Chapter 135: Arrived

Past Snow Mountain lay the territory of Muyuan Kingdom.

Near the thatched hut at the foot of Snow Mountain, over two hundred guards had long since laid their ambush.

The captain of the Fifth Prince's Residence guard squad held a coarse-grain steamed bun frozen rock-hard in one hand, nibbling it bit by bit with his front teeth.

A guard beside him clutched his teeth aching from the cold and complained in a low voice.

"If I'd known, I'd have feigned illness and not come. What kind of business is this?"

The guard captain glared at him.

"You talk too much!"

That guard gave him an ingratiating smile.

"Captain Lin, in this freezing weather, the brothers haven't had a single hot mouthful in three days. If this keeps up, even iron constitutions won't hold out."

"At the very least, if we could heat the water in our canteens and drink it, that would do."

Hearing this, Captain Lin's tone was firm.

"The Imperial Prince gave orders—no revealing our tracks. If we light a fire, we'll definitely be spotted!"

"But so many brothers can't hold on anymore. Their stomachs are acting up, and some have even caught infections…"

As he spoke, that guard sneezed violently.

"Ah-choo—"

"And some have caught colds. At this rate, before the enemy even arrives, we'll collapse on our own."

He hugged his arms, shivering uncontrollably.

"It's truly too cold at night."

Captain Lin sighed.

"Didn't I give each of you a flask of hard liquor? Take a couple of sips first to warm up!"

That guard gave an awkward chuckle, unclipped a canteen from his waist, and shook it at him.

"Mine's been empty for ages."

Captain Lin gave him a helpless glare.

He unclasped his own liquor flask, unscrewed it, and poured him a portion.

Seeing that guard's imploring look, he hesitated, then poured him most of what remained.

"Make it last."

"We absolutely can't light a fire tonight. Tomorrow morning we'll start one and let the brothers have a hot meal."

That guard happily screwed the flask shut tight and nodded eagerly in reply.

"Got it! I'll go spread the good news to the brothers right now!"

Captain Lin frowned and shook his own liquor flask—there was only about one big mouthful of hard liquor left inside.

Watching his brothers so overjoyed at the prospect of a single hot meal, his brow furrowed even tighter.

The Imperial Prince said that once they returned to Ducheng, every single brother who took part in the mission would receive a generous reward.

He'd heard from Lord Qingmu that each person would get at least twenty taels of silver, and those who earned merit would have their reward doubled.

With this sum of silver, these brothers and their families back home could have a good New Year.

Thinking this, Captain Lin's brow smoothed out. He suddenly felt there was real hope ahead, and even gnawed on the rock-hard bun with great relish.

……

A few miles from this spot, a squad of riders was pressing on through the cover of night.

During a rest break, the deputy general looked toward Situ Kuo beside him.

"General, if there's anything you wish to do, just give the word. This subordinate will take men to handle it. Why must you go personally?"

After saying this, he added.

"You are the Border Guard Commander. Leaving the border without an imperial decree, and…"

The deputy general glanced around, then continued in a low voice.

"Twice, no less!"

"If others find out and lodge a complaint against you before the National Lord, that would be trouble."

Situ Kuo waved a hand dismissively, utterly unconcerned.

"Let them complain. When have I ever been afraid?"

"Enough, we've rested long enough. Keep moving. We must reach Lucheng before dawn."

That place was the only route connecting the three surrounding counties to the foot of Snow Mountain.

……

Outside the Fifth Prince's Residence in Muyuan Capital.

Qingzhu waited beside the horse carriage, while guards all around held up torches.

After a short while, the Fifth Prince came out with five face-veiled guards.

He stepped forward and extended his arm, as usual, to support the Fifth Prince.

But the moment he saw the hand about to rest on his arm, he froze slightly.

The Fifth Prince's hand—how could it…

As he stood puzzling, one of the face-veiled guards beside him shoved him aside and helped the Fifth Prince up into the horse carriage.

