#ygl

According to Qing Hun, his informants and connections almost cover the entire border, making him virtually untouchable.

In recent months, Wanyan Jin has frequently entered and exited the Divine Mountain, each time escorting a large number of carriages and treasure chests.

Princess: Dacheng strictly prohibits the private trade of arms. Once discovered, it's a capital offense, let alone dealing with people from Beikun, that's treason. Who is so audacious?

A name surfaced in my mind.

Princess: Qing Hun, give me Wanyan Jin's address.

*flashback over*

Princess: Is Boss Wanyan here?

The door was unlocked. With a gentle push, it opened. The air inside was filled with hazy dust, mixed with the scent of cold iron, rushing towards me.

Piles of weapons and goods were stacked haphazardly, making the warehouse in front of me seem like a maze.

Princess: Boss Wanyan...?

No one answered. I became alert and secretly gripped a hidden arrow in my hand.

???: Going further ahead is a dead end. Don't take the wrong path, Yilan.

Just as I was about to move forward again, a voice with a light laugh sounded from above. I looked up--

It was a pair of emerald-yellow eyes. A cheerful smile revealed two sharp tiger teeth. Jade and gold ornaments adorned his body, bringing a dazzling brilliance, like the blazing sun and flowing sand.

He was sitting on a cargo box above, swinging his legs leisurely. Seeing me stop, he jumped down from the box and landed lightly in front of me.

Wanyan Jin: Is Yilan here to pick up the goods?

Princess: ......Yes, that's the one I ordered.

I found an excuse following Wanyan Jin's words and pointed randomly at a spot.

Wanyan Jin: Then please go and inspect the goods, see if the weapon suits you.

I nodded, thinking about my next move. But as soon as I turned around, a sharp knife was held against my neck.

The smile in Wanyan Jin's voice didn't diminish, but it became a bit deeper, carrying a warning threat.

Wanyan Jin: That spear weighs sixteen kilograms. It was custom-made for a famous strongman in Kelhan. Also, the calluses on your fingertips, only those who practice hidden weapons for many years would have them.

Wanyan Jin: You're not my customer at all. Did he send you?

Wanyan Jin seemed to think I was some dangerous person.

Princess: Who is the 'he' you're talking about?

Wanyan Jin: Don't play dumb.

Princess: Boss Wanyan, I'm indeed not your customer, but I'm also not your enemy.

Wanyan Jin: In our line of work, we either see money or blood. Yilan, choose one.

The knife against my throat pressed harder. At this moment, a choking smoke filled the warehouse.

Princess: Cough, cough, cough...

Wanyan Jin: ... Tch!

As if he had anticipated it, Wanyan Jin pressed a mechanism, and a secret passage appeared before us. He grabbed my arm.

Wanyan Jin: Don't make a sound, follow me.

-

After exiting the secret passage, we were already in the bustling market. Wanyan Jin casually grabbed a piece of cloth to cover his face and pulled me into the crowd.

Princess: Wait, where are we going?

Wanyan Jin: If I can't safely send Yilan back, Prince Mirza probably won't let me off the hook.

Princess: You...

Wanyan Jin walked quickly, his tone already tinged with a smile, completely different from his initial wariness.

Wanyan Jin: I felt Yilan looked familiar when we first met. I just remembered seeing you at the banquet.

Wanyan Jin: What did Prince Mirza ask Yilan to come to me for?

Seeing that he already knew my identity, I no longer concealed it.

Princess: What was in the shipment that Boss Wanyan sent into the Divine Mountain?

Wanyan Jin: Why is Prince Mirza interested in this?

Princess: Because the Prince knows that the King and the High Priest have betrayed the trust of their people and broken their oath to the Moon God.

Wanyan Jin: The King can do whatever he wants.

Princess: That doesn't include betraying his people!

Wanyan Jin stopped and turned to look at me. I took a step closer and quickly continued--

Princess: Such a large quantity of arms, Dacheng isn't stupid. What did the King give them in exchange for these? Haven't you ever thought about it?

Wanyan Jin stared at me. After a long silence, he revealed a bitter smile.

