As he had expected, Murong Yan received word that the Baiyu Sect, leading nearly a thousand followers, had fled Gushe Mountain under the cover of night, heading east toward Yuyang.
Murong Yan asked in a low, heavy voice, "What did you say?"
Duanmu Shang replied, "Your Majesty, Yang Lianting and A’fei of the Baiyu Sect have fled with their followers!"
Murong Yan slammed his cup down in a fit of rage. "Presumptuous! Send men to pursue them immediately! I want them found—bring them back alive, or bring me their corpses!"
"Understood," Duanmu Shang said.
After he departed, Wang Yunzhao spoke up. "Young Lord Yang is truly audacious, but I beg Your Majesty to calm your anger for a moment."
"Calm my anger?" Murong Yan snarled. "I raised him from childhood. Is this how he repays me? One after another, they are all ungrateful wolves!"
Wang Yunzhao said, "Young Lord Yang likely does not understand the situation in Jinyang. If only for the sake of General Zuo... please do not hold this against him, Your Majesty."
"Does not understand the situation?" Murong Yan countered. "Does he no longer know who his sovereign is? He dares to flee? I shall see just how far he can run with over a thousand people in tow! Order the men to cut off all eyes and ears of the Nanqing Palace. If word of this leaks out, I’ll have your head!"
Wang Yunzhao opened his mouth to speak, but seeing the Emperor in such a towering rage, he did not dare say another word.
By the afternoon, Duanmu Shang caught up with the fleeing Baiyu Sect members in Yuyang. He immediately surrounded them and read the imperial decree, ordering Yang Lianting and the others to submit to shackles and return to Jinyang to answer for their crimes. Having already fled, how could Yang Lianting and his companions possibly agree to return in chains?
A’fei activated the Black Gu. Duanmu Shang, focused on reading the decree, had not expected these physicians to have such means. By the time he realized what was happening, a rustling sound filled the air. He looked down to see the ground covered in insects as thin as strands of hair, yet they crawled with terrifying speed. Startled, he shouted, "Fire! Set fires, quickly!"
But it was too late. A sharp, agonizing pain pierced his fingertips, and around him, men began to groan in torment.
A’fei turned to look at Yang Lianting. He grabbed her hand and said, "Go!"
Passing through the upcoming cities would not be easy. Without Murong Yan’s official travel permits, how could they cross the checkpoints? Their only hope was to head into the mountains, kill the guards, and bypass the fortifications through the peaks to reach Yuhou Pass. Once past Yuhou Pass, they would be out of Great Yan’s territory.
Furthermore, the mountains were ideal for ambushes; the Black Gu needed time to be most effective.
As the venomous insects entered his body, Duanmu Shang’s first instinct was to slice off his own finger. He understood the lethality of the Gu, though his knowledge of such poisons was limited. Seeing many of his men being burrowed into by the insects, he didn't bother checking if they could be saved—he ordered them all killed and their bodies burned immediately.
Shortly after, he returned to Jinyang and reported the casualties to Murong Yan. Enraged, Murong Yan personally led an army to intercept the Baiyu Sect.
Yang Lianting knew the Emperor would come quickly, but he hadn't expected him to be this fast. The Baiyu Sect was burdened with the elderly and the young; their pace was simply too slow. Murong Yan blocked their path at Fangcheng. Across a long bridge, the two sides faced each other.
Murong Yan pulled on his reins, his expression cold as frost. "Superior Guanghua, leading so many of the Baiyu Sect in such a frantic hurry—where exactly are you going? As a subject, to abandon your post and leave without informing your sovereign... that is hardly appropriate, is it?"
Yang Lianting pressed his lips together, knowing this would not end well. He dismounted nonetheless. "Your Majesty, this is all my fault. They—"
Before he could finish, A’fei spoke up from beside him. "Murong Yan! You plotted to have Murong Yuan kill my foster father, yet you still expect our Baiyu Sect to be loyal to you! We endured and lived in silence, yet you still seek to exterminate us! A man like you—who forced a palace coup to steal the throne, a man so insidious and crafty—how do you have the face to call yourself a sovereign?!"
Murong Yan looked at her and suddenly smiled. "Endured and lived in silence?" He lightly brushed a speck of dust from his sleeve. "In that case, you can all go to hell."
