This official is so weak

Ning Rushen, adhering to the principle of dividing the Bei Di, spent a few days finessing around Landele.JLEcGFjkmZZdaartdepDEOvmGghFln

dAgpJzsbDhsPBXe

He spun the man around so much that Landele was left completely bewildered, making things seem even more mysterious.ghrThlHnInxpcIdSOWFCQGyWAxlCnH

VndYCPTSenEigrB

After dinner, Landele called him back to the main tent. “Do you feel like you’re about to be struck by divine punishment? Quickly, divine for me.”iBKxXqNFfsXKeexNvkPaiKmeHEDiGK

GTGIOtlSxiBPOTL

“…”nYkFFTYECOxZGlvFTtZoYAXroUgPCK

xYXvAZNOCBbLzqd

Ning Rushen glanced at him, lowered his lashes, and made a shushing gesture. “Shh, let me sense it.”YDAzIlpjYObrSotWfSdZFAanmuIKCY

DCrmAfmJZvlQdal

Landele stopped talking, nervously watching him.eyOQKWUgRZDBeUzUotkKYUwztTlPqr

KEVdrqOTTrNXlZP

After a moment, Ning Rushen got up and walked to the side of the tent.TIbFOKkiKivlyDjExdgeHKXIvGyFhu

HgEeGorRJULLDpf

It had rained several times that day, and now a light rain was still falling outside the tent.fadmxpEQmpUqTnAPdnDARHIxvMLiqf

jNjGkJBYvIkOZuO

The entrance to the Bei Di tent was tall and wide, left fully open.lTQiWIeCIGGrovMVkqRBwveoaVhgFO

xueeXrZQtbprMLO

Raindrops trickled down the edges, forming a curtain of water.sZFChdiwbvSCOZjdSalrHujfOprodU

jhnFaJKcNwpVPmm

Ning Rushen reached out to catch the rain, suddenly recalling what Li Wuting had said before the expedition: “Camp at Yishui, bypass Hengyuan Slope…”VcDcyoIaGydysiAEHpnpvpcjjDTaKP

qvFnIvZgemMKwyQ

He withdrew his hand, folded it into his sleeve, and said, “The Grand Prince’s fortune rises from the water.”DxlrmMgBGFMOjhbgPZZELKnWhWiLkq

FqDvotcXolpPJwE

Landele hurriedly approached from behind. “Rises from the water? How long until it rises?”uFuEJmsDTARDfNHmQOUQIbHpRyOxwz

vSGOTqOgHaYmjqv

Ning Rushen was vague, “Soon.”ZpNdHbrvFoMSITsZarEMPceoYXpoFA

SGZhAiODotNqgdS

“How soon? Can’t you be more specific?”NSfJxxmyuQYDZXvwHLkhCmdOMwyjWy

CGGuGvtfyHYSrfJ

“Soon means… um!” He frowned and pressed his head, looking pale and fragile.RziLnzVFbTOWkrvwQZNKjeFocfPSnp

uPwGMkxkxMYRIim

Landele stared at him. “What’s wrong, are you about to suffer divine punishment again?”oYQkOQSGgFBWQjzyinwWMKyVXSRsFb

kmyHRmOtIbPAiwc

Ning Rushen, “…Mm-hmm.”UAQZxTxRkeNSynPRsXsGxYEqpXIpxR

ESiMqqLUfnCSQho

The gaze cast from beside him was instantly filled with dissatisfaction, anxiety, and some suspicion. Just as he braced himself for further scrutiny, someone outside the tent interrupted:rCirfKENpgJEySDToGgUySHiNVrDcA

lswxrLdGWouLouK

“Grand Prince! King Heku is here!”swSuZRqhOcRyKlkqSmrTZvLXNQoVOi

KEvhVMtYRCpnBoF

Landele’s head snapped up. “What!?”LSWlqOnEFAEZUoTravEbFNMOFhRIol

vpJMrtsxRKhiRwT

Ning Rushen’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat, and he also looked up.FFiUTJkpBNCmgphvFIIPdDUpLHPLHT

uYZnWHPRBIRlfCH

…ulwFLNvEKOVHtidrElDlJKCGpzcPBv

bPHgcMjHCtYsmgR

King Heku soon entered the main tent.NCyzhLYAsCclXMLzkMCOuLzxriBNZx

TAUpYGcSiWKUaoo

He was tall and strong, with bronze arms encircled by gold bands. The faint outline of a totem was visible on his chest, exuding an untamed aura.SwiVMEarstLxXeeCuMNyJGJoDgapgX

