The reason for Chen Mo's withdrawal.

Primarily, he is loyal to no one, only to himself.

The Court is corrupt, officials are greedy and foolish, oppressing the common people, not worth his loyalty.

Not to mention, he has now stood against the Court.

As for the Celestial Master Army, not to mention he's merely a nominal member.

If you just ask me to lead troops in battle without providing money, manpower, or provisions, who would exert themselves?

Now, what Chen Mo has brought is his own stash, using a bit less each time, only a fool would not escape.

On September 3rd, the Three Guards set up camp to rest beside a mountain stream.

The incorporated Xianzhen Guard has only undergone simple training so far. Except for Shao Jinneng and his trusted soldiers, to whom Chen Mo distributed weapons and armor, nearly eight hundred surrendered soldiers are without weapons and rewards, only supplied with daily rations.

What Chen Mo doesn't know is that among the Thirty-Six Commanders of the Celestial Master Army, it wasn't just Yang Minggui's side that deployed troops. Several commanders led forces via waterways to assault Fengzhou, but they encountered strong resistance from the Fengzhou Garrison, achieving both victories and defeats.

Due to the scarcity of warships and the Celestial Master Army's lack of naval battle experience, the defeats far outnumbered the victories.

For the Celestial Master Army, the battle against Fengzhou was the main battlefield; therefore, even with more defeats than victories, a substantial force was committed.

The myth of the Celestial Master Army's invincibility ended here, and the plan to march south came to a standstill.

Similarly, on the auxiliary front of Yu State, under Yang Minggui's command, including Chen Mo, out of six armies, three were annihilated, two remain in the heart of Yu State, only Chen Mo's force managed to escape.

The mountain roads of Yu State are difficult to traverse, and with the hot weather, in the past two days, many soldiers have succumbed to acclimatization issues and heatstroke.

Fortunately, these issues weren't too severe, as for this trip to Yu State, Chen Mo had 'invited' (kidnapped) quite a few doctors, and also brought along blacksmiths, carpenters, etc., whom he needed.

After all, coming to Yu State couldn't be for nothing.

As dusk fell, Chen Mo's military tent was set up upstream of the stream, with his Personal Guard Team stationed below.

Xia Zhining hid in a small water channel behind a green stone, bathing.

She hadn't bathed for over a week, which was unimaginable for her former self.

Because of the primitive conditions in the army, what was previously called washing was just washing the face and wiping the hands and feet.

She gently cupped a splash of water and poured it over her collarbone.

The water level in the channel was shallow, reaching only Xia Zhining's thighs. As she stood, water droplets slid down along her collarbone into the white and delicate skin.

Holding a handkerchief usually used to wipe fragrant sweat, she gently washed her body, not daring to make too much noise for fear of being heard by the soldiers.

"Splash..."

Suddenly, upon hearing water sounds from nearby, Xia Zhining's expression changed immediately. While protecting her chest, she hurried to grab the clothes on the green stone, only relaxing upon realizing it was Chen Mo who entered the water, her fear turning to embarrassed annoyance as she said, "Didn't I tell you to keep watch for me? Why are you here, go away."

"I've already issued a military order, no one is to disturb unless absolutely necessary, even then, a bamboo whistle will notify," Chen Mo had already discarded his clothes, stepping toward Xia Zhining in the water.

"Don't... don't come over..." Xia Zhining picked up a stone from under the water and threw it at Chen Mo, blushingly scolded, "This... this is the wilderness, don't mess around."

"Still shy? Haven't we shared a bath together before? Last time during the bath, you even bowed your head..."

"Shut up." Xia Zhining directly interrupted Chen Mo, her face flushing red, her body becoming numb, saying, "Can't you just not be so... vulgar?"

She thought Chen Mo could be quite serious at times, appearing very mighty and charismatic, captivating, yet at times extremely vulgar, enjoying teasing her...

Couldn't he maintain one persona?

Chen Mo was already in front of Xia Zhining, pulling her into his arms, whispering in her ear, "To treat my own woman like this isn't vulgar."

With those words, he lightly bit that crystal-clear earlobe.

Due to the military setting, Xia Zhining was not wearing earrings, Jade Hairpin, or the pearl necklace Chen Mo had given her, only wearing the Gold Ring.

"Besides, Zhining, you promised me something last time, shouldn't it be fulfilled now?" Chen Mo breathed warmly.

Xia Zhining shivered gently, pushing away Chen Mo's unruly hand, her eyebrows curved like a willow, her cool eyes showing a hint of allure, she pouted, "I know, we'll discuss it when we return, this is in the wild."

"I can't wait any longer. Remember in Celestial Water Town, how much pressure I was under? Now that I can finally relax for a moment, I naturally want to serve Zhining well."

Xia Zhining: "..."

You call this serving?

But before she could open her mouth, she saw the young man quickly moving over, and suddenly his soft lips pressed against hers.

