Chapter 410: Chapter 410: Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Here

"Mhm!"

A muffled reply came from within the cloak.

’I don’t know what’s happening, but this must be incredibly dangerous! The best way I can help him is to protect myself.’

The shrill clash of blades immediately filled her ears. From the sound of it, there were quite a few opponents.

"My lord! You go on ahead!"

It was the voice of a Shadow Guard.

Zhou Cangyan grunted in acknowledgment without hesitation.

Song Lianhe felt her body suddenly lift into the air, then drop abruptly, then lift again, then drop...

After several repetitions, she was left dizzy and disoriented.

Fortunately, she was soon set down. Zhou Cangyan undid the cloak and cupped her face, examining her carefully. He only let her go once he confirmed she was uninjured.

Seeing they were in an abandoned wooden cabin and temporarily safe, Song Lianhe immediately asked anxiously, "Who sent these people? Yan Jiayu or Prince Yongdong?"

They had only been traveling for half a day and were still within the borders of Yu State.

They were the only ones who would dare to make a move against them here.

"These are all Death Warriors from Nanchen."

"Yan Jiayu?"

Zhou Cangyan’s gaze turned cold. "Perhaps. Or perhaps someone is merely using his name."

Song Lianhe racked her brain, trying to recall the original novel’s plot. ’Prince Yongdong was ultimately eliminated by Zhou Junlin, and one of the listed crimes was colluding with an enemy nation. His dealings with the Nanchen Kingdom are a sure thing, but the one who "eliminated" him was the male lead.’

She looked up at Zhou Cangyan.

A faint, dreamlike halo of pale light shimmered above his head.

She hadn’t seen a character’s halo for a long time. Ever since she had "died and come back to life," she could see them again.

At first, Zhou Cangyan’s was just a wisp of black mist. Now, his halo’s color was growing closer and closer to the male lead’s. And judging by the series of plot points he had gone through, he had long since strayed from the villain’s path.

’But if he becomes the male lead, does that mean he and Song Xilan are destined to be together?’

"Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

Thinking her silence was due to fear, he gently tapped her forehead. Then, he took a signaling device from his waist, opened it, and let loose a whistling arrow. With a WHOOSH, it shot into the sky and exploded into a burst of fireworks.

Song Lianhe understood. ’This must be the ancient equivalent of a signal flare.’

"Are your men nearby?"

"Mhm."

Zhou Cangyan said calmly, "There’s a secret passage in this cabin. No matter what happens later, you are to go into the passage and hide."

The mere mention of a "secret passage" made Song Lianhe’s skin crawl. She quickly waved her hands. "I’d rather stay here than go underground."

He frowned. "Do as I say."

Before Song Lianhe could reply, an arrow shot through the window lattice with a THWIP.

Zhou Cangyan’s expression shifted slightly. He kicked over the table in the middle of the room, using the tabletop as a shield to block the arrows flying in from outside.

In the next instant, he pulled Song Lianhe down to take cover behind the tabletop.

Song Lianhe hadn’t expected the enemy to arrive so quickly. A sudden realization dawned on her, and she turned to look at him. "You lured them here!"

’That signal just now wasn’t for your own men at all!’

Zhou Cangyan already had his sword in hand, his cold eyes watching the outside through a crack in the window lattice. "That’s why I didn’t want you to follow. But since you’re here, I can’t trust anyone else with your safety."

Fearing she was scared, he added, "We’ve already set up defenses all around this cabin. My men are also waiting outside, ready to wipe them out in one fell swoop. Until then, we just need to stay here safely."

Song Lianhe understood. ’Zhou Cangyan is using himself as bait!’

Of course, she knew that if he dared to bring her along, he must have made thorough preparations.

"I’m not afraid."

As she spoke, she moved closer, subconsciously linking her arm with his.

’It’s true that I’m not afraid, but I cherish my life now. I have an instinctive fear of danger, and I only feel secure when I’m by his side.’

Sensing her fear, he frowned, a hint of regret flickering within him for bringing her here on such a risky venture.

He held his sword in one hand and pulled her into an embrace with the other.

The developing situation outside was entirely within his control, so he was in no hurry.

Song Lianhe listened silently to the commotion outside. At first, it sounded like a volley of ten thousand arrows, turning the door and windows into pincushions. Then, someone shouted in their direction, "Biwu! HAHAHA! Imperial Brother! Isn’t it boring hiding in there? We brothers have never even met. How about you come out and see your elder Imperial Brother?"

Hearing this voice, Song Lianhe was startled. "He is..."

’Prince Yongdong!’

This was too unexpected. He had already declared himself emperor in Yu State; she never thought he would show up in person!

’Unless... he also came fully prepared!’

Feeling the woman in his arms grow tense, Zhou Cangyan lowered his head and soothed her softly, "He’s looking to die. We’ll just help him on his way."

She lifted her head to look at him and nodded solemnly. "I understand."

’If he’s not afraid, I can’t be a coward either!’

The assault outside grew more intense. Song Lianhe heard the chaotic sound of footsteps and couldn’t help but clench her fists.

Just then, the man’s large hand enveloped hers.

It was a long, slender hand with fair skin, well-defined knuckles, and neatly trimmed nails. Due to his years of wielding weapons, there were hard calluses on his palm and the inside of his thumb.

She stared at his hand, becoming lost in thought without realizing it.

"Younger brother Biwu! Still not coming out to see your Third Brother?"

"You should know, Zhou Yang sent you here to die! A petty man like him will never tolerate you!"

"Since that’s the case, why not come to my side! We two brothers would be a perfect match. With Sui Bei and Yu State, one in the south and one in the north, we can join forces and strike right at Ling’an!"

"Going back to Ling’an is suicide! He won’t let you leave alive! Just like what he did to me! I helped him ascend to the throne, but he turned on me and tried to take my life!"

As Prince Yongdong’s voice grew closer, Song Lianhe quietly held her breath.

She could tell he was trying to recruit Zhou Cangyan.

She looked at him again.

’For someone so bent on revenge, this is indeed the most suitable option at the moment.’

Zhou Cangyan’s expression, however, remained unchanged. His eyes were downcast. He suddenly rose and declared in a loud voice, "This prince doesn’t need to rely on anyone! Especially not a good-for-nothing who can’t even protect his own men!"

After speaking, he glanced to the side. "Stay here. Don’t come out."

The door was kicked open with a BANG.

Song Lianhe shrank back, peeking with half her head over the edge of the table to stare intently at the scene outside.

The kick startled the people outside. Prince Yongdong, Zhou Ye, clad in golden armor, sat upright on his horse. Seeing Zhou Cangyan emerge, he immediately raised a hand to signal a halt to the arrows.

"Heh heh, Seventh Brother. We two brothers finally meet."

Zhou Cangyan remained impassive. He stood in the doorway, sword in one hand, his eyes filled with contempt and a cold sneer on his lips. "When the Nanchen Kingdom invaded, Third Brother hid inside the city, not daring to show his face. How is it you dare to step out of your house now?"

His arrogant, disdainful tone made Song Lianhe want to laugh.

’That’s Prince Qing for you!’