Mo Li

"General Zhou Min, at your service, Wang Fei."

Ye Li was not very familiar with Zhou Min, having only seen him a few times in Zhang Qilan's army. He was highly regarded by Zhang Qilan, a man of integrity and fairness. If Zhang Qilan had promoted Zhou Min to lead troops independently, it at least proved his competence was beyond doubt. Ye Li observed the man before her—serious, resolute, and silent, just past thirty—and nodded. "At ease, General Zhou."

Sun Yaowu, seeing Zhou Min arrive so quickly, looked displeased. The drunken haze on his face vanished entirely, replaced by a shrewd glint in his small eyes. He smirked insincerely at Zhou Min and said, "General Zhou, what brings you here so soon? Your camp isn’t exactly close to mine."

Zhou Min ignored Sun Yaowu’s veiled sarcasm and frowned slightly as he reported to Ye Li, "Wang Fei, it’s already late. Would you prefer to rest here for the night or proceed to the Mo Family Army’s camp?"

Ye Li now had a rough understanding of the relationship between the two forces. The remnants of Great Chu’s army naturally harbored envy, resentment, and disdain toward elite forces like the Mo Family Army. Conversely, the Mo Family Army’s elites looked down on these battered remnants who had been scattered by the Northern Rong. Sun Yaowu openly and covertly defied Zhou Min’s orders, while Zhou Min, in turn, disdained these remnants—if they didn’t want to cooperate, fine, he’d simply leave them be.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Li said, "It’s late, and I don’t wish to disturb the officers’ rest. We’ll stay here for the night. If General Zhou has no pressing matters in camp, you may stay as well. I have something to discuss tomorrow morning."

Zhou Min hesitated briefly but nodded. "As you command, Wang Fei."

Seeing Ye Li’s decision, Sun Yaowu’s eyes flashed with triumph. He stepped forward, smiling obsequiously. "Wang Fei, please come this way. I wasn’t aware of your arrival and didn’t prepare maids to attend to you. I’ll send someone to fetch a few right away."

Ye Li halted and regarded him coolly. "Where do you plan to find maids at this hour, General Sun?"

Sun Yaowu waved a hand dismissively. "There are many villages near Vulture Peak Mountain. Finding a few maids is no trouble at all. It would be their honor to serve you, Wang Fei."

"No need. I’m not particular about such things when traveling. General Sun, if you have no other business, you may retire early." Without waiting for his response, Ye Li strode toward the camp. Sun Yaowu stood frozen for a moment before hastily catching up to guide her.

The next morning, when Ye Li entered the command tent, many were already present—even the Mo Family Army’s officers from ten li away had arrived. The two factions sat on opposite sides, their division clear even without distinguishing their uniforms. It was easy to tell who belonged to Zhou Min and who followed Sun Yaowu. Ye Li frowned slightly. "Where is General Sun?"

The men exchanged glances before a young officer stood and stammered, "R-reporting, Wang Fei… General Sun hasn’t risen yet…"

Hearing this, the Mo Family Army officers couldn’t hide their disdain. The more outspoken among them sneered, "The sun’s nearly at its peak, and he’s still asleep? General Sun must be quite the sleeper. No wonder..."On the other side, discontent was evident as someone couldn't help but grumble, "There's no battle to fight, so why get up so early?"

Ye Li lowered her gaze slightly before raising her head and speaking firmly, "Summon General Sun and administer forty strokes of the cane."

The tent fell into silence, but the members of the Mo Family Army wore expressions that suggested this was only to be expected. Even Zhou Min's expression softened considerably. He had been deeply dissatisfied with Sun Yaowu's behavior but, being of the same rank and considering the delicate status of these remnants of the Chu army, he could only turn a blind eye. The Princess Consort's actions naturally felt like a breath of fresh air to them.

Soon, Sun Yaowu was dragged out and subjected to a harsh caning outside the tent. Surprisingly, despite his usual sycophantic demeanor, Sun Yaowu didn't utter a single groan throughout the punishment. Ye Li slowly swept her gaze over Sun Yaowu's subordinates, her expression thoughtful.

Once the caning was over, Sun Yaowu was dragged back in. With Lin Han personally overseeing the punishment, there was no leniency—Sun Yaowu's back was a bloody mess. He was placed on the ground, lying prone, and managed to say, "This general... greets the Princess Consort."

