Chen Ji slipped into the inner prison before the iron gate had even opened.

He walked down the narrow steps, casually asking, “This morning, did Lord Bailong bring Prince Jing, the Crown Prince, and the Princess here?”

The jailer, following behind him, replied, “To report to Your Excellency, Prince Jing is being held in Cell A1, and the Crown Prince and Princess are in Cell A7, not far away. Your Excellency, Lord Bailong specifically instructed that no one is allowed to speak with them without permission. Please don’t put this humble subordinate in a difficult position.”

Chen Ji stopped on the stone steps and calmly turned to look at the jailer.

The jailer lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze, and after a long pause, said, “However, Lord Bailong isn’t here right now, so it should be fine for you to speak a few words with them.”

Chen Ji continued walking forward.

Many people from Prince Jing’s residence were imprisoned there. Along the way, Chunhua, Chunrong, Xibing, and others, seeing Chen Ji, cried out heartbreakingly that they were innocent and pleaded for help.

As he passed through the corridor between the cells, the cold, damp stench from inside the cells assailed his nostrils.

When he passed Cell A7, Chen Ji looked inside in disbelief. The Crown Prince’s hair was disheveled, and Bai Li’s white dress was covered in dust, like a pearl veiled in grime.

How could you be imprisoned in such a place?

Yet, Chen Ji said nothing. He simply turned his head calmly and continued walking without stopping.

When the Crown Prince saw Chen Ji pass by, he frantically tried to rush to the edge of the cage, but Bai Li held him back tightly.

She lowered her head, hiding her expression behind her scattered hair, and whispered, “Don’t go. Brother, please, don’t implicate him.”

The Crown Prince turned and watched his sister’s tears fall one by one into the straw on the ground. He slowly relaxed his body, dejectedly sat back down, and watched helplessly as Chen Ji passed by the cell door and disappeared from view.

Chen Ji arrived at the door of Cell A1 and saw Prince Jing sitting behind a desk, quietly turning the pages of a book.

He turned to the jailer and asked, “I’d like to say a few words to Prince Jing. Is that alright?” The jailer looked troubled.

Chen Ji pulled out a ten-tael silver ingot from his sleeve. “Either take the silver, or wait to die.” The jailer quickly pocketed the money and retreated to a distant spot to stand guard for Prince Jing and Chen Ji.

At this moment, Prince Jing saw Chen Ji, smiled, and rose to approach the edge of the cage. “What brings you here?”

Chen Ji noticed Prince Jing’s gaunt face, which looked as though his life force was dwindling. “Your Highness, was it worth it?”

Prince Jing smiled, answering evasively, “Chen Ji, do you know that the Ning Dynasty is about to fall?” “Hm?”

Holding the book in his hand, Prince Jing’s gaze went past Chen Ji to the far end of the long corridor. “In the winter of the eleventh year of Jianing, I led troops to suppress a rebellion, but my forces were ultimately trapped in Liuzhou. Everyone said they were bandits, but they were actually raised by the Yang family. If Ah Yi hadn’t asked my father-in-law to mediate with the Yang family, I would have truly died there.”

“When His Majesty first ascended the throne, he sent imperial envoys to inspect the salt trade in the Two Rivers region. But those sent either colluded with the Xu and Yang families, died in house fires, or drowned after falling from pleasure boats. In two years, the court dispatched thirteen envoys, and seven of them died. Even the upright Lord Hai, who once presented a coffin to His Majesty in protest, came to Yuzhou to measure land and demanded that the Liu family return land to the people, but ultimately had to leave in disgrace.”

“Chen Ji, do you know that the border troops haven’t received their provisions and pay for three years? How many more three-year periods can they wait? If we cannot bring about a new order, the Ning Dynasty will be plunged into chaos and suffering.”

Chen Ji calmly said, “So, Your Highness and His Majesty conspired to use extreme measures to drag the Liu family into the grave with you?”

