The great battle of '79 was imminent.

The three of them each harbored their own thoughts as they ate lunch. Yan’er, ever since arriving at the inn yesterday and lying down, had slept a full day and night. It was evident how arduous her life had been these past days.

“Are we ready to go?” Guan Canghai asked as he saw Yan’er put down her chopsticks.

“Yes.” Yan’er glanced at Baili Mubai, then suddenly reached out to grasp his hand, pressing it with some strength.

Guan Canghai noticed this but said nothing. If Yan’er could help win over this Baili Mubai, it would not be a bad outcome. Still, Baili Mubai had always been loyal to Pan Yueyang, and Guan Canghai, wary by nature, would never fully trust him. So long as Yan’er was by his side, Baili Mubai posed no threat and would certainly not aid Pan Yueyang.

“I understand,” Baili Mubai said awkwardly, rising to shield Yan’er. The three of them, with two swift horses and a carriage, set out southward toward Moon City.

They hurried along, stopping wherever night fell, often sleeping in the wild. The two men, both accomplished in martial arts, could easily doze leaning against trees, while Yan’er rested inside the carriage. It was already late May, and as they traveled south, the outdoor nights were not too harsh for Yan’er. In these ten-odd days, except for a single bath, she simply journeyed with the two men. Unable to sleep this particular night, Yan’er lifted the carriage curtain and saw the two men each leaning against a tree outside. Shaking her head, she let the curtain fall.

Sooner or later, she would have to tell Baili Mubai everything. She could not hide the truth forever, and if Mubai learned of it from another, the consequences might be far worse. She pondered when and how she should tell him what happened that night beneath the cliffs.

In a blink, they arrived at Moon City. In three more days they would reach the capital of the Tianfeng Kingdom—Heavenly Dynasty City.

“You will stay here in Moon City,” Guan Canghai said to Yan’er.

“I’m not to go with you to Heavenly Dynasty City?” Yan’er looked at him calmly. The closer they drew to Tianfeng, the more anxious he seemed.

“I have only recently ascended the throne. To bring you in from outside the palace so suddenly would be improper,” Guan Canghai replied, considering carefully.

Hmph, yet another man who shrinks from boldness. Yan’er, having seen the cowardice of men, laughed coldly in her heart.

“Don’t overthink it. At this very moment, the Heavenly Dynasty is gathering its forces, preparing to wage war on Panlong. If I take you back and place you in the harem, I won't be able to care for you. It’s safer in Moon City. If… if anything happens, you can at least ensure the child’s safety.” Though ambitious, Guan Canghai could not help but make contingency plans for defeat.

Yan’er understood his thoughts and nodded gently. “Everything will be alright.”

His words did ease her heart. He was right: with a great battle looming, if she were in the palace and Tianfeng emerged victorious, all would be well; but if they were defeated, and Tianfeng were swallowed by Panlong, her fate would be grim indeed. Besides, if Guan Canghai was not at her side, she might finally have a chance to explain everything to Baili Mubai.

Guan Canghai arranged for Yan’er and Baili Mubai to stay in a grand mansion, clearly having planned all this in advance. Otherwise, how would they have come straight here upon entering Moon City?

“Mubai, there is something I must tell you,” Yan’er said, leading him into the room.

—

Guan Canghai spurred his horse back to Heavenly Dynasty City. Upon entering the palace, his newly appointed prime minister, Li Zuo, was already seeking an audience.

“Canghai, where have you been all this time?” Li Zuo had supported him to the throne, and now, at this crucial juncture, Guan Canghai's sudden disappearance was unsettling. In the past, as a commoner, such freedom was tolerable, but now as emperor, such whims threatened to plunge Tianfeng into peril.

“I went out to take care of some matters. Has anything important happened in my absence?” Guan Canghai began to leaf through the memorials on his desk—Li Zuo had already reviewed them.

“Nothing major. Our forces are gathered and deployed, ready to strike at Panlong,” Li Zuo replied confidently.

“You intend to lead the troops yourself?” Guan Canghai asked, noting the look in Li Zuo’s eyes.

“I’ve yet to meet this so-called divine general Pan Yueyang whom you faced last time,” Li Zuo said with a wild glint.

“After this journey, I can assure you: Pan Yueyang’s highly skilled junior disciple will not be joining the battle.” This, for Guan Canghai, was the greatest gain of his trip. As for Yan’er, he cared for her, but state affairs trumped matters of the heart.

“Oh? That’s unexpected. I’ve only heard of this man from you, never truly seen his skills,” Li Zuo replied, his pride undiminished.

