Chapter 2: Come With Me

    Chen Taohua was born into a prominent family, the Chen family, well-known for generations of soldiers, its military prowess passed down to the latest heir. Her father, Chen Taiwen, was a trusted general of Yan Wang. Chen Taohua never met her dad since he died in battle before she was born.

    When she was only five, her mother also passed away. Left alone, she was mistreated by her maternal relatives, the Zhao family, who treated her like a servant. They did not educate her or let anyone know she was the heir to General Chen. When an elder relative came to manage the Chen family's estate and saw the wealth and lands, greed took over, and they plotted against Chen Taohua. As a result, a nanny beat her unconscious and left her to die in the forest.

    But Chen Taohua survived.

    When she staggered back to town, she heard villagers discussing her funeral, and the Zhao family had already taken over the Chen Manor, rising to become one of the most powerful aristocratic families in Yan Region.

    "Father... Mother..."

    Chen Taohua saw her own grave marker next to her parents. She shed no tears. The only heir, she felt utterly alone and unsupported. So, she decided to leave home without looking back. By the time Yan Wang heard about his right-hand general's daughter's hardships, Chen Taohua was already a street child.

    At that time, Yan Wang was planning a war. As he rode his horse back into the city, he saw many suffering from the war, refugees starving and destitute. Many families were so desperate they were selling their daughters, as evidenced by grass tied to their heads. Yan Wang then ordered porridge to be distributed to alleviate their suffering. People lined up for food in a queue that twisted and turned, the area filled with beggars in filthy rags.

    "This endless war over the years has made everything worse. Such a misery."

    "The Li are warmongers, especially Li Wang and his younger brother. They know we have no princess, yet they use this to justify their invasions,"

    said Yan Shen, the eldest son of Yan Wang, in his early twenties, visibly upset. He was one of the distinguished men. The two states had an alliance through marriage, but since Yan Wang had no daughter, a solution was to appoint a court lady as a princess to send her off. The Li Region, realizing the deceit, refused to send Princess Fanning and did not accept the appointed princess either. This issue had been a lingering problem for nearly a decade, fueling the war.

    "It doesn't matter, Big Brother. If they want to fight, then fight. We have three, I’m not afraid of those two brothers."

    Three handsome and robust men, riding a horse beside their father's carriage. The boldest and largest was the second prince, Yan Sanqi. The third prince, Yan Shijin, yawned boredly. All in their mature age, hot-blooded and eager for battle, especially with Li Wang and his brother, relishing the challenge to their wits and combat skills. The three totally enjoyed it. However, Yan Wang disagreed.

    "Do you not see how much the people suffer from war? If we could find a way to peace, return workers to the fields, restore our people's lives, and quickly start trading across borders, it would be much better."

    "Yes, Father."

    "Let's return!" ordered Yan Wang, directing the charioteer to turn the carriage back to the palace. But perhaps it was fate that a small girl would one day become a high-status lady. At that moment, the sun's rays hit the small dagger tucked at the waist of the young girl blocking the path ahead of the carriage.

    The charioteer was nearly scared to death, pulling the reins with all his might. The horse suddenly halted and reared up in surprise before stomping its hooves on the ground, narrowly missing the small head. But the young girl's expression remained chillingly unchanged. Yan Wang lifted the curtain of his carriage to see, finding little Chen Taohua standing calm and still.

    "You street beggar, don't you know your place! Standing in the way of a horse like this, aren’t you afraid of dying?!" The charioteer swung his whip at her.

    "Stop!" Yan Wang commanded. Yan Sanqi, catching the whip's end just in time, observed the little girl, amazed at her composed maturity beyond her years. Her courage was admirable.

    "Hua'er bows to Your Majesty,"

    The little one knelt, her speech crisp and clear. Beneath her coarse, dirty clothing, her skin was radiant like jade, her clear sweet face suggesting her potential beauty, no one could compete. Five-year-old, Chen Taohua looked up at Yan Wang with wide, bright eyes, her presence calming the chaos around Yan Wang, leaving only her brave gaze clearly visible.

