Xu Qi An’s words were like enlightenment, opening up new avenues of thought for Pei Man Xi Lou.

Among the three countries in the Northeast, Jing Guo’s capital was the northernmost, bordering the original northern demon territory. Now that Jing Guo’s cavalry had almost entirely deployed, their internal defenses must be weakened.

This indeed provided an opportunity for a sneak attack, but to launch an assault on Jing Guo’s capital by taking a roundabout route, one more condition needed to be met: possession of siege weapons.

Pei Man Xi Lou hadn’t thought of this tactic before because neither the demon nor the barbarian tribes excelled at siege warfare. But now it was different with the addition of the Great Feng army, which had cannons, crossbows, and siege towers.

Breaking through a weakly defended Jing Guo capital wouldn’t be difficult.

Pei Man Xi Lou looked at Xu Qi An with excitement and said:

“This plan is feasible, but we must seize the right moment. Jing Guo knows their capital’s defenses are weak, so they’ll be on guard. The armies of Kang Guo and Yan Guo haven’t moved yet. If I’m not mistaken, they’re the protective umbrella that allows Jing Guo to deploy so boldly.”

Huh? Does this plan not work? Xu Qi An was taken aback, but then he heard Pei Man Xi Lou continue:

“However, if the Great Feng army splits into two routes – one joining forces with us demon tribes, and the other advancing from Great Feng’s northeast to engage the armies of Kang Guo and Yan Guo – then these two countries will be preoccupied, and will certainly reduce their forces allocated to Jing Guo.

“Similarly, for the Shaman Cult headquarters in Jing Shan City, will those high-ranking shamans deal with the Great Feng army daring to invade their territory, or will they helplessly guard Jing Guo’s capital? The answer is obvious.

“Only when the armies of Yan and Kang are too busy to intervene, and the high-ranking shamans are involved elsewhere, can we attack Jing Guo’s capital? Because neither Kang and Yan nor the high-ranking shamans of the Shaman Cult can travel thousands of miles in a short time to rescue Jing Guo.

“So, with the capital on the verge of falling, will Jing Guo’s cavalry continue to rampage in the north, or rush back to defend?”

Pei Man Xi Lou grew more excited as he spoke, his mind even formulating a series of strategies for the subsequent return of Jing Guo’s cavalry.

Pei Man Xi Lou solemnly stood up and bowed, saying, “Young Master Xu, you are truly a master of military strategy, with keen insight. I’ve learned much.”

So my sudden idea was so brilliant? Could I be a military genius? Xu Qi An listened in amazement.

Pei Man Xi Lou added, “After dusk, I will host a banquet at Tian Xiang Ju in the city, to entertain Young Master Xu privately. I hope you will honor us with your presence.”

Xu Qi An nodded, “Alright.”

He stood up to see the two demon-barbarian representatives off. Huang Xian Er, whether intentionally or not, swayed her waist with particular charm, her bottom swinging in an alluring arc.

She’s truly a top-tier beauty in both looks and figure… Xu Qi An, the connoisseur of courtesans, silently appraised.

…

In the Imperial Study, Emperor Yuan Jing sat behind a large desk covered with yellow silk, a stack of thick memorials beside him.

He only opened one of them, from Wei Yuan.

Wei Yuan was the commander-in-chief for this expedition, a decision made long ago.

It wasn’t that Great Feng lacked capable military leaders, but why bother when they had a legendary general at their disposal?

In his memorial, Wei Yuan outlined his strategy. He wanted to mobilize 120,000 troops, with 20,000 heading north to join the 50,000 troops from various garrisons in Chu Province.

These 70,000 men would be responsible for aiding the northern demons and barbarians against Jing Guo’s unrivaled cavalry.

The other 100,000 troops would be led by him personally, departing from the three northeastern provinces to penetrate deep into Kang Guo and Yan Guo territory, aiming straight for Jing Shan City.

