Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 748 - 368 Crisis Approaches_2

Chapter 748: Chapter 368 Crisis Approaches_2

Lei Tian and Scorpion’s recruits include many military ruffians expelled due to offenses, as well as skilled Jianghu thieves. This is why they dare to confront government forces.

Jiang Shouzhong suddenly asked curiously, "If Lei Tian is so powerful, why doesn’t he seize this place outright?"

"Warfare and governance are two different matters."

Xiao Lingqiu replied flatly, "The Nanjin Country is in turmoil now, and anyone with ambition is dreaming of dominating a region. If they simply continue plundering and hiding in the desert, they’ll forever remain mere bandits.

The Heshan Tribe has lived on this land for years, and no one understands business and trade better than them. If Lei Tian wants his own base and territory, wants to develop gradually, and wants to vie for supremacy, collaboration is the best strategy."

Upon hearing this, Liao Feihu couldn’t help but turn to Xiao Lingqiu, surprised.

For some reason, he felt that this woman exuded the unique aura of a battlefield commander.

Having spent countless days in military camps, he had sharpened a keen instinct to discern whether someone had faced the crucible of war.

Especially those battle-hardened generals.

The woman before him, despite her striking and delicate beauty, seemed to radiate the calm and authority born from surviving life-and-death trials.

Every movement, every word, carried an undeniable leadership.

Of course, Liao Feihu couldn’t help but grow suspicious.

After all, this Empress Dowager Xiao had once led 300,000 troops and, within merely three months, advanced to Minzhou, where she stood across the river from Dazhou’s Capital City.

She forced Dazhou to sign the humiliating ’Danyun Peace Accord,’ ceding territory in Jiuzhou.

If not for the internal unrest in Yanrong, the sabotage by traitors, and the timely aid of the Li Family Army, she would have already stormed the Capital and claimed the Dragon Throne.

"Why don’t you cooperate with Scorpion?"

Xiao Lingqiu turned her head and fixed her gaze on Liao Feihu.

Liao Feihu quickly looked away and coughed lightly, saying:

"The Clan Leader had considered it before, but Scorpion is overly cunning and suspicious by nature, making him hard to trust. Without paying a heavy price, it’s never easy to gain his help against the government forces.

Besides, Scorpion has looted the Heshan Tribe’s caravans several times, deepening the animosity between the two sides. Cooperation is even less likely under these circumstances."

Xiao Lingqiu nodded slightly without asking further questions.

The trio continued to walk around other areas.

Jiang Shouzhong appreciatively admired the scenery, while Xiao Lingqiu carefully observed the terrain, occasionally questioning Liao Feihu about caravan trades, residents’ livelihoods, and other matters.

Before parting, she requested a detailed report on the factions in Tongqiu.

Back at the inn, Xiao Lingqiu asked for paper and ink to write and draw.

Jiang Shouzhong tried to peek but was met with a fierce glare from the woman’s bright eyes, leaving him to sulk and give up.

"When are we returning to Dazhou?"

After finishing her writing, Xiao Lingqiu suddenly inquired.

Jiang Shouzhong poured her a cup of tea and replied leisurely:

"With Nanjin Country in such chaos, the roads are unsafe. I asked Liao, and in about four or five days, there will be a caravan from the Nanjin Capital heading to the Dazhou border passing here.

This caravan is somewhat special; its owner holds a notable status in Nanjin, attracting interest from many Princes, so it’s relatively safe. By then, our cultivation will have mostly recovered, and we’ll join the caravan to return.

Of course, if the caravan doesn’t arrive or something unforeseen happens, Liao will prepare a map for me in advance. As long as our luck doesn’t run out, we should be able to find a way out."

Xiao Lingqiu drummed her slender fingers lightly on the table, contemplated briefly, then nodded slightly: "Alright."

After dinner and bathing, the two lay down to sleep without undressing.

As usual, Xiao Lingqiu drew a dividing line in the center of the bed to warn the man.

But as the night deepened and sleep grew heavier, she unknowingly crossed the boundary, curling herself into the man’s warm embrace.

Approaching dawn, a sudden cacophony shattered the tranquility of the night, jolting the two awake.

They exchanged glances, both equally awkward.

"I’m heading out to take a look."

Jiang Shouzhong coughed, trying to appear composed as he donned his outerwear.

As he turned away, Xiao Lingqiu lightly slapped herself, gritted her teeth, and muttered a scolding under her breath, looking like a flustered, feisty tigress.

