Chapter 429: Xijin’s Beast Taming, Unheard-of

The cleansing room was about ten feet square.

The wooden tub had a deep brown grain, its rim carved with a simple cloud-and-thunder pattern. Wisps of white steam were billowing from it.

Compared to the bathing pool in Zhaoyang Hall, this cleansing room felt cramped, and the bathing implements were far too simple.

Leaning against the tub was a copper ladle, its handle wrapped in non-slip deerskin. A long towel hung from a nearby three-legged stand, and the dark dragon pattern embroidered on its corner made it clear that it was an item for the Emperor’s use.

Ji Qingwu was set down steadily on a stool beside the tub.

Just as Zhao Mingyan reached for her sash, Ji Qingwu clutched her robes, shrinking back. "I can manage on my own. Your Majesty, please leave."

Ji Qingwu had only been putting on a playful show for Eunuch Li. Now, however, it was just the two of them in the cleansing room of the military tent.

’She had no real intention of having him bathe her.’

Through the steam, the color in Zhao Mingyan’s eyes grew deeper.

"You can hardly walk. How do you expect to bathe yourself? Let me assist you."

Ji Qingwu grew inexplicably nervous and grabbed a jade bone comb that was close at hand.

"I wouldn’t want to trouble Your Majesty. I can manage this on my own."

Zhao Mingyan feigned surprise. "And why don’t you need me now?"

’Whether she was putting on a show for Li Yuzong or not, since she had ordered him around, he was going to collect some interest.’

’Besides, practice makes perfect when it comes to taking off clothes.’

With her slender arms and legs, Ji Qingwu’s struggles were as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot. He removed her sash and outer robe with ease.

Just then, a clamor of voices arose from outside.

Li Yuzong glanced at the water clock by the tent flap, his heart leaping with joy. He trotted outside for a look and then came running back gleefully.

He announced in a loud voice, "Holy Emperor, the generals have arrived! They are waiting for you to convene the meeting!"

Inside the cleansing room, Zhao Mingyan gazed at her skin, which glowed like a pearl in the steam, and gave a regretful twitch of his lips.

He lifted her chin. "Remember what you said."

Ji Qingwu nodded emphatically. "I will wait for Your Majesty’s return."

Military affairs could not be delayed. Besides, she was right here in his tent, so Emperor Wu Su exited the cleansing room.

Li Yuzong furtively inspected the Holy Emperor’s clothes and saw that everything was in order.

He was secretly delighted. ’Good, that new demon concubine didn’t get her way. It’s all thanks to my sharp thinking and quick reaction.’

Zhao Mingyan noticed Li Yuzong’s assessing gaze and gave a slight lift of his chin. Li Yuzong immediately took the hint, went inside to fetch a clean outer robe, and helped him put it on.

"Let them in," Zhao Mingyan said coldly.

The military generals removed their weapons, entered in single file, and sat down at the long strategy table.

Wei Ting was there as well, seated on the west side. His face was pale, and his back was rigid as he walked, a clear sign that he was injured.

Zhao Mingyan sat in the commander’s seat at the head of the table, his gaze as sharp as a torch. "Xijin will attack again," he began. "What are your thoughts?"

The General of Cavalry spoke up. "Xijin took advantage of General Zhenbei’s absence to launch a surprise attack on our forces. They even used falcons to drop embers. Despicable!"

Wei Ting added, "Such a vicious, underhanded tactic is typical of Xijin."

Deputy General Feng Xiang frowned. "But something even stranger happened on the battlefield this time. About a hundred wild wolves, tigers, and leopards suddenly appeared and viciously mauled our soldiers."

They should have been able to hold their own against Xijin in this battle, but the sudden appearance of so many wild beasts was completely unexpected.

Deputy General Feng Xiang continued, "Even His Majesty was scratched by a wolf that suddenly lunged."

That was how Emperor Wu Su had gotten the scratch behind his ear. If even he sustained a minor injury, it went without saying that the other soldiers suffered grievous casualties.