    "How dare! A child with no manners! Get lost! How dare you stare at the Wang like this?!" A royal soldier came to chase her away, but the girl stood firm, her commanding gaze making the soldier recoil.

    "Why can't a citizen who has sacrificed blood and sweat look upon the face of their ruler?

    What is it that makes Your Majesty unable to face the people?"

    With such bold, fearless words and a strong gaze, Yan Wang immediately recognized her as the descendant of Chen Taiwen.

    "Are you a friend of my father?"

    "Who is your father?"

    "My father is Chen Taiwen, and my name is Chen Taohua."

    She bowed respectfully, not compromising the dignity of her noble lineage. Her voice echoed, made Yan Wang’s eyes felt hot. The dagger at her waist was his own—a gift to his only friend Chen Taiwen, who had fought by his side to gather lands and establish the strong foundation of Yan Region, matching the rival region of Li. After his right-hand general's death, only a memorial stone remained, and he had neglected to repay Chen Taiwen's virtue.

    "I heard you died of a recent illness. What happened? You are the young master of the Chen Manor. Why are you in such a state?"

    "I am healthy and have never been sick. The only ailment I had was a wound on my head. I was unconscious in the woods for three days and nights, but Yanluo Wang[1] chased me away."

    "Since you are alive, why did Zhao Yang declare you dead?"

    "Once, I was a Young Miss living at the Chen manor, having my father's authority to protect me. But strangely, upon my return this time, all that was left was a pile of dirt and a tombstone with my name."

    "This is a serious matter. Why didn’t you go to court?"

    "I didn't want to be beaten again. Besides my tombstone, I might also have earned the reputation of a liar, bringing it back to my parents, and disgracing the warrior family. I will fight if I can, if not I will defend, and if I cannot defend, I will retreat and wait for a chance to strike back.”

    Yan Wang, taken aback by the girl's words, asked, "Young kid, who taught you to speak like this?"

    "Such things are taught by heaven. I've slept in the dirt, eaten on the sand, and even fought dogs for food. If I acted weak, dogs would bully me. But if I stood strong, even packs of dogs respected me."

    As the young girl boldly spoke up to this point, Yan Sanqi couldn't suppress his laughter. Her words were so fierce, daring to call the noble Zhao family dogs. He found Chen Taohua's speech amusing, while Yan Wang was left speechless with his jaw dropped.

    "I, as a weak girl, had to change myself to become strong and defend myself. And now, it is time for a powerless child like me to fight back."

    Her response explained everything without directly implicating anyone. A five-year-old girl accusing high-ranking officials—how many would believe a child's words? Now she had the chance to formally accuse the Zhao relatives who had seized the Chen family's wealth and altered their manor's signs. Yet she refrained, knowing Yan Wang would ensure justice was served. The little disheveled beggar hid a sharp intellect akin to a keen blade. This made Yan Wang like her even more.

    "Good! I will be the stick for you to chase those people away."

    "Thank you, Your Majesty. May you live long and be protected by the gods. May the land be prosperous all year and the people content."

    The five-year-old child recited from phrases she heard during New Year’s Eve, conversations in tea houses, and tales—strange yet charming to hear. Yan Wang could no longer suppress it; he busted out laughing.

    "You remind me of your father when he was drunk. Would you like to hear stories about him?"

    The girl beamed. "I would love to. Mother said Father was a brave man."

    "Indeed, you are truly your father's daughter."

    He picked up Chen Taohua and handed her a large, steamed bun, then turned to his three sons who were following. "This is the daughter of Chen Taiwen, your master. Remember her?"

    "I remember. I used to hold her," said Yan Shen, the first prince, his noble features like sculpted jade, and his stern demeanor replica of his father. Thus, none would guess his affection for his sister.

    "From now on, she is Princess Yong’an, your little sister."

    Yan Shen's eyes lit up, eager for a sister; Yan Sanqi was indifferent, while Yan Shijin pouted, disliking children. "Is father planning to use her as a key to peace?"

    Yan Wang shook his head at such a question. "No, no way, she is the daughter of a man who I owe him a great debt. Even if asked, I would not easily give her away. Child…, come back with me. From now on, I am your father. Even the Zhao nobles must kneel down and bow to you."

