15: Western Rong’s Scheme · Shadows from the Past

The royal court of Northern Di lay beneath a shroud of darkness. Inside the grand tent, dim candlelight flickered over intricately carved beast motifs. A red-and-gold carpet stretched from the throne to the entrance, echoing the kingdom's once-glorious power.

But now, the Emperor of Northern Di sat upon the throne, his face dark, eyes shifting with unease. The grandeur around him seemed no longer to belong to him.

Beside a low table carved with beast patterns, a woman reclined casually. She wore a robe of black and silver, its hem embroidered with foreign runes. Her raven-black hair was tied with a jade pin, and her eyes were deep as still water—cold and commanding.

She idly tapped her fingers against a silver cup, each tap sharp and deliberate, as if striking directly at the Emperor's fraying nerves.

"…Aunt," the Emperor said quietly, his voice tense and low, laced with resentment. "Must we truly do this?"

The woman lifted her gaze, her smile thin and indifferent.

"Your Majesty, do we have any other path left?"

She swirled the strong liquor in her cup. Her voice was calm, but her words held the weight of steel.

"Northern Di's future is no longer yours to decide. You need only follow the plan. Leave the rest to me."

The Emperor gripped the arms of his throne, knuckles pale with strain. His anger simmered just beneath the surface, but he said nothing. Because he knew… she was right.

This court no longer belonged to him.

Northern Di itself had become nothing more than a chess piece in her hand. And he—he wasn't even the one holding the board.

The woman—Tuo Ba Feiyan—rose slowly and walked toward a large map stretched across a table. It detailed the borders of Northern Di, Great Yan, and Western Rong. Her fingers traced along the border fortresses with a faint, chilling smile.

"Western Rong is ready," she said softly. "They won't wait much longer."

The Emperor's expression changed. He spoke quickly, "Are they truly willing to cooperate? Western Rong has always been treacherous. If Great Yan retaliates, they may abandon us without hesitation."

Tuo Ba Feiyan shot him a cold glance.

"Do you think we still have a choice?"

"If we don't join forces with Western Rong," she continued, "Northern Di will be crushed between Great Yan and the Southern Tribes. We'll be reduced to a helpless vassal on the fringe of history."

The Emperor fell silent. Cold sweat slipped down his brow. As much as he hated to admit it, she was right—there was no going back.

Tuo Ba Feiyan's smile returned.

"Relax. This time, Western Rong will stand with us."

She pointed toward the border fortifications on the map.

"They've already begun moving troops. We must prepare as well. When the time comes, our armies will strike from within while Western Rong attacks from without. Great Yan's borders will descend into chaos—and then, in the confusion, we march on the capital."

The Emperor took a deep breath and said nothing more. He nodded slowly, though the weight of that nod nearly crushed him.

Tuo Ba Feiyan's gaze turned sharper.

"And what of Moyan? Any word?"

A shadowed guard stepped forward and answered respectfully.

"Reporting to Your Grace—Moyan is still operating within Great Yan, gathering intelligence. According to the plan, she will soon infiltrate their military archives to obtain the border defense layout."

Tuo Ba Feiyan nodded, her tone ice-cold.

"Good. Keep watching her. Report back immediately if anything changes."

The shadow withdrew. Silence fell once again over the tent.

—

At a roadside inn under the inky night sky, candlelight flickered against the wooden walls. The wind carried a chill of autumn through the slightly open windows.

Moyan sat alone in a corner.

Dressed as a common traveler in a dark robe, she appeared unremarkable. But beneath her garments were hidden blades and needles. She was always cautious. Always prepared.

Around her, the inn was alive with quiet chatter. Tea drinkers shared gossip. Locals passed rumors over steaming cups.

She listened silently, ears attuned to every casual remark—because she knew truth often slipped through the cracks of idle conversation.

"…You remember the fall of Xiliang?" an old man at the next table murmured, voice lowered with a sigh.

"Of course," another replied. "It was a wealthy kingdom… torn apart by civil war. Pity the Xiliang king."

"Civil war?"

Moyan's heart stirred. She slowed her breathing and leaned in slightly, ears sharp.

"Back then, we all thought it was Great Yan who interfered," the old man continued. "But later, the truth came out. The ones colluding with Xiliang's corrupt nobles weren't from Yan at all—it was Northern Di."

Moyan's fingers stilled. Her heart thudded.

Northern Di?

"They pretended to seek help from Great Yan to resist the northern raiders. But the real plan was to lure Yan into the conflict, and then join hands with Northern Di to seize the Central Plains."

"But Xiliang's coup spun out of control. The royal family was slaughtered. Chaos reigned. In the end, it was Great Yan who restored order—and took back the border lands."

Her hand trembled slightly beneath her sleeve.

Everything she had believed…

Everything she had been taught…

Since childhood, she had been told that Xiliang was destroyed by Great Yan. Liu Quanzhen had used that narrative to fuel her hatred, to train her as a blade for Northern Di—to live for vengeance.

But now…

What had she just heard?

That the betrayal came not from Great Yan—but from Northern Di and her own people?

Then everything she believed—everything she fought for—was it a lie?

She lifted her teacup with steady hands, trying to hide her trembling fingers. But the storm within her would not calm.

What was the truth?

Whose blade was she, really?

Was her loyalty rooted in justice…

…or was it just a web of lies spun around her from the start?

The candlelight swayed, casting her silhouette against the wall. Blurred and uncertain—just like her shaken beliefs.

Outside, the wind stirred.

It blew through the quiet inn, rustling her heart.

And with it, a secret long buried began to rise.