A Torchlike Gaze

Wang Mingzhen, mounted on his horse, berated Zhou Wuji, displaying an arrogant and domineering attitude.

Zhou Wuji was also slightly surprised; this was the first time he had encountered such pure and simple malice.

There's no other reason; this woman just seems to be looking for trouble, starting to curse at anyone with a random excuse.

Generally speaking, thanks to his good looks, he can easily gain a good impression from others, if not be universally loved.

He wasn't angry at Wang Mingzhen's attitude, but rather wondered if the other person had eyes. How could such a handsome, dashing, and debonair man start cursing right away? Did this guy have a mad dog in his head?

Faced with the sudden scolding, Zhou Wuji didn't explain, but just smiled faintly.

Xie Lingyun naturally couldn't let his good friend suffer a loss, so he loudly proclaimed, "He is Fourth Rank Dharma Master Hongde the Hongde school, bestowed by imperial decree, and is not bound by worldly etiquette."

He pointed at Wang Mingzhen and shouted, "What official position do you hold? How dare you look down on me and speak so rudely? Do you even know what the laws of the court are?"

Wang Mingzhen paused slightly. She really didn't know the Daoist's identity. She had just made up an excuse to teach Xie Lingyun a lesson.

Unexpectedly, this person was actually a formally appointed Buddhist monk by the imperial court. Although his rank was not very high, he represented the face of the imperial court.

Even if her father came, he couldn't do anything to this Daoist priest, let alone her.

Wang Mingzhen paused for a moment, then said, "Since you have this identity, why didn't you state it earlier? How rude of you."

Ignoring Xie Lingyun's reaction, she continued, "I'm on patrol and will need to stay at Golden Sands Fort for a few days. Go and make the arrangements immediately."

Xie Lingyun really wanted to slap Wang Mingzhen across the face. Military rules were strict, and generally speaking, bringing female relatives was not allowed.

However, Wang Mingzhen had been granted a gold medal by the General, which, although not a formal official position, represented the General, so he really couldn't do anything to the other party.

"Wang Xing, you make arrangements for them."

Xie Lingyun put Commander Wang Xing in charge of the matter, then beckoned Zhou Wuji to turn and leave.

As he left, Zhou Wuji nodded slightly to Wang Mingzhen and the woman in green before gracefully turning and departing.

Although Wang Mingzhen disliked Xie Lingyun's arrogance, she also thought the Daoist was indeed handsome, and every move he made was pleasing to the eye.

Xie Lingyun dared to show disrespect, but Wang Xing, a commander of a thousand men, was extremely cautious and even obsequious in front of Wang Mingzhen.

The rebuilt Golden Sands Fort was originally a military camp used to garrison troops, large enough to accommodate two to three thousand people.

Wang Xing designated a wooden hut in the southern area and had it cleaned.

Wang Mingzhen then had people reorganize and rearrange the house, and when she came in, the wooden house had been completely transformed.

The floor was covered with a famous expensive wool carpet, and the beautiful solid wood tables and chairs were replaced with fine porcelain, including teacups and other utensils.

Several calligraphy and painting scrolls also hung on the wall.

A three-legged incense burner sits in one corner of the house, wisps of white smoke drifting like water along the ground and slowly spreading everywhere, emitting a delicate fragrance that can repel mosquitoes, ward off evil spirits, cleanse the mind, and nourish the spirit.

The woman in green sat down on a chair covered with brocade cushions, and then removed her veil.

The woman was beautiful, with long, curved eyebrows and bright, round eyes. She possessed a gentle and graceful demeanor, as well as an air of elegance and refinement.

She took a sip of her tea before brewing a fresh cup, then said softly, "Cousin, why make things difficult for them?"

Wang Mingzhen sat down to the woman's left, and she said with some helplessness, "Your Highness, you don't know these soldiers are slick, shameless, and ruthless."

"The Fire Phoenix Army is practically Xie Household army. No amount of appeasement will work. It will only make Xie Lingyun think that I'm easy to bully and that our Wang Household is unworthy of its name."

"This man is arrogant by nature; only by severely suppressing his arrogance can we get him under our control—"

Wang Mingzhen could be arrogant and domineering towards Xie Lingyun, but she was exceptionally polite and courteous to her own cousin Yin Le, because Yin Le was the current emperor's sixth daughter, the most favored, and had been granted the title of Princess Taihe.

