Xiao Chi Zhan remained silent, picked up the black robe from the rack, and walked out.
Li Qiong Yu grabbed him, his expression grave.
"Longcheng has no less than thirty thousand troops, heavily guarded, and Xie Bei Han is also in Longcheng. You are going in alone to try and bring Ye Luan out. It's impossible."
"The provisions are ready and will be sent immediately. Reinforcements can reach Xiguan within three days. Once we order an attack and take Longcheng, killing Xie Bei Han, Ye Luan will still be yours."
Xiao Chi Zhan brushed his hand away, his voice icy, "This king cannot wait."
"Furthermore, Xie Bei Han acts in a cunning manner. Even if Longcheng is taken, he will have a backup plan. What use is an empty city if I bring Ye Luan away!"
The enmity of a stolen wife was unforgivable. He had to personally cut down Xie Bei Han!
"No, that's too risky!"
Xiao Chi Zhan's expression was indifferent, ignoring his words.
"You lead troops to the eastern part of Longhe for support."
Li Qiong Yu raised an eyebrow, "Are you really going to take such a dangerous gamble?"
"I want to bring her home. I can't wait a moment longer."
The lowered eyes flickered with endless ice.
Li Qiong Yu rolled his eyes, "I really owe you."
"Blood Blade!"
Blood Blade entered from outside the door, "Your Highness."
"Order the Blood Corps people to go and burn their provisions."
"Yes."
Li Qiong Yu raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you letting the Blood Corps people follow you?"
"No need, I am enough."
Ye Luan had been living in the Prefect's mansion for several days.
Xie Bei Han was very busy every day. When she walked in the courtyard, she always saw many strange people entering and leaving the mansion.
Judging by their attire, they should be from Southern Xinjiang.
Currently, Southern Xinjiang was attacking Great Liang, and Northern Qi was secretly fanning the flames, providing troops and provisions. Longcheng had already fallen, and the next step would surely be towards Xiguan.
But Xie Bei Han would never do something for others' benefit. What was his ulterior motive for helping Southern Xinjiang like this?
A vague sense of unease filled her heart, an ominous feeling. Could Xie Bei Han's true intention be to take Xiao Chi Zhan's life?
As this thought flashed through her mind, Ye Luan's heart skipped a beat.
That madman, he better not be impulsive.
"Ye Luan."
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
Ye Luan's heart jolted, and she came back to her senses.
She saw Xie Bei Han walking towards her with a smile. The maid behind him held a tray with a jade-white jar on it.
"Come here, I want to show you something."
Ye Luan put down the fish food she was holding and followed him to a pavilion nearby, where they sat down.
"What is this?"
Xie Bei Han stood beside her and opened the jade-white jar.
Ye Luan peeked and her face instantly turned pale with fright. She shot up to her feet.
This was so abrupt.
Xie Bei Han did not dodge and was hit on the chin by her head, which immediately turned red.
"Why are you so rash?!"
He pulled her waist and held her in his arms.
Ye Luan struggled and said angrily, "What do you mean?"
"What's wrong?"
Xie Bei Han chuckled softly, resting his chin on her hair, and whispered.
"This is ač crafted by the High Priest of Southern Xinjiang over a lifetime. It is said that by drinking its blood, two lives become inextricably linked."
"She lives, he lives! She dies, he perishes!"
A chill ran down Ye Luan's spine. "Don't tell me you want me to drink this with you?"
"Isn't it good?" He smelled the faint fragrance of her body and hooked his lips. "After drinking this, if you die, I will not live alone."
"---"
Crazy!
Ye Luan suppressed her speechless annoyance and said calmly, "Then if you die, I won't be able to live either?"
"Mmm."
Shameless!
"I won't drink it."
Ye Luan twisted her waist, struggling. She forcefully pried his hands apart, forcing him to let go.
But Xie Bei Han's strength was too great, and she couldn't budge him. In her anger, she kicked him with one foot, bringing her knee up and kicking him hard in his vulnerable spot.
"So ruthless, do you still want to have fun?!"
Ye Luan ignored his vulgar words, her movements not holding back at all.
Xie Bei Han deliberately teased her, dodging and weaving, never letting her hit him.
Ye Luan's anger flared up. She kicked his leg and picked up a nearby stick, swinging it fiercely at him.
Xie Bei Han laughed heartily. He unleashed his internal energy with a tremor, and the stick instantly split.
Ye Luan stared in shock at the stick that had split into pieces of wood, her lips pressed tightly in astonishment.
She withdrew her hand, turned, and walked towards the exit.
Xie Bei Han reached out and grabbed her, his lips curving into a malicious arc.
"Getting angry already?"
"No."
Ye Luan said this while trying to pull her hand free.
Xie Bei Han didn't let go. Instead, he pulled her in with a reverse motion, holding her in his arms.
"With your meager skills, killing someone is difficult."
Ye Luan rolled her eyes and kicked upwards fiercely, but he was too agile. He swiftly clamped her legs, pressing her tightly against him.
"Xie Bei Han!"
Ye Luan was about to explode with anger, unable to suppress her rage, wishing she could whip him twice.
"You, the Emperor of Northern Qi, how can you be so thick-skinned?!"
Xie Bei Han raised an eyebrow, "Only with you."
"---"
Ye Luan spat, "If you and Xiao Chi Zhan weren't brothers in your past lives, I wouldn't believe it."
Xie Bei Han's expression instantly turned cold, and he retorted, "He's not worthy!"
"Then you're not worthy, alright?"
"You're always speaking up for him!" Xie Bei Han complained, pinching her cheeks, his eyes chilling. "If I had met you first, what business would he have!"
Seeing the strange look on his face, Ye Luan shook his hand away, unwilling to say more, wanting to leave.
But Xie Bei Han, for some unknown reason, suddenly leaned down and was about to kiss her.
Ye Luan panicked, pressed his head firmly backward.
"You promised me. As the ruler of a nation, your word is your bond. You cannot go back on your promises."
"I am not someone who keeps my word."
After saying that, he grabbed her hand and pressed her onto the stone table behind them.
When Chi Yan brought people in, they saw this steamy scene in the pavilion and let out a tutting sound.
Ye Luan was angrily grabbing Xie Bei Han's hair, dodging to the side.
The two of them suddenly heard the sound and both turned their heads to look over.
Ye Luan's mind was about to explode at being seen in this state. She hit him fiercely, pushing him.
"Get up."
Xie Bei Han's good mood was interrupted, and he narrowed his eyes in annoyance.
"This minor official greets His Majesty."
Accompanying Chi Yan was a charming young man in exotic attire.
He was tall and slender, with golden curly hair and purple eyes. A very thin gold band was worn across his forehead. The lower half of his face was covered by a ghost mask, and he was dressed in standard Rouran fashion.
Xie Bei Han pulled Ye Luan to her feet.
"Why has the Junior Priest Official come in person?"
Junior Priest Official Xuan Qing, the adopted son of the Southern Xinjiang Gu King.
"This minor official is acting on my father king's orders to discuss the matter of the Holy Tower with Your Majesty."
Xie Bei Han raised an eyebrow, glanced at the person beside him, and said, "You go back and rest first."
Ye Luan nodded without speaking.
Chi Yan crossed her arms and looked at her with a half-smile.
"Miss Ye, shall we have a drink another day?"
Ye Luan heard her words and was slightly surprised, but she smiled and said, "It would be rude not to accept Aba's invitation."
"Spirited."
Xie Bei Han glanced coldly at Chi Yan, who smiled wantonly but said nothing more.
After they left, Ye Luan also returned to her room.