Six

His voice fell low, hoarse yet still fierce: "I refuse to bow to them!"

No

Ji Ye nodded vigorously, feeling as if sweat was gushing out from every pore of his body like spring water, uncontrollable

No, it is still there, containing the soul of your great-grandfather" said Xi Yan with a smile, speaking softly

You foolish boy, you live in Nanhuai, where the atmosphere is loose and there is little emphasis on loyalty to the monarch and love for the country. You must understand that the royal family is the ruler of the world, and the emperor marries for the sake of the world. When he marries and has children, it is a manifestation of the creation of all things, a good omen for all the people of the world. Therefore, the emperor's wife is the mother of the world

I have already advised the sovereign, and the sovereign has agreed to let me take him into battle, stating that it is merely to witness the military might of the Eastern Continent

"Why engage in fighting?" Xi Yan's tone suddenly shifted, becoming stern.

"It is just as well that they do not exist; if their presence were widely known, they would have long been eliminated by Ying Wuyi with a single strike." Xi Yan smiled and said, "In fact, the name 'Rose Party' has been circulating since the reign of Emperor Fengyan, but its true nature has always been a mystery. However, this group must exist; their ability to facilitate the transfer of Princess Xiaozhou from the State of Chu to the imperial capital already demonstrates their capabilities. Yet, with Bai Yi in power in the State of Chu, his methods are not to be underestimated. Princess Xiaozhou has only been in the imperial capital for half a year, and Bai Yi has already sought to ally with our country, intending to formally establish the princess's fiancé. This move is indeed quite formidable. However, both sides are engaged in political maneuvering; while everyone is subtly vying for power in the court, Ying Wuyi boldly took the princess and attempted to return to her homeland. These nobles mockingly referred to Ying Wuyi as a barbarian from the south, yet this so-called barbarian, when it comes to action, cannot be constrained by the methods of the nobles, which is truly a disgrace for them."

Ji Ye remained silent for a long time: "They look down on me, they always want to fight me, this time is just an opportunity. They think they are stronger than me; some come from wealthy families, some have accumulated military merit for over a hundred years, and some are from noble families, with relatives who are all prominent figures. However, my family's noble title has been abolished, and I am looked down upon at home. Yet those people cannot defeat me on the training ground; they are unwilling to accept it, they want me to bow my head, but I refuse to bow my head!"

As Ji Ye's figure just disappeared outside the door, the curtain behind Xi Yan was lifted. A tall, thin old man dressed in a white linen robe slowly walked out from the back hall

The danger of Princess Xiaozhou lies in the fact that her homeland, the State of Chu and Wei, is the most loyal to the royal family, and this country is the greatest enemy of Ying Wuyi. If Ying Wuyi were to kill this princess, it would be akin to cutting a piece of flesh from the heart of the ruler of Chu and Wei. The ruler of Chu and Wei is a duchess who married Lord Anping, and she has only this one blood relative; her treasure of a daughter is no less precious to her than her own country. Therefore, at the beginning of this year, according to the secret agreement between our country and Chu and Wei, our country gifted 400,000 gold zhu to Chu and Wei for military expenses, and Chu and Wei, through their influence in the imperial capital, quietly brought Princess Xiaozhou out to reside in Nanhuai. Our two countries thus formed an alliance; among the feudal lords of the world, our country is the wealthiest, and Chu and Wei has the strongest military power, making this a rare alliance. However, when Ying Wuyi left the imperial capital, he did something that no one expected: he discarded the emperor as if he were throwing away a worn-out boot, yet he brought this Princess Xiaozhou along with his army!

Wherever the red tide reaches, corpses lie scattered across the fields. Did I not know this? However, I believe that none of the individuals who participated in this battle would admit to being inferior to Ying Wuyi. "Xi Yan squinted slightly and smiled, his words carrying profound meaning, 'The true overlord of this chaotic world, whether it is Ying Wuyi or not, remains uncertain. Many still yearn to compete with Ying Wuyi for this position. Ying Wuyi has already drawn his sword, and his sword is the Red Army Thunder Cavalry, while others have yet to unsheathe their blades, still tucked away at their waists. This time of rallying the king has precisely provided these individuals with an excellent opportunity to test their swords!"

