Mijing silently watched him. After a while, he suddenly said, “Your Majesty seems to be in a good mood today.”

Qu Yunmie glanced at him. “With the march imminent, and many years of hatred about to be wiped away, it’s natural to be in high spirits.”

Mijing smiled. “I see. I thought it was because Young Master Xiao had said something thoughtful to Your Majesty.”

If it were anyone else, hearing Mijing’s guess would likely have made them a little unhappy. Qu Yunmie, lifting his head from the tea, looked at Mijing for a while. Then, his lips curled into a very smug smile. “That’s part of the reason.”

Mijing: “…”

Qu Yunmie continued, “He didn’t say anything considerate. Tonight, he was very disrespectful to me. However, his disrespect isn’t something new. Even when he speaks disrespectfully, I understand the real meaning he’s trying to convey.”

Mijing quietly looked at him.

Qu Yunmie stared at Mijing. His once-kind expression gradually shifted, becoming colder.

Mijing: “…”

Forget it.

He smiled again. “Oh? What do you think Young Master Xiao meant to express?”

Qu Yunmie gave an ambiguous chuckle: “He’s worried something might happen to me on the battlefield. He doesn’t want me to go to war. Sigh, having such a weak and helpless aide by my side—how can I feel at ease leaving?”

Mijing: “…”

He looked at Qu Yunmie with a complex expression, feeling like Qu Yunmie had misunderstood something.

…

Qu Yunmie was lost in his own world and couldn’t extricate himself. When he finally pulled himself out of it, his face changed instantly. He looked at Mijing with heavy eyes and said, “So, I need to ask you, Bodhisattva, for a favor.”

Mijing waited for him to continue.

“Xiao Rong asked me to send him letters every day to prove that I’m safe, but he has never said that he would send me letters. I imagine that if something were to happen here in Chenliu, as long as it didn’t harm the root cause, he wouldn’t inform me, so as not to disturb the war in the North. Neither Yu Shaoxie nor Zhang Biezhi, nor even Master Gao, listens to Xiao Rong more than they listen to me. Only you, Bodhisattva, wouldn’t be swayed by him. In a critical moment, you would only do what you believe is right. Am I wrong in saying this?”

Mijing looked at him and smiled. “Indeed.”

Qu Yunmie then showed a satisfied expression. “Then I will trouble you, Bodhisattva. I am determined to defeat the Xianbei, but if something happens to Xiao Rong, even killing ten Xianbei wouldn’t be enough to repay his life.”

Mijing listened to Qu Yunmie’s tone and slightly furrowed his brow. “Xiao Rong has never liked you blaming others for his problems. If something happens to him, it might not necessarily be the Xianbei’s fault. If you act recklessly, Xiao Rong might become angry.”

Qu Yunmie raised his eyes, smiling faintly. “If he still cares about me, I’ll listen to him once more, but if he no longer controls me, whether I kill a thousand or ten thousand Xianbei, what difference does it make?”

Mijing stared at him, and Qu Yunmie served himself a bowl of tea soup. The freshly brewed tea was scorching, so hot that it didn’t feel warm in his mouth but stung sharply, just like the assumption he made earlier. Even though it was only an assumption, it felt like a bucket of boiling water splashing into his heart, making him instinctively want to escape.

Mijing’s expression was somewhat stunned, and the alertness that suddenly rose in his heart gradually faded with Qu Yunmie’s suddenly quiet demeanor. Compared to Qu Yunmie’s childish remarks, Mijing was more focused on something else.

He carefully observed Qu Yunmie’s appearance at that moment. After a while, he spoke cautiously. “My Lord, Xiao Rong’s health has always been poor, and he’s often vomited blood and fainted. If one day he… leaves us, it wouldn’t be—”

Qu Yunmie shouted furiously, “Shut up!!!”

The good mood from earlier completely vanished. Qu Yunmie threw the teacup directly into the grass outside, stood up, and began to angrily scold Mijing. “Of all the people in the royal mansion, Xiao Rong values you the most! If it weren’t for him repeatedly persuading me, I wouldn’t have allowed members of the Buddhist sect to join the Northern Army! You teach the world, show kindness to every living being, but why don’t you show kindness to Xiao Rong? Don’t let me hear you say such things again. I don’t care whether you’re a Bodhisattva or a Buddha, if you provoke me once more, I’ll make sure you have no place to be buried!”

Qu Yunmie stormed off in anger. Before leaving, he even flipped over the tea pot, leaving nothing for Mijing.

