Chapter 4: Brilliance

I slightly furrowed my brow, wondering what exactly Sun Sanfen's intention was in saying these words to me

Six warriors and two men in black encountered each other at the bow of the ship. Six long swords simultaneously struck towards the two men in black, both of whom were masked, intent on concealing their true identities. The man on the left was of a slender build, clearly a woman. With a gentle push of her toes on the deck, she leaped over three zhang, easily evading the six warriors' attacks. In mid-air, she performed a graceful somersault, her hands grasping a gleaming short sword, which she hurled towards Prince Yong like a swift swallow.

The "Holy One" he referred to is the ruler of the Qin state, Yan Yuan. It is under his leadership that the Great Qin has developed into its current scale. However, his hatred for Da Kang runs deep, as can be seen from the earlier statement.

My steps were steady and composed. As I passed by the King of Yong, he grasped my hand and handed me an envelope, saying, "Inside is the list of gifts. Wishing you a smooth journey!" I gently patted the back of his hand and replied, "Thank you"

The woman in black fixed her deadly gaze upon me with her pair of enchanting eyes. She raised her short sword, pointing it at my throat, the cold and chilling aura of the blade causing my skin to break out in tiny rashes

I used silver scissors to cut open the cotton coat, completely soaked in fresh blood. Her delicate and smooth back was revealed before my eyes, and beneath her right shoulder, as beautiful as tender snow, there was a wound about an inch long, from which blood continued to flow. My heart could not help but tremble.

The short sword pierced Cai Xue's right chest; perhaps the opponent did not expect Cai Xue to suddenly rush forward to block the blade, letting out a surprised "oh" before quickly retracting the short sword

The face of King Yong suddenly turned pale; the one he feared the most in his life was my father, the emperor. Thinking of how mercilessly his royal brother could turn against him, his entire back was drenched in cold sweat

Cai Xue's body temperature remained persistently high. I then sought the assistance of Sun Sanfen, who used a golden needle to perform moxibustion on several acupoints of Cai Xue. After that, he lit a type of incense in the cabin, and a refreshing mint aroma spread throughout the air

As I supported Cai Xue while walking out of the cabin, all eyes were filled with astonishment; it was hard for them to comprehend how a prince like me could be so considerate towards a mere book servant

I spoke loudly, "Brothers, please listen to a word from Yinkong!" Perhaps it was the courage I displayed during the bandits' night raid that caused these people to fall silent all at once

The cold killing intent of the girl in black has long since vanished without a trace, and I calmly said, "Miss, could you give Yinkong this opportunity"

The little courage displayed by King Yong in his daily life has long since vanished without a trace, his plump head nodding incessantly like a chicken pecking at grains, and in the face of life and death, he shows himself to be even less capable than an ordinary servant

I supported Cai Xue as she lay back down, and then I walked towards the cabin door

Cai Xue shyly shook her head and whispered, "My feet... have gone numb..."

I smiled faintly and replied, "What do you think, sir"

As they focused on launching an attack against King Yong, Cai Xue and I quietly moved towards the second deck of the ship. The warriors below began to take the initiative, and our numbers played a crucial role in the melee. As long as we could reach the lower deck, Cai Xue and I would be able to join the other warriors.

As I stepped onto the gangway, all the warriors and sailors on the ship knelt simultaneously, saying, "We respectfully send off His Highness, the Prince of Ping!" My body trembled slightly, yet I did not look back; ahead lay my own choice, and I would walk forward without hesitation.

I covered the wound of Cai Xue with my hand, and fresh blood flowed continuously through the gaps between my fingers.

I cast a glance at the sailor on the ground and said, "This matter has nothing to do with others; why must the royal uncle make things difficult for these commoners?" I then turned to the guard beside me and instructed, "Prepare the luggage and take me ashore at the ferry ahead"

I suddenly recalled that when my mother gave birth to me, Sun Sanfen had been waiting in the Qingyue Palace. Although a midwife assisted in the delivery, he must have also seen the soles of my feet.

He pointed behind him and said, "We are specifically here to escort Prince Ping to his new residence"

The prince beside me was so frightened that he nearly lost his soul; his knees buckled, and he almost fell to the deck. Fortunately, I managed to catch him just in time.

