163 Camp Emergency Rescue

Soft candlelight cast a dim, lifeless glow inside the tent. A charcoal brazier burned steadily, filling the space with warmth.

Duan Nanyu’s new injuries compounded the half-year-old wound left by Yun Xueyan, making his condition increasingly critical.

The military doctor had performed preliminary treatments to save his life, but he remained unconscious. With nothing more to be done, they could only wait for him to wake up on his own.

Yun Xueyan sat beside the soft couch, gazing at the man lying with his eyes closed. His resolute features were sharply defined, his thin lips pale and tightly pressed together. His brow was deeply furrowed, presumably from pain.

She reached out toward his brow, gently smoothing it out, wishing she could soothe his agony. Yet his brows only furrowed tighter, and disjointed murmurs slipped past his lips, "Yaner... do not leave me. I was wrong, truly wrong."

Her hand hovered mid-air. After a brief pause, she withdrew it and let out a bitter, silent laugh, "Nanyu, some mistakes cannot be undone simply by knowing you were wrong. Between us... is there truly still a possibility?"

Looking at Duan Nanyu’s bleeding wound—the white bandages soaked through—she could not stop her mind from reliving the events of that night. She had driven the dagger into his chest; more precisely, he had guided her hand to push it in. But... she had been so panicked and terrified back then, deathly afraid of losing him.

Her mind had erupted in chaos, leaving her completely at a loss. His weak, gentle words had echoed clearly in her ears, tearing her heart apart.

She had been anxious, terrified that he might simply slip away from her. In that moment, all hatred for him had vanished.

Yet now, she still worried, still did not want him to come to harm, still panicked at the sight of his injuries. The only difference was that she could face it rationally, because she simply refused to let her heart break for him again!

"Yaner..." The dry, husky voice sounded once more. Duan Nanyu’s hand twitched, as if trying to grasp something, his face contorted with anxiety, "Yaner, do not jump! Do not! I will go with you. I did not abandon you."

The nightmare-induced murmurs etched themselves into Yun Xueyan’s heart, eroding it piece by piece. Now... what use were these words? Where had he been when she plunged off the cliff back then?

Where was he? Why had he cast her down the mountain precipice and abandoned her all alone?

Suddenly, her hand was seized. The man on the couch wore a look of contented relief as he grew still once more, though his grip tightened, refusing to let go.

The tent flap lifted, letting in a gust of chilling wind as Feng Xilou stepped inside. His gaze fell upon Yun Xueyan’s hand clasped within Duan Nanyu’s, and he offered a faint smile, "Yaner, you haven't slept all night. It will be dawn soon, you should go back and rest early."

He raised no objection to her caring for Duan Nanyu; she felt guilty, and Duan Nanyu’s distraction was certainly caused by her. Yet he could not bear to see Yun Xueyan exhaust herself. Her frame was far too delicate; even if she was somewhat better than before, he still couldn't bear to watch her put herself through such trials.

"I am fine. You go rest. With the Prince in this state, everything here requires your leadership and arrangement." Yun Xueyan smiled softly, not pulling away from Duan Nanyu's grip, "Look at how tightly he is holding on; I cannot leave anyway. Never mind, there are no other women in the military camp, anyway; it is fine for me to look after him."

"How are those people trapped in the ravine holding up? It has been three days; have they made no move yet? And the Northern Kingdom has remained silent as well?"

"Not yet. I find it strange myself. Logically speaking, since the Northern Kingdom general's son is trapped there, it is impossible for him to remain idle. Still, I think we should proceed with caution. Three days have passed; those people in the ravine must be reaching their limits." Feng Xilou poured a cup of tea, handed it to Yun Xueyan, and re-draped her padded coat over her shoulders. "For now, all we can do is wait. Let us hope Nanyu wakes up soon."

"Mn." Yun Xueyan nodded.

Dawn broke, casting the first golden rays across the earth amidst swirling mist.

Yun Xueyan had fallen asleep leaning against Feng Xilou's embrace when an urgent shout suddenly echoed from outside, "Prime Minister Feng, the enemy is launching a surprise attack!"

"I know. Fall back first." Feng Xilou replied calmly and evenly, looking down unhurriedly at Yun Xueyan, who had been startled awake. "Yaner, I believe the Northern Kingdom is making a move. However, it is likely just a feign—perhaps a distraction to draw us away so they can rescue those trapped in the ravine. I will send reinforcements to that area."

