Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

The night was as dark as ink, the wind was cold and biting, Xiao Zuochen and Yun Feng quietly left the capital.

The sound of horse hooves was particularly clear in the quiet street, but was soon drowned out by the sound of the wind. Xiao Zuochen was wearing a dark cloak, covering his handsome face, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes, which scanned the surroundings vigilantly. Yun Fengxiao followed closely behind him, carrying a long sword on his back, with a sharp eye like an eagle, ready to deal with any possible danger at any time.

"Master, the city gate is ahead."

Yun Feng reminded in a low voice, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Xiao Zuochen nodded, his eyes solemn. He knew that the city gate was the last checkpoint to leave Tai'an City, and it was also the most dangerous place. Since Xiao Zuoming had become suspicious of him, he would definitely send people to guard the city gate closely to prevent him from escaping.

As expected, when they approached the city gate, they found that it was brightly lit, and dozens of imperial guards were guarding it closely, checking every pedestrian coming in and out. Xiao Zuochen's heart sank. This was the only way to get out of the city, so it seemed that he had to force his way in.

"master..."

Yun Feng called out in a low voice, with a gleam of determination in his eyes.

Xiao Zuochen nodded, and the two of them rode their horses at full speed, galloping towards the city gate. The soldiers guarding the gate and the people at the city gate were frightened and immediately scattered after hearing the horses' cries.

However, just as they were about to pass through the city gate, a group of men in black suddenly rushed out from the darkness, holding sharp blades and approached them.

"Master, be careful!"

Yun Feng shouted loudly, drew out his long sword, and stood in front of Xiao Zuochen.

Xiao Zuochen's eyes turned cold, and he quickly drew the long sword from his waist and fought side by side with Yun Feng. The man in black was obviously well prepared, and his attack was fierce and deadly. Although Yun Feng was highly skilled in martial arts, Xiao Zuochen could only barely dodge a few attacks with his lightness skills. In addition, the other side had a large number of people, so it was difficult to escape for a while.

Just as the two sides were fighting fiercely, a low shout suddenly came from the darkness.

"My lord, leave quickly!"

Xiao Zuochen was stunned, and saw a middle-aged man in cloth rushing out from the darkness, holding a long stick and joining the battle. The man was agile and his stick skills were sharp, and he instantly repelled several men in black.

"You are--"

Xiao Zuochen couldn't remember the man's identity for a moment.

"Your Majesty, I am Liu the blacksmith from the west of the city. You once saved my life!"

The man spoke loudly while fighting.

Xiao Zuochen then remembered that he had rescued a blacksmith who was bullied by a bully in the west of the city many years ago. He didn't expect to meet him here today.

"Thank you!" Xiao Zuochen nodded, feeling a warm feeling in his heart.

But even with the joining of Liu the Blacksmith, the situation of the battle did not turn around. After all, the black-clothed man's martial arts skills were quite high, and Liu the Blacksmith gradually became exhausted.

"Master, we can't go on like this!"

Blacksmith Liu swung his iron rod, repelled the man in black in front of him, then retreated to Xiao Zuochen's side and said something.

"My Lord, it seems that I am incompetent and cannot help you escape from danger."

"Don't talk nonsense. It is this king who has implicated you."

Just when the three were preparing to fight to the death, a group of people holding torches and dressed in different clothes rushed over from a distance. They were obviously not from the imperial court.

"Quick! Protect King Yun!"

"you--"

Xiao Zuochen didn't know who these people were, so Liu the blacksmith beside him answered his questions.

"Your Majesty, these are all people you have helped before!"

The soft sword in Xiao Zuochen's hand paused. It turned out that he had helped so many people without realizing it.

Although these civilians had no fighting power, the men in black did not dare to act rashly. The emperor's order was to capture King Yun alive and not to cause any complications. If they beat these civilians to death here, it would be difficult to explain later.

These people seemed to realize that the black-clothed men didn't dare to do anything to them, so they surrounded Xiao Zuochen and slowly walked out of the city gate, talking loudly as they walked.

