Mei Renlong galloped his horse down the main road heading east. He had picked up another two soldiers, so there were four men on his heels, struggling to keep up with his wild pace.
Though it was the main road to the eastern kingdoms, it was not wide, and it was filled with twists and turns as it followed mountains and gullies of the northern region through dense bamboo forest.
The ground was still wet with sleet and melting snow, spraying the men from head to toe with specks of mud, as they pushed their horses to the limit.
First was concerned he might miss a clue among the sporadic hoofprints coming from the opposite direction, but he didn't dare slow down, thinking to himself that every minute now could be critical.
He was becoming more and more convinced that Sofya was in danger…
