Shen Yangge was dragged along as he ran. Suddenly remembering the frail child among the crowd, he cast a quick glance back.
Liang Yu was running for his life with the skeletal child in his arms.
He also saw the elderly people who had stayed behind, and his pupils contracted sharply.
The elderly smiled tenderly at him and waved, their lips moving as though they were saying something.
Although they had not known each other long, a sudden ache filled Shen Yangge. He whipped his head forward and ran with every ounce of strength he had.
Su Shang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Lord Shen, you must live. They want you to live well."
"Only then will their sacrifice not have been in vain."
For some reason, Shen Yangge's eyes stung. He moved his tongue from the roof of his mouth to beneath his little fangs, nearly biting it several times as he ran.
He had no idea how long they had been running before he began struggling to catch his breath.
He did not look back, and neither did Su Shang.
Only when they saw the rear city gate did the two slow down.
"Lord Shen, if those people are guarding the rear gate too, I will do everything in my power to protect you."
Gripping Shen Yangge's wrist tightly, he continued steadily, "You must survive. Without you, His Highness... will lose control."
Even at a time like this, hearing Su Shang mention Chu Xuanzhen stirred feelings Shen Yangge could not quite describe. He jogged alongside Su Shang all the way to the rear gate.
Sure enough, a group of soldiers stood guard outside it.
Su Shang cursed. Shen Yangge did not catch what he said, but he could guess it was something foul.
"Lord Shen, leave