Opening My Heart, I Come From Beyond This World (2)

That night, Ivy Shen cuddled Little Snowball and regaled the guys with stories about all kinds of wild stuff from the 21st century.

The more they listened, the more hyped they got—totally mind-blown.

Because honestly, half the stuff she described sounded straight-up like legends or fairy tales. They could barely wrap their heads around it.

Wait, people can ride flying chickens? Are chickens in that world huge or something? Can they really carry hundreds of people up into the sky?

And there’s something called 'electric elder'? Supposedly you can chat without even meeting face to face.

Plus, there’s 'hand-chicken'? That chicken’s got way too many powers—can fly, can be held in your hand, what’s next?

Just how mutated are chickens in that world supposed to be?

Everyone was chattering at once, bombarding her with questions about that world. But no matter how much Ivy explained, they just couldn’t get enough—until she finally forced them to take a break so they’d have energy for tomorrow.

Obviously, they made her promise: after the war, she has to give them a full, no-holds-barred crash course on that magical world, because their curiosity is officially endless.

The next morning—

As dawn barely broke, six of the guys suited up and rode out to the front.

The camp was packed up, leaving just a handful of them behind—everyone else charged straight for the front lines.

Ivy Shen rocked a sharp set of men’s clothes, her hair tied up high, and reached out to gently touch the little guy nestled in Liam Willow’s arms.

"Wifey, I don’t wanna leave. We could just hand Little Snowball off to Madam Jin and the others," Liam Willow said, standing in the wind with his cloak wrapped around the sleeping baby.

Ivy smiled and pulled her hand back. "No way, I don’t trust them enough. If you want this war over fast, listen up: I can only fight at full power when I know you’re safe. So, the kid’s gotta be with his daddy—then I can focus!"

"I know, I know I’m useless at fighting and shouldn’t act all tough, but my heart just hurts so much, I really, really..." He trailed off, but his worried, scared face said it all.

"Trust me, we’re totally gonna win. I’ve got those six looking out for me," Ivy grinned, just as the six guys marched out at first light.

"Don’t worry, brother-in-law, I’ll keep an eye on her," Yvonne Li chimed in quickly.

Yvonne’s been hitting the battlefield hard lately, fighting like a total boss—seriously, she’s proof girls can be just as badass as the guys.

"But wifey..."

"What, you want to make me worry?" Ivy Shen deliberately frowned, pretending to be annoyed.

Seeing that, Liam Willow sighed and looked at her seriously. "Then you have to promise me you’ll come back safe. I’ll be waiting for you all in the palace."

"Now that's my good boy!" Ivy nodded, totally satisfied. Then she turned to Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning. "This escort mission’s all yours."

Even though they’d always been pushing forward and hadn’t seen any enemies sneak around the back, Ivy wasn’t about to take chances. As long as they got Liam and the baby safely to the palace, that was all that mattered.

"Remember, you four have one job: keep them safe. Even inside the palace, don’t let anyone mess with their food or drinks." Ivy knew she could sneak her own agents into the palace, so obviously Cao Wan’er could too—gotta be careful with everything.

"Rest assured, Head—we swear to protect them with our lives!" the four replied in perfect unison.

"And make sure my sister gets plenty of rest while she’s looking after Little Snowball." Ivy had already sent word to bring the baby back, knowing the siege made things dangerous here. She’d been down all night, but remembering her kind sister cheered her up—if she wasn’t around, her sister would shower the kid with motherly love. As for his dad’s Soaring Phoenix Realm, she hadn’t let them down either; someday, the little guy would rule there.

"Yes, ma’am." The four, despite wanting to storm into battle themselves, had no choice but to obey.

But that’s the headache of being in the Shadow Guard: you just can’t say no or fight back.

They had to follow every order from their Head, even if it made zero sense.

Next, Ivy turned to Madam Jin. "I’ve packed Little Snowball’s milk in water bags—just heat them up when he’s hungry. Also, the Chu Emperor’s set up a whole squad of wet nurses at the palace. When you get there, please check them out and pick the best ones."

