Chapter 82

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Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

Early the next morning, dawn light faintly brightened; the thin mist over the Shen Wu Xian Zhou had yet to disperse, carrying a touch of cool moisture that drifted through streets, alleys, and mansion grounds.

Ren wore the exclusive attire of the Sizhen of the Gongzao Si, the black-and-gold fabric fine in texture, a color scheme unique to the Shen Wu Xian Zhou.

The Sizhen-exclusive attire set off his figure, making it appear even more tall and straight; his whole bearing carried a few parts of the Sizhen's awe and detachment.

He walked side by side with Kafka, heading toward the direction due south of the Shen Wei General's Mansion; they crossed an arched bridge, beneath which water rippled gently, and finally arrived at the Tongjun Fu, located south of the center of the Shen Wu Xian Zhou.

The two stepped into the Tongjun Fu; along the way, not a single guard blocked them.

Only because at Ren's waist hung the jade tablet of the Gongzao Si Sizhen; the tablet was lustrous and glowing, a token only high-ranking officials of the Xianzhou may possess.

Just as they stepped into the main hall of the mansion, a deep, cold, steady voice rang out, carrying a few parts of official-business detachment:

"Ying Xing, what business do you have with this General?"

Bai Qi raised his eyes; his dark pupils glanced indifferently at the two, his expression calm and unruffled.

He had long known that Ying Xing had come to the Shen Wu Xian Zhou; it was just that lately official duties were busy, and he had never been able to find time to catch up with him.

Ren stepped into the main hall first; his gaze followed the sound, and at a glance he saw Bai Qi seated at the Zhu Wei.

He saw that Bai Qi was a black-haired, handsome man, his face like warm jade, yet his brows and eyes exuded the killing aura of one long tested on the battlefield.

A suit of black armor with gold patterns outlined his tall, straight figure, making him appear all the more stern and awe-inspiring.

His black hair was neatly tied up, not a strand out of place; only two strands of white hair hung before his forehead, adding a few parts of unique bearing, and also concealing a few traces of the years.

The corner of Ren's mouth hooked into a faint, shallow smile; this aura of Bai Qi's that kept people a thousand miles away was still exactly the same as it was a few hundred years ago.

Only now this detachment was even greater, with a few more parts of a Commander's majesty.

Bai Qi's gaze swept past Ren and landed on Kafka at his side; a flash of realization flickered in his eyes, and in an instant he guessed the purpose of Ying Xing's visit this time.

He did not inquire further; he raised a hand to signal the two to sit, his tone still flat: "Sit down and speak."

"Hehe~ Not seen in many years, you're actually more spirited than before."

Bai Qi's right hand lifted the teacup on the table and he took a light sip; his left hand, however, still held the military report sent back by the Fifth Army, clearly he would still have to report official business to Xuan Ge later.

"Hmph~ Not by my wish."

Ren crossed his arms, glancing at Bai Qi with dissatisfaction, his tone carrying a few parts of complaint.

This guy really picks the sore spot; he poked right at the displeasure in his heart.

Kafka sat quietly to the side, her gaze falling on Bai Qi, secretly sizing him up.

Although the Xianzhou's Chang Sheng Zhong all fix their appearance at a youthful look, the momentum on Bai Qi gave her a sense of flawless, oppressive pressure.

Bai Qi set down the teacup, looked at Kafka, his tone still flat, yet with a few more parts of politeness:

"I presume this is Miss Kafka who travels with you?"

Kafka gave a light nod, her tone gentle, speaking directly:

"General Bai, you must also know what happened last night, right~?"

Bai Qi's dark eyes fixed on Kafka; his face showed no expression, no displeasure, no joy; after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke:

"The General's private affairs — we will not meddle."

"Lord Ling Sha has served alongside the General for many years, loyal and devoted, establishing no small merit for the Shen Wu Xian Zhou; deep affection between the two is only natural reason."

His tone was steady, each word clear, without the slightest bias.

"Hehe~ The Tongjun also said this is the General's private affair; then... what about official business?"

Kafka's tone softened, her voice gentle yet carrying a few parts of hard-to-detect sharpness; every word clearly entered Bai Qi's ears.

Hearing this, Bai Qi's brows furrowed slightly; his right hand subconsciously rubbed the wall of the teacup, fingertips exerting slight force.

Merely pondering for an instant, he raised his eyes to look at the two, the corner of his mouth hooking a faint, shallow smile:

"Hehe~ Miss Kafka jokes."

"The matter between the General and Ling Sha is naturally official business as well; after all, this is the bridge that establishes deep ties between the Ming clan and the Shen Wu Xian Zhou."

His tone was sincere, yet also hid a few parts of unquestionable firmness.

Kafka smiled without speaking; a flash of realization flickered in her eyes; she did not say anything more;

Ren still held his arms crossed, silent, but in his heart he clearly understood the deep meaning in Bai Qi's words.

What establishing a bridge?

Xuan Ge, in his early years, led troops to aid other Xianzhou and rescued the Ming clan people; at that time he had already established deep ties with the Ming clan, the foundation solid.

