Mo Li

The Black Cloud Cavalry swept across the battlefield like a black whirlwind. The white-haired veteran general Yuan Pei, still vigorous despite his age, personally led his troops on horseback. Seeing Ye Li safe and sound, he visibly relaxed.

"This humble general greets Princess Ding!"

Ye Li quickly reached out to stop Yuan Pei from bowing and smiled, "Old General, there’s no need for formalities. We owe our safety to your timely arrival." Yuan Pei straightened up and replied, "This general merely led troops to provide support. Princess Ding’s arduous defense of Vulture Peak Mountain these past days is truly admirable. This general is in awe."

Seeing the old general’s solemn expression, Ye Li couldn’t help but chuckle. "Let’s save the mutual praise until after this battle is over." Yuan Pei also laughed, but his expression darkened as he glanced at He Lianpeng, who was still locked in combat with Han Mingyue. "That brat is He Lianzhen’s son? He’s got quite the nerve!"

The Mo Family Army’s hatred for He Lianzhen far surpassed that for others, and since He Lianpeng was He Lianzhen’s son, he naturally couldn’t escape the fallout. Ye Li smiled faintly. "Indeed, he is He Lianzhen’s adopted son."

Yuan Pei nodded repeatedly. "Excellent. Back then, I never had the chance to face He Lianzhen. Today, capturing his son will leave him speechless."

In the duel between He Lianpeng and Han Mingyue, Han Mingyue appeared relaxed and unhurried, having no pressing need to win. He Lianpeng, however, grew increasingly anxious as the fight dragged on without resolution. Yet, Han Mingyue’s martial prowess made it impossible for him to disengage at will. By the time the Black Cloud Cavalry closed in, He Lianpeng knew the tide had turned. Swallowing his reluctance, he realized escape was now or never. With a fierce resolve, he unleashed a flurry of desperate strikes, momentarily overwhelming Han Mingyue. Seizing the opportunity, He Lianpeng broke free and fled toward the distance.

"Princess Ding, I shall seek your guidance another day!" Mounting a horse, He Lianpeng yanked the reins and galloped north. The Northern Rong soldiers, seeing their commander retreat, hastily followed suit.

Yuan Pei, eager to pursue, was stopped by Ye Li. "He Lianpeng still commands at least a hundred thousand troops. There’s no need to chase too aggressively. He Su and the others should be returning soon."

Reluctantly, Yuan Pei halted. His duty to defend Flying Goose Pass took precedence over engaging He Lianpeng further.

As He Lianpeng retreated with his battered forces, he encountered He Su’s troops—fresh from capturing Huicheng and rushing to reinforce Vulture Peak Mountain—blocking his path. Meanwhile, Ye Li, having regrouped her forces, pressed from behind. Caught between the two, He Lianpeng suffered heavy losses, ultimately fleeing back to the Northern Rong Camp with only a few thousand men remaining.

After repelling He Lianpeng, Ye Li left Zhou Min in charge of the western front and returned to the Mo Family Army camp with He Su and Sun Yaowu.Inside the Northern Rong Camp, Yelv Ye glared furiously at He Lianpeng kneeling in the center of the tent, his face dark with rage. "Nearly four hundred thousand troops, and you bring back only a few thousand for this prince? He Lianpeng, you truly have remarkable skills! You even dared to defy my military orders?! What do you think you are?" Yelv Ye's anger wasn't solely due to He Lianpeng's devastating losses. In recent days, the Northern Rong Camp had suffered even greater casualties than He Lianpeng's forces. However, He Lianpeng's disobedience provided Yelv Ye with a perfect outlet for his fury. Thus, the moment He Lianpeng returned to camp, he was subjected to a torrent of scathing reprimands. No commanding general would tolerate such a reckless subordinate.

Seated nearby, Helian Zhen's expression was equally grim. He Lianpeng was his adopted son and protégé. Yelv Ye's public berating of He Lianpeng was a direct slap to Helian Zhen's face. Yet, this time, the fault undeniably lay with He Lianpeng. Even Helian Zhen could find no words to defend him.

