The entire Prefectural Governor's mansion was filled with the sounds of disordered footsteps and the friction of swords.
To the northwest, flames blazed into the sky, and on the watchtower, waves of people fell.
Xie Bei Han, who had rushed back from the military camp, had a terrifyingly dark expression. Following behind him were a large group of soldiers and officials.
"Your Majesty, their forces number only a few thousand. Why not dispatch troops to engage them?"
"Indeed, it's clearly a harassment and provocation meant to disrupt our military might."
Xie Bei Han's expression turned as cold as ice. He looked at Wang An behind him and said, "Immediately seal the Anding Gate. Do not allow any civilians to enter or exit."
"Qin Luo, go to the Western Mechanical Army camp. See if any Great Liang people have infiltrated, and be cautious of the provisions."
"Yes."
After issuing his orders, Xie Bei Han immediately snatched a horse and leaped onto it.
"Go and mobilize troops to surround the Prefectural Governor's mansion. Not a single fly shall be allowed to escape."
The crowd, not understanding the reason, were startled by the ferocity on Xie Bei Han's face before they could even ask.
"Yes, your subject will attend to it immediately."
Xie Bei Han ignored them and rode his horse straight back to his residence.
Those behind him hurried to follow on horseback.
The entire mansion was suddenly under strict lockdown.
Ye Luan heard the commotion of the mansion guards moving about. She quickly grabbed Xiao Chi Zhan's arm and said,
"Quick, take me up that large tree."
The tall, lush ancient tree was covered in dense foliage. Especially the one in the garden, its crown was thick, with intertwined branches and leaves that almost blotted out the sky, capable of completely concealing their figures.
Seeing guards patrolling in the distance, Xiao Chi Zhan's eyes darkened. He pulled Ye Luan into his embrace and soared up into the tree.
The dense branches and leaves concealed their figures.
The ancient tree was tall and massive. Ye Luan leaned forward and stood up, parting the thick canopy to peer down.
Looking out, the number of people moving about the mansion was increasing, and the lights were bright.
She slightly narrowed her eyes and looked at Xiao Chi Zhan, who seemed unconcerned, and said,
"You should leave now. You don't need to worry about me anymore."
His martial arts were high, and he had people to assist him. Without her, a burden, he could surely leave Dragon City smoothly on his own.
Xiao Chi Zhan let out a snort, "How could that be?"
He leaned against the tree trunk, holding her in his arms with one hand, and lowered his head to bite her ear.
"Where you are, I am."
Ye Luan reached out and clasped his shoulder, looking at him and saying, "If Xie Bei Han realizes I've left, he will definitely hunt me down to the death. A fight will be inevitable."
"It doesn't matter. At worst, we'll fight at the Qu Nan River. Don't worry."
Ye Luan pursed her lips. She didn't want a war that caused suffering and death to be initiated because of her.
Moreover, from what she had overheard the day before from Xie Bei Han's assassins, something major must have happened in the capital.
She vaguely felt it was related to Mu Rou. Judging by the conversation, she was heading towards Lingnan. If it was indeed Mu Rou, she had to save her.
Xie Bei Han wanted to kill Tan Tai Ye, he wouldn't show mercy to Mu Rou.
"Alright, let's go."
Seeing the patrolling guards leave, Xiao Chi Zhan immediately embraced her, intending to descend the tree.
Ye Luan grabbed his hand, remaining still.
Xiao Chi Zhan turned his head, saw through her thoughts, and his expression darkened.
He pulled her into his embrace, grasped her chin, and lifted her face.
"Don't tell me you intend to stay by his side."
Ye Luan playfully slapped him, "That hurts!"
Xiao Chi Zhan pursed his lips, released her, and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
"You must come with me."
Ye Luan stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, softly saying, "Don't worry, I'll protect myself—"
"No. Dragon City needs to be recaptured. A battle will soon erupt at the Qu Nan River. If you stay by his side, how can I fight?"
"But—"
"No 'buts'." Xiao Chi Zhan forcefully pulled her, "Come with me."
Ye Luan grabbed him back and pushed him against the tree trunk behind her.
Xiao Chi Zhan's heart immediately stirred. He clasped her hands and placed them on his waist, then wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close and caressing her.
Ye Luan instinctively wanted to break free. What time was it, and he was still fooling around!
Xiao Chi Zhan, having gotten in the mood, paid no mind. He pushed her against the tree trunk and leaned in to kiss her.
She was almost forced to tilt her head back to receive it. Though her back was against the tree trunk, his arm was between them, cradling her back, so she didn't feel any pain.
She wanted to lean back to avoid pressing on his arm, so she could only turn her head away and scold him.
"You're outrageously bold, acting wildly without regard for the occasion."
Their bodies pressed together, and the kiss grew more intense.
He kissed her fiercely. Trapped in this confined space, she struggled to catch her breath.
Ye Luan couldn't bear it and reached out to pinch his waist hard twice.
Xiao Chi Zhan cried out in pain but didn't let go. He raised his devilishly handsome eyebrows to look at her.
"If you don't come with me, we'll do it right here."
Ye Luan gasped for breath, tightly clutched his collar, and glared at him, "Are you threatening me?"
Xiao Chi Zhan said no more, his gaze locked onto her. His bewitching red eyes stared directly into hers, making her heart tingle and her body go soft, causing her to hug his back.
The moonlight, deep and shallow, shone through the branches and onto his face, which was like that of a demon, enchantingly beautiful, like a harbinger of disaster.
Those eyes were filled with a burning lust for her.
She said, "Xie Bei Han already wants to kill you. It will be difficult for you to get out if you bring me along—"
Before she could finish, he interrupted her.
"Even if I die, I will take you with me."
Ye Luan angrily covered his mouth, "What are you saying about dying? Don't talk nonsense."
Xiao Chi Zhan snorted and licked her palm.
She felt the wet touch and immediately retracted her hand.
"How many days has it been since we last saw each other?"
He buried his head in her neck, sucking and kissing.
Ye Luan tilted her head to avoid him and thought for a moment. It hadn't been that many days.
"Less than half a month."
"Why does it feel like a lifetime?"
His words, low and deep, entered her ears. Her heart trembled, and she suddenly felt her bones go weak and soft, causing her to hug his back.
"Alright, stop talking nonsense. If we don't leave soon, you won't be able to."
Given Xie Bei Han's suspicious nature, he should be returning soon.
Xiao Chi Zhan refused, "If you don't come with me, I won't leave either."
Ye Luan had no choice but to tell him, "That day, I heard Xie Bei Han's assassin tell him that Mu Rou had been brought to Lingnan by them."
"Yes. They have already entered Southern Xinjiang. Tan Tai Ye will go to save her. You don't need to worry about it."
They had entered Southern Xinjiang?!
"They've come to Southern Xinjiang so quickly." Ye Luan looked up, "Then I really can't leave. They want to kill Tan Tai Ye. Mu Rou is in their hands, and she will die."
Listening to her words, Xiao Chi Zhan's expression deepened, and he remained silent.
After a period of stalemate, he suddenly looked up at her, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.
"Do you like him?"
"—" Ye Luan slapped him across the mouth, "Listen to the nonsense you're speaking!"
Xiao Chi Zhan moved closer to her, looking into her eyes, his voice hoarse.
"He is not a good person. He is unscrupulous, yet you are willing to stay by his side."
"—"
She sighed softly. This madman was so jealous, he could twist anything.
"You should just pickle yourself in a vat of vinegar and stop spouting such nonsense."