Chapter 7, Astonished by the Conspiracy

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, making me feel that pressing further would invite her disdain. In a moment of impulse, I asked, "If I were to tell you the map, would it evoke your memories?"

The entire affair is a conspiracy. My heart feels as if it is being consumed by raging flames, forgetting that I came here to assassinate the Grand Leader. What I inscribe in my thoughts is merely to return to the Witch Kingdom before the tragedy occurs, to warn the witch

I half believe it; otherwise, the territory of the Witch Kingdom would have long been trampled into worthless mud beneath the feet of imperial warriors

Hua Qian's face flushed slightly as she softly said, "I don't know either, but ever since the first time I met you, I couldn't help but think of you from time to time in those days. So even though you disguised yourself as the King of Divine Power, I could still recognize you at a glance."

I calmly said, "Password!" In the imperial army, there is a different password every night to distinguish between friend and foe, and this time I took the initiative.

Hua Qian did not understand my words. Just as she was about to inquire, Ma Yuan rode in, gestured for us to step aside, and led us to another fork in the path

His subordinate said: "The problem is that the princess's tent is set up next to the Grand Commander's tent, making it extremely difficult to take action."

At this moment, I could not help but feel a sense of luck, for just a moment ago, I was prepared to disregard everything and break through the camp's edge to rush and warn the witch. Had I done so, I might now be a lifeless corpse. The camp's edge had only been breached by a small crack, which would be nearly impossible to detect from a distance, especially since the subordinates of the commander were solely focused on the spies approaching the camp.

Ma Yuan shouted from behind: "The people of the Witch Kingdom will never forget you." I only stopped after galloping for a distance of about a mile.

Of course, Brother Zhan knows she is joking. Even without mentioning that Brother Zhan's target is the princess, the record of every man associated with the Black Widow meeting a tragic end is enough to make Brother Zhan hesitant to engage.

I silently exclaimed that it was not good, while also not understanding why the Black Widow, a defeated general, dared to pursue me alone. Did she really think she could contend with me? There must be some deeper mystery behind this.

She turned the horse's head, and the whip fell heavily on the horse's flank, racing towards the Lianyungang mountain range like the wind and lightning, and in an instant, it became a small dot.

Hua Xi bit her lower lip and said, "If you must go, let us go together." I gently pleaded, "Hua Xi, you know that even if I succeed this time, it will be very difficult for me to return alive, so you must leave. Once you reach the place of the sea people, wait for me for a month. If I do not arrive by then, you must make your own plans."

A tall and slender woman, gracefully lifting the curtain to enter, was none other than Hua Qian. I sat up in surprise as the usually aloof and unfeeling female swordsman cast aside all restraint and threw herself into my arms, exclaiming, "We have succeeded; this is the border of the Witch Kingdom"

Black Widow said: "I want to monopolize the secret of the route to Rand, and I will handle the matter of pursuing him myself"

We arrived at the largest and most magnificent main tent, where Ma Yuan gestured for me to enter alone. As I lifted the curtain and stepped inside, the enchanting figure of the sorceress Lily came into view, her golden hair flowing like clouds, cascading gently down her shoulders. She sat with her back to me at a small table, beside her lay five thick volumes of handwritten wisdom texts, with one volume opened and being read on the table. I sat down on the floor, covered with animal skins, behind her.

At the pinnacle of desire, I finally possessed this beautiful woman who had forsaken her high status and power for me

I casually asked, "How should I address you?" Ma Yuan chuckled and replied, "The people of the Witch Kingdom call me 'Fat Strategist', as I am the chief strategist of the Witch Kingdom. This time, with your strength, I plan to steal the Book of Wisdom, and this is the strategy I humbly present." Although his tone was filled with self-satisfaction, his eyes betrayed an undeniable worry, making it clear that he was merely putting on a brave face. For many years, the Empire and the Witch Kingdom have been in a state of war, evenly matched, yet the so-called invincible Grand Chancellor has never personally led an expedition. The current situation, with the army pressing down, is not comparable to the previous stalemate.

Ge Zhan expressed in surprise: "Oh! Why do you have blood on you? Who have you fought with?" The Black Widow did not answer but instead smiled and said: "Oh! Everyone is here, are we discussing a major plan?" Ge Zhan replied: "Only with you here are we truly gathered. I have been sending people to look for you since yesterday, but your subordinates told me that you had a secret mission and left the group alone. I just don't know what it was for"

I coldly said: "If there is anyone in this world who can assassinate the Führer, it would be me. Setting aside my swordsmanship, the most important thing is that I grew up in the Empire and am familiar with the internal situation. Moreover, my father once suggested to me a method to kill the Führer." The latter statement was merely to reassure her; in fact, my father did not know any method to kill the Führer.

The elder said: "It does not stop there; I have seen someone splash poison water onto his exposed eyes, yet he remained unscathed. What do you think is the reason for this?" The earlier speaker replied: "But he must have times when he removes his armor; at the very least, he has to engage in intimacy with his consorts and also needs to bathe and rest."