As the words left his lips, he raised a hand. Behind him, a volley of ten thousand arrows flew at once. Yang Lianting fought desperately to protect A’fei, but he was still struck by several arrows. Murong Yan watched coldly as blood soaked Yang Lianting’s clothes. Behind the Emperor, Jiang Sanyi looked triumphant, while Wang Yunzhao was deeply worried.
"Your Majesty," Wang Yunzhao whispered, "please, for the sake of Young Lord Yang’s past loyalty..."
Murong Yan sneered. "Loyalty?"
Wang Yunzhao sighed. "Your Majesty, if General Zuo finds out... I fear..."
Murong Yan’s hand tightened on the reins, then slowly relaxed. By now, some of the archers had been consumed by the Black Gu, their screams filling the air. Murong Yan ordered tung oil to be poured and the ground set ablaze, then rotated in a fresh squad of archers to resume the slaughter. After four waves of archers, Yang Lianting was covered in blood, still holding A’fei. The blade in his hand was notched and chipped from deflecting countless arrows.
His blood soaked through her clothes. A’fei’s tears flowed uncontrollably. "Lianting!"
Yang Lianting gritted his teeth, no longer able to speak. Only when most of the Baiyu Sect members were dead did Murong Yan say in a low voice, "Capture them."
This was finally an intent to leave survivors. Wang Yunzhao breathed a sigh of relief. The soldiers stepped forward and bound the hands of Yang Lianting and A’fei. Murong Yan remained on his horse, leaving only a few words: "Take them into custody. Tomorrow, they shall be beheaded at the West Gate as a public example." He paused, then suddenly changed his mind. "There is no rush. Imprison them for interrogation first."
Yang Lianting and A’fei were tied behind horses. The horses galloped off, dragging them along. The two fell, struggled to their feet, and fell again, leaving a trail of blood in their wake.
***
Inside Nanqing Palace, night had fallen and the surroundings were silent. Zuo Canglang sat beneath a peach tree, holding Murong Xuan. Zhitong was feeding the child porridge; the broth was thick and fragrant, and the boy ate happily. Weiwei stood by, wiping his mouth, as children always tended to get food everywhere.
Weiwei teased with a smile, "Our Third Prince’s mouth is like a sieve."
Zhitong also smiled brightly. "He’s much better now. Before, he’d even leak when drinking milk." Little Murong Xuan seemed to know the adults were teasing him and let out a series of babbling protests. Zuo Canglang gently patted his bottom, and he reached out a chubby hand to tug at the tassels hanging from her hair.
Fearing Zuo Canglang might lose her patience, Zhitong was about to take the child away when a low voice called from outside. "General?"
Zuo Canglang turned her head to see Bi Dongting standing at the small side gate. He said softly, "His Majesty led men out of the palace last night and captured a man and a woman."
Zuo Canglang frowned. "Murong Ruo is already dead. Who else is worth such a commotion?" As the words left her mouth, she seemed to remember something and stood up abruptly.
Bi Dongting said, "One is the Baiyu Sect’s Superior Guanghua, Yang Lianting. The other is the Saintess, A’fei." Zuo Canglang was stunned. Bi Dongting continued, "His Majesty issued strict orders to keep the news quiet. The men only realized who the targets were when they saw the Baiyu Sect members."
Zuo Canglang pressed her right hand against the stone table to steady herself. After a long silence, she asked in a low voice, "Where are they being held?"
"The Imperial Prison," Bi Dongting replied.
Zuo Canglang nodded, signaling she understood. Bi Dongting could tell from her expression that the people from the Baiyu Sect were likely very close to her. He hesitated, then couldn't help but add, "General, the security at the Imperial Prison is extremely tight right now. Even for me, it would be difficult to send someone in to look after them. Jiang Sanyi and his lot are likely watching this place closely. You must be careful."
Zuo Canglang slowly sat back down. "I understand. Thank you, Brother Dongting."
Bi Dongting looked as if he wanted to say more, but since he didn't know the exact nature of her connection to Yang Lianting, he felt it inappropriate to pry further.
That night, Murong Yan went to Linhwa Hall to stay with Jiang Biyao. Zuo Canglang knew that Jiang Sanyi would be monitoring her every move. This was an obvious trap; the moment she went to visit Yang Lianting or made any move to rescue him, it would become ammunition for her enemies.