    From then on, Chen Taohua became Princess Yong’an, Yan Wang's adoptive daughter. He did not spoil her but raised her strictly. Yan Shen taught her how to read and write, history, and royal conventions. Yan Sanqi taught her horseback riding, while Yan Shijin did not teach her anything, only used her for labor.

    While her brothers practiced their sword and spear skills, the young girl secretly watched and clumsily mimicked them. When Yan Sanqi noticed, he allowed her to practice alongside them, treating her like a younger brother. No matter how tough the training, Chen Taohua never faltered, hardened by her struggles on the streets. Yan Sanqi, impressed by her demeanor, taught her everything he knew about warfare. Over time, the little peach blossom grew fond of playing with swords and spears like a boy, dressing like a young man.

    "Damn it! Why is my first battle so cursed?"

    Prince Li Xuanlong lunged above the water and then swam to save Chen Taohua, who was panicking and almost drowning. Though his armor was heavy, it posed no problem for him. Once he grabbed the girl, he brought her to shore, followed closely by Feilong, who was struggling.

    The little girl clung tightly to the young man's armor, her body trembling. Li Xuanlong was about to push her away but seeing her crying until her face turned red, he sighed and lay back on the bank, unbothered by the fact that half his body remained soaking in the water, lying still, let her use him as a human tear towel until she was satisfied. Then Li Xuanlong laughed.

    "What's up? You said you weren't afraid to die, but you cried your eyes out, you little squint-eyed kid. Really funny," he teased in a mock voice. "Farther, mother, Hua'er is scared."

    Chen Taohua buried her face in his chest, not arguing but persistently punching him while nestled close. Initially, her hits were weak due to her lack of strength, prompting him to remain indifferent. However, as Chen Taohua's punches grew stronger, one managed to land on his chin, irritating him. He was about to scold her satisfyingly but softened upon seeing this peach blossom’s reddened cheeks and the tears that suddenly streamed down.

    "Have you hurt anywhere?"

    "It's none of your business!"

    Before she could finish speaking, her beautiful face contorted with pain. The girl's shin showed a red swollen mark from the impact. The tall figure then moved his hand to check, but the girl recoiled, pulling her leg away. Li Xuanlong tried to count one to ten in his head to calm his irritation before reaching out to check her injury again.

    "No..."

    The bad memories still festered in her heart and spread painfully. She could never forget that terrifying night in the dense forest, with packs of wolves prowling, their howling echoing from afar, mingled with the mournful cries of owls, accompanied by the smell of blood.

    "Take me away from here."

    The surrounding environment was now a dense forest, with strangely twisted trees that added to the eerie feeling, and the sounds from the forest made the girl uncomfortable. These elements overlaid with her past experiences. Chen Taohua had stopped crying but continued to sob lightly. As Li Xuanlong moved closer, his large shadow loomed, causing the girl to scramble away and curl up into a ball as if terrified of something, which was peculiar for him.

    "What's wrong? Where has the brave Princess Yong’an gone?... Don't delay; stretch out your leg. I'll look at the wound."

    "I'm fine."

    "Don't be stubborn!" He shouted because he thought she was stalling.

    The girl bowed her head, her thick eyelashes resting on her flushed cheeks filled with tear streaks, insisting she was fine while retreating. But her delicate, jade-like fingers still tightly gripped his shirt, not letting go. Li Xuanlong, having never dealt with girls before, could not guess what she really needed.

    “Alright, no one is here but us. You don't need to act tough anymore. I don’t have the time nor am I your brother to indulge or be patient with you any longer. If you want to say something, then say it."

    Li Xuanlong growled deeply, trying to muster patience, clearly seeing how bad the condition of her fragile leg was. But the little girl was stubborn, not whimpering at all.

    "I'm not hurt, I can handle it. I won't be a burden to you."

    "You've been a burden since the beginning," he stated bluntly with a gruff voice. "The only reason I haven't killed you is that you are a princess, and a princess must not be injured. Show me your leg now."

