Chapter 147 Yuwen Che Heads to Nanzhao

Yuwen Che returned to his desk, his gaze fixed on the huge frontier map on the wall, and tapped his fingers three times on the armrest of the dragon throne.

A dark figure silently emerged from the shadows and knelt on one knee: "My lord." It was Han Ying, the commander of the Shadow Pavilion.

“My lord,” Han Ying’s voice was low, “Bai Xiao is seriously injured, twenty elite soldiers have been lost, and the Empress’s poison is imminent… Should we reconsider our plans regarding Nanzhao?”

“We can’t wait any longer.” Yuwen Che said decisively, turning around with undisguised anxiety and resolve in his eyes. “Xue’er’s health was severely damaged three years ago when she gave birth to Cheng’an and Ning’er. Although she has been recuperating for three years, she is still weaker than the average person. This Heart-Eating Gu is extremely domineering; even I was almost controlled by it. If it takes effect in Xue’er’s body…”

He paused, and there was no need to say anything more. Han Ying already understood—the Empress was doomed.

Yuwen Che looked at Han Ying and, word by word, issued an unquestionable order: "Go and gather ten of the most elite Shadow Guards. I... want to personally make a trip to Nanzhao."

Han Ying was shocked and looked up abruptly: "My lord! You mustn't! You are of inestimable worth, how can you personally risk your life? The Nanzhao royal court must be a den of dragons and tigers now!"

"Precisely because it's a den of dragons and tigers, I must go!" Yuwen Che's tone was icy. "They think I'm doomed, so they'll be less vigilant. I will personally retrieve the antidote, and more importantly... settle this score myself!"

He raised his hand, stopping Han Ying from further advising him: "No need for further words. Go and fetch my clothes."

Knowing that his mind was made up, Han Ying dared not persuade him any further and could only reply in a deep voice, "Yes."

He quickly withdrew, and returned a moment later, holding a set of dark black close-fitting clothes, a dark-colored cloak with dark patterns representing the highest status in the Shadow Pavilion, and a silver mask covering the upper half of his face, which he gently placed on the imperial desk.

"My lord..." Han Ying wanted to make one last effort.

Yuwen Che raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Go to Yingge first to gather men, prepare fast horses, and leave the city immediately. Wait at Shili Slope outside the city. I will make some arrangements and then meet you outside the city."

Knowing there was no room for negotiation, Han Ying clasped his hands tightly and said, "Yes! Your subordinate obeys!"

With a flash, he disappeared into the hall.

Yuwen Che looked at the set of clothes on the imperial desk that symbolized another identity, his eyes sharp as an eagle.

Nanzhao, the antidote, and those who dared to scheme against him and harm Xue'er... he will not let any of them go!

Li Dehai hurriedly returned to the Sizheng Hall and immediately saw the set of black clothes and silver mask on the imperial desk. His heart sank and he instantly understood what was going on.

He strode forward, his voice filled with barely suppressed worry: "Your Majesty... are you going to...?"

Yuwen Che raised his hand, his gaze sweeping over the side hall where Bai Xiao lay unconscious. His voice came through the mask, deep and resolute: "Bai Xiao returned empty-handed. This time, I must go myself. Help me change my clothes."

Li Dehai's throat tightened, but he dared not disobey and could only bow and reply, "Yes, this old servant obeys."

He stepped forward and carefully removed the crown symbolizing Yuwen Che's imperial status, neatly tying up his dark hair with an inconspicuous black iron hair ornament. He removed the black dragon robe, donned the black fitted outfit, and donned the black cloak. Finally, Yuwen Che himself picked up the cold silver mask and slowly placed it over his face.

In an instant, the mighty Zhou emperor seemed to vanish, replaced by a cold and mysterious night walker whose murderous aura and sharp edge made people afraid to look directly at him.

Looking at his master, who was completely different from before, Li Dehai murmured, "Your Majesty... how should we explain this to the Empress?"

Yuwen Che turned around, his gaze behind the mask sharp as a knife, staring directly at Li Dehai: "I will return in three days. Tell the Empress that there seems to be some unusual activity in Nanzhao. I need to focus on military affairs for the next three days. Tell her to rest and recuperate in peace and not to wander around. Wait for my return."

Li Dehai bowed his head deeply: "Yes, this old servant understands, and will certainly take good care of Your Highness."

He quickly retrieved Yuwen Che's favorite black iron sword and respectfully presented it with both hands.

Yuwen Che took the sword, his fingertips brushing against the cold scabbard, and finally instructed, "Keep a close eye on Bai Xiao, and make sure he lives."

"This old servant obeys!"

Yuwen Che said no more, gripped his sword, turned and strode out of the Sizheng Hall. In the darkness, he flashed like a hawk, silently leaping onto the palace wall, disappearing beyond the palace walls in a few bounds, heading straight outside the city to meet up with Han Ying and the others.

Li Dehai stared in the direction where he had disappeared, unable to come to his senses for a long time, his heart filled with only prayers for His Majesty's safe journey.

When Yuwen Che arrived at Shili Slope outside the city, Han Ying and ten carefully selected shadow guards were already waiting there.

Everyone was dressed in black, their faces covered by masks, standing solemnly beside their horses. Upon seeing Yuwen Che, they all knelt on one knee in unison, lowering their voices: "My lord!"

Han Ying held a magnificent, jet-black horse by the hand. Upon seeing Yuwen Che arrive, she immediately handed him the reins: "My lord, the horse is ready. If we set off immediately, we should be able to infiltrate the Nanzhao border as quickly as possible... before nightfall."

Without a word, Yuwen Che deftly took the reins, leaped onto his horse, and his movements were as fluid as flowing water. He tightened the reins, his gaze sweeping over the eleven silent and loyal subordinates before him. His voice, through the mask, carried an undeniable decisiveness:

"Okay, let's set off immediately."

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, and they all mounted their horses.

Yuwen Che spurred his horse, and the black steed charged forward like an arrow. Han Ying and ten shadow guards followed closely behind. The twelve riders were like a whirlwind sweeping through the night, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust as they galloped toward Nanzhao.

The objective is clear: the royal court of Nanzhao, the antidote, and... settling the blood debt.