A Journey to Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis

A Journey to Love Synopsis

the former left envoy of Zhuyi Guard of An Kingdom, , Ren Ruyi, became a member of the Emperor's welcoming team of Wu Kingdom due to a fortuitous opportunity.

Together with the Wu Kingdom Liudao Hall Master Ning Yuanzhou, Princess Yang Ying, the intelligent youth Yuan Lu, and the imperial guard Qian Zhao, they experienced life and death, growing together.

A Journey to Love Recap

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Since the fall of the previous dynasty, there has been chaos for nearly a hundred years, with constant friction between Beipan and the Central Plains. The nine states in the Central Plains, each holding its own territory, have been in constant conflict. Among them, the kingdoms of An and Wu stand out, with Emperor An being martial and greedy. This year, he has been gradually annexing numerous cities of neighboring countries. The wealthy and powerful Wu Kingdom has become a formidable enemy coveted by Emperor An. In the sixth year of Yongyou, Emperor An, Li Zun, led his army to seize the gold mines in the west of Wu, and Wu Emperor Yang Xingyan welcomed the battle south of Tianmen Pass. The wheel of fate turned from this point.

Wu Kingdom's Six Dao Tang is known for its expertise in investigating and gathering intelligence, while An Kingdom's Zhuyi Guard is famous for its beautiful female spies. On this day, at the birthday banquet of Sun Shiyi, Han Shizi, intrigued by the dance of Ren Ruyi, hinted at a meeting in the garden after her performance. Ling Long urged Ren Ruyi to go to the appointment, but unexpectedly, Ren Ruyi was insulted by another official during the banquet. Fortunately, Ling Long arrived in time to rescue her. Since Han Shizi was interested in Ren Ruyi, bringing her back to his mansion and stealing the grain and map from Han Shizi's father's study could ensure An Kingdom's victory in the war.

After meeting Han Shizi, Ren Ruyi expressed her desire not to stay in the entertainment quarter and pleaded with him to take her back to his mansion. Han Shizi, driven by his desire for Ren Ruyi, agreed to take her back and made her his concubine. During the banquet, Zhao Ji, the head of Six Dao Tang, and Tiqi Lou Qingqiang arrived with people. Zhao Ji deliberately criticized the banquet's music and dance, prompting Sun Shiyi to voluntarily offer birthday gifts to Six Dao Tang for inspection. To clear himself of suspicion as a spy, Sun Shiyi deliberately pointed out that the dancers were the spies, and Zhao Ji ordered them to be taken away and killed.

The Tiqi riders of Six Dao Tang took the dancers away to be killed. Seeing that Ren Ruyi and Ling Long were about to be harmed, Ling Long had to reveal her martial arts skills to resist. However, she was quickly overwhelmed by the Tiqi riders and got injured. Lou Qingqiang recognized Ling Long as a member of An Kingdom's Zhuyi Guard. To protect her identity, Ren Ruyi ruthlessly killed all the Tiqi riders on the spot. To keep her identity a secret, Ren Ruyi used medicine to make two surviving dancers unconscious.

Ling Long couldn't understand why someone as skilled as Ren Ruyi would be a member of Zhuyi Guard like herself, but Ren Ruyi did not reveal her true identity. Ling Long didn't want to leave, as she joined Zhuyi Guard to repay a debt, and the man she liked, Yulang, was still in the Zhuyi Guard branch. Ling Long decided to go back. She left her valuable bracelet to Ren Ruyi, who, in order not to owe any favors, decided to steal the grain and map from the Han family and give it to Ling Long to redeem herself. Ren Ruyi also hoped that Ling Long could ensure the safety of her family.

Lou Qingqiang brought news that the Wu army was defeated by the An army at Tianmen Pass, and the emperor was in trouble. Five days ago, on the battlefield of Yumen Pass, General Xiao searched the battlefield and saw Ning Yuanzhou, the leader of the Longxiang cavalry. They had a conversation that attracted the enemy, forcing Ning Yuanzhou to kill the imperial soldiers searching the battlefield. Ning Yuanzhou wanted to leave, but General Xiao stopped him. Pointing to an arrow in his back, Ning Yuanzhou accused the emperor of listening to slander, being arrogant, and causing harm to everyone before the war. He refused to serve such an emperor.

Prime Minister Zhang Song believed that the country couldn't be without a ruler for a day and suggested that Danyang Lord Yang Xingjian succeed to the throne. Princess Xiao Yan of Wu received a letter from her cousin Xiao Ming confirming that the emperor was safe for now but residing temporarily in the An army. She was now pregnant, and the imperial physician determined that it was mostly a male fetus. Although Danyang Lord questioned whether the empress's pregnancy must be a male, Zhang Song proposed that Danyang Lord continue to serve as regent, and the succession would be determined by the gender of the child after birth.

Zhang Song questioned why the news of the emperor's capture came from Xiao Ming, and there was no news from Zhao Ji, who led Six Dao Tang. He personally went to Six Dao Tang to investigate and found that all the intelligence reports from the time when Ning Yuanzhou was there had disappeared. He criticized Zhao Ji for neglecting intelligence after taking power. Zhang Song wanted to use Ning Yuanzhou to secretly find the emperor in An Kingdom and bring back the decree regarding the empress's unborn child. However, he was unaware that Zhao Ji had sent Ning Yuanzhou to the battlefield to have him killed. Zhang Song threatened Zhao Ji that if they didn't find Ning Yuanzhou within seven days, both Zhang Song and his niece would undoubtedly die.

Zhao Ji arranged for Lou Qingqiang to quickly find Ning Yuanzhou within seven days, believing that Ning Yuanzhou would return if he hadn't died on the battlefield. Ren Ruyi did not wait for Ling Long to go to the appointment. She went to the Zhuyi Guard branch and found that Ling Long had been killed. It turned out that Zhao Ji bought information from Mr. Yue, and they attacked and killed all the members of the Zhuyi Guard branch in Wudou. Ren Ruyi, hiding in the dark, heard that Lou Qingqiang had broken all the bones of Ling Long while questioning her. Ling Long's lover, Yulang, was released because he was Mr. Yue's trusted subordinate. Ren Ruyi almost got discovered by the Tiqi rider of Six Dao Tang but decisively killed him and then left with Ling Long's body.

Ren Ruyi, due to a shoulder injury from poison, took the antidote "Wandu Jie" to detoxify. However, the downside of this antidote is the loss of internal strength within seven days after ingestion. Under the list of names for avenging, Ren Ruyi wrote down several names, including Zhao Ji, Mr. Yue, and Lou Qingqiang, who killed Ling Long.

Lou Qingqiang inspected the bodies at the Zhuyi Guard branch and unexpectedly discovered that someone had killed the Tiqi riders and swapped the bodies. He ordered a citywide search for Ren Ruyi, and at a critical moment, Ren Ruyi jumped into a courtyard and hid in a coffin. This courtyard turned out to be the old residence of the Ning family in Wudou. Zhao Ji and his men arrived at the Ning family's old residence, and the former Hungry Ghost Dao Captain Yuanluo tried to stop them. Yuanluo did not want Zhao Ji and others to disturb the heroic spirit of Ning Yuanzhou, but he couldn't resist Zhao Ji and was eventually captured.

Zhao Ji didn't believe that Ning Yuanzhou was already dead. He used the lives of Yuanluo and the Ning family's old residence to threaten Ning Yuanzhou to reveal himself. Seeing Yuanluo's life in danger, Ning Yuanzhou showed up and saved Yuanluo. Zhao Ji had information about sixteen people, including Tian Dao, below Chai Ming. He used this information to coerce Ning Yuanzhou into going to An Kingdom to rescue the emperor. Zhao Ji revealed that Chai Ming and others went with the emperor, and half of them died in battle, while the other half, including the emperor, were captured.

Knowing the fate of his brothers, Ning Yuanzhou, after personally killing Zhao Ji according to Six Dao Tang rules, lost interest in the court. He only wanted to leave the capital after burying his adoptive father. After sending away the Tiqi riders from Six Dao Tang, Ning Yuanzhou instructed Yuanluo to tightly guard the gates of the Ning residence. He forced Ren Ruyi, who was hiding in the coffin, to come out. Ren Ruyi pretended to be a dancer from the entertainment quarter, claiming that Zhao Ji falsely accused them of being spies, leading to the massacre of the dancers. She escaped risking her innocence. Although Ning Yuanzhou was skeptical of her story, he sensed that Ren Ruyi had no internal strength at the moment and had to temporarily let her go.

The Tiqi rider Jiaoqiong from Six Dao Tang was brought back to Wu Kingdom by Danyang Lord. Danyang Lord learned from him that the emperor was indeed alive, captured by Li Tongguang, the Marquis of Changqing in An Kingdom. Li Tongguang demanded a ransom of one hundred thousand taels of gold and requested the imperial son to come and welcome the emperor. Danyang Lord understood their intentions to capture him, so that An Kingdom could support the imperial son in succeeding to the throne.

Ning Yuanzhou confirmed that Ren Ruyi was indeed a member of Zhuyi Guard, known as the White Sparrow. To force Ren Ruyi to leave, he deliberately revealed suspicions about her White Sparrow identity. Ren Ruyi, pretending to be willing to leave even if she would die, made Ning Yuanzhou reluctantly give up. Yuanluo, being an official slave by birth, and his sister was also a dancer in the entertainment quarter before she died. Therefore, he felt sympathy for Ren Ruyi. Persuaded by Yuanluo, Ning Yuanzhou agreed to let Ren Ruyi stay.

Princess Yang Ying disguised herself as a eunuch to eavesdrop on the court meeting. Imperial Guard Zheng Qingyun exposed her identity. Zheng Qingyun did not look down on her because she was not favored. Yang Ying asked why Zheng Qingyun didn't want to marry her. Zheng Qingyun explained that a husband had to come from a prestigious family, while he was just a guard with no background. Lord Ying, Yang Xingyan, appeared in the court, expressing his willingness to serve as the envoy to greet the emperor. When the empress learned that Lord Ying volunteered for the mission, she was concerned because his leg was crippled to save her. She had promised to protect him, and naturally, she did not want him to go to Wu Kingdom. However, she also knew that Danyang Lord would not want to take on the mission. She decided to find someone from the royal family to be adopted under the late emperor's name, offering a fief of three thousand for the person's cooperation.

Yang Ying not only hopes to welcome back her imperial brother but also desires to use this opportunity to obtain a fief of three thousand, thereby gaining eligibility to choose her own husband. She volunteers to be the envoy to greet the emperor. The empress immediately appears in court and confers the title of "Grand Wulv Li Prince" on Yang Ying. In order to bring back the emperor at the lowest cost, Danyang Lord and the courtiers agree to the empress's decision.

Privately, Zheng Qingyun questions Yang Ying about her choice. It turns out that Yang Ying not only wants to bring back her elder brother but also hopes to use this achievement to absolve Ning Yuanzhou of his guilt and be with Zheng Qingyun. Although she is afraid, she does not want to be an insignificant princess in the deep palace.

While Ning Yuanzhou agrees to let Ren Ruyi stay in the Ning residence, he assigns her to take care of miscellaneous tasks and even do household chores. Ren Ruyi is naturally unwilling to be used as a servant and seizes the opportunity to make things difficult for herself in terms of meals. The palace maid Pei, upon hearing news of Ning Yuanzhou being alive, specially visits the Ning residence. It turns out that when the old master was alive, he had arranged for a marriage between Pei and Ning Yuanzhou. However, due to Ning Yuanzhou's exile and imprisonment, Pei married someone else. Seeing Pei's arrival, Ren Ruyi deliberately behaves intimately with Ning Yuanzhou, causing Pei to leave disappointed.

Ren Ruyi deliberately exposes herself to let Pei discover, hoping that Ning Yuanzhou will take her out of the city. Ning Yuanzhou agrees instantly. Lou Qingqiang learns from Mr. Yue that the escaped Ren Ruyi is a high-ranking Zhuyi Guard. Mr. Yue, not wanting headquarters to know about his betrayal, uses Six Dao Tang members to ambush and assassinate Ren Ruyi. While buying medicine, Yuanluo accidentally hears this information and tells Ning Yuanzhou, also realizing that Ren Ruyi's identity is not simple.

The next day, Ning Yuanzhou, accompanied by Yuanluo and Ren Ruyi, leaves the city. He informs Ren Ruyi about the ambush planned by Zhao Ji's subordinates to kill people from the branches in Luzhou and Tianji. However, Ren Ruyi pretends not to understand and claims she wants to go to her hometown in Shengzhou. After bidding farewell to Ren Ruyi when leaving with Yuanluo, Lou Qingqiang and his men attempt an assassination. Yuanluo gets injured in the middle, and Ren Ruyi, upon hearing the assassination, reveals herself to save Yuanluo and helps deal with the assassins.

However, the three are ultimately unable to escape the pursuit. Prime Minister Zhang Song appears and invites Ning Yuanzhou for a discussion. Ren Ruyi seizes the opportunity when Lou Qingqiang is off guard and kills him to avenge Ling Long. Zhang Song appreciates Ning Yuanzhou's strategic wisdom and reveals that of the thousand people in Six Dao Tang, only Ning Yuanzhou knows the true purpose of the guest spies for the court, which is not assassination or theft but organizing useful intelligence for the country. After Ning Yuanzhou leaves, Zhao Ji idles the Hell Dao, ruins the Senluo Hall, and hence, nine out of ten pieces of intelligence obtained before the emperor's expedition were fake. Zhang Song believes that one of the reasons for the emperor's capture lies within Six Dao Tang and recognizes Ning Yuanzhou's abilities. However, Ning Yuanzhou still refuses to accept the mission. Zhang Song discloses that Yang Ying volunteered as the imperial son to go on a diplomatic mission. He does not care whether Ning Yuanzhou can bring back the emperor; he only hopes that Ning Yuanzhou can obtain a decree written by the emperor for the child in the empress's womb. Afterwards, he will supervise the country based on that decree.

Ning Yuanzhou inquired why Ruyi had returned, exposing her martial arts skills in the process. Ruyi explained that she killed Lou Qingqiang to avenge Ling Long, and Ning Yuanzhou killing Zhao Ji was considered helping himself. As she disliked owing favors, she returned to save Yuanluo. Ning Yuanzhou escorted Ruyi out of the city gates, but she had no intention of leaving alone. She mentioned her awareness of many things happening in An Kingdom's capital. In return, she wanted to join the envoy to discover Mr. Yue's true identity. Ning Yuanzhou shared the information he had about Mr. Yue, speculating that he held a significant position, at least a Purple Cloak Envoy, within the Zhuyi Guard. Ruyi initially intended to ask Ning Yuanzhou for help with a matter but was refused. Considering that the envoy did not lack an assassin like Ruyi, the two went their separate ways.

Six Dao Tang's Tian Dao Cavalry, Jiang Qiong, returned to the organization, and Ning Yuanzhou assigned him and Old Du to guard the main hall, ready to support the envoy at any time. Later, Ning Yuanzhou, along with Yu Shisan and others, left Wu Kingdom for An Kingdom. Emperor An, after capturing three cities, returned to the capital with the victorious army. The second prince, Lord Luoxi, and the eldest prince, Lord Hedong, came to welcome the emperor at Gudeyuan. Li Tongguang, having captured the emperor of Wu Kingdom, had made significant contributions. While the initial noble concubine believed this merited a title, Lord Hedong opposed it, citing Li Tongguang's humble background as a Wu Kingdom native. Emperor An did not express a strong opinion on the matter.

Li Tongguang was in a bad mood due to the ridicule about his background. Late at night, the initial noble concubine came to comfort him. Emperor An initially married the initial noble concubine to consolidate the power of the western region, while she admired Li Tongguang. Li Tongguang presented the phoenix hairpin, obtained from capturing the emperor of Wu, to the initial noble concubine, hoping she would ascend the phoenix throne soon. Li Tongguang agreed to cooperate with the initial noble concubine because he wanted to avoid further conflicts. He only wished for a peaceful and stable situation.

Ning Yuanzhou's group caught up with Yang Ying and others. Fearing assassination, Yang Ying was assigned Sun Lang to ensure her safety, and he would act as a bodyguard, cooperating with the envoy's mission. Ning Yuanzhou introduced Yang Ying to the brothers of Six Dao Tang. Du Changshi and Ming Court Lady, accompanying Yang Ying on the mission, were strict in their requirements, causing Yang Ying considerable distress. Yang Ying knew little about An Kingdom, and Du Changshi and Ming Court Lady had no good plans for the An Kingdom mission.

Ning Yuanzhou guessed that Danyang Lord did not want Yang Ying to return safely to her country, so he sent Du Changshi, who was not familiar with intrigue, to accompany her. Unable to change the female official, Ning Yuanzhou thought of Ruyi and sent a message to headquarters to investigate Mr. Yue's whereabouts. At the same time, Mr. Yue, with his lover, arrived at the Zhuyi Guard's Kaiyang branch to search for Ruyi. At that moment, someone impersonating Ruyi appeared at the Kaiyang branch. Mr. Yue realized this only after capturing her. The personnel at the Zhuyi Guard's branch confirmed that Left Envoy Ren Xin had undoubtedly identified their identities, and he was subsequently assassinated.

Mr. Yue feared Ren Xin, hurriedly left the Kaiyang branch with his wealth, and aimed to return safely to An Kingdom. Ren Xin, once a small member of the Zhuyi Guard, became the most successful assassin in the history of the Zhuyi Guard. Five years ago, she attempted to assassinate the then Queen Shajibu, surrounded and self-immolated in the palace after being besieged. However, Mr. Yue never expected Ren Xin to be alive.

Ruyi orchestrated a plan to lure out Mr. Yue, quickly subdued him with a few moves, and, seeing danger, Yuanluo fled on horseback. Mr. Yue revealed herself as Purple Cloak Envoy Yue Sanniang. She claimed she betrayed the Wu Kingdom branch on orders from headquarters, leading to the deaths of forty-seven members. Due to internal corruption, she collaborated with Six Dao Tang to make money to compensate for the losses. Yue Sanniang noticed Ruyi's lack of recovered internal strength and attacked her. In the crisis, Ning Yuanzhou, along with Yuanluo, arrived to help. Ruyi successfully killed Yue Sanniang, and Ning Yuanzhou promised to cooperate with her. Ruyi agreed to help educate the prince about An Kingdom, and Ning Yuanzhou would assist in uncovering the mastermind behind her benefactor's death. The two entered into a partnership, and Ruyi revealed her true name as Ren Xin, surprising Ning Yuanzhou and Yuanluo.