Of course, the 100,000 troops would have to be drawn from various provinces. At most, only 10,000 elite soldiers could be taken from the three major camps in the capital, as more couldn’t be spared due to the need to protect the capital.

Emperor Yuan Jing silently read this memorial, not moving for a long while. The tea in his cup cooled and was replaced with hot tea, then cooled again, repeating three times before he finally picked up his brush and made his comments in red ink.

After the negotiations concluded, the massive machinery of the imperial court sprang into action. The Ministry of War and Wei Yuan were responsible for troop deployment, while the Ministry of Revenue handled the requisition of funds and supplies.

The current court officials had all participated in the Shanhai Pass campaign years ago, so they were no strangers to warfare.

When intelligence about the northern conflict first reached the capital, these high-ranking officials had already mentally prepared and quietly started preparations.

Emperor Yuan Jing unfolded the second memorial, this one from the Ministry of War. It contained a list of expedition leaders and their positions. After a glance, he sneered:

“It’s just a bunch of pampered sons trying to grab military merits. Well, following Wei Yuan on an expedition is practically picking up achievements for free, isn’t it?”

He expressionlessly raised his brush, about to make his comments in red, when he suddenly paused and asked, “That cousin of Xu Qi An, he’s Zhang Shen’s disciple, majoring in military strategy, correct?”

The old eunuch trembled, “This old servant… this old servant can’t remember.”

Emperor Yuan Jing laughed, “But I remember, and that’s what matters. A talent from the Yunlu Academy, and studying military strategy at that. I value talent, so I’ll give him a chance to join the expedition.

“Heh, if he’s unwilling, I’ll strip him of his title as Imperial Scholar and throw him into some backwater post.”

He immediately added the name “Xu Xin Nian” to the list.

…

At the Court of Judicial Astronomy.

The Astrologer still sat behind his wine table, holding a wine cup, observing the mortal world in a state between drunk and sober.

Footsteps echoed as someone climbed the steps. A figure in cyan robes ascended the Eight Trigrams Platform alone, his wide sleeves swaying with each step.

“You’ve come,” the Astrologer’s aged voice chuckled.

“I wanted to see you, old man, before heading off to war,” Wei Yuan walked over, stopping beside the Astrologer. He gazed down at the flourishing capital and sighed, “After watching for five hundred years, don’t you find it tedious?”

“Tedious indeed!” The Astrologer nodded and said, “In five hundred years, those worthy of notice can be counted on one hand. You, Wei Yuan, are one of them. Being forced into the palace wasn’t much. For a third-grade warrior to regenerate lost limbs and restore your manhood would be effortless.

“Wei Yuan, do you know what’s the hardest thing for a person to overcome in life? It’s yourself. Your entire life has been constrained by emotions. It’s pitiful, tragic, and lamentable.

“Your self-imposed suppression of cultivation, in my view, is precisely an opportunity for rebirth. Even if you don’t become my disciple, as long as you don’t abandon your martial heart, I can help you reach the first grade. First-grade warriors have been rare throughout history.

“But you cling to that woman in the palace, wasting your talent, squandering your years, losing the possibility of reaching the pinnacle.”

Standing in the wind, Wei Yuan smiled:

“Do you know why I refused to become your disciple back then? Because you and I are not the same kind of people. In this world, some pursue immortality, some seek wealth and glory, and some strive for the peak of martial arts.

“But what I seek is that girl who smiled under the tree shadows in my youth.”

The Astrologer fell silent, raising his head to gaze at the azure sky.

In the high reaches of the firmament, invisible to mortals and even cultivators, a certain star burst forth with dazzling radiance.

…

“How beautiful. In this era, Wei Yuan’s natal star is arguably one of the most brilliant. He should have shone even brighter, but alas, he’s constrained by emotions. What a pity.”

On a certain mountaintop, a man in white robes stood at the peak, gazing at the sky and murmuring to himself.

