Chapter 104

Heaven Harmony 1261, Year 1, July 14, Silver River State, Wind Orchid City.

Dust and smoke swirled, the battlefield of golden spears and iron horses, flesh and blood flying, shouts filling the sky. Yet although the battlefield was chaotic, the formations of advance and retreat for both sides remained orderly, mixed but not disordered.

Suddenly, a low, resonant horn sounded from outside the city; the cloud ladders that had been erected halfway up were taken down, and the catapults and archers, under infantry cover, slowly withdrew to the rear. Both attackers and defenders couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief—finally, another wave of the siege had ended.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, in this offensive-defensive battle, the Heavenly Armor city-defense troops suffered fifteen dead, over a hundred seriously wounded, and three hundred lightly wounded; the Heavenly Armor archers had one dead, twenty seriously wounded, and one hundred lightly wounded; the Heavenly Armor cavalry sustained no casualties; ordinary soldiers suffered over a thousand dead, three thousand seriously wounded, and over ten thousand lightly wounded..." Cheng You glanced at Wei Lingfeng, seated ahead, paused his report, and said, "Your Majesty, the provisions of Wind Orchid City can last at most one month, but the soldiers are holding out day and night; I fear they won't last ten days."

Wei Lingfeng took a sip of clear tea, nodded slightly, and said, "Summon Xuantian and Wence."

Soon after, Wence in white robes and Xuantian Yingzhao, whose face was full of exhaustion, entered the hall.

"Wence, how is the situation within Qi State now?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the impact of the grave worm calamity remains, but it has weakened considerably. Although the severely injured have not yet recovered, most have calmed emotionally, and some of the lightly wounded have begun to resume production." Wence glanced slightly at Wei Lingfeng, then lowered his eyes, "Because Your Majesty issued a decisive order and opened the national treasury in the shortest time, overall, the disaster situation in our Qi State is far lighter than that of Yin and Yao States, and recovery will be faster than theirs."

Wei Lingfeng waved his hand and said, "Continue."

Wence furrowed his brow, but eventually spoke his mind: "Your Majesty, it is time for you to return to the Lin Capital. Not to mention that Your Majesty's safety cannot be guaranteed, but the domestic situation also requires Your Majesty to take charge!"

Wei Lingfeng smiled leisurely, glanced at Wence, and spoke in a casual tone, "Wence, I know keeping you here has bored you. Tomorrow you may return; I will issue an edict appointing you to act in my stead to handle court affairs."

"Your Majesty!!" Wence turned pale, slumped to his knees, and pleaded, "Please don't frighten me."

Wei Lingfeng couldn't help but chuckle lightly, then said, "Do you think I'm trying to scare you?" His smile suddenly froze, his handsome face turning grim, an aura of nobility pressing upon him, yet he said softly, "Wence, heed the edict!"

"I... I am here!"

"I hereby authorize you to exercise imperial authority in my stead during my personal campaign, to manage state affairs; those who defy orders will have their hats removed and await my punishment upon my return. I grant you a jade tablet that can delay punishment for your offenses by three months under any circumstances; I will personally rescue you when the time comes."

The person kneeling before the table trembled, silent for a long time. Only when Wei Lingfeng furrowed his brow slightly did Cheng You shout, "Wence! Hurry and receive the edict!"

"I... I have received the edict..." Wence knocked his head hard on the ground several times, his voice choking, "Your Majesty, you must return safely; Qi State... the world cannot do without you!"

Wei Lingfeng seemed unaware, his gaze shifting to Xuantian, "Any movement from Yi State?"

"No... reporting to Your Majesty, still none." Xuantian misspoke, then quickly added,

Wei Lingfeng smiled faintly, "In the military camp, all is subject to command; I specially permit you not to observe all formalities of rank and etiquette."

Xuantian felt a surge of joy, thinking, This is what Your Majesty has allowed. Afraid of being interrupted, he immediately shouted, "Damn it, this Ice Ling Intelligence Network is no joke—it has cut off all communication between us and Yi State. I originally wanted to launch a left-right pincer attack on Yao State, first exterminating those pesky rabbits, but I can't find a way to coordinate with them."

Wei Lingfeng let out a barely perceptible sigh, his long, evenly matched fingers slightly curling as he tapped the tabletop.

After a moment, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Strike when they least expect it, attack when they are unprepared, divide forces to encircle and annihilate, defeat them one by one... as the saying goes, 'If the enemy does not move, I move first.'"