Ye Li looked down at him coolly and asked, "General Sun, do you accept this punishment?"

Sun Yaowu was taken aback and forced a bitter smile. "This general dares not refuse the Princess Consort's punishment." Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Dare not refuse? So you still refuse, is that it?" Sun Yaowu quickly corrected himself, "No, this general accepts it wholeheartedly."

"Then tell me, why did I punish you?" Ye Li pressed.

"This..." Sun Yaowu hesitated. If he said it was for oversleeping, it seemed too trivial. In truth, he already had an answer in mind but didn't dare voice it in front of Ye Li.

Without looking at him, Ye Li said calmly, "Do you think I punished you because General Zhou Min and the others had grievances against you? Or... because of last night's incident?" Sun Yaowu's expression shifted slightly, confirming her guess.

Ye Li shook her head. "I punished you simply because you woke up late today."

Sun Yaowu was stunned, finding it hard to believe the reason was so straightforward. He also doubted Zhou Min hadn't spoken ill of him to the Princess Consort. Then Ye Li asked, "General Zhou, what is the punishment for a Mo Family Army officer who arrives late to a military council without valid reason?"

Zhou Min, keeping his composure, replied solemnly, "Reporting to the Princess Consort, the penalty is forty strokes of the cane."

Ye Li smiled at Sun Yaowu and asked, "General Sun, is oversleeping a valid reason?" Sun Yaowu flushed with embarrassment and muttered, "This general admits his fault and accepts the punishment wholeheartedly." Ye Li nodded and ordered, "Help General Sun up."

Zhuo Jing and Qin Feng supported Sun Yaowu from either side, firmly seating him in a nearby chair. Having just endured forty strokes, Sun Yaowu was in such pain that he instinctively tried to stand, but Qin Feng pressed him back down with effortless ease. Realizing the Princess Consort was now truly intent on disciplining him, Sun Yaowu could only sit stiffly, his face twisted in discomfort.With a faintly mocking glance at Sun Yaowu, Ye Li addressed the assembled crowd calmly, "Starting today, I will be stationed at the Vulture Peak Mountain camp. Military affairs will continue to be managed by General Zhou and General Sun. I will consider all past incidents as if they never happened. However... should any further inappropriate incidents occur... Lin Han, recite the Mo Family Army's military regulations."

Lin Han swept a glance over Sun Yaowu's group and recited expressionlessly, "Inciting unrest among troops: one hundred lashes. Drinking during wartime: fifty lashes. Violating rest schedules: thirty lashes... Neglect of duty: one hundred lashes. Delaying military operations: execution. Disobeying orders: execution. Retreating in battle: execution..." The relentless string of "executions" drained the color from the listeners' faces.

After Lin Han finished, Ye Li declared, "From today onward, these will also be your military regulations. I won't punish ordinary soldiers—if any violations occur, I will hold you accountable for lax discipline."

Having delivered this message, Ye Li dismissed the assembly. Sun Yaowu, lingering at the rear, hesitated as if wanting to speak. Ye Li, seemingly anticipating this, smiled amiably and asked, "General Sun, do you have something to say?" After a moment's contemplation, Sun Yaowu ventured, "Wang Fei, does your earlier statement mean... that from now on, we will be treated the same as the Mo Family Army?"

Ye Li arched an eyebrow. "Has General Zhou withheld your pay?"

Sun Yaowu grimaced and remained silent. The Mo Family Army had indeed treated them fairly. Though they had spent months idling in camp while the Mo Family Army handled all combat and garrison duties, Zhou Min had never shorted them a single coin of their wages. Receiving equal pay while one group stood ready for battle and the other lounged about would make any self-respecting soldier feel ashamed.

"The Mo Family Army looks down on us defeated generals," Sun Yaowu finally muttered after a long pause.

Ye Li chuckled softly before fixing her gaze on him. "General Sun, based on what I witnessed last night, executing you would have been lenient. Do you know why I didn't punish you? Surely you don't think I'm too soft-hearted to kill you?"

"Of course not, of course not..." Sun Yaowu stammered, recalling how he'd been forcibly restrained motionless for half an hour earlier. He knew this Wang Fei had no shortage of disciplinary methods—soft-heartedness had nothing to do with it.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Good that you understand."

