My lord, spare his life!

Before Wang Ba gave a clear reply, Wang Qi and his sworn brother were both "prisoners" and could not move freely. This news was given by Zhang Yang himself, which terrified those around him (especially Xiao Sui's classmate), who were afraid that Wang Qi would turn on them and kill them.

"What are you standing there for?" Wang Qi didn't erupt in fury as expected. He merely raised his foot to kick Xiao Sui's attendant, his gaze fixed on Xiao Sui, and sneered mockingly, "Where's my cell?"

"Where could we really put General Wang in prison?"

Tianjiang County doesn't want to provoke the madman from Dongxian County at the moment. Even though he knows Wang Qi is unreasonable, he responds with maximum tolerance and patience. However, his concessions and sacrifices for the greater good are seen as cowardice worthy of ridicule by Wang Qi.

He snorted and rammed the person aside like a bull.

She casually tossed out a sentence: "Then don't block the way."

He took two steps, stopped, and gave orders to his sworn brother, who was like a puppy.

"Useless trash, keep up!"

Upon hearing this, the young military officer approached, bowing slightly apologetically as he passed Xiao Sui, before striding after him. Wang Qi, not missing his sworn brother's gesture, scoffed, "Used to flatter and fawn, what kind of person are you, and what kind of person is he?"

The young military officer was used to this. He knew that if he tried to explain, he would not only fail to gain his sworn brother's understanding, but would also invite more ridicule and sarcasm, or even a sudden beating.

The young military officer escorted the provisions over, enough to feed the troops under the sworn brothers without requiring additional supplies. The troops were stationed outside the city, and the city gates remained open as usual. Wang Qi showed no remorse for being a prisoner; he went wherever he pleased.

Every time I looked for Zhang Yang, he was either doing his homework, listening to the zither, or training Jifeng... Oh, now I should call him Zhang Da Miao.

However, this kind of training won't last long.

Her attention was always drawn to all sorts of strange and unusual things, making her even more restless than Wang Qi. She lost patience after training Zhang Damiao for just over two hours and outsourced the training project to another beast.

"Coo coo." Zhang Da Gu grabbed the calligraphy brush with its bird claws, raised its leg and waved it in front of Zhang Da Miao, "Coo coo coo coo coo coo."

"Coo coo." Zhang Dagu grabbed a scroll with its bird claws, waved it in front of Zhang Damiao, and made a series of coos.

Wang Qi propped himself up on one leg, resting his chin on his hand, and looked at the bird and the leopard.

The sound of the mountain spirit taming beasts automatically came to mind.

[Calligraphy brush.]

Remember, this is a calligraphy brush.

【letters.】

[Remember, this is a letter.]

Now, which one is the calligraphy brush?

Zhang Da Miao was so sleepy she just wanted to doze off, but she still forced herself to stay awake, her eyes dull and lifeless as she raised her front paw and placed it on the bamboo slip.

Zhang Dagu raised its bird claw and pressed its head down.

Zhang Da Miao suddenly woke up and hurriedly placed her front paws on the calligraphy brush. Zhang Da Gu, who had violently spread her wings in a threatening manner, instantly dispelled her intimidating form and made a "coo coo coo" sound from her beak.

[Good job, that's great!]

Then the appeal process was repeated.

Zhang Da Miao had considered rebelling, but Zhang Da Gu controlled its food, and it would go hungry if it disobeyed. Zhang Da Miao wanted to beg for pity from Zhang Yang, so every time it would sway its slender waist to her legs, lie down, and roll over, revealing its soft belly.

Zhang Yang was initially intrigued for two days.

Two days later, she walked over it expressionlessly.

Zhang Da Miao: "..."

Zhang Dagu stood on the rooftop observing and volunteered to feed Zhang Da Miao. As long as Zhang Yang brought out the food each day, Zhang Dagu would arrange the food meticulously. When Zhang Yang understood what Zhang Dagu was trying to convey with his gestures and hopping around, he was astonished.