He lightly slapped his pale hand on the dark red pearwood table, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Xuantian, summon five hundred Heavenly Armor cavalry and three hundred archers; I have a mission for them."

Upon hearing Wei Lingfeng's words, Xuantian was moved, but after hearing the command he scratched his head in confusion, "Your Majesty, what do you want them to do?"

Wei Lingfeng smiled faintly, extended a finger, and lightly pointed at the map ahead.

"This is...!" Xuantian and Wence's eyes lit up with excitement; they looked at each other and laughed, marveling at Your Majesty's boldness and strategy.

Yet they failed to notice that the smile on Wei Lingfeng's face had already faded to something that didn't reach his eyes; he stared blankly out the window at the scorching heat, silent for a long time.

Chengyou couldn't help but sigh, recalling that snowy day when he hid far away in the darkness yet still could feel—that emperor, who rarely finds joy, when struck by the Empress's snowball, revealed a pure, ordinary person's playful heart.

20×0 Year July 15, Shanghuai City.

"Ji! Xiao! Yu!" I gritted my teeth and flung the phone hard onto the bed, shouting, "You who have a lover but no humanity, you bastard!"

The older brother sitting beside me reading a book raised an eyebrow and glanced at me, inquiring with his eyes.

I was so angry I gasped for breath, my words firing like a barrage as I yelled: "Xiao Yu! That heartless jerk. I clearly promised to go to the library with you today, but as soon as that handsome guy invited you, you were whisked away!"

Older brother's eyes instantly frosted over, and he coldly asked, "Handsome guy?"

"Ah—" I glanced at my older brother strangely, muttering, "Brother, why do you look even angrier than I am?"

Older brother lowered his long lashes, his gaze fixed on the book, not speaking, his whole body emanating a cold aura that warned strangers to stay away.

"He's our school's student council president, Liu Yu! Older brother, you should know him too—you discussed cooperation with his father last time. Xiao Yu is a student council officer, so they naturally interact often. This Liu Yu is handsome, wealthy, and gentle and thoughtful in his dealings; countless girls chase after him. Yet there's never been any news of him dating anyone."

I glanced at my older brother; the book remained open to the same page, his posture unchanged, only his natural chill had intensified a bit—excellent!

I continued nonchalantly: "Besides, he's always been especially attentive to Xiao Yu, and I hadn't thought much of it. I never expected that upon returning, he would publicly confess to Xiao Yu—only to be rejected by her."

Although it was only a slight bit, thanks to my restored inner energy's keen perception and my highly focused concentration, I still noticed my older brother's nerves faintly relaxing.

I gave a small smile, suppressing the upturned corners of my mouth, putting on a look of wistful sighing, and said: "I really don't know what that Xiao Yu is thinking, passing up such a handsome guy. Ask her who she likes, and she just won't say. But luckily, a few days ago she seemed to have suddenly seen the light—or rather, given up."

"Given… up?" Older brother snapped his head up to look at me, his voice icy cold, his eyes flashing with a lethal light.

I ignored him, nodding with a cheerful expression: "Yes! She said it was originally just her one-sided affection. If they kept entangling, not only would she be tired, but that person would be too, so she decided to give up. Ah! Brother, how could there be such a stupid fool in this world? To give up a girl like Xiao Yu—he'll surely regret it for life…"

"Smack!" Older brother slammed his valuable hardcover book onto the table, his voice so cold it made me shiver: "Have you said enough? Get out!"

I put on a look of astonishment, meekly retreated from the room, and as soon as I closed the door, I secretly flashed a V sign. Older brother, I've already schemed against Qiran and Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng—just wait obediently to jump into the trap!

Tianhe 1261 Year 1, July 18, Yinchu State Fenglan City.

During the Mao hour (5:00–7:00 a. m.), the shrubs around Fenglan City's walls swayed lightly; from afar it looked like a gust of wind passing, then immediately returned to calm.

Up close, one could discover that this faint sound, like wind brushing the earth, was actually produced by nearly a thousand soldiers advancing prone.

Weilingfeng wore a light purple robe, his black hair tied high with a gold band, hands behind his back as he stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance at the advancing soldiers.

A gentle breeze swept past, causing Weilingfeng's robe to flutter slightly then settle; Chengyou in gray robes had already taken his place behind him.

"Your Majesty, I have conveyed your orders to all the commanders. If nothing unexpected happens, today we can cut off half of their eyes and ears."