Many people have already rushed to the bow of the ship, including Prince Yong, who, upon seeing me come out, hurriedly waved to me and said, "There are two warships from the Qin state ahead!" This area is situated in the intermediary river section between us and the Qin state, which is jointly controlled by both countries, and under normal circumstances, warships would not come here.

I sighed deeply and said, "Since Yinkong has chosen to enter Qin, he must have already resolved to face death. If he were to die at the hands of the Qin people, he could at least gain the meager reputation of sacrificing himself for his country. What a pity, what a pity, that Yinkong's grand ambitions remain unfulfilled, and he has instead met his end on the soil of Dakang..."

Returning to the cabin, Cai Xue remained in a state of unconsciousness. I sat by the bed, tenderly wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her body temperature was very high. According to Sun Sanfen, fever is a normal phenomenon. I dampened a towel with cold water and placed it on her forehead.

The samurai under my command brandished their long swords once more: "If the King Ping dies, you shall be torn to pieces!" The fervent fighting spirit returned to them.

Cai Xue let out a soft sigh

After Sun Sanfen's treatment, Cai Xue's fever quickly subsided, but her hands and feet began to feel cold again. Sun Sanfen had just explained the possible situations to me, so I added another layer of cotton quilt for her and moved the brazier to the front of the bed

In fact, this sentence should be one that I say to her

Upon hearing this, even the black-clad man who had taken Prince Yong hostage was momentarily taken aback, further confirming that he was very likely a person from this country

I was slightly taken aback; is it not that our ship can directly reach the capital of Qin? Why have they suddenly changed their minds?

"Is her injury serious?" My concern for Cai Xue was evident in my words

I gazed at him for a long time, and Sun San smiled, saying: "I have spent forty-three winters and summers in the Great Kang Palace, and to this day, I am still merely a fourth-rank medical officer. Remaining in the imperial palace offers little chance for promotion. As an old man nearing death, I am willing to follow Prince Ping and offer my meager medical skills, which may be of some assistance to you"

Sun Sanfen continued, "Your Highness, what you did last night has enlightened this old man!"

I was suddenly taken aback and said to Sun Sanfen, "Come with me to take a look!" I turned around and hurriedly walked out of the cabin.

I nodded in appreciation

Sun Sanfen and I sat down at the bow of the ship. In the distance, the sky had begun to show a hint of grayish-blue, signaling the arrival of a new day. After a night filled with the horrors of battle, my clothes were torn in several places, and my face bore multiple marks blackened by smoke and fire. However, this did not diminish my spirited demeanor in the slightest.

"At the time of the Crown Prince's passing, he mentioned that if I ever had the opportunity, I should present this map to someone capable of revitalizing the Great Kang!" Sun Sanfen's expression was exceedingly sincere

I nodded and said, "Mr. Sun, please feel free to speak your mind."

I soon realized that it must be due to my feet being pressed for too long, causing poor blood circulation. Cai Xue saw me sleeping soundly and endured the discomfort without waking me up.

She turned and swept away into the distance, vanishing in the vastness of the night in an instant, while the remaining bandits quickly retreated from the houseboat

Watching the scattered fishing lights fade away into the distance until they completely disappeared, Prince Yong finally collapsed weakly onto the deck, unsure whether it was due to the recent terror or the sorrow felt for the unjust deaths of the two singers, as murky tears unexpectedly flowed from his eyes.

The man in black drew his sword with lightning speed, and before the six warriors could make a second move, the blade flashed toward their throats. A spray of blood erupted from the tip of his sword, and the brutal scene nearly made Cai Xue vomit.

I said to the warriors under King Yong, "In the recent melee, many sailors were injured or killed. You should remove your armor and go help in the lower levels!" These warriors were completely convinced by me and, without a word, took off their armor and joined the ranks of the sailors

Cai Xue softly said, "Thank you very much for Your Highness's great kindness and virtue"

In an instant, I made up my mind. Since I would eventually fall into the hands of the Qin people as a hostage, why should I let this group accompany me on this perilous journey? I nodded and said, "You clear out a cabin for me; I need to have someone transport the gifts meant for the King of Qin."

I laughed and said, "You may consider it as a loan from me, and the rent will be deducted from your monthly salary in the future"

The man in black beside King Yong coldly laughed and said, "If one is to die, then let it be; what more is there to say?"