[Big Gu, good bird, good bird.]

Zhang Damiao: [...]

Leopard feels that his future is bleak.

Unable to defeat him in a fight, and with no support from his former master, Zhang Damiao could only swallow his anger and endure hardship. One day, he would break Zhang Dagu's wings and rip out his internal organs!

Pulling his thoughts back, Zhang Dagu was still relentlessly taming the leopard.

Wang Qi yawned and watched for a while.

"Is the Mountain Spirit absent again today?"

Yuan Xie said, "My lord has important business to attend to."

He couldn't follow Zhang Yang for two reasons: firstly, Wang Qi's sworn brother often came to ask him for advice on water management and discussed the water conservancy situation of the upper and lower reaches of the Fang River with him; secondly, Zhang Yang didn't like to take him along.

The lord said he was in the way and had almost been arrested several times.

"What important matter? Something as trivial as stealing chickens?"

Wang Qi discovered that not only did the mountain spirit resemble the mountain spirit in her human skin, but she also resembled the mountain spirit in her ignorance of worldly affairs. She could wander into whose house she wanted and take whatever she wanted without any concept of trespassing or theft.

In his opinion, what's the point of this?

Why not just send someone to kick down the door and kill everyone? Wouldn't everything inside be hers then? Why bother with all this sneaking around and hiding?

Yuan Xie retorted, "My lord is exploring."

Explore the map's treasure chests and discover hidden story easter eggs.

When Yuan Xie learned of Zhang Yang's answer, he was at a loss. The other party's preconceived notions were simply too stubborn; he couldn't stop her, nor could he correct her. Yuan Xie could only let things take their course. This matter was known only to heaven, earth, you, me, and everyone else; as long as it didn't become a city-wide scandal, a public spectacle, and bring shame upon herself to the point of being remembered in history, if she wanted to wander around and investigate other people's homes, then so be it.

Wang Qi scoffed: "The ways of a petty thief."

Stealing is not as interesting as robbing.

You might as well learn the ways of a master thief from him!

Yuan Xie ignored Wang Qi, who, after a while, got bored and left, kicking his sworn brother before he did. The young military officer calmly got up, respectfully requesting to stay a little longer, as he had some questions for Mr. Yuan.

Wang Qi drew out his words, his tone full of malice.

"don't want--"

Why should he find loading cargo so enjoyable when he's bored?

"If you don't keep up, I'll chop you up!"

The young military officer had no choice but to follow, even though he was unwilling. Before leaving, he hurriedly left behind a scroll of bamboo slips, which contained all the confusion he had accumulated.

Yuan Xie accepted it calmly.

After the two sworn brothers left, Xiao Sui, who was cooling off by the latticed window, waved his sword fan and said, "Their relationship looks like they're fighting to the death, but it's like Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai—one is willing to hit, and the other is willing to be hit. I originally wanted to break them up, but now it seems that won't work."

In the revised version of the "Three Enclosures and Four Symbols and the Unification Plan of the Feudal States," spearheaded by Fan You and modified and discussed by Xiao Sui, Yuan Xie, Du Guan, and others, Dongxian Commandery was the next target after conquering the mountain commanderies. Once this target was achieved, the annexation of Tianjiang Commandery would be bloodless. In this way, the lord would completely solidify his position, rising from a small warlord to a major warlord, capable of contending with ordinary feudal states.

The mountain prefectures are relatively weak militarily, and their survival to this day is entirely due to their advantageous terrain. Dongxian Prefecture is different; Wang Ba has a formidable army under his command, and Wang Qi and his sworn brother are his two most capable generals. Fan You and others have discussed several countermeasures.

One of them was instigating Wang Qi to kill his father.

