The Army Marches, Refining Pills!

"If that's the case, then I, your junior, will await good news from His Highness the Crown Prince."

Chen Chu stood up and no longer lingered. His original intention for coming today was to stall Xue Qinghe and create a deadlock. Now, it seemed his objective had been achieved.

As soon as Chen Chu stepped out of the small pavilion, he saw someone standing not far from the corner. To be precise, it was a woman neither of them had expected: Tang Yuehua.

Chen Chu's expression changed upon seeing her. Although he had claimed to be interested in Tang Yuehua, that was merely a temporary tactic to deceive people. He truly hadn't expected the subject of his words to overhear him, which made him feel rather awkward.

"Madam Yuehua." Chen Chu walked up to her and gave a slight bow. Without saying much more, he prepared to leave.

Tang Yuehua looked at the heroic and handsome young man before her with a calm expression. The words she had intended to scold him with, for some reason, wouldn't come out. In the end, she simply said, "Moonlight Pavilion is not a place for your transactions. I hope General Chen will not make things difficult for us."

Chen Chu paused his retreating steps, turned back, and looked at her with surprise. "Madam Yuehua, please rest assured. I am not that shameless. I will not make things difficult for Moonlight Pavilion. Everything will be handled openly."

What a joke. Does he think I, Chen Chu, am like those dissolute young masters? Doing things sneakily? If I'm going to do something, I'll do it openly and honorably.

After saying this, without waiting for Tang Yuehua's reply, Chen Chu had already left the backyard.

Xue Qinghe, who was in the pavilion, had heard their conversation clearly. Tang Yuehua was, of course, someone he had arranged to be there, precisely to see if Chen Chu was truly as he claimed, solely interested in her.

Seeing that Chen Chu had laid his cards on the table, Xue Qinghe could no longer pretend. He also got up and walked out of the pavilion. Looking at Madam Yuehua, he said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Madam Yuehua. I shouldn't have done this, but General Chen is indeed smitten with you. I, the Crown Prince, had no choice but to resort to this."

"In truth, General Chen Chu is an excellent person, a once-in-a-lifetime genius whose talent surpasses even your sect's Clear Sky Douluo. He is a rising star of the empire, and you are the legitimate daughter of the Clear Sky Sect. You are already a match made in heaven. Furthermore, you have remained pure all these years; perhaps he could truly be your destined one."

Xue Qinghe's words seemed like persuasion, but in reality, they were a reminder: don't harbor foolish dreams. You are from the Clear Sky Sect, and he is a powerful general of the empire. No matter how things turn out, it will never be between you two, unless you, Tang Yuehua, renounce your sect, or unless Chen Chu gives up his hard-won imperial power.

Tang Yuehua quietly looked at the refined Crown Prince. She naturally understood his meaning and bowed slightly, "Your Highness, please rest assured. I understand."

She already had a poor impression of him and no intention of pursuing him, so why would she take such a risk?

Seeing that she understood, Xue Qinghe was satisfied. "It's good that you understand. It's good that you understand. Since that's the case, I should be going back too."

Tang Yuehua watched Xue Qinghe's receding figure, lost in thought for a long time.

In the Imperial Palace of Heaven Dou, the Imperial Study.

"Your taste is truly unique. Among so many intelligent, gentle, and elegant young ladies, you choose Tang Yuehua, who is older. You, you really know how to give me a difficult time."

Xue Ye looked at Chen Chu, who was sitting beside him, and rubbed his temples helplessly, complaining.

"Your Majesty, feelings and chemistry are hard to explain. I just feel a connection with her. Perhaps I just like Madam Yuehua's style."

Chen Chu did not deny it but openly admitted it. He also wanted to see how Xue Ye would react.

"Hmph, you still say that. Do you know how many ministers wrote to me last night after this incident was exposed, impeaching you, the General of the Guard, for lacking virtue and attempting coercion?"

Xue Ye snorted coldly and threw the impeachment memorials into the brazier. He continued, "You are still too young, and your actions are too cautious. You lack the arrogance and impetuosity of a young man."

"Yesterday, Marshal Gelong brought me an urgent military report. The Star Luo Empire is amassing troops in the Bar拉克 Kingdom, on the Pamir Plateau. A major war is likely. He requests that I mobilize reinforcements to escort supplies. How about it, are you willing to serve the country?"

Xue Ye walked to Chen Chu's side, handed him the urgent secret report, and said slowly.

Chen Chu's eyes flashed as he read the contents of the report. A major war, coming at just the right time.

Chen Chu clenched the report, looked up at Xue Ye, and said with a firm tone, "This subject is willing to go."

Xue Ye raised an eyebrow, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He was very pleased. "The terrain in Barrack is complex, and the Star Luo army excels at cavalry. How many men do you plan to bring?"

"Three divisions of the Imperial Guard from the Capital Garrison, half new recruits and half elites. That should suffice," Chen Chu replied crisply. "The Imperial Guard is the elite force of the empire. After withdrawing three divisions, the garrison can still defend the imperial capital and is sufficient to protect the supplies."

"That's quite thorough." Xue Ye nodded, turned, and sat back on the Dragon Throne. "The grain and ordnance will be ready in one day. You can go to the camp in advance to prepare. However... what are your plans regarding Tang Yuehua?"

Chen Chu lowered his gaze, his voice deepening slightly. "I will discuss this matter after I return victorious. Let the court's criticisms subside for a while."

Xue Ye hummed, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "It's good that you have a plan. Remember, your primary mission this time is to protect the supplies. Focus on defense, not a head-on clash with Star Luo. Marshal Gelong is experienced and seasoned. Hold the line on the front, and don't cause me any trouble."

"This subject understands." Chen Chu cupped his hands. "If there are no further instructions, I will return to my mansion to pack and head to the camp tomorrow."

Xue Ye waved his hand. "Go. Remember, your own life is paramount. It's alright if the war is lost. Be careful."

"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern." Chen Chu acknowledged, turned, and exited the Imperial Study.

Xue Ye only gave me one day to prepare. It seems he had long planned for me to gain experience on the battlefield and showcase myself. After I achieve military merits and return to court, what does Xue Ye want me to do?

Forget it, I won't think about these things. Having lived two lives, I've never commanded such a large army. The thought of experiencing a real war soon makes me inexplicably excited.

At the Earl's Mansion, after Chen Chu had arranged for his adjutant to prepare everything, he took out the pill furnace he had collected for a long time.

He had bought this pill furnace when he was at the Ye Family in Maple Leaf City. At that time, he had learned the basic methods of refining pills to make full use of those Immortal Herbs.

"I don't know how long this campaign will last. I should also fulfill my promise to Dugu Bo."

He was currently preparing to refine a pill for Dugu Yan to resolve the flaws in her Martial Soul. The methods for refining pills on the Douluo Continent were extremely simple, with no particularly difficult points. However, this also meant that the effects of these pills were not maximized. Still, it was more cost-effective than eating the herbs directly.

The pill furnace was placed on the table, and as the charcoal fire just began to burn, a light knock came from outside the door.

"Enter." Chen Chu looked up, picked up three petals of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum with his hand, and placed them into the furnace.

... Please continue to follow along.

If you have votes, please give us your free votes.