Chapter 294 Withdrawal
Zhao Ji looked up at him without stopping her hands: “I’m fine.”

Han Fei walked over, took the bandage from her hand and threw it aside: “It’s okay? You call this okay?” He looked down at her.

He raised his hand and pointed at the wound on her chest.

“Yesterday’s blood hasn’t dried yet, and you have to go on stage again today. Zhao Ji, do you want to live or not?”

Zhao Ji reached for the bandage and said calmly, “I said, I’m fine.”

Han Fei held her hand and said, “Zhao Ji, if you keep fighting like this, I will tie you up and send you directly back to Xinzheng.”

Zhao Ji was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Han Fei. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she said nothing.

He just snorted softly and turned his head to the side.

Han Fei sighed, picked up the bandage on the ground, squatted down, and began to bandage her.

Zhao Ji looked down at him and said, “Han Fei, when did you start to control me like this?”

Han Fei did not even raise his head. His hands moved lightly but seriously. “From the time you blocked Wu Gong for me, from the time you stood on the battlefield and insisted on being strong even though you were injured and couldn’t stand steadily, if you do this again, I really can’t do anything about it.”

Zhao Ji smiled softly: “Han Fei, does your words sound like you care about me?”

Han Fei did not respond. He lowered his head and continued bandaging.

Zhao Ji looked at him, the smile on her face gradually deepening: “Han Fei, having someone like you around is actually… pretty good.”

Her voice was very soft, as soft as a breeze. Han Fei did not answer, but he paused for a moment.

Outside the tent, Bai Jing leaned against a pillar, twirling a pen in his hand. He listened to the conversation inside and shook his head slightly.

“Miss Zhao Ji, Miss Zhao Ji, you are in trouble.”

After he finished speaking, he took a pen and wrote a few words on the bamboo slips, humming a little tune.

As night fell, the camp became quiet.

Han Fei was sitting in the tent, holding a book on military strategy in his hand.

“Han Fei.” Bai Jing opened the curtain and walked in, throwing the bamboo slips in his hand onto the table.

“Don’t read it. Even if you read it again, this book won’t tell you what Ji Wuye’s next step will be.”

Han Fei looked up at him and put the book down: “Do you have a solution?”

Although Han Fei was a man of great foresight and unmatched combat power, there were still some things he could not understand.

Bai Jing sat down, propped up his face with his hands, and said lazily: “I don’t have any solution, but I do have some guesses.”

He pointed at the bamboo slips and said, “Ji Wuye’s withdrawal this time definitely doesn’t mean he’s admitting defeat. He probably wants to hold us back until his reinforcements arrive.”

Han Fei frowned: “Reinforcements?”

Bai Jing nodded: “Ji Wuye has considerable influence in South Korea. We won three games this time, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t come back. Don’t forget that he has a guy called “Snake Bone” under him.”

“Snake bone?” Han Fei felt a chill in his heart when he heard the name.

Bai Jing nodded: “Yes, it’s the Snake Bone who specializes in doing dirty work. I heard that he has an assassination team under him that specializes in sneak attacks and beheadings. Ji Wuye lost this time, and the Snake Bone team must be here soon.”

Han Fei looked down at his hands, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter: “What’s the name of Bone Snake? Why haven’t I heard of this person?”

“Han Fei.” Bai Jing did not answer him, but just looked at him and suddenly smiled.

“But don’t worry too much. If a fight really breaks out, I’d like to see what cards you have hidden this time.”

Bai Jing sat next to him and yawned lazily: “Han Fei, to be honest, your moves today even scared me. You usually keep quiet and hide your skills well.”

He put down the bamboo slips in his hand and tapped his fingers on the table. “Among us, you are the most pretentious. You say you are a weak scholar, but you can knock over a horse with one punch. If you are weak, then what are we? Trash?”

Han Fei did not respond. He turned and walked towards the tent, lifted the curtain, and saw Zhao Ji sitting at the table, sharpening a dagger.

“Zhao Ji, how many times have I told you? Ji Wuye will not take action again for the time being.”

Zhao Ji raised her head and stopped what she was doing: “How do you know?”

Han Fei walked to the table, picked up the dagger and looked at it. “Ji Wuye was beaten to a pulp and his morale is almost gone. What he needs most now is time to reorganize the team and make plans for the next step.”

“But…” He put down the dagger and tapped the table with his fingers.

“He’s the kind of person who will never give up easily.”

Zhao Ji kept her eyes on Han Fei’s face, as if she was looking at someone she had never met before. This person was obviously the Han Fei she was familiar with, but today, he seemed completely different.

She had seen Han Fei chatting and laughing at his desk, and she had also seen him being neither humble nor arrogant when facing the King of Han, but she had never seen him as calm and strong as he was today.

“Han Fei.” Zhao Ji put down the dagger.

“Who are you?”

Han Fei raised his head and glanced at her: “Who am I? Don’t you know best?”

Zhao Ji shook her head: “Scholar?”

