Chapter 70

“Ye Rui, the official matters are settled. Can we talk about private matters now?”

Outside, Ye Rui could still hear everyone drilling. The neat rhythm of marching feet sounded almost melodic, a beat that should have been reassuring.

But Ye Rui’s heart was pounding with unease. She took a step back and said, “Xie Tinglan, there’s nothing private left for us to talk about. When I left, I’d already repaid everything I owed.”

“But I still owe you.”

Xie Tinglan held Ye Rui’s fingers tightly. That warmth was something she had grown attached to, the source of life that kept her going every night when she woke from her dreams.

Xie Tinglan slowly stood and moved closer to Ye Rui, only to see Ye Rui retreat two more steps, widening the distance between them. Xie Tinglan’s chest tightened. With a bitter smile, she said, “It was I who gave you that military punishment that nearly cost you your life; it was I who put you in constant danger. As a lover, I was indeed unfit.”

Lover?

Ye Rui caught on to that word sharply. Did Xie Tinglan think they were lovers? Ye Rui had thought they were, at most, conspirators—hardly lovers yet. Now she’d gone straight to lovers.

“Xie Tinglan, there’s no need to say any more. The past is like smoke; you can’t chase it down. Right now, I only want to focus on military affairs.”

Ye Rui pulled her hand free. Looking at the increasingly somber expression in Xie Tinglan’s eyes, Ye Rui still felt a little reluctant, but she didn’t soften.

“The camp conditions are harsh. You’d better not stay here to rest.”

As soon as Ye Rui finished speaking, Xie Tinglan immediately caught her hand again and asked, “What’s your decision on Huairou?”

Ye Rui drew a deep breath. Countless thoughts tangled in her mind; in the end, she said, “You can go, but you can’t leave Gong Yinzhi and Yin Yue’s side even a single step.”

At that, Xie Tinglan first froze; then the gloom in her eyes vanished, and she let out a low laugh. “Understood.”

Understood what?

Ye Rui felt her ears growing hot. She felt she could no longer stay alone with Xie Tinglan any longer, so she hurried off at once; it was almost time for drills.

Xie Tinglan watched Ye Rui’s retreating back, the corners of her lips lifting unconsciously into a gentle curve. The road was still long; some things simply couldn’t be rushed.

**

Half a month later, the Silverstone Tribe was indeed at a disadvantage, pressed back step by step by Kayani’s army until they were already showing signs of being driven into a dead end.

Zhang Tingluo immediately sent a letter. Three days later, he received a reply from the Silverstone Tribe; both sides agreed to meet at a place on the grasslands called the Vastness Tavern. Under Xie Tinglan’s instructions, Zhang Tingluo sent another letter to Kayani, and the letter was personally written by Xie Tinglan; no one knew what it said.

Zhang Tingluo had originally thought Kayani would refuse, but in just one day they received a reply saying Kayani would attend on time, which greatly surprised Zhang Tingluo.

He had asked Xie Tinglan what exactly she had said to Kayani, but Xie Tinglan only smiled without answering, saying they would know once they reached the Vastness Tavern.

Zhang Tingluo had never been to the Capital City. He had only heard countless rumors about Xie Tinglan, many of them describing her cruelty and misdeeds. Everyone said the wolf of Xie was a living hellbeast, and the most vicious thing about her was that woman’s heart of hers.

But after nearly a month of close contact, aside from the ruthlessness honed into Xie Tinglan’s bones, Zhang Tingluo found that she was extremely methodical in everything she did, always thinking ten steps ahead; at times, he couldn’t even keep up with her.

As for Ye Rui… she and Xie Tinglan had excellent tacit understanding, always the quickest to grasp Xie Tinglan’s thoughts.

For example, the last time, Zhang Tingluo had asked Xie Tinglan what benefit they should offer Kayani in order to win him over, but she had said nothing needed to be given at all; they only needed to let him understand one thing. At the time, no one could figure out what that thing was, and only Ye Rui reacted the fastest.

“Let him understand that he also has the strength and qualification to be king?”

After Ye Rui said that, Xie Tinglan smiled at her, her gaze carrying expectation and appreciation. Zhang Tingluo still remembered that look to this day, and only one thought remained in his mind: the way Xie Tinglan looked at Ye Rui was absolutely not innocent!

On the day of negotiations, Ye Rui brought Lu Yihua and Pang Niu, along with twenty of the Phoenix Army’s most elite soldiers, to go together. Of course, Xie Tinglan was also accompanying them. Zhang Tingluo had originally wanted to assign soldiers to protect her, but she refused, saying Gong Yinzhi and Yin Yue were already enough.

Besides, if too many people went, it might upset Kayani and the Silverstone Tribe. Twenty-odd people were enough.

