On the 26th day of the fourth month in the fifth year of Cheng Xi’s reign of the Hua Dynasty, the Huan army breached the Qing Mao Valley. Over ten thousand Hua army soldiers perished, and the remaining forces retreated to defend Hexi.
On the night of the 26th, the Huan army broke through Hexi Prefecture. The Hua army’s Cloud Cavalry was annihilated, and over ten thousand Long Feng Cavalry soldiers fell in battle. The young men of Hexi Prefecture engaged in bloody street fights with the Huan army, with seven or eight out of ten perishing. The Prefect of Hexi and Duke Gao sacrificed themselves for the country, and the Gao clan’s ancestral hall was reduced to ashes in the great fire.
On the 27th, Tian Ce led the remaining 40,000 troops in a fighting retreat. Over ten thousand of them engaged in a bloody battle with the main Huan army force north of the Hexi Canal, with none surviving. An Cheng, the commander of the Long Feng Guard, fell in battle.
On the same day, Pei Yan led 30,000 Long Feng Cavalry to Hexi Canal. After a fierce battle with the Huan army, they held Zhenbo Bridge and retreated south of Hexi Canal, joining with Tian Ce’s remaining 30,000 troops.
From the 27th to the 30th of April, the 60,000 Long Feng Cavalry used the Hexi Canal as a defensive line. Along this canal, three and a half zhang wide and about two zhang deep, stretching over a hundred li east to west, they engaged in dozens of bloody battles with the Huan army. The main force desperately defended Zhenbo Bridge, paying a heavy price but finally managing to temporarily halt the Huan army’s iron cavalry north of Hexi Canal.
Meanwhile, the Huan army’s left wing successively captured Han Prefecture and Jing Prefecture east of Hexi Prefecture.
The “Defeat at Hexi” was the first major defeat suffered by Pei Yan’s Long Feng Cavalry since its creation. Not only did they lose troops and commanders, but the chief commander Pei Yan was also severely wounded.
The moon set and the sun rose.
At dawn, Cui Liang breathed a sigh of relief as he came down from the highest observation tower. Despite his exhausted appearance, he mustered his spirits to give some instructions to Tian Ce and Xu Jun before returning to the central military tent.
The Hexi Canal was an artificial waterway dug by the people of Hexi Prefecture to irrigate tens of thousands of mu of good farmland. It was about three and a half zhang wide and two zhang deep. Cui Liang had exhausted his wits, using observation towers, signal fires, sharp whistles, water nets, and thorny barriers. He also sent people to constantly patrol along the canal. After several bloody battles, they managed to stop hundreds of large and small attacks launched by the Huan army along the Hexi Canal.
Seeing him enter the tent, Ning Jianyu came forward to greet him: “Ziming, you’ve worked hard. How’s the situation at the front?”
Cui Liang gave a bitter smile: “There were several sneak attacks last night, but fortunately, we discovered them in time and repelled them. It’s quiet now.”
“I’m going to the bridge. The Marquis wants to see you, you should go in.” Ning Jianyu patted Cui Liang’s shoulder and left the tent.
Cui Liang entered the inner tent and saw Pei Yan coughing lightly as he put away a confidential report in his hand. He smiled and asked, “Is the Prime Minister feeling better today?”
“Much better. But I can still only use three or four-tenths of my inner strength. That punch from Yi Han was deadly.” Pei Yan looked up with a smile. “These past few days have troubled you, Ziming.”
“The Prime Minister is too kind. This is what Cui Liang should do,” Cui Liang hurriedly replied, hesitating for a moment before finally suppressing the matter weighing on his mind.
Chen An loudly requested an audience outside, and Pei Yan said, “Come in.”
Chen An swept into the tent like a gust of wind, kneeling on one knee: “Reporting to the Marquis, the supplies have arrived, a total of 150 carts.”
Pei Yan and Cui Liang were both delighted. Pei Yan stood up: “Let’s go take a look.”
Chen An hurriedly said, “Marquis, you’re injured—”
“It’s just a shoulder injury, I can still walk.” Pei Yan walked out, and the other two could only follow.
As they walked, Chen An reported, “According to the supply officer, this batch of provisions was sent from the capital before Hexi Prefecture fell. He doesn’t know if Minister Dong will urgently send another batch of military supplies after receiving the battle report in the capital.”