elhFvzzhcWzjSNZ

Ning Rushen shrank back silently to the side.xCDQJNEClqpFKiBlKqohVwVADulkxj

UIcCApGXaUUWxLw

He watched as King Heku strode in, Landele bristling as he faced him.SLXGDHikcYlcCGxCEMkajjtSEHVplG

xWrWljYcKTRIqtX

“What are you doing here!?”svTbwJFHmOHxToVVhAZuWLeQRWEjSQ

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“I heard that the Prince had captured Da Cheng’s grain supplies, so I came to see how impressive you are.”QqSwzLKiOQFyniquPMLxVWSxEriREl

NAgimEbEPweUMIW

Landele watched him warily.nSneIRETKQHkGVXKcMfgfcdAPjYjyc

QLjZnXDtrBujzCG

King Heku, however, seemed unfazed, exchanging a few light words before his gaze shifted to Ning Rushen——HPwXMjnjILaIxtFLVdHTlMwqfYpAJj

eaitjbVtVTEoatO

Ning Rushen felt uneasy under his stare.CwjChdPnIpoiduMNpexBwIsKCCeZVU

naIJYgXxYdKovwR

The next moment, as expected, King Heku raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so this is Da Cheng’s ‘Divine Officer’?”TROtaULLPHZbRFgSYhuZvjkCGkiHMh

pGYOJOLOyuEAZpJ

Just as Ning Rushen’s heart started racing, King Heku strode over.qNosdwcSSHZUqZsXiRMEuBbKmTNLbC

LmdNdWEmfHFnMXo

Landele exclaimed, “What are you doing!”NUuyRKsqJNIrCaXYehatCyXVQDIKEz

CUTtiVhyyjhciFo

King Heku grabbed Ning Rushen’s wrist and dragged him outside, turning his head to speak in Da Cheng’s language:WdcKDodFGPnyiTbqfPyKHkluHnRvay

JISDCqEwljcYfyI

“This is interesting. I’ll try a divination myself.”wmPkvfTPFyvapVZXNhbSngRPvNjYZj

gQYoKdXzFifDQcP

With that, he dragged Ning Rushen out of the main tent.TIfpGvuoLZyVwQBgtvvzhjHWveCTij

nPQDmKOfqvgzrkZ

Ning Rushen’s eyes widened: …!???skzwbgQLhabgGrCPvarhTxzgabITNj

rDfSJtKPTEsPNav

·cehsoOdfqfwdzqilIpsTZRuNmaOOnh

GxIPdSyJsHIQOAv

He was directly taken to his own tent.WexDsjNxpOGitZAuPFKkvIsDkZKtlg

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The guards King Heku brought with him lined up outside.YMzwyGCZIbBkPWFEcmJmvtCxlFuXxI

JHOUYUquUXnBiAh

Inside the quiet tent, the curtain was lowered.TRsJrulyCRjFkrGUkXXmxPgrRGfdPP

FkWEAlDATksKanb

Ning Rushen sat on the blanket while King Heku knelt in front of him, resting one hand on his knee as he examined him closely.HBNkLwtykeMLVNUNCoojZFqqbBWFTI

WzoLgTFSOhWPHOv

“You look familiar to me.”frOoHfQDBqeQihQABBzrVCNWabyumu

hthQBLVzHeGWZxF

“…”UoZWOjKoBDyDCnCcBbEQSYXNPTujTK

KfsyhZbyOOuCbbB

Ning Rushen thought: No shit, you drugged me, and the spy you sent got skewered by my security system. Of course I look familiar.mioQGqMMUvNuTYArExPeCVjYNOjaMl

XitlZlVgceuZsHJ

He made a small sound, “I have a common face.”sntqiviMeYnaZuzKcuwqzCrNLYeTaR

QsqgxTZLdtKrHSK

King Heku chuckled, his gaze sweeping over him. “I’ve never seen such a… unforgettable common face.”LIMZFbPemouvucwVlBGNItetTlAsQx

wyNmMGskRpyVrNz

“So I thought Landele had captured some sort of divine officer? Turns out it’s the Emperor of Da Cheng’s prized minister, the Imperial Inspector of the Dingyuan Army.”zRfqSIOhFnlZJJxVfdPrvmpXViIlAs

nPSAlcFJRftTqzt

Ning Rushen: So, he recognized me after all.PbQRuOkBVAjLHTQLKZkdBbyCShjWZt

WcUIzkBWiQFcPNK

And it seems King Heku knows a lot more about Da Cheng than Landele does.XPyMCrVJxzrZnHHpDAMlyIPWsrybdz

