Shengle City.
Within the City Guard's Mansion, in the rear residence, lay a bedroom.
On the bed, Siniang leaned in, offering her lips to Zheng Fan.
Zheng Fan, however, instinctively turned his face away, dodging backward slightly.
Siniang glanced at Zheng Fan, her eyes full of coquettish charm, and said, "My Lord, are you disgusted with yourself?"
"HEH, HEH HEH, HEH HEH HEH..." Chief Zheng could only manage an awkward laugh at this point.
"My Lord, rest a while longer. This servant will go freshen up."
With that, Siniang rose from the bed. After washing up and dressing, she walked to the door and pushed it open.
The crisp morning air rushed in, instantly refreshing one's spirit.
Siniang stretched her arms, and silk threads shot out from her body, automatically weaving themselves into lifelike butterflies that fluttered gracefully.
Under the eaves of the building opposite, a "bat" hung upside down.
Xue Three pointed to his own eyes and shouted, "Siniang, what do you see in my eyes?"
Siniang scoffed dismissively.
Xue Three answered his own question, "Jealousy! Pure, unadulterated jealousy!"
The butterflies began to dissipate, reverting to threads that retreated into Siniang's sleeves. Her deanor also underwent a subtle change, becoming sowhat ethereal.
"Why are you screeching so early in the morning?"
Xue Three leaped down from the eaves, landing steadily on his three legs. "I'm calling for My Lord. They've taken the bait, and we need to close the net. Is My Lord able to get up now?"
"And why wouldn't I be?" Zheng Fan erged from the room.
"Oh, good morning, My Lord! Your humble servant pays his respects." Xue Three, mimicking a courtly gesture, flicked his sleeves and made a deep bow.
"Taken the bait? Is it news from the mountains?"
"Reporting to My Lord, the deadline is here. Of the three wild people settlents in our section of the Skybreak Mountain Range, not one has co down."
Zheng Fan nodded. "Are all preparations made?"
"We're just waiting for you."
"Fine. I'll put on my armor."
Siniang had already approached with the armor and began helping Zheng Fan don it.
Previously, a policy had been established for the wild people's settlents in this part of the Skybreak Mountain Range, requiring them to pay tribute, provide soldiers, and send hostages. Xiong Lie had been dispatched as an envoy, but as the deadline arrived, the three wild people settlents had shown no response.
"Has Xiong Lie returned?" Zheng Fan asked.
"He returned last night. Said he was almost detained in the settlent and barely managed to escape."
"What else did he say?"
"He also said these wild people are ignorant of Yan's might and dare to provoke the King's army. Therefore, he's prepared to guide us into the mountains to conquer them and teach them a lesson."
Zheng Fan nodded. "Xiong Lie. Is he trustworthy?"
Xue Three affird, "Obviously not. My n and I followed him into the mountains. The mont that fellow entered the settlent, he acted as if he were ho. He and the chieftains of the wild people settlents are as thick as thieves. When he ca out, he was personally escorted by those sa chieftains. He then found a spot outside the city, sared so mud on his face, and pretended he had barely escaped with great effort."
"You've had a trying ti."
"My Lord, you flatter . It was rely a night's sleep in the mountains, hardly worth ntioning."
"What about the Tufa Division?"
"The Tufa Division has been relatively quiet. My Lord, the Tufa Division is fundantally different from the wild people in the mountains. The wild people desire autonomy and an upper hand in future trade. That fellow Xiong Lie is trying to help stabilize the wild people's position in the mountains to thereby secure his own. Ultimately, their roots are in the mountains, whereas the Tufa Division is based in Shengle City or its outskirts."
"Is Liang Cheng prepared?"
"The army is ready. They're having their breakfast and distributing dry rations now."
"Good."
The benefits of having highly capable subordinates were evident at this mont. He could be a completely hands-off manager, yet this group below him would dig the pit, set the trap, and once the prey was hooked, be the first to run and call him to see, as if he had caught the prey himself.
It was even easier than an actor rely reciting '1234567' for their lines.
"My Lord, let accompany you," Siniang said.
"No need." Zheng Fan smiled, gently squeezing Siniang's hand. "We have to give the others a chance."
Xue Three imdiately chid in, "Isn't that so, Siniang? You're well-fed and don't know the hunger of us starving folk. You've eaten your fill, while we 'brothers' are still famished."
"I think you're itching for a beating," Siniang glared at Xue Three.
Startled, Xue Three hastily jumped back three paces, waving his hands. "No, no, no! You're stronger than now; bullying wouldn't prove your skill."
Xue Three knew he was currently no match for Siniang.
Zheng Fan gave Siniang's hand a final pat, then picked up the long saber resting nearby. He twisted his neck a few tis, but unfortunately, there was no satisfying crack.
This, however, did not dampen Chief Zheng's spirits.
"San'er, let's go."
"Right away, My Lord!"
After riding out of the city, Zheng Fan headed straight for the military encampnt outside.
The soldiers were already seated on the ground. Having finished their morning al, they were now resting. This was sowhat like students before an exam; many had to take this opportunity to relieve themselves, as there would be no calling for a latrine break once on the battlefield.
When Zheng Fan arrived, the camp gate was opened from within. He dismounted and walked past the soldiers.
