The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

Sikong Jin flicked his sleeve and gave a bitter smile. "I can only hope for the best. I gamble my life again and again. Although I admire such courage, I hope you will never use this trick. Remember, only by cherishing your body can you have the most basic capital that others cannot."

Listening, Atai couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion—his superior rarely uttered such words of concern; he always showed his soldiers the most genuine care through his actions. Now, he was unusually speaking such a seemingly ordinary yet deeply caring remark…

"Yes, sir! I will remember it!"

Sikong Jin nodded, turned her head to look at the bright moon on the horizon, took a breath, and said, "It's getting late, let's get moving."

"Yes!"

With a reply, several 'whoosh' sounds were heard, followed by a few clear whistling sounds from the forest. In an instant, the forest was completely silent, with only a gentle breeze blowing by, as if the conversation had never happened.

As night deepened, the guests departed from the general's mansion in Taran City at midnight.

"General, the soldiers guarding the city just reported that they indeed saw Lord Liku leave the city and head towards the camp of the Liao army guarding the border."

In Pang Quan's study, the butler walked to the desk and spoke softly to Pang Quan, who was sitting in a chair.

"Oh? Really? He's all alone?"

Pang Quan paused, holding his teacup, and looked up at the butler.

The steward replied, "Yes, Commander! He was alone. Our men followed him for half the journey, but we withdrew when we were afraid he would discover us. These barbarians of the Liao Dynasty are not to be trifled with, and I was worried that if we were not careful, we might ruin things for you."

"Hmm, well done! Still no news from Tata City? Riku promised me he'd decide on a time to send troops as soon as possible. Those rioters are already... Sigh, do you think that bastard Riku is playing me for a fool?"

Pang Quan clenched his fists uneasily, slammed down his teacup, and suddenly stood up. "That bastard Riku is so cunning. He seems to have been delaying this for a long time. If we don't make a move in the next few days, our chances of success will only get smaller and smaller."

"General, don't panic. Isn't Lord Kus still in our hands? I heard he and Riku are good brothers. If we really have no other choice, we can take him down first. Why worry that Riku won't obediently submit? Besides, Kus went to the Liao army camp on the border. Maybe it's because of the troop deployment. Let's keep our composure and see what Riku says when he comes back."

The butler's words calmed Pang Quan down. "Alright, let's see what Kus has to say later. This Kus is really strange. I heard he's been taking Fang Jiu and the others sightseeing these past two days?"

"General, I have just questioned Fang Jiu. Kus has been leading them into the mountains these past two days, and he keeps asking the villagers if they've spotted any cavalry or similar groups. He's probably searching for Sikong Jin's whereabouts. I heard that Sikong Jin caused quite a stir in Tata City, and the Crown Prince of Liao, Xifeng Lie, wants nothing more than to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Since he was sent from Tata City, how could he dare to neglect this matter?"

The butler chuckled sinisterly.

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Pang Quan's eyes, and he sneered, "Yes, that's right. Sikong Jin is in for a lot of trouble with Xifeng Lie. Who does he think Xifeng Lie is, daring to blatantly provoke him like this? He really doesn't know his own limitations!"

……

The two waited until late at night, past the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), but there was no sign of Sikong Jin. However, they did receive a secret letter from Lord Sikong, Fang Jiu, which contained only a few words:

Troops will be dispatched three days later.

It also included an extremely detailed map of troop deployment.

Upon seeing the military formation diagram, Pang Quan and the steward finally breathed a sigh of relief, their restless hearts gradually calming down.

However, after working tirelessly for several days and nights, Lord Sikong returned to the city exhausted just before dawn. Back at the inn, he ordered that no one be seen for the next half day, then went to his room and fell asleep immediately, even kicking out the waiter who came to call him for dinner.

……

The day passed quickly. By this time, the sun had set, and the fiery clouds on the horizon gradually darkened, plunging the vast sky into a silent gray expanse.

Located in the dense forests and mountains bordering the Chongzhou region in northwestern Dayong, not far from Talan City, at the junction of the Liao and Dayong regions.

On a secluded, high slope above the dense forest, a woman dressed in black is looking up at what is below.

Below, hidden in the dense forest, was a large campfire. By the light of the burning flames, hundreds of tents could be clearly seen. Soldiers dressed in Liao Dynasty uniforms were chatting and warming themselves around the fire. Their laughter, cheers, and even rude curses could be faintly heard.

The woman in black had a hint of weariness on her fair and elegant face, and looked travel-worn. However, the light in her eyes was exceptionally clear. In the woods behind her was a cavalry force of two thousand men. The cavalrymen were all dressed in black, sitting silently on their horses. Not a single one of them made a sound. They had even wrapped their horses' hooves with cloth, showing that they had been very secretive and careful on their journey.

This force was a secret trump card in Sikong Jin's hands—a secret cavalry unit led by Sikong Jin's personal guard captain, Berger!

This cavalry force had already been in the works since Sikong Jin left Malan City and returned to the capital. Now, more than a year later, with the strong financial support of Lord Sikong, probably no one but Sikong Jin and Berger knows the extent of its development.

"Has the spies we sent out not returned yet? Why is there still no sign of the master?"

Berger turned his head, looked at one of the soldiers behind him, and asked with a frown.

The soldier clasped his hands and said, "Lord Bei, the spies have returned and are certain that the secret letter has been delivered to you. It is indeed almost time for the agreed-upon meeting. Could something have happened to you, and the plan have changed?"

Berger took a breath, looked down at the Liao army camp, thought for a moment, and then shook his head. "Impossible. The lord is meticulous. Once he makes a decision, he rarely changes it. If the situation changes, he will definitely send someone to inform us... You go and appease the brothers first. Tell them to rest where they are, keep quiet, and follow my orders."

"Yes, my lord!"

The soldier quickly retreated.