After crossing, I surrounded the capital from the countryside

Recalling the people's gratitude and love for him.

I recall the time when he returned triumphantly with his army and the people who lined the streets to greet him, the happy smiles on their faces, and the respect and trust in him shining in their eyes.

Those sincere gazes and warm applause are the most precious treasures in his heart.

"You are right. I can't just sink like this." Lu Zhenting slowly turned around and looked at the few people: "Even for those who need me, I have to be strong."

"General Lu, the most urgent matter is the exiled people in the Lu family!" Seeing Lu Zhenting cheer up, Xu Qingqing reminded him: "Now is not the time for you to reminisce about the past."

"You're right." Lu Zhenting nodded, understanding Xu Qingqing's concerns.

He looked at Xu Qingqing with a serious expression: "Sect Master Xu, when you asked me if I wanted to join Xiaoyao Sect that day, I was still a general. Now I am a wanted criminal. Do you... still want me?"

Xu Qingqing didn't expect Lu Zhenting to talk about this at this time, but why wouldn't she want a martial arts coach who was delivered to her door?

So she said without any hesitation: "Yes."

Lu Zhenting's lips curled up into a smile, "Thank you, Sect Master Xu, for giving a wanted criminal like me a place to stay."

Xu Qingqing changed the subject: "Let's discuss what to do with your exiled family first!"

"Yes, let's discuss this first!" Xu Qingqing turned and walked into the house.

Lu Zhenting and Xiao Li looked at each other, with a hint of doting on the child in their eyes.

……

Xu Qingqing and Lu Zhenting sat around the map, discussing a plan to rescue the Lu family.

That's right. After discussion, both of them planned to rescue the Lu family directly. After all, according to the current development of the situation, those treacherous officials would definitely interfere. In that case, with the deliberate persecution of the officials, the Lu family would most likely not survive for long.

Therefore, the result of Xu Qingqing's discussion with Lu Zhenting was to find them, and then disguise themselves as bandits and "kill" them.

Simple and crude.

There was no time to waste, as delay would lead to changes. The two men were ready to set out tomorrow, bringing with them fifty elite soldiers and traveling light.

……

That night, Xu Qingqing paced in the room, thinking about what Lu Zhenting had reminded her of during the day. After thinking for a while, she got up and planned to look for Xiao Yuheng.

During the day, when the two of them finished their discussion and Xu Qingqing was about to get up and leave, Lu Zhenting suddenly asked Xu Qingqing a question: "Sect Master Xu, are you sure that the Xiaoyao Sect will not be discovered by the imperial court if they are so openly here, and then they will send troops to eliminate it?"

This question is like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

When Xu Qingqing heard this, her expression changed slightly.

She had actually considered this issue. Although Xiaoyao Sect had a preliminary scale, the infrastructure such as brick kilns and cement had not yet been built, and the city walls and fortresses she wanted had not yet started construction. If the imperial court really launched an attack, they would indeed be difficult to resist.

Comparing the two, although I don't want to admit it, it is indeed like an egg hitting a stone.

She slowly thanked him and said, "General Lu's concerns are not without reason. At present, Xiaoyao Sect is indeed still under construction, and its strength is still weak. It cannot directly confront the imperial court."

"Master Xu, I have to remind you. After all, the power of the imperial court is spread all over the world. Once there is any disturbance, they will most likely follow the clues and find this place. Moreover, if those treacherous ministers knew that it was the Xiaoyao Sect who was secretly rescuing the Lu family, they would definitely be more vigilant." Lu Zhenting frowned.

Xu Qingqing nodded. She understood that Lu Zhenting's worries were not groundless. "Thank you for your reminder, General Lu. I will find a way to deal with this matter."

……

"Tuk Tuk Tuk"

The knock on the door was particularly clear in the silent night.

Xiao Yuheng put down the book in his hand, stood up and opened the door. When he saw Xu Qingqing standing outside the door, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"What's wrong? It's so late, do you need me for something?" Xiao Yuheng asked gently, while stepping aside to let Xu Qingqing enter the house.

Xu Qingqing walked into the room and sat at the table, looking a little solemn.

She looked at Xiao Yuheng and asked tentatively, "Brother Yuheng, when we were in Anping Village, were there any special formations or mechanisms?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuheng immediately understood a little.

He looked at Xu Qingqing deeply, knowing that she must have come to ask for something from him. He had a feeling that it was as expected, but he remained calm.

"You want me to help?" Xiao Yuheng supported his face, raised a faint smile, and asked softly.

Xu Qingqing nodded hurriedly, looking at Xiao Yuheng with shining eyes: "Yes, Brother Yuheng, I know you must have a way, right? I urgently need a formation that can hide Xiaoyao Sect and prevent others from detecting it."

Xiao Yuheng was silent for a moment, as if he was thinking about the feasibility of using formations to hide the Xiaoyao Sect.

"It is indeed not an easy task to hide such a large sect." Xiao Yuheng said slowly, "But I can try. However, this requires some time and preparation. Moreover, even if the formation is set up, it cannot be guaranteed to be foolproof..."

Hearing Xiao Yuheng agree to try, Xu Qingqing looked at Xiao Yuheng gratefully: "Brother Yuheng, I know this is difficult, I really want to thank you for your willingness to help. Thank you, you are so kind!"

Xiao Yuheng listened to Xu Qingqing's thanks and smiled slightly. That smile was full of tenderness and doting, as if all the warmth of the world was concentrated in this smile.

"Since you've asked, I will do my best to help you."

"Don't worry, I will research a suitable formation as soon as possible to ensure the safety of Xiaoyao Sect." Xiao Yuheng said softly, as if he was making a promise to Xu Qingqing.

Xu Qingqing didn't know how to describe the sour feeling in her heart at this moment.

It seemed that since the first time they met, Xiao Yuheng had always been helping her unreservedly, as if the tacit understanding and trust between them were innate.

This made her often feel that there seemed to be an unusual fate between her and Xiao Yuheng.

Sometimes, Xu Qingqing couldn't help but think that maybe they had known each other in their previous life.

Although this idea was a bit absurd, it gave her an inexplicable feeling that it was as she expected.

"Brother Yuheng, thank you for always helping me." Xu Qingqing said softly, with a slight tremor in her voice.

This time, it can be said that it was the first time that I called him "Brother Yuheng" willingly.

Hearing this, Xiao Yuheng looked at Xu Qingqing with a glimmer of doting in his eyes.

He reached out his hand and patted Xu Qingqing's head gently: "Good boy~"

Xu Qingqing felt the warmth above her head and gave Xiao Yuheng a bright smile.

The two smiled at each other, and Xu Qingqing secretly decided in her heart: From now on, Xiao Yuheng will be my half-brother!!!