Emperor An, for his military achievements, appointed Li Tongguang as a first-class marquis and General of the Imperial Forest. However, Li Tongguang overheard Emperor An promoting him to keep the two princes in check and to keep him confined to the capital by commanding the Imperial Forest. Aware that Emperor An intentionally let him hear this conversation, Li Tongguang publicly expressed his anger. Although the initial noble concubine admired Li Tongguang, he had always avoided getting close to her. When the two met privately and were seen by a maidservant, Li Tongguang intended to kill her. Surprisingly, the maidservant was a former Zhuyi Guard named Luli who recognized Li Tongguang.

Li Tongguang's mind flashed with images of practicing martial arts with his master Ren Xin. Among them were subtle feelings of adolescent admiration, leading him to spare Luli's life. When pursued by the eldest prince, he pretended to take the laundry girl Luli as a personal maid, extending his favor. Later, the initial noble concubine questioned Li Tongguang about why he spared the girl and still approached her. She thought Li Tongguang despised her, but he explained that he despised his own humble lineage and felt unworthy of the initial noble concubine. Hearing Li Tongguang's words, the initial noble concubine felt sorry for his plight.

Ning Yuanzhou, with Ruyi, joined the small team. The flirtatious Yu Shisan tried to flatter Ruyi, but she ignored him. Due to long-standing grievances between Zhuyi Guard and Six Dao Tang, Ning Yuanzhou concealed Ruyi's true identity, only mentioning that she was a "troubled person" from Chu Kingdom. Ruyi discovered that everyone in Six Dao Tang obediently followed Ning Yuanzhou's words. Through Yuanluo, she learned of Ning Yuanzhou's excellence. Recalling Queen Shajibu's advice not to easily fall in love but to have her own child, Ruyi directed her thoughts towards Ning Yuanzhou.

Yu Shisan teased Ruyi, but she easily subdued him and Qian Zhao. Ning Yuanzhou introduced Ruyi to Yang Ying, starting her training to educate Yang Ying about An Kingdom affairs. Although Ming Court Lady was unwilling to comply with this arrangement, facing Ruyi's domineering manner, she had no choice but to be sent back to Wu Kingdom.

Ruyi noticed that Yang Ying feared Ming Court Lady more than herself. After examining Yang Ying's body, she found that Ming Court Lady had secretly punished her. Ruyi arranged for Yuanluo to use a bone-corroding needle to punish Ming Court Lady during the return journey. Ning Yuanzhou publicly declared that Ruyi was a female rider of Six Dao Tang, without revealing her previous identity as a White Sparrow in Zhuyi Guard.

As Ruyi taught Yang Ying about key An Kingdom political matters, she made strict demands. Ruyi observed Yang Ying's submissive nature and proposed a different lifestyle for her as a woman. Although Yang Ying initially trusted Empress Xiaoyan, Ruyi revealed the truth, stating that Queen Xiaoyan wanted to send Yang Ying to the underworld. Ruyi told Yang Ying the reality: Danyang Lord did not want Emperor An to return safely, and the empress had no intention of saving King An. Instead, she planned to delay for a few months until the prince was born and then rule as empress dowager.

Ruyi hoped Yang Ying would change her weak and indecisive nature, urging her to study hard and strengthen herself. Yang Ying, learning from Ning Yuanzhou, confirmed that Ruyi spoke the truth and felt the pain of being betrayed by her family. Yang Ying, using menstruation as an excuse, sent Ruyi away. Later, she tried to escape back to the capital, taking advantage of Ning Yuanzhou being affected by a softening agent. Ruyi revealed her feelings to Ning Yuanzhou, stating that Queen Shajibu was like a sister and mother to her, the best person in her heart. She went to the Yuelou that day to save Queen Shajibu. When the queen was dying, she urged Ruyi to leave the Zhuyi Guard, live happily and healthy, and have her own child. Later, Ruyi faked her death, escaped to Shengzhou, and recovered at a kind woman's home, who had just lost her daughter. Zhuyi Guard came to select a White Sparrow and took her away. She wanted to uncover the truth behind the queen's death and plotted against the Zhuyi Guard.

Ruyi decided to name her future child Ren Xiaochuan and chose Ning Yuanzhou as the child's father. Initially planning to seduce Ning Yuanzhou gradually, she unexpectedly seized the opportunity when Ning Yuanzhou revealed his interest. Despite Ning Yuanzhou's persuasion failing, he revealed that he was poisoned by Zhang Song. Seeing Ruyi determined to act, Ning Yuanzhou promised to act after taking the first antidote, and Ruyi gave him the Heart-Aligning Butterfly, agreeing to postpone their actions for a few days.

Ren Ruyi brought back the fleeing Yang Ying and used a sleeping fragrance to make her rest peacefully. Ruyi originally planned to control Ning Yuanzhou with the Heart-Aligning Butterfly. However, Ning Yuanzhou unexpectedly changed his mind on the spot and resisted Ruyi. Yu Shisan saw Ruyi chasing Ning Yuanzhou to demand a child and came to help Ning Yuanzhou control Ruyi, who had temporarily lost her internal strength. Ning Yuanzhou also used his internal strength to force out the Heart-Aligning Butterfly in Ruyi's body, leaving her infuriated.

Realizing the poisoning incident, Ning Yuanzhou understood that the formation of the embassy and the merchant caravan was too hasty, and there might be some laxity among the members. He arranged for everyone to take turns patrolling every two hours and not to share meals. Yu Shisan, dressed up and presenting himself to Ruyi, was directly thrown out of the room by her.

In the evening, when everyone was asleep, Ning Yuanzhou suddenly noticed that Ruyi was missing. From the hoofprints, he deduced that Ruyi had gone in the direction of Yuzhou. Rushing to Yuzhou, Ning Yuanzhou left Qian Zhao temporarily in charge of embassy affairs. In the Yuzhou inn, Ruyi found the escaped Yulang. On the one hand, she wanted to verify the truth of what Yuesanniang had said through Yulang, and on the other hand, she sought revenge for Ling Long. Using the Dream Butterfly, Ning Yuanzhou found Ruyi and learned that she originally intended to kill Yulang. He also understood that Ruyi did not plan to break her promise.

Ning Yuanzhou persuaded Ruyi not to leave the embassy without authorization. Killing someone would attract the attention of the Zhuyi Guard, affecting everyone's rescue plan and the safety of the embassy. Ning Yuanzhou knew that Ruyi wanted to investigate the cause of Queen Shajibu's death and would not want to break their agreement. He also saw that although Ruyi was tough in words, she had a soft heart and wouldn't use the lives of embassy members to threaten him into having a child. Apologizing for his previous words and actions, Ning Yuanzhou was caught off guard when Ruyi unexpectedly kissed him.

The next day, Ning Yuanzhou, with Ruyi, rejoined the embassy, and he helped fabricate reasons for Ruyi's temporary departure. No one suspected Ruyi. When Yu Shisan tried to introduce himself to Ruyi, Ning Yuanzhou warned him that Ruyi was a comrade they must respect, not a woman to be teased casually.

Yang Ying, refusing to eat and resisting, wanted to return to the capital. She wanted to go back and find out why Danyang Lord and the empress deceived her. A servant girl at the relay station persuaded Yang Ying, accidentally revealing her true identity. Ning Yuanzhou initially planned to kill this servant girl to conceal Yang Ying's identity, but Yang Ying, to protect the servant girl, promised Ning Yuanzhou not to resist eating anymore. However, Yang Ying, seeing Ning Yuanzhou threaten her, became even more disappointed in them. She cried out her grievances and dissatisfaction, unable to understand why her family treated her this way.

Ning Yuanzhou took Yang Ying to the rooftop, showing her the territories governed by the Yang family. He explained the cities facing them, mentioning that Wu Kingdom had thirty-eight such cities. Due to the emperor's reckless expedition, Wu Kingdom lost three cities. Those in power should stop wars and love the people; the people should live and work in peace and happiness. This was the right way for the world. However, the emperor's trusted ministers caused over ten thousand people to suffer in the war, with families broken and lives lost. Yang Ying, as a princess, received an annual stipend of at least five hundred guan, but those who died in battle only received one guan in compensation.

Ning Yuanzhou told Yang Ying that everyone accompanied her to An Kingdom not out of loyalty but to prevent the two countries from falling into war again, and to clear the names of their brothers who died in battle but were unjustly accused. Seeing Yang Ying acknowledge her mistake, Ning Yuanzhou stated that although the journey to An Kingdom was full of uncertainties, as long as she remained firm in her beliefs and worked hard, everyone would be with her through thick and thin.

Due to Yang Ying's poisoning affecting sixty-nine members of the embassy, Ning Yuanzhou punished her with twenty strokes. To save Yang Ying face, he took her into a room for the punishment. Knowing that Ning Yuanzhou couldn't bear to punish her, Ruyi took on the task of disciplining Yang Ying. While punishing Yang Ying, Ruyi asked why she, disguised as a man, took the risk of becoming an Imperial Envoy. Learning that Yang Ying did it to marry Zheng Zhiqing, Ruyi exposed Empress Xiaoyan's malicious intentions. She believed that, with proper education, Yang Ying could become a stronger woman than Xiaoyan. Ruyi thought that when Yang Ying achieved success, she could marry Zheng Zhiqing and step on those who had insulted her.

Ning Yuanzhou saw that, under Ruyi's persuasion, Yang Ying regained her composure. He couldn't understand why Ruyi helped him like this. Ruyi candidly admitted that Ning Yuanzhou's teaching style from a high place was charming, hoping to help him a few more times to make him agree to have a child.

After calculating the speed of travel, it was estimated that Zhou Jian would catch up with the expedition in about an hour, and a fierce battle was unavoidable. Ruyi asked Yuanluo for two thunderfire bombs, intending to blast the mountain road on the way back, gaining half an hour for everyone. Yuanzhou urgently adjusted the plan, deciding to lead Zhou Jian to the strategically difficult Tianxing Gorge, where several ambushes would be set up to intercept Zhou Jian's scout team.

Yang Ying was unwilling to leave alone and ultimately chose to witness the impending battle with everyone. Yuanzhou instructed Ruyi to assassinate Zhou Jian, while Qian Zhao placed poison along Zhou Jian's route. Exhausted from marching a thousand miles, the army would surely use the water source, but Qian Zhao, being from Wuzhou, did not poison it, only weakening their strength. At the fork in the road, Yu Shisan set up an ambush, successfully defeating some of Zhou Jian's advancing troops.

Later, Zhou Jian continued to pursue the expedition, encountering a double ambush of mist and thunderfire bombs, resulting in countless casualties. Ruyi, Yuanzhou, Yuanluo, Qian Zhao, and others took advantage of the chaos to enter the canyon, where Yang Ying was almost killed but saved by Du Changshi in a critical moment. With too many people under Zhou Jian's command, Yuanzhou and Ruyi decided to capture the leader first. They cooperated to approach Zhou Jian, successfully holding him hostage and persuading the soldiers to lay down their weapons. Despite the difficult process, the outnumbered forces eventually turned the tide in this large-scale battle.

Yuanluo collapsed from exhaustion due to the intense battle, and Qian Zhao rushed to bring him back to the inn for treatment. Ruyi inquired about Yuanluo's fainting, and Yuanzhou explained that Yuanluo had a weak pulse since childhood and couldn't handle too much excitement or fatigue. After this battle, Ruyi experienced the feeling of fighting together for the first time.

Worried that Yang Ying, witnessing so much death and injury for the first time, might be emotionally unstable, Du Changshi arranged for her to be received by the local governor of Lingzhou. Yang Ying didn't want anyone else to die because of her, so she asked Ruyi to teach her how to kill. Yuanluo's injuries worsened, and Qian Zhao urgently needed a Silver Ring Snake Gall as a medicinal catalyst. Learning that both Qingjing Mountain and Shahe Gou had this snake, Ruyi and Yu Shisan went to search for it together.

Du Changshi asked the governor of Lingzhou to send someone to escort Zhou Jian to the capital. Yet, before entering Anguo, they encountered an assassination attempt, making him more worried about Princess Yang Ying's safety. Yuanzhou learned from Qian Zhao that Ruyi had gone to help find the Silver Ring Snake Gall. Worried about Ruyi's injuries, he hurriedly went to Qingjing Mountain to find her. Ruyi and Yu Shisan searched for the snake in Qingjing Mountain, with Ruyi almost getting injured. Fortunately, Yuanzhou arrived in time to save her.

Yu Shisan hurried back to deliver the snake gall, leaving early. Both Yuanzhou and Ruyi were concerned about each other's injuries. Ruyi helped Yuanzhou reset his dislocated arm and asked him to check her back wound, causing Yuanzhou, who already had an inexplicable affection for Ruyi, to become even more confused. On the way back, the delayed poison in Yuanzhou's body flared up for the first time. Unable to obtain the antidote, he could only suppress it with internal force, and Ruyi also helped with this. After suppressing the poison, both exhausted, they leaned on each other and slept. The next day, Ruyi, enjoying the beautiful morning scenery in the mountains, felt particularly happy. Yuanzhou and Ruyi returned to the inn, learning that Yuanluo had been successfully rescued, making both of them very happy. Ruyi, with a flower she picked herself, gave it to the awakened Yuanluo, causing Yuanzhou, who had only one flower, to feel a bit jealous.

In Anguo, Guide Commander Jialing, the current right commander of the Zhuyi Guard, was reprimanded by the newly arrived Commander Deng for being accused of only flattering the officials. She was given seven days to investigate the situation of the expedition. Deng's father died at the hands of the White Sparrow, so he harbored hatred for all female Zhuyi Guard. Based on various reports and evidence from her subordinates, Jialing concluded that the deaths of Yuesanniang and Yulang were related to the White Sparrow Ruyi from the Wudufen division. She did not believe that Ruyi was the former left commander Ren Xin and had personally examined Ren Xin's remains in the fire years ago.

Jialing considered Ruyi a rogue from Chuguo and dispatched trusted subordinates to investigate rogues and Yuesanniang. She also sent another team to investigate the details of the Wuguo expeditionary force. The Crown Prince of Anguo noticed the Empress's interest in Li Tongguang and sent subordinates to investigate their interactions.

In Lingzhou Inn, to celebrate the victory in the great battle, a bonfire party was held. Under mutual exchange, Yu Shisan agreed to publicly dance and invited Ruyi to dance together. Ruyi, in a spontaneous mood, danced with Yu Shisan, earning continuous cheers from the crowd, leaving Ning Yuanzhou, sitting alone, feeling a pang of bitterness. Yuanluo woke up to join the bonfire party, and his brothers, concerned about his health, forbade him from drinking. Only Ruyi, understanding that Yuanluo might not want to be treated as a patient, actively shielded him from others, allowing him to drink. Yuanluo noticed that Ruyi hadn't given up on Ning Yuanzhou, specifically telling her that Yuanzhou was tough on the outside but soft-hearted and couldn't resist when someone silently treated him well. So, going along with Yuanzhou's preferences in their interactions would be more effective.

Ruyi, Yang Ying, and Ning Yuanzhou danced together. Qian Zhao unexpectedly noticed the subtleties of Ruyi's dance moves, arousing suspicions. Ruyi intentionally baked pastries for Ning Yuanzhou, leaving him puzzled about Ruyi's intentions. Secretly, he instructed Yu Shisan to keep a close eye on Ruyi. Yang Ying wanted to learn horseback riding, and Ruyi, Yuanluo, and others patiently taught her.

Emperor An wanted to bestow Princess Chu Yue, the niece of Empress Chu, in marriage to Li Tongguang, much to the dismay of Empress Chu. Knowing that this marriage would not only please Emperor An but also strengthen ties with the Shaxi region, Empress Chu believed Li Tongguang would agree to the marriage.

When the expedition reached Jiangcheng, Yang Ying saw many refugee children begging in the city and hoped that Ning Yuanzhou could help them. However, with too many people in need, Ning Yuanzhou and others were unable to provide assistance. Though he outwardly refused to help the refugees, Ning Yuanzhou instructed his subordinates to use his jade token to seek help from the local magistrate for the refugees.

Seeing Ning Yuanzhou leave the inn, Yang Ying pleaded with Ruyi to accompany her to give alms to the beggar children. Ruyi, in the street, noticed a secret signal left by the Zhuyi Guard and deliberately left a mark. On the way to fetch medicine for Yuanluo, Ruyi encountered Ning Yuanzhou. She gave him a small knife made of celestial meteorite, expressing her desire to please him. Ruyi inquired about Ning Yuanzhou's plan to investigate the case of Empress Zhaojie after arriving in Anguo. He planned to go to the long-sealed archive room in Anguo to find relevant documents and identify key figures involved in Empress Zhaojie's death. By targeting these individuals, he believed he could find the true culprit.

On the way back to the inn, Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou discussed their pasts. Surprisingly, despite their high positions in the Zhuyi Guard and the Six Paths Hall, they had never met before. Both the Six Paths Hall and the Zhuyi Guard had strict punishment and survival-of-the-fittest systems, but Ning Yuanzhou believed that a good undercover organization should not only select talented individuals; ordinary people working together could also achieve surprising victories. This way, he met Yu Shisan and Yuanluo. Ruyi talked about her experiences when she was brought to the Zhuyi Guard, expressing pessimism that most women in the Zhuyi Guard didn't live past thirty. Ning Yuanzhou comforted Ruyi, reminding her that she had left the Zhuyi Guard.

Ning Yuanzhou inquired about the appearance of the Purple Robed Commander who had whipped Ruyi thirty-one times. Based on Ruyi's description, he used a celestial meteorite knife to carve the likeness of the Purple Robed Commander, but his carving skills were lacking, resulting in a small cat sculpture. Ning Yuanzhou claimed to have carved exactly three hundred and ten times, considering it as avenging Ruyi. Ruyi received the small cat wood carving and was touched by Ning Yuanzhou's efforts.

Taking advantage of the expedition's deep sleep, Ruyi disguised herself to meet with members of the Zhuyi Guard. She had deliberately left a mark to facilitate the meeting and convinced them that she had infiltrated the Wuguo expeditionary force after being injured. Jiang Xiu, the deputy chief of the Jumen branch of the Zhuyi Guard, inquired about the details of the expedition, further confirming Ruyi's identity for Qian Zhao, who had been tracking her.

Jiang Xiu revealed that Ruyi was a rogue from Chuguo who had infiltrated the Wuguo branch. The headquarters had dispatched the Yuheng branch to handle the matter. Ruyi couldn't understand why she was considered a rogue by them and suspected that Ning Yuanzhou had erased the clues she deliberately left and intentionally left traces of a rogue.

