The azure sky looked freshly washed.
Outside Linchuan City, bright sunshine spilled over the Cui Family Camp.
The snow around the camp slowly melted in the sunlight, leaving patches of wet ground.
Chen Ye was taking inventory with several of his men, recording all the dry rations, medicinal herbs, and weapons one by one.
"Young master." Su Guang stood beside Chen Ye with a ledger in his hands and gave an honest report. "Including the earlier losses, we've lost eight men over these past ten-odd days. We actually have only a hundred and thirty-four left now. Three of them have caught chills and are running high fevers... I'm afraid they won't survive the next few days."
Chen Ye nodded.
In times like these, anyone who had not practiced martial arts had a body no different from an ordinary person's. Dying from a chill was nothing unusual.
He glanced around the camp. The servant soldiers lounged in small groups under the sun, roughhousing, talking, and laughing.
Days of marching had left the soldiers utterly exhausted. Fine weather with such gentle breezes and warm sunshine was a rare treat.
Many were seizing the chance to rest and recover.
At that moment, everything looked peaceful.
Yet a faint unease kept lingering in his heart.
Ever since he learned that Wu Qichi had volunteered to go to Linchuan City and persuade its defenders to surrender, that unease had deepened.
Given Wu Qichi's nature, he would never risk himself for the Cui Family without something in return. He had to have some other scheme.
Chen Ye withdrew his gaze and instructed quietly, "Su Guang, keep a closer eye on the camp gate these next two days. The moment you see Wu Qichi return, report to me."
Su Guang did not understand why Chen Ye had