This official is so weak

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

ngVdMNaLNtHrUnD

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

wzLqDfWNWrHetrm

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.”jgloUZILLapOMVUrQuVaJNLhEQXgKI

CUWfZoGlJKDLgQQ

“…”DInFoESeNboTftNPQvqEFYpKgJdBaH

IwlBDKRxfCdeVgE

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

gEiFUtTOAHliKMs

Landele stopped talking, nervously watching him.MGXnCamgCMiXuyVjKGNRbKggHQeLiX

MlFTNCMSfcygfNE

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

cMuOJhHWzBtiLGR

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

yjhhOZbXDcpgsjl

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

hzIYXIFyxwMGalk

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

dQFQkvChKMTbZqO

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

dRTMbyXjwfNotte

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

pIxFKGPCqaconIt

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

xpUgznMKxnCEYEP

Ning Rushen was vague, “Soon.”haEoSxaiWTHhVIkpDmCeGgCxjsVufR

QowYSaaYfnkvjQL

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

YKLugEkRINvyORw

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

olvXyrfzCbqTVVW

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

POWkQLLzIQHuNpM

Ning Rushen, “…Mm-hmm.”RbXnxXudGzFgCbFOjSRdHzjWSRyMRN

yRwULsbbPZPaZZS

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:jAyyOPrGkLsDTcNZgQhncUhiJdKclR

KTrLzJrsFZkoPbj

“Grand Prince! King Heku is here!”nTvJCMHDKdoSoXzdOvyPEZTOMFfbdw

mzDwYTTvJNDTDAk

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

KXoHgaxKEWEmzha

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

zHYnSGBlBYWyFpo

…OxbtRqcDWpUMFbSeJMJOahhqcmdWWq

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King Heku soon entered the main tent.zKhhirJTuARprmTwVGjxlIERtRTYsT

oBFZDczpmewJPmV

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.NdcFpVvISymqcdQNtGioLcAiSpSYsL

xzciDBGwMjqqkAd

Ning Rushen shrank back silently to the side.NByZrTsAhMwjyreqCNgZbSRDEPfums

JncTXEahDKXdveU

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

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“What are you doing here!?”cSXVggumejItQebtOaHwRsJCpJTjgE

fKAQPBSYOwpIrhR

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

PHFNyTCoBvGwAYG

Landele watched him warily.nFeLSQpEVNEeMXIbvpyeWeVxGeJQRz

szxLFKTziHUrAnZ

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

uHgfSDWbkpzhbse

Ning Rushen felt uneasy under his stare.IcvjoHAGZpHdddRpHTSqrPDuiVoUoM

lqjEUYPMSRPWsAp

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

gxOwhonsxMsLqzo

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

lnaVjdwZyfxpDuI

Landele exclaimed, “What are you doing!”dSZKeiaDwqZSHwWWzMasYfhtTjoOWM

QCOVMfOJUorVrUg

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

LyFjhiywXpNzptx

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

vLoEPBrGIOuGKXD

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

PwMkaErhSWKVNlj

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

qsOaXQBBSSApdWX

·iPtgblRMEhelnDmriJiTmHwersQlYF

FYFlEeZaCsJtYeE

He was directly taken to his own tent.KSBCMRYXEsDAlfmLkPXZPqnfKOihiY

ejIFGczrQTWjCue

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

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Inside the quiet tent, the curtain was lowered.BWHQwUQvHsvqqdEKdDKQUkcNHMOyBS

bgRvWcSHHrKNAZE

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.gOPLngHiNUHKIpCxjDvTLwRqDPKOiX

SuOrMQvaphzsBkw

“You look familiar to me.”ceucnHtsFNpIZbFPletCUpLPHVxxHM

QavyOvIMoesnzIu

“…”QgitnlFZpoGfVDoyRbrtpTboOzhDsB

MexExNMOxvYVyfK

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

TsQOnVEjHTfJCdp

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

VUQxIySwSjOyqdS

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

DFkgLrfFPYNxCDH

“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.”WeXnaOMksjOYaUsOLRciuHIOdwHrHV

IKMCPNCVCeZmNaB

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

nGmUJHFkIemldCK

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

xSKmlGNwXatOSsW

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

FARFBUBaJhPuudc

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?”xpfnrGWVAioDWjJfrLZjqQITXajVZQ

xleHJVoiRuZvnBh

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

PMSjyAPLLVYrytu

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

RvGAziZDmmUyGQf

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

wlFevuUQGqbhjLN

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

KSoWFKujhkRUtfF

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

KxAgKkRAQRrVbVL

Ning Rushen gathered his thoughts and solemnly began:DmyxmdGHeJNrLikWvcTFVmQgUtZmOh

fYILeJuSQEHEBfK

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

RhcxMkdITvsdUaw

“Hmm.”vjrShdbmmXQBEDhNNZgFTvNPDETUCa

EoVmzlyfRtapneu

“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.”lTlagsfpeFeeyJpXdzOHJSLZoSsFUP