The former lacked intelligence; without Wang Ba's suppression, his ruthless and cruel nature wouldn't be enough to win over Wang Ba's generals. Wang Ba's adopted son, the young military general, already had a strained relationship with Wang Qi. If Wang Qi were to commit patricide, the two sworn brothers would part ways. Then, by further instigating conflict and using a proxy to kill Wang Qi, Dongxian County could be defeated from within.

If this approach is not feasible, we can try to get Wang Qi to kill his adopted son when the two armies are facing off. Given his lawless nature, he is capable of doing such a thing.

However, upon actually meeting Wang Qi in person, they found it somewhat unexpected.

Wang Qi is indeed as ferocious and tyrannical as rumored, possessing a bestial nature, but he also has the intuition of a top predator!

Why make this judgment?

Xiao Sui discovered that Wang Qi had always treated his sworn brother like a hawk.

Verbal threats and physical violence were always kept within the limits of tolerance set by the adopted brother. The latter was grateful for his adoptive father's upbringing and nurturing, so he also indulged and tolerated the child whom his adoptive father loved and spoiled the most. The loyalty and filial piety that the latter insisted on were the ropes that Wang Qi used most easily, and also the source of Wang Qi's adopted brother's "self-inflicted trap," thus forming a delicate and subtle balance.

However, over time, psychological problems may arise.

This is probably the reason why the young military general would occasionally subtly provoke and disgust Wang Qi, and also a way for him to catch his breath. If he didn't get some fresh air regularly, he'd probably go crazy.

Yuan Xie's brief commentary.

"Morbid".

Xiao Sui waved her sword fan and smiled.

"Anyone tormented by ghosts or spirits is sick, isn't they?"

She can now enjoy the sunlight streaming through the latticed window and admire the scenery outside, but only because she was lucky enough to receive a special human skin just before she was about to drown. This skin gave her a breath of fresh air, preventing her from drowning immediately. But not long ago, the sunlight outside the window felt blinding, nauseating, and repulsive to her, and she couldn't suppress her murderous intent.

Xiao Sui knew that these evil thoughts had not disappeared.

They were temporarily locked in a corner.

However, her illness was not cured.

Yuan Xie's eyes darkened, and he raised his hand to cover his ears, his brows furrowing slightly: "If all else fails, then we'll use someone else to do the dirty work."

Wang Ba and his son would not hand over Dongxian County without a second thought.

Then they'll have to rely on their skills and tricks to steal it.

Xiao Sui changed the subject.

"Are you really going to Dongham County to manage the floods?"

Yuan Xie said, "I have no choice but to go."

We can't let Wang Ba continue to plot against the mountain prefectures, which are their strategic targets for the time being! Right now, we can only stabilize Dongxian Prefecture by controlling the floods, ensuring that Tianyue will not suffer from water shortages, and also ensuring that the mountain prefectures are not overtaken by others.

Xiao Sui asked, "Won't Wang Ba go back on his word?"

"He will naturally go back on his word, so this is a good opportunity for Xiu Ying to make a name for himself." They need a third-party force to deter and intimidate Wang Ba, so that Wang Ba will not have designs on the mountain counties in the next few years.

Xiao Sui laughed even more freely: "You've made me run errands again."

Yuan Xie: "Isn't this on the way?"

With the matter settled here, Xiao Sui still needs to make a trip to Chesi County to handle the human skin business, and it won't be difficult to leak some information along the way.

Xiao Sui sighed, "Oh well, I'm destined to be a hard worker."

Yuan Xie felt that the other party was being hypocritical, having gotten the better deal.

One out of every five human skins is a commission. Xiao Sui is unwilling to do it, but there are plenty of demons in the world who would do anything to earn that job.

He flipped through the letters left behind by the young military general.

But in his mind, he was thinking about how to deceive Wang Ba when they met in the future.

Wang Qi is a complete scoundrel, but Wang Ba has received an education.

"Climb over here, how do you pronounce this word?"

Wang Qi, who was criticized by Yuan Xie for being illiterate, had just returned to his temporary residence when he stopped his sworn brother, who was about to bow and leave.