“I do not speak empty words. I’ll share the details of my journey another day. For now, give the order: tomorrow, we review the troops and prepare for the campaign. I will personally command on the battlefield,” Guan Canghai announced, rising to his feet.

“You mustn’t!” Li Zuo protested, recalling his previous anxieties. “You are now emperor. If anything happens to you, Tianfeng will be left defenseless.”

“Our goal is nothing less than the conquest of Panlong. If we fail, let Panlong devour us whole. Victory or defeat will be decided in this single battle!” Guan Canghai always saw life and death in stark terms.

“You’re being reckless!” Li Zuo flung his sleeves in anger.

“I have always acted with due measure!” Guan Canghai retorted. He would never attempt what could not be done.

“And what about Moon City? Pan Yueyang delayed you with ease and reclaimed the city without a drop of blood. How do you explain that?” Li Zuo was still resentful about losing Moon City, certain that had he commanded, it would have fallen easily.

“We are drawing the enemy deeper,” Guan Canghai replied, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

Li Zuo blinked at him, then silently turned and left the imperial study. Once Guan Canghai set his mind to something, no argument could sway him.

“Mubai, there is something I must tell you in all honesty,” Yan’er said solemnly, breathing heavily.

“Yan’er, I’ve always felt you were hiding something from me.” Baili Mubai was no fool; only his youthful affections had made him indulgent toward her.

“You must not help Yueyang,” Yan’er said abruptly.

“And why not?” Baili Mubai realized this was about more than simply aiding his senior brother.

“My child is indeed Yueyang’s,” Yan’er said, her hand caressing her belly, her face luminous with maternal love. “But he is also Guan Canghai’s.”

For a moment, Baili Mubai was stunned, staring blankly at her as he tried to process her words. “You mean, you and he…”

“I know it’s hard for you to accept,” Yan’er said, gazing out the window. “It was the night he captured me.”

“I’ll go kill him!” Baili Mubai shot to his feet in fury. He could not bear to see Yan’er sullied by anyone but his senior brother.

“Killing him won’t change what’s happened!” Yan’er rose as well, not holding him back, but speaking in a low, urgent voice behind him.

“Then what do you want me to do?” Baili Mubai’s eyes were bloodshot.

“Sit down,” Yan’er said, seeing he had regained some composure, and she relaxed a little.

Baili Mubai slumped back into his seat, fists clenched, glaring at Yan’er. He could not understand how someone as kind and guileless as her could be so ill-fated. For her sake, a nameless anger welled up within him.

“Mubai, after all that’s happened, I am no longer the girl I once was. No matter how good or pure a person is, the world will eventually wear them down. Long ago, I made my decision.” She glanced at his expression, then continued, “Since that night, Guan Canghai has claimed the child as his own, which fits my plan perfectly. Yueyang is powerless to help me; if only he had been brave enough to stand up for me, I would not have fallen so low again and again. Yueyang knows nothing about the child—not because I deliberately hid it, but because there was never a chance to tell him…” She poured herself a cup of tea. “From what I know, Panlong and Tianfeng are bound for war. Guan Canghai’s ambition is obvious, while Panlong has only Yueyang to resist him; there’s no other general in the army who can match Guan Canghai. So you must help your senior brother. But, Mubai, try to remain calm. No matter who wins or loses, the defeated will suffer terribly. I must ensure my own safety, so I can give birth to Yueyang’s child!”

“So after all that, you’re just asking me not to help my senior brother,” Baili Mubai sneered.

“I want you to understand: you are to preserve your brother’s only bloodline!” Yan’er met his gaze, her eyes earnest.

“Senior brother will not lose,” Baili Mubai replied, pride in his voice.

“Don’t be so sure! Panlong is not Yueyang’s domain, it belongs to the Emperor Jing. That muddleheaded ruler has committed countless blunders over the years. I have always preferred kindness, never sought enmity—yet look what’s become of me. If I had wronged anyone, would your senior sister have taken a branding iron for my sake?” Yan’er exclaimed, setting her teacup down in agitation.

“I…” He recalled how Xueqing had told him of Yan’er’s suffering, how the royal family, over nothing more than petty jealousy, had harmed her. He was a man of the martial world, untouched by court intrigues.

“You have nothing more to say, do you?” Yan’er smiled faintly. “Protect me, help me raise Yueyang’s child, no matter who wins or loses, for the common people have no say in the matter. For the sake of this child, will you help me, Mubai?” She half-knelt on the floor, looking up at him.

“Yan’er, there is something I’ve never told you: Ouran is also with child.”