Qin Jixun had just received some news, his expression not particularly good. Turning back to see that pair of young people emerge from the tent, he was first startled, then asked: “Is Young Mistress Ni also going?”

Ni Su wore vermillion robes with armor over them. She seemed to have used makeup powder to make her face somewhat sallow—the appearance of a soldier. Seeing this, Duan Rong couldn’t help but frown: “Young Mistress Ni, this isn’t child’s play. You’re a weak woman—how can you follow us to the barbarian camp?”

Ni Su bowed to them. “I know the situation is critical and dare not cause trouble for you all. But he suffers from serious illness, and I am his physician. I must accompany him—only thus can there be more possibility of success in what he plans with the general.”

If she were there, Xu Hexue wouldn’t be constrained by the prohibition, and there would be less risk of his ghostly nature being discovered.

Hearing her words, both Qin Jixun and Duan Rong fell silent.

“I apologize, Young Mistress Ni. I was narrow-minded.” Duan Rong said shamefacedly.

Qin Jixun saw that Xu Hexue also wore a soldier’s outfit, except his face was covered with a mask of fierce blue fangs, completely concealing his entire face.

“Young Master Ni, this matter—let’s leave it to Duan Rong instead.”

He said.

“Does the general not trust me?”

As Xu Hexue spoke, he placed a military cap on Ni Su’s head. His movements were gentle and almost meticulous.

“Absolutely not.”

Qin Jixun looked at him and sighed. “Young master’s illness has reached such a stage. My army has tens of thousands of sons—why must you take this risk? You should cherish what little time remains…”

What little time remains.

Qin Jixun didn’t say it aloud, but Ni Su completed the sentence in her heart. She raised her head—the military cap was a bit heavy, even making her forehead uncomfortable. But the person before her, having removed his slightly loose scholar’s robes, wore this soldier’s armor properly fastened, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his bearing fierce and sharp.

Though dead in body, his soul and spirit still maintained his appearance before death—the face of nineteen years old, the body of a young general.

He actually didn’t even have any time remaining.

The fierce mask blocked his face. Under the not-so-bright sky, Ni Su could only see his eyes like a pool of still, dead water. “I’m already cherishing it very much.”

“The tens of thousands of sons in the army should be kept for killing bandits. General, do not be indecisive at this time. If this plan succeeds, General Qin can take advantage of the chaos to trap Su Qile. If it fails, the general can entirely place the blame on me. When that time comes, I only ask the general to protect her well.”

In truth, even Duan Rong, who had followed Qin Jixun for many years, had no confidence he could assassinate Song Song in the barbarian camp. He also couldn’t determine whether this Young Master Ni would succeed this time. But given the urgent situation, if they waited for the barbarian garrison from Juhan Pass to surround them, whether Yang Tianzhe’s rebel army or his own Yongzhou City would both be in grave danger. For now, Qin Jixun could only first trap Su Qile to buy time and seek reinforcements from the rear.

But to move against Su Qile, they first needed a justified pretext. Song Song was that pretext.

Qin Jixun looked at Ni Su. “Young Master Ni, rest assured—I will have Duan Rong protect Young Mistress Ni well. As soon as you sound the whistling arrow, Dechang and I will immediately come to your aid!”

“Only, I just heard news that Song Song changed his mind—he’s unwilling to go alone and insists Shen Tongchuan accompany him.”

Xu Hexue wasn’t surprised, only asking: “Did Shen Tongchuan agree?”

“Correct.”

Qin Jixun nodded.

The sky gradually brightened considerably. Song Song and Shen Tongchuan’s carriages left Yongzhou City. Duan Rong led his troops to follow them, while Xu Hexue and Ni Su were at the rear of the formation.

Duan Rong rode behind them, seeing Ni Su pass a water pouch to Xu Hexue, thinking it contained some pre-prepared medicine.

“Young Master Ni, are you alright?”

They were about to leave the poplar forest guard posts—Duan Rong grew increasingly alert.

“I’m fine.”

Xu Hexue took a few sips of reed flower dew water. When Ni Su reached over, he obediently returned the water pouch to her, then properly replaced the half-lifted mask.

Duan Rong was behind them, mindful that this Young Master Ni didn’t want people to see his damaged face, so he didn’t look too closely. “I’ve said everything you asked me to tell Magistrate Shen.”

“Mm.”

