My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Go back to one day ago.

Chu Lengyu flew all the way, traversing towering mountains and vast plains, finally arriving at Zhenbei City, the frontier fortress of the Great Xia Dynasty.

This city stands majestically to the north of the Great Xia Dynasty, serving as a solid barrier against foreign enemies. Despite enduring wind, frost, rain, snow, and continuous warfare, it remains standing.

The city walls of Zhenbei City soar into the clouds, built of huge stones, and every crack on them is a testament to history.

The city gates were thick and heavy, barricades were densely packed, arrow towers stood tall, and banners fluttered in the wind.

On the beacon tower, soldiers vigilantly watched the distance, ready to light the smoke signals at any moment to send out warning messages.

Chu Lengyu stood outside the city, gazing at this historically significant fortress, her heart filled with a strange solemnity.

This is not just a city, but also a symbol of the indomitable spirit in the hearts of the people of the Great Xia Dynasty.

She silently slipped into the city and saw wide streets lined with low houses. The city's residents were busy with their own affairs, walking briskly.

However, she could sense the tension hidden beneath the calm, and the people's anxiety about the war.

Chu Lengyu climbed the city wall to observe the city's defenses and the situation of the garrison.

She observed carefully and found that the garrison here was well-trained and meticulous. In the face of a possible war, they could not afford to be careless in the slightest.

From the casual conversation among the sergeants, Chu Lengyu learned that the situation on the border had been quite tense recently.

The Rong tribes frequently harass the border. Although there has been no large-scale war yet, small-scale raids and skirmishes have been occurring constantly, causing great suffering to the border residents.

Chu Lengyu frowned slightly, recalling the large number of refugees and desolate villages she had seen along the way, and understood that once war broke out, it would bring heavy disaster to the people of Great Xia.

Prince An controlled this place and used it as a powerful backer, constantly demanding money and supplies from the imperial court, which the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty had no choice but to provide.

After all, for him, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Chu Lengyu continued forward, reaching the other side of the city wall.

At the foot of the city wall, several guards, dressed in old cotton-padded clothes, had hands that were red with cold and kept breathing on them to warm them, but their faces remained vigilant.

The patrolling soldiers were in a hurry, but their equipment was uneven; some wore worn-out armor, while others had rusty weapons.

She quickly noticed these details and couldn't help but think that the emperor's suspicions were probably true.

If the annual salary of fifty taels could be truly distributed to every soldier, and if the tens of millions of military supplies every year were really used in Zhenbei City, this place would not be like this!

But thinking about it, it's obvious that these parasites who damage the country's stability would never let go of such a source of income.

Over the years, so much military pay, so much arms money, so much pension... all ended up in their pockets.

Chu Lengyu's expression grew increasingly cold.

……

In the shadow of the city wall, two figures leaned against the base of the wall, around a small campfire.

The veteran, nicknamed "Old Pole Head," was tall and thin, with his hands tucked into his sleeves and a long rifle clasped in his arms.

The soldier's name was Er Lengzi, and his young face was filled with dissatisfaction and confusion.

Er Lengzi rubbed his hands together, breathing on the campfire to warm them, and complained, "Old Gantou, look at our fate. Those Rong bastards have been acting like they've gone mad lately, launching night raids every few days. It's never-ending, and we can't even get a good night's sleep."

Old Gan Tou glanced at him sideways, forcing a smile on his withered face: "You idiot, you've only been here a short time and you're already complaining? I've been on this city wall for twenty years, through thick and thin, what haven't I seen? I've endured ten or a hundred times more miserable days than you."

Upon hearing this, Er Lengzi felt resentful, but considering Lao Gantou's skills and experience, he had no words to respond.

He could only mutter, "But I've heard that the soldiers in other cities are living a really good life, eating hot meals every day. Especially the Jiangnan army, I heard from Brother Suozi that they're... they're living in a honey pot, living like honey! But what about us? We're eating dry rations every day, and our pay hasn't been paid for months. When will this ever end?"

Old Gan Tou sighed, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes: "How could we lowly soldiers know what's going on above? I just hope they can issue more winter clothes this time, so we don't freeze to death here. This damn weather is so cold, my old bones are almost frozen."

Er Lengzi said indignantly, "The instructor only knows how to drink, and he gives all the good stuff to the Second Battalion. When will it be our turn?"

Old Gantou shook his head and patted Er Lengzi on the shoulder: "Er Lengzi, stop complaining. What's the use of complaining? We're soldiers, and obeying orders is our duty. Come on, let's go patrol again and make sure those Rong spies don't get a chance."

Chu Lengyu listened quietly to their conversation and witnessed the hardships faced by ordinary soldiers.

Suddenly, a series of urgent horn calls rang out from the city wall.

Immediately afterwards, heavy drumbeats rang out, a warning of an enemy attack.

"Enemy attack! Quick!" Er Lengzi reacted extremely quickly.

He jumped up almost instinctively, instantly snapping out of his confusion and dissatisfaction, replacing it with the alertness and composure expected of a soldier.

The youthful innocence that remained on his face seemed to have been erased by an invisible force, replaced by a formidable determination.

Old Gantou also stood up. His tall and thin figure looked somewhat frail in the cold wind, but he was exceptionally reliable, and his eyes shone with the firmness and composure of a veteran.

The two soldiers ran quickly toward the steps of the city wall, their steps hurried and powerful, and soon disappeared around the corner leading to the city wall.

As the alarm sounded for an enemy attack, the troops inside Zhenbei City moved swiftly and in an orderly manner.

The soldiers, dressed in various armors, carrying spears or bows and arrows, and with short swords hanging at their waists, were ready to fight the approaching enemy.

Chu Lengyu, hidden in the shadows, looked at their various old and worn-out equipment and couldn't help but shake her head slightly.

On the city wall, the soldiers took their positions.

Behind the crenellations on the city wall, archers nocked their arrows, their eyes sharp, their breathing steady, awaiting the commander's orders.

At the city gate, the guards quickly and skillfully inspected the gate bolts and the supplies piled on the city wall, such as rolling stones, logs, gold molten metal, and kerosene.

Old Gantou and Er Lengzi quickly found their team on the city wall. Er Lengzi picked up his bow and arrow and prepared to shoot.

Chu Lengyu floated in mid-air, her gaze sweeping over the brave and fearless soldiers, satisfied with their reaction speed and efficiency.

Perhaps, these qualities were honed through repeated wars.

Looking out, one could see billowing dust in the distance, and the sound of horses' hooves gradually became clearer.

The Rong cavalry are approaching Zhenbei City at an astonishing speed.

Their figures appeared and disappeared in the snow dust, like a pack of ferocious beasts charging toward their chosen prey.

As the Rong cavalry approached, it became clear that the enemy's numbers far exceeded those of previous attacks; this was no ordinary sneak attack!

The soldiers on the city wall began to tense up, but they did not panic.

Arrows are nocked, spears are in position!