Beside the white-robed sorcerer stood a man in purple robes, with a dignified air and a long beard, exuding the authority of one long accustomed to high position.

“If we could bring Wei Yuan under our banner, how could our great cause not succeed?” the purple-robed man sighed. “Yuan Jing, as an emperor, pursues immortality. Such defiance of the heavenly way – it would be strange if Great Feng didn’t fall.”

The white-robed sorcerer smiled, “Don’t underestimate Yuan Jing…” He paused, then continued with his hands behind his back, “In all of Great Feng, even across the Nine Provinces, only Wei Yuan can lead an army to the Shaman Cult’s headquarters. It must be him, and only him.

“That old fellow Saren Aguna has lived for too long. If Wei Yuan could slay him this time, it would be a great satisfaction to all.”

The middle-aged man in purple glanced at the white-robed sorcerer and slowly said, “Qian’er is dead, killed by Xu Qi An. You arranged this, didn’t you?”

The white-robed sorcerer, still gazing at the sky, chuckled lightly upon hearing this: “You mean Ji Qian? He learned little of real skill but picked up all the bad habits of a spoiled noble. How could such a person become emperor? Is he fit to be your successor?

“I think he should be dead. Keeping him around would have been an eyesore. Your future successor must be the people’s choice, someone who can rally the masses with a single call, someone who will go down in history. Ji Qian wasn’t up to the task.”

The purple-robed middle-aged man didn’t respond, but he didn’t refute either.

…

In the Southern Frontier, at the Tian Gu Tribe.

The clouds in the Southern Frontier were colorful, interwoven with poison and miasma. The jungles were beautiful, but hidden within that beauty were layers of deadly traps.

Countless ages ago, the Gu God fell into slumber in the Extreme Abyss. Since then, the Southern Frontier has become a paradise for venomous insects and fierce beasts.

Humans, resilient by nature, submitted to the environment, adapted to it, and eventually mastered it. After generations of inheritance, the Gu Clan was born.

Among the many human tribes in the Southern Frontier, the Gu Clan was the most unique. They lived near the Extreme Abyss, coexisting with Gu insects. Using the power of the Gu God, they developed a special cultivation system: the Gu Masters!

On this day, terrible roars echoed from the Extreme Abyss once again, unconscious howls.

The roars seemed to come from hell itself, accompanied by slight tremors in the earth.

With the Extreme Abyss at the center, for hundreds of miles around, all Gu insects became agitated and restless, as if encountering a natural predator. In the dense jungle, among the branches and leaves, weaker Gu insects fell in droves, dying en masse.

The Gu insects of the Gu Clan also fell into a frenzy, turning on their masters. Fortunately, the Gu Clan had learned from a previous lesson. Though their response was hasty, they managed to avoid disaster.

Long Tu of the Li Gu Tribe knocked out the frenzied Gu insects and led his tribesmen to quell the chaos. He gazed northward, thinking of his beloved daughter.

He wondered how Li Na was faring in Great Feng. She was so clever; surely she must be thriving there.

Tens of miles away, Grandma Tian Gu was also looking north.

“The power of the Confucian Sage is waning. If the Shaman God breaks free, the Gu God will be next… Ah, when will the martial world produce a being that transcends all levels?” Grandma Tian Gu thought worriedly.

“Li Na, you must take good care of the Seven Deadly Gu.”

…

After dusk, Xu Qi An arrived at Tian Xiang Ju as promised. Pei Man Xi Lou and Huang Xian Er had been waiting at the entrance of the restaurant for some time.

The three of them entered, chatting and laughing, and proceeded to a private room where they drank and made merry.

Huang Xian Er had deliberately changed back into northern-style clothing, revealing her round, firm calves, her slender yet powerful waist, and her full, perky breasts.

As she sat at the table, her small waist was straight as an arrow, her two dimples of Venus barely visible, enticing Xu Qi An.

