In early April, the Li King and Nanzhao from the south withdrew their troops from the war with Da Chu, showing the first signs of easing in what had been intense fighting. With their withdrawal, only Western Ling’s Lei Tengfeng remained in the south with his several hundred thousand troops. Despite Western Ling’s military might, they were far from their homeland, and with Da Chu’s vast territory and the watchful eyes of several hundred thousand Mohist troops between them, Lei Tengfeng gradually slowed his advance. In the north, while there had been several skirmishes with the Northern Rong, neither side had gained any advantage, resulting in a stalemate.
This situation worried both Feng Zhiyao and others in Ruyang City, fearing that once Da Chu made peace with various countries, they might even ally against them. Mo Xiuyao merely smiled without comment.
“Your Highness, Mo Jingqi must have already reached an agreement with Mo Jingli. If Western Ling and Northern Rong also cease fighting, Mo Jingqi might turn against us,” Feng Zhiyao expressed his concerns in the study.
Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said, “Feng San, the Mohist Army has always been a thorn in the side of the various powers, even now. So, even if they all unite against me, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.”
Feng Zhiyao frowned and asked, “Does Your Highness already have a countermeasure?”
Mo Xiuyao gently stroked the scroll in his hand and lowered his eyes, “Countermeasure… Feng San, what the Mohist Army needs now isn’t a countermeasure, but victory.”
Feng Zhiyao looked at the imposing ruler before him and asked puzzledly, “Victory?”
A cold smile curled at his lips as Mo Xiuyao nodded, “That’s right… the Mohist Army’s reputation for being invincible has been tarnished over these many years. I want Mo Jingqi to make the first move, let’s use him for practice. Show the world that the Mohist Army… is still the Mohist Army…”
Feng Zhiyao had some doubts and rubbed his brow, saying, “If four countries attack us simultaneously, Your Highness… even though the Mohist Army is valiant, we can’t withstand endless waves of enemies.”
Mo Xiuyao narrowed his eyes as he studied Feng Zhiyao, and after a long while, he finally let out a low laugh. Seeing Feng Zhiyao’s confused expression, Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, “Feng San, you claim to be clever, yet you’re completely muddled when it comes to political matters. Do you think there will be a time when all four countries attack simultaneously?”
Feng Zhiyao frowned in thought. Mo Xiuyao carelessly rubbed his fingertips and said flatly, “In this world… there are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends. The only eternal thing is each party’s interests. Who benefits most if the Mohist Army falls? The Mohist Army still has over five hundred thousand men – would five hundred thousand troops be enough to truly destroy me? Who would contribute more force, and who less? And themselves… Nanzhao has internal tribal conflicts, Western Ling is troubled by small surrounding countries, and Northern Rong faces years of drought and poor harvests. And Da Chu… Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli, do you think they would truly unite wholeheartedly?”
With Mo Xiuyao’s explanation, Feng Zhiyao felt suddenly enlightened. Smiling somewhat embarrassedly, he said, “I overthought it. Your Highness must have already figured it all out. Then… the Mohist Army should stand ready and wait for the enemy to come. However… I believe it’s best not to face Mo Jingqi’s forces at the start.”
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow at him, and Feng Zhiyao continued, “Mo Jingqi has greatly slandered Your Highness. If we engage with Mo Jingqi right from the start, I fear it would truly confirm the accusations of Your Highness plotting rebellion.”
Mo Xiuyao let out a light snort, clearly dismissing this concern, and only asked, “How have the Mohist Army’s officers and soldiers reacted?”
“The Mohist Army has been severely oppressed by Mo Jingqi these years, and they’re clear about this situation. Naturally, they follow Your Highness’s commands,” Feng Zhiyao said somewhat helplessly. He really couldn’t understand why His Highness didn’t consider refuting Mo Jingqi’s slander. Even though he understood the importance of public opinion, His Highness seemed completely unconcerned about this issue.
