Chang Geng lifted his eyes and looked at him, but quickly retracted his gaze, reverting back to avoid his line of sight, for he was afraid he would sink into it if he were to look too long. He picked up a chess piece from the box next to him, playing with it between his fingertips. The piece was black and green, a hint of light flashed as the steam lamp shone upon it.

Seeing that Gu Yun wasn't willing to elaborate on it, Chang Geng continued his question: "The generals of the three major factions can perfectly handle things on their own, with a bit of friction at the border, they would not come to bother you - my guess is there are at least tens of thousands of unusual troops assembled or a different problem which is equally grave, otherwise, that Black Eagle brother would not have to travel as such."

Gu Yun repeatedly turned the steaming hot cup of wine in his hand, slightly narrowing his eyes amongst the aroma of liquor: "Old General Zhong has taught you a lot."

"There are still things General Zhong has never taught me," Chang Geng said. "What is yifu thinking?"

"The Black Iron Camp forever put defending the homeland as our final boundary."

Gu Yun explained. "In case of sudden incidents with unclear circumstances happening, Old He will automatically regard the border as a front line and close off the entrance of the Silk Road. All roads are cut off, and those who deliberately enter will be executed. If a friendly neighboring country came to seek assistance when the Marshal was not there, the Black Iron Camp would only provide protection at most, they would never leave the job to mobilize troops."

"Five thousand soldiers of the Black Iron Camp, unless they were gods themselves that arrived, otherwise, whoever might come, they will never be able to easily break through the barrier of our Northwestern Frontier — I am not worried about this for the time being, just thinking about what action they will take next."

His voice was low and gentle, and seemed to be even deeper than the aroma of liquor hanging in the room. Chang Geng's ears couldn't help but tingle, he kept his head down, trying to ward off distracting thoughts: "If it were to be me, I would not choose this moment to act against Great Liang."

Gu Yun's gaze paused on the black chess piece in between his contrasting white fingertips: "Why?"

Chang Geng placed it on the chessboard, a clear sound rang out.