What Ren drank last night was indeed the You Long Du that Dan Feng loved most back then; but when he drank together with Xuan Ge, Da Li Hua, and others, what they drank was the fine wine sent by Yan Ting Jun.

Ming clan people from every Xianzhou, over the past few hundred years, have one after another come to the Shen Wu Army to enlist and temper themselves; the bond has long been deep.

Bai Qi did not feel the slightest embarrassment because of the two's silence; he slowly stood up, tightly gripping that military report in hand, and gave a slight nod to Kafka and Ren:

"You two, I still have official business to report to the General; Bai will take his leave first."

Kafka and Ren also rose in turn, gesturing slightly to Bai Qi; the three walked out the main gate of the Tongjun Fu together.

Then they went their separate ways; only Bai Qi alone walked quickly toward the direction of the Shen Wei General's Mansion.

"No need to be discouraged; Bai Qi didn't explicitly refuse, which proves there's hope."

Ren walked with hands behind his back; the breeze brushed over the black-and-gold Gongzao Si attire on his body, the hem fluttering slightly; his tone carried a few parts of certainty.

"Hehe~ I know." Kafka's smile remained gentle; she then teased:

"You Xianzhou people sure love to speak in roundabout ways when you talk, never saying it directly."

"Mm, well enough." Ren replied indifferently, paused, then added:

"Of course... except for Xuan Ge and Jing Yuan, they are the most troublesome."

After finishing speaking, Ren turned and walked toward the direction of the Artisanship Commission, his steps steady;

while Kafka turned and returned along the original path to the Stellaron Hunters' residence, her eyes still hiding a few traces of contemplation.

In the Shen Wei Jiang Jun Fu, Bai Qi, who had just stepped into the main hall, perceived at a glance that the aura on Xuan Ge's body had undergone a slight change, and this was also what the Shen Wu Army wanted to see.

He also inadvertently glanced at Ling Sha standing beside Xuan Ge, only to see Ling Sha's complexion ruddy, her countenance radiant, and her brows and eyes still carrying a few traces of undissipated charm, and he instantly understood in his heart.

Even though he was clear in his heart about what had occurred last night, Bai Qi did not say a single extra word; military affairs came first, and the celebratory matters of romantic love could be brought up later.

He handed the military report in his hand to the personal guard beside him, then saluted Xuan Ge with clasped fists respectfully, his tone solemn:

"General, the Bu Li Ren Yue Lie Qun has been surveyed by the Fifth Army; according to the news brought by the patrol guards, a large number of fox-person slaves are imprisoned there."

Bai Qi concisely finished speaking the contents on the military report, without the slightest delay, then directly requested battle, his tone firm and forceful:

"General, the Fifth Army requests to dispatch troops to rescue the trapped compatriots!"

Xuan Ge did not reply immediately; he extended his hand, received the military report from the personal guard's hand, and carefully perused it, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression gradually becoming grave.

After a moment, he closed the military report, raised his eyes to look at Bai Qi, his tone steady, sonorous and forceful:

"Approved. Bai Qi, you lead the Fifth Army to encircle; this General will select the Fifth Army's elite soldiers and personally go to rescue."

Bai Qi suppressed the joy in his heart, saluted with clasped fists respectfully once more, his voice sonorous and forceful: "Yes! General!"

After the salute was completed, Bai Qi turned and strode out of the main hall, heading straight for the Fifth Army camp to set about arranging the troop dispatch matters.

After Bai Qi left, only Ling Sha and Xuan Ge, the two people, remained in the main hall, and the atmosphere instantly became ambiguous.

Ling Sha's body went limp, collapsing into Xuan Ge's arms, her voice soft and glutinous, charming, carrying a few traces of fatigue:

"General~~ Concubine can't do it anymore~~ legs so soft~~"

Xuan Ge's heart softened; he reached his hand into the lower hem of Ling Sha's cheongsam, his warm palm gently pinching her slightly trembling thighs, his movements gentle, attempting to help her relieve fatigue.

Ling Sha turned along with the momentum, sitting on Xuan Ge's thighs, not a trace of her usual Chief Strategist's dignified bearing remaining, instead like a spoiled little lover, her tone playful:

"General~ be gentle~ it hurts a bit~"

Without waiting for Xuan Ge to reply, Ling Sha leaned down, lightly kissed Xuan Ge's lips, her fingertips subconsciously reaching for his clothing buttons, wanting to help him remove his armor.

Xuan Ge tilted his head slightly, found a gap, and whispered in Ling Sha's ear, his tone carrying a few traces of helplessness and gentleness:

"Haa~ Ling Sha, wait a moment, this is the General's Mansion... I still have to lead the army on a campaign in a while...."

Ling Sha lightly kissed his lip corner again, then slowly rose, instantly recovering the Chief Strategist's dignified bearing, her eyes gently looking at him:

"General~ Concubine will wait for your triumphant return~~"

Xuan Ge laughed lightly, extended his hand, gently pinched Ling Sha's pointed ear, his tone pampering: "Rest well, wait for me to return~"

Ling Sha lightly nodded, her eyes full of tender affection, softly replied: "Mhm~"