Chapter Thirty-Two: The Sacrificial Piece

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The two of them ascended the steps once more, standing where Xiaobi and Kaiming had just been.

"Young Master..." Ji whispered.

Dai Yuheng raised his folding fan, silencing him, and placed a finger to his lips. "Listen."

"?" A large question mark seemed to hover over Ji’s head. Listen to what?

"Down at the foot of the mountain—don’t you hear something?" His faint smile lingered on his peach-like cheeks.

"Sound?" Ji tilted his ear, his martial training making his hearing far keener than most. He listened for several minutes, then his expression suddenly changed. "That... that's..."

"Spies from the Eastern Palace." Dai Yuheng smiled, his lips red and teeth bright in the sunlight. "I've been tracking them for two days. Today, I finally caught them."

"You mean—just now?" Ji turned pale with alarm. "You mustn’t, Young Master!"

"Why not?" Dai Yuheng’s smile was as calm as a gentle stream. "Is it because of Xinbi’s identity?"

"You should know he’s of the Eastern Imperial family," Ji murmured.

"The higher their rank, the greater the bargaining chip," Dai Yuheng replied.

"What is it you want, Young Master?"

"State policy," Dai Yuheng said bluntly. At his words, Ji’s already pale face grew even whiter.

"When the stars fell from the heavens, the five palace domains were once one. Later, wars divided them into five. Only the Central Palace’s ruler is legitimate; the others are not. It’s said that each palace conceals a Pearl of State Policy—gather all five, and reunification will be inevitable." As Dai Yuheng spoke, his tone was flat, his expression detached, neither righteous nor resentful.

Ji watched him, his gaze flickering with complex emotions.

Even the smile on Dai Yuheng’s face was faint. "Ultimate power belongs to those with ability. If you lack it, you’re bound to fall. Survival of the fittest is the law of nature, don’t you think?" He glanced at Ji from the corner of his eye. Ji bowed his head, silent.

The shouting and clash of weapons from the foot of the mountain grew fiercer. Dai Yuheng listened quietly, tapping his chin with his fan as he stared at the path hidden by the trees. Suddenly, he said, "That little fox from the Eastern Palace is cunning—I'm afraid he’ll slip through our fingers this time."

Ji was puzzled.

Sure enough, as Dai Yuheng finished speaking, a guard swiftly scaled the mountain, knelt before them, and reported, "Young Master, the Eastern Palace spy has broken through our encirclement—he’s vanished."

"Pursue him!" Dai Yuheng ordered with a sweep of his sleeve, and the guard departed.

As if answering Ji’s doubts, Dai Yuheng explained, "I had men prepare plenty of lime powder; if we blinded the enemy in the first step, capturing him would be easy. In the mountains, if we succeeded, the fighting wouldn’t be so loud—so the enemy must have seen through it, and the covert guards on both sides ended up in a massive clash."

He snorted coldly. "I underestimated Xinbi. If we don’t catch him now, it’ll be even harder in the future."

Ji thought to himself, Is the title of ‘the Eastern Palace’s Thousand-Man Slayer’ just for show? Young Master Dai is too confident.

Dai Yuheng cast him a sidelong glance, then said as if offhand, "In a few days, the Palace Emperor will send troops against the Southern Palace."

"Troops?" As a military man, Ji was instantly alert. "The Central Palace has been friendly with the others for years—why this sudden campaign?"

"For the State Policy."

"Still the State Policy?" Ji was surprised. "Is the Emperor of Tianjue interested in it as well?"

"The Emperor of Tianjue is a weak, sentimental man—he only cares for peace and comfort. He wouldn’t covet the State Policy. The one behind this is my father." Dai Yuheng smiled.

Ji looked at him. "Your father’s will is your will, isn’t it?"

Dai Yuheng laughed. "No one knows me better than you. Yes, I must get the Pearl of State Policy. This campaign is just to test our opponent’s strength. The army is small, but my father has already named General Dayin as its commander."

"General Dayin?" Ji was shocked. "Why her? I could handle it myself."

"It’s different," Dai Yuheng replied, waving his fan with a smile. "You are one of us—she is not."

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Ji asked suspiciously, "What do you mean, Young Master?"

"This campaign serves two purposes," Dai Yuheng gazed out at the distant towers and fields, smiling slightly. "If we win, we’ll learn the Southern Palace’s true strength and negotiate new terms for the Central Palace. If we lose, it’s a chance to eliminate Dayin. Isn’t that ideal?"

"Eliminate Dayin?"

"The high status of women in the Central Palace is all thanks to General Dayin. Rumor has it she and the Palace Emperor are lovers." Dai Yuheng looked at Ji with a smile. Ji’s face turned ashen. "Dayin has gone to great lengths to find the Emperor of Tianji’s lost son, Tianlang, even opposing the powerful Dai family of the Purple Palace, sabotaging our plans and hiding the prince. For someone as cautious as Dayin, her actions are far too deliberate, as if to draw our attention toward Prince Tianlang."

"Do you suspect she has another motive, Young Master?" Ji was even more astonished.

Dai Yuheng nodded thoughtfully. "Especially since she sent such an illiterate, untrained spy—completely illogical."

He fell silent, and so did Ji.

After a while, Dai Yuheng said, "I plan to assign her to the Fourteenth Squad."

Ji was taken aback.

"The Fourteenth Squad—Chang Geng’s team, heading to battle in the Southern Palace with General Dayin," Dai Yuheng said quietly, watching him as Ji’s eyes grew wider and wider.

"Young Master, you mustn’t!"