Sun Yaowu hunched his shoulders, wisely holding his tongue. He finally grasped why the famously proud Mo Family Army commanders held this Princess Ding in such esteem—she was neither easily provoked nor fooled. Steeling himself, Sun Yaowu shed his usual furtive demeanor and met Ye Li's gaze directly. "Wang Fei, if the Mo Family Army truly accepts us, we will serve Prince Ding's Estate with complete loyalty." He watched the composed princess uncertainly, wondering if this gamble would pay off.After a long silence, Ye Li finally spoke calmly, "General Sun, do you know why I didn't immediately punish you when I saw the state of your camp last night?" Sun Yaowu was taken aback but dared not play any tricks, answering honestly, "This humble general does not know. Please enlighten me, Wang Fei."

Ye Li replied, "It's because along the way here, the civilians near your camp were relatively stable, showing that despite your indulgence of your subordinates, you still had some restraint. Moreover, though you reeked of alcohol when you came to greet me, the smell was from alcohol poured on you at the time, not from actually being drunk. Marquis Nan once spoke to me about you, but meeting you in person left me somewhat disappointed."

Sun Yaowu lowered his head and smiled bitterly. "So Marquis Nan is still alive. A defeated general like me is unworthy of his remembrance." It turned out that Sun Yaowu had once served under Marquis Nan in his youth. Though his time there was brief and he was only a minor squad leader, Marquis Nan had remembered him—clearly not the mark of an incompetent man.

Ye Li looked at him and said, "I understand what you mean. But I also hope you understand that the Mo Family Army never looks down on the strong. If you lose a battle, you fight again. If you lost last time, win next time—no one will scorn you for it. As the saying goes, victory and defeat are common in war. But now… they truly have reason to look down on you."

Sun Yaowu muttered unwillingly under his breath, "General Zhou only assigns us menial tasks like rear-guard duty and battlefield cleanup. How can we have a chance to fight back?"

Ye Li chuckled lightly. "From now on, you and General Zhou will each command your own forces, guarding separate passes. If you lose again under these circumstances…" Sun Yaowu's eyes brightened, and he declared loudly, "If I lose again, this general will willingly retire from military service, and my soldiers will be at Wang Fei's disposal."

Ye Li smiled in satisfaction. "Good. It's settled then."

"It's settled. This general takes his leave."

As Sun Yaowu left, Zhuo Jing voiced his concern, "Wang Fei, is Sun Yaowu really up to this?" It wasn't that Zhuo Jing looked down on him, but the state of the camp yesterday had been truly appalling—disheveled troops, lazy and demoralized soldiers. Entrusting him with the defense of a major camp was hardly reassuring.

Ye Li smiled. "This man is rather interesting. Look at the battles he's fought. There's a saying—'not the fault of the warrior.' It's not that he's useless, but that the situation at the time was beyond his control. Moreover, a man who can gather tens of thousands of scattered soldiers and keep them from harming civilians must have some ability." She tapped the report in front of her and slid it over to Zhuo Jing.

Qin Feng frowned in confusion. "Then what was he doing before?" If someone less patient than Wang Fei—someone like Lyu Jinxian or Zhang Qilan—had come, Sun Yaowu would likely have been executed on the spot.

Ye Li laughed. "Perhaps he felt that Zhou Min looked down on them, and this was his way of protesting. As for whether he's truly capable, we'll see how he performs from now on. If he proves himself, the Mo Family Army will gain another fierce general. If not, we can always deal with him later."Zhuo Jing put down the memorial and smiled, "This is indeed quite interesting. Sun Yaowu nearly recaptured Luozhou City several times with his troops, but due to insufficient forces and empty reserves, he could only be chased around by the Northern Rong army. Even so, he managed to gather fifty to sixty thousand soldiers along the way."

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "It seems he truly has some capability. Wang Fei's judgment is excellent."

Ye Li smiled faintly, "I hope he won’t disappoint me."

