"A poison like that exists?"

"It's not exactly a poison; it's more like an anaesthetic." Pingting laughed, "It's a formula I came up with myself some time ago, you can put it into food and most inspection methods can't detect it. Adults can be in a coma for more than ten days and the pulse is much weaker, like the person is dying away slowly, but they'll wake up after some time."

"If it can pass the inspections, then all problems are solved," The Bei Mo King enthused, "I would have never imagined you'd be this clever! How long do you need to make this anaesthetic?"

"It's mainly made up of a variety of herbs, but we don't have time. We have to force the Dong Lin King into a coma before they conquer Kanbu," Pingting answered thoughtfully and then she added, "I should be able to make it in a day."

"Good!" The Bei Mo King smiled, "If the Dong Lin King suddenly falls unconscious, the Dong Lin Royal House would definitely fall into chaos because there will be a fight for the throne. Chu Beijie would have to retreat and return home by then." He laughed but soon sighed as if he thought of something else.

Yangfeng didn't understand, but Pingting did. She smiled slightly in response, "King is probably sighing over the effectiveness of this anaesthetic since it only lasts for about ten days. If there was a fatal poison that could pass the inspections, wouldn't the Dong Lin King be exterminated for once?" That was exactly what the Bei Mo King was thinking and she sighed as well. "I've spent a long of time and effort, trying to improve this formula, but it's never been able to fully kill someone. If I could do it, Gui Le wouldn't be torn apart by Dong Lin. Maybe it's God's will. If I could make such poison, maybe every country would face threats instead of the promise of peace."

Yangfeng listened carefully and she thought of Ze Yin back in Kanbu, fighting. Her heart hurt, she couldn't help but whisper, "Why must good people fight and kill?"

The King of Bei Mo was still a King after all. He immediately, in the most practical way possible, returned to the original topic. "After the anaesthetic is made and is transported, Kanbu will be in a dangerous situation...What would My Lady do then?"

"That's right, King." Pingting had guessed that the Bei Mo King would ask that. "We should first send people around the Dong Lin soldiers and spread rumours that there is an internal war in the Dong Lin royal family and the Dong Lin King is very sick. Chu Beijie will eventually hear the rumours but will not take them very seriously at first. However, there'll definitely be official messengers from Dong Lin. This will confirm that the Dong Lin King is in a coma and force Chu Beijie to retreat."

Bei Mo King's eyes shone as he praised. "My Lady, that really is a powerful, comprehensive plan. It attacks the enemy both physically and psychologically."

"King flatters me." Pingting lowered her eyes, in politeness. "On the other hand, if Dong Lin attacks through the Kanbu's defence line first, the enemy troops will attack Bei Yali. If that happens, I'm afraid that the official messengers won't be able to reach Chu Beijie by then. That's why King must order some troops to stay around Bei Yali just to give Chu Beijie the impression that Bei Yali won't be easy enough to conquer in a short time."

"I don't know anyone else more suitable to the task than you, My Lady." At this, the Bei Mo King hesitated before taking the long prepared the flag of command. The Bei Mo King stared at the person before him, one who was about to become the highest army commander but looked very much like a weak woman. In a deep voice he said, "Be careful My Lady. Bei Mo's fate is in your hands now, My Lady."

Yangfeng took a deep breath of cold air and walked towards Pingting. "I'll send Ze Yin a letter, telling him about you. With him around, you won't encounter the pain of soldiers not listening to your commands."

Pingting's hands closed around the flag of command. She was silent, thoughts already flying over to Kanbu. How could she not be nervous? She was about to see Chu Beijie again. Only this time, they would be separated by thousands of horses, men, and bloodstained fields – it was time for confrontation.

The next day, the anaesthetic was completely prepared. Instead of going back to the Royal Residence, Pingting simply gave the anaesthetic to Yangfeng and told her how to use it. "Don't get it wrong. There's only enough to for one person."

Yangfeng gingerly took it over, not exactly understanding. "Why don't you make enough for two, just in case something unexpected happens?"

Pingting gave an unfathomable smile, "I have my reasons. Those who spy in the enemy's country must be wise, brave, and cautious. They won't waste such a precious compound. Don't worry."

Her confident stance helped to persuade Yangfeng to calm down who then hid the anaesthetic close to her body. "When I get back into the royal quarters, I'll give the King this anaesthetic. Your escort team is ready to go, waiting for your command." She took out letter with a military stamp seal from one of her sleeves and handed it to Pingting. "Put this away carefully and give it to Ze Yin when you see him."

"You've written everything about me in it."

"It's to let him know everything should be better and make things easier for you to control the troops." Yangfeng saw a sly look in Pingting's dark eyes. Two red clouds immediately rushed to her cheeks. In a warning tone, she said, "Don't peek. Apart from talking about you, the rest is between husband and wife. Little girls like you won't understand."

Pingting laughed, "I don't see why it'd matter if I can't understand it anyway." Yangfeng stamped her foot in response. Pingting shook her head and replied, "It's hard to tell that you're the wife of a top army official sometimes. People like you are supposed to be extremely wise. Instead, you easily get dishelmed by me. As for me, I have a great responsibility ahead – I'm about to go and fight on the battlefield. Call the escort team now. It's about time to go." Then she walked out of the room.

"Pingting!"

"What's wrong?" Pingting turned around, her heart secretly in pain. She had forced a breezy expression onto her face just a moment ago, but if Yangfeng began a sorrowful farewell speech, it would provoke her into crying again. She was going to face Chu Beijie again.

If the army found out that their new commander had been crying, how would they take her seriously?
Yangfeng darted out of the room and stopped four or five feet away from Pingting. Her dark eyes stared at Pingting for the briefest moment. "No matter what you do, you'll always be a girl. You'll be the main advisor of the army so stay in the headquarters. Don't force yourself out onto the battlefield."

Pingting was stunned. It took a while for her to comprehend what she had heard. Her heart was touched. She gently held onto Yangfeng's hand. "Don't worry. How could I ever not know my limits? It was just joke when I said that I'm about to fight on the battlefield; I can barely pick up a knife and sword. It's getting late, I really ought to go. I'll be back with victory to see your baby. Oops, your baby won't be born yet right?"

Yangfeng was very upset nonetheless. The barely controlled tears were flowing fast. She bit her lip. "Joking even when becoming the nation's leading general." She was silent for some time, her tears continued to drip down.

When she looked up, Pingting was no longer before her. Faraway, the garden's gates closed and the figures were gone.

The horses of the carriage galloped, leaving clouds of yellow dust behind, dusty enough to stop people from seeing the road itself.

Sometime later, Pingting opened the curtain and squinted at her surroundings. Her head ached during the time in the carriage. She had been repeatedly studying the maps of Kanbu, memorising the names of every slope, mountain and river. She had even assessed the situation of the Bei Mo army from the news the Bei Mo King told and could easily recite the names of the army generals and their expertise.

"Nearly at Kanbu." Pingting muttered to herself and couldn't help but sigh at the thought.