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

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare," Fan Li quickly shook his head. "I just think that the news Miss sent might be true. Qin Mu is indeed in the harem every day, but that doesn't prove that he hasn't interfered in Northern Mang."

Xu Longxiang stared at him for a long time, then suddenly sneered: "My sister personally delivered this message, do you think it could be false?"

Fan Li remained silent.

Xu Longxiang continued, "She's my older sister. From childhood to adulthood, when has she ever lied to me? Besides, she's right here by Qin Mu's side. She knows better than any of us what Qin Mu does every day. If even she says Qin Mu hasn't made any moves, then that means..."

Xu Longxiang's eyes regained their confidence. "Qin Mu really didn't make a move."

Fan Li thought for a moment, and finally nodded: "Your Highness is right."

He had to admit that Xu Fenghua's information was indeed more reliable than any external intelligence.

After all, that was the most central position around Qin Mu, and the things that Xu Fenghua could access were far beyond what these Northern Border spies could compare to.

Therefore, if Xu Fenghua said that Qin Mu was not abnormal, then at least no abnormalities were found around Qin Mu.

Thinking of this, Fan Li's doubts lessened somewhat: "Perhaps I'm overthinking it."

Xu Longxiang did not pursue the issue further.

He picked up the note again, glanced at the words on it, and a complicated feeling inexplicably arose in his heart.

sister.

Are you doing well now?

The thought flashed through his mind for a moment, and he forcibly suppressed it.

The most important thing now is not these things, but the North and the Northern Barbarians.

"Oh, right," Xu Longxiang suddenly remembered something, "What about Zhao San?"

Fan Li's expression turned serious again: "There's still no news."

Xu Longxiang frowned immediately: "Not yet?"

"No," Fan Li shook his head. "The people we sent out last night haven't returned yet. We've tried to contact them several times, but haven't received a response."

The ease in Xu Longxiang's eyes vanished instantly: "What happened?"

Fan Li said in a deep voice, "It's still unclear. According to the original plan, Zhao San should have sent back a message before today. But so far, there has been no response."

Xu Longxiang stood there, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, one tap after another, the rhythm gradually becoming more rapid: "What exactly is this Zhao San up to?"

Fan Li did not answer.

Xu Longxiang continued, "Didn't we agree before that he would act immediately as soon as there was an opportunity in Northern Mang? Now things have changed in Northern Mang, and Huyan Lie is about to secure the Khanate. At this point, he's suddenly disappeared?"

Fan Li was silent for a moment: "Could something have happened?"

Xu Longxiang's eyes turned cold: "Impossible. Zhao San has my men around him, and what I've given him is enough for him to establish himself in Northern Mang. Unless..."

He paused for a moment, then didn't continue.

But the worst possibility had already surfaced in his mind.

Zhao San betrayed them.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he suppressed it.

"No," Xu Longxiang shook his head, "He won't."

Fan Li looked at him without saying a word.

Xu Longxiang realized the urgency in his tone. He took a deep breath and regained his composure: "Investigate. Find out everything about Zhao San's recent movements. Since he left the Northern Border, who has he met, where has he gone, and has he had any contact with other tribes in the Northern Barbarian Lands? And..."

Xu Longxiang narrowed his eyes. "Find out why he lost contact."

Fan Li nodded: "Okay, I'll go now."

"Wait a minute," Xu Longxiang suddenly called out to him.

Fan Li turned around.

Xu Longxiang paused for a moment: "Don't alert them. Especially don't let Zhao San know we're investigating him."

"Understood."

Fan Li nodded, then turned and left.

The footsteps faded into the distance, the doors of Zhenyue Hall slowly closed, and the entire hall fell silent once more.

Xu Longxiang stood alone in front of the desk.

His gaze fell on the note, then on the map of Northern Mang.

The relaxation I felt just now has completely vanished.

Zhao San.

This name was like a thorn, piercing his heart.

He knew, of course, why he cared so much about Zhao San.

Because Zhao San was his most important asset in Northern Mang, and also his last trump card.

If Qin Mu has indeed begun to plan his strategy for Northern Mang, then Zhao San is the key to his true struggle with Qin Mu for control of Northern Mang.

As long as Zhao San can act according to the plan, there is still a chance.

They might even... get there faster than Qin Mu.

Thinking of this, Xu Longxiang's eyes gradually became deep and unfathomable.

He slowly walked to the window and pushed it open.