    "Can you promise that if I agree, you won't leave me here?" The girl's voice was thin, laced with fear. He realized then that she was afraid of being abandoned. His stern face unexpectedly burst into laughter. The sharp-witted princess was indeed terrified.

    Chen Taohua's tears fell continuously. She was displeased, hence she chased him away.

    "Just go then. I curse you to be stabbed by my brother's soldiers like a hedgehog."

    "You’re not only ugly but also unsympathetic. I'm leaving. And you, just rot here,"

    he said as he grabbed Feilong's reins, intending to leave this mad child behind. His brothers would soon send someone to look for her. But as he glanced at the severe injury on her leg, his legs became immobilized!

    Li Xuanlong sighed deeply, then kneeled, his eyes locked with hers. Chen Taohua looked at him for a moment before sheepishly said.

    "When I was five... I was left to die in the forest. The adults in the carriage acted as if they didn't see me being beaten."

    The more she spoke, the quieter her voice became. Li Xuanlong suddenly understood—the toughness of Chen Taohua hid immense sadness. It felt as if a knot in one’s heart was untied. Perhaps Yian Region wasn't revealing Princess Yong’an's identity due to political reasons, and many adults didn't want her alive. Realizing this, Li Xuanlong awkwardly scratched his neck, regretting his mockery. Facing a harsh world at such a young age. Yan Wang was indeed ruthless, considering killing even a small child.

    "I called for my parents to help me, but it was impossible. I had to help myself, feigning death and struggling out of the grave they buried me in. I survived by eating leaves in the forest and sleeping in hollow logs. I admit, I was scared. I didn’t want you to leave me alone. You can laugh at me if you want."

    "You managed to climb the hill and come through the forest to find me all by yourself, didn't you?"

    "Coming by myself and being brought are not the same, you fool."

    Her delicate and exquisitely beautiful form bowed down onto her knee, fragile like a tiny dewdrop. If he wasn’t careful, she might vanish, and for whatever damned reason, the protective thought instantly emerged in his mind.

    "Little princess... I admit you are brave. I promise I won’t leave you. Hurry, give me your leg. If we don’t take care of it soon, you might be crippled for life."

    When she looked up at him again, relenting and extending her injured leg even though she was shivering and soaked, her awkward actions still showed trust. Just hearing him say 'I won't leave' brought a teary smile to her face, deeply affecting the young prince. He blushed and turned away as he checked her bones.

    Hmm... broken leg... he grabbed his temples. Damn it.

    The young prince stood up to check on his horse. It was fine, just dirty, and soaking wet. The bow and arrows were still intact. He snapped off sharp edges and temporarily splinted the leg with them. Chen Taohua watched him silently as he tore his shirt to bind her leg securely and then lifted her from the water to sit under the shade of a tree. He whistled, calling Feilong to sit by her as a companion.

    "Your leg is broken. Stay here; don't go anywhere. I'll go find some dry wood to make a fire for you."

    He said this because she looked like she might follow. His strong hand then pressed her forehead back down to sit. The girl's body was chilled by the cold wind, and her beautiful, delicate face began to pale. When she met his steady gaze, Chen Taohua obeyed and acted more well-behaved by hugging Feilong's neck instead.

    "Aren't you afraid my brother might catch up to you? You don’t even have to care whether I'm cold or not," her simple question made him choke.

    "Do I not get to rest?" He feigned indifference while lying. He didn't forget to glare at her. "I still have your father's dagger with me, don’t think about running away."

    What a thoughtless thing to say. Chen Taohua looked at his face, then at her broken leg, and sighed, "Hurry back, okay?"

    "Alright."

    He hurriedly left, internally cursing the disastrous battle, cursing Yan Sanqi for not taking care of his sister, cursing the insolent girl who was unsane, and most of all... he didn’t understand why he felt itchy around the mouth, wanting to smile broadly when the silly girl commanded him to 'hurry back.'

    The handsome young man looked up at the cliff he had fallen from. The situation was critical. This area was still under Yan Region’s influence. Yan Sanqi would likely send someone to search for them tonight, if not by tomorrow. So, he might be discovered at any moment. Li Xuanlong should find a way to rejoin Zhu Zi as quickly as possible, but at least he had to make sure this silly girl was dry and warm first.