"Perhaps." Yun Xueyan murmured in response, though a knot of unease stirred in her heart. She looked up at Feng Xilou, "Be careful. If something happens to you as well, I truly will not know what to do. I cannot command an army of this scale."

"Rest assured, Yaner. For your sake, I cannot afford to come to harm. Wait for me here." Feng Xilou’s lips curved into a soft, reassuring smile before he turned and strode out of the tent.

The sound of chaotic hoofbeats grew more distant, and Yun Xueyan’s heart flew along with them into the distance...

She glanced sidelong at Duan Nanyu. Feeling a sudden constriction in her chest, she pried her hand loose from his tight grip and walked out of the tent.

The snow outside had yet to thaw. Mountain ranges rolled on endlessly, stacked one upon another beneath a thick blanket of pristine white, creating a scene of crystal clarity that lifted Yun Xueyan’s spirits somewhat.

Very few soldiers remained in the camp; the vast majority had followed Feng Xilou to meet the enemy. She walked a short distance away and gazed out into the distance, her field of vision instantly widening.

As she walked further, listening to the crisp crunch of her footsteps upon the snow, she grew more and more lighthearted. When she was a child, she had loved doing this; with no one to play with, she would trudge through the snow by herself, giggling with delight at the sound.

With that thought, she kicked through the snow with renewed vigor.

This was her sole amusement in the depth of winter.

The wind caught at her clothes, making her shiver. She pulled her collar tight, only to realize she had wandered quite a distance. She turned, intending to retrace her steps back to the tent, but after walking a few paces, the faint rustle of footsteps sounded from behind. Yun Xueyan quickened her pace; she was still some distance away from the army's encampment.

Panic suddenly gripped her heart. "Nanyu..." The name slipped past her lips instinctively. Before she could take another step, darkness swallowed her vision... leaving only her echo shattered in the wind.

Inside the tent, Duan Nanyu lay upon the soft couch, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. As if sensing something, cold sweat broke out across his forehead. He suddenly sat up, only to find the space entirely empty—not a single shadow was in sight.

His sudden, violent movement tore open the wound on his chest once more. Fresh, crimson blood soaked through the bandages, slowly seeping out. He was certain he had just heard Yun Xueyan calling out to him.

It had been so urgent that he hadn't even managed to hear it clearly before it vanished. He threw on an outer robe and rushed toward Yun Xueyan’s tent as fast as he could. Along the way, the soldiers looked on in panic, daring not to step forward and block his path. Bright red droplets fell one by one onto the snow, standing out with a glaring, piercing crimson against the pristine white.

He flung back the tent flap. Inside... there was not a soul.

"Someone come here! Where have you all rolled off to?!" His furious roar shook the tent. An overwhelming sense of unease gripped his heart; that cry from earlier had suddenly become so vivid and real.

A soldier ran over, trembling, keeping his head lowered in fear as he waited for Duan Nanyu to speak.

"Where is Lord Yan? Where is she?!" Seizing the young soldier by the collar, Duan Nanyu roared with hatred. The searing pain of his torn wounds surged through his entire body; his head swam with dizziness, pushing him to the brink of fainting, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to endure it, his face turning an ashen blue.

"R-Reporting to the Prince, this subordinate does not know. A moment ago, Lord Yan was in your tent tending to you; this subordinate has no idea where she went." The soldier stammered in absolute terror. He hadn't been assigned to watch Lord Yan; he had simply happened to be passing by when the Prince grabbed him for questioning.

"Get out! Get out of my sight!" Thrusting the soldier aside, Duan Nanyu stared blankly at the boundless empty clearing and began to search frantically, shouting Yun Xueyan’s name over and over again.

His voice echoed throughout the entire military camp, reduced to a single, repetitive cry: Yaner!

Out on the open battlefield, Feng Xilou sat loftily on his horse, his narrow phoenix eyes narrowed as he watched the enemy troops fleeing in disarray. A sharp, brilliant gleam flashed through his deep gaze.

The enemy had intentionally lured them out, yet their purpose was not to rescue the men trapped in the ravine. That meant... his mind suddenly went blank, a chilling realization dawning on him. The enemy had indeed used a diversionary tactic, but their target was not the men in the ravine. It was Duan Nanyu, or perhaps... Yun Xueyan!