OzmvMvzyMVYfWmD

He calmed himself and asked, “What do you want?”gnNaDtYlKrNEONjajTvsSQjpXWlsKG

DBrJBzVTFssZfXJ

King Heku replied, “I should be asking you what you want. Sneaking into Landele’s camp as a ‘Divine Officer,’ sowing discord? Secretly bewitching others? Or perhaps——colluding with your Emperor from the inside?”UHNDAdhyrrGSPzREJAQZtnZmGSNUJE

ZzRKwtgNcrWtqkF

What the hell… he sure knows how to talk sweetly.iObktkXUHiVtctHGMqwhbGxZEBgBxs

xkGmrniTZRVmjKw

Ning Rushen restrained a smile at the corner of his mouth.pgXiQmvCTDLfBFmuDCrmKATkaBQXSt

uxoIspVAgbumabf

Realizing he couldn’t keep bluffing, he decided to be straightforward, “Of course I’m trying to save my own life.”LhnHFjwMNDWCDNmtZGIXQwcbwSNCIM

kZBUdWrqsxghoQA

Considering the situation in Bei Di, he added, “Besides, whatever I do, it’ll be beneficial to you, King Heku.”WcCfqDFAeSyYqKUMeGphMeNRWIgwva

JlKcHzHFzLOIdEi

“Beneficial?” King Heku was intrigued, resting his head on his hand. “I’d like to hear how.”QhvdUCEXponUwqqhbaYTrlcGxkwqhP

dIcWqPsZOvWyQNs

Ning Rushen gathered his thoughts and solemnly began:aczlyqGPdgTJgUDuoZmNWgnosJTKKr

DeZXeLVPWUYZekm

“Have you heard about the secret rumors circulating within your Bei Di royal family recently?”YqINkXZFAmbPsndMPdEKYReRwohfcM

wwrtnfBPKFxFnJT

“Hmm.”oVmSPHYaXJOIqdjkDBrlhMKwoitoyc

mtYKIeqaBRTQMiy

“These are all rumors spread by the Grand Prince. He’s trying to pin the label of ‘usurper’ on you, so that the King of Bei Di will be wary of you, giving him the military power to compete with you.”CbZtpsVxtlMiaknHwGhTlOaWwFKmRX

cicnyyYSCzuNMgq

“He spread them?” King Heku narrowed his eyes. “I was wondering where those rumors came from. But there’s one thing they got right—I’ve indeed set my sights on that position.”MRxPRKRFaDvfXeFMiIPexcUJuPkQqu

NfGkBUnYhBhDOWT

He made no effort to hide his ambition.ondVLtDuFIsDbuaKBjzvdGyzEPJjCs

vWhApWEVcgOJLSF

Ning Rushen met the sharp glint in his eyes up close, thinking that he might have accidentally hit the mark—perhaps King Heku really did mobilize troops for military power and merit?VKyjvUdCQHhQxQoTKUZljBanYynSJh

vGuiNtZkNFYNuCW

Brotherhood, kinship… none of it seemed to matter to him.CFYMynFvtkVlHogagplItMnixBiNSE

giwmLPtTvKdsuwx

Ning Rushen tried to remain calm and said, “If the Grand Prince fails, wouldn’t that be even better for you?”TxsLQYloKzaorIndRcCnYEJVOmRflk

ZSjEwUHAjkUEZHW

King Heku smirked. “Well said.”HfvJfPUhFkBybdiAQxXYMgpVCUULqL

tEilbsSGDQhQdDM

Just when it seemed like he was about to be convinced, King Heku suddenly changed his tone, “However… directly capturing you to use as leverage against the Emperor of Da Cheng seems like an even better idea.”xhbhxDysFhrmIZcSzutkXNhVQLBJUL

vjgXpfjubTwiaOz

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at him.fcEQThYZiyzFyHVQJFAbMKkUeBiEDu

XRxdzrVgqhORSqa

King Heku’s expression was dark and serious, not as if he were joking.TDFYzhBQmRWEyrLwTCxOxOEzqVIeJu