Only after Yelv Ye had vented his anger did Helian Zhen speak solemnly, "Seventh Prince, the Mo Family Army is currently riding high on momentum. Losing our tempers here will achieve nothing." In recent days, the Mo Family Army had advanced triumphantly, forcing the Northern Rong troops into continuous retreat over two hundred li. Had it not been for this, Yelv Ye wouldn't have been so desperate to recall He Lianpeng's forces. Yet, He Lianpeng's defiance had instead squandered over two hundred thousand troops in vain at Vulture Peak Mountain.

"What does Uncle suggest?" Yelv Ye suppressed his rage and asked gravely.

For a moment, Helian Zhen was at a loss. In the past, his victories over the Mo Family Army had largely relied on the element of surprise after obtaining their defense plans in advance. But the current Mo Family Army was not the same as it had been over a decade ago, nor was there another foolish Chu Emperor to hand them defense plans and stab the Mo Family Army in the back.

After a long silence, Helian Zhen finally spoke solemnly, "The Mo Family Army's military achievements are formidable. Alone, we stand little chance of defeating them. We need allies."

"Allies?" Yelv Ye frowned. "Who can we ally with now? The Northern Realm is already destroyed, and Western Liang... To the south, Mo Jingli is watching like a tiger eyeing its prey. I doubt Lei Zhenting will engage the Mo Family Army anytime soon."

Helian Zhen replied gravely, "Then we must bring Western Liang and Great Chu together. Lei Zhenting must realize that once we Northern Rong fall, Western Liang will be next to face the Mo Family Army. If we can eliminate the Mo Family Army first, he will surely agree."

Hearing this, Yelv Ye fell into deep thought. After a long pause, he asked, "Even so, what about Mo Jingli? Once Lei Zhenting clashes with the Mo Family Army, Mo Jingli will undoubtedly cross the Cloud Ripple River to strike Western Liang. Then all our efforts will be in vain."Helian Peng said, "Mo Jingli's enmity with Mo Xiuyao is no less than ours. As long as we can persuade him, it’s fine to promise him some benefits after the Mo Family Army is destroyed." Hearing Helian Peng's words, Yelv Ye was somewhat tempted. He had met Mo Jingli several times and had some understanding of him—a man with grand ambitions but short-sighted and mediocre in ability. If they could offer him sufficient benefits, he might indeed join forces with them to deal with Mo Xiuyao first. However, the benefits promised to Mo Jingli would have to come from Lei Zhenting, so they needed someone capable of persuading Zhennan Wang Lei Zhenting. But Lei Zhenting was not as easy to handle as Mo Jingli.

"Uncle, do you have anyone in mind who could persuade Lei Zhenting?" Among the Bei Rong people, there were few eloquent speakers, and for a moment, Yelv Ye couldn’t think of anyone suitable to send.

Helian Zhen smiled. "This general is willing to go personally."

Yelv Ye frowned slightly, glancing at Helian Zhen with a trace of concern in his eyes. Over the years, Yelv Ye had gradually come to feel that his uncle was no longer the Flying Cavalry General who once commanded awe across Northern Rong. Instead, he had taken on something of the flavor of a Central Plains politician. Though he hated Mo Xiuyao to the bone, he seemed to have abandoned the idea of defeating him openly on the battlefield. For a moment, Yelv Ye couldn’t decide whether this was good or bad.

After some thought, realizing he truly had no better candidate, Yelv Ye nodded. "In that case, I’ll trouble you with this matter, Uncle." Helian Zhen smiled. "Seventh Highness, rest assured. This subordinate will not disappoint your expectations. After I leave, engage the Mo Family Army in battle if possible; if not, hold your ground. Once the armies of Western Liang and Great Chu move, the pressure on Your Highness will ease considerably."

Yelv Ye nodded. "This prince understands."

Helian Zhen glanced at Helian Peng, who was still kneeling on the ground, and hesitated before saying, "Helian Peng..." Yelv Ye had taken a dislike to Helian Peng and hadn’t ordered him to rise earlier, so Helian Peng had no choice but to remain kneeling.

"Get up," Yelv Ye said indifferently. "Return to your tent for now. This prince will decide later what to do with you."

