Chapter 57
Ling sat in his chamber, staring at the map spread across his desk, but his mind was elsewhere. He had been restless ever since Ping disappeared. Every lead had gone cold, and despite searching day and night, there was no sign of her.
Then, Jian burst into the room, his face pale. "Your Majesty, we have news."
Ling's head snapped up, his sharp eyes locking onto Jian. "Did you find her?"
Jian hesitated, and Ling's patience wore thin. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "Speak!" he barked.
Jian took a deep breath. "It's worse than we thought. The Queen has been taken… she has been kidnapped."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Ling's hands clenched into fists. His jaw tightened, and his entire body trembled with suppressed rage. The air in the room grew heavy with tension.
"Who?" Ling's voice was dangerously low.
"We don't know yet, but we found tracks leading out of the forest near the village she was last seen in. It looks like a group of men took her."
A loud crash echoed through the chamber as Ling slammed his fist into the table, cracking the wood. His breathing was heavy, his eyes burning with fury.
"How could this happen?" he growled. "She was alone and vulnerable, and now she's in their hands."
Mei, who had been standing quietly at the door, stepped forward, tears in her eyes. "Your Majesty… you must save her."
Ling turned to her, his heart twisting at the pain in her voice. "I will." His voice was laced with unshakable determination.
Jian stepped forward. "I have already sent scouts to track their movements. We will find her."
Ling's eyes darkened. "No one will rest until she is back. Gather the soldiers. We leave immediately."
Jian bowed and rushed out.
Ling exhaled sharply, gripping the hilt of his sword. His mind was consumed with one thought.
Whoever had taken her… would regret it.