He was the third prince of the Yan Region, with a sharp and handsome face inherited from his mother and a dignified presence from his father. Though his demeanor was often relaxed and laid-back, he never neglected his duties. Thus, Yan Shi Jin remained the favorite son of Yan Wang.

    Compared to his two elder brothers, he was indeed the most light-hearted. His brothers were handsome and brave, instinctively leaping into battle like true warriors, but not Yan Shi Jin. He never had an interest in joining the fight, seeing no virtue in the relentless cycle of killing. When he became an impetuous young adult resisting the constraints of life, whenever he felt bored, he would grab his sword, leap onto his horse, and disappear for months, living a nomadic life where he slept wherever night found him, wandering freely without ties. Therefore, Yan Wang nicknamed his youngest son as 'the lone wolf'.

    He was well aware that his royal lineage came before anything else, but he was content to live like an ordinary person, enjoying his time in taverns or simply roaming day by day. Fearing that his son would drift too far and become unruly, Yan Wang coerced him into royal service, cramming him into the position of head of the armory, which tied him to a desk. Yan Shi Jin had no choice but to comply, as failing to do so would mean he wouldn't receive his allowance.

    "Ugh! I’d rather quit and haul rice sacks in the market for a living. In Yan Region, hiring royal blood is the cheapest labor in the land. We work day and night, nearly dying for a mere five thousand a year without any increase."

    When the lazy and unwilling younger brother expressed such thoughts, his elder brothers vehemently scolded him.

    “You, who squanders all your earnings on liquor, have no right to complain, you dog.”

    “People strive to learn to do the clerical work. It’s only you who moans about wanting to do manual labor. Pah! And what with your handwriting? It’s like a child writing it. Even the chickens in my garden could scratch a better script with their feet!”

    "Oh, eldest brother, second brother, have some sympathy for me. I just don’t like clerical work."

    Yan Shen, the eldest brother, sighed deeply, “Neither this nor that suits you. I’ve half-joked about making you a monk, but I fear your penchant for liquor would tarnish the sanctity. If you’re willing to try something new, would you like to work for me? It’ll definitely drain all that excess energy.”

    "Fine, anything’s better than sitting at a desk."

    That agreement to his eldest brother landed him in a role as a squad leader on the front lines, commanding five low-ranked soldiers. He was just fifteen at that time. Never once had he killed anybody before, but suddenly he had to draw upon every skill to survive. He didn’t even know how to give a command. His days were filled with relentless combat, his body soaked in sweat and blood like a waterfall, every muscle aching as if stabbed by thousands of needles, yet there was no time to lament. Aside from preserving his own life, he had to ensure the heads of his five men remained on their shoulders.

    "Urgh. Back then, I really cried internally. I longed for a chair and desk so badly. I admit eldest brother was right—I exhausted my energy to the point of fainting daily. It was exhausting but thrilling indeed."

    Being in real battles taught Yan Shi Jin many things as he matured, but what didn't change was his habit of drinking with his subordinates. His status elevated with his achievements, progressing from the squad leader to a company commander, then a battalion commander, and eventually a regiment commander. The five subordinates who had been with him from the start were promoted to higher ranks accordingly.

    By the time Yan Shi Jin was twenty-five, Yan Shen trusted him enough to entrust him with the commander’s flag of the Wolf Army. His famed weapon was a sharply honed halberd.

    It was used to behead the enemies, slicing through foes’ stomachs, and lining paths with their impaled bodies—a strategy that utterly demoralized the opposition. In battle, Yan Shi Jin was fierce and wild, true to his moniker. His dark eyes, combined with a smile that chilled men to the bone, oddly became a mysterious charm that fascinated women.

    "I heard that Young Lady Si Ming is about to be engaged to the Royal Guard Qi. When did you break up with her?"

    "I really wouldn’t know."

    "Oh, you’re not jealous at all?"

    "I was never involved with her in the first place."

    Yan Shi Jin said with a smile. Among the women who flocked to him, some would sit on his lap feeding him liquor and snacks, or flirt provocatively. He never pushed them away nor declined them outright, since he never really cared, which led them to misinterpret his indifference as something more—especially Young Lady Si Ming, who boldly assumed herself to be the future princess consort of Jin Wang. But when Yan Shi Jin remained detached and didn’t continue their relationship, despite their disappointment like swallowing blood, no woman could admit to being jilted, and they would indignantly claim they never cared for a flirtatious man.

    Although he disliked commitments, he certainly would never murder a fragile woman. Yan Shi Jin remained hesitant, unwilling to end matters by drastic means.

    "Sigh, brothers still pushed this kind of task onto me."

    Disguised, the young man joined the traveling procession. On that drizzling day, the muddy ground often trapped the carriage wheels, causing the soldiers who assisted in pushing the carriage to be covered with dirt. A prince like him was no exception. Since the head of the guard, Liao Fu Cheng, disappeared, chaos ensued. The soldiers grew anxious and speculated the worst until Fang Ning commanded Cheng Xi to take over Liao Fu Cheng's duties, restoring order efficiently. It turned out to be a wise decision of her.

    It was Cheng Xi who noticed the stranger among the soldiers in the procession.

    "You are not under my command. Who are you?"

    "A’Jin," he declared boldly, unafraid. Being taller than the others, all eyes turned to him. "Everyone calls me the Mad Dog."

    "Who sent you?"

    "The royal palace," replied the prince from the rival coolly. Yan Shi Jin didn’t even care that he was surrounded by hundreds of well-armed Li Region’s soldiers. His mission was to sever Princess Fang Ning's head and return it as a trophy for the army as per his father's command, but no honorable man would take pride in such a task. Yan Shi Jin's stern face barely concealed his displeasure.

    Cheng Xi, having served as an instructor in the army for many years, couldn't help but step back in awe when faced with this imposing man with powerful eyes. He had never before been so taken aback by anyone. This stranger didn’t seem like an ordinary man, and Cheng Xi felt both amazed and suspicious.

    “I’ve never heard of this before.”

    “Of course, you aren’t in a high enough position to know such matters,” Yan Shi Jin shrugged, his smile sly, his eyes fierce like a tiger’s. “Act normal. Don’t give away my status.”

    “What does the royal palace want with you here?”

    “That’s a secret. I don’t need to tell you.”

    “You're too rude to be a soldier. Tell me, who is your master?”

    He had never recognized anyone as worthy enough to be called his master. Yan Shi Jin twirled a dagger in his hand, his smile unnaturally bright before replying, “Currently, the princess is my master.”

    “The princess does not need you. Go back.”

    “That’s funny. I’m quite sure all women want me,” he said, and with a twirl of his dagger, he walked away, leaving Cheng Xi fuming with rage.