The Long Feng Guard escorted the three of them through the military camp. They encountered a group of soldiers rotating back from Zhenbo Bridge at the front. Seeing their weary faces, with dozens of them wounded, Pei Yan strode forward and lifted an unconscious, severely wounded soldier with his right arm. The Long Feng Guard moved to take over, but seeing Pei Yan’s expression, they stepped back.
Pei Yan carried the wounded soldier into the medical tent. Military Doctor Ling hurriedly took over, his tone reproachful: “Your wound hasn’t healed yet, how can you be so careless with your body?!”
Pei Yan looked around the medical tent full of wounded soldiers, his gaze lingering for a moment in a certain spot, his expression gloomy. He walked out of the tent, patted a wounded soldier’s shoulder, and under the admiring gazes of everyone, he continued to lead Cui Liang and the others toward the rear camp.
After inspecting the supplies, the three returned to the main tent. Pei Yan’s mood had improved slightly: “This batch of supplies has solved our urgent need. As long as we can hold the Hexi Canal, there will always be a chance for a counterattack.”
“Yes, the Huan army’s morale can’t last forever. These past few days, we’ve endured, and the intensity of their attacks has weakened. It seems we’ll have to wear down the Huan army here for some time.”
Jiang Ci entered, carrying a medicine pot in her left hand and a medicine box in her right. Cui Liang hurriedly took them from her, and Pei Yan drank the medicine in one gulp.
Jiang Ci looked at Cui Liang, hesitating for a moment. Cui Liang took the medicine box: “I’ll do it.”
Jiang Ci walked up to Pei Yan and said softly, “Prime Minister, it’s time to change your dressing.” Pei Yan looked at her but didn’t speak. Jiang Ci lowered her head slightly and removed his upper garment.
Cui Liang came over with the herbal medicine and changed Pei Yan’s dressing. Pei Yan glanced at Jiang Ci, who was standing aside watching closely, and said, “Xiao Ci, haven’t you already learned how to apply medicine? Why do you still rely on Ziming?”
Cui Liang smiled and said, “Once the medicine is applied, I need to perform acupuncture for the Prime Minister, so it’s better if I do it.” Jiang Ci handed over the silver needles, and Cui Liang inserted them while explaining gently, “Remember the acupoints where I’m inserting the needles. Applying acupuncture at these points for a quarter of an hour can reduce pain at the wound site, promote the flow of Yuan Power, nourish the pulse, and regulate breathing.”
Jiang Ci carefully memorized this, but her stomach growled softly. Pei Yan frowned slightly: “What’s this? Haven’t you eaten breakfast?”
Cui Liang took back the silver needles and inserted one at the back of Pei Yan’s neck, smiling as he said, “She hasn’t eaten breakfast. I heard from Military Doctor Ling that there were too many wounded and not enough hands in the medical tent. The military doctors and medical apprentices are so busy they can only sleep for a little over an hour a day, sometimes not even having time to eat.”
Pei Yan looked closely at Jiang Ci’s complexion but didn’t say anything more.
Cui Liang turned to Jiang Ci and asked gently, “Did you not rest again last night?”
Jiang Ci nodded, hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Brother Cui, if there’s a leg injury and you want to reduce pain and relax the meridians, which acupoints should be needled?”
“You should needle Huantiao, Fengshi, Yanglingquan, Yinlingquan—” Cui Liang pointed to each point on Pei Yan’s right leg. Jiang Ci memorized them carefully and smiled, “I’ll go out first.”
“Alright.”
Cui Liang watched Jiang Ci’s slender figure disappear at the tent entrance, his tone full of pity: “It’s really hard on Xiao Ci, a young woman in this military camp, saving lives and helping the wounded—”
He turned back and saw Pei Yan’s gloomy expression, and quickly called out, “Prime Minister.”
Pei Yan let out a heavy breath, his gaze passing over a blood-stained garment full of arrow holes hanging on a wooden pillar to the side, his expression once again sorrowful.
Cui Liang inwardly sighed and said, “Prime Minister, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Looking at this bloodstained garment every day only hurts you and is not good for your recovery.”
Pei Yan shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, “Ziming, I need to constantly remind myself to avenge this deep blood debt for An Cheng and the fallen brothers of the Long Feng Cavalry.”
Cui Liang advised, “The debt must be repaid, but we should let An Cheng rest in peace. His coffin has been waiting for several days now.”