Calmly gazing out in the direction of the retreating enemy forces, Feng Xilou let out a cold laugh, "Do not pursue a desperate enemy. Return to camp!"

He fought to rein in his emotions, refusing to throw the army into disarray. He only prayed she was safe—she had to be safe.

All the way back to the encampment, from afar, Feng Xilou spotted Duan Nanyu frantically searching about. He violently dug his heels into his horse's flanks, galloping straight toward Duan Nanyu at top speed.

Before the horse had even fully stopped, Feng Xilou vaulted from the saddle. "Nanyu, what has happened? Is it Yaner... has something happened to her?" His voice hitched before he forced the question out.

"I searched the entire camp, but I could not find Yaner. While I was unconscious, I thought I heard her call my name. I could not hear it clearly, but I still got up to look for her. Only... she was not there!" Duan Nanyu was visibly panicked, the depths of his eyes filled with agonizing grief as he looked at Feng Xilou, "I cannot let anything happen to Yaner again."

"Yaner will be fine." A fleeting chill crossed Feng Xilou’s gentle face.

Even as they spoke, a soldier hurried over and presented a letter, "Your Highness, Prime Minister Feng, this letter was delivered from the Northern Kingdom."

Duan Nanyu snatched the letter away. Inside were only a few brief lines: If you wish to trade for Yun Xueyan, exchange her for the soldiers trapped in the ravine. Duan Nanyu and Feng Xilou must come in person.

"Bastard!" With a furious roar, the paper in his hand was crushed into a ball. A mouthful of blood spewed from Duan Nanyu’s lips, tearing his wounds open even further!

"Nanyu, do not agitate yourself. Your wounds will only tear open wider, and Yaner is still waiting for us to rescue her." Feng Xilou said calmly. He knew Duan Nanyu’s temperament all too well—he was somewhat rash, and right now, he himself could least afford to lose his composure.

"Someone, fetch the military doctor!" All he could do now was pray that Yun Xueyan was safe.

Supporting Duan Nanyu back into the tent and waiting for the military doctor to finish bandaging him, Feng Xilou slowly unfolded the crumpled ball of paper. His expression turned grim as he looked down at Duan Nanyu lying on the couch, speaking with profound implication, "Nanyu, someone is deliberately trying to harm Yaner. There is a traitor within the Northern Kingdom."

Duan Nanyu’s brow furrowed sharply as he propped himself up to look at Feng Xilou, "Why do you say that?"

"Look at this letter," Feng Xilou handed the missive over to Duan Nanyu, "The people of the Northern Kingdom could not possibly know that Yaner's real name is Yun Xueyan. At most, they would know her as Jueyan. Yet the letter explicitly writes the three characters 'Yun Xueyan'. Therefore... I believe there is a traitor in the Northern Kingdom, and this person either wants Yaner dead, or wants you or me dead!"

With a faint, mocking scoff, Duan Nanyu lay back down on the couch, staring up at the roof of the tent as if he could see through it to the vast expanse of the sky.

His voice was hoarse and hollow, "Perhaps that person wants all of us dead. But what of death? If my death can trade for Yaner's life, I would gladly die! Yaner... I have already failed her too much."

Every word was laden with agonizing sorrow. Duan Nanyu closed his eyes and spoke quietly, "Xilou, Yaner is surely in the Northern Kingdom's camp. When the time comes, I will go draw them away, and you will sneak in and rescue Yaner. How's that?"

Feng Xilou froze, staring at Duan Nanyu in utter disbelief. His voice was soft yet fraught with anxiety, "Nanyu, if you do that, you will likely die. They are counting on us going to save Yaner, preparing to send us to our deaths. If you go to meet them, you are certain to die. How could you expect me to ever face Yaner afterward?"

If Duan Nanyu was willing to surrender his life for Yun Xueyan, was he not doing the same?

He simply had not expected Duan Nanyu to truly gamble with his own life to secure Yun Xueyan’s safety.

"Better that I die alone than leave neither of us behind. Yaner hates me so much, I..." He suddenly chuckled, his thin lips curving into a handsome arc that sent a slight jolt through Feng Xilou.

