She asked in a pleading tone.

　　“When it gets dark, I’ll get you out of the city, and then we’ll elope together, how about that? After all, we’re in love with each other. Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility for you.”

　　Brian Carter said.

　　“Pah! Who’s in love with you?!”

　　Emily Brooks spat at him, her face flushed.

　　“That’s not fair. Look, we’ve already kissed and hugged. I’m a very traditional person—since we’ve been so intimate, you have to take responsibility for me. Sure, I’m not as rich or powerful as Wu Sangui, but at least I’m a handsome young man. We’re a perfect match—talented man and beautiful woman. In the future, we can roam the world together, enjoying rivers and mountains—wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

　　Brian Carter said with deep affection.

　　Emily Brooks didn’t hesitate at all and lunged outward!

　　But unfortunately, Brian Carter was even faster. In the next instant, just like when they first met, she was dragged back into his arms, and he covered her mouth again. Brian Carter held her from behind, one hand over her mouth and the other around her waist, lying comfortably in a pile of dry straw.

　　What followed was like a pair of wild lovers; the two of them stayed in that position, lying there until night fell.

　　By then, although the rain and snow outside had long since stopped, the sky was still overcast, not a single star in sight. After days of chaos, the city had quickly fallen silent. Except for the palace and those occupied mansions, which were still brightly lit and celebrating their glorious victory, the vast majority of ordinary households had returned to darkness. Only then did Brian Carter, twisting his waist, stand up while still holding Emily Brooks.

　　Emily Brooks glared back at him angrily.

　　“What is it?”

　　Brian Carter said.

　　As he spoke, he loosened the hand covering her mouth.

　　“Let me go!”

　　Emily Brooks said viciously.

　　“No way. It feels so good holding you—warm, fragrant, and just perfect!”

　　Brian Carter said.

　　“I have something to do!”

　　Emily Brooks said anxiously.

　　“Ah, I get it. Do you need my help?”

　　Brian Carter said kindly.

　　“You lecher! I won’t let you off even if I become a ghost!”

　　Emily Brooks said, almost in tears.

　　“Alright, alright, just hold it in for now!”

　　Brian Carter said, showing no pity at all.

　　He immediately tore a piece of her own clothing to gag her, then used a special technique to tie her up in a particular position. He hoisted her onto his shoulder and quickly climbed over the wall. But just as he landed, a sudden warmth spread across his shoulder, quickly soaking outward like water on tissue paper...

　　Brian Carter was stunned.

　　“What did you do to me?”

　　He then said in grief and indignation.

　　Emily Brooks hung limply over his shoulder, her head drooping against his chest like a dead person.

　　Fortunately, Brian Carter didn’t have time to worry about that. He immediately headed north. In the darkness, he moved like a fish in water, and he discovered a new ability—he had a certain degree of night vision. Although it wasn’t as good as a night-vision device, with the faint light available, he could walk at night without any illumination. He moved cautiously through the dark streets and alleys, using his sharp hearing to avoid the Shun army patrols. Soon, he arrived beneath the eastern side of Desheng Gate’s city wall, pressed close to the base, and waited in the shadows.

　　But this city wall wasn’t easy to climb.

　　Climbing directly was out of the question.

　　But using a rope required a hook.

　　There were crenellations on the outside of the wall to loop a rope over, but none on the inside—just a low wall at the top, so he had to use a hook to climb. But he hadn’t brought the right equipment; all he had was a coil of rope he’d taken from the storeroom earlier.

　　Soon, he came up with an idea.

　　He quickly found a thick, short wooden stick nearby, about as thick as a calf, tied the rope to the middle, and, holding the stick with both hands, hurled it upward at an angle with all his strength. The stick, trailing the rope, instantly disappeared over the top of the wall, and the rope kept going until it reached its end. He grabbed it and started pulling it back. When there were less than twenty meters left, the rope wouldn’t budge. Clearly, the stick had gotten stuck in a gap on the outside. After a few more tugs to make sure, he slung the still-pretending-to-be-dead, eyes tightly shut Emily Brooks onto his back, tied her securely, and climbed up the rope onto the city wall in a few steps. There were no Shun soldiers on the wall—they were too busy celebrating to bother with the wind. Without hesitation, he dashed to the outer edge, quickly climbed over, and hung from the parapet. He was less than a meter from the ground, so after a brief pause, he let go and dropped onto the soft earth below.

　　He picked up his rope, then crossed the moat—previously filled in by the Shun army—and disappeared into the night.

　　A dozen minutes later, he reached the Temple of Earth.

　　“What a pity there are no stars. Otherwise, it’d be pretty romantic to watch the stars with you here.”

　　He lay on the empty altar, looking up at the pitch-black sky.

　　Emily Brooks, placed on a pile of straw and covered with more straw, was still pretending to be dead.

　　Only then did Brian Carter remember to remove the cloth from her mouth.

　　“You got me all wet, and I didn’t even get mad. Are you still not satisfied?”

　　He shamelessly continued to tease her.