Who wins and who loses

On the bustling street, a carriage, tall and imposing, moved forward slowly with a procession of black-clad cavalry guarding its front and rear. Helian Weiwei leaned against the wall, signaling the white cat to enter the fairyland space. She glanced sideways towards the carriage, feeling a tremor run through her back. It seemed that the third prince was determined to capture her.

"He has actually come in person!" Yuan Hao's eyes narrowed, acknowledging the difficulty of dealing with the third prince.

Helian Weiwei analyzed the situation. "We can't confront him directly."

"Left and right, there are martial energy sensors. Do you know what that means?" Yuan Hao's tone turned cold. "It means we are surrounded, and he knows you are nearby."

"We should retreat for now." Helian Weiwei tightened her fingers, her graceful figure stealthily slipping into another long alley.

Yuan Hao glanced at the blocked alley and whistled, realizing they couldn't withdraw. "Seems like retreat is not an option. That man is ruthless enough to deny us even a path to escape."

Helian Weiwei's eyes darkened. She raised her hand, preparing to utilize her martial qi, when she heard a stifled cough.

"Uncle Liang, what's happening outside?"

The sound, like water, resonated through the bustling streets, calming the noise around. Helian Weiwei perked up her ears and pulled Yuan Xi to the side, her gaze fixed on the carriage halted at the entrance of the alley. Her eyes flickered with curiosity. The carriage's appearance was unremarkable, pure white with no excessive decorations. Such carriages were common in Kyoto, affordable to any merchant with a little silver. Unlike the luxurious golden roofs seen in the Kuromori household, this carriage lacked ostentation.

However, what caught Helian Weiwei's attention was the handsome black horse pulling the carriage. Despite its wings being tucked away, it bore a saddle that clearly showed its owner's care. This sight couldn't deceive Helian Weiwei's discerning eyes—the horse was no ordinary steed.

"It's the Black Wind Horse!" Even Yuan Hao, upon seeing the carriage, displayed a faint surprise. By all accounts, it should be residing in the Spirit Forest. How could it willingly submit to human control?

Helian Weiwei's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she glanced at Yuan Xi. "Well, well, seems like it's going to be interesting."

In the blink of an eye, Helian Weiwei's figure vanished from sight.

A middle-aged servant descended from the carriage and respectfully bowed to the curtain. His kind face exuded respect. "Young Master, it appears to be the royal family's guards. They seem to be searching for someone..."

"The royal family's bodyguards?" A pair of pale and slender hands, possessing an inexplicable strength, emerged from the carriage, gripping the curtain. The figure in the ivory white robe, swaying gently in the wind, let out a soft cough. "Handle it politely. Avoid conflict."

The middle-aged servant nodded deferentially. "Yes, Young Master. This matter will be taken care of by this old servant. Please rest assured."

"Be cautious." The voice, like water, murmured as the curtain fell.

The man turned around, and Helian Weiwei, who had hidden in the carriage, finally had a chance to see his face clearly. His poetic side profile radiated a layer of brilliance. Though his thin lips had paled from years of illness, it didn't diminish his charisma. Instead, it added a touch of warmth. The smile on his face was just right, his narrow eyes half-closed, eyebrows resembling a clear breeze and a cold moon—stunningly beautiful. The pure white robe suited him perfectly, as if he had emerged from the moon itself.

"You..." Helian Weiwei noticed a flicker of light in the man's calm eyes, devoid of ripples.

"Hush." Ignoring the usual formalities between men and women, Helian Weiwei placed her left hand over his lips, her smile faint. "I'm not particularly fond of violence, so I hope the prince will cooperate."

The man glanced at the dagger near his neck, but his warm demeanor didn't falter. "The person the third prince is searching for is you," he whispered.

Helian Weiwei's eyes narrowed, impressed by the man's astuteness.

At that moment, another carriage rushed over. Even through the curtain, Helian Weiwei could sense the overwhelming pressure it emitted.

Her grip tightened on the dagger as she pondered alternative plans.

But the man spoke, a light cough accompanying his words. "Lie down."

Helian Weiwei's eyes flashed, and she took a deep look at the man before quickly bending her body.

Just then, a gust of cold wind blew, lifting the curtain.

Helian Weiwei huddled under the car seat, waiting for the daylight to return, and looked up cautiously.

She saw someone slowly walking toward them, each step calculated as if walking on a cloud. The person's demeanor exuded indifference and coldness, yet an irresistible elegance.

Helian Weiwei felt as if the world had frozen in that moment.

Everyone watched in awe as this man descended from the carriage, as though he were a god. Even his breath seemed to be trapped in their throats.

Helian Weiwei instinctively shrank her body until the figure drew nearer...

They were only separated by a thin layer of carriages.

He possessed the most noble temperament Helian Weiwei had ever seen, radiating through light and shadow, exuding an irresistible power.

Helian Weiwei held her breath.

When Baili Jia Jue's gaze shifted in her direction, his deep black eyes showed indifference to everything.

It was as if the entire street, driven mad by his presence, couldn't affect any of his thoughts.

Baili Jia Jue glanced at the carriage and then focused on the man who had coughed lightly, smiling.

Though the man didn't step out of the carriage, he bowed his head politely, exuding gentleness. "The grasslander greets Your Highness."

"Gongzi..." Liang Bo attempted to stand up but found himself held in place by Baili Jia Jue's gaze.

Baili Jia Jue's expression remained unchanged, his voice nonchalant. "A mere formality." Helian Weiwei, lying on her stomach in the carriage, let out a bitter laugh. A formality? The third prince was truly cunning, turning the world upside down. When it reached his lips, it became a routine matter, rendering the four major families unable to seek justice from the Emperor.

"Release," commanded the Prince once again.

Helian Weiwei vowed that she had never felt the Third Prince's words as lethal as she did in that moment.

But...

As she was about to get up, Baili Jia Jue spoke again. "Wait a minute..."