Inside the camp, one thousand troops from Lord Jingnan's army would remain to guard their base. The rest, along with the Tufa Division's tribal warriors, totaling four thousand n, would all advance into the mountains.
Zheng Fan spotted Xiong Lie standing with Liang Cheng. When Xiong Lie saw Zheng Fan, his eyes welled up with aggrieved tears.
When the Sixth Prince recomnded Xiong Lie, he had directly stated, 'Those not of our kind will surely harbor different intentions,' advising to be cautious when employing him. After all, when the Sixth Prince first took him in, Xiong Lie was rely a destitute slave of the wild people. These past few years of comfortable living have given him a sense of superiority, and it's inevitable that other ambitions have sprouted. However, trying to outsmart these Demon Kings with sches and calculations is truly harder than ascending to heaven.
"My Lord! My Lord! You must seek justice for this humble servant! You must!" Xiong Lie dramatically threw himself at Zheng Fan's feet, clutching his boots and wailing.
Well, now. Did you graduate from the imperial drama academy too, little junior? When Fatty Hui, Lord Jingnan, and I were honing our acts, you were still hawking pet dogs back in Shengle City.
"Old Xiong, you've endured much. Truly, you have."
"My Lord, My Lord..."
"I know, I know. Rest assured, I will see that justice is done for you!"
"Thank you, My Lord!"
Zheng Fan turned, drew his saber, and pointed it skyward.
"I may not have been here long," he declared, "but even back in Yan State, I heard that the heroes of the Three Jin prided themselves on hunting the heads of wild people in these mountains! Today, these wild people are bullying us newcors, thinking that with Jin State gone, no heroes remain in the lands of the Three Jin! They think that with the Yan people here, we can't handle them! They think that with the Barbarians here, having left the desert, they've forgotten how to wage war! Well today, we're going to teach those wild people in the mountains a lesson: Your father will always be your father!"
This was a characteristic, and also a tiring aspect, of commanding a diverse army; during a pre-battle rally, one had to cater to all factions, much like a Spring Festival Gala host ticulously addressing every group in the nation. However, such rhetoric was undeniably effective at boosting morale.
The thousands of soldiers present responded enthusiastically. Led by the resolutely simple Barbarians, they roared in unison:
"Mighty!"
"Mighty!"
"Mighty!"
Even the two thousand conscripted Jin State puppet troops displayed high spirits. Against the Yan people, they were opponents on a recognized stage; a loss was just a loss. But against the wild people—the Three Jin had warred with them for centuries. Killing wild people was an undeniable duty.
Even Tufa Chengji, head of the Tufa Family, led his tribal warriors in the cheering. Periodically, he would glance at the emotionally agitated Xiong Lie standing beside Zheng Fan, a mocking smile unconsciously playing on his lips.
The Blind Man, his back to Tufa Chengji, also allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
If one could pan a long shot in this direction at this mont, it might be titled 'The Smile of Two Old Schers.'
"Move out!"
At Zheng Fan's command, the troops began their advance.
During the march, Zheng Fan deliberately rode closer to Liang Cheng, who, understanding the gesture, edged his horse nearer to his lord.
"Any problems?" Zheng Fan asked. After all, Shengle City had only been under their control for a week, and such a "multinational" joint force could easily encounter unforeseen issues.
"No worries, My Lord," Liang Cheng reassured him. "Using battle as training is the best approach."
"Mm." Zheng Fan had unconditional faith in Liang Cheng's military acun.
All the Demon Kings, except Siniang, had joined this expedition.
Zheng Fan and Liang Cheng rode together, conversing. Behind them, the Blind Man, A Ming, and Xue Three also rode and talked amongst themselves. Fanli walked alone, bringing up the rear of the column.
"Mo Wan has advanced, and Siniang has recovered," Xue Three remarked.
A Ming countered, "The question is, will you emulate Mo Wan or Siniang? To follow Mo Wan's path, you'd have to die first and then visit My Lord in his dreams. To follow Siniang's... even if you wanted to, would My Lord be willing?"
"If they can advance, so can we!" Xue Three stated with conviction. "We just haven't found the thod yet."
"Siniang did tell her thod," the Blind Man interjected. "Now that she has succeeded, it's clear that thod was correct."
"What thod?"
"Just... going a bit deeper."
Xue Three frowned. A Ming also frowned.
The Blind Man continued, "How about this: tonight, after we make camp, San'er, you put on a mask and attempt to 'assassinate' My Lord in his tent. I'll then intervene, 'repel' you, and 'save' My Lord. But you'll need to inflict a well-placed, superficial wound on —enough to make bleed a little. My Lord will be moved, and I'll likely advance. Right now, rely sucking up with words isn't enough; we need to go deeper."
Xue Three rolled his eyes at the Blind Man and retorted irritably, "Hey, don't you realize Mo Wan is always by My Lord's side? Even at the sa rank, I doubt I could beat Mo Wan, and now he's a rank higher than ! You want to go masked for an assassination? Aren't you afraid Mo Wan will just obliterate on the spot?"
A Ming looked sowhat surprised. "San'er, *that's* what you're concerned about?"
"Then what should I be concerned about?"
"Shouldn't it be about the Blind Man suggesting you, masked, try to assassinate My Lord?"
"Hmm?"
"You... masked or unmasked, what's the difference?"
"..." Xue Three was speechless.
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