    His tall, imposing figure ventured deeper into the dense forest, yet close enough to run back to the little girl if something happened. The wood here was somewhat damp, so he frowned deeply, annoyed, as the smoke from the fire would reveal their location. It could either signal Zhu Zi or, if unlucky, call Yan soldiers to slaughter him. Making a fire now was practically suicidal, but he had promised not to leave this little girl.

    The sun was just past its peak; there was still some time... Hopefully, that Yan Sanqi wouldn’t show up right now.

    Li Xuanlong muttered curses to himself as he searched for dry wood. He slashed the branches with his sharp sword, while cursing non-stop. He worked like a maniac, cutting low-hanging branches, stripping twigs and leaves, and then hauling a sufficient pile to keep her warm.

    His strong, wet figure braved the cold air unflinchingly, his sturdy legs making long strides back to the original spot because he didn’t want the silly girl to wait too long. Feilong, hearing the familiar footsteps, wagged his ears, raised his head to greet his master, and snorted out breaths through his nostrils loudly. He lay down, becoming a warm, protective fort for the girl. So, he wasn’t overly concerned.

    "Are you hungry yet? I have..."

    The image of the girl undressing stole his breath and voice completely. The pile of dry branches he had carried and the rabbit he had caught dropped from his hands. His sharp eyes widened in shock, then he closed them tightly and turned his back. His hand gripped his sword so tightly it nearly broke. His stomach felt like it was on fire.

    "Why are you taking off your clothes?!" He stomped his feet in a fit of anger, frustrated at himself for being so flustered by a child! He was embarrassed by his bright red face. Chen Taohua looked down at herself in confusion, not understanding his erratic behavior.

    "Wet clothes need to be dried, otherwise I'll catch a cold. You are really stupid," the girl scolded him with her eyes, making Li Xuanlong's heartbeat even faster.

    "Damn it! I mean..." He pointed a finger at her, still turned away, struggling to speak but then biting his words back. He kept clenching his teeth. "Never mind! I'm sure you're not a real princess."

    "That's right. If you keep babbling like this, I might freeze to death and turn into a corpse."

    Prince of Li almost choked on her response. His strong hands quickly set to work building a fire, repeating to himself to 'be patient.' She was just a child, not filled with dirty thoughts like him...

    The young man tried to distract himself by thinking of various beautiful women, but he could not shake off the image of the clear cheeks’ girl. She sat hugging her knees, her big eyes moving around, nestled next to the glossy black warhorse, accentuating her pure, pale skin. Chen Taohua’s small pinafore and thin underpants unsettled his mind terribly.

    Damn it! What was he excited about a little girl with slanting eyes? Li Xuanlong cursed inwardly. Be patient…, be patient. The tall man forced himself to focus on his task, not to look at the silly girl, not to notice her delicate, frail shoulders even though his body was tense. In a moment, he easily lit a small fire.

    "Come warm yourself by the fire. I can't afford to dawdle, I'm being pursued. Once you're warm, we'll continue our journey immediately."

    "Mm."

    "Don't get up; I'll carry you," Li Xuanlong said sternly, finding an excuse to help her move closer to the fire. He then took off his armor, laid his shirt on a rock to dry, and sat down across from her, his eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings. While he skinned the rabbit with Chen Taohua's dagger, her wide eyes watched and learned intently.

    "If you ever get lost in the woods again, remember that with just one dagger, you can easily survive. Didn't your brother teach you that?"

    The little girl shook her head.

    "Who wants to kill you? And where are they now?"

    Chen Taohua glanced at the person who asked the question. The man he was curious about had been dead and buried for a long time. Yan Wang was undermining the power of the noble from the Zhao family at the time, using various accusations along with the matter of Chen Taohua as an excuse to incrementally increase their penalties until finally...

    "Qishi[2]."

    "What?"

    "Qishi... The person who harmed me and my mother, he shall repay me thousandfold."

