this opportunity. If they didn't take advantage of Mu Wan Yao falling into bandits' hands, they wouldn't deserve their current status.
If Mu Wan Yao were killed by stray arrows, the blame would fall on the bandits. The military governor would at most be charged with "failing to provide timely rescue"—a punishable offense but not capital crime. Meanwhile, Pei Qing, representing the common-born pillars behind Mu Wan Yao, would inevitably be held responsible for her death. Finally, since the bandit suppression plan was personally proposed by Yan Shang... the famous minister Yan Suchen had already died for this matter, and the best outcome would be for Nanyang to return to the Jiang clan's exclusive control.
...Yan Shang immediately recognized the Jiang clan's scheme to kick someone when they're down, and he absolutely couldn't allow Mu Wan Yao to be harmed here.
However, with the military governor commanding the battle, Yan Shang as the county magistrate was naturally subordinate. During combat, having two commanders issue orders simultaneously was most undesirable. If Yan Shang ordered everyone to cease fighting now, not only would it disrupt the battle formation, but it might also worsen the situation with each command.
Thus, Yan Shang—though visually impaired—strapped on a bow and sword, led his followers, and personally charged into the battlefield.
His men shouted: "The Prefect takes the field! How dare you not fight with all your might!"
The officials had always admired Yan Shang's character. Over three years, his performance as county magistrate had left them with nothing to criticize. Now, seeing even this physically challenged man entering the fray, the men's heroic spirit ignited, fighting with renewed vigor. As Yan Shang joined the battle, his official status naturally drew both government soldiers and bandits toward his position.
Mu Wan Yao was held captive by two or three bandits. The one who tied her had dismounted and was clutching her while shouting wildly. Following the military governor's roar, the officials wouldn't hesitate due to concerns about damaging valuable goods—they continued killing as needed. These bandits who tried to use her to stop the fighting gained no advantage, struggling awkwardly against surrounding government troops and incoming arrows.
Though extremely uncomfortable from being manhandled, Mu Wan Yao remained expressionless and never uttered a word. Her fearless composure further convinced the bandits she was the real princess—only a true princess could maintain such calm amid chaotic battle.Mu Wan Yao's eyes were fixed on Yan Shang, who had become their leader in the midst of the chaos. She watched how inconvenient it was for a blind man like him—how his grip on the bow turned white with strain, how he tried several times to shoot but was disrupted by the clamor from all directions. The bow in his hand and the arrows on his back seemed utterly useless.
Arrows flew like locusts, casualties littered the ground, and Yan Shang stood among them, a white silk blindfold over his eyes, surrounded by people with perfect vision. He could only rely on the protection of Han Shu Xing and others. This had become his greatest weakness.
His face was as pale as jade, clear and elegant, and the long robe embroidered with green bamboo gave him a graceful, ethereal aura. But this was a battlefield, not a gathering of literati for poetic exchanges. His appearance, amidst a crowd of bloodthirsty, fierce warriors, seemed flustered and pitiful, starkly out of place.
Mu Wan Yao frowned, thinking: What is a blind man doing standing so conspicuously and making such a fuss?
Over there, the military governor himself had not joined the fray. Seeing Yan Shang personally directing the battle, his subordinates sought instructions. The military governor's eyes darkened as he chuckled lightly, "If Yan Erlang wants to play the hero, let us grant him his wish. Right now, the priority is to eradicate the bandits. Sacrificing one or two people is of no consequence."
He shouted sharply, "Charge! These mountain bandits have plagued the region—do not let a single one escape today!"
Hearing the officials roar, "The county magistrate himself is here!" and seeing the soldiers fight even more desperately under the military governor's urging, the bandits panicked. Those holding Mu Wan Yao tightened their grips, their breathing growing heavier: Should they capture the magistrate as a hostage? After all, they had already seized the princess... yet the enemy soldiers showed no sign of stopping.
On Yan Shang's side, the closer the fighting moved toward him, the more he understood the situation. His entire body was tense, his hand gripping the bow. Several times, lethal strikes came right before him, and though his instincts urged him to draw the arrow, he held back. He had to feign incompetence, making himself a target for the bandits.
He needed to get close to them to rescue Mu Wan Yao.
Han Shu Xing moved fluidly around Yan Shang, killing enemies with ease. His superb martial skills made him unstoppable among these bandits. He, too, was looking for an opportunity to approach the princess held captive by the bandits, but they were wary of his formidable prowess, preventing him from getting near.
So, Han Shu Xing continuously updated Yan Shang on the enemies' positions.
