14: Chapter 14's conversation revealed that the situation in the North was tense.

The sun slanted westward, and the mountain path wound its way forward, the gravel beneath their feet crunching with every step.

Chen Xuan continued to walk in the lead, his pace unhurried as he hummed a newly composed tune. The melody was wildly off-key, yet he seemed perfectly content.

Leng Shuang followed slightly behind and to the side, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, her gaze sweeping across the shadows of the trees while her ears remained alert to the sounds in the wind.

Zhao Hongling lagged in the middle, munching on semi-dried fruit while complaining, "Why does this road keep getting steeper? My soles are about to spark from all the friction."

"How about you hop on my back?" Chen Xuan said with a grin, not looking back. "I'm strong. I could carry you for ten miles without even breaking a sweat."

"Who wants you to carry me!" Zhao Hongling kicked at the back of his calf, but he dodged with a light jump, leaving her kicking at empty air.

The corner of Leng Shuang's mouth twitched imperceptibly, but she said nothing.

Dugu Xue, at the end of the group, walked with slightly heavy steps. Although the wound on her shoulder had been bandaged, the long journey had left her face pale.

She didn't say a word, simply adjusting her breathing in silence, each step landing with extreme steadiness.

After walking for a while longer, the sound of a stream grew louder ahead, and the group finally found a flat, open space to rest.

The stream was clear, shimmering with golden light reflected from the sunset glow.

Chen Xuan plopped down onto a rock, took off his boots, and soaked his feet in the water, sighing with relief. "Oof, I've come back to life."

Zhao Hongling immediately rushed to the stream to wash her hands and face, muttering, "I told you we should have hired a carriage. We might have already been eating meat and drinking wine at a restaurant by now."

Leng Shuang stood on the bank, gazing at the flowing water for a moment before saying, "It's another thirty miles to the post station. I'm afraid we'll have to camp in the open tonight."

"Camping out is fine."

Chen Xuan shook the water droplets from his feet. "Sleeping under the stars with the earth as our bed—how heroic! Besides, with me here, no wild beast would dare come near."

"Keep bragging." Zhao Hongling wrung out her handkerchief and tossed it at his head. "That wild rabbit last night took three leaps just to get near the campfire; was that you playing a ghost to scare it?"

"Heaven is my witness, that rabbit was just timid on its own."

Chen Xuan caught the handkerchief and casually placed it behind his head as a pillow. "I'm a decent, upright man who specializes in saving damsels in distress, not scaring small animals."

As he said this, he glanced at Dugu Xue out of the corner of his eye.

Dugu Xue was busy packing her bundle, her movements efficient and her expression calm. Upon hearing this, her fingers paused, but she did not look up.

Chen Xuan sat up and picked up the water skin, handing it to her. "Want some water? You've been quiet the whole way, and your face is pale. If you don't rehydrate, you'll collapse on the road, and I'm not carrying you."

Dugu Xue looked up at him, took the water skin, unscrewed it, and took a couple of sips. As she handed it back, she said, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Chen Xuan waved his hand. "We're all in the same boat now. If you collapse, we'll have to carry you, which would be such a hassle."

Zhao Hongling chuckled. "You really know how to calculate."

Leng Shuang gave a soft hum, walked to the stream, and crouched down to splash water on her face.

Chen Xuan stopped joking, turning to look at Dugu Xue with a suddenly more serious tone. "Princess, we've been traveling together for days now; don't keep treating yourself like an outsider. Let me ask a question I probably shouldn't: why exactly were those men in black chasing you? It couldn't be that they just wanted to kidnap you for marriage because you're too beautiful, could it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongling nearly choked. "Hahaha! Kidnap for marriage? I think their brains must be broken!"

Dugu Xue did not laugh, nor did she get angry. She just watched the stream flow quietly, speaking only after a long while. "I am not traveling for leisure."

"I figured as much." Chen Xuan propped up his chin. "You walk like you're on patrol, sleep with one eye open, and watch every blind spot while you eat. You're more alert than any scout I've ever seen."

"I am a princess of the Northern Territory."

Dugu Xue's voice was low, but every word was clear. "My father, the King, is elderly, and the pro-peace faction has gained the upper hand in the court. In recent years, the grassland tribes have frequently raided southward, and several major Sects in the Western Regions have been forming secret alliances. War on the border is constant, and the casualties are increasing every day."

She paused, her fingertips gently brushing an old scar on the palm of her left hand. "I am unwilling to watch our territory be eroded and our people displaced. That is why I left the territory in secret—to find true warriors capable of fighting, to bring them back to the Northern Territory and build a force that can actually be used."

Zhao Hongling's eyes widened as she listened. "You... you're going to recruit soldiers?"

"In a way." She nodded. "But my identity is special. Once news leaks, the enemy will set an ambush. Sure enough, shortly after leaving the Northern Territory, I was intercepted. If you hadn't passed by..."

