Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Luo Cheng stumbled along the road, dragging his heavy gait like an old ox struck down by a sledgehammer. His body felt drained of all strength, limp as a puddle of mud, his chest clenched with a tightness that threatened to burst. Yet, his iron will, like a powerful torrent, sustained him, each arduous step forward. He knew his physical condition was like a candle in the wind, but the mission entrusted to him by the Fourth Prince was like a heavy mountain, weighing him down, and now, he was only inches from completing it. He gritted his teeth, each step a death struggle, as he struggled forward.

Just as Luo Cheng's shaky body was about to fall like a kite with its string cut, Lu Zhu rushed forward like a nimble cheetah, holding him up quickly. Using all her strength, she pulled him back from the downward plunge like a boulder, saying angrily, "I knew I shouldn't let you show off, but you refused to listen. Are you satisfied now?"

Luo Cheng slowly raised his once bright, now blurred eyes. His gaze was hollow and lost, as he stared blankly at the woman in green. She stood there, her mouth opening and closing as she muttered about how she hadn't listened to his advice. Her pretty face was suffused with anger, as if blazing with fury.

Yet, amidst this seemingly ordinary scene, the smallest cracks began to appear in Luo Cheng's heart, long frozen in time. Though these cracks were extremely small, even insignificant, as the saying goes, "a thousand-mile embankment is destroyed by an ant hole," even the strongest layer of ice would gradually melt due to a slight temperature change. This is true of everything in the world; any great thing often begins with a small beginning.

After a long while, Luo Chengcai, as if waking from a long nightmare, struggled to regain his senses. He took a deep breath and forced his facial muscles to force a smile. However, the smile seemed so weak and powerless, like a candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment.

But even so, he still said softly in a slightly hoarse voice: "Thank you Miss Luzhu for your concern. I am really anxious to go back and report to my superiors." After saying this, Luo Cheng gently closed his eyes, as if trying to hide the subtle fatigue and helplessness deep in his eyes.

Seeing Luo Cheng's expression, Lu Zhu knew that it was pointless to say more, so she said softly, "In that case, let me help you back. I must send you back safely to your residence. You look so bad, it really makes me worried."

After hearing this, Luo Cheng pondered for a moment, thinking that he really needed help in his current situation, so he nodded and said, "Then thank you very much, young lady." After that, he raised his arms with difficulty, bowed slightly, and expressed his gratitude.

Lu Zhu then carefully helped Luo Cheng up and they walked slowly forward. Along the way, neither of them spoke much, only the soft sounds of each other's breathing and footsteps could be heard. Finally, after a long journey, they arrived at the gate of the Governor's Mansion.

Luo Cheng stood firm, turned around and faced Lu Zhu, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude: "Thanks to you for your help today, young lady. I would like to thank you. If you need me in the future, please let me know."

Lu Zhu responded with a smile: "You are too polite, sir. It is my honor to be able to help. I hope you will rest well and recover soon." After saying that, she bowed.

Finally, the two said goodbye to each other and took care of each other before Lu Zhu turned and left. Looking at her figure gradually walking away, Luo Cheng couldn't help but feel a warm current in his heart...

At this moment, a young man of ordinary build and nothing special about him slowly walked over. He gently patted Luo Cheng's broad and solid shoulders and asked in a playful tone, "Hey! My dear Luo Cheng, what are you daydreaming about here? You're so engrossed in what you're seeing that you seem to have lost your mind!"

Luo Cheng was snapped out of his reverie by the sudden pat. He was momentarily taken aback, then, somewhat disgruntled, he forcefully slapped the hand off his shoulder. He then rudely responded, "Hmph! There's nothing to see, mind your own business! And you, why are you wandering around here when you can't just stay put?"

The young man obviously hadn't expected Luo Cheng to treat him like this, but he quickly adjusted his mood, a sly smile appeared on his face, and he continued to tease: "Oh! Look at you like this, could it be that I was right? Hehe, I guess you must have been secretly looking at some beautiful girl, that's why you are so obsessed and distracted!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Cheng's face, which had been relatively calm, instantly flushed red like a ripe apple. He glared at the outspoken young man with a mixture of shame and annoyance, and argued urgently, "What nonsense are you talking about! Shut up! Help me get to work! It's important!" Then, he grabbed the young man's arm and urged him to hurry up.