Danqiu banners flew in the fierce wind. The barbarian felt tents lay in the valley between mountains opposite the poplar forest. Song Song and Shen Tongchuan’s carriages passed through the garrison lines in the poplar forest, advancing a hundred li before seeing Danqiu soldiers arrayed ahead, waists hung with golden sabers, or holding long spears. They were like a静静伏着的山脉, in black armor, the fur trim sewn on fluttering in the wind—an atmosphere of deathly killing intent.

Song Song and Shen Tongchuan’s carriages could go no further. The two were helped down and, leading their personal guards and Duan Rong’s men, walked forward on foot.

Ni Su walked at the very back, seeing the barbarian soldiers like dense black clouds parting to either side, gradually revealing the snow-white felt tents behind them against the skylight.

Black clouds shrouded this valley, leaving only a narrow path in the middle. Wordless威势 pressed directly toward this contingent from Yongzhou Pass in the cold, fierce gazes of these barbarian soldiers.

“Prince, they’ve arrived.”

Deputy General Zhahei, one hand on his golden saber, said in a low voice to the young prince seated in the chair.

Wuluo Su Qile had a hunting falcon perched on his shoulder. He pinched a piece of raw meat in his hand. Only after the falcon lowered its head to peck away that piece of meat did he rub his blood-stained fingertips together and lift his eyelids.

“Supervisor Song is quite bold.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Wind swept the clouds, dust and sand flew. Song Song’s robes were blown into wild dance. He lowered his head slightly. “Prince Su Qile, today the Yongzhou magistrate and I come together—the prince should fully see our sincerity.”

Su Qile’s words carried light mockery. “I’ve already witnessed Supervisor Song’s sincerity twice.”

“There must be some misunderstanding.”

Song Song’s expression didn’t change. “Great Qi and Danqiu have established an alliance treaty for friendly relations. If I made difficulties for the prince, wouldn’t that damage relations between our two nations?”

“Good. Then why don’t you, Supervisor Song, explain what exactly this misunderstanding is?”

“Ah, well, the scouts we sent out earlier reported that Yang Tianzhe’s rebel army also brought along some elderly, weak, women and children,” Shen Tongchuan, receiving Song Song’s glance, opened his mouth. “After all, they’re all Qi people. This Yang Tianzhe clearly is using those women and children to coerce us. Supervisor Song originally intended to send troops, but couldn’t help but consider the lives of those innocent women and children, so spent some time investigating the intelligence.”

Su Qile laughed mockingly. “So what intelligence did you investigate?”

Shen Tongchuan had both hands tucked in his sleeves and cleared his throat. “The elderly, weak, women and children are false—rebels are true. Yang Tianzhe merely wants to take the opportunity to provoke warfare between both sides. Then he can lead his rebel army to surrender to his homeland.”

Su Qile squinted, scrutinizing that Magistrate Shen for a moment, then pinched another piece of bloody meat to feed the falcon. “I believe both supervisors also know that this Yang Tianzhe, in your Qi people’s words, is like grass—swaying left and right, his heart unsteady. He’s not useful—only killing him would save trouble. Don’t you agree with this reasoning?”

“Ah yes, yes, yes.”

Shen Tongchuan nodded.

While Song Song looked at Su Qile, saying meaningfully: “Peace between Great Qi and Danqiu didn’t come easily. As military supervisor in Yongzhou, I naturally cannot become a sinner who destroys relations between our two nations. I believe the prince has no such intention either.”

Su Qile’s face initially showed no expression until the falcon on his shoulder suddenly spread its wings, flying toward Song Song and the others. For a moment, everyone hurriedly dodged.

Xu Hexue immediately pulled Ni Su behind him, moving several steps with the crowd.

“Hahahahahaha!” Su Qile suddenly laughed loudly.

Song Song’s expression wasn’t good. While straightening his official cap, he turned back to see Su Qile stand up, merely putting a finger joint in his mouth to blow a short whistle. The wildly pecking falcon immediately flew back to his shoulder.

“My apologies, Supervisor Song. This falcon of mine has a bad temper—sometimes even I can’t control it.”

Su Qile’s face swept away its gloomy color, eyebrows raised. “I only followed my father the king’s order to guard Juhan Pass. But you also know—before me, General Aduorong was stationed at Juhan Pass. He died for no reason, and the army has many complaints. Moreover, he died at your Agate Lake. If I didn’t come to inquire, how could I convince the masses? You, Supervisor Song, dare not damage relations between our nations—how would I, Su Qile, dare to lightly destroy them?”

“Prince, since both sides don’t want to damage relations, why would we risk murdering General Aduorong and abandoning his corpse at Agate Lake? Isn’t this contradictory? This was originally a misunderstanding.”

Shen Tongchuan said.

