He was about to say that Lord Xiao Wang was missing and ask if Nangong Yu had any information, but before he could finish, Qilin suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth, cutting him off.
Leaning in, Qilin murmured, “The enemy is still unknown, and the commander is missing. We mustn’t shake the soldiers’ morale.”
Wu Ma Nan Sheng hesitated, then realized Qilin was right. He fell silent.
As Nangong Yu rode closer, Wu Ma Nan Sheng finally asked, “General Nangong, have you seen Lord Xiao Wang?”
Nangong Yu shook his head. “No, I have not. Early this morning, just as the sun was rising, I received a handwritten command sent from Lord Xiao Wang’s envoy. The order instructed me to lead two thousand light cavalry to Qingze Lake by noon to provide reinforcements for Qianhu Wu Ma Nan Sheng.”
He paused before adding, “However, Lord Xiao Wang did not specify the exact rendezvous location. I only rushed here after hearing the sound of battle nearby.”
Qilin raised an eyebrow in surprise. “So Wang Cang Hai predicted in advance that you’d be ambushed at Qingze Lake? He’s really something.”
Nangong Yu cupped his hands in a respectful salute and asked, “May I ask this young gentleman’s name?”
Qilin grinned cheerfully. “I’m called Qilin.”
Nangong Yu smiled back. “Young Master Qilin possesses extraordinary bearing—it is truly admirable. Since you address Lord Xiao Wang so casually, I assume you must be close to him. Are you a relative of the Wang family or one of his trusted aides?”
Qilin chuckled, slightly embarrassed. “Not at all, not at all. I don’t even know Lord Xiao Wang. I meant no offense—I just blurted out his name. General Nangong, just think of me as some mountain recluse who doesn’t understand proper etiquette. Be generous and forgive me.”
Nangong Yu was momentarily stunned, but quickly composed himself.
Then, Wu Ma Nan Sheng gave him an even bigger shock.
“General Nangong,” Wu Ma Nan Sheng lowered his head and said in a hushed voice, “Lord Xiao Wang is missing.”
Behind the six hundred Silver Armor soldiers stood Nangong Yu’s two thousand Qingze Post cavalrymen. Beyond them, further down the road, stood a massive banyan tree with lush, sprawling branches.
Beneath the tree’s shade sat a tall man, meticulously wiping a tree root clean with a pristine white handkerchief. After ensuring the surface was spotless, he spread the handkerchief out—clean side up—and calmly took a seat on the root, gazing out at the lake.
Though his attire was plain—a simple blue robe and a scholar’s square headscarf—his bearing was refined and otherworldly. The breeze ruffled his sideburns, lending him an air of effortless elegance.
Yet, upon closer inspection, his facial features were utterly unremarkable—so ordinary that one might feel as if they had seen him somewhere before, yet never remember exactly where. He was the kind of person who left no lasting impression.
* * *
Suddenly, ripples spread across the lake’s surface.
A man in a wet suit emerged from the water, climbed ashore, and approached the one sitting beneath the banyan tree.
Kneeling, he bowed deeply.
“Your humble servant, Wan Bao, greets Lord Xiao Wang.”
As he lifted his head and saw the face of "Lord Xiao Wang," Wan Bao’s eyes widened in shock. He quickly stepped back, startled.
Why… why does he look exactly like me?!
Wang Cang Hai, seeing his reaction, explained calmly, “I’m wearing a human-skin mask today. I need to take on your identity to infiltrate the Zhang family and meet their vice-patriarch.”
Wan Bao let out a breath of admiration. “I had heard the Wang family was highly skilled in all forms of craftsmanship, but I never imagined their human-skin masks could be so flawlessly lifelike. Even seeing my own face, I feel as if I’m looking into a mirror.”
“It was made in a hurry,” Wang Cang Hai remarked. “The mask isn’t as thin or breathable as I’d like, but since I’ll only be wearing it for a day, it will do.”
Wan Bao hesitated. “So… this kind of mask can only be used for a day?”
“It lasts much longer,” Wang Cang Hai replied. “But if I wear it for too long, my skin might break out.”
Wan Bao blinked. “Oh.” He had heard of Wang Cang Hai’s reputation for valuing his appearance—clearly, it wasn’t an exaggeration.
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