Yu Shisan investigated Ning Yuanzhou's feelings towards Ruyi. Ning Yuanzhou openly admitted that Ruyi was the first woman who made him feel the taste of protection, and their cooperation in battle made him feel particularly at ease. He admitted to developing genuine feelings for Ruyi. However, disregarding their roles as undercover agents from different countries, Ning Yuanzhou found Ruyi too mysterious and unfamiliar. With the heavy responsibilities he carried, he claimed to have no mood for love. Considering the blood debts they both carried, he suggested that once the mission with the Anguo envoy was complete, they might end up as adversaries, so there was no need to start a romantic relationship.

Ning Yuanzhou could see that Ruyi didn't know how to interact with men. Seeing her deliberate attempts to please him, he softened and carved the small cat for her. However, he assured her that he didn't take advantage of her and that monitoring her was for the safety of the expedition. In everyday situations, he genuinely wished Ruyi to live a happier life, given her challenging past. Ruyi overheard the conversation between Ning Yuanzhou and Yu Shisan and decided to trust Ning Yuanzhou one last time.

Jialing presented the gathered information to Commander Deng, who was dissatisfied with the obtained intelligence. Deng instructed Jialing to patrol the streets directly. Princess Chu Yue of Chuguo, the daughter of the Duke of Chuguo, saw Jialing being harassed on the street and intervened, reprimanding the Feather Forest Guards and demanding an apology. Emperor An specifically summoned Chu Yue, and upon learning of the planned marriage, Chu Yue, with her straightforward personality, went to meet Empress Chu. Empress Chu informed her niece about the betrothal to Duke Changqing Li Tongguang. Chu Yue was displeased with the arrangement, considering it as Emperor An deliberately humiliating the Shaxi region. However, Empress Chu explained that it was a decision made to balance various power dynamics. She advised Chu Yue to be content.

Chu Yue initially thought she was betrothed to King Luoxi but learned from Empress Chu that it was Duke Changqing Li Tongguang. Chu Yue resented this marriage, believing it to be Emperor An's way of humiliating the Shaxi region. However, Empress Chu told her niece that Duke Changqing was talented in both civil and military affairs and encouraged her to be content. Chu Yue witnessed Duke Changqing punishing a member of the Feather Forest Guards from the Shaxi region and intervened to stop the punishment, but she could only offer healing medicine to the punished soldier. Due to this incident, Chu Yue harbored resentment towards Li Tongguang.

As the expedition reached the border between the two countries, Ning Yuanzhou arranged for the group to split into the envoy and the merchant caravan. Ruyi, accompanied by Yang Ying, arrived at the government office in Anguo's Xucheng Prefecture. The commander guarding Xucheng, Shentu Chi, intentionally mistreated Yang Ying and others. Ruyi informed Yang Ying about Shentu Chi's characteristics and urged her to endure when speaking to him.

Shentu Chi came to meet Yang Ying and others, displaying disrespectful behavior that angered everyone. Ruyi persuaded them to endure, and reluctantly, they held back. Shentu Chi arranged a run-down inn for the envoy. Yang Ying was dissatisfied but decided to adapt to the situation as advised by Ruyi. Yang Ying was unhappy with Shentu Chi's hospitality and openly cursed him, including the Queen who raised him. Ruyi, hearing Yang Ying's insults against Empress Zhaojie, became angry and physically attacked Yang Ying.

Feeling guilty for hitting Yang Ying, Ruyi decided to buy a sugar rabbit, Yang Ying's favorite, to console her. Upon returning to the inn, Ruyi found only Qian Zhao there. Qian Zhao attacked Ruyi, and later Sun Lang joined in to help. Both believed that Ruyi was a spy sent by the Zhuyi Guard, and they decided to kill her while Ning Yuanzhou was away. Upon returning, Yu Shisan and Yang Ying discovered Qian Zhao and Sun Lang attacking Ruyi and were surprised to learn about Ruyi's affiliation with the Zhuyi Guard. Initially, Yu Shisan wanted to wait for Ning Yuanzhou's return to decide on the matter, but Qian Zhao mentioned Sun Lang's father being forced off a cliff by the Zhuyi Guard and the deaths of countless comrades due to intelligence from the Zhuyi Guard. Eventually, Yu Shisan agreed to join forces against Ruyi, and the three of them teamed up, resulting in Ruyi getting injured.

Ruyi, severely injured, could only take Yang Ying away with her. Qian Zhao and others were hesitant to intervene, fearing further harm to Yang Ying. Ruyi, covered in blood and hanging on a thread of life, led Yang Ying into the wilderness. Yang Ying wasn't afraid that Ruyi would harm her, as Ruyi, despite being an assassin for the Zhuyi Guard, was also her mentor. Grateful for Yang Ying's kindness, Ruyi let her go.

Yu Shisan, Qian Zhao, and others searched for Yang Ying in the outskirts. When Ning Yuanzhou arrived, he learned from Yu Shisan about the collaboration to attack Ruyi. Later, when Yang Ying returned, Ning Yuanzhou, after confirming her safety, was determined to find the severely injured Ruyi at any cost. Qian Zhao staunchly opposed, but Ning Yuanzhou asserted that Ruyi never intended to conceal her identity from the Zhuyi Guard and had willingly collaborated with them. Although Ning Yuanzhou admitted that Ruyi was the former Left Commander Ren Xin of the Zhuyi Guard, he believed she had defected and was certain she wouldn't betray them. Ning Yuanzhou insisted on saving Ruyi, and eventually, Qian Zhao and others reluctantly allowed it.

Unconscious and heavily wounded, Ruyi was attacked by a pack of wolves attracted by the scent of blood. With her already weakened state, Ruyi couldn't fend off the wolves. In the nick of time, Ning Yuanzhou arrived, driving the wolves away. Ignoring his own injuries, Ning Yuanzhou used his internal energy to heal Ruyi. However, Ruyi, unwilling to accept Ning Yuanzhou's insincere care, accused him of deceiving and using her, making her believe in them without any defenses. Ruyi refused to hear Ning Yuanzhou's explanations, but seeing her severe injuries, Ning Yuanzhou, despite being stabbed by Ruyi, insisted on treating her, eventually convincing her to drop her guard and accept the treatment.

Ning Yuanzhou transferred half of his internal energy to Ruyi. He didn't expect Ruyi to forgive Qian Zhao and others or to return to the envoy, but he hoped she could live a peaceful life, find a worthy man to love, and have her own child. Witnessing Ning Yuanzhou's care for her, Ruyi felt genuine sincerity for the first time since Empress Zhaojie, the queen of Zhaojie. Princess Chu Yue of Jinming County disapproved of Li Tongguang deliberately provoking others, but Li Tongguang ended up reprimanding those who tried to provoke him. Second Prince deliberately arranged a meeting with Chu Yue on Li Tongguang's way to the palace, revealing to Chu Yue that Li Tongguang was Duke Changqing, betrothed to her by Emperor An. Duke Changqing, upon entering the palace and learning about the planned marriage, didn't refuse the betrothal despite having conflicts with Chu Yue.

After confirming Ruyi's recovery, Ning Yuanzhou left a letter stating that the secret file of Empress Zhaojie would be placed on the beam of the Sleeping Buddha Temple in Andu three days later, wishing Ruyi a worry-free life. Returning to the inn, Ning Yuanzhou faced questions from Qian Zhao and others. He explained that Ruyi had left the Zhuyi Guard five years ago and had never hidden her identity from them; in fact, she had voluntarily cooperated. While Ning Yuanzhou acknowledged Ruyi as the former Left Commander Ren Xin of the Zhuyi Guard, he believed she had abandoned them and wouldn't betray them. Despite Ning Yuanzhou's willingness to save Ruyi at any cost, Qian Zhao and others reluctantly allowed her to go.

Ruyi, having left, left Yang Ying worried about facing the people of Andu. Du Changshi hoped Yang Ying would have confidence in herself and advised her to accept Shentu Chi's invitation. Du Changshi, unlike others, was less concerned about Ruyi's identity. He emphasized judging a person by their actions and deeds rather than their origin. Du Changshi believed that Ruyi, risking her life for the envoy, had proven her loyalty.

In the courtyard, Ning Yuanzhou found the sugar rabbit Ruyi had left, realizing it was a gift bought to apologize to Yang Ying. Ning Yuanzhou explained that Ruyi hit Yang Ying because she deeply respected Empress Zhaojie. He expressed that the conflict was not anyone's fault but a twist of fate. Yang Ying carefully accepted the sugar rabbit and, along with Yu Shisan and others, went out to deal with Shentu Chi's visit.

The Purple Robe Guard, Qiongzhu, infiltrated the inn to confirm that Amber, who had infiltrated the Wuguo envoy, was already dead. Shentu Chi insisted that the fierce bandits were not his doing, suspecting that nefarious individuals from Chu or that the Wuguo people had uncovered Amber's identity and killed her.

Shentu Chi invited Yang Ying to the military camp to test Prince Li's courage. In public, Shentu Chi invited Prince Li to ride horses through the streets of Xucheng. Despite the disapproval from the citizens, Prince Li, with Yang Ying, fearlessly accepted the invitation. Shentu Chi deliberately rode through the streets with Yang Ying at high speed, provoking the discontent of the people. He openly declared Yang Ying as the Prince of Wuguo, fueling the people's hatred. Yu Shisan and Qian Zhao, following orders, rushed to the streets to protect Yang Ying.

Shentu Chi proudly showcased the prosperity brought to Xucheng by Anguo. However, Yang Ying pointed out the heavy taxes imposed on the people for one of the four levies, forcing them to strive for their meals. Despite Yang Ying's explanation, the citizens blamed the incompetence of the Yang family for their struggles, expressing their anger towards Yang Ying. In a crucial moment, Ruyi, wearing a human skin mask, appeared and saved Yang Ying.

Back at the inn, Du Changshi accused Qian Zhao and others of improper protection. In the end, Ning Yuanzhou punished Yu Shisan and Qian Zhao for two days of fasting, while Sun Lang and the others were fined. Ning Yuanzhou, acknowledging his poor leadership, self-inflicted ten lashes. Unable to punish Ning Yuanzhou, Ruyi stepped forward and publicly lashed him, warning everyone that any negligence in the future would be disastrous. In the final lash, Ruyi let Yang Ying take over, teaching her the responsibilities of an envoy.

Ning Yuanzhou, due to new injuries compounded with old ones, eventually collapsed. After examining him, Qian Zhao assured that there was no immediate danger to his life. Qian Zhao stopped Ruyi, expressing gratitude for saving Yang Ying. Yu Shisan and Qian Zhao apologized to Ruyi, admitting they shouldn't have harbored their hatred for the Zhuyi Guard against her. Ruyi, although not intending to take their lives, remained unforgiving.

Later that night, as Ning Yuanzhou regained consciousness, Ruyi personally took care of him and administered medicine. Ruyi returned because she didn't trust the Six Dao Tang. Finding out the truth behind Empress Zhaojie's murder was her lifelong wish, and she needed Ning Yuanzhou to fulfill the promised deal. Despite being happy about Ruyi's return, Ning Yuanzhou was willing to promise her anything, even having a child, but with both of them severely injured, they postponed such discussions until after everything was settled. Ning Yuanzhou admired Ruyi for the public punishment she gave him, acknowledging her understanding of his thoughts. After this incident, they no longer concealed their feelings for each other and embraced while sleeping.

Early in the morning, Yuanlu discovered Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi sharing a room, and later Yang Ying learned of it as well. Both were happy for Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi. With the turmoil settled, Ning Yuanzhou decided to bid farewell to Shentu Chi and rush to Anguo. To ensure Yang Ying's safety, Ning Yuanzhou decided to merge the envoy and the merchant caravan.

The envoy's group paused to rest in Qinxia Village. Ruyi discovered an issue with the water in the village and warned everyone not to consume it. Meanwhile, Yang Ying was pelted with stones by children in mourning attire, confused about the source of her guilt. Qian Zhao informed Yang Ying that in the Battle of Tianmeng Pass, thousands of adult men were conscripted, causing countless casualties. During Emperor Wu's reign, the people of Xucheng never enjoyed prosperity, and their hearts grew colder. Yang Ying realized the root of the problem and promised to treat her elder brother well once he returned.

Li Tongguang brought the attackers to Duke Guogong's residence for judgment. With the marriage already arranged, Duke Guogong treated Marquis Changqing, Li Tongguang, with courtesy. Princess Chu Yue was unhappy with the marriage but explained to her father that she didn't know Li Tongguang's identity before reprimanding him. Unable to persuade her father to resist the imperial decree, Chu Yue sought out Li Tongguang, hoping he would disrupt the marriage within a month, but Li Tongguang refused.

Li Tongguang knew that Chu Yue didn't have a good opinion of him, but he expressed that he also didn't think highly of Chu Yue. He only stated that they should cooperate on the surface in the future, and privately, they could coexist peacefully. Otherwise, he had a thousand ways to torment Chu Yue, and at that time, no one could help her.

The diplomatic mission arrived in Cai City, and after settling everyone, Ning Yuanzhou decided to go alone to investigate the news. Along the way, Ning Yuanzhou discovered Ruyi's whereabouts. Ruyi guessed that Ning Yuanzhou's solo action was to obtain the antidote for the ten-day soul-binding curse, and he kept it from his brothers to avoid worrying them. On the way back to the city, Ruyi asked why Ning Yuanzhou liked to eat candy. Ning Yuanzhou explained that he lost his father in childhood, and during those impoverished days, the candies brought by his adoptive father were his longing. Ruyi promised to give Ning Yuanzhou her share of candy in the future, compensating for his childhood lack of sweets.

However, Ning Yuanzhou stated that not everything could be compensated. His experience of losing his father in childhood made him unwilling to let Ruyi raise a child alone, even though she could teach them well. Ning Yuanzhou asked about Ruyi's biological parents, and she revealed that her mother died during difficult childbirth when her younger brother was born. Later, her father, considering her a burden, sold her to the Zhuyi Guard. Ning Yuanzhou felt pity for Ruyi's difficult experiences and took her to watch a shadow play.

Ruyi talked about why she left the Zhuyi Guard after escaping from the prison. Ning Yuanzhou advised her not to pay too much attention to what those in power said; they were all human, with their own thoughts, judgments, and ideals. Although they were ordered to kill, many times it was ultimately to save people. Ruyi's current wish was to seek revenge for Queen Zhaojie and Linglong and then have a child of her own.

Wudi was detained in the An State Yong'an Tower. Wudi bribed the guard to summon Li Tongguang. Unhappy with the living conditions in confinement, Li Tongguang suggested that as a sovereign of a country, Wudi could choose to commit suicide if he couldn't bear the humiliation. However, Wudi feared death. Wudi knew that Li Tongguang befriended him along the way to benefit during the peace talks between the two nations. Wudi was willing to help Li Tongguang in this regard, and Li Tongguang gladly agreed.

Ning Yuanzhou discussed the deployment after entering An State with everyone. Qian Zhao specifically found Ruyi to discuss it together. Seeing that everyone treated her as a companion, Ruyi decided to let go of past grievances. However, she stated that she was still a member of the Zhuyi Guard. Except for teaching Yang Ying, she would not participate in other actions. After leaving the Zhuyi Guard headquarters for five years, Ruyi was now unfamiliar with the specific situation of the An State court. Ning Yuanzhou decided to go to the Jingsha Tower to inquire about information.

Yu Shisan mentioned the Jingsha Tower, stating that it was the number one place for entertainment, with many beautiful women and fine wine. Moreover, whatever you did inside, the secrets wouldn't leak out. Yuanlu pointed out that there was a Jingsha Tower in the nearby Jingcheng, making Ruyi suspect that Ning Yuanzhou had been there with Yuanlu.

The next day, Ruyi brought Yuanlu and Yang Ying to Jingsha Tower in Jingcheng. The ladies inside could immediately recognize that Yang Ying was dressed as a man. Ruyi took the opportunity to ask Yang Ying how to disguise herself as a man without being recognized. On the other hand, Ning Yuanzhou and Qian Zhao came to buy information with their wealth, but the information they purchased was too confidential, and they had to inquire through the leader of the Jingsha Tower. Ning Yuanzhou and Qian Zhao planned to return the next day to find the leader of the Jingsha Tower. Unexpectedly, Qian Zhao heard Yuanlu's voice, and the two found Ruyi, Yang Ying, and Yuanlu having fun here. Although Ning Yuanzhou felt that Ruyi was being a bit playful, Ruyi quickly pacified him with a few words. Although Ruyi initially suspected that her subordinates who released her from prison were at the Jingsha Tower, after some probing inside, she was disappointed to find that she had identified the wrong person.

Because of Ruyi's carefree and open interaction with beautiful women and children at the Jingsha Tower, Ning Yuanzhou felt a twinge of jealousy. Feeling troubled, he drank alone. Yu Shisan sensed Ning Yuanzhou's thoughts and offered to help. Yu Shisan believed that Ruyi's lack of concern for Ning Yuanzhou was because she didn't know his position in her heart. He suggested that Ning Yuanzhou should make Ruyi learn to feel jealous, envious, and even possessive. For this, he specially provided Ning Yuanzhou with a few methods.

The next day, following Yu Shisan's advice, Ning Yuanzhou deliberately distanced himself from Ruyi, even refusing her requests. Later, Ruyi overheard Yu Shisan mention that someone wrote a love letter to Ning Yuanzhou. This made her quite angry and jealous.

Yang Ying, after escaping with Zheng Qingyun, wanted to return to find the delegation. However, Zheng Qingyun stated that Sun Lang and others suspected him of being an accomplice to the bandits, so he had to knock them out and escape with Yang Ying. Despite this, Yang Ying insisted on going back. Zheng Qingyun intentionally revealed his wounds to make Yang Ying feel sorry for him. Zheng Qingyun promised to treat Yang Ying well for the rest of his life. Taking advantage of Yang Ying's agreement to marry him, he attempted to violate her again. However, Yang Ying pushed him away, insisting on a proper marriage with the necessary arrangements.

Ignoring Yang Ying's wishes, Zheng Qingyun, driven by lust, was subdued by Yuanluo when he arrived. However, Zheng Qingyun wounded Yuanluo during the struggle and forcibly took Yang Ying away. Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi, returning on their journey, unexpectedly found Yuanluo's horse and discovered his injuries. Disappointed in Zheng Qingyun for attempting to kill Yuanluo, Yang Ying insisted on returning to save him. Zheng Qingyun attempted to kill Yang Ying, but thankfully, Ning Yuanzhou arrived in time to rescue her.

Seeing that Zheng Qingyun wanted to escape, he was eventually subdued by Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi. Ruyi tended to Yuanluo's wounds, confirming that he was not in mortal danger. Ning Yuanzhou wanted to interrogate Zheng Qingyun about the missing gold, but Yang Ying pleaded with him not to kill Zheng Qingyun. Ning Yuanzhou accused Yang Ying of kneeling for such a despicable person.