I sighed and said, "What use is that? With such a topographic map, I might exhaust my entire life’s effort and still not find that place. Moreover, whether this mysterious place truly exists is also uncertain."

I stared at her with wide eyes. She turned her back, extended her delicate and flawless jade-like hand, and gently caressed the wisdom tablet, saying softly: "It is a pity that I have lost my memory of that place; otherwise, this world would have no empires and no witch kingdoms"

At dusk, I arrived at the outskirts of the imperial army, where banners were like a sea, and the encampments stretched endlessly, covering the entire vast plain

At that moment, someone outside the tent called out: "Commander Ge!" It was a very familiar female voice

The Grand Chancellor leads the army to attack. Logically speaking, it is already a miracle that the Witch Kingdom can hold its ground; to defeat the Grand Chancellor is merely a pipe dream. However, if I could find the legendary ruins, it might not be impossible to bring down the empire.

The witch furrowed her brows, lost in thought and silent, indeed a sight that evokes sympathy. I interjected, "Are you perplexed because the Supreme Leader personally led the army to the border?"

Every corner of the tent was illuminated by blazing torches, bathing the heavens and the earth in a crimson glow, evoking a sense that bloodshed was imminent

In the battle of the brothers: "There is a marvelous spring potion that wizards possess. As long as one inhales a sufficient amount, for a period of time, they will perceive any opposite sex they encounter as a lover. Therefore, as long as I create an opportunity, I can first seize the initial night of Lord Bao. By then, the raw rice will have been cooked into a meal, and I can employ further means. Even if the princess does not obediently throw herself into my embrace, what can be done?"

My gaze swept over the furnishings within the tent, and I inwardly exclaimed that this was not good. This tent was not only larger than the others, but the ground was also covered with animal skins for warmth. In one corner of the tent hung several sets of neatly arranged armor and weapons, including strong bows and powerful arrows, sharp axes and pointed spears, all of which were items that only high-ranking generals in the empire could possess.

Miss Hua Qian, may I stay here for a while? Young Master Lan will be back soon

Black Widow said fiercely: "That wretched woman refuses to say anything. You are an expert in coercing confessions, so I will leave her in your hands, but there is one condition"

I tried to act as if nothing had happened: "That day, the Supreme Leader's gaze upon you and your reaction revealed many things to me." Tears fell like scattered pearls from a broken string, and this woman, outwardly strong as a sword, displayed her vulnerable side. "That was three years ago. I went to see the Supreme Leader on the orders of the Princess. That night, he humiliated me, and since then, I have hated him, I hate him!" This must be another reason why Huaxian fled from Wangyue City. If the Supreme Leader were to summon her to his bed again, what could she do? "That was three years ago. I went to see the Supreme Leader on the orders of the Princess. That night, he humiliated me, and since then, I have hated him, I hate him!" This must be another reason why Huaxian fled from Wangyue City. If the Supreme Leader were to summon her to his bed again, what could she do?

When I opened my eyes, what I saw was the top of the tent. Sunlight streamed in through the gaps of the tent, filling the space with tranquility and peace. A thought crossed my mind, and I called out: "Huaxin!"

The orders flowed down like a stream, and the sounds of people moving and horses shifting could be heard from outside the tent, yet there was no sign of chaos or urgency. This indicates that the army of the Witch Kingdom is well-trained and is an elite force that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Empire's Black Helmet troops. Ma Yuan withdrew to make arrangements for everything

Witch's Path: "Before the sun rises in the east tomorrow, I will provide you with a map for leaving the Witch Kingdom and the necessary travel supplies. I hope you can use your extraordinary wisdom to establish a peaceful and ideal home between the Witch Kingdom and the Empire.

I am greatly alarmed; the Black Widow coming to seek a fight with my brother at this time can only mean trouble

Ge Zhan smiled and said, "We are old comrades, no need to say such things. Alright! It's settled then, where is Hua Qian?" This old fox certainly had other strategies in mind.

They continued their discussion. In the distance, the call of a night owl echoed. Ge Zhan and the others immediately shifted the topic, loudly discussing strategies to deal with the Witch Kingdom. I knew they had received a signal indicating the approach of outsiders, but I was unsure why they had come at such a late hour

The Commander said: "Opportunities are not absent. There is a large lake more than ten miles west of the camp, with extremely beautiful scenery. The princess will visit that place tomorrow morning, and at that time, the subordinates of Princess Liqing will accompany her. My plan is to send a team to disguise themselves as strong bandits from the Witch Kingdom to abduct the princess, while I will rescue her. You all understand, right? Anything can happen on the way back."

What I am saying is not as simple as it appears on the surface; rather, it highlights the longstanding concerns that the Grand Duke has regarding the much weaker Witch Kingdom, which is why he has never personally led troops into battle. However, the recent change in his previous stance must be due to significant reasons

Hua Qian urged her horse forward a few steps, riding alongside me. I gave her a slight smile. Her charming face flushed, and she lowered her head, undoubtedly recalling the intoxicating spring breeze of last night. She then looked at me and said, "Are we really going to leave for another place?" I sighed and replied, "I don't know either, but with two armies facing each other, adding just the two of us won't make much of a difference. I have very important matters to attend to, and if I can succeed, it might even lead to the overthrow of the empire."

