Chapter 28: Undercurrents

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A teahouse in Luoshui City.

Yue Yuncheng held a cup of tea, smiling at Ye Linhui across the table. “My dear brother, it’s almost April—the Season of Blazing Heat is nearly over.”

Yet Ye Linhui’s face showed little joy. “Brother Yue, I fear the closer we come to the end, the likelier some mishap will occur.”

Yue Yuncheng laughed. “My friend, with you—the god of war—guarding us, what could possibly happen?”

His words echoed the sentiment of the people of Wangmai: during the war, Ye Linhui had driven Lin Yufei’s troops back to the entrance of Demon Gate Valley. Had it not been for reinforcements from the Flame Tribe arriving in time, Lin Yufei would have been pushed all the way back to the land of flames. Thus, Wangmai placed blind faith in Ye Linhui, believing with absolute certainty that no one could defeat him on the field of battle.

Ye Linhui’s troubled expression did not fade. “Brother Yue, I need your help with something.”

“Just ask, my friend,” Yue Yuncheng replied.

Leaning in, Ye Linhui lowered his voice. “Brother Yue, you must hurry to Shunxing City and tell my son to keep a close eye on the Chen family until the war is over.”

Yue Yuncheng was puzzled. “The Chen family?”

Ye Linhui explained, “Chen Qingwei’s household. Tell him to be vigilant.”

Still uncertain, Yue Yuncheng asked, “But why keep watch over them during wartime?”

“I have some uneasy suspicions,” Ye Linhui answered.

Yue Yuncheng thought for a few seconds, then his expression shifted to shock. “Trea—” He caught himself and stopped mid-sentence.

Ye Linhui nodded gently. “I only noticed the two brothers behaving oddly—I have no concrete evidence. And according to later reports, the Snow Shadow King was killed by treachery, and soon after, Chen Qingwei arrived here. I have every reason to suspect he is the traitor.”

Taking a sip of tea, Ye Linhui continued, “If they truly harbor ill intentions, their family will surely take action—either leaving the capital, or assisting them. If the Chen brothers have a target, it will certainly be me. My son may not be renowned for scholarship, but he frequently visits the military camps and competes with the generals—everyone knows this. If I am unsafe, he may be as well. Tell him this; at least he’ll be more cautious and avoid trouble.”

Yue Yuncheng nodded and was about to rise when he paused. “Shouldn’t you tell him what to do? He’s only eighteen—he might not—”

Ye Linhui waved his hand, cutting him off. “Brother Yue, you’d best hurry. He knows what to do.”

…

A few mornings later, in Shunxing City.

After hearing Yue Yuncheng’s words, Ye Pei nodded slowly. “I understand. Uncle Yue, please return to Luoshui and keep an eye on my father. Tell him to be extremely careful.”

Then, Huang Qilin sent the servants to prepare a meal, but Ye Pei told her mother the matter was urgent and departed without eating.

“Mother!” Ye Feilan tugged her horse to the gate, only to be stopped by her young daughter. “Where are you going? Take me with you!”

Ye Pei smiled, stroking the girl’s hair. “No.”

Ye Feilan’s bright smile faded. “Why not?”

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Ye Pei stopped smiling and spoke gently. “You’re still young—and besides, you’re a girl. These matters are not for you to know.”

She bent down, looking into the girl’s eyes. “I’ll be busy these days. You can go play with Long Que—she should be free.”

Long Que, daughter of Long Yi, the renowned physician of Shunxing City, was Ye Pei’s peer. Due to Ye Linhui’s profession, she had suffered many injuries since childhood, so Ye Linhui and Long Yi were well acquainted. Ye Pei, too, trained in martial arts from a young age—injuries were a commonplace. Over time, she and Long Que became friends. Though the Ye family had an official physician, serious injuries were still taken to Long Yi. However, internal wounds like Ye Pei’s before could only be slowly nursed by herself.

Ye Feilan always called Long Que “sister.” Long Que had teased many times, saying, “You call Ye Pei ‘mother,’ so shouldn’t you call me ‘aunt’ instead of ‘sister’?” The little lady always agreed it made sense, but never changed.

Many suitors sought Long Que’s hand, but she was learned and skilled in medicine—none succeeded. The Ye family received many proposals as well, but Lady Ye thought, “My son is talented in both literature and martial arts, while your daughter’s needlework is lacking…” and declined them all. As for Ye Pei and Long Que themselves, they felt they were too familiar, having been friends for too long—better to remain so.

Watching Ye Feilan take Ye Fei to the Long household, Ye Pei sighed softly, mounted her horse, and rode out of the city.

Soon, she reached the Ye Army camp outside the city.