Yun Shu, holding a sword behind Yan Shang, trembled after killing two people. His face pale, he felt he could not go on.
So many dead... Yun Shu shakily called out, "Erlang!" Yan Shang whispered in response, "Just act as if you can't bear the sight of this slaughter. Once you run out, don't look back. Go to the residence and summon reinforcements—find Fang Tong and the princess's guards... Do not seek Pei Qing's people, nor anyone from the county office! Only the princess's guards are truly reliable!"
Yun Shu asked, "But what about you, sir...?"
Han Shu Xing swiftly returned to Yan Shang's side, his voice urgent: "Erlang, the bandits are losing control. Some are sneaking toward us..."
Yan Shang immediately shoved Yun Shu back forcefully and barked, "Go, now!"At the same time, a blade swung toward Yan Shang. Han Shu Xing shouted loudly and lunged forward like lightning. Yan Shang staggered back two steps, seemingly flustered now that the guards around him had all left. He urgently called for protection. A bandit hidden in the crowd spotted the opportunity, his expression savage as he pounced on Yan Shang, seizing the magistrate of scholarly background and pinning him down...
The bandits had captured Yan Shang, and several of them yelled, "Your magistrate is in our hands! Cease fighting at once!"
They were genuinely unaware of the petty conflicts among officials. After shouting twice with no response, they grew bewildered. Yet they understood Yan Shang's importance and couldn't release him. Gritting their teeth, the bandit holding him shouted, "Eldest Brother! We have the real princess and the Prefect in our grasp! Those officials will surely negotiate an exchange! Let's retreat for today!"
The bandit leader, locked in fierce combat on the battlefield, laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Well done! Excellent!"
Bandits like these, unregistered and ruling the mountains as kings, did not engage in production but survived through pillaging and slaughter—equivalent to betraying the court. When Great Wei officials ignored them, they barely scraped by. But if the officials truly decided to crack down, they were nothing but outlaws!
No matter how numerous such bandits were, they could never withstand the imperial army's massive forces.
The Nanyang bandits had only been fighting government troops for over two months, yet they had already suffered heavy casualties and significant losses. Their complete annihilation was merely a matter of time. But now, with both the princess and the Prefect as hostages, why fear the troops?
The bandit leader's eyes burned crimson as he roared, "Take the hostages away first! I'll cover your retreat!"
The hostage-holding bandits cried out emotionally, "Eldest Brother!" protesting their reluctance to leave. But after two sharp orders from their leader and faced with unfavorable circumstances, they clenched their teeth, hoisted the two hostages onto horses, and charged up the mountain path under covering fire from their comrades.
The military governor dispatched orders from the rear: "Pursue them!"
Han Shu Xing rallied Yan Erlang's personal guards: "After them—"
Wind whistled past their ears as several horses galloped wildly along the mountain path.
Yan Shang, pinned face-down on a bandit's horse with pursuers close behind shooting arrows, burned with anxiety. He relied on his hearing to assess the situation. Though he knew Mu Wan Yao must have been captured alongside him, the stubborn young woman remained utterly silent, leaving him unable to locate her...
Yan Shang closed his eyes, desperately forcing himself to stay calm and wait for the right moment.
Han Shu Xing and others pursued closely from behind: "Release the Prefect and the princess, and we'll spare your lives—"
Terrified by the relentless chase, several bandits turned to engage their pursuers. In the chaos, the bandit holding Mu Wan Yao suddenly screamed—distracted while looking back, he had his wrist bitten by the silently enduring Mu Wan Yao. As he loosened his grip on the reins in pain, she leaned forward to seize control, kicking the horse's flank hard to make it buck...
Yan Shang's heart clenched. Then, through the tumult, he heard a sharp slap from an angle ahead: "Bitch! How dare you bite me!"
This was followed by the horse's shrill whinny mingled with the sound of flesh being struck.
The young woman made not a single sound.
Yan Shang felt as though his heart were bleeding. He could no longer calmly wait for an opportunity!The bandit holding Yan Shang thought this county magistrate was merely posturing with his bow and arrows, having never seen him actually shoot one. With one hand binding Yan Shang with a rope while riding horseback, the bandit glanced back at the skirmish behind them—watching his fellow bandits intercept Han Shu Xing and the others, and how the opposing side engaged in battle...
Then a cold gleam of a dagger flashed upward from below. Just as the bandit turned forward again to assess the mountain path, his throat was slit from beneath.
In less than a breath, the seemingly frail scholar-like Prefect he had restrained had somehow broken free from the ropes and kicked him off the horse. A loud "thud" echoed as a man fell from horseback, capturing everyone’s attention.
