Night fell, and the surroundings were pitch black. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

However, after turning a corner past a section of the city wall, Yu Wenye glanced up to see the sky ahead, darkened by the night, reflecting a red hue from the fire, and the terrifying sounds of screams echoed continuously. Even through the wall, the chaotic clamor within the city could be heard.

Without a word, he swung his whip forcefully and urged his horse, galloping for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Finally, he was getting closer to the towering flames.

From afar, he could even see the bright light of the flames through the wide-open gate ahead.

Just as they were about to approach the city gate, they saw a chaotic silhouette in the firelight, and suddenly, a team of horses and men burst out from the city gate like arrows shot from the flames!

Yu Wenye’s eyes were sharp like a hawk’s, and he immediately recognized that at the forefront was Wang Shaoji.

Right behind him, almost side by side, were two figures noticeably slimmer and weaker than Wang Shaoji—his brother Wang Shaoqiu.

Indeed, it was Wang Shaoji who set the city on fire to rescue him amidst the chaos!

Not only Wang Shaoqiu but also Wang Shaoji’s own troops and several prisoners and defectors who had just escaped from the Liu Camp. Some had obtained horses, while others not only lacked horses but also hadn’t untied the ropes binding their wrists and were barefoot, running out into the freezing, snowy land. As soon as they passed the gate, they scattered in a frenzy.

Wang Shaoqiu urged his horse while looking back, shouting, "Run, don’t take the main road, don’t let them catch you!"

Hearing his words, the people scattered even more like startled birds and beasts.

In doing so, the chaotic running of people disrupted the area around the East City Gate. Soon, a team led by Yu Wenqian pursued out of the city gate, only to be blocked by the frantic crowd, struggling to navigate through. A few soldiers, seeing the Wang Brothers about to escape, swung their whips fiercely to clear a path by knocking people to the ground.

But by then, it was too late.

In the shadow of the night, the sound of horse hooves gradually faded into the distance as the Wang Brothers and their troops swiftly vanished into the darkness.

Yu Wenye squinted his eyes slightly.

That Wang Shaoqiu—he hadn’t directly confronted him, only encountered him at Jiangdu Palace. Although this person lacked significant military talent, he was cunning and sinister, deeply scheming. It must have been him who persuaded Wang Shaoji to release the other prisoners and defectors from the Liu Camp.

Yet, clearly, this wasn’t done to win hearts or reclaim troops.

It was solely to create chaos at the city gate!

Just in Taiyuan, he’s already caused so much trouble, nearly implicating Shang Ruyi with the Western Turks. If he escapes this time, there would be endless troubles.

With this in mind, he snapped the reins sharply: "Hyah!"

Instantly, the steed beneath him bolted like an arrow, transforming into a streak of lightning in the night, racing in the direction where the Wang Brothers had just disappeared. At the same time, Yu Wenqian also spurred his horse forward. Two teams merged in the tangle of night and firelight, almost neck and neck, heading forward at full speed.

At this moment, another rider emerged from the city gate.

It was Yu Mingyue.

Having just arrived in the East City, she found the raging fire engulfed in chaos and the sounds of shouting and combat. She suddenly came to her senses, realizing it was Wang Shaoji who had set fire to Taiyuan City and caused trouble at the Liu Camp—a fact she was completely unaware of, catching her off guard and leaving her somewhat frantic.

Fortunately, Yu Wenqian reacted swiftly, instructing the surrounding troops to split into two groups—one group stayed behind to extinguish the fire and arrest the prisoners and defectors still trapped inside the city, while the other pursued the Wang Brothers, already fleeing toward the city gate.

However, despite hurrying, she couldn’t keep up with Yu Wenqian’s pace.

Moreover, on such a dark night, though she had learned riding skills from Yu Wenqian previously, she wasn’t extremely proficient. She could ride on flat terrain, but in this pursuit of fleeing soldiers, with numerous prisoners and defectors scattering like startled birds and beasts, she had no way to keep up.