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20: Circumstances (1)

After a coup d'état a little more than ten years ago, Zhi nation split into East Zhi and West Zhi, tumultuous ever since. The royal lineage had nearly been wiped out. Only a princess had survived by luck. Hua Jianli was currently bringing Zi Yinye to meet a descendent of that princess, Wen Yuanbo.

The ancients tended to have a stupid loyalty, believing the imperial lineage were ordained by heaven. It seems that the very free Hua Jianli was no exception. To Hua Jianli, Wen Yuanbo was the only one who deserved the throne and was Zhi nation's future. Even Zi Yinye had to admit Wen Yuanbo was indeed exceptional.

Wen Yuanbo was very astute, cordial and a leader. Within a few years, he had more than half of East Zhi under his control, but he did not reveal this on the surface; there were still many problems to settle. He had many men such as Hua Jianli below him and a large army hidden. The Lianyun mountains not far from Fengye city was his headquarters.

The vastness of the mountains was the best protection they could have. No one knew that the bandit-ridden Lianyun mountains had large numbers of excellent troops stationed.

After many twists and turns, Zi Yinye finally arrived at the main encampment. She hadn't brought Chun Ri because there were some people it was best for her to meet alone. If she was successfully, her plan would unfold on its own.

Wen Yuanbo should have heard of her beforehand. Before she had even neared the main camp, Wen Yuanbo welcomed her from the distance. It seems she was held to a certain degree of respect. Since he understood to treat her with respect, she would also treat him seriously!

Smiling faintly, Zi Yinye gave a slight bow. "Ye Yin** greets his majesty."

He had a manly face, his features sharp, as if carved from stone. His hair blew lightly, his gaze stern. Every move of his carried a royal air.

Although he was surrounded by soldiers, he did not wear armor, only a simple black robe embroidered in gold on the cuffs and collar, identifying his distinct status.

He was graceful, yet also firm and unyielding, a person with high potential!

Wen Yuanbo politely invited the youth in white into the large tent. Hua Jianli had bragged about this youth's accomplishments to him no less than a hundred times. It could be said that Hua Jianli practically worshipped the youth as a god. However, he was less convinced, merely curious towards the youth.

The youth was almost too beautiful, sprouting a tendril of doubt. Beauty was not an indicator of skill. Furthermore, he* still... Fortunately, the youth did not reveal a feminine air, otherwise he would not let him stay at the heart of the military encampment. He appreciated beauty, but would not make mistakes because of it.

*From this point on until (slight spoiler) waaaay later, Zi Yinye/Ye Yin is referred to as a male. There's a strange part in the middle somewhere where she was referred to as a she, but I think it was a typo

However, this "Ye Yin" youth seemed different. Perhaps the youth would give him a nice surprise!

Hua Jianli was not one to lie, so Wen Yuanbo held some expectation for the youth. This was why he had not simply dismissed the youth based off of his beautiful appearance.

Every move of the youth was calm and collected. From when the youth stepped into the barracks to when he seated himself inside the large tent, he never detected any unease. The heavy atmosphere of the encampment had not affected the youth at all. This gradually dispelled Wen Yuanbo's trace of doubt and his curiosity towards the youth only grew.

Taking a sip of tea, Ye Yin was smiling, yet not smiling. "Has your majesty discovered anything?"

Wen Yuanbo paused, not understanding what Ye Yin meant. He peered towards Hua Jianli, but found Hua Jianli was similarly baffled. "Young master Ye, you..."