Overnight, the village turned into ruins. Wisps of smoke drifted from the broken walls, silent under the dawn light as if it had been sleeping for a thousand years.

There were no people, not a single sound. Mingde couldn't remember how many doors he had pushed open. Inside, everything was in a mess - the bedding was in a pile, unfinished water was left on the table, and the children's half-practiced writing was scattered about. But there was not a single person, everyone had fled deep into the mountains.

He ran all the way back to the Hanbei Camp. Lin Bing had been waiting at the door and immediately ran over to grab him as soon as they met: "Where have you been?!"

Mingde was in no mood to argue with him. Lin Bing held him tightly: "Prince Dongyang is here! Anyone with a military rank must go to greet him. If you run around again, it will cause trouble!"

Mingde frowned slightly: "Li Jinyuan? What is he here for?"

Lin Bing choked for a moment. No one had told him that this newly arrived Imperial Envoy enjoyed such deep royal favor that he could directly address the prince by name.

In the main tent, Jinyuan finished drinking the sheep's milk in one gulp, finally dispelling the cold from rushing here overnight. A deputy general walked in, bowed to Jinyuan, Lin Bing, Mingde and the others, and said in a low voice, "The person has been brought."

Lin Bing explained to them: "She was discovered by a few soldiers. At first, they thought it was Zhuo Yu because her appearance was almost identical. But after capturing her, they realized it was a young lady. Since we weren't sure if she was a relative of Zhuo Yu or something similar, we brought her here. It just so happens that Your Highness has come to supervise the army. This subordinate does not dare to make the decision, so I ask Your Highness to decide."

Mingde was slightly startled: "Identical?"

Lin Bing nodded. At this time, the tent curtain outside was lifted, and several deputy generals brought in a young woman. The expressions on those men's faces were a bit strange.

It seemed that everyone wanted to take the opportunity to support the woman, but no one dared to. Everyone was paying attention to the movements of others while trying their best to conceal it, putting on a righteous appearance.

Prince Dongyang Jinyuan was a lover of beautiful women. Although he had volunteered to leave the capital to defend the country for his imperial brother, his nature could not be changed. Upon seeing the face of the young woman, he laughed and said, "Indeed, she is dazzling."

The woman had delicate eyebrows and long eyes, with slightly upturned brow tips. Her skin was delicate and fair. She was only wearing a light blue top and a goose yellow skirt, not very fancy colors, but when she wore them, it seemed to emit a faint jade-like glow. Her every movement was gentle and exquisite beyond compare, something that even the most obedient young lady from a prominent Jiangnan family could not imitate.

If one didn't look at her overall temperament and only judged by her facial features, she was a perfect match of Zhuo Yu.

Mingde let out a soft "ah" and said, "Isn't this... Zhuo Yu's sister?"

Jinyuan looked at him in surprise and asked, "How does Lord Shangguan know?"

Mingde opened his mouth and then slowly asked, "Since Your Highness has been ordered to supervise the army, naturally you must have made a military pledge in front of His Majesty to defend the country and stain the battlefield with blood. Since your intentions are so sincere, why not put some effort into studying the situation of the enemy army? I suppose Your Highness's time has all been used to pour out your heart and express your enthusiasm to His Majesty?"

A few people who had followed from the capital and knew of Shangguan Mingde's sharp tongue alternated between turning pale and flushed. Prince Dongyang Jinyuan's expression changed several times, and he smiled awkwardly, "This prince... this prince has also just arrived..."

Mingde was about to say something else when an official who was familiar with his temperament immediately interjected, "Lord Shangguan! Why don't we ask this young lady and see what her relationship is with the State Preceptor Zhuo?"

Jinyuan immediately followed up, "Yes, yes, yes! Young lady, are you from Xiwan?"

The woman obviously had no idea why she had been brought here, nor did she know the identities of the people sitting in front of her. She had never even heard the name Zhuo Yu. She only vaguely knew that she was an abandoned baby, picked up and raised by kind-hearted people, and knew nothing else.