Then a voice came from inside.

"Let's go."

Hearing this voice, the doubt in Qingzhu's eyes deepened.

Though at first listen this voice seemed much like the Fifth Prince's, there were still differences.

He studied the five masked guards without showing any reaction.

Which one of them could be the Fifth Prince?

After their group left the city, several men in black suddenly appeared in the guest courtyard where the Fifth Prince was staying.

The night-watch guards drew their swords.

"Who goes there?!"

But before they could make any other move, one flying dart after another sank into their necks.

Then Cheng Chengxuan, having tidied himself up, walked out of the room.

Without so much as a glance at the guards on the ground.

"Let's go."

That night, every faction was making their preparations.

……

The closer they got to the thatched hut at the foot of Snow Mountain, the more solemn the expressions of the Cheng Family members and Chen Ying became.

Although Yu'an didn't fully understand the twists and turns involved, the little one was very sensitive to the emotional shifts of the people around him.

He could sense the anxiety and unease in the Ancestors' hearts.

The little one pressed his small lips together, picked at his fingers, looking a bit at a loss.

What could he do to cheer the Ancestors up a little?

……

Despite their nervousness and worry, they had still arrived near the thatched hut.

Tian Qin uneasily held Yu'an's little hand and looked toward Cheng Old Madam, who was resting with her eyes closed.

"Grandmother, perhaps we should still let Yu'an go find the Immortal. I'm afraid…"

Cheng Old Madam opened her eyes, looked at Yu'an, and spoke in a kindly tone.

"What does Yu'an think? Do you want to go to the Immortal's place?"

The little one first nodded, then shook his head, and spoke in a milky little voice.

"I want to go, but I don't want to go right now."

Tian Qin looked at the little one in disapproval.

"Be good, Yu'an. It'll be very dangerous later. Go hide at Fairy Sister's place for a while, alright?"

Small Dumpling gripped his toy spear in one hand, patted the Peace Talisman on his chest with the other, and shook his head firmly.

"Yu'an doesn't want to be a deserter!"

"Yu'an wants to stay and protect everyone!"

Tian Qin opened her mouth, about to say something, when she saw Cheng Old Madam nod approvingly and praise.

"Well said!"

Cheng Old Madam reached out, pulled her great-grandson into her arms, and lovingly rubbed Yu'an's little head.

"That's right, Yu'an is already a very impressive little man now!"

Praised by his own great-grandmother, Small Dumpling felt a bit shy. Blushing, he squirmed his little body and buried his head in his great-grandmother's neck.

He was embarrassed.

Cheng Old Madam patted the little one's back.

Then she composed the smile on her face and looked at Tian Qin with a solemn gaze.

"I know you don't want Yu'an to face danger. None of us wish for Yu'an to be in harm's way."

As she spoke, her tone grew heavy.

"But you must also understand that none of us can protect Yu'an for a lifetime. There are some things he must face eventually."

Hearing these words, Tian Qin lowered her head.

"Grandmother, I know, I know all of it. I just…"

Yu'an was more important to her than her own life. She simply could not bear Yu'an suffering even the slightest harm.

Hearing her great-grandmother and mother's words, the little one blinked, pulled himself out of his great-grandmother's arms, and walked over to his mother.

His soft little hand grabbed Tian Qin's two fingers. His round, grape-like eyes looked at her earnestly, and his milky little voice carried a note of firmness.

"Mother, Yu'an can do it."

"Mother, trust Yu'an, alright?"

Tian Qin could no longer hold back. Tears went pattering down.

She pulled the little one into her arms at once, crying and nodding as she spoke.

"Alright, Mother trusts Yu'an. Yu'an will definitely be able to do it."

Suddenly, they heard a "Whoa!" from outside, and the horse carriage came to a stop.

The expressions of the people inside the horse carriage grew solemn, and they exchanged a look.

They had arrived!