"Those men in black were coming for you." Chen Xuan took up the conversation, his tone darkening slightly.

"Yes." Dugu Xue looked at him. "Aren't you going to ask why I trust you?"

"You've already said so much, which means you already have the answer in your heart."

Chen Xuan smiled. "Besides, if I were the type to sell out friends for silver, would you still be sitting here drinking water?"

Leng Shuang looked up at him, her gaze holding something new, but she said nothing.

Zhao Hongling grew anxious. "Then what are you going to do? Just flee all the way back to the Northern Territory? Those people definitely won't give up!"

"I originally intended to take a detour and sneak through, but..." Dugu Xue looked at Chen Xuan. "You are heading to the capital, which happens to be on the same path for a while. I would like to use this leg of the journey to re-plan my route and avoid their eyes and ears."

Chen Xuan looked up at the last rays of sunset on the horizon, not responding immediately.

The stream gurgled over the stones, and the wind passed through the woods, making the leaves rustle.

After a long while, he stood up and walked to the edge of the cliff, gazing at the rolling mountains in the distance. The clouds were churning, as if pressing down on a rainstorm that was slow to fall.

"Everything you've said gives me a headache just listening to it." He stood with his back to the others, his voice dropping lower. "If it were anyone else, they'd be running to avoid this. Who would dare get involved?"

Zhao Hongling frowned. "You aren't thinking of just washing your hands of this, are you?"

Chen Xuan ignored her and continued, "But I have a flaw: I can't stand to see a beauty in distress."

He suddenly turned back and smiled at Dugu Xue. "If you're looking for help, count me in. If it really comes to a fight later, my life might not be worth much, but I can at least block an arrow for you."

Dugu Xue was stunned.

Leng Shuang looked up at him with a complex expression.

Zhao Hongling froze for two seconds, then jumped up. "Are you crazy? War in the Northern Territory is a massive deal. If you get involved, what if..."

"If I die, then just pretend you never knew me."

Chen Xuan shrugged, walked back, and sat down. He casually picked up a flat stone and skipped it five times before it sank. "But before that happens, I'm at least a master, so I won't be cut down by just anyone."

"Stop being cheeky!" Zhao Hongling stomped her foot in anger. "How can you talk about this so lightly!"

"What else can I do if not lightly?" He spread his hands. "Will pulling a long face make the enemy retreat? Or will crying make them stop fighting?"

Leng Shuang finally spoke. "If you decide to intervene, you must think the consequences through clearly."

"I have thought it through very clearly."

Chen Xuan leaned against the rock, watching the starry sky begin to reflect on the stream. "If the Northern Territory descends into chaos, the world will have no peace. You, Leng Shuang, are a person of the Jianghu; you can keep to yourself. You, Zhao Hongling, are a noble lady; you can hide in your estate and save your life. But I am currently a wandering swordsman roaming everywhere. When the times truly turn to war and chaos, who will be able to protect the two of you?"

Once he said this, both of them went quiet.

Dugu Xue looked down at her hands and said softly, "You don't have to take all this on for our sake."

"I'm not doing it for you." Chen Xuan shook his head. "I'm doing it for myself. In this world, when it's peaceful, we follow the rules. When chaos rises, fists are the only truth. I don't want to be cornered in an alley one day, forced to kneel and beg for mercy."

He stood up and brushed the dust off his trousers. "So, rather than waiting for the fire to singe my eyebrows, it's better to do something useful while I can."

Zhao Hongling bit her lip and didn't argue further.

Leng Shuang looked at him for a long time, then finally nodded slightly.

Dugu Xue looked up, her gaze fixed directly on him. "Are you really willing to help me?"

"I already said count me in."

Chen Xuan grinned. "But let's get the ugly talk out of the way first. I can help, but it has to be on my terms. Don't expect me to wear armor, line up in military formations, or shout slogans—that's not my style."

"What do you want?"

"We'll talk about that later." He winked. "For now, let's get moving. We need to find a wind-sheltered spot to camp tonight; I don't want to be blown rolling all over the mountain in the middle of the night."

After saying this, he picked up his bundle and started walking forward.

Zhao Hongling hurriedly chased after him. "Hey! How can you change the subject faster than a donkey rolling in the mud!"

Leng Shuang stood up, took one last look at the stream, and followed.

Dugu Xue sat where she was, motionless, watching Chen Xuan's retreating back.

The man walked in his usual lazy manner, his shoulders not straight, his steps not deliberately steady. Yet, with every step he landed, it was as if he were treading to some invisible beat—unhurried, unhurried, calm and composed.

She slowly stood up, brushed the dust from the hem of her skirt, and murmured, "What kind of person are you, really..."

Then, she quickened her pace and rejoined the end of the group.

The mountain path remained long, the night grew deeper, and starlight spilled onto the rugged path, illuminating four figures walking side by side.