Helian Zhen knew further words would be useless and could only nod. "Thank you, Seventh Highness, for your mercy."

Helian Peng stood up. "Thank you, Seventh Highness." Yelv Ye snorted coldly, not bothering to acknowledge him.

After leaving the main tent and returning to Helian Zhen’s quarters, Helian Peng knelt again. "Father, please punish me." Helian Zhen stared at him coldly for a long moment before finally asking, "Didn’t I tell you to hold Vulture Peak Mountain and nothing more? Who told you to stubbornly clash with Princess Ding?"

Helian Peng lowered his head in silence.

Helian Zhen glared at him icily. "When Seventh Highness ordered your recall, surely someone as clever as you could tell it was my intention? Yet you dared to disobey! Helian, I’ve always held high hopes for you, but ever since this campaign began, you’ve disappointed me deeply."

Helian Peng had no reply. Not only was Helian Zhen disappointed in him, but even he himself felt some disappointment. He had never imagined he would actually lose to Princess Ding—and in such a humiliating manner.Although Helian Peng was born in Northern Rong and was an orphan adopted by Helian Zhen, he had the privilege of becoming a disciple of Murong Xiong, who could be considered the top martial artist in the Central Plains. Through diligent study of martial arts and Central Plains culture, he had always believed himself to be different from those tribesmen whom the Central Plains people called barbarians. This belief remained unchanged even after following his adoptive father onto the battlefield to serve under the Seventh Prince. Vaguely, he even looked down upon that lofty Seventh Prince. However, it was only after this defeat that he realized the Northern Rong people were not as foolish and reckless as he had thought—they might not even be inferior to his self-righteous self. At the very least, on the current Northern Rong battlefield, apart from the central army camp that faced Prince Ding head-on, his forces had suffered the most humiliating defeat among all the other troops. It was at this moment that Helian Peng truly calmed down and began to think as a commander. Unfortunately, his awakening and composure came at the cost of over a hundred thousand Northern Rong soldiers' lives.

Watching the ashen expression on Helian Peng’s face, Helian Zhen sighed and said, "Get up. This defeat isn’t entirely your fault—you’re not the first to lose to Princess Ding. This is your first time on the battlefield, so some oversights are inevitable." Without exception, men naturally harbor a sense of male superiority, especially in this era. Even though Ye Li’s reputation shook the world, and no matter how many people praised Princess Ding’s prowess—even her enemies acknowledged her capabilities—they still tended to underestimate her in action. It wasn’t due to arrogance or carelessness, but rather an inherent flaw ingrained in the men of this era. They were too accustomed to viewing women as frail and dependent on men. Even if a few were formidable, their strength was still seen as limited.

Helian Peng stood up, shamefaced, and said, "Father, please forgive me. Your son will not repeat such mistakes in the future."

Helian Zhen nodded. "I raised you, taught you military strategy, and helped you study martial arts under a renowned Central Plains master—all so that one day, you could defeat Mo Xiuyao for me and achieve unparalleled feats for yourself. Do not disappoint me."

Helian Peng nodded, then asked with concern, "Father, do you truly intend to personally go to Western Liang to persuade Lei Zhenting to ally with Mo Jingli and Northern Rong?" Helian Zhen sighed and replied, "With Northern Rong’s strength alone, defeating the Mo Family Army is nearly hopeless. More importantly, if we lose this war, it won’t just mean withdrawing from the Central Plains—once we return to the Northern Rong royal court, there may no longer be a place for the Helian family or the Seventh Prince. Therefore, this war must be won at all costs. No matter what, we must convince Lei Zhenting to mobilize his forces against Prince Ding’s Estate."

"Lei Zhenting won’t be easily persuaded," Helian Peng said. To convince both Lei Zhenting and Mo Jingli, Lei Zhenting would have to relinquish some of the benefits he had already secured in favor of Mo Jingli. How could he so readily trade what was already in his grasp for something still uncertain in the distant future?"Don't worry, I'm afraid Lei Zhenting himself is eager to deal with Prince Ding's Estate," Helian Zhen said with a smile. "Lei Zhenting is no longer young, but his son Lei Tengfeng lacks his father's great talent and bold vision. If anything were to happen to Lei Zhenting in the future, Prince Ding's Estate would first target Western Liang. Given this, Lei Zhenting would inevitably choose to strike first. However, Great Chu and Mo Jingli have become his concerns. As long as we resolve these concerns for him, he will naturally agree to raise an army."