Humans are inherently no match for an animal’s swiftness. To make matters worse, these beasts were being controlled, their primal savagery unleashed. Once they pounced, they would maul their victims relentlessly, refusing to let go even when surrounded.

Surprise flickered in Wei Ting’s eyes. "Training falcons is one thing," he said, "but the ability to command hundreds of beasts... Who could do such a thing? It’s unheard of."

The General of Cavalry was a blunt man. "We have a chance when we’re fighting men," he said, "but how are we supposed to fight man-eating beasts?"

Zhao Mingyan said coolly, "This pack of beasts wouldn’t attack our soldiers without reason. Someone is controlling them."

Wei Ting’s brow furrowed. "When did Xijin recruit such a powerful master?" ’If someone this formidable had appeared, he couldn’t have failed to hear about it.’

Zhao Mingyan’s gaze was deep. "This person wasn’t recruited," he said. "Xijin already had them."

Wei Ting continued, "So Xijin has been keeping this person in reserve, waiting for the right moment to pick the Beili Army apart."

As soon as he said it, he frowned. ’No, that’s not right.’

’No matter how fierce the beasts are, there are only a hundred or so. How could they possibly wipe out an army of several hundred thousand?’

A thought suddenly struck Wei Ting. "Those wolves, tigers, and leopards," he asked, "were they all charging for the commander?"

Deputy General Feng Xiang thought for a moment and nodded. "General Zhenbei is correct. The beasts were heading straight for the Emperor, and our soldiers couldn’t stop them."

A sense of lingering fear washed over Wei Ting.

’For Emperor Wu Su to escape an attack from a hundred beasts... that must have been beyond Xijin’s calculations.’

’But for that very reason, the Emperor cannot expose himself to such danger again.’

Wei Ting cupped his fist. "The next time Xijin attacks, I request permission to lead the battle."

The General of Cavalry cut in, "General Zhenbei, don’t push yourself. You’re looking ill, and you can’t even stand up straight. Rest for a few days. I’ll go!"

Zhao Mingyan said calmly, "We are already short on generals. Weichi and Ling Yue have been dispatched to defend the border with Nanchu. We will not change commanders unless it is absolutely necessary."

He had summoned them to discuss another matter entirely.

Zhao Mingyan’s gaze swept over everyone. "There were many strange occurrences."

Wei Ting asked, "What do you mean, strange?"

Zhao Mingyan said, "The lead wolf, after pouncing to attack me, suddenly tucked its tail between its legs and started running in circles."

Deputy General Feng Xiang chimed in, "It must have been awed by Your Majesty’s heavenly might."

Zhao Mingyan shot him a sideways glance. "If there really were such a thing as ’heavenly might,’ I wouldn’t be here right now."

Wei Ting sank into thought. ’That certainly defied logic. Come to think of it, he had noticed a coincidence as well.’

"Your Majesty, I also noticed something strange back at the camp."

Zhao Mingyan’s eyes shifted. "The rain?"

Wei Ting nodded. "Exactly. The downpour was timely, swiftly extinguishing the fire in the granary. Furthermore, based on my observations, the storm was concentrated directly over our camp."

Deputy General Feng Xiang added, "That’s right. The ground was dry just over a mile away, and not a single drop fell on the battlefield. We thought it was strange to see puddles everywhere when we got back."

Zhao Mingyan asked, "What do you all make of this strange omen from the heavens?"

Wei Ting replied, "If there is such a thing as providence, it is surely on Beili’s side."

The others all nodded in agreement. It was the only explanation they had.

*

「Inside the cleansing room.」

Ji Qingwu soaked in the tub, enveloped in the dense steam.

She could hear the muffled sounds of the meeting outside, not clearly, but enough to make out the general topic.

When she heard the words "attacked by beasts," her fingertips unconsciously drew across the water, sending out a ripple.

’Xijin... Beast Taming...’