He hadn’t faced such a predicament since uniting the barbarian tribes, and a cold smile touched his lips. “Moroha, you dare to scheme against me? Prepare to face the consequences.” He immediately ordered a horse and, with a handful of his most trusted guards, quietly followed the trail of Moroha’s movements.

Ever cautious, Zong Jun had already laid the groundwork. He knew Moroha’s fealty was a sham. He’d spared his life initially to prevent an uprising from the remaining Tiga clan members, but those nobles had long since been divided and weakened. Moroha’s forces consisted only of a handful of loyalists, among whom Zong Jun had already planted spies.

Moroha was well aware of this, but he had endured long enough. Further patience would only diminish the number of those still loyal to him. If he wasn’t willing to accept his fate, he had to fight. This was the primary reason for Yao Ji’s abduction, she was leverage against Zong Jun should his rebellion fail.

After four days and three nights of relentless riding, Zong Jun finally intercepted Moroha at the border between the Northern Lands and the Great Yan Dynasty.

Since the marriage alliance between the Youjin tribe and the Great Yan Dynasty, several border cities had established trade. Moroha was hiding in the most bustling of these cities, a place with official residences for both sides, making it difficult for the Youjin tribe to search openly for Yao Ji.

Yao Ji was a Yan princess, and her abduction by a rebel would undoubtedly cause significant political turmoil if discovered by the Great Yan Dynasty. Moroha had exploited this, bringing Yao Ji to the border. Success would allow him to return to his tribe; failure would provide an escape route into the Yan territory.

He and his men, disguised as Yan merchants, were holed up in an inn. Border cities had curfews; they could only slip into the Great Yan Dynasty after the city gates opened the following morning.

Yao Ji had never imagined being so close to her homeland again. Her heart ached with anxiety. If Moroha succeeded in taking her away, she feared she would never see Zong Jun again.

“Moroha, please let me go.” She had pleaded countless times over the past few days, even demeaning herself. “I am a woman who has been with another man, and I carry his child. Why waste your efforts on me?”

Miraculously, Yao Ji’s child had survived. Moroha, perhaps unable to bear the thought of her miscarrying, had ceased his forceful advances after the initial incident. As they fled south, Yao Ji surmised that his rebellion had likely failed, fueling her pleas. “Taking me will only slow you down. I assure you, even if I return to the Northern Lands, I will never reveal your whereabouts.”

She spoke the truth. Because of Yao Ji’s delicate condition, Moroha had been forced to slow their escape. Many of his men were growing restless. At such a crucial juncture, their young leader was prioritizing a woman, one already claimed by Zong Jun, treating her like a treasure.

But Moroha remained unresponsive to her pleas, his resolve to take her only hardening.

Desperate, Yao Ji learned of their planned departure the following morning and discreetly sent a message to Kazha, Moroha’s most trusted confidant.

Kazha, a veteran who had served Moroha’s father and watched the boy grow, was fiercely loyal. He met with Yao Ji, his voice cold. “What do you have to say to me?”

Unfazed by his demeanor, Yao Ji, though pale and weak, spoke calmly. “I ask for your help in escaping.”

Kazha scoffed. “A joke! Are you dreaming?”

“Please, hear me out,” Yao Ji said softly. “These past days, you must have observed Moroha’s intentions towards me. I will be frank; I have no desire to reciprocate, and I suspect you share my sentiment. I am not an asset to Moroha or the Tiga clan, but a burden. You may have heard of the Great Khan’s affection for me. I carry his child. If he cannot find me, he will relentlessly pursue Morohe.”

She paused, then continued, “I am also a princess of the Celestial Empire. My disappearance, after the marriage alliance with the Youjin tribe, will undoubtedly anger them. However, the Tiga clan, responsible for abducting a princess, will also incur their wrath.” She met Kazha’s gaze. “Instead of carrying this burden, let me go.”

“Clever,” Kazha grunted, inwardly acknowledging the truth in her words. He had already advised Moroha against this course of action. This woman was nothing but trouble. Yet, the young leader, as if bewitched, refused to listen even to his seasoned counsel. He said, “It would be simpler to kill you and be done with it.”

His words were chilling, but Yao Ji merely smiled faintly. “If you are not afraid of being alienated by Moroha, you are welcome to try.”

Kazha’s anger flared. “You dare threaten me?”

Yao Ji lifted her chin, her gaze steady. They locked eyes for a long moment before Kazha released a long, heavy sigh. This woman was indeed formidable. He knew, though reluctant to admit it, that killing her would likely create a rift between him and Moroha.

“Hmph,” he stood, his voice cold. “Tonight, at midnight, find your way here. I will help you escape.”

Only after he turned and left did Yao Ji’s rigid posture collapse. She touched her palm, finding it slick with cold sweat.