I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Xu Longxiang fell silent.

Inside Zhenyue Hall.

The charcoal fire in the stove was burning brightly.

But standing in front of that map of Kyushu, he felt no warmth whatsoever.

Fan Li's words were like a knife that wasn't very sharp.

It did not actually pierce the flesh.

But little by little, it revealed the truth he had always refused to acknowledge.

They underestimated Qin Mu.

And not just once.

It happened again and again.

This is true of the separation from Yang.

Such is the case with the Moon Goddess Cult.

Han Zhong is like that.

Even the current situation in the North is the same.

They thought they were setting things up.

But it wasn't until the very end that we realized...

Qin Mu seemed to be standing in a higher position, watching them make their moves.

Xu Longxiang slowly closed his eyes.

for a long time.

He then said in a low voice:

"indeed."

"We underestimated him."

He spoke that sentence very slowly.

It was as if every word required immense courage to utter.

After all, for Xu Longxiang...

It's not easy to admit that you're not as good as someone else.

Especially this person.

It was still Qin Mu.

He was the man he hated the most.

Fan Li remained silent.

He just stood there quietly.

Because he knew.

The fact that Xu Longxiang could say such a thing already says a lot.

After a while.

Xu Longxiang opened his eyes.

His gaze regained its composure.

"But there's no point in saying all this now."

What's done is done.

"What we should really be considering is..."

He stretched out his hand.

Pointing to the Northern Wilderness on the map.

"If Qin Mu has really begun to intervene in Northern Mang."

"What are our chances of successfully winning over Northern Mang?"

Fan Li walked over.

Upon hearing this question...

His expression also became serious.

He didn't rush to answer.

Instead, he picked up a black chess piece from the table.

It was placed in the location of the Northern Mang royal court.

"If Qin Mu only sent someone to test the waters."

"Then we have a great chance."

"At least 60%."

Xu Longxiang frowned slightly.

"Sixty percent?"

"So tall?"

Fan Li nodded.

"The Northern Barbarians are not the Great Qin after all."

"The tribal system here is completely different from that of the Central Plains."

"Although Huyan Lie became Khan, his foundation was not as solid as one might imagine."

"Although the Wuhuan control internal affairs, they also need time to establish their prestige."

"so……"

Fan Li placed another chess piece.

"The situation in Northern Mang appears to be stable now."

"In reality, there are still many unstable factors within the organization."

Xu Longxiang nodded.

"continue."

Fan Li's finger landed on the Black Wolf Tribe's location.

"The first one."

"tribe."

"The conflicts of interest among the various tribes of Northern Mang are extremely complex."

Even if Huyan Lie becomes Khan, he cannot truly have absolute authority.

"Especially those large tribes that command tens of thousands of cavalry."

"They were willing to submit to the Khan because the Khan could give them enough benefits."

"Not because they are truly loyal."

Xu Longxiang's eyes flickered.

"So as long as we offer more than Huyan Lie, they might turn to us."

"good."

Fan Li nodded.

"The second one."

"The conflict between the Northern Barbarians and the Central Plains."

"Although the Northern Mang people feared the Qin Dynasty, they were also unwilling to become its complete vassal."

"Qin Mu can support Huyan Lie."

"It can also help the Wuhuan."

"It could even help Northern Mang resolve the issue of several disobedient tribes."

"But the more he does it..."

Fan Li's voice gradually lowered.

"The more likely a voice will emerge within the Northern Barbarian territory."

"That is..."

"The Northern Barbarians cannot become a vassal state of the Great Qin."

Xu Longxiang's eyes lit up.

"This is our opportunity."

"right."

Fan Li nodded.

"So if Qin Mu really intends to directly control Northern Mang."

"His biggest obstacle was not Huyan Lie."

"It's the entire tribal system of Northern Mang."

Xu Longxiang looked at the map again.

ponder for a moment.

"What if Qin Mu only supports Huyan Lie, instead of directly controlling Northern Mang?"

Fan Li paused for a moment.

"That's troublesome."

Xu Longxiang frowned.

Why?

"Because of Huyan Lie."

Fan Li pointed to the Northern Mang royal court on the map.

"If Qin Mu really chooses to support the eldest prince Huyan Lie, then it means that he has no intention of swallowing up Northern Mang at all."

"At least not for now."

"All he needs is a stable Northern Barbarian territory."

"A Northern Barbarian that can restrain the northern border without threatening the Great Qin."

Xu Longxiang's face gradually darkened.

"In other words..."

"Our real enemy is not Huyan Lie."

Fan Li looked at him.

"It is Qin Mu."

Xu Longxiang remained silent.

His fingers tapped lightly on the table.

a bit.

a bit.

The sound echoed in the empty Zhenyue Hall.

A long time passed.

Xu Longxiang suddenly laughed.

"So what?"

Fan Li looked up.

Xu Longxiang's gaze sharpened again.

"Since Qin Mu can support Huyan Lie."

Why can't we support others?

Fan Li was taken aback.

Then.

His gaze fell on another location on the map.

Southwest of the Northern Wilderness.

There.

