On the fluttering banner, the mighty character "Pei" was embzoned in rge, imposing letters.

  Three hundred thousand soldiers, their morale high, marched forward in a mighty procession.

  Some cheered, while others shed tears. Clothes, shoes, and provisions were constantly handed to the loved ones and companions about to enter a life-or-death battle. Bowls of wine were consumed and refilled. "One more cup for you, my friend, for once you pass Yangguan, there will be no more old acquaintances."

  Su Qiuchi tapped his battle armor and smiled at Jiu Jue. "Impressive, right?"

  Li Zhun, also dressed in military attire, looked at Su Qiuchi and scoffed, "I wonder who it was who couldn't even speak clearly in front of the emperor!"

  "I was just too excited!" Su Qiuchi quickly corrected her.

  Last night, they made the biggest decision of their lives. Li Zhun led Su Qiuchi back to the pace with the resolve to face death and to confess their escape from the pace to the emperor. Before Empress Wu could make her move, Li Zhun took the initiative to ask the emperor for permission, pleading that the Tang Emperor allow her, the princess, to take up arms and join General Pei Xingjian in the campaign against the Turks. She would fight to redeem herself. She would be buried outside the pass and never return to the Central Pins if she was unable to prove herself militarily. Su Qiuchi made the same request. As a citizen of the Tang and the descendant of a prime minister, it was only just to eliminate the enemy and repay the country.

  The proposal sounded both dignified and reasonable. The emperor had no grounds to oppose it, and neither did Empress Wu. The war against the Turks was perilous—who could return unscathed? It was an honorable and straightforward decision with little to worry about aside from the lingering doubts in their hearts, and naturally, the emperor granted their request.

  Soon, the soldiers stationed outside the Su and Prime Minister's residences withdrew without leaving a single man behind. The looming disaster over the two estates was averted after the grand act of petitioning the emperor.

  "This is to fight a war, not to drink wine." Jiu Jue looked at Su Qiuchi with a smile, seeing the satisfaction on his face.

  "Don't you regret it?"

  "I must have suddenly lost my mind," Su Qiuchi ughed. "But doing this isn't just to save my family; it's probably time to get down to some real business." He scratched his head with force. "If we can defeat the Turks this time, I think my father and grandfather will never call me a prodigal son again. If I wipe out those Turkic bandits, I'll truly be the little tyrant of Chang'an! Right?"

  Jiu Jue smiled and nodded. A thousand words turned into one action as he spped Su Qiuchi′s shoulder firmly and said, "May you return victorious soon."

  "When we triumph and return to court, you must prepare some good wine. We'll sing and drink, ughing and discussing the world." Li Zhun mounted her horse, her silver-white armor gleaming brightly. She fshed a bright smile at Jiu Jue. "The time in the Purple Bamboo Forest was beyond compare—even immortals could not surpass it. We are just flesh and blood, ordinary people. If this life is considered decadence in the eyes of immortals, then I′d rather stay attached to the mortal world, beyond saving."

  "Well said," Jiu Jue responded with a relieved smile, waving his hand at them. "I'll wait for you to come back and drink that wine."

  "Hey, I've sworn an oath." Su Qiuchi suddenly took out the silver wine pot with the design of a horse and cup from his bag, shook it a few times, and said loudly, "I won't touch alcohol until we've defeated the Turkic soldiers. I'll carry this wine pot with me, only waiting to fill it with the victory wine you'll prepare for us when we return."

  Jiu Jue took the wine pot, pulled out a small, tightly rolled piece of thin paper from his chest, and stuffed it into the pot before handing it back to Su Qiuchi. He smiled and said, "A thousand miles following the fragrance, smiling at the shadow in the wine. Take care."

  The army marched on, leaving only dust behind. Those who came to see them off did not wipe away their tears until the figures of their loved ones were no longer visible. Whether this departure would be a parting of life or death, they dared not think too much about.

  In the fields outside the city, Jiu Jue's face grew even paler. He wasn′t riding on a cloud, but walking on foot, and now, even walking had become too much for him. He sat down on a rge stone, breathing heavily.

  "Come out. You've been waiting for this moment for a long time, haven′t you?" He sneered, as if speaking to himself.

  From behind an old tree, the monk San Jie appeared, his face full of smugness.

  "Guardian of the Earth, even after reincarnating as a monk, you still can't clear your heart," Jiu Jue gnced at him sideways. "You′ve even resorted to using the corrupt God grass."

  "Heh, you didn′t expect me to refine the poison from the corrupt god grass into poisoned thorns and hide them in Li Zhun's bracelet, did you?" San Jie ughed heartily.

  "You′re so close to that girl, and when she′s in danger, you′ll undoubtedly help her. You thought you could escape, but everything has been within my calcutions."

  The monk had certainly gone to great lengths, even finding the corrupt god grass, which grew in the poisonous waters of the West Ming's dark seas. Anyone who came into contact with its venom—no matter their strength, whether they were yaokais, mortals, or immortals—would lose their powers, return to their original forms, and be beyond saving.

  "I′ve told you, it’s only a matter of time before I take care of you, devil." San Jie sneered as he looked at Jiu Jue, whose body was beginning to dissipate.

  "You think you′ve won?" Jiu Jue's lips, tinged with purple, struggled to lift into a smile. The venom of the corrupt God Grass had completely invaded his body and soul.