The princess traveled through time for a year to help the prince build his kingdom and then left

Outside the big tree, there was a hint of danger in the silence.

The sunlight shines through the dense branches and leaves, casting mottled shadows, as if isolating this area from the outside world.

Right next to this big tree, Zuo Qingyun stood quietly like a sculpture, guarding it closely.

The dozen or so sturdy and well-trained secret guards he brought with him formed a tight circle around them.

They stood tall and held sharp blades in their hands, like an indestructible line of defense, firmly protecting Zuo Qingyun and the mysterious tree.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, endless crises are hidden.

In the dense forests around them, pairs of eyes flashing with greed were quietly watching them.

As time went on, they began to stir and the atmosphere became increasingly tense...

Rumor has it that Zuo Qingyun has a mysterious treasure map that has been passed down from emperors to their heirs.

The treasure was left behind by the founding emperor of the Southern Kingdom.

It is said that the emperor was worried that his descendants would not be able to keep the country, and he could not bear to see them suffer, so he left behind the treasure.

If the throne is usurped by someone else in the future, his descendants will have the capital to make a comeback.

Even if they themselves don't want to be royals anymore, they can still live a life of luxury for several generations.

"Boss, why is there no movement?"

"What are they waiting for?"

"There are only a dozen of them. Should we rush out and subdue them?"

"Don't act rashly, there are a lot of people hiding around!"

The various forces lying in ambush in the dense forest could not help but whisper to each other.

Zuo Qingyun felt as if his heart was being gnawing at by millions of ants, and he was restless and anxious.

He was worried about whether Qin Rubing in the tree hole would encounter any accident. He was also worried and fearful about the people in the woods who were eyeing him covetously and might rush out at any time.

This double worry was like two heavy mountains pressing down on his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.

All kinds of bad scenarios that might happen kept flashing through my mind, and my heart was always hanging in the air, unable to settle down.

Night gradually fell, as if an invisible hand was slowly covering up the light, leaving only a terrifying darkness.

Zuo Qingyun raised his hand slightly, made a gesture to his men to keep quiet, and shook his head gently, indicating that the torches could not be lit.

His deep and sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, as if he was alert to some potential danger.

In this silent atmosphere, everyone can feel an inexplicable tension and depression.

Everyone stood silently in place, holding their weapons tightly, ready to respond to any possible situation at any time.

Suddenly, Zuo Qingyun heard a slight knocking sound coming from the tree hole.

He put his ear close to it and tapped it three times with his fingers.

The door of the tree hole opened a crack, and Qin Rubing's voice came out from inside.

"Mr. Zuo, it's me. I'll be out in a minute, you come in, and be quick."

Zuo Qingyun was a little surprised, paused, and said, "It's very dangerous outside."

Qin Rubing's voice was a little anxious, "Mr. Zuo, if you want to trust me, don't ask anything and just do as I say."

Zuo Qingyun looked back and saw that the atmosphere around him was becoming more and more chaotic, and those people were almost losing their patience.

"Time is running out. You have to trust me. I will be fine." Qin Rubing said again.

Zuo Qingyun gritted his teeth, as if he had made a great decision, and said in a trembling voice: "Okay!"

But he was thinking in his heart that after he went in, he would pull Qin Rubing in.

"Are you ready?"

"All right."

Zuo Qingyun slowly turned sideways and stood next to the tree hole.

However, his seemingly insignificant action still alarmed everyone, and countless eyes were fixed on the big tree.

After a moment, the door of the tree hole opened from the inside. Qin Rubing came out, and Zuo Qingyun quickly went in.

After Zuo Qingyun moved sideways into the tree hole, he reached back and grabbed Qin Rubing's hand.

Qin Rubing shook off his hand without hesitation and turned back to glare at him.

That look...why is it so strange and distant?

Zuo Qingyun's heart couldn't help but feel suffocated, and he almost couldn't breathe.

Just as he was stunned, the door of the tree hole suddenly closed in front of his eyes at an astonishing speed, as if driven by a mysterious and powerful force.

Zuo Qingyun turned his head in astonishment. The tree hole had now become dark and deep, like an endless black hole, swallowing up all light and hope.

His heart sank to the bottom in an instant, and an inexplicable fear surged in his heart.

However, at this moment, he felt a soft little hand holding his hand tightly.

The little hand was trembling slightly, and seemed to be filled with anxiety and fear.

Zuo Qingyun took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He slowly turned his other hand over and gently covered the little hand, giving it warmth and comfort.

Although he couldn't see anything, the real warmth in his hands and the faint scent of jasmine in his nose made him feel extremely at ease.

Despite the endless darkness around them, at this moment, they relied on each other and faced the unknown fear together.

Thinking of this, Zuo Qingyun's heart beat faster and his cheeks flushed.

Qin Rubing did not notice Zuo Qingyun's change in mentality. She took his hand again and led the way, walking into the depths of the tree hole.

They walked out of the narrow passage and came to a huge cave.

Qin Rubing stopped and introduced the situation inside the cave to Zuo Qingyun.

"Who was that woman just now?" Zuo Qingyun couldn't help but ask.

"That was a strange person I met by the river. She said she had no face, but after meeting me, she became like me."

Qin Rubing pointed to the river not far away.

"Right there. She said she could go out and help me distract the bad guys outside."

It turned out to be the case.

Zuo Qingyun's heart finally settled down.

Outside the tree hole.

"Qin Rubing" led Zuo Qingyun's men directly out of the tree hole and into the dense forest.

The ambushers immediately split into two groups, one following "Qin Rubing" and rushing towards the big tree.

When the group following "Qin Rubing" thought that everything was under control, "Qin Rubing" suddenly left the main group without any warning and walked quickly in one direction alone.

This sudden change caught the followers off guard, but they quickly made a decision - to continue following "Qin Rubing" closely.

So, a group of figures quickly followed her pace and stepped into the depths of the dense and deep forest full of unknown dangers.

The other group of people who stayed behind knocked around the tree but found nothing.

Just when they were exhausted, "Qin Rubing" suddenly appeared in front of them.

She seemed to be lost and came out of the woods. When she saw everyone, she was surprised and turned around and ran back into the woods.

There was no other choice, so they sent some people to chase after "Qin Rubing".