Chapter 689: with translation of chapter title

"Me?" Lu Wu's eyes widened instantly. "Supreme Venerable, the Shadow Blades are in your hands; what does that have to do with me?"

"The Master is merely injured, not crippled." The Masked Man's voice was calm. "With your abilities, you can control the Shadow Blades without leaving your home."

"You!" Lu Wu's face flushed red, his head hurt even more; he clutched his head and gave a self‑deprecating laugh. "Supreme Venerable, the Shadow Blades never cease until their goal is achieved."

"If he doesn't come back, that means he's dead out there."

The Masked Man's brow twitched slightly: "Dead?"

"Yes," Lu Wu rubbed his temples, his head feeling heavy and hazy. "Although the Shadow Blades are immune to blades and spears, they are still flesh and blood. If someone twists off their neck, they can't survive either."

"The Shadow Blades have taken my secret medicine for years; they can be loyal to only one person. Since they followed you, my lord, even if I had the power to reach the heavens, I could no longer control them."

"Oh?" The Masked Man was half‑believing, half‑doubting.

"These days I have a constant headache," Lu Wu sighed. "Who has the mind to worry about anything else? I just hope the pain stops in a few days."

"If the Supreme Venerable doesn't believe me, you could have someone else give an order to the Shadow Blades and try it—then you'll know."

The Masked Man looked at him silently for a moment, then rose and walked out: "Just let the Master rest."

Lu Wu watched his retreating back disappear, and his expression changed instantly.

He waved his hand, and three black shadows fell from the roof into the room.

A dull ache in his temples made him twitch the corner of his mouth and shake his head: "You, keep an eye on Liu Guiyan. As soon as her antidote is ready, bring it all to me—don't let her notice."

"You two, watch Cheng Jing until he finds Princess Jiayou. Snatch the princess from his grasp and bring her back—don't let him see you."

The three black‑clad figures dropped to one knee, fists pressed to their chests, leapt up, and vanished without a trace.

The Masked Man returned to Zichen Hall and opened an urgent memorial on the desk.

He glanced at it and said: "Summon Chen Wang and Qing Wang."

"Yes."

Not long after, Chen Wang and Qing Wang entered.

The Masked Man flung the memorial before them: "Xiao Jieyun has gained reinforcements; the two armies have already joined forces, and their strength has now increased to about one hundred thousand."

"They are marching straight toward Jingcheng."

"What?" Qing Wang exclaimed in shock. "Where did he get those reinforcements?"

Chen Wang picked up the memorial, unfolded it, and said: "The Western Regions army?"

"Western Regions?" Qing Wang frowned tightly. "How have I never heard of any dealings between Xiao Jieyun and the Western Regions?"

"The Western Regions are full of chaotic states; for centuries they've been a disunited mess—how could they possibly cooperate wholeheartedly to aid him?"

"Xiao Jieyun sure has great ability!" The Masked Man snorted. "After the border war, Da Xia's vitality was severely wounded, unable to even look after itself—there's nothing to fear."

"That's why, all this time, I've merely ordered the Ministry of Works to keep a close watch on Xilu."

"To prevent them from taking advantage of the chaos to rise in rebellion and disturb the war situation."

"I never expected that the troops sent out would not be from Xilu, but from the Western Regions."

"One hundred thousand troops?" Chen Wang's face sank. "Isn't that roughly equal to our forces?"

"Supreme Venerable," he handed the memorial to Qing Wang, "since they have just joined forces, the distance is still great; if we wait until they reach the city walls to respond, it will already be too late."

"I think," he paused, "we should now send an elite force to set ambushes along the way."

"Not to engage them head‑on, but to harass them continuously."

"Destroy their roads and bridges, making every step they take require caution."

"Unnecessary." The Masked Man shook his head.

"Unnecessary?" Chen Wang stared, bewildered. "Why?"

"Because they are not making a forced march; otherwise they would already have reached Jingcheng." The Masked Man glanced at the painting of Xiao Ran on the side: "They are waiting."

"Waiting?" Qing Wang looked utterly confused. "Waiting for what? Are they short on supplies because of their large numbers?"

"Not necessarily." The Masked Man glanced at the unfolded portrait of Xiao Ran beside him.

"There must be secret passages underground in Jingcheng that allow infiltration; Xiao Yuanhang never fights by conventional means. He is surely waiting for an inside‑outside coordination."

Chen Wang and Qing Wang exclaimed in unison: "Secret passages?"

"Yes," the Masked Man nodded, "I have already sent people to investigate, but they haven't found anything yet."

"What should we do?" Qing Wang grew anxious. "If they can come and go freely in Jingcheng, how can we fight this war?"

Chen Wang said nothing, fixing his gaze on the Masked Man: "Supreme Venerable, what countermeasures do you have?"

The Masked Man pondered for a moment, then lifted his eyes to the two of them: "Let's stop the investigation. Instead of sending troops out of the city, it's better to turn Jingcheng into an isolated island and cut off the firewood from under the pot."

Qing Wang blinked: "An isolated island?"

