The hour grew late as Yao Ying moved a long table between their sleeping spots, positioning it between her felt mat and his fur blanket as a divider. She lay down on her side.

When there was no movement beside her for a while, she poked her head out from under the felt blanket and peered over the table with drowsy eyes. “Why hasn’t the General gone to sleep yet?”

In the flickering candlelight, her lustrous black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her cheeks held a faint blush, and her eyes seemed to hold pools of water within them.

Tanmoluojia instinctively reached for his prayer beads, but his fingers only found rough calluses. Remembering he wasn’t wearing them, he raised his hand and waved lightly, creating a breeze that extinguished the candle.

The tent fell into darkness, though a faint glow from the torches outside filtered through, their light shifting subtly. The young woman’s delicate face remained dimly visible.

Tanmoluojia averted his gaze, lifted his fur blanket, and slowly lay down.

Hearing him settle, Yao Ying also lay back down.

Soon, her breathing became slow and steady.

Once she was sound asleep, Tanmoluojia sat up, rose, and walked around the table that divided them. He gently lifted the felt blanket covering Yao Ying.

She lay motionless with eyes tightly closed, her sleeping face innocent and charming.

His eyes downcast, he rolled up her sleeve and placed a silk handkerchief over her exposed wrist before checking her pulse.

He wondered what she had discussed with Princess Manda that day. According to Yuanjue and the others, the Princess had left radiant and showed no signs of resentment. The physician had been very grateful and given her many tonics.

While in the Asang tribe’s territory, he had gone to find her in the evening to ask about taking the medicine, but unfortunately Mopiduo had been there. He had stayed in her room for a long time, chatting and laughing with no sign of leaving soon. Not wanting to draw Mopiduo’s attention, he had left.

Her pulse was steady, though slightly weak.

Tanmoluojia withdrew his fingers and the handkerchief with minimal movement, careful not to touch her skin.

She made a small sound in her sleep and suddenly shifted. With a soft pat, her arm flung off the blanket, her sleeve falling to reveal skin as white as snow in the darkness.

Tanmoluojia looked away but caught a gentle gleam in his peripheral vision.

His gaze returned.

Around Yao Ying’s arm were wounds from the prayer beads he had given her. The grey-white beads had a cool luster like gathered moonlight, each one pressed tightly against her snow-white skin.

During the day she wore narrow-sleeved robes that had hidden the prayer beads – she had been wearing them tightly like an armlet so they wouldn’t slip off and be seen.

Tanmoluojia lowered his eyes, pulled up the felt blanket to cover Yao Ying, tucked her arm back underneath, and pressed it gently.

He walked around the table and lay down with his back to her.

…

Perhaps because of having someone nearby, Yao Ying didn’t have nightmares like the previous night.

The next morning, she was awakened by light tapping sounds. She sat up, tied back her long hair, and looked around.

The tent was bright with daylight. The fur blanket on the other side of the table was folded neatly, showing no signs anyone had slept there.

He had already risen and left.

Yao Ying exited the tent. General Jin swooped down to land on her arm, calling out several times.

She stroked the black hawk’s head, removed the leather scroll, and went to find Bisuo in the main tent.

The message was from Yuchi Damo. The Wakhan Khan truly feared Tanmoluojia and was very cautious this time, not recruiting troops from Gaochang. However, Lady Yina had been frequently sending personal guards to gather intelligence, and he suspected she would lead troops to assist the Wakhan Khan.

The main tent was made of several layers of animal hide, sturdy and strong, not easily penetrated by ordinary arrows. It was several times larger than normal tents. The commanders were holding a meeting inside, with dozens of people seated in discussion, the atmosphere heavy.

Yesterday, the central army had continuously sent out scouts and discovered that indeed not only the Asang tribe had been attacked – various tribes were reporting emergencies. Among these tribes, many simultaneously pledged allegiance to several major powers in the region, so some commanders disagreed about whether to help these tribes.

When Yao Ying arrived at the main tent, the commanders and advisors were still in heated discussion. Bisuo looked toward Tanmoluojia beside him, who wore a windproof mask over his face.

Arguments rose and fell throughout the tent, but Tanmoluojia seemed not to hear them, calculating and practicing formations on the sand table. Finally, he said, “Try to notify as many tribes as possible. Each person we save is one less enemy. Have the Asang people make contact first, don’t let the news leak out yet.”

