Unfortunately, it was simply impossible to refuse.
Thus, they have another battle and this time, Feng Ao Kuai focused on dealing with Nan Hua. However, he lost even faster than his older brother. Even though he was smart, his strength was nothing compared to Nan Hua.
"How about switching the arrangement?" Hou Liang suggested when he saw the miserable look on Feng Ao Kuai.
"No matter which team she's placed in, Hua'er will definitely win." Old Master Nan sighed. He looked at Nan Hua then patted her head tenderly. "Go and have some rest. You must be tired after a long game."
"Mhm."
"Also, Feng Ao Si, you still have to stay behind and train with Ah Luo. Ah Kuai, you may return first and read in the library."
Feng Ao Kuai's eyes shone when he heard that. However, his gaze landed on Nan Hua. "Hua'er, can I talk for a bit?"
"Sure."
"Not here, in the library."
"Ok."
The library in Nan Family Residence could be said to be one of the quietest place. Old Master Nan hated it when someone interrupted him, so he ordered the servants to stay further away and no one was allowed to enter this quarter. There were only some shadow guards protecting from a distance away should there be any danger.
It was very quiet and peaceful.
Nan Hua noticed that Feng Ao Kuai was staring in her direction. The stare did make her uncomfortable but she waited for him to speak first.
"Zhang Dan Shui… do you know him?"
"He's the official just now," Nan Hua replied calmly.
Feng Ao Kuai pursed his lips. "Are you building your own army, Hua'er?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"To protect Grandfather and Luo." Nan Hua looked at Feng Ao Kuai and tilted her head. Wasn't it obvious?
Feng Ao Kuai looked at Nan Hua and thought to himself. "What kind of power?"
"A separate one." Nan Hua knew how messy it was at the court at this time. It was not the battle with the throne at the stake, but it was still very messy because the balance of power was unstable. Not to mention, it was clear that they would not willing to give up their position.
And when war break out, Nan Family would have to participate. If they were not strong enough, they wouldn't be able to survive.
Feng Ao Kuai was silent. "Don't you know that having an uncontrollable force can be seen as treason?"
At this moment, Nan Hua merely looked at Feng Ao Kuai with the gaze. 'What does it matter?'
Right… why should he care about it?
"What's the end goal?"
"Help Fei Yang Kingdom to end the war."
End the war?
Feng Ao Kuai was stunned when he heard that. The wars between several kingdoms had lasted for dozens of years from many generations behind them. Now, Nan Hua wanted to end it? And not only ending it, she wanted to help Fei Yang Kingdom.
How ambitious.
But….
He liked it.
"Why Fei Yang Kingdom?"
"Because we're Fei Yang Kingdom's citizen?" Nan Hua asked back. And also because Emperor Yang Zhou would be the only person worthy to rule over such vast land. But she couldn't say that because she was supposedly not close enough to the Emperor to know such thing.
Feng Ao Kuai nodded. He walked to the bookcase and looked over at the items there. For a moment, he was lost in thoughts. After some time, he turned around.
"In that case, are you ready to face the messy world? Having power meant that you'll have to be responsible for their lives and to ensure their safety while achieving your own goal."
Nan Hua nodded faintly. "Yes."
She knew that.
However, she disliked the idea of having her family in the hand of other people. Not to mention, Nan Family would be destroyed in a few years and she didn't want Old Master Nan and Nan Luo to be dragged into the mess.
"For a force to grow, it'll take time." Feng Ao Kuai tilted his head. "Can you handle it when you're 'confined' like this?"
Women were not usually allowed to travel around like men. Most of them would spend their entire life inside the residence, never even stepping their foot outside. They would learn how to manage the residence while the man was the one responsible for taking care of them.
But with Nan Hua's plan, she would have to travel outside.
"I'll figure out a way."
Feng Ao Kuai stared at the young girl before him. She was a year younger than him but her clear eyes seemed to be able to see through the world. It was as if she was seeing everything as it is and was capable to know much more than what someone was showing.
He took a deep breath. "What do you think of adding me as your people?"
Nan Hua turned to look at Feng Ao Kuai. "If you become one, you'll have to face a lot of problems."
Because she herself was not strong enough to protect them all. They would all have to grow up with her.
"It doesn't matter." Feng Ao Kuai tapped the table in front of him. "I have no intention of staying together with my brother's army. With how his head worked, I'm sure he'll fall into problems sooner or later."
"He needs a strategist."
"I don't plan to become one." Feng Ao Kuai looked at Nan Hua. "You'll need military power, right? I'll rise up to become a general and you'll be able to use me."
Nan Hua arched her eyebrows. Feng Ao Kuai managed to guess her intention faster. She had Zhang Dan Shui to work as her point in politics. Nan Luo would be in military too, but he wouldn't be able to even enter the battlefield anytime soon.
And his personality would not be suitable for some task.
Thus, she did need someone else. Feng Ao Kuai was sharp and strong. Because of his brother, he had been at the battlefield and would soon enter the fray and become a commander by himself soon.
Thus, he was a good choice.
"Why?"