"Why not? In the end, all soldiers must face the battlefield," he replied calmly.

"But isn’t she in the close attendant unit? Wasn’t she meant to serve by the Emperor’s side?" Ji was anxious.

"We both know this female soldier is only a pawn to test the waters. Since she’s now a useless piece, why not put her to better use?" Dai Yuheng’s smile was full of irony. "She has no martial skill, no strategy, and is only a tool to be used—the battlefield is the best place for her."

"Young Master, I will train her well!"

"More importantly," Dai Yuheng’s smile turned cold, "it’s to unsettle you, my dear Commander of Arms!"

Ji was stunned, staring up at him.

Dai Yuheng’s chilling gaze could freeze a man. "I’ve observed you all day. What have you done? Parading a female soldier through the markets, buying clothes and cosmetics—is this what you should be doing as Commander of Arms?"

"I acknowledge my fault, Young Master! Punish me as you see fit—just don’t send Kaiming to the battlefield. She knows nothing yet—she’ll only die in vain!"

Dai Yuheng’s eyes drifted past him to where Qiaoqiao and Kaiming chatted happily. "That female soldier’s nickname is Yaksha."

"Eh?"

"Abusive to her husband, unfaithful, violent and unruly. Since joining the army, she’s been a drunkard and brawler, insubordinate—how could you fancy such a woman?"

Ji simply bowed low. "Young Master, she’s not like that—there must be some misunderstanding..."

Dai Yuheng sneered. "You're usually clever, but today you’re such a fool. If you hadn’t pleaded for her and agreed straightforwardly, I might not have wanted to send her to her death. But your repeated defense of her—I truly can’t let her go now!"

Ji’s expression changed dramatically. "Young Master!..."

"Enough. I have made my arrangements." Dai Yuheng flicked his sleeve, and Ji dared not say more.

Meanwhile, Kaiming was blissfully unaware that Dai Yuheng had already marked her for death, and continued chatting with Qiaoqiao.

"How’s your training lately? Any improvement?"

"Still quarreling with Chunhua? She’s a good person, just a bit hot-tempered."

"So, what are you doing with Young Master Dai today? Are you two on a date?"

Qiaoqiao raised her hand to stop Kaiming’s barrage of questions. "Alright, alright, let me answer one at a time—don’t ask so many at once!"

Seeing Qiaoqiao in such good spirits, her face radiant, Kaiming couldn’t help but tease, "A woman in love really is different."

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"In love?"

"Aren’t you and your cousin courting?" Kaiming teased.

"What nonsense!" Qiaoqiao’s cheeks flushed as she nudged Kaiming with her elbow and whispered, "Don’t say such things carelessly. If anyone hears, it’d be so embarrassing!"

"And you’re worried about embarrassment?" Kaiming laughed. "Isn’t marrying your cousin just a matter of time?"

"But... he’s never said anything directly…" Qiaoqiao, usually so forthright, now seemed bashful.

"You’re cousins, both families have standing, and you’re so pretty," Kaiming said, patting her shoulder with a laugh. "Relax, who else could he marry but you?"

Hearing this, Qiaoqiao’s eyes sparkled. "Kaiming, do you really think I’m pretty?"

"Very pretty. I haven’t met any woman who compares to you." She said it sincerely—after all, the women she’d known were all like Chunhua, not a match for Qiaoqiao, who was a true lady. Her words of flattery hit the mark.

"Actually, today, I was the one who asked my cousin out," Qiaoqiao said with a sigh, glancing at Dai Yuheng. "But he brought me here, and I thought he wanted a quiet moment together—turns out it’s all for his own business."

She sighed. "When we were little, we always played together, but as we’ve grown, we’ve drifted apart. Every time I see him now, I get nervous and blush after a few words, worrying about my appearance. What should I do?"

Kaiming smiled. This woman had truly fallen in love—all the classic signs.

"Let things happen naturally. But sometimes, take the initiative—let him know how you feel."

"How should I do that?"

"When you eat together, serve him his favorite dishes; be a little more enthusiastic. Buy small gifts he likes and send them to his house from time to time. Remember his birthday—take him somewhere special to make him happy..."

"Kaiming," Qiaoqiao interrupted, staring at her blankly. "My cousin has done all those things for me."

Kaiming paused, then burst out laughing. "You silly girl! That means he likes you!"

Qiaoqiao was both surprised and delighted, hardly daring to believe it. "Really? Is that what it means?"

"Of course!" Kaiming laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "You’re truly hopeless!"

"What’s so funny that you’re laughing like that?" came a gentle voice behind them.

Qiaoqiao turned, cheeks aflame. "Cousin?!"

Kaiming’s laughter was still frozen on her face, and she hurriedly covered it with her sleeve. "Young Master Dai."

"Was it a good joke? Tell me, let me hear it," Dai Yuheng said softly, looking at them.

"Well, this silly girl…" Kaiming began, but Qiaoqiao quickly thumped her. "Stop! Not a word!"

Dai Yuheng smiled. "I never realized my cousin was so close with you."

"I’m well-liked!" Kaiming glanced at Ji’s stern gaze and quickly fell silent, bowing properly. "Commander of Arms."

Dai Yuheng smiled faintly, looking Kaiming up and down. "You look quite different today, Kaiming. Every time I see you, you show a new side."

Kaiming blinked. "Young Master Dai knows my name?"

Dai Yuheng cast Ji a glance and smiled. "Even if I tried not to, it would be difficult."

Kaiming scratched her head, still confused, while Ji coughed loudly behind Dai Yuheng.