linfengchun

Capítulo 15

The young man remained silent for a long while. "Keep an eye on where they go tomorrow. If they really go to Gumo, that's fine, but if they go to Kucha..." A sinister glint flashed across his face.

"Let's go to Kucha and let them experience our methods." Everyone understood.

"It's a good opportunity to capture that girl and take a closer look at what a fairy really looks like."

A burst of laughter erupted as people watched the blurry figure sleeping by the fire, mixed with vulgar jokes.

A wisp of dust silently slid down the nearby sand dunes, and a pair of eyes in the shadows flickered before disappearing.

Gu Mo

It's not fair to blame the subordinates for not being cautious enough.

The next morning, the distant campsite was deserted. The two who had come under cover of darkness set off at dawn. The night watchman woke up the scouts who followed them and confirmed that they were indeed heading to Gumo.

At his feet lay the carcass of a wolf, salvaged from the desert. Its pelt was intact; the cause of death was a small pebble that pierced its eye socket and stabbed it in the head, killing it instantly. A boy not yet twenty, with such precise and ruthless skill… those two… The young man pondered silently, a dark cloud settling over him.

If they are indeed visitors from Tianshan, what is their purpose in going to Gumo? Gumo's strength is far inferior to that of Kucha, and it will become theirs sooner or later. Even if there are any unusual movements, it will only provide a better excuse for war, which is exactly what they want.

Having long grown weary of being controlled, once he ascended the throne, he would not give the Demonic Sect even the slightest chance to blackmail him. The current resentment and criticism of Tianshan among the people of Kucha presented an excellent opportunity to break free from their dominion.

But... what will last night's chance encounter bring? Perhaps it's a mistake to choose to monitor and observe rather than rashly confront an opponent whose origins are unknown.

Looking at the undulating sand dunes, I felt uncertain for the first time.

The prime minister of Gumo was a middle-aged man.

With composure and experience, he greeted the suddenly arriving envoy from the demonic sect with neither servility nor arrogance. After a few pleasantries, they finally got to the point.

"May I ask what brings Your Excellency to Gumo?"

"It's a small matter, and we still need the Prime Minister's assistance." Jia Ye handed over a gift list with both hands. "This is a small token of our sect's greetings to Gu Mo. Please believe in our sincerity."

"Your Excellency, there is no need for such formalities. If it is within my power, I will do my best." Looking at the various treasures listed on the gift list, even the composed prime minister could not help but be surprised. Such a generous gift from the Demonic Sect was truly unheard of.

"I wonder what has caused your father such distress."

A burly man nearby interjected, "Hopefully it won't be like the Kingdom of Kucha, where they're going to take the lives of their important officials."

The sharp words made everyone's faces turn pale.

"Is this General Langgan?" Jia Ye smiled faintly, knowing the important officials of Gu Mo very well, and was not surprised that someone would speak so rudely. "General, you are a man of strong character, speaking your mind directly. I have recently heard that Kucha is training its army very strictly, which seems to have a hidden meaning. In case war breaks out on our borders, I wonder if you have any good plans?"

The burly man puffed out his chest, exuding heroic spirit.

"If Kucha dares to invade, Gumo will be prepared and make sure they never return."

Jia Ye smiled politely. "That's excellent. I've heard that Chi Shu is quite skilled in leading troops, and his tactics are unpredictable and varied. He has clashed with you several times, General. Seeing your confidence now, you must have already figured out a way to counter him?"

Wolf was speechless for a moment, his face turning bright red.

Everyone in the room knew that Gu Mo had been defeated in several battles, so how could they still boast?

The prime minister coughed lightly, breaking the awkward silence.

"Gumo is a small country, not as prosperous as Kucha, as Your Excellency is probably aware of. However, our country is powerful, and even if we are not strong enough to win, we will not back down when war comes. Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency."

"Prime Minister, you are too modest. Our sect has always admired Gu Mo's generosity, courage, and resolute refusal of Kucha's invasion," Jia Ye said with a slight smile, her eyelashes lowered. "However, I have heard rumors that Gu Mo's harvest this year is poor, and bandits are plundering its territory, robbing all passing caravans and greatly reducing its wealth. If Kucha were to invade at this time..."

