Miaofeng was pulled back to reality by his question, her gaze becoming unfocused. "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
Did he know her identity? Did he know she wasn't robbed and thrown off a cliff by bandits?
She bit her lip and lowered her head, speaking after a long pause. "Your Highness, I didn't mean to lie to you. The day you saved me, I wasn't pushed off the cliff by bandits. The one who pushed me was from my own sect.
Before my master passed away, he passed on the position of sect leader to me. However, because I was the youngest and joined the sect last, being my master's last disciple, my fellow disciples were not convinced. My senior sister gathered four or five fellow disciples and demanded that I hand over the sect leader's ring."
As Miaofeng spoke, she fidgeted with a dark jade ring on her thumb. The ring was antique, but unlike ordinary jade, it seemed to absorb light, having very little luster. Looking at it for too long even gave the illusion that it could draw your gaze into it.
Li Ke's face showed a playful expression. "Oh, I really underestimated you. I didn't expect you to be the leader of a Xuanmen sect. No wonder you could summon heavenly lightning. I've never seen anything like it before, killing thousands of enemies with a single strike. Miles around were turned into scorched earth. Tsk, you look so slender and weak, yet you're more formidable than the brave generals under my command. This is the legendary Xuanmen Daoism, truly wondrous and extraordinary."
"No, no!" Miaofeng's face turned red, as crimson as the morning clouds in the sky. "Right, when I charged into the Tang army's camp, I saw it engulfed in flames. I also heard them say you were burned to death, but you're clearly fine. What's going on?"
Li Ke looked up at the soldiers busy in the distance. "You've heard of 'all's fair in war,' haven't you? Everything can be utilized. Sometimes, a losing position might not be a bad thing; if used well, it can achieve remarkable results. The enemy knew that many of our soldiers were ill due to the unfamiliar climate and water. Their initial probing attacks were just to test our strength.
Although many soldiers in our army fell ill after coming from the north to the south, to the point where they couldn't even stand, let alone fight, any illness can be treated. I had already reported the situation to the court, and the court had dispatched several imperial physicians to research treatment methods. We had already cured the epidemic in the army half a month ago.
I ordered the soldiers to continue feigning extreme weakness, to deceive the enemy. I also made them see that the epidemic in our army was worsening.
Two days ago, I deliberately spread rumors that due to the severe epidemic in the army, we could no longer engage the enemy and were preparing to withdraw. Yesterday afternoon, the camp was in chaos, with even rumors that I would dispose of the severely ill soldiers who couldn't care for themselves and lead the able-bodied soldiers back to the capital.
Upon receiving this news, coupled with their prolonged observations of our army, the enemy didn't suspect anything. To prevent us from sending more troops to fight them, the best way was to annihilate our entire army. An army of a hundred thousand being wiped out by less than fifty thousand enemy troops would surely instill fear in the court.
The anti-war faction in the court would gain momentum. Even if the Emperor wished to send troops to suppress them again, it would require considerable effort. Last night was the best opportunity, and they naturally wouldn't miss it."
"So, you employed a stratagem of 'emptying the city,' letting them easily attack the camp, making them believe you were all annihilated, and then you would rush out and slaughter them all?" Miaofeng, who had cultivated Xuanmen arts to such a degree, was naturally sharp-witted. As soon as Li Ke explained, she understood his entire plan.
Her admiration for him grew. After all, some things were easy to say but difficult to execute. First, it required courage; second, a meticulous plan; third, the absolute trust and support of one's subordinates. Otherwise, even a slight leak of information or a subtle hint of weakness detected by the opponent could lead to failure.
Such a grand plan was impossible without all three elements.
Li Ke had accomplished all of this perfectly. His courage and strategic thinking were not inferior to his father, Li Shimin.
Miaofeng looked at this near-perfect man before her, her girlish heart almost unable to contain itself, and she became increasingly flustered.
Li Ke was usually occupied with military camps, formations, and fighting. He was skilled in leading troops and battling enemies, but he was a complete novice when it came to a girl's heart. He noticed Miaofeng's unusual behavior but didn't understand what was wrong.
"What's wrong? Are you scared? You shouldn't be. I saw you in the Tang army camp as if you were descending from heaven. I couldn't see your movements clearly from afar, only that you extended your hand and summoned rolling thunder. It startled all of us!" Li Ke's eyes shone as he spoke.
Miaofeng hadn't expected Li Ke to have noticed her. Hearing his praise made her heart sweeter than eating honey.
For some reason at that moment, perhaps simply wanting to see Li Ke more often, she knelt on one knee. "Your Highness, I have no way to repay your great kindness. Please allow me to follow you and be your subordinate."
Li Ke was somewhat stunned by her sudden action. "Master Miaofeng, this... you cultivate immortality in the Xuanmen. How can you become my subordinate? You need to return and inherit your master's legacy, to become a sect leader. I am a mortal man, how can I hinder your future?
Besides, all the guards by my side are men. You... are a woman after all, it's inconvenient."
As Li Ke spoke, he reached out to help Miaofeng up.
But when he tried to help her up, he couldn't.
"Your Highness, please accept Miaofeng as a guard. Miaofeng was ostracized by my sect and nearly died. I am indebted to Your Highness for saving my life. I am willing to be your foot soldier for the rest of my life." Miaofeng looked up at Li Ke. "Your Highness, I can help you do many things that others cannot."
Li Ke slowly let go of her hand and straightened his bent body, his brow furrowing. "But you are a woman, to be my guard..."
Before he could finish, Miaofeng suddenly acted, drawing the sword from his waist and cutting off a strand of her beautiful hair with a single stroke.
To Li Ke's astonishment, that strand of hair slowly drifted to the ground. "From this moment on, Miaofeng is no longer a woman. From now on, I will wear men's clothing. Your Highness, please take me in."
Li Ke sighed. "I acknowledge your abilities. As you said, your profound Xuanmen arts can indeed help me and the Tang Dynasty do many things. However, this would be too difficult for you. How about this: you cannot return to your sect now and have nowhere to stay. I can temporarily accommodate you.
If you wish to leave later, I will never stop you. If you want to return to your sect, I can also help you. Also, don't think that because I saved your life, you owe me anything. I saved you simply because you were a life, and I couldn't watch you die from your injuries.
Moreover, you helped me eliminate so many enemies, charging into the enemy camp by yourself and cutting off the enemy leader's head. Everything you've done is no less than that of a man. If you wish, I can appoint you as a general, with your own residence and court salary. With your abilities, I guarantee you will rise rapidly."
Li Ke thought Miaofeng was coveting worldly riches and glory, but Miaofeng cared nothing for these things. She only wished to be his guard, to stay by his side.
In the end, Li Ke agreed to Miaofeng's proposal. From then on, Prince Li Ke, the third son of the emperor, had a slender, delicate-looking guard by his side.
Although Miaofeng and Li Ke were only in the relationship of prince and guard, she was able to see the person she longed for every day, and she felt very content. She had never dared to hope to become Li Ke's woman.
Later, she helped Li Ke several times with her Xuanmen arts, making Li Ke one of Li Shimin's most favored sons. She thought her life would pass like this, but she did not expect that after Li Shimin's death, Li Zhi ascended the throne. Longsun Wuji, out of fear, falsely accused Li Ke, leading to the incarceration of a valiant prince and his impending public execution.
Miaofeng tried every means to rescue Li Ke but failed. In the end, with no other recourse, she resorted to her sect's forbidden arts...