I drew the dagger and began to slash at the tent behind me. The voice of Ge Zhan rang out, saying: "Who among you is confident in killing the Grand Commander?" This statement echoed in the tent like thunder.

There are two black-helmeted warriors. They did not expect anyone to be inside the tent, and they looked at me in astonishment. Then their gaze fell upon the blood-red ring at the top of my helmet, and they immediately showed great respect.

I was filled with rage, and without the time to chew over her difficult words, I strode out of the tent. The witch's gentle voice sounded from behind, saying: "Young Master Rante." I halted my steps, hoping in my heart that she would plead with me softly.

I called out, "Hua Qian!" Hua Qian seemed to sense that something was about to happen, and with her head lowered, she replied, "Yes!" It was akin to the submissive attitude of a maid towards her master, a reaction from a woman who had been conquered. I needed a bit of stimulation to fill the void left by the witch's actions. Outside the tent, the soldiers of the witch kingdom were bustling about, with horses neighing and people shouting, preparing for tomorrow's journey, which heightened the sense of pressure as the clouds of war gathered before the impending great battle, the forces of destruction accumulating like a rolling snowball. Life is but a fleeting visitor. Looking at Hua Qian, her youthful body, honed through years of rigorous sword training, appeared even more graceful and fit.

She raised her head to look at me. I finally caught a glimpse of her beauty. For a moment, I was stunned. The princess, Xiqi, the Black Widow, Princess Liqing, and Huaxin, are all first-rate beauties, but compared to her, they are merely like stars beside the bright moon

Then Gao Jin was commanded to go. My heart was burning with anxiety, yet Ge Zhan and the Black Widow were discussing their schemes to deal with the princess, which made it impossible for me to leave. Time passed second by second, until after an entire hour, everyone finally departed one by one. I could no longer suppress the urgency in my heart, so I crawled out from under the camp and hurried towards the direction where the Black Widow had mentioned Hua Qian was hidden. As long as I could rescue Hua Qian, I would immediately return to the Witch Kingdom, disregarding everything else.

Ge Zhan said in a deep voice: "The wizard is dead, you are now the number one expert being tracked in the empire, you must have good news. Is that right?"

Everyone fell silent. Ge Zhan sighed and said: "The problem lies here; none of us can be certain of killing him. Although the strength of the Red Ring Guards around him is formidable, it is not what I am most concerned about. Rather, my greatest worry is the Grand Chancellor himself. We have fought in various campaigns, but when have we ever seen anyone inflict any harm upon him?"

With an unyielding advance, I caused her hopes to become utterly disordered, and for some inexplicable reason, this brought me a sense of inexplicable pleasure. I said, "Your hesitation in revealing the location of the ruins has left me very disappointed. Is this all that my trust in you amounts to?" The witch sighed softly, stood up, turned her back, and calmly said, "Perhaps you should leave; after all, dealing with the Führer is my responsibility, a duty belonging to my era, which feels so distant, like a dream."

I gently lifted her chin with my hand, tenderly examining her lovely face, my heart filled with a sense of happiness. The trials of the night had completely erased the distance between us. She shyly lowered her gaze. I said, "Since you recognized my identity early on, why did you still choose to protect me?"

In a profound silence, these individuals struggling under the tyranny of the Great Leader were about to fight for the same goal

After hearing this, Huaxi trembled slightly and looked at me in astonishment. I firmly said, "I am going back to assassinate the Führer." In an instant, Huaxi fell from heaven to hell, her face drained of color, and she exclaimed, "You will die!"

Ge Zhan exclaimed in astonishment: "Lante is not easy to deal with, are you confident?" The Black Widow replied with a charming laugh: "You need not worry about this, I naturally have my own methods"

Ma Yuan excitedly said: "Have you not yet witnessed the commanding demeanor of the Witch Princess on the battlefield? At that time, I will ensure you are both convinced and impressed!"

I dismounted and walked towards the direction from which the imperial army was approaching, my heart filled with a fervent fighting spirit, and death had become utterly insignificant to me

Seeing the situation was not right, I quickly slipped into the tent beside me. Fortunately, the tent was empty. Ge Zhan and the others arrived outside the tent and suddenly came to a halt. My heart began to race intensely, wondering if he had discovered me

Black Widow said coldly: "Rest assured! Our fates are already intertwined, advancing and retreating together. If I uncover the secrets of the ruins, you will surely be the beneficiary. The Führer is so anxious; there must be something within the ruins that can deal with him. Isn't this also what you have always dreamed of?"

Upon exiting the tent, I walked towards the command camp at the core. The command camp was at least ten times larger than the other tents, and it was surrounded by tall command flags, making it conspicuous and easily recognizable

Witch's Path: "I don't know, but you can give it a try." I replied, "Please give me a pen and paper."

