After being thoroughly violated, he ran away with the enemy emperor's child.

"But Your Majesty, the miasma is incurable. Even if we can circle back to Yong Kingdom from there, I'm afraid..."

"It's alright, I will make my own decision."

After a moment of contemplation with his eyes lowered, Chu Junci called Xie Yunzhou and Lin Chen to another place: "Both of you are people I trust. Now I have a task to entrust to you."

"Your Majesty, please speak freely."

Xie Yunzhou spoke first: "For Your Majesty, I would gladly die ten thousand deaths."

"The same applies to subordinates."

"In that case, you two go and count who is willing to go into the mountains with me."

Chu Junci narrowed his eyes as his gaze swept over the miasma: "Those who are unwilling, I will not blame them. Let them find a safe place and return to Yong in a few days."

"Those who are willing, please gather here in a quarter of an hour."

"Yes."

The two went to count the number of people as instructed. When no one noticed, Chu Junci took out a dagger and cut his palm.

Blood dripped into the water, but he shook the water bag and pretended nothing had happened.

Fifteen minutes later, Xie Yunzhou and Lin Chen appeared with everyone present.

Lin Chen was the first to reply: "Thirty-one members of the Thousand Feather Camp are willing to protect His Majesty to the death and return to Dayong."

Following him, Xie Yunzhou also said, "Nineteen members of the Xie family army are willing to protect His Majesty to the death and return to Dayong."

"it is good."

His gaze swept over the faces, and Chu Junci opened his mouth: "Thank you all for your help during this critical moment of life and death."

"Your Majesty is too kind. Protecting Your Majesty is our duty. Yong Kingdom is still waiting for Your Majesty's return."

"Um."

Chu Junci responded and looked at the mountain peak again: "It's getting late now, it's not advisable to go into the mountains."

"We'll rest here tonight, cut the cloth in advance, and set off again at dawn."

They left suddenly, without preparing any medicine in advance; all Chu Junci had was his own blood.

It is said that consuming the blood of the snow lotus can cure all poisons, but not many people know this, and he has no intention of revealing it.

That night, the group sat down to rest, each with a heavy expression. Entering the miasma-filled mountain without any preparation was practically a dead end.

But they were willing to risk their lives for His Majesty's survival; as long as His Majesty could return to Yongdu, their deaths would be worthwhile.

In this atmosphere, the night passed quietly, and as dawn broke, everyone was dressed and ready to go into the mountains.

Chu Junci stood at the front and whispered, "Soak the cloth you cut last night in water and cover your mouth and nose. Tie your long sleeves tightly and tie your trouser legs with rope. When you encounter fog, bend your body low and do not inhale."

"The miasma is poisonous; we must act swiftly and get through quickly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After giving his instructions, Chu Junci took out a water bag. "The road ahead is uncertain. Please drink this cup of water and then follow me on my journey."

It was called a "cup," but it was actually just a small container made of folded leaves. After everyone drank the water, they subconsciously pursed their lips, wondering why the water today was different from usual.

But the situation didn't allow them to think too much; His Majesty had already descended the mountain and headed towards the miasma-covered peak.

Xie Yunzhou led the way, with Chu Junci following closely behind, and Lin Chen and the others providing support.

They moved with extreme caution, their main goal being to avoid being spotted by the Zhao soldiers.

Fortunately, everything was quiet at this time, and it was just dawn. They hid in the path and did not encounter the people of Zhao.

Half an hour later, they stood at the foot of the mountain.

A thin layer of gray mist hung over the entrance. No one had set foot here for many years. The forest was deep and the trees were tall, with weeds growing everywhere. Crows cawed in the distance, as if foreshadowing some bad future.

"Let's go."

Looking around, Chu Junci curled his fingertips: "We're running out of time."

In the past two days, Zhao Kingdom soldiers have suddenly increased their patrols, clearly looking for someone, but Chu Junci doesn't know who gave the order, just as he doesn't know whether Mo Yan is dead or not.

With a slight pursing of his thin lips, Chu Junci banished his distracting thoughts and led his men into the mountains.

As they approached the entrance, they suddenly heard a "ripping" sound. Chu Junci lowered his eyes and saw that a small piece of his clothes had been torn by a tree branch.

The pale blue fabric fluttered in the wind and was then blown far away.

"His Majesty?"

Lin Chen followed his gaze and asked, "Should we pick it up?"

"No need, let's hurry up and get into the mountains."

He ignored the piece of cloth and, of course, didn't know that shortly after he entered the mountains, the cloth was blown back and got stuck right at the entrance.

Half a day later, Ta Xue led Mo Yan to stop in front of the Zhao Kingdom soldiers' camp.

He dismounted, his face deathly pale, his palm covered in blood as he clutched his chest.

"His Majesty?"

Upon seeing him, General Fu immediately came to greet him. He had been ordered to negotiate with the border cities of Yong Kingdom, but unexpectedly received a new order from His Majesty: strengthen border patrols and do not allow a single person to cross the border.

Mo Yan raised his hand, enduring the excruciating pain: "Has anyone crossed the border in the past few days?"

"no."

General Fu shook his head and led Mo Yan to sit down in the tent. "Your Majesty, your injuries..."

His Majesty's injuries are obvious to everyone, yet he, who should be quietly recuperating, has come to the border. This is truly...

"It's alright."

Mo Yan loosened his robe, sprinkled medicinal powder on the wound, re-bandaged it, and continued to ask, "How did the patrol go?"

Counting the days, Aci and his group should have arrived at the border yesterday, but his men did not encounter him.

"Your Majesty, I have ordered my men to patrol the area, but they have not found anything unusual."

"Is every location being inspected?"

"Yes."

General Fu nodded, then paused, seemingly thinking of something, and hesitated whether to speak.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

"Your humble servant dares not."

Choosing his tone carefully, General Fu tentatively asked, "Ten miles from here, there is a mountain filled with miasma, and few people go there."

"Overgrown with weeds, deep in the forest, hidden among the trees..."

"Bang!"

Mo Yan suddenly stood up, glaring at him fiercely: "So you missed that mountain?"

His sudden outburst of anger made General Fu swallow hard. "The miasma is poisonous, and ordinary people wouldn't set foot in it, therefore... therefore..."

"But he's not an ordinary person!"

A tickle ran down Mo Yan's throat, and he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. His vision went black again, but he forced it back down.

"Take me to...that mountain."

"Yes, yes, yes."

General Fu dared not delay and quickly led Mo Yan to the foot of the mountain. "Your Majesty, this is the Miasma Mountain."

"..."

Mo Yan remained silent, his gaze sweeping around him. When he saw a particular spot, his pupils suddenly contracted.

He stepped forward and picked up the pale blue robe.

"Aci..."

He moved his lips, murmuring silently.

To avoid him, to stay away from him, Aci would rather risk entering a miasma-filled mountain than see him again.