A cold wind rushed in instantly, and snowflakes hit his face, icy and biting.

He didn't hide, but just quietly looked into the distance.

"Zhao San..."

His voice was deep, carrying a hint of warning, "I've given you the Moon Goddess. You can't let me down."

When he said those words, Xu Longxiang's eyes clearly changed.

In that instant, he felt as if he saw that woman again.

Dressed in white, with long hair, she was as serene and aloof as the moon.

She stood there, quietly looking at herself.

Those eyes that once captivated him countless times no longer belong to him.

Xu Longxiang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his heart felt as if it had been squeezed tightly by something.

pain.

But I cannot say it.

Because he made this choice himself.

In order to get Zhao San to stand firmly on his side and to make Zhao San willing to do anything to help him control Northern Mang, he gave away the person he cherished most.

The Moon Goddess was the bargaining chip he gave to Zhao San.

It could even be said that this was his last act of sincerity towards Zhao San.

Therefore, he believed that Zhao San would never betray him.

If even this price cannot win Zhao San's loyalty, then what else in this world can truly make Zhao San stand on my side?

Xu Longxiang closed his eyes, and after a long time, he opened them again.

The pain in his eyes was forcibly suppressed, replaced by a cold determination.

"Moon Goddess..." he murmured, "I believe in you."

It's unclear who this statement was directed at.

Perhaps it was addressed to the Moon Goddess, perhaps to Zhao San, but it seemed more like a speech to himself.

He had to believe it, because he had no other choice.

……

at the same time.

Northern Mang.

Qin Mu held a secret report from the Northern Border in his hand; it was a message that Yun Luan had just received.

Standing to the side, Jiang Zhaoyue couldn't help but smile as she watched Qin Mu put down the secret letter: "It seems that Prince Xu is finally starting to have doubts."

Qin Mu picked up his teacup: "It's normal to be suspicious. He's not stupid."

Jiang Zhaoyue blinked: "But young master, when do you think he'll find out?"

Qin Mu thought for a moment: "It might be faster than I imagined."

Why?

Qin Mu looked outside the tent: "Because of Zhao San's identity, I never intended to deceive him for a lifetime."

Jiang Zhaoyue was taken aback: "Then why does Young Master still need to use this identity?"

Qin Mu laughed: "Because it's interesting."

Jiang Zhaoyue was helpless.

She discovered that her young master often did things not for the result, but for the process.

Just like this trip to Northern Mang, if Qin Mu wanted to, he could have directly led Yun Luan into the Northern Mang royal court and replaced everyone overnight.

But he didn't.

He chose to take it one step at a time, to see what those people chose, and to see what decisions they would make when faced with dire circumstances.

This is what Qin Mu truly enjoys.

"His Majesty."

Yin Sutang walked in from outside the tent.

She has now regained her status as an elder of the Xuan Yin Sect, but she no longer has the arrogance she once had when facing Qin Mu.

"The matter at Qingshidu has been resolved. Several of Huyan Lie's most vocal opponents have also been appeased."

Qin Mu nodded: "What about Murong Xuan?"

Yin Sutang said, "He is very smart and pragmatic. He knows that there is no other way out for Northern Mang now."

Qin Mu smiled and said, "Smart people are always easy to cooperate with."

At this moment, Han Xin'er walked in carrying tea.

She gently set down her teacup and said, "Your Majesty, there is something I need to discuss."

"Um?"

"Although Huyan Lie has submitted, his subordinates are still hostile to the Qin Dynasty."

Qin Mu was not surprised: "Normal."

Han Xin'er continued, "They feel that although there is internal strife in Northern Mang, it is still the territory of the Northern Mang people. Now they are being asked to bow down to Great Qin, and they are unwilling to accept it."

Qin Mu looked at her: "If it were you, what would you do?"

Han Xin'er was slightly taken aback.

She hadn't expected Qin Mu to ask her that.

After a moment's hesitation, she said, "We can't kill them."

Why?

"Because they didn't betray us, they just had different stances."

Qin Mu smiled: "Continue."

Han Xin'er said, "Killing them will only breed more hostility among the Northern Barbarians. The best way is to let them see that Northern Barbarians will become better after submitting to Qin."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Qin Mu's eyes: "Not bad. It seems that what Han Zhong taught you was not in vain."

Upon hearing her father's name, Han Xin'er's eyes dimmed slightly, but she quickly recovered: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

……

the other side.

Qingshidu Camp.