Stepping out the door, Jiang Shouzhong spotted Liao Feihu hurrying toward him.

The man carried a longbow over his shoulder.

"What’s wrong, Liao?" Jiang Shouzhong asked, surprised.

Liao Feihu’s face was grim as he replied:

"Brother Jiang, the scouts report that a group of riders appeared unexpectedly ten miles away. Judging by their movements and insignia, they’re likely Scorpion’s men."

"Approximately how many?"

Xiao Lingqiu, her long hair cascading down, stepped out and asked.

Liao Feihu answered, "Roughly estimated, there are no fewer than two thousand riders. For safety, you’d best remain in the inn and avoid going outside. Keep yourselves secure."

With that, he hurried off.

Jiang Shouzhong felt uneasy about Liao and was about to suggest Xiao Lingqiu stay at the inn. But before he could speak, Xiao Lingqiu casually tied her hair and headed outside.

"Let’s go check it out ourselves," the woman said.

"Oh, alright."

Jiang Shouzhong followed her.

Hoofbeats echoed across the street in chaotic rhythm.

Lei Tian’s desert bandits and Heshan Tribe’s strongmen, fully armed, were swiftly assembling outside the town.

"Miss Jing!"

Suddenly, a man clad in armor and mounted on a fine steed reined in before them.

It was Young Master Liefeng.

Clad in armor, he cut an impressive figure.

"Miss Jing, it’s dangerous here. Please return to the inn."

Liefeng, ignoring Jiang Shouzhong, spoke directly to Xiao Lingqiu. "Don’t worry, it’s just a few horse bandits. With me, Liefeng, here, this place will remain safe. There’s no need to fear."

Yet Xiao Lingqiu didn’t even acknowledge him, walking directly to the horses Liao Feihu had delivered earlier. She mounted one effortlessly.

As Jiang Shouzhong prepared to mount another horse, Xiao Lingqiu extended her jade-like hand.

Jiang Shouzhong hesitated momentarily, glanced at Liefeng’s darkened expression, then gently grasped the woman’s hand, leaping up to sit behind her on the horse.

Instinctively, he encircled Xiao Lingqiu’s supple waist, his chest pressed against her soft back, the two intimately close.

"Go!"

Xiao Lingqiu gently nudged the horse’s belly with her legs, and the steed galloped away, heading toward the outskirts of the town.

Liefeng watched their figures disappear, grinding his teeth in fury, nearly cracking them.

Outside the town, over a thousand people were already prepared for battle, their formations set. Among them, the four hundred desert horse bandits stood out.

Their fierce, intimidating aura contrasted with the ordinary strongmen.

Unlike Dazhou’s major cities, with their solid walls and complex defenses, this small town lacked proper fortifications, relying only on trenches and traps as simple barriers.

Trying to defend by barricading would only lead to death.

When Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu arrived, Liao Feihu, busy arranging the troops, was visibly surprised.

"Brother Jiang, why are you here?"

"Uh..."

Before Jiang Shouzhong could speak, Xiao Lingqiu asked directly, "Has Scorpion attacked this place before?"

Confronted by the woman’s overpowering aura, Liao Feihu almost felt like he was reporting to his superior and shook his head. "Only robbed caravans a few times, but he’s never attacked Heshan Tribe like this."

"Strange behavior often signals hidden motives."

Surveying the surroundings, Xiao Lingqiu pointed toward Gaomoyan Mountain.

"Send scouts to reconnoiter south of the mountain at Yangzi Slope. Also, I remember there’s a treacherous trail near Moon Sky Lake by Iron Stone Forest. Deploy scouts there as well."

"This..."

Liao Feihu hesitated.

It wasn’t that he lacked the will; he simply didn’t have authority over the scouts here.

At that moment, Yun Zhu suddenly rode over to the trio.

The young woman, clad in a martial arts uniform, looked remarkably valiant.

Ignoring Liao Feihu, Yun Zhu turned to Xiao Lingqiu with a sweet smile and said, "Sister Jing, I’ll send scouts to investigate."

Before her words fully settled, the young woman swiftly turned her horse and dashed away.

Liao Feihu raised his hand to speak, but before the words could escape, Yun Zhu’s figure had vanished.

His lifted hand slowly lowered, a complex expression flickering in his eyes.

A short while later, Yun Zhu returned at top speed, her face etched with urgency:

"Sister Jing, the scouts report finding Nanjin Country soldiers at Yangzi Slope. Additionally, soldiers have been spotted near Iron Stone Forest!"

Everyone around, including Liao Feihu, was shocked.