Mijing: “…”

The tea pot probably killed four poor little grass shoots, but Mijing stared at the steaming soil, completely unable to care about mourning for those unlucky little grasses.

Mijing was twenty-eight this year, and if we’re talking about experience, Gao Xunzhi couldn’t compare to him.

Even so, Qu Yunmie had still opened his eyes tonight.

…Amitabha!

…

The next morning, Xiao Rong sat drowsily on his bed, his mind filled with what he said and did last night.

The reason he brought two jars of wine was to give him courage and make him not feel embarrassed, so that he could finish dancing the “Breaking the Formation”

In the morning, the dancing wasn’t the issue. What he couldn’t accept was that he had also shown a side of himself that was like a chatty woman with endless complaints.

Ah!!!

What a disgrace, what a huge disgrace!!!

He wished he could create a rocket and shoot straight to the moon, but there was no time for his embarrassment now. The army was setting out early in the morning.

Realizing this, Xiao Rong quickly scrambled out of bed and hurriedly prepared himself.

Before rushing out of the room, Xiao Rong suddenly stopped in his tracks. He saw the Chilong Sword, which he didn’t know Qu Yunmie had sent back. It lay quietly on the table. Seeing it, Xiao Rong remembered some things from last night, including how Qu Yunmie looked at him with those dark eyes, making a brief yet deep promise.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He pursed his lips, then quickly walked out.

…

The army gathered outside the city. At the front was the vanguard of the middle army, Qu Yunmie’s personal soldiers. To the left were Jian Qiao’s troops, and to the right were Gongsun Yuan’s troops.

Behind them were scattered soldiers who had come to meet up. He Tingzhi, wearing armor and riding a tall horse, really looked the part.

Ahead, Zhang Biezhi cleared the way for Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong passed through the sea of people and finally reached the front.

Qu Yunmie was speaking with others, but when he caught sight of Xiao Rong, he immediately turned to look at him. Wearing full armor, he looked mighty, with the Snow-Drinking Vengeance Spear slung across his back. The red tassels on the top swayed with the horse’s movement. Although there was a distance of four or five paces between them, Xiao Rong could still see the radiant smile on Qu Yunmie’s face when he appeared.

In the past, whenever they set out for battle, Qu Yunmie would take Gao Xunzhi with him. This time, Xiao Rong had suggested that Chenliu couldn’t lack the Chancellor. Gao Xunzhi, after thinking about it, realized that Qu Yunmie would never listen to him in a battle, so he chose to stay behind to help Xiao Rong.

However, it seemed inappropriate to go without any staff, so two members were hastily chosen to accompany him, and the royal mansion sent Yu Shaoxie along.

Yu Shaoxie was calm, while Yu Shaocheng, who had been officially promoted to Qu Yunmie’s Deputy General, smiled so wide that all eight of his teeth showed.

….

Song Shuo also came to Xiao Rong’s side, pouting. “I also want to go~”

Xiao Rong nodded. “Go ahead, there’s still time. Should I have someone pack your things?”

Song Shuo: “…”

How annoying. Doesn’t he realize I just want to act spoiled?

In the midst of the chatter, everything was ready. The two great banners were brought out. When first brought out, the banners were rolled up, but as they were unfurled, a soldier pulled on one corner, and with a sudden tug, the banner was waved fiercely. The loud, fierce sound echoed as the red-edged white banner with the words “Northern Defense” burned into everyone’s retinas.

No one spoke anymore. In this solemn and respectful moment, He Tingzhi looked at the faces of the soldiers and common people around him and couldn’t help feeling anxious. He looked toward the second banner, eagerly awaiting the moment it would unfold.

Soon, the second banner unfurled, but it wasn’t embroidered with the character “Yong” but with the character “Qu.”

He Tingzhi: “…”

Wasn’t it supposed to be in the name of the Yong dynasty?!

Xiao Rong: It’s true, but why be so ostentatious on the way? We can reveal it properly when we reach Shengle.

….

The war drums sounded, and the horn players began to prepare. Once the horn was blown, the army would be leaving.

At this tense and exciting moment, Zhang Biezhi suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs: “May the King return victorious!”

For a moment, no one responded.

He Tingzhi pursed his lips slightly, trying hard not to laugh. Then he suddenly raised his head in astonishment because voices like a tidal wave were coming towards him. This sound didn’t just come from Qu Yunmie’s troops, but also from the citizens of Chenliu who had come to see them off.

“May the King return victorious!”

“May the King return victorious!”

Some shouted until their voices were hoarse, some cried as they shouted, and others climbed trees, shaking the branches while they yelled.