Sun Yaowu indeed proved his worth. Although the overall combat strength of his troops couldn’t compare to Zhou Min’s Mo Family Army, in subsequent engagements with the Northern Rong people, he won more battles than he lost. The Great Chu’s military was not as weak as others believed. By the time He Su arrived with over two hundred thousand troops, the generals of the Mo Family Army had gradually come to accept Sun Yaowu and his ragtag group of defeated soldiers. With He Su’s reinforcements, the Vulture Peak Mountain line became as solid as a fortress. After discussing with her generals, Ye Li adjusted the defensive positions, deploying over three hundred thousand troops across three camps in a crescent formation to protect the area outside Flying Goose Pass. She also transferred fifty thousand soldiers from He Su’s forces to Sun Yaowu, the weakest link, which moved Sun Yaowu to deep gratitude and earned his unwavering respect for Princess Ding.

Meanwhile, He Lianpeng, before his wounds had fully healed, led his troops to the Northern Rong camp near Vulture Peak Mountain. Within days of arriving, as soon as his injuries showed signs of recovery, he took his men to provoke the Mo Family Army outside their camp. The Mo Family Army had established three interconnected camps around Vulture Peak Mountain, so He Lianpeng had no idea which one Ye Li was stationed in. He simply chose the closest to the Northern Rong camp to taunt—where Sun Yaowu was currently stationed. Sun Yaowu, brimming with motivation, refused to let He Lianpeng humiliate him and immediately mustered his troops to face the enemy.

Coincidentally, Ye Li was inspecting Sun Yaowu’s camp that day. Curious about his leadership skills, she discreetly followed them out.

On the battlefield, Sun Yaowu noticed He Lianpeng’s arm hidden beneath his cloak and burst into triumphant laughter. "General He Lian, our Wang Fei asked me to inquire—have your wounds healed yet? Why the rush to challenge us?"

He Lianpeng’s expression darkened. Having trained under Murong Xiong since childhood, he prided himself on being different from ordinary Northern Rong warriors. Yet, he had been severely wounded by Ye Li, a woman with mediocre internal energy, nearly bleeding to death. Not only had he lost face before Yelv Ye, but his pride had also suffered a crushing blow. Sun Yaowu’s taunt about his injury ignited a murderous glint in his eyes.

"Whether my wounds have healed or not, why don’t you ask your Wang Fei to come see for herself? Even with one hand, dealing with trash like you is more than enough," He Lianpeng growled, thrusting his newly replaced longsword forward. "Care to test that, General Sun?"Sun Yaowu shrank his neck, knowing full well that in terms of martial prowess, ten of him wouldn’t be enough to withstand He Lianpeng’s blade. His eyes darted, and he grinned, saying, “This general is no martial arts master—how could I possibly spar with General He Lian? Why not try out this general’s newly practiced Dog Beating Formation instead?” With a wave of his hand, the soldiers behind him roared in unison and charged forward.

Though He Lianpeng was well-versed in the Central Plains’ language and even had some knowledge of military tactics, he couldn’t immediately grasp what this so-called Dog Beating Formation was. He only sensed it wasn’t anything complimentary. With a cold snort, he raised his long blade, and the war horns blared behind him as the Bei Rong warriors bellowed and surged forward.

The Bei Rong forces were primarily cavalry, renowned for their ferocity—even the Black Cloud Cavalry sometimes had to avoid their sharpness. This was naturally due to the terrain of the grasslands beyond the frontier, but such cavalry was ill-suited for most regions of the Central Plains. Though there were no towering peaks near Vulture Peak Mountain, the area was still riddled with hills and narrow passes, making it difficult for cavalry to maneuver effectively.

Sun Yaowu’s soldiers wielded curved blades to slash at the horses’ legs, spears to unseat riders, and short blades to finish the job—their coordination was seamless. As for the so-called Dog Beating Formation, it was purely a taunt aimed at He Lianpeng, who, lacking much of a sense of humor, completely missed the jab. The Bei Rong cavalry, like the Black Cloud Cavalry, wore no heavy armor for the sake of speed and mobility, and thus suffered significant losses in the initial clash.

From the shadows, Ye Li observed the battle and noted that Sun Yaowu fought with a ruthlessly pragmatic approach. Trip ropes, blade strikes at horses’ legs, spears, arrows, hidden weapons—he used anything that could inflict damage, regardless of conventional tactics. Accustomed to the disciplined styles of the Great Chu and the Mo Family Army, the Bei Rong soldiers were caught off guard by Sun Yaowu’s unorthodox methods.