It is an inconspicuous little tribe.

If you're just looking at the map...

Very few people will notice.

But after Fan Li saw that place...

A smile slowly appeared on his face.

"Your Highness is right."

Xu Longxiang also smiled.

"We have one more card to play."

"and……"

"This is a card that Qin Mu hadn't thought of yet."

Fan Li remained silent.

The two looked at each other at the same time.

Then.

Xu Longxiang slowly uttered two words.

"Zhao San".

air.

There was a sudden moment of silence.

This name.

It was like a stone thrown into calm water.

A glint of light flashed in Fan Li's eyes.

"Your Highness really is..."

He didn't continue.

He simply shook his head slightly.

"Nobody expected this back then."

"You actually laid this trap in Northern Mang ahead of time."

Xu Longxiang's lips curled up slightly.

"It's just taking precautions."

"Back then, nobody knew what the future held."

"So it's never a bad thing to have an extra option."

Fan Li nodded.

"Zhao San has been hiding in the Northern Barbarian Lands for many years."

"Although on the surface he was just an insignificant tribal chief."

"But over the years, he has gradually gained control over several small tribes in the surrounding area."

"If we could truly integrate these forces..."

"At least 50,000 cavalrymen can be mustered."

Xu Longxiang's gaze narrowed slightly.

"fifty thousand?"

"The ones that are out in the open."

Fan Li said softly.

"The power behind the scenes is even greater."

Xu Longxiang finally smiled.

"it is good."

"This card is here."

"Then we still have the right to compete with Qin Mu."

Fan Li, however, did not laugh along.

Instead, he frowned.

"Your Highness."

"What's wrong?"

"Zhao San is certainly important."

"But we cannot ignore one problem."

Xu Longxiang looked at him.

Fan Li slowly said:

"Zhao San..."

"Will they really listen to us?"

Inside Zhenyue Hall.

The atmosphere fell silent again.

The smile on Xu Longxiang's face.

It gradually subsided.

Fan Li continued:

"Zhao San accepted your orders back then because you gave him enough support."

"These years."

"We've also been secretly supplying him with resources."

"But the situation is different now."

"After Qin Mu appeared."

"The situation in Northern Mang has undergone tremendous changes."

"If Zhao San feels that following Qin Mu is more advantageous..."

"Then all our previous arrangements may have been in vain."

Xu Longxiang remained silent.

Just standing there.

after awhile.

He suddenly chuckled.

"Won't."

Fan Li looked at him.

"Is Your Highness so confident?"

Xu Longxiang turned around.

His eyes were firm.

"Because of the moon goddess."

Fan Li was slightly taken aback.

Xu Longxiang did not elaborate further.

I just looked out the window.

The night sky in the North is cold.

The moon was half-hidden by dark clouds.

Only a small section of silvery white was visible.

Xu Longxiang looked at the moon.

Deep in the eyes.

Yet a hint of barely concealed pain flashed across his face.

"I gave my favorite woman..."

"He gave them all to him."

"If Zhao San isn't even willing to do this for me..."

"What kind of justice is that?"

He spoke very softly.

It even carried a hint of self-deprecation.

But Fan Li could hear the pain in his voice.

Luna.

He was one of the people Xu Longxiang cared about most.

She was also the person he least wanted to mention.

In order to get Zhao San to completely side with him.

then.

He made an extremely difficult decision.

The Moon Goddess was sent to Zhao San's side.

that time.

He told himself.

This is for the sake of the bigger picture.

It was for the Northern Frontier.

It's for the future.

But only he himself knew.

When making this decision.

How much pain was in his heart?

That was his favorite woman.

But he personally gave it to another man.

Even now when I think about it.

It felt like a gaping wound had been ripped open in my chest.

Xu Longxiang took a deep breath.

I forcibly suppressed that emotion.

Then he said:

"I believe in the moon goddess."

"She won't betray me."

"As long as she's still by Zhao San's side."

"Zhao San will definitely help us."

Fan Li looked at him.

They didn't say anything more.

he knows.

at this time.

No matter what he says.

All of this will only make Xu Longxiang feel worse.

After a while.

Fan Li said softly:

"I hope so."

Xu Longxiang did not respond.

Just standing there.

Looking out the window.

that moment.

This was once the proud and spirited prince of the North, commanding 300,000 iron cavalry.

A hint of weariness, difficult to conceal, appeared on his face.

He suddenly remembered the day the moon goddess left.

She didn't cry.

I just quietly looked at myself for a long time.

Then I asked a question.

"Is this your decision?"

then.

Xu Longxiang answered firmly.

"Yes."

"For the North."

The moon goddess remained silent for a long time.

finally.

She simply nodded.

"I see."

Then turned and left.

Xu Longxiang always remembered that figure from behind.

Until now.

He didn't even know.

That day.

Just how disappointed was the moon goddess?

He didn't know either.

What they call the big picture.

Is it really worth exchanging in this way?

But now.

He had no choice but to believe.

Believe in the moon goddess.

Trust Zhao San.

I am even more convinced that I made the right choice back then.

"Fan Li".

"Your subordinate is here."

