Will they really be able to find Zi'ang?

The courtyard was quiet, save for the sound of their footsteps and their slightly hurried breathing.

Xu Yuehuai gripped Qi Guze's hand tightly, her palms slightly sweaty. Her heart was pounding so fast it felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.

Suddenly, a soft laugh broke the silence. A figure slowly emerged from the other side of the courtyard.

The sunlight shone on him, giving his lovely face a golden glow.

"Zi'ang!" Xu Yuehuai cried out excitedly, tears streaming down her face.

She rushed forward, wanting to quickly embrace Qi Ziang's small figure, but suddenly a figure fell from the tree and came behind Qi Ziang. The person was wearing a mask and raised his hand to grab Qi Ziang's throat.

Qi Zi'ang's voice was choked with sobs: "Mother... Mother!"

"You, get out of here!"

"This bad uncle is going to get you, you'd better get out of here right now!"

Xu Yuehuai was heartbroken. "No, Mother came here to save you. How could I possibly leave?"

"Let go of my Zi'ang right now!"

"If you have a problem, come at me!"

The other party suddenly laughed: "Hahahaha! Fine! Why don't you come and be my hostage!"

Qi Guze grabbed Xu Yuehuai's arm, shook his head, and said calmly, "Let me do it."

Then, he stepped forward and said, "How about I become your hostage?"

The masked man laughed, "Heh, who do you think you are?"

"It seems you don't want Zi'ang to live a good life."

He increased the pressure in his hand, and Qi Ziang's entire face turned purple.

Xu Yuehuai was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. She slowly pried open Qi Guze's hand that was holding hers.

"Gu Ze, for Zi Ang's sake, I have to go."

"No! He will never let you go. What difference does it make if something happens to you, even if it costs me my life?"

A hint of panic flashed in Qi Guze's eyes.

Xu Yuehuai smiled bitterly, "If I'm really gone, just forget about me!"

Qi Guze tried to reach out and grab Xu Yuehuai, but she had already strode forward and rushed to the masked man's side.

The masked man watched the two of them as if they were facing a life-or-death separation, a wicked sneer creeping into his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, the masked man grabbed Xu Yuehuai's waist and pushed Qi Ziang, one of his men, away.

"Mother—! No! I don't want you to risk your life for me!"

"I'm already a little man, I can stand tall and proud!"

"Mother, come back!"

Qi Guze, worried that there might be other people nearby, immediately went over and hugged Qi Ziang tightly to calm him down.

He said to Qi Ziang, "Later, you should stay close to Uncle Tiexiong and tell him where your sister-in-law Zhou went. Take her with you to rescue her!"

"Dad is going to save your mother now!"

Qi Zi'ang said, "Okay!"

"Father, don't worry!"

"Go and save your mother first!"

"Hmm." After putting Qi Ziang down, Qi Guze quickly used his lightness skill and headed in the direction where the masked man had taken Xu Yuehuai.

As night fell, a dark shadow streaked across the sky, as swift as a gust of wind.

That was the masked man, whose lightness skill was unparalleled in the world. At this moment, he was holding Xu Yuehuai hostage, leaping across rooftops and walls, heading straight for the city wall of Wuling Kingdom.

Xu Yuehuai was tightly bound at this moment, but her mind was perfectly clear.

She felt her clothes fluttering in the wind, and the city below seemed to grow smaller and smaller.

She tried to probe the mysterious man with words: "Are you Bei Ye?"

Upon hearing the name, the masked man suddenly burst into loud laughter, his voice deafening: "Hahaha! I didn't expect you to recognize me so quickly!"

Xu Yuehuai sneered, trying to pierce the masked man's disguise with words: "Why did you kidnap me? Do you want to start a war between the Great Zhou Kingdom and the Wuling Kingdom and the Mingyue Kingdom?"

Bei Ye seemed unconcerned about the question, saying, "For you, I don't care if there is widespread death and destruction."

Upon hearing this answer, Xu Yuehuai was utterly astonished: "You... I'm your royal aunt!"

However, Bei Ye's answer was unexpected: "I'm not included in the genealogy of the Great Zhou Kingdom, and neither are you. There's no question of any inappropriate relationship between us."

Their words echoed in the night sky, while the city below grew smaller and smaller. At this moment, their relationship seemed to become blurred and complicated, and the kinship and identity they once shared seemed pale and powerless.

Beneath Bei Ye's mask lay a deep gaze, filled with a madness and obsession.

He smiled dismissively, as if he didn't care about anything in this world.

Xu Yuehuai stared wide-eyed, her heart filled with doubt and shock.

She never imagined that Bei Ye would have such an attitude towards her!

They flew over the city walls and arrived in the wilderness outside the city.

The moonlight shone on them, casting a silvery glow. Bei Ye placed Xu Yuehuai on the ground, and their eyes met in the air.

Xu Yuehua tried to break free, but Bei Ye's strength immobilized her. She looked at him coldly: "What exactly do you want?"

Bei Ye did not answer, but slowly removed his mask. The moonlight shone on his face, making him appear exceptionally cold.

He curled his lips into a strange smile: "You'll find out."

Bei Ye whistled, the sound clear and melodious, echoing across the open fields.

His gaze was firm and profound, as if everything was under his control. Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves broke the surrounding silence.

A brown figure came galloping from afar, and the carriage stopped not far from them. Without hesitation, Bei Ye took Xu Yuehuai's hand and pushed her towards the carriage.

Xu Yuehuai stared at him in astonishment; she hadn't expected him to act so decisively.

But at that moment, Qi Guze's voice came from behind: "Put her down for me!" His voice was cold and authoritative, carrying an undeniable command.

Bei Ye smiled and put his arm around Xu Yuehuai as they entered the carriage. Xu Yuehuai suddenly struggled; now that Qi Ziang was safe, she no longer had many concerns.

She confronted Bei Ye with a dagger, much to Bei Ye's surprise, as he hadn't expected Xu Yuehuai to actually fight him!

Suddenly, Qi Guze and his men caught up and surrounded the carriage.

Feeling reassured, Xu Yuehuai continued her attack on Bei Ye.

Bei Ye laughed, "You think you can escape my grasp like this?"

After saying that, he suddenly retaliated against Xu Yuehuai, slapping her on the shoulder.

"Yuehuai!" Qi Guze exclaimed and rushed forward, wanting to help Xu Yuehuai.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Bei Ye attacked Qi Guze with his sword.