Wanyan Jin: It's precisely because I asked the same question as Yilan that Samkuli decided to make me disappear, just like those before.

Princess: ... What?

Wanyan Jin: I'm not the first person to transport these things for them, nor the first to be hunted down.

Wanyan Jin: I have a friend who's a beast tamer. Two months ago, he told me that many rare and exotic beasts enshrined in the Divine Mountain had disappeared one after another.

Wanyan Jin: Those beasts are the most precious treasures of Beikun, and the art of beast taming is a secret technique that has never been passed down for hundreds of years. It's a blessing bestowed upon this land by the Moon God.

Wanyan Jin: But the beasts enshrined by the people were given to Dacheng by the King as bargaining chips. Just as Yilan said, the King has broken his oath to the Moon God.

Princess: On the Dacheng side, who is the person trading with you?

Wanyan Jin shook his head.

Wanyan Jin: The person behind the scenes never appears. It's always their subordinates who handle the deals.

Princess: Don't those people have any distinctive marks?

Wanyan Jin: All I know is that those people like to adorn themselves with red tassels.

Red tassels... Red-robed army, it's definitely him-- Han You!

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Chapter 8-4

Princess: Besides you, I trust no one in Beikun. How can I feel at ease without asking you about someone who suddenly appeared by my side?

Tuoba Yu: Cough... I am indeed worried that there's a wolf by your side.

Princess: A wolf?

Tuoba Yu: Think carefully about He Luo's appearance. Does he look like a Beikun warrior?

Princess: Are you saying he's from another country?

Tuoba Yu: That's right. He's from Dacheng. Many years ago, he was sold here. With his intelligence and relentless efforts, he escaped his slave status.

In the border areas of the north, due to poverty, there are many people who sell their children. I was about to ask a few more questions when Tuoba Yu's personal guard knocked on the door.

Guard: Prince Milza, Chief Sumanda of the Yarkand tribe has arrived in the royal capital.

Tuoba Yu's face instantly showed a joy I had never seen before. He quickly stood up from the table.

But before he could take a step forward, he reluctantly sat back down.

Tuoba Yu: Send someone to take good care of the chief. If the chief needs anything, inform me immediately.

Princess: I remember Yarkand is your maternal clan. Is that chief your relative?

Tuoba Yu: She is my mother's younger sister.

Princess: No wonder you're so happy. Then why don't you go see her?

Two sand larks flew past the window. Tuoba Yu watched them for a long time, but he didn't answer my question.

Tuoba Yu: Y/N, I want to tell you a story.

Princess: Sure, what story?

Tuoba Yu: A long time ago, in a certain country, a little prince was born...

Princess: Was the little prince born a favored child of heaven, loved by his people?

Tuoba Yu: Yes, the little prince lived every day amidst the praise of the masses. If not for the Queen's guidance, he might have lost his way forward.

Princess: What kind of person was the Queen?

Tuoba Yu: The Queen was gentle, resolute, and a skilled warrior. If it weren't for her, the unification of that country might have been delayed for decades.

Tuoba Yu: The Queen would often take the little prince back to her hometown, which was also the happiest time for the little prince because he could see his aunt then.

Princess: The little prince's aunt must have cherished him very much.

Tuoba Yu: The little prince's aunt would take him horse riding, hunting, and stargazing...

Tuoba Yu seemed to be recalling a very distant past, a nostalgic smile on his face.

Tuoba Yu: But when the little prince was fifteen, the Queen passed away.

Tuoba Yu: The aunt's hometown started to have conflicts with the kingdom, but the King, who was usually ruthless and decisive, surprisingly didn't reprimand her defiance.

Princess: Is there a hidden reason behind the Queen's death?

Tuoba Yu: The little prince also suspected so, so he returned to his hometown alone, seeking the truth. But his aunt refused to see him, leaving him only one sentence --

Tuoba Yu: The blood flowing in your veins will only defile this land.

Tuoba Yu: The little prince vowed to find out the cause of the Queen's death at all costs.

Tuoba Yu: At the same time, he also made up his mind that if he met the girl he loved, he would protect her with all his might, and never let her end up like the Queen.

