Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The afterglow of the setting sun had just faded, and a cloud of dust rose on the official road outside Huai'an City.

The Han Dynasty messenger came galloping on horseback, the sound of horse hooves was particularly harsh in the silent twilight.

He reined in his horse and stopped in front of the city gate, looking down at the county soldiers guarding the city with undisguised contempt in his eyes.

"Send the order!"

His voice boomed, echoing at the city gates. "The Emperor of Chu is attempting to cross our dynasty to reach the front lines. All prefectures and counties along the way must immediately take strict precautions! If you let the Emperor of Chu escape, your property will be confiscated and your entire clan will be exterminated!"

Before he could finish his words, the messenger turned his horse around, whipped his whip and rode away, leaving only a cloud of dust.

The county soldiers at the city gate looked at each other in bewilderment, and the leading sergeant spat fiercely on the ground:

"Bah! Why are you so arrogant!"

"That's right. He relies on being from the capital and his eyes are as big as the top of his head." Another soldier muttered in a low voice.

"Stop talking." The older soldier tugged at his companion's sleeve. "It wouldn't be good if someone heard us."

As dusk deepened, torches were lit on the city walls.

Just then, a string of moving flames appeared in the distance, standing out in the darkness.

"Stop! Who are you?" The sergeant immediately became alert and shouted sternly, holding the hilt of the knife.

A ragged middle-aged man walked out of the firelight, his face covered with dust and looking exhausted.

He took a few steps forward, bowed, and said, "Sir, we are refugees who have escaped from the State of Wei. Please be kind and let us into the city."

"Escaped from Wei?"

The squad leader narrowed his eyes and looked at the group suspiciously: "Wei State is not close to here, why did you come to our Han Dynasty?"

Chu Ning hunched his back, a bitter expression on his face. "General, you don't know, after the Chu army conquered Wei, they conscripted able-bodied men everywhere to serve as soldiers and repair the city walls."

"Those of us who were in business had our property confiscated, and we had no choice but to flee with our families."

As he spoke, he deliberately tugged at his tattered clothes, revealing the dirty lining underneath.

The "refugees" behind him also coughed a few times at the right time, looking even more miserable.

The squad leader was skeptical, but when he saw that the group was indeed in such a mess, his attitude softened a little:

"Other places don't want you, and we in Huai'an don't want refugees either. Turn back quickly!"

"Master, please have mercy!"

Chu Ning took two steps forward and said in a low voice, "We are really at our wit's end."

As he spoke, he quietly took out two ingots of silver from his sleeve and stuffed them into the sergeant's hand: "This is a small token of my appreciation. Please have a cup of tea with you, sir."

The captain weighed the silver and finally smiled: "You are sensible. Go ahead!"

Chu Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to call the people behind him to go into the city, the squad leader suddenly called him again:

"and many more!"

Chu Ning's heart tightened, but he remained expressionless: "General, do you have any other instructions?"

"Did you see a 3,000-man army on your way here?"

Chu Ning rolled his eyes and pretended to hesitate: "This... I did see it. Not only were there 3,000 people, but they were all cavalry."

"Really?" The captain's eyes lit up. "Do you know where they are now?"

"They were walking and stopping, as if they were hiding from someone."

Chu Ning lowered his voice and said, "We left them far behind. It will probably take them several days to get here."

The sergeant was overjoyed: "Okay! I'll report to the general right away!"

After saying this, he didn't even bother to check any further and hurried into the city.

Chu Ning watched Shi Changyuan go away, with a sneer on his face.

He gestured behind him, and everyone immediately quickened their pace to pass through the city gate.

After leaving Huai'an City, Chu Ning stopped for a while in the woods beside the official road.

Not long after, Zhao Yu and his followers also passed safely.

"Your Majesty, what should we do next?" Zhao Yu asked in a low voice.

Chu Ning looked at the direction the messenger left, a cold light flashed in his eyes: "That messenger must be eliminated."

"Zhao Yu, take a few good fighters and catch up with him. Make sure he shuts up forever."

"As ordered!"

Zhao Yu clasped his fists and accepted the order. He immediately selected five elite cavalrymen and galloped along the official road.

The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight was blocked by clouds, and it was almost pitch dark on the official road.

Zhao Yu and others walked as if on flat ground, the sound of horse hooves was almost inaudible.

They are the most elite scouts among the White Horse Cavalry and are best at night raids and assassinations.

About an hour later, the messenger finally appeared in front.

The man seemed to sense danger and looked back frequently.

"Who are you!" the messenger shouted sternly, drawing his sword.

Zhao Yu sneered and urged his horse forward: "I'll send you to see the King of Hell!"

A cold light flashed, and before the messenger could react, his throat was pierced by an arrow.

He widened his eyes, looked at the man in black in front of him in disbelief, and finally fell off the horse.

After Zhao Yu dismounted and checked to confirm the death, he quickly dealt with the body and traces, and took away the documents on the other party.

When he returned, Chu Ning had already moved on with a large group of people.

"Your Majesty, this is the document found on the messenger!" Zhao Yu handed over the document.

Chu Ning took the document and looked at it. It was indeed an order issued by Liu Che, ordering strict inspections at all places along the way and not allowing the Emperor of Chu to pass.

Once the Emperor of Chu is discovered, intercept him immediately and, if possible, kill him on the spot!

"Humph, Liu Che really thinks highly of me. He actually wants to kill me on the spot!"

Chu Ning sneered, "But unfortunately, his messenger was killed. We will not encounter any obstacles in the remaining cities and passes."

The night grew darker. Chu Ning rode on his horse, looking at the vague outlines of the mountains in the distance.

His expression looked particularly solemn in the firelight.

"Your Majesty, we will reach the border in a few days. You don't have to worry too much."

Zhao Yu whispered, "Princess Xiuning is blessed by heaven and will definitely escape danger."

Chu Ning nodded, but didn't say anything.

He naturally hoped that Wu Xiuning was fine, otherwise the Han Dynasty would bear his wrath!

His gaze turned to the darkness farther away, which was the direction of the Han-Zhou front line and where Wu Xiuning was.

"Give me the order to speed up."

He finally spoke, his voice low and firm: "We must cross the valley ahead before daybreak."

Worried about Wu Xiuning's safety, he wanted to rush there as soon as possible, firstly to avoid the Han army's subsequent pursuit, and secondly to find Wu Xiuning as soon as possible.

The night wind howled, blowing everyone's clothes.

This team, disguised as difficult businessmen, moved forward silently in the darkness.

Everyone knew they were embarking on a life-or-death adventure.

But no one retreated, because they were led by the invincible emperor.

Chu Ning gripped the reins tightly, his eyes determined.

No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, he must find Wu Xiuning.

This is not only about personal feelings, but also about his reputation and the future of the entire Chu State.

The night is still long, but dawn will eventually come.