    Chen Taohua's voice was cold as she mentioned her own uncle, Zhao Yang, who saw her as a severe threat and sought to eliminate. But when Chen Taohua survived and returned amidst hardships, it incited the troops of General Chen Taiwen at the border to rage, and so Zhao Yang had to be cautious.

    "I propose that this person be placed in a cage… an iron cage that burned up till it was burning hot, just like my mother and I were forced to kneel in the sun until my mother couldn't bear it and died in agony. But Father, rather than agreeing, protected him."

    Li Xuanlong listened, still stunned, hardly believing that this young girl with cherry-red lips could be so fierce. Unfortunately, Chen Taohua's brutal desire was not granted. Because, despite everything, the other party was a high-ranking official with considerable merits. In the autumn of that year, Yan Wang ordered Zhao Yang's execution for embezzlement, but only a few knew the real reason was his transgression against the descendants of General Chen Taiwen. Meanwhile, Zhao Chanzi and Zhao Yaoqin, the children of her uncle, vanished, rumored to have fled to Lian Region to escape political persecution. Chen Taohua did not bother to pursue them.

    "Still as eloquent as ever, but with a face so pale... your leg is starting to hurt, isn't it?"

    Despite Chen Taohua's effort to remain silent and not show any signs of pain, he could still know. Li Xuanlong reached into his small saddlebag, pulled out some painkillers, and tossed them to her.

    "Take these. They're bitter but effective."

    "Thank you,"

    Chen Taohua grimaced slightly as she took the medicine from his hand. Li Xuanlong took the opportunity to look at the young girl more closely for the first time. She seemed unnaturally strong and composed for her age, her sharp eyes reflecting a hidden pain. For whatever reason, he disliked seeing her looking so sad. External wounds heal quickly, but the scars in the heart do not fade easily. Princess Yong’an was unwanted, destined either for death or to be sent as a war tribute.

    "Do your three older brothers treat you well?" he asked.

    "They are good to me, but they are always busy."

    "And your father?" he asked about Yan Wang, but Chen Taohua thought of Chen Taiwen.

    "Since I was born, I have never met my father."

    Chen Taohua was accustomed to this and didn't think being fatherless was a disadvantage. Her tone was casual as if discussing everyday matters, but it made the listener think Yan Wang might not care much for her. The young man let his head hang before deciding to speak.

    "If you can't stay in the Yan Region, come find me... go to Long Wang manor, understand?"

    Chen Taohua was warming her icy hands by the fire, her face clouded with confusion as she just stared at him. His face, illuminated by the firelight, turned a deeper shade of red before he spoke slowly and clearly, "I said if Yan Wang plans to kill you, you should flee to stay with me."

    The young girl blinked, "Why should I stay with you?"

    "Just letting you know; you can come to me... I think I like you. If you were a boy, it'd be great to have you as a younger brother. But since you're a girl, I'll have you as a sister."

    Li Xuanlong Long blamed the quiet riverside, the flickering flames that cast a warm glow, and the sinking sun for his boldness.

    "You've been targeted for assassination countless times, haven't you? Even your three brothers can't be trusted. Your father doesn't care... I can take care of a little one like you."

    He thought to himself, determined, his eyes fierce as he thumped his chest. When two madmen meet, confusion only deepens. Before Chen Taohua could respond, the sound of dozens of horses' hooves shook the ground. With lightning speed, Li Xuanlong grabbed his sword, scooped up the young girl, and leaped onto Feilong’s back.

    In an instant, the soldiers of Yan region, tracking them down, galloped past the small fire, snuffing it out. Leading the chase was Yan Sanqi, who rode superbly without even holding the reins, his sharp eyes intensely fixed on the back of Prince Li Xuanlong. This boy was quick, no matter how hard he tried to chase, he could never catch.

    "Release her now!" Yan Sanqi bellowed as he fiercely pursued. Li Xuanlong Long laughed and shouted back.

    "She's going to live in my Li Region!"

    Li Xuanlong shouted earnestly, causing Chen Taohua to widen her eyes and glare at him, "Hey! Who told you I'd go with you?"