And even if she left no evidence, who else in Jinyang besides her would try to save Yang Lianting?
But could she simply not save him?
She had heard that Murong Yan had dragged him and A’fei for over ten miles. She didn't know how badly they were injured.
Zuo Canglang dismissed Zhitong and Weiwei and went to her study alone. After a long period of contemplation, she finally picked up a pen to draft a letter and ordered Xiao Pingzi to deliver it out of the palace.
The next day, Cang Ge arrived at noon. He didn't waste words, saying directly, "Those two are in the Imperial Prison under heavy guard. Even if I can sneak in, there is no way I can safely get both of them out."
"I know," Zuo Canglang said. After all, she had been to the Imperial Prison more than once or twice.
Cang Ge asked, "How do you plan to save them? Your current..." He slowed his speech but eventually finished, "...situation is also difficult. Acting rashly will likely implicate you."
Zuo Canglang walked slowly to the window. "In truth, the Baiyu Sect is of little use to him now. This thunderous rage of his is merely because his sovereign authority was challenged. If we truly manage to get Yang Lianting out, he will be furious, but he won't take my life."
Cang Ge glanced at her. He knew this woman—the God of War of Great Yan after Wen Qi. But looking at her now, having shed her iron armor and cold robes, it was hard to imagine her heroic spirit of years past. He said, "You certainly understand him."
Hearing this, Zuo Canglang merely looked up, watching the bright sunlight outside the window. After a long time, she said, "Once, I thought I did. But in truth, I have never understood him at all."
The following day, Murong Yan did not have time for Yang Lianting. Now that the lands of Guzhu and Wuzhong were incorporated into Yan, he needed to appease their leaders to prevent further conflict. At the palace banquet, the leader of Wuzhong offered his daughter, Ban Yang, hoping Murong Yan would take her as a consort.
During the banquet, Murong Yan used Queen Jiang Bilan’s illness as an excuse for her absence. Sitting beside him was Consort Xian, Jiang Biyao. Murong Yan’s expression remained unchanged, but he turned his head to glance at Zuo Canglang, who was seated next to Yuan Xi. Currently, she held no official rank in the palace, leaving her status ambiguous. However, she was the person who most represented the Yan military. Thus, for every seating arrangement, the master of ceremonies only dared to place her after the Grand Marshal.
With Zhou Xin absent, she was naturally seated before Yuan Xi.
Zuo Canglang quickly sensed his gaze but did not move. Murong Yan said slowly, "I know little of Wuzhong’s customs. I fear Ban Yang might not adjust well to the palace." He then suddenly added, "General Zuo, you have had many dealings with Wuzhong. What do you think?"
As soon as he spoke, Jiang Biyao’s face turned incredibly unsightly. She had been delighted to take her sister’s place at such a banquet, but Murong Yan clearly had no intention of seeking her opinion. Instead, he asked Zuo Canglang!
She gritted her teeth in a glare. Zuo Canglang stood up, meeting the Emperor’s gaze. She said, "Wuzhong has returned to Yan; from now on, we are all one family. Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, the harem is sparse, and you have only three princes. Lady Ban Yang is elegant, virtuous, and intelligent. This subject believes she is a fine match for Your Majesty."
The smile at the corners of Murong Yan’s lips slowly froze. Their eyes met; though he wore a smile, his gaze was icy. After a long silence, he said loudly, "General Zuo has always been a keen judge of character. Since the General says so, I shall not refuse."
The Wuzhong leader seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and rose to offer a toast. Murong Yan raised his wine cup, neither telling Zuo Canglang to sit nor looking her way again.
Since Wuzhong had just surrendered, the matter of Ban Yang entering the palace as a consort required significant preparation to settle the hearts of the Wuzhong people. Murong Yan left the Ministry of Rites to handle it and stopped visiting Zuo Canglang entirely.
A month later, Ban Yang entered the palace and was titled Consort Liang.
Naturally, Murong Yan had to personally preside over the consort investiture ceremony. Zuo Canglang did not attend. Cang Ge was somewhat startled. "You mean to say we should rescue Yang Lianting during his consort’s investiture ceremony?"
"Yes," Zuo Canglang said. "There isn't much time, but it should succeed."
