Another Discussion, Initial Strategy Set

Morning light had already climbed the flagpole, and the camp was stirring. When the main tent's flap was lifted, a gust of cold wind swept in, scattering sparks from the brazier. Chen Wuya did not look up. His fingers were still stroking that gear shaft, the pads sliding back and forth over its engravings as though counting the depth of every groove.

Bai Zhi stood beside the sand table, her flexible sword laid across her knees, its tassel hanging motionless. She knew he was not ready to speak yet, so she said nothing either. Footsteps outside the tent gradually thickened as the commanders arrived one after another. Their leather boots struck the ground heavily, their strides hurried; plainly, they had not come to trade idle chatter.

The first to enter was a bearded man with three old saber scars across his shoulder armor. In the past, he could scarcely be bothered to spare Chen Wuya a glance. This time, however, he paused at the entrance, swept his eyes over the oil-paper parcel on the table, then looked at the incomplete map sketched in mud beside Chen Wuya's hand. He asked no questions and walked straight to the sand table.

Several more men entered in succession, forming a semicircle. No one sat. For a meeting like this, standing was the only way to show they meant business.

"Speak." One man opened his mouth, his voice rough and hoarse. "You two didn't return to your quarters last night, and now you've urgently summoned us at dawn. Don't tell me you found some new trick by watching the sunrise."

Chen Wuya finally raised his eyes. He gently set down the gear shaft, picked up the oil-paper parcel, and walked toward the group without opening it, simply holding it in his palm.

"Last night,