Pei Yan closed his eyes in pain. After a long while, he said softly, “Yes, we should let him rest in peace.”
He called out, and Long Feng Guard An Lu entered. Pei Yan was silent for a long time before finally making up his mind and said calmly, “Hold the funeral for An Cheng at the hour of You today. Let all the brothers of the Long Feng Guard attend.”
Jiang Ci’s body ached all over as she poured the medicine into the pot. She said to Military Doctor Ling, “Military Doctor Ling, I’m going to deliver the medicine.”
Military Doctor Ling didn’t look up: “After delivering the medicine, go back and rest. Look at your complexion. If you collapse, we’ll be even more shorthanded.”
Jiang Ci walked to Wei Zhao’s tent, where Guangming Si Wei Zong Sheng lifted the tent flap. Wei Zhao was sitting in a chair, writing a confidential report. He looked up at her but didn’t speak.
Jiang Ci waited for him to finish writing before offering the medicine. Wei Zhao smelled it, and Jiang Ci quickly said, “I added some different herbs today, it’s not as bitter.”
Wei Zhao drank it in one gulp, his brow still slightly furrowed: “I think it’s even more bitter than yesterday.”
Jiang Ci disagreed: “How can that be? I specifically asked Military Doctor Ling before adding anything.” Suddenly seeing the slight curl at the corner of Wei Zhao’s lips and the hint of playfulness in his eyes, she snatched back the medicine pot and chided, “I think it’s Third Lord’s tongue that’s malfunctioning, unable to tell the difference between bitter and sweet!”
Wei Zhao looked at the dimples that appeared and disappeared at the corners of her lips, momentarily lost in thought. He quickly lowered his head, slowly folding the confidential report, and said coldly, “In the military camp, call me Wei Daren.”
Jiang Ci smiled and said, “Yes, Wei Daren.” She opened the medicine box and said, “Wei Daren, it’s time to change your dressing.”
Wei Zhao gave a soft “Mm,” and Jiang Ci knelt beside him, gently lifting his plain robe and carefully rolling up his inner white silk trousers to above his thigh.
Wei Zhao held the confidential report, sitting motionless in the chair, allowing Jiang Ci to apply the medicine and bandage. Even his breathing was extremely quiet.
Jiang Ci finished applying the herbal medicine and wrapping the bandage. Feeling a bit of an itch in her hands, she finally couldn’t resist saying, “Wei Daren, I’d like to perform acupuncture for you. It might help you recover faster.”
Wei Zhao again gave a soft “Mm,” and Jiang Ci smiled, “You’ll need to lie down.”
Wei Zhao once again gave a soft “Mm” and lay down on the mat, casually picking up a book from beside his pillow.
Jiang Ci knelt and inserted silver needles at several acupoints on his thigh. When she inserted a needle at the “Yanglingquan” point, her warm breath fell on Wei Zhao’s leg, causing his right leg to tremble slightly. Jiang Ci quickly asked, “Does it hurt?”
Wei Zhao just flipped through the book pages without answering. Jiang Ci carefully looked and saw that she hadn’t misidentified the acupoint. Relieved, she lowered her head and said softly, “Third Lord, in the future, when facing the enemy in battle, please at least wear armor.”
Wei Zhao’s gaze was fixed on the book pages, but he couldn’t make out the words. A tingling, itchy sensation spread from his leg to the depths of his heart. The tent was silent, with only the sound of Jiang Ci’s soft breathing.
After a quarter of an hour, Jiang Ci removed the silver needles one by one, then helped Wei Zhao lower his trousers and straighten his white robe. She stood up, dusted off her hands, and smiled, “All done. This was my first time performing acupuncture on someone. Thank you for indulging me, Wei Daren.” She left the tent with a smile.
Wei Zhao gazed at the tent entrance, a smile gradually appearing on his lips. After a long while, his gaze moved from the tent entrance to the confidential report, and the smile slowly faded.
He slowly picked up the confidential report, paused for a moment, then called out, “Zong Sheng!”
The setting sun cast its last rays on the Hexi Canal, reflecting dazzling waves.
The wild grass in the fields was also covered with a layer of golden sunset, adding a touch of desolation as the evening breeze blew, causing the grass to undulate and clothes to rustle.