Cang Ge frowned. "Won't Jiang Sanyi and the others interfere?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "All the civil and military officials will be there; Jiang Sanyi won't have the time. Furthermore, since Murong Yan was once targeted for assassination, he will be very cautious. Duanmu Shang will certainly be by his side. There is no better time than this."
Cang Ge took his sword in hand. "Then let us go now."
With the Emperor taking a consort, almost all the guards in Jinyang were concentrated near the royal palace. The security at the Imperial Prison was actually much looser than usual. Cang Ge disguised himself as an attendant and stayed by Zuo Canglang’s side as they entered the prison to visit Yang Lianting.
Though she currently held no military post, the jailers did not dare stop her. Only the head jailer said, "General, please come out quickly. Don't make things difficult for us."
Zuo Canglang nodded. Her plan was to have Yang Lianting and Cang Ge swap clothes to get Yang Lianting out first. As for Cang Ge, with his skills, escaping alone would be easy.
However, once she entered the inner cells, she realized the situation was far worse than she had imagined. Yang Lianting was too severely injured.
She knelt beside him. Yang Lianting opened his eyes, taking a long time to recognize her. His cracked lips parted slightly as he asked, "Why are you here?"
Zuo Canglang looked down to examine his wounds. Cang Ge said, "He is injured so badly I fear he cannot walk."
Yang Lianting immediately realized her intent. He struggled to sit up but lacked the strength. "You want to break me out?" Zuo Canglang remained silent. He said with great effort, "Even if you could get me out of the Imperial Prison, Jinyang’s defenses are so tight—do you think they would just let you come and go? A’zuo, I am already like this. I cannot drag you down further. Go!"
Cang Ge was also looking at the wounds on his legs. Grime had seeped into the injuries, and large areas of flesh and bone were already necrotic. He turned to look at Zuo Canglang. She said, "Go out and lie in wait outside the prison. If you see Jiang Sanyi, capture him."
Cang Ge was surprised. "Jiang Sanyi? Isn't he at the palace?"
Zuo Canglang sneered. "He has been spreading this net for so long. If there is even a hint of movement, how could he be late?"
Cang Ge gave an affirmative grunt and headed out.
Jiang Sanyi naturally had informants in the Imperial Prison. He received word almost the moment she entered. However, at this time, Duanmu Shang was guarding Murong Yan, and the Imperial Guard was under Bi Dongting, who would not follow his orders. He could only bring men from the Patrol Camp.
Capturing him was easy for Cang Ge. When he leaped down, Jiang Sanyi didn't even have time to react. It wasn't until the cold edge of a sword was pressed against his neck that he saw his captor. His face turned ashen. "Cang Ge!"
Cang Ge said, "Back then, Lord Jiang came to Hidden Sword Villa on Queen Li’s orders to seek help, asking us to assassinate Murong Yan. Who would have thought that in such a short time, the situation would have shifted so completely?"
Jiang Sanyi said, "You are actually colluding with Zuo Canglang? Murong Ruo is dead. You are a mere rebel—not only do you not flee for your life, you dare to kidnap me?"
Cang Ge pressed the sword tighter against his neck. Jiang Sanyi felt a sharp sting. He didn't dare speak further. Cang Ge said, "Since you know my situation, you should say less."
Jiang Sanyi truly fell silent. Cang Ge, now understanding Zuo Canglang’s intent, forced Jiang Sanyi into the prison. The surrounding jailers were in a panic; none dared to step forward.
Zuo Canglang helped Yang Lianting up. He could only stand by leaning heavily on her shoulder. "A’zuo, do you know what you are doing?"
Zuo Canglang forced him out of the cell. He suddenly remembered something. "A’fei! Where is A’fei?"
Zuo Canglang looked at a nearby jailer. The man immediately lowered his head and said, "The second cell around the right corner."
She had no choice but to release her as well. Cang Ge held Jiang Sanyi firmly. "Hurry!"
A’fei’s injuries were much lighter than Yang Lianting’s; he must have intentionally protected her during the dragging. Zuo Canglang finally breathed a sigh of relief. If both of them were unable to walk, she truly wouldn't know how to get them out of the city.
When A’fei saw Yang Lianting, even if she still harbored resentment, she couldn't care about it now. "You... your injuries..." Her voice choked. If Yang Lianting hadn't protected her with his life during that long drag, how could she be unharmed?