Before Su Qile could speak, everyone heard a horse’s neigh. Almost everyone’s gaze was drawn to the horse led by a barbarian soldier.

Its entire body was snow-white fur, almost without any mixed colors. But its mane appeared somewhat silver-gray, with a colorful ribbon wound with gold thread below. As it walked, golden bells jingled.

The brighter the sunlight, the more lustrous its coat.

Beneath the mask, Xu Hexue’s eyes were nearly fixed on that white horse.

Shen Tongchuan’s eyes brightened. He couldn’t help but praise: “Prince, what a fine horse.”

“I heard it’s the best breed from the Western Regions, several times better than our Danqiu horses!” Su Qile turned back to look at that white horse. “This horse originally belonged to Aduorong. Speaking of which, it has some connection with you Qi people.”

Su Qile moved his gaze back to Song Song and Shen Tongchuan, his meaning profound: “Do you know whose offspring it is?”

Song Song and Shen Tongchuan exchanged glances.

“Your Great Qi’s Jade Tally General Xu Hexue had a fine horse. That should have been the only survivor from the Battle of Mushen Mountain.”

Su Qile concealed his smile.

The Battle of Mushen Mountain back then was a battle of devastating losses for both Great Qi and Danqiu.

Great Qi’s Jing’an Army was completely annihilated, while Danqiu’s general Meng Tuo and his soldiers also had no survivors.

Both Song Song and Shen Tongchuan’s expressions changed somewhat.

In those years, Great Qi and Danqiu were locked in confrontation, unlike now when they at least maintained surface peace.

Song Song stood with hands behind his back. “His Majesty has already stripped him of all military achievements and titles. This person is an even more hateful traitor than Yang Tianzhe.”

“Indeed. In battle between two armies, those who defect mid-battle are most taboo,”

Su Qile curled his lips. “If this were in our Danqiu, this person’s blood should have been drained at the battle lines as sacrifice to the banners.”

Ni Su heard their conversation—just light, casual words, yet they pressed down so heavily, repeatedly crushing a name into the mud.

While Xu Hexue beside her showed no reaction. He was only watching that horse. It suddenly seemed to go mad, not subject to the control of the soldier leading it.

Su Qile lashed it with a whip. The white horse’s body gained an extremely deep bloody mark, yet it still neighed wildly, trying to struggle. Zhahei hurriedly called several warriors over to subdue it.

“It’s a bad seed that grew rebellious bones, just like its sire. Aduorong couldn’t subdue Xu Hexue’s horse back then, so after breeding it, he simply killed that beast. Who would have thought this young one would still be disobedient,” Su Qile laughed coldly, throwing the whip to Zhahei beside him. “I don’t have the patience to train it anymore. No matter how fine the horse, if it doesn’t know obedience, doesn’t know fear, doesn’t know who its master is, it’s still a useless beast—might as well kill it tonight and eat its meat.”

“Fine horses are hard to come by. Why doesn’t the prince be more patient?”

Shen Tongchuan looked at that white horse, his heart complex.

Su Qile laughed once, too lazy to speak, but asked Song Song: “Since Supervisor Song has come today, give this prince a straight answer—Yang Tianzhe, will you kill him or not?”

Before Song Song could speak, Shen Tongchuan spoke first: “Naturally! Today Supervisor Song came here precisely to discuss with you, Prince, jointly eliminating Yang Tianzhe!”

“Is this true?”

Su Qile fixed his eyes on Song Song.

“Supervisor Song, if you settle the matter of eliminating Yang Tianzhe here today, Qin Jixun will have nothing more to say. After all, you came today to negotiate peace. If Qin Jixun still makes excuses, it won’t be justified,” Shen Tongchuan moved to Song Song’s side, saying in a low voice. “Only that Duan Rong from his side is here. You’d best first enter the tent to speak privately with Prince Su Qile about Wei Zhan’s matter. Have Prince Su Qile come out later and state that Wei Zhan’s death had nothing to do with him. This way the matter can be settled. We can send troops tonight to eliminate Yang Tianzhe. Supervisor Song need not worry—if anything happens, I’m still here.”

Song Song contemplated for a moment, stroking his beard, finding some logic in this, and nodded. He said to Su Qile: “Why don’t the prince and I enter the tent to discuss in detail the encirclement strategy?”

Su Qile was genuinely somewhat surprised that this Song Song actually dared to enter his great tent alone. But hearing him give a firm answer, the anxiety in Su Qile’s heart also diminished somewhat. “Come! Prepare fine wine and food!”