From behind, a bandit noticed Yan Shang gaining control of the horse and immediately tensed, lunging from his own mount to subdue him. But Han Shu Xing and his men closed in swiftly, leaping with light-footed skill—one sword, one foe!
Yet Yan Shang could not truly control the horse!
His hands gripped the reins, palms drenched in sweat. Blindness left him unable to discern direction; he strained to listen to the chaotic hoofbeats, desperately trying to locate Mu Wan Yao. Unconsciously, he cried out, "Your Highness... Yao Yao!"
Give me a sound—let me find where she is!
Mu Wan Yao was pressed against the horse’s back by a bandit, the steed jolting violently from her earlier struggles. Thanks to her horsemanship honed among the Black Barbarians, she endured the man’s restraint without physical discomfort. Alas, as a frail woman, her resistance amounted only to biting the foe and unsettling his focus... She had tried to kick him off when he was distracted, but her strength fell short.
Instead, she received several slaps and was forced down onto the horse!
Cold sweat drenched Mu Wan Yao, yet she stubbornly refused to utter a sound through sheer will.
In this dazed state, she heard Yan Shang’s trembling call of "Yao Yao" from behind. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to look back. The bandit, noticing her movement, slapped her again, snarling, "What are you looking at? Is that your lover—"
Suddenly, Mu Wan Yao surged upward, arching her back to slam into the man. She bent her knee and kicked the horse’s flank hard. The mount, tormented by her relentless actions, let out a sharp whinny before crashing into the mountain wall. Behind them, Yan Shang followed the sound, releasing an arrow from his hand straight toward the horse—
The bandit cursed, "You bitch!"
As the horse collided with the rocky wall, the entire beast shuddered violently, sending a shower of stones and debris raining down. But Mu Wan Yao, still in the bandit’s grasp, refused to yield. Her vision blurred, she bit down fiercely on whatever she could reach... Thus, both she and the bandit tumbled from the horse, rolling "thud, thud, thud" down the mountain path.
Yan Shang’s arrows chased closely behind, embedding one after another into the earth guided by sound.
He reined in his horse, yet darkness enveloped him, surrounded by clamorous noise... He despised his blindness, his arm feeling leaden as he raised and lowered it, unable to release an arrow without clear auditory guidance.
Fearful of aiming wrong and harming her!
Until at last, he heard an extremely faint, hoarse, yet desperate female voice trembling from a corner: "Yan Shang—"
Yan Shang’s arrow pointed toward that direction, "whoosh!" it spun forth, striking like a locust swarm!—The bandit pinned Mu Wan Yao beneath him, pressing her against the grassy edge of the cliff beside the mountain path. Having witnessed how uncooperative this woman was, he decided to go all the way—just as he was about to strangle her, his body stiffened. An arrow pierced through his chest from behind, and he collapsed onto Mu Wan Yao, his eyes wide with shock.
Mu Wan Yao gasped for breath, her vision darkening.
Her upper body was nearly pushed over the cliff, held back only by the bandit’s weight. She couldn’t push him off and trembled as she heard Yan Shang’s shaky voice call out, “Yao Yao…”
Spitting blood from her mouth, Mu Wan Yao struggled to grip the bandit’s shoulder. “I’m here…”
The next moment, Yan Shang, who had dismounted, stumbled over. Covered in dirt from repeated falls on the winding, rocky, shrub-filled mountain path, he rushed forward and dragged the man off Mu Wan Yao. Kneeling on the ground, his slightly disheveled hair framing his cheeks, he bent down and pulled Mu Wan Yao into his embrace.
His cold, sweat-drenched hand brushed her cheek. His face was tense, but his voice trembled. “Did he hit you…?”
Leaning against his shoulder, Mu Wan Yao panted, her cheek swollen and mouth bleeding. Yet she closed her eyes and murmured, “What does it matter? Haven’t I slapped you before…?”
There were endless words between them, but none could fully express the moment.
Yan Shang froze for a moment, then suddenly leaned in and held her tightly, silent.
His body trembled as much as hers. He wasn’t the type of strong, indomitable hero… A pang of sorrow struck Mu Wan Yao’s heart. Even though their predicament remained unresolved, she felt a sense of relief.
Cradled in his arms, she once again felt a long-lost sense of security.
The crisis was far from over. Seeing the two hostages reunited, the bandits refused to give up. Yan Shang had no time to say more to Mu Wan Yao. Unable to see her current state clearly, he could only grip her hand and pull her to her feet. Abandoning his bow and arrows, he picked up a bandit’s sword from the ground at her suggestion.