A lone tavern stood at the edge of the grassland wind, bronze bells hanging from the eaves swaying back and forth in the breeze, yet not a single jingle could be heard, because the little bells inside had long since fallen off and been lost to the merciless passage of time.

All around the tavern was open grassland. At noon, the sun was just right, gilding even the mottled wooden doors with a touch of splendor. The pennants had curled at the edges; it was a scene unique to the grasslands.

By the time they reached the Vastness Tavern, Ye Rui saw that the Silverstone Tribe had already arrived. The tribe leader had brought ten attendants. When they saw Ye Rui and the others arrive, their gazes kept roaming over them in scrutiny. They wore animal hides; their skin was tattooed with all kinds of totems, most of them fierce beasts, and the leader, Xier, even had a large round silver earring hanging from his ear.

Ye Rui, dressed in black armor and striding in with heroic bearing, had just stepped inside when Xier suddenly stood up and said something with obvious displeasure. The man beside him, who seemed to be a scholar, immediately spoke up: “The leader wishes to meet your marshal.”

After hearing this, Ye Rui raised a brow, as if she had anticipated exactly this. She said, “I am Ye Rui, the main commander who broke the Crow Tribe. If Leader Xier has ever appeared on a battlefield, I’m sure he would know me.”

The scholar lowered his head and said a few words to Xier. Xier’s expression changed drastically; then he looked at Ye Rui with a complicated expression and no longer seemed inclined to leave.

After Ye Rui defeated the Crow Tribe, her name rose rapidly. Later, during the wars with the Feima and Silverstone tribes, she had also performed outstandingly, and now the barbarians all called her Little Shura. Though the title was not especially widespread among the various barbarian tribes, Xier would certainly know it.

The Vastness Tavern was naturally nothing like some gorgeously decorated winehouse; instead, it carried a dilapidated, desolate feel. Yet it was precisely that desolation that gave the tavern a wandering jianghu atmosphere, like an old swordsman always half drunk, leaning crookedly in the middle of the grassland.

Ye Rui sat in the wooden chair opposite Xier. The waiter immediately came to pour tea, his eyes darting nervously between Ye Rui and Xier. He didn’t even dare breathe loudly. After pouring the tea, he left at once, not daring to linger for even a moment.

Xie Tinglan sat at another table. The waiter had just been about to approach when Yin Yue raised a hand to stop him. Xier turned to look at Xie Tinglan. A beauty like her appearing here was truly strange, and her bearing was unlike that of ordinary soldiers; for a moment, he couldn’t guess her identity.

“We can begin.”

Xier spoke in halting Da Yan language. Ye Rui, however, smiled apologetically and said, “Forgive me, Leader. An honored guest has yet to arrive.”

The words had barely fallen when heavy footsteps sounded outside, as if someone wearing full armor and heavy equipment were approaching with each step. Everyone turned toward the doorway. Xier even shot to his feet and reached for the curved blade at his waist, only to be firmly pinned down by Ye Rui.

Xier looked shocked. He had never expected that this woman, who seemed so frail, would be able to lock his wrist so tightly that he couldn’t summon any strength at all.

“What do you mean by this?!”

The scholar on the side spoke first, but Ye Rui only smiled and loosened her grip. “Please don’t be impulsive, everyone. This is a three-party negotiation; there’s really no need to draw blades.”

Kayani had only brought five men. They were all in full armor, fully equipped, eyes sharp as torches. One look was enough for Ye Rui to know they were no ordinary soldiers. Kayani smiled at Ye Rui, then let his gaze settle on Xier without saying anything.

“I’m here already.”

Kayani’s Da Yan language was excellent. As soon as he finished speaking, he sat down, showing no interest at all in the wary Xier.

Kayani was a towering man, nearly two meters tall, with dreadlocks tied up on his head, animal hides draped over his body, a huge battle axe on his back, and a tiger totem on his arm. He sat straight-backed and looked at Ye Rui. “What kind of tricks are you Da Yan people trying to play now?”

The difference in their builds gave Ye Rui a kind of invisible pressure, but she didn’t show fear. Instead, she smiled and said, “The barbarians and Da Yan have been fighting for so many years; what exactly have you gained?”

Neither Kayani nor Xier said anything. Their subordinates exchanged glances, and in the end it was Kayani who spoke first. “I have great military achievements; I am the tribe’s hero!”

The moment he finished, Xie Tinglan gave a low laugh, the mockery in it unmistakable. Kayani turned in displeasure and glared at her. “And who are you?”

He glared furiously, wishing he could tear this frail-looking woman apart so she would no longer dare look down on him.

