Mu Rongchong's tall and straight figure melted into the dim yellow light, tinged with loneliness, and the coldness around him intensified.
At this moment, Yun Xiao felt a sense of ethereality, as if he were about to petrify and vanish. Startled, she couldn't help but call out.
"Hey, do me a favor."
As soon as the words left her lips, she was stunned. How many favors had he done for her? Each time she said she owed him, it felt like a mountain of debt. When would it end? She fell silent.
But the person standing at the door suddenly turned around.
A pair of deep, dark pupils instantly became rippled with shimmering waves, and the corners of his lips held a captivating warmth, as bright as a rose, blooming in the small space, an unparalleled elegance.
"Speak."
Yun Xiao didn't understand how this man, who moments ago seemed abandoned by the whole world, could now appear as if he possessed it all. What made his emotions fluctuate so wildly?
However, she had more pressing matters to attend to. She reached out, picked up the previous scribble, and waved it.
"Do you know how to arrange formations?"
"A little," Mu Rongchong walked over, his tall physique exerting pressure on Yun Xiao. She was petite and hadn't noticed it before, but standing next to him, she truly felt the pressure.
Coupled with his faint, alluring masculine aura that filled the tent, his ink-like hair brushed against her cheek unintentionally, causing her to step back uncomfortably and hand him the paper.
"Why ask that?"
Mu Rongchong raised an eyebrow curiously. His eyes, hidden by the mask, were unclear, appearing as a dark expanse, like the endless sky, unfathomable.
"The Xiliang army has nearly two hundred thousand troops. They've been cursing and provoking us all day. I'm sure everyone will be unable to resist attacking tomorrow. Isn't that like throwing an egg against a rock? So, I've been thinking of a unique formation to counter the Xiliang army, but I can't come up with anything."
At this moment, she realized how much she regretted not having studied more. In modern times, besides her interest in medicine, she hadn't delved into anything else.
If she had read military strategy and tactics in her spare time, perhaps it would be useful now. The thought of many people's blood splattering on the city walls tomorrow made her unable to sleep. These were living lives.
Mu Rongchong's lips curled into a clear, watery smile, like a white magnolia blooming with faint elegance.
Arranging formations, could that possibly stump him?
When he was very young, someone who doted on him the most had led him into the study and taught him what formations were, and how to command the world.
That period was his happiest time. Those days were gone forever. It was precisely because of that affection that he wanted to preserve what he had left behind, whether it was people or other things.
His eyes dimmed, and after a moment of calm, a wolf's hair brush was in his hand, quickly dotting the paper.
The night wind blew in, lifting his dark hair, smooth as silk. He propped himself on the table with one hand, while the other moved freely, his posture elegant and noble, clad in flowing white robes.
Even without seeing his face, one could sense he was like a solitary immortal arriving on the wind, as beautiful as fine jade.
Yun Xiao was stunned for a moment. When he finally dropped the brush, she snapped back to reality, her cheeks slightly warm. This man's demeanor was truly dazzling. Who exactly was he?
Her heart filled with confusion, she leaned forward to look. On the paper were several interlocking rings, one leading to another, connected in a cycle, creating a myriad of phenomena, foreboding immense danger. Just looking at the diagram conveyed an infinitely profound power, hiding a great mystery.
"What is this?"
"The Nine-Ring Formation. I developed it in my free time."
He said softly, turning his head to stand beside her. The two of them stood under the lamp, his long arm pointing to the formation on the paper.
"This is the head of the formation, and this is the tail. The others are illusory. If you step incorrectly, you won't be able to get out. Everyone in this formation carries a saber and sword. If anyone enters, they'll be like crabs in a jar, none will be spared."
"That's great! It's just like a maze diagram."
Yun Xiao smiled, her entire small face illuminated, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She firmly grasped the paper, as if seeing the battle tomorrow.
Eastern Qin would surely win.
She became happier, her features like a painting. Even though her face was smudged with dirt, it didn't diminish her grace.
Mu Rongchong gazed at her, mesmerized. The most captivating thing about her was her radiance, that vibrant light that seemed to flow endlessly, inexhaustibly, allowing those around her to feel her warmth and develop a longing.
"Yes, these nine interlocking rings are indeed like the layout of a maze, but a maze lacks malevolent intent. This one possesses it."
Mu Rongchong didn't look at the paper, only at her small face. When she was happy, every hair on her body seemed to perk up, eager and radiating with energy, which made his heart ache.
The unyielding cold ice slowly melted, revealing a crack, making him feel less pain.
"Come, come, sit down. Since we're doing good, why not help me one more time? Let's give the Xiliang army a good lesson, what do you say?"
Yun Xiao gestured to the side of the table, inviting him to sit.
Mu Rongchong frowned slightly and walked over to sit down, albeit reluctantly. Honestly, he would have preferred to stand, closer to her.
The feminine fragrance was truly delightful. It wasn't the scent of rouge, but a pure feminine fragrance, her unique scent. She never carried the scent of artificial indulgence.
"What is it?"
Yun Xiao stared at him with a smile. At this moment, she truly resembled a little fox, her bright, spirited eyes, eyelashes fluttering. However, her skin tone and thick eyebrows affected her original cuteness. But this was her own shrewdness, different from others.
He truly wished he could hold her hand and prevent others from discovering how unique she was.
"Tomorrow night, we'll go to the enemy camp and poison them. We'll treat them with their own methods. You're also from Eastern Qin, you must hate the Xiliang army, right? How about it, let's teach them a lesson together?"
After speaking, Yun Xiao stared at Mu Rongchong slyly. She saw his pupils, their previous coldness replaced by two small sparks of burning fire, leaping with an evil charm, spreading into a blaze as they stared intently at her.
Yun Xiao frowned. What did this man mean? Did he have other intentions? She suddenly withdrew her body, looking at him very seriously.
"Great Hero Mu, what are you thinking about, what are you thinking about?"
"Okay, we'll go poison them tomorrow night."
Before she could finish speaking, Mu Rongchong stopped her. He wasn't in a hurry now; he didn't want to scare her or alert her.
After spending some time together, he had come to understand some of her personality: she was directionally challenged and sometimes timid.
Most importantly, she wasn't very sensitive to emotions, a bit slow.
It was precisely because of this that he could confidently proceed with his plans, without worrying about her falling in love with anyone. After all, making her fall in love would likely not be easy.
"Okay, we'll poison them tomorrow night."
Upon hearing his agreement, Yun Xiao had already forgotten her previous words. She reached out, signaling to him to seal the deal with a high-five, ensuring he wouldn't go back on his word. Finally, she added.
"Anyone who goes back on their word will turn into a dog."
Mu Rongchong couldn't help but curl his lips. This girl, she always found a way to make others forget their troubles. Keeping someone like her around, one's entire life would be filled with endless surprises and constant joy.
He looked at her, his gaze clear, like an orchid in a secluded valley, like a snow lotus on the Tianshan mountains.
Yun Xiao, having resolved the issue, was already tired. She stood up and ushered him out, "Go, I want to sleep."