"Bang..."

  A loud noise echoed through the palace, and everyone's attention was drawn to it at once. Then a shout of killing came from afar.

  "The Huns have attacked the city." Fang Ling Tian sighed.

  What's destined to come will still come in the end.

  "Not right..." Xu Haifeng's keen sense of hearing was far superior to others, and he was the first to notice that something was off.

  In a short while, Fang Lian and others like Li Bogu also noticed that the shouting was unusual.

  "How is this sound getting closer and closer?" asked Ling Tian with a serious expression.

  "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." An old eunuch hastily rushed into the imperial study, shouting in a shocked tone: "It's all over, the North Gate has fallen."

  Everyone's face changed color, Emperor Xian of Han suddenly stood up from the dragon chair and asked in a trembling voice: "What did you say?"

  "Your Majesty, the North Gate has fallen."

  "Fang's family." Emperor Han Xian turned his head and stared at Fang Ling Tian, asking loudly: "Didn't you assure me that there would be no loss in the capital?"

  Fang Ling Tian's fists were clenched tightly, just as he was about to speak, when suddenly a loud voice outside the door called out: "Your Majesty..."

  Emperor Han Xian turned his head and looked over, and the newcomer was indeed Liu Zhengzhong, the Grand Commander of the Yellow Dragon Army.

  "Liu Tongling, why did the North Gate fall?" Tang Zonghan asked loudly.

  Liu Zhengzhong nodded to him and said: "At the third watch, more than 100 black-clad masked men suddenly appeared at the North Gate. They were all highly skilled in martial arts, and the guarding officers were caught off guard, resulting in heavy casualties. They opened the North Gate and let the Xiongnu people enter the city."

  "Cheng family, again it's the Cheng family." Fang Ming was enraged, and with a loud slap, he smashed the sandalwood chair beside him into pieces.

  "Your Majesty, I will lead my subordinates in a fight to the death. You should leave quickly." Liu Zhengzhong said, turning around and wanting to walk away.

  However, a thick and sturdy arm blocked his way. He looked up to see Li Bohu, who had just been kneeling on the ground.

  "Li Tongling, you..."

  As for this fellow, he is certainly no stranger, but I couldn't guess his intention at this moment.

  Li Bohu looked at him deeply and said: "General Liu, you have followed the Emperor for many years. This heavy responsibility of escorting the Emperor cannot be without you."

  Liu Zhengzhong was taken aback, and then he saw him bypass himself, kneeling heavily in front of Emperor Han Xian, respectfully performing the ritual of three kneels and nine knocks, saying: "The sinful minister's life should have been lost in the northwest, but there is still a lingering attachment in his heart, so he has been barely clinging to life. Today, I got to see Your Majesty, my wish is fulfilled, and there is no regret."

  He stood up and bowed his head to Liu Zhengzhong, saying: "The Emperor has entrusted him to the General."

  Then he turned around and strode out in big steps.

  "Bo Hu......" Fang Ling Tian's eyes were filled with tears as he shouted loudly.

  Liu Zhengzhong stood still on the spot, unable to make up his mind for a moment, whether to follow Li Bohu or escort the imperial carriage as ordered.

  "Your Majesty, the Xiongnu are coming, you must leave quickly." The old eunuch hastily called out again.

  "Go?" Emperor Han Xian's eyes showed a bewildered expression, and he muttered: "Where can I go now?"

  "This......" The old eunuch was indeed loyal to Emperor Han Xian, but such a major national affair was not something he should know about, and he suddenly became speechless.

  "In the west, in the north, wherever Your Majesty wishes to go." Fang Ling took a step forward and also knelt down on the ground with great respect, performing the three bows and nine knocks ceremony to Emperor Xian of Han: "No matter where Your Majesty wants to go, these two sons will definitely send you there safely."

  The Emperor Han Xian lifted his head, and the perplexed look in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a firm determination.

  "A Fu, bring the Imperial Seal of State."

