Ning Chen and Xiao Yanxi had guessed right. Cui Haocang had gotten word of what happened at the southern frontier pass, and so, naturally, had Kang Luo and the others.

Qimu City, Nanyue.

In the study, Kang Luo sat in spotless white robes.

Gao Lifu was grinding ink beside him while Kang Luo practiced his calligraphy.

His brush swept across the paper like dragons and snakes, strong and vigorous.

Kang Luo's calligraphy really was something to admire.

He had lost Biluo City, and Jin Tiancheng had played him for a fool, but through it all he had kept the poise of an elegant young gentleman.

Losing Biluo City had been his own carelessness.

As for Jin Tiancheng, that fickle, double-dealing little man, sooner or later he would make him pay twice over.

"Fine calligraphy, and a fine verse!"

As Kang Luo set down his brush, Gao Lifu was generous with his praise.

And it wasn't flattery, either. The work truly was good.

He looked at Kang Luo's work and read it aloud. "He who starts well does not always finish well. He who begins well does not always end well."

What the two lines meant was that nothing ever goes smoothly. The road ahead is always full of thorns and setbacks.

Kang Luo was talking about his own situation.

He smiled. "This crown prince never judges a hero by a moment's success or failure. Whoever laughs last is the winner."

Suddenly he burst out laughing. He had just thought of a certain someone's handwriting, which was uniquely ugly.

Then he put down his brush and went over to the go board. "Lifu, play a game with this crown prince."

Gao Lifu nodded.

The two of them sat down across from each other and began placing stones.

"Lifu, is everything I told you to prepare ready?"

Gao Lifu said quickly, "Everything's ready, just as Your Highness ordered."

Kang Luo set down a stone with a click. "This time," he said in a low voice, "this crown prince means not only to take back Biluo City, but to take the imperial city…