“I know I shouldn’t go with you, if not for that prohibition spell on you.”

After a long silence, Ni Su reached out a finger to lightly touch a floating speck of fluorescent dust. It trembled and quickly hid back beneath his sleeve. “Though I’m reluctant to admit it, sometimes, to you, I am also a blade pointed at you.”

She didn’t understand warfare, nor did she know martial arts. She should have stayed here to wait, but she happened to be the prohibition that bound him.

Xu Hexue started, immediately saying, “I spent a hundred years in the netherworld, and when I return to the mortal realm I must rely on you to maintain my existence. You have never been a punishment.”

Ni Su smiled slightly. “Then what am I?”

The fire had long gone without anyone adding wood, the flames gradually weakening. Xu Hexue contemplated for a moment, his brows and eyes still steeped in cold snowy intent, yet he answered: “A blessing.”

“Since you put it that way,”

Ni Su stood up. The vermillion robe she wore was wide, the hem nearly dragging on the ground. As it swayed slightly in the night wind, it revealed the pair of embroidered shoes beneath, stained with mud, looking somewhat incongruous. The dimming firelight made it difficult for Xu Hexue to see her face clearly even when he looked up, but he heard her say again, “Then we’ll advance and retreat together.”

“Xu Ziling, I don’t want to be the blade that kills you.”

Among the thousands in this world who destroy him with slander, she was not one of them.

As night deepened, Xu Hexue lay on the bamboo bed in the military tent, the sounds of patrolling soldiers occasionally drifting in from outside, while he remained lost in thought.

Candles burned in the tent, their bright light brilliant. Suddenly with a soft pop, the candle flame flickered. Xu Hexue slightly lifted his eyelids, his gaze falling on the tent curtain.

Her tent was right next door. After today’s many twists and turns, and getting her clothes wet at Agate Lake, Xu Hexue had someone brew cold-dispelling medicine for her and lit a stick of calming incense for her. By now she should have fallen into deep sleep.

Xu Hexue closed his eyes, his ears full of the wind and sand blowing against the tent, the sounds of footsteps numerous.

The next day, before dawn had fully broken, Commander Wei Dechang of the Wei family army arrived in a rush at the Qin family army’s camp, only to find he’d come up empty—his sworn brother Qin Jixun wasn’t in the camp at all.

“What? My sworn brother went to see Magistrate Shen?”

Wei Dechang stared at Duan Rong in disbelief. “That slippery eel of a magistrate—how dare my sworn brother place his hopes in him?! Moreover, we’ve never gotten along with him. How would he risk offending Military Supervisor Song to conspire with us? Which treacherous, presumptuous villain spoke such nonsense before my sworn brother?!”

“What treacherous, presumptuous villain…”

Duan Rong wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Commander Wei, that’s our general’s advisor.”

“I must see what kind of advisor this is!”

As Wei Dechang spoke, he turned around, his sword hilt sweeping aside the tent curtain as he strode out cursing. Duan Rong’s heart sank—this was bad. He hurriedly followed, only to see the tent curtain across the way being lifted by a hand.

That young man dressed in vermillion robes, tall and upright in stature, still had his face wrapped in a long cloth. Upon seeing him, Duan Rong immediately gestured from behind Wei Dechang, signaling him to quickly get away.

Xu Hexue glanced at him but didn’t move.

Wei Dechang quickly fixed his eyes on him. Only this person in the entire camp wore no armor, and his face was also wrapped in snow-white cloth, looking somewhat strange.

“Who is he?”

Wei Dechang turned his head.

Duan Rong felt somewhat helpless. “He is the general’s advisor.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Dechang immediately strode quickly before the young man. Duan Rong followed behind, calling out: “Young Master Ni.”

Xu Hexue nodded slightly, then met Wei Dechang’s unfriendly gaze, saying calmly: “Commander Wei.”

“So you’re the one who counseled my sworn brother to seek out that slippery Shen?” Wei Dechang’s tone was quite hostile.

“Yes.”

“What’s your background? How did you trick my sworn brother into keeping you in the army as an advisor?”

“Commander Wei, if not for Young Master Ni, the general wouldn’t have made up his mind to have you return. Now that you and the general have both defied Military Supervisor Song’s orders, we have no way back.”

Duan Rong feared Wei Dechang would resort to violence after just a few words, so he quickly spoke up.

