Tang Dynasty: Starting with 3,000 elite cavalry, a bloody battle to retake the city.

But Han Ye had no intention of getting involved in what happened after that.

He turned and left, flicking his sleeves, not even riding a horse, and walked into the gates of Chang'an.

Changan.

At first glance, Zhuque Avenue is bustling with traffic and the market is as lively as a tide. The flying eaves and brackets point straight to the sky, and the whole city seems to have come to life from the history books.

The place was bustling with noise, wine flags were waving, merchants from the Central Asian countries led their camels through the alleys, and dancers' laughter filled the air.

This is no ordinary capital city; it is clearly a golden age itself breathing forth!

Han Ye blended into the crowd, like a drop of water falling into a river.

He was no longer some ghost-faced general, nor a border war god, but just an ordinary person walking amidst the smoke and fire of life.

Listening to the vendors' shouts, smelling the aroma of crispy pancakes, watching children chasing and playing, old women shedding tears, and scholars reciting poetry in a drunken stupor... all aspects of life are vividly portrayed in their eyes and expressions.

"Speaking of that masked general—"

In a street corner teahouse, the storyteller struck his gavel, and the entire place fell silent.

"Thick eyebrows like knives, eyes like cold stars, his murderous aura was so overwhelming that even the Turkic cavalry dared not approach! He single-handedly charged into an army of 100,000, advancing and retreating three times as if entering an empty field!"

"An arrow pierced the wind, striking straight into the left eye of Khan Jieli! On that day, blood stained the yellow sand, the enemy chieftain wailed, and the heavens and earth changed color!"

Han Ye stood outside the crowd, his lips twitching as he listened.

Thick eyebrows and big eyes? A menacing aura?

He looked down and touched his handsome face, almost bursting out laughing.

According to this logic, shouldn't he have fangs and horns to be worthy of being called "Ghost Face"?

As for the claim of "three charges in and out"...

Ha, do you really think he's made of steel and indestructible? He survived that battle because of his brains and luck, not because of recklessness!

Just as I was about to turn and leave, suddenly—

His gaze sharpened.

In the crowd, a chubby little girl squatted in front of the storytelling stall, clutching the hem of her skirt with both hands, her eyes red as if she had just cried.

He recognized that face.

Small group.

His maid from the Han family, the little girl who had followed him around since she was a child, was actually here?

She listened intently, tears welling in her eyes. When she heard the part about the Ghost-Faced General's death in battle, her lips trembled: "Young Master... please don't follow his example... don't go to war... don't die... sob sob sob..."

The voice was so low it was almost inaudible, yet every word pierced the heart.

Han Ye's heart softened, and he moved his feet lightly, silently circling behind her.

"Yes," he suddenly spoke, his voice lazy and tinged with amusement, "Never try to emulate the Ghost-Faced General."

Xiao Tuan froze, mechanically turning her head.

The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stand still for a second.

That face I had longed for day and night was now standing right before me—unwashed from the journey, with gentle eyes and a smile on its lips, so vivid and real.

"...Young...Young Master?"

The next second, she let out a scream that sounded like a sob, and crashed into Han Ye's arms like a cannonball, holding on tightly as if afraid that he would turn into smoke and disappear.

"Waaaaah... You're back! You're really back! I thought you were like the Ghost-Faced General... that you'd never come back..."

She cried so hard she could barely breathe, her snot and tears soaking half of Han Ye's clothes.

Han Ye was both amused and annoyed, and gently patted her back: "Silly girl, I'm very tough, even the King of Hell wouldn't dare to take me."

After she had cried enough, she wiped away her tears and grabbed his wrist, her face full of excitement: "Quick, quick! Young Master, come back with me! Everyone is going crazy with worry! General Li and Duke Li have been sending people to inquire about you every day, and they've searched the entire Duke Wei's mansion but still can't find you!"

Han Ye was nodding with a smile, but his smile suddenly stopped when he heard the words "Duke Li".

"Wait a minute." He frowned slightly. "You said...where do you live?"

"The Duke of Wei's mansion!" Xiao Tuan said matter-of-factly. "Lord Li Jing is kind and righteous. When he heard that we were orphans and disabled servants from Youzhou, he took us in."

Han Ye: "..."

His lips twitched, and he almost fell over on the spot.

Li Jing? The Duke of Wei's Mansion?!

How could he, the esteemed young master of the Han family, have fallen so low as to live under someone else's roof, and in the home of that military tycoon?!

If the censors in the court found out about this, they would probably write eight hundred memorials accusing him of "climbing the social ladder by currying favor with the powerful"!

But looking into Xiaotuan's bright eyes, he sighed helplessly.

That's it.

Since they've already come knocking on our door—

Let's go back then.

What connection could he possibly have with Li Jing? The marriage certificate was torn to shreds!

Didn't Li Yingge go to Youzhou long ago? She should have seen that marriage certificate with her own eyes, right? So why did she still let the Han family members move into her Li family's residence?!

Han Ye was completely bewildered and puzzled.

But now that the entire household has been housed in Li Jing's residence, it's only logical and reasonable that...

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and go through with it.

There was nothing he could do. Xiao Tuan grabbed his sleeve and dragged him inside, like a playful little sparrow. He couldn't escape even if he wanted to.

The moment he stepped through the gates of the Li residence—

Behind him, at the street corner, a hidden figure narrowed its eyes and stared at his back.

Those were Crown Prince Li Chengqian's personal guards, clad in black armor hidden in the shadows, their eyes sharp as eagles.

"This person... is from the Duke of Wei's mansion?"

The Imperial Guard muttered to himself, then froze.

Something's wrong! Something's really wrong!

