The crescent moon hung like a hook in the sky.

Shen Yanzhi’s gaze was as cold as the bow in his hand, the arrowhead on the crossbow string glinting with a chilling light.

A few yards away, Chu Chengji was surrounded by a dozen cavalrymen.

His tall figure seemed to merge with the night, the red tassel on his spear swaying in the night breeze.

He stood with his back turned, seemingly unaware of the hidden arrow aimed at him.

“Whoosh!”

As the sharp arrow left the string, a clear and anxious voice rang out from the carriage, “Watch out!”

Qin Zheng hadn’t expected to see such a scene when she lifted the curtain.

She recognized Chu Chengji on the horse immediately but wasn’t sure if Shen Yanzhi had recognized him.

Fearing that exposing Chu Chengji’s identity might ruin things, she didn’t call his name directly and only issued a warning.

Shen Yanzhi glanced toward the carriage, his gaze meeting Qin Zheng’s cold eyes after she turned away from the battlefield.

She seemed to consider his sneak attack despicable.

Catching her look, Shen Yanzhi’s eyes darkened with pain.

He pressed his lips tightly together but didn’t lower his bow.

He continued aiming at Chu Chengji, his resolve unwavering.

The hatred between him and the person in front of him was so deep that even if it meant killing Chu Chengji in such a vile manner in front of her, he wouldn’t hesitate.

Almost at the moment Qin Zheng’s warning rang out, the arrow reached Chu Chengji.

He glanced sideways and deftly deflected it with his spear.

“Ding—”

The sharp sound made everyone’s teeth ache.

The arrow was struck down and embedded in the ground, cracking the hard soil.

The feathers at the arrow’s tail trembled, showing the force behind it.

The mountain wind grew fiercer, lifting Chu Chengji’s dark robe.

The firelight reflected off his half-mask of steel, making him look both fierce and eerie.

The cavalry surrounding Chu Chengji instinctively pulled their reins and retreated a few steps when they saw him raise his arm with the spear.

But he merely slung the spear across his back, turned his horse around, and finally gave Shen Yanzhi a proper look.

Compared to Shen Yanzhi’s visible hatred and anger, Chu Chengji’s eyes were as cold and indifferent as the moonlight on his mask, showing no emotion.

When he saw Qin Zheng, his gaze paused slightly.

She wore a red cloak over a white dress, one hand lifting a sky-blue curtain, her brows furrowed lightly.

Her eyes, which seemed to contain the brilliance of the stars, were filled with anxiety.

Though she said nothing, her eyes spoke volumes.

Chu Chengji looked at her steadily from his horse and asked, “Will you come with me?”

Apart from the howling wind and the crackling torches, the world fell silent.

He stood there alone, yet it seemed like he was backed by a thousand soldiers.

The eyes looking at Qin Zheng from behind the mask were deep and cool.

He had given her two chances before, but each time the choice leaned towards him.

She couldn’t truly choose from her heart. This time, he gave her another chance.

It was truly the last time.

Even though they were far apart, the night wind carried his words to her ears, making her heart tremble.

An indescribable ache filled her chest, spreading warmth through her limbs, even to her fingertips.

She looked at him, nodding heavily, her eyes brimming with sorrow.

She moved past the driver to get off the carriage, but was stopped by the guards surrounding it.

When Chu Chengji saw Qin Zheng nodding, a dark emotion surged in his eyes.

He immediately spurred his horse and charged over.

At the same time, Shen Yanzhi couldn’t contain his anger, drawing his sword and shouting, “Kill him!”

The cavalry surrounding Chu Chengji rushed forward.

Shen Yanzhi’s hand, gripping the bow, showed bulging veins.

He released two arrows in quick succession—one aimed at Chu Chengji’s throat and the other at his heart.

Chu Chengji swept his spear with tremendous force, knocking several cavalrymen off their horses instantly.

At that moment, the two arrows reached him. Chu Chengji tilted his head, letting the one aimed at his throat brush past, barely an inch from his neck.

The force of the wind lifted the stray hairs around his ear.

Beneath his mask, his gaze turned even colder.

He intercepted the arrow aimed at his heart with one hand, snapping it in half and throwing it to the ground.

Raising his gaze, he locked eyes with Shen Yanzhi from afar.

Cold, calm, yet emanating an undeniable dominance and fierceness.

He resembled the fiercest wolf in the northern wilderness, invaded in his territory, ready to tear apart his intruder at any moment.

Under his gaze, Shen Yanzhi felt a sudden shock, an invisible pressure overwhelming him like the thick night enveloping him, making sweat bead on his palms.

Shen Yanzhi’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed fiercely.

Something’s wrong!

He’s not Chu Chengji!

A chill ran down Shen Yanzhi’s spine.