  The old eunuch, Afu, responded with a sound, turned around and came to the side of the dragon case. He didn't know what he opened, but after a while, he took out an exquisitely carved jade box.

  Emperor Xian of Han took over this symbol of supreme imperial power, the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, and personally handed it to Liu Xie.

  Liu Zhengqi held it with both hands, but a sense of foreboding arose in his heart, and he asked: "Your Majesty, what is this..."

  The Han Emperor waved his sleeve, revealing the true nature of an emperor: "I ascended to the throne at a young age and for over twenty years, I have been cautious and diligent every day. The most satisfying thing in my life was when I defeated Caesar at Lin'an, but the most regrettable thing is that I failed to win the hearts of my ministers, leading to the rebellion of the Cheng family."

  He let out a long sigh and cried out in grief: "The great Han dynasty, which has lasted for hundreds of years, has been destroyed in an instant. What face do I have to live on in shame, even if it's in the underworld, I would not dare to meet my ancestors?"

  "Your Majesty, as long as the green mountains remain, we need not worry about running out of firewood. The northern region still has an imperial army of 200,000 strong; with just a wave of your arm and a call to action, you can surely rise again from the east and recover our lost lands." Fang Ling Tian spoke loudly: "Now is not the time for delay, please hurry and move the dragon carriage."

  Emperor Han Xian stretched out his hand and gently stroked the table, as if recalling memories that had been floating in his mind. He raised his head and gazed at Fang Ling Tian, saying: "Fang Gong, you and I have been monarch and minister for decades, do you still want to advise me?"

  Fang Ling stared at him in a daze, her lips moving, but she couldn't say a word.

  "Father..."

  Liu Zhengqi was on his knees, about to make a desperate plea. But Emperor Xian of Han suddenly let out a loud roar, cutting him off abruptly and shouting sternly: "Wu Zi, today the country is in dire straits, I as the Son of Heaven should be the first to sacrifice myself. And among the Liu family members of this generation, only you have surpassed others in learning, with exceptional bearing and magnanimity. In the future when we recover our rivers and mountains, it will all depend on you."

  Liu Zhengqi was overcome with grief and wept, kowtowing on the ground.

  Emperor Wu of Han was furious and scolded: "At this critical moment, you still behave like this. Where is your bravery and decisiveness? Don't let me... don't let your old father down."

  Liu Zhengqi suddenly lifted his head, with tears welling up in his eyes, but he forcibly held them back and respectfully performed the ritual of three bows and nine knocks to Emperor Han Xian, saying: "Your son will definitely not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations."

  The Han Xian Emperor showed a relieved smile, pulled him up, and turned to Liu Zhengzhong: "Zhengzhong, you escort the Crown Prince out."

  Liu Zhengzhong's face twitched with muscle spasms, and Emperor Han Xian glared at him, saying: "How is it that even my most loyal general dares to defy my orders?"

  Liu Zhengzhong forced a smile that was even uglier than crying and choked out: "Your servant obeys the edict."

  Emperor Xian of Han nodded in satisfaction, pondered for a moment, and then ordered Fang Shuo: "Fang Gong, you are the most prestigious and capable general of the Great Han. Please treasure yourself and assist the young master in the future, and I will still need your hard work."

  "Yes..." replied Tian Gong with reverence.

  The Emperor Han Xian waved his sleeve and said, "Wu Zi, remember, one day you will take back this city, and only then can I close my eyes in the underworld."

  "Yes, your son remembers." Liu Zhengqi could no longer control himself, lowered his head and two silent tears fell.

  "You can go." Emperor Han Xian turned around, facing the dragon throne, leaving only his solitary and desolate back still straight as a pine.

  Fang Ling Tian and Tang Zong Han, Su Dong Shun exchanged a glance, their hearts understanding each other. At the same time, they knelt down, even Xu Hai Feng followed suit, facing this great Han emperor who had decided to die for his country, performing the final three bows and nine kowtows ceremony.