Ruyi informed Yang Ying that Zheng Qingyun had intended to kill her earlier. Under Ruyi's interrogation, it was revealed that bandits stole the gold, and Zheng Qingyun took the opportunity to take His Highness away. The two incidents were unrelated, but they were set to meet again in Tangjia Town in three days, orchestrated by Prince Danyang. Yang Ying learned that if the mission succeeded, Zheng Qingyun would not only hold the position of Deputy Commander but also be appointed as the General of the Imperial Guards.

Feeling betrayed, Yang Ying was deeply disappointed in Zheng Qingyun for killing Yuanluo, making her a traitor to the country. Despite this, she insisted on going back to rescue Yuanluo. Zheng Qingyun attempted to kill Yang Ying, but fortunately, Ning Yuanzhou intervened and saved her.

Seeing Yang Ying give up on him, Zheng Qingyun revealed his true malicious nature. He accused Yang Ying of ingratitude and spoke ill of her, questioning her worth. Angered, Yang Ying refuted his words. Zheng Qingyun, attempting to take Yang Ying away, was killed by Yang Ying in a fit of sorrow and anger. Overwhelmed by deceived emotions, Yang Ying fainted, and Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi took her back to the inn.

To avoid any further complications in the negotiations, Ning Yuanzhou and others decided to quickly recover the gold. They analyzed the potential routes of Prince Danyang's men carrying the gold and split up to gather information. Eventually, they discovered that Prince Danyang had dispatched two teams to transport valuable items. Unable to discern which group had the gold, Yuanluo arrived and, based on his experience, determined that the route leading to the ferry was likely the one transporting the gold.

With the gold route identified, Ning Yuanzhou and his team successfully retrieved the gold downstream at the ferry. After interrogating the bandit leader, Ning Yuanzhou confirmed that Prince Danyang did not intend to harm Yang Ying but wanted to use her to organize the theft of the gold and bring her to Anguo. Ning Yuanzhou admitted that both Prince Danyang and Zhang Song understood how to govern the country better than Emperor An, but the unjustly killed brothers of Liu Dao Tang still needed Emperor An to clear their grievances. Therefore, they agreed to rescue Emperor An.

Ning Yuanzhou apologized to Ruyi for not having time to take her out to see flowers and plants just after they got together. He promised that after the delegation's matters were settled, they could go to a place just for the two of them, plant flowers and vegetables, and cook and fish together. Yu Shisan informed Ning Yuanzhou that the envoy sent by Emperor An and the deputy minister of the Anguo Ministry of Rites, Fan Dongming, had come to visit the sick Prince. They insisted on seeing the Prince with their own eyes, and Ning Yuanzhou, representing them, delayed their meeting. Li Tongguang, the envoy, realized that Ning Yuanzhou was the one truly in charge and asserted that he and the Prince held similar positions. If the Prince refused to meet, it would be disrespectful to Da'an. After arranging Yang Ying's situation, Ruyi hinted to Ning Yuanzhou to bring the envoys to see Yang Ying.

Fan Dongming, Li Tongguang, and others met with Princess Yang Ying. Fan Dongming, skilled in medical arts, proposed to examine the prince's pulse. Ruyi, disguised as Princess Wuhu of Lake Yang, intervened, posing as a female official. Li Tongguang, upon seeing Ruyi, recognized her as his master Ren Xin and admitted to being her disciple Jiu'er. However, Ruyi did not acknowledge the connection.

Six years ago, Ren Xin allowed Jiu'er to stop martial arts training and go to study at the Imperial University, where he could also bring along the princess's attendant Zhu Yin. Jiu'er, at that time, was reluctant to leave his master but had to follow Ren Xin's orders to assassinate the military commander of Fengxiang in Chu Guo. After arranging for Jiu'er's future studies, Ren Xin left Anguo.

Li Tongguang, wanting to reunite with his master, was stopped by Ning Yuanzhou. Seeing Ruyi deny any acquaintance, Li Tongguang had to admit his mistake. After leaving the inn, Li Tongguang ordered his men to quickly investigate Princess Wuhu's identity. He was convinced that the buried bones he found six years ago were fake and believed his master was on a secret mission. Remembering the signal Ren Xin once told him about the Zhuyi Guard, he asked Zhu Yin to bring him a sky lantern to use the Zhuyi Guard signal to contact his master.

Seeing the sky lantern, Ruyi knew Li Tongguang was looking for her. She admitted to Ning Yuanzhou that Jiu'er was her former disciple, and she was surprised to learn that the captured Prince Li Tongguang was her disciple. Ruyi declared that Ren Xin was dead, and the past was settled. She had no intention of acknowledging Jiu'er. Ning Yuanzhou hoped that Ruyi would leave the delegation after Yang Ying woke up and wait for him at the Ning family's old residence. Concerned that Li Tongguang's investigation into Ruyi's identity might attract the Zhuyi Guard and affect the delegation, Ning Yuanzhou tried to keep them apart. Ruyi noticed Ning Yuanzhou's unusual behavior and suspected that he was jealous of Li Tongguang. However, Ning Yuanzhou resolved the situation with a glance, hoping they would not have further interactions. Ruyi, feeling distrusted, was somewhat upset.

Ruyi visited the injured Yuanluo, who sensed her displeasure and asked about the cause. Ruyi revealed the past events, including the critically ill Princess leaving her son in the care of Empress Zhaojie. Initially strange in temperament, Jiu'er was entrusted to Ren Xin's guidance by Empress Zhaojie. The son of the Princess, who had become the Crown Prince after marrying into another country, faced danger when relations soured between the two nations. The Crown Prince wanted to kill the Princess for revenge but was protected by the Wuguo musician who had earned the favor of the other country's queen. Returning to Anguo, the musician died from injuries, and only then did the Empress learn about the Princess's child. Empress Zhaojie believed that regardless of the child's father, he was the Emperor's nephew, so she asked Ren Xin to teach him. Initially resistant, Jiu'er encountered a wolf attack while fleeing, and Ren Xin's timely intervention made him rely on his master since then.

After hearing Ruyi's recount of the past, Yuanluo learned about the separation between Ruyi and Li Tongguang for six years. Yuanluo asked if Ruyi had feelings for Li Tongguang, but she clarified that she treated him as a child and had no romantic feelings. After releasing the sky lantern and not receiving a visit from his master, Li Tongguang was disappointed but worried that it might attract the Zhuyi Guard's pursuit. He arranged for Zhu Yin to protect Ruyi and avoid the Zhuyi Guard.

Upon waking up, Yang Ying, realizing she had killed Zheng Qingyun, contemplated suicide. Ruyi did not stop her but warned her that hanging herself would look bad. Ruyi informed Yang Ying that the gold had been recovered, Prince Danyang had no intention of killing her, and Anguo had sent an envoy to bring Prince into the country. Although Ruyi did not prevent Yang Ying from ending her life, she hoped Yang Ying would apologize to the injured Yuanluo before dying.

Yang Ying deliberately came to apologize to Yuanluo, but Yuanluo believed that Zheng Qingyun was the one who hurt him, so Yang Ying didn't need to apologize. Feeling wronged, Yang Ying shed tears, expressing that if she died in Anguo, aside from Yuanluo, Ning Yuanzhou, Ruyi, and a few others, hardly anyone would know she was also a princess. Yuanluo told Yang Ying that he had already made up his mind. When he died, he would die like a great hero, ensuring that everyone would know how heroic Yuanluo's sacrifice was.

Yuanluo mentioned that he had known since childhood that he wouldn't live past the age of twenty due to heart disease. While he couldn't control how he was born, he could arrange how he would die. Yuanluo believed that everyone should live their lives splendidly, just like Yang Ying disguised as a man to visit Anguo. Even if she sacrificed herself for the country, it would be recorded in history. With Yuanluo's reassurance, Yang Ying completely understood and said that as soon as it was dawn, she would calmly go to meet Lord Ying.

Ning Yuanzhou was in a silent conflict with Ruyi due to jealousy, but he didn't know how to resolve the issue. Ning Yuanzhou gathered everyone for a meeting to discuss how to seek assistance from Lord Ying to smoothly complete the mission. Du Changshi hoped Ruyi could negotiate with Lord Ying on behalf of the prince, but Ning Yuanzhou didn't want Ruyi involved in the delegation's affairs and hoped she would reconsider. Lord Ying, Li Tongguang, visited with gifts, citing the disturbance of the prince the previous day. Ruyi decided to receive Lord Ying in her capacity as Princess Wuhu.

Due to the disagreement between Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi, the delegation was worried about them. Yuanluo stated that even though Ruyi, Du Changshi, and Yang Ying were not members of Liu Dao Tang, every person in the delegation was indispensable to rescue the emperor. Yuanluo also believed that it was unfair for Ning Yuanzhou to let Ruyi leave the delegation just because of jealousy.

Lord Ying conveyed Emperor An's decree, hoping the delegation could arrive in Andu within seven days. Du Changshi thought it was difficult to comply with such a request, and Ruyi, posing as Princess Wuhu, decided to handle the matter. Lord Ying dismissed all his attendants to meet his master, but Ruyi continued to deny her true identity. Ruyi revealed the conflicts between Lord Ying and the kings of Hedong and Luoxi, anticipating that whoever ascended to the throne as an enemy would make Lord Ying uncomfortable. She offered support from Wuguo and presented two cities, Yun and Mian, to Lord Ying.

Li Tongguang, considering himself just a grassroots warrior, expressed his lack of grand ambitions. Ruyi reminded him that the founders of An and Wuguo were also once humble warriors. Li Tongguang hoped Ruyi would agree to one condition: he wanted to lean on her side like he used to lean on his master, resolving his longing for his master. Yu Shisan, Qian Zhao, and others eavesdropped on the conversation between Lord Ying and Ruyi. They believed that Lord Ying treated Ruyi better than Ning Yuanzhou did. Out of jealousy, Ning Yuanzhou barged into the room, claiming that Prince had requested to see Ruyi and took her away.

After seeing Ruyi again, Li Tongguang realized he had mistaken her identity, but he was still determined to keep Ruyi by his side, just like he had his master. Ning Yuanzhou admitted to Ruyi that he was somewhat jealous and envied the time Li Tongguang and Ruyi spent together. He also acknowledged that it was his fault to let Ruyi leave the delegation. Ruyi honestly confessed to Ning Yuanzhou that she thought she liked a solitary life, but after meeting everyone, she realized she preferred a life where she could fight side by side with others. Although she disliked the identity of the Zhuyi Guard, she hoped to use her hands and mind to do something for the women who suffered in the Zhuyi Guard, rather than living the life a man wanted. Ruyi hoped Ning Yuanzhou could also carefully consider this matter because only when both had a clear understanding could they know whether this relationship could continue.

Yuanluo and others secretly observed Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi, all very worried about them. Yu Shisan came up with a plan to have them act separately: Yuanluo would go to comfort Ruyi, and Yang Ying would persuade Ning Yuanzhou. They couldn't let the rift between the two continue to widen.

Du Changshi believes that Ruyi is just a go-between and that Marquis Changqing is clearly interested in her. If she flatters and deceives Marquis Changqing, it might help release Lord Wu. Ning Yuanzhou is furious about this and warns Du Changshi that women are not commodities to be casually sold or exchanged. Moreover, Ruyi's martial arts and strategies far surpass his own, and he respects and loves her. He cannot give her to someone else. Du Changshi's words are a great insult to both Ruyi and himself. He can sacrifice himself for Wu Kingdom, but Ruyi has already given enough for the diplomatic mission. Ning Yuanzhou warns Du Changshi not to mention this matter again in the future, or he won't care about the feelings of colleagues.

Ruyi and Yang Ying overhear the conversation between Ning Yuanzhou and Du Changshi. Yang Ying is puzzled about why Du Changshi thinks this way, while Ruyi knows that Du Changshi has always been influenced by the idea that women should depend on men to live. She appreciates Ning Yuanzhou's defense but needs to carefully consider the matter between them.

Yu Shisan comes to console Ning Yuanzhou, stating that the most important thing for two people is to let go of any discomfort and mistrust in their hearts. He advises Ning Yuanzhou not to be too stubborn. Yu Shisan also warns Ning Yuanzhou that if he doesn't cherish Ruyi, he shouldn't blame him, a brother, for pursuing her.

Yang Ying decides to meet Marquis Changqing in person and investigate the situation in Anguo. She warns Du Changshi that she is the envoy Anguo wants to meet, and any matters regarding the diplomatic mission must be discussed with her. Du Changshi apologizes to Ruyi, and they plan to accompany Yang Ying to meet Marquis Changqing. Upon learning that Prince Li is visiting, Marquis Changqing instructs Fang Dongming to handle the reception, deciding to meet him after a while.

Fang Dongming welcomes Yang Ying, but she, as the envoy of Daguo, needs Marquis Changqing to come out to greet her. Fang Dongming refuses, citing Marquis Changqing's absence due to socializing. In response, Yang Ying sarcastically remarks about Marquis Changqing being a charming young general and decides to return to the inn and visit another day. Ruyi praises Yang Ying for her quick response.

Li Tongguang unexpectedly sees an intimate scene between Ruyi and Prince Li and feels jealous. His subordinates provide investigation materials about Princess Huyang, revealing her connection with Prince Li. Li Tongguang resents Prince Li and believes that a master can only be good to oneself.

Li Tongguang sends his subordinates to deliver an apology and arranges a banquet to make amends for the day's events, inviting Prince Li, Princess Huyang, and others. Ning Yuanzhou receives the invitation and shows it to Ruyi. Concerned about Ning Yuanzhou's well-being, Ruyi senses that he is not feeling well. Ning Yuanzhou expresses his desire to live a quiet life away from court politics, free from the struggle for power. Ruyi understands his perspective and knows that he likes her because of their shared experiences, where they found solace in each other. Ruyi questions whether Ning Yuanzhou is truly willing to leave his friends behind and live in seclusion on a small island. He confesses that he can't remain indifferent if something happens to his friends, such as Yuanluo, Yu Shisan, and Yang Ying.

The next day, Ruyi and Yang Ying, accompanied by others, go to the training ground for the scheduled meeting. Li Tongguang and Yang Ying engage in verbal sparring, with Li Tongguang even parading the captives from Liu Dao Tang and forcing them to serve wine to Prince Li and others. Ruyi, unable to tolerate this, cuts the national flag of Anguo to provide warmth for the Liu Dao Tang captives and proposes a toast to the heroes. Li Tongguang, unable to regain control, orders his subordinates to whip the captives. Yang Ying, witnessing Marquis Changqing's escalating behavior, questions Li Tongguang, mentioning that her master taught her differently. Li Tongguang pours wine on Yang Ying in anger, and she retaliates by splashing him back. Ruyi perceives the banquet as a Hongmen feast, realizing that cooperation cannot continue and decides to leave with Prince Li. Li Tongguang tries to stop them, and Ning Yuanzhou, unwilling to back down, defends everyone. Later, accompanied by Liu Dao Tang's captives, Ruyi and others leave.

Luli recognizes Ruyi when she leaves and doubts whether Ruyi is Ren Xin. However, Luli denies Ruyi's identity as Ren Xin, pointing out the absence of the scar on Ren Xin's neck. Li Tongguang cannot accept this result and sadistically wishes to have Luli teach Ruyi martial arts to make her look like her master.

Jin Meiniang disguised herself and came to the inn. She informed herself about Luli's whereabouts and intentionally coincided with her. Luli tested whether Ren Xin was still alive among mortals. Through their mutual probing, Jin Meiniang also learned that Luli was now following Li Tongguang. Her visit to He County was also to investigate Ruyi's identity. Seizing the opportunity, Jin Meiniang told Luli that Li Tongguang's kindness to her was partly due to his feelings for Ren Xin. If Ren Xin were found, Luli might have to step back.

Ruyi knew that Luli had taken in Jin Meiniang's provocative words, so her surprise upon seeing Ruyi was not as genuine. Jin Meiniang also revealed to Ruyi some hidden facts. In reality, Li Tongguang's feelings for Ren Xin were not just those of a master and disciple. When Li Tongguang initially believed Ren Xin had died in the Tianlao fire, he went mad, digging up Ren Xin's bones in the ruins every night. Later, Jin Meiniang ordered someone to hide the bones in the ruins, and Li Tongguang stopped only after finding them. Li Tongguang buried the bones in a valley and personally paid respects every fifteenth of the month. He also painted portraits of Ren Xin all over the room, mourning his loss.

Ruyi denied any romantic feelings from Li Tongguang, attributing his rejection of marriage proposals to his background. Ruyi expressed her desire to do meaningful things, similar to Meiniang, once her current affairs were settled. She believed that women often became victims due to cruel parents or restrictive teachings, making them susceptible to deception. Ruyi wanted to gather those abandoned by Zhuyi Guard, teaching them ways to make a living.

Li Tongguang specifically visited the inn to find Prince Li and others, agreeing to the previous cooperation. He promised to ensure the success of Prince Li and others within a month, but his condition was that he wanted Princess Huyang. Ruyi challenged Li Tongguang, asking if he wanted her to become his concubine for the sake of Ren Xin, or if he wanted her to be a puppet wearing Zhuyi Guard's uniform. Ruyi exposed Li Tongguang's desire to use her as a substitute for Ren Xin and reprimanded him on the spot. Ruyi believed that Li Tongguang's thoughtless approach was foolish, forgetting the purpose he had striven for so hard. She pointed out that if Ren Xin knew about his disciple's inappropriate feelings, it would be disgusting. Despite Li Tongguang denying his intentions, he fled when confronted by Ruyi.

Ning Yuanzhou, aware that Ruyi revealed her scars for their sake, felt distressed and understood her pain as her disciple turned into such a state. On the return journey, Li Tongguang encountered an assassination attempt by Zhuyi Guard. Seeing the attackers were numerous, he signaled for help. Ruyi and the others saw Li Tongguang's distress signal, and fearing it could impact the peace talks between the two countries, Ning Yuanzhou led a rescue mission.

To prevent Ruyi's identity from being exposed, Ning Yuanzhou had her hide in the shadows. Accompanied by Yu Shisan, Qian Zhao, and others, Ning Yuanzhou went to the rescue. However, the assassins wore soft armor, and Ning Yuanzhou's poisoning recurred. Ruyi had to reveal herself to assist. Li Tongguang initially wanted to capture the leader of the attackers but was surrounded and almost killed. Thankfully, Ning Yuanzhou intervened in time to save him. Yuanluo and others arrived to support. With the cover of thunderfire bombs, Ruyi successfully killed the leader of the attackers, prompting them to abandon the assassination.