I held Tuoba Yu's hand, trying to convey my warmth and emotions to him.

Princess: I think the little prince, when he grew up, has already done very well.

-

The gemstone bracelet I received from Tuoba Yu was tightly held in my hand. According to him, it was a gift from Sumanda on his tenth birthday.

With Sumanda's permission, I pushed open the door. The sight that greeted me was a woman as radiant as Tuoba Yu, with soft, flowing hair braided and draped over her leather armor-clad back.

The beautiful and resolute chieftain pursed her lips tightly, her emerald eyes sizing me up like a vigilant leopard.

She bore a striking resemblance to the Queen I had seen in the murals, except with less gentleness and more decisiveness.

Sumanda toyed with the short blade in her hand, then slammed it onto the nearby table.

Sumanda: Didn't Prince Mirza just send someone? Why another one?

I presented the bracelet in my hand.

Princess: The Prince hasn't seen the chieftain for a long time and wishes to have a conversation as a nephew with his aunt.

Sumanda didn't speak, just silently stared at the bracelet in my hand, then let out a cold snort.

Sumanda: Throw away things when they're old. There's no need to keep them around as an eyesore.

Sumanda: You tell him to give up his hopes too. I swore I would never forgive the Tuoba clan in this life, unless...

She abruptly stopped, her gaze sweeping over me.

Sumanda: Getting too close to the Tuoba clan will bring no good end.

Was she warning me?

Princess: Prince Mirza will be an upright and wise king.

Sumanda: They all say that before they ascend the throne!

Sumanda: My sister believed that man's lies, and that's why she ended up like that!

Sumanda: If she had listened to me, she wouldn't have died!

The pain flowing from those emerald eyes was like burning lava. She stood up, turning her back to me, along with an unceremonious dismissal ---

Sumanda: Go back and tell Mirza, don't test my patience again, or next time what awaits you will be my scimitar!

I didn't say anything more, just gently placed the bracelet on the table and turned to leave.

The hatred between Yarkand and the Tuoba clan might be far more complex than it seems on the surface. To resolve it, we need to start from the root.

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Chapter 8-3

Princess: Lorta?

Tuoba Yu: It means "an army descending from the sky."

Tuoba Yu's gentle and warm gaze shifted from me to the army below the platform, transforming into the aura of a king overlooking the world.

Tuoba Yu: Warriors of Beikun, listen to my command--

All Soldiers: Haa--!

With Tuoba Yu's order, war drums thundered on the yellow sand. The shouts of the warriors and the roars of the birds of prey echoed throughout the entire desert.

Under the vast sky, two groups of infantry and cavalry, leading the charge, quickly converged. Then, accompanied by the trumpeting of elephants, the ground trembled heavily - it was a unit of elephant cavalry.

The figures of humans and beasts intertwined. Even though I had witnessed Dacheng's military parades more than once, the scene before me still made my heart surge with excitement.

Tuoba Yu: What is the Princess thinking?

Princess: This army is admirable, but it also worries me.

Tuoba Yu: Oh?

Princess: Now I understand where Prince Mirza's confidence comes from, and I also understand why the chieftains were so confident and arrogant at the banquet that day.

Princess: The land and people here are even stronger and more resilient than I imagined. I am happy for you.

Princess: But this also means that you will be a threat that Dacheng cannot ignore.

Tuoba Yu: The Princess's honesty surprises me, but... I'm happy. It means the Princess sees me as a friend.

Princess: A friend, but also an opponent.

Tuoba Yu: Then the Princess should be careful. This opponent will become even stronger in the future.

Tuoba Yu gazed at the army in the distance.

Tuoba Yu: Do you know, wolf packs in the desert have a very strict hierarchy. Only the strongest alpha wolf can become the Wolf King.

Tuoba Yu: But when the Wolf King grows old and weak, it will be replaced by a younger and stronger alpha wolf.

Tuoba Yu: The process of changing leadership is very cruel. The defeated old Wolf King can only leave the pack alone and walk towards the end of its life.

Tuoba Yu: This invincible army needs a better leader.

Princess: I can help.

Tuoba Yu: What are the conditions?