A few years ago, people from the Xiwan royal palace suddenly came to find her. They didn't say anything, just brought her enough money, jewelry, and clothes each time, and sometimes even some small trinkets that girls liked, ensuring that she lived safely and happily.

Those people all addressed her as "Miss," but they didn't say which family's miss she was. They only told her, "Miss, your elder brother hopes that you will live safely into old age. The family is too complicated and dangerous, and he doesn't want you to be involved."

She knew nothing else. Regarding Zhuo Yu, she had no understanding at all.

Mingde remained silent. If Zhuo Yu hadn't suddenly opened his seal in the camp, he might never have thought to look for this sister in his entire life...

Prince Dongyang Jinyuan thought for a moment and stood up, saying, "Regardless, since General Lin said that Zhuo Yu went to that small mountain village to look for a woman, it's very likely that he went to find this young lady. With the two armies at a stalemate, there's really no other way. In this prince's opinion, if we can use this young lady to achieve a truce, it would be a great thing for the people of both countries."

Lin Bing thought to himself, what a joke. Zhuo Yu was not only the world's top expert, but he was also known as the most ruthless person in the world. A sister he hadn't seen in years could force a retreat of 300,000 troops? Are you on the wrong medication?

Before Lin Bing could finish his thoughts, Mingde suddenly stood up and said, "Your Highness has a great idea!"

Prince Dongyang was startled and immediately looked at him warily.

Mingde said, "Quickly, someone arrange accommodation for this young lady. Your Highness, please immediately write a letter and send an envoy to the Xiwan camp. This matter must be done within three days!"

Prince Dongyang thought to himself, even if you want to satirize me, at least make it a little more obvious. Who knew that Mingde would glance at him and immediately take a few steps forward to tightly grasp his hand, loudly saying, "Your Highness truly has a brilliant plan to secure the country! When we return to the court, General Lin and I must vigorously praise your ingenious strategy to His Majesty!"

Jinyuan stammered, "I... I... I... I... I..."

Mingde shouted loudly, "Someone! Hurry and arrange accommodation for this young lady!"

Poor Prince Dongyang Jinyuan stood there for a very long time, with the wind howling outside the tent. He looked around blankly and asked his subordinates, "...This time, he's not deliberately mocking us? Not this time?..."

The letter was quickly sent to the military camp of Xiwan. It politely said a bunch of high-sounding words, but the real meaning was very easy to understand - we have captured your sister, and if you don't want her to be hung on the city wall, then please come alone to Stone Formation at Cuixia Mountain in Yun Prefecture tomorrow for a negotiation between the two sides.

The envoy soon returned, and it was said that Zhuo Yu was too lazy to write a reply, directly sending a verbal message with just one word: Okay.

That single "Okay" contained immeasurable disdain.

The envoy glanced at the expressions of the generals and princes sitting in the front, and carefully said with an apologetic smile, "That State Preceptor Zhuo is really hopeless. When I entered the tent, he was leaning on the couch, his face so pale that he didn't even look alive..."

Prince Dongyang Jinyuan was very pleased, saying, "That's good then. After the Xiwan army withdraws, these hundreds of thousands of border garrison soldiers can also withdraw and return to the capital!"

Lin Bing, however, did not look happy. He and Mingde exchanged a glance, both feeling a sense of inexplicable unease in their hearts.

A top expert in the world who could successfully escape when surrounded and intercepted by three thousand elite soldiers, an iron-blooded general who could sever three people with one sword - was he someone so easily threatened?

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, no matter how much others talked about how powerful he was, it would only be hearsay. But after witnessing it personally, everything was different. That kind of bone-chilling fear was there, and the thought of facing such a person face-to-face and threatening him was very terrifying.