I signaled my crew and guards to retreat to a distance of two zhang behind me, and together with Prince Yong, we advanced to meet the general of the Qin state

"Go quickly!" I shouted angrily

Although the girl in black remained silent, I could tell from her gaze that she certainly wanted to hear me reveal the answer to this question

The Prince of Yong, with a mournful expression, descended the gangway under the coercion of another man in black. The man in black shouted, "Is he not the Prince Ping?"

"Is it really the proton of the Kang Kingdom?" shouted the short and stout general of the Qin Kingdom.

My aim is to strike at the weakest point in his heart, I said with a calm smile: "However, you share a deep bond with the Emperor, perhaps he will not hold it against you..."

Cai Xue struggled to sit up, and I hurriedly stepped forward to support her delicate shoulder: "You are still seriously injured; you must not move too much."

Imperial physician Sun Sanfen ranks third in the royal palace, yet his true skill surpasses that of all other imperial physicians. He is a taciturn man, not adept in speech, and has held the position of a fourth-rank medical officer for a full twenty years without change. Since my childhood, I have been in good health, and my only encounter with him was at the time of my birth.

Cai Xue's delicate body suddenly trembled, as if she had fallen into an extremely terrifying nightmare: "Your Highness... don't... don't..." I held her constantly moving soft hand, she had just been so calm, yet now she spoke in fear: "Don't... kill me... don't..." A crystal tear slowly slid down from the corner of her eye, silently dripping onto the pillow. I tenderly wiped away the tear stain from her eye; this fragile girl must have endured unimaginable hardships that others could not fathom. She had just been so calm, yet now she spoke in fear: "Don't... kill me... don't..." A crystal tear slowly slid down from the corner of her eye, silently dripping onto the pillow. I tenderly wiped away the tear stain from her eye; this fragile girl must have endured unimaginable hardships that others could not fathom.

Then why has she not yet awakened?

People made way for a passage, and I calmly walked to the bow of the ship. Looking ahead, I saw two giant warships slowly approaching us across the water, their black battle flags fluttering in the wind, each emblazoned with a large character for "Qin".

I commanded loudly: "Halt the advance and observe the changes of the opponent."

I suddenly realized that the target of these two individuals must be me. I commanded in a low voice, "Charge forward and intercept them!" My six warriors hesitated for a moment; in their view, their true duty was to guard my side. However, they did not realize that their presence was precisely what put both me and Prince Yong in danger.

Sun Sanfen slowly closed the medicine box, and his forehead was already beaded with fine sweat: "Your Highness, rest assured, although the short sword is sharp, it does not penetrate deeply into the flesh and has not harmed the vital organs"

Your Highness, do not cry, do not smile, with both fists tightly clenched, the left foot stepping on the Seven Stars, truly a visage of an emperor! The seven red moles beneath my left foot are known to very few. Although Emperor Xinde is my father, he has never known of this matter, for I was born in the cold palace, and from my birth until my mother's passing, my father has never laid eyes on me.

The short and stout general unexpectedly burst into laughter, sizing me up from head to toe before saying: "Your Highness, please do not take offense; we were merely playing a small joke on you!"

The second to pay homage to is the people of Dakang; without them, how could the foundation of our Dakang's hundreds of years of legacy exist! I bowed once more on the deck

King Yong's right hand, gripping the sword, trembled incessantly, and the sword tip finally drooped helplessly. At this moment, the sailors in the lower hold heard the commotion and rushed up the gangway, armed with clubs and harpoons. Upon seeing their comrade wounded by King Yong, they were filled with righteous indignation, and it was evident that a riot was about to break out again

The three generals exchanged glances, and the short, stout officer took out a decree and proclaimed loudly, "The hostage Yin Kong receives the decree!" Upon hearing this, expressions of indignation appeared on the faces of all our people. It is important to note that although I came as a hostage, I am nonetheless a prince of the Great Kang Kingdom. These Qin generals not only addressed me by my name but also used their national decree to humiliate me, which is truly an affront.

I choked back tears and said: "Although the ship is riddled with wounds, it carries the hopes of all the people of Dakang. It is not just I who can bring peace to Dakang... it is also you, each and every one of us bears the same heavy burden..." I collapsed to the ground, and from the crowd came the sound of excited weeping.

