Looking at the military tally in her hand, Mingyi was momentarily stunned.
Had the Da Si of Star Yearn City actually given the military tally to him?
How could they trust him with something so crucial?
Why? This wasn’t the usual way the Minister Superior of Mu Xing Si operated. Even if Ji Bozhai had rendered great service and could defend Star Yearn City, it was still unthinkable for them to so readily place their very lives in his hands—wouldn’t that leave them completely at his mercy?
Others might not know, but Mingyi was aware that Ji Bozhai harbored deep resentment toward the Da Si of Star Yearn. His desire to avenge Bo Shi had never waned. Prince Ping was not the end, nor were the others—the Da Si of Star Yearn was the final target of his vengeance.
She couldn’t believe someone as astute as the Da Si would trust Ji Bozhai so blindly. Unless...
Her eyelids twitched slightly as she looked up, about to ask him something, but Ji Bozhai spoke first: "I want to activate Twenty-Seven."
Twenty-Seven? Mingyi’s attention was instantly diverted. "Activate him for what?"
"He knows Sunspire City’s military better than anyone. With me as the commander and him as the deputy, he’d be a great asset." Ji Bozhai gazed at her intently. "But I can’t control him. Only you can persuade him. Once he earns military merits, I can grant him an official position in Star Yearn City, allowing him to live openly from then on."
Twenty-Seven possessed formidable Essence Power and was fiercely loyal to Mingyi—he was the best candidate available.
After only a brief hesitation, Mingyi nodded.
Twenty-Seven thrived in the heat of battle. Though he might enjoy making money at the Soft Iron Mine, having an official position would undoubtedly secure him a better future.
"Besides that, I need a large number of Divine Tools," he continued. "I don’t care who crafts them—as long as they contribute, they’ll all be rewarded."
Mingyi raised an eyebrow. "Even women?"
"Even women," he affirmed. "I’ll give them the chance to learn Artifact Crafting and the opportunity to serve. If they truly have talent, entering the Academicians' Court isn’t out of the question."
Mingyi’s eyes lit up completely.
She felt Ji Bozhai was undertaking something incredibly difficult—yet extraordinary.
She loved the idea and was more than willing to contribute.
Setting aside her doubts about the military tally’s origins and ignoring whatever celebrations were happening outside, Mingyi threw herself into the work, personally handling everything from recruitment to training.
The output of her Artifact Crafting workshop grew faster and more refined, and the number of people involved swelled. Within half a month, her courtyard could no longer accommodate them all.
Ji Bozhai allocated her a thousand acres of land, where massive workshops were erected. Women from all over came here to study. Those who learned first taught the newcomers, and soon, they were producing three hundred Divine Tools daily.
Meanwhile, Sunspire City continued to provoke Star Yearn City, sending envoys three times in a month. Ji Bozhai employed every delaying tactic he could, buying them a full month—enough time to upgrade most of Star Yearn City’s defensive equipment.
Finally, Sunspire City severed all pretense of diplomacy, recalling its envoys and issuing a Challenge Certificate to declare war.
The other cities of the Six Cities watched from the sidelines. If Star Yearn City lost, they could reduce their tributes and condemn Sunspire City for its aggression, pressuring them to pay more.
If Star Yearn City won... then Sunspire City would decline, leaving them with one less rival.
Either outcome suited them just fine.
Yet every city believed Star Yearn City stood little chance of victory.While Mingyi was packing Twenty-Seven's belongings, Bai Ying suddenly entered carrying a wedding dress.
"Miss, this is the gown you previously ordered from Miss Zhang."
Mingyi froze, only then remembering she'd been so busy she hadn't yet married Ji Bozhai.
She ran her fingers over the exquisite fabric and sighed softly.
Twenty-Seven glanced at her: "Rare to see you moved by mortal desires, actually wanting to marry."
"I'm mortal too, of course I have mortal desires." Putting away the wedding dress, Mingyi smiled, "When we win this battle, come drink at my wedding."
Twenty-Seven hesitated, frowning as he shook his head: "I won't go."
"Still dislike crowds?" Mingyi teased, "Then you'll have to wrong the girl you love when you marry."
"If I truly loved her, I wouldn't let her feel wronged," Twenty-Seven muttered gloomily.
Mingyi shook her head with a smile, finishing packing his Divine Tools and clothes before carefully advising him: "Be wary of Dan Er—that man is vicious."
"I know." Twenty-Seven looked at her, "Take care, my lady."
Mingyi waved as she watched him step through the door and gradually disappear into the distance.
Suddenly, someone embraced her from behind, warm breath enveloping her body.
Without turning, Mingyi leaned back with a smile: "If we lose this battle, Sunspire City will drag us back—we'd beg for death but find no release."
Bozhai rested his chin atop her head, gently stroking her arms: "We won't lose."
Having accepted this challenge, he had no intention of losing.
Sunspire City's attack on the Upper Three Cities violated Six Cities Tournament rules—their morale was already low with divided loyalties. Their commander was merely a purple Essence Power Fighter. Even with superior numbers trying to crush them, Bozhai still had the Divine Tool-equipped Vanguard camp.
Star Yearn City's vast soft iron reserves weren't held by merchants but requisitioned for his use, making his war costs far lower than Sunspire City's. With continuous Divine Tool supplies, even if Star Yearn City's Essence Power couldn't match Sunspire's, tactics could balance the scales.
Sitting in the Flying Beast Cart, Mingyi watched Sunspire City's forces flee in defeat with complex emotions.
This was the place she'd protected for seven years—never imagining it would come to this.
"Let's go home," Mingyi said, tugging Bozhai's hand.
The month-long battle could finally conclude.
Yet Bozhai didn't take her hand.
Gazing at the churning Azure Clouds ahead, he contemplated before ordering: "Pursue."
Mingyi startled—everyone knew not to chase desperate foes. Beyond lay Sunspire City's territory—what purpose would pursuing serve?
Without explanation, Bozhai raised his battle standard: "Land at Sunspire docks. Attack the capital."
"YES—!" The resounding response shook heaven and earth.
Mingyi's grip trembled before slipping away.
His plan had never been limited to repelling Sunspire's army—she should have realized earlier. Such thorough war preparations clearly aimed at conquest.
As her hand fell, Bozhai caught it.
"This world runs on survival of the fittest. Mercy to others is cruelty to oneself," he murmured. "Yier, trust me—I can give Sunspire's people better lives."
Better lives for the people—or greater ambitions of his own?Mingyi gazed blankly at the distant outline of Sunspire City, momentarily unsure whether helping him this way was right or wrong.
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