The battle ended in less than an hour, with He Lianpeng ordering a retreat, his face dark with frustration. Though not defeated, his forces had taken considerable losses. Sun Yaowu didn’t pursue them, instead cheerfully sending his men to scavenge the battlefield and haul back the fallen Bei Rong horses for a feast.

“General Sun has truly impressed this Wang Fei,” Ye Li remarked with a smile, watching the smug Sun Yaowu.

Sun Yaowu hurriedly replied, “This lowly general is unrefined—please forgive my crude methods, Wang Fei.” Ye Li shook her head. “No need for modesty, General. Today’s battle was truly eye-opening.” Seeing she wasn’t jesting, Sun Yaowu could only chuckle awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Ye Li, familiar with his nature, paid it no mind.

Meanwhile, in the north, Prince Ding’s Estate had just stabilized the northern borders and was now fully engaged in war with the Bei Rong, leaving no room to spare for the south. But the southern factions were far from idle. Since Mo Jingli had returned to Jiangnan with Dongfang You, Dongfang Hui had also quietly infiltrated the Great Chu court and beyond with the forces of Boundless Mountains. Though Dongfang Hui never appeared in court, the entire Great Chu government was subtly under the sway of Boundless Mountains. The only one who could somewhat counterbalance this influence was the Empress Dowager, residing deep in the palace.

The Empress Dowager had previously struck a deal with Mo Xiuyao to preserve her life and title, but gains came with costs. Moreover, with Boundless Mountains tightening its grip on Great Chu’s power, the already waning authority of the Empress Dowager would only suffer further. Naturally, she was willing to cooperate with Prince Ding’s Estate.Thus, in the court, the Empress Dowager and Mo Jingli completely tore off all pretenses. With the support of the Boundless Mountains, Mo Jingli was naturally eager to ascend the throne himself, and he found his young nephew, who currently occupied the imperial seat, utterly intolerable. However, the Empress Dowager and some of the old court ministers were determined to protect the young emperor at all costs. As a result, the two factions engaged in open and covert struggles, creating turbulent undercurrents within and beyond the court of Great Chu.

Dongfang Hui, who secretly manipulated the Great Chu court, gradually began to find some amusement in it. Although the Boundless Mountains held a lofty and revered status, how could its isolated ascetic practices compare to the allure of wielding power that could shape the world at will? Thus, Dongfang Hui devoted more effort to suppressing the Empress Dowager's faction. By the time she realized something was amiss, the Western Mausoleum Army had already surrounded the Boundless Mountains.

To Mo Jingli, the Boundless Mountains were just a mountain. If lost, he could simply find another place. But to Dongfang Hui, the significance of the Boundless Mountains was no less than that of Chu Jing to Great Chu. Mo Jingli could afford to lose Great Chu, but Dongfang Hui could not allow the Western Mausoleum Army to destroy the Boundless Mountains—she could not bear such humiliation.

Helpless, Dongfang Hui had no choice but to leave all affairs in Jiangnan to Dongfang You and hurriedly led her people back to the Boundless Mountains. What she didn’t know was that entrusting such important matters to Dongfang You’s temperament would lead to major trouble. More critically, this departure meant she would never return to Great Chu again.

Although Dongfang Hui received the news extremely quickly, the Western Liang Army and Xu Qingchen were even faster. The natural protective barrier around the Boundless Mountains could not delay Qingchen Gongzi for long. By the time Dongfang Hui arrived, the Western Liang Army had already seized the main peak of the Boundless Mountains. Having uncovered many of the mountain’s secrets, both Western Liang and Prince Ding’s Estate began ruthlessly purging the spies and industries the Boundless Mountains had planted over the years. In no time, apart from Jiangnan and a few deeply hidden forces, nearly all were wiped out. The Boundless Mountains suffered devastating losses—even if not completely destroyed, it would take at least fifty or sixty years to recover.

Dongfang Hui loathed Lei Zhenting and Xu Qingchen to the core but could do nothing. She could only lead her remaining followers back to Jiangnan, but before crossing the Cloud Ripple River, she was intercepted by Lei Tengfeng and Xu Qingchen.

