Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

There was only a short distance between them and the alliance party’s camp. It wasn’t surprising that they had encountered a scout.

After a series of investigations, they discovered that it was indeed a scout from the alliance army.

With someone to guide them, Jiang Pengji could make fewer detours.

Once both parties revealed their identities, the scout from the alliance camp came to greet Jiang Pengji.

“Has my father arrived?”

The alliance army scout cupped his fists and bowed respectfully. “Magistrate Liu has already arrived. He has set up his camp on the east side of the alliance army campsite. Does Langjun intend to head over?”

She laughed and said, “Naturally, I will go visit. Please lead the way.”

The scout relayed the news that Jiang Pengji had arrived. The word spread throughout the entire alliance camp.

The biggest question in the minds of the camp leaders was…

How many men and horses had come with Liu Xi?

The answer…

Tens of thousands.

Everyone was stunned silent.

Liu She had only 20,000 troops and horses. Liu Xi had 10,000 troops with her. Together, the pair had 30,000 troops with them. It was not even a tenth of the total headcount that the alliance army possessed… After all, they wielded great power in Dongqing. How could they take along so few troops? Wouldn’t they look pathetic?

Two people heaved sighs of relief at this news.

They were none other than the two Langjuns of the Xu family from Zhe county, Xu Bei and Xu Fei.

Although the two were cousins, they’d engaged in endless small fights since they were young, almost to the point of being like cats and dogs. The relationship between them was only superficial.

There was no lack of men with foresight among the alliance army. Many had already foreseen the tribulations that the alliance army sent out to defend the emperor would face. Many intended to vote for an alliance chief… Of course, they wanted to nominate an alliance chief solely to seize the opportunity to gain political power. Nonetheless, no one possessed the courage to lead this effort. After all, the one who eagerly stands out will…

Xu Bei and Xu Fei had their own motives. Not only did they view one another as a competitor and an eyesore, but they’d also set their attention on the Liu family’s father and son.

Now that they knew Liu She and Liu Xi only had 30,000 troops with them, they were immediately relieved.

With this unimpressive military might, they would have no right to rise as alliance chief.

Once they eliminated this formidable common opponent, they would only have to be wary against each other.

Until Jiang Pengji arrived at the campsite of the alliance army, she had no clue about the weird ideas that filled the minds of the people around her.

She burst with joy as she ran towards Liu She’s campsite. However, before she reached it, she received a piece of demoralizing news.

“What? Father only brought along 20,000 troops?”

She was appalled. Yang Si and Feng Zhen, both wearing so many layers of clothes that they looked like fat penguins, were also surprised.

20,000 troops?

What could they do to their enemy with a mere 20,000 soldiers?

He saw it from another perspective. His lord would be even more embarrassed because she’d only taken along her 10,000 troops. It seemed like this pair of father and son had come solely to watch.

When the news reached Liu She, he was bewildered.

In the end, both “father and son” eyed each other in dismay, not exchanging any words.

She had only brought along a few men because the situation in Wanzhou was unstable. She couldn’t deploy more soldiers.

Liu She likewise hadn’t brought along many men because Chongzhou was located near the northern borders. This had been a tumultuous winter for the three tribes of Chongzhou. The beginning of spring would be even harder to get through. If he diverted too much of his military strength away, he would also have to worry about the three tribes of the northern borders becoming desperate enough to invade the south. Although the likelihood of this was low, precautions needed to be in place.

Therefore, both father and son had turned up as mere audience members for the upcoming debacle.

Although they had elite soldiers, their numbers were few.

Regarding this matter, these two were still optimistic.

It didn’t matter whether they rose in prominence or not, what was most important was achieving their goal.

In this mission to protect the Emperor, regardless of the outcome, it didn’t matter as the benefits that belonged to this father and “son” remained unaffected.

As a newcomer, Jiang Pengji needed to understand the strength of the alliance army.

Only with ample preparation could she make such a calculated move in her heart.

Liu She had arrived before her and had already collected a lot of information.