"Issue the order." The Masked Man's voice was calm. "Starting tomorrow, all males in Jingcheng aged fourteen and above must gather outside the city."

"Anyone who dares to defy the order will be beheaded."

"The Ministry of Works will oversee it, digging a deep moat outside Jingcheng's outer wall, three zhang wide and two zhang deep."

"Once the moat is complete, we will divert the water from the city moat into it, encircling the city completely."

Chen Wang's pupils contracted slightly: "You mean to surround Jingcheng with water?"

"Yes." The Masked Man lifted his teacup and took a sip. "Since Xiao Yuanhang is still waiting, we still have time to set up defenses."

"As long as we turn Jingcheng into a water‑bound isolated city, even if there are secret passages, how could he get in?"

"Even if Xiao Yuanhang has a hundred‑thousand‑strong army, he can only gaze at the water and sigh."

Chen Wang hesitated a moment: "Supreme Venerable, once the moat is finished, Jingcheng will be cut off from the outside world. If Xiao Yuanhang lays siege but does not attack, what do we do if the city runs out of food first?"

The Masked Man thought: "Before releasing the water, we will transport all nearby grain and fodder into the city. They are coming from the northwest after a long journey—how much supplies can they bring?"

"A hundred‑thousand‑strong army—how many days could they sustain a siege?"

"Xiao Jieyun is determined to take Jingcheng, but the Western Regions army may not be; why would they willingly share life and death with him?"

If a prolonged siege cannot succeed, they will naturally withdraw their troops.

At that time, it will be the moment for you to leave the city and annihilate the enemy.

Qing Wang's face showed hesitation: "But Supreme One, digging canals and diverting water is a massive undertaking, the common folk…"

"Tomorrow post a notice, write eight big characters clearly, to resist the rebel army and defend the land," the Masked Man interrupted him, "Those conscripted shall receive two meals a day, twenty cash per day, settled on the same day."

"Order the Ministry of Works to draft the plans tonight, and have the Ministry of Revenue prepare the silver."

"The Imperial Guard and all the garrison troops shall be mobilized, digging in sections."

"In ten days, I want to see the canal reach its dragon joint."

Chen Wang and Qing Wang exchanged a glance: "Yes."

Guoshi Residence, in a secret chamber.

Xiao Ningyuan would stand up one moment, sit down the next, and occasionally wander around the whole room.

Xiao Ran looked at him, quite puzzled: "What are you thinking?"

"I'm worried about my second brother," Xiao Ningyuan said, looking at him. "Those Eastern barbarians' martial arts are so strong, Xiao Er can't gain any advantage; ordinary soldiers are no match for them."

"He brings few troops, and the secret passage is dim; if a fight breaks out, I'm afraid he'll be at a disadvantage."

"Big brother," Tuan Tuan, holding Xiao Feifei, walked to the brother's front, leaning in his arms, "then shall we go find Master tonight and ask whether second brother has gone?"

Xiao Ningyuan shook his head: "We only saw Old Zhao and his group yesterday; even if we go, it will take a few days. The second brother may not be able to immediately go deliver any news to the National Preceptor."

"Then let's go the day after tomorrow," Xiao Erdao said, "Eldest Son, the young lady hasn't seen the National Preceptor for a long time either."

"Right! I also need to bring the book that Master loves to read to him! Master's books must have all been burned, they have nothing left to read."

Tuan Tuan took the brother's hand and placed it on Xiao Feifei: "Big brother, pet Xiao Feifei, it's so soft, just a touch will make you happy."

Xiao Ningyuan patted Xiao Feifei's belly.

Tuan Tuan looked at him: "Are you happy now? Big brother?"

"I just felt a warm ball," Xiao Ningyuan pursed his lips, "You fox, you're too gluttonous, Tuan Tuan."

"Ying—" Xiao Feifei's little head drooped, whimpering plaintively.

"That's why it's called Xiao Feifei!" Tuan Tuan placed Xiao Feifei in the brother's arms, extended two tiny hands, and gently nudged the corners of Xiao Ningyuan's mouth upward.

A stiff smile immediately appeared on Xiao Ningyuan's face.

"Big brother, you're smiling!"

Everyone, seeing Xiao Ningyuan's expression, burst into laughter.

During the night of the next day, Xiao Er carried Tuan Tuan, Lu Qi lifted Xiao Ningyuan, and they arrived at Chu Yuan's residence in Jade Belt Alley.

The few of them cautiously looked around; no one was watching, and the innermost room was lit by candlelight.

Lu Qi silently stepped onto the roof of that room, lifted a tile to peek, and nodded at everyone.

Chu Yuan, draped in an outer robe, sat in the bedroom with a sorrowful expression.

The group leapt from the roof to the outside, and Xiao Er set Tuan Tuan down.

Tuan Tuan gently knocked on the door: "Master! It's me!"

Chu Yuan sprang to his feet, hurried to the door, and flung it open.

He bent down, scooped Tuan Tuan into his arms, glanced at the others, and said, "Quick, everyone come in!"