Xi Yan waved his hand, signaling him to step down: "Think carefully about my words. You are my student and should have my ambition. Mabuldu Sgoria, this gun was forged to slay dragons; is it of any use to assassinate mice?"

I do not know. Over the years, I have vaguely felt that there is a group of people in the capital whom I cannot see, but I can discern their methods. " Xi Yan pondered, " Have you heard of the name 'Rose Party'? "

He spoke with a subtle and profound meaning at this point, squinting his eyes in a daze

Peh! Xi Yan苦笑道, "What a mess. The division of the family happened seven hundred years ago, and now there are even thirty generations of distant relatives. What about close relatives marrying each other?"

Xi Yan was writing at the desk. Ji Ye quietly entered the study, standing at the steps, but Xi Yan did not look at him, his pen moving continuously without pause.

Are we going to assist the king? Are we going to fight against the Li Kingdom? Ji Ye was aware of the encirclement of the Li army by the feudal lords at Shangyang Pass; this matter was reported in yesterday's military report. His position was special, allowing him to see many confidential military reports.

What a hero! What great courage!" Xi Yan tapped on the table, his expression inscrutable, "You have served in the military for five years without ever going to battle, yet you are well aware of robbing the rich to help the poor. You have gained fame in taverns and have fought in the streets and alleys. Five years ago, I recommended you to join the army, and I had no idea you possessed the spirit of a street rogue!"

Xi Yan nodded: "It is not necessarily the case, but there is an eight or nine out of ten chance that this Duchess Bai Shun, in her youth, was a beauty unmatched in the world. It is understandable that the late emperor was infatuated with her. The issues of these past six months, of course, could not escape the eyes of others, and the late emperor's affection for this princess, whom he had never met, is also well-documented. She was granted the title of princess just a month after her birth, the late emperor personally named her, and he bestowed upon her a small sailboat made of gold and silver. It is said that this boat could navigate on calm lake waters and could cross the Taiqing Pool of the imperial capital in a day and night without wind, making it a rare treasure. I dare to ask, if she were not his own child, why would there be such care for the child of a feudal lord?"

In the later Tang dynasty, the country flourished through literature, and for ten or eight years, there were hardly any military conflicts. Those with a slight military rank in the army eagerly awaited, hoping for a day of great chaos in the world, so they could seek a share of fame and fortune, and secure a title to benefit their wives and children. However, the opportunities to lead troops into battle were limited, often requiring one to spend money to pave the way. He indulged in drinking and gambling, assaulted his fellow countrymen, and it was already a stroke of luck that he was not expelled from the military camp; it was unimaginable that any opportunity for him to go into battle would fall upon him.

"Betrothal gifts?" Ji Ye became bewildered again, looking at Xi Yan for an explanation

There is a rumor that is quite shocking, claiming that Princess Xiaozhou is the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Xi, and the only bloodline of Emperor Xi

"Going to battle?" Ji Ye widened her eyes, almost jumping up in excitement

It seems that Ying Wuyitian is fearless and unafraid of anything, yet still harbors some apprehension towards one person

Ji Ye felt as if these words were heavy blows to her chest, leaving her breathless.

Then we can be late! Ji Ye felt sweat in the palm of his hand, enduring without moving, but his face could not hide the eager expression. I heard that the armies of Chu Wei State and several other countries have already arrived and are currently confronting the Li army at Shangyang Pass!

However, you hold a gun in your hand, an ancient firearm. When your great-grandfather wielded it, anyone facing him trembled in fear. Who would dare to look down on him? If you wish to become an unparalleled warrior, then it is not just one person you must fight, but the whole world!

