The convoy traveled for a week and a half.

It was a high pace for such a long journey, but they were not in a leisurely time of true peace, as their situation resembled an eye of the storm, with silent and seemingly tranquil atmosphere despite the chaos all around. And at any moment, the furious winds and thunders of the storm could return with even more power, this time engulfing the whole continent in the flames of war.

The winter finally passed, with spring coming into its place, and the roads became hard to travel due to the slowly melting snow. But the army helped move the carriages and the horses and bulls pulling them were fed special medicine to keep them in shape.

As the convoy reached the border of the Fantian Kingdom, they were met by the Feng family troops stationed on the border, which have recently gained back their mobility because of the Imperial Edict. This relieved the troops of the Tingren Kingdom who retreated into their borders back to join Princess Cai Yin’s side.

The former King of Fantian has been in the Feng Household for a week, as the reading of the Imperial Edict happened there simultaneously with Tingren, and Wu Long has received updates on his condition throughout the journey. If necessary, he was ready to move out at any moment.

He has also received news that Madam Liang and Zhao Xieren have arrived at the Yin Yang Unity Palace about a week ago, a bit after the convoy started moving.

And as they crossed into Fantian, Madam Liang joined the convoy two weeks after as they were nearing the capital.

But just as she was about to start a conversation with Wu Long, both of them felt something and looked into the distance.

“I will go, you stay with the convoy”

Wu Long said and launched forward. His Void Piercing Step was used at maximum speed he could afford now, and he arrived in front of the mansion in a matter of moments whereas the convoy was still about half a day away.

“Oh, what a coincidence, I was taking a walk through the neighborhood and look who I meet”

Gu Zhen turned to Wu Long, as he was walking past the gates of Wu Long’s mansion. Though he looked completely naturally, and there were no flames around him, it was still a Flame Projection, just disguised to make it seem he was truly here in person.

“I cannot say I am surprised though”

Wu Long replied looking the former in the eyes.

“Hahaha, don’t be so harsh with me. I just wanted to talk, a harmless talk”

Gu Zhen’s manner of speech was light and frivolous, implying a lighthearted conversation as he raised his hand in a gesture inviting Wu Long for a walk.

The latter moved forward, accepting the invitation as they started walking through the early spring outskirts of the Fantian Kingdom’s capital city.

“Do you really think you can win? With your ploy uncovered and that old man getting weaker by the second I doubt you didn’t think of what would happen when he finally gives in to his age again”

“Do you want to know the answer?”

“Ah? Was I so easily seen through? Hahaha, pardon me. It is rare when I can meet a real opponent”

Gu Zhen lightly laughed as his intention in that question was to see the look in Wu Long’s eyes, when he thought of the situation.

To see the feeling of someone standing on a ship that was headed to a waterfall sinking into an abyss, seeing it come but unable to leave the ship since the river around was filled with deadly creatures, and unable to stop the ship’s advance as it lost all control.

He knew Wu Long was smart enough to realize the predicament of having a plan to start the war when the chances of winning were the highest, fail and to see the impending consequences of that. Which made the game all the more interesting since the opponent was smart enough to realize how bad his situation was, but not smarter than him.

“It must have been boring then”

Wu Long’s voice seemed tranquil but Gu Zhen could sense something else in it.

“Hmm, boredom is for those who do not have things to do, and I have been busy, as measly as my opponents were. But I must admit there is a certain rush in having someone decent on the other side”

“Then, it must be a nice feeling. You don’t fear the consequences of letting your pray wiggle in the net? Smart people say, be more careful the closer you are to a win”

“Hahaha, I will be careful of that, thank you for the advice. Though I must admit, it takes guts to say that to my face”

Gu Zhen chuckled, his eyes revealing a little emotion but not enough to call it strong.

“Well, I must get going, I still have a lot of work. Have fun” 𝑖𝘦.𝘤𝑜𝘮

He then said with a light tone and flew up, causing the few bystanders to widen their eyes in shock. His figure floated away, gaining more speed and eventually disappearing on the horizon.

Wu Long looked at that figure, and the look of slight, contained frustration that was held back with will in his eyes changed into a tranquil calmness. He turned, and headed into the mansion, where he was greeted at the mansion gates by Butler Bang and a few maids and servants who all bowed in a disciplined fashion.

He could feel the newly installed formation around the mansion as soon as he passed through the gates.

“Welcome back, Young Master”

“Mm, good work. Hah, they still have too sharp gazes for servants and maids”

“Understood, I will double my efforts in training”

“You are doing good, I am just reminding them that your standards are not unnatural and others can see it too”

Wu Long smiled as Butler Bang bowed with a grateful smile of his own while the look in the eyes of the servants around revealed a slight change.

“Wu Long”

Ye Ling came out to the path leading to the mansion gate, and Wu Long gently nodded to her.

“Hahaha, you really are too mean sometimes.

That man really thought your warning about prey in the net was a last ditch effort to keep your dignity. Did you see that look of victory in his eyes?”

She started laughing, wiping tears off the corners of her eyes as he smiled with a tender look in his.

He loved to hear the laughter and see the smiles of his women. It brought that tight feeling in his chest that made him just a man and not an immortal with countless years behind his back, and painted the world around with beautiful colors.

He raised his hand and his palm and fingers gently touched her cheek, causing her to pause and then ease into a smile.

“Glad you found it entertaining, but I had to make it believable to shed the last shreds of suspicion. If I was too calm it would make him raise his guard even higher.

Moreover, this visit shows he is more volatile than I thought. To think he would threaten me by appearing near this mansion just because he lost a round in the Yin Yang Unity Palace…”

Wu Long then turned to the distance with a pondering look. It was a more emotional reaction that he did not expect from such a calculating and sly man. And the eagerness with which he bit down on Wu Long’s bait was far too driven by the thirst to one up him.

It truly was pathetic to threaten someone in a winning position with the words “be careful before the win” when such words could easily cause the latter to retaliate and finish everything. As if a man getting beaten saying “You will pay for this” to someone who could kill him with no repercussions. But that made it that much more believable that Wu Long was frustrated but ‘tried to act calm and smart’. Wu Long just did not expect for Gu Zhen to eat that so easily.

The “It takes guts to say that to my face” that Gu Zhen uttered was coupled with a very well masked ridicule in his eyes, as he relished in the feeling of superiority.

“So you decided to give him a win”

“Mm, it doesn’t cost anything after all.

Plus we might have gained a little more leeway, as now he is just going to look at our actions as toying with his prey”

Wu Long thought back to their conversation, and how much longing there was in Gu Zhen’s seemingly indifferent voice when he talked about a ‘decent opponent’. The more brilliant one thought himself to be, the more they wanted their opponents to know that brilliance, and the more they moved irrationally because of it.

“That said, we have to be careful because of that volatility as well, any significant and clear win for our side could just tip the scales of his ego”

He then added, not forgetting how easy turned out to be to rattle him. Such emotional volatility was a flaw that could be exploited, but could also very easily lead to tragic consequences.

The ‘stupidest decision’ of hurting the opponent where it hurts with no intent of killing Wu Long once mentioned now became more real because of that. And since losing any of his women was something Wu Long would not allow, he had to be even more meticulous in every move he made.

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