Yang Lianting leaned on her arm, struggling to stand. Cang Ge said, "Don't talk, just move."
Jiang Sanyi glanced at Zuo Canglang. Though he was under the enemy’s blade, the situation wasn't entirely bad. Zuo Canglang had truly come to break them out, and on the joyous day of Murong Yan taking a consort, she had kidnapped him—the father of a consort.
No matter how much Murong Yan favored her, he would surely be in a towering rage.
Zuo Canglang ignored him. The group left the prison. Using Jiang Sanyi as a hostage, they seized horses and fled toward the West Gate. Once out of Jinyang, the surrounding areas were guarded by Wang Nan, Xu Lang, and others.
Heading west, Yuan Xi, Zhuge Jin, Zheng Zhu, and the others likely wouldn't make things difficult for them. Murong Yan wouldn't personally hunt down these two people who were no longer of much use. It was possible for them to escape Great Yan.
However, just as they reached the West Gate, Zuo Canglang froze. Murong Yan stood before the gate, dressed in robes as red as fire. Beside him stood the newly invested Consort Liang, Ban Yang. Zuo Canglang pulled her horse to a halt. Murong Yan stared at her and said, "Zuo Canglang, do you know the penalty for releasing rebels?"
"I know," Zuo Canglang said.
Murong Yan nodded. "Good that you know." Having said that, he turned his gaze to Yang Lianting. Yang Lianting was sharing a horse with A’fei; with his injuries, he could no longer ride alone. The city walls were lined with archers. If Murong Yan gave the order, a volley of arrows would leave no survivors.
With great effort, Yang Lianting rolled off the horse. Zuo Canglang reached out to support him, but he slowly pushed her hand away.
Murong Yan said, "Yang Lianting, years ago your Yang clan was wronged and you were sentenced to exile. Wen Weishu intended to pull you up by the roots, but I took you in and raised you for eight years. Is that so, or not?"
Yang Lianting slowly knelt. "It is so."
Murong Yan said, "I promised to clear the Yang family’s name. Did I ever break my word to you?"
"No," Yang Lianting said.
Murong Yan said, "After the case was overturned, who was it that promised to be loyal to me for a lifetime?"
Yang Lianting’s hands slowly clenched. "It was I."
"So you still remember." Murong Yan slowly put an arm around the bewildered Consort Liang. "Then now, do you intend to just leave like this? Shouldn't there be some sort of accounting?"
Yang Lianting bit his lower lip. "At the age of six, I was fortunate enough to be saved by Your Majesty. My entire family was cleared because of Your Majesty. Your Majesty’s grace is engraved in my heart; I have never dared to forget."
Murong Yan sneered. "Never dared to forget?"
Yang Lianting said, "Since entering the Baiyu Sect, I have deeply felt the benevolence of a physician. Your Majesty, the Baiyu Sect has never harbored rebellious thoughts toward you, nor have we ever colluded with rebels. I myself have never held a single disloyal thought." He lowered his head. "Your Majesty is right. Regardless of everything, I should give Your Majesty an account."
Zuo Canglang slowly moved to shield him. Yang Lianting looked up and actually smiled at her. Just as Zuo Canglang was about to speak, he suddenly looked behind her and cried, "Your Majesty!"
Startled, Zuo Canglang whipped her head around, only to see Murong Yan still standing in place with his consort.
She turned back, about to speak, but Yang Lianting had already drawn a blade. With a swift stroke across his throat, a spray of crimson splashed across her head and face.
The sweet, metallic scent drowned her in an instant.
"No!" She lunged at him, desperately trying to press down on the wound. But the blood gushed like a spring, impossible to stop. The corners of Yang Lianting’s lips turned up slightly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He whispered in her ear, "If possible... A’fei... I beg of you..."
Zuo Canglang shook her head, her tears falling like rain. No matter how hard she pressed the wound, the man eventually lost his breath. Her entire vision was a blur of blood-red. She couldn't hear or see what the people around her were saying or doing.
Ban Yang stood beside Murong Yan, lost and confused. She turned her head to see the man beside her looking down, his gaze fixed only on the person kneeling and wailing on the ground. After a long time, his gaze shifted inch by inch toward the sky, his eyes reflecting only a shimmering, empty light.
***