Ning Yuanzhou fell into a coma due to poisoning, and Ruyi took him to Qian Zhao for treatment. However, Qian Zhao was helpless against the poison. Ruyi informed everyone that Ning Yuanzhou was poisoned with a ten-day Qiannian Machine poison. Initially, Zhang Song used this poison to control Ning Yuanzhou, forcing him to take it, but due to delays caused by Zheng Qingyun and Li Tongguang's affairs, he couldn't get the antidote in time.

Qian Zhao believed that without the antidote, Ning Yuanzhou could only last another half hour. Realizing that she had Zhuyi Guard's Universal Detoxification in her body, Ruyi decided to use her blood to save Ning Yuanzhou. After consuming Ruyi's blood, Ning Yuanzhou woke up, instructing Qian Zhao to send a message to Junzhou in Anguo, informing Zhang Song's people of the situation. Ning Yuanzhou apologized to Ruyi, giving her a piece of candy and hoping it would bring her comfort when she felt unhappy. Seeing Ning Yuanzhou on the brink of danger, Li Tongguang didn't want Ruyi to resent him and used the More Beginnings Pill from Shaxi to treat Ning Yuanzhou.

After taking the More Beginnings Pill, Ning Yuanzhou's pulse stabilized. Qian Zhao and the others took him back to the inn, where Ruyi, Yuanluo, Yang Ying, and others stayed up all night guarding him. Finally, as dawn approached, Ning Yuanzhou woke up, and Ruyi, seeing that he was safe, finally felt relieved.

Upon seeing Ning Yuanzhou being saved and given a second chance at life, Ruyi finally relaxed. She secretly hid in the courtyard to release her pent-up emotions and began crying. Yu Shisan, noticing her distress, came to comfort her. He brought a red jujube soup concocted by Sun Lang to replenish Ruyi's blood. Yu Shisan hoped that Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou could open up to each other. Although everyone had their own principles and feelings, finding someone to mutually support in this vast world was not easy. Ruyi had someone willing to protect her with their life, making decisions clearer for her.

Ning Yuanzhou instructed Qian Zhao to investigate the black-clad assailants from the previous night. He also emphasized the need to strengthen security at the inn. After this incident, Ruyi had a complete realization and specifically sought out Ning Yuanzhou. Having experienced life and death, Ning Yuanzhou recognized that he had not cherished Ruyi properly before. Their previous disputes, especially when Li Tongguang appeared, were due to his negligence. He decided never to let go of Ruyi's hand again, respecting her choices, whether she wanted to roam the world with a sword or live in seclusion. Ruyi acknowledged her mistakes, and the two reconciled, envisioning a beautiful life after resolving the mission of the envoy.

Li Tongguang investigated the source of the assassins and discovered they were from Zhuyi Guard. He ordered his subordinates to raid the two recent branches of Zhuyi Guard and demanded an explanation from Commander Deng Hui within three days. Ning Yuanzhou, accompanied by Sun Lang and others, also came to inspect the assassin's body. From various pieces of evidence, they inferred that the attackers were from Beipan and had come to assassinate them. Ning Yuanzhou summoned Li Tongguang and shared the discovery of a secret passage, a tunnel stretching dozens of miles directly to the outskirts of Tianmeng Pass.

In recent years, there had been continuous conflicts between Anwu and Pingfan. The Emperor of Anwu had also transferred many soldiers from outside Tianmeng Pass. Taking advantage of this situation, people from Beipan had constructed secret tunnels to infiltrate Anguo, plundering villages. Last night, after plundering a village, they happened to encounter Li Tongguang and his group in luxurious clothing, prompting them to plan the ambush. This matter concerned the safety of both Anwu and Pingfan, and Ning Yuanzhou had sent a secret message to Wudou about it. He hoped that Li Tongguang would report to the Anwu Emperor and strengthen the defense of Tianmeng Pass and the secret tunnels.

Li Tongguang worried that his report might not reach the Anwu Emperor, and he believed that the Emperor didn't believe in the secret attacks from Beipan. With Zhuyi Guard's sinister motives, he suggested that Ning Yuanzhou and his party quickly go to Andu. This would allow them to present the matter in detail during an audience, providing an opportunity for resolution. Ning Yuanzhou readily agreed. Seeing Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi behaving intimately, Li Tongguang took his leave with a hint of anger. Ning Yuanzhou told Ruyi that he was, after all, Li Tongguang's master and would manage his eccentricities.

The envoy's group packed their belongings to head to Andu. Yuanluo and Yu Shisan specially obtained the Qiannian Machine antidote for Ning Yuanzhou. Resting at an inn on the way, Qian Zhao noticed that the envoy's food was harmful to those with injuries. Everyone suspected it was Li Tongguang's jealous act. Ning Yuanzhou took the initiative to find Li Tongguang, stating that such tricks of food incompatibility were child's play. Knowing that Li Tongguang had been striving for years to stop the tyranny of the Anwu Emperor, Ning Yuanzhou proposed a deal between him and Liu Daotang. This way, Li Tongguang wouldn't have to please the Emperor anymore.

Based on his intelligence about Anwu's political situation, Ning Yuanzhou noted that the Emperor of Anwu was warlike, the two princes were not kind, and Li Tongguang had no allies in Anwu. Knowing that Li Tongguang opposed further wars in Anwu, Ning Yuanzhou was willing to help him. He suggested that Li Tongguang use the pretext of illness to retreat, then ally with the second prince, causing conflict between the two princes. This would be the perfect opportunity for Li Tongguang. Ning Yuanzhou also advised Li Tongguang not to openly or covertly oppose the envoy and warned him not to have any inappropriate thoughts about Princess Huyang. Li Tongguang agreed to consider the cooperation seriously. He clarified that he had no romantic involvement with the First Princess and hoped that Ning Yuanzhou wouldn't disclose this to Ruyi. Even if Ruyi resembled his master, he didn't want her to look at him with disdain.

Having had one conversation with Li Tongguang, Ning Yuanzhou realized that his feelings for Ruyi were sincere. The emotions of young people were often intense, and Ning Yuanzhou couldn't help feeling a bit envious. Ruyi knew that Li Tongguang's genuine feelings for her were the reason she treated him more indifferently now.

The envoy arrived at Jizhou in Anguo. Ruyi recalled her childhood when her father sold her to Zhuyi Guard for money. Feeling melancholic, she took a solitary walk by the river. Seeing Ruyi, Li Tongguang took the initiative to collect green jujubes from Jizhou for her to taste. Li Tongguang informed Ruyi that green jujubes were her master's favorite food. Ruyi believed that if Li Tongguang's master knew of his filial piety, he would be very pleased. This made Li Tongguang very happy.

Li Tongguang apologized to Ruyi for his previous misguided actions. He was also troubled by the proposed cooperation with Ning Yuanzhou. Ruyi assured him that she wouldn't interfere with any decision he made. She emphasized that Ning Yuanzhou was a grateful person and provided insightful political analyses, urging Li Tongguang to seriously consider the collaboration.

Li Tongguang gave all the picked green jujubes to Ruyi, but she noticed Yang Ying's liking and passed them to Yang Ying. This annoyed Li Tongguang, who deliberately knocked the jujubes out of Yang Ying's hands. Ultimately, Li Tongguang agreed to cooperate with Ning Yuanzhou, pledging to assist him in bringing back the Emperor Wu. However, Li Tongguang was unwilling to distance himself from Princess Huyang. He specifically told Ning Yuanzhou the location where the bones of those who accompanied Emperor Wu and died in battle were buried.

Ning Yuanzhou, accompanied by Qian Zhao and others, rushed to the burial site to unearth the bones of those who died in battle, intending to cremate them and bring their souls back to their homeland someday. Yang Ying, representing the royal family, knelt to pay respects to these deceased heroes of the Heavenly Dao. Although everyone felt the pain of their brothers' sacrifices, they knew that only by fully cooperating with Li Tongguang could they truly end the war and bring lasting peace to the people.

Zhuyi Guard's headquarters was unaware that Ruyi was actually Ren Xin. They only knew her as the murderer of the Zhujin Case and continuously disseminated messages about assassinating the traitor Ruyi. Ning Yuanzhou thanked Ruyi for accompanying him to mourn their brothers. However, Ruyi was envious of Liu Daotang, who arranged annual memorials for their deceased brothers. In contrast, the fallen guards of Zhuyi had no graves, memorial tablets, or offerings. Ruyi explained that when Zhuyi Guards were alive, they had no names, only code numbers. Once they died, their names were erased from the records. It was only now that she realized these people were also worthy of commemoration.

Ning Yuanzhou mentioned that he had previously infiltrated Andu, and if Ruyi needed help investigating the cause of Empress Zhaojie's death, she could ask for his assistance. When Ruyi inquired about Ning Yuanzhou's livelihood during his infiltration, he deliberately evaded the question. Yang Ying specifically asked Liu Daotang's people about this matter, but everyone remained silent.

Li Tongguang, along with the envoy, had just entered Andu. The trusted aide of the Second Prince deliberately wanted to embarrass the envoy, but Liu Daotang's people easily defused the situation. Li Tongguang escorted the envoy to the Siyi Pavilion, where they awaited an audience with the Emperor. In the middle of the night, the Emperor summoned the Prince of Li. Although aware of the Prince's insolence, Yang Ying had to enter the palace immediately to meet the Emperor. Due to the lack of attendants, Yang Ying could only enter the palace alone, calmly facing the Emperor's difficulties.

Li Tongguang reported to the Emperor about the infiltration of Beipan into Anguo. However, the Emperor was not concerned about their intentions and stated that he had not sent idle troops to Tianmeng Pass. The Emperor, intending to enjoy his late dinner first, planned to meet Li Tongguang afterward. Yang Ying waited the whole day but did not receive an audience with the Emperor. She eventually decided to leave the palace. Han Dongming, who initially wanted to intervene, was questioned by Yang Ying about the Emperor's deliberate troubles. Han Dongming had no choice but to let Yang Ying leave. Yang Ying informed Han Dongming that matters should not exceed three days. She hoped the Emperor would provide an explanation for the envoy's purpose within three days; otherwise, she would return home. Yang Ying also threatened that if she were detained, the Liu Daotang warriors stationed in Anguo would rescue her at all costs.

Yang Ying faced everything alone and managed to emerge unscathed. Ning Yuanzhou praised her courage and strategy, and everyone's admiration and acknowledgment brought great joy to Yang Ying. Ning Yuanzhou noticed the injuries on Ruyi's hands and learned that she would visit Zhuyi Guard the next day. Concerned about Ruyi's safety, Ning Yuanzhou expressed that he wouldn't stop her from seeking revenge but hoped she would take care of herself and avoid getting hurt.

Ruyi speculated that when Li Tongguang entered the palace, he would likely inform Emperor An about the Zhuyi Guard assassination. However, there was no movement from Zhuyi Guard today. Ruyi believed that Deng Hui might not be in the capital, and thus, the Emperor did not summon him. Unaware of Deng Hui's details, Ruyi planned to strike when he was not in Zhuyi Guard's yamen. Ning Yuanzhou reminded Ruyi to contact him through the Lost Butterfly if needed, assuring her of support.

Emperor An questioned Deng Hui about the assassination attempt, but Deng Hui denied any involvement. The Emperor ordered Deng Hui to investigate the matter and forbade his private troops from acting without permission. Subsequently, the Emperor instructed Deng Hui to uncover Zhuyi Guard's collusion with Beipan.

Jialing received information about someone in Zhuyi Guard colluding with Beipan. She suspected the involvement of Chen Kui, Chen Zuo Shi's people. However, Jialing's subordinates had been sent to He County at that time. Worried that Deng Hui might discover her attempt to assassinate Ruyi, Jialing decided to leave and investigate the circumstances surrounding the Zhujin Case to avoid Deng Hui's inquiries.

Disguised as an inner servant of the Bureau of Writing Implements, Ruyi entered Zhuyi Guard's yamen. Inside, she discovered that her name had indeed been erased from the records. Emperor An ordered Han Dongming to summon Yang Ying to Yong'an Temple to meet with Emperor Wu. Privately, Yang Ying informed Ning Yuanzhou that she had never met her elder brother since childhood, fearing that a direct meeting might expose her identity. Ning Yuanzhou guessed that the Emperor's arrangement was a test of Yang Ying's true identity. He handed over Liu Daotang's old belongings, including hidden weapons, to Yang Ying, suggesting that if Emperor Wu failed to recognize her or if she made a mistake, she could use the hidden weapons to make him unconscious, then explain everything later.

Ruyi, posing as Jialing's subordinate, reported the assassination attempt to Chen Kui. Though her identity was exposed, Ruyi admitted to being Ren Xin and questioned why Chen Kui would assassinate Duke Changqing and collude with Beipan. Chen Kui admitted to aligning with the Crown Prince and choosing to obey orders to assassinate Duke Changqing. However, he did not admit to betraying the Wuguo branch.

Yang Ying met Emperor Wu alone, but Emperor An arranged two similarly dressed individuals nearby to test Yang Ying. Emperor Wu recognized the Liu Daotang's old belongings on Yang Ying's hands, directly admitting her identity. Ordering Han Dongming to leave, Emperor Wu stated that even without Liu Daotang's belongings, he could still recognize his younger sister. Yang Ying informed Emperor Wu of their planned rescue and revealed that the Empress was pregnant. Although Emperor Wu was pleased about having an heir, he knew that Dan Yang Wang did not want him to return to Wuguo.

Emperor Wu did not inquire about the Big Wu warriors who died fighting for him but worried about the security of his throne. This deeply saddened Yang Ying, who hoped Emperor Wu would issue an edict clearing the wrongful accusations against Chai Ming and others. Emperor Wu acknowledged that Ning Yuanzhou came to rescue him because of his loyalty to the Liu Daotang brothers. He promised to send the edict once Ning Yuanzhou safely escorted him back to Wuguo.

Yang Ying expressed her concern that Emperor Wu did not genuinely believe in her sincere efforts to rescue him. Knowing that Emperor Wu always regarded lives as insignificant and hadn't matured despite the bloody events at Tianmeng Pass, Yang Ying was deeply troubled. Ruyi came to pay respects to the late Empress Zhaojie, and Ning Yuanzhou specifically waited for her at the location. Both of them had their worries and walked back to Siyi Pavilion together. Although Ning Yuanzhou had long known about Emperor Wu's indifference, the sacrifice of the Liu Daotang brothers for him at Tianmeng Pass was merely a duty for Emperor Wu, leaving Ning Yuanzhou profoundly disappointed.

Jialing saw Ning Yuanzhou coming to help Ruyi and decided to send a signal, summoning all nearby Feather Forest Guards for support. Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi informed the besieging Zhuyi Guard that Jialing was the mastermind behind betraying the Wudou branch. They assured that their goal was to eliminate Jialing and promised not to trouble anyone else. Some Zhuyi Guards, persuaded by them, abandoned the siege. Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou joined forces to kill Jialing, who got injured and fell into the river. When Duke Changqing Li Tongguang arrived at the riverside with the Feather Forest Guards, Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi had already left.

At the riverside, Li Tongguang discovered a silver needle belonging to his master. He immediately concluded that the discovery of Zhuyi Guard's corpse tonight was likely due to internal conflicts. Ruyi deduced that Jialing was not dead and found her critically injured along the river. Ruyi wanted Jialing to confirm her crimes personally. Jialing stated that there was no future for Zhuyi Guard's women and admitted to selling out the Wudou branch for wealth. She tried to sow discord between Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi, claiming that, like herself, Ruyi had crawled out of the Baique Heap and wouldn't sincerely care for Ning Yuanzhou. However, Ning Yuanzhou insisted that, regardless of Ruyi's past actions, she was different from Jialing.

Unwilling to accept that Ruyi could find a man who understood her, Jialing felt resentful for her own struggles despite her efforts. Jialing didn't want to become a mere symbol like other Guard members after death. She wished Ruyi to disguise her body as if she died fighting the Northern Rock man and wanted her brother to know that she was more than someone who sold her looks. Before dying, she told Ruyi that Empress Zhaojie wasn't killed due to Deng Hui's false accusations, and only one person willingly went to her death.

Ruyi couldn't accept that Empress Zhaojie died because of the person she cared about the most. Distraught, Ning Yuanzhou brought the drenched Ruyi back to Siyi Pavilion to take care of her. Yang Ying informed Ning Yuanzhou that although he had bandaged Ruyi's external injuries, she was still running a high fever due to the emotional shock. To reduce Ruyi's fever, Ning Yuanzhou used ice to lower his body temperature before using it to cool Ruyi down.

Under Ning Yuanzhou's cooling, Ruyi successfully recovered from the fever. Ning Yuanzhou mentioned that he had arranged Jialing's body according to her wishes, but getting posthumous honors from the court might be difficult. He speculated that Deng Hui would accuse Jialing of colluding with the Northern Rock man to assassinate Li Tongguang. Left Envoy Chen Kui also died at her hands. Deng Hui claimed to have surrounded and killed her upon discovering this, eliminating dissent within Zhuyi Guard and justifying the matter to Emperor An.

Ning Yuanzhou informed Ruyi of the secret message from Liu Dao Tang, suspecting that Emperor An collaborated with the Northern Rock man to buy horses for war. Empress Zhaojie, driven by righteousness, opposed the alliance and was later accused by Deng Hui. Ruyi pledged to investigate the death of Empress Zhaojie and promised not to spare anyone responsible.

Three days later, Ruyi asked Qian Zhao for a hallucinogenic substance and decided to personally investigate the cause of Empress Zhaojie's death. Yang Ying inquired about Ning Yuanzhou's plan to rescue people by attacking the tower. Knowing the plan had a low success rate and might result in half of them being injured or killed, Yang Ying also acknowledged his own danger. Ning Yuanzhou suggested that if they couldn't rescue him, Ruyi should leave with Yang Ying. Yang Ying ultimately prioritized the safety of Liu Dao Tang and others over attacking Yong'an Tower, leaving the details to Ning Yuanzhou. Yang Ying also realized that his elder brother, Emperor Wu, was selfish and incapable.

Yuanluo and Yang Ying chatted together, and Yuanluo noticed Yang Ying's low spirits, offering comforting words. Yang Ying observed that Yuanluo, despite taking bitter heart-preserving pills every day, remained optimistic. Yuanluo admitted to being afraid of death but didn't want to worry Ning Yuanzhou, so he pretended to be carefree. Yang Ying also confessed his fear of the rescue mission failing and everyone abandoning him.

Yang Ying asked Yuanluo if there was someone he liked. Yuanluo honestly admitted having someone in his heart but decided never to let that person know. Yang Ying fantasized about who might like her in the future. Yuanluo believed that Yang Ying should choose someone who genuinely liked her. She could become a powerful imperial sister or take charge of Liu Dao Tang. Yuanluo was confident that in this vast world, there must be a suitable suitor for Yang Ying. Inspired by Yuanluo, Yang Ying envisioned her future life.