Huyan Lie was discussing things with Murong Xuan.

"Sir, do you really think His Majesty will relinquish power to me?"

Murong Xuan looked at him: "Your Highness, you should have already figured it out."

Huyan Lie nodded: "He is different from other emperors."

Murong Xuan said, "That's right. Many emperors fear their ministers' abilities and their subordinates' potential to surpass them. But Qin Mu..." He paused, "...he simply doesn't care."

Huyan Lie remained silent.

Because that's the scariest place.

If an emperor needs to rely on restricting his ministers to maintain his power, it means that he himself is not strong enough.

But Qin Mu didn't need that, because his power had already surpassed all rules.

"Then what should I do from now on?" Hu Yanlie asked.

Murong Xuan gazed into the distance: "Be a good Khan of Northern Mang. Don't think about comparing yourself to him, and don't think about escaping his control, because you can never escape."

Hu Yanlie smiled wryly: "Sir, you still speak so bluntly."

Murong Xuan smiled and said, "Because there's no point in telling lies now."

Qingshidu Camp.

The wind and snow outside the tent continued unabated, with fine snowflakes being whipped up by the gale and rustling against the tent fabric.

Inside the tent, the stove was burning brightly, the embers glowing red and warm, dispelling most of the chill in the tent.

Huyan Lie and Murong Xuan sat facing each other, with a map of Northern Mang spread out in front of them. Several places circled in red ink on the map were particularly eye-catching.

Those are the few forces within the Northern Wilderness that have not yet completely submitted.

Huyan Lie stared at the map for a long time before finally reaching out and pointing to one of the spots.

"This is the Red Wolf Tribe."

Murong Xuan nodded, his gaze also falling on that mark.

Huyan Lie's finger landed on another spot: "And here, Black Mountain Camp."

He paused, then moved his finger to a marker on the northernmost side of the map: "And the White River Army."

At this point, Hu Yanlie's brows furrowed completely.

"These three parties are the most troublesome right now."

The Red Wolf tribe controls the western grasslands of Northern Mang. Although the tribe has only over 20,000 cavalrymen, they are all fierce soldiers who grew up on horseback.

The Black Mountain Camp occupies the mountain pass on the north side of Northern Mang. Although they are few in number, they control several important trade routes.

"As for the Baihe Army..." Huyan Lie paused, his expression clearly becoming serious, "they are the most troublesome."

Murong Xuan remained silent.

Because he knew very well that Baihejun was different from others.

This army was originally directly under the control of the Northern Mang royal court. Its commander, Tuoba Xiong, was highly respected in the Northern Mang army. He had fought in countless battles, and his soldiers all followed his lead.

Moreover, this person has a strong and unyielding character. Most importantly, he opposed bowing to the Qin Dynasty from the very beginning. He even once said in public: "The Northern Barbarians may perish, but the backbone of the Northern Barbarians cannot be bent."

Thinking of this, Murong Xuan slowly said, "Tuoba Xiong is no ordinary general."

He has 30,000 Baihe soldiers under his command; if it were just a matter of simple dissent, that would be fine.

"What I'm afraid of is..." Huyan Lie continued, "He might rebel."

Murong Xuan nodded: "That's right."

If Tuoba Xiong rebels, the Red Wolf Tribe and the Black Mountain Camp will likely follow suit.

The situation in Northern Mang, which had just stabilized, would then descend into chaos again.

Huyan Lie remained silent.

He stared at the map, a hint of weariness appearing in his eyes for the first time.

Only after becoming the Khan of Northern Mang did he truly understand that this position was not as easy to hold as he had imagined.

Previously, he was just a prince vying for the throne, only needing to consider how to defeat his own brother.

But now, the future of the entire Northern Wilderness rests on his shoulders; one wrong step and the land will be littered with corpses.

"Sir," Huyan Lie said in a low voice, "what do you think we should do?"

Murong Xuan did not answer immediately. He stared at the map for a long time before slowly saying, "Let's talk first."

"What if we can't reach an agreement?"

"Press it again."

Huyan Lie frowned: "Still not convinced?"

Murong Xuan raised his head, about to speak.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from outside the tent: "Then I will go and see for myself."

The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached their ears.

Hu Yanlie's body stiffened abruptly, and Murong Xuan also looked up instantly.

The next moment, the tent curtain was lifted from the outside, and a cold wind swirled in, carrying fine snowflakes.

A figure walked in through the wind and snow.