“What an impressive Zhennan Wang Shizi, what an impressive Qingchen Gongzi—truly remarkable!” Dongfang Hui, now at her wit’s end, gazed at the two juniors before her with complex emotions. She had never imagined the Boundless Mountains would be so easily ruined in her hands, nor that she would be cornered by two youngsters. Qingchen Gongzi remained composed, smiling faintly without a word.

Lei Tengfeng chuckled, “You flatter us, Madam Dongfang. Speaking of which… we owe our timely interception to someone from your own Boundless Mountains. Without their help, even with most of your forces destroyed, we juniors would never have found you.”

Dongfang Hui stiffened, her eyes flickering. “Someone from the Boundless Mountains… Who?!”

Lei Tengfeng grinned. “Why feign ignorance, Madam? How many in this world could possibly know your whereabouts?”

Dongfang Hui paled, shaking her head. “It’s her… No, impossible. Why… why would she do this?” Seeing her reaction, Lei Tengfeng felt a surge of satisfaction. Though his father had no interest in the Boundless Mountains’ support, their past preference for Mo Jingli over him had left a lingering resentment. Watching Dongfang Hui’s downfall now brought him no small pleasure. “As for why she did it, you should ask yourself, Madam. After all, she is… your beloved disciple.”

Dongfang Hui was neither impulsive nor foolish. She quickly grasped her predicament. Ignoring Lei Tengfeng’s gloating, she calmly met his gaze. “Zhennan Wang Shizi, what do you intend to do with me?”"This..." Lei Tengfeng hesitated. Lei Zhenting's intention was to directly kill Dongfang Hui. Given Dongfang Hui's temperament, once she regained her strength, they would face her vicious retaliation. The Boundless Mountains had existed for centuries, with deep involvement in the politics of various nations. Although most of her forces had been destroyed, no one knew if she still had any secret factions hidden in the shadows. Often, a single fatal strike was enough. But Lei Tengfeng couldn't help but entertain another thought—he needed someone to assist him. Over the years, despite his utmost efforts, his achievements had been mediocre. Even Mo Jingli, whom he had always looked down upon, had gained far greater fame than him. He knew he needed someone who could fully understand his power and subordinates. And Dongfang Hui's recent performance in Chu had proven beyond doubt that she was a woman of formidable capability.

With just one glance, Dongfang Hui knew Lei Tengfeng was wavering. A dark glint flashed in her eyes as she said solemnly, "Since things have come to this, I, Dongfang Hui, admit defeat. I and all under the Boundless Mountains submit to the Young Master's judgment."

Lei Tengfeng's heart indeed stirred. He smiled faintly and said, "Madam is truly a heroine among women, able to accept both victory and defeat."

"Prince Rui." Xu Qingchen, standing beside Lei Tengfeng, suddenly spoke with a smile. The moment he opened his mouth, Dongfang Hui knew things were about to go wrong. She inwardly regretted being too hasty in currying favor with Lei Tengfeng and forgetting Xu Qingchen was still present. Before Xu Qingchen could continue, she said coolly, "Since when has Qingchen Gongzi taken an interest in the affairs of Zhennan Wang's estate?"

Though Lei Tengfeng was somewhat tempted by Dongfang Hui and the remnants of the Boundless Mountains, he was not so reckless as to lose his head over it. Moreover, he had always held a mix of admiration and wariness toward Xu Qingchen and naturally didn’t want to slight him. With a mild tone, he asked, "Does Qingchen Gongzi have something to say?"

Xu Qingchen's gaze swept lightly over Dongfang Hui as he said softly, "I merely wish to remind the Prince—beware of striking a snake without killing it, lest it turn and bite you."

Lei Tengfeng shuddered, his mind suddenly clearing. He recalled his father's wary attitude toward the Boundless Mountains. If even his father had no confidence in controlling them and had preferred to collaborate with Prince Ding's Estate to destroy them, what made him think he could succeed? It was more likely that instead of gaining an ally, he would invite a wolf into his home. The thought sent a cold sweat down his spine. He silently acknowledged his father's criticism—that he still lacked experience—was indeed true.

"Thank you for the reminder, Gongzi," Lei Tengfeng said solemnly.

