Suryehok would never know his death came not by sword, nor blade, nor wolf-fang club—but from a bullet hole drilled into the back of his skull.

Jiang Huoer didn’t realize someone watched him intently from afar the moment he raised his triple-barreled fire gun to execute Suryehok.

Yang Su had braced for death when Suryehok drew his blade. Yet Suryehok collapsed instead…

Seeing the three neat holes in Suryehok’s skull, Yang Su understood: unseen allies aided them. Gunfire meant the Celestial Mechanism Camp. But why stay hidden?

Shao Bu stood frozen. Arslan dead. Suryehok dead. No one dared move—not even him. Duermu’s fate was unknown, but his silence spoke volumes. Their meticulously planned scheme had unraveled effortlessly. Why?

He couldn’t die. He had to return to the Northern Frontier and report to the Grand Commander.

“Show yourself now!” Shao Bu pressed his blade against Princess Taikang’s throat. The icy steel made her hairs stand on end. Yet as a princess of the Great Ming, she refused to burden her generals. “Stop threatening them!” she snapped at Duermu. “You’re dead anyway!”

“Silence!” Shao Bu’s knife pricked slightly into her neck. A thin trickle of blood slid down her skin.

“No!” Yang Su shouted, halting Duermu. “Sir! I know you’re from the Imperial Capital Divine Mechanism Camp. Please reveal yourself! This hostage is Princess Taikang Zhu Xiurong—daughter of His Majesty the Emperor! Her life is paramount!”

If he stayed hidden now, the princess would die…

Jiang Huoer sighed, shaking his head.

*Rustle-rustle—*

Grass parted. A figure emerged from the thicket, shedding his camouflage of woven grass robes, hat, and shoes. He brushed twigs and leaves from his hair.

The hidden savior stood revealed.

But this person… looked barely more than a child.

Jiang Huoer slid down the slope toward Yang Su—not by choice, but because his hiding spot was closest. He didn’t trust Shao Bu’s intentions. One wrong step, and he’d be dead. Life was precious; he cherished his.

“You!!” Shao Bu’s eyes burned crimson. “I should’ve known it was you!”

“Yes. It’s me.” Jiang Huoer nodded.

“You’re not mute?!” Shao Bu’s voice cracked. The “mute” they’d planned to exploit with Ming Dynasty inventions was a spy from the capital’s forces.

“You think I’m their agent,” Jiang Huoer said calmly. “I’m not. I was traveling, saved someone by chance, learned a secret, and came here. And no—I’m not from the Divine Mechanism Camp either.”

Yang Su and Lieutenant Liu turned sharply from Shao Bu to Jiang Huoer.

“You’re not with the Camp?!” they exclaimed together.

“No.” Jiang Huoer shook his head.

“But the cannon fire—the gunshot wounds on him—”

“I built those weapons myself.”

“!!!!!!” The Camp’s legendary arms… forged by a child?!

“The person you saved…” Shao Bu’s mind raced. The only survivor from the slain Imperial Guard spies was… “You rescued Xiao Hao?!”

“Yes.” Jiang Huoer handed Yang Su a waist token. “Commander Xiao Hao of the Imperial Guard. He’s gravely wounded but safe. He won’t die.”

Recognizing the token, Yang Su and Lieutenant Liu finally believed him.

“So *that* was our mistake!” Shao Bu shook his head violently. “If we’d killed him—!” He glared at Jiang Huoer. “Our horses—”

“My doing too. There’s a laxative herb called croton. I added something extra—it only activates during heavy exertion.”

Yang Su and Lieutenant Liu exchanged glances. This child had saved their lives. Such courage and wisdom at his age commanded respect.

“Aaaaaah—I won’t accept this!!” Shao Bu drove the blade deeper into Princess Taikang’s neck. Blood flowed freely now, yet she didn’t cry out.

Yang Su marveled at her steadiness. This willful princess, facing death without flinching—truly Emperor Zhu Youcheng’s bloodline.

“Let’s make a deal,” Shao Bu growled. “Suryehok. Duermu. Arslan. The soldiers you blew up with bombs. The horses. I want only your life in exchange! After you die, I’ll return the princess once I safely reach the Northern Frontier.” He feared Jiang Huoer’s hidden guns or cannons—a single shot could wipe out his entire force.

“Yang Su! Don’t listen!” Princess Taikang struggled. Her movements were deliberate—to provoke Shao Bu into slitting her throat. Better her death than their sacrifice.

“I never said I’d trade my life for yours…” Jiang Huoer thought, *This princess is absurdly self-important…*

“What?!” Jiang Huoer’s words stunned the clearing.

Princess Taikang bristled. How dare he imply his life outweighed hers?

“Do you know who she is? A princess!” Shao Bu’s voice wavered.

“Exactly! I’m a princess!” she declared. “Men would die gladly for me! Trading your life for mine would make your ancestors weep with joy—a blessing earned over three lifetimes!”

“Dead men don’t feel blessed…”

“You! Yang Su! Kill him! Trade his life for mine!” She jerked her head, resolute.

“This… this is impossible…” Yang Su hesitated. How could he repay a savior with betrayal?

“No lives need trading…” Jiang Huoer’s hand drifted toward his waist.

***Bang—!***

No one saw his hand move. No one caught his motion.

When awareness returned, the knife lay on the ground. A new hole bloomed on Shao Bu’s forehead. All in a single gunshot.