Feng Xuanzhen cleared his throat and assumed such a solemn expression that Ning Xuan could not help becoming suspicious. “The fighting is growing more intense, and military affairs are becoming increasingly demanding. Even if I had the time to accompany you in practicing every night, you might not necessarily be able to spare the time to wave your sword around blindly.”
Dark lines nearly covered Ning Xuan’s face. So all the exhausting work I’ve done these past few days—rising before dawn, staying up late, and marching on top of it all—amounts to nothing more than blindly waving a sword around in Feng Xuanzhen’s eyes.
Feng Xuanzhen, however, was speaking with such enthusiasm that he did not notice anything unusual about Ning Xuan. Looking as though he were presenting a treasure, he continued, “So I thought the foundation you’ve acquired should be sufficient for now. There will be plenty of time in the future. The most urgent matter at present is finding you a guard who can remain beside you at all times and ensure your absolute safety.”
He brought his palms together in a forceful clap. At the signal, a tall, powerfully built man entered, his physique strong without appearing coarse. He had swordlike brows, bright eyes, and handsome, sharply defined features. With his gaze lowered, he appeared neither servile nor overbearing, yet remained perfectly respectful. He dropped to one knee, every gesture revealing an unmistakable strength, and announced clearly, “This commoner, Xuan Guang, pays respects to the general.”
Xuan Guang? What next, a treasure box?
Ning Xuan suppressed his laughter and met Feng Xuanzhen’s gaze questioningly. Feng Xuanzhen remained entirely composed. Had conditions on the march not been so harsh, he would undoubtedly have been holding a cup of fragrant tea and savoring it leisurely. “This is the guard I’ve spent the past several days selecting for you from among tens of thousands of men. Both his martial arts and character are first-rate. Consider him compensation for my being too occupied with official duties these past few days to continue teaching you.”
Official duties? A question mark appeared in Ning Xuan’s mind. That was what Feng Xuanzhen claimed, but Ning Xuan instinctively felt that the whole situation was riddled with suspicious shadows. Still, Feng Xuanzhen truly had no reason to harm him. Unable to think his way out of the dead end, Ning Xuan set his doubts aside for the time being and accepted the arrangement.
The sudden urgency of the war left Ning Xuan with no spare energy to concern himself with anything else. He devoted himself entirely to military affairs. Feng Xuanzhen likewise no longer had the leisure to wander about and tease Ning Xuan from time to time; his brows were constantly furrowed. Han Fei, however, their fellow deputy commander, was unexpectedly “well-behaved,” greatly exceeding Ning Xuan’s and Feng Xuanzhen’s expectations. Compared with the two of them, he lived a far more comfortable and carefree life. While they rushed about in a state of utter exhaustion, Han Fei enjoyed his leisure with remarkable ease. Had there been a beautiful woman beside him to add fragrance to his study, he would have perfectly embodied the saying that the mountains were high, the emperor far away, and life as carefree as that of an immortal.
The person they had expected to be their greatest obstacle not only failed to obstruct them, but instead behaved as though he had completely washed his hands of worldly affairs and was content to let them do as they pleased. Ning Xuan naturally welcomed having all authority concentrated in his hands. For some reason, however, Feng Xuanzhen had remained preoccupied and troubled for days.
As for Xuan Guang, whom Feng Xuanzhen had strongly recommended as his personal guard, Ning Xuan had to admit that the man was practically a divine being. Reserved, understated, and disinclined to speak, his presence was nearly nonexistent. Unless one deliberately searched for him, it was impossible to notice where he was or what he was doing at any given moment. Although Ning Xuan had not sparred with him to personally verify his abilities, this almost supernatural talent for concealing his presence was already enough to leave everyone else far behind. Ning Xuan now understood on a profound level what Feng Xuanzhen had meant by saying that Xuan Guang’s martial arts and character were both first-rate.
A thousand li away, the imperial capital was not as bitterly cold as the northern frontier, yet clashes of power and desire unfolded there at every moment. Hidden currents surged beneath the surface, and needles lay concealed within silk. Its viciousness was in no way inferior to that of the battlefield.
Prince Yi’s Residence.
