A farmer has a shrewish wife; he's busy making money every day.

Lu Chuci chatted until late at night before returning to his tent.

Ye Qingxue left a lamp on for him.

By the dim light, Lu Chuci looked at Ye Qingxue's smiling sleeping face and kissed her forehead.

Ye Qingxue unconsciously hummed twice, then half-opened her eyes.

Lu Chuci gently stroked her face with his fingers: "Did I wake you up?"

Ye Qingxue turned her head and rubbed his hand: "No, I was just waiting for you to come back."

"What are you waiting for me to do?"

"Let me offer you some warmth."

"Pfft." Lu Chuci turned her head and smiled. "Go to sleep."

Ye Qingxue was no longer sleepy: "When do you plan to make our move?"

She also knew that the lockdown couldn't last too long, or the Chi tribe would become suspicious.

Lu Chuci looked at her and smiled: "I was planning to tell you about our plans tomorrow."

Ye Qingxue propped herself up on the bed and sat up: "Tell me now."

"Aren't you going to sleep?" Lu Chuci took her hand.

Ye Qingxue initially wanted to shake her head, but after thinking about it, she said, "Okay, let's talk about it tomorrow. You must be very tired too."

Lu Chuci stared at her for a while, then her eyes crinkled into a smile: "You seem to be very happy lately."

It seems you get along well with your friends.

Ye Qingxue immediately became serious: "I'm still very worried about you."

"Are you silly?" Lu Chuci ruffled her hair. "I'm not doing these things to make you worry. I just want you to be happy."

"For me, your happiness is the most important thing."

Ye Qingxue looked up and met his serious expression, and couldn't help but lean over and kiss him.

"Then I'll try my best to make you happy."

After saying that, she went up and kissed Lu Chuci again.

Just before the fire was about to ignite, Lu Chuci gently stroked her cheek and pushed her back: "Qingqing, if this continues, you won't be able to sleep."

Ye Qingxue blushed and stepped back.

Lu Chuci smiled and climbed into bed. Before falling asleep, she couldn't resist hugging and kissing him for a while before they fell asleep in each other's arms.

—

The following day, Lu Chuci briefly explained the plan to Ye Qingxue.

"We estimate the next grain shipment will be in seven days, but the exact time is still uncertain. We need to wait for the scouts to send a message, and until then, we need to make thorough preparations every day."

Ye Qingxue: "There are two things."

"Ok?"

"Firstly, it would be best if there were someone to coordinate an attack on the Chi tribe from within and without."

Lu Chuci nodded.

Ye Qingxue continued, "Secondly, last time I went to the Chi tribe, I met that Golden Core expert from the palace. She failed her mission this time, and she may not be able to return to the capital."

Lu Chuci frowned: "What is his purpose in staying in the Chi tribe?"

"If he could guess that I ruined his plans and knew that I was in the Mocheng military camp, he would probably cooperate with the Chi tribe."

"But I don't think he has the brains for it."

After several encounters, Ye Qingxue concluded that this Golden Core expert's intelligence was average.

"Therefore, he stayed behind because he harbored resentment and wanted to take revenge on Chief Chi."

On the day she escaped with Chi Miaoxian, they encountered search parties on the way, but it was clear that they were just going through the motions, indicating that Chief Chi did not have much respect for this Golden Core expert.

In the eyes of the Chi chief, they had only provided a simple piece of information, which he had repaid with spiritual herbs, and he did not take this person seriously at all.

The theft of the spiritual herb and the taking of the goddess had nothing to do with him.

Ye Qingxue knew that cultivators were the most arrogant, and they looked down on ordinary people. They would definitely be dissatisfied with such an attitude.

The failure of the mission, coupled with the lack of recognition, would inevitably breed resentment in this Golden Core expert. It is entirely possible that he would wait until Chief Chi wiped out the Longyang Army before killing Chief Chi.

Ye Qingxue analyzed the situation step by step, her eyes gradually becoming serious: "Therefore, it might be better to make some improvements to the final strategy of striking at the heart of the enemy."

Lu Chuci stared at her intently.

Ye Qingxue had no idea how charming she looked in Lu Chuci's eyes.

Intelligent, decisive, and beautiful.

Lu Chuci repeatedly expressed his gratitude for his good fortune in meeting her, and repeatedly prayed to heaven that it would not take away his good luck.

He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

"Yes, go ahead," Lu Chuci said softly.

……

—

Ten days later, one night, the city streets were deserted, the wind whipped up dust and sand, creating a solemn atmosphere.

A corner of the western part of the city was filled with soldiers fully equipped and ready to go.

They stood tall and straight, their eyes sharp, their armor gleaming coldly in the moonlight; the warhorses beneath the vanguard of the iron cavalry were tall and strong, their manes flying wildly like black flames.

Ye Qingxue stood in front of Lu Chuci, her expression calm: "Yunlai has already gone to the Chi tribe. She will arrange everything and will send you a message when the time comes."

Lu Chuci took her hand: "Thank you, my lady."

Ye Qingxue's eyelashes trembled, and the composure she had maintained all the way was almost shattered in that instant.

She composed herself and looked intently into his eyes: "Lu Chuci, come back safely."

Lu Chuci looked back at her, each word like a vow: "I will come back safely."

Actually, there shouldn't be any major surprises on this trip, but this is Lu Chuci's first time on such a formal battlefield. The unfamiliarity brings fear, and Ye Qingxue can't help but worry.

After a moment of silence, Lu Chuci suddenly laughed: "Alright, this is nothing. I still have to come back and help you deal with the Martial Emperor."

"I'll give you a reward when you come back," Ye Qingxue said with a smile.

Lu Chuci raised an eyebrow at her: "Can I choose this reward?"

He clearly had ill intentions. Ye Qingxue punched him lightly, saying, "Don't push your luck. It's about time. Let's go."

Lu Chuci pressed his hand on the back of her head and kissed her forehead forcefully.

"Wait and see your husband's first triumphant return!"

At the commander's order, everyone instantly sprang into action, advancing in batches and disappearing into the night, leaving only billowing dust in the moonlight before dissipating.

—

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

A man knelt in the hall, trembling.

The Martial Emperor toyed with his teacup, his voice devoid of emotion: "You mean, the mission failed, and you were the only one who returned?"

The man lowered his head even further: "The Pill Master said that he was ashamed to return to the clan chief after the mission failed, so he decided to stay there and wait until the plan to wipe out the Longyang Army was completed, and then immediately slaughter all the people of the Chi tribe to relieve the clan chief's worries."

Snapped.

The crisp, short sound was the Emperor slamming his teacup onto the table.

"He's not trying to help me out, he's just venting his own anger. Really..."

"So arrogant, huh..."

"What about the rest?"

The man kneeling in the hall slammed his head heavily on the ground: "The Pill Master asked us to stay and help him, but I felt that this was not appropriate, so I came back to report to the clan leader."

"Is that so?" The Martial Emperor's voice was low and menacing, like a demon's. "Then I should reward you?"

The man's eyes trembled: "I...I don't ask for any reward. Being able to share the burden for the clan leader is already my...cough! Heh!"

Before he could finish speaking, he felt a chill on his neck, and his breath could no longer flow into his lungs.

He touched his hands, which were covered in blood.

"Why?"

The Martial Emperor closed his eyes and let out a "Ha".

"The Ghost Clan will not employ those who are disloyal."

Once the painful screams had completely subsided, the Martial Emperor spoke: "Guards!"

A person appeared inside the hall: "Clan Chief."

"Send men to keep a close eye on the border situation and report any unusual activity immediately!"

"Also, have the Imperial Guards prepare to receive my orders."

"Yes!"