Wugang’s lip curled. “Spoken like a mortal in the winter of his life, a retired soldier ready to hang up his sword. Your wife and child are your burden to bear. Fortunately, I have none to weaken me. If you will not join me, you must surrender. If you are not my ally, you are my enemy.”

I glanced at my father, his stony resolve mirroring my own. Behind him, Liwei and Shuxiao shook their heads, as did Wenzhi. No, we would not surrender. Yet as I studied the horde of soldiers before us, fear slunk into my heart for myself and those I loved, all who stood upon these shores today. Because if we did not surrender, we would fight—and I did not know if we could win.

A slight movement caught my eye—Prince Yanxi tilting his head toward Wugang. He was desperate to free his brother, as was I. While Prince Yanming was in Wugang’s grasp, we could not attack.

“Stop lying to yourself, Wugang.” I spoke with deliberate rudeness, using the name he disdained. Something flickered in his eyes before it was abruptly doused. I had thought he hated his name for reminding him of his mortal roots, but perhaps it reminded him of what he had lost: his parents, his family, his murdered wife.

“You say you’re glad to be free of love, except you envy those who have it,” I said slowly. “You killed the one you most loved, your family and friends are deceased. And now, you will be alone for eternity.”

My words were merciless, intended to edge Wugang into rashness—yet they were shameful nonetheless. As his fingers dug deeper into Prince Yanming’s shoulders, a soft gasp slipped from the boy before he bit down on his lip.

Rage flared, dangerously high. “Strike me if you dare. Or do you prefer to hide behind a child, even when you’re surrounded by your own troops?”

A snarl erupted from Wugang’s throat. With a rough shove, he sent Prince Yanming sprawling to the ground. Waves of azure light erupted from Prince Yanxi’s palms, knocking aside the soldiers guarding him, as he snatched up his brother, racing toward us.

I swept up my bow, yet my father’s arrow was already streaking toward Wugang. He spun aside, the bolt of ice plunging into the soldier behind—only to shatter into fragments like it had struck stone. The soldier did not flinch, not a single cry did it utter.

Wenzhi’s pupils gleamed silver bright. As a glittering wave of his power coursed toward the soldiers, a look of revulsion crossed his face. “They have no minds to confound, no hearts to strike fear into. Nothing to confuse or put to sleep. Nor can I infiltrate Wugang’s thoughts. He is shielded; he came prepared.”