Helian Peng remained silent for a moment before cupping his hands and saying, "Father's foresight is profound, far beyond what this child could match."

Helian Zhen patted his son's shoulder and smiled. "Father needs to pack and prepare for the journey. You may go now."

"This child takes his leave."

In the Mo Family Army camp, Prince Ding, who had eagerly awaited his beloved wife's return, found himself unable to enjoy the boundless bliss of holding her in his arms. Instead, he could only gaze pitifully at his wife, who looked at him with a calm expression, his face full of grievance.

"A Li, what's wrong? Who upset you?" Prince Ding asked cautiously, his voice gentle. Fortunately, only the two of them were in the tent, or else the entire Mo Family Army—unaware of Prince Ding's true nature—would have been shocked. Though he asked, Mo Xiuyao was far too clever not to know why A Li was acting this way. As he looked at Ye Li, he quickly racked his brain to figure out who dared to interfere with his plans.

Ye Li glanced at him lightly and said leisurely, "Your Highness worries too much. Who could possibly upset me?"

"A Li..." Unable to hold back any longer, Mo Xiuyao lunged forward and tightly wrapped his arms around Ye Li's waist, resting his chin on her shoulder and nuzzling against her. "A Li, I was wrong..." Ye Li finally looked at him seriously and asked coolly, "What exactly was Your Highness wrong about?"

"I shouldn't have gone to the Northern Rong Camp alone," Mo Xiuyao said, stealing a glance at Ye Li's expression before hastily adding.

Mentioning this only made Ye Li's expression darken further. She let out a cold laugh and said, "Prince Ding's martial arts are unparalleled under heaven, so naturally, there's nowhere you can't go. How could this be considered a mistake? Why bother having others hide it from me? Had I known earlier, this humble wife could have cheered for Your Highness." The fact that she referred to herself as "this humble wife" showed how truly angry she was. Mo Xiuyao inwardly groaned. Prince Ding feared nothing in the world—except his beloved wife's anger. Feng Zhiyao often mocked him for being henpecked, and though it was true, he reveled in it.

"A Li, I was angry... What if you had really been kidnapped by Helian Peng? At the time, all I wanted was to kill Helian Peng, then Helian Zhen and Yelv Ye, so no one would ever dare harm A Li again." Ignoring Ye Li's struggles, Mo Xiuyao held her tightly in his arms, his voice muffled with emotion. Hearing the faint note of grievance and fear in his voice, Ye Li felt a sharp pang in her heart, and all her anger melted away.

She raised a hand and gently smoothed his silver hair, which draped over her chest, sighing inwardly. Lifting his face from her shoulder to meet his gaze, Ye Li said softly, "I have plenty of people protecting me. How could Helian Peng possibly kidnap me?""But after hearing it, I was terrified. I couldn't control that feeling... I just want A Li to stay by my side forever, never leaving even for a moment." Mo Xiuyao's hoarse voice revealed his sincerity. Ye Li felt her eyes grow hot, as if something was about to spill out. She could only lower her head to rest on his shoulder and whisper, "Haven't you ever thought about what I would do if something happened to you? What would Xiao Bao, Lin'er, and Xin'er do?"

If something happened to you, what would I do? To Mo Xiuyao, these were the most moving words in the world. They brought him more joy than any declaration of love ever could. A Li had always been independent and strong-willed, making these the most vulnerable words he had ever heard from her.

"I won't let anything happen to me. Not when it's for A Li." Mo Xiuyao happily assured her. If things went smoothly, he might even get away with his reckless plan to infiltrate the Northern Rong Camp alone. Then he could be with A Li...

"You say nothing will happen and tell me not to worry. Do you expect me to believe that?" Ye Li raised her head and gave him a cool glance, catching the smug smile he hadn't yet managed to hide. Mo Xiuyao's handsome face immediately fell. "A Li, I was wrong... I'll never do something like this again. Don't be angry with me, alright?"

