"What do you mean by that? Do I look unsightly to you, my general?"
She knew it was impossible, as that woman had shown no mercy when she dealt him harsh blows.
Yet, her denial still irked him.
"Who said you look unsightly? You're just not associated with beauty."
"If one is associated with beauty, then they're a woman. The Great Yao Divine Lord must look like a woman, a pretty boy."
"Xiao Shan, you look like a jealous woman right now."
"I'm jealous..." Xiao Shan grabbed her slender waist, lifted her into the air, tossed her, then caught her again, holding her firmly by the hips.
"Not jealous, I'm consuming you."
Ling Yao wasn't afraid at all. As she fell, she hooked her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his strong waist, smiling playfully.
Yu Liu and Yu Shan, who had been waiting by the door for orders, heard the commotion inside and quietly opened the door.
Well, no need to serve them again.
Time to scram.
More than ten days later, news arrived from the southwestern border that the Qi Rong had launched an attack on the Great Jing. The old general defending the city, Dong Chengchuan, fought for a day and a night before falling, and Lizhou was lost.
Fortunately, the Great Jing was prepared. As the Qi Rong attempted to advance further, General Yuan Bufei arrived with 100,000 troops and intercepted them. The two sides were in a standoff at the Lan River.
However, the Qi Rong had reinforced with another 100,000 troops, and it seemed they were mobilizing the entire nation to break through the Jing defense line.
"They're simply lunatics!"
Emperor Mingde was furious in the imperial court. They had just made peace with the Turks and hadn't recovered yet, and now another conflict was brewing. The national treasury was not abundant, and the people's livelihood was unstable. What would they use to fight a war!
He had just announced a three-year reduction in taxes and levies. He couldn't shamelessly ask the people for more money!
But the war had to be fought, and it was urgent.
And it had to be a swift victory.
Looking around, among all the civil and military officials, who else had the capability besides Xiao Shan?
Emperor Mingde immediately appointed Xiao Shan as the commander-in-chief. Xiao Shan then requested Du Ling and Lei Ming, the top scholar in the military examination, to accompany him, leading 100,000 troops for reinforcement.
With time pressing, Xiao Shan was only given one day to prepare his troops.
He returned to Fengque Tower late at night. Ling Yao had been waiting for him. It was only three hours until dawn, and the troops were to be mustered and depart at the Mao hour.
There wasn't much time left for the couple, and they had much to discuss, yet it seemed no words were needed.
"Why are people so greedy? Isn't it good to live in peace?"
"When interests are not equal, people develop selfish desires, and with selfish desires comes sin. This world is like that."
Xiao Shan was long accustomed to this.
Even among neighbors, friends, or even father and son, husband and wife, selfish desires could cause misfortune, let alone complex relations between two countries.
"Come back soon," Ling Yao wanted to appear calm, but the longing and worry in her eyes were undeniable.
The Queen of Qi Rong was a hidden danger. She had a deep-seated aversion to that woman.
Like a disgusting fly, she was stuck in her heart.
And very dangerous.
She even felt that this battle against Qi Rong was more worrying to her than facing the Turks.
"Of course, don't worry. Once I defeat that Qi Rong Queen, I'll kick her head around like a ball."
So disgusting.
"Let's not talk about her. I've packed your clothes. See if you're missing anything. There's also some food and daily necessities. I haven't packed for you before, so I'm not very sure."
Ling Yao lowered her head and opened the bundle, pointing out the items to Xiao Shan one by one. "Here are a few jars of preserved meat. I heard you say before that sometimes there's nothing to eat on the road. This can be preserved for a long time, but it's a bit heavy."
"Wrist guards, inner shirts, and a suit of heavenly silkworm armor. I specifically found it in the treasury. They say it can resist blades and spears."
"These few bottles are secret medicines stored in the secret chamber, for stopping bleeding, heart-saving pills..."
"And..." she rambled on, her voice growing softer.
Xiao Shan lifted her head. Indeed, her beautiful eyes were already watery, and her lips were pursed, trying not to cry. She looked like she had been bullied, utterly pitiful.
How could he leave when she looked like this? Alas!
"Don't you trust me?"
"I do. You are the all-powerful Xiao Shan, and no one can do anything to you."
"Then why are you still crying? Stop crying. Haven't you heard? Tears are pearls. You have to go to the city wall to see them off tomorrow morning. The Divine Maiden can't have swollen eyes."
"I won't cry. You should rest quickly, time is short."
"Alright, let's sleep together."
The two lay on the bed, but how could they sleep?
A trace of tears still clung to Ling Yao's thick eyelashes. Her eyes, moist, looked at Xiao Shan. His deep, unique aura enveloped her. In the future, she would have to sleep alone on this large bed.
She wouldn't feel his warm body and embrace.
She snuggled closer, kissing his lips, with longing and reluctance.
Xiao Shan responded, cherishing and comforting her.
He felt the warmth sliding down his face again, his heart aching, and his strength increased.
Their lips and teeth intertwined. Her breath was moist and sweet, an irresistible temptation to him.
Ling Yao's arms tightly wrapped around him, her body trembling, her voice thick with emotion, "Give it to me, A Shan."
That night was an extremely tender and passionate embrace.
Before the Mao hour, Xiao Shan was already up. He had to go to the military camp to muster the troops.
He carefully put down the person in his arms. As he got up naked, he suddenly felt something was wrong. He looked down, and the white jade pendant hanging around his neck had turned red.
He was startled. He picked it up to examine it. It was as bright red as blood, with a faint, elegant fragrance. He suddenly remembered how she had tightly clutched the jade pendant with her eyes closed during their intimacy the night before.
At the time, he thought he had hurt her and had paused, but she had held him even tighter.
Afterward, he had no more time to observe. Could it be...
Xiao Shan grabbed her right hand. Sure enough, there was a cut on her palm with dried blood.
She had made another protective charm!
Looking at the curled-up figure still in the same posture, his heart ached.
This time, he would definitely protect himself and not need this charm! He would not let her get hurt again!
The distant sound of a leisurely bell could be heard.
Xiao Shan dared not delay any longer. He quickly put on his clothes, took the two large bundles Ling Yao had prepared for him, picked up his spear, and went to the military camp.
As the sun rose, a multitude of soldiers stood solemnly and quietly below the city wall in front of the palace gate. Beside them were civil and military officials, commoners, and relatives of the soldiers who had come to see them off.
Xiao Shan, clad in his sturdy armor, rode a tall horse at the front with his deputy generals, looking up at the city wall.
Emperor Mingde and the Divine Maiden ascended the steps step by step, reaching the highest point of the city wall.
She was extremely beautiful and incredibly sacred. Wearing a golden crown and a flowing snow-white robe, she was bathed in sunlight, pure and flawless, like a celestial being descending.
The handsome young emperor and the noble, unapproachable Divine Maiden made the city wall seem even dimmer, as if only the two of them existed between heaven and earth.
The soldiers shouted.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Divine Maiden!"
Emperor Mingde raised his hand to signal them to quiet down. His resonant and powerful oath-raising speech reached everyone's ears:
Sons of the Great Jing, the most fearless warriors!
Our ancestors once created countless glories. They protected this peaceful and tranquil homeland with their blood.
But now, wolves and tigers are attacking again, destroying our homes, killing our loved ones.
Insulting our brothers and sisters!
What should we do?