Chapter 335: The Wang Fei's Conspiracy

The Wang Fei strode out of the hall with flamboyant flair, her steps light as if wind was born beneath her feet; two palace maids inside hurriedly trotted to catch up. She did not utter a single word along the way, yet an air of absolute determination permeated her brow.

"Wang Fei, where are we going?" one of the maids could not help but ask.

The Wang Fei replied indifferently, "To see someone."

"Who is so important that the Wang Fei herself graces them with a visit?"

"Someone very important to this war." The Wang Fei paused mid-step, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

The maids exchanged glances but dared not ask further.

The Wang Fei arrived at a secluded Piandian and lightly knocked on the main door. The door creaked open a narrow crack, revealing the eyes of a masked person who scrutinized the Wang Fei from head to toe.

"Get lost! This place does not welcome you extravagant noble ladies," the person said viciously.

The Wang Fei smiled faintly, raised her hand to lift her veil, and revealed that famous, beautiful face.

"Hey, is your master here? Call him out; I have urgent matters to discuss."

The person was instantly dumbfounded, quickly bowed, and said, "Wang Fei, please enter, please enter; I shall summon my master immediately!"

People inside quickly cleared a path. The Wang Fei glided in gracefully, and the maids hurriedly followed. Inside the vast Piandian, lanterns were hung and decorations strung; charcoal fires burned brightly, and a group of Young Masters in brilliant attire were laughing and talking loudly. Among them was none other than the number one expert of Other Xi Xia, "Flying Heavenly Demon Hand" Fan Fan Qici.

The Wang Fei did not even glance at the crowd; she walked straight to Fan Fan Qici and said coolly, "General Fan, I have something to discuss with you."

Everyone instantly fell silent as if frozen by cold, staring at the Wang Fei in terror. Fan Fan Qici, however, remained calm, clasping his hands from afar and saying, "What are your orders, Wang Fei?" He raised his eyes slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade.

The Wang Fei did not yield, staring directly into his eyes and speaking word by word like pearls: "I have come to take your life!"

"What!" Everyone gasped in shock and stepped back. Fan Fan Qici, however, laughed heartily: "Could the Wang Fei be joking? Taking my life? That might be a bit difficult!"

The Wang Fei's expression turned stern, and she said coldly, "Do you think I am joking with you? If this mission is completed well, you will be promoted and advance further; if it fails, I will torture you to death and not even leave your corpse intact!"

Fan Fan Qici's face changed, yet a mocking smile still hung on his lips: "What bold words! But the Wang Fei is joking; how would I dare accept such a heavy responsibility?"

"I am not joking with you!" the Wang Fei said sharply. "You must help me with this matter! Otherwise, I will immediately have someone bring me the heads of your family!"

Fan Fan Qici's face suddenly turned pale, and he said viciously, "Is the Wang Fei threatening me?"

"Indeed!" The Wang Fei's eyes gleamed with cold light. "For this mission, I am giving it to only one person, because only you can do it."

Fan Fan Qici's lips twitched; after a long moment, he said resentfully, "Very well! The Wang Fei may give her orders; I will certainly not fail in my duty!"

Only then did the Wang Fei smile faintly: "General Fan's reputation is indeed well-deserved. I will now tell you my plan..."

Thus, the Wang Fei explained the grand strategy in detail to Fan Fan Qici, and Fan Fan Qici gradually understood why the Wang Fei was risking everything, regardless of the cost, to seek his help—such a mission could indeed be completed best only by him!

Fan Fan Qici pondered for a moment and said solemnly to the Wang Fei, "Wang Fei, rest assured! I will go all out for this mission! However..." His eyes flickered, his Adam's apple rolling up and down as he spoke with difficulty, "Could you perhaps ensure the safety of my family?"

Finally, joy appeared on the Wang Fei's face: "Rest assured; your family will be safe at that time. As long as you complete this mission exactly as I say, then you too can be enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed as a prime minister, advancing even further."

"Ten thousand blessings to the Wang Fei!" Fan Fan Qici was overjoyed and immediately bowed again; only then did the Wang Fei nod slightly.

At this moment, the maids were trembling with fear, not knowing what conspiracy the two people before them were plotting. The Wang Fei's face was radiant, her eyes gleaming with sharp light; Fan Fan Qici was equally animated and full of spirit, as if he had just reached a tremendous agreement.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood in the tent, his face solemn as he scrutinized the map. This was already the tenth or more time he had carefully pondered it. Tu Tu Kesiluo watched him with concern and spoke softly, "Big Brother, you look very tired; do you need to rest for a while?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head, picked up the map, and examined it carefully: "I must simulate it once more; this campaign concerns the great cause. Other Xi Xia's Wang Cheng is extremely fortified; attacking it head-on is no different than throwing an egg against a stone. I must devise a clever strategy."

"You have racked your brains planning for many days; you should rest now," Tu Tu Kesiluo advised.