“I always thought you were a scholar who was good at talking, but today when you went to the battlefield, I realized that you are not only good at talking, but also good at fighting, and you beat those people so badly that they didn’t even have a chance to fight back.”

She stood up, walked to Han Fei, and looked at him straight.

“You hid it too well.”

Han Fei smiled, turned around, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Zhao Ji: “I’m not hiding anything, but there are some things that don’t need to be known to everyone.”

“It was not my intention to expose my strength today, but if I don’t take action, you will be killed!”

“Like you, you obviously didn’t have to go on the field, but you still rushed out with a knife. Why did you do that?”

Zhao Ji took the cup of water and looked down at the cup in her hand: “Didn’t you say that we should do what we can do?”

“Besides…if I hadn’t played, I thought you might have died.”

Han Fei smiled and didn’t respond to her.

He knew that Zhao Ji’s character had always been like this. She would not say what she really thought, but her actions had already explained everything.

Han Fei didn’t say anything more that night.

He asked Zhao Ji to rest early, but he walked out of the tent, sat by the campfire, staring at the fire in a daze. The flickering flames looked like two burning flames in his eyes.

The next day, just after dawn, Han Fei returned to Xinzheng.

Outside the city gate, the people had heard about last night’s battle and filled the streets.

“I heard that Master Han knocked a horse flying with one punch, and also made Ji Wuye’s fierce general fall down and spit blood?”

“Yes! Master Han is not just a scholar who is good at speaking, he has shown his real ability this time!”

“I’ve said it before, Mr. Han is definitely not an ordinary person!”

Han Fei rode his horse on the street, listening to these discussions, but he did not feel proud at all. He jumped off his horse, walked straight into the palace gate, and prepared to attend the morning court.

In the court, King Han sat on the dragon throne with a smile on his face, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, staring at Han Fei.

“Han Fei, Han Fei.”

“I saw what happened yesterday.”

“You little brat, you usually pretend to be so weak, but you actually gave me a big surprise at the critical moment!”

All the civil and military officials in the court stared at Han Fei with shock and curiosity.

“How could a scholar like Han Fei beat Ji Wuye’s fierce general like that?”

“How on earth did he do it?”

“No wonder King Han thinks so highly of him. This young man is indeed extraordinary.”

Han Fei stood in the center of the court and bowed slightly.

“Your Majesty, you are too kind.”

“I am only trying my best to protect Xinzheng. There is no surprise here.”

King Han put down his teacup and smiled so hard that his eyes narrowed.

“Han Fei, you have done a great job this time.” “I have decided to make you a general and give you military power. To put it bluntly, we will share the country!”

As soon as King Han said this, the whole court was in an uproar.

“Han Fei as the general? Isn’t this… not appropriate?”

“He is a civilian after all. How can he be in charge of military affairs?”

“But he does have the ability. Yesterday’s record is there. Who dares to say he doesn’t accept it?”

Han Fei raised his head and looked at the King of Han: “Your Majesty! I am just a weak scholar who can only talk. If you let me become a general, I am afraid that I will miss the national affairs.”

King Han was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: “Han Fei, you are really modest. Since you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”

He changed the subject and looked at Zhao Ji who was standing beside him: “But, Miss Zhao Ji is different.”

Before Zhao Ji could react, the King of Han had already spoken: “Miss Zhao Ji fought bravely for the country yesterday and made great contributions. I will appoint her as the general and she will lead the three armies in the future!”

The people in the court were even more furious.

“Zhao Ji?”

“She actually went to the battlefield to kill the enemy! This is too ridiculous!”

“A woman serving as a general is totally unheard of!”

Zhao Ji stood in the court, looked down at her bandaged arm, then looked up at Han Fei.

Han Fei coughed lightly and said, “Your Majesty! Although Zhao Ji is skilled in martial arts, she is a woman after all. If she becomes a general, I am afraid it will attract criticism.”

The King of Han smiled and waved his hand: “Criticism? I don’t care. Miss Zhao Ji is capable, so I dare to use her. Besides, she is not only the most beautiful woman in the world, but also a great general. Doesn’t this just show the uniqueness of my country, Korea?”

Han Fei didn’t know how to respond for a moment. He turned to look at Zhao Ji and whispered, “If you don’t want to be the leader, I’ll help you reject it.”

Zhao Ji looked at him, her lips slightly raised: “No need! I’ll just take the position. Anyway, no matter what my status is, I’ll just do what I should do.”

Han Fei felt relieved when he heard this.

He looked at Zhao Ji and suddenly felt that perhaps this identity was not a burden to her, but a recognition in a sense.

Zhao Ji stood in the court. The bandages on her body were faintly blood-red, but she stood there straight as if she felt no pain at all.

She had just accepted the reward from the King of Han and became the first female general in Korean history. No matter how many doubts and dissatisfactions the civil and military officials in the court had in their hearts, she did not show any hesitation.

Han Fei looked at her back and suddenly thought of Zhao Ji on the battlefield.

Zhao Ji, who was standing in front of him, was obviously exhausted but still holding the knife.

“Miss Zhao Ji.” King Han’s voice rang out again, interrupting Han Fei’s thoughts.

