Chapter 48 – I’ll Spare Their Lives

Early the next morning, Mu Nanjin arrived at the gates of the Command Headquarters and instantly frowned when she saw Captain Liu and Deng Xingchao waiting there with their men on horseback.

【Why is Captain Liu everywhere I go?】

【This man’s like a ghost haunting me. I’ve got a bad feeling; wherever he is, trouble follows.】

Deng Xingchao and his two trusted subordinates, Chen Liangli and Jiang Buzhi, immediately noticed Captain Liu’s face darken.

“…”

Captain Liu silently repeated to himself, “Don’t get angry. Don’t get angry. If I lose my temper, won’t that just make Mu Nanjin happy?”

“Everyone’s here. Let’s move out.”

Deng Xingchao led the group to the National Residence, explaining as they entered, “Envoys from the Great Liao and Great Zhou arrived yesterday. With them here, all four nations’ emissaries have gathered. This afternoon, we’ll escort them into the palace for an audience with His Majesty.”

【Two more countries with ulterior motives. Wonderful.】

Deng Xingchao and the others pricked up their ears, but Mu Nanjin didn’t elaborate.

Suddenly, from the central courtyard came an excited shout:

“Good! Hit him! Harder!”

Alarmed, Deng Xingchao rushed toward the rear courtyard with his men.

The steward of the National Residence stepped forward respectfully. “Greetings, my lords.”

“What’s going on over there?” Deng Xingchao asked, pointing toward the open space in the courtyard.

The steward smiled faintly. “The envoys of the four nations are sparring.”

“Sparring?”

Deng Xingchao immediately felt a bad premonition. Before he could order Captain Liu to take Mu Nanjin elsewhere, Jin Beiyun spotted them and called out loudly, “Lord Deng! You’ve come just in time!”

Deng Xingchao steeled himself and walked forward with Mu Nanjin and the others.

Jin Beiyun grinned. “We were just sparring. Why don’t you join us? I’ve been quite eager to see Miss Mu’s martial skills for myself.”

He had long been intrigued by Mu Nanjin, fascinated that a woman had been granted the title of official. Anyone who had saved the Emperor and earned such unprecedented favor must surely possess extraordinary ability. That curiosity had turned into a desire to cross blades with her.

Deng Xingchao: “…”

Had he known there would be a sparring match, he never would have brought Mu Nanjin here.

He’d already refused once before; it would be hard to decline again.

Unwilling to decide for her, Deng Xingchao turned and asked, “Do you want to spar with them?”

Didn’t you boast about being stronger than the God of War himself? Let’s see if you dare to accept.

Mu Nanjin glanced at Captain Liu. “Can I?”

【If I end up maiming or crippling someone, that’s fine, right?】

Captain Liu sneered inwardly.

Weren’t you the one who couldn’t stand me before?

Now you suddenly remember I exist?

【What’s with the silence? Is it that hard to answer me? Just say, do you want me to win, draw, or lose? I can adjust accordingly.】

Captain Liu: “…”

Jin Beiyun looked between them, puzzled. “Why ask him?”

Deng Xingchao explained, “Lord Liu is Mu Nanjin’s superior officer. She needs his permission before taking any action.”

“Oh, I see.”

Captain Liu cleared his throat. “Lord Jin, Miss Mu is a trusted official personally valued by His Majesty. I can’t make decisions without the Emperor’s consent.”

【‘Trusted official’? Hah, what a joke. If the Emperor truly valued me, he wouldn’t have kept me at Ninth Rank.】

Captain Liu mentally retorted, “You were the one who refused any promotion, and now you’re blaming His Majesty?”

Jin Beiyun could tell both Deng Xingchao and Captain Liu were trying to shield Mu Nanjin. That only confirmed his suspicion; Mu Nanjin must hold an important place in the Emperor’s heart.

“In that case, I’ll have to trouble you to seek your Emperor’s permission before we spar,” Jin Beiyun said smoothly.

With that said, Deng Xingchao couldn’t refuse. It was clear Jin Beiyun wouldn’t let this go without a match, so he sent someone to the palace to ask for the Emperor’s decision.

He fully expected a rejection.

But to everyone’s shock, the Emperor approved.

Deng Xingchao’s face fell. He leaned toward Captain Liu and whispered, “It’s over. Mu Nanjin’s doomed.”

He even suspected the Emperor might be using the foreign envoys’ hands to rid himself of her, just in case she ever leaked more secrets.

Captain Liu: “…”

You should be worrying about the envoys instead. If Mu Nanjin kills them, the four nations will have the perfect excuse to cause trouble for Great Qian.

Mu Nanjin asked calmly, “How are we fighting?”

【Should I win, lose, or tie?】

Captain Liu hesitated, unsure what answer to give.

Deng Xingchao finally said, “Just make sure you stay alive.”

Mu Nanjin nodded. “Alright.”

【I’ll make sure they live.】

Captain Liu: “…”

Deng Xingchao: “…”

Uh… that’s not what I meant.

I meant, keep your life safe.

At that moment, Jin Beiyun stepped into the arena.