The man's expression was serene, his face as unruffled as a tranquil lake, devoid of even the slightest ripple.

What an extraordinary face it was...

With sharp contours, a pronounced chin, thin lips slightly pursed, a high and straight nose, and a smooth and full forehead, his eyebrows were as sharp as swords, and his eyes sparkled like stars. It was as if the most skilled craftsman had meticulously calculated every detail of his features and then carved them out meticulously, leaving no room for criticism.

The only flaw, perhaps, was the faint, long scar on his left cheek, stretching from his left temple down his jawline to his chin, and those eyes as dark and deadly as a viper's.

If Zhou Min were here, she would be surprised. This man bore a striking resemblance to Shangguan Qi, but Shangguan Qi was even more exquisite, his temperament somewhat aloof and indifferent. Moreover, Shangguan Qi's eyes didn't instil a chilling fear but rather cold, unapproachable rationality.

A silver half-face mask sat by Yan Tianjue's side, covering almost everything below his nose.

"Your Majesty, are you still playing chess?" asked the middle-aged man, Xiao Li, who was his head of secret guards.

"Speak," the man's voice was as dark as the night but still captivating, like the gentle sound of flowing water. However, this single word was devoid of emotion, filled only with a chilling darkness.

Upon receiving Yan Tianjue's approval, Xiao Li began to analyse the current situation. He had no shortcomings, was talented, and was extremely loyal to Yan Tianjue. His only flaw was his recklessness and lack of strategic thinking.

"Li, shut up," the man's voice echoed from inside the carriage, still chillingly captivating but now tinged with impatience.

As for what Xiao Li had said, Yan Tianjue knew it all too well. But these were not the main points. After recovering from his injuries, the key was that Shangguan Qi did not return to his own country to consolidate his power but rushed back to Zhou. This was intriguing...

"Understood," Xiao Li responded, reining in his words. He sat upright on his horse, his eyes fixed straight ahead as he continued his journey.

However, the silence didn't last long.

"Your Majesty, a blood-soaked girl is lying ahead..." Xiao Li's words trailed off, noticing the absence of the sound of chess pieces.

After a moment's pause, a cool voice emerged from within the carriage, "Ignore her."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li nodded and was about to ride past when he noticed the woman's face out of the corner of his eye. He abruptly pulled on the reins, startling the horses and alerting Yan Tianjue inside the carriage, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

"Xiao Li, you'd better have a reasonable explanation for this, or else..."

"Your Majesty, it's Princess Zhou Min!"

"Oh!" Yan Tianjue perked up, his irritation at being disturbed seemingly forgotten, "Bring her here."

Zhou Min, like a dead dog, was hoisted onto the middle-aged man's horse and dragged back to the carriage.

It wasn't her fault. She had lost her martial skills, and her beautiful face had attracted unwanted attention. She had been followed ever since she left the city, and unfortunately, those who were tailing her were skilled fighters. But what could she do? She had the techniques but lacked internal strength. Her old wounds hadn't fully healed when new ones were inflicted. The knife wound on her chest had stained her new clothes red. After defeating her pursuers, she managed to make it to the official road, but that was the end of her strength.

"Your Majesty, she's alive but severely wounded," Xiao Li reported.

Upon hearing this, a short whistle sounded from inside the carriage, and the horse that needed no driver and knew the way on its own came to a steady stop.

The carriage door was already open.

Yan Tianjue's tall figure leaned out from within, his sinister eyes suddenly flickering with interest as he glanced at Zhou Min.

Then, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Put her in the carriage."

Zhou Min was placed inside the carriage, and Xiao Li was squatting at the entrance, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Why would Zhou Min appear alone, injured, on the official road to the border city of Yancheng? According to what we know, Zhou Min is a formidable martial artist. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to protect Shangguan Qi from the assassins of the Underworld Organization. But what happened now? Why isn't she with Shangguan Qi? According to our observations in the forest and the information we've gathered, although Shangguan Qi is indifferent, he dislikes owing others favours. After the incident in the forest, considering the favour Zhou Min did for him, Shangguan Qi should not have let her wander alone in such a dishevelled state..."

Xiao Li muttered his doubts.

Before he could register surprise, Yan Tianjue's slender fingers reached towards Zhou Min's chest, gently pulling at the collar of her dress, and then placed his hand on her wrist.

"She has lost all her martial arts skills," Yan Tianjue stated calmly.