He filled her in. “There are a total of 23 divisions in the alliance army on the mission to defend the emperor. The most prominent are the brothers from the Xu family, the descendants of Marquis Guannei, also known as General Xu. Both brothers are promising youths. They are adept in every way besides real-world experience. In that sense, they are dependent on their ancestors’ prestige. At the upcoming election for an alliance chief, those two will certainly join the fight. It’ll be a life and death struggle between them. Although the alliance chief position is a fragile form of reputation, it is of utmost importance to the brothers.”

If her reputation increased, it’d enable her to attract more talents to her side and increase her prowess.

Rather than debating this elusive alliance chief position, why not classify it as a widespread, living advertisement that could attract the attention of the masses?

“Does Lanting have any views about the alliance chief position?”

Jiang Pengji shook her head decisively. She declared, “I have come to expand my business and to try my luck at winning talents over. I am here on official business, I didn’t come to mingle with these immature people. Choose an alliance chief? Childish! Let them choose whoever they like. I only need to mind my own business. No matter who the alliance chief is, I do not care. Anyway, it can’t be me…”

With her small handful of military strength, it’d be impossible for her to vie for the position, even if she wanted to. Therefore, it’d be better for her to watch the commotion with a magnanimous heart.

Her father’s face stiffened.

Must his daughter say it so directly? Did her strategists know about it?

Yang Si and Feng Zhen sat behind her to her left and right. They lowered their heads and appeared as focused as meditating old monks.

With a “tsk”, Liu She commented, “That is true. No matter how heated the quarrel gets, it’s none of our business.”

They could ignore the issue of choosing an alliance chief, for it had nothing to do with the father and son. They should participate as bystanders and watch the exciting events unfold.

She blinked, discreetly peeking at those two strategists in the corner. She suddenly exclaimed, “Father.”

Confused by the outburst, Liu She responded, “What’s the matter?”

She smiled as she corrected Liu She’s faulty wording. “We’ll not go as father and son, but as father and daughter.”

Once he heard these words leave her mouth, Liu She was shocked. Yang Si looked as if he had just witnessed the end of the world. Feng Zhen was so stumped that his copper-colored eyes went wide. Afterward, he placed his hand on his chest and coughed violently… He almost choked on his own saliva.

Almost immediately, Liu She regained his composure. He used his expression to ask after his daughter why she suddenly wanted to make this move.

In response, she said perceptively, “At the upcoming alliance meeting, I believe it will be a good opportunity. After all, it wouldn’t be wise to drag this charade out any longer.”

Liu She approved. He’d once raised the issue to his daughter of restoring her gender status, but Jiang Pengji had not responded then and he hadn’t wanted to pressure her about it.

Evidently, his daughter has her own plans. Liu She need not interfere.

Behind the scenes, Feng Zhen ardently watched Liu She, wishing his lord’s words were a joke.

Unexpectedly, Liu She said, “Do as you wish. Back when you used to dress as a man to impersonate your elder brother, it was because we were left with no other options. Now that you’ve entered adulthood and have proved yourself capable, your father is comforted in his heart. Lanting, let me know when you intend to reveal this news. I should prepare myself also.”

The correct procedure mandated that he should also give his daughter a gift since she’d reached marriageable age.

She added, “Let’s decide after analyzing the situation. It is not urgent now.”

His daughter was not anxious, naturally, and Liu She was even less bothered.

Nonetheless, the two strategists were in an uncomfortable situation. Feng Zhen’s facial expression conveyed his utter despair over the situation.

What did it mean that his lord was a lady this whole time?

How could she even be a female?

“My, my lord…” Known for his eloquence and ardor in speech, his stammering surprised those listening.

His vision was fixed below Jiang Pengji’s chin, above her abdomen… As he’d previously observed, it was flat.

Jiang Pengji noticed it. She shot him a glance, then mockingly smirked at him. “Do you wish to personally examine my body?”

Without taking things seriously, Feng Zhen replied, “May I?”

“Sure you may. But I am afraid you’d be smashed to pieces before you ever touched it.”

She smiled as she glanced at the area 3 inches below Feng Zhen’s navel.

Feng Zhen felt a chill run through him. He was on the verge of crying his eyes out.

How could such a lord be a woman?