Xia Zhining lightly struggled against Chen Mo's arm, before long, her slim hand made a fist, lightly pounding Chen Mo a couple of times, her face blushing red, eyes flashing angrily, "No, what if the soldiers below hear..."

"It's too far for them to hear, plus as long as you, Zhining..." Chen Mo whispered softly.

Xia Zhining was still struggling, as such a matter couldn't be silenced just because she wanted it to be.

But clearly, Chen Mo didn't listen to her. Xia Zhining lowered her head and caught a fleeting glimpse, seeing the young man harboring lethal intent, a murderous aura rising.

She had no time to prepare, her heart trembled, her beautiful eyes widened, and then it was as if struck by lightning. Her rosy lips parted slightly, just about to sing, but was kissed by the young man.

...

Xia Zhining's delicate body went soft and weak, her hands propped on the bluestone, after a few symbolic protests, she let Chen Mo proceed.

At this moment, Chen Mo was holding the slender-waisted beauty, feeling a bit dazed, unsure if it was the pressure or... it had been too long, he got too excited just now, almost embarrassing himself, luckily his experience prevailed.

He whispered, "Zhi Ning, do you know how to deploy the Yanyue Array?"

"The Yanyue Array is the famous battle array of the Qingzhou Army, of course I... know it." Xia Zhining's delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly, her heart inexplicably shocked, she... also yearned for it.

"Then, when there's free time later, teach the Two Guards to practice, their battle array isn't up to mark."

"Okay."

Xia Zhining squinted her eyes and nodded slightly.

From the moment both expressed their feelings, they were already as one. At this time, Xia Zhining naturally wouldn't keep anything back.

"By the way, our relationship is set, what do you plan to tell your sister...?" To be honest, Chen Mo was actually more concerned about her sister. If not for the conquest, clearly her sister's personality was more likable to men.

Upon hearing this, the two embraced tightly, Chen Mo could distinctly feel the other's panic.

Xia Zhining's gaze tightened, her eyebrows raised slightly, feeling somewhat dazed, considering she had told her sister she would leave after autumn.

But now...

She had betrayed her sister.

She truly didn't know how to tell her sister.

"What... do you plan to do?" Xia Zhining felt that Chen Mo bore a significant responsibility for her betrayal of her sister, thus he must help her solve this matter.

"Of course, speak the truth, my love for you needs no concealment," Chen Mo said.

Xia Zhining's heart softened, then she said, "In fact, my sister and I once promised each other to marry the same man."

"Really?" He almost surrendered again, because Xia Zhining's words would move any man.

Chen Mo could feel Xia Zhining's change, and of course, she could feel Chen Mo's excitement. Her slender eyebrows instantly furrowed, the clear coldness in her eyes showing indignation, she softly said, "I think you're not only fond of me, but you also have your eyes on my sister, don't you? Otherwise, when hearing what I said, you would... you would..."

Xia Zhining lifted an arm, and turned back to pinch Chen Mo hard.

Damn, exposed.

But who is Chen Mo? He can turn death into life.

He managed her, could he not overcome this? He gently caressed Xia Zhining's cheek, softening his voice, "How could I be? I'm just worried about the two of you being separated. Besides, your sister's chastity was given to me, and now you are with me, how can I not take responsibility?

Moreover, you and your sister are twins. If she were with someone else, to me, it would be like you were with someone else. Not just me, even Zhi Ning, you wouldn't be comfortable with it, right?"

"You..." Xia Zhining spat lightly and said, "Don't muddle through with that, I think you just want to possess both of us sisters."

"If those words satisfy you, then think that way."

"You've finally admitted, haven't you?"

Chen Mo: "..."

Alright, he laid his cards on the table, he indeed wanted both sisters.

"It is true I have that thought, but Zhi Ning, don't misunderstand, I only fancy you, I don't even like your sister. The reason I said this is out of responsibility, and also because of my love for you.

Think about it, for you women, isn't chastity of utmost importance? Your sister's chastity is given to me, if she marries another man, and they find out she's not chaste, they would definitely look down on her. It wouldn't be good for your sister, and she wouldn't live happily for the rest of her life.

And because of my love for you, I will surely take good care of your sister, and you can oversee it too, isn't that the point?

Consider this, given the current chaotic times, leaving Pingting County, if something goes wrong, wouldn't it trouble your conscience?"

After Chen Mo's words, Xia Zhining suddenly found it quite reasonable, yet something felt off, she felt somehow she was being tricked.

She said, "But it doesn't have to be that she stays with you, wouldn't it be fine for her to stay by my side and live with us?"

"So you want your sister not to marry for life, why are you so selfish?"

"Who says she can't... get married, isn't Pingting County full of other men."

"Given your sister's proud disposition, can she look at other men?"

"Then why did you catch her eye?" Xia Zhining said.

Chen Mo silently sped up... and continued, "Besides, didn't you just say? Since it was a childhood promise, it can't be violated."

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