"At least you knew there was danger, a trap, and you would avoid them by choosing not to engage." The Third Prince's tone was laced only with disdain: "But this time, you actually chose to join! This proves you've developed feelings. As a Prince, the future Emperor, the moment you let emotion rule, you've already lost! That's why, before I even designed this scheme, I knew who would win in the end."

Mu Ne Zhen Ce stared blankly at the location of Tie Nan's belt. It was true! In the past, facing such a situation, he would have immediately chosen to withdraw. This time, he had actually chosen to participate, and even now, in this state, he didn't feel a shred of regret.

"My dear, foolish younger brother. You regret it now, don't you? Too late..."

"I... don't regret it."

Mu Ne Zhen Ce's words cut off the other, plunging the scene into a sudden silence.

"No regrets? Are you planning to see this through to the bitter end, or are you just stubbornly putting up a front? Now I'll give you two pieces of good news. The first is that a contingent led by your Second Brother is near the Ancient Desolate Sand Sea. If you can break out, he will naturally protect you."

"And the other piece of news is that you can also hold your ground and wait for reinforcements to arrive," the Third Prince chuckled coldly. "That spy you quickly planted next to me right after returning to the Dynasty has already started running around sending messages. I'm sure Second Brother will get the news and come to save you, though it might take a little longer."

"But you don't need to worry about anything. Relying on that peak, relying on the group beside you, perhaps when the last one falls in battle, you might have a thirty percent chance of survival? By then, Second Brother should have arrived. That way, I can still erode Second Brother's military authority and strength. I really must thank you."

"So, you still have a chance now. Cast aside those useless emotions, tell them! As long as you live, their families will be well cared for. I imagine they understand that if they don't take good care of you, and they survive while you die, their families will face significant trouble."

"You said yourself that the greatest weakness of man is kinship. Now you can use that weakness to make them protect..."

Bang!

The magic device strapped to Tie Nan's waist was shattered by a single sweep of Mu Ne Zhen Ce's fan, and the Third Prince's voice abruptly ceased broadcasting.

The scorching wind of the Ancient Desolate Sand Sea still churned relentlessly, yet Gan Jin and Mu Ne Zhen Ce felt none of the surrounding heat. The merciless words chilled one to the bone with the coldness of human nature.

Were the Third Prince's final words true or false? Was there truly an army coincidentally nearby? Or was he lying, attempting to lure others into a suicidal breakout attempt?

Mu Ne Zhen Ce quietly fixed his gaze on Gan Jin's eyes. He had truly changed! In the past, he wouldn't have hesitated for a second; he could discern the truth in Third Brother's words with his spiritual power—it was all real! Second Brother really was outside!

Now, all he needed to do was exploit the weakness of human nature to control these few individuals, and then he would have a chance to live!

But... Mu Ne Zhen Ce's brow furrowed, losing some of his usual regal composure, yet he found himself utterly incapable of doing it! These damnable future high officials had trapped this Prince in such indecision...

"Gan Jin, don't look at me like that. Third Brother's words are false." Mu Ne Zhen Ce patted Gan Jin's shoulder and sighed. "He just wants to trick us into breaking out."

"Indeed, this man is too insidious," Gan Jin also smiled, but his body instinctively took a step back, watching Mu Ne Zhen Ce's every move closely. Days of companionship allowed him to sense that his companion was lying right now!

"You should go rest for a while. I need to think," Mu Ne Zhen Ce smiled at Gan Jin. "I've studied military texts since childhood; I'm sure I can devise a plan quickly. I'll come find you then..."

"You'll come find me? Or are you going to find death?" Gan Jin watched Mu Ne Zhen Ce quietly without moving. "The Third Prince's words are true, aren't they? You want Tie Nan to take you out to send a message, right?"

"What are you saying?"

"You are a confident person; you believe you can break out, but I don't!" Gan Jin shook his head, a smile of analysis forming on his face. "Of course, you also blame yourself. You think that if you die, Third Brother will have no reason to kill us. So, even if you fail to break out and die, it might resolve this crisis..."

"Gan Jin..." Mu Ne Zhen Ce's eyes suddenly sharpened. "I am a Prince; you are merely my subject. I now command you to obey the Prince's decree..."