Ruyi infiltrated the residence of the Second Prince and witnessed him currying favor with the Empress Dowager for the throne. Disappointed by the Second Prince's actions, especially his refusal to pay respects to his biological mother due to Emperor An's fear of Empress Zhaojie, Ruyi decided to take matters into her own hands. She administered a hallucinogenic drug to the Second Prince, revealing the truth about the past. It unfolded that the Second Prince, in pursuit of the Crown Prince position, collaborated with Emperor An to conspire against outsiders. He even falsely accused Empress Zhaojie of madness and urged her to guard the ancestral temple. Despondent, Empress Zhaojie eventually chose self-immolation.

Upon learning the truth, Ruyi, filled with anger, left the Second Prince's residence. On her way out, she encountered a disguised figure, Li Tongguang, who was testing her. Recognizing Ruyi's martial arts style, Li Tongguang, in tears, pleaded for her acknowledgment as his master. Ruyi eventually admitted her identity and, accompanied by Li Tongguang, went to the Marquis of Changqing's residence to inquire about Empress Zhaojie's cause of death. Li Tongguang revealed that Emperor An and the Beipan people were involved in buying horses. Empress Zhaojie, unable to stop them, knelt at the ancestral temple. Fearing the consequences of her actions, Emperor An imprisoned her, and later, instigated by the Crown Prince, he attempted to kill Empress Zhaojie to silence her. Learning about the Second Prince and the Eastern Sand's agreement to depose the empress, Empress Zhaojie chose to end her life in despair.

Having learned all the truths from the past, Ruyi prepared to leave the Marquis of Changqing's residence. Unwilling to see his master go, Li Tongguang, in an attempt to make her stay, opened a secret chamber containing portraits of Ruyi. Ruyi, unmoved by Li Tongguang's pleas, coldly departed.

Ning Yuanzhou, bringing a late-night snack, came to see Ruyi, understanding her troubled emotions but refraining from probing into her investigations. The next day, Ning Yuanzhou took Ruyi to the secret archives of the Six Paths Hall in Andu. He had organized the confidential letters involving Empress Zhaojie from five years ago and handed them to Ruyi. Reading the letters, Ruyi discovered that Tao Wei accused Empress Zhaojie, and this person had close ties to the Crown Prince. Ruyi deduced that the Crown Prince was scheming for the throne, colluding with his father-in-law to manipulate Tao Wei into accusing Empress Zhaojie.

Emperor An and Empress Zhaojie, a deeply in love couple from their youth, owed Emperor An's designation as the Crown Prince to Empress Zhaojie's unwavering support. Ruyi realized why Empress Zhaojie chose not to escape—her husband ordered the action, and her biological son betrayed her. In despair, Empress Zhaojie chose to end her life. Despite being the Second Prince's only kin, Ruyi spared his life. However, she had no intentions of letting go of the Crown Prince and his father-in-law, Duke Wang. As for the mastermind Emperor An, Ruyi decided to carefully plan her revenge for Empress Zhaojie.

Yang Ying personally visited the influential ministers in the An Kingdom, hoping to persuade them to advise Emperor An to let the Emperor return to his country. On the other hand, Ning Yuanzhou and Yu Shisan investigated the surroundings of the Yong'an Tower, planning evacuation routes to ensure a foolproof strategy. Upon learning that Yang Ying and Ning Yuanzhou had separated from the group that day, Ruyi became concerned about Li Tongguang's potential harm to Yang Ying. Indeed, fueled by jealousy, Li Tongguang led an assassination attempt against Yang Ying. Unaware of Yang Ying's presence, Li Tongguang attacked the carriage, only to discover that the occupant was Yu Shisan. Li Tongguang, driven to the brink, targeted Yu Shisan, but in the nick of time, Ning Yuanzhou intervened, exposing Li Tongguang's true identity.

Li Tongguang revealed his intention to kidnap Yang Ying to force his master to come and find him. He desperately hoped his master wouldn't ignore him. Losing control, he attempted to kill Yu Shisan, disregarding whether the two nations of Anwu would face complications due to Yang Ying.

Ning Yuanzhou brought Li Tongguang to the branch of Liu Dao Tang near the water for a quiet discussion. He emphasized that if it weren't for Ren Ruyi's sake, he would never let Li Tongguang leave Liu Dao Tang alive today. Li Tongguang couldn't comprehend why his master treated him this way. Ning Yuanzhou reminded him of the severe injuries he caused to Yang Ying and the brothers of Liu Dao Tang, as well as the ruthless methods of those demonic individuals who couldn't be tolerated. Ning Yuanzhou warned Li Tongguang not to disrupt Ruyi's life and not to harm Yang Ying and Liu Dao Tang, or else he would not spare Li Tongguang. Concerned about potential conflicts between Ning Yuanzhou and Li Tongguang, Ruyi initially wanted to intervene but, persuaded by Yu Shisan, decided to let Ning Yuanzhou handle the matter.

Ning Yuanzhou expressed that Ruyi needed someone to respect and cherish her, someone emotionally stable, a partner who could stand by her side. If Li Tongguang continued to act madly, the young lady would keep her distance. While admitting that he was using Li Tongguang for his own purposes, Ning Yuanzhou also claimed he could help others gain the rights they desired, including rescuing the national lord. Li Tongguang agreed to abide by the agreement and asked the Duke of Changqing to advise the Emperor to release the Emperor Wu.

Li Tongguang argued that the Emperor wouldn't easily release the Emperor Wu. Ning Yuanzhou revealed they had other plans and mentioned their own arrangements for the tower assault, hoping Li Tongguang would assist from the periphery. As the Crown Prince was the mastermind behind the death of Empress Zhaojie, Ning Yuanzhou knew Ruyi would seek revenge. He proposed a plan involving the Second Prince confronting the Crown Prince, ensuring Ruyi and their group could escape unharmed. Li Tongguang worried about the safety of the Second Prince, being the only bloodline of Empress Zhaojie, but Ruyi assured him it was acceptable, as the Second Prince also had the blood of Empress Zhaojie and should face consequences. Ruyi mentioned that even the Emperor was involved in Empress Zhaojie's death, but killing him would lead to chaos, so she planned to make him suffer more than death.

Li Tongguang received news that Ruyi was willing to meet him in the future. Delighted to see that his master cared about the injury on his neck, he felt joyous. After everyone left, Ning Yuanzhou showed Ruyi an old item hidden in the Liu Dao Tang branch, a wooden imitation of gold that he made years ago. He had buried it to be remembered when Liu Dao Tang faced an attack from the Zhuyi Guard. Feeling he no longer needed others to remember him, Ning Yuanzhou discarded the wooden gold.

Ning Yuanzhou talked about how Li Tongguang could calm down from madness with just a smile from Ruyi, expressing his envy for the youth's ability to love and hate fearlessly. Ruyi believed everyone had two sides, and Empress Zhaojie was not as perfect as she imagined. She decided not to treat Empress Zhaojie's last words as a standard, wanting to live happily and meaningfully in this world.

Li Tongguang, in a good mood because of Ruyi, bought medicine for her and even purchased jewelry for Chu Yue. However, a misunderstanding at a jewelry store led to a confrontation. Li Tongguang intervened and resolved the situation, gifting Chu Yue a bouquet of roses. Grateful for his help, Chu Yue thanked him, and Li Tongguang expressed the need for Sand West and the Duke of Changqing's residence to be on good terms.

The Crown Prince's father-in-law, Duke Wang of the State, was invited to the feast at the home of the General of Zhenwu. Ruyi poisoned Duke Wang during a dance performance, causing his death the next day. The Crown Prince informed the Emperor that the Second Prince had poisoned Duke Wang. Subsequently, a dragon robe was found in the Second Prince's residence. As a result, the Emperor ordered the Crown Prince to recuperate in Sand Central and assigned the Second Prince to oversee the construction of the Tianmen Pass.

Ruyi intercepted the Crown Prince on his way to Sand Central, wounded the heir of Duke Wang, and purposely misled him into thinking she was an assassin sent by the Second Prince. She then took the Crown Prince to the tomb of Empress Zhaojie and killed him as revenge for the Empress. When the heir of Duke Wang woke up, he found a token from Sand East and assumed it was the Sand East that killed the Crown Prince. Furious, the Emperor ordered Deng Hui to investigate. Blaming Wuguo for the incident, the Emperor demanded Yang Ying to prepare 30,000 taels of gold; otherwise, he would not let the Emperor Wu leave.

Ruyi sought Jin Meiniang's help to formulate an antidote for the drug controlling the Zhuyi Guards. She also wanted to destroy the registry that aided the Zhuyi Guards, so they could truly be free. Ruyi approached Li Tongguang, handing him three evacuation routes for the mission. Li Tongguang chose what he deemed a suitable route and asked if Ruyi would leave Anguo with Ning Yuanzhou. He expressed his desire for Ruyi to wait until he became the Prime Minister and then offer her all the beauty in the world. However, Ruyi stated that she might not necessarily like all the beauty in the world and that Ning Yuanzhou was the person she liked, so she would only appreciate what he gave.

Ruyi informed Li Tongguang that the person she had always liked was the capable Ren Xin, and now she was Ruyi. Li Tongguang was unwilling to let go, expressing his intention to wait for Ruyi to change her mind someday. If Ruyi ever grew tired of Ning Yuanzhou, he would be there for her. Seeing Li Tongguang heading to the horse stable, Chu Yue also went there and unexpectedly witnessed interactions between Li Tongguang and Ruyi. Jealous, she followed Ruyi, who noticed and directly took her to Li Tongguang, instructing him to handle matters. Chu Yue questioned Li Tongguang about Ruyi's identity, and he only mentioned that Ruyi was from the Eastern Sands and warned Chu Yue not to tell Duke Chu. Li Tongguang admitted he liked Ruyi a lot, but his kindness to Chu Yue was for the sake of cooperation. Heartbroken, Chu Yue went to Andu's Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Yu Shisan investigated the defenses around Yong'an Tower but was unexpectedly discovered by the Zhuyi Guards with concealed weapons. Being pursued, Yu Shisan hurriedly entered the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, where he unexpectedly encountered Chu Yue, who was drowning her sorrows. Yu Shisan asked for Chu Yue's help in evading the Zhuyi Guards' investigation, and she agreed. Ultimately, she dismissed the investigating Zhuyi Guards using her status as the Golden Ming County Princess. Knowing Chu Yue's identity, Yu Shisan, based on his past experiences, deduced that Chu Yue was heartbroken by a lover. Chu Yue revealed she was not in a good mood, and as there were no private rooms in the pavilion, she unintentionally entered the room that Yu Shisan had booked.

Although Yu Shisan claimed to be a flower thief, Chu Yue was unwilling to believe it. Yu Shisan advised Chu Yue not to drink with strangers next time and not to casually help strangers, promising to send a letter to Duke Chu's mansion to have someone pick up Chu Yue. He then urged Chu Yue to keep today's encounter with him a secret and left.

Ruyi informed Ning Yuanzhou about her plan to destroy the Zhuyi Guards' registry and provide them with the antidote. She decided to implement this plan before and after their attack on the tower, relieving pressure by causing chaos among the Zhuyi Guards. Ning Yuanzhou decided to feign an attack on Yong'an Tower to persuade Emperor An to relocate Emperor Wu, ensuring a safer rescue plan for him. Subsequently, Ning Yuanzhou and others pretended to attack the tower, taking advantage of the situation to set fire to Yong'an Tower, forcing the guards to move Emperor Wu elsewhere.

Deng Hui traced the clues left by Ning Yuanzhou and others to the North Cang Army of Wuguo. Emperor Wu mistakenly thought it was Prince Danyang who sent someone to assassinate him. Chu Yue unexpectedly encountered Yu Shisan on the street and intentionally followed him, pleading for him to accompany her for a drink. Eventually, Yu Shisan softened and brought Chu Yue to the Jinsha Tower in Andu for entertainment. Deng Hui personally invited Ning Yuanzhou, expressing gratitude for his guidance in saving Xing's subordinates. To repay the favor, Deng Hui informed Ning Yuanzhou that he would report to Emperor An about the Zhuyi Guards' incapability to guard Emperor Wu and advised him to assign someone else for the task. Deng Hui also guessed the involvement of Liu Dao Tang in the assassination but had no intention of reporting it to Emperor An. Under the influence of alcohol, Chu Yue confessed her feelings to Yu Shisan, who perceived that she had some affection for Li Tongguang but also harbored some reluctance. Seeing Chu Yue heartbroken over love, Yu Shisan consoled her, pointing out her own virtues and the reason Li Tongguang treated her well.

Yu Shisan accompanied Chu Yue for a drink, telling her that she was sad for a man because good men were too rare. Yu Shisan felt some affection for Chu Yue, realizing that their interaction couldn't continue. He intended to leave, but Chu Yue didn't want him to go. Yu Shisan had no choice but to accompany Chu Yue around Jinsha Tower, allowing her to experience a life she had never known.

After playing for a while, Chu Yue rested in the room. Yu Shisan initially planned to leave quietly, but Jin Meiniang happened to block his way. Jin Meiniang noticed that Chu Yue was the type of girl Yu Shisan liked the most. They discussed their past love history, and Jin Meiniang asked if Yu Shisan had ever loved her. Yu Shisan didn't deny it, and Jin Meiniang admitted her love for him. They reconciled, and Jin Meiniang let go of her lingering resentment from their past relationship.

Emperor An dreamt that Ren Xin killed him to avenge Empress Zhaojie. Upon waking, he suspected Ren Xin killed the Crown Prince to avenge the Empress. Emperor An summoned Deng Hui to inquire about this, and Deng Hui did not deny it. The emperor thought Deng Hui deliberately deceived him and threatened that if he didn't see Ren Xin's corpse within half a month, Deng Hui's own corpse would be seen.

Ruyi learned from Jin Meiniang that Yu Shisan had taken Chu Yue to Jinsha Tower for entertainment. Ruyi waited for Yu Shisan to return and questioned him about whether he knew Chu Yue was the future wife of Duke Changqing and if he harmed her. Yu Shisan assured Ruyi that he hadn't harmed Chu Yue, and only then did Ruyi let him go. Ning Yuanzhou received information that Emperor An was transferring Emperor Wu, and Ruyi analyzed the route, predicting that Emperor Wu would be moved to Donghu Grass Cottage.

Ning Yuanzhou and his team gathered information about Donghu Grass Cottage and prepared for the rescue mission. Chu Yue, upon hearing that Yong'an Tower was on fire, came to witness the commotion. Deng Hui, pursuing her, asked if she had seen anyone outside the city on the day she saw Duke Changqing. Chu Yue denied encountering strangers. She informed Li Tongguang about Deng Hui's inquiries regarding Ruyi, using Yu Shisan's method of showing weakness. Li Tongguang acknowledged his previous bad attitude and didn't reject Chu Yue's goodwill.

Chu Yue questioned Li Tongguang about the process of him falling for Ruyi and realized she had fallen for Yu Shisan. She proposed a fake marriage between her and Li Tongguang, without the need for mutual respect, stating that she deserved a better man. If Li Tongguang succeeded in the future, she wanted a title with real power and land. Li Tongguang gladly agreed.

Chu Yue guessed Yu Shisan's identity and went to the Sifang Pavilion, revealing to Yu Shisan that the Zhuyi Guards had targeted her due to Duke Changqing's matter. Yu Shisan thanked Chu Yue for her kindness and assured her that people in Jinsha Tower wouldn't spread rumors. Chu Yue showed goodwill to Yu Shisan, who, being a member of Liu Dao Tang, directly rejected her due to their disparate identities.

Jin Meiniang, aware that Deng Hui was investigating Ruyi's whereabouts, closed the Andu branch of Jinsha Tower. Fearing that she might endanger the mission, Ruyi decided to leave the Sifang Pavilion immediately. Ruyi, accustomed to parting ways, was stopped by Ning Yuanzhou. Realizing she should get used to saying goodbye before parting, Ruyi followed Ning Yuanzhou to a special place before their separation.

Ning Yuanzhou specially took Ruyi to the smelting room and personally crafted a sword for her. He hoped that this sword, like himself, would accompany Ruyi in the lively world. Ruyi named the sword "Red Dust," symbolizing "in the red dust, there is you, and also her." Upon learning that Ning Yuanzhou had given Ruyi the well-forged sword stored in the Andu branch, Yu Shisan expressed great admiration. However, he was puzzled by Ning Yuanzhou's decision to forge a sword at this critical moment after injuring his arm.

Ning Yuanzhou tested Yu Shisan, who discovered that Ning Yuanzhou's internal energy was unstable. Ning Yuanzhou explained that there was a downside to the Wandu Resolution, causing a loss of internal energy within seven days. Additionally, he had taken the Qianji Pill for ten days, resulting in intermittent internal energy due to the conflicting effects of the two medications. Unable to guarantee his survival in the upcoming battle, Ning Yuanzhou requested Yu Shisan to keep this matter confidential for the sake of stabilizing the military and to ensure the safe return of his brothers to Wuguo in case of a rescue mission.

Ruyi challenged Deng Hui, who went to Wannian Temple for the meeting. Afterward, Ruyi openly admitted to killing the Crown Prince and Duke Wang for the late Empress's revenge. Ruyi proposed that Deng Hui record all the achievements Zhuyi Guard had made for Da'an in the history books. Deng Hui agreed to the deal.

Wudi successfully practiced with Liu Dao Tang and learned about their plan to rescue him that night. He informed Ning Yuanzhou and others about the situation in the prison. Ruyi engaged in a one-on-one fight with Deng Hui and emerged victorious. However, Deng Hui, being untrustworthy, called the ambushed Zhuyi Guard for assistance. Ruyi faced Zhuyi Guard alone, reluctant to harm her former comrades. Unfortunately, she fell unconscious due to a sword wound and the effects of a sedative.

Ning Yuanzhou, accompanied by his Liu Dao Tang brothers, dispersed a sedative with Kongming Lanterns, incapacitating some guards. They then entered Donghu Bamboo House, eliminating the remaining guards and successfully reuniting with Wudi. On the other side, Yang Ying initially planned to leave Siyi Inn with Du Changshi, but when Du Changshi's whereabouts were discovered by Zhuyi Guard, a fight ensued. Du Changshi suffered severe injuries, and Yang Ying decided to stay at the inn. She, posing as Prince Li, ordered Sun Lang to find a doctor for Du Changshi and send him to meet Ning Yuanzhou and the others, while she stayed to attract Zhuyi Guard's attention to ensure the success of Ning Yuanzhou's rescue mission.