Wei Dechang paused, perhaps not expecting that his sworn brother’s order for him to return was actually this person’s achievement. He turned his head toward Duan Rong: “No way back is no way back! Haven’t we endured enough grievances these past ten-some years! But that slippery Shen is no one to deal with easily! Isn’t this sending my sworn brother straight to be humiliated?!”

His falcon-like eyes fixed on Xu Hexue again. Seeing the sword in his hand, he snorted coldly, “Looks like an embroidered pillow—the sword you’re holding probably isn’t very sharp either! Let me test it for you!”

Duan Rong had no time to stop him. Wei Dechang drew his blade and in two or three steps lunged to strike at Xu Hexue.

Xu Hexue dodged to the side, smoothly raising his sword to scrape against Wei Dechang’s blade. The scabbard fell to the ground, cold light flashed, using skillful force to deflect the blade edge.

Wei Dechang’s eyes showed a trace of astonishment, but immediately he gripped his hilt tightly, swinging left and right, quickly hacking at him. The sound of blade and sword clashing scraped past the eardrums of all the soldiers present, and they immediately gathered around.

“Officer Duan, why are Commander Wei and that young master fighting?”

Someone moved next to Duan Rong, craning his neck to look into the crowd.

Duan Rong had no mind to respond to him, only fearing Wei Dechang might accidentally injure that young master. He originally wanted to find an opening to intervene, but who knew these two would fight so fast it made one’s eyes blur.

The more he watched that Young Master Ni’s movements, the more astounded Duan Rong became. How could such a refined, sickly-looking person wield a sword with such fierce and boundless techniques?

Ni Su hurriedly lifted the curtain and came out. When the soldiers saw such a woman running over, they naturally made way, and she easily stood beside Duan Rong.

“Young Mistress Ni.”

Duan Rong spared her a glance, seeing she apparently hadn’t had time to dress her hair yet—her black hair was tied with a gauze cord. Under the not-yet-bright sky, her skin was fair and delicate. He immediately looked away, just in time to see Wei Dechang bring his blade down, striking directly at Xu Hexue’s shoulder. His brow jumped as he hurriedly shouted: “Young Master Ni, careful!”

Ni Su’s heart also leapt in alarm.

The light wasn’t bright enough—Xu Hexue actually couldn’t see Wei Dechang clearly. That blade quickly pressed down toward his shoulder. He turned his face slightly to the side, while raising his sword to block the blade, he leaned back, his feet sweeping forward. Dust and sand flew up as his sword hilt struck heavily against Wei Dechang’s tiger’s mouth.

Wei Dechang cried out in pain, nearly unable to grip his blade. In just this moment of distraction, his spine immediately stiffened. Under the blue-gray dim sky, he slowly turned his head.

That young man already stood behind him with sword in hand.

Wei Dechang’s expression changed repeatedly. He walked several steps closer to Xu Hexue, but didn’t guard against someone suddenly rushing over. Almost at the instant he was about to approach Xu Hexue, she blocked the space between them.

Wei Dechang’s eyes nearly popped out: “A woman?”

“Duan Rong, since when has the Qin family army camp had women?!” He immediately roared at Duan Rong in the crowd.

“I’m with him.”

Ni Su stood before Xu Hexue, shielding him between herself and the tent, preventing those around from clearly seeing his hands that flickered between substantial and transparent.

“General Qin has his reasons for keeping us here. Commander Wei has already tested his sword—this humble woman is here to thank Commander Wei for showing mercy.”

Ni Su bowed to him.

Wei Dechang’s expression became somewhat strange.

He understood very clearly that the strike aimed at his tiger’s mouth just now—that Young Master Ni had clearly held back, so he wouldn’t lose his grip on the blade in full view of everyone.

If Young Master Ni had faced him with the sword edge when behind him, if this were on the battlefield, he would already be a dead man.

“What are you all gathering here for? Disperse immediately!”

A stern voice came. Duan Rong and the others turned their heads to see Qin Jixun holding his military cap in one hand, leading his personal guards over in large strides.

Upon seeing the general, the soldiers immediately dispersed, each returning to their positions.

“General!”

Duan Rong quickly called out.

Qin Jixun glanced at him. “You didn’t know to stop them?”

Duan Rong looked a bit sheepish. “I…”

“Sworn brother.”

Wei Dechang no longer seemed as domineering as before, but was still very displeased.

“You’ve returned and don’t know to settle down. Young Master Ni is an advisor I personally invited. How could you make things difficult for him in my army?” Qin Jixun’s tone was somewhat stern.

“How does this count as making things difficult? I…”

“Enough. You should be celebrating that your face as Commander Wei remains intact.”