Hearing this, Dongfang Hui knew all was lost. Her face paled with despair as she glared hatefully at Xu Qingchen. "Xu Qingchen, what deep-seated grudge do I have with you that you must harm me like this?!" Back then, Dongfang You had been forced to abandon her plans and reluctantly marry Mo Jingli because of Xu Qingchen—Dongfang Hui didn’t believe for a second that Xu Qingchen hadn’t schemed in this. Later, Xu Qingchen personally went south to assist the Western Liang Army in breaking the Boundless Mountains' protective formation, ensuring their complete destruction. And now, with just a few casual words, he had cut off her last hope of survival. One could say the Boundless Mountains had fallen solely at Xu Qingchen's hands. Dongfang Hui truly wanted to ask—what enmity had the Boundless Mountains and she, Dongfang Hui, incurred with Xu Qingchen in their past lives?Xu Qingchen smiled faintly and said, "Madam overestimates the situation. It's nothing more than differing stances."

Dongfang Hui's continued existence posed a threat to Prince Ding's Estate—why leave any potential trouble when they could eliminate it?

Such casually spoken words made Dongfang Hui's eyes burn with fury. As she glared at Xu Qingchen and opened her mouth to speak, a sharp whoosh cut through the air. A streak of silver light pierced her chest, blossoming into a grotesque flower of blood. Dongfang Hui looked down, staring fixedly at the arrowhead protruding from her chest, its cold gleam stained crimson under the sunlight.

"W-why...?" she whispered, her eyes filled with pain, unwillingness, and confusion.

Xu Qingchen's calm voice drifted over, "Even if I didn't intervene, Madam should know you would never leave this place alive. This manner of death... is far more agonizing for you than falling to the Western Mausoleum Army, isn't it?"

Dongfang Hui twitched her lips, as if trying to force a smile. But she no longer had the strength—the light in her eyes gradually dimmed until it faded entirely.

Lei Tengfeng stood beside Xu Qingchen, gazing at the woman lying in a pool of blood. After a long silence, he sighed. "Qingchen Gongzi's mercy... is truly something few can bear. There's a saying that rings true—'The hearts of women are the most venomous.'"

Xu Qingchen smiled lightly and looked up. "Since matters in the Boundless Mountains are settled, I shall return to Li Cheng. Please convey my farewells to Zhennan Wang on my behalf, Rui Junwang."

Lei Tengfeng was startled. "Gongzi... you're leaving already?"

Xu Qingchen chuckled. "Worldly affairs demand attention. I have no time to linger."

Lei Tengfeng hesitated briefly—should he detain Xu Qingchen? But the man's serene smile and the imposing presence of the guards behind him made him abandon the thought. With a polite bow, he said, "In that case, I won't detain you further."

Xu Qingchen nodded. "No need for formalities, Rui Junwang. Farewell."

In the south, within the Regent's Estate.

In a dimly lit chamber, Dongfang You sat alone, lost in thought. Had anyone been present, they would have seen her beautiful, seemingly affectionate eyes now bloodshot—clearly from recent anguish. Her delicate face was etched with exhaustion, worry, and a trace of ruthless resolve.

Knock, knock...

A soft rapping at the door startled her. She shot to her feet, staring at the entrance. "Who is it?"

"Miss... Madam, Madam..." came an urgent voice from outside.

Dongfang You's heart lurched. She rushed to the door and flung it open. "What happened to Madam?"

The woman at the threshold wept. "Madam was killed by Lei Tengfeng and Xu Qingchen by the Cloud Ripple River. And the Boundless Mountains... the Boundless Mountains are finished..."

"Master..." Dongfang You murmured, swaying as if about to collapse.

The woman beside her quickly steadied her, concern lacing her voice. "Miss, with Madam gone and the elders... all slain by Lei Tengfeng, the Boundless Mountains now depend on you. You must stay strong!"Dongfang You waved her hand weakly and said, "I understand. You may leave now. I want some time alone. Tell them... tell them to come see me tomorrow." The woman cast a worried glance at Dongfang You but ultimately sighed and retreated with a heavy heart. With Madam and the elders suddenly killed, the heavy responsibility of Boundless Mountains now fell upon the young mistress. But considering the young mistress's temperament...