Ning Yuanzhou and his group were discovered during their retreat, and Wudi was wounded midway. Ning Yuanzhou ordered a hasty withdrawal. Deng Hui brought the unconscious Ruyi to Emperor An, who commanded Deng Hui to kill Ruyi. Unexpectedly, Ruyi woke up and seized Emperor An. Before the operation, Ruyi had secretly contacted the former members of Zhuyi Guard, deliberately getting captured to personally meet Emperor An.

Upon learning that Yang Ying stayed behind alone, Ning Yuanzhou and the others were worried. Ruyi ordered Emperor An to ring the Anyang Bell to summon officials, and Li Tongguang, upon hearing about trouble in the palace, also gathered his subordinates to rush to the palace. On the other side, Zhuyi Guard successfully discovered that Wudi had been rescued. They forcibly entered Siyi Inn to take Yang Ying away. To save herself, Yang Ying set fire to the inn, also alerting the citizens of Andu. The people were displeased with Zhuyi Guard's actions, and they intervened to put out the fire, opposing Zhuyi Guard's midnight arson attempt.

Ruyi brought Emperor An and Li Jun to the palace gate, publicly acknowledging her identity as Ren Xin, the former left commander of Zhuyi Guard. She pressured Emperor An to confess the true cause of the late Empress Zhaojie's death. Emperor An admitted that the Empress died in a fire, but Ruyi presented medical records and autopsy reports from the Royal Hospital, confirming that the Empress died of smoke inhalation during the fire. Surprisingly, Emperor An had falsely accused himself of murdering the Empress. Ruyi revealed that the Empress had discovered Emperor An's collusion with Beipan and was killed by him in a deliberate fire.

Ruyi exposed Emperor An's tampering with historical records to conceal the truth of his murder of his former wife. She also revealed that all the deeds Zhuyi Guard had done for the country were erased from the history books. Ruyi questioned the officials about Emperor An's treatment of Zhuyi Guard and warned them that he might treat them the same way in the future. Emperor An showed no remorse, believing that trivial details shouldn't hinder major accomplishments. Meanwhile, Mei Niang arranged to burn the roster room of Zhuyi Guard, distributing the antidote to the members, causing them to abandon their swords and leave. Ruyi informed the Zhuyi Guard about the antidote controlling them, revealing that the roster room was destroyed, and the guards were no longer bound.

To prevent Andu from falling into chaos again, Ruyi refrained from killing Emperor An. Upon Emperor An's safety, he immediately ordered Deng Hui to capture Ruyi and threatened the historians not to record today's events in history books.

Li Tongguang, citing the infiltration of spies into the city, had the Feather Forest Guards take over the defense of each gate. Hearing the palace horns, Li Tongguang hurriedly went to the palace to inquire about Ruyi's safety. Ning Yuanzhou arranged for Qian Zhao and others to escort Wudi out, while he returned to the city to rescue Yang Ying. Li Tongguang rushed to Siyi Inn and found it on fire. Yang Ying, forced to jump from the building due to the fire, was saved by Li Tongguang, who didn't want his master Ruyi to be distressed.

Ruyi encountered Ning Yuanzhou in the city, learning that Yang Ying stayed behind at Siyi Inn. Originally planning to rescue Yang Ying together, Ruyi deduced that Emperor An didn't trust Zhuyi Guard and Feather Forest Guards, bringing personal guards. Fearing that Li Tongguang's Feather Forest Guards might not smoothly take over the city's defense, Ruyi instructed Ning Yuanzhou to return with Qian Zhao and others to safely escort Wudi out of Andu. She decided to go alone to save Yang Ying. Ning Yuanzhou agreed, promising to meet at Liujun Fortress in six months. If Ruyi wasn't there after two days, he would return to look for her.

Shazhongbu's general intended to take Yang Ying away, but Li Tongguang, claiming to distrust everyone, refused to let her leave. Ruyi successfully found Yang Ying and Li Tongguang. She instructed Li Tongguang to protect Yang Ying while she lured Shazhong troops away. Ning Yuanzhou and others intentionally caused chaos at the city gate, seizing the opportunity to escape outside the city.

Facing a double siege from Shazhongbu and Zhuyi Guard, Ruyi, unwilling to harm the people of Andu, refrained from killing. Li Tongguang, intending to help Ruyi, found himself caught in the middle of their fight. However, Ruyi wanted to use the situation to clear Li Tongguang's suspicion and assist him in rising to a higher position. In the process of their confrontation, Ruyi deliberately let Li Tongguang injure her, knowing that only by removing herself could Li Tongguang transform from Jue to Changqing Duke.

Watching his master fall after inadvertently injuring her, Li Tongguang, though heartbroken, followed Ruyi's command, allowing Deng Hui to take Ruyi away. When Ruyi woke up from her severe injuries and saw Deng Hui, she discussed Deng Hui's father's death at the hands of Zhuyi Guard. However, Emperor An, despite knowing Deng Hui's hatred for Zhuyi Guard, appointed him to lead Zhuyi Guard, keeping him tethered like a hawk-dog for life.

Deng Hui realized that Ruyi's uproar was to buy time for Ning Yuanzhou and others to escape Andu. He deliberately allowed Changqing Duke to injure him to clear his suspicion but didn't expose Ruyi's assistance. Ruyi, like Deng Hui, hated Zhuyi Guard but didn't want to kill innocents. Fearing to die at Emperor An's hands for betraying him, Ruyi instigated Deng Hui to kill her.

Li Tongguang came to escort Ruyi on her final journey. He reminded Deng Hui to be cautious about Emperor An's potential anger toward Zhuyi Guard due to Wudi's escape. Li Tongguang suggested Deng Hui and himself work together to support the Third Prince. Deng Hui, considering his future, agreed willingly. Li Tongguang lost his master once again, and at the same time, due to Ruyi's death at his hands, he successfully cleared his suspicion, promoted to Changqing Duke, and was given control over the military in three provinces.

One day later, at Andu's Liuli Fortress, Ning Yuanzhou had Yuanlu prepare a written exoneration resembling Wudi's handwriting. All that was missing was Wudi's fingerprint as evidence. With Wudi severely injured, Qian Zhao exerted all his inner strength to save him. Discovering the exoneration prepared by Wudi, Ning Yuanzhou and others were relieved to see Wudi's awakening, considering their journey worthwhile.

Qian Zhao successfully saved Wudi, and Ning Yuanzhou instructed Qian Zhao to escort Wudi back to his country, while he prepared to return alone to Andu to rescue Yang Ying. Yu Shisan revealed that Ning Yuanzhou's inner strength was inconsistent, and going back now wouldn't save Yang Ying but could lead to his own demise. Qian Zhao, Yu Shisan, Yuanlu, and Sun Lang were unhappy with Ning Yuanzhou's decision, but he promised to bring back Yang Ying and Ruyi safely.

Chu Yue, worried about Yu Shisan's safety, went alone to Siyi Inn to inquire. Upon learning that, except for the rescued Prince Li, there were no other casualties, she was relieved. Sun Lang persuaded Du Changshi to leave with them, but Du Changshi refused, claiming his life was saved by Yang Ying, and he needed to go back to rescue him.

Li Tongguang burned paper in the mansion to mourn Ruyi. When Yang Ying heard about Ruyi's death, she couldn't believe it. Li Tongguang reminded Yang Ying to worry about herself, as Emperor An, once he got past this period, might remember Yang Ying and find ways to torment her. The next day, Li Tongguang brought Yang Ying into the palace. Emperor An wanted to force Yang Ying to commit suicide, but she proposed a deal. She could help stabilize the political situation and effortlessly resolve the grave crime of colluding with Beipan. Yang Ying also revealed she was a woman, risking her life to enter Andu to save her brother, and now abandoned by him in a crisis. She refused to sacrifice herself for him.

Yang Ying suggested a strategic move: Emperor An could announce a peace agreement with Wudi, allowing her to stay in Andu as the queen. Simultaneously, she proposed a marriage alliance, offering nine cities as dowry, and once Wudi returned home, a conflict over the relinquished cities would erupt between him and Prince Danyang, leading to mutual destruction. In the end, Andu and Wudi would become brothers. Emperor An, after some thought, agreed to Yang Ying's proposal.

Privately, Yang Ying asked Li Tongguang to contact Ning Yuanzhou and tell him not to rush to rescue her. She now realized that if she could return to Wudi, she didn't want to marry a stranger as a princess. She wanted to decide her own fate.

Emperor An inquired about Deng Hui's opinion on the marriage between the two countries. Deng Hui frankly stated that this marriage didn't match in terms of power and age. However, Deng Hui agreed to announce the engagement, suggesting that the decree could be vaguely worded to allow room for interpretation. As the Second Prince hadn't been married yet, and the Crown Princess was more manageable than the Empress.

Ning Yuanzhou returned to the Liu Dao Tang branch in Andu, learning from his subordinates that Yang Ying's situation was temporarily safe. However, the news of Ruyi's death and her public cremation by Zhuyi Guard was heartbreaking. Despite knowing that both of them were accustomed to life and death situations, Ning Yuanzhou couldn't help but feel shattered. Wearing the red robe that Ruyi had specially given him, he recalled the moments they had spent together and promised to accompany Ruyi once he rescued Yang Ying.

Li Tongguang retrieved some of Ruyi's ashes through Zhuyi Guard. He buried Ruyi's ashes in a cave, and upon learning about it, Yang Ying asked Li Tongguang to help her temporarily leave the palace so she could personally pay her respects to Ruyi. Li Tongguang arranged this matter through his subordinates, deciding to seal the cave after Yang Ying's tribute. He knew his master preferred tranquility and didn't want anyone to disturb her peace in the future.

Emperor An informed Li Tongguang that conferring him as a Duke was to hope he would assist the Second Prince in the future. Li Tongguang readily agreed on the surface. First Consort, upon seeing Li Tongguang, complained that he hadn't visited her recently. Li Tongguang explained that their cooperation was similar to his collaboration with the Shaxi faction, and now, the collaborator had changed from the First Consort to Chuyue. Li Tongguang claimed no emotional connection with Chuyue and admitted to using the First Consort's feelings. The First Consort, seeing Li Tongguang's coldness, mentioned her attempt to harm Princess Yang Ying. Li Tongguang was furious and warned the First Consort that she would regret it if anything happened to Yang Ying.

Li Tongguang hurriedly left the palace to rescue Yang Ying. Meanwhile, during the worship of Ruyi, Yang Ying faced an assassination attempt. In the critical moment, Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou appeared, eliminating the assassins. Reunited, Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou were overjoyed to find their beloved one safe.

It turned out that on that day, Deng Hui saved Ruyi by knowing the unusual position of her heart. Although Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi intended to leave with Yang Ying, she refused. With the imperial decree issued, whether as the Empress or Crown Princess, she would be the future mistress of Anguo. Yang Ying didn't want to return to Wuguo as a caged bird in the imperial palace. She believed that staying in Anguo and striving for peace between the two countries was worthwhile.

Seeing Yang Ying's determination, Ruyi advised her to seek help from Jin Meiniang at Jinsha Tower in case of an emergency. Ning Yuanzhou also expressed trust in the commander Ye Guang of Liu Dao Tang branch and handed a bewitching butterfly to Yang Ying, promising to come to her rescue in case of danger.

Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi asked Ye Guang to escort Yang Ying back to the temporary palace, while they planned to go to Hexian County to meet Yu Shisan and others. The two agreed to travel the world together after safely returning Wudi to his country. Li Tongguang arrived at the cave, seeing the heartwarming interaction between Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi after the ordeal. He did not show himself, acknowledging that he lost the right from the moment he killed Ruyi with his own hands.

The Second Prince ordered the city guards to open the Heavenly Gate and let him into the city. Learning that Emperor An had arranged a marriage with the Princess of Licheng for him, he regretted agreeing to collaborate with the Beipan people. However, it was too late now, as the Beipan people took advantage and launched a massive attack on the Heavenly Gate.

The Second Prince, dissatisfied with his exile, decided to let the Beipan people into the Heavenly Gate, fantasizing that they would help him seize the throne. Qian Zhao, alone with Wudi, arrived at the scenic platform overlooking the rivers and mountains. Qian Zhao told Wudi that this was where he suffered defeat months ago. Qian Zhao planned to use Wudi's blood to pay tribute to the fallen brothers of Liu Dao Tang. Yuanlu and Sun Lang sensed something was amiss and rushed to intervene. Qian Zhao showed the safe buttons of his deceased brothers, recounting how they died for Wudi. Among them was his half-brother, Chai Ming. Despite his dislike for Chai Ming, Qian Zhao couldn't help but feel regretful, realizing he could never call Chai Ming his brother again. Since the day of the embassy's departure, Qian Zhao had decided to personally take Wudi's life to let the wronged soldiers of Wu rest in peace.

Yu Shisan didn't want Qian Zhao to make a big mistake. He threatened Qian Zhao with his own life, urging him to give up killing Wudi. Yu Shisan argued that if Wudi died at Tianmen Pass, the officials and military officers of Wuguo wouldn't let him, the sovereign, die without a clear cause. Once any clues were found, everyone in the mission would have to accompany Qian Zhao in death. Yang Xingyuan admitted his guilt for being reckless and endangering the country. Because he was afraid of facing death and getting the loyal and righteous men of Huangcheng and Liu Dao Tang involved, he asked Qian Zhao to kill him.

A whistle sounded from Tianmen Pass, and Yuanlu inferred from the smoke signals that the Beipan people had attacked Tianmen Pass. Qian Zhao temporarily abandoned killing Wudi, and everyone together analyzed the situation. Wudi concluded that if they couldn't see the whistle at Hexian, and the defense wasn't timely, tens of thousands of people would be in imminent danger. Qian Zhao ordered everyone to rush to the beacon tower for reinforcement, and Wudi chose to join the rescue team to protect the people.

On the battlefield, Yu Shisan reminded everyone not to linger in the fight. He emphasized that sounding the warning whistle was the top priority. Wudi exerted all his efforts to ignite the warning whistle. In a critical moment, he was attacked by Beipan soldiers, and Qian Zhao shielded him. Unfortunately, Qian Zhao was struck by a long spear. Knowing his injuries were fatal, he told Yang Xingyuan that the reason he didn't kill him was to protect the people of Anguo and Wuguo. He hoped Yang Xingyuan would fulfill his duties as a sovereign. Qian Zhao handed his safe button to Yuanlu and ultimately died in front of his brothers.

After burying Qian Zhao, Wudi and others swiftly headed to Hexian. Upon arriving in Hexian, Yang Xingyuan identified himself to the city guard and informed him that the Righteous King of Beipan was leading the army south. Meanwhile, five thousand elite soldiers from Beipan descended through Tianmen Pass, breaking through Jishan, Cangsong Ridge, Quwei Gully, and Qu Head Road, heading directly for Hexian. Wudi knew that if Beipan people breached Hexian, the surrounding area within a hundred miles would be defenseless. He made defensive preparations in advance, sending carrier pigeons to inform Wudu. The brothers, including Yu Shisan, joined forces to defend against the Beipan army.

Ning Yuanzhou still hadn't received any information from Qian Zhao and others. Seeing Ning Yuanzhou and the mission worrying, Ruyi, despite her injuries, decided to go to Hexian with Ning Yuanzhou. Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi rushed to Tianmen Pass upon hearing from merchants that Beipan people were gathering for no apparent reason.

The Righteous King of Beipan, leading five thousand elite soldiers, began a joint attack on Hexian. The members of Liu Dao Tang and the defenders of Hexian fought desperately. The general defending Hexian unfortunately died, entrusting Hexian to Wudi before his death. Seeing heavy casualties among his comrades, Yu Shisan and Sun Lang jointly infiltrated the Beipan army, shooting and killing the Righteous King. Witnessing their leader's death, the Beipan army hastily withdrew from Hexian. Although everyone celebrated the victory, they discovered that Sun Lang, after helping Yu Shisan kill the Righteous King, was shot by several arrows in the back. After hearing Yu Shisan admit that Sun Lang had been a hero from start to finish, Sun Lang left the world with regret.

Yu Shisan and Yuanlu buried Sun Lang in Hexian. Recalling the time they spent with their brothers, both of them felt immense grief. Wudi speculated that with the death of the Righteous King, the Wolf King of Beipan would not easily accept defeat. Liu Dao Tang received information that the Wolf Lord was gathering forces outside Tianmen Pass and had sent the Righteous King to Hexian. Wudi sent a messenger to ask for help, and the messenger returned, reporting that the governor of Junzhou didn't believe that Beipan people had breached Tianmen Pass. The governor of Junzhou was from the Shadong faction. Wudi learned that the Second Prince had been sent by Emperor An to inspect Tianmen Pass, and now that Beipan people had breached it, he suspected something was amiss.

Because the war involved the people of both countries, Wudi decided to send someone to Andu to report the truth to Emperor An. Yu Shisan suggested that Yuanlu go to deliver the message. The Second Prince was unaware of their presence in Hexian. As long as Yuanlu successfully infiltrated Andu, contacted Changqing Duke Li Tongguang or Yang Ying, and relayed the military situation to Emperor An, it would be sufficient. Afterwards, Yu Shisan entrusted the information to Yuanlu, telling him to take care of himself along the way. The two brothers bid a reluctant farewell, and Yuanlu rushed to Andu to deliver the message, while Yu Shisan stayed in Hexian.

Yu Shisan knew that the Beipan people would soon come back, and he took the opportunity to send Yuanlu away, hoping he could preserve his life. Yu Shisan believed that living in this world meant living to the fullest. Like Qian Zhao and Sun Lang, they died the way they wanted, and he naturally wasn't afraid of life or death.

Yuanlu knew that Yu Shisan wanted him to deliver the message and stay alive. He traveled day and night to quickly send the military information to Andu, hoping that Yu Shisan would survive until the reinforcements arrived. Two days later, Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi found Jin Meiniang, learning that the Second Prince was passing through and heading to Andu. Ruyi asked Jin Meiniang to pay attention to relevant military information. Yuanlu also passed through this location while delivering the message but accidentally missed Ning Yuanzhou and the others.

Two days later, Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi arrived at the branch of Liu Dao Tang in Anguo. From there, they learned that the Beipan people had breached Tianmen Pass, and Cai Jing had sent troops to support. However, Hexian was understaffed, making the situation precarious. Ning Yuanzhou realized the urgency of getting Emperor An to quickly issue orders for reinforcements. They decided to rush to Andu to force Emperor An to take action.

Due to exhaustion from continuous travel, Yuanlu's horse collapsed, leaving him without a means of transportation. With still 80 kilometers to go to Andu and only one heart-preserving pill remaining, Yuanlu consumed the last pill and rushed on foot toward Andu. Despite facing obstacles, Yuanlu managed to reach Andu, rushing into the city. At the residence of Changqing Duke, the guards stopped him, and his fluttering butterfly unexpectedly fell and flew away. Yang Ying noticed the butterfly and realized that Yuanlu had arrived.

