I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

The heavy door opened to reveal Sister Yun, who bowed deeply. "You wished to see me, Your Majesty."

Cassian nodded. "How is she doing today?"

Sister Yun answered honestly, stepping closer. "She is doing much better than before, sire."

"Is she eating properly?" Cassian asked.

"Yes, she is," Sister Yun replied.

"And her sleep?"

"She still wakes up several times during the deep night," the older woman admitted.

Cassian frowned slightly at the news. "And the children?"

"The royal physician says everything is perfectly stable with the babies," Sister Yun assured him.

Cassian remained silent for a while, staring out at the snow. Sister Yun waited patiently for him to speak. After several quiet moments, Cassian finally asked a question that surprised the older woman.

"Does she still completely hate this place?"

Sister Yun looked down at the floor, thinking carefully before she dared to answer. "I cannot speak for Lady Lin’s innermost feelings, Your Majesty."

"You can," Cassian insisted, turning to look at her. "Tell me the truth."

Sister Yun hesitated for a second, then spoke with absolute care. "She does not actually hate the palace itself, sire. She simply hates being unable to leave these walls. She misses being able to make her own choices in life."

Cassian lowered his eyes to the desk. "I see."

Sister Yun continued gently. "She has definitely become much calmer over the past few weeks. But she still spends hours staring outside every single day, as though she is waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Cassian asked, his voice low.

"That I can not tell, Your Majesty," Sister Yun replied.

Cassian quietly looked out the window again. A part of him suspected she was waiting for Wang, or perhaps for Wei Xiang. That thought made his expression turn cold and hard. He decided to change the subject immediately.

"Has she asked you any questions about the war?"

"Yes, several times," Sister Yun nodded.

"And what did you tell her?"

"I followed your direct order, sire," Sister Yun explained. "I told her that the loud noises and movements were just routine military drills."

Cassian nodded once in approval. "You did well."

Sister Yun remained standing in the center of the room, looking at the King. She rarely questioned his decisions, but she gathered her courage now. "Your Majesty, how long do you intend to keep the truth from her?"

Cassian did not answer her question right away.

Sister Yun continued softly. "She is a very intelligent woman, sire. She already knows deep down that something major is happening around her. The longer everyone lies to her face, the less she will trust anyone in this palace."

Cassian slowly closed his eyes, feeling a wave of exhaustion. "I know that, Yun. But she cannot know the truth yet. Not right now."

Sister Yun lowered her head in submission. "I understand, Your Majesty."

She bowed politely before quietly leaving the study, closing the heavy wooden door behind her. Cassian remained completely alone once more, his gaze drifting toward the sharp mountain peaks beyond the palace walls.

"So, they are almost here," he whispered to himself.

Several hundred miles away, the Silver Leopard army finally stopped marching for the evening. Large leather tents quickly filled the snowy valley, and bright cooking fires began to burn across the massive camp. Soldiers laughed and chatted while preparing a hot dinner, while others sat beside the flames to sharpen their heavy weapons. Despite the dark shadow of the coming war, the camp still felt incredibly alive and full of energy.

Wei Xiang walked slowly through the long rows of tents, checking on the men. Many soldiers greeted him with deep respect as he passed by.

"Good evening, Commander Wei," they called out.

He nodded back to them with a small, encouraging smile. After everything they had been through together, the army trusted his leadership far more than they ever had before.

A young leopard warrior hurried over to him from the edge of the camp. "Commander Wei, the evening patrol has just returned from the pass."

Wei Xiang stopped walking. "What is their report?"

"They found another abandoned village near the ridge, sir," the soldier explained.

Wei Xiang frowned deeply. "Was it completely empty?"

"Yes, sir. No civilians, no supplies, and no food left behind. Nothing at all."

Wei Xiang let out a tired sigh. "They have all fled into the deeper mountains."

The young warrior nodded sadly. "They are absolutely terrified of the battle."

Wei Xiang looked toward the distant horizon where the Citadel lay hidden. "They have every right to be afraid."