"I still love her just the same. There is nothing to be done. Even though she no longer cares for me, I cannot simply stand by and watch her get hurt."

"Nanyu." Feng Xilou’s voice sounded as though it were caught in his throat, "Your wounds..."

"They are of no consequence; I will not die quite yet. Very well, Xilou, just do as I say." Lying quietly on the couch, Duan Nanyu closed his eyes and said no more.

He truly would do anything for her, though he wondered if she would ever understand it all.

If he were to die and never return, he hoped that someday she would still remember that someone had once wronged her, yet was willing to give his all for her. A man named... Duan Nanyu.

Feng Xilou slowly backed out of the tent. Gazing up at the firmament, he understood Duan Nanyu's feelings for Yun Xueyan, yet he himself could never bring himself to let go. He would indulge his own selfishness for once and cease being the steadfast Feng Xilou.

Seated inside his tent, Feng Xilou stared at the map spread across the table, trying to pinpoint some secluded path that would make it easier for them to rescue Yun Xueyan.

Yet no major breakthrough presented itself!

Rubbing his temples in frustration, he wondered how he could rescue Yun Xueyan while ensuring her safety, without allowing Duan Nanyu to suffer any further injuries.

"Prime Minister Feng, there is a gentleman outside by the name of Xiao Siyi requesting an audience." A soldier announced from outside the tent.

Setting down his teacup, Feng Xilou looked toward the entrance with a calm expression, "Let him enter." Why would Xiao Siyi be here?

"Xilou, where is Yun Xueyan?" Xiao Siyi strode in, blurting out the question the moment he arrived, "Is she alright?"

Feng Xilou frowned, looking at Xiao Siyi, "Why do you ask that? Siyi, do you know something, which is why you rushed here?"

"Earlier, Yun Xueyan asked me to investigate whether Yun Xiyin had truly gone mad. The day before yesterday, I went to the Yun residence, but the people there claimed Yun Xiyin had been sent to the Southern Kingdom for medical treatment. I went to the Southern Kingdom as well, but could find no trace of her whatsoever. Sensing something was amiss, I came to discuss it with Yun Xueyan. It seems her suspicion was right—Yun Xiyin was faking madness, or rather, she has truly lost her mind and is capable of anything now!"

"Siyi," Feng Xilou said in a low, level tone, raising his eyes to look at the man before him, "If you had arrived a bit earlier, perhaps Yaner would still be here. But she has already been captured by the people of the Northern Kingdom."

"What do you mean, captured?!" Xiao Siyi cried out in astonishment.

"Yaner is currently in the Northern Kingdom," Feng Xilou’s calm voice failed to mask his deep anxiety, "They demand Nanyu and me as an exchange."

"What?!" Xiao Siyi exclaimed once more, "I have arrived too late. Damn that Yun Xiyin!"

Without another word, Feng Xilou grabbed Xiao Siyi and pulled him toward Duan Nanyu’s tent. "Nanyu is injured. You must go examine him. I cannot let him go rescue Yaner while still wounded; the danger is far too great."

"But I did not bring my medicine chest!" Xiao Siyi protested.

"There are medicines in the military camp; you can treat him first." Dragging Xiao Siyi into the tent, Feng Xilou instructed the guards to have the military doctor bring medicinal herbs immediately.

Once Xiao Siyi finished re-dressing Duan Nanyu’s wounds, Feng Xilou spoke up, "Nanyu, Yun Xiyin is likely involved in this."

Duan Nanyu fell silent for a moment. "The person in this world who hates Yaner the most is probably her alone." A glint of hatred surfaced in his eyes—he could only blame himself for the massive blunder he had orchestrated back then.

"Get some rest. We will figure out how to rescue Yaner shortly." Seeing Duan Nanyu nod, Feng Xilou and Xiao Siyi stepped outside.

Inside the dim tent, Yun Xueyan was bound tightly to a wooden post, her head drooping forward as she hung suspended in mid-air.

A basin of freezing water came crashing down from overhead, the biting cold instantly seeping through her entire body. Yun Xueyan felt a blinding, unbearable throbbing at her temples. The bone-chilling cold instantly transported her back to the Grand Tutor's estate, where Yun Xiyin would similarly drench her with full buckets of icy water in the dead of winter.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips; those past trials were already far behind her.

