Chapter Forty-Five: The Stubborn Sikong

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"Commander, nothing on this side."

"Commander, nothing over there either."

"Commander..."

The soldiers continually reported the results of their search, and Sikong's brow grew more and more furrowed.

"Enough!" He waved his hand forcefully and glared at Xiao Hei. "Could it be you're trying to keep me stalled here so your companions can take the chance to escape?"

Xiao Hei shook his head frantically. Hearing this, Kaiming laughed inwardly—Sikong, you give him far too much credit.

Sikong's eyes turned to Qingyun. "Why aren't you moving? Are you so sure you'll catch this little thief?"

Qingyun only smiled and silently pointed to his own squad. It turned out his men had already busied themselves searching as well.

"Strategist, nothing here."

"Nothing."

Reports of nothing came from all directions. Sikong, growing impatient, stamped his foot. "Nothing here, nothing there—what, did she burrow into the ground?"

At those words, Qingyun's gaze flickered as though something occurred to him. He swept his sleeve and strode away.

"Where are you going?" Sikong called after him.

Qingyun smiled. "Just as you said, perhaps she really did run outside. I'll take a look over there."

"No! You can't go alone!" Sikong hurried after him. "I'm coming too!"

Qingyun regarded him with amusement; he acted like a petulant child. As the two departed, the Nangong soldiers ceased their search and trailed them away.

Once all sounds from outside had faded and silence returned, Kaiming let out a long breath, brushed aside the leaves and turf covering her head, and slowly wriggled her way out of the pit. She cautiously surveyed the surroundings. Only the wind rustled the leaves—there was no sign of another living soul.

What about Xiao Hei? Taken away—would he die? She decided she'd better worry about her own fate first. Stretching her limbs, she hopped a few steps and found she could still move with agility.

These fools—so much for their grand titles of Commander and Strategist. She snorted, flicked her hair back, and straightened her clothes. As her hand brushed her waist, she noticed her disheveled tunic and, remembering something, searched her breast pocket—something felt off. Had she lost something?

Suddenly she recalled: the calico pouch, the one holding the red hair. When had she lost it? Instinctively, she bent to look at the ground, acting almost unconsciously.

"Looking for this?" A calm voice sounded from the forest, startling her so badly she nearly lost her soul. She stared, dumbfounded, at the source of the voice.

The white-robed man emerging from the branches was none other than Qingyun, who had returned. His face was composed, his manner unhurried, as if finding her here was the most natural thing in the world.

Kaiming steadied herself, eyes darting nervously to the dense swarm of soldiers behind him. She didn't have time to think—she turned and bolted.

"There's no escape," he chuckled, clapping his hands. "Clap! Clap!" At the crisp sound, soldiers bearing weapons appeared from all directions, encircling her completely.

Her legs gave way and she collapsed to her knees. Spears and lances flashed coldly at her throat; she abandoned all hope of resistance. This time she truly was a captive.

Sikong appeared from behind Qingyun and stared at her wide-eyed. Caked in mud, she was nearly unrecognizable. Frowning, he glanced at the guardsman holding Xiao Hei, and asked, "Is it her?"

"Yes!" Xiao Hei replied eagerly.

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"Very well," Sikong gestured. "Take him over there and execute him on the spot."

Hei's face twisted in terror. Flailing wildly, he shrieked, "Sir, sir, I surrendered sincerely! I sought to atone for my crimes, sir!"

"What merit have you brought?" Sikong glanced at him coldly. "A treacherous wretch who betrays companions—what use have I for you?"

The guards wasted no time dragging him out of the woods, his screams fading into the distance.

Qingyun looked at Sikong, who returned the gaze. "Strategist, do you object?"

Qingyun replied serenely, "Your decision is just, I have nothing to say."

Sikong strode over to Kaiming, snorting. "Catching you, little thief, took some effort. Was it you who plucked the mane from my horse? Was it you who stole a Nangong soldier's horse?"

Seeing him execute Xiao Hei without hesitation, Kaiming felt a swirl of emotions. Stretch your neck or shrink it—it’s all the same blade. So she gritted her teeth and said, "That's right, I plucked that beast’s mane. So what? I struck your man, stole his horse, so what? What kind of man are you, making a fuss over a few horsehairs? You'll never accomplish anything great with that pettiness!"

Sikong's jaw clenched, teeth grinding audibly. Without a word, he drew a soldier's sword and slashed at her. The soldiers encircling her pulled back in alarm. Kaiming was stunned—such temper, to attack without a word!

She rolled aside, barely dodging the blow. Before she could rise, Sikong's blade descended again—she had no time to evade, only to watch helplessly as the heavy blade came down.

A crisp clang—the shaft of a spear slid beneath the blade, catching its fall. Qingyun's voice sounded, "Commander, restrain yourself!"