Princess: If one day I need Your Highness's help, I hope Your Highness can return the favor.

Tuoba Yu laughed.

Tuoba Yu: If the Princess wants the power of this army, there's no need to go through so much trouble. I can directly conquer Da Cheng and return it to you.

Princess: You underestimate Da Cheng too much.

Princess: Da Cheng won't be easily defeated, no matter who the opponent is.

Tuoba Yu gazed at me quietly for a long time, then finally spoke.

Tuoba Yu: Indeed, you are from Da Cheng, you will always return, and then one day, we might meet on the battlefield.

Princess: ... Tuoba Yu.

Tuoba Yu: Alas, I just don't know if by then, the Princess will still remember that there is a devoted person here waiting for her.

Princess: ...

I turned my head away speechlessly, naturally missing the hint of sadness hidden beneath Tuoba Yu's playful expression.

-

The inspection ended as the sun was setting in the west. Tuoba Yu and I walked side-by-side on the road back to the royal capital.

As we approached the city gate, we saw a line of slaves being escorted.

Their upper bodies were bare, and all we could see were whip marks. Their wrists and ankles were shackled with heavy chains, dragging on the ground with a dull sound.

Princess: They...

Tuoba Yu: These people didn't deliver enough tributes to Samkuli on time as required.

Princess: Where are they being taken?

Tuoba Yu: According to the law, they will be sent to the mines for labor.

Tuoba Yu frowned, his tone clearly revealing his disapproval and disgust for this practice.

Tuoba Yu: Y/N, look at that mural.

It was a simple painting crudely carved on the stone wall, very inconspicuous, yet surrounded by countless flowers and offerings.

Princess: This painting depicts... Wu Ri Le?

Tuoba Yu: This depicts the beginning of everything, and the reason why Wu Ri Le became a "god".

Princess: ...Praying for rain?

Tuoba Yu: Four years ago, Beikun suffered an unprecedented drought. Countless refugees flooded into Kelhan to pray to the Samkuli at that time.

Tuoba Yu: The Samkuli in power at the time didn't bring a single drop of rain, but Wu Ri Le, in the small town of Bian Long near Kelhan, brought long-awaited rain.

Tuoba Yu: Because of this, he was welcomed into the temple, standing on the towering prayer platform, performing the rain dance.

Tuoba Yu: Heavy rain fell continuously for three days and three nights. That rain was more abundant than the annual rainfall. At that moment, everyone believed he was the messenger sent by the Moon God to the human world.

Tuoba Yu: In the face of miracles, he rightfully deserved to stand at the peak of the temple. The people, my father, the king, all thought so.

Princess: What about you? It seems you don't think so.

Tuoba Yu looked towards the distant sacred mountain.

Tuoba Yu: The day my mother passed away, I understood - gods never favor the weak.

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Chapter 8-2

???: A mere object for entertainment dares to appear at the royal banquet?

I followed the source of the voice and saw a man who looked like a chieftain, along with his men, surrounding a delicate young boy, tugging at his clothes.

Princess: It's him...?

It was the boy who danced in the moonlit flower field that night.

???: He Luo, I heard you're good at serving people. Why don't you come and serve us too?

The boy named He Luo lowered his head, his face flushed red, trying to avoid the tall, burly men.

Princess: Stop it!

He Luo looked at me and quickly lowered his head again, seemingly not wanting me to see his vulnerability at this moment.

???: Who's this nosy little beauty?

The man looked at me with ill intentions, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

Wurile: I've been wanting to give Yilan a gift. Since Yilan likes him, it must be the Moon Goddess's guidance.

Wurile: Then let's give He Luo to Yilan.

A cold yet gentle voice sounded behind me. The fat man, upon seeing Wurile, hurriedly bowed and respectfully excused himself. He Luo immediately knelt down as well.

Princess: …… How can I deserve such a gift from Samkuli?

Princess: Moreover, He Luo is a person, not an object. How can you give him away without considering his wishes?

Wurile: At birth, the people here have already dedicated their body and soul to the Moon Goddess. Whether it's me or him.

Seeing that I still wanted to speak, He Luo quickly tugged at my skirt, his body trembling slightly.

