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

Wu Lie's expression changed instantly: "You want to kick me out?"

"I am simply giving you a choice."

If you don't want to become a member of the Northern Barbarians, then take your people and leave.

Wu Lie was stunned: "Where to?"

"Anywhere is fine."

But after the Northern Mang, it belonged only to the Great Qin.

This time, Wu Lie remained silent for a long time.

He looked at Qin Mu's expressionless face, then glanced at the Red Wolf tribe members outside the tent—the old, weak, women, and children wrapped in fur robes, making fires in the snow to keep warm, and the young hunters who were worrying about tomorrow's rations.

He suddenly realized that if he left Northern Mang, where would his people go to survive?

The northern border is Xu family territory, and Qin would never accept them.

To the west is a desert, and to the east are snow-capped mountains.

Apart from the grasslands of Northern Mang, they had nowhere else to go.

Wu Lie slowly unclenched his fists and finally knelt down: "The Red Wolf Tribe...is willing to submit."

Qin Mu nodded: "Very good."

He stood up: "I don't need you to kneel."

Wu Lie was taken aback.

Qin Mu had already turned around: "What I want is for you to guard Northern Mang from now on."

Wu Lie knelt on the spot, watching the black figure walk out of the tent. The wind and snow rushed in through the curtain he lifted, causing the candlelight inside the tent to flicker violently.

He suddenly realized that the young emperor's back was much more magnanimous than he had imagined.

Black Mountain Camp.

When Helian Shan received the news, Qin Mu had already arrived outside the camp.

He stood on the city wall, gazing at the black figure in the distance, and remained silent for a long time.

The Black Mountain Camp has only over three thousand men and controls several trade routes on the northern side of Northern Mang. In terms of military strength, it is inferior to the White River Army, and in terms of foundation, it is inferior to the Red Wolf Tribe.

Helian Shan was a pragmatic man; he knew from the beginning that he had no bargaining power whatsoever.

He had thought that Qin Mu would come back at least the next day, with a large army pressing in, giving him time to prepare.

Qin Mu arrived that very day, without a large army or any imposing presence; he simply stood quietly outside the camp gate, waiting.

Helian Shan gazed at the figure in the wind and snow, and finally walked down the city wall himself, opening the camp gate: "The Black Mountain Camp is willing to surrender."

Qin Mu didn't even dismount; he simply nodded and said, "Okay."

Helian Shan knelt on one knee, not daring to raise his head.

With this, all three major opposition forces were eliminated.

There was no large-scale fighting, no bloodshed, and not even a real war broke out.

Qin Mu only made a trip in person, but it completely silenced the entire Northern Wilderness.

In the evening, Qin Mu returned to the Qing Shi Du camp.

The sun had set, the sky was dyed a dark red, and the wind and snow gradually stopped.

Inside the tent, Huyan Lie stared at the three surrender letters on the table, remaining silent for a long time.

Tuoba Xiong, Wulie, Helian Mountain.

Three people, one afternoon, all surrendered.

He looked up at Qin Mu: "Your Majesty."

"Um?"

"From now on, Northern Mang..."

Qin Mu picked up his teacup: "You take care of it."

Huyan Lie was taken aback.

Qin Mu looked at him and said, "I will give you soldiers, I will give you power, and I will give you time."

But I have only one request.

Huyan Lie's expression turned solemn: "Please give your orders, Your Majesty."

Qin Mu put down his teacup: "Make Northern Mang stronger, so strong that no one dares to bully you anymore."

As for loyalty, I don't need you to talk about it all the time; I only care about results.

Huyan Lie remained silent for a long time before finally standing up and solemnly clasping his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Your subject understands."

Qin Mu nodded.

Just then, footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent.

A member of the Imperial Guard strode in, knelt on one knee, and handed over a secret letter with both hands: "Your Majesty, urgent report from the northern border."

Qin Mu took it, opened it, and after just one glance, the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.

Jiang Zhaoyue, standing beside him, noticed his expression and asked softly, "Young Master, what's wrong?"

Qin Mu did not answer immediately, but handed her the secret letter.

Jiang Zhaoyue took the document, glanced at the contents, and her expression changed slightly: "Xu Longxiang has started investigating Zhao San."