Slowly, she forced her eyes open. The light before her was dim, yet her head remained dizzy and heavy, her limbs completely devoid of strength. Instinctively, she tried to raise her hands to massage her temples, but her arms were immobilized.

"You're finally awake. How does it feel to be drenched in cold water?" A shrill, sharp voice pierced Yun Xueyan's ears, causing her to widen her eyes in a start as a blurred figure gradually resolved before her. "Did you ever think you would see a day like this? Falling right into my hands!"

"You really do have nine lives, surviving a fall off a cliff. But in the end, you are still going to die! You caused me to lose my child, to lose Nanyu, and my status as a Prince's Consort! I will never let you go!"

Yun Xiyin’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared with burning hatred at Yun Xueyan.

"Those were things you failed to cherish yourself; what did they have to do with me?" Pausing for a moment, Yun Xueyan surveyed her surroundings. "You are the one who had me tied up here?" Finding herself face-to-face with Yun Xiyin produced an unexpected reaction: panic was absent, and her voice remained steady even in such circumstances.

She smiled faintly. She had suffered far too much abuse at Yun Xiyin’s hands; she... no longer wished to contend with her. The more aggrieved she acted, the more gratified Yun Xiyin would feel!

When all was said and done, she was the one who had won in the end, wasn't she?

"I am allied with the Northern Kingdom. I want your life, and they want victory in this war!" Yun Xiyin burst into a deranged laugh, her mirth growing even louder as she watched the color drain completely from Yun Xueyan’s face.

"Yun Xiyin, have you lost your mind?! You dare betray your own country, and now you think to use me to threaten Nanyu and Xilou? Do you have any idea what the consequences will be?!" Urgency edged her tone. Bound tightly to the post in merely a single layer of undergarments, the ropes had already bitten deep grooves into her flesh.

How could she allow herself to bring disaster upon Duan Nanyu and Feng Xilou? How could she let her existence ruin the dignity of the nation? Countless soldiers fought and bled on the battlefield solely to secure victory in this war, but if her single life ruined the entire plan... then her death would be too light a punishment!

She had already died once before. Though she still wished to live—to live well—she could not sacrifice others merely to preserve her own skin.

"I have gone mad! Why is it that you always receive more than I do? Why?!" Yun Xiyin shrieked as if channeling every ounce of her strength, her expression grotesque, her bulging eyes glaring furiously at Yun Xueyan.

Suddenly, Yun Xueyan laughed. Her laughter was light, yet the corners of her mouth stretched wide. She found Yun Xiyin's words to be an ultimate irony.

She had received more than her? Truly... more?

More of a servant's life in the Grand Tutor's estate? More of her abuse? More of Duan Nanyu's cold indifference, or more of being cast down a cliff?

Indeed, she had received more—far too much more, more than she could ever bear.

Stung by Yun Xueyan’s smile, Yun Xiyin’s fury flared even higher. "What are you laughing at? Yun Xueyan, I will wipe that smile off your face!" With a shrill, ear-piercing shriek of madness, she brought a whip down ruthlessly across Yun Xueyan’s body, ripping open a bloody gash.

Watching the blood seep freely and taking in Yun Xueyan’s distorted, ashen-grey face, Yun Xiyin laughed triumphantly, "Your life is in my hands now!"

Lash after lash fell, bringing wave upon wave of unyielding agony. Her frail body began to tremble violently. She bit down hard on her lips, choking back any cries, breathing heavily through clenched teeth.

She would not yield; she would not be the first to break. She... missed them so terribly right now. She only prayed they were not foolish enough to come save her. She could die, but they must not.

She had already died once; she was not afraid, truly not. At worst, she would simply die a second time. She was too stubborn for death to easily claim her—even the King of Hell himself apparently refused to take her.

So... they must not come. They must not!

She truly would be fine; she still had so many things left to do, and she missed them so very much.

Pain—it hurt all over! Every inch of her body felt as though the agony had pierced straight to her bones. She had been beaten before, but never like this. The biting impact of the whip across her flesh forced her to fight desperately to maintain her clarity.

Yet the harder she tried to stay conscious, the more violently her entire body ached. As the suffering piled up, the sound of the whip lashing against her skin pierced her eardrums until, finally, her breath hitched in her chest, and darkness took her as she lost consciousness.