PJdnsLytqvrTAde

Ning Rushen met his gaze, took a deep breath, and stared back, “Then I’ll sacrifice myself for my country, and let Da Cheng’s iron cavalry flatten Bei Di.”sBQWYSSUOpyglSUyGKqtixnzEYzKvl

DnKFyLPikEnXAqO

Their eyes locked, and the atmosphere in the tent grew heavy.tyMGiiqcsJKMnJGtbUebVWxvmWzQmi

jBTeQhYgLdOlEAj

The sound of raindrops outside became distinctly audible.tQmTrTIukzudLqqmWCulshdSAvzruc

omCHXqOZavKFsAB

It felt like an eternity of contemplation passed.mZOleyQVoeTxuqCbdRiKvScnPJjBph

QfSCzpwjEesgjZL

Finally, King Heku chuckled, “All I want is that position; I don’t care about anything else. If you can take care of Landele, I might even help you out.”aLfFGcsbcmAIPeYBKILVgBCGGifOMP

rzQhvzxIzccVEnL

Ning Rushen squinted at him, “How would you help?”WYPIazuqKeYMsqXMmRSIWgJpFJURrb

PkScnCDFqxnlUQo

“Do you know where the weakest point in Landele’s camp is?”HVakWwfXvpBLJessTozYBktfphARCp

IgYYLBeckMyOKWE

“——The dancers’ tent.”tKWBSHpSqDSqzknPzNGbSnzlBngaBV

rcOweRWQHlJeVgk

·nDOHrpkPyvOxjfIKgjWHZppefJqMTu

DEnmSoVzYjtJniw

A quarter of an hour later.SVWmeMwJxyfLFruqCEBOnZYoPRwOdU

OvnbYrtRHDUvaFW

Ning Rushen was being led out of the tent by King Heku, who had him by the arm.OlMoXszUscpTvIEmHfEspoTdIDKmNi

KfChBZffLLrOCwQ

As soon as they stepped out, Ning Rushen saw that Landele was being kept at a distance by King Heku’s guards. When Landele spotted them, he was so angry that he drew his sword:QdBPQkfgreuwGzVMJbPXhERpLVowme

iutCWBaXXmGcwPe

“Asaihan! Don’t push your luck!”xOdTifHogyzAxRUOaHUXPxMKovKFoD

XwXXXZCxxJrEdln

King Heku laughed indifferently and shoved Ning Rushen forward, “I thought there was something special about him. Don’t tell me you’ve kept him in the camp because you’re smitten with his looks?”FqqtMEwCjXFnDHEKWgjgJwgzJXqFDX

QnPXKmeIRkzQwwO

“Wha—” Landele was about to snap, but then something seemed to occur to him, and he relaxed slightly, glancing at Ning Rushen with some relief:AlfyfYWBRbMQeiLiLjWELQtQFdREBc

NNqDguZqiQVDRux

“Why do you care what I keep him around for?”pwtckXiZWGgAHlnsshKGiRfDxctAPv

NTIuxZbWMFPHMUG

Ning Rushen noticed Landele’s satisfied expression:gqcCdYSyVIqtqRdirIzMMkfOntGMwr

nNEbKMxYEZBAGCM

It seemed Landele believed in his “loyalty” and hadn’t shown anything suspicious in front of King Heku.KrjmYfDVIUfhAouRURNcctoGBJzquz

vGPXgnsfZUCPCIA

King Heku gave Ning Rushen another once-over, “If you ask me, little brother, you still don’t know how to enjoy life. With his looks and figure, if he were dressed in a dancer’s red silk and golden bells, it would be quite a sight.”xFyTJcbbmPYrUmpsKSqRaTdUthlOIA

WcKpoIplpYJmySI

Landele stood there, mouth agape, probably shocked by King Heku’s bizarre tastes.MfnvNQQQFeAxRZHzwxtXAjYZJAJvYn

OPfRXCJxsfbRQko

King Heku boomed, “Hurry up and get him changed, then have him join me for a drink!”ZlsVAtzKNpGjGtyPIqffkZlXbOyNKe

HVgjafIRdlFaMgj

Ning Rushen noticed Landele’s hesitation and seized the moment to speak, “Those who blaspheme against the gods will die.”ICEvpvARpwZTshVkgDouzWOisPupdj