Though tribal forces couldn’t compare to the Northern Rong elite troops, if all the tribes formed a united army, it would be a force that couldn’t be ignored and might change the course of the battle.

“If we only look out for ourselves, we’ll eventually end up surrounded by the Northern Rong. We must unite all forces we can and keep neutral tribes neutral.”

Bisuo quietly agreed.

Yao Ying entered the main tent with their head lowered, standing in a corner to quietly converse with the advisors she knew. She handed over the leather scroll, glancing at the seated commanders and letting her gaze pause briefly on Tanmoluojia beside Bisuo.

He was lost in thought, still wearing his blue robe and white outer garment, with a leather belt tightly cinched at his waist outlining clean, practiced lines.

Yao Ying withdrew.

Footsteps sounded behind her as Yuanjue caught up, staring at her for a while with a conflicted expression.

“Princess, did you see the Regent last night?”

Yao Ying nodded.

Yuanjue looked astonished and seemed to struggle with what to say. After hesitating a while, he said, “Princess, the Regent was suddenly interrupted during his last meditation session. I don’t know if there might be any harmful effects. I’m giving you his medicine – if you notice his complexion seems off, please remind him to take it.”

He took out a porcelain bottle.

Yao Ying agreed and carefully put away the bottle. Bisuo had told her that arranging for her to accompany the army was because he worried about Sudan Gu, so he brought her along just in case.

“Who interrupted the Regent’s meditation?” she asked.

Yuanjue looked elsewhere and vaguely said, “A small accident.”

Seeing he didn’t want to elaborate, Yao Ying didn’t press further but asked about precautions for taking the medicine. Yuanjue answered each point.

As they spoke, a messenger came running up to ask Yao Ying to go to the stables: “General Ashina recently captured some warhorses and doesn’t know if they’re from the Haidu Aling tribe. Please could Young Master Bayan come to take a look.”

Yao Ying immediately grew interested.

Yuanjue said, “I’ll show the Princess the way.”

The stables were on another hillside. They walked a long way, leaving the central army’s encampment.

The entire camp was more like a town, with thousands of tents scattered densely on the sunny hillside. Banners and flags waved in the wind as soldiers in different uniforms moved about. Though tens of thousands were stationed there, everything was orderly and well-organized.

The spaces between tents had been carefully planned – the paths looked straight and accessible from all directions, but after walking a while, Yao Ying noticed none of the paths were straight. They all wound and twisted around. Without someone to guide you or understand the flag signals, it would be easy to get lost.

Yuanjue led Yao Ying through the maze-like paths and explained: “The camp is arranged this way for good reason. The Northern Rong are skilled at surprise attacks – if all the paths were straight, their cavalry could easily charge straight through. Before setting up camp, the Regent ordered multiple turns to be included, with checkpoints and passwords between camps. Even if enemies break in, they can’t launch a charge, giving the camp more time to counterattack.”

They passed through several camps, indeed being questioned for passwords by soldiers along the way. After answering, they arrived at the stables. The stable hand led Yao Ying on a long tour, and she finally understood why Bisuo had sent her there.

To distinguish their property, tribes usually branded a mark in the center of all horses’ left hip bones as identification, with different tribes using different marks.

In the Central Plains, each horse farm also branded their horses, marking details of age, breed, and farm of origin to facilitate requisition and identification, as well as breed development.

The stable hand said, “We’ve never seen the brand on these warhorses before.”

Yao Ying looked at the brand and shook her head. “I haven’t seen it either. It might be from other nomadic tribes.”

The stable hand made a note and sent someone to inform Bisuo.

The two rode back to camp. From afar came waves of deep horn calls. The royal army set up relay stations every few dozen li, with stations becoming more frequent closer to camp. Whenever enemy movements were spotted, warnings would sound and horns would relay military intelligence to reduce scouts having to ride back and forth.

After the horn calls, the camp remained calm, with no movement on the left or right flanks. A moment later came thundering hoofbeats as a unit galloped out from the central camp – dozens of men with longbows on their shoulders and sabers at their waists, quivers full of arrows hanging from their saddles. They raced toward the direction of the horn calls like a dark cloud sweeping across the earth.

Yao Ying recognized Sudan Gu leading them. She reined in her horse and watched them disappear into the distance.