The witch paused for a moment and said softly, "No! I have never been ill; perhaps it is because I have been too focused on reading the Book of Wisdom that this phenomenon has occurred?" I immediately felt something was amiss, but I did not know where the problem lay, so I casually asked, "This Book of Wisdom originally belonged to you; where did you obtain it?"

I said, "Where is the witch?" Ma Yuan was taken aback and replied, "Did you guess it?" I laughed heartily and said, "If I still did not know that the lily is the witch, how could I compete and strive for success in this chaotic world"

A look of vigilance flashed in the witch's eyes, clearly expressing her astonishment at my intelligence and observational skills

Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent, and the distribution of the tents was much sparser than before. I knew that I had entered the area of the command tent and the tents of other senior generals, where security was a hundred times tighter than in other places. At that moment, voices began to be heard ahead.

Hua Qian trembled in my arms a few times and said in a barely audible voice: "No, even in that situation, I still saw him wearing armor and that terrifying helmet. I... I couldn't see, but I could feel it." I was greatly astonished; no man makes love to a woman like this. The sensation of skin contact would be greatly diminished, especially for someone like him who is so fond of women; this is a perverse behavior. My father once told me that when he was twenty, he became a subordinate of the Führer, who looked just like that, and seemed to possess an endless supply of energy, in other words, showing no signs of aging at all. Could it be that he, like a witch, would never grow old? What exactly is the relationship between them?

The Black Widow spoke with a voice full of hatred: "I could not find Lant, but I found his woman and captured her instead"

The breathing of the five individuals inside the tent became heavy and rapid, clearly indicating that they were all harboring the same thought, a question that one would not dare to contemplate under the tyranny of the Supreme Leader. My heart raced; why did the Supreme Leader show no concern over the theft of the manuscript? Recalling the day when the sorceress nearly fainted after viewing the manuscript of wisdom, a terrifying suspicion arose in my mind, and I could not help but gasp, almost crying out. My heart raced; why did the Supreme Leader show no concern over the theft of the manuscript? Recalling the day when the sorceress nearly fainted after viewing the manuscript of wisdom, a terrifying suspicion arose in my mind, and I could not help but gasp, almost crying out.

I emerged from the shadows, skillfully evading several patrols, and stealthily made my way into one of the military camps

I made up my mind; if even the witch does not trust me, then there is no one in the world who can be trusted. I will describe the contents of the map. The witch listened attentively, her eyes occasionally sparkling with captivating brilliance. Although she did not speak a word, her silence conveyed emotions and feelings more profoundly than a thousand words. After I finished speaking, I stared at her intently. The witch closed her eyes, suddenly shuddered all over, and exclaimed: "I know where that is now"

A tremor ran through my heart, and I already knew who that person was: the Black Widow, Lian Lijun. Brother Zhan indeed responded, "Is it you, Black Widow? Please come in quickly." Within the Empire, both high and low referred to this capricious and ruthless beauty as the Black Widow, because she actually enjoyed being called that.

Five hours later, the tall walls of the Witch Kingdom were already in sight. We were caught in the midst of a large procession, moving steadily and unhurriedly, the hooves of the horses striking the grassland, producing a rhythmic sound akin to music.

That is a beauty that does not belong to the mortal realm, existing only in the deepest and sweetest dreams, appearing in the magnificent night sky filled with stars, or like the largest and brightest gem at the deepest bottom of the sea. Its impeccable contours undulate like nature itself, with skin that glistens and shines, a thousand or even ten thousand times smoother than the most exquisite satin. Suddenly, I felt the shock that Qi Bei experienced upon first seeing her. I forgot why I rushed to support her. Upon seeing my appearance, she let out a soft laugh, more enchanting than ten thousand blooming lilies.

Everyone fell silent. Another person said: "Apart from his astonishing divine power and exceptional swordsmanship, the most difficult aspect to deal with is that suit of armor that seals his entire body. I do not know what it is made of, but it cannot be damaged no matter what. I once saw him struck by a huge stone thrown from the city wall; he simply stumbled, got back up, and was unharmed."

I was filled with primal male impulses; outside, the wind howled, warhorses neighed, and swords clashed, yet here, it was a scene of spring.

The witch sat in the carriage with the curtains drawn low, uncertain whether she was still engrossed in the manuscript of the Book of Wisdom. I recalled the day I saw her on the verge of fainting, and a wave of discomfort washed over me. The entire realm of the witch depended on her as the core of all spirit and strength; if anything were to happen to her, the witch kingdom would fall without a fight, becoming easy prey for others. The same situation applies to the Empire; if the Supreme Leader were to die, the Empire would immediately fracture, with the power holders waging war against one another. But the question is, how can one kill the Supreme Leader? The same situation applies to the Empire; if the Supreme Leader were to die, the Empire would immediately fracture, with the power holders waging war against one another. But the question is, how can one kill the Supreme Leader?