Two months ago, these people were crying in despair when the Northern Protector King arrived, but now, they sincerely hoped that the Northern King would return victorious and continue to protect them.

Xiao Rong turned to look at these excited and fervent citizens. After a moment, he turned back around.

Qu Yunmie and he seemed to always be in sync. At the same time, Qu Yunmie turned his complicated gaze and looked back at Xiao Rong.

They were too far apart to say goodbye, but they didn’t need to. The day of their reunion was just ahead.

The horn representing their departure finally sounded, slowly overpowering the citizens’ blessings. The crowd quieted down again, and Qu Yunmie looked ahead, took a deep breath, and shouted with his strongest voice, “All soldiers, listen to my orders—”

The sound of armor clashing rang out in perfect unison.

“Follow me into battle!”

Another round of deafening shouts erupted, and Qu Yunmie was the first to gallop forward, with the others following closely behind. The cavalry led the way, with the infantry running to catch up, moving at a fast pace, resting only when tired, walking to regain their strength before running again.

Once Qu Yunmie’s figure disappeared from view, Xiao Rong turned to leave. Zhang Biezhi immediately followed him, but Xiao Rong paused and asked in surprise, “Why did you decide to shout that?”

Zhang Biezhi scratched his head and replied, “Back in Yanmen County, didn’t Master Xiao tell my brother-in-law to say the same thing? I thought I’d imitate it. Was that wrong?”

Xiao Rong chuckled. “You’re not imitating, you’re surpassing the original.”

Flattered, Zhang Biezhi grinned, and he continued to follow Xiao Rong. However, Xiao Rong waved his hand, signaling for them not to follow him. The city gates were within sight, and he planned to wander around the city before returning.

Zhang Biezhi disagreed. The city was no longer as safe as before now that the King had left, but just as he was about to follow without regard, Di Fazeng tripped him up. Zhang Biezhi nearly stumbled and fell flat on his face. Angrily, he glared at Di Fazeng, but the latter still looked lifeless.

Di Fazeng signaled Zhang Biezhi to look at Xiao Rong.

Zhang Biezhi looked, and while there didn’t seem to be anything different, he suddenly understood Di Fazeng’s intention.

It was better not to disturb him.

…

Xiao Rong returned to the palace alone. Halfway there, he suddenly remembered the family he and Qu Yunmie had visited. The son-in-law from that family must have also gone to battle today. He wondered how they were doing.

They had been newlyweds but separated so soon. Now, the husband was gone, with no telling when he would return. Xiao Rong had been happy when they got married, but today, he realized that this wasn’t exactly a blissful marriage.

He arrived near the house, and although no one was in the yard, faint cries could be heard coming from the house. There was also a child’s confused and worried voice, “Aunt…”

Xiao Rong felt sad and then heard the child say, “Aunt, don’t cry, what if you hurt the baby?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

A baby already?

You’re really quick!

*

When he returned to the palace, only one person had left, but Xiao Rong felt the palace was unusually quiet. It wasn’t just his imagination; no one dared speak loudly for fear of disturbing Xiao Rong.

Even Madam Chen wasn’t making a fuss. She simply cooked a bowl of mutton soup and had Ah Shu deliver it to Xiao Rong.

Still, Ah Shu didn’t dare disturb Xiao Rong. Taking advantage of his height, he quietly went to the window and, standing on tiptoe, peered through the gap.

Inside, Xiao Rong was sitting at the table, rubbing his face to stop himself from thinking about those chaotic thoughts. There was no use in worrying, he couldn’t fly over to save anyone.

He stood up, preparing to tidy up the room. The first thing he did was to hang the sword back up.

However, after picking it up, he couldn’t help but think about the events of the previous night. The feeling of embarrassment gradually faded as the other main character moved far away. What he thought about now was that this sword might no longer be useful.

No one except Qu Yunmie could make him lower his status to dance the meaningful “Breaking the Formation Song” again.

Thinking this, he slowly drew the sword, admiring the intricate patterns on it. Xiao Rong, just like before, reached out and gently touched it.

Then, four small cuts appeared evenly on his four fingers.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He stared at his hand, the blood beginning to drip out rapidly.

From Ah Shu’s perspective, he only saw Xiao Rong’s back and couldn’t tell why Xiao Rong suddenly stopped moving. The next moment, Xiao Rong’s enraged voice almost knocked him over.

“Qu—n—Mie!!!!”

“Bastard, you’ll die by my hands sooner or later!!!!!!”

 

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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