Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space

Chapter 216: Chapter

PSu Long stepped out of the command tent into the cool night air.

An Li rushed forward from where the guards had kept her waiting, her hands tightly clasped. "Su Long! What happened? Did the general accept the ledger?"

"He accepted it," Su Long said quietly, watching the soldiers fall into line. "General Lin is moving his vanguard to surround the Bao estate right now."

An Li let out a massive sigh of relief, placing a hand over her chest. "Thank goodness... It’s finally ending." She paused, noticing the uncharacteristically distant look in Su Long’s eyes. "Su Long? Is something wrong?"

"No," Su Long replied smoothly, pushing the encounter with Lin Yanzhe to the back of her mind. "Nothing is wrong. We need to follow the troop movements and ensure Fu Sheng and the others are clear of the estate before the assault begins."

Before An Li could question her further, the heavy thunder of hooves shattered the silence. General Lin Yanzhe rode out at the head of the vanguard, mounted on a tall, coal-black warhorse. Dressed in full dark iron armor with a flowing crimson cape, he looked every bit the formidable military commander.

As he rode past Su Long, his sharp eyes locked onto hers for a fleeting second. There was a cold, lingering tension in his gaze, but he did not stop. He drew his longsword, its polished blade reflecting the torchlight, and pointed it toward the glowing horizon where Tiger Alley’s stronghold lay.

"Advance!" Lin Yanzhe’s voice boomed across the plain. "Surround the Bao estate! Let no criminal escape!"

The cavalry surged forward like a wave of iron and fire, tearing across the dusty roads of the Barren Lands.

Meanwhile, near the treeline on the eastern side of the Bao estate, Fu Sheng and Han Fuji stood in the shadows, watching the estate turn into absolute chaos.

Shouts of alarm rang out from the inner courtyards. Gong bells clanged repeatedly as Bao Li’s men finally realized the bride was gone, the storehouses were raided, and the guards in the alleyway had been wiped out. Torchlight flickered wildly across the high stone walls as enforcers scrambled to secure the gates.

"Bao Li is going mad in there," Han Fuji remarked lightly, leaning against a tree trunk while his six men stood silently around them. "He thought tonight would seal his control over the entire region. Instead, his wedding is ruined and his secrets are out."

Fu Sheng didn’t answer immediately. His dark eyes were fixed on the northern road leading into the valley. His broadsword was still drawn, his knuckles white against the grip.

"Su Long should have reached the camp by now," Fu Sheng murmured, his voice laced with quiet worry.

"She reached it," Han Fuji assured him smoothly, adjusting his cuffs. "Su Long is far too clever to fail a simple delivery. Have a little faith in her, Fu Sheng."

Before Fu Sheng could reply, the ground beneath their boots began to tremble.

A low, collective rumble built in the distance, rapidly growing into a deafening roar. Fu Sheng’s eyes narrowed as he looked toward the horizon. Dozens of glowing lights appeared through the darkness, galloping at full speed.

"Imperial cavalry," one of Han Fuji’s men whispered from the shadows.

A massive wall of armored riders burst through the dust, their warhorses tearing straight toward the main gates of the Bao estate. The iron-tipped spears of the vanguard glistened under the moonlight as the imperial army effectively boxed in Tiger Alley’s entire stronghold.

Fu Sheng stared at the grand display of military power, a heavy weight lifting from his chest. "She made it. The ledger is with the general."

"Indeed," Han Fuji said, though his eyes lingered on the leading rider—the striking young general in crimson and iron who was directing the siege with lethal efficiency. Han Fuji’s eyes narrowed slightly, a thoughtful, calculating look passing over his face. "And it seems our arriving general is quite eager to make a statement tonight."

Within seconds, the imperial soldiers smashed through the outer gates of the estate. The thunder of iron boots, the clashing of weapons, and the panic of Bao Li’s men filled the night. Tiger Alley’s reign over the Barren Lands was collapsing in real time.

Fu Sheng turned his back on the burning estate, sheathing his sword. "The army has taken the field. We need to go back to the Fu residence and meet Su Long."

