Chapter 1098: Does the agreement still count? (1/2)

“We can only give up on Northern Li,” Gu Beiyue concluded.

Although the Li Clan had caused chaos throughout Cloud Realm, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi still had control over enough resources to lose. As long as they were willing to give up Northern Li and send the soldiers south to fight against the traitors and Li Clan there, they could quell the chaos. Ning Cheng would be left to maintain the northern border and give them breathing room for a short while.

“What if the generals in Northern Li and the southern regions make peace with the Northern Li emperor? Wouldn’t we be attacked on both sides?” Han Yunxi asked cautiously.

There were no such things as eternal alliances in the world, much less forever enemies. Only interests and profits moved men. Perhaps this phrase was too materially oriented, but faced with the country’s benefits, it was quite appropriate! Perhaps the south wouldn’t ally with the Northern Li emperor, but that didn’t mean the emperor wouldn’t make overtures towards them!

Han Yunxi’s fears were sound, but Long Feiye set her mind at ease. “They won’t. Even if the Northern Li wants to, Noble Consort Xiao will convince him otherwise.”

Since Long Feiye was so certain, Han Yunxi stopped worrying. As long as north and south didn’t join hands, Ning Cheng’s troops and a little reinforcements would be enough to prevent the northern enemies from moving south. Now Han Yunxi dearly hoped that Ning Cheng had convinced Jin Zi to help out. As long as Jin Zi could subdue the former subordinates of the Black Clan, they would have even less to worry about.

Long Feiye stood with his hands behind his back as he peered at the map. After a period of silence, he issued the first orders. “Transfer 10,000 troops here to stand guard. The rest will all follow this crown prince south!”

Actually, nobody expected him to leave Ning Cheng any reinforcements at all, but he didn’t avenge personal wrongs in the name of public interest. They used a day’s time to consolidate their troops. Long Feiye stayed awake all night to re-assign garrison troops for the central and southern regions while Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue gave counsel. She transferred a faction of female soldiers from the City of Daughters to create a mini regiment of crack troops that could help them out in case of an emergency.

Gu Qishao had no interest in these matters, but he couldn’t sleep either, so he simply sat on the side listening to them talk. In the end, he tossed in one word. “Poison lass, at worst we can just form a big Poison Corpse army and kill our way to Tianan!”

The first part of his sentence was all nonsense, but the second half hit the nail on the head. The saying went, “to catch brigands, first catch their king.” The best way to quell the chaos was to take down Tianan--or more specifically, General Mu’s headquarters! Naturally, everyone ignored Gu Qishao’s first half about the Poison Corpse army, but Gu Beiyue stated, “Perhaps Bai Yanqing is at Tianan right now with Miss Jing and the rest.”

“That’s good too, it’ll save us time searching!” Han Yunxi said coldly.

Long Feiye’s goal for heading south was naturally Tianan as well. When Tianning had fallen overnight, he’d stolen away and formally announced that he’d fight to gain the territories back. Who knew he’d be personally leading an army to retrace his steps now? He looked at Gu Beiyue and Han Yunxi before saying in a low voice, “Order a few deputy generals to lead their troops to the three central prefectures. The four of us will kill our way to Tianan, how about it?”

He didn’t care who had Mu Qingwu in their clutches. He wanted Great General Mu Yuanbo’s[1] life! Both Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue were shaken and surprised. Why didn’t they think of this move?

“Thrilling!” Gu Qishao laughed out loud. “Long Feiye, this old man will come with you!”

“It’s a good idea. Falsely diverting the troops can mislead the enemy,” Gu Beiue smiled.

Han Yunxi was even more to the point. “We can leave at any time!”

Before departure, Han Yunxi still went to the army’s medical tent to call Mu Linger out. In a low voice, she asked, “Linger, they’re leaving tonight.”

“The troops are being deployed tonight?” Mu Linger was puzzled. Weren’t they scheduled to leave tomorrow morning? Han Yunxi murmured a few more words by her ear until she knew what was up.

“Big sis, wouldn’t I be a burden if I come along with you guys?” Mu Linger asked.

“Yes,” Han Yunxi replied honestly. Although it was cruel, it was better than having her along to drag at everyone’s heels.

Mu Linger smiled. “That’s perfect, I can stay far away from Qi gege then.”

“Just what’s going on with you? If you won’t tell me, don’t call me your big sis in the future!” Han Yunxi wasn’t angry, just helpless. She’d asked at least ten times about Manager Jin, but Mu Linger refused to tell her the truth.

“Big sis, Qi gege….rejected me that night,” Mu Linger lowered her head.

Surprised, Han Yunxi continued to listen as Mu Linger went on. “Big sis, since Qi gege’s rejected me, I won’t pester him in the future. But...but I can still like him, right?”

Han Yunxi still hadn’t gotten the point of her ramblings. She took Mu Linger’s hand and said, “I can’t take charge of matters between you and your Qi gege because they’re your personal affairs. But you have to tell me what’s going on with you and Jin Zi. You want to marry him one second and leave him the next? Why? Has he threatened you? Scared you somehow?”

“No!” Mu Linger rejected. “I just wanted to use him to make Qi gege made, but...but things ended up like this.” She didn’t dare to meet Han Yunxi’s eyes as she pushed her away. “Go away, go away, how could I be so easy to scare?”