During the Season of Blazing Heat, eighty thousand of the Ye Army’s one hundred thousand troops had been sent to the front; only twenty thousand remained in Shunxing City. The officers all knew Ye Pei—after all, they had all sparred with her.

“Little General! What brings you here?” As she entered the camp, Mo Feng, a captain nearby, noticed her.

Ye Pei clasped her hands in greeting. “Brother Feng, could you help me find some scouts? My father sent me a confidential order.”

Mo Feng had no doubts about Ye Pei and took her to the meeting hall, then went off to arrange matters.

Shortly, he returned with five scouts.

“Little General!” The five greeted her as they entered. Mo Feng had already told them whom they were to meet.

Ye Pei returned the greeting. “No need for formality. Your task is to watch the Chen family in Shunxing City closely. Report any unusual activity to me at the Ye residence. I will remain at home during this period unless something urgent arises.”

A scout asked, “Little General, how long is the mission?”

“Begin immediately. End date to be determined,” Ye Pei replied.

The five saluted and left to make preparations.

Mo Feng’s admiration for the young general grew, but he deliberately asked, “Little General, you only tell them the task, not how to carry it out?”

Ye Pei smiled. “They are professional scouts—I am an outsider. How could I dictate their methods? They know best how to proceed safely and efficiently; if I meddle, I might give a wrong order and cause harm.”

Mo Feng realized she had considered this, not simply overlooked it, and saluted. “Little General, you are truly a hero in youth!”

Waving her hand, Ye Pei laughed. “Brother Feng, enough flattery—I’m heading home now.”

Mo Feng said, “Little General, since you’re here, why not spar with the brothers guarding the capital?”

Ye Pei paused, then replied, “Very well!”

That afternoon, an elegant scholar moved into the tavern east of the Chen residence in Shunxing City; a dark-skinned fish vendor appeared at the western market; a drunken vagrant roamed the northern streets with a wine jug all day; a taciturn worker was hired at the southern teahouse; and a beggar wandered the alleys within two miles of the Chen residence.

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With Ye Pei’s arrangements complete, Luoshui City was met by an unexpected army.

“Xiao Ming has come again?” Ye Linhui, reading, received such a report from a messenger.

The soldier below confirmed, “Yes, Commander Ye. Scouts report a Xia Kingdom force, bearing Xiao banners, approaching from the east of Luoshui City—about fifty thousand strong.”

Ye Linhui set aside his book. “Inform the officers and prepare to join me in welcoming the Xia army.”

…

Less than an hour later, Xiao Ming’s figure appeared before Ye Linhui.

“Commander Xiao, it’s been a long time!”

“Commander Ye, how have you been?”

After exchanging greetings, Ye Linhui failed to notice the faint unease in Xiao Ming’s expression.

“Commander Xiao, why are you not guarding Pengzhou, but have come here?”

Xiao Ming replied, “General Duan Yaoqi has recovered from his illness and, with spring upon us, has gone to Pengzhou to take command. As for Feng Xiaoyang’s whereabouts—they are unknown. The Flame Army there is now led by a young man named Wan Ke. His Majesty ordered me to bring fifty thousand troops to Luoshui City.”

Ye Linhui considered: Luoshui City, though at the border, was nominally Xia territory. Naturally, the Xia emperor should send his own army. He said, “I see. Feng Xiaoyang is now confronting General Feng Jing at our northern pass in Snow Nation.”

…

After welcoming Xiao Ming into the city, the two convened in the command tent to discuss the upcoming campaign.

“Commander Ye, what news of the Lin brothers lately?”

Ye Linhui replied, “The Flame Army and ours have not clashed for more than half a month—they are surely preparing for the decisive battle of the Season of Blazing Heat.”

Xiao Ming nodded. “That must be so. Commander Ye, the fate of the Season of Blazing Heat rests on this battle.”

Ye Linhui agreed. “I think so as well.”

At this moment, both Wangmai and the Flame Tribe focused their attention on the battle at Luoshui City. The southern Flame Army, deep in Snow Nation territory, dared not advance further without support—their limit was Pengzhou. The northern pass was much the same; though it was Snow Nation’s border, it was far from Demon Gate Valley, and reckless advance could spell disaster. If Wangmai’s forces triumphed at Luoshui City, both armies would retreat swiftly. If the Flame Army won, their northern and southern forces could use the central army’s advantage to push forward, leading to a true migration invasion in the final days of the Season of Blazing Heat.

“Commander Xiao, in my view, the longest Season of Blazing Heat lasted just over a year. The decisive battle is not far off. We should devise our strategy now—not merely to defend Wangmai, but to defeat the Flame Army before us. Of the northern and southern forces, at least one must be left behind in Wangmai.”

Xiao Ming nodded. “Commander Ye, you are absolutely right.”