"Useless trash!" Yun Xiyin sneered, "I will keep you alive for now. Once you are of no more use, I will reward you to the soldiers." With that, she dropped the whip and stormed out of the tent.

Slowly lifting her drooping head, Yun Xueyan bit down on her bleeding lips. A fragile, charming smile curved her lips, stained with bright crimson blood that made her look remarkably like a blooming red rose.

If she survived this day, she would return every bit of this torment to Yun Xiyin tenfold. She... swore she would!

She had no idea how long she had remained bound to the wooden post before a few figures entered the tent, untied her bindings, and dragged her out. Her limbs were entirely limp; she lacked even the strength to resist or struggle.

She allowed herself to be dragged out of the tent, her thin clothing easily penetrated by the bitter winter gale.

The bone-chilling cold felt like knives slicing across her skin, sweeping mercilessly over her open wounds and drawing a sharp intake of breath from Yun Xueyan. Her body shuddered uncontrollably from the dual assault of agony and freezing cold.

The men dragging her finally came to a halt. Slowly raising her heavy head, her dull, lifeless gaze drifted toward the distance—only to find a majestic figure mounted upon a horse, halted directly in front of her.

Her frail frame gave a violent start. Why had he come after all? His injuries were so severe! He should not have come...

"Duan Nanyu..." Her voice was hoarse and broken. Struggling to fix her gaze upon him, she spoke with an icy edge, "What are you doing here?!"

Duan Nanyu stared at the battered, bloodied figure before him. His grip on the reins tightened until his knuckles cracked. Deep-seated fury raged within his dark eyes—he would tear those people limb from limb!

His heart broke simply looking at her. Was she alright? Aside from those visible wounds, was there anything else?

He was consumed by a panic that bordered on losing his mind!

"Yaner, I will take you away from here. I swear it!" His voice rang with absolute conviction; he would never allow her to suffer again.

"I do not need it! Duan Nanyu, leave! Even if I die, I do not need your pity. Go!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, fighting against the frigid wind that threatened to tear her apart. She refused to watch him come to harm—she still could not harden her heart against him.

If anything happened to him... she would carry the guilt for the rest of her life!

He was still wounded; how could he possibly have come here? If he fell, the entire war would be lost.

Her harsh words struck like a blade to his heart. Even though he knew Yun Xueyan was merely trying to provoke him into leaving, it still hurt.

"Yun Xueyan! It is not your place to tell this Prince what to do!" Duan Nanyu sneered coldly, lifting his gaze toward the distance. "I am here now! Release her immediately! Keeping me as your hostage will be far more useful than her!"

Her heart clenched in agony! He intended to use himself as a trade for her? She would not allow it—absolutely not!

"Hmph, do not mistake this General for a fool! Duan Nanyu, where are my men? Release every single one of them, and only then may you safely take this woman back!" The Northern Kingdom general’s booming, rugged voice cut through the air.

Duan Nanyu stared for a moment, looking first at Yun Xueyan, then at the Northern Kingdom general.

"Are you truly no fool?" Duan Nanyu gave a mocking, frigid smile. "From where I stand, you appear to be nothing more. Relying on a woman as a threat because you dare not face us in open combat... I wonder what people will say when word spreads? That the Northern Kingdom's general must hold a woman hostage to secure victory? Such a triumph can hardly be called glorious."

Dropping his angry demeanor, Duan Nanyu lowered his voice into a low, mocking scoff, a glint of absolute contempt shining in his eyes.

"To this Prince, she is utterly worthless! Do you truly believe this Prince would bow to you for the sake of a woman?" His tone remained detached; he only hoped she would not hate him for this.

He... had no other choice.

"Yun Xiyin, get out here!" Suddenly, a deep, explosive roar echoed across the field. His piercing, venomous gaze swept the surroundings in search of Yun Xiyin, finally locking onto a specific spot. He let out a cold laugh, "Yun Xiyin, this Prince had no idea you possessed such a talent for treason. You had best pray you never fall into my hands, otherwise this Prince will make you wish you were dead. You know this Prince better than anyone, do you not?"

Yun Xiyin shrank back in terror. The man she loved was looking at her with such utter revulsion—all his past tenderness had been nothing but a lie!

She hated her! She hated Yun Xueyan! This was all her doing!

