Zhu Wanqing remained hidden in the cave, completely unaware of the situation outside, but the sounds of fighting and the clanging of weapons grew increasingly clear. Zhu Wanqing knew her forces on the island were insufficient; confronting the Qing army was like throwing an egg against a rock. Now, with the Thirteenth Prince attacking from all sides, Zhu Wanqing's forces on the island couldn't be concentrated to resist the encirclement. Sooner or later, the Qing army would inevitably land on the island.

Zhu Wanqing sat anxiously in the cave, unable to rush out due to her pregnancy, and could only patiently wait for news. After a while, a woman covered in wounds and bleeding profusely returned to the island, barely clinging to life. Zhu Wanqing's men rushed forward to support her, and she struggled to kneel before Zhu Wanqing, crying out in heartbreaking grief, "Master, it's no use! The Qing army will be attacking soon, and our forces are too limited to resist!"

Zhu Wanqing was startled, her whole body went numb, and she frowned, asking, "Where are the hall masters?"

The wounded woman said tragically, "The hall masters have already arrived on the battlefield. I've come to report to the sect leader that we must find a way to leave here as soon as possible!" All eyes turned to Zhu Wanqing, who shook her head blankly and said dejectedly, "It's too late. The shore should already be surrounded. We can only fight to the death..."

Despair was on everyone's face. Even the most loyal soldiers are afraid of death when they are cornered.

Before long, the shouts and sounds of fighting outside grew closer and closer. Zhu Wanqing knew that the Qing army had now landed on the island and was fighting desperately with the women there. Hearing the incessant sounds of battle outside, Zhu Wanqing was heartbroken.

Everyone in the cave was being tortured, gripping their swords tightly in tension. Zhu Wanqing was now like a trapped beast, fighting for her life, surrounded by enemies. Seventeenth Master had been observing from the sidelines. Seeing that Zhu Wanqing's morale was low, he said, "I think you should give up. It's not too late to surrender now!"

Zhu Wanqing glanced at the Seventeenth Prince, having no desire to argue with him. The Seventeenth Prince smiled and said, "As long as you surrender, I guarantee I will spare your lives..." After hearing the Seventeenth Prince's words, the women exchanged glances secretly, but no one dared to speak.

“I can tell that none of you are heinous criminals. Perhaps you have your own reasons for coming to this island and joining the White Lotus Sect. But your lives are your own; once you die, you have nothing left!” Seventeenth Master was secretly pleased to see that some of your expressions had changed.

Zhu Wanqing glared at the Seventeenth Prince and snapped, "Shut up! Your life is in my hands, why are you still talking so much nonsense!" The Seventeenth Prince smiled dismissively and said easily, "Don't try to scare me. I know you won't kill me. I'm your last trump card. You're keeping me around to threaten the Thirteenth Brother..." Zhu Wanqing was speechless, suppressing her anger as she said fiercely, "Hmph... You're about to die and you're still being stubborn! If I wanted to kill you, even the dog emperor couldn't stop me!"

The Seventeenth Prince met Zhu Wanqing's gaze and said fearlessly, "How could the current emperor be so easily slandered by a vixen like you? The emperor is neither a mediocre ruler nor a tyrant. Since his ascension to the throne, he has implemented policies that benefit the people, such as merging the land tax and poll tax. The common people now have land to cultivate and homes to return to. Isn't such an emperor worthy of your allegiance?"

The Seventeenth Prince spoke with sharp, decisive words, causing the people in the cave to tremble and exchange glances. He then pressed on, saying, "If you surrender, the Emperor will surely be lenient with you, and you won't have to hide here and there anymore. You can find a good place to settle down and live a peaceful life." Seeing some hesitation in their expressions, the Seventeenth Prince became even more urgent, "Don't you want to find good husbands and live an ordinary life?"