"What about the palace?"

Xu Longxiang suddenly asked.

"Any news yet?"

Fan Li shook his head.

"not yet."

Xu Longxiang frowned immediately.

"Why isn't it here yet?"

"Based on time calculations."

"They should have arrived by now."

Fan Li explained:

"Your Highness, there is no need to rush."

"It takes time for messages to travel from the palace."

"Moreover, Qin Mu's power is growing stronger and stronger."

"Our people must act more cautiously."

"Fastest..."

Fan Li paused for a moment.

"tomorrow."

"As early as tomorrow."

Xu Longxiang remained silent for a moment.

Finally, he nodded.

"it is good."

"I'll wait."

That's just what I said.

But his fingers.

But unconsciously it tightened.

Obviously.

He was already getting impatient.

Because this time.

News from the palace.

It could very well determine the future fate of the North.

If all goes well.

Zhao San was able to initiate the attack.

Then Northern Barbarians will become an important piece to restrain Qin Mu.

But what if it fails...

Xu Longxiang didn't even dare to think any further.

……

at the same time.

The Northern Mang King's Palace.

Night had completely enveloped the earth.

Deep within the royal palace, in a side hall, the lights were brightly lit.

Qin Mu sat by the window.

A pot of hot tea was placed in front of me.

outside the window.

The winds of the Northern Wilderness still howl.

The snowflakes swirled up and pattered against the window paper.

Yunluan stood at the door.

Jiang Zhaoyue sat opposite Qin Mu.

Chen Ruoyao leaned against a pillar, holding a cup of hot tea in her hands, listening quietly.

The atmosphere was not tense.

It was even somewhat quiet.

Until a dark figure strode quickly from outside the hall.

"His Majesty."

The man came to the door and knelt on one knee.

"explain."

Qin Mu did not look up.

The spy took out a secret letter from his pocket.

Presented with both hands.

Yunluan walked over and took it.

Then it was delivered to Qin Mu.

Qin Mu opened the seal.

His gaze swept over the contents of the letter.

At the very beginning.

His expression remained unchanged.

You can see the last few lines.

His fingers paused slightly.

Jiang Zhaoyue noticed this scene.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Mu did not answer immediately.

Instead, he placed the secret letter on the table.

"There's been some activity in the North."

Chen Ruoyao raised her head.

"Xu Longxiang?"

Qin Mu nodded.

"Um."

Yunluan walked to the table.

He picked up the secret letter and glanced at it.

After a while.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

"Is he investigating the Northern Barbarians?"

Qin Mu leaned back in his chair.

"To be precise."

"He's trying to confirm whether I've interfered with Northern Mang."

Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes flickered slightly.

"Is he starting to have doubts?"

"It's probably just suspicion."

Qin Mu said calmly.

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent someone to investigate."

Chen Ruoyao gently put down her teacup.

"But that's normal."

"Anyone who saw such a sudden and drastic change in the situation in Northern Mang would probably be suspicious."

Qin Mu glanced at her.

What do you think?

Chen Ruoyao pondered for a moment.

"I think..."

"His biggest worry right now is not whether Northern Mang will submit to His Majesty."

"But how much has His Majesty actually deployed in Northern Mang?"

Qin Mu smiled.

"continue."

Chen Ruoyao stood up.

Walk to the map.

Her slender fingers landed on the Northern Wilderness.

"If Xu Longxiang simply wants to know whether His Majesty has interfered in Northern Mang."

That means he hasn't made up his mind yet.

"Since it's not certain."

"This means that he doesn't have enough evidence at the moment."

"Without evidence, he dared not easily change his original plan."

Jiang Zhaoyue nodded.

"So he will continue to try to win over the Northern Barbarians."

"right."

Chen Ruoyao said.

"And it will be even more urgent."

Yunluan frowned slightly.

"In that case..."

"Should we stop it first?"

"unnecessary."

Qin Mu suddenly spoke.

All three of them turned their gazes to him at the same time.

Qin Mu picked up his teacup.

Gently blow away the steam in the cup.

Why?

Jiang Zhaoyue asked.

Qin Mu took a sip of tea.

"Because I don't know right now."

"Don't know what?"

"What exactly does Xu Longxiang have in his possession?"

As soon as those words were spoken...

Everyone quieted down.

Qin Mu put down his teacup.

"Based on the information we have so far..."

"Xu Longxiang has already noticed the changes in Northern Mang."

"But he still didn't stop with his original plan."

"This shows..."

Qin Mu's gaze deepened.

"He should still have one card in his hand."

Yunluan's brows furrowed even deeper.

"What brand?"

Qin Mu said with a smile:

"Of course it's me."

The women were all taken aback when they heard this, and then they all smiled.

This statement is quite interesting now. Xu Longxiang's biggest enemy is Qin Mu, and Qin Mu is also his biggest trump card in Northern Mang.

It can be said that Xu Longxiang has been completely fooled by His Majesty.

"but……"

Jiang Zhaoyue suddenly spoke.

"If Xu Longxiang has indeed already begun taking action."

"What about the northern border..."

"Won't there be any problems?"