Every word he uttered was piercing to the heart, and even the prime minister couldn't help but change color.

"What exactly is the meaning behind your words?" Lang Gan demanded sharply. "Could it be that you've come all this way specifically to mock Gu Mo?"

“General, you flatter me. Our sect has always been on good terms with Gu Mo. How could we possibly gloat over their misfortune?” Jia Ye’s expression turned serious, concerned and solemn. “Chi Shu is training troops with the intention of taking advantage of Gu Mo’s disaster to invade and seize the throne through military merit. Your country needs to take precautions as soon as possible.”

"The situation is pressing, and our country is well aware of it, but..." After a long silence, the Prime Minister sighed. "Since Your Excellency understands this so well, do you have any good solutions to offer?"

As the other party's momentum weakened, Jia Ye spoke calmly and slowly.

"I dare not say what the best solution is. The power of Kucha lies primarily with Chishu. If we can remove Chishu's military power and cut off his path to succession, Kucha will definitely prioritize self-defense and will not resort to violence for several years. Then, we can hope for peace in Gumo."

"Who doesn't know that? If it weren't for Chishu, we wouldn't be afraid of him at all," Langgan couldn't help but swear. "Could it be that Your Excellency, considering the annual tribute from Gumo, is willing to rid our country of this great calamity?"

"It would be petty to attempt an assassination between two countries. Besides, if we anger Kucha, it would only implicate your country. I would never dare to be the one to commit such a crime."

She easily declined, while Lang Gan's face contorted with rage, nearly bursting into a tirade. Everyone knew the Demonic Sect intimidated the Western Regions with its assassinations, yet now they claimed their methods weren't honorable enough—it was utterly ridiculous.

"However, eliminating the threat of the Red Arts can be accomplished with the General's help." With a smile at Lang Gan's face, which was filled with barely suppressed anger, Jia Ye suddenly changed the subject, leaving everyone stunned for a moment before the Prime Minister could speak.

"May I ask what your intentions are, Your Excellency?"

Fifteen days later.

The army of Gumo assembled and marched to conquer Kucha.

The army marched off, battle flags fluttering, and the ranks of tens of thousands stretched for miles. Amidst the array of swords and spears, no one noticed two young figures.

Wrapped in a gray cloak, Jia Ye rode alongside the main tent.

After marching for several days, they finally arrived at the border between Kucha and Gumo.

Sensing the unusual activity, Chishu stood ready on the opposite side of the border, the lights of the two armies' camps visible in the distance. The faint sounds of commands could even be heard.

The moonlight shone on the armor, reflecting the cold, metallic gleam.

"This is my first time participating in a march, and it's quite an experience." Jia Ye gazed at the camp under the night sky, where countless tent lights swayed, and the occasional sound of a watchman's clapper could be heard, creating an unusual stillness against the backdrop of the starry sky.

Her small lips exhaled a misty white breath, and her eyes shone like stars. He didn't look at the campsite, but stepped forward and put an extra cloak on her. It was nearing Mid-Autumn Festival, and the wind had begun to carry the scent of snow.

“Special Shadow”.

"Um."

"Do you think this method is too ruthless?"

Jia Ye rarely asked such a question, and he paused for a moment before giving a non-direct answer.

There is no other way.

Whatever the reason, the Pope would not tolerate failure. Who Alice was was irrelevant, and the Pope didn't care what caused the trouble; he simply left it all to his subordinates to handle. One of the pleasures of being in power was observing all the intrigue and power struggles from above.

Whether it was allowing the infighting between his advisors in the past or indulging Alice's abuse of power today, it was all a game of chess played by the King at his whim. There was no room for excuses or protests. The incompetent would naturally be eliminated without mercy. He had seen this very clearly over the years.

Jia Ye chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in his voice. "You're right, there's no other choice."

Chishu wants a war, so let's give him that opportunity. But the outcome of the war might surprise the Prince of Kucha.

"Only the winners have the right to live, whether it's them or us."

Her whispers were barely audible. She stretched out her slender white fingers to greet the snowflakes that fell gracefully in the middle of the night. Tiny snowflakes rested on her long black hair and eyelashes, like a jade maiden in a dream, untouched by the dust of the world.

The war lasted for half a month.

Countless people died or were injured.

