The distance is gradually closing.

A blush rose to Xu Nian's ears, and she bit her lip, but then she heard a humming sound in her ear.

"The wolf clan may be related to the Third Prince."

Gu Zhan stood up, his eyes conveying a nonchalant attitude.

But what he said shocked Xu Nian so much that she almost lost her bearings.

"The Third Prince?!"

For a moment, Xu Nian forgot that her cheeks were flushed and tugged at Gu Zhan's sleeve, "Why is he everywhere?"

First it was the Prime Minister's residence, then it was the feud between two clans far from the capital. Just where does this prince, whom she has never met, intend to extend his reach?

Gu Zhan's breath hitched as he looked at the scene before him.

She was wearing a short-sleeved shirt today, which revealed a section of her fair and delicate arm. Because she was tightly gripping her arm, he even caught a glimpse of a delicate pink hue along the loosely draped cuff, as if…

Gu Zhan immediately looked away, his throat bobbing slightly, "I've only received the information; it's not clear at the moment."

He deliberately kept his distance, but Xu Nian didn't notice.

At this moment, she was clearly shocked by how things had unfolded.

But after hearing Gu Zhan's guess, Xu Nian suddenly realized that everything seemed to have a pattern.

For example, how do clans and wolf tribes, living deep in the mountains and rarely interacting with the outside world, obtain rare medicinal herbs like Mingcao?

In particular, the seed that the wolf clan gave to the Seventh Elder was clearly planted on the plains, which seemed to be the work of the Third Prince.

Thinking of this, Xu Nian shook her head and said firmly, "Yes, I have evidence."

Seeing her radiant with joy, Gu Zhan was inexplicably happy as well, and lowered his head to listen carefully to her explanation.

As expected, after hearing this, Gu Zhan's expression became more serious.

He originally thought these rumors were just hearsay or that another prince had framed him, but he never expected that the Third Prince's reach would actually be so far!

The clans and wolf clans are not under the jurisdiction of the royal family; they form their own faction and do not interfere with the capital.

But they are also a great asset; there are not only loyal and unwavering tribespeople, but also vast areas suitable for training—the perfect place for them.

To maintain a private army.

Yes, to maintain a private army.

Thinking of this, Gu Zhan's expression changed, as if the emperor's words from not long ago were still vivid in his mind.

"Investigate and expose everything about him to me!"

He accepted the order without batting an eye at the time, never expecting that he would now have discovered some of its secrets.

"What's wrong?"

Xu Nian keenly noticed that Gu Zhan's emotions had fluctuated, and waved her hand in front of him with some concern.

Fortunately, Gu Zhan snapped out of his daze and smiled slightly, "It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of something."

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian nodded, a hint of melancholy creeping onto her face.

Having already promised Nilu to help the clan, she will definitely help to the end.

This third prince was something she hadn't expected.

Seemingly noticing Xu Nian's hesitation, Gu Zhan offered, "Why don't I investigate a bit?"

He also happened to need some evidence to present to the emperor.

"No!" Xu Nian immediately stopped her. "You have no connection with the clan, you don't need to do these things. If anyone should do them, it should be me..."

"That's even more unacceptable."

Gu Zhan intervened even faster, twirling Xu Nian's long black hair with a languid expression, "Is your martial arts stronger than mine?"

Although the question was phrased as a question, Xu Nian heard a hint of mockery in it.

Yes, the general's teasing, or even mockery!

Xu Nian was furious and tugged at his clothes, yelling, "I have magic powers!"

Gu Zhan let her do as she pleased, his expression unchanged. "If you want to go, then we'll go together."

This time, Xu Nian had no words to refute, reluctantly agreed, but then turned and left in a huff.

She's so capable, yet Gu Zhan actually made fun of her!

[Hahaha, is the streamer throwing a tantrum like a child?]

That's right, the streamer has always been like this; everyone's used to it.

The general really dotes on the streamer.

The comments section burst into laughter at Xu Nian's childish behavior. Xu Nian found it annoying and simply didn't bother to look at it closely.

Gu Zhan followed closely behind her, a slight smile playing on his lips, looking quite pleased with himself.

If the soldiers who have always followed Gu Zhan through thick and thin saw this, they would probably be so frightened that they wouldn't be able to sleep for three days and three nights.

This incorruptible and impartial living Yama can actually laugh?

But that's a story for later. Right now, the two of them have slipped out of the clan territory and are riding at full speed, just managing to catch up with Gore.

He was sighing and lamenting ahead, "Oh no, I didn't get anything done, what am I going to do now!"

Gu Zhan pulled Xu Nian into his arms, concealing his presence as he did so.

Gore felt a gust of wind blow past him, glanced at it suspiciously, and assumed he was just being overly worried.

Xu Nian nestled in Gu Zhan's arms, feeling the refreshing scent like the aroma of tea, and for a moment forgot to breathe.

Gu Zhan, however, gripped Xu Nian's waist with practiced ease and quickly followed after Gore.

They were unfamiliar with the wolf territory, and it was fortunate that Gore's defeat slowed them down, otherwise it would have taken them some more time to find it.

Gore walked ahead, muttering to himself, "Never mind, let's just go back first."

He took many detours and traveled a long way before finally stopping in front of a secluded cave.

Xu Nian's eyes widened.

Do wolves actually live here?

Obviously not.

Gore looked around for a while before groping to move the stone next to him.

Suddenly, a loud "boom" resounded from the right side of the cave, and to Xu Nian's astonishment, a narrow path appeared out of thin air.

Gore walked in, and Gu Zhan followed closely behind, concealing his presence.

Perhaps because of Gu Zhan's formidable martial arts skills, Gore didn't even notice that someone was behind him, but he looked somewhat displeased.

They'll definitely be subjected to a lot of abuse when they get back.

Lost in thought, he opened the door.

In an instant, the wolf pack's appearance was fully revealed.

This place is quite different from ordinary cities, towns, or even clans. Dense thickets or fruits can be seen everywhere, and occasionally a few wolves can be seen wandering back and forth.

Xu Nian was so engrossed in watching that she looked around.

Gu Zhan was also visiting for the first time. After observing for a while, he followed Gore to a magnificent building.

With so many people around, Gu Zhan naturally stopped following them and instead embraced Xu Nian as they climbed onto the roof beam.

Xu Nian was so frightened that her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't say a word, clutching his clothes tightly.

Gore suddenly quickened his pace, approached the house, and knelt down without even looking at it.

"Boss, I failed."

He lowered his head and looked closely; his fingers seemed to be trembling slightly.

"oh?"

The man in the high position narrowed his eyes, clearly having expected this, but still asked, "They refuse to agree?"

"They just don't know what's good for them!"

Enraged, Gore launched into a tirade of insults, "We wolves can certainly offer them riches and honors, so why wouldn't we?"

As he looked up, his eyes met those of the man in the high position, and he immediately shrank back and lowered his head.

At the same time, Gu Zhan's gaze was fixed on the thing the man was wearing at his waist.

Copper coins.

Xu Nian suddenly came to her senses.

That was a token from someone close to the Third Prince!