Sun Sanfen Dao said, "This map was left to me by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince back in the day." The Crown Prince he referred to is my elder brother, Long Yinji, the only Crown Prince ever conferred by Emperor Xinde. Unfortunately, he passed away at the young age of twenty-three due to a sudden illness, truly a case of a life cut short. Had he lived to this day, it would be him sitting on the Dragon Throne. Since the death of my elder brother, Emperor Xinde has not conferred the title of Crown Prince again, nor has he shown any intention of passing the throne to any of us princes.

I heard two women's anguished cries, followed by the terrified shout of Prince Yong. Cai Xue and I quickened our pace to escape to the lower deck. A dark figure swooped down from above, the glinting tip of a sword aimed at my chest. My composure was of no use in this life-and-death moment

I neither humble myself nor act arrogantly and say: "Do the three generals know where they are standing?"

Even the trusted warriors of King Yong regard me with eyes full of reverence at this moment, yet I feel no sense of pride within. These bandits are not here to rob us of our wealth; their true aim is to kill me and disrupt the peace talks between Kang and Qin. From what has transpired, I have reason to believe that the mastermind behind this is from within the Great Kang, and this person must certainly hold a high position, fully aware of the specific route of our journey.

Two large ships of the Qin people flanked our vessel, one on the left and one on the right, trapping us in between. Several wooden planks extended from the ship on the left, temporarily forming a bridge between the two vessels. Three generals of the Qin state, clad in black helmets and black armor, strode over the makeshift bridge.

I was about to leave when I heard Sun Sanfen say: "Although I am old, I still clearly remember the scene on the day of the emperor's birth..."

The warriors under my command, seeing the enemy retreat, were about to pursue when I loudly commanded them to stop

The King of Yong said anxiously, "They have all gone boating; who will protect our safety?"

They finally charged forward with their knives, and I quickly pulled Cai Xue's delicate hand and ran towards the corner of the ship where the light of the fire could not reach

King Yong sighed, saying: "The Qin people have only established their navy for a short time, yet they have already mastered the art of constructing large ships." My heart echoed his sentiment; in these past ten years, the Qin state has developed its national strength and military capabilities at an astonishing pace, its overall power seemingly surpassing that of Dakang. I recall the time when the navy of Dakang was invincible wherever it went. Now, the large ships that Dakang takes pride in can already be constructed by the Qin people, and their dimensions in length, width, and height far exceed ours. In these past ten years, the Qin state has developed its national strength and military capabilities at an astonishing pace, its overall power seemingly surpassing that of Dakang. I recall the time when the navy of Dakang was invincible wherever it went. Now, the large ships that Dakang takes pride in can already be constructed by the Qin people, and their dimensions in length, width, and height far exceed ours.

The performance of King Yong, who is on the verge of collapse in a crisis, cannot help but raise my vigilance. I must undermine all his confidence, causing him to lose all authority within the entire team

After the man in black killed six warriors, he charged towards King Yong with his sword raised. His companions had already swiftly dispatched two warriors. Cai Xue and I held each other's hands tightly, both able to feel the coldness of each other's bodies.

I smiled calmly and said, "But I thought the three generals were standing on the deck of the grand ship of the Great Kang Kingdom. Although Ying Kong is foolish, he knows that within the territory, there can only be one sovereign and one ruler." The face of Prince Yong, which was quite plump, turned slightly red, as he clearly perceived my subtle mockery of him

Sun Sanfen slowly approached me with his medicine box on his back. He took the采雪 from my hand and said, "Let the old servant handle these matters instead!"

I bent down to help the injured sailor, handing him over to Sun Sanfen. The sailors had already surrounded the Yong Wang and his personal guard.

Back in the cabin, Cai Xue had already struggled to sit up. From the sounds coming from outside, she was aware of what had just happened. Before I could say anything, she spoke first: "If you abandon me, I will die on this ship!" Perhaps due to her anxiety, she even forgot to address me as Your Highness.

From their attire, it can be seen that their ranks are quite low, at most equivalent to that of a captain leading a thousand men in the Great Kang

I walked towards King Yong, separating from the crowd

I took two more steps forward: "Uncle! I must bid you farewell here. It would be best if you told Father that it was my insistence to go alone. Father has a violent temper; if he learns the truth of this matter, it may not bode well for you."