Gu Mo was no match for He Shu in terms of battle formations and could only barely hold on.

The eventual commencement of peace talks was a calculated outcome.

Jia Ye sat quietly in the central command tent, waiting for Lang Gan to return from the negotiations. Before long, a general in full armor, exuding a chilling aura, lifted the curtain and entered.

"Did the general's journey go smoothly?"

Lang Gan's face was extremely ugly, which is not hard to understand. As a defeated general, participating in peace talks is not a pleasant thing.

"I did as you said," he replied gruffly, throwing the helmet onto the table with a loud clang. "Wolf is a roughneck. He doesn't understand that war is war. He always insists on using underhanded tricks and convoluted tactics."

"It's just a humble plan, I hope the general will forgive me." Jia Ye seemed not to detect any dissatisfaction.

Wolf-like man, being naturally rough and impulsive, couldn't suppress his anger and blurted out, "This kind of despicable trick is really beneath me. If it weren't for the Prime Minister's instructions, I..."

"General, you are upright and will naturally look down on such tricks. However, since the enemy is strong and we are weak, please be patient for now."

"It's one thing to admit defeat, but to have to beg for peace and pay compensation while beholden to the other side is unacceptable. Gu Mo's reputation is utterly ruined, and it will become a laughingstock for all nations sooner or later." Never before had he suffered such humiliation, and the rugged general was filled with rage.

"Enduring temporary humiliation will lead to future achievements; the general will surely be able to weigh the pros and cons."

"Isn't there any other way? Even if that brat Chishu is arrogant and troublesome, using such a trick is too much..." Lang Gan sneered. "Only the Demonic Sect could come up with such a thing."

Jia Ye was still smiling, her eyes fixed like needles.

"General, you are mistaken. Chishu used soldiers as bandits to harass Gumo, but even Jiaye admits that he is not as good as them."

"You mean the bandits were from Kucha?" Huan's eyes widened like copper bells, and after a moment of stunned silence, he chuckled in disbelief. "How do you know? Don't spout nonsense."

"They move like lightning, their tracks are like a mystery, elusive and unpredictable, impossible to catch." Jia Ye coldly raised an eyebrow. "Does the general see them as ordinary thieves?"

"This does not necessarily prove that it was done by Kucha." Lang Gan was filled with doubt and skepticism.

"The elite troops of Gumo have repeatedly failed to capture the bandits, and all they have done is to block merchants from entering the city. Moreover, they risk great dangers to operate only in specific areas. Has the general never suspected the reason? I'm afraid the prime minister also has doubts, but he has no evidence and cannot speak out."

Her slender white hands tightened her cloak, and before leaving, she turned back, her cool voice laced with sarcasm. "Warfare is based on deception; the killing move is made before the battle even begins. After so many years on the battlefield, General, can't you even grasp this simple principle?"

The north wind swept snow into the tent.

Staring blankly at the swaying tent flap, the mighty general stood frozen in the hall.

Qingge

Back in her tent, Jia Ye took off her heavy cloak and began packing her belongings.

"Leaving now?" He silently gathered his belongings and packed his bags.

"Time is of the essence; we must rush to Kucha to oversee the details."

Should we tell the wolf where the bandits replenished their food and water?

"In your opinion?" She didn't answer directly, but asked casually.

"Let's forget it. Those people are disciplined and well-trained. Wolf Gang can't handle them."

He clearly remembered that those burly men were dressed like ordinary merchants, yet they were fierce, brave, and extremely vigilant, their movements and postures displaying the agility of warriors. If they hadn't been heading towards Gumo, they would surely have been ambushed. "I checked their horses; the way they groomed and tied their packs was exactly the same as the Kucha people, they must be soldiers in disguise. The one who came to talk to us was the chieftain, and everyone was watching his every move, giving him the sheep's face and the best parts when dividing the sheep."

"You've done a thorough job of investigating," Jia Ye said with a slight smile, offering a hint of approval.

That young man possessed a noble air and acted with meticulous care; he must be a high-ranking figure in Kucha. With such a person leading a raiding expedition, how could an ordinary commander possibly handle it?

“I wasn’t sure it was Chishu’s scheme until I happened to stumble upon it.” She shook her head. “With Wolf’s brains, he won’t win even in a hundred years.”