Weilingfeng didn't turn his head, his lustrous long fingers gripping the iron railing on the wall, and said lightly: "Chengyou, remember, never underestimate the Ice Ridge, and never underestimate…… Xiao Yifei."

Chengyou started, lowered his head, and replied anxiously: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Weilingfeng gave a cold smile, yet it was bitter: "These eight hundred elite troops could at most eliminate Yin Yao's covert sentry or cut off their supplies for a while. But they could never destroy the Ice Ridge's foundation—no! I should say, their sacrifice might not even damage the Ice Ridge's strength by a tenth."

"Sacrifice?" Chengyou blinked, "What does Your Majesty mean……"

"Although I never demanded their sacrifice, this divide-and-encircle plan may deceive Xiao Yifei for a moment, but it cannot last." Weilingfeng rested one hand on the iron railing, leaned forward, his expression blank as he watched the soldiers slowly fade from sight, and continued: "I told them that if they noticed the defenses at the supply sites lax, they must not attack further—preserving their lives is paramount. Yet I know full well that saying this will only drive them to throw away their lives, sacrificing themselves to burn the enemy's supplies."

Weilingfeng slowly turned, the corner of his mouth twitching to reveal an utterly cold smile, and proclaimed loudly: "Chengyou, my true intention is precisely to have them sacrifice themselves."

"Your Majesty—" a furious shout, filled with incredulous shock, came from behind.

Weilingfeng's expression unchanged, he slightly raised his brow, gazing forward, his cold smile inevitably widening.

"How bold!!" Chengyou whirled, drew his sword, and pointed it at the furious Xuantian, his voice cold: "In the Emperor's presence, how dare you act so arrogantly!"

Xuan Tian startled, his complexion instantly turned ghastly. After a while, he slowly knelt down, his eyes reddening, and hoarsely said, "Your Majesty, I acknowledge my crime."

Wei Lingfeng straightened his body that had been leaning against the city wall, his hands naturally clasped behind his back, and coldly said, "Xuan Tian, don't think that because this is not a battlefield I will indulge you unconditionally. This time we'll let it pass, but if there is another, don't blame me for being unkind!"

"Yes… Your Majesty." Xuan Tian struggled to rise, and when he finally mustered the courage to look up, he found himself drenched in cold sweat. He shivered, and his mind cleared, causing him to scrutinize the recent action. The more he thought, the more his heart raced, the more he regretted his sudden charge, and when he lifted his head again, his eyes were resolutely steady.

He croaked, "Your Majesty, this subordinate failed to grasp your intention, I…" He paused, mustering the strength to quell his urge to berate himself, "Your Majesty is not at fault; their sacrifice was inevitable, otherwise Feng Lan City could not hold out for more than ten days…"

Wei Lingfeng let out a faint sigh, turned his gaze toward the east where the proud sun was rising, and in a low, steady voice said, "I fear that even so, we may not endure ten days."

July 20, 20×0, Shanghuai City.

My brother and I walked on the way to the hospital to see dad; I muttered as we walked, completely ignoring the ageless ice mountain beside me.

"Liu Yu keeps asking Xiao Yu out every day now, leaving me bored to death!"

"Eh?!" I fixed my gaze ahead, my face instantly changing color, pointed forward and shouted, "Isn't that Liu Yu?"

Not far away, a Mercedes sports car was parked; Liu Yu, dressed in expensive leisure wear, stepped out, then slightly bowed to greet a pure and radiant‑looking woman. The woman slipped her slender white hand into his arm, and the two walked closely toward a couple's café.

Suddenly, Liu Yu halted, took a phone from his pocket, listened for a moment, then whispered a few words to the woman. She initially wore an unhappy expression, but after Liu Yu kissed her on the cheek, she brightened and let go. Liu Yu briskly got back into the car and left.

I quickly took out my phone and dialed Xiao Yu; my brother stood nearby, the chill from his body already gone, but if I looked up now, I could see the long‑absent murderous glint in his eyes.

"Hello, Xiao Yu? Where are you now?... Waiting for Liu Yu in Xin Ma?... He said he was handling business and would come find you right away?... What are you two planning today?... What?! Vacationing in Xin Ma and staying overnight, are you kidding?! Will uncle and aunt agree? …"

"Bro! Bro! Where are you going?!" I shouted a few times from behind until my brother leapt into a taxi and sped away; I then tossed my arm with a mischievous grin, hopped into a taxi and said, "Driver, please follow that car ahead."

