Chapter 191
Outside the room, Cassian stood quietly beside an open window in the corridor, watching Lin Wan instead of the busy servants. A Shadow Guard stepped silently beside him.
Without looking away from Lin Wan, Cassian spoke in a low voice. "Give me your report."
"The northern army has stopped their march again," the guard announced. "They have made another temporary camp instead of preparing for an attack."
Cassian’s golden eyes narrowed slightly. "What is Patriarch Wang waiting for?"
"We are not certain, sire," the guard replied. "However, our spies report that Wei Xiang, has been leading most of their scouting missions lately."
Cassian quietly looked toward the northern mountains as the name lingered in his mind. He still remembered the young, hot-headed warrior who was once reckless enough to throw himself into danger without a second thought. Now, even Wang trusted him with such important tasks.
"The boy has grown," Cassian noted quietly.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," the guard agreed.
Cassian looked back through the window. His expression softened slightly as he saw Lin Wan smiling while holding one of the tiny baby robes.
"Has she been sleeping well?" Cassian asked.
"The physicians say she still wakes up several times during the night," the guard answered honestly. "However, the babies are perfectly healthy and very active."
Cassian nodded once. "Increase the number of physicians near her quarters. Do not disturb her, but make sure they report to me immediately if anything changes."
Far away, the Silver Leopard camp remained peaceful. There were no battle cries or loud marching orders. Only the steady sound of soldiers training filled the valley.
Wei Xiang stood near the edge of the camp, watching several younger warriors spar with wooden spears. One young leopard beastman was suddenly knocked flat onto the snow, causing the other soldiers to burst into laughter.
Wei Xiang smiled and walked over, pointing at the young man’s stance. "You left your right side completely open. That is why your reaction was too slow."
He helped the young warrior up. "Try again. Attack me first."
The young leopard stood up and lunged forward. Wei Xiang stepped aside effortlessly, letting the wooden spear miss him completely. He then gently tapped the young man’s shoulder with his own training weapon.
"If this were a real battle, you would already be dead," Wei Xiang joked with a warm smile.
The young man sighed dramatically. "I will never be able to beat you, Commander!"
Wei Xiang laughed, patting his back. "You will succeed one day if you keep practicing."
For the first time in days, the camp felt almost normal.
"You are taking it far too easy on them, Wei Xiang," a familiar voice noted from behind.
Wei Xiang turned around to see Wang walking toward the training ground with his hands behind his back. The surrounding soldiers immediately stood straight and saluted.
Wei Xiang smiled. "They are still learning, Patriarch."
"They would learn much faster if you stopped holding back," Wang argued.
One of the younger soldiers groaned loudly. "If the Commander stops holding back, we will surely die!"
A rare, genuine smile tugged at the corners of Wang’s lips. "Perhaps."
The entire training ground erupted with cheerful laughter at the Patriarch’s rare joke.
However, the light atmosphere quickly faded as a scout hurried toward them.
His heavy leather boots sank deep into the snow before he finally stopped and dropped to one knee in front of Wang.
Wang’s smile disappeared instantly. "What has happened?"
"The scouts have returned from the northern pass," the scout reported, lowering his head. "They confirmed that the Manticore army has not moved from the Citadel. They are choosing to strengthen their defensive arrays and walls instead."
One of the clan elders, who had just arrived, let out a tired sigh. "Cassian is waiting for us to attack first. He wants us to break our forces against his high walls."
A heavy silence settled over the group.
Wei Xiang folded his arms across his chest. "Then let us simply choose not to attack."
Everyone turned to look at him in surprise. Wang quietly studied the young Roc’s face. "What are you thinking, Wei Xiang?"
"If we launch an attack now, we will lose too many warriors," Wei Xiang explained, pointing toward the mountains. "Their high walls, active defensive arrays, and spirit cannons will destroy our front lines before we even reach the gates. Cassian knows we are coming, and he is fully prepared. Why should we give him exactly what he wants?"
The surrounding elders exchanged surprised glances. "What do you suggest we do instead, young commander?" one elder asked.
Wei Xiang walked over to a nearby table and pointed at the map spread across it. "We wait. We train our men, gather more supplies, and strengthen our scouts. Let Cassian sit in his fortress and wonder why we are not attacking. The longer he waits, the more impatient he will become. Impatient leaders make mistakes."
