According to reason, a person’s adolescence is between eleven to eighteen years old, with all aspects of their body being relatively restless.

But Zhao Qianyi was an exception; she was born from a palace maid, and although she was part of the imperial family, due to her birth mother’s status, her identity seemed lowly. Coupled with being a young girl who almost got sullied by Zhao Ji, she developed vigilance and aversion toward men in her mind.

So for over thirty years, Zhao Qianyi had never experienced emotional awakening, nor had she felt such a sensation brought by physiology. At this moment, the sudden burst was like an endless torrent of raging waters.

Zhao Qianyi’s face was flushed, and her breathing became slightly rapid.

"Huff, huff..."

Her breath was like orchids, the woman’s slightly rapid breathing lingered near his ears, and faint fragrance drifted from her bosom.

Chen Mo used the Red Dragon Ink Arm a lot today, accumulating a lot of Heart Fire within him. Originally, with his current strength, he could suppress it, but under Zhao Qianyi’s successive stimulation, even he found it a bit hard to bear.

He blinked, still retaining his reason, knowing that Zhao Qianyi was still in an injured state and couldn’t withstand his antics, and besides, how long had they known each other? It was perhaps too much.

"Princess, Princess?" Chen Mo called out softly twice.

"Mm... oh?!"

Zhao Qianyi suddenly awoke, slightly loosening her grip on Chen Mo’s arm and pretending to be unaware, she said, "Wha... what is it?"

This kind of thing, Chen Mo couldn’t say directly; he immediately thought of something and then said, "Oh yes, Princess, when I was healing you, this fell from you."

Chen Mo handed the Red Sun Bell to Zhao Qianyi.

Although the Bear Cave was pitch dark, it didn’t affect Zhao Qianyi’s vision. She glanced at it, and an inexplicable thought came to her mind. After that incident, to preserve the royal family’s dignity, her father transferred her to Tiger Gate Pass.

Before leaving for Tiger Gate Pass, she was allowed to enter the royal inner treasury, where she could take whatever she fancied as compensation for that incident.

At that time, she took many things, and this Bronze Small Bell was one of them, along with that long spear, a Celestial Tier treasure.

"Do you know the origin of this Bronze Small Bell?" Zhao Qianyi did not take it.

Chen Mo pretended not to know and shook his head.

"This bell is called the Red Sun Bell, rumored to be one of four. When the four are gathered, they can lead to the legendary Nan Zhou Treasure. Moreover, engraved on this Red Sun Bell is the Nan Zhou’s martial art that protects the nation - Eight Desolates Prison," Zhao Qianyi said slowly:

"You saved me, so I’ll give this bell to you."

"This bell is so precious and carries significant implications; I cannot bear it," Chen Mo pretended to refuse.

"It’s just a legend; whether it’s true or not, many don’t know, perhaps it’s even false. Just take it." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Since it’s the Princess’s good intention, then I won’t decline." Chen Mo accepted it; now there was just one left, which was with Hu Mei’Er.

Following the topic of the Red Sun Bell, the two gradually continued their conversation.

They talked from Nan Zhou to the previous dynasty, and from there to the developmental history of Loulan, then Zhao Qianyi began discussing strategies on how to deal with Loulan’s army.

Having guarded Tiger Gate Pass for over a decade, Zhao Qianyi had many experiences and strategies on countering Loulan.

The reason why Tiger Gate Pass was lost was, on one hand, due to delayed reinforcements. On the other hand, it was besieged with lacking water and food supplies. The third reason was the reinforcements of the enemy’s large army.

Yet even in such an isolated and helpless situation, Zhao Qianyi still managed to hold it for nearly a month.

So, the loss of Tiger Gate Pass was not Zhao Qianyi’s fault.

Their conversation flowed back and forth, both enjoying the exchange.

Zhao Qianyi even felt that Chen Mo was a long-lost kindred spirit.

Otherwise, how else would he understand her so well?

But what Zhao Qianyi didn’t know was.

Chen Mo didn’t understand Zhao Qianyi; he just understood women. After all, he came from a circle of women and was always surrounded by beautiful women, so how could he not understand a woman’s thoughts?

As the night deepened, even though the conversation was pleasant, there came a moment when it lapsed into silence, the atmosphere returning to stillness, neither speaking, and they held each other just like that.

An hour later, the sleep-deprived Zhao Qianyi couldn’t bear the prolonged solitude, opened her eyes, looked up at Chen Mo’s handsome face, and asked, "This time going north to fight the Desolate Kingdom, how confident are you?"

Chen Mo opened his eyes, thought for a moment, embraced her shoulders, and lightly smiled to reassure, "Don’t worry, we’ll definitely be the ones to win in the end."

At this moment, it seemed as if only Chen Mo’s voice could make Zhao Qianyi feel at ease. She hesitated, biting her lower lip, wanting to say something but holding back.

Chen Mo noticed her change and said, "What’s wrong, Princess? Speak your mind."

"I mean, if possible... I hope you can rescue my deputy general, Wei Ying. Currently, she has been captured by the Desolate Kingdom." Zhao Qianyi’s eyes showed sadness, "She is a pitiful person too."

Looking into Zhao Qianyi’s eyes, Chen Mo nodded solemnly, "I understand."

"Tha... Thank you." Zhao Qianyi also looked into Chen Mo’s eyes, that peculiar feeling inside her grew to a peak; she instinctively embraced Chen Mo a bit tighter, slightly pursing her lips, looking at the man so close to her, her emotions completely settling down.

"Sleep." Chen Mo, as if driven by an inexplicable urge, touched Zhao Qianyi’s face, and she didn’t refuse, pursed her lips before resting her face on his shoulder again.

Chen Mo smiled, then closed his eyes, spreading his perception to monitor everything outside the Bear Cave.

Not knowing how much time had passed, weak light appeared in the east, even making Chen Mo feel a bit sleepy, when suddenly his scalp tingled because he sensed many presences gradually approaching.

Chen Mo immediately held his breath, covering Zhao Qianyi’s nose and mouth with his hand, then used True Qi to conceal the bloody scent from their bodies, staying perfectly still.

Although among these many presences, Chen Mo didn’t sense any Innate Martial Artists, he didn’t dare move. Because any movement that exposed their location would lead to being surrounded by the Desolate Kingdom’s army and numerous strongholds.

An entire night had passed, this encirclement should have already tightened.

...

On the other side, Yue Yuxi had also reached this area, precisely standing where Chen Mo had placed Zhao Qianyi behind that large tree.

Seeing the bloodstains and footprints on the ground, but noticing no other traces, and since it hadn’t snowed last night, Yue Yuxi immediately understood something.

At least one strong figure of the Song Army was still inside their encirclement.

Combining the descriptions from Tuoba Han’s surviving subordinates, Yue Yuxi guessed that this one Song Army strong member was definitely a high-ranking member, with strength at or above Second Grade.

So Yue Yuxi immediately ordered a meticulous search around the area, and once any sign was found, to immediately launch signal arrows.