Xin Ma Sea Resort.

I jumped out of the car, keeping a distance of several tens of meters behind my brother. He weaved through a few spots but never found Xiao Yu or Liu Yu; his darkened face could frighten all Xin Ma tourists to death.

Ten minutes later, the manager of Xin Ma Resort hurried over, his face full of panic as he bowed to my brother, his half‑bald scalp shining with oil. I looked up at the sky, then down at the sea. Oh right! This Xin Ma seems to have been developed by my brother three years ago. Speechless! Liu Yu, just take care of yourself; hopefully you won't get caught by my brother.

A slight restlessness flashed through my whole body; I spun around sharply and saw Liu Yu's gentle smile freeze in the sunlight, clearly startled by my sudden reaction.

I couldn't help but smile, tugged him into a nearby artificial palm grove, and whispered, "Where's Xiao Yu? Why has my brother been circling for so long without finding her?"

Liu Yu looked at my brother, whose face was frosted from afar, and his normally gentle, scholarly expression broke into a calculating fox‑like grin as he lowered his voice, "The garage. Your brother just left; I took Xiao Yu there and told her to wait for you."

"The garage?!" I couldn't help but scream, then quickly lowered my voice, "Liu Yu, I see you have a real knack for being a villain!"

Liu Yu gave a deep chuckle, "If I were to give up, I'd first need to see clearly what kind of opponent I've actually lost to."

I was at a loss for words for a long time; when I saw my brother heading toward the resort and was about to follow, my mind suddenly spun, my body swayed involuntarily, and a wave of nausea rose instantly.

"Bing Yi, are you alright?" Liu Yu steadied me, his brows furrowing, "Why does your face look so pale?"

"I'm fine! Let's go." I smiled, the dizziness easing a bit, "I'll take care of myself. As for you, never underestimate my brother, or you'll surely meet a terrible death."

Ten minutes later, my brother finally emerged from the resort and headed straight for the underground garage where the car had been parked. He must have seen Xiao Yu on the surveillance footage in the main hall. Liu Yu and I hurriedly followed.

Fifteen meters—any closer and there would be no hiding place, and my brother would surely spot us. Liu Yu and I exchanged a wry smile; being visible but unheard is so dull!

I hid behind a square pillar, circulating my internal energy throughout my body, focusing it into both ears, and couldn't help but feel a secret joy as my brother's and Xiao Yu's voices drifted faintly.

"Xiao Yu."

Xiao Yu looked up, her face full of surprise, "Bing Ye, how did you get here?"

"Can't I come?" my brother furrowed his brows, his eyes staring at Xiao Yu as if they could devour her, "Who sent you here?"

"Liu Yu!" Xiao Yu was a bit frightened by my brother's expression, stepped back, and murmured, "He told me to wait here…"

"Don't wait for him!" my brother snapped, stepping forward and yanking Xiao Yu's wrist hard; the sunshade snapped with a 'pop' onto the ground, and Xiao Yu staggered a few steps before falling into his arms.

"Bing Ye, it hurts!" Xiao Yu's brows furrowed as she tried to pull her hand back, a red mark on her snow‑white slender wrist, "What exactly do you want? When you like me you forbid this and that, and when you don't you push me away. I'm a person, not an object, you… whimper…"

My brother suddenly yanked Xiao Yu by the waist, pressed her tightly against him, his lips sealing hers, silencing all her words and grievances.

After a long while, they part their lips.

My brother held Xiao Yu tightly, speaking slowly, "You must not fall for anyone else, must not abandon me, must not stop loving me… I forbid it, understand?"

Xiao Yu let out a giggle, her face buried in his chest as she murmured, "Shui Bing Ye, you're really so dumb!"

My brother was momentarily stunned, then looked down at the person in his arms. Xiao Yu's brows and eyes curved in a sparkling, indescribable liveliness, "I'm waiting here for Bing Yi; Liu Yu is just the messenger, you fool."

My brother froze, then a realization slowly flashed in his eyes. Suddenly his face hardened, and his gaze shot toward me.

August 10, Year 1261 of the Tianhe Era, Yin Chuan Nation, Feng Lan City.

In the Feng Lan City council hall, the previously bustling crowd fell into a death‑like silence after Wei Lingfeng spoke a single sentence.