With one hand, he held hers, shielding her behind him; with the other, he brandished the sword, confronting the approaching bandits.
Han Shu Xing and the other guards had also dismounted and were fighting the bandits. Several waves of bandits charged at Yan Shang, but he managed to fend them off, injuring them with his sword. Though the bandits were disorganized, Yan Shang could barely hold his own.
Yet, he never loosened his grip on Mu Wan Yao’s hand.
In her exhaustion, Mu Wan Yao felt the sweat dampening Yan Shang’s palm as he held hers. Despite the sweat, he refused to let go.
Han Shu Xing shouted from nearby, “Erlang, it’s not just the bandits chasing us—the imperial soldiers are coming too!”
Yan Shang replied, “Hold them all off—”
Han Shu Xing gritted his teeth. “Shouldn’t we let His Highness escape first…?”
After cutting down another charging bandit, Yan Shang panted slightly. “No, she must stay with me. She has to remain by my side.”
With that, they had no choice but to fight desperately… But the odds were overwhelmingly against them, and continuing the battle seemed futile. Clutching Mu Wan Yao’s hand, Yan Shang racked his brain for a way back to the city. Their group was spread out along the mountain path, with a cliff on one side and a stone wall on the other—escape was nearly impossible.
They couldn’t venture deeper into the forest!
It was swarming with bandits.
They couldn’t retreat!
They couldn’t tell friend from foe among the imperial soldiers!Trapped in this dilemma, the battle grew increasingly intense. Suddenly, Mu Wan Yao, who had been pulled behind Yan Shang all this time, whispered, "Do you feel the ground shaking?"
Yan Shang froze. "What?"
There was no time for him to think!
The entire ground began to tremble, and the mountain walls started to shake. Yan Shang, unable to see, was unaware of the commotion around them, but Mu Wan Yao's hand, clasped in his, trembled violently. Cries of agony and pleas for mercy echoed from all directions. As Yan Shang stood bewildered and tense, he heard Mu Wan Yao's trembling voice: "It's the Earth Dragon—the Earth Dragon has awakened!"
The Earth Dragon had awakened.
Perhaps it had been roused by the battle on the mountain.
Whatever the reason, Mu Wan Yao watched in horror as the cracked ground raced toward her and Yan Shang's feet, while rocks and trees above them came crashing down. Han Shu Xing, his eyes wide with fury, shouted "Erlang!" and lunged forward. Even Yan Shang, blind as he was, could feel the violent shaking.
In that moment, with no other options, Yan Shang turned and pulled Mu Wan Yao into his embrace.
The next instant, the ground beneath their feet finally split open, and the two were swept away, buried beneath billowing dust.
Amid the flying sand and stones, Han Shu Xing was repeatedly struck by debris, but his eyes never left Yan Shang. When Yan Shang's robes were swept over the cliff by the swirling dust, Han Shu Xing lunged after them without hesitation, following the two into the abyss...
The awakening of the Earth Dragon lasted for an unknown duration, shrouding the world in darkness and swirling dust. The entire mountain forest buried both the government soldiers and the bandits within it. Under the terrifying force of nature, everyone fled for their lives, their faces no longer in their own hands.
How the soldiers and bandits escaped or perished was no longer Yan Shang's concern.
When he groggily regained consciousness, he found himself and Mu Wan Yao buried beneath a cave-in. Pain radiated from numerous wounds across his body, but he had no time to dwell on them. Gritting his teeth against the agony, he roused the unconscious Mu Wan Yao from his arms. Together, they struggled to dig their way out from the earth-covered cavern.
The effort took roughly half an hour.
Once outside, they were fortunate to encounter Han Shu Xing, who had been searching for them. With the exceptionally skilled martial artist accompanying them, they were no longer completely lost in the drastically altered mountains.
Han Shu Xing informed Yan Shang that they were likely on flat ground at the base of a valley. However, the terrain had shifted entirely after the Earth Dragon's awakening, and with the possibility of it stirring again, even Han Shu Xing could not determine their exact location.
After having Han Shu Xing briefly describe what he saw, Yan Shang made a quick assessment and, enduring his pain, named a mountain. "We must have been swept toward the stream at the foot of that mountain. There should be a stream here, but after the Earth Dragon's awakening, it's uncertain if it still exists. Let's not worry about that for now.
"If I remember correctly, about a li east of this place, there should be a wooden hut for hunters to rest in, stocked year-round with clothing and provisions... Let's go look for it."
Han Shu Xing hesitated. "Are you sure, Erlang? The terrain has changed so much. Would the hut still be there..."