Lin Bing did not agree with Prince Jinyuan's words. He stood up and said, "Since that's the case, let's go together with Your Highness and Lord Shangguan tomorrow. Although I am incompetent, I will do my best to ensure that you can all return safely!"

Lin Bing's worries were not unfounded, but this time Zhuo Yu was indeed in urgent need of his sister. He had started his seal halfway but was suppressed, yet the problem was not fundamentally resolved. Without the blood of a fellow clansman, it might relapse one day.

The Stone Formation at Cuixia Mountain in Yun Prefecture was a plain in the valley with ancient battlefield megalith formations, said to be able to trap three thousand people with one stone. Without the ancient formation map as a guide, it was absolutely impossible to enter.

Prince Dongyang Jinyuan led the way while looking at the ancient formation map, with several trusted deputy generals closely guarding the young woman behind. At the appointed time, a figure in black suddenly swooped down from the sky. Upon closer look, it was Zhuo Yu, standing straight in front of the crowd with his light robe and fluttering sleeves.

He had started his seal halfway but was forcibly suppressed. Although the totem did not move, it also did not retract. Dragon claws could vaguely be seen protruding from his sleeves, and a few strands of dragon whiskers were faintly visible on the back of his neck.

Mingde paid attention to his complexion and felt that it indeed looked very bad, thinking to himself that this person really couldn't hold on.

At this moment, his eyes swept over and saw a person standing silently not far behind Zhuo Yu, as if with the intention of monitoring. Although the distance was quite far and not very clear, he could see that it was unexpectedly Lu Jiuchen!

The woman saw Zhuo Yu, was stunned for a moment, and then asked in a choked voice, "Brother!"

Zhuo Yu's face showed some emotion, and for a moment he didn't know what to say. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "...Ah Zhen..."

Ah Zhen ran forward a few steps, but was immediately stopped by those on both sides.

"Miss..."

"Miss, don't be impulsive!"

"Miss, please wait a little..."

These people were also interesting. If it were an ordinary hostage, of course they wouldn't be so amiable. It's just that Ah Zhen was very good-looking, and the soldiers guarding her daily didn't even say a single harsh word, trying to make her happy every day.

Lin Bing said in a loud voice, "State Preceptor Zhuo! Since it's like this, I won't say much. The safety of your sister is entirely up to you. You can handle it as you see fit!"

Zhuo Yu asked with a cold smile, "General Lin, I don't understand what you mean. What do you all want? Please speak plainly."

Lin Bing glanced left and right, seeing no objection, before saying, "The people of the two countries should prioritize living and working in peace. Since this war was started by the State Preceptor, then of course it should also be ended by the State Preceptor!"

Zhuo Yu remained silent for a long time before saying, "...The army can retreat a hundred miles..."

Lin Bing drew his sword with a clang, pointing it from afar at Ah Zhen, "State Preceptor, you can lead the troops to advance three hundred miles in a day. What's a mere hundred miles?"

Seeing the flash of his sword, Zhuo Yu's face suddenly changed, almost rushing up immediately. The personal guards on Lin Bing's left and right made a move to stop him, and for a moment the atmosphere was tense, as if it would snap at any moment.

Just then, a few coughs were suddenly heard. Zhuo Yu was startled, "Ah Zhen!"

Everyone turned their heads and saw Ah Zhen covering her chest with one hand, coughing and kneeling on the ground, then coughing up a mouthful of dark green blood.

Lin Bing took two steps forward, and suddenly there was a whistling sound. In a flash, Zhuo Yu had already flown over and helped Ah Zhen up.

Ah Zhen only coughed a few times before losing her breath. In the blink of an eye, a layer of black aura appeared on her forehead, and at the same time, a bloody smell also emanated. All these symptoms came too quickly, and everyone did not react in time. Only Zhuo Yu's face turned pale, "Ah Zhen, these past few days... did you go to Yun Prefecture these past few days?"

Ah Zhen nodded weakly.

