Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Eve

In the blink of an eye, it was almost May.

Over ten months had passed since the prison break last June, and Ye Pei’s internal injuries had nearly healed.

“Dragon Sparrow, Sister!” As a graceful figure stepped into the Ye residence, Ye Fei Luan’s voice followed.

Early that morning, Dragon Sparrow arrived in light makeup and a crimson dress, carrying several paper-wrapped bundles in her hands. Smiling at Ye Fei Luan, who came to greet her, she asked, “Fei Luan, where’s your mother?”

Ye Fei Luan immediately donned a look of displeasure. “You’re looking for my mother again! Can’t you, just once, come to see me?”

Dragon Sparrow laughed, “I brought these medicines to help her recover a bit more.”

Ye Fei Luan remained sulky. “She’s at the training ground! With Aunt Yue. It’s terribly boring.”

As they walked, Dragon Sparrow continued, “Don’t you love watching your mother practice martial arts? With Yue Zhe there, shouldn’t it be even more exciting?”

When they reached the training ground, Dragon Sparrow finally understood why it was dull.

Ye Pei stood at the center of the field, eyes closed, her white robes fluttering, utterly still.

By the edge, Yue Zhe sat atop a large wooden post, a skewer of meat between his lips, looking every bit the delinquent youth, simply watching Ye Pei. Beside him, a plate piled with bamboo skewers lay on the ground.

Though Dragon Sparrow found it all rather baffling, her playful spirit rose. Passing the medicine to Ye Fei Luan, she whispered, “Watch me sneak up on your mother.”

Ye Fei Luan perked up immediately, whispering, “I’ll go too!” But just as she was about to join in, Yue Zhe’s voice came from beside them—neither of them had noticed when he’d approached.

“You go? Spare us. With your skills, you’d lose to a hen. You wouldn’t even make it to the platform before she caught you.”

Ye Fei Luan pouted and crouched down, muttering, “Jerk!”

Dragon Sparrow grinned, then tiptoed toward Ye Pei.

Perhaps Ye Fei Luan herself didn’t realize she was soon standing upright again. “Aunt Yue, do you think Sister Dragon Sparrow can sneak up on my mother?”

Yue Zhe thought to himself: if someone as green as that little lady doctor managed to take him by surprise, he might as well end it all. Still, he responded with a teasing smile, “Aren’t you supposed to be mad?”

Ye Fei Luan shot him a glare and crouched back down.

Meanwhile, Dragon Sparrow had silently closed the distance to less than two steps behind Ye Pei. A sly, triumphant smile on her face, she lifted her foot and aimed a kick at Ye Pei’s chest.

With a soft snap, Ye Pei caught her ankle with one hand, eyes still closed. Teasingly, she said, “Dragon Sparrow, you think a few lessons are enough to ambush your master?”

She wasn’t wrong; the bits of martial arts Dragon Sparrow knew were all taught by Ye Pei in her spare time.

Ye Pei let go, and Dragon Sparrow steadied herself, asking in surprise, “How did you know it was me without even looking?”

Ye Pei opened her eyes and smiled. “Even if I explained, you wouldn’t understand. What brings you here?”

Dragon Sparrow asked with some annoyance, “Are you really better? I brought you some medicine for your recovery.”

Ye Pei waved her hand. “You know I dislike drinking medicine.”

Dragon Sparrow insisted, “You’ll recover faster if you take it!”

Ye Pei laughed heartily. “I’m already healed. Ask Yue Zhe.”

When Dragon Sparrow looked to him for confirmation, Yue Zhe quickly said, “Dragon Sparrow, he’s truly healed.”

Dragon Sparrow gave a resigned sigh. “Fine, I’ll head home, then. I’d planned to brew you some medicine.” But as she turned to go, Ye Pei grabbed her arm.

“Since you’re here, go keep my mother company in the study for a bit, and play with Fei Luan. I’ll join you for lunch. For now, I have matters to discuss with Yue Zhe.”

Dragon Sparrow hadn’t truly intended to leave. She played along, “Matters? Standing here like a fool?”

Ye Pei patted her shoulder, smiling, “My level of martial cultivation is beyond your understanding. Better take my daughter to see my mother.”

“Hmph—fine, I don’t care to listen anyway,” Dragon Sparrow said, pulling Ye Fei Luan away.

After all that, Dragon Sparrow and Ye Fei Luan still had no idea what the two were doing—one sitting, the other standing.

In truth, Ye Pei really was occupied. After recovering, she used her internal energy to stimulate the same in Yue Zhe, awakening his power at his dantian.

Ye Pei found her own energy to be versatile, useful in all aspects, and she’d sensed Dragon Sparrow’s presence earlier by detecting her aura. Once his energy was awakened, Yue Zhe felt he could sense the movement of air, his whole body becoming almost weightless.

Ye Pei had once teased, “With this kind of energy, perhaps your lightness skills will finally catch up to mine.”

Today, they were studying how to cultivate internal energy. Ye Pei wanted to try standing meditation, while Yue Zhe insisted, “It works best when you’re in a good mood, so I’ll be practicing while eating meat.”

Noon came.

At lunch, Huang Qilin, Ye Pei, Ye Fei Luan, Yue Zhe, and Dragon Sparrow gathered around the table.

They chatted happily as they ate, until Ye Pei suddenly exclaimed, “Almost forgot something important because we started eating late.” She set down her chopsticks, bid the others farewell, and left the dining room.

Dragon Sparrow, bewildered, was about to call after Ye Pei, but Lady Huang stopped her with a hand and said, “Let him be, dear. We womenfolk needn’t concern ourselves. Usually, he’s finished eating by now, but today he and Ah Zhe were late, so everything ran behind.”

Ye Pei’s small courtyard.

