Xue Daoming said, "But how can you guarantee that he will willingly hand over the Tiger Tally Seal?"
Dong Bingtai said, "An imperial command carries the weight of a mountain. How would he dare disobey?"
Xue Daoming said, "What if he refuses to hand it over, or something happens to that shadow? Wouldn't our entire plan come to nothing?"
Dong Bingtai said, "Your Majesty worries too much. We have been planning this for a long time. Nothing will go wrong."
Xue Daoming had no idea where his confidence came from. He sighed and said, "Li Chenzhou already made his move tonight."
Dong Bingtai smiled. "So what? The more certain a man is that victory is in his grasp and everything is under his control, the greater the danger he is in."
Xue Daoming said, "But..." He no longer knew what to say.
Dong Bingtai said, "Wait until the clouds part, and you will see the bright moon. Your Majesty need only be a little more patient now."
Before daybreak, the Northern Frontier generals had already assembled before the Command Platform in Snow-Winding City. Though windblown snow swirled through the sky, they stood like statues in orderly ranks, respectfully awaiting their old commander.
Yuchi Chong appeared outside the drill ground's main gate right on time, riding his Lion-Steed. He first reined in at the gate and surveyed the subordinates who had braved life and death alongside him, emotion glittering in his tiger-like eyes. Then he dismounted and strode toward the Command Platform with one hand on his sword hilt. The old tiger still possessed his majestic vigor, his stride as commanding as ever, but the observant had already noticed that his steps seemed far heavier today.
As he passed Huo Shengnan, Yuchi Chong paused and gently patted her shoulder. He nodded