Seeing him like this, Ye Li could only sigh helplessly. She truly didn't know where Mo Xiuyao got this temperament. In public, he was the dignified and imposing ruler, but in private, he could sometimes be more childish than even Mo Xiaobao. Yet despite this, Ye Li understood clearly that this playful, coquettish side he only showed in private didn't represent his true nature. Mo Xiuyao's true temperament had been irrevocably tainted by cruelty and violence during that earth-shattering upheaval over a decade ago. No matter what the future held, the world would never again see the legendary, free-spirited yet upright prodigy of yesteryear.

Just like this incident—with Mo Xiuyao's intelligence, how could he not have thought of a better solution? Yet he had unhesitatingly chosen the most direct method, not only to intimidate the enemy but also to vent the rage festering in his heart. Ye Li understood Mo Xiuyao well enough that she often indulged him, yet she couldn't help worrying that one day, he would inevitably hurt both others and himself.

"A Li, do you hate me?" Mo Xiuyao suddenly asked after Ye Li remained silent for a long time. A trace of sorrow and grievance flickered across his half-lowered handsome face, but Ye Li could tell this wasn't another deliberate act meant to placate her like before.Mo Xiuyao raised his head, his gaze towards Ye Li tinged with gloom, yet beneath it lay an undercurrent of unease. "A Li mustn't hate me. In this world, anyone can hate me—except A Li. A Li must never think of leaving me!" Ye Li understood Mo Xiuyao well. After ten years together, he naturally knew her just as thoroughly. Though Ye Li was decisive in her actions, firm in her resolve, and even more steadfast than most men, at her core, she was not someone who reveled in bloodshed or killing. Had these tumultuous years not unfolded, Mo Xiuyao believed she could have excelled just as well as an ordinary noblewoman—a virtuous wife and loving mother. She wasn’t afraid to kill, yet her heart remained peaceful, devoid of malice or bloodlust.

Subconsciously, Mo Xiuyao didn’t want Ye Li to know his true thoughts. Even though he knew it was impossible to hide them from her, he often unconsciously displayed an almost childish side in front of her, hoping to mask the darker aspects of himself he wished to keep hidden. In truth, even if Mo Xiuyao were to sit in a crowded hall and wail like a baby, the world would never believe Prince Ding was truly as naive as a child—they would only assume he had some ulterior motive.

It was rare for Mo Xiuyao to reveal his brooding side to Ye Li, so even she couldn’t help but feel a chill at the coldness in his words. Yet deep down, she knew he would never harm her. With a soft smile, she gently caressed his still slightly shadowed, handsome face and teased, "What foolish talk is this? After all we’ve been through, now that we’re finally about to enjoy peace, would I be so foolish as to leave you?"

Seeing the smile in Ye Li's eyes without a trace of displeasure or disgust, Mo Xiuyao's expression warmed considerably. He reached out to hold her hand, murmuring softly, "A Li, as long as you stay by my side forever, I'll give you anything you desire."

Ye Li pinched him in mock annoyance. "Just behave yourself and stop making me worry. How dare you threaten to turn Xiao Bao into a beggar if something happened to me? Do you know what I'd do if something happened to you?"

Mo Xiuyao looked up at her. With a playful smile, Ye Li continued, "If something happened to you, I'd take all of Prince Ding's Estate's wealth and remarry. Xiao Bao certainly wouldn't end up a beggar then... You understand, don't you?"

Mo Xiuyao's face darkened instantly. Ignoring her feigned anger, he pulled her down onto the couch, pinning her beneath him. "No! Even if I die, you're not allowed to marry anyone else. Otherwise, I'll kill them all!"

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "And who exactly would you kill if you're already dead?"

Mo Xiuyao froze, his expression shifting through a myriad of emotions. After staring at her for a long moment, he finally calmed down, burying his face against her neck with a sulky mutter. "I won't die. If anyone's dying, it'll be them. A Li and I will grow old together."