A robust male voice gritted his teeth and said: "Commander Ge, you say that the Supreme Leader is being unfair. Princess Liqing has committed such a grave error, allowing that brat Lante to steal the manuscript of wisdom. Yet, the Supreme Leader not only does not blame her, but also appoints her as the left deputy commander of this expeditionary force, which is even a half rank higher than your right deputy commander. How can one swallow this indignation?"

This is the secret of the Great Leader, but I have employed a very clever method to investigate, and the conclusion is! He never needs to bathe, nor does he remove his armor during intercourse

In an instant, I forgot everything beyond this moment, including the past and future that do not belong to now

Black Widow said: "Of course I don't know, otherwise I wouldn't come to discuss terms with you." Brother War replied: "What terms?"

The witch sighed, her beautiful eyes resembling those that contained a million sweet dreams, radiating a sense of intoxication and nostalgia for a distant past, evoking both sadness and reminiscence. I dared not disturb or interrupt her thoughts; her beauty exuded a transcendent nobility that inspired a reverence akin to that for the divine. She gazed deeply at me and softly said, "These six volumes of wisdom are merely a trivial part of a vast sea of books. If one could obtain them all, the wisdom lost to time would reemerge on Earth, but I do not know whether that would be good or bad." I was momentarily taken aback, finding her words both familiar and perplexing. She sighed again softly and continued, "The Supreme Leader established the most vile and despicable dictatorship through the knowledge passed down in these wisdom texts, causing countless people to endure endless suffering. I have grown exceedingly weary of life, yet as long as this devil remains unvanquished, I cannot bear to leave this world."

One of the generals who had remained silent said: "We do not have the assurance to kill the Führer; it would be better to approach it through the princess. If we fail, we can retreat unscathed, rather than living in constant fear as we do now, waiting for our doom."

The breaths of the loyal confidants quickened, as their fates were now intertwined with Ge Zhan. Should Ge Zhan be defeated by Princess Li Qing in the struggle for succession, he would undoubtedly be labeled a bandit. They would face the loss of both fame and fortune at best, and at worst, they would have no place to be buried.

The witch commanded: "Immediately begin to dismantle the camp and set off for home. Remember to send someone to stay behind to prevent the Grand Commander from launching a surprise attack with swift cavalry. All those residing in the vicinity must retreat to the Witch City to prevent the enemy from obtaining manpower and supplies."

With her eyes reddened, Hua Qian cried out, "If you die, how can I live on in a desolate manner, alone? Since the day I was born, I have never known happiness, yet just when I grasped it in my hands, it is about to fly away again"

Hua Qian exclaimed with a hint of excitement, "I never expected to finally break free from the clutches of the Empire!" I coldly replied, "No!"

I immediately felt a sense of foreboding, my heart racing wildly, and I could vaguely estimate that this must be related to me. In fact, the fact that the Black Widow did not expose my identity at the banquet that day left me completely in the dark about her true intentions.

The leading black-helmeted warrior naturally responded, "Red August!" According to the rules, it was now my turn to say the other part of the password, but how could this impostor know it? Fortunately, I was currently in the position of the most domineering Red Ring Guards within the imperial army. With a cold snort, I swaggered out of the tent. The few black-helmeted warriors indeed showed signs of fear, stepping aside to let me pass out of the tent.

The seductive and deep voice of Black Widow resonated within the tent, saying: "I will go track down that kid, Lant."

When she spoke these two sentences, her tone was calm, yet it struck my mind like thunder

At that moment, a dry cough came from outside the tent. Hua Qian left my embrace. It was Ma Yuan who entered, his smiling expression just as it had always been.

Hua Qian could no longer hold back the tears welling in her eyes, which flowed down her face like pearls, and she said with deep emotion: "Promise me, do your best to stay alive and come to see me. If I cannot wait for you, I will never leave."

I cannot articulate what kind of emotion I am feeling. However, if I were to simply let go and endure humiliation to survive, it would absolutely contradict the fervent blood that flows within me, especially for the innocent Xiqi. Her death must be avenged with the life of the Führer.

She suddenly swayed her delicate body, as if about to faint. I was startled and rushed forward, disregarding her noble status, and tightly grasped her fragrant shoulders.

The witch patiently awaited, showing no signs of impatience. Suddenly, someone outside the tent called out loudly: "Advisor Ma Yuan requests an audience." The witch responded with a sound, raised her veil, revealing only her eyes. Ma Yuan entered by lifting the tent flap, his smile fading, and compared to his usual appearance, he presented a comically absurd impression.

Hua Qian had spent her entire life in an environment where she had to act according to the moods of the princess, so how could she not know how to please others? With a slight smile, she sat down obediently, her pair of eyes still fixed on me. As I followed Ma Yuan out of the tent, I realized we were at a high point on a small hill, where over a hundred tents had been set up. The soldiers, clad in white armor and wielding weapons, were strategically positioned, overlooking the flat wilderness that stretched out towards the distant river.

A doubt arose in my heart, and I felt compelled to express it. So I asked, "When I came in just now, I saw you sway a little, as if you were about to faint. Are you not feeling well?"