Prince Jing chuckled and said, “The Liu family, His Majesty’s maternal relatives; the Hu family, leaders of the Jin faction; the Xu and Yang families of the Xu faction; your Donglin Chen family; and the Censors of the Qi faction — they constantly quarrel amongst themselves. But once they face imperial power, they suddenly unite against a common enemy, becoming untouchable. Without such extraordinary means, the Liu family cannot be eliminated…”

Chen Ji interrupted Prince Jing, speaking earnestly and sincerely, “Your Highness, I don’t understand what you intend to do, nor do I care what you intend to do. I just believe that the Crown Prince and Bai Li shouldn’t die with you; they are innocent. Your Highness, they are your children. Please find a way for them to live.”

Prince Jing stood in the cell in silence. He slowly said, “His Majesty once promised me that Yunxi would inherit the title of Prince Jing.”

Chen Ji suddenly laughed. He gripped the cast-iron bars of the cage and stared intently at Prince Jing. “Your Highness, are you truly so trusting of others? Do you believe that yourself? You are clearly not the type to surrender so easily, yet you allowed yourself to be imprisoned in the inner prison with such ease. You entrusted your children to me, which means you knew this day would come! Who are you still calculating against now? Your Highness, don’t wait any longer. If you do, Bai Li will die with you!”

Prince Jing scrutinized Chen Ji. He bit his finger and wrote a blood letter on a book. “Deliver this letter to General Wang of the Millennium Army. Tell him the secret command, ‘Mountains and Rivers are Safe,’ and he will lead troops here to break into the prison. From now on, are you willing to take Bai Li into the martial world, live anonymously, and protect her?”

Having said that, he tore the page from the book and handed it out.

Chen Ji reached out, but Prince Jing pulled his hand back. “You haven’t answered me yet.” Chen Ji took a deep breath. “I am willing.”

He took the page from Prince Jing’s hand, tucked it into his robes, and turned to walk out. Behind him, Prince Jing suddenly said, “Chen Ji, I’m sorry.”

Chen Ji paused, then turned back. “What are you referring to, Your Highness?” Prince Jing smiled without answering, waving his hand to signal him to hurry.

Chen Ji touched his chest, feeling that the blood letter hidden within weighed a thousand jin. To rescue the Crown Prince and the Princess, he knew he couldn’t do it alone; the Millennium Army’s assistance was essential.

In the dim corridor of the inner prison, he stopped when he passed Cell A7 again, silently looking inside.

Bai Li, who had been looking down, heard the lingering footsteps and finally couldn’t help but raise her head to meet Chen Ji’s gaze.

Chen Ji’s gaze shifted slightly. “Don’t be afraid. Everything will be alright.”

Before Bai Li could respond, a creaking sound came from the iron gate ahead, followed by Lord Bailong’s muffled voice, speaking through his mask: “At noon, order a table of food from the Yingxian Restaurant. Although Prince Jing is imprisoned here, he is still a powerful vassal prince with considerable prestige in our dynasty. Do not neglect his food and daily needs…”

Chen Ji quickly moved away from the front of Bai Li’s cell.

In the narrow corridor, Lord Bailong and Yun Yang appeared, coming directly towards him. Chen Ji had nowhere to hide.

Lord Bailong scrutinized him from head to toe. “Come to visit Prince Jing and the Princess?” Chen Ji remained silent.

Lord Bailong said with interest, “No need to worry. It’s natural to visit a friend. I would only find it strange if you were determined not to come. Our dynasty’s law also states that family members concealing each other’s faults are not to be punished.”

Chen Ji said softly, “Lord Bailong’s generosity is admirable, and your humble subordinate is impressed.”

Lord Bailong’s tone shifted. “However, young man, you must understand two things. First, you are merely friends with them, not relatives. Second, the grave crime of rebellion does not fall under the law of ‘family members concealing each other’s faults.’ If you harbor a traitor, both friends and relatives will be punished equally.”

Chen Ji quickly clasped his hands. “Your humble subordinate understands.”

Lord Bailong let out a hearty laugh. “In my Secret Police Bureau, one must understand that feelings are one thing, and duty is another. You are a clever person, and I trust you know how to distinguish between them. Concubine Yun is still at large. If you all fail to find her, none of you will have an easy time. Go now.”

Chen Ji clasped his hands and said, “Your humble subordinate understands.”

He bowed his head and hurried past Lord Bailong, but Yun Yang, who was standing nearby, suddenly grabbed his arm. “Wait.”

