"It's been a while, Soldier Xie Jing," Wei Liuying responded with a smile.

"Yes," Xie Jing responded and scratched his head. It was out of his expectation to see Wei Liuying in this city. In the next second, he recalled the incident and bowed down. "I'm sorry!"

Wei Liuying looked at Xie Jing and shook her head lightly. "If you're referring to the incident last year at the temple, then I never blamed you, Soldier Xie Jing. It was not your fault that the people breached the defense."

Xie Jing raised his head and opened his mouth, yet no words came out. His father berated him heavily after that incident because he was already 17 years old, yet he made such a fatal mistake. Even now, he was not regarded as someone important in the military because he was not cut to lead the soldiers.

"Thank you for your benevolence, Strategist Liu."

Wei Liuying nodded. "I believe that your rank has risen a bit ever since I last seen you?"

"I'm still 100-man commander," Xie Jing responded embarrassedly. He didn't want to admit it, but he was unable to get promoted even after a year serving here. The commanders didn't see him as a talent that was worth grooming.

"Do you have some difficulties?"

"No, I mean, yes…" Xie Jing scratched his head. Wei Liuying felt as if she could see dog's ear plummeting down when Xie Jing answered. He might be older than her, but he looked a bit cute when he was embarrassed like this.

As straightforward as he was, he still had his pride.

Wei Liuying resisted the urge to laugh and continued the conversation, "Can you tell me more about your difficulties?"

"It's…"

The two of them began to speak about some matters regarding leading the soldiers. As part of the nobility, it was not hard for Xie Jing to get better position from the time he entered the military. It didn't take long for him to become 100-man commander, but he couldn't get promoted any further than this.

It was as if the higher ups determined him as someone who was not good enough to lead.

"You're a bit too straightforward in your word," Wei Liuying said after a while. "While it's good to be blunt, there are times when you need to phrase your words better. That way, it'll be easier for people to listen in and accept you."

Xie Jing groaned. "It's hard."

"You don't have filter for speech."

"No, I just feel like it's better to speak the truth since if I'm not blunt in the battlefield, a lot of people will die."

"Yes, but if you keep this on, you'll die because of people who backstabbed you."

Wei Liuying was keeping on a friendly smile on her face, but Xie Jing felt that it was actually threatening him. Even though Wei Liuying didn't do anything to him, just her face and expression was enough to give him pressure.

"So, how is it, 100-man commander Xie Jing?"

"...I'll try." Xie Jing looked away, unwilling to look in Wei Liuying's direction any longer. It was then, he muttered lightly, "Even you are saying the same thing."

Same thing?

Wei Liuying could guess that someone must have said the same explanation and advice as her to Xie Jing. The boy was still fairly young and less experienced. While it was good to have him experience everything first hand, he would need to learn how to conduct himself better first.

"Strategist Liu," a soldier came over. "General Hao is ready to meet you."

"I'll be there." Wei Liuying turned her head to look at Xie Jing. "Let's talk again at later time, 100-man Commander Xie Jing. I wish you all the best."

Xie Jing nodded and walked away unwillingly. He was not on duty today, so he could stay in the city. It was then he recalled that he forgot to ask why Strategist Liu was in Zhuang City.

"Why is he here when the situation is unsafe?"

Not wanting to think too much, Xie Jing rushed to his post. He still had to undergo training if he wished to survive here.

"Strategist Liu, please follow this road."

"Thank you."

The soldier only brought Wei Liuying to the road directed to General Hao's Residence. He didn't follow along because he didn't have the permission to pass by this area. General Hao disliked when someone came in the area around his residence without anything important to tell him.

Wei Liuying followed the road. There was nothing but walls around her. With her martial arts, she could faintly sense the movement of some servants. However, their number was fairly scarce. Considering the size of the area, it was quite remarkable.

It didn't take long before she arrived in front of a large gate. A servant was standing faithfully in front of the gate. He looked at Wei Liuying with suspicion. There were rarely any kids who have business with his master.

"Excuse me. You are?"

"My name is Liu Ying. I would like to request a meeting with General Hao per General Sheng's order."

The generals were mostly around the same rank with each other no matter their age was. Great general was a rank higher than them, but in Han Shi Kingdom, there was no general worthy to be granted this rank. As there was no grand war that required them to deploy majority of their soldiers, there was no need for the Emperor to appoint anyone to become the great general.

The servant bowed. "Please wait here. I'll relay the message to General Hao."

"Many thanks."

Wei Liuying waited while looking around. The smell of the sea was carried over by the wind. It felt damp, yet at the same time cool. As someone who had never gone to this area in the past, Wei Liuying felt that it was really refreshing.

Before long, the servant returned back. "Strategist Liu, please follow me."

Wei Liuying walked into the residence and walked along the stone path. She could faintly sense the servants were looking in her direction. From their attitude, she could guess that she was not welcomed here.

'I guess everyone is on edge because of the political matters.'