Watching his disgruntled expression, Ye Li couldn't help but chuckle softly. She gently stroked his silver hair and teased, "Hasn't Wang Ye already gone gray?" Mo Xiuyao lifted his head, gazing at her delicate, smiling face. "I'll wait until A Li's hair turns white too—that's what growing old together means. A Li, you're not angry anymore, are you?"

Ye Li sighed softly. "You'd better keep your word. If there's a next time, I won't just be angry. Do you know how terrified I was when He Lianpeng told me you'd barged into the Northern Rong Camp alone?" This wasn't an empty threat—Ye Li had been genuinely frightened upon hearing He Lianpeng's words. Though she knew Mo Xiuyao was unharmed, the thought that he might take even greater risks in the future terrified her. Unless she did nothing and stayed by his side at all times—but they both knew that was impossible, at least for now.

"I won't do it again. I'll never make A Li worry like that again," Mo Xiuyao promised earnestly, already plotting silently in his mind. So it was He Lianpeng who had exposed him. Very well... The ever-vengeful Prince Ding mentally added a heavy mark against He Lianpeng's name.

Though he had been patient over the years, Mo Xiuyao's resolve to eliminate certain people remained unshaken. Ye Li didn't interfere—compared to those irrelevant individuals, the safety of the man before her was all that mattered. "Good. I'll hold you to that."Mo Xiuyao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. A Li rarely got angry, but once she did, she was incredibly hard to coax. The usual jewels, gifts, and sweet words that women liked held no effect on her. Yet, seeing Ye Li so worried about him filled Mo Xiuyao with immense joy. He affectionately nuzzled her slender neck with his nose, planting delicate kisses on her cheeks and lips. "A Li, having you by my side is wonderful... don’t ever leave me..."

Had he never met her, Mo Xiuyao could hardly imagine what his life would have been like. Eventually, the hatred and resentment in his heart would have become unbearable, and he would have destroyed the Chu Kingdom—and perhaps even the entire world—without hesitation, even if it meant sacrificing the Mo Family Army and Prince Ding's Estate in the process. But because of Ye Li, he wanted to be with her forever, to see her happy and content by his side. Later, there was also Mo Xiaobao—though that little rascal was mischievous and always opposed him, making him sometimes wish the boy had never been born. Still, he wanted to watch him grow up safely and go on to torment others, rather than suffer in silence like he once had, nurturing venom and bloodlust in the shadows. It was because of these things that he could slow his steps, carefully balancing and strategizing, gradually strengthening Prince Ding's Estate to ensure his survival in this chaotic world before eliminating those he despised—rather than choosing mutual destruction from the very beginning.

The depth of obsession in Mo Xiuyao’s whispered words stirred Ye Li’s emotions. In both her past and present lives, no one had ever loved her as deeply as Mo Xiuyao did—not for her family background, nor for her abilities, but simply for who she was, Ye Li. And she, in turn, had never cherished and ached for someone like this before. Even knowing that the man before her was far from the harmless figure he pretended to be—that his heart harbored endless malice and killing intent—she no longer saw him as a potential criminal to be wary of, as she might have in the past. Now, her only concern was that he might hurt himself.

"Fool, where else would I go but by your side?" Cupping his handsome face against hers, Ye Li lifted her head and slowly kissed his cool, thin lips. "Xiu Yao, I love you. Do you understand? In my heart, you are the most important. No matter what you’re like, you are the one I love."

Mo Xiuyao froze, overwhelmed by the sudden, heaven-sent words. He cradled the back of Ye Li’s head, deepening the kiss with possessive intensity. "A Li, I love you... Mo Xiuyao will love only you for all eternity..."

Inside the tent, the couple—married for a decade, yet still deeply in love—embraced tightly, lost in their tender passion.