“General Kayani, you have such illustrious military achievements, and yet you were still banished to the frontier, forced far away from the center of power?”

Kayani abruptly stood up. The battle axe behind him glinted with silver light. Ye Rui sucked in a breath, her heart pounding wildly, afraid that Kayani might actually make a move on Xie Tinglan. One slash from that axe, and Xie Tinglan would probably be cut in half.

“General Kayani, I think you know very well that since we’re shutting the door to discuss matters here, if you still keep hiding things, you may never get what you want.”

Ye Rui also stood. In the next instant, she stepped in front of Kayani. After speaking, she lifted her head and met Kayani’s vicious face head-on. “As you said, you have military merit all over your body; are you really willing to keep living under someone else forever?”

Kayani was the fiercest warrior among the barbarians, with a group of elite soldiers under his command. The Western Barbarian King had always been wary of him. Ye Rui even suspected that the drunken rampage incident had been deliberately set up by the Western Barbarian King, giving himself an excuse to send this man to the frontier.

At that moment, the scholar beside Xier stood up and asked in confusion, “What exactly do you Da Yan people want?”

Ye Rui signaled for Kayani to sit down first, then said, “We’re also tired of war. Haven’t you barbarians and Da Yan been fighting all these years just for resources?”

Kayani sat back down and withdrew his gaze from Xie Tinglan. He said in a low voice, “And then?”

“Instead of following the Western Barbarian King’s orders to keep skirmishing here, why not unite and fight your way back to your barbarian capital?”

Xier fell silent, his expression complicated as he glanced at Kayani. Kayani, however, only had anger rising between his brows. He asked sharply, “You want me to rebel?!”

“What if we do?”

This time it was Xie Tinglan speaking. She sneered. “You don’t need to act so loyal, General Kayani. Aren’t you long since sick of that fat and bloated Western Barbarian King?”

With Xie Tinglan speaking again, Kayani didn’t charge over in anger this time. Instead, he quietly looked at her, still calm and composed.

Da Yan had once had a female war god like Yan Xue, who was invincible on the battlefield. Kayani had fought against her before and fled in defeat. He had always remembered that shame, and he had also always remembered that fear; he didn’t dare underestimate Da Yan women.

This woman didn’t seem to be from the army, but her aura was terrifying. Though there was no overt threat in her words or laughter, it always felt as if a blade were resting at one’s throat. Truly frightening.

This woman was definitely no simple person.

“You want us to fight among ourselves while you reap the benefits.”

Kayani had not lost his reason. This wasn’t a hidden arrow but a blatant spear; how could he not see it clearly?

“We only want to create a win-win situation. General Kayani, you can get what you want; at the very least, you can seize the glory that belongs to you on this battlefield. As for us, we also won’t have to be trapped in war year after year. If you can unify the barbarians, Da Yan can form friendly relations with you, and all goods can circulate freely. Wouldn’t that give you the resources you want?”

After Ye Rui finished speaking, Kayani threw his hands on his hips and laughed toward the sky as though he had heard the greatest joke in the world. “You, a mere little general, dare to spout such nonsense and say you can trade with us?”

Ever since the barbarians had kept harassing Da Yan, Da Yan had never engaged in any material trade with them. Goods did not circulate. Later, as resentment between the two sides grew deeper and deeper, commercial or diplomatic exchanges became even more impossible. Most of the supplies in the barbarian capital were traded from the Liang Kingdom.

However, the outlying tribes farther from the barbarian capital did not enjoy that benefit.

“I say we can, so we can.”

At that moment, Xie Tinglan stood up. Yin Yue and Gong Yinzhi guarded her side as she walked step by step toward Kayani. Her expression was solemn as she said, “The Prime Minister of Da Yan absolutely has the authority to give you this promise.”

Pang Niu and the other soldiers all looked at Xie Tinglan in shock. These past few days, everyone had been guessing at her identity, but no one had expected her to be the current Prime Minister—Xie the wolf!

Xie Tinglan stared straight at Kayani. Seeing the doubt in his eyes, she sneered. “Don’t believe it? Then I think you’ll recognize this.”

She took something from the hidden pocket in her sleeve; it was a small scroll. With a flick of her fingers, the scroll opened. It was a truce agreement sent by the barbarians; stamped on it were the seals of the Western Barbarian King, Emperor Yuan, and Xie Tinglan. Most glaring of all, beneath the truce agreement was a large character: refuse.

“Seven years ago, I personally rejected the truce agreement you sent. There’s another copy in the hands of your Western Barbarian King; I think you’ve seen it too.”