“Since you are a great general, shouldn’t you say something? Let everyone know that my vision is correct.”

Zhao Ji lowered her head slightly, her hand gently brushing the sword at her waist: “Your Majesty.”

“Since I have been appointed as the general, I will definitely set an example. Although Ji Wuye’s rebels have temporarily retreated, the war is not over yet. I will do my best to protect South Korea.”

“I ask nothing else, but that the king can give me an elite army.”

An elite division?
As soon as these words were spoken, the court immediately exploded.

“Zhao Ji has just been appointed as the general, and she actually dares to ask for troops?”

“How can she, a woman, lead troops? Isn’t this ridiculous?”

“I think she is just relying on Han Fei’s support to be so presumptuous!”

King Han narrowed his eyes and looked at Han Fei slowly.

“Han Fei, what do you think?”

Han Fei couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

The King of Han asked this question, ostensibly to seek his opinion, but in fact he wanted to see his reaction. If he supported Zhao Ji, he would be endorsing her. If he opposed, then the recognition Zhao Ji had just gained would probably collapse in an instant.

Han Fei lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly said, “Your Majesty! Miss Zhao Ji is indeed a woman, but everyone saw her abilities yesterday.”

These words directly shut up the questioning voices.

The people in the court looked at each other, and no one dared to speak.

King Han nodded and said with a smile: “Okay! Since Han Fei said so, I will agree to your request.”

“Zhao Ji, I will give you an army of 10,000 elite soldiers. I hope you can live up to my expectations.”

Zhao Ji bowed her head and saluted: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After the court was dismissed, Han Fei and Zhao Ji walked out of the palace together.

Outside the palace gate, Bai Jing was leaning against a stone pillar waiting for them.

When he saw the two people coming over, he whistled, “General Zhao Ji, congratulations.”

“And you, Lord Han, this set is really seamless.”

Zhao Ji glanced at Bai Jing and ignored him. She turned to look at Han Fei and suddenly asked, “Han Fei! Why are you helping me?”

Han Fei stopped and looked back at her: “Help you? Do you think I’m helping you?”

Zhao Ji frowned: “What else? You spoke for me in the court, wasn’t it just so that I could get those 10,000 elite troops?”

Han Fei shook his head: “I speak for you, not because I want to help you, but because I believe you can do it, I am doing it for Korea! Private matters are private matters, and public matters are public matters!”

Zhao Ji was stunned for a moment. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to refute something, but in the end she said nothing.

Bai Jing was watching the two of them and couldn’t help but laugh: “Miss Zhao Ji, someone trusts you so much, shouldn’t you cry a little?”

Zhao Ji turned around and glared at him: “Shut up.”

She turned around and walked a few steps, then stopped and looked back at Han Fei: “Han Fei, thank you!”

After saying that, she left without looking back.

Han Fei stood there, looking at Zhao Ji’s back, and suddenly felt relieved. He didn’t think his words were so brilliant, but Zhao Ji was willing to listen to them, and that was enough.

The next morning, Han Fei was reading bamboo slips in his study when Bai Jing pushed the door open and came in with a secret letter in his hand: “Han Fei.”

“Snake bones are coming.”

Han Fei raised his head and took the letter. There were only a few sentences in the letter, but it made his brows frown instantly.

Shegu, the most sinister killer under Ji Wuye, leads an assassination team that specializes in spying, sneak attacks and beheadings.

Ji Wuye’s retreat was not to admit defeat, but to delay time and give Shegu a chance to sneak into Xinzheng.

“Han Fei.” Bai Jing sat opposite him, folding his arms and speaking lazily.

“What are you going to do? This guy Shegu is not a reckless man like Feng Ting and Shi Ba. He is very cunning. If we are not careful, our lives will be gone.”

Han Fei lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly smiled: “Bai Jing, what do you think of Zhao Ji?”

Bai Jing was stunned for a moment: “Zhao Ji? Why are you asking her? Are you in love with her?”

Han Fei put down the letter in his hand and said: “Although Snake Bones are strong, the 10,000 elite troops under Zhao Ji are not to be trifled with. Since the King of Han has appointed her as the general, why not let her come and train the troops?”

Bai Jing raised his eyebrows and smiled: “Han Fei! Are you throwing a hot potato to her?”

Han Fei shook his head: “It’s not about losing, it’s about trust. She needs a chance to prove that she has more than just courage.”

Bai Jing looked at Han Fei and suddenly smiled: “Han Fei, sometimes, I really want to know how many cards you have.”

Han Fei turned and walked towards the door: “Bai Jing! Go tell Zhao Ji to prepare for the battle!”

Bai Jing nodded, stood up and followed him out: “Han Fei! Do you think Zhao Ji can win?”

Han Fei stopped and looked back at him: “Whether she can win depends on whether she has the courage.”

Zhao Ji was checking weapons in the military camp.

The 10,000 elite troops in her hands have been assembled. These people are all the elite of South Korea and are the strongest trump card in her hand.

(End of this chapter)