Lin Bing suddenly reacted, "Zhe County in Yun Prefecture? Wasn't it just sealed off due to a plague?"

Zhuo Yu's fingers were trembling. Nothing had ever made him lose his composure like this. Even if countless people were dismembered before his eyes, he had never shown such obvious panic.

It was truly retribution. The plague he had spread had actually infected his only relative.

The karmic cycle and retribution of the world had coincidentally manifested here!

Mingde glanced at the obviously helpless Lin Bing and stepped forward to ask, "Is there an antidote?"

"Yes," Zhuo Yu said, "but it's in my tent."

He picked up Ah Zhen and had just taken a step back when swords and spears clashed before his eyes. Lin Bing shouted, "State Preceptor! The advance and retreat of the 300,000-strong army all hinges on a single order from you!"

Zhuo Yu's face was expressionless, but fine beads of cold sweat had already appeared on his forehead. Ah Zhen coughed violently in his arms, and several mouthfuls of dark green blood gushed from the corners of her lips, seeping into Zhuo Yu's black robe.

This plague would incubate for a few days and onset rapidly. It could be transmitted through contact with blood, saliva, or water. Once it broke out, the patient would suffer terribly within just a few hours. Riding at full speed from here to the Xiwan army camp would take two to three hours. By then, it would almost be too late.

Ah Zhen mustered her strength to raise her hand and grabbed the front of Zhuo Yu's robe. "Brother..."

Zhuo Yu lowered his head. His sister, whom he had never met but shared the same mother, revealed a smile on her face that was identical to his own. "I'm just so happy to see you..."

She coughed a few times and said softly, "It would be nice if we could live together someday. Do you know where our parents are? Why... why did they abandon me?"

Zhuo Yu was silent for a while, then said gently, "They both love you very much."

Ah Zhen stared at him. This was obviously not believable, but she still showed a trusting smile.

"If that's the case, then that's good..."

Zhuo Yu closed his eyes in silence. After a while, he raised his head and said faintly, "...After I return, the Xiwan army will withdraw..."

The expression on Lin Bing's face visibly relaxed.

The piercing mountain wind howled. Zhuo Yu's words drifted in the wind, as fragmented as torn brocade. "...Although I am not a virtuous person, I will not go back on my word. I will lead the troops back to our country first thing tomorrow morning. From then on, for thirty years, our two countries will not invade each other!"

With a clang, the two crossed blades suddenly parted, opening up a path for him to leave.

Just at that moment, the smell of burning dry grass suddenly wafted in with the wind, followed by black smoke billowing up, instantly surrounding the area of the stone formation array. Everyone's faces turned pale with fright. They looked up and saw that outside the towering megaliths, oil-fed flames had already spread from all directions!

Lin Bing shouted sternly, "Who is it?!"

Amidst the clatter of swords and arrows, squad after squad of personal guards wearing the military uniforms of Prince Dongyang's residence emerged from outside the stone formation array, all aiming their bows and arrows at them. Prince Dongyang Jinyuan stood outside the formation, holding a torch in his hand. He laughed heartily, "Sorry, everyone! A general achieves success over piles of bones. Please temporarily serve as the first stepping stone for my ascension to the golden throne!"

This sudden change was so abrupt that everyone froze in place. Mingde was the first to react. He grabbed Zhuo Yu and said, "Hasn't this person always been colluding with you Xiwan people?!"

Zhuo Yu said coldly, "How would I know? Look at him. He has long since schemed against me too!"

Prince Dongyang Jinyuan declared loudly, "That's right! Master Zhuo, I originally thought that even if you couldn't become a hero, you could at least be a warlord. Who knew that you would stoop to this level because of some inexplicable woman! Today, this prince has wronged you all. After your deaths, this prince will be able to rightfully take over the great camp of Hanbei and immediately set off to lead the troops to press the capital. In the future, if I ascend the throne as emperor, you will all be the founding meritorious officials!"