Young military commander: "Huh?"

He was completely dumbfounded.

They suspected that the Wang Qi in front of them was an enemy in disguise.

If it weren't for the enemy in disguise, why would they suddenly ask this question?

"He Ning, are you deaf?" With that, Wang Qi threw a scroll of children's literacy primer into his sworn brother's arms.

Young military commander: "..."

He subconsciously looked at the sun outside the window.

The sun must have risen in the west today!

His sworn brother, Wang Gongsun, who was proud of his illiteracy, actually took the initiative to ask how to pronounce a certain character.

Just as he was about to speak, a woman's voice came from the rooftop.

Who is He Ning?

"Mountain Spirit? What are you doing here?" As Wang Qi passed by his sworn brother, he suddenly reached out and snatched the primer from the man's arms, hiding it inside his clothes. "Trying to steal from me, huh?"

Zhang Yang corrected: "That's called exploration."

"Not being discovered is exploration; being discovered is not."

Zhang Yang: "It was clearly my own doing that exposed me."

She hadn't expected this to be Wang Qi's temporary lodging. She rummaged through her game backpack and pulled out her day's loot—a bunch of odds and ends, worthless junk. Wang Qi glanced at it and lost interest, but Zhang Yang connected the clues like she was solving a puzzle.

Behind every little thing lies a big story.

This made Zhang Yang reflect on the importance of biodiversity.

I don't know what the game designers were thinking. Men in women's backyards comfort each other, while women in men's backyards are pitiful sights. It includes heterosexual, BL, GL, and even gay/boyfriend themes, and even multiple people sleeping together. Besides these, there are also stories of patricide, matricide, spousal murder, child murder, cannibalism, desecrating ancestral graves, selling official positions, hiring murderers, and fake rich heiresses...

Zhang, the simple-minded NPC Yang: "..."

With each new knowledge she unlocks, she gains a little more understanding.

Zhang Yang had a system log of their conversations, so she naturally wouldn't forget the purpose of her visit: "Who's next to you named He Ning?"

The young military officer clasped his hands in greeting.

"Lord Boyuan, it is I."

Zhang Yang glanced at the young military officer's friend messages and belatedly realized that she had never asked him his name.

The young military officer said, "He Ning, courtesy name Wu'an."

Zhang Yang said, "Your godfather is really a big fan of Bai Qi."

Wang Ba named his son Wang Qi, with the courtesy name Gongsun, and his adopted son Wu'an, thus effortlessly possessing two walking Bai Qi merchandise items.

As she spoke, she chuckled.

Suddenly, a stiff, robotic smile appeared on his face.

He Ning asked, puzzled, "Why is Lord Boyuan laughing?"

Zhang Yang said, "Wu'an."

Despite Wang Qi's cold gaze, He Ning felt a strange sense of satisfaction: "Why does Lord Boyuan address me like that?"

Instead of answering, Zhang Yang asked, "So, do you say good morning and good night?"

He Ning: "..."

Zhang Yang pressed his fist against the corner of his lips and chuckled softly.

To impersonate a player, she naturally had to mimic their emotions. Zhang Yang could laugh, but she didn't understand what was funny. Therefore, her smiles were often described as "creepy" by the observed subjects, almost triggering the uncanny valley effect. After interacting with them more, Zhang Yang finally understood that "laughter" stemmed from genuine joy. Zhang Yang's inability to laugh might be due to her rather peculiar sense of humor.

Zhang Yang understood joy. Seeing Tianyue's children well-fed and clothed made her feel a warm glow in her chest and a dull ache in her head, as if something was about to burst forth. But she still couldn't laugh automatically; she had to manually control it every time.

This time, it seems she's achieved an automated smile?

"So, this is what makes me laugh?"

It is indeed a bit strange.

??(?w?)

So, Zhang Yang's sense of humor is lame jokes _(:3」∠?)_