Her head rested limply on his shoulder, her dark hair hanging down, swaying with his staggering steps, as if she might slip into darkness at any moment.

"Ye Qingxue." Yun Zhuo called her name in a hoarse voice, his voice so low it seemed to be torn apart by the night wind.

The person in his arms did not respond at all; only the blood around their mouth gradually turned dark red.

His steps grew heavier and heavier, as if he were treading on mud, sinking deeper with each step.

But he refused to stop, as if as long as he kept walking, he could reach a place without killing or conspiracy—a place where she was still alive.

"I'll take you...home..."

He spoke in a low voice, which trembled uncontrollably.

But where is home? It's beyond the mountains, behind layers of guards, behind layers of blood. How do I get there? How can I possibly get there?

The night wind howled, and Yun Zhuo finally could not hold on any longer. His body fell heavily to the ground, and even as he hit the ground, he was still holding Ye Qingxue tightly.

Ye Qingxue fell into his arms, but her hands and feet inevitably landed on the ground and got covered in mud.

Yun Zhuo was breathing heavily, as if his chest was being torn apart and blood was rising from his throat. He didn't care about anything and just lay on the ground, his eyes staring straight at the night.

Zhuang Xin and the others caught up and knelt beside him, shouting, "Your Highness! Please don't torture yourself like this, otherwise how can Miss Ye be at peace?"

Dongbai and Qiushen stood to the side, silent, but seeing the two of them like this, they felt a heart-wrenching pain.

The pain was dense and persistent, as if it were seeping out from the very bones, making even breathing painful.

Yun Zhuo seemed not to hear Zhuang Xin's words and did not react at all.

Zhuang Xin's voice was even deeper and more pained than before as he called out again, "Your Highness!"

There is still no response.

Zhuang Xin took out a pill and forcibly stuffed it into Yun Zhuo's mouth. The other party did not refuse but also showed no intention of swallowing it.

Zhuang Xin took a deep breath, suppressing the urgency and bitterness in his heart.

He forced himself to remain calm and said, "Your Highness, this pill was given to me by Miss Qiu Shen just now. Miss Qiu Shen said that Miss Ye obtained it from Xiang Si Zi, hoping that it can restore your strength as soon as possible at the last moment."

"Your Highness, Miss Ye instructed Qiu Shen to hide this medicine, and she is only giving it to you now. This is to tell you that after finding the little palace maid, eliminating Shen Jiefeng, and leaving the Bamboo Sea Ravine, you still have many things to do."

"If you continue to lie here, immersed in the grief of Miss Ye's passing, wouldn't that be letting Miss Ye perish together with Shen Jiefeng in vain?"

Yun Zhuo's eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes rolled slightly.

Zhuang Xin waited a while longer, and seeing that Yun Zhuo had finally chewed and swallowed the medicine in his mouth, he tentatively reached out to help Yun Zhuo up from the ground.

Throughout the entire process, Yun Zhuo protected Ye Qingxue's head, letting her lean against his chest.

When he got up, Ye Qingxue was still in his arms.

He looked down at her pale face, pressed his forehead against hers, as if to give her the last bit of warmth.

But her body gradually grew cold, like a block of ice, like a handful of snow, like the moonlight he could no longer grasp.

Zhuang Xin's throat tightened slightly, and he lowered his voice even further, as if afraid of disturbing her rare peace.

"Your Highness, please hand Miss Ye over to Miss Dongbai and the others to take back. She's exhausted from the journey. Don't let her continue fighting with us."

Yun Zhuo's fingertips tightened suddenly, her knuckles turning white, as if she were trying to grasp something, but she abruptly released her grip when she touched Yun Zhuo's icy wrist.

He looked down at her blood-soaked sleeve, where she had once held the spring breeze, poured strong liquor, and pulled him back without hesitation when he was at his most vulnerable.

"……good."

He finally agreed, his voice hoarse beyond recognition.

He struggled to his feet, but his legs were still weak. Zhuang Xin stood behind him and helped him up. He finally managed to lift Ye Qingxue up.

The mountain wind howled, making her long hair, which hung down from her arms, dance wildly. Yun Zhuo held her and turned to face the deep autumn and winter white.

"Please help me take her home, and I'll take her back when I return." Yun Zhuo's voice was hoarse and broken, but very solemn.

He gently carried Ye Qingxue away with both hands, inch by inch, his gaze never leaving her face for even a moment.

Dong Bai reached out and caught Ye Qingxue. He was still reluctant to let go. Only the wind was still blowing, and no one was willing to urge him.

After an unknown amount of time, Yun Zhuo suddenly withdrew his hand and turned around.

He said, "Zhuang Xin, let's go!"