Qin Mu nodded: "Mm."

Jiang Zhaoyue looked up: "So what do we do next?"

Qin Mu picked up his teacup and looked at the darkening sky outside the tent: "What else can we do? Let him investigate."

Jiang Zhaoyue was taken aback.

Qin Mu smiled faintly: "I'd like to see who he trusts the most when he finally finds out."

Outside the tent, the wind and snow began to swirl again, and the camp flags fluttered in the night.

At this moment, the last voice of opposition from the Northern Barbarians fell completely silent.

Qin Mu stood in the tent, his gaze fixed on the northern border, his smile growing ever wider.

Because the real show has only just begun.

Inside the tent, the charcoal fire glowed red-hot in the copper stove, occasionally emitting a faint crackling sound.

Hu Yanlie sat opposite Qin Mu, his gaze fixed on the three surrender letters on the table, and remained silent for a long time.

Murong Xuan stood beside him without saying a word, simply watching Qin Mu quietly.

Qin Mu held the teacup and took a leisurely sip, as if he had plenty of time to wait.

Huyan Lie finally raised his head, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. When he spoke, his voice was a few degrees deeper than before: "Your Majesty, I have something I would like to ask."

Qin Mu looked up at him and said, "Speak."

Huyan Lie paused for a moment, as if he was carefully considering his words.

Qin Mu did not interrupt, but continued to drink his tea.

Huyan Lie continued, "Back when I was at Qingshi Ferry, Xu Longxiang sent a secret letter saying he was willing to join forces with Northern Mang to resist Great Qin. However, at that time I had not yet decided on my side, so I did not respond. But now..."

He paused, as if to confirm the appropriateness of his words: "Now that Northern Mang is pacified, and I have pledged my loyalty to Your Majesty, I worry: if Xu Longxiang sends someone again, how should I respond?"

After he finished speaking, the tent fell silent for a moment.

Murong Xuan's gaze fell on Qin Mu's face, as if he was also waiting for this answer.

The wind and snow outside were pounding against the tent flap, and occasionally a gust of wind would seep in through the gaps in the curtains, causing the candlelight to flicker slightly.

Qin Mu put down his teacup, the bottom of which made a soft sound as it touched the table.

He looked at Huyan Lie, smiled, and said in a low voice, "Do whatever you think is right."

Huyan Lie was slightly taken aback, as if he had not expected this answer.

Murong Xuan's brows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Huyan Lie tentatively began, "Your Majesty means..."

Qin Mu leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed: "Xu Longxiang sent people here simply to try and win you over. He thought that the Northern Barbarians were not yet settled, and that there was still a loophole to exploit. But he doesn't know that you have already made your choice."

He paused for a moment: "So reply however you want. There's no need to deliberately distance yourself, nor to deliberately get close. Deal with Xu Longxiang the same way you dealt with him before. Answer his questions truthfully. It's no secret that Northern Mang has already submitted to Great Qin; he'll find out sooner or later."

Hu Yanlie remained silent for a moment, as if digesting the weight of those words.

He raised his head: "What if Xu Longxiang wants to use the route through Northern Mang to march south and attack Qin?"

Qin Mu didn't rush to answer, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment.

"What do you guys think?"

Hu Yanlie was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected Qin Mu to throw the question back at him.

He lowered his head and thought for a moment: "Borrowing passage... I think it is not advisable. Since Northern Mang has already submitted to Great Qin, if we allow Xu Longxiang to borrow passage again, it would be to waver between two sides. It would be disloyal to Your Majesty and unjust to Northern Mang."

Qin Mu nodded: "Then we'll refuse."

Hu Yanlie was stunned: "...It's that simple?"

Qin Mu looked at him: "Isn't it simple?"

Hu Yanlie opened his mouth, realizing that there was indeed nothing to refute about this statement.

It's really simple.

But behind this simplicity lies Qin Mu's composure in not taking Xu Longxiang seriously at all.

Qin Mu picked up his teacup again: "Xu Longxiang wants Northern Mang, but Northern Mang is no longer the Northern Mang you knew. Whether he sends someone or comes in person, the path is closed, but people are flexible. You both know in your hearts what to choose."

Huyan Lie solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject understands."

