Xu Zhenguan spoke with certainty, a trace of admiration flickering in her eyes.
Zhao Douan’s method was simple: initially killing and breaking through, reaching the next fork, he first chose one path, killed all the rebel soldiers at the checkpoint, and created the illusion of a breakthrough.
In reality, he turned to the other path and, using the "Void Illusion Scroll," deceived the soldiers at the checkpoint, continuing his escape.
"This technique is simple yet effective. Once the enemy knows we’ve killed to break through, they will inevitably believe we are trying to escape quickly and incapable of bypassing the checkpoint... With this mindset, they continue the pursuit, and upon discovering two roads — one checkpoint attacked, the other intact... naturally, they assume we fled along the previous path..."
"Moreover, according to the map’s terrain, following the last fork, there’s a long stretch of road away from inhabited areas, making it virtually impossible for more checkpoints along the way..."
"So, by the time the pursuers react and attempt to turn back and chase us anew, considerable time will be required. This time difference is enough for us to flee far away."
Zhao Douan whipped the tired nag, calmly explaining.
In fact, the simpler a ruse, the more effective it is, while overly flamboyant tactics are harder to implement.
Xu Zhenguan quietly observed him with her dark eyes: "So, you plan to travel overnight? Without resting midway?"
Zhao Douan nodded and said calmly, "Despite having bought a bit of time, it isn’t enough. Therefore we must seize every moment to escape with all our might. According to my estimate, if we don’t rest tonight and if this horse doesn’t collapse, we should reach the border of Jiancheng Road by dawn and break through. However..."
"However, I worry that once the pursuers behind realize they’ve been deceived, they may not choose to take an alternate route to capture us, but instead continue forward and lie in wait at the border checkpoint." Zhao Douan’s face was solemn, "If they are mounted, especially on good horses from the military, with full-speed travel, even over a long distance, they can reach the border before dawn."
The speed of a mount can compensate for the distance traveled.
"In that case, let’s hope for good luck," Xu Zhenguan said softly after a moment of silence.
Then she pulled the curtain, sat cross-legged, closed her eyes and continued breathing exercises, attempting to stabilize her injuries as soon as possible and not become a burden during the escape.
Thus, the two fell silent, and before they knew it, morning light had appeared, with the hint of dawn visible in the east.
Having traveled through the night, Zhao Douan wasn’t particularly fatigued, and the presence of the World Venerable Green Lotus greatly replenished his energy.
Only the poor horse pulling the cart, whipped onward without rest, was breathing heavily, two streams of moisture vapor venting from its nose.
"Your Majesty, ahead is the Jiancheng Road checkpoint!" Zhao Douan suddenly pulled the reins, speaking gravely.
Xu Zhenguan, sitting cross-legged, opened her beautiful eyes and peeked out from the carriage, seeing daylight had arrived, a beam of sunlight breaking through the morning mist from the east, illuminating the road ahead and the forests beside it.
The carriage stopped atop a slope, faintly allowing them to glimpse the checkpoint ahead.
"Is there anything unusual?" Xu Zhenguan asked worriedly.
Zhao Douan raised his head, gesturing upwards, and said, "Yes. We might have been spotted."
The Empress looked up, her beautiful eyes reflecting the sky where dozens of birds were circling.
These birds were flying high above, circling over them, barely noticeable unless one intentionally looked upwards.
"These birds have been following us from earlier; as our carriage moves forward, they circle and ," Zhao Douan spoke sternly, his face showing a layer of stubble due to days of travel, which made him appear somewhat weathered.
Nevertheless, his eyes beneath the straw hat were bright and frightening, akin to a knife polished for ages.
"How do you plan to proceed?" The Empress withdrew her gaze, looking at him.
Zhao Douan grinned and said:
"If there truly is something strange, then ahead the checkpoint might have a master, but I can’t be sure how skilled the opponent is. To be cautious, I request the Empress permit me to probe alone. If there’s no formidable enemy, I’ll kill them and return to escort the Empress across the border."
The Empress steadily watched him: "What if there’s a powerful enemy?"
Zhao Douan frankly met her gaze and smiled, saying:
"Then I’ll just have to try to kill all the lesser guards and lure the enemy into the forest, distract them as far as possible, giving the Empress a chance to escape."
Xu Zhenguan was slightly moved, instinctively grabbing his arm: "It will be very dangerous!"
Zhao Douan, still smiling, said:
"Didn’t the Empress mention last time, in case of danger, fleeing alone is better than both getting captured. But if truly only one can escape, I hope that person will be the Empress."
As he spoke, he took out a map from his chest, quickly drawing a circle at a point, and said:
"If faced with the worst scenario, after shaking off the pursuers, I’ll meet the Empress here. If I haven’t appeared by noon, the Empress should head north alone."
"You..." Xu Zhenguan’s lips dry, a sudden unexplainable anxiety, reminded her of hearing similar words in palace novels during her youth, where such sayings often meant separation forever.
However, with her current injuries and facing enemies, staying with Zhao Douan would be a greater burden.
Separation, letting him act alone, would reduce obstacles, increasing survival chances.
"Alright, we can’t delay any longer. If this drags on, the other side will notice something amiss," Zhao Douan smiled, turning his wrist, the Golden Crow Flying Dagger whistling from his sleeve.