In any case, it is about going to war; whether one understands it or not, one must march into battle. It is always good to receive military intelligence in advance

"Isn't that a very beautiful princess? Ying Wuyi has taken her, and the State of Chu and Wei has lost face, hasn't it?" Ji Ye felt that he understood.

"No one taught me, my family is too lazy to talk to me, does Asule understand? Then who else can I ask?" Ji Ye said, "It must be the emperor!"

Yesterday, he was merely a lowly servant of Xi Yan, ranked below Lei Yun and others in military hierarchy. However, today, with the arrival of the golden talisman, he has suddenly become the commander of the cavalry, donning scale armor, leading the vanguard battalion, and commanding eight hundred light cavalry, a position even above that of the cavalry generals

In the afternoon, at the Wind Pavilion, within the residence granted to Xi Yan by the vast scenery of Jinghong spanning a hundred miles

What? Ji Ye's ears perked up

What else is there

At the Yangguan Pass, Ji Ye stumbled forward a few steps, catching the golden token that appointed him as the commander of the vanguard battalion, still unable to believe everything he had just heard

I cheated and won their money

"It will take approximately fifteen days," Xi Yan said, "However, we are fast, and the State of Chu is even faster. Ying Wuyi has not yet arrived at Shangyang Pass, but the thirty thousand elite soldiers of the State of Chu have already set out towards Shangyang Pass. The other states have also preemptively stationed their armies within the borders of the State of Chu, almost arriving together with the thirty thousand elite soldiers of the State of Chu. In all my years in the military, I have never seen so many troops coordinate so swiftly."

Xi Yan smiled leisurely at his anxious demeanor: "The Princess of Chu State, the beloved daughter of the ruler of Chu State, has been brought to the imperial capital according to the emperor's decree, residing in the Taiqing Palace. However, although the imperial capital is nominally the royal territory, it is actually a private estate of Ying Wuyi. Therefore, Chu State is quite concerned about placing this princess in the proximity of Ying Wuyi. The people of the Eastern Land all know that Ying Wuyi is a fierce lion; when he is not hungry, he lazily ignores things that do not interest him. But if he suddenly remembers, he could swallow the princess in one bite, leaving hardly any bones behind."

Jiye Town calmed his mind and followed the direction indicated by Xiyan's brush. Amidst the towering mountains, a pass blocked the imperial city, facing the six hundred li plain

It may not be good, "Xi Yan slightly shook his head, "This opportunity seems too good for us. When something is too good, it always makes one feel a hint of conspiracy. I might be too stubborn, but throughout my life, I have always brushed past the best things, and I do not quite believe in my own good fortune.

"The emperor's wives reside in the harem, so why do the feudal lords lose face?" Ji Ye was puzzled

Bai Yi, a powerful minister in the Chu State with significant influence over the court, and the foremost general in the realm, is accompanied by this princess, Ying Wuyi, to prevent Bai Yi from seizing the opportunity to engage him in battle

The old man also smiled: "To speak such passionate words in order to inspire a student, you truly are an excellent teacher."

Oh! Ji Ye nodded repeatedly, as if he had come to an understanding

Xi Yan looked at the student's earnest black eyes. Both the teacher and the student fell silent for a moment. Xi Yan patted his shoulder: "Your line of thought is indeed remarkably different from that of ordinary people. Has no one taught you these things? A fetus born after six months of pregnancy is most likely a stillborn; where is that charming little princess? And at that time, the duchess resided in the royal palace; which man in the palace would dare to lay a hand on the beloved daughter of the Duke of Chu?"