He Luo: I'm willing, Yilan. He Luo is willing to serve Yilan.

He Luo's face was filled with extreme panic and fear. I guessed that if I continued to insist, he might face terrible punishment.

Princess: …… Thank you for your kindness, Samkuli.

Only then did Wurile nod in satisfaction.

Wurile: Shah and Mirza have also arrived. Yilan, take your seat.

Tuoba Yu walked towards me with a wary gaze, discreetly pulling me to his side before giving Wurile a simple bow.

I sat beside Tuoba Yu, with He Luo, who had just been "given" to me, behind me.

The Beikun royal banquet wasn't as formal as those in Da Cheng. People chatted enthusiastically, their shoulders bumping together, frequently raising their glasses in toasts. Soon, a light buzz of intoxication filled the air.

???: To the Moon Goddess! To Shah! To Da Cheng, soon to be conquered by the warriors of Beikun!

A sentence that sounded extremely harsh to me caused a burst of hearty laughter.

???: Well said, Relihan! The old emperor is gone, leaving behind only a trembling little lamb. Heaven is truly helping us Beikun!

???: The newly enthroned little brat is said to be a sickly child. Any warrior from Beikun could strangle him with one hand! Hahahaha

Tuoba Yu: Relihan is the leader of the Wute tribe. Among the six major tribes, he is the most cunning.

Tuoba Yu leaned closer and introduced them to me one by one.

Tuoba Yu: That one who looks stupid and reckless is called Monachil, the chieftain of the Shanli tribe.

Then he pointed to the tall, thin man who looked the most dangerous.

Tuoba Yu: That's Seth, the chieftain of the Uyi tribe, and also the most ambitious one. You'd better not provoke him.

I took note of their names and appearances one by one.

King of Beikun: The death of the Dacheng Emperor was a good show directed by his son and daughter. It's truly wonderful...

Seth: Shah, now is the best time to attack Dacheng!

Everybody: Annihilate Dacheng, raise the name of Beikun! Annihilate Dacheng, reclaim our territory!

I couldn't help but frown, but not because of these crude taunts.

Tuoba Yu told me that my elder brother had already ascended the throne, but the imperial court was firmly controlled by Noble Consort Han and Han You.

Dacheng is currently in internal turmoil. If external troubles were to be added... I'm afraid it would truly be a catastrophic disaster.

King of Beikun: Morale is high. Why don't we let the Uyi tribe lead the charge?

Seth: Is the Shah speaking the truth?!

Monachil: How could there be jokes from the Shah's mouth! Seth, you're not just all talk and no action, are you?

Seth: You think I'm as useless as you? My Uyi warriors only need seven days to break into the capital of Dacheng!

These two seemed to be at odds, their words full of confrontation.

But Wurile spoke with a smile.

Wurile: When it comes to invincibility in battle, it has to be Prince Milza. The last time the Western Palace attacked, His Highness only led three thousand personal guards and sent them fleeing in panic.

Wurile: With His Highness here, Dacheng will sooner or later be in the Shah's pocket.

These two seemingly complimentary sentences ignited the dark shadows in the Beikun King's eyes.

He glanced meaningfully at Tuoba Yu, who was surrounded by the crowd, and then slammed his wine cup heavily on the table.

King of Beikun: Good! My son is invincible. With you expanding our territory for me, the iron hooves of the Tuoba clan will surely trample the entire continent!

Wurile: To Prince Milza, to the Shah. The Moon God will bless Beikun and make our warriors invincible.

Everyone: Invincible! Unite the world!

Amidst the loud and excited cheers, Wurile looked over from afar and raised his cup to me.

I understood his lip language--

Wurile: To the Princess.

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Chapter 7 Rumors

He was only draped in a thin white veil, half of his body submerged in the shallow pool in front of the statue, eyes lowered in prayer.

Yilan flowers floated in the pool water. Even in the dim, hazy light, I could still see the scars all over his body at a glance.

Princess: How could this be...

He turned his head, meeting my gaze.

Princess: Forgive me, Samkuli. I got lost...

Wurile: Come here.