The young man gazed at Luo Cheng with worried eyes. He was pale as a sheet, and his body was shaky, as if a breeze could blow him over. The young man couldn't help but sigh and asked helplessly and concernedly, "How did you get yourself into this state?" As he spoke, he half-crouched and gestured for Luo Cheng to climb onto his back.

Luo Cheng was now too weak to argue and obediently climbed onto the young man's broad back. The young man stood up steadily, his steps vigorous and swift, like a gust of wind. The two of them were silent along the way, but the tacit understanding between them was like a warm current flowing through the air.

Before long, they arrived at the Fourth Prince's study. The young man carefully lowered Luo Cheng from his back, then walked to the door and politely addressed the two guards, "Could you please go and inform them that Luo Cheng is here to see you?"

The two gatekeepers first looked the frail Luo Cheng up and down, a flicker of surprise and sympathy in their eyes. Then one of them nodded, turned around and quickly walked into the study. Time passed, and finally, the man came out, reached out to help Luo Cheng up, and slowly led him into the study.

The young man stood there quietly, waiting, his eyes fixed on the study door, silently praying that everything would go smoothly. At this moment, the sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves and fell onto the ground, creating patches of light and shadow. The young man's figure seemed particularly firm and steady.

Luo Cheng stood quietly at the table, his body swaying slightly, as if a gust of wind could blow him over. Time passed minute by minute, and finally, the Fourth Prince stopped writing, gently put down his brush, and looked up at Luo Cheng. Luo Cheng's face was as pale as paper, bloodless, his lips were chapped, and he looked extremely weak.

The fourth prince asked with concern: "How is your health? Are you seriously injured?" Luo Cheng shook his head with a wry smile and replied weakly: "Your Highness, I won't die, I won't die... I have completed the mission. Unfortunately, I was discovered by the Huns on the way back. They chased me relentlessly, and I had to hide and flee everywhere. I finally escaped back to our Dashun territory. As soon as I arrived in the capital, I rushed to report to you without stopping." After that, he couldn't help coughing a few times, and it was obvious that he was seriously injured.

The Fourth Prince frowned slightly, his eyes filled with worry. He stood up, walked over to Luo Cheng, and offered a hand to support his shaky body. He said softly, "Now that everything has been settled, you can go down and rest and recuperate. You don't need to worry about the follow-up matters; I will arrange for the appropriate personnel to handle them."

Hearing this, Luo Cheng felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He forced himself to stand upright, bowed to the Fourth Prince, and expressed his gratitude with tears in his eyes. "Thank you for your concern, Fourth Prince! I will recover quickly and serve you again!" With that, he slowly turned and left the room with heavy steps. Watching Luo Cheng's retreating figure, the Fourth Prince pondered how to respond to the Xiongnu threat.

The Fourth Prince's heart surged. He sat at the table for a moment, his heart surging like the sound of flowing water. Then he abruptly stood up and strolled to the window sill, gazing at the sprouts outside. Like newborn hope, they swayed gracefully in the gentle spring breeze. The moist spring breeze, like a gentle hand, gently caressed his face.

He thought for a moment, then turned and shouted, "Someone!" Instantly, like a ghost leaping out of the darkness, someone emerged from the shadows and knelt before the Fourth Prince like a loyal servant. The Fourth Prince said to the person in a deep voice, "Quickly fetch Master Baili. I have something to discuss with you." Before he could finish his words, the person vanished like an arrow from a bow, leaving the Fourth Prince standing alone by the window, like a solitary sculpture.

The Fourth Prince sat quietly in his study, holding a yellowed ancient book in his hands, reading intently. Time passed quietly, and after about an incense stick of time, a noisy sound of footsteps approached from afar, followed by an unruly, slightly complaining voice from outside the door.

"Fourth Prince! What on earth is going on with you? I was having fun outside, and you called me over without even saying a word! What's the big deal? Tell me quickly, I have a ton of things waiting to be dealt with!"

As the words fell, a figure dressed in splendid clothes rushed into the study. This person was Baili Xi, and his handsome yet somewhat ruffian face was full of reluctance.

The Fourth Prince looked up at the noisy fellow before him, feeling a surge of helplessness. He shook his head gently and sighed, "Alas... you, you always look so frivolous. I've called you here this time because I have something important to discuss."