Without Yun Xueyan, she never would have been driven to this pass; she had only been trying to reclaim what was rightfully hers!

"Spare me your useless chatter! Duan Nanyu, where are my men? If you do not release them this instant, I refuse to be responsible for what follows!" The general rolled his eyes furiously before lowering his voice, "This General's patience is wearing thin!"

With that, he glanced up just in time to see a man approaching Yun Xueyan, his hands wandering insolently over her bruised body.

"Get away!" Yun Xueyan snapped, though her voice lacked strength. Having nearly reached her limit, she desperately tried to dodge away from the man.

Duan Nanyu watched, his eyes turning bloodshot, his fists clenched so tight the bones cracked, yet he forced himself not to react... He had to maintain his composure; afterward, he would hack that man’s hands to pieces.

"What, unmoved?" The Northern Kingdom general sneered, only to hear Yun Xiyin whisper something beside his ear. His expression shifted instantly, "Why hasn't Feng Xilou come?"

His attention had been entirely captured by Duan Nanyu, and since Duan Nanyu was the primary commander in this campaign, he had paid little heed to Feng Xilou.

Had Yun Xiyin not just reminded him, he likely wouldn't have noticed at all.

"Are you missing me that much, General? I am right here." Suddenly, a mild, resonant voice rang out from behind the crowd. As all eyes shifted toward Feng Xilou, Duan Nanyu leaped forward like a bolt of lightning. His sword cleared its scabbard in a flash, instantly shearing the hands of the man who had touched Yun Xueyan into pulp. Snatching Yun Xueyan into his arms, he pulled her tightly against his chest and vaulted back to safety.

"Yaner..." He murmured her name with frantic desperation. Looking down at the woman in his arms who was on the verge of losing consciousness, his throat tightened uncontrollably, and a heavy mist veiled his dark eyes, "Are you alright? Does it hurt terribly? Tell me how you are feeling?"

His heart was breaking into pieces. His own wounds were nothing; her suffering was infinitely harder for him to bear than any injury of his own. It was his fault for failing to protect her properly—all of this was his fault!

He should never have lost consciousness; he should never have left her alone. He was terrified—terrified of losing her...

"I am fine, just a little sore. Nanyu, do not worry." Forcing a pale smile, Yun Xueyan buried her face against Duan Nanyu’s chest. Truth be told, his embrace was still exceptionally warm.

"Mn, I know, I know. You will be fine, Yaner. Do not speak anymore, just rest." Raising his gaze, the tenderness vanished from his eyes, replaced by a biting chill, "Xilou, make your move."

They currently held the tactical advantage. Last night, Xiao Siyi had mentioned that traversing the mountains on this side could potentially lead them directly behind enemy lines, which was why they had executed this plan. Even if it meant death, they could not simply abandon Yun Xueyan!

"You tricked us!" The Northern Kingdom general was shaking with fury, his eyes bulging as he glared venomously at the surrounding troops.

"You are permitted to use a woman as a bargaining chip, yet we are not permitted to resort to stratagems? General, all is fair in war. Besides, this falls under military strategy, not underhanded tricks." Feng Xilou cast a fleeting, agonized glance at the injured Yun Xueyan. There was no doubt that Yun Xiyin was the mastermind behind this scheme.

His Yaner... how could anyone be so cruel to her? If the situation permitted, he would have gone straight to her side. Seeing her standing in the biting wind looking as though she might shatter at any moment, clad in merely a single blood-stained undergarment—

Watching from afar, his heart had already been ground into dust.

He longed to rush to her side instantly, yet that short distance felt spanning across a myriad of miles...

He had been terrified of losing her, barely daring to look upon her hanging limply in the freezing wind. When he saw that man’s hands roaming over her, he had nearly lost his mind!

A laugh, growing progressively wilder, curved his lips into an unyielding arc. "For this, we must thank Yun Xiyin. If not for her bitter-flesh ruse, how could we have succeeded? What say you, General?"

Feng Xilou smiled with an enchanting, dangerous allure, though his eyes were deadly serious. He watched as the Northern Kingdom general fixed a murderous glare upon the terrified Yun Xiyin.

"Lies! General, do not listen to his nonsense!" Yun Xiyin cried out in panic, terror pooling within her eyes as she looked at the general.

"Shut your mouth!" A vicious backhand slap sent Yun Xiyin hurtling several feet away.