Qin Jixun cut him off.

Whether it was Xu Hexue’s restraint in his techniques or Ni Su’s words, both allowed Wei Dechang to preserve his dignity as commander before those Qin family army soldiers just now.

“General Qin, how did it go?”

Xu Hexue’s gaze moved from Ni Su’s hair to Qin Jixun, finally speaking his first words.

Speaking of this matter, Qin Jixun’s expression grew serious as he sighed: “What Young Master Ni told me last night, I told him everything, but he never gave any response.”

After speaking with Xu Hexue by the fire last night, Qin Jixun rode his horse into Yongzhou City, heading straight for the magistrate’s office. Shen Tongchuan was indeed still awake, busy playing dominoes with others.

When Qin Jixun arrived at his residence, he did have female servants warmly receive him, but when it came to discussing business, he said to finish this round first.

Qin Jixun was left to the side, watching him finish round after round without a definite answer.

Until the clerks at the table really couldn’t bear having such a large killing god sitting nearby, staring at them unblinkingly and expressionlessly. After a few rounds, they broke out in cold sweat, making excuses that it was too late and seizing the chance to quickly slip away.

Only then did Shen Tongchuan slowly turn around, his face full of surprise: “General Qin is still here? This official thought you’d left long ago.”

Qin Jixun endured even this.

Only when the two entered the study did Qin Jixun explain his purpose. Shen Tongchuan was even more astounded: “Is it General Qin who’s gone mad or have I? Didn’t Prince Su Qile say so? As long as you eliminate Yang Tianzhe and his rebel army, he won’t pursue the matter of Aduorong. Why must you do the opposite—isn’t this needlessly adding to the flames of war?”

“Magistrate Shen, surely you don’t also believe Su Qile will truly let this rest?”

“He’s already said he won’t pursue it—what else could he do?”

“He may not pursue Aduorong’s death, but as long as his ambition doesn’t die, who knows how many other excuses there will be in the future?”

Shen Tongchuan laughed upon hearing this. “General Qin thinks quite far ahead.”

“When serving the nation, one must plan deeply, mustn’t one? Someone told me that Magistrate Shen, you are a disciple of Minister Meng. In the past you traveled widely, witnessed battlefields, and knew suffering. Though it’s midsummer now, as we’re in Yongzhou, we can already foresee that this year’s winter won’t be easy. The barbarians’ grasslands will be even more bitterly cold. They’ve recuperated for over a decade, their royal court has completely subdued twenty-nine tribes—their ambition will certainly not be satisfied with the northern border’s thirteen provinces.”

“Su Qile says he’ll join us against Yang Tianzhe, but what about after Yang Tianzhe and his rebel army are eliminated? If his forces from the rear follow up, a great war will still be unavoidable!”

When Shen Tongchuan heard him mention the three words “Minister Meng,” the relaxed smile on his face faded somewhat. Only after hearing him finish did he slowly speak: “It seems General Qin has made a point of investigating my background. Your meaning is, since Su Qile will very likely turn against us and disown us, we might as well trap him here to death.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Military Supervisor Song of your plan?”

“If Magistrate Shen were on the same path as Military Supervisor Song, you wouldn’t have ignored matters for many years. When Military Supervisor Song came to Yongzhou by imperial decree, Minister Meng was still in Wen County, but now Minister Meng has already returned to court. If Military Supervisor Song were not here, Magistrate Shen wouldn’t be constrained at every turn, and Minister Meng would also have the opportunity to control the situation in Yongzhou.”

After Qin Jixun finished speaking, seeing Shen Tongchuan give no response for a long time, only standing before a potted flower without moving, he stood up and cupped his hands: “Magistrate Shen, whether it’s you or I, we’ve both suffered from this chaotic situation for far too long.”

Shen Tongchuan came back to his senses, his face still not revealing much emotion. His words were also calm: “Whether General Qin suffers I don’t know, but I don’t suffer. I quite enjoy this leisure, and no matter who comes, I won’t trade it.”

In that last sentence, he emphasized his words slightly.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what General Qin said today.”

This counted as an order to see the guest out. Qin Jixun couldn’t stay longer. Returning to the Qin residence, he tossed and turned half the night unable to sleep, and before dawn he rode his horse out of the city to hurry back to camp.

“I told you that slippery Shen would never agree! If he tells Military Supervisor Song of your plan, though the military supervisor has no authority to punish you or me, he can send a memorial to the capital!”

