Chapter 1174: As long as you’re happy (2/2)

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Very soon, Han Yunxi’s orders under Long Feiye’s name spread throughout the military, raising quite a few waves. Although the Baili and south central factions were both displeased, they didn’t dare defy a military edict. From then on, no one dared to send any more letters or interfere in Northern Li’s battle plans. Many more wondered what drove Long Feiye to give the orders. Had Han Yunxi been whispering words to him on their pillow?[1]

Heaven knows if they’d be depressed to death upon discovering the truth?

Ning Cheng was equally surprised upon receiving the orders. Currently, he was camped on Northern Li’s largest plain, the Xilin Grasslands. He had already planned out the deployment of his troops, stationed soldiers on three separate supply routes, and gathered enough rations to support them all. When the time came to attack, the three groups could move up north in tandem to attack the Northern Li emperor. By the start of next spring, the Northern Li emperor’s graineries would be just about spent. He could conquer the county within two months then!

“This must be the West Qin princess’s views, right?” Jin Zi smiled coldly.

“If it wasn’t Long Feiye’s intentions, would the order pass at all?” Ning Cheng retorted.

Jin Zi only patted him on the shoulders. “They’re the ones who’re a family.”

Ning Cheng knocked his hand aside and asked, “What do you mean?”

“When you take Northern Li next year, return my indenture agreement to me. Then let’s go to Wintercrow Country. You can help me investigate my origins while I help you with business deals, alright?” Jin Zi said instead. “Being a general’s no good compared to a wealthy merchant!”

“Does my Di Clan need your help to do business?” Ning Cheng scoffed.

“East Wu[2] has a flourishing business in the slave trade!” Jin Zi grinned.

“My Di Clan will deal in all kinds of business except the selling of human beings,” Ning Cheng tossed back and prepared to leave, but Jin Zi stopped him.

“What about battle horses? Long Feiye has all these soldiers under his command with designs against you. It’d be a pity if you don’t earn some silver off of them.”

“You seem to understand the situation very well,” Ning Cheng mocked.

“That’s all thanks to you. After getting dragged into these muddy waters, I’ve had no choice but to learn.” Jin Zi shrugged and sat on one side.

Ning Cheng joined him and asked, “Honestly speaking, you still want to look into your origins?”

“Of course!” Jin Zi was all seriousness now.

Ning Cheng had coaxed him multiple times to just keep up the act and become the Black Clan’s surviving heir, but Jin Zi wasn’t interested. Ning Cheng had already calculated that Jin Zi was the only man capable of leading the Black Clan. If he wasn’t around and they became restless, he’d have no choice but to kill them to avoid future threats. Compared to that, he’d much preferred to keep the Black Clan’s strength for Long Feiye and Han Yunxi’s use. After all, a battalion of beast warriors was a miraculous force. More importantly, these people were familiar with Northern Li and its grasslands.

But since Jin Zi had refused again and again, Ning Cheng didn’t bother coaxing him any further.

“Someone come, bring wine!” Ning Cheng smiled. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten drunk. I won’t stop drinking until I do tonight!”

Drunk?

Jin Zi had been thwarted by Ning Cheng multiple times already. Every time he drank with Ning Cheng, it was always him who ended up unconscious multiple jugs later. Ning Cheng, in comparison, remained lively and clearheaded.

Despite his consecutive losses, Jin Zi was quick to join in. “Alright! No rest until we’re drunk tonight!”

Perhaps when he was drunk, he’d stop thinking of Mu Linger. He wouldn’t remember her pure, simpleminded, idiotic self, or her lips, or all the other little details…

Mu Linger, are you still chasing behind your Qi gege even now?

Mu Linger, it’s been so long. Have you ever thought of me or our one-year agreement?

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Mu Linger was currently coaxing little Tang Tang to sleep in the Tang Clan. She had no idea how many times Jin Zi had drank himself drunk in the Northern Li grasslands, or what her Qi gege was suffering this very instant. In fact, she didn’t even know where he was.

She had always been waiting for Tang Li to bring Ning Jing back to the Tang Clan. Only then would she stop worrying over little Tang Tang and see Qi gege. She hadn’t even figured out what she’d do after that. She only wanted to meet him again…

1. Aka the famous “pillow talk” technique!

2. A city in Wintecrow country, mentioned in C965, 1093, and 1095.