The Long Feng Guard, all wearing armor and battle robes, holding swords and sabers, had solemn faces filled with grief and sorrow. Pei Yan stood straight by the grave, his face expressionless, but the bloodstained garment in his hand burned him with regret and pain beyond words.
Ning Jianyu and Chen An stood behind him, one on the left and one on the right. Seeing the black coffin being carried over, they both stepped forward to support it.
The mournful sound of bronze horns rose as sixteen Long Feng Guard members slowly lowered the coffin into the grave. As the coffin touched the earth, it shook slightly. Pei Yan was startled and stepped forward, kneeling on one knee on the yellow earth.
With the sound of armor rubbing, the Long Feng Guard members all knelt, lowering their heads.
In the distance, someone played a bamboo flute, the melody of “Wanderer’s Song,” a folk tune from Nan’an Prefecture. Many of the Changfeng Guards hailed from Nan’an, and as they listened to this familiar tune, they thought of those they once lived with who could no longer return home, now buried on the battlefield. Unable to express their sorrow, some began to sob quietly.
Pei Yan struggled to contain his grief. As blood surged, he coughed softly. Ning Jianyu came over to support him, but Pei Yan shook his head slightly, and Ning Jianyu silently stepped back.
Pei Yan slowly released his grip, and the blood-stained clothes danced briefly in the air before settling on the coffin. He suddenly closed his eyes and calmly said, “Let’s bury him.”
The flute paused, then resumed as the yellow earth fell softly onto the coffin.
As the sun set, a bird’s shadow flitted across the plain, vanishing in an instant.
Jiang Ci returned to her tent for a brief rest. Once she had regained some energy, she hurried back to the medical tent to resume her duties.
Tian Ce’s retreating force of 30,000 men had suffered heavy casualties. If not for An Chen leading that 1,000-man unit in a desperate defense against the Huan army, they would have been completely wiped out. The wounded filled every medical tent, keeping Jiang Ci incredibly busy.
As dusk fell, Jiang Ci was still changing bandages for the wounded soldiers when Cui Liang suddenly called from the tent entrance, “Jiang Ci!”
Jiang Ci responded but continued working. Cui Liang called again, and Military Doctor Ling looked up and said, “You should go. The Military Advisor must have something urgent.”
Jiang Ci handed the bandages to Xiao Tian and ducked out of the tent. “Brother Cui, what is it?”
Cui Liang smiled and said, “The Prime Minister wants to see you. Come with me.”
Jiang Ci was startled, but Cui Liang had already turned away. She hurried to follow. They entered the central command tent, which was empty. Jiang Ci turned to look at Cui Liang, who merely smiled without speaking. After a while, a scout about sixteen or seventeen years old entered and saluted, “Military Advisor!”
Cui Liang asked gently, “Have you noticed anything unusual?”
“Reporting to the Military Advisor, nothing so far.”
“Good. You’ve worked hard.” Cui Liang pointed to the side. “Have some water. You’re sweating profusely.”
The scout was overwhelmed by the honor. In recent days, under this young Military Advisor’s unified command, the Changfeng Cavalry had repeatedly thwarted the Huan army’s attacks. His ever-changing defensive strategies had greatly impressed the Changfeng Cavalry, and they all admired him immensely. With the Military Advisor’s order, he naturally obeyed, grabbing the teacup and gulping it down before collapsing to the ground.
Jiang Ci watched in confusion as Cui Liang swiftly removed the scout’s clothes and handed them to her. She realized the scout’s build was similar to hers and, though not understanding Cui Liang’s intentions, quickly put them on.
Cui Liang pulled her cap low and whispered in her ear, “Wait for me in my tent.”
He then said loudly, “Take this to my tent,” mimicking the scout’s muffled response of “Yes!”
Jiang Ci, carrying a large bundle of bows and arrows to conceal her face, walked out of the central command tent and calmly entered Cui Liang’s nearby tent. Soon after, Cui Liang arrived, made a gesture for silence, and led her through a corner of the tent into Chen An’s adjacent tent.
Cui Liang then guided Jiang Ci out from behind Chen An’s tent, swiftly crossing the camp to reach a thicket. He retrieved two horses from behind the bushes and handed the reins to Jiang Ci. Still bewildered, she mounted, following Cui Liang as they galloped south.
As the sun set, they continued southward. When darkness enveloped the surroundings, Cui Liang reined in his horse at the edge of a forest and dismounted.
