Feng Miaojun pretended not to notice and lowered her head to continue her game.

Though her chess skills weren’t equal to Yun Ya’s, she was indeed quite accomplished. Besides, the State Preceptor had already established an advantageous position—if she couldn’t capitalize on that, she might as well quit.

Playing with ease, she even held back, ultimately defeating Xiao Yan by a narrow margin of two points.

Xiao Yan placed his hand on his forehead, sighed for quite a while before gathering his spirits, and sincerely said: “Fine. However, An’an, if you ever grow tired of this eccentric fellow, you’re always welcome with me!”

Feng Miaojun knew he was flirtatious, but still nodded with a smile.

Yun Ya slightly narrowed his eyes and suddenly said: “Wait, honor your bet—where’s your wager?”

“I…” Xiao Yan had secretly been delighted that this fellow hadn’t initially asked for his stake, not expecting him to be waiting for this moment. “We never settled on anything at the beginning!”

“You wanted to steal my attendant without settling the terms?” Yun Ya cast a sidelong glance at him. “Does such a good deal exist in this world?”

Xiao Yan cleared his throat lightly: “Since we didn’t agree beforehand, now I must guard against your excessive demands. Let’s compromise—since An’an won against me, let her set the conditions.”

Immediately, both men turned their gaze toward her, and Yun Ya nodded. What could Xiao Yan possess that would interest him?

Was this now her time to freely choose a treasure? “I don’t know what to ask for.” The key was that Feng Miaojun hadn’t done any research beforehand and didn’t know what treasures Xiao Yan possessed. “My Lord, please bestow as you see fit.”

The young lady wasn’t greedy. Xiao Yan was about to speak when Yun Ya coolly interjected from the side: “Let’s skip vulgar items like gold and silver. It should be something presentable.”

Feng Miaojun’s lips curled—this fellow knew she liked money the most!

Xiao Yan glared at him resentfully: “Am I such a vulgar person?” He unfastened a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Feng Miaojun. “This is the Yuan Hong Pendant, capable of deflecting three powerful external attacks…”

“What’s your intention in giving your jade pendant to my attendant?” Yun Ya’s face turned stern. “Can’t you offer something else?”

“I’m giving it to her, not to you…” Xiao Yan’s voice trailed off as he spoke. Indeed, a man giving a personal jade pendant to a young woman typically signified a love token. Doing so under Yun Ya’s nose, with his attendant, seemed improper. However, this fellow had always been casual and unrestrained, having gone through countless attendants—since when had he become so particular?

He sighed and pulled out a small silk pouch from his sleeve: “I’ll give you this instead.”

Feng Miaojun thanked him before accepting it. Yun Ya was also somewhat curious: “Open it and see.” With his keen eyes, he could tell that this exquisitely crafted silk pouch was rather flat, apparently not containing any substantial treasure.

Feng Miaojun opened the pouch. Inside was only a yellowed, neatly folded piece of paper that seemed to have ink marks on it. She couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Yan. Prince Xiao Yan wouldn’t give something worthless, considering the situation—could it be a scripture?

Unfolding it, she discovered that this thin paper could be spread even thinner, until it became three feet square, with both lines and annotations on it.

“A map?” This papermaking craftsmanship far exceeded even that of her era. Each layer was as light as nothing, so transparent when laid on the table that one could see the patterns of the desk beneath—truly high-definition.

“Shark silk?” This could barely meet Yun Ya’s standards. “At least it’s presentable.”

Shark silk was crafted by merfolk from the deep sea or great rivers. Thin as nothing yet incredibly durable, it couldn’t be damaged by water or fire. It was one of the finest materials for crafting magical robes, and its price was, naturally, staggeringly high.

Xiao Yan exhaled: “This treasure map records the location of a ruin in the Forbidden Sea. I’ve held onto it for a long time but never had the chance to explore it. I might as well give it to you.”

The Forbidden Sea was the ocean that separated the northern and southern continents. Though not extensive in area, it was fraught with dangers—turbulent waves, countless hidden reefs, and great monsters that destroyed innumerable merchant ships. Therefore, this area was entirely off-limits to humans and was also known as the Cursed Sea.

This was far more interesting than bestowing gold and silver treasures. Feng Miaojun thanked him again, but Xiao Yan said: “Your master likes to travel about. Why not have him take you on an adventure there?”

Feng Miaojun maintained her smile: “I wouldn’t dare trouble the State Preceptor with such a request.”

Yun Ya glanced at her without saying a word.

Xiao Yan continued: “Your attendant Lu Ming is also heading to Ji Yuan and should arrive by tomorrow at the earliest.”

Yun Ya responded indifferently as if he had just remembered such a person existed.

With Red Tails pulling the carriage, their speed far exceeded ordinary horses. Even though they traveled on official roads and had to maintain a stable carriage, they covered the eighty-some lie in just one hour.

Feng Miaojun also admired how Yun Ya selected locations. Jin Jun City’s position relative to here was neither too far nor too close—just right. Others could easily find him, and he could easily return, without appearing discourteous.

There were lessons in everything.

The carriage stopped steadily, and someone came to open the door. The main camp was situated on higher ground, and as Feng Miaojun stepped down, the first thing she saw was a dense array of tents.

They had returned to Yao Kingdom’s territory, to the Wei army’s encampment.

Yun Ya disembarked and, without looking back, instructed: “Don’t wander around. Wait for me in my tent.” Then, accompanied by Xiao Yan, he went directly to the central command tent.

By this time, night had fallen deeply, yet the Wei King had not yet retired. He was still presiding over matters in the central command, showing his dedication.

This indirectly suggested that the local battle situation was likely quite challenging.

Those words were directed at Feng Miaojun. The coming and going officers and soldiers bowed respectfully to Yun Ya, evidently showing that the great State Preceptor was highly respected within the army.

She pursed her lips, not bothering to look at him.

Since the State Preceptor had given instructions, a guard nearby said: “Please follow me.”

The State Preceptor’s tent was pitched halfway up the mountainside, ranking second only to the Wei King’s in position. Feng Miaojun had assumed that, given Yun Ya’s personality, he would probably have arranged an extravagant dwelling for himself. However, the facts proved that she had misjudged him yet again.

Yun Ya’s tent was not large, with limited space and minimal furnishings. It was divided into inner and outer chambers, each with bedding. The outer chamber also contained a table and chairs, two large cabinets, and a sand table for military planning. Besides these, there was nothing else.

If she didn’t know who lived here, she might have thought she had accidentally walked into some military officer’s tent.

Feng Miaojun had just finished arranging things when a guard brought over dinner—a simple food box.

As the State Preceptor’s attendant, theoretically, she didn’t need to do any tasks other than serving her master.

“The soldiers and officers eat the same food; even His Majesty is no exception unless there’s a victory feast. Pork is supplied once every ten days, and tonight happens to be such a night. According to regulations, the State Preceptor’s tent receives an extra five liang.”

The soldiers’ rations were generally the same, which helped to win their hearts. The discipline of the Wei army was said to be among the strictest of all nations. Feng Miaojun opened the food box and looked inside: “This is only food for one person. Where is the State Preceptor’s?”

“Tonight, His Majesty is hosting a welcoming dinner for the State Preceptor, so he won’t be dining here,” the guard said before withdrawing.