"Decree?"

"Exactly! A decree!" Mu Ne Zhen Ce stared at Gan Jin. "This cannot be told to anyone else, or if everyone attempts a breakout, we will all likely die together. But if I go with Tie Nan, our chances are greater. Furthermore, if I truly die, Third Brother's objective will be achieved, and you all..."

"Decree..." Gan Jin laughed, walking step by step toward Mu Ne Zhen Ce, his figure suddenly seeming to rapidly enlarge in Mu Ne Zhen Ce's pupils.

"Gan Jin! What are you doing? Are you going to defy an order?"

"I won't tell them about the decree, but you aren't getting out either." Gan Jin's voice carried absolute finality. "In terms of infiltration, concealment, and sheer strength, I am superior to you. I came to the Ancient Desolate Sand Sea for treasure, knowing it was a trap, for my father, for Fabredis. This is because of me! I never imagined someone within the Royal Family knew about the undead, or could even utilize them, or perhaps Third Brother himself is an undead!"

"Stop right there, my esteemed Sixth Prince! I am a Prince! What do you think you are doing?"

"Respected Sixth Prince, I think you are too tired and should rest. I led everyone into this trap. Knowing it was a trap and still leading everyone in—that was my greed. Third Brother grasped the weakness of human nature perfectly! Since you know Second Brother is nearby, then I should be the one to break out. If I hadn't insisted on coming, perhaps everyone wouldn't have followed me into this trap, so the responsibility naturally falls to me, and the breakout attempt should be mine."

"Mu Ne Zhen Ce!" Gan Jin suddenly roared, instantly releasing mental interference magic toward Gan Jin's head, while simultaneously signaling Tie Nan with his eyes to capture and restrain Gan Jin.

"Why are you shouting?" The battle aura around Gan Jin suddenly flared, emitting the sound of the Requiem—a sound as stirring as a symphony orchestra—instantly bringing him back to full clarity.

Mu Ne Zhen Ce slid his feet, utilizing the Free Step technique taught to him by Gan Jin, to evade.

"Trying to dodge?" Gan Jin coldly sneered and directly used Ten Thousand Shadows, appearing behind Mu Ne Zhen Ce!

"Gan Jin, what are you doing?" Mu Ne Zhen Ce twisted his body, his face pressed hard against the ground. He tried to resist but was vastly inferior to Gan Jin in strength. "Gan Jin, let go of me!"

"Let go of your sister!"

"I am a Prince!" Mu Ne Zhen Ce struggled desperately. The probability of a successful breakout was low; he only wanted to see if he could find the enemy's mage corps, then detonate their magic, creating a massive sound explosion in the hope of attracting Second Brother's attention.

"Your sister the Prince! I'm probably older than you," Gan Jin pressed down on Mu Ne Zhen Ce's limbs. "As your elder brother! As your friend! I cannot watch you go to your death! Especially since this mistake is on me."

"Tie Nan, what are you standing there for? Take down this lunatic Gan Jin for me!"

"Tie Nan! What are you still looking at? Help me pin down Little Six!"

"Damn it, Tie Nan, who is your master? What the hell are you doing? Why are you holding me down? I saved your life! I saved your life! I am your master, I am..."

"Master... I..." Tie Nan held Mu Ne Zhen Ce down, looking conflicted, but the strength in his hands did not ease at all.

"Can't I even handle you, Little Six? You always act like a Prince in front of me. I’ve seen enough of your princely act. Today is a good chance to teach you a lesson," Gan Jin freed one hand to flex his wrist and shoulder.

"Gan Jin! What the hell do you think you're doing? Try knocking me out, and see what happens! I won't acknowledge you as a friend anymore! Did you hear me, damn it?" Mu Ne Zhen Ce's voice was hoarse from shouting, his body trembling uncontrollably, yet he could not break free from Tie Nan's grip.

"Breaking out, fighting, hiding—I'm far more experienced than you in these matters," Gan Jin lightly patted Mu Ne Zhen Ce’s cheek. "It's the first time I've heard you call me a friend after all this time. Kid, when you wake up, you'll find that the armies of the Zhen Ce Dynasty have been brought by me to rescue you."

