As he finished speaking, the next second a somewhat sticky cloth bag was stuffed into his hand, the sticky liquid on it was her blood, and the clinking and tactile sensation inside the bag were the silver pieces exchanged with gold forks.

He looked at her intently and saw her pale face due to blood loss, with a weak smile and eyes filled with shallow gratitude.

"There is no way to repay the life-saving grace, this small token is not worth much. If possible, please take me to the Fulai Inn in Yancheng, I would be very grateful."

That was a secret contact point for the Zhou dynasty to transmit information, known only to the Zhou royal family. The innkeeper there was the trusted confidante of her third brother, so as long as she arrived there, her third royal brother would know and come to find her.

Yancheng, outside the East Gate.

Because of the tense relations between the Zhou and Qi countries, with war imminent, and Yancheng being the first line of defence for the Zhou country, the city gates required a pass for entry after nightfall, which was not easily obtained by the common people, nor was it cheap.

Moreover, it was dangerous outside at night, and neither merchant caravans nor civilians would choose to travel after dark.

Anyone who could enter the city after nightfall was certainly no ordinary person.

Zhou Min understood this as well, and it was precisely because she understood that she wanted to test it out. If it was the person she suspected, then he definitely would not have a pass from Zhou country.

Xiao Li rode ahead, reaching the city gate first.

The guards were from the Yancheng garrison, all well-equipped and looking valiant with beautiful cloaks, and even just for guarding the night, their armour had to be polished and their swords, long spears sharp and shining with a cold light, their expressions vigilant, ready to sacrifice everything to protect their homeland.

Xiao Li respected the soldiers who placed their duty above all else, despite belonging to different countries, because the martial spirit of soldiers is respected by those who also defend their home and country.

Thus, his gaze carried a hint of respect.

A middle-aged man with a respectful look came riding up, his presence also carrying the same martial spirit found on the battlefield, which made the garrison guards cautious, "Who goes there? Dismount and walk over! Entering the city at night, do you have..."

Before the garrison could finish, the middle-aged man riding the horse took out a golden token, which was the highest level of pass in Zhou country, usually only held by important ministers or the royal family.

When the garrison saw this token, they were shocked and puzzled, for why would such an important person come to this border city of Yancheng so late? But on second thought, with war about to break out, the three princes of Zhou country had rushed to the border, and with the eldest prince dead and the second prince missing, only the third prince remained in the military camp. Now, it made sense for the court to send another important figure.

The garrison captain immediately bowed respectfully to Xiao Li, "Sir, entering the city so late, do you wish to go directly..."

Before he could finish, Xiao Li waved his hand, "Open the gates, the master wants to enter, and also, do not speak of tonight’s events. We have our plans, no questions..."

The last sentence, "no questions," seemed to carry a cold threat, making everyone feel the authority of those higher up.

The garrison captain did not dare to speculate and quickly nodded, gesturing to open the city gates.

Zhou Min saw through the carriage window slit the dark golden token that Xiao Li took out, with a gardenia pattern on it unique to the Zhou royal family, a carving technique as unique as the tattooing on the dragon's body, which Qi country could not imitate. But why did Xiao Li have this royal exclusive pass?

She recognized all the royal family members but not these two men. Could it be like the existence of the hidden dragon, someone specially executing special orders for the emperor?

But if it was really a royal person, it would be impossible not to recognize her! Or is it like the hidden dragon, recognized but still pretended not to know?

Zhou Min watched Xiao Li put away the token and then rode back to the carriage in the distance, "Master, we can enter the city now."

As the man rode back, Zhou Min withdrew her gaze, feigning sleep, only to hear the middle-aged man's words from outside, and then she opened her eyes slightly, looking sideways at the man who had been sitting quietly, and at that moment, he also closed his eyes but let out a soft whistle.

The carriage's horses started moving slowly, with no driver needed, controlled by just a whistle...

Xiao Li and the carriage entered the city smoothly.

Watching them leave, a new recruit who had not been in the army for long couldn't help but mutter, "Who is that man that the captain respects so much?"

"Nobody is to speak of tonight's events, or else no one can save you, understand?" The garrison captain sternly warned those on duty at the gate, "That is someone we cannot afford to offend."

Moreover, that token, with its unique mark... the golden gardenia, was only possessed by the most important people in the royal family, one could say, it was equivalent to the emperor's presence! The middle-aged man's master who wanted to enter the city... his status might not match the third prince, but the person holding that token, in some respects, had more actual power than the third prince!

The garrison, surprised, still nodded, indicating they would not speak, but unnoticed by others, one who had been standing in the corner suddenly disappeared into the night, running towards the location of the main army camp.