Scheme

The grand entrance of the hall swallowed Yi Hua, leaving Yi Tian in a state of confusion. He puzzled over the sudden change in her demeanor, tracing it back to his younger brother's taunts. A realization dawned upon him - his brother's jest about Yi Hua being his fiancé and his impending departure for war must've hit a nerve.

"So that's why…" He muttered under his breath, understanding now the source of Yi Hua's earlier unease. She must've harbored feelings for the body he now inhabited, and the prospect of him being sent to war had undoubtedly shaken her.

A gentle voice snapped him out of his introspection, "Young Master Yi, shall we head inside?" Liu Yue's question floated in the air.

Turning towards her, Yi Tian nodded, "Let's go." The crowd parting like a sea, respecting their path forward.

Upon stepping inside, the building revealed itself to be a grand amphitheater, a hollowed-out edifice, its multiple levels creating an intimate view of the central stage. The stage, a massive structure, occupied one-third of the floor space, with stairs spiraling up from the ground level, inviting guests to ascend.

As they navigated the first floor, Liu Yue, her Guqin clutched tightly, turned to Yi Tian, "Young Master Yi, I must prepare for the introductory performance."

Acknowledging her request with a nod, Yi Tian watched as she scurried off towards a corner of the expansive floor. He then leisurely made his way towards the stairs, climbing up to the second floor where numerous tables were filled with spectators, their chatter filling the air as they enjoyed the festivities. His journey continued upwards, arriving at a hall leading to private rooms, designed for those desiring a more secluded viewing experience.

As he set foot on the third floor, a servant appeared before him, bowing deeply, "Second Young Master, I'll escort you to your room."

Intrigued, Yi Tian asked, "You were expecting me?"

"Yes, Young Master, your reservations were made in advance of the gathering," the servant replied.

"Lead the way then," said Yi Tian, his mind spinning with questions. He followed the servant to a closed door, stepping inside to find two men waiting for him.

The younger man, in his late teens, had a lean build and a chiseled face framed by long, tied-back hair. As Yi Tian entered, he rose to his feet, "I didn't think you'd come, Young Master Yi."

Beside him sat an older man, tall and skinny, his features mirroring the younger man's. Dressed in grey robes adorned with a purple crest, they bore the unmistakable mark of the family. The older man lightly chided, "Mind your manners, Li Wei," before rising to bow to Yi Tian, "Young Master Yi."

Yi Tian maintained a friendly façade, despite the confusion churning within him. "Greetings," he offered, keeping his words to a minimum. There was something off about these two, an unsettling aura that put him on guard.

...

Deep in the heart of a verdant forest, a seemingly frail elder man darted through the undergrowth. Despite his fragile appearance, his movements were swift and filled with an underlying power. The wind whistled in his wake, and animals in his path scrambled out of the way. This was Yi Ling, a respected elder of the Yi Main Family.

Suddenly, he halted, standing still as he waited. The rustling leaves heralded the arrival of a figure draped in embroidered red robes. His face concealed behind a mask, a sword at his side, and light armor protecting his limbs, his presence oozed an undeniable martial prowess.

Respectfully, Yi Ling bowed before the masked figure. The figure motioned for him to rise, his voice echoing through the forest, "As we predicted, the Yi Family chose not to send 500,000 more troops. But, they've sent Yi Tian in place of Yi Ming."

Yi Ling furrowed his brows in confusion, "Why would they send Yi Tian? He hasn't even reached his eighteenth spring."

The masked figure contemplated, his gaze piercing through the mask, "It was Elder Jun's proposal. He must've alerted the family head that we're targeting Yi Ming. But why send Yi Tian if they've suspected our strength?"

As Yi Ling considered this, his eyes widened in realization, "What if they suspect Yi Tian is working with us? Are they using him as bait?"

The masked figure turned his gaze onto Yi Ling, then replied in a contemplative tone, "Indeed. Yi Tian is a valuable asset to us."

Back at the River Mountain Hall, Yi Tian sat quietly, absorbing the old man's words as he toyed with the small wooden tube he had been handed. "This is the refill. Remember to give it to Bai Lu tonight," the man had instructed. Yi Tian pocketed the package, maintaining his outwardly calm demeanor despite the whirlwind of questions raging within him. What exactly was their scheme? What role was he unwittingly playing in this twisted game?