Han Fuji smiled softly, stepping out of the treeline beside him. "Lead the way, Fu Sheng. We have a lot of explanations waiting for us."

When they reached the wooden gate of the Fu residence, Fu Sheng knocked twice in a firm, steady pattern.

The latch clicked open almost instantly. An Li stood inside the courtyard, holding a small paper lantern. The moment her eyes landed on Fu Sheng standing alive and unhurt, a breathless gasp escaped her lips.

"Fu Sheng! You made it back!" An Li cried out softly, stepping aside to let them enter.

Behind her, Su Long stepped out onto the porch into the dim light. Her eyes met Fu Sheng’s across the courtyard. For a long second, neither of them moved or spoke. The unspoken weight of everything that had transpired the escape, the confrontation with Lin Yanzhe, and the final fall of Tiger Alley seemed to settle between them in the quiet night.

Fu Sheng stepped up to the porch, his eyes carefully scanning Su Long from head to toe. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine," Su Long said gently, her voice steady. She looked at his bruised knuckles and the torn sleeve of his tunic. "And you?"

"Nothing that won’t heal," Fu Sheng replied, a subtle softness softening his usually rigid expression.

Before anyone could say another word, the wooden doors of the main house creaked open. Bai Ming stepped out onto the porch, carrying a small cup of tea. Her eyes swept over Fu Sheng, Su Long, and An Li, before finally resting on the man who called himself Han Fuji, who stood near the entrance of the courtyard with his arms folded inside his sleeves.

The six plain-clothed men who had accompanied him quietly stepped back, fading into the dark shadows outside the perimeter wall to keep guard.

Bai Ming set her teacup down on the small porch table, her gaze turning cold and unreadable as she locked eyes with her husband.

"The kids and Wei Meilan are resting inside," Bai Ming said calmly, though her voice carried a sharp edge. "Your parents are watching over them."

She took a step off the porch, walking slowly across the courtyard until she stood directly in front of him. The easygoing smirk on his face slowly faded, replaced by a subdued, serious expression as he looked down at her.

"You said after today was over, you would stop hiding," Bai Ming said, her voice dropping into a low, unwavering tone. "You told Su Long that I was the one who deserved to know the truth. Well... I am standing here."

Fu Sheng and Su Long moved closer, while An Li stepped back to give them space. Silence settled heavily over the small courtyard.

He let out a long, quiet breath. He looked at Bai Ming’s determined face, then glanced at Su Long and Fu Sheng.

"I never intended to deceive any of you," he began, dropping his playful tone completely. "My real name is Song Qingheng. In the Capital, I served as a litigation master a legal counselor who argued cases before the magistrates. But that was only a cover. In truth, I am a high-ranking military commander under the direct orders of the Emperor."

Bai Ming’s eyes widened in shock. Fu Sheng’s brow furrowed, his hand instinctively tightening near his waist as he listened.

"When your family was accused of treason and banished to the Barren Lands, the Emperor had no choice but to sign the decree under pressure from the court," Song Qingheng continued, looking straight into Bai Ming’s eyes. "However, His Imperial Majesty harbored deep suspicions. He believed the Crown Prince framed the Fu family to eliminate a powerful alliance."

Song Qingheng took a half-step closer to Bai Ming, his eyes filled with genuine emotion.

"The Emperor sent me here in disguise under the name Han Fuji to secretly monitor the Fu family, protect you all from shadow assassins, and gather evidence of the Crown Prince’s corruption. But along the way, I fell in love with you, Bai Ming. Marrying you was not part of my orders, but loving you is the truest thing I have ever done."

Bai Ming stared at him, her breath hitching as the staggering truth sank in.

Before she could answer, the loud, rhythmic clopping of horse hooves echoed from the main street outside the courtyard, followed by the metallic clink of official military armor.

Everyone in the courtyard froze.

Fu Sheng instinctively moved to stand in front of Su Long, his hand dropping to the hilt of his broadsword.

A sharp knock rattled the wooden gate. A commanding voice called out from the darkness outside.

"By order of General Lin Yanzhe! Open the gate for an official inquiry!"

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