"Absolutely not!" Cheng You rose and knelt before Wei Lingfeng; his usually calm, indifferent face now filled with panic as he shouted, "Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

Wei Lingfeng's handsome face appeared even clearer and paler than before; bathed in candlelight, his refined looks were undiminished, gaining an extra air of seasoned, innate imperial majesty.

He glanced at the kneeling Cheng You but ignored him, his gaze sweeping over the crowd now frozen in a daze, and coldly asked, "What will you say?"

Silence, a death‑like stillness.

Suddenly, a resonant voice rang out; Xuan Tian inhaled deeply, stepped forward, and fell to his knees.

Wei Lingfeng waved his hand lightly and said, "Speak."

Xuan Tian first bowed his head, then said calmly, "This subordinate agrees with Your Majesty's proposal. To completely repel the Yin Yao Coalition, we must unite with Yi Nation, coordinating front and back; they will cut off the Yao Nation's reinforcements, and we will trap the enemy within Yin Chuan Nation, making this battle winnable."

"Xuan Tian, you—" Cheng You barked coldly, his murderous aura surging, causing everyone in the room to tremble and become restless.

Wei Lingfeng slightly furrowed his brows and said coldly, "Cheng You! Let him continue."

Xuan Tian inhaled again; despite his pale, front‑line face, there was no hint of fear, "However, the difficulty lies in how to unite with Yi Nation. Between Yin Chuan and Yi Nation's southeastern border lie the Heaven Ditch and the Huai River, and the Yao Army, adept at naval warfare, holds the line. Moreover, between us and the Cang Xue Nation, the ice‑cliff's sentries have completely blocked communications and alliances. Therefore, to join Yi Nation, we must divert the attention of the ice‑cliff and the entire Yin Yao Coalition elsewhere."

Wei Lingfeng smiled, "Xuan Tian, you have indeed grown a lot. Since you understand, act according to my orders!"

"Impossible!" Cheng You lunged forward a step, ignoring Wei Lingfeng's fierce gaze, and shouted, "Your Majesty, the one now in charge of Yi Nation is not Xiao Qiran! If they cannot cooperate with Your Majesty's plan, we will be annihilated, and Your Majesty… your safety as well…"

"Your Majesty." Xuan Tian bowed heavily, lifted his gaze toward the lofty Wei Lingfeng, his eyes sincere, clear, yet resolute, "Your Majesty, we will follow your instructions; regardless of success or failure, this subordinate believes this is the best course. However, for Qi Nation, your safety is paramount, so let Deputy General Cheng first protect you back to Lin Du, and we will then…"

"You need not say any more!" Wei Lingfeng sprang to his feet, waved his hand, and said coldly, "Did you think that if I were absent, Xiao Yifei would fall for it? Even if I poured all Qi Nation's forces into it, he wouldn't even glance. Issue the orders…"

"Your Majesty!!"

"Your Majesty—"

The whole room knelt, their voices choked and trembling, their faces pale with terror, yet their expressions were resolutely unified.

"Your Majesty, we could abandon Yin Chuan Nation, even surrender half its territory, a million soldiers, but you are the foundation of Qi Nation, its sovereign; even if we defy orders, we must never let you be harmed!"

Wei Lingfeng's body swayed, a rumbling sound echoed in his ears, but he steadied himself with one hand on the chair back, his voice cold and indifferent, yet he allowed no dissent: "My decision is final; you need say no more!"

The people kneeling on the ground remained motionless and silent, like stone statues, heavy and resigned.

Wei Lingfeng let out a faint sigh, turned his back, and his gaze fell upon the map of ten thousand li of the splendid rivers and mountains of Tianhe Continent. He said in a low voice: "Forget it, rise! I promised you I would find a way to leave myself a retreat. Now, everyone, mobilize the troops according to my command."

"Yes... yes! Your Majesty!"

The room fell silent, leaving only that tall, slender figure. Wei Lingfeng stared blankly at the map of ten thousand li of rivers and mountains, then suddenly reached out and lightly traced every inch of ink on the map with his fingertip, letting out a long sigh.

Cheng You was absolutely right. The person in charge of Yi State was not Qi Ran; how much chance of success did this move of mine really have? Perhaps... less than thirty percent? Yet I had no choice but to gamble.

Leaving behind such a mess, Qi Ran, where are you now? Wei Lingfeng smoothed his sleeve cuffs and stepped down from the imperial court of the Hall of Deliberations. Bing Yi, where are you... now?

(End of chapter)