Huang Xian Er thought that although she was as beautiful as a celestial maiden, she was facing Xu Yin Luo, a good man who wasn’t swayed by female charms. If she continued to pretend to be a proper Great Feng lady, she’d never manage to seduce Xu Qi An into bed.

So she decisively changed her style, reverting to her true self, trying to move Xu Qi An with the exotic charm of a northern beauty.

In matters between men and women, either you make the first move or I do. Since Xu Qi An wasn’t taking the initiative, she certainly couldn’t keep playing the role of a proper lady.

But to her dismay, this Xu Qi An seemed to have a super-strong immunity to beauty. Any other man would have long since stood at attention under her charms.

Yet he remained unmoved, showing no signs of “getting hot under the collar.”

Huang Xian Er gave Pei Man Xi Lou a look. Pei Man Xi Lou immediately said, “It’s getting late, and the curfew is in effect. Why don’t we stay at the restaurant? I’ve already arranged an excellent room for you, Young Master.”

Huang Xian Er promptly said, “I’ll show Young Master Xu the way.”

The three of them left the private room, with Huang Xian Er leading Xu Qi An toward the guest rooms. She opened a door and entered.

In the luxuriously decorated room, there was another table set with wine and dishes in the small living area.

Beyond the living area was the bedroom.

Huang Xian Er turned to close the door, smiling coyly, “Young Master Xu, we didn’t drink to our hearts’ content earlier. Would you like to have a few more cups with me?”

She secretly observed Xu Qi An and saw him frown slightly, but he didn’t immediately object. Her heart leaped with joy – not refusing meant there was a chance.

It all depended on whether she could seize the opportunity.

So she held onto his arm and led him to the table to continue drinking.

“Young Master Xu, this humble servant has admired you for a long time. To be able to drink at the same table with you is a blessing I’ve accumulated over eight lifetimes…”

Huang Xian Er raised her wine cup, her eyes alluring and brimming with charm after the alcohol.

Xu Qi An nodded modestly and was about to raise his cup in response when he saw Huang Xian Er’s small hand tremble, “accidentally” spilling wine on her chest.

The beauty’s skin was as smooth as congealed cream, the wine glistening in the candlelight, making her skin sparkle.

With the wine moistening, the spherical shape became even more pronounced.

Xu Qi’an nonchalantly averted his gaze, not looking at what he shouldn’t.

What a gentleman… Huang Xian Er bit her lip, pretending to be on the verge of tears: “Oh no, what should I do? My clothes are all wet. Young Master Xu, could you help me wipe it off?”

“No, don’t do this…” Xu Qi An frowned.

“Please, help me wipe it off,” Huang Xian Er raised her face, looking at him with a shy and coquettish gaze.

After drinking, her cheeks were tinged with delicate pink, her lips bright and colorful. Those fox-like eyes were enough to make one’s heart itch.

“Alright then.”

Suddenly, Xu Qi An changed his tone, and both his hands reached out to knead.

Huang Xian Er was stunned, her expression becoming somewhat rigid. She truly hadn’t expected his attitude to change so abruptly. She mumbled confusedly, “Young Master Xu?”

“Don’t speak, open your mouth!”

…

The next day, early morning.

Huang Xian Er, with puffy eyes, leaned against the wall and left the room with a slightly limping gait.

She walked carefully, occasionally furrowing her brow slightly.

By chance, she met Pei Man Xi Lou coming from the other end of the corridor. The silver-haired Pei Man Xi Lou scrutinized her disheveled appearance and hesitantly said:

“Didn’t we agree you’d beg him to call you ‘aunty’? Is that all?”

Huang Xian Er gritted her teeth: “This old lady was tricked…”

…

Xu Qi An mounted his beloved mare and trotted towards the Xu residence in the morning light.

Feeling refreshed and invigorated, he sincerely exclaimed, “The taste of a demon woman is truly not bad!”