As dusk fell the following night, most of the soldiers were still awake, having caught a large boar earlier that evening. They lit a bonfire and roasted the pork, sharing some with the princess and relaxing together in celebration. When Yan Shi Jin joined them, the soldiers were all huddled together, clapping and laughing intermittently.

    "What are you all discussing so animatedly?" The tall figure brushed snow off a large stone and carried it over to sit on.

    "We are competing in telling the indecent stories. The one with the most indecent tale gets to drink liquor and enjoy the roast pork."

    "How is the competition now? Can I join?" Yan Shi Jin asked, interested immediately. Liquor and indecent stories were a man's true companions.

    "Xiao Gui is leading right now. If you're interested, you can try to compete."

    "Then Xiao Gui, let me hear your story again."

    "Don't back out after hearing, eh?" Xiao Gui grinned, cleared his throat, and began his tale, "On one afternoon, in a village, there was a commotion that made a farmer named Fat Finger stand in front of his house in just his trousers. Across the street, a large group was bustling about. Fat Finger shouted to ask what's going on over there."

    "It’s Big Nose, replied one villager, he got struck by lightning and died... What. In broad daylight, under the scorching sun, how could he be struck by lightning? Fat Finger asked."

    "Big Nose was a pervert. He was fooling around with his wife in the daytime, so lightning struck him dead. Right then, Fat Finger's wife hurried out and yelled at him, Fat Finger, get inside quick, or you'll be struck by lightning next."

    Everyone laughed around the fire, and Yan Shi Jin laughed heartily too, giving Xiao Gui a confident look that he might just win the delicious liquor for himself.

    "Now, listen to my story," Yan Shi Jin started with a serious face, making everyone listen quietly, "A young man brought a beautiful woman to stay at his house. While they were drinking tea, the lady noticed that the young man was in the kitchen. So, she let out a series of sharp, squeaky farts. Piiip, piiip, piiiiiip..."

    Everyone groaned.

    "The young man came out of the kitchen just then, and she blurted out with embarrassment: Oh! Did you hear a bird singing? The young man replied, I didn’t hear... But tell me... Did it sing before or after you farted?"

    Laughter erupted around the circle, everyone in tears, giving thumbs-up. Xiao Gui handed over the liquor without a second thought, "Master Jin, you are incredibly indecent. I salute you from the heart and ask to be your disciple."

    "No need for formalities, I'm happy to teach. Liquor is best enjoyed with company. Come on, let’s share and enjoy."

    "Thank you, Master Jin, thank you, ha ha."

    "Come on! After drinking, we must sing. Follow me! Magic wand, heavy and swinging, swinging and swaying, the ladies’ skirts slipping, some with white bottoms, some with spotted, some black, some with marks, small and large, some without, just stuff some cotton. Oh, oh, oh, swaying back and forth, the magic wand swings and sways, oh, oh, oh.'"

    Yan Shi Jin tapped his foot lively to the rhythm, and the mood was even more festive as they sang risqué songs. But just as Yan Shi Jin was about to lift the liquor jar to his lips, the expressions of all the soldiers hardened. He turned around to see Jia Wu and Jun Yi Jun Qiang standing there with stern faces.

    "As small as our caravan is, with such thin tent walls, whatever foul and obscene things you shout are bound to reach the princess's ears. It's disgraceful! Go away now, get away. The princess cannot sleep. Go."

    Everyone scurried away quickly, leaving Yan Shi Jin to face the situation alone. He chuckled dryly because he saw Fang Ning peeking out of her tent. After making eye contact, she withdrew and refused to speak with him. He then shrugged and dragged his feet away following the other soldiers. Jia Wu rolled her eyes and then smirked, confident that her moment had come.

    Soon, every tent in the camp extinguished their lights. Apart from the assigned guards, everyone else was asleep. When the guard patrolled pass, the silhouette of a man appeared near Fang Ning's tent. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he stealthily entered, heading straight for the young woman's bed with a covetous look.

    But the bed was empty.

    The intruder, sensing something was wrong, quickly fled. However, he encountered archers who emerged from the pits and began shooting, forcing him to dodge and roll desperately. Once he steadied himself, ready to escape, he met Yan Shi Jin's fierce kick that landed squarely on the crotch. The intruder cried out incomprehensibly, collapsing and rolling on the ground in severe agony.

    Amid the torchlight, Yan Shi Jin stood majestically, arms crossed, like a warrior god. Not far off, Fang Ning watched the entire scene with a calm expression, while Jun Yi and Jun Qiang holding her arms left and right. Only Jia Wu showed signs of agitation but managed to keep her composure.

    When the intruder's face was revealed, all the soldiers, especially Cheng Xi, were shocked to see that the culprit was Dong Yang. Everyone was surprised except for Yan Shi Jin, who had known all along.

    "You are not a petty man, Dong Yang. You are the son of the Minister of Defense. Why would you think to harm the princess?"

    "Those do not humble enough want to taste the swan meat. Who instructed you? Tell us!" Yan Shi Jin stomped on Dong Yang's groin again, and Dong Yang writhed and howled in agony. He tried to appeal to Jia Wu for help. Instead of helping, she grabbed a horsewhip and began mercilessly whipping Dong Yang.