Sun Sanfen opened his portable medicine cabinet and took out medicinal wine and gauze.

The crowd gradually dispersed, and the conflict between the warriors of the Yong King and the sailors finally came to a satisfactory conclusion. I cast a cold glance at the Yong King, whose face was filled with shame. The realm of Da Kang has been left in ruins by this group of inept royal relatives.

I felt a sudden stir in my heart upon hearing that the accent of the man in black was indeed that of the Kang people. On the surface, however, I remained composed and smiled lightly, saying: "The fate of Yinkong is already in your hands. Are you still afraid of a mere scholarly weakling like me?"

Sun Sanfen placed the medicine box between the two of us, his eyes shining with intensity as he fixed his gaze on me and said, "I have one matter that puzzles me. The State of Qin is a land of tigers and wolves, and every prince avoids it like the plague. Why does King Ping go against the tide, venturing alone into such peril? Is it possible that he truly disregards life and death?"

Upon hearing my words, King Yong let out a sigh of relief, as this arduous journey had finally come to an end for him. He had long since lost the courage to accompany me to the capital of Qin

Uncle, this time I enter Qin bearing the earnest hopes of millions of the people of Dakang. The reason Father Emperor has asked you to accompany me is undoubtedly because he values your foresight and grand ambitions, believing that you can guide me when necessary. This place is only a night's journey from Qin. If you insist on returning, I will have no choice but to enter Qin alone, so that the people may be at ease and Father Emperor may be comforted

The King of Yong stood before a group of warriors, his hair disheveled, gripping a long sword that was still dripping with blood. At his feet lay an injured sailor, and he shouted hoarsely, "Turn around! Take me back to Kangdu!" The group of warriors, all trusted confidants he had brought with him, clearly stood by his side.

I secretly laughed to myself; the Prince of Yong definitely did not have the courage to commit suicide. However, on the surface, I had to feign an appearance of utmost concern, trembling as I said: "Uncle... please... don't..."

As I spoke, I boldly took a step forward, and the sharp blade of the girl in black instantly cut through my skin, blood streaming down the blade. The girl in black instinctively retracted the short sword slightly.

I personally sent Sun Sanfen out of the cabin, yet he showed no intention of leaving immediately, quietly saying: "I have a few questions I would like to ask Your Highness."

Sun Sanfen Dao: "This map depicts the territories from one hundred years ago, when the power of Dakang reached its zenith." He rolled the map up again and handed it to me.

The successive capture of the King of Yong and myself has completely drained the courage of the warriors under my command to resist; one by one, they sheathed their swords and looked dejectedly in our direction

I replied calmly, "There is no need for the young lady to worry. When Ying Kong steps into the Qin territory, it is akin to stepping with one foot into a grave. I fear that in this lifetime, he will not be able to harm the people of Da Kang!"

I looked around at everyone: "The third group I must pay my respects to is you all. If it were not for the valiant efforts of my brothers who risked their lives to protect me, Yunkong would have long since perished at the hands of the bandits. What you have safeguarded is not only the life of Yunkong, but also the hope for the peace and prosperity of the people of Dakang!" I bent down again to pay my respects.

I have discerned the underlying meaning in his words, and with a slight wave of my hand, I said: "Sir, you are overthinking it. Yinkong only wishes to resolve the current conflict and spare the people from the calamity of war; there are no grand ambitions as you suggest."

"Is the wound very painful?" I asked with concern

Countless reasons for rejecting Sun Sanfen instantly flashed through my mind, but I quickly dismissed them. Regardless of his intentions, I firmly believe he harbors no ill will towards me. After all, what value could a fallen prince like me possibly have for others to exploit?

I smiled faintly: "The cabin of the imperial uncle has been tidied up. If I were you, I would sleep soundly all the way to the Qin capital!" The Prince of Yong initially wanted to get angry, but upon encountering my piercing gaze, he immediately lowered his head and walked back to his cabin in a dejected manner. I believe that in his heart, the thirty-first imperial nephew is no longer the obedient and timid child of the past, compelling him to view me in a new light.

I coldly said: "What exactly does Mr. Sun intend by telling me about this matter?"

Cai Xue suddenly pounced on me, using her delicate body to shield me from this sword that was aimed to achieve its goal.