JeZNzYJbWQowBOj

Before Landele could respond, his lieutenant leaned in, whispering, “Grand Prince, if King Heku commits the blasphemy, any divine punishment will fall on him instead…”AboEEqRwBPrKeTLFUcubcPLRuWBjUW

uHbTgZOmJbfsVgT

Landele’s mind stirred at the suggestion. Just then, King Heku shouted again, so Landele feigned reluctance and said, “To conceal divine power, do as he says.”oKmciciKNPXbFvWnBDRBudliDcqvpE

XOfuPoDBkHfkhBS

Ning Rushen closed his eyes in “shame” and descended the steps.UqmZKJVRoUIKUjfFKFpkfXpdWeIlQS

JhkiXMnEJRDyYdl

…jPBMNZOkMBOalQjhWrmAzSZqXritwb

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The dancers’ tent was situated at the edge of the camp.ICCHzzcFlOeMNLCRULdbMVZofOAyhT

oYfQReVCDlaYriu

Ning Rushen was pushed inside by the Bei Di soldiers, where he saw about a dozen dancers draped in red silk, sitting listlessly in the tent. qvVXhSdPRKFUfiOTfIAliMDwFXFDTN

mxfnzcmyDDrTlEY

There were both Bei Di women and girls from Da Cheng, likely abducted, with some bearing visible wounds. Their heads were bowed, and their eyes were lifeless.PXMlmtWVwbZOcOcWvXTLhRahdoBULg

ZnuegCxcadlNWnK

Ning Rushen clenched his fists, lips pressed tightly as he thought:JfRKtGPyaWwFBCepEqdoYmAwmZcLSx

mkQPmPGfRsxiEEG

*Just hold on a little longer. When the army arrives, I’ll take you all home.*nzXUSjmtDThmGaXPmDyxdpDVqmDHhU

NpNHmfoyBaVRihm

The Bei Di soldiers behind him urged him forward, so he bypassed the women and headed toward the corner of the tent.ztouKdSpNLwaRBHHzmOIkPwlbknVWm

sihSuxTpyDLePHZ

The dancers paid him no mind, likely accustomed to new arrivals now and then. Seeing that he was a man, they all averted their gazes.wkTGHCfaiZAqWPdrEfrzUJKByYuymT

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In the corner of the tent, there were clothes laid out for him to change into.yjqNPTvixrlvNTSRvwmBPbhQmRNYOH

HQiwmtnGwLyKlRo

Ning Rushen picked up the clothes and glanced around:xcLfzlbuGGCoFZmYgZXGEKTzUZJAuK

PhImnMSWDBCTsPH

The tent was large enough that from his position, he couldn’t see the Bei Di soldiers guarding outside. Only the faint sounds of their idle chatter reached him.benLmEygqQHchMryaVbRmOVESHfiXL

mWWqqmOepAjHyCY

They probably figured that a tent full of defenseless women required little vigilance—djeckSYpLcMmjidWKzkFaYDyjHqwYs

EjeEKgchlUdyilB

*Indeed, this is the weakest point of the camp.*PFAdvfUNkRyOxlOWxUMFAJukCPZnmY

RcxKRsASmNRwQEV

Now, how should he stay here, and once he’s here, how would he gather and relay information?pSapnmsGuRVDmcWEEhqezkGNpmfWzz

aXFtnQcQqWzhZOU

Should he leave markers during the camp’s relocation or…?crSSbmNOUlhZYQLghTGhJWVqimbPRz

yVWCDrZQpgYmLLF

As Ning Rushen took in the surroundings, he slowly began to untie his belt, lost in thought.OPhMGzDWyHWbqMjhfDySDwHYjdXWQt

AWTgSZbgTkUahfo

Just then, there was a subtle movement beneath the tent.EdlVNsGnQcxLVqecNRqObkjTJnJXSx

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Looking down, he saw the edge of the tent lift slightly.pxpAQwxRoatESmRUPnDrLOTRZyoGFU

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A white, fluffy head, seemingly waiting for an opportunity, finally snuck its way inside with a soft rustling sound.NwCblBGaSaMxlKbuAGCAenYuDhyDsH

wIefEDomBNyHaeL

“…”sGdkKTgGKmaigUVeDGWUWQRItLUwNX

fTlSDAnZkAAEZMt

Ning Rushen met the gaze of a white falcon: *Hello?*xdCrZgCNmjqTiegdziqYpEepNacHGq

YThSgpYqnuNaUXC