Love Beyond the Grave

In the study of the Liangzhou governor's residence, the charcoal fire warmed the entire room, filling the air with curling smoke. On the heavy golden nanmu desk lay a letter marked "Confidential" and stamped with the Ministry of War's official red seal.

This letter had just been delivered to Duan Xu's desk via an eight-hundred-li express courier and had been opened less than an hour ago. Now, seated behind the desk with Meng Wan and Xia Qingsheng standing before him, Duan Xu made no effort to conceal its contents—the letter lay spread open for them to read clearly.

Meng Wan's eyes darkened as she clenched her fists. "This is outrageous! They're sending you to your death!"

Duan Xu rested his arms on the desk, interlacing and then releasing his fingers—a habitual gesture when he was deep in thought.

After a moment of silence, Duan Xu raised his eyes. "Commander Qin's reasoning isn't wrong. Liangzhou has been reclaimed, but most of Yuzhou remains in Danzhi's hands. South of Yuzhou lies open plains—Great Liang would have no natural defenses left. If the Huqi people take Yuzhou, they'll march straight for the Southern Capital. So Yuzhou must not fall. Both Danzhi and Great Liang know this, which is why it's the most critical battleground, locked in stalemate."

"Danzhi's forces are fighting far from home—they fear prolonged warfare the most. Six cities in Yuzhou are still held by Great Liang's elite troops, and if Danzhi can't take them quickly, they'll surely send reinforcements. Having lost Liangzhou, their only reinforcement route is this one."

Duan Xu traced a line on the map spread across the desk—the area behind Yuzhou and along the Guan River.

"But Danzhi has heavily fortified the rear of Yuzhou. They'll anticipate our attempt to cut off their reinforcement route and are prepared for a desperate fight there. The Snow-Treading Army only has eighty thousand men—we can't afford such losses. To save Yuzhou, we must..."

His hand moved to Liangzhou on the map, pointing to the Guan River section near it. "Cross the Guan River, flank around, and seize Danzhi's Shuozhou Prefecture to sever the Huqi forces' north-south passage along the river. Once spring comes and the river thaws, Danzhi will be powerless to turn the tide."

Meng Wan laughed bitterly in frustration. "Right, Commander Qin isn't wrong—it's easy to talk big when it's not your neck on the line. Never mind that once spring arrives and the river thaws, we'll be trapped in Shuozhou like sitting ducks. Just crossing the Guan River to attack Danzhi—how is that feasible? Qin Huanda himself has always opted for defense, not offense, against Danzhi's forces. Yet he expects us to invade Danzhi territory?"

"If this mission is so crucial, why doesn't he send his own Su Ying or Victory Army? Those are his personal troops! He's Duke Pei's brother-in-law, and you're nothing but a thorn in his side. He's clearly sending you to die!" As she spoke, Meng Wan's eyes reddened, and she slammed a fist on the table. "Damn it all! Even at a time like this, he can't resist scheming to eliminate rivals!"

Having spent years in the barracks, despite her aristocratic upbringing, she'd picked up some coarse language.

Duan Xu's gaze remained as clear and composed as ever. He even smiled, his expression lightening in contrast to his earlier seriousness.

"Commander Qin is, after all, the supreme commander of the nation's military. Orders cannot be disobeyed. If someone must die to protect Great Liang, can we really debate who should or shouldn't go? That Commander Qin chose me for this death mission—isn't that a form of recognition?"

Meng Wan stared at Duan Xu wide-eyed, torn between pity for his misfortune and frustration at his resignation. The Meng and Duan families had been close for generations, and though she'd known Duan Xu for years, she still couldn't fathom how he could maintain such a temperament—turning bad situations into good, never blaming anyone.Duan Xu stood up. His tall and slender figure, paired with handsome features, truly embodied the phrase "bright eyes and gleaming teeth" when he smiled, exuding a cheerful and open-hearted demeanor.

He walked to the desk and turned his gaze toward Xia Qingsheng, who had remained silent. Both Xia Qingsheng and Meng Wan were people he had brought from the Southern Capital's Imperial Guards. Xia Qingsheng had always been a man of few words, but now he wore a deeply furrowed brow and a grave expression.

"Qing Sheng, what's wrong?"

Xia Qingsheng clenched his teeth and suddenly knelt, saluting him with a resolute voice. "I have implicated you, General. If not for saving my younger sister, you wouldn't have clashed with Young Master Fan and been impeached by Lord Fang, leading to this perilous situation."

He raised his eyes to meet Duan Xu's gaze, his expression filled with guilt yet unwavering determination. Solemnly, he declared, "Whatever decision you make, General, I will follow you to the death!"

Duan Xu glanced at the resolute Xia Qingsheng, then at the furious Meng Wan, and couldn't help but lower his head and burst into laughter—so heartily that both Xia Qingsheng and Meng Wan were left stunned.

Duan Xu had always been fond of laughter. Meng Wan, who had known him for years, had never seen him wear a troubled expression. Yet even so, she still couldn't adjust to his sudden bouts of mirth.

Duan Xu reached out to help Xia Qingsheng up, then said to them, "What's with all this? You all look as if you're about to march to your deaths. Are you so certain I'll lose?"

"I've informed you in advance—don't breathe a word of this to anyone. Qing Sheng, tell Wu Lang Jiang to come to the Prefect's residence to see me in two hours. Meng Wan, come with me. We have something to attend to."

He patted Xia Qingsheng's shoulder, as if to reassure him. His smiling face made it seem as though this truly wasn't a big deal. After giving his instructions, he left the Prefect's residence.

