“Wife?!” Fan Li's face turned green.He swore that if he survived this encounter with Han Yue, the first thing he would do was kick Zhao Tieniu into the death squad.
He looked at Han Yue nervously, terrified that Zhao Si’s idiotic remark would anger the exalted Sage Ruler.
Han Yue was also stunned by the term “wife.” She stared blankly for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Fan Li, are all your subordinates so amusing?” She wasn't angry at all. She waved her hand dismissively at Zhao Tieniu. “‘Wife’ sounds strange. Don’t call me that again.”
“I’m not well-read,” Zhao Tieniu looked aggrieved and wanted to explain himself.
“Get out!” Fan Li roared.
Seeing his anger, Zhao Tieniu scurried away.
Moments later, a feast of wine and food was served.
Fan Li awkwardly took his seat.
Was this truly a chance encounter with Sage Ruler Han Yue in the northern territories?
Or was she an assassin sent by Emperor Yao Guang to kill him outside the Great Chu’s borders?
This analysis was plausible. After all, Han Yue had a history of attacking him.
It also explained why they had managed to march for half a month, especially within the Great Chu’s territory, without being detected.
Had Han Yue planned to wait until they reached this location to strike?
‘I outsmarted myself! I thought my troop movements were flawless, but in the face of a Great Vehicle realm expert, it was child's play. Brute force trumps cunning. Without sufficient strength, I’m nothing but an ant.’
He shook his head wryly, picking up his wine cup and, ignoring Han Yue, took a large gulp of strong liquor.
“What’s wrong?” Han Yue asked, frowning. She had expected an explanation, but he was drinking alone, treating her as if she were invisible.
She wasn’t pleased. The joy of their reunion clashed with her current annoyance.
“Sage Ruler Han Yue, before inquiring about others, shouldn’t you, out of courtesy, explain your own situation? What brings you to the northern territories?”
Perhaps the alcohol had emboldened him. His tone was a bit sarcastic.
He thought to himself, ‘At worst, I’ll lose a clone. I won’t endure this indignity.’
As expected, Han Yue’s expression darkened. She didn’t like his tone.
‘Why is he being so distant again? What did I do wrong? He can’t even bring himself to call me ‘Han Yue’?’
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She bit her lower lip, her face turning cold. Normally, she wouldn't tolerate such disrespect. She wanted to leave immediately. But she was unwilling and reluctant.
“I’m here to cultivate,” she said softly, forcing herself to calm down.
She thought to herself, ‘Fan Li has many responsibilities. Perhaps something is troubling him.’
“The Sword Intent of Zhu Xian is focused on killing. The northern territories are a land of constant warfare, where countless have perished. The killing intent here is unparalleled in the world. I’m tempering my spirit in the ancient battlefields, hoping to elevate the Sword Intent of the Four Swords of Zhu Xian to a higher level.”
She looked at Fan Li, her gaze softening. If not for this man, she would never have comprehended the Sword Intent of the Four Swords of Zhu Xian. Therefore, she would tolerate his rudeness.
But Fan Li didn't believe her. He chuckled coldly. “Sage Ruler, are you unaware that there’s a war happening on the Great Ming’s northern border? If you want to experience the killing intent of a battlefield, why not simply go to Yunzhou City?”
He thought he had exposed her lie. He expected her to erupt in anger and kill his clone.
However, she simply nodded.
“Yes, I was on my way to Yunzhou City. But I happened to discover this army, and I happened to discover you.” She frowned slightly.
“Have all the generals in the Great Chu perished? Why are you, a Confucian scholar, leading an army?”
Because I have multiple bodies.
Of course, Fan Li wouldn’t reveal his true thoughts. He replied casually, “There’s a saying, ‘Plan within a command tent, win a thousand miles away.’ I’m here to strategize. The real fighting will be done by the generals.”
“That’s true. You are incredibly intelligent. An army under your command will never be defeated.”
Her smile was so beautiful that Fan Li was mesmerized for a moment. He didn't realize that she had noticed his reaction.
Han Yue felt a surge of joy. She no longer minded his earlier rudeness.
Fan Li grew impatient.
Why wasn't Han Yue attacking him?
Could it be that this truly was a chance encounter?
He had only had one cup of wine. He was sobering up.
“Sage… Ahem, Han Yue, is this truly just a coincidence?” he asked cautiously.
“Yes,” she replied, nodding. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Fan Li, don’t you think we have a special connection?”
This really was a coincidence?
Fan Li was finally convinced that he had been scaring himself for no reason. He quickly organized his thoughts, considering how to handle the situation.
Han Yue was heading to Yunzhou City?
He couldn't let her go alone. What if she revealed his army’s location? He had to find an excuse to keep her by his side. And it seemed… she was quite happy to stay with him.
“Han Yue, I’m also going to Yunzhou City. Would you like to travel together?”
“Yes!” she replied instantly.
“But my troops rest during the day and only march at night. Is that alright with you?” Fan Li asked tentatively.
Although Han Yue found it strange, she didn't question his decision. She was simply happy to be invited to stay with him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll cooperate,” she said with a smile.
Fan Li breathed a sigh of relief. But at that moment, Zhao Tieniu’s voice came from outside the tent.
“Don’t worry, there are no assassins. My Lord is having a private conversation with his wife. Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, don’t interrupt them.”
Han Yue pretended not to hear, but the blush on her ears betrayed her.
Fan Li, however, was furious.
Zhao Jinniu, Zhao Yinniu, and Zhao Tongniu, sensing something amiss, had come to protect him, but they had been stopped by that idiot Zhao Tieniu!
“Relay my order! Since Zhao Tieniu dared to enter my tent with his left foot today, he shall receive one hundred lashes!”
Hu Zongxian knelt before Crown Prince Wanli, whose face was dark with anger.
“Your Highness, please reconsider. The Three Kingdoms of Wei, Han, and Wu are newly founded. Their treasuries are empty. They cannot sustain a prolonged war. We have the advantage of a fortified city. We can simply hold our position for three to five years. When their resources run out, they will retreat.”
Armies composed of cultivators consumed little food, but their consumption of spirit stones, pills, and ores was immense.
Crown Prince Wanli wanted to lead the army out of the city and engage the enemy, but Hu Zongxian had advised against it.
“Nonsense! I won’t be trapped in Yunzhou City for years! If I cannot achieve victory, what’s the point of coming to the northern territories?!” Wanli was furious.
This damned Hu Zongxian, as his teacher had said, was no good!