Jiang Ci jumped down, and Cui Liang took a small cloth pouch from his waist, handing it to her. “Xiao Ci, there’s some silver inside. Take it, mount up, and go quickly.”
Jiang Ci let out a confused “Ah,” not understanding Cui Liang’s intentions. Cui Liang sighed inwardly and said gently, “Xiao Ci, today was An Chen’s burial. The Prime Minister and the Changfeng Guards all attended the funeral, so no one was watching you. Our earlier actions ensured no one followed us. This is your only chance to escape. Go now!”
Jiang Ci remained silent. Cui Liang adjusted her cap and said, “Change your clothes somewhere, then keep heading south. Don’t enter the capital, and don’t return to Deng Family Village. Release this military horse and find a place to hide for a while.”
Jiang Ci looked up at Cui Liang’s bright eyes and stammered, “Brother Cui, I won’t go. I still need to take care of the wounded—”
“Silly girl, the military camp is no place for you,” Cui Liang sighed. “Back then, I insisted on bringing you to the battlefield because I feared you might be harmed in the Prime Minister’s mansion. I could only keep you by my side and find a chance to let you go. Now is the only opportunity. Go quickly.”
Jiang Ci remained silent, not moving. Cui Liang, growing anxious, said, “Xiao Ci, the ‘Cai Ling Flower’ doesn’t bloom on Baolin Mountain every March!”
It took Jiang Ci a moment to understand his meaning, and she suddenly looked up. Cui Liang continued, “Xiao Ci, let me ask you, before returning to the Prime Minister’s mansion, you were always taking the medicine I prescribed for your shoulder wound, right?”
Jiang Ci was speechless. Cui Liang patted her head and sighed, “Don’t worry. I may have guessed General Wei’s true identity, but I won’t reveal it.”
“Brother Cui, you—”
Cui Liang sat down on the grass by the forest edge and patted the spot beside him. Jiang Ci sat down silently.
After a moment of silence, Cui Liang detailed how he had used her attempted escape for his purposes. Jiang Ci listened and gave a bitter smile. “So when the Prime Minister forcefully kept me that day, it was actually—”
Cui Liang squinted at the night sky. “Xiao Ci, I wronged you that day at the Prime Minister’s mansion by using you. Now that you know everything the Prime Minister and Sect Leader Xiao are doing in secret, your life is in danger. The Prime Minister is currently holding back because of me and has promised to let you return once you’ve healed. But I fear he might send someone to kill you after letting you go. I had to find this opportunity to set you free—”
Jiang Ci lowered her head and said softly, “Brother Cui, thank you. But don’t worry, they won’t kill me. As you said, if the Prime Minister needs you, he certainly won’t kill me.”
“But Xiao Ci, I will have to leave someday, and you can’t follow me forever. I’m just afraid—”
Jiang Ci shook her head again.
“Xiao Ci, I know the Prime Minister very well. If you become an obstacle to his great cause, he won’t show you any mercy. Moreover, there’s the ruthless Sect Leader Xiao. Xiao Ci, listen to me, leave now. Don’t get entangled in this murky situation anymore.” Cui Liang turned to look at Jiang Ci.
Jiang Ci still didn’t move. Cui Liang sighed, “How about this? Tell Brother Cui what happened after you left the capital last year. Then I’ll help you decide whether to leave or not.”
Jiang Ci’s heart churned with emotions. The grievances, endurance, and pain of the past half year surged up all at once. The man before her felt like an elder brother, his figure like a mountain sheltering her from wind and rain. She finally burst into tears with a loud “Wah.”
Knowing she had been holding back for a long time, Cui Liang waited for her to cry for a while before using his internal energy to pat her back. Jiang Ci coughed up a mouthful of blood, and after catching her breath, suddenly felt much lighter.
Cui Liang felt even more distressed. He gently patted her back and said softly, “Tell me. Talk to Brother Cui. You’ll feel better after saying it out loud.”
Jiang Ci, with tears in her eyes, nodded and began her story from her first encounter with Wei Zhao at Changfeng Mountain Villa. She recounted everything up to the events at Nubi Mountain, only omitting the nightmarish night in the thatched cottage.
Cui Liang listened silently, his eyes growing increasingly compassionate. After a long while, he sighed, “Xiao Ci, you’ve suffered.”