Mu Wan Yao cut in bluntly, "Whether it's there or not, we have to try. He's in this state, and our pursuers might still be after us. We need to find a place to rest and survive the night."
Han Shu Xing then looked to Yan Shang.Seeing Yan Shang being supported by Mu Wan Yao, his face and clothes covered in dust from the previous battle, the bloodstains originally on his body now joined by a large patch of crimson on his back... Mu Wan Yao’s face turned pale as she helped him, the two of them limping along.
Han Shu Xing deduced that the crimson on Yan Shang’s back was likely a wound inflicted by the Earth Dragon, sustained while protecting the princess—
Yan Shang had truly prepared thoroughly.
Fully committed to eradicating the bandits, he had memorized every mountain path and terrain around Rang County inside and out. Even though the landscape had changed, the general direction remained correct. The three of them walked through the pitch-black night without encountering any enemies and, after only an extra mile, found the wooden hut Yan Shang had mentioned—a resting place for tiger hunters—before exhaustion completely overtook them.
The wooden cabin's roof had partially collapsed, crushed by a fallen mountain beech tree. However, perhaps due to the flat terrain, the cabin itself remained largely intact. After the three entered, they discovered that the previous tiger hunter had left not only food and clothing but also some basic medical supplies.
At this point, the three finally breathed a sigh of relief—
Yan Shang, supported by Han Shu Xing, moved to a corner of the room to change clothes and tend to his wounds. Leaning against the wall, Yan Shang sat with exhaustion washing over him after the intense mental strain.
When Mu Wan Yao approached holding a candle, she saw Yan Shang sitting with his robes open. His knees were drawn up, forehead resting against them as pale moonlight streamed through the small window. His skin appeared translucent as snow, his physique resembling rugged mountain ranges stretching into the distance.
Han Shu Xing was absent. Blood-stained bandages removed from Yan Shang lay discarded on the ground, while torn strips of clean fabric were neatly placed nearby.
Mu Wan Yao walked over, set the candle on the floor, and knelt beside him. Picking up one of the prepared cloth strips, she bent her head to bandage his wounds.
When her hand brushed against his chest, he seemed to suddenly awaken, asking, "Did you find water..."
Mu Wan Yao: "What water?"
Yan Shang paused, then grasped the fingers she had pressed against his heart.
He murmured softly: "It's you."
Mu Wan Yao replied impassively, "Did you send Han Shu Xing to fetch water? Let me dress your wounds."
Yan Shang remained silent.
Neither spoke.
After a while, Yan Shang suddenly said, "Is there an injury on your face? May I touch it?"
Simultaneously, Mu Wan Yao asked, "Does the gauze on your eyes need changing? Don't you need to apply medicine?"
Speaking at the same time, both froze momentarily.
Yan Shang pressed his lips slightly and whispered, "It's fine. My eyes... can be treated after we leave. It won't cause much trouble."
Then she took his hand.
Her cool forehead pressed against his shoulder as she guided his hand to touch her face. Mu Wan Yao spoke distantly: "When I slapped you that day, did it hurt terribly?"
Yan Shang grew still, his trembling fingertips brushing against her slightly swollen cheek.
His heart felt as though bleeding anew.
How he wished he could see her face.
But with countless words caught in his throat, Yan Shang only said: "...Your strength was so slight, it didn't hurt at all."
Mu Wan Yao lifted her head to gaze at him for a moment before softly countering: "Your face didn't hurt, but what about your heart?"
He opened his mouth. Watching him, Mu Wan Yao saw him attempt speech several times, his Adam's apple bobbing, yet ultimately failing to voice anything.
After a long silence, he rasped: "It didn't hurt."
Mu Wan Yao stated: "Liar."
He then asked her: "Does your face hurt?"
Mu Wan Yao replied indifferently: "No."
Yan Shang: "Liar."
He bowed his head while she stayed silent.
Suddenly, Yan Shang reached out and pulled her into his embrace. Without a word, Mu Wan Yao wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest.
The cold moonlight fell upon the young man's gaunt back, poised like butterfly wings ready to take flight. The maiden's long skirts spread across the floor as he bent over her, his long hair cascading across her face.
They simply held each other, neither speaking. How could mere words convey all that needed saying beneath the cold moonlight? How could they express the bitterness and sorrow in their hearts?
Only this embrace mattered.
Until sometime later, Han Shu Xing returned unnoticed. His loud cough made both Yan Shang—sitting with open robes—and Mu Wan Yao—with her face buried in his chest—freeze simultaneously.
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