As they were talking, Guan Zhixin had already retreated to the back.

Gu Jingchun chuckled softly.

"Guan Zhixin, Guan Zhixin, did you really think I would come here unprepared?"

"You think you can trap me?"

"It's like a dream!"

Guan Zhixin also gave a cold laugh.

"Young master, I advise you to stop resisting."

"I personally trained you, do you think I don't know what you're capable of?"

"As for the people you brought, I know them well, and I presumably they've been brought under control by now."

"Yeah?"

Hearing this, Gu Jingchun remained calm and even chuckled.

"You think I'll only bring these few people?"

"I've been preparing for this for a long time, and I never expected you to come to me in person today. Of course, I won't let this opportunity slip by."

"Guan Zhixin, did you always think that I only just discovered your Guiyuan Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Guan Zhixin's expression showed a moment of panic.

However, he simply didn't believe Gu Jingchun possessed such ability, so he merely chuckled, ignoring her words, and continued:

"I almost forgot, your backup plan was to have Shen Hechuan come to rescue you, wasn't it!"

"If we look at the time..."

That should be about right now.

Guan Zhixin laughed smugly.

"His men are probably all stopped on the road by now."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, young master, I have already laid a trap. If he dares to come to save you, he will surely die."

"If I go back, I might still survive."

"I'm really looking forward to seeing what choice Shen Hechuan will make!"

His eyes were full of certainty.

After all, no man would give up power and his life to save a woman who threatens him.

“Young master, I advise you to face reality.”

Outside the city.

Shen Hechuan led his group at high speed along a secluded mountain road.

However, their path was blocked by a large tree that had been uprooted.

The tree was so big and thick that it was impossible to pass normally.

Upon seeing this, Shen Hechuan immediately ordered them to take a detour.

Tianji quickly tried to dissuade him.

“Master, it has just rained here. If we take a detour, we will definitely have to go through a valley.”

It's surrounded by mountains on three sides, making it extremely dangerous.

If someone were to deliberately lay an ambush again, I'm afraid…

As Tianji spoke, he took another look at the tree.

This was clearly done on purpose.

And someone as clever as Shen Hechuan must have already guessed it.

Moreover, this led him to guess that Gu Jingchun might have encountered some danger, otherwise he wouldn't have acted this way.

However, without any hesitation, he immediately said, "No problem, full speed ahead."

Of course, Shen Hechuan was not one to act rashly.

To this end, they even went ahead to find people to scout the way, and even sent people directly up the mountain to see if there were any ambushes.

After confirming that everything was alright, they went over.

However, just as the group arrived, a voice rang out.

"Shen Hechuan—"

The other person's voice was very loud, echoing throughout the valley, making it impossible to pinpoint their location.

Shen Hechuan frowned.

"Who exactly are you, and why do you dare not show your true face?"

The other person burst into laughter.

"Who I am is not important. What is important is that your future empress is now in my hands. If you want her to be safe and sound, come here yourself."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan's expression immediately became more tense.

"Who exactly are you people? How dare you kidnap the Empress? Aren't you afraid of being wiped out?"

"Oh!"

You don't have the ability to wipe out my entire family yet!

"Moreover, I can now directly eliminate the empress you've been longing for. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try."

Shen Hechuan frowned even more deeply.

"Don't touch her, I'm coming over."

As he spoke, he squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs, preparing to ride forward.

But that voice rang out again.

"Shen Hechuan, you should think this through."

If you take another step forward now, you will surely die.

However, if you turn back now, you can save your life and continue to be your emperor.

Are you sure you want to keep going?

Shen Hechuan's gaze was firm.

"certainly!"

But his men behind him called out to him.

"Master, don't go! Master, the other party's identity and situation are unknown. You can't take the risk. You're not alone now; you have the future of the entire Great Cheng Dynasty on your shoulders!"

Shen Hechuan turned to look at them and said softly:

"Although I bear the future of the people of Dacheng on my shoulders, I am also an ordinary husband."

Now that my wife is in danger, how can I back down and abandon her life?

As he spoke, he glanced at the people following him.

"You wait here. I'll go first, and you can leave after I've made sure everything is alright."

But how could Tianji and the others agree?

She immediately shook her head in refusal and kept blocking Shen Hechuan from leaving first.

"No, Your Majesty, you cannot go. If anyone should go, it should be us first."

Shen Hechuan sighed.

“You’ve been with me for years. This time, the other side is obviously after me. If I’m in danger, you can escape and rescue Jingchun as quickly as possible.”

After Shen Hechuan finished speaking, he patted the horse's back and resolutely walked forward.

However, when he reached the middle of the valley, he suddenly turned around and found that Tianji and Dizhi were firmly following behind them.

Shen Hechuan looked at them and couldn't help but feel moved.

After a silent exchange of glances.

They all nodded in unison, and they could see the word "firmness" in each other's eyes.

And the change happened in that instant.

Suddenly, a loud laugh came from above the valley.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

"Shen Hechuan, since you are so stubborn, don't blame me for being impolite. Since you insist on dying, I will grant your wish."

As soon as he finished speaking, a violent explosion suddenly rang out up the hillside.

Immediately afterwards, huge boulders rolled down from the valley floor.

Meanwhile, in the dilapidated temple on the other side...

Guan Zhixin burst out laughing when he heard the loud noise.

"Listen!"

"Young master, tell me, has your beloved come yet?"

"If he had come over, he would probably be dead under that boulder by now."

"If he doesn't come, is there any point in keeping a man like that?"

Gu Jingchun remained seated quietly, a smile even playing on his lips.

However, a rare hint of panic flashed in her eyes.

Even the hands hidden in her sleeves were clenched tightly together with nervousness.

His eyes unconsciously glanced in the direction from which the sound came.

Guan Zhixin naturally noticed his obviously nervous appearance and immediately burst out laughing.