"Mu Ne Zhen Ce!..."

"Shut up!" Gan Jin landed a punch squarely on the back of Mu Ne Zhen Ce's head. He watched the Prince, whose face was a mask of furious struggle now turning unconscious, and smiled faintly. "I can't afford to let you stay awake. I know the method you planned, and I can execute it. If you're conscious, you'll likely try to notify Second Brother and the others... for all of us to die together? That's too great a loss."

"I will try my best to live!" Gan Jin gazed out toward the distant Undead Army. "I still have my father to look after! I am also the one most likely to survive! Living or dead, I led you all here this time, so the responsibility must be borne by me, Gan Jin, alone."

"Tie Nan, tie this kid up securely. Knocking people out is something I'm good at, but determining precisely how long it takes for someone to wake up after being knocked out—even the Ultimate Bloodline Warrior couldn't manage that. For a breakout attempt, fewer people are better. This kid will certainly try to inform Second Brother and the others the moment he wakes up. Do not untie him."

Black metallic threads emerged from Gan Jin's Battle Realm. They looked incredibly fine, yet their strength and resilience surpassed that of any rope. More importantly, they were thin; if the bound person struggled violently, their body would be sliced by these metallic threads, inflicting intense pain!

"Alright, watch him closely." Gan Jin rapidly charged down the peak, stealthily making his way through the Ancient Desolate Sand Sea. His view from the summit had helped him grasp the weakest point of the army, and a strategy for evasion had already formed in his mind.

Time ticked by, and Gan Jin gradually approached the Undead Army, which hadn't yet set out, seemingly waiting for something.

"Damn it! Gan Jin..." Mu Ne Zhen Ce shook his throbbing head as he awoke. His extremely strong spiritual power allowed him to regain consciousness much faster than Gan Jin had anticipated.

"What is going on?" Mu Ne Zhen Ce looked at the ropes binding him, and his gaze instantly fell upon Tie Nan. Tie Nan! I'll skin you alive!

"Master, kill Tie Nan after we return. For now, please wait a moment; Gan Jin is out attempting the breakout..."

"Breakout your sister! Untie me! Immediately! Otherwise, I'll cut off your head! Gan Jin doesn't have any mental disruption abilities; his success rate is lower than mine!"

"Master, Tie Nan accepts if you want to cut off his head. But I cannot undo these bindings. Gan Jin ordered me to watch you closely."

"You...!" Mu Ne Zhen Ce's chest heaved violently. He stared blankly at Kuang Niu, his somewhat dull personal guard. Since he had saved this man from the executioner's block in his childhood, Kuang Niu had never once disobeyed an order—he would draw his sword and slit his own throat without a single frown if commanded to commit suicide... But now...

"Between me and Gan Jin, who is your master?"

"You are."

"Then untie me..."

"No..."

"Gan Jin has already gone to break out. Naturally, I won't attempt a breakout now. Untie me," Mu Ne Zhen Ce sighed, his expression calm yet uncomfortable. He squirmed slightly. "This thing binding me is uncomfortable, and I won't cause any trouble."

"Master, don't lie to me. Gan Jin told me that the moment you are freed, you will go find Second Brother and the others to charge out together..."

"Gan Jin! Ancestor!" Mu Ne Zhen Ce's eyes flew wide open, cursing repeatedly, discarding all pretense of composure and gentlemanly decorum. "You win! You really win! My loyal retainer won't listen to my orders anymore! Fine! You are truly formidable... Damn you..."

Tears involuntarily streamed from the corners of Mu Ne Zhen Ce's eyes. Royal hearts are merciless! Emperors must possess hearts of steel; educated since childhood with countless such lessons, Zhen Ce’s tears were the first he could not control. He had always tried to treat Gan Jin as a minister, but at some unknown point, he had come to regard him as a friend.

A friend! That was a luxury for the royal family! Mu Ne Zhen Ce had never imagined he could possess such a precious emotion.

"You want to be a hero? You want to be a hero? Damn it! Don't you know the price of being a hero?" Mu Ne Zhen Ce glared furiously at Kuang Niu. "Are you untying me or not?"

