After finishing his conversation with Princess Jade Fox, Ian Song finally turned his gaze back to Prince Daniel Jiang, the young King of Qi.
Though still young, this kid already has ambitions no less than an adult. Truly a handful—the kind you have to keep an eye on.
Thud!
Prince Daniel Jiang tumbled and crawled down from the throne, kneeling beside Ian Song and sobbing, "Master, I know I was wrong! I won't dare ever again!"
"Good boy, don’t cry. You’re the King of Qi—how can you cry?" Ian Song smiled and helped Prince Daniel Jiang up, then pressed a Puppet Mastery Divine Art into his brow.
He hadn’t wanted to enslave the kid, but when Prince Daniel Jiang just wouldn’t listen, what else could he do?
With a personality like his, if Ian Song ever left this world, Prince Daniel Jiang probably wouldn’t let Ian’s descendants off easy. Rather than risk them fighting to mutual destruction, it was safer to make Daniel a puppet like the others—only then could Ian leave with peace of mind.
The Yan–Zhao coalition was gathering way faster than Ian Song expected. In just twenty days, they’d already advanced to within a hundred li of Longan Prefecture.
The coalition commander was the famous Yan veteran, General Qi Mu.
Now in his early sixties, Qi Mu had fought over a hundred battles without a single defeat. Known as the 'war god' of Yan, this campaign was likely to be his last.
With him leading two hundred thousand troops to attack Qi, it was clear that Yan and Zhao were dead set on wiping Qi out.
That evening, a war letter was delivered to the Yan–Zhao coalition camp.
After reading the letter, Qi Mu looked a bit surprised, then called his two deputy commanders and the senior generals into his tent.
"This is a war letter from Ian Song, Grand General of Qi. Take a look." Qi Mu handed the letter to the middle-aged man on his left—Zhao Heng, a Zhao royal clansman and one of the coalition’s deputy commanders.
The letter was short, just a dozen or so words: Qi Mu, old man, do you dare face me in a decisive battle at the Burial Ground!
Signed: Ian Song.
The handwriting pierced the paper, carrying a sharp and intimidating aura.
Bang!
Zhao Heng slammed his palm on the table and shouted angrily, "That brat Ian Song is way too arrogant—he actually dares to challenge us to a decisive battle!"
Yan and Zhao were well aware of Qi’s troop strength: only about fifty thousand real soldiers. As for the eighty thousand new recruits, no one paid them any mind—a batch of green soldiers who’d only been in camp for ten days were just lambs to the slaughter on the battlefield.
The letter kept passing down the line. After reading it, all the generals agreed Ian Song was far too arrogant.
Qi Mu raised his hand, and the tent instantly quieted. He asked in a deep voice, "Generals, what do you think?"
Zhao Heng waved forcefully. "I say this is a great chance to crush Qi in one blow. Accept the challenge!"
The other deputy commander, Yuan Long, said loudly, "Fight! We'll wipe them out to the last man!"
"Ian Song is way too cocky, way too full of himself. Let him see what our coalition can do!"
………
The generals all gave their opinions. Of the twelve, eleven agreed to fight.
So, after everyone had spoken, all eyes turned to Qi Mu.
Qi Mu smiled slightly. "He wants a decisive battle—let's grant his wish and settle things in one stroke!"
"Well said, General!"
"Brilliant, General!"
All the generals shouted in unison.
The next day, Ian Song received Qi Mu’s reply, even shorter than his own challenge: Battle! Three days later, at the Burial Ground.
With Qi Mu’s answer in hand, Ian ordered troop movements: all city garrison forces in the five prefectures were replaced with new recruits, except for the several thousand soldiers guarding the factories, whom Ian left in place.
Soon, word spread throughout Qi’s five prefectures that Grand General Ian Song would lead fifty thousand troops against the Yan–Zhao coalition.
Many had little confidence in this battle—after all, the coalition had two hundred thousand men, while Qi only had fifty thousand.
"Grand General, please reconsider!"
Bruce Meng hurried to the Grand General’s Residence, urging Ian Song not to fight the Yan–Zhao coalition head-on.
"My mind’s made up. Say no more!" Ian Song waved him off, attitude firm as ever.
Seeing Ian Song’s resolve, Bruce Meng could only leave, muttering under his breath.
After Bruce Meng left, Shen Du, Sean Song, Hart He, and others all came by, each trying to persuade Ian Song not to rush into battle with the Yan–Zhao coalition.
But no matter how many tried, Ian Song’s determination never wavered.
"General, Princess Jade Fox requests an audience."
Shortly after sending everyone off, Lily came to Ian Song’s study to report.
"Let her in!" Ian Song was a bit surprised—since moving to Lingshui Prefecture, Princess Jade Fox had rarely shown herself. In modern terms, she’d really gotten into the whole 'shut-in otaku girl' lifestyle.
Soon, Princess Jade Fox arrived at Ian Song’s study, flanked by two young palace maids.
Ian Song stood up and smiled at Princess Jade Fox. "Princess, you’re here."
"Greetings, Grand General." Princess Jade Fox gave Ian Song a formal bow, then glanced at the two palace maids behind her. The maids, understanding, quietly left. Her gaze then fell on Lily and Autumn.
Ian Song waved them off as well, and the two girls left the study, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
"Would you like something to drink, Princess?" Ian asked casually. Compared to their first meeting over a year ago, Princess Jade Fox had grown up—less shy, more mature and poised. For some reason, Ian sensed a hint of melancholy in her.
"Can I have some cola?" Princess Jade Fox looked at Ian Song expectantly.
"Of course."
With a thought, Ian Song took a bottle of cola from his storage ring, walked over, and handed it to Princess Jade Fox.
Princess Jade Fox gently twisted off the cap and took a small sip. She closed her eyes, her pretty face showing a trace of bliss, a hint of nostalgia, and a few memories.
After a while, Princess Jade Fox opened her eyes and found Ian Song watching her with a gentle smile, making her blush.
"You must have something to discuss, Princess?" Ian Song asked with a knowing grin.
Princess Jade Fox nodded slightly. "General, could you not fight the Yan–Zhao coalition?"
Ian Song shook his head.
Ian had thought Princess Jade Fox would keep trying to persuade him, but to his surprise, she suddenly changed the subject. In a soft, almost whispering tone, she asked, "General, could you call me by my personal name—Jade Fox?"
Her gaze was bold, and the affection in her eyes was so obvious that even a blind man could see it.
Does she have feelings for me?
A flash of surprise appeared in Ian Song’s eyes.
Seeing Ian Song silent, Princess Jade Fox’s gaze dimmed. "General, you won’t?"
"Of course not." Ian Song shook his head, then softly called out, "Jade Fox."
Just that one simple call, and Princess Jade Fox’s eyes lit up. "General!" Her voice trembled with emotion, and in the next instant, she threw herself into Ian Song’s arms.
With that heartfelt word, Princess Jade Fox’s warm, delicate body pressed into Ian Song’s embrace, her feelings overflowing.
"Jade Fox, have you really fallen for me?" Ian Song naturally wrapped his arms around her soft body, teasing her gently.
"General, Jade Fox knows she can’t stop you from fighting the Yan–Zhao coalition, so I want to leave myself a keepsake. Will you grant me this wish?" Jade Fox looked up at Ian Song, her eyes burning with passion and longing.
"What kind of memory do you want?"
"I want to have your child, General!" Suddenly, Princess Jade Fox’s face flushed with shyness.
"Haha, now that’s a keepsake I can get behind!" Ian Song laughed heartily, then bent down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss.