On the flagship's deck, Lin Junyu lowered his telescope.
"It's over."
"The landing corps has already gone ashore and taken over Cloud Mountain Pass. Candle Dragon, inform the commanders of each fleet formation. Have the warships enter the harbor and dock. Everyone may disembark, relax properly, and stretch their legs on land."
Lin Junyu called over...
"Yes."
Not long after Candle Dragon left with his orders, a small, pale hand reached out from behind Lin Junyu and hooked around his wrist.
"Brother Yu, did we win?"
At some point, Lin Fengxi had risen from her cushioned chair. Wrapped in that snow-white fox fur cloak, she leaned bonelessly against him, resting her chin on his forearm. The flames on the opposite shore reflected in her shimmering eyes.
"Mm, it's over. Leave the rest to Candle Dragon."
Lin Junyu did not pull away. He merely raised a hand and tucked several strands of hair, tousled by the river wind, behind her ear.
Lin Fengxi narrowed her eyes comfortably, like a cat being stroked.
She suddenly tilted her head and looked toward the blaze across the river, her tone airy and carrying a touch of innocent cruelty.
"These people are so pitiful. Why did they have to risk their lives standing in Brother Yu's way and resisting him?"
She paused, the corners of her lips curving as her voice grew even softer.
"Though they're pitiful, Xi'er thinks that anyone who stands in Brother Yu's way deserves to die."
Lin Junyu's movements stiffened.
The softer and sweeter her voice became, the more fiercely that twisted obsession in her heart burned.
Whenever it involved him, Lin Fengxi's thoughts tended to be extreme.
She looked meek on the surface, like a housecat that only knew how to nuzzle against people.
But if anyone dared to cling