"Mr. Li, I cannot explain in detail, but if you save the Cloud Emperor, I will be eternally grateful."
"Grateful? Guard Ning, this is done at the risk of being discovered by Prince Jing. If discovered, I too cannot escape. Such a dangerous matter, I fear..."
"Mr. Li, I owe you a debt of gratitude. From now on, if you give me any command, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
She spoke each word with conviction.
Mr. Li did not answer immediately. Xue Zining grew anxious. She did not know if Mr. Li would agree. If he refused, she would truly have no other recourse. However, no matter what, she could not let Hua Yun Jin die here.
"Alright, I promise."
She was taken aback and looked up at him. His gaze was as usual. "You will agree to any condition?"
She nodded. "Yes, even if you asked me to die immediately, I would be willing."
"Good." This time, he did not hesitate. "Remember your words. One day, I will ask you for this condition."
"Mr. Li, rest assured, a gentleman's word is his bond. I will not go back on my promise."
Mr. Li nodded. He waved his hand, and a guard appeared behind him. He said, "The Cloud Emperor is in my hands."
She stepped forward. "I will go with you."
"No, you return."
"I cannot," she shook her head. She had to see Hua Yun Jin safely rescued.
"Guard Ning, since you are asking for my favor, do not defy my wishes. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee I won't go back on my word."
She was stunned, then nodded after a pause. "Alright, I understand."
"We have not yet found His Majesty," Yun Xiao Tian said softly by Hua Yun Dan's side, his voice filled with anxiety.
"Do not worry. His Majesty is blessed by heaven; nothing will happen to him. We cannot show our anxiety, or else both your life and mine may be in danger." Hua Yun Dan glanced at Prince Jing, who was seated on his horse not far away.
"Yun Dan, do you think Prince Jing has succeeded?" Yun Xiao Tian asked.
Hua Yun Dan replied, "Not necessarily. Prince Jing likely has not received news yet. Otherwise, do you think we would be standing here?"
Yun Xiao Tian nodded. "Yun Dan, your analysis is correct. I will send Gu Cheng to search for His Majesty."
Hua Yun Dan nodded.
Prince Jing sat on his horse, his gaze somewhat cold. The people he sent to impersonate prisoners were all handpicked for their exceptional skills. He knew the Cloud Emperor was skilled, so he specifically chose capable individuals. Could over a dozen people not kill one person?
Had something changed? Yet, he had received no news, nor had the Cloud Emperor.
"Your Highness Prince Jing, His Majesty has been hunting for too long. I am somewhat concerned. May I send someone to accompany me in searching for His Majesty?" Hua Yun Dan rode his horse to Prince Jing and said.
Prince Jing glanced at Hua Yun Dan and then replied, "That is natural. Sun Gao, take some men and accompany Prime Minister Hua to search for the Cloud Emperor."
"Your Highness Prince Jing, may I request Guard Ning to accompany us?" Hua Yun Dan said.
Prince Jing paused but did not refuse. "Very well. Feng Luo, you go with them as well."
Xue Zining, who had not yet regained her footing, heard this and had no choice but to bow. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Guard Ning, I must trouble you again," Hua Yun Dan said, looking at her.
The corners of Xue Zining's mouth twitched. It seemed Hua Yun Dan knew of her departure. He was likely bringing her along intentionally.
"You are too kind, Prime Minister. This is my duty here," she replied.
Hua Yun Dan suddenly rode his horse closer to her. She stiffened and instinctively tried to retreat, but he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Prime Minister, what is this..."
"What were you doing just now?" Hua Yun Dan asked coldly, his gaze as sharp as ice.
"Prime Minister, I do not understand what you are saying. I was just out on an errand. If you have doubts, you can ask Prince Jing." She dared to say this because she knew Hua Yun Dan would never question Prince Jing.
"Guard Ning, you had better pray that you have nothing to do with His Majesty's disappearance, otherwise..."
"Prime Minister, your words are rather confusing. Why would I have anything to do with the Cloud Emperor?"
Hua Yun Dan looked at the Guard Ning before him. He knew this guard was speaking nonsense. He must be involved in His Majesty's disappearance.
"If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it. Guard Ning, I advise you to be sensible, otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" Xue Zining asked Hua Yun Dan, word by word.
Her gaze was as clear as the azure sky over the hunting grounds. For a moment, Hua Yun Dan felt as if he saw that person.
However, he quickly came to his senses, released Xue Zining's hand, and turned to leave.
Xue Zining was somewhat dazed, then followed him.
Prince Jing, upon hearing the report from his subordinate, felt a sense of surprise. Why had none of the men he sent returned to report to him? They seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Vanishing was one thing, but had the Cloud Emperor truly died?
If the Cloud Emperor had not disappeared, then where was the Cloud Emperor now?
For the first time, Prince Jing felt that things were no longer within his control.
Watching Hua Yun Dan ride away, he summoned someone beside him and issued instructions.
"Yun Dan, come and look at this place." Li Chen Xi, who was ahead, stopped at a certain spot.
Hua Yun Dan rode his horse to where Li Chen Xi was standing, then dismounted. Near the trees, he saw bloodstains. The blood had not yet dried, clearly indicating it was from not long ago.
"Yun Dan, what do you think?" Li Chen Xi asked.
Hua Yun Dan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Continue searching the surroundings and look for any suspicious areas."
Li Chen Xi searched for a long time. Apart from the bloodstain by the tree, there were no other suspicious signs.
Hua Yun Dan's gaze turned cold. How could someone as prominent as the Cloud Emperor disappear into thin air?
Xue Zining, standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Mr. Nan had done a thorough job. She had been worried about any lingering clues, especially since not only Hua Yun Dan but also Sun Hao was present.
"Prime Minister, since there are no clues, perhaps we should return. I believe Prince Jing will surely give you an answer," Sun Hao said from the side.
Hua Yun Dan glanced at Li Chen Xi, who nodded. "Yun Dan, we won't find anything here. It's better to return and make a new plan."
Hua Yun Dan knew that even if they searched every inch of the area, if the Cloud Emperor had already been abducted, they would not find him. However, he was certain that the Cloud Emperor was still alive. But where exactly was he?
Subconsciously, he looked at Guard Ning, who was following behind. He had a feeling that this Guard Ning knew something.
Hua Yun Dan and Li Chen Xi decided to return first. Xue Zining followed behind, while Sun Hao led the way. Gradually, Xue Zining felt something was amiss, as this was not the way back.
She harbored a slight suspicion. Could Prince Jing be up to something again?