Song Song brought only one personal guard, while Su Qile had only Deputy General Zhahei attending in the tent. On the table was a roasted lamb, golden-brown.

A barbarian woman at the side filled two wine cups, offering them respectively to Su Qile and Song Song.

Seeing Song Song take a sip of wine then furrow his brow, as if this blade-like strong liquor had cut his throat, Su Qile said slowly: “Supervisor Song isn’t accustomed to our barbarian strong liquor, just as we barbarians can’t endure your elaborate etiquette. We took the northern border’s thirteen provinces, yet still haven’t completely civilized the people of the thirteen provinces. This gave that Yang Tianzhe an opening, an opportunity to rebel and rise up. We’re still this troubled in the northern border’s thirteen provinces—how could we have the inclination to start warfare again?”

“Moreover, the former king said we could take the thirteen provinces but not penetrate deeper into Great Qi. My father the king has always taken this as instruction and would never again raise weapons of war. But you, Supervisor Song, should also know—we barbarians are casual by nature. Among the tribes below there are many fierce and brave men. When their cattle and sheep decrease, when their grasslands have problems, they inevitably develop some raiding thoughts. But now that all twenty-nine tribes have submitted to the royal court, this should be a good thing for your Great Qi. After all, with my father the king’s restraint, harassment of your Great Qi borders will become increasingly rare.”

“The prince speaks reasonably.”

A faint smile floated on Song Song’s face. “Warfare benefits the nation not at all—it both troubles the people and wastes wealth. If Danqiu wishes to rest and recuperate with the people, my Great Qi is the same. If we can avoid raising weapons, we still value harmony above all.”

Su Qile downed a mouthful of strong liquor. “Then Supervisor Song, why don’t we discuss how your Yongzhou army’s General Qin Jixun plans to jointly execute Yang Tianzhe with me?”

Su Qile and Song Song had been in the tent for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Shen Tongchuan and the others all waited outside. Duan Rong’s heart was anxious when suddenly, for some reason, wind and sand rose.

The wind and sand grew greater and greater, almost making it impossible to see.

Ni Su saw scattered fluorescent dust floating in the dust and sand. She turned her face—his mask was cold and fierce.

“Duan Rong, help me protect her well.”

Xu Hexue instructed Duan Rong. When Duan Rong turned around, he didn’t clearly see his figure in the wind and sand. The barbarian garrison in the dust was even more like gathered black clouds, a dark mass blocking behind them.

No one saw clearly as Xu Hexue transformed his body into faint mist, dispersing into the great tent.

“As long as Prince Su Qile says a word before Qin Jixun’s people, as long as you and I can prove Wei Zhan died at Yang Tianzhe’s hands, tonight we can jointly attack Yang Tianzhe…”

Song Song was saying to Su Qile.

Su Qile couldn’t help but snort coldly. “How Wei Zhan died, you and I both know very well. What’s hateful is that Wei Dechang—even with his son dead, he still listens to Qin Jixun.”

“The Qin and Wei clans have entrenched themselves here for many years. His Majesty originally also considered their deep roots, so ordered Qin and Wei to jointly station in Yongzhou. But their actions increasingly lack propriety—arrogant and self-important. Once this matter is settled, I must impeach them!” Speaking of this pair of sworn brothers of different surnames, Qin Jixun and Wei Dechang, Song Song also had anger with nowhere to vent.

“Are you certain that as long as I say a word, it will suffice?”

Su Qile tapped the table.

“Yes. As long as the prince makes a statement, they have no evidence to prove Wei Zhan died at your hands and can no longer delay.” Seeing Su Qile stand up, Song Song also straightened his official robes and stood.

In the tent, besides the four of them—Su Qile, Song Song, and their attendants—there were also two barbarian women. But not one of them saw the faint mist微微浮起, gradually condensing into a semi-transparent figure.

Xu Hexue lowered his eyes, looking at the dagger Su Qile held in his hand that he hadn’t yet put down, stained with the grease of roasted lamb, gleaming under the lamplight.

“Good, then this prince will…”

Su Qile’s face bore a casual smile, but suddenly froze. He abruptly lowered his head, looking at his hand gripping the blade handle.

His wrist bone seemed to be gripped by someone—a force that nearly crushed his flesh and bone. He almost had no time to react before losing control and extending his arm.

Song Song’s eyes widened, his smile completely gone. In its place was a face full of disbelief.

He lowered his head,

Only to see the dagger in Su Qile’s hand pierce through his chest. Crimson blood gurgled out, soaking his official robes.

“You,”

Song Song’s beard trembled. “You…”