In the city of Liangzhou, inside the governor's study.
Qi Zongbi sat in the study, engrossed in an old and yellowed, thread-bound book in his hands.
Governor Lu Jianchuan stood at his side with his hands lowered, barely daring to breathe for fear of disturbing the powerful man before him.
Qi Zongbi was so absorbed in his reading that he ignored his surroundings. When he reached for the tea on the table beside him and brought it to his lips, he frowned slightly as soon as it touched his lips.
The tea had gone cold.
Governor Lu Jianchuan, who had been watching carefully for some time, finally found an opportunity to speak. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Lord Qi, I’ll have the servants brew a fresh pot immediately."
Qi Zongbi nodded, placing the teacup back on the table.
Lu Jianchuan quietly exited the room, calling for a maid to replace the tea. When he returned, he saw that Qi Zongbi had put down his book and was looking at him.
"Lord Qi, is there anything else you need?" Lu Jianchuan asked, cupping his hands respectfully.
Qi Zongbi placed the book on his lap, his eyes lowered, and casually pointed to the chair beside him. "No need to be so formal, Governor Lu. You are the Governor, and we’re in your residence. There’s no need to lower yourself so much."
"It’s only my duty," Governor Lu insisted. He sat down on the edge of the chair Qi Zongbi had indicated, only daring to sit halfway, and continued, "Lord Qi, as a prominent figure in the court and a pillar of the nation, you could have stayed in the capital to strategize. Yet, with war approaching, you insist on coming to the frontlines. Such resolve is truly admirable. I am ashamed by comparison."
A faint meaningful smile tugged at the corner of Qi Zongbi’s mouth.
Seeing Qi Zongbi remain silent, Lu Jianchuan grew increasingly anxious, unsure if his flattery hadn't gone over as intended.
Governor Lu’s caution had its reasons. He knew well the type of person Qi Zongbi was. Behind his scholarly exterior lay a ruthless tiger, a beast who devoured his enemies without remorse. The destruction he had caused with the Imperial Guardians alone was staggering.
In the early years of his leadership over the Ghostbane Association, a mere word from him meant the deaths of countless people across the land. As for those officials who had opposed him, how many were left standing in court today, sharing a roof with him? As Lu Jianchuan counted in his mind, only one name came to mind... Chief Eunuch Yue Dou of the Eastern Depot.
The court was a place even bloodier than the jianghu.
This was something Lu Jianchuan understood all too well.
Lu Jianchuan nodded slightly. "I am ready for your instructions."
Qi Zongbi tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "The messenger from North Watching Pass a few days ago..."
Lu Jianchuan chuckled softly. "Rest assured, Lord Qi. That man is already in a cell, with guards stationed around him. He won’t escape."
Qi Zongbi shook his head. "No, what I mean is... since he’s already said everything there is to say, he’s no longer of use."
"Ah..." Lu Jianchuan forced a laugh, silently sucking in a cold breath. Qi Zongbi’s ruthlessness was indeed unmatched. "I understand, Lord Qi. I’ll arrange it right away."
"Mm..." Qi Zongbi nodded slowly and calmly said, "If he were allowed to live and word of his imprisonment got out, it wouldn’t look good... War is not child’s play. We can’t let one man derail our entire plan. So, he cannot be released... Don’t you agree, Governor Lu?"
"Heh... of course, of course..." Lu Jianchuan nodded, forcing a smile.
After speaking, Qi Zongbi leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, remaining silent for a long time. If it weren’t for his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, Lu Jianchuan might have thought he had fallen asleep.
Lu Jianchuan had no idea what Qi Zongbi was thinking, and he didn’t dare to interrupt. He sat upright beside him, quietly waiting.
"Governor Lu," Qi Zongbi suddenly spoke, startling Lu Jianchuan, who quickly looked over. When he saw Qi Zongbi’s eyes open, he noticed an intimidating light seemed to flash through them.
"I, I am ready for your instructions," Lu Jianchuan stammered.
Qi Zongbi’s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze unfocused as he looked toward the door, clearly deep in thought. "How many days has it been since the messenger arrived in Liangzhou?"
Lu Jianchuan was about to answer, but Qi Zongbi spoke again, providing his own answer. "Four days... So, it’s been seven days since the scouts from the Northern Qiang were spotted at the North Watching Pass."
"Precisely." Lu Jianchuan nodded in agreement.
The pace of Qi Zongbi’s tapping on the table accelerated, and he muttered, "It’s about time... They aren’t blind, after all. There’s no way they would let an undefended city slip by..."
"Your Excellency," Lu Jianchuan tentatively said, "North Watching Pass may be located in the desert, but it is still a major border outpost of the Ruen Dynasty. Are we really going to just... give it up? Besides, there are tens of thousands of civilians..." He trailed off, feeling Qi Zongbi’s sharp gaze on him, which made his hair stand on end. He immediately closed his mouth, not daring to continue.
Qi Zongbi narrowed his eyes, staring at Lu Jianchuan with a tone as calm as ever, yet laced with chilling coldness.
"Governor Lu, this is the emperor’s will... As subjects, we need only to follow it, correct?"
"Yes, you’re absolutely right, your Excellency..." Lu Jianchuan discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
At this moment, a soft knock came at the door, and a maid entered, carrying a tray of tea. She set it down beside Qi Zongbi and quietly left.
Qi Zongbi lifted the lid of the teacup, releasing a curling wisp of steam.
"Governor Lu, Marshal Ying has been stationed outside the city for nearly half a month. Send someone to inform him of this. In two days, he will march and deploy troops to North Watching Pass."
After saying this, Qi Zongbi replaced the lid on the cup without taking a sip and pushed the tea toward Lu Jianchuan.
"Governor Lu, your tea is quite good."
With that, he turned and strode out of the room, his sleeves billowing.
Meanwhile, a hundred miles from the North Watching Pass.
A group stood on a small hill, a rare vantage point in the flat, open desert.
The wind howled, whipping the cloak of Wang Yuepi, who stood with a massive black bear lying at his feet, eyes shut in feigned slumber.
Wang Yuepi stared fixedly to the south, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Wang Yuepi turned and then lowered his head respectfully.
The man was of average build and middle-aged, clad in armor with the distinctive braided hairstyle of the Northern Qiang, hanging over his shoulder. He walked up and patted Wang Yuepi on the chest with a smile.
"What’s this? Are you eager for battle?"
Wang Yuepi sniffed, nodding excitedly. "Marshal, it’s been seven days. It’s time to fight!"
"Can you still lead the vanguard?" The man chuckled teasingly. "Is your injury fully healed?"
Wang Yuepi’s face flushed red, about to retort, but the man waved a hand, silencing him. He directed his gaze southward.
"The martial world of the Ruen Dynasty isn’t without martial artists of its own, right? The mark of that fist on your chest is still visible. Tsk, tsk... Such strength... is truly frightening."
Wang Yuepi tried to protest, but the man tossed his cloak and began descending the hill. His deep voice drifted back through the wind.
"Tomorrow, we will march to capture the North Watching Pass... You will lead the vanguard."