Jiang Ci choked up, unable to speak. Cui Liang looked up at the sky and sighed, “When I was in Pingzhou, I heard about the events at Yueluo. I never imagined they were in such a situation. No wonder Sect Leader Xiao, as a young child—”
Jiang Ci said softly, “Brother Cui, Third Young Master is now working with the Prime Minister. Since you know this, be very careful not to reveal anything. They might not kill me, but I’m afraid they might do something to you—”
Cui Liang smiled, “I have my ways to stay alive. Besides, your Brother Cui isn’t that foolish. I won’t let them see through me. As for you, well, I now believe Sect Leader Xiao won’t kill you, but the Prime Minister—”
Jiang Ci hesitated for a moment before saying quietly, “The Prime Minister won’t kill me. At most, he’ll have the Changfeng Guards watch me to prevent me from leaking secrets.”
Cui Liang pondered for a while, then looked at Jiang Ci, his tone becoming stern, “Xiao Ci, if you still call me Brother Cui, then listen to me today and leave this place quickly!” He pulled Jiang Ci up and led her to the horse, commanding sharply, “Mount up!”
Jiang Ci had never heard Cui Liang speak to her in such a tone. Deeply moved and speechless, she silently mounted the horse. Cui Liang looked up at her and said softly, “Xiao Ci, take care!” He slapped the horse’s rump with his internal energy, and the stallion neighed loudly before galloping away.
In the darkness, Jiang Ci looked back and called out, “Brother Cui, you take care too!”
The night breeze gently swept across the plain.
Cui Liang stood still, watching the rider disappear into the night, listening as the hoofbeats faded away. He sighed softly, “Xiao Ci, you take care.”
He stood there for a long time, then turned around with a sense of relief. He mounted his horse, spurred it on with a shout, and galloped back to the military camp.
Smiling, he walked towards the central command tent. An Lu came to meet him, “Military Advisor, the Marquis isn’t here.”
Cui Liang smiled and said, “The Prime Minister is injured. You should have advised him to rest.”
An Lu sighed, “It was An Chen’s burial. The Marquis was heartbroken. Who dared to say anything? He told us to return first while he stayed alone by the grave. When our brothers went back to find him later, he had vanished. General Ning said the Marquis might want some time alone.”
Cui Liang nodded, “Indeed. The Prime Minister has much weighing on his mind. Some time alone will do him good.”
He went behind the central command tent and quietly dragged the unconscious scout into his tent. Concerned about the defenses along the Hexi Canal, he turned to walk towards the bridge. After a few steps, he noticed a faint light coming from the small tent where Jiang Ci had been staying. He let out a soft “Oh,” paused for a moment, then smoothed his clothes and walked over, gently lifting the tent flap.
In the candlelight, Pei Yan suddenly turned around, a flash of disappointment crossing his face before he smiled and said, “Ziming, you’ve returned quickly.”
Cui Liang smiled back, entered the tent, and looked around before saying casually, “Xiao Ci has left. I do miss her a bit.”
Pei Yan felt a twinge of pain in his left shoulder wound but still managed to smile, “Why didn’t Ziming tell me he was sending Xiao Ci away? I would have liked to say goodbye. After all, we’ve been together for so long. I’ll miss her too.”
Cui Liang sighed, “Ah, her shoulder wound healed long ago. We should have sent her away earlier, but I was worried about her safety, so I delayed until now. I was going to inform you, Prime Minister, but Xiao Ci knew about An Chen’s burial today and said she didn’t want to disturb you. She asked me to apologize to you on her behalf.”
Pei Yan forced a smile, “What is there to apologize for? I had already promised you, Ziming, that I would send her back once she was healed.”
Cui Liang smiled, “Yes, I also suggested that you send someone to escort her back, but Xiao Ci said we’re short-handed at the front lines and didn’t want to trouble you, Prime Minister.”
Pei Yan said slowly, “Why is she being so polite?”
Cui Liang exclaimed, “Ah! Prime Minister, you should rest early. I need to go to the front. I’m worried the Huan army might try something new.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Ziming,” Pei Yan said, his smile somewhat stiff.
Cui Liang smiled and left the tent.
Pei Yan stood silently in the tent, his gaze sweeping over the straw mat on the ground. He slowly bent down and picked up the copy of “Suwen.” The pages were somewhat creased from frequent turning. He flipped through the “Suwen” page by page, blood surging as he coughed softly several times.