I slaughtered my way through the border at the start, I am the Great Ming's Night Raider!

Chen Jin nodded, her voice hoarse: "Brother Yuan...that illegitimate child..."

"it's me."

Chen Yuan said.

Two words, so light, yet so heavy.

Chen Jin opened her mouth, unable to speak for a long time.

His mind was racing—Chen Yuan was the adopted son of the family head. He entered the Chen family at the age of seven. He was exceptionally talented, capable of writing essays and fighting against many. His father treated him even better than his own son.

He didn't understand it before, but now he's starting to get it.

Chen Jin said in a trembling voice, "So Father...he knew all along?"

Chen Yuan nodded, sat down, and added a few more pieces of firewood to the fire. "I was sent to Yingchuan by an old eunuch and handed over to your father. The old eunuch said that this child's surname is Chen, his name is Chen Yuan, and he will be a member of the Chen family from now on."

"Then...your birth mother..."

"I've never seen it. The old eunuch only gave me a jade pendant, saying it was a token. I buried the jade pendant under the old locust tree in the Chen family's backyard."

Chen Jin remembered.

When Chen Yuan first entered the Chen family, he did indeed have a jade pendant on him, a white jade dragon carved from the finest material. But it disappeared not long afterward, and the head of the family was furious, assuming that a servant had stolen it.

It turned out it had been buried.

Chen Jin asked in surprise, "Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Chen Yuan looked at him and said, "What did you say? That I'm the Grand Princess's illegitimate son? That my very existence is a problem? Chen Jin, some things, if brought into the open, will kill you."

"But now you're telling me."

"Because you've already gotten involved. And the fact that your father told you about it means he wants me to protect you."

Chen Jin's tears finally flowed.

He recalled the last time he saw his father.

About two weeks ago, his father suddenly summoned him to the study, dismissed everyone else, and said a lot of strange things.

"Jin'er, if the Chen family ever suffers misfortune, do not seek revenge."

Why?

"Because your enemy is too powerful, you cannot defeat him."

"So, are we just going to let ourselves be slaughtered?"

The father remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Go find Chen Yuan. If he's willing to help you, perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope."

Looking back now, I'm starting to understand.

My father knew this day would come.

Chen Jin wiped away her tears: "Brother Yuan, what do we do now?"

Looking at the moonlight outside the cave, Chen Yuan slowly said, "Two paths. First, I will send you to a safe place, where you can live an ordinary life under an assumed name."

"And what about second place?"

Chen Yuan turned his head, his eyes shining like a wolf in the darkness. "Go to the capital, find out the truth, and take revenge."

Chen Jin was stunned.

Revenge? The opponent is the Eastern Depot, that person in the palace, or even, possibly, the Emperor.

How do I report this?

After a long period of contemplation, Chen Jin's eyes hardened in an instant: "I choose second place."

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Have you thought it through? This path is fraught with peril, with nine out of ten chances of death."

"I've thought it through."

Chen Jin stood up, her legs still trembling, but her tone was resolute: "The Chen family of 137 people cannot have died in vain. Father and Mother cannot have died in vain, Little Sister..."

He choked up, took a deep breath, and said, "She's only eight years old!"

Chen Yuan nodded without saying anything.

He got up and began packing his things.

A few taels of silver, a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) badge, and a simple map were found on Zhao Si. Several points were marked on the map, one of which was "Land Temple"—their current location.

Chen Yuan said, "The pursuers aren't just in this group. The Eastern Depot knows Liu San has failed, and they'll definitely send more men. We must leave immediately."

"Where to?"

"First head south, bypass the official road, and take the mountain road."

Chen Yuan pointed to a location on the map, "Then, go to Xuanfu."

Chen Jin was taken aback: "Xuanfu? Isn't that the border region? It's too dangerous to go there now!"

"The most dangerous place is the safest place."

"And I must go back."

Chen Jin was even more puzzled: "Go back for what?"

"Go to war."

Chen Yuan gazed northwest, his eyes deep and thoughtful. "The Tatar army should be arriving soon. As the Night Watchman of the Ming Dynasty, it is my duty to guard the pass."

Chen Jin understood.

If Xuanfu falls, the border will be in chaos, and the Ming Dynasty will be engulfed in war.

After the two finished packing, they led Zhao Si and the others' horses away from the cave.

All three horses were fine horses. Chen Yuan chose the strongest black horse, gave Chen Jin a chestnut horse, and used the remaining horse to carry luggage.

The moonlight was bright, illuminating the snow-covered ground in a silvery white.

Chen Yuan walked in front, and Chen Jin followed behind, heading south along the mountain path.

The horses' hooves crunched on the snow.

After walking for about an hour, Chen Jin suddenly asked, "Brother Yuan, do you hate her?"

"Who?"

"Your biological mother, the Grand Princess."

Chen Yuan remained silent for a long time.

"have no idea."

"I've never seen her. The old eunuch said she had her reasons, but no one told me what they were."

"So you don't want to see her?"

"I didn't want to before."

Chen Yuan paused for a moment, "Now, perhaps you should ask her why she gave birth to me but then didn't want me."

His voice was calm, but Chen Jin could detect a hint of suppressed emotion.

"Perhaps she has her reasons," Chen Jin said.

Chen Yuan shook his head and said, "But hardship can't put food on the table, nor can it bring the dead back to life."

This is a cold statement, but it's a very realistic one.

Chen Jin stopped speaking.

The two continued on their way, but the mountain path became increasingly steep, and the horses struggled to walk.

When they reached the edge of a cliff, Chen Yuan reined in his horse and pointed down.

In the distance, faint flickering lights could be seen; that was a village.

Chen Yuan pointed to the light and said, "Let's go down and rest for the night, and leave again at dawn tomorrow."

Chen Jin asked worriedly, "Is it safe?"

"The Eastern Depot wouldn't expect us to dare enter the village. Besides, we need supplies."

The two men led their horses carefully down the mountain.

The mountain path was slippery, and Chen Jin fell twice, but didn't make a sound.

Chen Yuan glanced back at him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

This pampered young master is growing up at a visible pace.

Perhaps hatred really can change a person.

Upon arriving at the village entrance, Chen Yuan asked Chen Jin to wait in the woods while he went in to explore the village first.

The village is small, with about twenty households, all living in mud-brick houses. At this hour, most of the houses have already turned off their lights, except for one house at the entrance of the village, which still has its lights on.

Chen Yuan approached and heard people talking inside the house.

"Honey, I heard there's going to be another war in the north?" a woman's voice asked.

"That's right. I went to town today and heard that the Tartars are going to attack Xuanfu." The man's voice said, "The government is collecting grain; each household has to pay three shi (a unit of dry measure)."

"Three stones? Where did we get so much grain?"

"If they won't pay wages, they'll send men! Sigh, what a world..."

Chen Yuan knocked on the door.

The room fell silent instantly, then a man's wary voice rang out: "Who's there?"

"Hey passerby, can I ask you for a bowl of water?" Chen Yuan said.

The door opened a crack, and a middle-aged man peeked out, carrying a wood-chopping knife. Seeing that Chen Yuan was alone and dressed plainly, his expression softened slightly.

"It's so late..."

"I missed my lodging."

Chen Yuan pulled out a few copper coins from his pocket. "Can I stay here for the night? Here's the money."