Dugu Jing understood that Xie Xun was willing to negotiate, but the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry had not formally agreed to it. He waited until evening before hearing from them about the negotiation, with both armies meeting directly at the battlefield. Dugu Jing and Xie Jue each led a thousand men to negotiate at the valley south of the battlefield. The terrain here was clearly advantageous for the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, and Xie Jue could easily set an ambush, ensuring Dugu Jing would not return. Internally, the Beiman were in heated debate about whether to continue the war or stop it. The Beiman were warlike and had long awaited the opportunity to plunder Yanyang’s resources, leading their people east of the Shaling River. Hence, they fought fiercely, with the previous Beiman King having emerged as a war god, the one most likely to lead them across the Shaling River. At that time, the Beiman were enthusiastic, brave, and fearless, and Dugu Jing is now a powerful young wolf. However, after years of turmoil and Xie Jue’s schemes, some Beiman tribes were gradually declining and less willing to fight, especially as they were ill-prepared and hastily raised troops this time. Xie Jue delayed the construction of the fortress, causing Dugu Jing’s dissatisfaction after repeated negotiations, yet Xie Jue continued to delay the construction. This winter was especially cold north of Ningzhou, and the Beiman were enduring ice and snow, with many war horses frozen to death, let alone people. The Beiman sought aid from Yanyang, hoping for food supplies. Xie Jue provided the Beiman with supplies, but only half of what Dugu Jing requested. It was not that Xie Jue intended to make things difficult; rather, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was preparing for war, and they could only spare this much. He was well aware of the Beiman’s population and resources, and these supplies were enough for them to last until spring. Dugu Jing had long known about Yanyang Court’s split with Ningzhou, a piece of news impossible to hide due to their special intelligence channels. Small news might be kept secret, but something that vast could not. Dugu Jing had been sharpening his blades for a year, preparing to start a war against Ningzhou. However, there were significant internal conflicts within the Beiman, insufficient food, constant internal strife, and escalating tribal conflicts. Dugu Jing could only first suppress the internal tribes. By the time he had free hands, he missed the best opportunity to attack Ningzhou, which was within a year after Xie Jue and Xie Xun defected from Ningzhou. With constant natural disasters and intensified court conflicts, it was an opportune time for the Beiman to dispatch their troops. Missing out meant needing patience to wait for the next chance. This time, Dugu Jing dispatched his troops mainly because of Yuwen Jing’s promise. With Sannan’s troops attacking in conjunction, though the Beiman were ill-prepared, it was a bit rushed. They could only hold on for half a year, needing a quick victory. Dugu Jing planned to take Ningzhou before spring, initiating fierce attacks from the start, trying to crush the core forces of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. When Sannan raised their troops, the Twelve Provinces were overwhelmed, and to protect Ningzhou, they’d have to give up the Twelve Provinces. To protect the Twelve, Ningzhou couldn’t be held. This was the greatest dilemma faced by the Xie brothers. No one expected that the governor of Lanzhou would defect at the last moment, not follow orders, and close the city gates, forcing the Jiangnan garrison to take action, resisting Sannan, and helping the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry withstand the Southern offensive. "Idiot!" Dugu Jing cursed Yuwen Jing countless times in the military tent. "Useless, a completely worthless fool!" Back then, he and Yuwen Jing teamed up, nearly annihilating everyone at Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. Dugu Jing’s original goal was that all the men of the Marquis Mansion must die at that wedding. However, when he heard that Xie Jue and Xie Xun survived, he cursed Yuwen Jing again for releasing the tiger back to the mountain. The Xie brothers would surely rebel against him upon returning to Ningzhou. If one day Xie Xun ascended the throne, he would certainly swallow the Beiman and tear up the truce agreement. Such a golden opportunity, an inescapable net, and yet he couldn’t kill