Fengyu knew that Xie Jue would never agree to peace talks. The last time Dugu Jing conspired with Yuwen Jing, it led to countless deaths—not only was the Xie family almost entirely wiped out, but many military generals traveling to the Capital City perished in that shocking upheaval. Yuwen Jing nearly killed all the generals capable of fighting on the battlefield, but thankfully, Marquis Zhenbei had kept a portion of them stationed in Ningzhou. Xie Jue wanted to annihilate the Beiman completely; he would never accept peace talks. News of the proposed talks spread quickly within the army, and it wasn’t just Xie Jue who resisted the idea—the soldiers didn’t want peace either. Especially after these two recent campaigns, which had claimed the lives of several generals, including the battle-hardened General Zhou, everyone was sharpening their blades and waiting for a decisive battle against the Beiman. No matter what, peace was out of the question. The morale of the three armies is crucial! Being an outsider, Fengyu’s perspective differed from Xie Jue’s. "Second Brother, I actually think negotiating peace is also a viable path. Every time the Beiman and Ningzhou clash, it’s always a pyrrhic victory—we kill a thousand enemies but lose eight hundred of our own. Dugu Jing, with his boundless ambition, sought to lead the Beiman beyond Ningzhou to find a new homeland, but he now realizes it’s impossible. He has no choice but to surrender to Yanyang. I know Dugu Jing isn’t trustworthy, and I know the hatred between him and us is as deep as the sea. But the situation in Jiangnan is far from optimistic, and Yuwen Jing is eyeing us like a tiger watching its prey. We can’t afford to linger in Ningzhou; we need to end the conflict with the Beiman quickly and unite to confront Sannan, then march towards the Capital City. We can even strike a deal with the Beiman people so that the entire world knows Yuwen Jing colluded with foreign enemies to bring troops within our borders. Three years ago, it was Yuwen Jing who teamed up with Dugu Jing to ignite a storm of bloodshed. Only with Dugu Jing’s testimony can Yuwen Jing’s crimes be solidly proved." "I understand," Xie Jue said faintly. "But I don’t want to." Reason can tell you what is right and what is wrong, when to do certain things, and the distinction between black and white, the pros and cons. But emotions whisper an undeniable truth: even though you know what’s right, you still may not want to do it! Fengyu felt a pang in her chest. She was intelligent and sensitive, and had long realized the catastrophic tragedy that almost wiped out his entire family had dealt a devastating blow to Xie Jue. It had shattered the Second Brother who had once wholeheartedly devoted himself to serving the people and defending the borderlands. Xie Xun, on the other hand, had a source of solace for his sorrow and despair—he had her by his side. After experiencing the Yangzhou affair, he underwent a profound transformation and began to emerge from the shadows. But the Second Brother could not. Extreme brilliance leads to inevitable wounds! Fengyu felt a deep ache for him but did not push him. "Second Brother, I’ll follow your lead." "Do you think Second Brother is cold and heartless? That peace talks could avoid casualties and offer swift aid to Jiangnan, yet instead I choose to drag out this standoff with the Beiman, wasting time and causing countless deaths and injuries." Dugu Jing wanted peace talks, but Xie Jue wouldn’t even dare discuss them with Fang Chuning. He thought Fang Chuning probably shared the same view as Fengyu. Googlᴇ search 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵 Using Dugu Jing’s testimony to expose Yuwen Jing’s crimes could completely strip him of the people’s support. After stabilizing Jiangnan, they could march on the Capital City. A ruler like Yuwen Jing... A failed sovereign collapses the nation’s framework, and undermines the Five Cardinal Virtues! The Great Marshal and clan leaders, along with state mansions across the land, might no longer remain loyal to the central authority. Fengyu understood his inner torment and spoke softly, "Second Brother, the Beiman people are deceitful and untrustworthy. They harbor deep hatred against us. Whether publicly or privately, you aren’t wrong to oppose peace talks. Zhixu might agree to them simply because he wants to end the war quickly. Warfare in both the north and south only brings endless suffering to the people of Yanyang. However, once Zhixu ascends to the throne, he will surely rally and subjugate the Beiman in time. ’A gentleman’s revenge is never too late,’ and this blood feud will certainly be repaid in blood." But right now may not be the right time! Xie Jue chuckled lightly. The dim tent light in the night cast a warm glow. When Xie Jue smiled, it carried a gentle elegance akin to jade. Out of the blue, Fengyu recalled a phrase: "Under the moon, a beauty; by the lamp, jade." She was often