Chapter 797: War plans, caught unawares (1/2)

On their way here, Long Feiye had exchanged words with a shadow guard he sent off to Medical City. Back then, Baili Mingxiang had inadvertently overheard part of their conversation. There were three distinct phrases: 1) after the medical skills competition, 2) eliminate, and 3) Gu Beiyue.

Together, the phrases formed a frightening sentence: After the medical skills competition, eliminate Gu Beiyue.

Baili Mingxiang was a bright and quick girl, so she knew to keep terrible implications to herself. She knew full well that there were times when she shouldn’t speak and things she shouldn’t know. But this time involved Gu Beiyue, ah! She only knew His Highness Duke of Qin had private dealings with the man that the two kept secret from esteemed wangfei. But like the rest of his subordinates, she had no idea about the man’s actual origins. She was truly afraid that the agreement between the two men were only for mutual benefit. If that was the case, then His Highness Duke of Qin, with his usual cruel and ruthless personality, might simply get rid of Gu Beiyue once the man won over Medical City.

Old Wang from Medicine City and its Council of Elders had clearly showed their hands over the incident regarding the Poison Sect. In the end, it proved that it was safest to hold power in one’s own hands. Moreover, when the sword sect master had been teaching her martial arts, he had brought up Gu Beiyue’s injuries. According to the old man, Gu Beiyue’s constitution was one that fought to live in the face of death. Once he made a full recovery, he could be even stronger that His Highness Duke of Qin. Neither he nor the Duke of Qin were ordinary figures. Both were extremely complex, frightening men.

Baili Mingxiang was afraid that esteemed wangfei would be hurt. Esteemed wangfei and Gu Beiyue might not be as intimate as sweethearts, but they trusted each other more than good friends. If His Highness eliminated Gu Beiyue behind esteemed wangfei’s back, what would she ever think?

If the day comes when esteemed wangfei found out that Gu Beiyue lied to her too, how will she take it?

Baili Mingxiang was filled with misgivings and worries, but Long Feiye didn’t answer her question. It wasn’t clear whether he just didn’t hear or chose to ignore it completely. In any case, he had already gone off with Baili Yuanlong to talk as they made their way to the military tent.

Baili Mingxiang was about to chase after then when the shadow guard A’Dong hastened to block her way. “Miss Mingxiang, His Highness doesn’t like subordinates who talk too much.”

Baili Mingxiang instantly came to her senses with a sigh. “Thank you, I understand.”

Baili Yuanlong had already summoned his military advisers and deputy general into the tent by the time Long Feiye entered. These important posts were all headed by members of the Mermaid Clan. Because His Highness Duke of Qin was visiting personally, everyone looked visibly excited. They were eager to show their loyalty, but hesitant to be too blunt. Dressed in black robes, Long Feiye went to sit on the wide tigerskin couch. Despite this, he radiated military might. Combined with his natural kingly air, he looked like a master no matter what he wore or where he sat. His eyes were cold enough to scorn the world!

Everyone was waiting anxiously for him to speak, but he didn’t say a thing. Only the corners of his lips curled up as he steeped some tea and poured out ten individual cups. Then he smiled and said, “Your lordship is offering tea in place of wine to everyone here. I hope nobody minds?”

It was an open secret that the Duke of Qin preferred tea over alcohol. But the assembled group was stunned. Some doubted their ears, while others felt terror-stricken. Still others were uneasy as they all looked towards Baili Yuanlong. His Highness Duke of Qin was personally serving them tea to drink and speaking so politely. What was going on? Was he dissatisfied with them, and thus making preparations to dismiss them all?

General Baili said that His Highness Duke of Qin was going to personally command the troops to fight their way to Northern Li this time! That’s why everyone had been too excited to sleep over the past few days. They were counting down the days that they could join the Duke of Qin in battle! And yet, his attitude today seemed to suggest that an accident had happen instead.

But that didn’t seem right either. If something unexpected happen, His Highness Duke of Qin would never be so courteous. Many people mustered up courage to peer at him and only saw that he was in a good enough mood to smile. Faced with the questioning, pleading glances of his men, Baili Yuanlong couldn’t do anything except offer them teacups personally. Was he supposed to tell them that Gu Beiyue had gotten Medical City for them and Qin Wangfei was joining them soon, and that’s why His Highness Duke of Qin was in such a good mood? Even in private, Baili Yuanlong wouldn’t expose such things, much less here. This was too damaging to his master’s prestige and awe-inspiring dignity!

Baili Yuanlong gave a cup to tea to each of his commanders while offering them comforting looks. Like that, the crowd calmed down. After three rounds of drinks, Long Feiye finally relaxed his grin. He looked up with a cold, penetrating gaze that made everyone tense up and stand at attention again.

“Has everyone finished their preparations?” he asked icily.

“Everything is in order, the troops can set out at any time.” When Baili Yuanlong finished speaking, he began to outline in detail the situation of the various regiments. Long Feiye stroked the boccaro teapot as he listened, occasionally posing questions. The large military tent was extremely quiet, just like his cold and silent face. Tension grew in the air.

“After the Poison Sect regained its innocence, Ning Cheng withdrew three parts of his troops, but not all of his soldiers. That fellow’s probably waiting for us to attack,” an adviser spoke up.

“Heheh, we won’t disappoint him this time! Even if he’s waiting for us to move first, then we’ll make sure to catch him unawares!”

Baili Yuanlong handed over a deployment map of the mermaid soldiers. That’s right! This time, Long Feiye was formally putting them into action!

“Your Highness, we can guarantee that all troops will cross the Sandy River smoothly within a day,” Baili Yuanlong vowed solemnly.