"Your Highness, Wang Fei, Feng Zhiyao requests an audience!" Feng Zhiyao’s voice, neither too loud nor too soft, came from outside the tent, abruptly interrupting their intimate moment. Mo Xiuyao’s face darkened instantly, wishing he could send Feng flying ten thousand miles away with a single strike.Seeing him like this, Ye Li couldn't help but smile and gently pushed Mo Xiuyao away, standing up to go to the inner chamber to tidy her attire. Only then did Mo Xiuyao, with a dark expression, allow Feng Zhiyao to enter. The moment Feng Zhiyao stepped into the tent, he felt an icy wave of resentment wash over him. Raising his head to see Mo Xiuyao glaring at him, he was utterly baffled. Had the prince been scolded by the princess, putting him in a foul mood? But... taking out his anger on his subordinates because of a spat with his wife—was that truly the behavior of a gentleman?

However, Third Master Feng had clearly overestimated Prince Ding's character. Not only would the prince shift his anger, but he wouldn't feel the slightest guilt even if he directly vented it on Feng Zhiyao—especially since someone had just interrupted a rather pleasant moment. Mo Xiuyao fixed Feng Zhiyao with a sinister stare. "Feng San, what is it?" It had better be important. If Feng Zhiyao dared to say he was here for idle chatter or drinks, he could start packing his bags for a lifetime exile to the remote western frontier.

Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow. He did, in fact, have urgent news. "We've just received word that Helian Zhen has left the Northern Rong Camp and is secretly heading south."

Mo Xiuyao arched a brow. "South? What's Helian Zhen doing going south?" The man had never set foot in Jiangnan in his life—wouldn't he get lost? Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes. Had the prince's brain stopped working the moment the princess returned? "We're at war, and the Northern Rong people are retreating steadily. Instead of staying in camp, Helian Zhen is heading south. Does Your Highness think he's going on a sightseeing trip?"

Mo Xiuyao finally pulled his thoughts away from his earlier joy and his grudge against Feng Zhiyao, replying coolly, "He intends to ally with Lei Zhenting against Prince Ding's Estate."

"Congratulations, Your Highness. It seems your brain is still functioning," Feng Zhiyao retorted sarcastically.

Mo Xiuyao stared at him before suddenly flashing a chilling smile. "Feng San, I've noticed you've been quite dissatisfied with me lately." Feng Zhiyao shuddered, suddenly remembering that the man before him was never one to forgive and forget. He was indeed displeased with Mo Xiuyao, but there was no need to let him know and invite even more displeasure. Most importantly, if Mo Xiuyao decided to retaliate, he wouldn't be able to handle it. The twisted fate of Mo Jingli, who had suffered since childhood, served as a stark warning.

"How could that be? Your Highness's virtue matches heaven and earth, and your might shakes the four directions. I admire and respect you endlessly," Feng Zhiyao said with an ingratiating smile.

"Hypocrite," Mo Xiuyao snorted.

Feng Zhiyao sighed inwardly and looked skyward. Whatever made His Highness happy. A little hypocrisy now and then... wasn't so bad.

"What are you two talking about?" Ye Li emerged from the inner chamber, eyeing the two men curiously. Feng Zhiyao glanced at the princess, then at Mo Xiuyao's sullen expression, and suddenly felt enlightened.

"Reporting to the princess, Helian Zhen is secretly heading south. I was seeking His Highness's instructions on whether to intercept him," Feng Zhiyao said solemnly.

Hearing this, Ye Li turned to Mo Xiuyao, who lazily replied, "Why bother? Even if we stop Helian Zhen, someone else will take his place. And even if no one does, we'll have to deal with Lei Zhenting sooner or later." Feng Zhiyao hesitated. "Even if we must face Lei Zhenting eventually, taking on both forces at once seems... unwise." It would be far easier to deal with them one at a time rather than simultaneously confronting two powerful adversaries.Mo Xiuyao smiled at him, raising a finger and shaking it playfully. "Not two factions—three. Did you think Mo Jingli was just sitting idle?"

Hearing Mo Xiuyao's words, Feng Zhiyao couldn't help but pale. The Mo Family Army might be able to handle Northern Rong alone with relative ease, but adding Lei Zhenting to the mix would stretch them thin. If Mo Jingli joined in as well... Even if Mo Jingli was a fool, he still commanded over a million troops. Combined, the three factions could field millions—even if they were just pigs, that would be enough to trample the Mo Family Army to death.

"Wang Ye..."