As if seeing through Feng Zhiyao’s thoughts, Mo Xiuyao said flatly, “No matter how we argue, it’s a fact that the Mohist Army is gradually separating from Da Chu. No amount of words will change that many people see it as merely a cover-up. If Mo Jingqi wants to play, I’ll play along. He’s been spoiled too much by the Late Emperor and Empress Dowager. He thinks winning people’s hearts is so easy. Don’t worry about whatever Mo Jingqi is doing. Send word to Han Mingshi to return and see me, and have Cold Haoyu return quickly as well. I have tasks for them.”
Feng Zhiyao nodded in agreement. Mentioning Cold Haoyu, he hesitated before asking, “Your Highness, regarding General Murong, do you think we should…”
General Murong was indeed one of Da Chu’s renowned generals and had also followed Mo Liufang in the past. Now, General Murong’s only daughter was the wife of Cold Haoyu, one of Mo Xiuyao’s most trusted confidants. Therefore, winning over General Murong seemed natural.
Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment before waving his hand and saying, “Not yet. General Murong would be the first person Mo Jingqi suspects, and his surroundings are surely filled with spies now. Just keep an eye on the situation. As long as Mo Jingqi doesn’t move against General Murong, there’s no need to disturb him. The South… also needed a reliable general stationed there. Though I dislike Mo Jingqi, I don’t want those southern barbarians setting foot inside our borders!”
Hearing Mo Xiuyao’s words, Feng Zhiyao understood. Regarding General Murong, Mo Xiuyao had confidence but needed him to remain in the south for now. Thinking it over, Feng Zhiyao also understood Mo Xiuyao’s reasoning. Among the neighboring countries, if asked which was most detestable, Feng Zhiyao would choose Nanzhao. Unlike the valor of Western Ling and Northern Rong, Nanzhao’s tribes had fierce and varying customs, but when it came to xenophobia, they were the worst among all countries. Moreover, those confusing and dizzying poisonous insects and ants… Feng Zhiyao didn’t want to imagine what would happen if they turned the beautiful and fertile Central Plains into a land crawling with poisonous insects and snakes.
“I understand, I’ll handle it immediately.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded, dismissing Feng Zhiyao. Feng Zhiyao bowed and withdrew, watching Mo Xiuyao sink back into thought behind his desk. He moved his lips as if wanting to say something more but ultimately swallowed his words and quietly left the study.
Ye Li returned at sunset, carrying a basket of wild vegetables. Her beautiful face was flushed healthy red from the sunlight, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead. Although her body had recovered, climbing the mountain while seven months pregnant was still quite taxing. Taking advantage of today’s good weather, she had visited the small river where Doctor Lin had found her. That winding yet rapid stream was not the same river she had fallen into, nor even a tributary. The river ended in a waterfall dropping from a height, but Ye Li knew she hadn’t fallen from above the waterfall. That twenty-meter high waterfall, with its shallow river below – the force of the fall, if it hadn’t drowned her, would certainly have been enough to kill her from impact. Therefore, there might be an underground river beneath that waterfall, and she might have been washed out from there. Unfortunately… given the turbulent flow, even if her guess was correct, it wasn’t a suitable path to return by, especially now that she was heavily pregnant. Reluctantly abandoning the idea of exploring further, she collected some usable wild vegetables and fruits before walking back to the small village where she had lived for several months.
Doctor Lin’s and Ye Li’s cottages were on the outskirts of the small village. By now it was time for cooking smoke to rise from every house, but in the small mountain village, apart from the faint sounds of laughter coming from the small houses, there wasn’t a single person in sight. From far away, Ye Li noticed there was no cooking smoke rising from Doctor Lin’s house, and she raised her eyebrows curiously. Hadn’t Master said he wouldn’t be going out today?
Slowly walking between the two small wooden cottages that stood not far apart, Ye Li’s delicate brows gradually furrowed. There were people in Doctor Lin’s house, and more than one. At this time, villagers usually wouldn’t visit each other, and… the voices sounded like those of martial artists.
