Lang Huan rode her horse quietly, accompanied by ten others. She stayed silent throughout the journey.
This trip was only to help the Bai Clan search for treasure, and she had no interest in it at all. She was almost certain they were using her as bait for any danger ahead. Once the treasure was found, they would not hesitate to kill her.
Before that could happen, she needed to find a way to deal with them first.
Perched on the branch of a nearby tree, Lin Ruochen waited silently. When she saw Lang Huan approaching from the distance, she leapt down, landing lightly on her feet.
Lang Huan's eyes lit up when she saw her—someone she hadn't seen in a long time. "Ruochen…" she called. Her heart felt lighter, comforted by the presence of someone she knew and trusted.
Before they could speak, Bai Yuren of the Bai Clan noticed the unfamiliar girl. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. He drew his sword and struck toward Lin Ruochen.
Fortunately, Lang Huan reacted in time. With a swift movement, she stepped in front of Lin Ruochen and raised her sword, blocking the incoming strike. Sparks burst from the clash of steel.
Lang Huan and Lin Ruochen stood back to back, surrounded by members of the Bai Clan. The air grew heavy with tension, thick with killing intent, as both sides prepared to strike.
"Enough!" Bai Feng, an old man with a long white beard—finally stepped forward. Using his internal energy, he sent a strong wave that pushed them apart.
Lang Huan frowned. "She's with me."
Bai Feng studied her calmly, then gave a slight nod. With ten capable members of the Bai Clan by his side, he didn't see Lang Huan or her companion as a real threat.
Soon after, the two shared a horse. As they rode forward, Lang Huan gently wrapped her arms around Ruochen's waist.
Lin Ruochen was well aware that Lang Huan was a woman. There was no awkwardness between them, only a quiet bond forged through hardship.
As the wind brushed past them, the two leaned close, using the moment to speak privately.
"Her Highness already gave you the token?" Lin Ruochen asked softly.
Lang Huan nodded. "Yeah… Can you tell me what's going on?"
"There's been a shift in the palace. By the time we return to Luo City, the balance of power will have changed."
She paused, then added, "Your father has made his choice—he now supports the Fourth Prince."
Lang Huan's eyes widened. "Can he really lead Great Qi?" she asked, her voice tight with worry.
From what she knew, Duke Huguo was a far-sighted and heroic man. He would never make a reckless decision.
Lin Ruochen shook her head. "Aside from Her Highness, who else is worthy? The Fourth Prince only craves power and wealth." Her voice held quiet frustration, her gaze fixed ahead, as if she could already see the future collapsing.
Lang Huan fell silent. Duke of Huguo had always been against a woman taking the throne. Had he chosen the Fourth Prince simply because he couldn't accept a female ruler?
Her heart sank. "If my father supports the Fourth Prince with the Dragon Stallion Army, and I lead the Falcon Army… wouldn't that mean Her Highness is forcing me into rebellion?"
The thought startled her. She had never imagined standing against the Duke of Huguo. The old man known as the protector of Great Qi. Much of the land had been conquered under his command. Without him, Great Qi would not be what it was today.
Why would he support the Fourth Prince over Her Highness? Lang Huan couldn't understand.
"Lang Huan… I don't know if I should say this," Lin Ruochen said, her voice hesitant. "After the news that you'd fallen from a cliff reached Luo City… your father never sent anyone to search for you. Only your mother, Su Qing, fell ill from the shock."
Lang Huan understood what Lin Ruochen was trying to say—her father had never loved her. But since the Duke of Huguo wasn't her real father, it didn't matter. What truly troubled her was: Had the Duke of Huguo known something about her true identity all along?
"The falcons trained by our army are the finest in the world. Even on a journey to Mount Baiyuan, Her Highness can still receive messages from her spies—nothing escapes her eyes and ears. If she didn't tell you, maybe it was because she didn't want to hurt you."
Lin Ruochen's voice grew heavier. "If the emperor doesn't return soon, they're planning to crown the Fourth Prince. And the only one they intend to bring back safely from this mission is Her Highness—the Eldest Princess—because the Fourth Prince wants to marry her to the Yan Kingdom."
"Her Highness…" Lang Huan murmured under her breath, her gaze sweeping over the group ahead. "Bai Fei can't be trusted. What if he has a hidden agenda toward her highness?"
"Then what's our plan to deal with these people?" she asked quietly.
Lin Ruochen leaned in, her lips brushing against Lang Huan's ear as she whispered. Then, Lang Huan spurred her horse forward, putting some distance between themselves and the rest of the group.
From her sleeve, Lin Ruochen drew a folded map and opened it for Lang Huan to see. She pointed to several markings that revealed the route leading to the trap, then discreetly passed the map into Lang Huan's hands.
The Bai Clan members glanced at the two and let down their guard. To them, Lang Huan and Lin Ruochen simply looked like lovers sharing sweet nothings.
---
A light mist covered the slopes of Mount Baiyuan. The mountain looked quiet and mysterious. Old trees stood tall, and the wind was cold, carrying the smell of wet soil and leaves.
They finally reached the foot of the mountain. Everyone got off their horses. They tethered them to a nearby tree and began walking up the rocky path. Bai Feng told Lang Huan and Lin Ruochen to walk in front. As soon as their feet touched the ground of Baiyuan, everything went silent. Not even a bird made a sound.
"This place feels… strange," Lang Huan whispered, looking up at the peak, which was hidden by thick clouds. She felt something unnatural in the air—like the mountain was alive and watching them.
Lin Ruochen, who had entered this place before, walked calmly and smiled at Lang Huan. "Don't worry. I've been here before too."
Bai Feng pointed toward a narrow crevice between two boulders. "That's the entrance. But once we go in, the ancient traps and formations will activate. Be careful. One wrong move could cost your life."
Lang Huan said nothing, only narrowing her eyes as she studied the group. In her mind, she thought of nothing but how to eliminate the Bai Clan. Most of them were stronger than her in martial arts. Even with the traps set, could she really bring them down so easily? Her lips pressed into a tight line.
Inside the mountain, the path became a maze—stone tunnels stretched endlessly, the walls carved with ancient markings. The deeper they went, the heavier the spiritual pressure became. Breathing grew difficult, and the group's tension rose.
Suddenly, a voice rang out. "Trap!"
Too late.
The ground under his feet cracked open, and he fell into a deep hole, his scream faded into the darkness.
"Don't panic!" Bai Yuren barked. "Keep moving! We're too deep to turn back now!"
"Karma," Lang Huan snorted, ignoring Bai Yuren. They pushed her and Lin Ruochen to the front treating them as shields in case of danger.
Some of the Bai Clan members exchanged looks when they heard her voice, but no one said a word.