This is the pinnacle that life can reach. A strange thought arises in my heart. If I were to embrace the witch, would that lead to greater fulfillment? This thought astonishes even myself, followed by a sense of guilt in my heart

I reached out and shook hands with him, without saying a word. I squeezed my legs against the horse's belly and galloped away, with Hua Qian closely following behind me

There was no one inside the camp, and I quickly searched. Before long, I discovered more than ten sets of black armored warrior suits in a corner, and I was overjoyed. I hurriedly put one on.

Ge Zhan continued to analyze! On the surface, the princess despises that brat Lante, but according to the intelligence relayed by the spy I placed beside her, she has not been able to forget him. Therefore, if I do not resort to extraordinary measures, it will be impossible to win her heart. As long as I become the princess's fiancé, I may not even be able to overshadow Princess Liqing. My heart raced; Ge Zhan clearly had a scheme targeting the princess, how could I stand by and watch.

Ma Yuan said: "That is true, initially I underestimated you based on the information I had, until even the wizard fell at your hands, we truly began to see you in a different light. However, it seems that we have never grasped your true strength." I sighed inwardly, reflecting on how many setbacks and humiliations I had endured to grow into the person I am today. Ma Yuan continued: "The Lady Sorceress is waiting for you." A wave of excitement and desire surged within me as I stood up, and Hua Qian rose with me. How many setbacks and humiliations had I endured to grow into the person I am today. Ma Yuan said: "The Lady Sorceress is waiting for you." A wave of excitement and desire surged within me as I stood up, and Hua Qian rose with me.

Do not say that she still has deep feelings for me, after all, she is the first girl I fell in love with. How can I bear to see her become a victim of the power struggle? However, the fate of the Witch Kingdom is also in my hands, and this conflicting thought makes me groan deep within my heart

I frowned and said, "I do not understand a single word of what you are saying. Could you please clarify it a bit more?"

Since the death of the wizard, I have been actively courting the Black Widow, who is also the archrival of Princess Liqing, thus she had no choice but to stand on our side. She proposed a method to me

I looked ahead, my heart jolted, and I saw Ge, filled with fighting spirit, approaching with a group of generals.

My heart nearly leapt from my mouth, as Hua Qian unexpectedly fell into the hands of the venomous woman. Ge Zhanxi exclaimed, "You have captured Hua Qian?"

Fury surged to my head. I threw back the tent flap and strode back into the tent. Huaxi looked at my tense face in surprise, yet understanding, she sat quietly beside me without asking any questions. I sat there in a daze. As the sun set and darkness enveloped the earth, Huaxi lit a lamb fat lamp, and under the soft glow of the faint red light, the entire tent felt warm and gentle

My heart is in turmoil. I can choose to ignore the matters concerning the princess, but I cannot turn a blind eye to Hua Qian. Yet, the fate of the Witch Kingdom is also urgently in my hands. What should I do?

The witch smiled and said, "I can assure you of the existence of that place, for both the Führer and I come from there."

I gritted my teeth in the shadows, for this Ge Zhan is indeed cunning and ruthless. This not only serves to undermine the authority of Princess Liqing, but at the very least, it may also evoke a sense of gratitude from the princess. If Ge Zhan arranges things well, he could even shift the blame for the spring medicine onto the strong disciples of the Witch Kingdom, portraying himself merely as a coincidental savior of the princess, while conveniently enjoying the princess's virginity.

I sincerely say: "No! It is very likely that you are carrying my child. For the continuation of life, please take good care of yourself. I cannot help but do this, not only for the hatred of personal families but also for the Witch Kingdom and all those oppressed by the Empire."

Afterwards, the chief female swordsman of Wangyue City curled up in my arms like a docile lamb, and the tent was surprisingly quiet

The Black Widow let out another charming laugh, her laughter revealing a mix of hatred and pleasure. The brothers, including Ge Zhan, remained silent, clearly unaware of the thoughts swirling in the mind of this capricious woman

But she quickly replied naturally: "Not bad! The Great Leader has always been reluctant to confront me directly because I know his greatest secret, so he always wants to avoid me psychologically. At the same time, he knows that in terms of intelligence, I surpass him. This time, as he leads his troops on a distant expedition, I will teach him a lesson that will result in the complete destruction of his army"

I strangely realized that I did not feel indignant about this matter, yet why do I easily become angry at the witch? Such an analysis surprised even myself. Given the circumstances, I have unconsciously fallen in love with the witch, a timeless beauty who will never age. Another thought entered my mind, adhering to the principle of not provoking Huaxin's trauma, and I casually asked: "Have you ever come into contact with the Führer? Have you seen his true face?"

I gasped, asking: "Why is it like this?" The witch replied: "Assuming you can get there, everything will become clear. Please do not ask any further."

Ge Zhan said to one of his subordinates, "Gao Jin, this matter will be entrusted to you. Take a few of your most capable men and bring Hua Qian back to the camp before dawn. I want to interrogate her personally, and at that time, I want her to call me husband; she will have no choice but to comply." The crowd erupted in laughter, filled with a cruel undertone.