"General, I did not, truly I did not... He is making it up." Stumbling back to her feet, Yun Xiyin shrieked frantically in self-defense; she could not afford to fall into their hands, for that meant certain death.

"Get lost! If not for you, this General would never have been brought to such a pass!" The Northern Kingdom general roared, turning his back on her in disgust.

"You reap what you sow." Feng Xilou gave a cold, detached laugh as he casually hauled Yun Xueyan's tormentor up by the collar, "I will settle accounts with you regarding Yaner shortly."

Collapsing limply to the ground, Yun Xiyin finally lost all will to resist.

Why was it that she never obtained anything? Why did she always lose? Yun Qixiao had helped her, Duan Nanyu had as well, and even Feng Xilou!

Yet now she had nothing left—not even her final bargaining chip for revenge.

She would not end like this. She refused... she would kill her, she swore she would!

Duan Nanyu wrapped Yun Xueyan securely within his heavy cloak. She offered him a faint, strained smile. He knew full well how much pain she must be enduring—her entire body was battered and bruised; how could she not hurt?

His own heart ached in unison!

"Xilou, Yaner needs rest. Finish up here quickly so we can return." Holding Yun Xueyan close, Duan Nanyu spoke in a low voice. "And make sure those men who touched her are dealt with—leave none of them alive!"

"Mn." Feng Xilou nodded in assent, handing Yun Xiyin over to a nearby soldier before turning his attention to wrapping up the operation. Naturally, he knew precisely who Duan Nanyu meant by "those men."

The situation was swiftly brought under control. The Northern Kingdom encampment was thoroughly surrounded, and their forces laid down their arms in surrender.

Resting within Duan Nanyu's embrace, Yun Xueyan watched Feng Xilou working in the distance, then turned her gaze to Duan Nanyu’s anxious, pain-stricken face. A heartfelt smile touched her lips. She was bone-tired, and every inch of her body burned with pain, but she was safe.

Seeing them safe and sound made every hardship worthwhile. This outcome was for the best; catching the enemy's headquarters off-guard had saved them a great deal of trouble.

"Nanyu." Her voice was heavy with exhaustion as she bit her lip to suppress the throbbing pain.

"Mn? What is it, Yaner?" Duan Nanyu asked, his heart aching into a single mass of raw pain as he looked at her brave, pain-contorted face.

"Yun Xiyin said she wanted to reward me to the soldiers as camp followers... I nearly became a military prostitute. Or rather, I thought I truly was going to be." She gave a faint, alluring smile, her pale face, despite the scars, possessing a breathtaking, heartbreaking beauty.

"What?" Duan Nanyu’s rage flared anew, his grip tightening inadvertently. "She has grown tired of living!"

The sudden increase in pressure sent a fresh spike of pain through her body, causing Yun Xueyan's brow to furrow. Her breath hitched for a moment before her clear, limpid eyes returned to Duan Nanyu with a mischievous glint, "I think that fate suits her much better. Do you not agree?"

"I agree entirely. It is a fate most fitting for her." Duan Nanyu nodded in agreement. Though her words right then carried a touch of ruthlessness, he loved this side of her all the more.

Had she remained entirely soft-hearted, she would only continue to suffer harm. Therefore, he did not mind her employing such methods to shield herself.

Having settled all remaining matters, Feng Xilou vaulted back into the saddle and reined his mount beside Duan Nanyu. "Let us go. We must return so Siyi can examine Yaner."

Casting a tender, agonized look at Yun Xueyan, Feng Xilou said nothing more. His immediate priority was letting Yun Xueyan rest in peace.

She must be so exhausted...

"Yaner, rest a while longer. We will be back soon." Feng Xilou offered a gentle smile of reassurance.

"Mn, do not worry, Xilou." Yun Xueyan replied.

"Let us move out. Leave the rest to them." Duan Nanyu nodded, tucking the cloak tighter around Yun Xueyan as they turned toward the camp.

The wind howled past, carrying the biting chill of lingering slaughter. As Yun Xueyan rested against Duan Nanyu’s chest, her eyes suddenly widened in horror as she caught sight of several arrows whistling through the air toward them...

From the distance came a deranged, hysterical shriek, "This General will not fall alone! If I die, you shall all accompany me to the grave!"