Chen Ji slowly turned his head. “What are your orders, Lord Yun Yang?”

Yun Yang smiled, “I hear that the imperial decree for your and Xifeng’s promotion has arrived. Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance.”

Chen Ji was taken aback. “Thank you, Lord Yun Yang. Your humble subordinate will attend to his duties now.”

He pulled free from Yun Yang’s hand and walked straight out of the inner prison. Only when he was outside, breathing fresh air, did he let out a long sigh of relief.

Chen Ji, carrying the blood letter, galloped at top speed. The Millennium Army camp was eighty *li* south of Luocheng. By the time he reached the camp entrance, his warhorse was drenched in sweat and frothing at the mouth.

Time was of the essence.

From the camp’s arrow tower, someone shouted, “Halt! Take another step, and you will be shot down by a volley of arrows!”

Chen Ji reined in his horse, which paced tiredly back and forth in front of the camp gate. He shouted loudly, “‘Mountains and Rivers are Safe!’ I have urgent matters to discuss with General Wang!”

Upon hearing “Mountains and Rivers are Safe,” the soldier on the arrow tower immediately raised a black command flag and waved it towards the depths of the camp.

A moment later, the camp gates were pulled open, and General Wang strode quickly and alone towards him. He looked at Chen Ji’s warhorse and frowned. “It’s you. Where have you come from, and why have you pushed your warhorse to this state?”

Chen Ji dismounted and pulled the blood letter from his robes, handing it to the general. “This is a blood letter written by His Highness. Please open it yourself, General Wang.”

General Wang took the letter and unfolded it, his expression changing. “His Highness has been imprisoned in the eunuch faction’s inner prison?”

“That’s right.”

General Wang frowned for a long time, then looked up at Chen Ji. “The South Gate of Luocheng is heavily guarded now. We need to change into civilian clothes and infiltrate the city in groups, posing as tenant farmers. Young man, you should return first. Wait at the entrance of Tuoluo Temple at midnight, and lead us to the inner prison!”

Chen Ji stared intently at General Wang. “No, I’m going with the Millennium Army. I won’t feel at ease unless I personally witness the Millennium Army deploying.”

General Wang thought for a moment. “Very well. Go rest for a while in the central army tent. I’ll gather the commanders now!” Chen Ji shook his head. “I’ll wait here and won’t go anywhere else.”

“The young man is quite cautious,” General Wang said helplessly, then shouted to assemble his troops. Within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Millennium Army camp echoed with thunderous footsteps as soldiers surged forth. Thousands of soldiers crossed paths on the parade ground, forming an imposing military formation.

Only at this moment did Chen Ji’s heart finally settle a little.

He moved aside to avoid occupying a position in the military formation, but in the blink of an eye, General Wang, who had been beside him, was nowhere to be seen.

Chen Ji was stunned. He grabbed a deputy general. “Where is your General Wang?”

The deputy general frowned. “General Wang has gone about his own business. Who are you, and why are you in my Millennium Army camp?”

Chen Ji angrily said, “Let me ask you, do you know why General Wang summoned you all?”

The deputy general replied, “The command flag instructed us to conduct a routine drill. It didn’t specify anything else.” Chen Ji’s heart sank deeper and deeper into an abyss. He turned his head and saw General Wang’s back, riding a fast horse, galloping out of the camp alone!

No wonder Lord Bailong hadn’t searched him earlier. It turned out the other party didn’t care at all. Even if Prince Jing truly sent a message to the outside world, that message would simply make its way back into Lord Bailong’s hands.

Chen Ji grabbed the deputy general and roared, “Prince Jing is currently imprisoned in the inner prison! I brought his blood letter here to request General Wang’s rescue, but General Wang has now run off alone!”

The deputy general was somewhat surprised. “His Highness’s blood letter? Where is it?”

“It’s naturally in General Wang’s hands!” Chen Ji snarled, “Now he’s gone somewhere with the blood letter, and we don’t know where. Hurry, follow me to Luocheng!”

The deputy general slowly calmed down and stepped back. “Guards! This man is a remnant of the Liu family. Arrest him!”

A chill ran down Chen Ji’s spine.