"What are you doing, Strategist?" Sikong glared, face flushed with rage. Qingyun, seeing the urgency, had snatched a soldier's spear and saved Kaiming’s life.

Qingyun tossed the spear aside and stepped forward. "Have you forgotten our wager, Commander?"

"Our wager?" Sikong's expression shifted, and he flung the sword to the ground. "So the great favor you spoke of is this little thief?"

"Commander, you are perceptive."

"What if I say the wager was mere pretense?" Sikong turned his gaze. "What if I change my mind now?"

Qingyun's composure did not waver. "I know well that the Commander is a man of his word."

Sikong’s eyes glinted coldly as he moved closer. "I truly wish to see what you cannot anticipate, Strategist."

Qingyun inclined his head calmly. "I am not omnipotent. There will always be surprises I cannot foresee."

The gleam in Sikong’s eyes turned icy, his voice colder still. "I would like to see you panic for once, Strategist."

Qingyun did not reply, and the air turned tense.

Suddenly Sikong laughed. "Of course, I keep my word. Qingyun, this little thief is yours to deal with. Don't be too lenient, lest I be disappointed."

Qingyun gave a quiet assent.

Sikong mounted his horse, glanced disdainfully at the dazed Kaiming, then flicked the reins and rode off. The Nangong troops withdrew with him, leaving only a few soldiers to remain with Qingyun.

Qingyun gazed after Sikong and sighed softly.

"Strategist, we should return," a guard reminded him.

Qingyun nodded and signaled to the soldiers. "Take her away."

They yanked her to her feet and shoved her forward.

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Inside Nangong's temporary camp, banners fluttered, weapons gleamed in the sun. The stern General Quan sat rigid at a table, thick brows knit, with several officers standing respectfully at his side. Soldiers entered and exited, reporting the latest news.

"General, there’s still no sign of the Central Palace’s Dayin. We had intercepted her outside the forest, but she suddenly vanished."

"General, the soldiers who blocked Dayin outside the woods—all dead!"

"General, after Dayin, two more people broke through!"

At last, General Quan’s anger erupted—he slammed the table. "What are you people doing?!"

The officers were terrified. "We failed in our duties, General. We never expected two more enemies after Dayin broke through. We thought the enemy had been wiped out..."

"I'm not asking about those two soldiers!" General Quan thundered. "I mean Dayin! How did she disappear?!"

"Well... this..." The officers sweated profusely, unable to answer.

"Someone must be secretly protecting Dayin. Investigate at once!" General Quan waved his sleeve. "The scouts say Dayin was gravely wounded—even if she was rescued, she can’t have gone far. Find a way to capture her!"

The officers responded feebly, "Yes, sir."

At that moment, a young officer strode in from outside—a resolute, handsome face, full of vigor. He saluted. "Sikong reporting, General. We have captured a thousand, killed three thousand, seized two Central Palace camps, and captured countless horses and supplies."

General Quan glared at him. "Why not add that you let Dayin escape?"

Sikong hesitated, then quickly replied, "Dayin is cunning—I was caught off guard and she escaped. But I’ve set a net at every pass and checkpoint—she won’t get far."

"Sikong, such bold words!" General Quan slammed the table, sending brushes and ink flying. "You dare say such things? Would you stake your life on it?"

Sikong stood tall. "I would, sir!"

The officers, sensing trouble, hurried to intervene. The father and son clashed often enough, but staking one's life was no joke.

In the midst of the commotion, Qingyun entered, bowing to General Quan. "I failed in my duties, General. Dayin of the Central Palace escaped. I await your punishment."

General Quan’s expression softened at once. He shot Sikong a glare as if to say, “Learn from him.”

"Strategist, you arrive in good time," the officers said, relieved, all talking at once. "The general and his son were about to make a life-and-death wager."

Qingyun smiled faintly. "General, I observed the stars a few nights ago. The Central Palace’s star has not yet fallen. Dayin’s escape was fate. Besides, we have already won a great victory. You need not be troubled by this."

General Quan seemed to value Qingyun’s words. He twirled his beard and fell silent.

Sikong sneered, "So the strategist means we should just sit back and submit to fate?"

Qingyun smiled. "I only said Dayin's fate is not yet sealed. But all things depend on human effort—we should redouble our search for the enemy commander."

Sikong snorted, "Right or wrong, you always have an answer. You even have the power to sway my father with your nonsense."

General Quan was enraged again. "Insolent wretch! Qingyun only speaks to shield you! Do you think I won’t punish you for letting Dayin escape?"

Sikong replied stubbornly, "Punish me however you wish!"

"You little brute!" General Quan swept everything from the table in anger; the officers rushed to restrain him. Qingyun quickly ushered Sikong out of the tent before the situation could explode.