72.2

Kongming put away the needle bag and continued, "That's already been arranged. Our men started on the formation two days ago, and should be done just in time for their army to arrive. It's not a problem to trap them for ten days or half a month." Changyi has his own ideas now.

Ji Yunhe lowered her eyes and smiled.

"That's very good."

It was very good that he had learned to plan and strategize. He must have grown a lot helping Kongming build and develop the Northlands over the past six years. Or maybe, she had underestimated his complexity all along.

"The only issue now is talking Lin Haoqing into surrendering. In my opinion, after the army of demon masters step into the formation, it is best to send you over to talk to him, since you know him more than anyone else. But... the fish does not agree, and I also don't know if you will live till then."

"How much time do I have left?"

"Your pulse is faint and your organs are failing. Maybe in a few days." Ji Yunhe was silent for a moment.

"Have you told him?"

"There is no need to hide it from him." Oh... no wonder Changyi had been feeling her pulse before she woke up, he was afraid she would pass away in her sleep...

Even if she still had his mark on her ear, his jiaozhu inside her body, and was locked up in this square inch room, he was still full of doubt and insecurity. At night, Ji Yunhe watched the candle flame behind the screen until dawn. When it was noon, the seal lifted and Changyi walked in. He saw her still awake and frowned.

"It's time to sleep," Changyi said.

"I will get plenty of sleep in the future, let me keep my eyes open for now." The window was slightly parted, shining some daylight onto Changyi. His silver hair looked so soft and clean in the winter sun. Ji Yunhe smiled.

"Can't see the beautiful scenery in the distance, so I should enjoy the beauty in front of me." Changyi was caught off guard and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Ji Yunhe." His voice was critical of her flirtatious behavior. Perhaps also because her tone had reminded him of the old days...

"Sorry sorry..." Ji Yunhe smiled.

"Changyi, come sit." She patted the side of her bed.

Changyi glanced at the place where her hand rested. It was where he usually sat, but now that Ji Yunhe had taken the initiative to invite him, he walked over and sat at the small tea table instead. So awkward...

"Changyi, Lin Haoqing and his army will arrive in a few days. Who are you going to send to negotiate with him?" Changyi looked at her sunken cheeks and shifted his gaze. He could not bear to see her like this.

"Either way it won't be you."

"It has to be me," Ji Yunhe said. "I know him and his demon masters the best. Yes, I did compete with him for many years, but the truth is there were other reasons. We're both enemies and friends... Maybe we can even be considered the only family left in this world."

"Oh?" Changyi said sarcastically, "I didn't realize you and Lin Haoqing were so close."

"I..."

The door was suddenly pushed open and Luo Jinsang barged in.

"Fish man, fish man! Lin Haoqing and his demon masters stopped outside the formation!"

Changyi and Ji Yunhe were both taken by surprise. Luo Jinsang often went out to spy these days since she had the power of invisibility. She did not see Changyi in front of the screen so she ran to the back.

"They seem to have noticed the formation and stopped just short of it. They also don't seem to be planning an attack, instead, they are setting up a blockade to disconnect the Northlands with the rest of the world!"

Changyi's brows tightened. Ji Yunhe was confused, "Disconnect the Northlands? What do you mean?"

Changyi answered her, "Yunhe, you don't know the geography here. The Northlands is the northernmost part of the Dacheng Kingdom. Further north is nothing but deserted mountains and snowfields. The environment there is so harsh even demons find it difficult to survive. And right now, those coming to the Northlands are mostly people fleeing from Dacheng. They bring both manpower and resources that we need. Lin Haoqing setting up a blockade there will keep the resources from flowing in..."