Even at the border, he maintained the same habits he had in the Southern Capital—traveling without guards. This time, he only walked out with Meng Wan. They stood for a moment on the already desolate street, still stained with blood, before turning right toward the small residence next to the Prefect's office.

A young woman sat on the steps at the entrance of the residence. She wore a moon-white padded jacket and a lotus-pink cape, with a ring of white fur peeking out at her neck. Her sweet features, fair skin tinged with a rosy flush, made her look like a peach.

In her hands was an intricately patterned sugar figurine. A boy in a blue padded jacket held a similar one, sitting beside her and leaning against her. Around them, a group of children, about seven or eight years old, sat on the ground, looking up attentively as the woman told a story.

The moment Meng Wan saw He Xiaoxiao, her anger flared. "General, you ordered me to take care of her these past days. I gave her a residence, food, and clothes, and now she's living like a pampered young lady. How much longer must you indulge her?"

Duan Xu replied lightly, "Didn't you say she might be from the Pei Party and getting close to me with ill intentions? If she only asks for food and shelter and not my life, isn't that good enough? Never mind that—how have your interactions with her been these days?"

Suppressing her anger, Meng Wan clasped her sword and reported, "She claims to have no relatives. Xue Chenying's father once did her a kindness, so she looks after Xue Chenying. But I inquired around—no one in Liangzhou City has seen her before, nor has anyone heard Xue Chenying's father mention her."

"These past few days, I deliberately asked her about weather changes. Every time, she predicted correctly, down to the exact hour, wind direction, and strength. But General, I don't trust her."Duan Xu made no comment on Meng Wan's remarks, merely saying, "I understand."

As they approached the group gathered at the small courtyard gate, they heard He Xiaoxiao's clear voice.

"The Evil Ghost was as beautiful as a flower, but her eyes were pitch black, and she carried a large jar dripping with blood. Suddenly, she grew fangs and sharp claws, opening her bloody maw wide..."

He Simu raised her delicate hands, feigning a fierce glare as if to pounce, causing the circle of children to scream in fright. Her expression immediately softened as she burst into laughter, and the children who had run off came scampering back.

A little girl with pigtail braids asked timidly, "Sister, do ghosts really exist? Are they that scary?"

"Of course they do! Chen Ying and I were almost eaten! If you ever meet someone strange, especially someone with completely black eyes and no whites, you must run away fast." He Simu clutched her chest, looking genuinely shaken. "I'm terrified of ghosts—couldn't sleep for nights, plagued by nightmares! I heard those eaten by ghosts will have terrible luck for several lifetimes, maybe never tasting candy again!"

The children's eyes widened with sincere fear.

"Is there nothing Evil Ghosts are afraid of?" A chubby little boy, perhaps worried he couldn't run fast enough, asked anxiously.

"There is. My father told me they fear Magical Artifacts, spells, and..." He Simu paused, thinking. "Their leader, the Ghost King."

The little boy in blue beside her gasped. "Ghost King? Ghosts have a king? Like the Emperor?"

"Something like that. My father said only the Ghost King can reproduce with humans. Their offspring are born as Evil Ghosts, far stronger than ordinary ones, and usually inherit the Ghost King's throne..."

He Simu was busy imparting Ghost Realm knowledge—essentially her own story—to the children when she glanced up and saw Duan Xu standing beyond the group, smiling at her.

He was still in casual attire, wearing a round-collared robe with a lozenge pattern, his hair tied up with a gray ribbon. The sunlight was brilliant that day, and he stood bathed in its glow, his clear eyes reflecting her image with transparent honesty.

He Simu recalled Feng Yi telling her that Duan Xu had just turned nineteen—truly the brightest of youthful years.

A delighted smile spread across He Simu's face as she stood and bowed to Duan Xu. "General."

Duan Xu returned the bow. "Miss He is remarkably knowledgeable. I'm impressed."

He Simu humbly lowered her head. "Just hearsay, nothing more."

She shooed Chen Ying and the children away before turning back to Duan Xu, stopping before him and meeting his gaze directly. "General, is there something you need?"

"I've heard Miss He possesses extraordinary skills—able to foresee the weather," Duan Xu said bluntly.

"Merely a minor talent. My eyesight has always been sharp, allowing me to read winds and clouds. A trivial trick, really."

"Would you be willing to serve as the Diviner for my Snow-Treading Army?"

Warfare hinges on timing, terrain, and unity, and the Diviner's role was to predict favorable conditions.

He Simu was taken aback. With Meng Wan sowing suspicion between them, shouldn't this young general be wary of her? Why this sudden trust, entrusting her with such responsibility?She feigned a flattered expression for the moment and said, "If I can serve by the general's side and contribute to Great Liang, I would naturally be honored. What does the general need me to do?"

Ignoring Meng Wan's anxious glances beside him, Duan Xu replied, "Miss, do you know which night in the coming days will bring an east wind? The stronger the better, preferably accompanied by snowfall."

Night, east wind, snowfall.

He Simu froze momentarily, a fleeting look of pity crossing her face as if she had guessed what Duan Xu intended to do. But the pity vanished in an instant, replaced by her original cheerful expression.

"This area is low-lying with dense buildings that block much of the wind. If the general doesn't mind, could you take me up the city wall to observe the winds?"

Meng Wan finally lost her composure. She had never understood why Duan Xu would seek help from such a dubious person, and now her anger flared.

"The city wall involves defense arrangements—it's a critical military area. Who do you think you are to go up there as you please?"

"Who am I? Aren't I the wind diviner of the Snow-Treading Army, Captain Meng?" He Simu smiled innocently.

"You—!"

Duan Xu stopped Meng Wan from stepping forward. He studied He Simu for a moment before smiling and nodding. "Very well, I'll take you up the wall."