As Ye Pei entered, the beggar who often loitered near the Chen residence was already waiting.

“General,” the scout saluted as Ye Pei arrived.

“Well? Is today the same as always?” Ye Pei asked.

“Not quite. Since yesterday afternoon until midday today, four people entered the Chen residence and haven’t left. Our investigation shows all four came from outside the city.”

Ye Pei paused to consider. “I see. Keep a close watch.”

The scout nodded and departed.

For some time, the Chen family had been quiet; only a few servants would leave to purchase daily necessities, and the family rarely went out. But four newcomers from outside the city made Ye Pei reconsider her father’s instructions.

“In such a sensitive time, could the two Generals Chen be colluding with Xia Kingdom? But I’ve never heard of any grievances between the Chens and Xia…” she mused, before strolling back to the dining room.

That was as much as Ye Pei could deduce—she merely suspected the Chen family of conspiring with Xia, possibly engaging in unusual or overreaching activities during this period of alliance.

Meanwhile, in Loshui City, Ye Linhui was giving orders to his deputy.

“Inform Xiao Ming that I plan to hold a pre-battle meeting for the final engagement this afternoon. Ask if he has any objections to the time. If not, notify all our commanders to assemble at the main tent at 3 p.m. today. Oh, and don’t notify Chen Qingwei or Chen Qingyue. If Xiao Ming has any objections, report back to me.”

Xiao Ming had no objections; even if Ye Linhui hadn’t proposed the meeting, he would have. Preparations for the pre-battle conference began.

At 3 p.m., all generals from the Xia and Snow armies, except the Chen brothers, were present. The Chen brothers, stationed on the city walls as ordered, had no idea the meeting was taking place.

Seeing all eyes on him, Ye Linhui cleared his throat and spoke: “Gentlemen, according to the records, the season of Wildfire is nearly over, and the Demon Gate Valley will close soon. The Yan clan is clearly growing anxious. In the past fortnight, we’ve repelled several sizable assaults. Reports from the north and south indicate the Yan armies are withdrawing. This suggests, first, that they are planning to retreat, and second, that we must beware being caught between their three forces—north, south, and center. Since the northern and southern Yan forces are closer to Loshui City, even if reinforcements come from Pengzhou and Hengguan, they may not arrive faster than the Yan. That could put Loshui in great danger.”

He glanced at Xiao Ming, who remained silent, then continued: “Thus, delaying further is of no benefit to us. We must take the initiative and win, reversing the overall situation. The Yan armies in the north and south will then be isolated. If we act aggressively, we can encircle the southern Yan forces, cut off the northern retreat, and annihilate the enemy at Wangmai. If we are cautious, we let the southern army go and surround Feng Xiaoyang’s northern force, ensuring their destruction. Marshal Xiao, do you have any thoughts?”

Ye Linhui ended by deferring to Xiao Ming, for though prestige differed, their positions were equal in this coalition.

Xiao Ming replied, “Your analysis is sound, Marshal Ye. I concur.”

Ye Linhui nodded. “Since our aim is victory, we must not remain on the defensive. We should seek battle. If anyone has suggestions, now is the time.”

The assembled generals fell into thought. Some were clearly pondering strategies, while others only feigned contemplation, their eyes wandering, waiting for someone else to speak first.

Ye Linhui didn’t press; not all commanders excelled at tactics.

In truth, this battle would likely be a straightforward clash—the plains to the west of Loshui were vast, with a mountain range only to the north near Snow Country, but too distant to affect the main battlefield.

Ye Linhui himself had no clever plan—if no one else proposed a strategy, he was prepared for a head-on engagement: fifteen thousand against fifteen thousand, not enough to make the Yan army falter.

After a long silence, just as Ye Linhui was about to order a direct assault, Xiao Ming, who had been frowning in thought, suddenly spoke. “Marshal Ye, I have a plan.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it at once,” Ye Linhui said.

Xiao Ming explained, “Our army already holds the advantage. If the main battle goes poorly, we have ample supplies and a fortified city to retreat to. Therefore, we can take a calculated risk. I’ll lead our national army and most of the Snow troops in a frontal assault, while you, Marshal Ye, take ten thousand elite Snow cavalry and ambush in the northern valley. If the main battle is favorable or evenly matched, you can charge the Yan army’s left flank, targeting their banners and drums, disrupting their command. That will turn balance into advantage, and advantage into victory. If the main battle turns against us, you can withdraw; when you return safely, I’ll signal a retreat and we’ll reconsider.”

Ye Linhui weighed the plan, but a general from the Ye banner army spoke up, “Marshal, let me lead the assault instead—better for you to command the center.”

He was concerned about the risk of the strike, and also preferred Ye Linhui to lead the allied forces himself.

Before Ye Linhui could respond, Xiao Ming retorted, “Who in Snow Country commands cavalry better than Marshal Ye? I’ll hold the center. Do you doubt your marshal, or do you doubt me?”

The general flushed, but said nothing—of course he trusted Ye Linhui more than himself, but given the alliance, he couldn’t say he distrusted Xiao Ming either.

As the awkward silence grew, Ye Linhui spoke, “Enough. On the battlefield there should be only one commander. Besides, Marshal Xiao’s plan is sound. We’ll proceed as he suggests.”

With that, the decision was made. Ye Linhui designated the ten-thousand-man detachment for the assault, and Xiao Ming concluded, “Send word to the Yan camp: the decisive battle will be in five days.”

The meeting adjourned, and the generals departed.

Meanwhile, in the Yan camp—

Lin Yufei and Lin Yukong, brothers, sat at the head of the assembly.

Lin Yufei spoke, “As planned, the decisive battle will be in five days. We’ll meet the Wangmai forces head-on. Inform the first group of warriors: in this battle, in the frontal assault, you are permitted only to lose—not to win.”