At this point, Kayani believed Xie Tinglan truly was the Prime Minister, because he had looked at those seals countless times and had long since memorized them. Back then, a plague had broken out among the barbarian tribes. He had proposed the truce, hoping to trade a large amount of jewels, cloth, cattle, and sheep in exchange for two months of ceasefire.

But Da Yan had refused; and it was said the refusal came from Da Yan’s Prime Minister, Xie Tinglan. Even the emperor had agreed.

At that time, the barbarian wars had not stopped, and plague had also raged within their own ranks, causing many deaths and injuries. Several small tribes had nearly been wiped out. Fortunately, the Sun God had blessed them, and they managed to endure that crisis. From then on, their hatred for Da Yan grew even deeper.

“So it was you!”

Kayani pointed at Xie Tinglan. Yin Yue and Gong Yinzhi immediately moved in front of Xie Tinglan to shield her.

“Yes, it was me. But you can’t kill me now.”

Xie Tinglan knew the barbarians hated her. That had been the only truce agreement the barbarians had ever sent; she had rejected it and also had Nan Zhenchuan increase the force of the attacks.

People in the world said she was a war-mad lunatic, but she was nothing more than a blade the emperor used when he didn’t want to dirty his own hands.

Xie Tinglan still remembered that when the truce agreement had been delivered, Emperor Yuan had thrown it to the ground and said flatly that it was impossible. After that came the act she and he had performed together in court; all the blame for warmongering landed on her shoulders, while he remained the emperor who had merely been misled by a treacherous minister.

Slowly, Xie Tinglan rolled up the truce agreement. She glanced at the surprise in Ye Rui’s eyes, then withdrew her gaze. She hadn’t told Ye Rui about this because it was, after all, a little risky. But now that she saw Kayani did not attack immediately, she knew she had gambled correctly.

The lives of the past were no longer important in the face of present power; or perhaps they were temporarily not important.

“Although the soldiers in your barbarian capital are elite, if you rally the various tribes in the south, your military strength won’t be negligible. It may not be impossible to fight. And you still have the ten thousand elite soldiers you brought from the barbarian capital…”

Xie Tinglan stopped there, and Ye Rui continued from her words. “The Western Barbarian King ordering you to attack the Silverstone Tribe was already unjust. This was a conflict between two tribes. Haven’t you ever thought that continuing this way will only keep weakening the ten thousand elite soldiers you brought with you?”

Kayani’s eyes trembled; his gaze shifted to Ye Rui. The two women were both so sharp-tongued that he couldn’t refute a single word.

“Have you also considered that those ten thousand elite soldiers you brought were all personally trained by you? Weakening them is exactly what the Western Barbarian King wants to see. But what can you get out of it? An imperial decree to guard this place? How is that any different from being permanently cut off from the struggle for power?”

Ye Rui spoke with ringing conviction. She took a few steps forward and deliberately moved to stand in front of Xie Tinglan, putting another layer of distance between Kayani and Xie Tinglan. “Our purpose is simple too. We don’t want to keep fighting; it’s meaningless. We also won’t kick you when you’re down. There’s no benefit in that for us.”

“You’re willing to help me bring down the Western Barbarian King?”

On the road from the barbarian capital, Kayani had already thought about many things. He had not failed to consider what Ye Rui and Xie Tinglan were saying; he wasn’t just some brute who knew only how to fight. But once he rebelled, unless the mutiny succeeded, his lifelong reputation would only be reduced to infamy in the histories, a disgrace to his people.

What would happen afterward, Kayani couldn’t say. But he hoped Da Yan would also show sincerity and help him bring down the Western Barbarian King; then everything else about future negotiations could be discussed.

“We can’t openly help you. We have our own concerns. But in strategy and troop deployment, we can help you. I think these are exactly what you need.”

Before coming here, Xie Tinglan had already said that Kayani might very well ask for Qingzhou Army assistance, so she had prepared a set of talking points for Ye Rui.

At that moment, Ye Rui suddenly thought of those four words again: calculating every possibility without error.

“If our soldiers go directly to the battlefield to help you, you’ll probably have to keep guarding against us at all times. After all, you don’t trust us, and we don’t trust you. The best solution is for us to provide tactics. That will definitely make your military actions twice as effective with half the effort.”

Kayani thought what Ye Rui said made sense. He indeed did not trust the Qingzhou Army; these Da Yan people were all sly, and if they were to enter his army, who knew what kind of trouble they might cause.

“Fine. But if we need help, you must send troops.”

Ye Rui wasn’t surprised by this. In her mind, she silently thought: Xie Tinglan had said this too. They always had to give some sweetener; otherwise they couldn’t lure the wolf into the trap. This person really was calculating every step without error…

-----------------------

Author’s note: Kayani: I feel like I’ve been completely dazed by a two-woman beatdown.

[dog head]