The night had fallen deep over the border camp.
The sky was clear.
Countless stars filled the darkness, shining quietly above the silent land.
A cool breeze passed through the tents, carrying the calm of the night.
Qiao Yu Zhen stood alone outside, looking up at the sky.
His expression was peaceful.
For the first time in a while—
He seemed at ease.
The noise of the world felt far away.
He took a slow breath.
His eyes remained fixed on the moon.
Lost in thought.
Footsteps approached from behind.
But he did not turn.
"I did not expect to find you here," a voice said.
Qiao Yu Zhen glanced slightly to the side.
Moyan Jue.
He walked forward calmly and stopped beside him.
Both of them looked up at the sky.
Silence settled between them.
But it was not uncomfortable.
After a moment—
Moyan Jue spoke.
"The night is quiet here."
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded. "It is."
Another pause followed.
Then Moyan Jue asked—
"Do you believe in reincarnation?"
The question came suddenly.
But calmly.
Qiao Yu Zhen's expression did not change much.
He thought for a moment.
Then replied, "Why do you ask?"
Moyan Jue did not answer immediately.
His gaze remained on the stars.
"Just a thought," he said.
Qiao Yu Zhen looked at him now.
"Do you believe in it?" he asked back.
Moyan Jue gave a faint smile.
"Yes."
His answer was simple.
But certain.
Qiao Yu Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"
Moyan Jue's voice softened.
"Because some connections do not disappear."
He paused.
"They return."
The words hung quietly in the air.
Qiao Yu Zhen looked at him for a moment longer.
As if trying to understand something deeper.
Then he said, "Even if they return… they may not recognize each other."
Moyan Jue nodded slowly.
"That is true."
Silence followed again.
But something had changed.
A quiet understanding.
Unspoken.
Moyan Jue finally looked at him.
"What about you?" he asked.
Qiao Yu Zhen turned his gaze back to the sky.
"I do not know," he said.
His voice was calm.
"But…"
He paused slightly.
"…some things feel familiar."
Moyan Jue's expression softened.
He did not say anything more.
Both of them stood there.
Looking at the same sky.
Thinking of different things.
Yet—
Connected by something neither of them fully understood.
Inside the command tent—
The atmosphere was completely different.
Serious.
Heavy.
General Wu Jianhong stood across from Prince Hei Zheng.
A large map lay open between them.
Torches flickered along the sides.
General Wu spoke first.
"The situation in the capital is unstable."
Prince Hei Zheng nodded. "I am aware."
General Wu looked at him carefully.
"Then you also know what this means."
Hei Zheng's expression remained calm.
"Yes."
Silence followed.
Then General Wu said—
"You cannot let the Crown Prince succeed like this."
The words were direct.
Clear.
Prince Hei Zheng did not react immediately.
He looked at the map.
Then slowly raised his gaze.
"Things are not that simple," he said.
General Wu stepped closer.
"They never are."
His voice was firm.
"But if you do nothing—"
"The result will be worse."
The tent fell silent.
Prince Hei Zheng understood.
Every word.
Every meaning behind it.
General Wu continued—
"The court is already divided."
"If this continues…"
He did not finish the sentence.
But it was clear.
Prince Hei Zheng took a slow breath.
"I will consider it," he said.
General Wu nodded.
"That is all I ask."
Their conversation ended.
But the weight of it remained.
Morning came quickly.
The first light of the sun spread across the border camp.
The cold night faded.
The soldiers began to move again.
Preparing for the day.
Outside—
Wu Jinhai stood near the entrance.
Her belongings ready.
Qiao Yu Zhen stood beside her.
Moyan Jue and Mo Xiaoqi were already waiting.
The journey was about to continue.
General Wu Jianhong stepped forward.
His gaze rested on his daughter.
"You are leaving now?"
Wu Jinhai nodded. "Yes."
General Wu looked at her for a moment.
Then said, "Be careful on the road."
His voice was calm.
But filled with concern.
Wu Jinhai bowed her head slightly.
"I will."
There was a brief silence.
Then she added softly—
"I will return."
General Wu gave a small nod.
"I know."
He then looked at Qiao Yu Zhen.
"Take care of her."
Qiao Yu Zhen answered without hesitation—
"I will."
Moyan Jue watched quietly.
Mo Xiaoqi remained silent.
Wu Jinhai stepped back and mounted the horse.
Qiao Yu Zhen followed.
Moyan Jue and Mo Xiaoqi prepared to leave as well.
The moment had come.
Wu Jinhai looked at her father one last time.
Then—
She turned forward.
"Let's go."
The horse moved.
Slowly at first.
Then faster.
Leaving the camp behind.
General Wu Jianhong stood still.
Watching them disappear into the distance.
The road ahead was long.
And uncertain.
But they did not stop.
The four of them continued forward.
.....