"If you dare to touch us, tomorrow the whole city of Tai'an will know that the emperor is killing innocent people!"

Seeing that the situation was not good, the man in black had no choice but to let Xiao Zuochen leave, but he still sent someone to the palace to report the matter to the emperor.

"My Lord, take care!"

After successfully walking out of the city, Blacksmith Liu shouted loudly with a hint of determination in his voice.

Xiao Zuochen's heart tightened, knowing that these people's actions would be disastrous, but he had no time to hesitate and could only grit his teeth and leave.

Xiao Zuochen and Yun Feng rushed all the way, but they did not dare to relax at all. They knew that Xiao Zuoming would never let them go easily, and the pursuers might catch up with them at any time.

Sure enough, when they were about to cross the border between Tai'an City and Wangyan City, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind them. Xiao Zuochen's heart sank, knowing that the pursuers had caught up.

"My lord, leave quickly!"

Yun Feng shouted loudly, drew out his long sword, and prepared to cover the retreat.

Xiao Zuochen gritted his teeth, knowing that this was not the time to hesitate, and could only continue to rush forward. However, just as they rushed out of the border of Tai'an City, a group of cavalry suddenly rushed out from both sides and surrounded them.

"Prince Xiao, the emperor asks you to go back."

The leading general said coldly, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.

Xiao Zuochen's heart sank. Seeing Wangyan City right in front of him, but he couldn't enter, he was afraid that he would not be able to escape today. However, just as he was about to fight to the death, there was a sudden sound of horse hooves from a distance, followed by an arrow that broke through the air and went straight to the general's throat.

The general was caught off guard and was shot by an arrow, killing him instantly. Xiao Zuochen was stunned, and saw a group of cavalry rushing in from a distance, led by a young general in silver armor, who was his best friend - Chu Yao.

"Chu Yao!"

Xiao Zuochen was delighted, knowing that reinforcements had arrived.

Chu Yao led the cavalry into the enemy camp and defeated the pursuers in an instant. He rushed to Xiao Zuochen and shouted, "Disciple, get on the horse quickly, let's go back to Yancheng!"

Xiao Zuochen looked helpless, but he obediently climbed onto his horse and led the cavalry to evacuate quickly together with Chu Yaoyunfeng.

Along the way, Chu Yao galloped on his horse and spoke to Xiao Zuochen.

"I really admire you. I will be back to Beiguan for a few days, and you will cause trouble. You didn't even bring two more guards with you. Yun Feng can handle everything by himself. He is not made of iron. Fortunately, I caught up with you, otherwise it would be a question whether you can survive today~"

Xiao Zuochen felt grateful and helpless, but still nodded: "Thank you, Chu Yao."

Finally, after a brief period of hardship, Xiao Zuochen and his companions arrived at Wangyan City. At the city gate, Chu Yao's deputy general had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing them arrive, he immediately opened the city gate to welcome them into the city.

Xiao Zuochen stood on the city wall, looking at the distant sky, his heart full of emotion. He knew that if those who had been helped by him had not stepped forward, he would have fallen into Xiao Zuoming's hands.

"Finally safe~"

Chu Yao walked up to him and whispered.

Xiao Zuochen nodded, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

"Yes, we are safe. But this has just begun. I am afraid we may become rebels!"

He knew that Xiao Zuoming would never let him go easily. All kinds of rumors unfavorable to him would probably spread in Tai'an City, and Xiao Zuoming would also use those ministers to put pressure on him. The road ahead would become even more difficult.

"Chu Yao, Yun Feng, we still have a lot of things to do. Now that we have come to this point, we must make plans in advance. I need all of you to go out and do something."

Xiao Zuochen turned around and looked at the two of them with a firm gaze.

Chu Yao and Yun Feng nodded, their eyes full of determination.

"Just tell us what you want. No matter what happens, we will stay with you till the end!"

Chu Yao said solemnly.

Xiao Zuochen smiled slightly, his heart full of strength. He knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were ahead, he would move forward and protect everything he cherished.