After dismissing the messenger, Dongfang You slowly closed the door. The room returned to its previous dimness as she collapsed onto the bed, sobbing quietly. She was a child adopted by Dongfang Hui, raised by her master since childhood—taught to read and write, trained in martial arts and strategy. And now... "Master, don't blame You'er... I hate Mo Jingli. Why did you force me? You loved You'er the most, don't blame me..."

While Dongfang You received the news of Dongfang Hui's death, Mo Jingli naturally learned of it as well. Unlike Dongfang You's overwhelming grief, Mo Jingli was filled with joy. Though only a few months had passed, he had long grown weary of Dongfang Hui's control and meddling. This was far from what he had imagined when he sought the power of Boundless Mountains. If Dongfang Hui hadn't died, he feared he would have become a puppet one day.

But with Dongfang You, things were entirely different. Though she considered herself exceptionally clever, she was far easier to handle compared to Dongfang Hui. Moreover, Mo Jingli could sense Dongfang Hui's growing lust for power, whereas Dongfang You herself had little interest in authority. Mo Jingli believed that, given time, he could use Dongfang You to seize control of Boundless Mountains' remaining forces. Though most had been destroyed by Zhennan Wang, what remained was still considerable—enough to give him absolute dominance, at least within the Jiangnan region.

When Mo Jingli hurried to Dongfang You's room and heard the muffled sobs inside, he frowned and pushed the door open. "Wang Fei..."

Dongfang You abruptly sat up, her gaze sharp as a blade as she glared at Mo Jingli. "What are you doing here?!" she snapped.

Ignoring her anger, Mo Jingli stepped inside and raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Why the tears? Crying for your master?" Dongfang You wiped her eyes and stared coldly at him. "What do you want to say? Or do you think I'll fear you now that Master is dead?"

Mo Jingli looked at her and said, "Not only is your master dead, but your Boundless Mountains is finished. Dongfang You, do you think this prince still needs to be polite to you?" Dongfang You sneered. "The power of Boundless Mountains isn't so easily destroyed. Even if the forces of Western Liang and Prince Ding's Estate are gone—Mo Jingli, do you believe I could crush you right now?"

Mo Jingli's eyes flickered warily as he stared at Dongfang You. He knew she wasn't joking. The biggest difference between this woman and her master was her refusal to weigh pros and cons. Such a woman was far more dangerous because, if provoked, she might actually kill him. Though it was humiliating to admit he couldn't defeat a woman, Mo Jingli had to acknowledge that Dongfang You's martial skills were exceptional—perhaps the strongest he had ever seen, surpassing even Ye Li and King of Hell Pavilion's Leng Liuyue.With a dark glint in his eyes, Mo Jingli smiled faintly and said, "There's no need for this. This prince has no intention of making things difficult for you."

Dongfang You snorted coldly, clearly indifferent. Mo Jingli looked at her and lowered his voice, "This prince knows your thoughts. We can cooperate."

Dongfang You was taken aback, eyeing him with suspicion. Without changing his expression, Mo Jingli continued, "You still can't forget Xu Qingchen, can you? It's alright. As long as you cooperate with me, this prince can help you win him over."

"With just you?" Dongfang You scoffed.

Her disdain sparked a flicker of displeasure in Mo Jingli's eyes, but he remained composed. "Since this prince dares to say it, naturally, I have the means and ability. The question is whether you truly want it. Or perhaps... Qingchen Gongzi isn't as important to you as you claim? Then you might as well obediently remain as Wang Fei in the Regent's Manor. This prince won’t mistreat you. However, Qingchen Gongzi is already past thirty. No matter what, he’ll likely marry within the next two years. By then, with a peerless beauty by his side—"

"Enough!" Dongfang You snapped.

Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow, watching her. After a long silence, Dongfang You said coldly, "I'll cooperate with you."

Outside the door, a white figure quietly slipped away.

In the courtyard of the Regent’s Consort Rong, Ye Ying handed a letter to the delicate-looking girl beside her with an indifferent expression. "Have this delivered to Lady Yao Ji at Marquis Muyang Manor."

Before long, a gray-clad figure flitted out of the manor and disappeared into the distance...

--- Author's Note ---

Damn the censors~ Took me over an hour to find a way around~ Some terms are just too heavy-handed, aren’t they? But honestly, what I wrote was perfectly innocent~ Handing over this checkpoint~ to him!