Chapter 316 Departure

Chapter 316: Departure

"What?"

"The peace princess has returned?"

"How... how can that be?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the generals in the tent shot each other looks of utter disbelief.

A peace princess symbolized the alliance between the two nations. Once she set foot on foreign soil, unless something earth-shattering happened—like the fall of a kingdom—there was simply no precedent for her to willingly return home.

This was basically tearing up the treaty unilaterally—a serious diplomatic incident that could practically be a sign the two nations were about to turn on each other.

For this to happen at such a critical moment was definitely not as simple as it looked.

Cui Ji was silent for a moment, his fingers slowly moving across the map.

Eventually, he passed over the obvious passes and strongholds, stopping at a spot marked along the edge of the Mingshui Marsh.

That area was low-lying and crisscrossed with waterways—not exactly prime military terrain.

"Pass the word," he said, his voice steady but brooking no argument.

"To the Yako Passage on the southeastern side of the Mingshui Marsh, send another battalion of elite troops trained for forest and swamp fighting.

Load them up with heavy bows, crossbows, caltrops, and iron spikes. Have them hide in ambush, waiting for orders. No one moves without my word."

If the Southern Kingdom really was in cahoots with the Northern Di and Western Rong, they wouldn't just hit the obvious routes head-on.

The Mingshui Marsh looked like a natural barrier, tough for an army to cross—but precisely because of that, its defenses would be slack.

If a surprise force could slip through the Yako Passage undetected, they could hit the Cui Family Army's flank and rear, catching them in a pincer with the enemy up front.

On the surface, all the main passes would go on high alert, putting on a show of solid defense.

But in secret, he planned to leave a nice little surprise for the Northern Di at that very passage.

He paused, then added, his voice cold with killing intent:

"Also send a squad of scouts who know the marsh best to keep watch day and night for anything suspicious outside the Yako Passage.

If they spot enemy scouts, let them in. Then shut the door and beat the dog."

Cui Ji turned to the general in charge of logistics. "That latest grain shipment—where is it now? When does it get to the main camp?"

The general immediately bowed and replied, "General, the grain convoy has already cleared Blackstone Gorge. By schedule, it should be here no later than noon the day after tomorrow."

Cui Ji pondered briefly, then ordered, "Send another squad of elite cavalry to meet them. Scout the route thoroughly and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yes, sir!" The general didn't dare dawdle and immediately turned to make the arrangements.

Meanwhile, Cheng Ge was, in fact, feeling pretty bored in his tent.

The days of resting up were dull. He idly flipped through the military manuals Cui Ji usually kept on his desk, only to find the pages crammed with Cui Ji's notes.

There were not just sharp insights into ancient strategy, but also detailed breakdowns and projections based on the current northern frontier terrain and enemy positions—even finely drawn terrain sketches.

Cheng Ge started out just skimming, but before he knew it, he was completely hooked.

Cui Ji's handwriting was bold and forceful, his thinking sharp and meticulous. Through those words, Cheng Ge could almost see the strategic maneuvering behind them.

Over the past two days, he'd nearly read every military text he could get his hands on.

That night, after finishing up military business, Cui Ji came back to the tent at midnight.

He quietly took off his armor and outer robe, damp with the cold night dew, and walked to the bed—Cheng Ge was already asleep.

The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows across his peaceful sleeping face, and beside his pillow lay a book he'd almost finished.

Cui Ji's gaze softened without him realizing it. He carefully reached out, meaning to pull the book away.

Feeling the movement, Cheng Ge groggily opened his eyes, his gaze unfocused and far away.

Clearly not fully awake, unable to tell reality from a dream.

He mumbled a few words without thinking, his voice heavy with sleep, slurring: "Cui Ji..."

Cui Ji froze mid-motion, thinking he was awake. He was about to say something when he saw Cheng Ge's eyes slowly close again.

He burrowed his head deeper into the pillow, then went on in a dreamy murmur, reciting military doctrine in bits and pieces.

"...War is the art of deception... Lure them with profit... Throw them into chaos and take them..."

Cui Ji: "..."

He was stunned at first, then the hard line of his mouth couldn't help but curve up into a faint, genuine smile.

He gently blew out the candle and, by the faint moonlight coming through the tent, lay down next to Cheng Ge.

He'd barely settled in when the person beside him, as if sensing the warmth, rolled over without thinking.

His arm naturally draped over, landing perfectly around one of Cui Ji's arms, and he even nuzzled his cheek contentedly against Cui Ji's shoulder.

Cui Ji's body tensed slightly, but he didn't push him away, letting him do it.

Then he heard Cheng Ge, in a nasal, sleepy voice, continue his midnight lecture on military strategy, mumbling unclearly but with startling clarity:

"When they're strong, prepare for them... When they're fierce, avoid them... Mm... Provoke them when they're angry... The beauty trap... that works too..."

Cui Ji: "............"

He couldn't hold it in anymore. In the darkness, he let out a low chuckle, a faint vibration running through his chest.

He turned his head to look at the head resting against his shoulder, then closed his eyes too.

Outside the tent, the north wind howled; inside, a rare sense of peace and warmth settled in.

But that peace didn't last long. Cui Ji had barely closed his eyes for a moment

when a hurried but deliberately muffled voice came from outside the tent: "General! Urgent report from the Mingshui Marsh!"

Cui Ji's eyes snapped open, instantly clear and sharp, all drowsiness gone without a trace.

With movements extremely gentle yet swift, he withdrew his arm from Cheng Ge's embrace.

He turned over, got off the bed, and swiftly donned his armor and outer robe, the entire process silent and seamless.

He fastened his cloak and was about to stride off when he caught the reporting soldier's gaze—something was off.

The soldier was staring straight past him, his expression odd, mouth opening as if to speak but holding back.

Cui Ji felt a flicker of doubt and instinctively turned—

Cheng Ge had somehow sat up without him noticing, eyes still half-lidded, but he was nowhere near awake.

He wobbled on the edge of the bed, and plopped right on his head was Cui Ji's heavy black iron helmet.

The helmet was way too big for him, tilted sideways and covering most of his face, so only his chin and slightly open lips showed.

He sat there, still wobbly, when he suddenly raised a hand and waved it vaguely in front of him.

"This general... is heading out... to the Netherwater... Marsh..."

Cui Ji: "............"

The soldier behind him nearly burst out laughing, hastily pressing his lips together, his face turning beet red from holding it in.