His pupils contracted abruptly as he commanded, “Release the arrows!”

The cavalry hastily dispersed, while nearby archers quickly formed a defensive line.

Qin Zheng’s heart nearly leaped to her throat inside the carriage.

She called out, “Zhao!”

Lin Zhao understood her meaning.

With a swift kick, she knocked over the coachman and snatched the reins.

With a flick of the whip, the entire carriage surged forward, breaking through the arrow formation.

Seeing the carriage rushing past, several elite riders in front hurriedly shot arrows at the horses.

One of the horses was hit, causing the entire carriage to overturn.

Despite her shoulder injury, Lin Zhao shielded Qin Zheng’s left shoulder as they tumbled inside the carriage.

Qin Zheng’s back collided and scraped against the carriage, causing her to pale from the pain.

Shen Yanzhi turned back and saw the carriage overturned, his heart and soul shaken.

He shouted, “Qin Zheng!”

Chu Chengji, held back by a group of cavalrymen on horseback, flashed a fierce glint in his eyes at the sight of the overturned carriage.

His moves suddenly became sharp, and his murderous intent was evident.

After shaking off several cavalrymen, he charged towards the scene.

Torches were lit in the dense forests on both sides of the official road.

The rallying cry of “Capture the corrupt official! Seize Qingzhou City!” shook the heavens.

The shield walls originally guarding both sides of the official road withdrew completely upon Chu Chengji’s appearance.

The soldiers were caught off guard by the sudden onslaught from the rugged men emerging from the dense forest.

Before the soldiers could adjust their formation to counter the attack, the ground of the official road began to tremble.

The sound of approaching hoofbeats was like thunder rolling in.

A burly man with a beard raised his iron hammer and shouted, “Reinforcements have arrived! Brothers, charge! Tonight, we’ll take Qingzhou City!”

The morale of the rugged men soared, and they roared as they charged at the soldiers.

Hundreds of soldiers were scattered and their formation broken.

With another army approaching from a distance, panic spread among them.

They had no will to fight and began to retreat.

“They came prepared! Your Highness, quickly retreat to the city!” Several loyal guards hurriedly escorted Shen Yanzhi back.

Qin Zheng was still inside the carriage.

Shen Yanzhi refused to leave, pushing aside the guards and rushing to save her. “Qin Zheng! Don’t be afraid! I’m coming to save you!”

He had never been so terrified before.

He had lost her too many times before, and now she was right in front of him.

He wouldn’t let anything happen to her again!

Even stumbling over bodies and scraping his hands on the muddy ground, he didn’t hesitate for a moment as he ran towards the carriage, desperate to reach her.

Qin Zheng’s shoulder was injured from the collision.

With Lin Zhao’s support, she climbed out of the carriage and saw chaos outside.

“Qin Zheng…” Someone behind her called out hysterically.

Qin Zheng turned around and saw Shen Yanzhi running towards her in a sorry state.

His hair was disheveled, and the blood drained from his already pale face.

His eyes, looking at her, were fragile and desperate.

Not far away, warhorses knocked over several soldiers.

Chu Chengji’s tall figure stood on horseback, and four or five soldiers thrust their spears at him.

He twisted his arm, snapping the spear in half, causing several soldiers to stagger back from the force.

For a moment, Qin Zheng saw the shadow of the valiant general on the battlefield in him again.

As if his soul and body were severed.

The heat in her heart remained, the words “Will you come with me?” still echoing in her ears.

Qin Zheng turned to Shen Yanzhi and said, “The former Qin Zheng is dead. I am not her.”

With that, she lifted her skirt and ran towards Chu Chengji.

The torches on the ground illuminated the surroundings, and Qin Zheng’s red velvet cloak fluttered high in the night wind as she ran, illuminated by the firelight like a sun rising from the darkness.

Shen Yanzhi dashed towards her, reaching out desperately to grab something, but only managed to catch a corner of Qin Zheng’s cloak.

Without looking back, Qin Zheng left him with only the exquisite red velvet cloak torn from her body, clenched in his hand.

“Qin Zheng—” Shen Yanzhi’s eyes were filled with sorrow, like an injured trapped beast.

Despite gritting his teeth and wanting to chase after her, he was restrained by the arriving guards.

“Prince! The bigger picture is at stake!” The guards didn’t hesitate to pull him back, and Shen Yanzhi stared fixedly at the two figures, one black and one white, rushing away from each other.

He felt a sweet taste in his throat and vomited a mouthful of blood.

His Qin Zheng didn’t want him anymore.

The flickering firelight filled the air with the sounds of battle.

Qin Zheng dared not stop for a moment and ran straight towards Chu Chengji.

She saw him riding towards her, and the soldiers scattered along the way, abandoning their helmets and armor.

