Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: She Fights for Her Country and for Him

“I do not wish to marry; I want to journey to the Nether Valley.” Yun Jinhua’s gaze was calm and resolute.

Bai Zhi and Qing Dai’s faces changed drastically.

“Miss, please abandon this thought. That place is far too dangerous—you absolutely cannot go there,” Qing Dai pleaded, waving her hands anxiously.

“Yes, Miss, you must not risk yourself. The General’s Mansion depends solely on you now,” Bai Zhi said tearfully, looking at her with wide, worried eyes.

“You know, my father, mother, brother, sister-in-law, and three thousand soldiers all disappeared there. I must find them,” Yun Jinhua said with a heavy pain beneath her determined tone.

Bai Zhi and Qing Dai remained silent, standing with downcast eyes. It was a thorn lodged deep in their lady’s heart, a wound that throbbed painfully at the slightest touch.

Yet beyond praying for their safe return, there was no better way.

Everyone knew the Nether Valley was a gateway to the underworld. Those who entered never came back.

At the border between Nanling and Mobei lay a vast sea of sand, stretching no more than a hundred miles across.

The Nether Valley was nestled within.

It was the shortest route from Nanling to Mobei. A century ago, several caravans attempted to cross the desert, aiming to reach their destinations swiftly.

But in the end, only one man emerged alive, gasping for breath, leaving behind two words before his eyes glazed over and he passed away.

He spoke of an oasis in the desert called the Nether Valley.

Those who ventured into the desert believed it was hope, but they did not realize it was a demon’s lair that swallowed people whole; all who entered vanished without a trace.

Since then, that desert became a forbidden death zone, avoided by all.

The Nether Valley was shrouded in even more eerie legends.

Some said the desert’s harsh climate, with a scorching sun, could bake a person into a dry corpse.

Others spoke of venomous insects everywhere, their bites fatal.

The most terrifying tale was that everyone who entered lost their way, drawn by a strange force toward a place where a clear spring tinkled, and lush greenery flourished.

That place was the Nether Valley.

And even the one man who escaped could not escape its grasp of death, his fate strangled at the throat.

Yun Jinhua would never forget how she first took to the battlefield.

Three months before her wedding, she received a letter from home.

It said that her entire family would return to personally escort her to her bridal sedan chair for such an important occasion.

She had eagerly anticipated a joyful reunion, but half a month later, the court received urgent news from the border.

The General had led a daring army deep into the desert to break the deadlock of war, hoping to stealthily infiltrate Mobei from the Nanling side and strike the enemy from both within and without.

When the appointed time arrived, no billowing smoke of war appeared at Yannan Pass, and not a single soldier led by Yun Ting returned.

Everyone knew that the Yun family were formidable warriors, but they also knew that surviving the desert was a faint hope.

They must have met disaster.

At that time, invitations from the Pingyang Marquis’s residence had already been sent out.

Since Yun Ting and his men were only missing, the wedding could not be postponed. Under the care of relatives and friends, Yun Jinhua boarded the bridal sedan.

She and Su Ziwen had just performed the wedding rites when news arrived at the palace from the border—the Yannan Pass had fallen!

The former emperor was so enraged he coughed up blood several times before collapsing.

The imperial physicians rushed to save him but were powerless.

With his last breath, the former emperor wrote his abdication edict and passed away with bitterness.

Ping King Xiao Jin’an, the only adult prince, hastily ascended the throne.

While mourning, he mobilized reinforcements to the border.

Yet not a single general in court volunteered.

Upon hearing the news, Yun Jinhua shed her bridal robes for everyday clothes and went to see the new sovereign.

At that moment, Xiao Jin’an wore simple white mourning robes, his face pale and eyes red-rimmed.

When he saw her, his eyes shimmered with emotion.

“Jinhua, I will lead the army in person,” the not-yet-crowned Xiao Jin’an said with a tight jawline.

His father had entrusted him with the ancestral kingdom, and his first duty was to reclaim lost lands.

If no capable general could be found, he would command the troops himself.

“Your Majesty, the country cannot be left without a leader even for a day. I, your humble servant, volunteer for battle,” Yun Jinhua’s gaze blazed like a torch.

“You, a mere woman, how can you fight on the front lines? Moreover, you are the only bloodline left of the Yun family. How can I allow you to face such danger?” Xiao Jin’an was deeply moved but still refused her request.

“Your Majesty, I will protect both you and Nanling unharmed. You know, the daughters of the Yun family are as valiant as men. I cannot let my parents and siblings bear the shame of failure,” Yun Jinhua said softly but with unwavering resolve.

Xiao Jin’an stared intently at the delicate yet fierce young woman before him, moved to tears, a flush tinting the corners of his eyes.

So, she was not only fighting for the nation but also for him?

“Jinhua, go with my blessing. You protect me, and I... I will ensure your safety and restore peace to the realm,” Xiao Jin’an solemnly promised as emperor.

In that glance, they understood each other’s hearts.

Without Yun Jinhua, Xiao Jin’an could not stabilize his reign.

Without Xiao Jin’an, Yun Jinhua could not fight with peace of mind.

Yun Jinhua nodded firmly.

With both national and familial grief, how could she stand idly by?

If she hid away in the capital living in comfort, how many would blame her father for the defeat at Yannan Pass?

They would accuse him of rashness, greed for glory, poor command...

Such fabrications would be easy to conjure.

Besides, this was Xiao Jin’an’s kingdom!

As the new sovereign took the throne and prepared to lead the army, even if victorious, his safe return was uncertain.

An almost invisible prince unexpectedly became the ruler of a nation, and who knew how many envied, resented, or disapproved of him?

He inherited a mess, and the ministers doubted him.

Civil officials advocated peace; generals refused to fight.

Who would govern the capital in his absence?

Yun Jinhua could not watch the Yannan Pass fall to the enemy; that was her father and brothers’ unfinished legacy.

Nor could she let Nanling fall into chaos. The Yun family had always taken it as their duty to protect the nation and its people.

She hoped that under Xiao Jin’an’s rule, Nanling would flourish in peace and prosperity.

His lack was never ability but opportunity to prove himself.

Likewise, Xiao Jin’an gave her the chance to serve the country.

As Nanling’s foremost female general, she was bestowed the title “General Who Pacifies the Frontier,” commanding the army and wielding the marshal’s authority.

The emperor also specially granted her a sword of supreme authority, giving her the right to execute before reporting.

What touched Yun Jinhua most was that after returning, Xiao Jin’an treated her as always.

Though now a lofty monarch, he still regarded her as confidante and brother.

He fully supported her every move.

Perhaps the assistance from Prince Jing was also orchestrated by him behind the scenes.

At this thought, Yun Jinhua’s eyes brightened.

Then, if she went to the Nether Valley in search of her family, he would not oppose her, would he?