The young soldier hesitated for a moment before asking a quiet question. "Commander, do you really think we will have to fight a massive battle?"

Wei Xiang did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked up at the snowy mountains before giving a sad, honest smile. "I truly hope not, my friend. But hope alone has never been enough to stop a war from happening."

The young warrior quietly lowered his head, understanding the reality of their situation.

Just then, another voice called out through the chilly air. "Commander Wei!"

Wei Xiang turned around to see Elder Shen walking toward him. "The Patriarch wishes to see you in the command tent immediately," the elder reported.

Wei Xiang nodded without hesitation. "I will come right away."

Together, they walked toward the large command tent at the center of the camp. Inside, several clan elders were already gathered around a large wooden table covered in maps. Wang stood quietly at the center of the group.

The very moment Wei Xiang entered the tent, everyone turned their eyes toward him. Wang gestured to the empty space right beside him. "Come over here, Wei Xiang."

Wei Xiang walked to the table. "What happened? Did the scouts find something?"

Wang pointed a firm finger at a specific spot on the map. "Our scouts have discovered another hidden mountain path."

Wei Xiang leaned forward to study the red lines carefully. "This path leads right through the upper ridge." His eyes narrowed as he realized the location. "This is very close to the Citadel walls."

"Very close," Wang agreed. "And it completely avoids their main defensive lines and outer guard towers."

Elder Shen frowned, looking skeptical. "But that path is highly dangerous, Patriarch. The cliffs are completely unstable this time of year due to the melting ice."

Another elder added his concerns. "The road is also far too narrow for our full army to march through."

Wei Xiang remained thoughtful, rubbing his chin. "So that means only a very small, specialized force could actually pass through it safely."

"Exactly," Wang said, looking around at the faces of his commanders. "I want to hear everyone’s honest opinions on this discovery."

The tent became completely quiet as no one rushed to give an answer. Each commander carefully considered the dangerous choice before them. Outside, the harsh mountain wind continued to howl loudly through the valley.

Far beyond those snowy mountains, Lin Wan sat completely alone beside her bedroom window. Gazing out to the open sky, her eyes vacant and thoughts unknown.

The command tent remained quiet as everyone continued to study the narrow mountain path marked in dark red ink on the map.

Patriarch Wang looked around the table once more. "I want your completely honest opinions on this matter."

General Luo was the first leader to speak up. "If we divide our army right now, we will only make ourselves weaker, Patriarch. The main force should absolutely stay together as one unit."

Elder Shen nodded in firm agreement. "I agree with General Luo. Splitting up in enemy territory is too risky."

However, another commander disagreed with them. "If our entire army marches through the main mountain pass, Cassian will already be waiting for us with his full force. We will walk right into a bloodbath."

A heavy silence followed the statement. Wei Xiang rested both of his hands firmly on the wooden table, leaning over the map. "Cassian will definitely expect us to take the most obvious and safest choice."

Wang looked at the young Roc. "So, what do you suggest we do?"

Wei Xiang pointed directly at the narrow, dangerous route on the map. "We should send a small, fast unit through this hidden mountain path while the main army continues to march along the normal road."

General Luo frowned at the idea. "Are you suggesting a distraction?"

Wei Xiang nodded. "It should not be a full attack. It only needs to be enough of a presence to force Cassian to divide his attention and his forces."

Elder Shen rubbed his long gray beard thoughtfully. "And what happens if the King simply chooses to ignore this smaller unit?"

"He won’t ignore them," Wei Xiang answered without a single second of hesitation. "Cassian is far too careful of a leader. He never ignores uncertainty or potential threats to his flanks."

The other commanders slowly nodded their heads in agreement. That tactical breakdown sounded exactly like the Manticore King’s usual style of warfare.

Wang looked down at the map again, his voice steady. "And who exactly will lead this smaller, dangerous unit through the cliffs?"

Several people in the tent immediately glanced toward Wei Xiang, expecting him to volunteer. Wei Xiang understood their looks and stepped forward. "I will go."

"No," a firm answer came before anyone else could speak a word.