"Not!"

"Not? I'll untie it myself! Open them for me!" Mu Ne Zhen Ce's internal battle energy circulated wildly, his powerful burst impacting the surroundings. His body suddenly expanded outwards, but the ropes showed no sign of loosening; instead, they tightened with the impact, digging deeper into his muscles, causing immense pain.

"Master... Don't! The more you resist, the tighter they become. You can't break these ropes; you're truly hurting yourself! Gan Jin said that would damage your body..."

"Get lost! Get out of here! I... I..." Mu Ne Zhen Ce curled up on the ground, his chest heaving violently, a result of overexertion and intense physical pain causing uncontrolled spasms. Bloodshot veins filled his eyes. "If you won't untie them, I can still break free! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Chains! Break for me!"

Red eyes! Mu Ne Zhen Ce's eyes were bloodshot...

Bang! The chains did not break; instead, they dug deeper into Zhen Ce's skin, muscle, and flesh. Blood splattered everywhere, akin to the pain of being cleaved by hundreds of knives... Blood began to flow out from the wounds...

"Master..."

"Get lost! Get lost! Get lost! Get lost! Get lost!" Mu Ne Zhen Ce’s eyeballs were redder than a rabbit's, his heavy gasps erupting into continuous roars like a wild beast. "Open! Open for me~~ Damn it! Open for me! You damn well open for me..."

Break free... break free... break free again... Mu Ne Zhen Ce huddled, trembling, his voice laced with despairing sobs. "I beg you... open..."

"It's useless, Master... These are..."

Thud!

Tie Nan froze. Since childhood, he had always knelt before Mu Ne Zhen Ce. But today, Master Zhen Ce suddenly knelt straight up before him! This! This...

Mu Ne Zhen Ce knelt stiffly before Kuang Niu, blood constantly trickling from the chains binding him. Yet, his expression betrayed no sign of pain.

"Tie Nan, I beg you, I beg you, untie them for me." The blood splashed on his face mixed with tears and snot as Mu Ne Zhen Ce sobbed. "I have never had any friends. Gan Jin and the others are my only friends, my most important friends. In this life, I might never meet such a group of friends again... I beg you... I truly... I only just realized now, I truly don't want to lose them! I truly... truly... I want to die with them, even if it means death... I beg you... I beg you..."

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud thud thud thud...

The Prince's dignity? Gentlemanly composure? Royal glory?

He couldn't care less about any of it! Mu Ne Zhen Ce disregarded everything. His head struck the floor again and again with solid thuds. His forehead, no longer protected by battle aura, was instantly covered in blood and gore, the floor resounding with each impact. "I beg you, I'll kowtow to you, just untie me, okay? Untie me! I'll kowtow to you... Damn ropes, open for me! Open for me! I'm kowtowing to you..."

Kowtowing!

Tie Nan stared blankly at Mu Ne Zhen Ce. This Sixth Prince, outwardly easy-going but inwardly immensely proud, was now kneeling at his feet, repeatedly banging his head against the floor, his entire forehead bloody, yet still continuing to kowtow!

In this moment, Mu Ne Zhen Ce was not a Prince, nor a Master. He was just someone ceaselessly striking the ground with his head.

"Master, don't do this, don't do this... Tie Nan will untie them for you... Kuang Niu will untie them for you..." Tie Nan's hands trembled as he unlocked the chains. The chains had long since dug deep into his flesh; even upon release, they remained deeply embedded in the muscle and skin, and removing them...

Swish... The piercing sound of steel wire grating against flesh and blood emerged, trailing a string of crimson.

Bang! Tie Nan's lower abdomen received a kick from Mu Ne Zhen Ce, and the Prince's enraged roar echoed in his ears: "I'll cut you down when we get back!"

Tie Nan stared dumbly at the retreating figure of Mu Ne Zhen Ce, and the blood that sprayed and trailed along the path. His heart ached repeatedly. How much agonizing pain must that be! More painful than the worst stabbing—his Master had never endured such pain since childhood. How could he bear it?

The proud man, why would he kneel and kowtow to his servant? Was this truly his master? When had he changed like this?