She knew the Emperor would only pick the best wet nurses, but her kid was super picky—who knows if he’d even drink their milk? Ugh, she felt like such a failure as a mom; her baby was only a month old and she couldn’t even nurse him herself!

Guilt just kept piling up in her heart.

"Don’t worry, Your Highness—I’ll pick only the very best for the Baby Prince," Madam Jin replied, totally confident from years of experience.

"Good. Once you’re back, work with Young Master Willow to look after the Baby Prince. If anything goes wrong—even a tiny mistake..." She didn’t finish, but her deadly sharp glare said it all.

"Rest assured, Your Highness—we swear to take care of the Baby Prince, no matter what!" Madam Jin dropped to her knees in terror, and Madam Yin and Madam Bao quickly followed suit.

They’d always known Ivy was no pushover, but usually she was pretty warm with them. That split-second flash of killer intent? Totally freaked them out.

"Alright, off you go." She glanced at the sleeping Little Snowball, fighting the sting in her nose as she spoke.

"Wifey..." Liam Willow’s brows scrunched up high, lips twitching, but he didn’t say anything else—just climbed straight into the carriage.

Then Lightning and Madam Jin got in too, while the rest of the maids, nurses, and imperial physician piled into the second carriage behind them.

They were not allowed to make a single mistake—not even the loyal Madam Jin. Of the four, at least one had to stay with Liam Willow and the Baby Prince at all times to ensure their safety inside the carriage.

So Wind, Rain, and Thunder rode their horses around the first carriage, guarding it from all sides.

Clip-clop, clip-clop—the carriage slowly rolled forward. Suddenly, a child’s cry rang out from inside, heartbreakingly sad and piercing.

“It’s okay, baby—Fourth Daddy’s got you!” Liam Willow saw the baby, who’d just been sleeping, suddenly start crying and rushed to comfort him.

“Little Snowball…” Hearing that cry, Ivy Shen couldn’t help but run a few steps after the carriage—but she stopped herself and didn’t chase further.

“Xin’er,” Yvonne Li hurried over and gently patted her back. “Don’t cry. Little Snowball will be well taken care of, I promise. Once we take the Soaring Phoenix Realm, you’ll see him again.”

Ivy didn’t say a word, just let her tears flow. Little Snowball, Mommy loves you—please grow up healthy and happy!

“Xin’er.” Seeing her sister’s endless tears, Yvonne Li couldn’t bear it and silently wiped them away with a handkerchief. “Don’t cry. If we move faster, you’ll see him sooner, right?”

Yvonne’s words jolted Ivy—yeah, if she moved quickly enough, maybe she could finish everything in less than eight days and see Little Snowball again.

“Xin’er, Yvonne, the horses are ready!” At that moment, Nina Xu—also dressed in sharp men’s clothes—walked over, leading three fine horses.

Seeing this, Ivy wiped her tears and turned to Yvonne. “Sis, let’s go take back everything that belongs to me!”

“Alright!” Yvonne nodded and smiled.

Moments later, three black steeds carried three valiant women, swords in hand, hair knotted high, looking sharp and ready.

Since today was the day of the siege, everyone else had already charged to the front. Even Pinkie and Lanny had followed the seven men out at dawn, leaving only the three of them here.

“Sis, Nina, we’re about to go all out. Are you afraid of dying?” Ivy called out loudly.

“Everyone dies eventually. If it’s for a worthy cause, there’s nothing to fear,” Yvonne said with a smile.

“I, Goslyn Goss, am actually someone who clings to life and fears death. But Song Zhijue, that lackey—I must take his head to honor my brother!” Nina Xu’s eyes blazed with bloodthirsty resolve; she’d waited far too long for this moment.

Hearing that, Ivy smiled and raised her sword to the sky. “Let’s rendezvous and storm the city together!”

“Siege! Siege!” Yvonne and Nina echoed her battle cry.

With a chorus of “Hyah!” the ground erupted in dust, and the three slim figures vanished toward the front.

Cao Wan’er, we’re coming—are you ready?!