A small, proud smile appeared on Wang’s face. "I agree with this strategy."
Several elders looked shocked. "Are we truly going to delay the war, Patriarch?"
"I did not march all this way to bury our people in the cold snow," Wang answered without a single second of hesitation. "I came to bring my mate home safely. If there is a path that saves the lives of our warriors, I will take it."
The elders lowered their heads in deep respect. "We understand, Patriarch."
Wang turned back to Wei Xiang. "Continue to increase our scouting range. Bring me any messages from our spies inside the Citadel immediately."
"I have already sent another team out before sunset," Wei Xiang confirmed with a nod.
Later that afternoon, Wei Xiang rode his mount through the snowy forest with six scouts behind him.
They stopped on a high, rocky cliff that overlooked the deep valley.
One of the young scouts pointed ahead into the distance. "The Citadel is just beyond those high mountains, Commander."
Wei Xiang narrowed his eyes. Although the stone fortress itself could not be seen through the thick mist, he could feel its powerful presence.
"She is really there," Wei Xiang whispered softly to himself.
He raised his hand, signaling his men. "Spread out and search the area carefully. Avoid any unnecessary fighting with their patrols. If you see the Shadow Guards, retreat immediately."
The scouts nodded and disappeared into the thick forest one after another.
Wei Xiang remained behind on the cliff for a moment longer. The cold mountain wind lifted his dark hair as he looked toward the south.
"I will bring you home, Lin Wan," he whispered into the wind.
Inside the Supreme Citadel, Lin Wan sat quietly beside the open window of her bedroom.
The tiny, colorful robes the tailor had brought earlier were neatly folded on the table beside her. She could not stop touching the soft fabric.
Sister Yun smiled as she folded some laundry nearby. "You have been looking at those tiny clothes for almost an hour, Lady Lin."
Lin Wan laughed shyly, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "They are just so incredibly small. I still cannot believe there are truly three babies inside me."
Sister Yun chuckled warmly. "Oh, you will believe it soon enough when they keep you awake every single hour of the night."
"I don’t think I will mind that at all," Lin Wan smiled, her eyes soft.
The older woman looked at her carefully. "You have changed a great deal since you first arrived at the Citadel. You are smiling much more now."
Lin Wan lowered her eyes to her lap. "I am trying my best to be strong for them. I do not want my babies to feel my fear."
Sister Yun’s expression softened with deep respect. "Those babies are very lucky to have you as their mother, Lady Lin."
"No," Lin Wan shook her head gently. "I am the lucky one."
Before Sister Yun could reply, Lin Wan suddenly froze, her hand flying to her stomach. She felt a sharp, sudden kick.
A second later, a second and third kick followed in different spots.
She laughed out loud. "They are arguing and competing again! One at a time, little ones."
Another firm kick answered her voice, making her laugh even harder.
Outside the open doorway, a young palace maid quietly smiled at the happy scene before walking away to finish her chores.
Not far away, Cassian stood inside the grand council hall where several of his military commanders were waiting.
One of the commanders stepped forward to present a report. "Your Majesty, our scouts found absolutely no movement from Patriarch Wang’s army. The enemy is simply waiting in their camp instead of launching an attack."
Cassian tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest of his throne. "Interesting. They are refusing to take the bait."
"Should we launch a preemptive strike, sire?" another commander asked. "We can catch them off guard."
"No," Cassian answered immediately, his voice firm. "If Wang refuses to make the first move, neither will we."
The commander looked confused. "But sire, why should we wait and give them time?"
Cassian looked toward the open window, his golden eyes cold but thoughtful. "Because if both sides choose to wait, fewer people will have to die."
No one in the hall spoke after that. They all understood that their King was not afraid to fight, but he was not eager to throw away the lives of his soldiers for no reason.
After dismissing the meeting, Cassian remained standing alone in the quiet hall, looking out toward the distant northern mountains.
"I know why you are waiting, Wang," Cassian spoke quietly to the empty room. A faint, complex smile crossed his face. "You still hope this can end without bloodshed. I hope for the exact same thing."
His eyes slowly shifted toward the direction of Lin Wan’s residence.
Far beyond the high palace walls, neither king knew that fate was already preparing something far greater than the war they were both trying so hard to avoid.