Closing the memorial, Feng Xuanzhe leaned his head back against the soft, comfortable cushion behind him and wearily shut his eyes. Yet a faint smile lingered at the corners of his lips.
“Your Highness appears to be in an excellent mood. I wonder what happy event might allow this official to share in your joy?” Xiao A, Minister of War, entered the study without a sound and bowed respectfully. Though a civil official, he possessed the decisive ease of a military general. Combined with the refined air of a scholar, his distinctive bearing made him difficult to forget.
“My lord already knows the answer, so why ask unnecessarily?” Feng Xuanzhe’s voice was flat and utterly without fluctuation, yet Xiao A could still tell that he was in a good mood today. His lowered eyes trembled briefly before the flicker vanished.
“General Ning’s achievements and performance have indeed greatly exceeded this official’s expectations. It is certainly cause for celebration. Your Highness possesses a discerning eye and has added another fierce general to your command.”
“You have followed me for more than a day or two. I have no desire to hear such flattering words.” Feng Xuanzhe straightened and opened his eyes, his dark gaze bright and piercing. “Have you made any progress investigating the matter I assigned you?”
“This official is incompetent. Even after searching through the Ministry of Revenue’s records, I was unable to uncover the family history or background of that guard. Furthermore, it is said that Eighth Prince recommended him. Either he truly is, as rumored, an ordinary commoner with exceptional martial arts, or the power behind him is simply too unfathomable for us to uncover even the slightest clue.”
“Old Eighth…” Feng Xuanzhe pressed his lips together, his brows drawing faintly inward. “There is no need to rush. Have our people within the army closely observe that man’s every movement. Report immediately if he behaves unusually. If absolutely necessary, they may execute him first and report afterward.”
“Yes.”
At the same time, within Prince Rong’s Manor…
Looking at the confidential letter in his hand, Feng Xuanyi did not know whether to laugh or cry. Although they were separated by a thousand li and the news reached him only after a delay, that person’s every word, gesture, movement, frown, and smile seemed to unfold vividly before his eyes, scene by scene. Expressions such as “utterly listless,” “the corners of his mouth twitching,” “fooling around blindly,” and even words like “dull blockhead” burst before his eyes like wave after wave of brilliant fireworks. It seemed that although the taciturn Xuan Guang handled affairs diligently and efficiently, Ning Xuan had still driven him nearly mad from sheer frustration.
Feng Xuanyi raised a brow and glanced at the writing on the letter, saying in amusement, “Xuan Guang’s literary accomplishments have improved considerably. Expressing all this between the lines must have been quite a challenge for him.”
The man kneeling respectfully on one knee before him wore fitted black clothing and kept his head lowered. He had maintained that position without moving throughout the entire time Feng Xuanyi read the letter, appearing almost like a statue. The corner of his lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as though he had recalled the moment Xuan Guang handed him the letter. Although Xuan Guang’s face had remained expressionless, his inner exasperation had been unmistakable. “Replying to Master, Xuan Guang did not write this letter. He first gave an oral account, which Prince Yu then organized, summarized, and wrote on his behalf.”
“Then Old Eighth has truly worked hard. Despite being so busy, he still found the time to do this.” Feng Xuanyi leisurely lifted his teacup, blew lightly across its surface, and took a shallow sip of fragrant tea. “Tell Xuan Guang to protect him properly. Remember, he must remain completely unharmed. And Xuan Guang must not forget the other matter I instructed him to handle. That manner of his is hardly endearing.”
The man in black silently mourned for Xuan Guang. Those in their line of work could not be exposed to the light. Swearing absolute loyalty to a single master was the only way to survive and perhaps live a little longer. To suddenly be dragged into the open was, in a certain sense, an extremely painful affair. Worse still, Xuan Guang had been placed in such an impossible position, caught between both sides and pleasing neither.
“Yes.”
“There is no need for you to keep traveling back and forth after returning this time. Moving too frequently will make it easy to expose yourself. Remain in the shadows and keep a close watch. At times, there will be matters Xuan Guang cannot handle personally, and you will need to take care of them.” Feng Xuanyi paused as though recalling something, and the smile at his lips took on a trace of disdain. “Most importantly, do not touch Eldest Brother’s people. Let them speculate if they wish. Let them remain suspicious if they choose.”
Futile Devices Scans 
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