The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

After their embrace, they didn't bother with pleasantries. Wang Huanzhen took Lin Qingyan's hand and walked deeper into the woods. Lin Qingyan's small hand was icy cold, making Wang Huanzhen unconsciously tighten his grip.

In the autumn mountains, the dew was heavy at dawn. After walking for less than fifteen minutes, Wang Zhenhuan's clothes were almost soaked with dew. Lin Qingyan, on the other hand, was mostly dry because she was following behind Wang Zhenhuan.

"Brother, they didn't do anything to you, did they? Your face is covered in blood." Finally, Lin Qingyan couldn't help but speak first. Her pale face was filled with worry.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhenhuan turned around and smiled, casually saying to the girl, "You might not believe it, but that golden girl is actually a princess."

"Really? No wonder a squad of soldiers came specifically looking for her. Then why is she causing us trouble? Come to think of it, we shared some hardships in that ruined temple, didn't we?"

Lin Qingyan's voice, though slightly tired, was still so clear and crisp. It was so familiar, and so reassuring. Wang Huanzhen only realized this after several days apart.

He realized he had long since grown accustomed to Lin Qingyan's presence. Thankfully, she was now by his side, in his grasp. Though the future was uncertain, at least for now, they were together.

While identifying the direction, Wang Zhenhuan shook his head and said, "The Jurchens are not Han Chinese after all. Although the princess can speak Han language, she is still a Jurchen. The Jurchens don't talk about sharing hardships."

"That's true. Those who are not of our kind are bound to have different hearts. So how did you escape? I thought, I thought... I would never see you again in this lifetime." As Lin Qingyan spoke, her eyes began to redden.

Wang Zhenhuan hurriedly stepped forward and hugged her. He comforted her, saying, "How could that be? Although I was captured, the thought of you waiting for me in the mountains gave me countless ideas, and I tried every possible way to escape."

"Nonsense! I saw those Jurchens carrying bows on their backs, and those bows were at least half a person's height. No matter how fast you are, can you be faster than an arrow?" Lin Qingyan saw through Wang Zhen's boasting at a glance.

Wang Zhenhuan wasn't embarrassed at all, even though he'd been seen through. He looked around as he spoke, "You'd better believe me. I made a bet with that princess that I could escape from her. She didn't believe me and insisted on coming out alone with me. Now you see the result."

"Are you alright? What happened to the blood on your forehead?" Lin Qingyan wasn't buying it and asked again.

Seeing that he couldn't get around the issue, Wang Zhenhuan explained in a low voice, "I was in such a hurry when I left that I tripped and fell. It's nothing serious, just a few scrapes. And look, I even brought the princess's scimitar."

As he spoke, he unfastened the curved sword from his waist and handed it to Lin Qingyan. Lin Qingyan took the sword, quite surprised. She was familiar with this sword; it was the same one that the golden princess had drawn in the dilapidated temple.

Although small, it was exquisitely crafted. It was clearly a delightful item; she hadn't expected Wang Zhenhuan to even be able to acquire it. Now, she believed most of what Wang Zhenhuan had said.

After handing the scimitar to Wang Huanzhen, she remained silent. The two of them continued their groping journey into the mountains under the cover of night until dawn, when they stopped in a mountain hollow.

"That's about enough. Let's rest for a while. I don't think those golden men have caught up yet." Wang Zhenhuan sat on a large rock and waved to Lin Qingyan.

Lin Qingyan sat down beside him, took out a water bag from her bosom, and handed it to him. Wang Huanzhen took the water bag and found that it was warm, and his heart softened instantly. These small details often make people feel even more touched.

Needless to say, Lin Qingyan must have kept the water bag in her bosom overnight. That's why the water bag was warm. This kind of subtle and thoughtful care made Wang Zhen love her to the core.

He took the water bag, but instead of opening it immediately, he held it to his nose and took an exaggerated sniff. The water bag carried the faint fragrance of the young girl, and he pretended to be intoxicated by it.

Lin Qingyan blushed and, in her embarrassment, playfully punched him. Wang Zhenhuan laughed and dodged, and the two of them circled the large rock, laughing and playfully teasing each other.

Soon, the two of them were exhausted and lay panting on the rock, looking up at the sky. The first rays of morning sunlight shone down, bathing them in a golden glow.

Wang Huanzhen turned his head and looked at Lin Qingyan's profile. Because of their earlier playful fight, her face was still flushed. Although the journey south had been arduous, it couldn't hide her natural beauty.

"Qingyan, will you marry me? After we go south, we'll find a secluded place to live in seclusion. Then we'll farm and we'll weave, and have a whole bunch of kids. What do you think?"

As Wang Huanzhen spoke, he got up from the rock and lay down in front of Lin Qingyan, staring at her. Lin Qingyan had her eyes closed, enjoying the warm morning light. Suddenly, the sunlight was blocked.

Then came Wang Zhenhuan's confession. She seemed surprised that Wang Zhenhuan would do it so suddenly. Her pretty face flushed red instantly. She opened her eyes and looked at Wang Zhenhuan shyly.

With a barely perceptible movement, she nodded slightly. Although Wang Zhenhuan knew that Lin Qingyan probably wouldn't refuse, the feeling of confirmation still made him so happy that he wanted to stand up and shout.

The moment he stood up, Lin Qingyan, who was lying on the rock, suddenly opened her eyes wide. Before he could react, she sat up straight, hugged him, and rolled over.

whoosh-

A piercing whistling sound rang out!

Lin Qingyan, who had just flipped over to be above Wang Zhenhuan, was suddenly struck as if by a heavy blow. The color drained from her face, and she turned deathly pale. She whispered to Wang Zhenhuan.

"Hurry up..."

She then closed her eyes, and blood dripped from the corner of her mouth onto Wang Zhenhuan's face, jolting him out of his daze. Until this moment...

He then realized what had happened to Lin Qingyan! Holding her in his arms, he flipped over the boulder and hid behind it. The constant whooshing sounds were like death knells.

Swoosh—swoosh—

Arrows flew in continuously from afar. Wang Huanzhen hid under a rock, his heart breaking as he watched the arrow, already half-buried in Lin Qingyan's back.

Blood was already gushing from her wound. Wang Zhenhuan's eyes were red, and she gritted her teeth. She tore a strip of cloth from her shirt and used it to bind the area around the wound.

After the rain of arrows subsided, he carried Lin Qingyan, crouching low as he made his way up to the mountaintop. Upon crossing the summit, the scene before him filled him with despair.

Several miles away, countless people were locked in a fierce battle. Unbeknownst to them, they had strayed from their planned route and found themselves on the battlefield!