Desperate Situation

When he felt the sharp pain in his left arm, Shangguan Hong quickly let go with his right hand. Without even realizing it, he had picked at his arm until he opened several bleeding wounds.

Strangely, he had once been so afraid of getting hurt that even thinking about it made him shudder. Now, though, he felt almost addicted to it. The burning pain intoxicated him like fine wine.

Shangguan Hong had followed Shangguan Ru on Queen Ju's orders, but arrived at Tongtian Pass several days too late. By then, everything was too late. His half-sister had become one of the most talked-about people inside and outside the small city in a very short time. There were even rumors that Prince Dudun had fallen for her and was willing to pay any price for her sake.

A profound sense of helplessness welled up inside Shangguan Hong. How could he possibly compete with her? Martial arts, intelligence, popularity—she outstripped him in every way. His only advantage was the letter in his arms.

But delivering that letter proved harder than he had imagined. Queen Ju's status as a messenger carried little weight in Tongtian Pass. He had been sitting outside the general's residence like a beggar for nearly two hours, his stomach growling with hunger, while the guards at the gate had given him only one word: "Wait."

By the time he finally met Shang Liao, his confidence had plummeted to rock bottom. Even so, he had to steel himself and carry out the Queen's orders.

The Queen was the only tree he could cling to and live off. She was not yet tall and sturdy, so he would have to wait patiently and show her extraordinary loyalty while she was still weak.

Shang Liao was very cool toward him. He took