He straightened up, as if he had finally let go of a problem that had been weighing on his mind.

Murong Xuan stood to the side, not saying a word from beginning to end, but his gaze lingered on Qin Mu's face for a few more moments, as if he were reassessing the weight of this young emperor in his mind.

His attitude towards Huyan Lie and his attitude towards Xu Longxiang were on completely different levels.

Hu Yanlie received instructions and trust, while Xu Longxiang received only the illusion left to him by Qin Mu.

Murong Xuan didn't say these words aloud, but simply lowered his eyes.

Qin Mu placed the teacup back on the table and stood up: "I have already cleared up the matter of Northern Mang for you. The rest of the way is up to you. If you have any questions, ask me again."

Huyan Lie quickly stood up: "Your Majesty, I will see you off."

Qin Mu waved his hand, lifted the tent flap, and went out.

A cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed in, causing the charcoal fire to flicker violently for a moment before returning to calm after he lowered the curtain.

Hu Yanlie stood still, his gaze fixed on the figure that disappeared into the wind and snow, and remained motionless for a long time.

Murong Xuan walked to his side and said in a low voice, "Your Highness."

Hu Yanlie snapped out of his daze: "Hmm?"

"I have been thinking about what Your Majesty just said."

Huyan Lie turned to look at him: "Does the gentleman find this inappropriate?"

Murong Xuan shook his head: "No. On the contrary, I think Your Majesty's words are the most appropriate."

He paused, then continued, "He didn't tell us to win over Xu Longxiang, nor did he tell us to break off relations. He just told us to do what we were supposed to do. If Xu Longxiang came to ask questions, we would tell him that Northern Mang had already submitted to Great Qin. If he wanted to pass through, we would refuse. If he wanted to win us over, we would tell him it wasn't necessary. Every word was the truth, but these truths might not have been what Xu Longxiang wanted to hear."

Hu Yanlie was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "What you say is true, sir."

He glanced again in the direction of the tent flap, his gaze darkening slightly: "Then we will do as His Majesty says."

Murong Xuan didn't say anything more.

The wind was still blowing and the snow was still falling outside, but the unease and hesitation that had permeated the Qing Shi Du camp for so long was gradually dissipating.

……

Two days later.

Qin Mu was sitting in a side tent, with a topographical map of the northwestern part of Northern Mang spread out beside him, his finger slowly moving along the course of a river.

Jiang Zhaoyue walked in from outside, a few unmelted snowflakes still clinging to the hem of her dress.

She walked to Qin Mu's side and whispered, "Young Master, there's news from the Northern Border."

Qin Mu's gaze remained fixed on the map: "Speak."

Jiang Zhaoyue's voice was neither loud nor soft: "Xu Longxiang has already sent out two groups of people. One group went towards Qingshidu, and the other... is investigating Zhao San's identity."

Qin Mu's finger paused for a moment at the bend in the river, then continued sliding: "Where did the second group find out?"

"They're still in the Fenglingdu area. They followed the route Zhao San took and found the dilapidated temple and the cave. The Xuan Yin Sect has already cleaned up all the traces as arranged by Yin Sutang, so they didn't find anything useful."

Qin Mu nodded, finally withdrawing his finger and leaning back in his chair: "What about the first group?"

Jiang Zhaoyue said, "We've arrived at Qingshi Ferry. Huyan Lie followed the young master's instructions, met with them, and truthfully informed them that Northern Mang had submitted to Great Qin. The two groups didn't linger and left that same day."

Qin Mu smiled and said, "Tell the truth. Xu Longxiang probably doesn't like hearing those four words."

Jiang Zhaoyue also smiled slightly: "He didn't want to hear it. According to the scouts, after those two groups returned, Xu Longxiang smashed a teacup in Zhenyue Hall."

Qin Mu gave an "Oh," his tone carrying a faint smile: "Only one fell? You're more composed than I expected."

Jiang Zhaoyue didn't continue the topic, but instead said, "However, Xu Longxiang hasn't given up on Zhao San's matter. The people he sent out are still investigating, but they haven't found anything yet."

Qin Mu reached for the teacup on the table, his fingertips brushing against the cup, feeling its warmth: "Then let him investigate. If he doesn't find anything, he'll be even more anxious."