Yuanjue said quietly beside her, “We don’t know where the Wakhan Khan’s main force is hidden, and the generals are growing increasingly anxious. The Regent says that at times like these, we especially can’t be hasty. The day before yesterday he disciplined several commanders, and the generals have all calmed down. Now even if horn calls sound from all directions, the people in camp won’t panic.”

Yao Ying thought to herself that small details could often determine success or failure – they truly couldn’t be hasty now.

Later that evening, the horns sounded again, this time steady and prolonged. Sudan Gu returned with his unit – they had discovered a small cavalry force. The main army hadn’t shown itself. The scouts had warned nearby tribes to intercept that cavalry unit.

“If we encounter the main army, don’t reveal ourselves – return immediately to report. If we encounter scouts, capture them if possible, don’t let them escape. If we encounter small units, let the tribes intercept them.”

“Based on the horse brands, the Northern Rong have gathered tribes from even further away. Don’t rashly approach unfamiliar tribes.”

As orders were passed down, over the next few days the soldiers gradually grew accustomed to this pattern of small units taking turns patrolling while continuing to search for the Northern Rong army’s location.

Each day, Bisuo led people to gather nearby tribes that had been attacked, settling them in another camp.

…

Every night, Yao Ying would write letters to Yuchi Damo, Yang Qian, Xie Qing, and others, then organize documents, helping Bisuo handle paperwork and records of soldiers’ rewards and punishments and other minor matters.

While other advisors were eager to offer strategies and disdained to handle such trivial matters, she served in the army under the name of Bayan, usually staying in the tent to organize documents. She worked diligently without complaint and never sought credit. The other advisors were delighted and gradually began entrusting her with minor matters not involving military secrets.

She was somewhat clumsy at first, but after becoming familiar with the work, she gradually handled everything in an orderly manner. Having previously managed military logistics for Li Zhongqian, these tasks weren’t difficult for her.

Tanmoluojia returned late each night, and Yao Ying also worked until late.

Every night when he lifted the felt curtain, the candlelight would flicker softly in the tent as Yao Ying sat cross-legged at the table writing. She would look up, smile at him, and wait for him to remove his headscarf so she could examine his complexion.

“The General has returned.”

It was the same every night.

Sometimes, even though she had finished the day’s military affairs, she would still sit at the table with documents in hand, waiting for him. Only after he returned would she tidy up the desk, confirm he had no physical discomfort, and lie down to sleep.

Early this morning, before dawn, horn calls suddenly rang out through the camp – someone had discovered traces of one of the Wakhan Khan’s sons. Bisuo and Tanmoluojia led several thousand men out of camp. Horses neighed as a heavy atmosphere settled over the encampment.

Until the red sun sank into the horizon, the thousands had not returned. Yao Ying felt restless. After handling some miscellaneous matters, she stood before the tent, gazing out at the endless wilderness in the distance.

As night fell, the temperature dropped sharply and fierce winds arose. She shivered from the cold and returned to the tent, laying out the fur blanket and tucking several heated stones inside it.

Deep in the night, a unit returned to camp under moonlight, their horses’ hooves wrapped in felt to move silently.

Tanmoluojia dismounted, returning to camp covered in blood, his bearing heavy and fierce like a vengeful ghost. Even those who didn’t know his identity were too afraid to approach, and the soldier helping with his horse trembled in fear.

Seeing the soldier’s shaking legs, he paused his steps and turned away.

Beside the camp was a river winding down from the mountain where the army drew water. The water was bitingly cold. He removed his clothes and walked straight in, washing off the sticky blood and soaking in the icy water while reciting scriptures.

When the war ended and peace came to the world, all tribes could coexist peacefully. The sins from his blade would rest solely on his shoulders.

Yuanjue came looking for him, bringing clean robes. Catching sight of a shallow sword wound on his waist, he hurriedly retrieved medicine.

Tanmoluojia applied the medicine, changed into the clothes, and returned to camp. He stood before the tent but didn’t enter.

The lamp inside remained lit.

He turned to inspect the armory, making a long round. When he returned to the tent, the light was out. He waited a while longer, then lifted the felt curtain to look inside.

With a rustle of movement in the darkness, Yao Ying suddenly sat up. “General, you’re back!”

Tanmoluojia entered and felt his way to the fur blanket in the dark. He sat with his back to her and removed his boots.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

He asked softly, his tone as calm and cool as ever.

