Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 52 - Baihu's Fury: A Desperate Stand

As Qing Yi and Kai Ze journeyed toward the Military Training Camp, the weight of impending events pressed heavily upon them. Amidst the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the whispering winds, Qing Yi's mind drifted to a significant occasion: the wedding day of Lan Xichen and his beloved sister, Jing Shi. Suddenly, like a lightning bolt piercing through the stormy clouds, realization struck him, causing his heart to clench in an unexpected grip of emotion. He couldn't help but release a sharp gasp, his hand instinctively flying to his chest as if to calm the tumultuous waves crashing within him.

"Stay focused, Qing Yi," he admonished himself, his voice a mere whisper against the vast expanse of the landscape. "Be grateful that, for now, your family remains unharmed."

But even as he tried to steady his racing heart, another worry gnawed at the edges of his consciousness. Thoughts of Princess Jin Mei, entwined with the uncertainty of her safety, flooded his mind like an unstoppable tide. Turning to Kai Ze, Qing Yi's gaze bore into the depths of the prince's own troubled eyes.

"Your Highness," he began, his voice tinged with urgency, "is your sister still within the palace walls?"

Meeting Qing Yi's gaze with a solemn nod, Kai Ze's voice held a note of reassurance tinged with the shadow of doubt.

"Don't worry," he replied, his words carrying the weight of their shared concerns. "Before we set out to secure your release from imprisonment, I ensured that my uncle would escort Jin Mei to the sanctuary of Xiao Yu. They... should be safe, at least for the time being."

Qing Yi's gaze darkened with concern. It dawned on him that Prince Kai Ze likely remained unaware of King ChengLi's imminent plan to invade Xiao Yu. The urgency behind the King's desire to dispose of Kai Ze quickly to prevent interference with the invasion scheme became painfully clear to Qing Yi. Yet, he hesitated to burden the Prince with this additional weight, already grappling with the daunting task of confronting the ancient beast.

As they reached the entrance of the Military Training Camp, a gathering of soldiers barred their path. Qing Yi's heart sank as one of the soldiers stepped forward, his expression grave.

"Apologies, Your Highness, and General Wu," the soldier began, his voice heavy with solemnity. "But we've received orders from the King regarding your alleged treason. We can no longer permit your entry into the Military Training Camp."

Prince Kai Ze and General Wu Jin exchanged a knowing glance before both releasing a resigned sigh. "Fine," Prince Kai Ze conceded, his tone tinged with frustration. "But at least allow us to retrieve our weapons and armor."

Before the guard could respond, another voice cut through the tension, commanding attention. "At ease, soldiers."

All eyes turned to the source of the authoritative voice, settling on a tall figure clad in resplendent golden Khufu armor. His dark hair was neatly tied back in a ponytail, and in his right hand, he held a helmet fashioned in the likeness of a lion's head, its mane cascading in a fiery red hue. Behind him trailed a contingent of soldiers adorned in identical armor, though lacking the distinctive red-maned on their helmets. They carried Prince Kai Ze's sword, shield, and a chest containing his armor sets.

"General Lin Minghui," Prince Kai Ze addressed the man with a respectful bow.

General Lin returned the gesture with a warm smile. "We took the liberty of gathering all your belongings for you," he explained. "And we're prepared to lend a hand with whatever lies within that cave."

Prince Kai Ze's eyes widened in astonishment as he beheld General Lin and the twenty soldiers in armor standing behind him, ready to embark on the mission alongside him.