Wurile: Yilan, can you help me light the lamp?

It was a white lotus lamp, with a rosewood base and a bronze stand, carved into the shape of a lotus flower. The petals were painted white with some unknown material.

I went to the poolside and lit the lamp. Only then did I notice how pale Wurile's face was, almost transparent.

Wurile: Yilan, are you afraid of me?

Seeing me shake my head, he gave a weak smile.

Wurile: They all fear me, and at the same time, they love me. Sometimes I can't tell if it's because they fear me that they love me, or if it's because they love me that they fear me.

Princess: You are everyone's faith.

Wurile: Faith can bring comfort, but it is as fleeting as a mirage.

He walked towards me, causing ripples in the pool water, and the flowers on the surface swayed along with it.

Wurile: Does Yilan also believe in the Moon Goddess?

Princess: .....

Wurile: I could tell from the first glance that you're not from here.

Wurile: Don't be afraid. You are Prince Mirza's honored guest, which makes you my guest as well.

Princess: …… I don't believe in the Moon Goddess, or rather, I don't believe in any god.

Princess: Please forgive my offense, Samkuli, but I prefer to believe in my own strength.

Princess: If there really is a god, why would it allow so many tragedies to happen in the world?

Princess: And where is the god when those tragedies occur?

Wurile: Perhaps the god has already saved you, but you just don't know it.

Wurile: Because even gods have their lies.

I looked at the terrifying scars beneath his clothes.

Princess: Has the god saved Samkuli too?

Wurile's expression changed drastically. He abruptly picked up an Yilan flower and crushed it fiercely.

Wurile: I don't need her to save me!

His state was very unstable, his body trembling violently. The winding scars seemed to burn under the candlelight.

Princess: Samkuli, you...

A wave of moist heat washed over me, warm liquid dripping onto my face. Wurile's face melted into the pale moonlight.

Princess: …… Samkuli!

Wurile's burning body fell into my arms.

-

Princess: Samkuli, are you feeling better?

Wurile had fainted for about half an hour. I didn't dare move him carelessly, so I sat on the ground, letting him rest his head on my lap.

Now he slowly regained consciousness, but he just stared at me without moving, as if looking at someone else through me.

Wurile: Why didn't you leave? Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?

Princess: Is Samkuli someone who kills indiscriminately?

Wurile slowly sat up, his gaze brushing over my face.

Wurile: Those who have seen the true face of the High Priest are all dead.

Wurile: What makes Yilan think she's an exception?

Princess: .....

His fingers, like white jade, gently clasped the weapon hidden under my long sleeve.

Wurile: Because of this?

The shimmering light from the pool water reflected on his face, like ink on silk, spreading out a detached smile.

Wurile: You clearly had the chance just now. Why didn't Yilan take the opportunity to kill me?

Princess: .....

Princess: I have no reason to kill Samkuli.

Wurile: Of course you do. Kill me, and Beikun will be in turmoil. Wouldn't that be exactly what Da Cheng wants?

Princess: ....!

Wurile: Am I wrong, Princess?

Princess: …… So, you already know my identity. What are you going to do now?

Princess: Send me back to Da Cheng as a gift to the new king in exchange for a more generous reward?

Princess: Or kill me and use it as a bargaining chip to intimidate the enemy nation?

Wurile: Neither.

Wurile stood up and walked towards the statue. The outer robe he put back on covered the scars, and he once again became the aloof High Priest.

Wurile: I don't even plan to tell Shah about the Princess's secret. Does that put you at ease, Princess?

Princess: But... why?

He turned around. The light from the lotus lamp cast his shadow long on the ground, and the statue behind him was hidden in the shadows, becoming a part of him.

Wurile: Because I'm very curious to see who the Princess can save this time.

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Chapter 7-10

Witch Doctor: Besides, the prayer dance we just performed has already sent our wishes to the Moon Goddess. She will protect our warriors from harm.

Princess: It is precisely because of the Moon Goddess's protection that I brought medicine here.

No matter what I said, the witch doctors refused to let me treat the wounded. Just then, a deep voice rang out.

Avro: Come here.

It was Avro, sitting in the corner. He looked at me and nodded.

