"Miss, are we leaving already?" Jiu Xing asked, looking at An Ning.
An Ning turned to Jiu Xing and said, "Yes, it's no longer safe here, and we can't be of much help. Since that's the case, it's better to leave."
Her staying here would only cause trouble for others.
Outside Dongling Pass, only a handful of civilians chose to leave. Days before, General Wu, who was guarding this place, had his men issue a notice: the Han army was approaching. Those who wished to leave could do so, but if they wished to stay, he, Wu Dakang, would defend this place to the death, perishing with Dongling Pass.
Thus, the large gate of Dongling Pass leading into the city was open, but not many people were leaving. Those who did leave were people who couldn't even lift a sword, fearing they would be a burden to the army if they stayed.
"The people here are awe-inspiring," Wen Yuxi said, watching the able-bodied men from every household grabbing their weapons and rushing towards the pass.
An Ning turned her face away. She wondered if this place would still exist in the future.
She hoped it would. And Wu Changling, she hoped you are safe. That young man who was the only one to express his feelings for her, may you be well.
They exited Dongling Pass, and the carriage moved slowly. Suddenly, the carriage stopped. An Ning was about to lift the curtain and ask Wen Yuxi what was wrong when she heard Wen Yuxi's voice, "Don't come out."
Soon after, the sounds of fighting were heard. Jiu Xing's face turned pale. "Miss, what happened?"
An Ning lifted the curtain a crack and saw Wen Yuxi surrounded by several people in strange attire.
She seemed to have seen them somewhere before. After thinking for a long time, she finally remembered that Prince Han Xixia of the Han Kingdom wore similar clothing.
"People of Han," An Ning whispered. After saying this, her heart sank to the bottom. She hadn't expected that even within the pass, there were Han infiltrators. If this continued, Dongling Pass was doomed.
"Miss, what should we do? Can Young Master Wen handle it himself?" Jiu Xing asked, worried.
An Ning wasn't worried about Wen Yuxi. There were few people in the world who could harm Wen Yuxi. A few people from Han wouldn't be able to harm them.
But at this moment, An Ning heard the cry of an infant. She looked towards the sound and saw several Han people grabbing a child who looked too young to walk. They were chasing the child with their swords. The child could only crawl and cried as he crawled.
The child crawled slowly, and the Han man with the sword suddenly raised his sword and swung it down.
"Ah..." An Ning couldn't help but cry out.
The child's voice was hoarse from crying, but he could only cry, "Mother, mother..."
Suddenly, the child looked towards them. An Ning saw the child's red, tear-filled eyes looking at her as he cried out, "Sister..."
An Ning trembled. The Han man with the sword seemed to have had enough and raised his sword to strike the child's head.
An Ning felt her blood run cold. She rushed out, running towards the Han man holding the sword, shouting, "Wen Yuxi, save the child!"
"An Ning..."
"An Ning..."
An Ning knew she had to save this child. He was so young, he couldn't die.
She leaped forward and fell onto the child, holding him tightly. The sword was already falling. This time, she closed her eyes.
Suddenly, warm liquid fell on her face. She opened her eyes abruptly and saw a person standing in front of her. His back was straight, and the sword had entered his shoulder. The liquid spraying on her face was his blood, hot, burning hot.
With one hand, he shoved away the Han man with the sword, sending him flying far away.
An Ning picked up the child and supported his almost collapsing body. "Gui Ning, you..."
Her words were swallowed by his pale face.
She realized Gui Ning was very weak. The blow he had just delivered to the Han people was probably his last bit of strength.
At this moment, Wen Yuxi had dealt with all the remaining Han people and hurried over. He looked at Gui Ning, his expression grim. He then looked at An Ning with an equally grim face. "Why did you come out? Didn't I tell you not to?"
Wen Yuxi's voice was cold. This was probably the first time Wen Yuxi had spoken to her like this.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't watch this child die in front of me." She released the child from her embrace. The child revealed a small, red, tear-streaked face and timidly clutched her clothes.
Wen Yuxi's expression did not soften. He said coldly, "If because of you, we are put in an inescapable situation, An Ning, what would you do? Risk your life for a stranger?"
An Ning knew Wen Yuxi was right, but she couldn't stand by and watch others die in front of her. "Wen Yuxi, I'm sorry, but if I had to choose again, I would do the same. What fault does this child have? He has no fault, yet he is treated like this, even losing the chance to see the beautiful world ahead."
Wen Yuxi scoffed at her words, "This is fate, because they did not encounter good rulers."
An Ning trembled all over and looked up at Wen Yuxi.
Wen Yuxi became more and more indignant. "With an enemy army approaching, they don't send reinforcements. What is a mere Dongling Pass? It's fortunate if it's not conquered."
An Ning lowered her eyes. The child in her arms extended his small, injured finger and wiped away the tears from her face, saying in a milky voice, "Sister, don't cry."
She hugged the child and choked out, "Sister... won't cry."
"Sister, sister..."
"Let's go!" Wen Yuxi helped Gui Ning up and walked towards the carriage.
After walking several steps, he saw An Ning wasn't following. He turned to look at An Ning and found she was gone.
Wen Yuxi panicked. "An Ning, An Ning..."
Gui Ning, who was being supported by Wen Yuxi, suddenly opened his eyes and asked, "Where is An Ning?"
Wen Yuxi was filled with self-reproach. "An Ning is gone."
"Go find her," Gui Ning said.
Jiu Xing also dismounted the carriage. "Young Master Wen, you go find Miss. I'll stay here. Young Master Gui Ning will be fine."
Wen Yuxi glanced at Gui Ning. Gui Ning nodded. "Go ahead!"
Wen Yuxi looked up at Jiu Xing and said coldly, "Jiu Xing, if Gui Ning suffers any harm, my Qianjin Tower will hunt you to the death."
Jiu Xing trembled all over. She looked up, a bitter smile on her face. "I, Jiu Xing, pledge my life that Young Master Gui Ning will be safe and sound before your return."
Wen Yuxi turned and left.
Jiu Xing wanted to support Gui Ning, but Gui Ning stood up and walked towards the carriage himself, saying, "I don't like others touching me."
Jiu Xing: "..."
She remembered that An Ning often touched Gui Ning. Why was it not acceptable for her?
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew. Jiu Xing shivered all over. She turned to Gui Ning and said, "Young Master Gui Ning, be careful..."
Before she could finish, a person landed in front of the carriage. He wore a green daoist robe, had a youthful complexion despite his white hair, and exuded an ethereal aura.
"Crown Prince of Xue Country, I trust you are well!"
Gui Ning raised his head, his expression aloof. He said indifferently, "A traitor from Duowang Valley, you dare speak to this prince?"
Fan Min's face darkened, and he sneered, "Your Highness, you probably can't even defeat me, a traitor of Duowang Valley, now."