"No, now is not the time!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly perked up, a glint flashing in his eyes. "I think I have an idea; this may be the only chance to breach the city!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately asked, "Big Brother, what clever strategy do you have? Speak quickly so I may hear it."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pointed at a spot on the map: "We can employ the strategy of making a feint to the east and attacking the west! These past few days, I have had people carefully survey the area and found that the city wall at the north gate of Other Xi Xia's Wang Cheng is relatively weak. Our army will attack in two divisions; I and Fang Hang will fiercely attack the east and west gates to draw Tuoba Ji Qian to move troops to respond; at that time, you will lead the main force to swiftly raid the north gate, and a great victory is certain!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, looked even more worried: "Big Brother, one cannot catch a wolf without risking the child! Placing you in danger, if something goes wrong, will the great cause not be destroyed?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice, "At critical moments, there must be no trace of weakness! As the Lord of the Frontier, I must personally supervise the battle to bolster the soldiers' morale. The most precious thing in life is the pursuit of ideals and justice; what does it matter if there are a thousand difficulties and ten thousand obstacles?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo wanted to persuade him further, but seeing the firmness in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes, he could only shake his head and sigh: "Big Brother's mind is made up; I have nothing more to say. I only beg that you be extremely careful and absolutely do not suffer a loss!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu patted his shoulder: "Rest assured; I will be doubly cautious. Our great army is winning victory after victory, its momentum like a rainbow; we will certainly defeat Other Xi Xia's Wang Cheng."

Thus, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately ordered someone to rush a message to Fang Hang, informing him of the feint-to-the-east-and-attack-the-west strategy. The messenger crossed mountains and ridges, moving with the speed of wind and lightning. Five days later, the various armies departed one after another, marching toward Other Xi Xia's Wang Cheng.

Along the way, Jiang Jiang Mingyu carefully inspected the troops and found the great army in perfect order, full of sharp spirit. This greatly gratified him and further strengthened his belief in certain victory.

However, as they drew closer to the Wang Cheng, many thoughts in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart grew heavier. He could not help but recall the various difficulties and setbacks he had experienced in the past, and once again stood alone in the tent, gazing at the tattered old map, missing his fallen comrades.

"Old comrades, we have shed countless blood and tears to reach this day. At this final critical moment, I will certainly not fail in my mission; please bless us from the Nine Springs below," Jiang Jiang Mingyu murmured to himself, resilience shining in his eyes.

Afterwards, the great army finally arrived fifty li outside Other Xi Xia's Wang Cheng. Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately issued orders for the army to rest and recuperate, gathering strength for the impending battle. Because he knew deeply that the soldiers were in a state of extreme exhaustion and must recover their physical strength to exert one hundred percent of their combat power in the decisive battle. At this season, the weather was abnormally cold; dark clouds rolled, and wind and snow danced wildly. Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but look up at the sky, wondering if Heaven was warning of this bloody storm.

Just then, Tu Tu Kesiluo returned to report: "Big Brother, as you instructed, I have sent people to contact my lord Fang Hang. Regarding the tactical arrangements to follow, should we notify Fang Hang so he can prepare for coordination?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said, "Notify him without fail. To make a feint to the east and attack the west, both wings must advance together to confuse the enemy. Quickly send a message to Fang Hang; five days from now, we will all march out together. Our army will furiously attack the east gate to draw Tuoba Ji Qian to defend; Fang Hang will fiercely attack the west gate to pin down his forces. At that time, your main force will go around the rear and strike directly at the weak north gate; we will certainly break in with one single push!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was still deeply worried: "It is too risky for Big Brother to personally act as bait! If the east gate cannot hold, your safety is a cause for concern."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice, "At critical moments, how can I avoid the strong and seek the weak? With my reputation, after Tuoba Ji Qian sees my banner, he will surely vow to kill me first to vent his anger. This is exactly what I want; it will make him sink deep into the east gate, unable to extricate himself, while the north gate is left for you to break through. Rest assured; I have the main force to guard me, so the enemy will certainly not succeed."

Tu Tu Kesiluo also understood that his Big Brother was fully prepared, so he could only accept the order and withdraw, immediately arranging the message delivery. Soon, a young messenger quietly left the main camp, beginning a secret operation amidst the wind and snow...

The only order Jiang Jiang Mingyu gave was for the entire army to rest and recuperate, gathering strength for the decisive battle. Because he knew deeply that the soldiers' courage and physical strength would directly affect this life-and-death decisive battle.

Meanwhile, inside Other Xi Xia's Wang Cheng, all was calm, showing no sign of any unusual movement by Tuoba Ji Qian. However, Jiang Jiang Mingyu firmly believed that the enemy must be secretly deploying, hiding a force of immense weight!

Such a contrast undoubtedly created a strong sense of disparity, adding a few more layers of mystery and uncertainty to this decisive battle that had been brewing for many days...