Wei Dechang was extremely agitated. “How could my sworn brother be so confused! How could he believe this man’s words!”

“Shen Tongchuan won’t tell Song Song.”

Xu Hexue said calmly.

Wei Dechang snorted coldly. “How do you know he won’t? Are you some kind of immortal? Can you divine the future?”

“Dechang, Shen Tongchuan is no fool. Telling Military Supervisor Song would do him no good, and would further implicate him and his mentor Minister Meng.”

Qin Jixun didn’t trust just anyone either. He had also deliberated thoroughly over Xu Hexue’s words before deciding to try.

“General!”

Suddenly, a soldier hurried over. “Military Supervisor Song’s personal guard is outside the camp. He’s brought the supervisor’s command token and requests you and Commander Wei to see him.”

The personal guard who had brought money, silk, and women was dead. With the loss of Song Song’s eyes and ears in the army, Song Song only received the news this morning.

Qin Jixun and Wei Dechang exchanged glances.

“Dechang, if he asks you, you know what to say?”

Qin Jixun asked.

“I’ll just say the wind and sand on the road were too great, I lost my way and had no choice but to retreat.”

“He won’t believe it.”

Wei Dechang was completely unconcerned. “Do I care whether he believes it or not? I’ve already come back anyway!”

A trace of a smile appeared on Qin Jixun’s usually stern face. He reached out to pat Wei Dechang’s shoulder, then turned to look at Xu Hexue: “Young Master Ni, this entire gambit depends on Shen Tongchuan. I won’t give up easily.”

“The general’s sincerity is so deep—it will surely move even metal and stone to open.”

Xu Hexue nodded to him.

Qin Jixun and Wei Dechang soon left the camp with their personal guards. The wind and sand lifted Ni Su’s hair, lightly brushing against Xu Hexue’s long cloth. He raised his hand wanting to touch it, but saw his own form flickering between dense and faint.

“Get inside quickly.”

Ni Su turned around, pushing him into the tent.

Xu Hexue staggered backward. The longsword in his hand shattered into fluorescent light that seeped into his body. The lamps and candles in the tent had all gone out—it was dimmer than outside. Suddenly a pair of hands encircled his waist, steadying his form.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

She asked worriedly.

“I’m alright.”

Xu Hexue was almost numb from pain. Hearing her voice, he instinctively answered.

Ni Su helped him sit on the bed’s edge. Seeing his entire person seeming wrapped in extremely faint mist, she feared he would again shatter into a mass of fluorescent white light, so she immediately said: “You stay in the tent. I’ll go to Agate Lake right now to fetch dew for you!”

But just as the words left her mouth, she remembered the prohibition between them that prevented them from separating too far.

“Let’s go together.”

Xu Hexue said.

He could hide his form before others, transforming into faint mist, pulling at her sleeve.

Ni Su responded with an “mm,” not wanting to delay at all. She found an earthen jar and was about to leave. Xu Hexue sat on the bed, his eyes seeing her not quite clearly.

“Hurry up.”

Ni Su urged somewhat anxiously.

“Your hair isn’t dressed yet.”

Xu Hexue coughed twice.

Ni Su touched her hair. “No need to bother with it.”

Xu Hexue’s brows and eyes were cold and clear. Hearing this, he showed no excessive emotion, only lightly raised his eyelashes. After a moment, he beckoned to her: “Come here.”

Ni Su immediately walked over.

“I’ll help you.”

He said.

Ni Su paused, then said “alright,” sitting down beside him.

His pale, slender fingers passed through her satin-like hair. Even though he couldn’t see very clearly, he could still arrange her hair very well.

“Is it done?”

Ni Su asked, holding the jar.

Xu Hexue removed the wooden hairpin from his own hair and inserted it into her hair knot.

“Yes.”

The dim light, the hazy figure.

She turned around. Her face wasn’t clear enough in his eyes either, but he stared calmly at it.

“Can you see me clearly?”

She suddenly asked.

He paused. “I can’t see clearly.”

Ni Su said “oh” and turned back around. Xu Hexue also couldn’t see clearly what she was doing, but he was accustomed to waiting quietly for her.

Until she suddenly turned around,

Lowering her head to blow on something, a flame suddenly ignited.

In that instant, the divine light in his eyes became much clearer.

The firelight illuminated her face.

Her hair dressed in a man’s style, her brows and eyes pure as water, yet adding a touch of heroic spirit. She held the fire starter in her hand, smiling at him: “Junior Scholar General, what about now?”