“I only received the news yesterday evening. Half a month ago, Wei Kingdom, under the pretext of hunting two great demonic beasts, sent troops to invade Yao Kingdom’s territory.” Mo Tichun’s gaze was wolf-like. “Coincidentally, they also took the route through Juping County, breaking through the pass into Tianshui.”
Feng Miaojun was finally alarmed: “Tianshui has already fallen? Where else?” Information traveled slowly in these times, with intelligence relying on horseback, so it was quite normal that news from the Wei-Yao border half a month ago would only now reach the Jin Palace. Lu Chuanying’s intelligence network was naturally weaker than the state’s, so he hadn’t yet gathered this information.
“Also Hefu and Quguan, two cities thirty li from Tianshui.” Mo Tichun didn’t care whether she understood the geography. “Both are strategic pass locations. With Wei occupying them, they can open up tactical depth both southward and eastward.”
Feng Miaojun mentally calculated the positions of these captured cities, then secretly sighed in relief.
Thankfully, her foster mother Madam Xu, and the Feng family business weren’t located there.
She listened as Mo Tichun continued: “The Yao Kingdom was originally close to Yan Kingdom. Now that Yan is embroiled in war, the King of Wei probably thinks he has an opportunity.”
Feng Miaojun murmured: “Hunting demonic beasts?”
“Indeed. Wei Kingdom’s pretext was pursuing great beasts that had emerged from the Iron Wood Forest in the south. They included over thirty cultivators in their army, led personally by their State Preceptor. Thus, they advanced like an unstoppable force, crushing all opposition. The Yao military was unprepared and forced into continuous retreat.”
Even Yun Xi had been mobilized. She drew in a sharp breath: “He’s very bold.”
“Isn’t he just?” Mo Tichun laughed coldly. “He dared to crawl out of his den. I should take this opportunity to kill him.”
He could say that, but wasn’t the old man still standing right here in person? Feng Miaojun glanced at him sideways: “Miao Fengxian’s diplomatic mission to Great Jin at this time was for…?” She vaguely guessed the reason.
“To renew the alliance treaty and incidentally propose marriage.” Mo Tichun explained, “If he marries Princess Hanyue, the relationship between Yao and Jin will become closer. Our Great Jin would have to help them resist enemies together. If Wei dares to invade again, they’ll face two powerful foes.”
She finally understood: “No wonder Yun Xi sent people to assassinate Miao Fengxian—he wanted to delay the timing of the Yao-Jin alliance.” The details of the agreement must have been carried out by Miao Fengxian. If destroyed, Wei could use the stolen time to make further moves.
“That’s not the main point. Troops can march first, and agreements can be drafted later.” Mo Tichun reminded her from another perspective. “You saw yesterday that Miao Fengxian has achieved success in his cultivation. His talent was already outstanding, and in the future, he might replace the State Preceptor. The Miao brothers have an extremely close relationship. When the Crown Prince becomes sovereign and Miao Fengxian becomes State Preceptor, with the brothers united in purpose, Yao Kingdom will certainly flourish. By then, it will be Wei Kingdom’s turn to worry.”
Yao and Wei had never gotten along, and they shared a border. If Yao Kingdom grew stronger, its neighbor would certainly feel uneasy. No wonder Yun Xi sent assassins across a thousand li to take a life—he wanted to strangle this threat in its infancy.
Well, she had inadvertently ruined Yun Xi’s grand scheme and sabotaged Wei Kingdom’s strategic advantage. She would likely be marked for retribution in the future.
Feng Miaojun covered her face: “I’ve spoiled Grand Preceptor Yun’s plans—he must hate me to death now?” Yun Xi’s calculation had originally been quite successful, with Miao Fengxian at death’s door, until she suddenly appeared out of nowhere to intervene.
“Of course.” Mo Tichun laughed heartily, patting her shoulder lightly. “That man returns every slight. Once he understands what happened, he’ll certainly keep an eye on you.”
Feng Miaojun’s small face immediately turned so bitter it could drip water. Mo Tichun had a sudden thought, recalling that three years ago when she returned to Jin’s capital with him, she had also had a secret entanglement with Yun Xi. Back then, she had already shown fear toward Yun Xi.
Logically, Yun Xi was one of those responsible for destroying her country, but Feng Miaojun’s fear of him seemed to far exceed her hatred.
After three years together, he understood Feng Miaojun’s temperament better, knowing this young woman possessed delicate thoughts, calm judgment, and exceptional depth—otherwise she couldn’t have found a way out of the desperate situation with the Xongxong beast while also saving the Yao prince. The King of Jin said her luck was too good, but in his view, that wasn’t necessarily true.
So, was her fear of Yun Xi somewhat abnormal?
Perhaps her experiences at Shenglong Pool during childhood had left a shadow in her heart. He deliberately said: “Don’t worry, as long as you stay well in Jin’s capital, I’ll protect you. His reach isn’t that long!”
Feng Miaojun nodded vigorously. They say a tiger’s rear is untouchable. If Yun Xi knew she had been touching his… no, touching the tiger’s rear for three years, he’d probably devise one hundred and eight kinds of torture to torment her.
At this moment, only Mo Tichun, as a fellow State Preceptor, could give her some sense of security. She looked up at this big man and earnestly said: “Lord Preceptor, would you be willing to accept me as your disciple? I can now cultivate.”
Mo Tichun was startled, then smiled: “Who in Jin’s capital doesn’t know you’re my third disciple?”
Feng Miaojun shook her head: “I mean, truly becoming your disciple, with the three kneels and nine kowtows, with the substance of a master-disciple relationship.” Both she and Mo Tichun understood that until now, they only had the name of master and disciple—Mo Tichun hadn’t even taught her personally. If she wanted to learn martial arts, she had to find Xu Fengnian; if she wanted to learn techniques and spiritual methods, she had to camp at Yanhai Tower. Xu Fengnian had been reassigned from Caixing City seven months ago, so now her cultivation again relied on her exploration.
Feng Miaojun had once been considered devoid of cultivation talent, so naturally the State Preceptor was unwilling to accept her. But now, through her efforts, she had condensed her internal elixir, and her cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. Would Mo Tichun change his mind? She truly wanted to give it a try.
Mo Tichun remained silent in contemplation.
To be honest, this child was quick-witted and adaptable. What was rare was that she also possessed perseverance and resilience, never remaining superficial—in all aspects, she suited his taste. If he accepted her as a disciple, she even had the potential to inherit the position of State Preceptor.
Being a State Preceptor required more than just outstanding cultivation and exceptional intelligence. Many in the world possessed great talent, but those qualified to be State Preceptor remained few.
Mo Tichun was indeed tempted, but only for a brief moment.
First, she wasn’t from Jin.
Not only was she not from Jin, but she was also Princess An Xia. With her abilities, would this young woman be content to spend her whole life in exile in a foreign land?
Even if possible, even if she was willing to consider herself a Jin citizen and think solely for Jin’s benefit, the King of Jin’s intention in keeping her in Caixing City was too obvious: someday, he wanted to use her identity as an exiled princess.
That meant Jin would sooner or later acknowledge her princess status, so how could he, Mo Tichun, accept a foreign princess as his disciple?
Feng Miaojun waited expectantly but received no answer, the light in her starry eyes gradually dimming. She suddenly said: “What if this is the second condition I’m requesting?” She had saved Mo Tichun years ago with conditions—he had to agree to two of her requests.