struck by Xie Jue’s breathtaking presence. Though her heart belonged to Xie Xun, the two brothers were remarkably similar in appearance, especially in their brows and eyes. Yet she found herself more mesmerized by Xie Jue’s beauty. Ultimately, Xie Xun’s striking charisma was too sharp, like a blade, eclipsing his extraordinary appearance. Xie Jue, in contrast, was cold like frost—like a plum blossom blooming high on a snowy mountain, vibrant but aloof, daring admiration but forbidding desecration. Ordinary people’s hearts were often fueled by appreciation for such unattainable figures rather than by thoughts of possession or conquest. "Ayu, your words truly feel like a spring breeze," Xie Jue said with a soft laugh. Though she was trying to persuade him to consider peace talks, coming from her, even such words sounded pleasing. "Second Brother doesn’t want peace talks. I understand," Fengyu said sincerely. "Understood. I’ll give it careful thought." Xie Jue rose to his feet. "You should rest well." "Alright!" Fengyu said softly. "Second Brother, take care of yourself. Don’t overwork your eyes." Fengyu thought to herself, if Xie Xun were here, he’d surely agree to peace talks. Perhaps he and the Second Brother would have argued again. Their positions would subtly differ. With unrest in both the north and south, if Ningzhou could seize the chance for peace, it would be best to negotiate. Letting the conflict drag out would only harm the overall war effort—they still needed to consider the Jiangnan battlefield. Subjugating the Beiman wasn’t currently the primary objective for the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. The more urgent task was how to quell the chaos and lead the forces into the Capital City without bloodshed. The fate of the Yuwen Royal Family had truly run out. Xie Jue exited the tent. The moonlight was like water. Fang Chuning stood not far outside the tent, draped in a light cloak. If it weren’t for Xie Xun’s serious injuries, Fang Chuning would have already set out for Lanzhou. He was deeply worried about the Great Marshal’s situation in Jiangnan. Just reading the letters evoked visions of bloody winds and mountainous piles of bones. However, with Xie Xun gravely injured and Ningzhou lacking a general of Xie Xun’s caliber, Fang Chuning had no choice but to remain in Ningzhou. Xie Jue thought, Anning must also be hoping to end the war sooner. "Run a lap with me," Fang Chuning said. "Alright!" Xie Jue could tell Fang Chuning had something to discuss. Fang Chuning whistled, and the steeds Treading Snow and Bloody Shadow sprinted over. The two men mounted their horses and galloped off toward Shaling River. East of the river lay territory patrolled by the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry; soldiers often patrolled the riverbank at night. In the moonlight, the two rode like the wind, swift as dragons, their elongated shadows trailing behind them in the river’s reflection. After riding for thirty minutes, Fang Chuning and Xie Jue were slightly sweating as they dismounted their horses. The two sweating steeds wandered the riverbank. Fang Chuning rubbed his neck, his expression under the moonlight as sharp as whiskey slipping over the edge of a blade—scorching yet razor-edged. "I’m taking a bath." Shaling River extended for hundreds of miles and was fed by endless streams from the heavenly mountains. Even in the height of summer, the river waters remained frigid. Both Xie Xun and Fang Chuning enjoyed bathing in the river. A set of light armor was cumbersome to don and just as cumbersome to remove, but Fang Chuning didn’t mind. He casually stripped off the light armor and tossed it onto the grass. Then, he untied his robes, revealing a well-toned and evenly-proportioned chest and arms. As a young general who had trained from childhood, his physique was both lean and muscular—a body men dreamed of possessing. Fang Chuning loosened his long hair, tying it up casually. His movements highlighted the contours of his waist and abdomen with increasing clarity and allure. Every breath he took seemed to imbue his muscles with life, his every inch stirring imagination and desire. Xie Jue silently stared at his waist and abdomen, his tongue pressing against his teeth. The moonlight in his eyes was veiled with a watery sheen. Despite the night’s inherent softness, it seemed to amplify Fang Chuning’s every motion—his breathing, the way his waist shifted in and out of focus—with striking intensity. Xie Jue’s Adam’s apple subtly rolled as he averted his gaze. Fang Chuning had tied his hair and was now only wearing a thin pair of undershorts. With a headlong dive, he plunged into the icy waters of Shaling River, moving like a dragon swimming freely, flipping and gliding through the currents. Xie Jue’s diverted gaze was unconsciously drawn back to the figure in the water. Standing waist-deep in the water, Fang Chuning grinned like a tempting fox. "Ting Feng, come join me!"