Whether it is much or not is not important, what is crucial is that the feudal lords are akin to the emperor's descendants. The emperor is the father, who bestows land upon his sons; the feudal lords are the sons, who must show filial piety and respect towards their father. When the emperor's women are violated, it is as if the mothers and grandmothers of the feudal lords are being defiled, thus the feudal lords also bear the mark of infidelity on their heads

The alliances among the feudal lords are often based on marital ties. After all, having children is not a burden for the rulers; the children can marry into families of equal status, thereby forming strong bonds. Why not take advantage of this? Our country originally formed an alliance with the State of Chu and Wei, intending to match Princess Xiaozhou with our crown prince, Prince Yu. However, if the princess is sent to the capital of the State of Li, Jiuyuan, and Ying Wuyi casually marries her off to some young master of the Ying clan, resulting in her bearing several children, we would be left helpless. This sum of gold coins would essentially mean we are assisting the State of Li in proposing to the State of Chu. Moreover, if our crown prince's fiancée is forcibly married off, wouldn't we, as subjects, also be left with a tarnished reputation?

Xi Yan took a stack of documents from the file and slammed it on the table: "Aside from the troubles of last night, here are the documents from last month's city gate guard in the East City. There was a brawl in a tavern after drinking, involving two men and one woman on one side, and sixteen young nobles on the other. The side with more people injured eight, while the side with fewer not only remained unscathed but also knocked over a patrolling officer while escaping. One was a Tang military officer, and the other was a tribal heir, both young heroes!"

Xi Yan quieted down and stared directly into Ji Ye's eyes: "Your heart is vast, yet your life is impoverished. The things you desire are not given to you by others, yet you insist on wanting them, leaving you with no choice but to stake your life to fight for them. However, even if you kill one person or two, there will still be a thousand or ten thousand who look down on you, do you understand? Even if you are the emperor of Tianqi City, Ying Wuyi still looks down on you. Ying Wuyi has been in Tianqi City for six years and couldn't even be bothered to kill the emperor!"

The emperor's daughter? Ji Ye was also taken aback

"Do you want to strip me of my military status?" Ji Ye pressed her lips tightly together in silence, and after a long while, she finally spoke softly.

Having already mastered the use of 'Shattered Armor', the next step is 'Heart Wolf', and crossing this threshold is not easy. At this level of marksmanship, it is no longer merely a skill, but rather a matter of mental strategy. Everyone harbors a wolf within their heart; the key lies in how to unleash that wolf.

Isn't this duchess of Chu and Wei married to... no, isn't she married down to some Lord Anping? Then she has children with the emperor; isn't that consanguineous marriage? I heard people say that children born this way tend to be foolish, said Ji Ye

"Monkey急!" Xi Yan pointed at his nose, "How can one draw conclusions so easily? In the future, when you are in battle and faced with critical decisions, you must not be single-minded. If you consider someone an enemy, you must understand their character and style. Ying Wuyi is not a lecherous person; otherwise, he would have rushed into the Taiqing Palace and taken up residence in the emperor's harem long ago. That would truly be losing face, to the extent that all the lords under heaven would be green with envy."

The foremost among the renowned generals of the world! He quietly repeated to himself

Ji Ye was shocked. He had never heard such coarse language from Xi Yan, nor did he expect Xi Yan's vulgarity to be so fierce and direct. He stared blankly at his teacher, whose eyes gleamed as if reflecting the light of a blade.

Where is Lv Guichen

"Who?" Ji Ye's interest was piqued even further

That must mean they were well-prepared and had received military intelligence in advance

Bai Yi! Ji Ye recognized this name and was taken aback.

It is too late to speak of fear now. The vanguard commander, Jinye, has received the order!" Xi Yan threw down a golden token and shouted, "The three armies are already assembled, and we will depart tomorrow at noon. Any delays will be met with the harshness of military law!

In a different era, during our time, so many men aspired to become heroes and achieve great deeds. When Ji Yang was at the Ji Palace, his friends were Su Jinshen, Ye Zhengxun, and Li Lingxin; those men could come together to overturn the world. And what kind of friends does this child have? He is so lonely. He just wants to prove himself

He knows that he always falls for this kind of trick, yet he cannot help himself. Xi Yan speaks as if he were a storyteller, always leisurely leaving a cliffhanger that entices one to listen further. Ji Ye is rarely patient when listening to others, but whenever Xi Yan speaks, Ji Ye wishes he could go on and on, as if he were begging Xi Yan to continue. Therefore, Ji Ye also understands that if he were to have another teacher instructing him in military strategy, it might not yield even half the effectiveness of Xi Yan; perhaps as the teacher spoke, he would drift off into the clouds.