FfCZvibOLAZkzrI

“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.”kaQDoyutKkDBlvBIwmyolBMPDlPBbL

vJjtpMCsIZutRqv

He made no effort to hide his ambition.NwMwZeHiXwwHIZNPOSIPqZPvYHyWLj

ELgKuDToegTTFIN

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?DPIhriFGZRduAjxLrnZGgiOCFeQBOG

zDXVKwqAMQOiLMS

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

RkaGCvfGiUeyvJb

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

nSAOIAflqcmAsmS

King Heku smirked. “Well said.”cLtbXUuCobLNPfattHfSMxJuDANksr

mgHbqesqSvXWBXW

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.”JFqYXdnQgeSYnQxAkkHVSYxVJDItSl

urtbBUbCFwsIPeK

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

kQWedeFvIMVLlUg

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

aaxGyEGvAbQRTVK

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.”gECijKFSavdSllEmYeBbtBzmTRvLIM

jgcxeknnJTADesz

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

CpByWnjvTpIUDzp

The sound of raindrops outside became distinctly audible.zEUjxQxxdDkSaHxQaMggoifBfUMAca

DnFzBUfvdhWvwkY

It felt like an eternity of contemplation passed.OKjgbXXCHxDAdRHVloYmxPkShrTVld

XWtdtGUcCyRTHyU

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.”cRZdtHDnSBhmguPtZvaVUADJusvymi

lDQvPkIoGrDMWWP

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

EjhXVqAzSmIRViq

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

CNyqiYXZGoojGiM

“——The dancers’ tent.”UPwHTHWswxchKkMrMRGkMMfvBIGBjg

AfrShMazvdCikKF

·vfGJAIkLBmRNbMSwIzoPAdHbcjJYqw

oHdnrqjiRmNzDtP

A quarter of an hour later.heSajKMZJgAtVTbTUQSFUSPfAIgDNb

DuTAXmnOCaACfMF

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

EsbJJxThNJNPTUV

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:ENgWBaXPvVsRrkvMSYApiLnwZKwRZP

YdotNjfYolsbeVU

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

KEaMMbzdRfsXVgi

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?”ELYRpfpNFpLCjUnIfUrrimvKnWnjtx

pMIEMuXtHslxFib

“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:MGkZNqlILbFFuYkLoeDwWBAIZZodce

BYvFVNYcUWhGyuE

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

cMqOPciHbdnLnzh

Ning Rushen noticed Landele’s satisfied expression:OCePnDWNTtqbcnyBJgdseJcllZWwbc

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

vZmzswQioOcDkdH

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.”dyKbgTpGaajhxKBlkwOFKrTqyAAVAj

zmVBFKMrqtkonfW

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

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

rMJOPkMzpAGSdkG

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

esOeXpqZicaUnFB

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…”mDcaAXuEbNUZCyuyATZWvPHobXjNRX

qKdudXmDQxxYPzA

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.”XdouPorHkhvulqkVqTaVAFhKhFSxMg

IHxSsSzsnsGooqN

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

aJwXGesbYZXbbyl

…yANOhTgRuQkREqOTQpEvtOJAZPsDKG

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

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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. VNluSpaiphQPlrMlLpDHrguidwiqRd

UKXRbpEDsSkBKmF

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.yxznlTBbEsIyZoOqaCfvbLmzceREFo

OTEoeAQOBcSDkxB

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

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

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

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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.grSivkwuPjiJIXFNnPwoIRUAAdlZSL

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

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Ning Rushen picked up the clothes and glanced around:bPpENxVggVxDovPrMgCLUAXwBtxRcZ

MpUjRPaJyzjioEW

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.fqSKIPlakEFGjiAmAXqSSjTKfGsBEr

uDBxdFmLuJLsiUO

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

sQwgWoqAHpEAQoP

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

bBlIGSMGoCOFIyV

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

pTbidWasRxBKpnC

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

rcXdqQidJIrqJsU

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

xDNTamfFLKGWJFC

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

HiXUAvglWNAHobX

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

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

LbBQFLmkeWczmEM

“…”SnJzHhltGQCWeRJVOCUqTtZEiqKjKY

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

wPYhBWpKtyJQHCQ