Hearing his steady voice, Yao Ying relaxed and lay back down, propping her head on her hand and lying on her side facing him. “When the General doesn’t return for a night, I wait the whole night… You’re not injured, are you?”

Tanmoluojia shook his head and lay down wrapped in the fur blanket. The blanket was warm, and his cold body felt the temperature as his wound ached faintly.

Soldiers would use this method to keep warm at night. After learning it, she remembered to tuck several hot stones into the blanket every night before sleeping.

Wrapped in the fur blanket, he felt he still carried a heavy smell of blood and glanced toward her.

The long table between the fur blanket and felt mat separated them, but the space beneath was empty, and when lying down they could see each other.

Yao Ying was also looking at him. She seemed to smell something and furrowed her brows slightly, but lay down to sleep without a word.

Usually, she would chat with him a bit, ask if he’d eaten supper, ask about marching and battle tactics, but today she asked nothing.

…

Tanmoluojia had a dream. Scenes from the Ksitigarbha Sutra’s Avici Hell flashed before him one by one – black smoke spread, ghosts wailed, flesh and blood flew.

As he walked, he held prayer beads, his steps slow but composed.

In the dream, a skeleton wielding an iron-thorned club lunged at him. He raised his hand to block, grabbing its wrist.

The skeleton suddenly transformed into a beautiful woman who fell into his embrace, raising her arms to hold his neck. Her face was full of smiles, her eyes alluring as she called softly, “Master.”

His palm felt something soft.

Tanmoluojia opened his eyes to meet a pair of bright eyes, his palm touching something smooth and delicate.

He came to his senses and realized he was gripping Yao Ying’s wrist.

She was lying face down on his chest, trying to pull free from his hand.

His fur blanket had been pushed aside and she was pressed directly against him. Even through several layers of clothing, he could feel…

Tanmoluojia was stunned for a moment.

Yao Ying knew he was awake and called softly, “General, you’re holding my hand…”

Tanmoluojia came back to himself and released his grip.

Yao Ying tried to push herself up with both hands, struggling for quite a while before falling back onto Tanmoluojia’s chest with a pat, her posture stiff.

Tanmoluojia looked at her, his gaze cool.

Their eyes met and held for a moment before Yao Ying smiled awkwardly. “I think I’m stuck…”

She moved slightly, causing the scrolls on the table to rustle.

Tanmoluojia glanced at the table. With it between them, she had probably tried to reach under it to check on him because she was worried about the cold, but somehow got stuck and couldn’t move, leaving her sprawled across his chest.

Like a divine turtle in the books.

Tanmoluojia remained silent for a long while. Yao Ying didn’t seem embarrassed though, contentedly resting on top of him for a moment before saying quietly, “General, don’t move. I’ll crawl out this way.”

Having just been through a battle that day, with several major battles still to come… but at this moment, Tanmoluojia seemed to forget all that as his lips curved slightly.

“Don’t move. I’ll get up.”

He said softly, raising his hand to grip Yao Ying’s shoulders as he slowly sat up. She had been lying on his chest, but now found herself in his arms as he held her and pulled away the felt mat and fur blanket that had bunched up under the table, trapping her legs so she couldn’t move forward or back.

Feeling the pressure on her legs ease, Yao Ying quickly crawled out from under the table and grabbed her felt mat to wrap around herself. Earlier she had been afraid of knocking over the table if she tried to sit up straight, so she had attempted to untangle the blanket with her upper body exposed, leaving her cold.

Tanmoluojia moved the table back to its original position and looked up at Yao Ying.

Yao Ying lay down wrapped in her felt mat and quietly explained her earlier actions: “General, you’re injured. I heard you trembling in your dream earlier and worried something was wrong, so I wanted to check your wound…”

She had lifted his fur blanket to see if he was soaked with sweat, but then he had grabbed her wrist. When she struggled, her legs got tangled in the blanket and stuck under the table. His grip was strong, causing her to fall onto his chest.

Now she knew – his body was dry, not sweaty, just completely cold except for some warmth in his chest.

Tanmoluojia lay back down in his fur blanket.

“How did the Princess know I was injured?”

Yao Ying said, “When you just returned, I smelled the medicine. Since you’re injured, you need more rest. I shouldn’t have woken you. General, please go back to sleep.”

Tanmoluojia made a sound of agreement.

She wasn’t talking to him because she didn’t want to disturb his rest and recovery.