I looked at him with some curiosity, not understanding why he wanted to pass this map on to me

I adjusted my outer robe, stood up, and stretched my back with force. From the western porthole, I could see that dusk was approaching, and the fiery evening glow seemed to set the entire horizon ablaze

I declared loudly: "Yin Kong seeks nothing else, but wishes to leave behind a handwritten testament to clarify everything to the Emperor. Yin Kong did not die at the hands of the Qin people, nor did he die at the hands of the Kang people. Rather, he was killed by foreign powers who feared the peace negotiations between Qin and Kang, hoping to sabotage them, perhaps to alleviate the calamity faced by the common people."

I replied leisurely, "I am the thirty-first son of the Great Kang Xinde Emperor, Yin Kong."

I smiled, and Cai Xue's gaze became increasingly perplexed. She could not fathom my true thoughts. Of course, I would not abandon her. Ever since she blocked that sword for me, under any circumstances, I would never leave her behind

The general said: "His Majesty once issued a decree that 'the waters of the Great Qin shall not carry the vessel of Kang.' King Ping and the accompanying servants, please board the ship with me; all other unrelated personnel may return immediately."

The girl's clear eyes flickered with a barely perceptible wave, and I keenly sensed this: "This young lady, Ying Kong is already aware of his impending death, yet I hope he can be granted a moment to leave behind a final message!"

The two states of Kang and Qin have long had their differences. The state of Kang has suffered from years of disasters, and its national strength is greatly diminished. If a war were to break out with the Qin state at this time, it would undoubtedly bring suffering to the common people and lead to widespread devastation. My death, a mere life, is of little consequence; however, my survival could bring a moment of peace to the state of Kang, allowing it to recuperate, gather strength, and restore its power. Even the young scribe understands this principle. His act of shielding me from the sword is not solely because I am his master, but also for the sake of his parents and relatives who remain in the state of Kang. I spoke these words with fervor, and all the warriors under my command were deeply moved.

The general with a dark face on the left glared at me with wide eyes and said fiercely, "Why are you not kneeling yet!"

I came to a complete stop.

The King of Yong murmured: "I do not wish to die in the State of Qin ... ... I do not wish to die in the State of Qin ... ... "

King Yong never expected that I would take the initiative to disembark, leaving him momentarily perplexed about my true intentions

"Do not come over!" The Prince of Yong pressed the sharp long sword against the sailor's neck, his eyes bloodshot as he shouted, "Quickly make them turn back to Kandu, otherwise I... I will kill them all and then take my own life before you!"

Your Highness the King! The voices filled with extreme excitement rose one after another, as all the warriors and sailors on the deck knelt down with tears in their eyes, while only Prince Yong stood there in a daze.

Sun Sanfen threaded the silk into the golden needle, concentrating intently as he stitched the incision together. He then applied his specially prepared ointment over the wound and properly bandaged it with white gauze.

Your Highness takes the welfare of the people as your own responsibility, and in reality, you have already integrated your own interests with those of the citizens of Da Kang. Your Highness has regarded Da Kang as a part of yourself

Sun Sanfen wiped away the blood around the wound caused by the snow with medicinal wine and said calmly: "As for me, Sun, I do not wish to speak of what should be said, nor do I care to speak of what should not be said"

Sun Sanfen spoke earnestly: "In life, one must always first consider one's own interests and safety. Even the sages are not exempt from worldly customs. Your Highness, knowing well the dangers ahead, still chooses to take risks; there must be ulterior motives behind this decision"

The scene of Cai Xue selflessly blocking that sword for me always lingers in my mind. I gaze at her haggard yet beautiful face and silently vow: "Cai Xue, if one day I achieve success and fame, I will never forget your deep affection and kindness!"

The man in black squeezed out a phrase from his teeth: "Kill him!"

I took two steps forward and suddenly made an unexpected move in front of the crowd, kneeling down before them. No one could have anticipated that a dignified prince like me would kneel before them, and the entire scene instantly fell silent. With deep emotion, I said: "Yin Kong is far from Da Kang, and I do not know when I can return; the first to pay my respects must be my homeland!" I respectfully bowed on the deck.