When he reached her, he pulled the reins hard, and the warhorse raised its front hooves and neighed.

Qin Zheng looked at his tall and straight figure on horseback.

Perhaps due to the urgent sprint just now, she felt her heartbeat faster than ever before, as if it wanted to burst out of her chest.

“husband…” Qin Zheng called out to him, the last syllable unconsciously prolonged.

Perhaps because she had experienced too much these days, this “husband” contained far more emotions than before.

The torches on the ground ignited the empty carriage at some point.

With the beam burned down and collapsed, it made a dull sound as it hit the ground, sparks flying.

She looked up at him, her long hair slightly messy from the night wind.

Against her fair face, the golden threads embroidered on her dress shimmered in the firelight, as if her whole being was glowing.

Chu Chengji locked his gaze on her, silent.

The cold and cool eyes reflected the distant firelight, seeming to finally have some warmth.

But at the center of his gaze was her.

Standing so close, Qin Zheng could smell the faint scent of blood on Chu Chengji’s body.

She furrowed her eyebrows, scrutinizing him from top to bottom. “Are you injured, husband?”

There was visible concern in her eyes.

In an instant, Qin Zheng’s breath caught.

Chu Chengji leaned down directly, his ape-like arm scooping her up onto the horse.

His seemingly slender shoulders were not thin at all.

When his muscles tensed, they were filled with explosive power.

The force around her waist was so strong that she almost thought he was going to break her waist.

Qin Zheng fell into his arms, and his oversized cloak also draped over her.

In addition to the smell of blood, there was also a faint scent of cedar on him.

With one hand pressed against Qin Zheng’s back, he remained silent.

Qin Zheng hesitated for a moment, her hand lightly resting on his shoulder, her heart pounding rapidly.

It was a brief and hasty embrace, but also their first real embrace.

“It’s okay.” As they parted, he gently stroked her long hair, as if comforting her.

Because of the hug, his words were a bit close to Qin Zheng’s ear.

The warm breath brushed against her earlobe, and Qin Zheng felt her ear going numb.

Fortunately, Chu Chengji soon released her, helped Qin Zheng sit properly on the horse, and wrapped his arms around her, gently pulling the reins and turning the horse’s head to join the others from the Qiyun Village.

Due to the momentum, Qin Zheng leaned back, her back hitting his chest.

She felt his back was as hard as an iron plate, and the pain from the injuries on her back scraped against the carriage surfaced. She suppressed a groan, feeling the heat emanating from his chest through her thin clothes, scorching and shocking.

As Shen Yanzhi left, the remaining soldiers lost their will to fight and fled.

After tidying up the aftermath, when Chu Chengji rode over, the people from Qiyun Village greeted him, “Strategist.”

They did not pursue Shen Yanzhi and his group in victory, which puzzled Qin Zheng.

She couldn’t help but suspect that Wang Biao’s previous words might not have been just empty threats.

Who were these cavalry reinforcements?

Qin Zheng soon found out the answer.

The thunderous sound of hooves behind them slowly approached.

Chu Chengji, with her on the horse, rushed towards a narrow path, commanding, “Retreat!”

The people from Qiyun Village hurriedly led the unattended war horses on the official road and retreated in that direction.

Riding a soldier’s horse alongside the people from Qiyun Village, Lin Zhao asked in confusion, “Brother Wang Biao, didn’t you say they were our reinforcements? Why are we hiding?”

Wang Biao snapped the reins and said, “Lady, where do you think we can find several hundred cavalry reinforcements? It was the strategist who sent Big Brother to the south gate to attract the soldiers, creating an illusion to scare away the corrupt official.

Otherwise, with just the dozens of us descending from the mountain, how could we compete with the hundreds of elite riders led by the corrupt official?”

After turning onto the narrow path, they reached a bend in the mountain.

With no one on the official road anymore, fearing that the sound of horses’ hooves would attract attention, everyone waited on the other side of the mountain bend for Lin Yao and the others.

It would also be convenient to rescue anyone in case of an accident.

In the moonlight, several people riding horses galloped towards the official road.

Since the soldiers behind were too close, Lin Yao and the others didn’t have time to cross the narrow path on horseback.

They stabbed the horses’ backs with daggers, causing them to continue running forward in pain.

Lin Yao and the others then rolled into the bushes beside the official road, hiding and retreating towards the narrow path.

The pursuing soldiers looked at the bodies of their fallen comrades after the fierce battle, their faces extremely ugly.

They stopped, but the sound of horses’ hooves still thundered ahead on the official road.

The leader of the soldiers gritted his teeth and gave the order, “Continue the pursuit!”

Once again, hundreds of cavalry soldiers chased towards the front of the official road.

At this moment, Lin Yao and the others had already circled around the mountain bend. They all returned with joy on their faces.