When Shen Mo returned, Bai Youwei was taking an afternoon nap.

He instinctively lightened his footsteps, took off his coat, and eased himself down beside her.

The side of the bed dipped. Bai Youwei stirred, and with her eyes still closed she shifted toward him—then furrowed her brow faintly and murmured, “You smoked?”

Shen Mo let out a quiet laugh. “I specifically stood outside for a while longer. And you can still smell it?”

“Wait a moment.” Bai Youwei sat up, pulled a blanket around herself, and rummaged through the room.

Shen Mo asked, “What are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for the mint leaves I dried before…”

Bai Youwei lifted a glass jar from the drawer—only two or three shriveled dried mint leaves left inside. Her expression fell. “Ah… only this much left.”

Shen Mo walked over and set the jar down. “It’s cold outside—don’t catch a chill.”

He carried Bai Youwei back under the covers and pressed something into her hand.

Bai Youwei felt around, then held it up to look—a mint candy. She couldn’t help smiling, her eyebrows curving. “Where did this come from?”

“I ran into Yan Qingwen while I was smoking. He gave it to me.” Shen Mo took it from her hand and peeled away the outer wrapper.

Bai Youwei tipped her head back, lips parting toward him. “Give me half~”

“Not sleepy anymore?” Shen Mo broke off half, and she snatched it in her mouth. “This will keep you awake.”

“If you’re really sleepy, nothing can wake you, not even thunder. What’s a little mint candy~” Bai Youwei waved it off, smiling with the candy tucked in her cheek. “What kind of habit is it for Yan Qingwen to carry candy around? I bet it’s Zhu Shu who gave it to him—Zhu Shu loves these little things. Black tea, coffee, mint candy… Oh, speaking of which, what did you two talk about?”

“Talked a bit about the game.” Shen Mo leaned back against the headboard, one hand gently patting Bai Youwei’s back as they talked. “…Next battle, Yan Qingwen doesn’t have enough subjects—he’ll probably surrender.”

“Surrender?” Bai Youwei was startled. “But if a king surrenders, they become a subject, and all of the king’s former subjects get transferred over to the other side.”

“I think he’ll demote Su Man and the others to commoners before it comes to that—since he said he doesn’t want his companions taking any more risks.” Shen Mo reached over and pinched Bai Youwei’s cheek lightly. “Isn’t that what you’re doing too? You chose Battle 1 this time because you didn’t want everyone coming along with you, right?”

Bai Youwei pursed her lips, her voice going deliberately petulant: “That’s because I was worried you’d hold me back! You’re all injured and broken—who knows when you’ll get better!”

“What about me?” Shen Mo pulled her a little closer and asked with a smile: “Your Majesty, I’m not injured—am I permitted to join you in battle?”

Bai Youwei’s eyes flicked around. She drew herself up and put on an air of authority: “Just because you say you’re not injured doesn’t mean you’re not. This king must inspect personally!”

“How do you intend to inspect?” Shen Mo asked, smiling.

Bai Youwei’s little hand slid downward, poking at someone’s abdominal muscles meaningfully as she looked at him with pointed implications.

Shen Mo smoothed a hand over her hair and said, “It seems you’ve truly decided you’re done napping.”

……

The following day, Chu Huaijin called a meeting and requested that all kings and key subjects be present.

When Bai Youwei and Shen Mo arrived at the conference room, they found that Fu Miaoxue had been at it again—she wanted to share maze information but didn’t want to owe anyone any favors, so she had pulled Chu Huaijin out as a front.

Anything that might benefit the kings in battle, Chu Huaijin wouldn’t refuse.

And since everyone lived in the headquarters tower—having eaten their food and enjoyed their resources—it was only natural they’d cooperate on things that didn’t harm their own interests.

All three kings currently at the base were now assembled.

Fu Miaoxue’s side had three subjects: Du Lai, Chen Hui, and Leonid.

Yan Qingwen had brought three subjects: Zhu Shu, Su Man, and Lu Yuwen.

Bai Youwei’s side had only Shen Mo and Pan Xiaoxin.

Including Chu Huaijin, twelve people in total sat in the conference room.

Chu Huaijin said, “Looking at the long term, sharing maze information is very necessary and carries different benefits for everyone. That’s why I’ve arranged for all of you to gather here today—to sit down and have a proper discussion. I’ll serve as witness. I hope everyone will… speak freely.”