A trace of pity unexpectedly flashed in the girl's eyes; although it was fleeting, I keenly grasped it. She said softly, "If the current emperor had half of your insight, the Great Kang would not have fallen to its present state"

The black-clad man holding Prince Yong and the black-clad young woman exchanged a glance, and surprisingly, they both lowered their swords. The reason I expressed those words earlier was entirely based on the assumption that they were subjects of the Great Kang. This action is indeed extremely risky; if I am mistaken, I fear I may have no place to be buried.

The remaining figure in black swiftly drew a broad sword approximately five fingers wide, swinging it in an arc around himself. The sword clashed with the six long knives attacking him one by one. After the blade passed, the six long knives were severed into two segments. I couldn't help but gasp in astonishment; the long sword in this person's hand was certainly extraordinary

I held the delicate body of Cai Xue, which had already turned slightly cool, in my arms and shouted loudly: "Imperial Physician!"

Cai Xue has already fainted in my arms, and I looked at her with affection: "Do you know why this young servant risked his life to save me?"

Due to excessive blood loss, coupled with her weakened constitution, it is feared that it will take some time before she awakens

I coldly said: "Regarding today's matter, aside from you and me, I do not wish for a third person to know!"

Although I am not a gentleman, I am well aware of the principle of not deceiving in the dark, especially when facing a young girl who just risked her life to save me. After the harrowing battle of last night, I was truly exhausted and unexpectedly fell asleep in a daze, lost in my thoughts.

A strange feeling arose within me. Although I was unclear about Sun Sanfen's true intentions, I was acutely aware of my strong desire to obtain this map. I solemnly accepted the map, and to my surprise, a knowing smile appeared on Sun Sanfen's otherwise tense face. He shouldered his medicine box and bid me farewell as he departed.

Collecting snow, in a state of panic, said: "How could collecting snow occupy Your Highness's bed?"

My gaze lingered on Sun San's profound eyes; this person is enigmatic and does not resemble the appearance he presents on the surface

Sun Sanfen opened the medicine chest and took out a map, slowly unfolding it above the chest. I looked down, and the map depicted the borders of the Eight Nations, which were different from the present. At that time, the Great Kang was the leader among the nations, with all its neighbors bowing in submission. The territory of the Qin State was less than half of what it is now.

At that moment, a hurried knocking sound suddenly echoed from outside the cabin, and the guard anxiously shouted at the door: "Your Highness, the Prince of Yong is in trouble!"

Cai Xue exerted all her strength and said: "If you want to kill... Your Highness... then kill me first..." A wave of indescribable emotion surged within me. I gently stroked Cai Xue's long hair, then placed my five fingers on the blade of the short sword: "I am not afraid of death, but if you kill me, countless innocent people may die because of me"

The figure in black turned and walked towards the ship's railing, while the girl in black fixed her cold gaze on me with her sharp eyes: "Yin Kong, you better remember every word you said tonight. If you dare to harm the people in the future, I will be the first to not let you off the hook"

Sun Sanfen had already bandaged the wounds of the sailor. He nodded at me appreciatively, shouldered the medical kit, and walked towards the lower cabin, where many more injured awaited his treatment

Only now have I completely set my mind at ease

With both hands reaching into the bedding, I gently massaged the delicate feet of Caixue to stimulate the circulation of her blood. I have always believed that my self-control was quite remarkable, but ever since my first experience with Zhenfei, my mind has been persistently filled with romantic and enchanting scenes, particularly the soft and rounded feet of Caixue, which have become a test for me.

Just as I was about to thank her, I suddenly heard someone outside shouting: "The Qin fleet!" I was slightly taken aback; the Qin had dispatched ships for assistance so quickly.

Sun Sanfen further stated, "I will prepare some medicines to replenish blood and regulate qi. I believe that within a month, this young gentleman will surely recover completely." This statement fully demonstrates that he is far from the pedantic person others have described, and in a short period, I have developed a completely new understanding of him

The short and stout general scoffed, saying: "Naturally, it is the territory of the Great Qin!"

I fixed my gaze on the girl in black: "She must not be a Qin person, nor a citizen of Dakang. After killing Yinkong, she would successfully disrupt the peace talks between the two nations, incite the flames of war between Qin and Kang, thereby allowing her own country to reap the benefits of the ensuing chaos"

When I woke up, Cai Xue's delicate feet were still held in my arms. I raised my head and saw her infinitely shy beautiful eyes. From her appearance, it was clear that she had been awake for quite some time. I hurriedly released her feet.