Yuanlu informed Li Tongguang that the Beipan army had breached Tianmen Pass. He handed the military report to Li Tongguang, urging him to quickly send reinforcements to Hexian. Yang Ying ordered immediate medical attention for Yuanlu. Yuanlu confessed his feelings to Yang Ying, expressing his liking for her. Due to his short life expectancy, he hadn't dared to tell her earlier. He hoped for a good relationship in the next life. Yang Ying promised to fulfill Yuanlu's request, and he peacefully passed away in Yang Ying's arms.

The Second Prince returned to Andu to attend the ceremony for the Crown Prince's enthronement. Emperor An inquired about the movements of the Beipan people, and the Second Prince concealed the information about secretly letting Beipan people into Tianmen Pass. He stated that he would pay attention to the Beipan people's movements after the ceremony. Li Tongguang presented the military information brought by Yuanlu to Emperor An. Upon seeing the report, Emperor An criticized the Second Prince for colluding with Beipan, concealing military information. Li Tongguang hoped that Emperor An would severely punish the traitors, but Emperor An, considering the father-son relationship, decided to suppress the news. He confined Li Tongguang and Yang Ying to their residence.

Emperor An learned that the Second Prince had collaborated with the Beipan people. He instructed him to bring his own seal and inform Beipan that they could provide maps and troop deployments for the Hexian area. After winning a few battles, they would defeat Anguo, and Emperor An would not intervene in their subsequent attacks on Wuguo. Emperor An also planned to send Duke Qingguo, Li Tongguang, to the expedition. The more disastrous the defeat, the more it would highlight Emperor An's achievements.

Yang Ying was puzzled why Li Tongguang, with martial arts skills, didn't escape from the residence. Du Changshi told Yang Ying that Li Tongguang's honor and disgrace were tied to two places: his identity as the Grand Princess and his military achievements. Now that Emperor An had revoked the military power of the Feather Forest Guards and placed him under house arrest, even if he escaped, he would be powerless. Seeing Du Changshi suffering from stomach issues due to cold and hard food, Yang Ying brought some dry grass to prepare a hot meal for him. Li Tongguang, sensing the aroma of the herbs, warned Yang Ying that the smoke produced by burning this grass was toxic.

Yang Ying planned to use the toxic smoke to incapacitate the guards and escape. However, Li Tongguang disapproved. They shared their similar experiences growing up, and Yang Ying expressed that women don't necessarily have to like someone for their entire lives. However, Li Tongguang revealed that he had only liked his master in his lifetime. Yang Ying thanked Li Tongguang's subordinates for arranging Yuanlu's funeral. She also stated that she wouldn't become the Second Prince's princess even if he colluded with Beipan. Yang Ying told Li Tongguang that she had been in contact with the Andu branch of Liu Dao Tang. If Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi learned about their danger, they would come back to rescue them.

Chuyue stealthily entered the palace and informed Li Tongguang that Duke Chuguo had been sent to reinforce Hexian. However, she discovered that Emperor An had sent insufficient provisions, deducing that Emperor An didn't intend to block Beipan. Chuyue mentioned that earlier in the morning, Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi had come to her, asking her to rescue Li Tongguang and Yang Ying. Ning Yuanzhou informed Chuyue that Emperor An was secretly collaborating with Beipan, intending to let Duke Chuguo lose to the Beipan Wolf Lord. After that, they planned to achieve a big victory on the corpses of the Shaxi forces to consolidate their military power.

Yang Ying gave the Liu Dao Tang hidden weapon, which had been given to her by Ning Yuanzhou, to Li Tongguang for self-defense. After disguising themselves, the group, led by Chuyue, left the palace. Chuyue lent her slave servants to Li Tongguang, hoping that he could use them to rescue his father and brother in Hexian. Chuyue also informed Li Tongguang that Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi intended to expose Emperor An and the Second Prince's crimes during the ceremony to force them to issue an edict for the court and people to resist Beipan. However, Ruyi's injuries hadn't fully healed, and Ning Yuanzhou's internal strength fluctuated. Chuyue was concerned about their safety. After some consideration, Li Tongguang asked Chuyue to lend him fifty Shaxi guards, planning to use them to rescue Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou first. During the ceremony, while the Second Prince was receiving the decree, Ruyi, disguised as Ruyi, seized him.

Ruyi kidnapped the Second Prince, and Ning Yuanzhou also arrived at the grand ceremony, kidnapping Emperor An. He immediately ordered Emperor An to dispatch troops to support Hexian and resist the Northern Pangu. Under Ruyi's interrogation, the Second Prince confessed that Emperor An allowed him to let the people of Northern Pangu enter the borders and revealed the details of Emperor An's dealings with them. Ruyi presented a private letter from Emperor An to the Second Prince, and the personal seal on the letter confirmed Emperor An's identity. With overwhelming evidence, Emperor An couldn't escape the charges. Thinking Ruyi wouldn't dare to kill him, he was shocked when she directly injured the Second Prince in front of the officials. Deng Hui, confirming the Second Prince's collusion with Northern Pangu, decisively ended the Second Prince's life.

Ning Yuanzhou told Emperor An that if he wanted to survive, he must write a self-condemnation decree, swearing in the name of his ancestors, and immediately send troops to expel Northern Pangu.

Emperor An initially agreed to write the decree but was unexpectedly ambushed by Li Tongguang at the ceremony, who used a hidden weapon to incapacitate Ruyi and ordered his men to capture the unstable Ning Yuanzhou. In the chaos, Emperor An fled but was stabbed in the chest by Zhu Yin, one of Li Tongguang's subordinates. Li Tongguang had to improvise, explaining that he arrived late and promised to assist the Third Prince according to Emperor An's wishes. With Emperor An dead, Deng Hui stepped forward to confirm Emperor An's testament, allowing Li Tongguang to stabilize the political situation.

Li Tongguang questioned Zhu Yin, but Zhu Yin claimed that Ning Yuanzhou didn't want to kill Emperor An and offered to help. He believed that, given Li Tongguang's current situation, it was better to take a risk than be besieged. Zhu Yin's actions forced Li Tongguang onto an irreversible path, compelling him to assist the Third Prince in ascending the throne. In the Sand Region, many people opposed Li Tongguang, but Deng Hui quickly dealt with them. Li Tongguang honored his promise to elevate Princess Chu to the position of Empress Dowager, grant the title of King of Sha to the Chu family, and reward Chu Yue with three hundred households.

Li Tongguang decided to expedition to Hexian, aware of the extreme danger. To fulfill his desires, he forcefully held a wedding ceremony with Ruyi in his residence. Although Ruyi had taken the softening medicine, she coerced Li Tongguang into releasing Ning Yuanzhou. At this moment, Ning Yuanzhou burst in, and after Ning Yuanzhou administered the antidote to Ruyi, he confronted and reprimanded Li Tongguang. Ning Yuanzhou pointed out that Li Tongguang was a coward who only used despicable means to force Ruyi. Despite this, Li Tongguang showed no remorse for his actions. Ning Yuanzhou advised Li Tongguang to let go of his obsession if he wanted to become a true man. If he aimed to become a king, he should value the lives of the people more than power.

Ruyi expressed a desire to marry Ning Yuanzhou immediately, and he gladly agreed. They left together and, in the outskirts, married each other with the heavens and earth as witnesses, officially becoming a couple. Li Tongguang ordered Zhu Yin to gather the Forbidden Army and expedite to Hexian. Even if some parts of the Sand Region were unwilling to join, Li Tongguang insisted on supporting Hexian, unafraid of facing a lonely death.

Yang Ying brought a letter from Dawu to find Li Tongguang. Under the threat of Northern Pangu's invasion, Dawu was willing to bury the hatchet and join forces to resist the enemy. Li Tongguang agreed to discuss with court officials before replying to the letter. He also asked Yang Ying to convey a response to the Dawu Emperor, suggesting that he govern Hexian wisely.

Yang Ying volunteered to marry Li Tongguang, believing that with this letter and the support of her two older brothers, there would be no more doubts about Li Tongguang's leadership in Da'an. Although she didn't like Li Tongguang, she promised to be a good wife and help him protect Da'an. Li Tongguang, realizing that marrying Yang Ying was his best choice, agreed. They got married on the seventeenth day, and on the eighteenth day, Li Tongguang assembled a thirty-thousand-strong army for a personal expedition. When Northern Pangu's Left Wise King invaded Hexian again, Ning Yuanzhou, disguised as the Dawu Emperor, collaborated with Yu Shisan to capture him, achieving a significant victory over the Northern Pangu army.

The Duke of Chu commended Yu Shisan for the clever idea of impersonating a Northern Pangu person and asked for Yu Shisan's name. Yu Shisan, not wanting to be involved with Chu Yue again, provided a false name. After the battle, Ruyi learned from Ning Yuanzhou that Qian Zhao, Sun Lang, and Yuan Lu had sacrificed themselves, causing her great sorrow. Only Ning Yuanzhou and Yu Shisan remained from the Six Paths Hall brothers. Yu Shisan entrusted the safety token of their fallen brothers to Ning Yuanzhou, and the two mourned the loss of their comrades.

Left Wise King surrendered on behalf of Northern Pangu, and the people were overjoyed at the victory in the battle. However, unexpectedly, Left Wise King presented a crown, and when the Dawu Emperor opened the crown box, both the Dawu Emperor and the King of Sha were injured by the hidden bomb inside. The King of Sha asked Yu Shisan to give his belongings to Chu Yue before passing away. Meanwhile, the Dawu Emperor also succumbed to his injuries. Upon learning of the Dawu Emperor's death, Zhang Song, using the pretext of treason by the Crown Prince, besieged and killed the Crown Prince. Zhang Song aimed to assist the pregnant Empress and, regardless of whether the child was a boy or a girl, was determined to kill the Crown Prince.

The Empress and Lord Ying intervened to stop Zhang Song. Seeing Zhang Song's determination, the Empress ordered her men to bring Zhang Song's wife and children who were kidnapped. Zhang Song, forced by the situation, had to relent. The Empress, Xiao Yan, accused the Crown Prince and Zhang Song of seizing power after the Dawu Emperor's death. She gathered the court officials and falsely declared that the Emperor had been assassinated by Northern Pangu assassins. Xiao Yan believed that the current priority was to resist the invasion of Northern Pangu. She inquired about the military plans of the Crown Prince and Zhang Song. The Crown Prince thought it was urgent to send reinforcements to Hexian since Northern Pangu might regroup and besiege Hexian again. However, Zhang Song believed that it was better for Dawu to defend and conserve strength for future plans. After hearing their military plans, Xiao Yan decided to nominate the Crown Prince as the new ruler. Xiao Yan told Zhang Song that the Emperor had died defending against Northern Pangu, and now, with the imminent threat, they couldn't afford to retreat. She urged the Crown Prince to swear to treat her and her child well in front of the ancestral temple and to continue trusting and utilizing old officials like Zhang Song. The Crown Prince swore with blood, declaring that after ascending the throne, he would immediately personally lead the troops and not return to Wudou until Northern Pangu was defeated.

Lord Ying and the Crown Prince went to the ancestral temple to pay respects to their ancestors. Taking advantage of the Crown Prince's inattention, Lord Ying used a plaque to injure the Crown Prince and, claiming to prevent Zhang Song from harming the Crown Prince, had him taken to Lord Ying's residence for recovery. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan experienced difficult childbirth due to Lord Ying's treacherous actions. Lord Ying, using the identity of the Royal Protector, forcibly entered the palace. Xiao Yan, giving birth to a princess, knew the child was not healthy. Alone with Lord Ying, she questioned if the miscarriage was related to him. Lord Ying admitted his ambitious lineage and superior abilities but claimed that he had been destined for the throne had it not been for Xiao Yan's lifelong disability caused by him saving her from drowning at the age of eight. Feeling resentment, Lord Ying acknowledged his connection to Emperor Wudou's death and nearly harming Xiao Yan and her child. He believed that only when Xiao Yan and the Crown Prince were dead could he ascend to the throne without suspicion as the wise king.

Ning Yuanzhou, along with the Crown Prince, Zhang Song, and others, had already entered the palace. They overheard Lord Ying's words. It turned out that Xiao Yan had not suffered a difficult childbirth, and Lord Ying only discovered he had been deceived. Ruyi killed Lord Ying, and although the Crown Prince initially intended to announce Lord Ying's sudden illness and death in the palace, Xiao Yan insisted on charging Lord Ying with treason to avenge the Dawu Emperor. Ning Yuanzhou presented the Dawu Emperor's testament, announcing that the Dawu Emperor had chosen the Crown Prince as his successor. Zhang Song confirmed the testament and publicly expressed allegiance to the new Emperor. The Crown Prince ascended the throne, ordering Lord Ying to be executed for treason and demoted to a commoner outside the royal family. He decided to personally lead the army to resist Northern Pangu and made it clear that, in case of unforeseen events, Xiao Yan would decide on the succession.

The new Emperor granted Ning Yuanzhou the title of Jingyuan Marquis for protecting the late Emperor. Ruyi became Lady of Ningguo. Ning Yuanzhou and Ruyi declined the rewards, stating that they had come to thwart the conspiracy only to contribute to the peace of the Central Plains. Now, with the new Left Wise King launching a massive attack on the Central Plains, the Duke of Chu had died, and the Sand Central rebels, Da'an's Duke Li Tongguang suffered losses, Ren Ruyi implored the new Emperor to immediately send reinforcements to support Hexian.

The new Emperor handed the military token to Ning Yuanzhou, instructing him to mobilize reinforcements to support Anguo. Within five days, he would lead his army to Hexian for reinforcements. Zhang Song presented a ten-day miraculous elixir to Ning Yuanzhou, and from him, Zhang Song learned that the late Emperor's testament was genuine. However, there were two testaments, one passing the throne to the Crown Prince and the other to the unborn royal child. Zhang Song entrusted the choice to Ning Yuanzhou, believing in his decision. In front of Zhang Song, Ning Yuanzhou burned the other testament, affirming that he had made the final decision only after learning of Zhang Song's military plans upon returning to Wudou. Although Zhang Song pursued power throughout his life, he did not want to lose at the last moment. With the matter settled, he acknowledged his defeat with a sincere heart.

Xiao Yan specifically expressed gratitude to Ruyi, inquiring how Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou had discerned Lord Ying's plot. Ruyi explained that one came from Zhuyi Guard, and the other from Liu Dao Tang, concluding that whoever benefited the most in the end was likely the mastermind. Xiao Yan admired Ruyi's decisive actions and acknowledged that Ruyi's brilliance didn't need anyone else's presence. Ruyi declined the new Emperor's rewards, and Xiao Yan presented Ruyi with a hairpin symbolizing the Queen of Dawu, hoping it would ease Ruyi's movements in the military. In gratitude, Ruyi also gifted flowers, wishing Xiao Yan a safe and smooth delivery.

Ning Yuanzhou intended to lead Liu Dao Tang's subordinates to the battlefield immediately. He regretted not having time to take Ruyi to visit his old house, although Ruyi mentioned that they had initially met at Ning's old residence. Still, Ning Yuanzhou promised that they would return safely together.

At the end of the twelfth month of the sixth year of Wuyong, Duke of Da'an, Li Tongguang, was besieged in Hexian. Ren Ruyi, with Ning Yuanzhou, led two thousand Wudou soldiers to reinforce Hexian. On the same day, the newly appointed King of Sha, Chu Yue, led a thousand Sha Xi soldiers to support. After the new Left Wise King's failed siege, the Wolf King of Northern Pangu personally led the army, vowing to break Hexian at any cost. On the first day of the first month of the seventh year of Wuyong, Deng Hui arrived at the battlefield with over fifteen hundred Zhuyi Guard soldiers. Under the command of Li Tongguang, the combined forces of Anwu resisted the Northern Pangu tribes.

Despite repelling the Northern Pangu army once again, Li Tongguang feared they would resume the attack in two days. Ning Yuanzhou assured him that the new Emperor of Wudou would arrive with a twenty-thousand-strong army in two days. Simultaneously, Yang Ying brought two thousand people to support Hexian and also brought food and military supplies collected from Andu.

Ruyi guessed that Ning Yuanzhou did not tell the truth to everyone. It turned out that the reinforcements brought by the new Emperor were attacked by people from Chuguo, and they might not arrive in Hexian in two days. Ruyi thanked Ning Yuanzhou for helping stabilize the morale of Li Tongguang. Ning Yuanzhou stated that it was his duty.

Ruyi privately asked Yang Ying about her relationship with Li Tongguang. Yang Ying said they respected each other, but she still had feelings for Yuanlu and often thought of him. Ruyi told Yang Ying that as long as she was honest with herself, whether a woman loved one person or many people in her life, she deserved respect.

Ning Yuanzhou used to be afraid every time he carried out a mission. However, this time, with Ruyi by his side, he felt no fear. Sun Lang, Qian Zhao, and Yuanlu had turned into stars but had always accompanied them. Ruyi didn't believe in the six realms of reincarnation, which made life particularly precious. Although Ruyi comforted Yang Ying, she still worried that Hexian might not hold and feared that Ning Yuanzhou would not be by her side when she died. Ning Yuanzhou assured her that he would definitely accompany her.

Chu Yue envied the relationship between Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou, hoping that Yu Shisan would treat her the same way. However, Yu Shisan always avoided his feelings. Still, he promised to do his best to defend Hexian and assured Chu Yue that she would live well for the next few decades. Yu Shisan claimed to be a playboy and unwilling to be tied down by emotions, preferring not to be annoyed with Chu Yue in the latter part of their lives.

As the Northern Pangu army attacked again, threatening Li Tongguang to surrender by using captured comrades, Li Tongguang split his forces into two wings to besiege the Northern Pangu army. On the battlefield, while rescuing trapped subordinates, Li Tongguang unexpectedly encountered an attack by Northern Pangu soldiers. In the end, Deng Hui saved Li Tongguang, sacrificing himself and urging Li Tongguang not to be softhearted as a regent. Li Tongguang blamed himself for Deng Hui's death and refused to leave the battlefield, ultimately being knocked unconscious by Ruyi, who then took him away.

Facing the siege of the Northern Pangu army, Ning Yuanzhou and Yu Shisan split into two routes to return to the city. Yu Shisan, leading Chu Yue, returned to the city but was unfortunately bombed midway. Yu Shisan lost his eyesight due to the explosion and sent Chu Yue back to the city on a horse. He, with a single-handed effort, resisted the pursuit of the Northern Pangu army, guarding Chu Yue's way back to the city.

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