Jiang Zhaoyue looked at him: "Young Master, don't you plan to add anything to Zhao San's connection?"

Qin Mu thought for a moment: "We should add something, but not too deliberately. Since he's investigating Zhao San, I'll give him a 'Zhao San' response. Just enough to put his mind at ease."

He put down his teacup, picked up the fine wolf-hair brush from the brush holder, dipped it in ink, and spread out a sheet of plain white letter paper.

Without hesitation, he picked up his pen and began to write, his strokes flowing smoothly and his handwriting composed.

The letter was simple: progress was going well in Northern Mang; the First Prince, Huyan Lie, had the situation under control, but it would still take some time to completely stabilize the various tribes of Northern Mang. Everything was proceeding according to plan, so there was no need to worry.

After he finished writing, he read it over again to make sure he hadn't missed any unnecessary details. Then he folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and sealed it with sealing wax.

He handed the letter to Jiang Zhaoyue: "Send someone to deliver it. Don't let Xu Longxiang's men intercept it; have his own people deliver it to him. The timing has to be just right, not too early, not too late."

Jiang Zhaoyue took the letter and nodded slightly: "Your subject understands."

She turned and walked out, her footsteps fading into the distance on the snow.

Qin Mu sat back in his chair, his gaze falling on the unfolded map. He tapped his fingertips lightly on the edge of the table, as if he were counting the time.

……

north.

Zhenyue Hall.

Xu Longxiang hasn't slept well for two days.

The tea on the table had long since gone cold, and next to it sat a pot of untouched wine.

His gaze fell on the unfolded map in front of him, but his mind was not on it at all.

Two things were swirling in his mind—first, the men he had sent to Qingshi Ferry had returned, bringing news that Huyan Lie had already submitted to the Qin Dynasty. Second, the men he had sent to investigate Zhao San had yet to provide any useful information.

The former angered him, while the latter made him uneasy.

Fan Li stood beside him, silent for a long time, before finally speaking: "Your Highness, should we send more men?"

Xu Longxiang's fingers clenched and unclenched on the edge of the table.

He took a deep breath: "Add more. We must find Zhao San no matter what."

Fan Li nodded: "I will make the arrangements immediately."

Just as he was about to turn around, he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps outside the door.

A guard rushed in, knelt on one knee, and presented a letter sealed with wax: "Your Highness! There is a letter!"

Xu Longxiang suddenly raised his head, his gaze falling on the letter, and gripped the armrest tightly.

He reached out and took the letter, tearing off the sealing wax faster than usual.

He unfolded the letter and glanced at the handwriting.

After watching for a moment, his breathing visibly eased.

The pent-up breath that had been trapped for two days seemed to have been gently punctured by something, and slowly dissipated.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes briefly.

Fan Li remained silent until he reopened his eyes, then asked, "Your Highness, is it a letter from Zhao San?"

Xu Longxiang nodded, his voice a little softer than before: "It was him. He said things are progressing smoothly in Northern Mang, and Huyan Lie has already taken control of the situation, but it still needs time to stabilize the various tribes. Everything is proceeding according to plan."

He folded the letter, but instead of putting it down, he held it tightly in his hand, as if checking its temperature.

Fan Li was silent for a moment: "Then..."

Xu Longxiang waved his hand: "No need to send more people. Withdraw them and let them maintain normal vigilance."

Fan Li looked at the light that had finally reappeared in his eyes and said nothing more.

He simply cupped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

He turned and left.

Xu Longxiang was the only one left in Zhenyue Hall.

He sat there, looking down at the handwriting on the letter one last time.

He wasn't familiar with the handwriting, but the content reassured him.

He held the letter close to his palm, as if trying to warm the tension in his heart that had been stretched for too long with the warmth of the paper.

The north wind was still blowing outside the window, but the oppressive atmosphere that had been building up inside Zhenyue Hall for so long finally dissipated a bit.

Xu Longxiang folded the letter and put it into his sleeve very quietly.

He got up, walked to the window, and opened it.

The wind and snow poured in and hit his face, but he didn't flinch.

He looked at the distant, white horizon and whispered, "Zhao San... you haven't disappointed me."

The snow was still falling, but the sky in the North seemed a bit brighter than it had been a couple of days ago.