"Isn't there a lot of the Mother of Heaven that day?" Ji Ye interjected

Ji Ye felt a chill in her heart, realizing that her and Lu Guichen's actions likely had not escaped the teacher's notice.

"What a naive young man. When the feudal lords unite their forces, it is bound to be a protracted affair filled with scheming and intrigue. It is not something that can be resolved with a moment of reflection and pain. " Xi Yan sneered, "However, there is indeed an interesting yet troublesome matter at hand."

What secret news? Ji Ye couldn't help but widen his eyes, just like when he saw the storyteller in the tavern strike the wooden block.

"Shut up!" Xi Yanhu suddenly shouted angrily

I do not want to look into their eyes; the expression they have when they look at me shows that they truly look down on me. Ji Ye lowered his head.

If Princess Xiaozhou were taken back to the Li Kingdom, it would indeed be green above our heads. Our 400,000 gold coins would then become the betrothal gifts for the Li Kingdom

He walked to the door and suddenly heard a faint voice behind him: "Actually, thirteen years ago, when Bai Yi and I first saw that man in Qiuye Mountain City, we wanted to kill him! In this chaotic world, compared to killing the mighty King Ying Wuyi, nothing counts as an achievement! You will soon encounter formidable enemies, the Red Army Thunder Riders, unmatched in the world, but you should rejoice, for you finally have the opportunity to face them!"

Xi Yan shook his head: "Emperor Xi did not indulge in beauty during his lifetime, nor did he get close to the harem, thus he left no offspring. Some speculate that he was concerned about his children being poisoned by Ying Wuyi, and therefore refused to procreate. So even if Princess Xiaozhou were truly his daughter, he would not acknowledge her. However, this inadvertently benefited Ying Wuyi. Upon Emperor Xi's death, Ying Wuyi naturally supported Emperor Xi's cousin, Prince Bai Hui of Guangchang, to ascend the throne, who is now the emperor of Tianqi City. At this point, the matter should have been settled, but there were still those in the imperial capital who were unwilling to accept it. Firstly, some officials petitioned to bring Princess Xiaozhou from the State of Chu to the Taiqing Palace in Tianqi for upbringing, claiming she was to marry the current emperor's young son. In reality, this young son is only two years and seven months old and can hardly speak, yet he is expected to marry a princess much older than him, which is clearly just an excuse. However, some people in the imperial capital were very active, and in the end, the emperor personally issued an edict to bring Princess Xiaozhou to the capital, forcing the Duke of Chu to comply. As soon as Princess Xiaozhou arrived in the imperial capital, news spread that Emperor Xi still had bloodline in the world. Given this situation, some people actually seemed to want to establish a young female ruler."

Do you still need to think about this? When have they ever held you in esteem? On what basis could they possibly regard you highly? You are a child of a humble background, born of a concubine, and even your father considers you a burden. Do you still expect your peers to respect you? You should know what kind of background these people come from and what they value. It is titles, military achievements, and wealth! And do you possess any of these? You have nothing! So how can you expect them to hold you in esteem? You should have realized long ago that you cannot be respected by these people, yet you refuse to accept it; you want to rise above. "Then why not simply kill them?" said Xi Yan Zhen.

Ji Ye suddenly raised his head and saw the hidden anger in Xi Yan's eyes, a feeling of being at the end of his rope suddenly surged in his heart. His ability to join the army was entirely due to Xi Yan's support, and now Xi Yan was about to expel him from the military. In this vast world, he feared that no one would recommend him again. Ji Qian was doing everything possible and had already secured a vice-commander's position for his brother Chang Ye, who was about to don his armor and take office. Meanwhile, he had been in the army for four years and was still just a Qing Ying Guard of the Martial Hall, ultimately just a small soldier serving Xi Yan.