I said: "The imperial army numbers in the hundreds of thousands, while the Witch Kingdom's forces are at most between seventy to eighty thousand. Do you truly have confidence in winning?" The witch nodded, smiled slightly, and then said: "The Witch Kingdom has been sharpening its blades and preparing for many years, waiting for this moment. Just wait and see."

This armor has been meticulously crafted by the artisans of the Empire and serves as a symbol of the Empire. My entry into this military camp was not a blind intrusion; rather, it was guided by the red insignia of the tents, indicating that this is a camp for craftsmen, where damaged armor is brought for repair. I selected armor bearing the insignia of the Grand Marshal's guard. In the blink of an eye, I had transformed into a typical black-armored warrior, with my face concealed within the helmet, unafraid of being recognized.

I showed her something that made her a bit uncomfortable and somewhat unhappy. Suppressing the desire in my heart, I said: "If you do not wish to tell me the location of the ruins, I can immediately take Huaxi and leave the Witch Kingdom. My father has said that beyond the continent where the Empire and the Witch Kingdom are located, there are other continents; beyond the sea, there are other seas." The witch trembled slightly and said: "No! You misunderstand, I do not wish to monopolize this secret, but rather I am thinking of other matters." The way she furrowed her brows made it impossible for any man not to feel soft-hearted.

No human should live like that. Ge Zhan said fiercely: "When the wizard's corpse was brought before him, he looked at it as if it were a pile of decayed garbage, showing no sadness whatsoever. He never held anyone in his heart, nor did he express any emotions; each person was merely a pawn to him. The only exception was the princess; as long as I can get my hands on her, all problems will be easily resolved." I had originally prepared to sneak out through the tent that was torn open from behind, but upon hearing this, I stopped again. Upon hearing this, I stopped again

Ge Zhan lowered his voice and said: "Do Princess Liqing and the Grand Chancellor know about this matter?"

The various preparations for war inside and outside the tent were bustling with activity, sharpening swords, feeding horses, transporting supplies, and repairing chariots, creating a lively scene, through which I easily made my way

Ge Zhan said in a deep voice: "Although the princess does not harbor any ill feelings towards me, the distance to develop into a romantic relationship is still far. The best approach would have been to cultivate it slowly, but time is no longer on our side. This morning, the Grand Chancellor summoned both me and Princess Liqing, indicating that whoever can achieve the greatest military merit in the war against the Demoness Kingdom will be entitled to the largest share of the feudal land. Although he did not specify, it can also be inferred that the largest feudal lord will possess the right to inherit the empire."

The captain of the patrol did not dare to blame me for the rampant behavior of the Red Ring Guards; instead, he respectfully responded, "The Empire blooms!" I strode past, feeling greatly reassured, for I had finally grasped the password for tonight, which would be of great assistance to my actions

I excitedly asked, "Can you tell me!" The witch's beautiful eyes were fixed on me, as if she were seeing me for the first time, examining me closely

We all looked at him at the same time. Ma Yuan said solemnly: "The imperial army has begun to cross the river, and it seems that the Supreme Leader is personally leading the troops to attack us"

She gently tilted her head, signaling me to release her hands. Suddenly, I felt a sense of shame and quietly retreated to my original position. However, my heart was still filled with her figure and the subtle fragrance emanating from her body. The enchantress turned around, facing me, and said softly: "You have obtained the Book of Wisdom, thus you have seen me. Since the beginning of the North, you are the first person to behold my visage."

I hid in a thicket, quietly awaiting the arrival of night. The sun cast a dark red glow in the west over the grassland, and against this backdrop, the warriors and warhorses moving beside the tents presented a scene of tragic desolation. I felt a secret joy in my heart, as the dense clouds in the sky greatly aided my concealment. The sky gradually darkened

Ge Zhan said lightly: "How do I know if you will still remember me as your partner then?" The Black Widow laughed so hard that she bent over, and in a delicate voice said: "If you are worried, you can certainly Marry me as your wife, and then we can share honor and disgrace together.

Witch's Path: "As long as you can obtain the map of the ruins, you will be able to harness the power to defeat the Grand Chancellor"

I set aside the thought of being unworthy of the beautiful woman in my arms and wholeheartedly immersed myself in her passion. One piece of clothing after another fell away from her body, while desire surged higher and higher.

Witch's Path: "You will never understand, unless you can reach that place. Now, describe the contents of the map to the listener, but do not draw it out."

I gazed at her breathtaking beauty and sighed, "Such beauty is impossible to exist in this world." The enchantress smiled and said, "The truth is often more bizarre than anyone can imagine; however, people only choose to believe what they can understand, ignoring the essence of the mysterious." These words carry profound meaning, much like life itself, which is the most enigmatic of all; yet we focus solely on the process between life and death, remaining indifferent to everything else. But what else can we do?