Setting down her basket, Ye Li carefully supported her belly and circled to the back of Doctor Lin’s cottage, near the study where there was a low window. Although Doctor Lin didn’t love reading those books, he treasured them greatly and often opened the window for ventilation. Approaching the open window, she heard the voices inside becoming clearer these people were in the study. Ye Li carefully held her breath, walked to the window, and stood still, peering through the gap inside. Doctor Lin sat with a cold expression on an old chair. Two men stood in the study – one was standing and speaking to Doctor Lin, while the other was searching through the rows of bookshelves for something, leaving books scattered messily on the floor.
“Elder Lin, we don’t want to harm you. Please bring out the item. That thing is useless to you anyway, why not hand it over to make things easier for all of us, and you can have your peace?” The middle-aged man standing before Doctor Lin smiled calmly, clearly not wanting to use force against him. Doctor Lin lifted his eyelids slightly and said flatly, “This old man doesn’t know what item you’re talking about.”
The middle-aged man wasn’t angry and smiled, “Why pretend, Doctor Lin? You should understand that since we’ve found this place, we won’t be fooled by you. You’ve lived here for thirty years and presumably want to continue enjoying your later years in peace. That thing is just a pile of waste paper to you, but it’s extremely important to our master. Given the feelings between you and our master, why not grant his wish?”
Hearing this, Doctor Lin’s expression changed slightly, his lips trembling twice, clearly showing some emotional turmoil. After a long while, he snorted coldly and said, “I don’t understand all this talk about masters. I don’t know what you’re talking about either.”
The middle-aged man frowned, looking at Doctor Lin with some displeasure, “Elder Lin, that item was originally our master’s family heirloom. It’s only natural that we want it back now. It would be too much if you were to keep it for yourself.”
Doctor Lin snorted coldly and closed his eyes, refusing to speak further. The other man had clearly searched the entire study thoroughly but found nothing, and said somewhat irritably, “The item isn’t here!”
The middle-aged man’s patience was wearing thin, and his gaze toward Doctor Lin began to turn unfriendly. “Doctor Lin, our master ordered us to be polite to you because of your kindness in raising him, but… you’d better not refuse the easy way and choose the hard way.”
Doctor Lin opened his eyes to look at him once and said flatly, “This old man hasn’t had alcohol for over thirty years. You should leave. If he wants something, let him come tell me himself.”
The man sneered, “Our master is busy with countless matters, how could he waste time on such a small thing? Doctor Lin, if you remain so stubborn, don’t blame me for being discourteous.” With a slight lift of his chin, he signaled to the man beside him. The man understood and stepped forward to grab Doctor Lin, sneering, “Doctor Lin, excuse us. Our superior ordered that we must get the item.” Doctor Lin closed his eyes again and refused to speak further. The man’s face flashed with impatience, said “Excuse me,” and grabbed one of Doctor Lin’s arms, about to twist it backward. Doctor Lin was over sixty and not a martial artist – this move would at least break his entire arm.
Click click… a slightly strange sound came from outside the window. The man’s movement paused, and he exchanged a puzzled look with the middle-aged man before shouting sternly, “Who’s there?”
The window shook slightly, but no one was seen. The man frowned puzzledly, put down Doctor Lin, and walked to the window, looking left and right before poking his head out. A pair of cool, slender hands suddenly reached out and gripped his neck. He only felt a chill on his neck, then intense pain before knowing nothing more.
Seeing his companion suddenly fall motionless against the window, the middle-aged man’s face flashed with fear. Originally, because this wasn’t considered a difficult task, they hadn’t brought many people, but they hadn’t expected this small village to hide mysterious experts.
“Who is it?! Come out…” the middle-aged man shouted sternly, his gaze warily fixed on the space outside the window. Looking at Doctor Lin beside him, the middle-aged man pulled him in front as a shield, carefully watching the window while retreating toward the door.
Swoosh… a gray figure flashed quickly past the window. The middle-aged man’s eyes suddenly widened, but he only saw a silver light shooting in rapidly. His throat suddenly felt cold. The man looked down dazedly at the shining metal object somehow embedded in his throat and stiffly fell backward.