Xi Yan lowered his head to draft the official document, no longer speaking. Ji Ye felt that his inner garment was already soaked with sweat; he did not dare to make a sound and quietly withdrew.

Some are pretentious, while others are genuine. Xi Yan asked, "How has his marksmanship improved?"

Who else can we engage with? Are we to go to war with the State of Chu and Wei? The current military situation is that Ying Wuyi is blocked here; this is a necessary route, otherwise, we would have to detour for 1,200 miles. However, if he breaks through this checkpoint, it would be akin to releasing a tiger back into the mountains or allowing a dragon to enter the sea; capturing him again would be exceedingly difficult. Xi Yan shook his head, fearing that no one in the Eastern Lands could accomplish this.

Ji Ye shook her head in confusion

Ji Ye nodded: "The Red Army cavalry of the departing nation is indeed invincible in the Eastern Land. It will not be easy for our troops from the Lower Tang to achieve victory."

Xi Yan smiled faintly: "No, he can do it. I can see that he possesses a certain aura; I noticed that aura the first time I saw him."

Xi Yan waved his hand to unfold the complete map of the Four Provinces and Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Land on the table. His brush moved like a sword, pointing to the intersection of the Northern Mountain and the Anlan Mountain: "The Four Provinces of the Eastern Land are nothing more than divided by the four mountain ranges of Thunder Eye, Lock River, Anlan, and Northern. These four essentially form a cross. The imperial city of Tianqi is located in the plain between the two mountains, and the place where the two mountains converge is known as the 'Second of the Eastern Land,' the Shangyang Pass.

In the army of the departing troops, there is a person whom we, the Tang, desire. This individual is highly valuable, and all nations wish to seize him. Therefore, we must hasten our march to prevent Ying Wuyi from successfully breaking out or another country from getting to him first; otherwise, we will lose the opportunity to obtain this person

"There is still a long way to go. How could he be intimidated by such trivial matters if he wishes to become a man like his great-grandfather?" Xi Yan said, "He has been somewhat lazy and lacks ambition lately."

Since the emperor is so fond of this beautiful duchess and her daughter, he might as well marry her himself

According to the general, a premature birth at six months must be quite a rare occurrence

"This child has been frightened by you," the old man said淡淡地.

Ji Ye could only stand there, lowering her head in silence

However, he had never sought help from anyone throughout his life, not even from Xi Yan. He made an effort to lift his head and face Xi Yan, supported by his stubborn nature. He was fully aware that leaving the army would mean having nothing from then on, yet he ultimately refused to lower his head.

Perhaps it is..." Ji Ye did not pay attention to the profound meaning behind Xu Yan's words, "The Battle of Suohe Mountain suffered heavy losses, and the feudal lords' armies, reflecting on their pain, have thus coordinated their actions more swiftly than before

It should be said that she is the daughter of the late emperor. In fact, the State of Chu and Wei also belong to the Bai clan, as it is a branch of the royal family. The Rose Emperor granted the State of Chu and Wei the strategic stronghold of Shangyang Pass after careful consideration. At that time, the northern region was guarded by the Aoshi clan of the Chunchao State, resisting the northern barbarians at Tangwu Pass, while the southern region had the State of Chu and Wei at Shangyang Pass serving as the gateway to the royal domain, thus solidifying the royal domain like a fortress. Originally, the Red Cavalry of the Li State was indeed powerful, but to advance through the territory of the State of Chu and Wei towards Shangyang Pass would not be an easy task. However, Ying Wuyi was a tyrant and a genius; he never considered attacking Shangyang Pass. Instead, he led his cavalry over treacherous terrain directly to Tianqi City. Once the barrier of Leiyan Mountain was breached, the court and the people were shaken. The Duke of Chu, Bai Buzhi, personally led his troops into battle, commanding the allied forces of the vassal states to confront the Li State at the Eight Deer Plain of Suohe Mountain. The result was a defeat, and he lost his life in battle. His only child left behind was a girl, nicknamed Shun'er, with her formal name likely being Bai Shun. She is now a noblewoman of the State of Chu and Wei, and no one dares to casually mention her name.