The Crown Prince just gave the order to search the entire city for Han Ye and to bring him to the Eastern Palace for a meeting!

But instead, he ran into Li Jing's residence!

Who gave him the audacity? And what qualifications does he have?

The key point is—how could these servants dare to barge into the Duke of Wei's gate? Even if it's just to deliver a message, they have to think twice!

The imperial guard hesitated at the door for a moment, and seeing that Han Ye showed no intention of coming out, he gritted his teeth, turned around and left quickly, heading straight for the East Palace to report.

"Gone?"

At the same time, in the shadows behind the door, Han Ye slowly withdrew his gaze.

Just a moment ago, he clearly sensed that someone was following him.

His aura was concealed, but it couldn't hide from the instincts he had developed through years of fighting.

But he didn't turn around or make a move; instead, he went straight into the Li residence to avoid being tracked.

Now that the person was gone, he finally breathed a slight sigh of relief, his brow furrowing slightly.

"That spoiled young master... he actually has the power to command the Imperial Guards?"

His eyes flickered slightly, and he muttered to himself, "His identity is not simple."

However, he didn't even consider the possibility of him becoming the "crown prince".

After all, who could have imagined that on his very first day in Chang'an, he would run into the crown prince at the city gate?

It was so absurd it sounded like a storyteller's tale; even he himself didn't believe it.

Meanwhile, Xiao Tuan had already run into the inner courtyard, her voice so loud it could lift the roof off:

"Young Master is back—!"

"Uncle Fu! The young master is back! Quickly tell the kitchen to add more dishes!"

"Your Excellency! Our young master Han has returned to the manor!"

"General Li! Hehe, my young master is back!"

The sound was as clear and crisp as a silver bell rolling over a bluestone slab, and could be heard even through three courtyards.

Han Ye's lips twitched upon hearing this, and he stopped in his tracks, almost wanting to turn around and take another lap.

I know I'm back, but could you please not make it known to the whole city?

But things have come to this point, and there is no turning back.

He took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and strode towards the main hall.

"Tear up the marriage certificate, sever all ties."

"Li Jing, Li Yingge, and I will go our separate ways from now on."

"Explain yourself clearly and move out immediately."

He silently recited the mantra, his gaze growing cold.

He had made up his mind back in Youzhou, and today he was simply fulfilling his promise.

Being free of all attachments is the best thing.

He walked forward step by step, his steps steady, as if treading on the remnants of a bygone era.

……

At this moment, at the martial arts training ground of the Duke of Wei's mansion.

The flash of blades and the whistling of gunfire.

Li Yingge and Li Jing are practicing together.

The father and daughter's moves were fierce, their fists and feet creating a whirlwind, and the sound of their clashing swords and spears made the copper bells on the eaves tremble slightly.

Like father, like daughter; this saying is absolutely true.

Although Li Yingge is a woman, her cultivation level is already seven-tenths that of Li Jing!

If not for physical limitations, the outcome would have been uncertain.

"Bang--!"

A loud bang!

Li Jing's sword strike was as swift as lightning, deflecting the spear and sending the shaft spinning three inches into the ground!

Li Yingge staggered back two steps, her face slightly pale.

"You've been restless and agitated these past few days." Li Jing sheathed his sword, his brow furrowed. "Your movements are disorganized, your strength lacks consistency. What are you thinking about?"

"I..." Li Yingge lowered her head, her fingertips trembling slightly, and hurriedly shook her head, "No, it's nothing, I'm just worried about His Majesty's personal expedition in a few days..."

"Heh." Li Jing sneered, his eyes sharp as knives. "Don't give me that! How many times has His Majesty personally led expeditions? When has he ever seen you so distraught? Don't think your father can't see—you're still thinking about that Ghost-Faced General, aren't you?"

boom--!

One sentence struck me like a thunderbolt!

Li Yingge suddenly looked up, her pupils contracted sharply, her lips parted slightly, but she couldn't utter a single word.

She glared at her father, a hint of grievance and stubbornness flashing in her eyes, which ultimately turned into a defiant silence.

I'm not saying anything more! Not a single word!

Li Jing was furious at her appearance, but there was nothing he could do.

They are, after all, my own flesh and blood; I can't hit them or scold them.

But he was also worried.

The Ghost-Faced General... that man was indeed a peerless hero, even Li Jing was convinced of his abilities.

But the person is already dead.

No remains were found, and no news of them was heard.

No matter how much you miss it, it's all in vain.

Those who died on the battlefield are long gone, their bones buried in the yellow sand, yet his own daughter thinks of him every day. How could Li Jing feel at ease? He was absolutely furious!

"My Lord! My young master is back—!"

Just then, a clear and cheerful voice suddenly rang out, like spring thunder rolling across the courtyard.

Xiao Tuan skipped in, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling, looking as if she had found a gold ingot.

Li Jing and Li Yingge were both taken aback.

Young Master?!

Her young master?!

Han Ye?!

He... is still alive?!

Li Jing's heart skipped a beat, and a smile instantly bloomed on his face. He was about to speak—

"Really?! Where is he? Take me to see him!"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Yingge, who was standing next to him, jumped out even faster, her voice changed, and her eyes showed undisguised shock.

Li Jing froze, turned his head, and looked on in astonishment.

What's going on?!

Why is she so excited about Han Ye's return?!

Weren't you always giving me the cold shoulder and showing me utter disdain?!

Isn't your heart only filled with that masked general who died a bloody death in battle?!

Why did she seem so disoriented the moment he appeared?!

Li Yingge also realized her lapse in composure, quickly lowered her eyes, took a half step back, quietly composed herself, and silently stood back behind Li Jing.