    "You vile creature, thinking such vile thoughts as if you are not human. Oh, my princess, I am so angry! Someone, take him and chop him into pieces right now!"

    Yan Shi Jin listened to Jia Wu's grand words and chuckled internally. She was smart to seize the moment to order his execution to destroy the evidence. "Let's not be hasty. Let us first extract the names of his co-conspirators."

    "Shut your mouth, you brute. What would a brute like you know!"

    "Jia Wu, don't be rude. Let them do their job." Fang Ning looked up at the bright stars in the sky. Instead of being angry at Dong Yang, her gaze was somber. "Dong Yang… we have been playmates since we were young. You have always been kind to me. I never thought you would do such a thing. Or you think I have not suffered enough?"

    "My princess... I am… sorry."

    "A’Jin, please handle this for me." Fang Ning wouldn’t met eyes with Yan Shi Jin, deliberately keeping her distance from him, as he was too dangerous to be close to. "Thank you for saving me once again."

    "It is my duty, my lady."

    Although she didn't say much beyond a thank you, he knew her trust in him had grown significantly. His tall, imposing figure bowed respectfully like a celestial warrior guarding his goddess. Fang Ning knew it was just his teasing. The solid muscles of this man, bathed in the golden light of the fire, appeared flawlessly magnificent, making Fang Ning imagine embroidering a pattern. This man suited a pattern of dragon… A dragon of the highlands.

    She pondered for a while until she realized everyone was silent, all eyes on her, especially the muscular man whose lips trembled as he tried to suppress laughter.

    "Your gaze makes me feel intimidated, my lady."

    "I... I was just thinking about embroidery patterns." Her cheeks flushed like ripe peaches. Yan Shi Jin leaned in closer with an irrepressible smile.

    "You can look at me and think whatever you want, but I enjoy the feeling when you look at me."

    "It... it’s not like that," Fang Ning stammered, her denials only drawing more attention. She quickly changed the subject. "Cheng… Cheng Xi told me about a group that is following us. They probably outnumber us by a lot. How will you handle this?"

    "We are still far from the border of the Lian Region and too isolated to send a message back for help in time."

    "Yes."

    "Excellent," Yan Shi Jin flicked his thumb against his nose in a confident gesture that made Fang Ning frown at him adorably. He sensed a danger as she touched the dagger hidden beneath her robe again, so he quickly made an excuse, "Oh, I was just being sarcastic, my lady."

    "Such a scoundrel."

    She finally allowed her gaze to fixate on him and glared at his face, making Yan Shi Jin's smile widen with delight at being scolded by a beauty before bedtime. She stepped closer and looked up at him intently.

    "Be careful," he warned, but she didn't listen. Stepping forward without noticing the icy patch, Fang Ning was about to step on it when his strong arms caught her waist and lifted her effortlessly.

    "Release the princess right now,"

    Jun Yi and Jun Qiang stepped forward, only to slip themselves, causing a scene of startled cries. Fang Ning saw the icy ground and then turned to look at the side of the hunter’s profile, his breath pacing against her finger. Suddenly, his warm hand tightened around her waist, which triggered something in him, but it seemed he did not want it known because as soon as he was sure of her safety, he released her.

    "Answer my question without dodging, or I'll have you sing that vulgar song until your voice cracks."

    She poked him in the chest. Her large eyes bore into him with seriousness. Just moments ago, he was caught off guard, lost in her eyes as beautiful as the stars. What could Yan Shi Jin does but bow again and again? Hell... His gaze was not fixed on her eyes, but it drifted unintentionally to her chest. The closeness, so precious, birthed in him many rash thoughts. He saw himself cradling her in his arms, her back pressed against his firm chest, both gazing out over vast fields blissfully, whispering a few words before their lips slowly met.

    His heart swelled with fleeting desire before he hastily dismissed the image. Yan Shi Jin even held his breath, forcing himself to calm his racing heart and clear his mind.

    "It's very late now. Allow me some time to discuss with Cheng Xi first, and then he can report to you in the morning. Is that acceptable?"

    Fang Ning stared at the expanse of his bronze-gold skin revealed by the opening of his robe, her lips parting cutely as if she had more to say. Yan Shi Jin waited attentively to hear her, but Jia Wu, anxious about Dong Yang, grabbed the princess's arm first.

    "You must execute this depraved criminal to set an example, or else we won't be able to sleep peacefully throughout the journey."

    "I have already given that authority to A’Jin. Rest assured."

    "But..."

    "Let's go back, Jia Wu. We must leave before dawn tomorrow."

    She returned to her lodging without another glance at Dong Yang. Her remaining life would need to become more accustomed to loss before it became unbearable. More importantly, the rough man’s smile troubled her thoughts too much. Jia Wu saw Dong Yang being taken away for questioning, and her expression grew even more vindictive.

    Jia Wu turned to look at the princess's fragile back, clenching her hands tightly before loosening them and following with light steps. All her duplicitous actions were observed by Yan Shi Jin, who then smirked coldly before spitting.

    Oh, beautiful lady, what sins have you committed to be haunted by such a vengeful spirit to this extent?