"Tian Que, if it were you, knowing the enemy is hidden in Mo Xi City, how would you turn the tables?" Xiao Man asked Zhan Tian Que, a smile on her face.
Zhan Tian Que's brow furrowed. He could not fathom Xiao Man's thoughts, nor could he fathom Murong Sheng Rui's. But these two had been together day in and day out for so many years, and Murong Sheng Rui was someone she had personally trained. They understood each other perfectly, and this battle would not be easy.
"What exactly does Murong Sheng Rui want to do?" Zhan Tian Que asked, confused. First, he had plotted against Du Gu Ming Yu and Xiao Luo in Yun Zhong City, and now he was instigating the Northern Rong to go to war with Wu Yue Kingdom. He truly could not guess his intentions.
"He probably guessed that I am still alive," Xiao Man said slowly. "I thought he would have known long ago. It seems his subordinates don't quite believe him either."
Zhan Tian Que was a bit puzzled. "This subordinate does not understand."
"Xia Hou Ying had secretly infiltrated Yu Sheng Imperial Capital back then. He was already suspicious of my identity then. If he had told Murong Sheng Rui about me, Murong Sheng Rui wouldn't still be testing the waters now."
"That young man?" Speaking of Xia Hou Ying, Zhan Tian Que felt a sense of pity. He had quite admired that young man back then. It was just that life was unpredictable, and now they stood on opposing sides.
"Please issue your command, my lady."
"Tian Que, do you know how to make a cow drink water?" Xiao Man asked Zhan Tian Que slowly.
Zhan Tian Que, having come from a humble background, knew such things. "Add salt to the cow's fodder, making the cow so thirsty that it will go find water to drink itself."
"Yes, to make the cow so thirsty that it will go find water to drink itself," Xiao Man said with a smile. "And our opponent is a stubborn bull!"
Fei Mo had always been cautious. When he learned that the captured person was the princess of Wu Yue Kingdom, his thought was to use Wu Lan Na to obtain significant benefits, so he had not harmed Wu Lan Na. He just hadn't expected that the Wu Yue Kingdom would actually be connected to the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry.
"How did you get her into this state?" Fei Mo looked at Murong Sheng Rui in disbelief. "Who told you to do this to her?"
Murong Sheng Rui's expression was calm. "It was just a small lesson. She won't die, General, rest assured."
"This General still needs to keep her to exchange for benefits with Wu Yue Kingdom. What if Wu Yue Kingdom doesn't agree if you make her like this?" Fei Mo asked angrily.
"As long as she is alive, Wu Yue Kingdom would not dare to disagree," Murong Sheng Rui said slowly as he looked at the map. "Tonight, we will attack Mo Xi City. At that time, we will divide our forces into two groups. You will attack from the front, and I will lead men to cut off their retreat, a pincer movement."
Fei Mo frowned. "Is the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry really not in Mo Xi City?"
"Didn't the scout say so? It's just a trick by Wu Yue Kingdom. Moreover, the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry is not as formidable as rumored. General, please rest assured. Wu Yue Kingdom has killed so many of our people, they must pay a price, mustn't they? Otherwise, Wu Yue Kingdom will think that Northern Rong is a soft target to be bullied."
"Alright, it's decided then." Although Fei Mo was worried, Empress Dowager Du Gu was already dead, and the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry, having lost its leader, was not to be feared, especially since the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry was not in Mo Xi City.
As night fell, Fei Mo led his army to attack Mo Xi City. The city was very peaceful, and the guards had not been increased, as if they were completely unaware of the impending danger.
Murong Sheng Rui led another detachment to launch a surprise attack on the rear, intending to cut off the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry's retreat. However, as soon as he circled around, he saw a large army arrayed in formation. Murong Sheng Rui's lips curved into a smile.
Xiao Man sat calmly in her carriage, playing chess alone. She looked up at the Northern Rong soldiers who had just arrived. "Truly disappointing. I've almost finished a game of chess, and you're only arriving now."
Murong Sheng Rui spurred his horse forward, looking at Xiao Man, who was leisurely playing chess at the front of the formation. It was as if she had never changed, always so composed, no matter the time.
"Are you finally willing to see me?"
"I heard the strategist of Northern Rong is incredibly capable, and I have always wanted to meet him. Now that I have, he is nothing more than this," Xiao Man said at an unhurried pace. The sound of her chess pieces falling on the board was exceptionally crisp.
Murong Sheng Rui chuckled twice. "It seems Ah Man is very dissatisfied with my tardiness."
Xiao Man's hand paused as she was about to place a piece. "You've mistaken me for someone else, young man."
Murong Sheng Rui urged his horse forward again, Wei Wu Ji following closely, worried. "I will never mistake you, Ah Man. I miss you terribly."
Xiao Man placed the last chess piece and looked up at Murong Sheng Rui, her eyes devoid of any affection. "It seems your teacher was very unsuccessful. They focused only on teaching you military strategy and tactics, forgetting to teach you how to be a man."
The Northern Rong soldiers exchanged glances. Their strategist and the commander on the opposite side were old acquaintances. Judging by their intimate tone, their relationship seemed to be more than casual.
"If Ah Man were willing to teach me herself how to be a man, I would be even happier." Murong Sheng Rui's gaze remained fixed on Xiao Man, never wavering.
Her appearance had changed, her voice had changed, but her eyes, her tone, and those little habits had not changed. Perhaps it was heaven hearing his plea, allowing her to return to his side in a different guise, so that he could openly accompany her.
Xiao Man's lips curved into a cold arc. She drew her sword and charged forward. A flicker of joy flashed in Murong Sheng Rui's eyes. He immediately met her charge. This time, I will capture you, and I will never give you another chance to escape from my side!
Just as the two were about to clash, a figure descended from the sky, knocking Murong Sheng Rui back with a sword strike. He then embraced Xiao Man by the waist and retreated to the carriage.
Xiao Man was stunned. Why had this person come here?
"You... how did you get here?"
"If I hadn't received news, you probably wouldn't have asked me for help at all, would you?" Nangong Yu asked somewhat irritably. Didn't she know how insidious Murong Sheng Rui was? And she still charged forward to fight him alone? Didn't she have any idea of her current abilities?
Xiao Man smiled brilliantly. "Since you're here, I'll leave it to you. I'll be here making tea, waiting for your victorious return."
Nangong Yu looked at Xiao Man, who was calmly making tea by the tea table, and a gentle smile spread across his lips. "Alright, I'll be back for your tea after I've dealt with him."
The smile on Murong Sheng Rui's face froze, and a chill spread across his features. Xiao Man's interaction with Nangong Yu pierced his heart like steel needles, sending fine pain through his limbs.
"Who are you?"
Nangong Yu flicked the sword in his hand. "Her man."
"You're seeking death!" Murong Sheng Rui drew his sword and charged, his eyes filled with killing intent. Ah Man was his, and no one would dare to snatch her away!
Nangong Yu snorted coldly and lunged with his sword, showing no mercy. His devoted love had been repaid with death and ruin of his clan. She had been worthy of Murong Sheng Rui, and she had been worthy of Yun Qi Tian Xia, but neither Murong Sheng Rui nor Yun Qi Tian Xia had been worthy of her!