Under the surprised gazes of the witch doctors, I went to Avro's side and carefully examined his wound.

Princess: Your arm is fractured.

Avro looked at me, seemingly unconcerned about his injury.

Avro: You shot down the arrow that was aimed at me yesterday. I'm grateful.

Princess: ...... So you're allowing me to treat your wound as a way of expressing your gratitude?

Avro nodded silently. I couldn't help but laugh. This person seemed to consider "letting me treat his wound" as "facing death with equanimity."

I crushed the herbs I brought and spread them on his arm along with some branches.

Princess: It will hurt a bit, bear with it.

Avro: A true warrior is not afraid of pain ...... Ugh.....

I deliberately ignored Avro's pained and doubtful expression, tightly wrapped his arm with clean gauze, and tied a firm knot.

Princess: I told you, it would hurt a bit.

Avro: .....

Princess: Turn around. The whip wounds on your back also need treatment.

His golden eyes glanced at the particularly flamboyant knot on his arm, then he turned around, presenting his back to me.

Avro: Why are you helping me?

Princess: I don't think you did anything wrong, so I don't want you to get hurt. What about you? Why are you willing to risk your life to protect those people?

Avro: The people of the Bawulu tribe didn't do anything wrong either. I don't want them to be exterminated.

Princess: But what about your own people? Don't you think about them?

Princess: Defying Shah, you could be charged with treason, and your people would be implicated as well.

Avro: I just need to win. In Beikun, the winner is king.

"Win"..... Does he mean killing the King of Beikun?

Princess: To win, you first need to stay alive. Brute force alone is not enough.

Avro didn't answer. His strong back was covered in wounds, some of them deep. Applying the herbs made his muscles tense with pain.

I leaned closer and gently blew on the wounds, trying to ease his pain. Unexpectedly, Avro straightened up abruptly.

Avro: You ……

Tuoba Yu: I was wondering where my Royal Envoy had disappeared to. So you came here.

Tuoba Yu had entered the hut at some point. Ignoring the people who hurriedly bowed, he strode over and looked at the whip marks on Avro's back with disdain.

Tuoba Yu: Tch, such minor injuries, and yet they require the attention of my people.

He grabbed my hand, pulling me away from Avro's side. A wronged expression appeared on his noble face.

Tuoba Yu: Yilan, you haven't treated my wounds yet.

.....

Princess: Is Prince Mirza feeling jealous?

I originally wanted to tease him, but Tuoba Yu raised an eyebrow.

Tuoba Yu: Of him?

Tuoba Yu: If Yilan likes muscles, I have them too. I can show them to Yilan anytime.

Princess: …… Okay, stop.

Avro let out a snort of laughter from the side.

Avro: How childish.

Tuoba Yu looked down at him.

Tuoba Yu: A few lashes and he's already like this, yet he still dreams of saving others. What a narrow-minded fool!

…… Is he trying to say "overly ambitious" or "delusional"? These headache-inducing idioms again.

Avro: Scars are the best medals for a warrior. Does Mirza dare to fight me!

Tuoba Yu: Come on then! I've never been afraid of anyone!

Avro stood up abruptly, his uninjured hand grabbing his scepter and pointing it at Tuoba Yu. Tuoba Yu glared at him fiercely. I could almost hear the hissing of a snake.

Princess: Both of you, shut up!

Tuoba Yu and Avro both stopped and looked at me.

Princess: …… Do you know how hard it was for me to find these herbs in the desert? Don't waste someone else's kindness!

Avro still owed me a "favor," so he sat back down obediently.

I pulled Tuoba Yu aside.

Princess: These chieftains and warriors who received the whipping all need treatment. Do you know where else we can find herbs?

Tuoba Yu: There's only one place with herbs, the sacred mountain outside the city. But the sacred mountain is usually strictly off-limits. Ordinary people can't enter at all.

I blinked my eyes, looking at him pitifully. Tuoba Yu coughed lightly and looked away.

Tuoba Yu: Of course, if my people want to enter, no one would dare to stop them.

Princess: Your Highness is wise and mighty!

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Chapter 7-9