Princess Taihe's mother was her own aunt. Without this kinship, she wouldn't have been qualified to walk intimately with the princess.

Yin Le nodded slightly. "I see, but I didn't understand."

She rarely went out, and this was the first time she had been away from Heavenly Capital, so she knew nothing about military affairs.

My cousin took me on this trip to Chu Province to relax and unwind, which saved me a lot of trouble and avoided attracting attention from everyone.

Wang Mingzhen strongly urged her to come over to Yue Ridge. She knew her cousin had ulterior motives, but she was also curious about the barbarians, so she came along as well.

To enter the front lines of battle without authorization is a major taboo in the palace. If anything were to happen, it would be a shocking scandal.

But she's in a bad mood right now, so she doesn't care about any of that.

Since things are already bad enough, it doesn't matter if my father finds out.

She had always obediently followed her father and mother's arrangements throughout her life, and she didn't want to be restricted anymore when she was out and about.

Of course, her boldest act was to follow Wang Mingzhen into the military camp without permission, but it was impossible for her to actually cross the Yue Ridge.

Wang Mingzhen knew perfectly well that she didn't dare bring Princess Taihe to the front lines.

If something unexpected happens, it could very well be a catastrophe involving the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan.

She brought Yin Le here specifically to suppress Xie Lingyun's arrogance.

If Xie Lingyun really dares to act recklessly, she'll just use her title of princess to keep this brat firmly under her control.

Despite the tens of thousands of troops gathered for this battle, the thousand Fire Phoenix Army are truly elite, incomparable to the hastily assembled soldiers and militia.

In a critical moment, the Fire Phoenix Army might really be needed.

Wang Mingzhen said, "Two years ago, the imperial court was going to disband the Fire Phoenix Army, but the Fire Phoenix Army killed the great demon Lord of Yunmeng, and that's how the matter was dropped."

"Speaking of which, the Fire Phoenix Army and the Northern Pole Sect are particularly close. I heard that in order to kill Lord of Yunmeng, the Northern Pole Sect even used the Divine Artifact Heaven-Measuring Jade Dipper, which is why they succeeded in the battle."

"That Dharma Master Hongde should also be a member of the Northern Pole Sect— "

Wang Mingzhen paused here, then commented, "This Daoist priest is strikingly handsome, almost otherworldly; he doesn't seem like a good person!"

Yin Le smiled slightly, "Northern Pole is a legitimate branch of Daoism and has an official title from the imperial court, so he shouldn't be a bad person—"

She wasn't contradicting her cousin; rather, she was reminding her cousin not to make inappropriate comments.

A Buddhist monk appointed by imperial decree represents the dignity of the court.

Furthermore, the young Daoist priest possessed a refined and elegant demeanor, quite extraordinary. Such a person should not be underestimated.

Wang Mingzhen also realized her mistake and said with a forced smile, "I misspoke."

She assumed Yin Le was interested in the Daoist priest, and then said, "Since this person has an official title, he must have something to offer. I'll send someone to inquire about him."

Yin Le knew that Wang Mingzhen had misunderstood, but she didn't know how to explain, so she just let Wang Mingzhen do as she pleased.

Anyway, these are all minor matters.

Below the central military banner, Xie Lingyun surveyed the numerous guards bustling about in and out of the southern area. He muttered to Zhou Wuji, "These people have quite the airs!"

Zhou Wuji reminded her, "I think that woman in green is of extraordinary status; her two female guards are both at the Fifth Rank of cultivation."

Xie Lingyun was slightly startled. He had also noticed the woman in green, but he hadn't realized that there were actually two Fifth Rank female guards hidden inside.

Fifth Rank expert is enough to dominate a small place, so having Fifth Rank expert as a bodyguard means that the person must be someone of extraordinary status.

Moreover, it's even rarer to have two female Fifth Rank guards.

Xie Lingyun trusted Zhou Wuji's judgment. After thinking for a moment, he said, "This woman's status must be far superior to Wang Mingzhen's. Is Wang Mingzhen so arrogant and domineering trying to force me to make a mistake and then use this woman's status to intimidate me?"

Zhou Wuji nodded. "Very likely."

It's better to make mistakes than to make merits.

Once you have leverage over Xie Lingyun, controlling him will be much easier. This kind of political maneuvering is simple, yet extremely effective.

"Damn it—" Xie Lingyun cursed, then added thankfully, "Luckily Wuji sharp eyes and saved me this time!"

He then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Wuji is truly my lucky star!"