Chapter 171 - Disguise

Yang Xian smiled when he saw Shi Yan's dark face. "Do you not like the new job I give to you?"

"Not really. It's not my real task, Xian. Do you think that I'll be happy receiving so many tasks from you?" Shi Yan replied in annoyance. He stretched his body. "Anyway, I'm not going to go back to the capital city, so…."

"It's not there."

"Then?"

"I need you to deliver some messages to the nearby city's leader. It's already time for them to star working again," Yang Xian replied unhurriedly.

Shi Yan looked at Yang Xian for a moment then sighed. "You're truly a weird one, Xian."

"I heard that a lot."

"You act as if you're not suitable to be a leader, but you know the overall situation better than anyone. There are even many occasions when you're far better than His Highness in terms of analyzing."

Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. "It's because that idiot lost all reasons whenever it's something concerning his beloved ones."

"Right."

Wei Liuying pretended that she didn't hear anything. This was not the first time Yang Xian called Prince Ji Sheng an idiot in private. After all, that prince truly forgot about everything around him when the matter in his hand involved Gao Ling. It was truly a wonder how he managed to survive for this long with that kind of attitude.

Yang Xian was the one who had to control the situation from the back and reminded Prince Ji Sheng about the overall situation.

"Is there any recent news from the Capital City?" Wei Liuying asked.

"Capital City?" Shi Yan tilted his head. "I have just returned back from the north, but some of my men had sent me a report. His Highness the Second Prince will be executed next week."

"What?"

Yang Xian rubbed his chin. "I presume he had made his move. It's a bit early, but those who strike first gains advantage at times."

Wei Liuying nodded. From what she knew, Prince Ji Shao Yang was not that easy to handle. Yet in the span of five to six months, he had already fallen to the lowest and about to face execution.

"He fails?"

"It's not that weird. Prince Ji Shao Yang often work from behind the shadow and collected supporters from behind. However, he failed to use them properly when the time comes, so they're nothing more than decoration. The other princes must have realized that he was showing weakness and strike him greatly."

Yang Xian poured a cup of tea for himself. His expression was still as tranquil as ever. "Because if they don't, they knew that Prince Ji Shao Yang will make a comeback and overturn everything else."

Wei Liuying nodded. She had met with Prince Ji Shao Yang, so she had to admit that he was truly a capable man. However, he failed to use his cards properly in the end, resulting in great loss for himself. 

It was too bad, but thinking about the other Imperial Family members, Wei Liuying didn't think it was weird. Each of them was taught ever since they were young that they have to hide their fangs and lived in harmony. Of course, scheming on the back became extremely common as time passed.

Not only the women, even the princes were the same.

"It's a brutal blow?" Wei Liuying asked.

Yang Xian nodded. "I'll ask for the detailed information and sent it to you too. However, you'll need to blend with the new soldiers tomorrow."

"New soldiers?" Shi Yan nearly dropped his cup of tea. He looked at the two of them with bewilderment. "What in the world are you planning to do now?"

"We're trying to be inconspicuous as much as possible."

Shi Yan looked at the two of them with disbelief. How could it be possible for them to act as if they were nothing more decoration on the wall. With Yang Xian's fame, almost all soldiers would be able to recognize him so easily. As for Wei Liuying, there were only a limited number of soldiers who were as small and petite as her.

Well, in the new soldiers, there were a lot, though since they were all younger than her or at the same age.

"Is there something important happened here?"

Towards that question, Wei Liuying and Yang Xian merely passed a glance at Shi Yan. Gao Ling's arrival to Prince Ji Sheng's City was not covered in the slightest bit. Everyone who were staying in this city would obviously knew about her arrival because of the clamor.

And yet, Shi Yan didn't know?

"Yan."

"What is it, Liu Ying?"

"You need to learn how to use your men properly."

Shi Yan: "…"

Yang Xian nodded. "Ask them to gather news from outside and I'm sure that you'll understand what had happened."

Shi Yan looked at the two of them and sighed. He had no other choice but to call his men and asked what had happened recently. It was then he realized that Gao Ling had come to Prince Ji Sheng's City with her people.

"You're avoiding her people?"

"There might be some spies mixed in, Yan. Do you want to give information to your enemies?" Wei Liuying asked unhurriedly. She stood up. "Also, we should go home and rest."

"We'll stay here today."

"They're watching your residence?"

"Of course."

"How troublesome."

When the two pairs of eyes looked at him, Shi Yan swore that he was facing two devious beasts. He had no other choices but to ask his servants to prepare additional rooms for the two of them because they have to rest properly. Internally, he was thinking of charging a lot of money from Yang Xian to ease his heart.

If he could earn money from this, it would be for the best.

…

The next morning, Wei Liuying watched the two young men debated with each other about the payment. From the way they talked about it, it was as if Yang Xian owed Shi Yan greatly for using his properties.

"Even inn is not as expensive as your house," Yang Xian commented.

Shi Yan snorted. "I'm providing you two with the best rooms available, so of course, the price is high. Do you think that I'll let you off without paying for anything?"

"Shall I recount your debt, Yan?"

"I never had any debt with you!"

"How about with the advice I have given you so that you can succeed? Do you think that I'm already kind enough to not make you pay for asking advice from me?"

Wei Liuying felt as if she could see dark aura around Yang Xian. She sighed. "I'll be going now. The new soldiers should be training."

"You can leave."

"Yes."

The two of them of them answered in unison before they continued their debate and dug into each other's past. Wei Liuying chose to leave immediately as she didn't wish to hear their debates any longer. It was so annoying.

"Commander Zhao," Wei Liuying greeted when she reached the field.

"Ying, you have arrived," Commander Zhao replied. "For today, you're going to follow the drill. Don't worry, we're only doing basic movement's training and then we're going to run while bringing basket filled with water."

Wei Liuying nodded. This was the basic training to increase their stamina since many of the new soldiers lacked in stamina. In here, she would be called 'Ying' since there was rarely anyone who knew Strategist Liu full name. They would only call her with her surname which was Strategist Liu most of the time.

"Line up!"

The commanders ordered and everyone line up properly. Wei Liuying was positioned in the middle and watched the movements intently. She had never participated in the new soldiers' training before because she was busy learning under Yang Xian. When he didn't have time, Wei Liuying would simply read the books and familiarize herself with the theory.

The training consisted of maintaining stance then movement of their weapons. It was designed for attacking, defending, and also to cover their teammates. They have to be able to use their weapons properly if they didn't wish to die nor wound their own teammates in accident. 

As they were training, Gao Ling and Prince Ji Sheng came to take a look.

"So, he's really there?" Gao Ling asked in a low tone.

Ji Sheng nodded. "You don't see anyone who stand up more than necessary or worse than the rest, right? They're all already training for a few weeks."

Except Wei Liuying.

Gao Ling nodded and crossed her hands. "In that case, they must be quite good in martial arts, right?"

"Only average."

"Can I pick one to accompany me to the temple?" Gao Ling asked in excited tone.

Ji Sheng nodded. "Sure. Wait until they started running before you pick one."

"Yes."

Gao Ling smiled brightly. Her eyes were looking at the new soldiers while her brain was thinking about which one was Wei Liuying. After all, that conversation was simply an act they had agreed together.