Chapter 94: Gu Huaiyu, the Dog Lover Part 2

The youth’s eyes were bloodshot, with heavy dark circles beneath them. His arms trembled as he held Gu Huaiyu. “The Chancellor took too much of a risk…”

Pei Jingyi’s face darkened until it looked like a storm cloud. One after another… will this never end?

Xie Shaoling was entirely oblivious. He only gripped Gu Huaiyu’s hand tighter, his voice thick with suppressed sobs. “If something happened to the Chancellor… what would Great Chen do? What would the court do?”

The boy paused, his eyes growing even redder. “What… what would I do?”

Gu Huaiyu knew the boy was worried, so he reached out and ruffled his hair. “The last time. It won’t happen again.”

A smile immediately broke across Xie Shaoling’s face. A young man’s affection was straightforward and intense. “I missed the Chancellor very much.”

“Ugh—!”

A suppressed groan of pain suddenly interrupted this tender moment.

Pei Jingyi’s forehead was knotted with veins. Sweat rolled down his tensed jaw, and his knuckles were white as he endured immense pain.

Gu Huaiyu turned and saw that the old physician had just extracted the final arrowhead and was about to apply the golden sore ointment.

Pei Jingyi looked up right at that moment. Though his face was pale with pain, he forced a smile. “Chancellor… don’t mind me…”

His tone was perfectly calibrated—three parts endurance, seven parts acting tough.

How could Gu Huaiyu not see through the act? But the fact that Pei Jingyi was willing to put in this much effort for him was quite endearing.

He gently placed his hand over the vein-constricted fist. Pei Jingyi immediately flipped his hand over to grip back, their fingers interlocking tightly, refusing to let go.

Shen Jun and Xie Shaoling shared a look—one with darkened eyes, the other gritting his teeth.

“Go and rest.”

Gu Huaiyu pondered for a moment. “We set out for Bingzhou in six hours.”

Once the two had exited the tent, Pei Jingyi stared at the swaying curtain, his grin practically reaching his ears.

The wounds on his back suddenly didn’t hurt anymore. Even when the old physician sprinkled medicinal powder on the raw flesh, it felt like a tickle.

***

Because of the delay, the group followed smuggling paths to sneak back into Bingzhou, arriving just as the sun was setting.

As they reached the front of Bingzhou City, everyone’s spirits were instantly lifted.

Stretching for a hundred miles were forests of banners and flags. A vast, endless sea of military tents unfolded before them. The flags fluttered like wildfire in the wind, and the army’s sheer scale felt like it could blot out the sun.

Dense rows of tents filled the horizon. A million elite soldiers were camped along the border, resembling a Great Wall made of steel. Their distinct banners flew high, condensing the soldiers’ morale into a majestic, overwhelming force.

The setting sun spilled over the vast camp like blood, adding a touch of solemnity and grandeur that left the onlookers breathless.

A surge of pride rose in Gu Huaiyu’s chest, his stride becoming even more brisk.

As they passed through the city gates, they saw Nie Jin standing in the middle of the road with his sleeves folded.

The new Army Overseer’s gaze was as sharp as a blade. It scraped over Gu Huaiyu first, then swept over the prone Pei Jingyi on the stretcher, finally landing on Gu Huaiyu’s slightly swollen lips.

He cupped his hands expressionlessly. “The Chancellor has returned safely. This official is overjoyed.”

Gu Huaiyu nodded and asked directly, “Is the grain and fodder scheduling running smoothly? Have the defense maps for each camp been reviewed?”

Nie Jin replied, “The provisions have been distributed to each camp according to the registers. I have double-checked the defense maps with Governor Han; they are foolproof.”

Pei Jingyi suddenly raised a hand to rub his brow, casting a long, haunting look at Gu Huaiyu.

Gu Huaiyu found the look baffling. He turned back to Nie Jin. “With Master Nie overseeing the army, this Chancellor is naturally at ease.”

Changing the subject, he added, “I recall you and Commander Pei are like brothers. Since you are waiting here, you must be worried about his injuries. The physician has seen him; it is nothing serious. He just needs time to recover.”

Nie Jin’s expression froze for a rare moment. He lowered his eyes and bowed. “I thank the Chancellor for his consideration.”

Gu Huaiyu gave him an appreciative pat on the shoulder and walked past. “Since you two haven’t seen each other in a long time, I won’t disturb you. Have a good talk.”

Pei Jingyi didn’t even give Nie Jin a glance. He waved his hand, and the Northern Frontier soldiers immediately carried his stretcher toward his residence.

Nie Jin stood in place, watching Gu Huaiyu’s retreating back, and finally let out a heavy sigh.

Gu Huaiyu returned to the Military Governor’s manor. After a brief chat with Han Ding, he immediately summoned the generals of each camp to inquire about military affairs one by one.

He had just finished with the third general when he spotted Wei Qingya peeking through the doorway.

The “Money Pot” was exceptionally energetic today, his handsome face grinning from ear to ear.

Gu Huaiyu was always tolerant toward this God of Wealth. Once the current general withdrew, he beckoned him inside.

As agreed, Wei Qingya didn’t perform the formal grand salute. He walked quickly to the desk, his eyes curling into crescents. “This official has a piece of good news and a piece of bad news. Which does the Chancellor want to hear first?”

“The bad news.”

Gu Huaiyu set down his vermilion brush.

Wei Qingya’s face changed instantly, looking deeply concerned. “Recently, ‘Spring Palace’ erotica has become rampant in the army. The soldiers are scrambling to read them. The impact is quite significant…”

Gu Huaiyu’s face darkened. “Who did this?”

Wei Qingya suddenly beamed again. “The good news is, I’m the one selling them.”