    "It was you. Do you don’t want to go?"

    The wind scattered their words. Yan Sanqi, riding hard, could only catch fragments of the prince's words - something about ‘she... mine...’ Confused but seeing the young man tightly embracing his little sister, the heart of the big brother flared up. Yan Sanqi spurred his horse, then noticed that Li Xuanlong was shirtless, while his little sister was wearing only a pinafore and undergarment. Blood vessels on the demonic general’s temples popped, he was furious, chased after those two with all his might, and did not care for the danger.

    "You depraved predator! I'll chop your parts off, you monster! She's just seven years old!"

    "What kind of dirty thoughts does your brother have?" He admitted that he was slightly excited to see the child's skin, but it was nothing as lowly as what Yan Sanqi thought. Li Xuanlong spurred his horse to its limits, firmly gripping Chen Taohua's waist. With one hand on the reins and the other swinging his sword to fend off the surrounding Yan soldiers, he finally broke through to the mountain pass. Li Xuanlong managed to join his troops just in time, positioning himself at the rear of the troops to face the Dragon Spear wielder, who was relentlessly chasing them alone.

    "You talk big about being a man who keeps his promises, but you broke your promise, Yan Sanqi."

    "Shut up! I don't have to honor a kidnapper like you! Let go of my sister!" Yan Sanqi was furious, throwing his Dragon Spear with all his might. Li Xuanlong, wanting to gauge his skill, did not dodge.

    "Off you go, you little bad-mouth. You've broken your leg this time; hope it doesn't end up crooked as you grow." The young man whispered as he flung the little princess out of harm's way before parrying the sharp spear that was thrust towards him in a blink. Li Xuanlong managed to deflect it, but both his wrists went numb under pressure.  The spear’s force startled his trusted horse. It was clear that Yan Sanqi's power was no mere bluff.

    "Ha! Yan Sanqi, keep your head on your neck. I'll come back to claim it for this debt."

    Li Xuanlong sheathed his sword. Seeing that the little princess was getting up from the grass and seemed safe, he signaled his horse to leave with a kick on its flank. Chen Taohua tried to follow but stumbled and fell face-first.

    "Hey! What about my father's dagger?!"

    "It's mine now! If you want it back, come and get it yourself. If a crippled kid like you can make it to the Li Region, then come. I'll wait to see your face! Silly Princess."

    Since she wouldn't leave with him willingly, he teased her to provoke her because he knew that even if she had both legs cut off, this wild little girl would surely make her way to the Li Region. Li Xuanlong laughed heartily, making Chen Taohua begin to be angry. He not only bullied a kid, but also stole, and even had a sharp tongue. Such a bad personality.

    "You stupid, baby turtle prince! Remember this: I'll kick your butt."

    "Can someone as short as you even reach my ankle with a kick?"

    Li Xuanlong continued to spar verbally as the horse of Li Region’s prince reared up energetically and bolted away like the wind. By the time Yan Sanqi managed to catch up to his sister, Li Xuanlong and his army of three thousand had already retreated far. Yan Sanqi's furrowed brows tightened as he watched the retreating forces of the Li Region. The young prince, only fifteen, had managed to deflect a full-powered Dragon Spear—no ordinary.

    And he didn't forget to thump Chen Taohua's head exactly where Li Xuanlong Long had done it.

    "You deserve a beating! Come back with me. Our father has prepared a birch rod as thick as an arm to welcome you. I'll tie you up with your sister-in-law so she can fix your bad behavior."

    The towering figure grabbed his mischievous sister’s shirt collar and lifted her onto the horse. Seeing her leg's condition, he cried out loudly and hurriedly took her back to Yan Region territory as fast as possible. The little girl said nothing, just sitting quietly, her body covered in splattered blood. Yan Sanqi thought it might be good for the feisty princess to witness a real battle, hoping it would curb her requests for war training and following him to the front.

    But Yan Sanqi had no idea that her big eyes sparkled brighter than ever, and those who had troubled Chen Taohua were in grave trouble themselves.

[1] Yama, the king of hell. (阎罗王)

[2] behead in the market.