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand dismissively with a laugh. "No need to worry. After all these years, do you really think I can't outmaneuver them?"

I’m more afraid you’ll end up getting us all killed, Feng Zhiyao grumbled inwardly, shooting a glance at Ye Li. Ye Li lowered her head in thought, her mind rapidly calculating the current situation. "If we act swiftly, can we eliminate Northern Rong first?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head with a chuckle. "Now that Helian Zhen has left, Yelv Ye will definitely hunker down and refuse to engage. A quick victory is impossible." Yelv Ye wasn’t some reckless brute who could be provoked into charging out for a fight. If he decided to turtle up in his defenses, there’d be no way to break through anytime soon. "It’s not just Zhennan Wang and Mo Jingli—Yelv Ye has likely already sent word to the Northern Rong royal court for reinforcements."

Feng Zhiyao’s expression darkened. "Just tell me how many troops we’ll be facing. I need to figure out what last words I should leave behind."

Mo Xiuyao wrapped an arm around Ye Li and laughed heartily. "No need to panic. Whether Northern Rong’s reinforcements even arrive is still up in the air."

Ye Li arched a delicate brow. "Yelv Hong?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Exactly. Even if Yelv Hong wants to sit back and watch the tigers fight, he’ll have to consider whether Yelv Ye might drain Northern Rong’s entire military strength into the bottomless pit of the Central Plains." Over the two years since Northern Rong had launched its campaign against Great Chu, Yelv Ye had already drawn over 1.5 million troops from Northern Rong—yet now, he had fewer than 700,000 left. Nearly 800,000 soldiers had been poured into the Central Plains, yet the Northern Rong royal court had gained shockingly little in return.

Feng Zhiyao relaxed slightly at this. "That’s a relief. But... since Wang Ye doesn’t plan to stop Helian Zhen, shouldn’t we start making preparations?" The Mo Family Army currently had fewer than a million troops—if they had to face a three-nation alliance, Feng Zhiyao might as well go ahead and die right then and there.

Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment before asking, "A Li, how many more troops can we raise right now?"

Ye Li did a quick calculation. "At the fastest, we could conscript about a million soldiers in two months. After that, we could deploy another 500,000 to 600,000. Any more than that, and we’d risk damaging Prince Ding’s Estate’s foundation."

The reason the Mo Family Army had always maintained a modest size was because Prince Ding’s Estate had devoted vast resources to governance and civilian welfare. This had both advantages and drawbacks—the downside was insufficient military strength, as the Mo Family Army prioritized quality over quantity. The upside, however, was that Prince Ding’s Estate boasted abundant resources, granting it formidable war sustainability and potential. Even years of continuous warfare wouldn’t strain their military supplies or finances, nor would it disrupt the lives of the people under their rule.However, even the best card is useless if there's no chance to play it. So, if it truly comes down to a life-and-death struggle, even if it damages the foundation of the people under Prince Ding's Estate's rule, we'll have no choice but to conscript civilians into the army.

Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment and said, "No need. First mobilize 800,000 troops and keep the rest on standby. We can replenish the forces after next spring's plowing season—there's still time."

"Is this feasible?" Feng Zhiyao was somewhat worried, feeling that Mo Xiuyao's plan was overly optimistic. How could they expect both to avoid harming agricultural production and achieve a major victory? Such good fortune was rare.

Mo Xiuyao looked at him calmly and said, "It has to be. Or do you think this war will be over in two or three months?"

Feng Zhiyao rubbed his nose and fell silent. Many wars dragged on for three to five years—it was common. The Mo Family Army had to contend with three nations simultaneously. If they didn’t hold some cards in reserve, even if they didn’t lose on the battlefield, their own rear would be dragged into misery. He sighed helplessly and said, "Understood."

"Reporting to Wang Ye and Wang Fei, urgent news from Jiangnan!" Outside the door, Zhuo Jing's voice carried a hint of urgency. Ye Li suddenly felt a pang of unease. She glanced at Mo Xiuyao and quickly said, "Come in and speak."

Zhuo Jing hurried in, holding a letter in his hand. "Lin Han sent a carrier pigeon—Qingchen Gongzi has disappeared!"