Xie Jue and Xie Xun. Even if only Xie Xun remained, but Xie Jue also lived. Just that one cooperation, Yuwen Jing did not meet the expectations; he should never have trusted him. He didn’t expect Yuwen Jing couldn’t control the Jiangnan garrison this time. Were it not for knowing Yuwen Jing’s deep enmity with the Xie brothers, Dugu Jing might have suspected Yuwen Jing intentionally teamed up with the Xie brothers to kill him. Now, ceasefire was the best decision. Dugu Jing also realized he shouldn’t interfere in the Yanyang civil strife. Whether Yuwen Jing or Xie Jue and Xie Xun wins, Yanyang’s political situation would remain tumultuous for several years. That would be the best time for him to send troops. Listening to Yuwen Jing’s persuasion now, believing he could win, wasted the opportunity and sacrificed countless soldiers due to his wrong decision. This was a painful lesson, so he had to cut his losses. Fengyu knew Xie Jue agreed to negotiate and was not surprised. Xie Jue quickly sent a message to Dugu Jing, arranging a meeting for negotiation the next day. To avoid Dugu Jing’s deception during this negotiation, Xie Jue initially didn’t want Fengyu to attend. After all, Xie Xun’s current body was Fengyu’s, and if anything happened, it would be troublesome. But Xie Jue was not the commander of the forces. If he didn’t attend, the negotiation would seem very informal, as the negotiation document required Xie Xun’s personal handprint, and Xie Jue couldn’t replace him. Fengyu said, "Second Brother, I’ll go. Dugu Jing has already put down his pride; he wouldn’t dare play any tricks during this negotiation." After much hesitation, Xie Jue agreed to let Fengyu attend, instructing Fang Chuning to protect her well. Fang Chuning smiled amorously and roguishly, "Naturally, even Ting Feng is willing to give his life for his brother; this General will certainly protect him well." Xie Jue remained expressionless, starting to instruct several generals to deploy defenses around the negotiation site. Fengyu observed Fang Chuning’s barely concealed smile, feeling as if he were a wolf in spring, eagerly seeking a mate. If it were really Xie Xun, he might confront him. Read complete versıon only at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩 But Fengyu merely watched the drama unfold with an indifferent, amused look, and Fang Chuning glanced at her several times. Fengyu could never truly mimic Xie Xun’s combative temperament, especially since her Second Brother was present. Should anything happen, he would handle it, and there was no need for her to continue playing Xie Xun. The next day, there was clear weather, spring was evident in Ningzhou, lush grasses spread afar, cattle and sheep roamed the plains, and the military tents stood vast and majestic. For the first time, Fengyu viewed the battlefield from above, finding it uniquely charming. Despite the beauty, recalling the bloodshed on the battlefield during conflict filled her heart with unease. A ceasefire is so wonderful! No one needs to fight anymore! Dugu Jing arrived with his soldiers on time, this time without the Beiman Priest, only leading himself as the main commander, a few generals, and a thousand Beiman soldiers stationed on the perimeter. The negotiation site was set up with tents shielding from the harsh sunlight, half-open with simple seating arrangements. Fengyu sat at the head, with Xie Jue and Fang Chuning beside her on the left, and three chairs on the right reserved for the Beiman. Fei Ying and his personal soldiers stood vigil nearby. When Dugu Jing arrived, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s medics searched them, checking, and no weapons or unrelated items were allowed at the negotiation table. The past incident with poison was a lingering fear for Xie Jue and Fengyu; they wouldn’t repeat such mistakes. Dugu Jing was cooperative, coldly gazing at Xie Xun, who had become his lifelong adversary. Three years ago, surviving the Capital City, Dugu Jing knew Xie Xun would obstruct him in Ningzhou, for him to lead the Beiman across Sha Ling Tian Mountain, he must defeat Xie Xun. After greeting Xie Xun with two generals, he sat across from Xie Jue and Fang Chuning, Dugu Jing’s gaze swept over Xie Jue, truly a tough life; escaping from Beiman’s encirclement was a miracle, and surviving the Capital’s massacre was another act of fortune. "Long time no see, Ninth Prince," Fengyu said indifferently. "We aren’t here to reminisce. Let’s get straight to the point. I hope we can settle things today, swiftly and decisively."