Good evening? I have never seen such speed before. Given the distance from our Tang to here, it would normally take several days for news to arrive. The sovereign has ordered an immediate mobilization of the troops, and the three armies have already completed their preparations this morning, ready to depart tomorrow. The commanding officers have all received urgent orders; regardless of any personal matters at home, they must arrive at Daliu Camp early tomorrow, or they will face military penalties. And do you know how much time is usually required just for preparations?

"It has nothing to do with me, it is the matter of Young Master Yu." Ji Ye recalled seeing that frail and delicate boy from a distance during the martial arts demonstration at Daliuying. He had heard Lu Guichen speak of that boy and could only think that a boy growing up under a girl's skirt was an utterly disgraceful affair.

Ji Ye did not quite understand this and simply responded with a humble "mm"

It is time; the young people should be tempered before they embark on their true battles, and they need a perfect rehearsal.

Ji Ye was lost in thought, unable to comprehend Xi Yan's meaning

Xi Yan sneered: "After taking military pay for so many years, do you just want to walk away? If the army spends money to support useless people, who will defend the family and the country? Rather than idling around and getting into fights, it is better to follow me into battle. You may indeed be useless, but dying on the battlefield is far better than being a street thug in the city"

Who

He feared neither heaven nor earth, yet at this moment felt a chill of loneliness in his heart. He knew that the events of last night had escalated; the Minister of Rites and a famous courtesan from Nanhua had been torn from their carriage on the street, exposed naked to the public gaze, which was likely not something that could be easily downplayed. He had also heard rumors that the Minister of Rites had submitted a memorial in the morning requesting to retire, citing a heavy illness that prevented him from attending court. The sovereign was taken aback and was in the process of dispatching the Imperial Guard to inquire about his health. He had also heard rumors that the Minister of Rites had submitted a memorial in the morning requesting to retire, citing a heavy illness that prevented him from attending court. The sovereign was taken aback and was in the process of dispatching the Imperial Guard to inquire about his health

"Not bad," Xi Yan praised. "After these years of studying military strategy with me, you have indeed become enlightened. But what is strange is, who would know that Ying Wuyi is returning to the country? I have been thinking about it for a day and a half, yet I still cannot figure it out"

Only the sound of the pen scratching across the paper could be heard. Ji Ye endured for a while, but unable to hold back, he quietly turned to run. However, behind him came Xi Yan's voice: "Spending all day drinking and loafing around with Lu Guichen, you have no patience at all!"

He is very intelligent, and his mastery of technology surpasses that of Ji Ye, but he lacks the fierce determination needed in critical moments, which will limit his development. The old man shook his head slightly, "If this continues, he will lose the opportunity to wield the Cangyun Ancient Tooth Sword. Has the arrangement for his military expedition been made?"

However, there is a secret regarding this little boat princess. Xi Yan looked at Ji Ye with a smile.

"So you just fight with them, to determine a winner and a loser? To satisfy your little competitive vanity?" Xi Yan sneered

Oh, a hostage!" said Ji Ye.

Under the watchful gaze of the teacher, Ji Ye did not dare to shift her gaze even slightly, merely nodding vigorously.

"My gun... is lost," Ji Ye said softly

"What kind of people are they, after all?" Ji Ye frowned, as he also detected the conspiracy within.

Bai Buzhi's daughter, at the age of fifteen, happened to be living in Tianqi City that year. She returned to the State of Chu and Wei at the age of sixteen, married in early April, yet the day Princess Xiaozhou was born was in October. How could one give birth to a child just six months after marriage?" Xi Yan smiled enigmatically.

Can one escape unscathed simply by renouncing military service? Do you think it is that simple?