As the sun rose and the morning light began to fade, Ai Zijun, dressed in military attire, rode a fine horse, carrying a sword on his back, and hurried anxiously toward Elena's military camp.

His heart was filled with uncertainty about the meeting, but his face showed no fear whatsoever.

Elena had made preparations long ago; her soldiers in the camp had already cleared a path to welcome her.

Their eyes held a mixture of curiosity and wariness, as if they were bracing for an impending storm.

Ai Zijun rode his horse slowly through the crowd, head held high and chest out, his gaze firm, as if he were the one in charge here.

His figure cast a long shadow in the sunlight, like a hero embarking on a glorious journey.

Elena stood at the entrance of the tent, her eyes scrutinizing Ai Zijun as she slowly approached.

Her gaze was like a sharp arrow, trying to pierce Ai Zijun's heart.

When Ai Zijun arrived at the camp entrance, she dismounted gracefully and calmly.

He gave Elena a slight smile, a smile that carried a hint of confidence and composure.

"General Elena, it's been a long time." Ai Zijun's voice was calm yet powerful as she slowly walked up to Elena.

Although he was very worried, Ai Zijun's expression was very confident. He knew that at such a critical moment, confidence was the best weapon, and he absolutely could not lose in terms of momentum.

Elena nodded slightly, her eyes showing a hint of respect.

"The Prince of Zhenbei is indeed courageous; he can remain so composed under such circumstances."

Ai Zijun slowly put her hands behind her back, her tone somewhat nonchalant, and asked, "Aren't you going to invite me in to talk?"

Elena smiled, her smile like the warm spring sun, warm yet dignified.

She pointed to the tent behind her and said with a smile, "Please come in."

The two entered the tent one after the other and sat down.

After Elena sat down, she was about to ask something when Ai Zijun interrupted her with her hand.

His movements were unhurried and calm, yet they carried an undeniable aura.

"Elena, I haven't had breakfast yet. Have someone prepare it. You should know how to treat guests." Ai Zijun's voice carried a hint of amusement, and her eyes gleamed with cunning.

Elena pursed her lips and couldn't help but smile: "Someone, prepare breakfast, two servings, I haven't eaten yet either."

"yes!"

Before long, the men below brought up two breakfasts, both identical: smoked meat pancakes and a pot of wine.

Ai Zijun's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but ask, "Elena, drinking so early in the morning?"

"This is a custom of us Slavs."

Elena gave a soft hum, picked up a wine glass, poured herself a drink, gestured to Ai Zijun, and then downed it in one gulp. Her movements were elegant and swift, like those of a heroine.

Seeing this, Ai Zijun's competitive spirit was ignited. He poured himself a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp. His action was bold and unrestrained, carrying a spirit of never giving up.

Setting down her glass, Ai Zijun smiled nonchalantly: "This wine is weak, it's practically water. No wonder the Slavs love drinking so much, it turns out it's all this kind of lousy wine."

A flicker of displeasure crossed Elena's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

“Your Highness, this wine may not be strong, but it has a powerful aftereffect. Don’t underestimate it.”

Ai Zijun scoffed and reached for the smoked meat and flatbread to eat.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tent and fell on the simple wooden table. Ai Zijun ate his breakfast heartily, and his appearance made Elena chuckle softly, a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"Looking at you like this, I almost thought you came here to freeload a meal." Elena's voice was tinged with a joke, and a slight smile appeared on her lips, as if she were teasing an old friend.

While eating the smoked meat pancake with gusto, Ai Zijun replied nonchalantly, "I'm just hungry. Anyway, I'm eating your food, so I might as well eat more and earn more."

Elena didn't seem to mind; a hint of tolerance flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her seriousness.

"Ai Zijun, let's talk about serious matters."

Ai Zijun raised her eyes slightly and nodded slightly: "Okay, say whatever you want to say."

"I don't believe that Chen Zhennan captured Marshal Ivanov."

Elena's voice carried a hint of determination, and her eyes shone with confidence in her judgment.

"Novgorod is very well defended. The walls are covered with bells and traps. Anyone who dares to launch a sneak attack will surely die."

Elena's words revealed absolute confidence in her design, as if Novgorod were an impregnable fortress.

However, Chen Zhennan's reputation as a war god was ultimately an unpredictable factor, which inevitably caused her some worry.

Ai Zijun put down the flatbread in his hand, clapped his hands, and leaned back. His movements were relaxed, as if to say that everything was under his control.

"The Great Martial God of War, is he not just a name without substance?"

Ai Zijun's voice carried a hint of arrogance, and his eyes shone with trust in Chen Zhennan.

"Elena, you don't have to believe me. Let's wait and see. If Novgorod can still send you even a single grain of food, I'll give you my life. How about it?"

Elena frowned slightly, a hint of seriousness flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Ai Zijun, are you provoking me?"

Her voice carried a hint of coldness, as if warning Ai Zijun not to be overconfident.

Ai Zijun laughed heartily, a hint of unruliness in his smile: "Elena, I'm just telling you the truth. Chen Zhennan's abilities are not something your bells and mechanisms can stop."

Elena took a deep breath, her eyes filled with determination: "Ai Zijun, you are far too confident. I personally designed the defenses of Novgorod. I don't believe Chen Zhennan can break through them so easily."

Ai Zijun shook her head slightly, not wanting to argue with Elena any further.

"I'll say it again: if Novgorod can still send you even a single grain of food, I'll give you my life. If I win, what will you give me?"

Elena narrowed her eyes slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing within them, as if assessing Ai Zijun's true intentions. Her voice carried a hint of coldness: "Ai Zijun, what do you want?"

Ai Zijun smiled faintly, his smile carrying a hint of cunning and confidence.

He pointed at Elena, his movements slow but firm: "I want you!"

Elena frowned, a flash of anger crossing her face, as if her sore spot had been touched: "What?"

Her voice rose eight octaves, tinged with disbelief.

Upon hearing this, Elena's lieutenant hurriedly stepped forward and drew his sword, pointing it at Ai Zijun.

"Ai Zijun, you're spouting nonsense! You're courting death!"

Ai Zijun looked the lieutenant up and down and couldn't help but laugh, "Oh? You can speak the language of the Great Yan Dynasty too. You're really a hidden talent."