  As they walked out of the hall, Fang Ling Tian said: "Your Highness, please wait here for a moment. I will go and summon my younger brother to accompany Your Highness to the northern camp."

  Fang Xing's heart skipped a beat and he hastily called out: "Father, you..."

  Fang Ling Tian stretched out his hand and interrupted him, smiling proudly, saying: "This city is defended by me, if I fail to do my duty, I will surely die for it."

  Xu Haifeng was shocked and advised: "Father-in-law, this is the work of a wicked person, it's not your fault. Why must you..."

  Fang Ling Tian let out a loud hum, saying: "I was weak and crowned from the military, galloping on the battlefield, for decades, my achievements and mistakes are clear, only then do I have today's reputation. Feng Er, your Black Flag Army has produced many talents, with unmatched combat power in the world. Later, when escorting the Crown Prince out of the capital, it will depend on you."

  "I'll go ahead and make arrangements first, then come back to keep you company, soldier." Su Dongsheng smiled casually and said, "Old wine ghost, what about you?"

  Tang Zonghan glanced at him disdainfully and said, "A real man of the Tang family would never be a coward. Let's see who arrives first."

  The two men burst out laughing and bowed to Liu Zhengqi before turning around and striding away.

  Xu Haifeng's expression changed slightly. He could never have imagined that these few people were so stubborn, willing to die rather than yield, and not one of them was willing to leave the capital.

  Fang Ling Tian watched as the two old friends disappeared into the distance, and smiled: "Xiang Ming, you stay with the prince, I'll go find your uncle with Feng Er, we'll be right back."

  Fang Xiang's face turned pale, his hands slightly trembling, and his heart was surging with emotions.

  After turning two corners, Fang Ling Tian saw that there was no one around and suddenly stopped in his tracks, turning his head to look at Xu Haifeng.

  Xu Haifeng didn't understand what he meant and asked respectfully: "Father-in-law, you......?"

  Fang Ling Tian looked at him and suddenly asked, "I heard you changed the name of Lin'an City to Wulong City?"

  Xu Haifeng lowered his head and said, "That's right."

  Fang Ling Tian smiled and nodded his head, saying: "Good, good ambition of a sleeping dragon."

  He changed his tone and said: "You and I are both father and son, as well as father-in-law and son-in-law. Now that we are about to part ways, I have one request of you."

  Xu Haifeng looked up and met his gaze, suddenly nodding: "I promise you, Father-in-law, the honor of the Fang family will not be cut off because of this."

  Fang Ling shook his head and sighed, "I know your temperament. Considering Xiang Ming and Ying Er's relationship with you, I'm sure you won't treat the Fang family poorly. So, what I'm asking of you isn't about this matter."

  "Father-in-law, please go on." Xǔ Hǎifēng turned his face away, avoiding the gaze that seemed to hold substance, and spoke slowly.

  "The prince is going to the northern camp this time, where there are countless dangers. I beg you not to interfere." Fang Ling Tian said slowly.

  Xu Haifeng turned his head to look at the old man's eyes, which were filled with a resolute spirit. He finally let out a long sigh and said: "I will return to Wodragon City with my brother immediately. From now on, I have nothing to do with this place."

  "It's fine. As for whether Your Highness can escape, that will be decided by fate." Fang Lingtian's eyes gradually softened as he turned to gaze at the dark night sky: "Father has one last thing to say."

  "Father-in-law, please go ahead and speak."

  "Remember, the land of the Han people can only be ruled by the Han people themselves."

  A moment later, everyone gathered again.

  Fang Lingde's face was filled with discontent, but he endured more than ordinary people and did not reveal a hint of it. He led the crowd to bid farewell to San Lao and left in a hurry.

  The sound of killing in his ears, gradually approaching, Xu Haifeng turned back to glance at the three old men standing shoulder to shoulder, calm and composed, with an air of elegance.

  Today's farewell turns out to be an eternal parting.

  In this life, there will be no day when we meet again.