"At General Ye’s command, I escort the Madam to the Chu Territory. In this time of peril, I am fortunate to have your assistance. Please accept my bow," Xue San stepped forward and said, making a salute.

"Please rise quickly. You have traveled a long way from afar. I hope you didn’t encounter any danger."

"Hua..."

"Wait a moment, from now on, don’t call me Hua Liandie. My name is Mi Wen."

"Mi Wen, could it be that you are of the royal family of the Chu State?" Xue San was quite shocked. Previously, he only knew Hua Liandie was a noble from the Chu State, but he didn’t expect she was actually a member of the royal family. However, thinking carefully, her dedication to the restoration of the state, supported by significant power, must indicate her noble status.

"When I first met him, to prevent revealing my identity, I used my name in the martial world. Now that he has risen against Qin, I naturally have no need to hide my identity," Mi Wen explained to Xue San. In fact, Ye Shikai had long guessed that the name Hua Liandie was fabricated. However, at that time, Ye Shikai did not inquire further, believing Mi Wen had her reasons for not revealing her true identity. Moreover, Ye Shikai then was a high-ranking officer of the Qin Army, and if Mi Wen disclosed her identity and plans and Ye Shikai revealed them to the authorities, she would be doomed.

"I see."

"I didn’t expect you were of the Chu State’s royal family." At this time, He Linghan, dragging her frail body, descended from the carriage. Xue San quickly stepped forward to assist her; it seemed she had overheard their conversation.

"Miss He, we haven’t seen each other in a long time. Hearing you were seriously ill on the road, I specially brought a famous local doctor before I came," Mi Wen said softly.

"Thank you, Miss Mi, for your kindness."

Hehua helped He Linghan onto the carriage. They had just emerged from the mountains. If they wanted to settle down, they would still have to go to the county town ahead, where the rebel army is stationed, providing stability and safety.

"How is his situation?" Mi Wen suddenly asked.

"General Ye’s situation... I am also unaware." Xue San’s face suddenly became grave. He was busy protecting He Linghan along the way and had no chance to learn about Ye Shikai’s current status.

"General Ye is leading his men to rescue the civilians, surely facing the Qin Army’s siege, but I believe in General Ye. At the Shifeng Fortress, we faced the Wolf Clan’s army several times our size, yet he managed to keep them outside the fortress. Furthermore, since the General is determined to rise against Qin, he must have prepared a plan for retreat."

"He is the finest commander I have ever seen. I also believe he will stay alive till he reaches the Southern County." Mi Wen turned her head and pointed ahead, "Ahead is Jiangling. I have arranged the station there. Additionally, Miss He is weak and has been affected by the miasma. She needs to recuperate. I will have the best doctor treat her. If there is anything else needed, just let me know."

"Thank you."

..............................

Nanyang County.

"General Shangguan, so many Qin soldiers are outside. How are we supposed to get out?"

"Let’s wait and see." Shangguan Jian peered through the woods at the Qin Army camp outside, his expression growing increasingly grave. Unexpectedly, the Qin Army surrounded the entire mountain to siege merely a hundred of them.

"General, our rations can only last for half a day. There is nothing in this mountain. If we do not leave, we will eventually starve to death."

Shangguan Jian looked at the dwindling rations and his injured comrades, maintaining a "calm" demeanor outwardly. Yet, inwardly, he was extremely anxious. They had stayed several days in the mountain, initially planning to leave when the Qin Army retreated, but he didn’t expect the enemy to show such patience.

"Alright, we will prepare to break out tonight."

"Yes."

"Report, the Qin Army is fully armed and has entered the mountain." At this moment, the scout rode back swiftly to report.

"It seems the Qin Army is running out of patience as well. Their movement into the mountain provides us with an opportunity."

"General, do you mean..."

"If the Qin Army stays at the exits of the mountain paths, we would be walking into a trap by going out. On the contrary, once they enter the mountains, their formation will inevitably be disordered, providing us a chance to leave."

"All brothers, listen to my orders, prepare to move."

"Yes."

"Yes."

Deep night.

A large group of Qin soldiers marched along the mountain path, heading into the depths of the mountain.

"What are the higher-ups thinking? Marching at night."

"Yeah, it’s exhausting."

"The rebels escaping into the mountains are only about a hundred. Do we really need a few thousand brothers encircling outside?"

"You don’t understand. The rebels came to our Nanyang County. The higher-ups must attain some achievements to report back to the court, even if it’s just a few hundred."

Several Qin soldiers chatted within the ranks, their faces filled with exhaustion and dissatisfaction, clearly internally complaining about this "assignment."

Hoo, hoo.

"What was that sound?"

"It seemed like something went by."

"There are often wild beasts in the mountains. It should be a pack of wolves passing by."

"Bring a torch over." A soldier took the torch, peering to the left through its light.

"Take action."

In an instant, a hundred cavalry burst out from the undergrowth like tigers descending the mountain, brushing past the large Qin Army, at its closest barely ten meters apart.

"It’s the rebels, kill them for me!"

"Everyone, follow me." Shangguan Jian charged at the front, gripping his sword in his right hand and slicing sideways, swiftly cutting down several Qin soldiers. The surprised Qin soldiers attempted a hasty blockade, but the cavalry’s wedge formation tore a path through them, allowing Shangguan Jian to lead his team down the mountain.

Facing the large Qin Army, Shangguan Jian did not choose to escape through the woods but boldly opted for the mountain path. Using the cover of night, they passed "close by" the several-thousand-strong Qin Army, though one was ascending and the other descending.

"Keep running, don’t stop." Shangguan Jian shouted loudly. Since there were thousands of Qin soldiers, there was unlikely only one blockade. There must be more at the exit. Most crucially, their maneuvers had been exposed, and the Qin soldiers at the mountain pass would surely react, leaving them to face them head-on.

The horses of Shangguan Jian’s cavalry detachment were acquired from the northern Wolf Clan, with strong limbs, capable of close-quarter charges and long-distance raids. Nanyang County, located in the central plains, offered horses inferior to the prairie steeds. Quickly, Shangguan Jian left the Qin Army behind.

"General, we have evaded the Qin soldiers. At this pace, we can reach the mountain pass in the time it takes to burn an incense stick."

"General, there is still a large contingent of Qin infantry in the valley. Charging straight through might be dangerous."

"Therefore, we must break through the blockade before the Qin Army regains their footing."