Chi Yan smiled as he raised his sword and put it back on the holder, turning around as he started walking.
"Are we done? I can still hold on..." Bai Yunxian was surprised as he asked the guy, who seemed to have come clean.
There was not a sweat bid formed in his forehead, Chi Yan looked like a normal person who was sitting beside a lotus pond and relaxing.
So much for a swordsmanship instructor, while Bai Yunxian was sweating profusely as if he’s been thrown into a pond and got all jabbed like a fussy cat.
’This is the power difference for us...’ Bai Yunxian thought as he stared at the relaxed fox demon.
"You can hold on, but I can’t. I don’t want to get beaten up for forcing you to threshold by a certain someone." Chi Yan replied in a nonchalant voice as he cleaned the jar of water dry.
"...", Bai Yunxian turned silent at the mention of a certain someone.
Obviously, he knew who Chi Yan was talking about, but he didn’t have the courage or will to ask him back.
It’s been so long since Yun Shu went to the battlefields, yet no news of him reached Bai Yunxian. No letter, no reply, nothing at all.
Bai Yunxian even snatched away Chi Yan’s letters that were meant for discussion, coming from Yun Shu. But there was no mention of Bai Yunxian in them, not once.
After some time, rumors came from the soldiers that Yun Shu had been ravaging the battlefield during the day, while taking different girls to his tent at night. The ravendous scandal circulating the soldiers didn’t seem plausible, but at the same time it was hard to dismiss them without any suspicion.
At first, Bai Yunxian didn’t believe them, nor did he let them talk about this nonsense. However, days passed, and no letter came from Yun Shu, nor did he seem to have any intention to bring down the rumors.
Initially, Chi Yan couldn’t imagine to think how long it would take for Yun Shu to coax this guy just by looking at his face.
’Yun Shu, you’d better brace yourself for what is going to happen...’
Bai Yunxian returned to his courtyard as he looked haggard, but preparation for his bath was already done and the guys retreated a long time ago.
They always did it as per Yun Shu’s instructions, so Bai Yunxian didn’t need to bother with things like that.
He soaked his body in the warm water, his eyes downcast, deep in thought.
Yun Shu is an upright, straight and an honest man, to the point of being almost comical. He would never do things that break his morals, nor would he indulge in luxuries in the middle of something so important.
But why would someone like that would let rumors that diminish his reputation spread like that?
The rumors about him spread like wildfire, causing chaos even within the enemy base.
Bai Yunxian wasn’t so shallow as to think irrationally and bam! Coming to an unauthorized conclusion.
Since Yun Shu didn’t take any action, that means it must be his own doing. Distraction would bring chaos to the enemies and take them down in one fell swoop. But it would risk his life as well, wouldn’t it?
The enemy would take this opportunity to try and infiltrate their camp, and attack the governing body, the General enough to keep a warning and decline the Army’s morale rapidly.
In this way, they would think that they can bring down the Empire quickly, so they will send spies to kill Yun Shu.
Even if Yun Shu was pretending and let down his guard, wouldn’t that cause him to fall in danger?
’Why didn’t I think of this till now?’ Bai Yunxian suddenly realized what important thing he missed.
If that was the case, then that means Chi Yan was also aware of the dangers this would bring, but he didn’t disclose the information to Bai Yunxian.
That also mends with him receiving no letters from Yun Shu perfectly, because he would become an obstacle from this side if the spies were to notice his weakness.
Yes. Bai Yunxian understood how he was being a weakness to Yun Shu.
If the enemy camp somehow learns of Yun Shu’s weaknesses, they would surely try to use the opportunity and exploit him.
’I’m such a fool for realizing this now... I don’t even know how he’s been fairing... I’m a failure for a wife.’
Bai Yunxian thought as he curled up into a ball, feeling down as he closed his eyes, bending his knees as he moved inside the tub.
The water flowed over and wet the floor, but Bai Yunxian didn’t pay any mind as he sat there for a long time.
’I miss him...’
How come he didn’t even send one letter? Even if I... or don’t tell me...
Did the letter even reach him safely?
I’ve been indulging myself with prudentness, while my husband is far away, fighting in the battlefields. I’m of no use, so useless, so useless...
After a long time, Bai Yunxian finally came out of the tub, putting on a robe that dragged down on the floor.
"What’s the report? You still haven’t found out his whereabouts?" Bai Yunxian sat on the bed crossing his legs one over another, staring coldly at the man in black with contempt.
"My Lord, the news... isn’t so well." The man hesitated.
"Just say it." Bai Yunxian’s voice was void of emotions.
"Till now, there has been a total of fourteen battles and six ambush. Lord Yun’s condition also isn’t that well, but I’ve seen..."
"What is it?" Bai Yunxian’s voice sounded inpatient, which surprised them.
"A, a woman going in and out of his tent at night every day!"
"... I see. What else? How is his condition? Did he get injured? Is it fatal?" Bai Yunxian paused for a while before changing the topic, as if nothing had happened.