The witch sighed and said: "One day you will understand that in you I see the virtues of Lanling and Qibei, yet I do not see their flaws. Should anything happen to me, you will be the only one capable of dealing with the Grand Chancellor"

I sealed her moist red lips. The fiery kiss unfolded under my initiative. All disappointment, loss, emptiness, and the fear of the unpredictable fate were replaced by the blazing desire. The intimacy with Princess Liqing was merely a means, yet everything before me was the explosive spark of life ignited by passion

The Black Widow entered the tent, and a rustling sound of armor and clothing was heard, clearly indicating that the crowd was shifting to make room.

I shook my head and sighed, saying: "What effect can one person's strength have?"

Ge Zhan lowered his voice and asked, "Is there anyone outside keeping watch?" He was clearly about to reveal something very important to this group of trusted confidants, which is why he asked this question with such caution

The closer I got to the range of the handsome camp, the tighter the security became. A patrol team approached, their piercing eyes fixed on me. I called out in a low voice: "Red August!" The imperial command typically consists of two phrases; when you say one, the other must be responded to, with no specific order between them.

I said: "Your thoughts are quite strange. To be weary of the world should be the concern of those who live in dire straits, suffering under oppression, yet you, who can have the wind at your back and the rain at your command, why do you harbor such peculiar thoughts?"

I said, "Come here!" Huaxian responded with a soft "Mm," yet remained motionless, her head lowered even further, her ears turning red. Feeling a warmth in my heart, I moved closer, sitting down against her ample back, my hands reaching forward to tightly embrace her fiery little waist, devoid of any excess fat. Huaxian let out a soft moan, leaning back into my arms, her delicate face flushed like the bright sun in June, her eyes closed! Her heaving chest rose and fell dramatically, exceptionally enticing. Her usually bright and piercing phoenix eyes could not withstand the gentle glow of the lamb fat lamp at this moment, tightly shutting, except for her long and thick eyelashes that trembled incessantly, weaving a rhythm of desire with her rapid heartbeat.

Black Widow coldly said: "She is currently hiding me in a secret place outside the camp. I did not expect her to be so incompetent that she could not even detect my presence in the shadows. It seems that Lan has abandoned her, leaving her distracted and in a daze, significantly reducing her alertness." Ge Zhan asked: "Have you inquired about Lan Te's whereabouts?"

Among the crowd, someone could not help but exclaim "Ah" in astonishment, expressing the shock in their heart

Black Widow said: "I have hidden her in a secret location to the east of the camp." Then she briefly and concisely stated the location

Witch's Path: "No!" I exclaimed in astonishment, "Don't you want to know the location of the ruins?" The witch's chest rose and fell rapidly, a stark contrast to her usual calm and composed demeanor. After a long while, she regained her composure and softly replied, "I apologize for my loss of decorum. The thought of returning to the ruins fills me with both excitement and concern. My concern is that what has become a relic of history may leave me without even a glimmer of hope."

Ma Yuandao said: "The witch has instructed you to leave the team at this location." He pointed to the endless mountains extending to the right of the Witch City and continued: "As long as you cross this Lianyun Mountain Range, you will reach the sea, where the fishermen who live by catching fish reside. If you take out the ruby from your backpack, you can buy a boat from them to go out to sea. At that time, even the Great Leader will not be able to do anything to you. I wish you a new life."

Turning back to look behind, the army of the Witch Kingdom has transformed into a winding long serpent, slowly moving in the distance.

This is the safest place in an unsafe environment. Huaxi's smooth skin reflected the incoming light. I patted her bare back and asked, "What are you thinking about?" She replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito, "I'm sorry!" I understood her meaning and said, "It doesn't matter, you were forced into it!" She trembled all over, raised her head, and said, "You know now."

This time it was my turn to hesitate for a moment, wondering if I could truly believe her without any ulterior motives

This thought was not yet complete when voices came from outside the tent, followed by several people lifting the curtain and entering. With no way to avoid it, I turned to face the incoming individuals

Ge Zhan chuckled and said, "Don't you also want to monopolize the map of the ruins related to Lante?"

At present, someone responded: "I have made arrangements. Whenever we enter the camp, there will be lookouts stationed at the four tents located to the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest of the camp. Absolutely no one can approach us without being detected, so the commander can rest assured and speak freely."

The sound of a horn echoed from afar. In just over an hour, dawn would break. Hua Qian and I jumped up, hurriedly putting on our clothes, with nothing but our longswords as luggage. Ma Yuan's voice rang out from outside the tent: "Young Master Lante, it is time to set off"

Another person interjected: "Given the circumstances, the imperial succession will undoubtedly fall into the hands of that cunning Princess Liqing. The commander should take advantage of the current situation while still holding real power and make plans for himself."

Is this tent not the camp of Ge Zhan? Before the thought was complete, someone had already lifted the flap and entered. I quickly ducked behind the armor that was hanging high; just as I hid well, five people stepped into the tent, one of whom was undoubtedly Ge Zhan. I crouched behind the armor, hidden well, and as long as no one was deliberately searching, there was no risk of being discovered.