Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 169: 169 The keepsake my mother left behind before she passed away

Chen Mo still chose Option One.

Despite feeling somewhat fatigued moments ago, he instantly returned to his peak state of vitality.

However, what made Chen Mo frown was this.

It was actually him who killed Zhang Ping.

In previous simulations, Zhang Ping was always killed by Huangfu Hao, but now it had changed.

This is not good.

Zhang Ping is the actual leader of the Yellow Turban Army, and the second son of Zhang Jiao.

Not realizing that killing him...

In subsequent simulations, had he been assassinated?

Moreover, killing Zhang Ping is a significant achievement.

Although Chen Mo wanted to stand out.

But he did not wish to attract attention to such a degree.

Because Zhang Ping is the leader of the Nanyang Rebel Army.

Nanyang County reached such a state all because of him.

One could say that even recovering Nanyang County does not compare to the merit of killing Zhang Ping.

Having killed him...

Undoubtedly, Chen Mo would be exposed under the eyes of many.

This would not be beneficial for him.

”It seems I need to find a way to avoid this.”

This thought flashed through Chen Mo’s mind.

Soon after, the system’s prompt for the next simulation sounded again.

Chen Mo did not recharge in advance this time because he temporarily did not have enough money on hand.

”Sir...”

Just as the simulation ended, and Chen Mo intended to take advantage of some free time, also to relieve his tense expression and tease Luo Zhen a bit, Gao Zheng’s voice came from outside the tent, very quietly.

Chen Mo walked out of the tent.

Then, with Gao Zheng, he moved to a secluded spot.

”Sir, following your instructions, we’ve hidden seven chests of treasure in...” Gao Zheng leaned close to Chen Mo’s ear and whispered.

Chen Mo nodded and said, ”No one else noticed, right?”

”Apart from our own people, nobody knows.” Gao Zheng assured, patting his chest.

”That’s good.”

The total number of these treasure chests, tens to near a hundred, was not counted by Chen Mo when he previously ordered them to be sealed.

If seven or eight chests were missing, no one would know.

Even if someone noticed.

During the previous sealing, who didn’t pocket a little themselves? Even if they knew, would they dare to report it?

It would be almost like reporting themselves.

Chen Mo patted Gao Zheng’s shoulder as encouragement, then said, ”Before the change of guard, take the men to make some simple arrows; there’s a tough battle ahead, and we’ll need them.”

”Understood.”

Saluting Chen Mo with clasped hands, Gao Zheng left.

...

”I know you’re still awake, talk to me.”

Entering the tent, Chen Mo saw Luo Zhen move on the bed and said.

Luo Zhen sat up; her face was still dirty, her hair somewhat unkempt, making it hard to imagine she had a fairy-like visage.

There was a hint of fear in her eyes.

”You fear me, do you?” Chen Mo sat down at the bedside and directly grabbed Luo Zhen’s hand.

Luo Zhen’s body trembled slightly.

Indeed, she feared Chen Mo.

Previously on Jiyang Mountain, when Chen Mo killed Zhao Shicheng, it was swift and not bloody.

However, upon arriving at the back of Duanbei Mountain today.

Everywhere was covered in blood.

Burnt corpses, broken limbs.

It was a horrific sight.

She even heard the soldiers say the Commander killed over a thousand people alone.

Hearing this, Luo Zhen shivered immediately.

It wasn’t that she detested Chen Mo because of this.

Rather, it was an instinctive fear.

After all, he had killed so many people.

For Luo Zhen, who hadn’t even killed a chicken, it was too brutal.

Yet, amidst her fear, Luo Zhen also felt a sense of security.

Fear and security are inherently conflicting emotions.

Yet now, they magically coexist in Luo Zhen’s heart.

Seeing the friendly smile on Chen Mo’s face and the way he held her hand, Luo Zhen suddenly thought that following him might mean she would never have to be bullied again.

Unbeknownst to Luo Zhen.

Following the deaths of her father, Uncle Li, and Granny Qing.

These protectors left one by one for her.

Made Luo Zhen yearn for the protection of a strong person to avenge for herself.

And now, to her, Chen Mo was just such a strong person.

”I...I’m not.” Luo Zhen replied softly.

Chen Mo smiled and then took out a hairpin from his bosom to give to Luo Zhen: ”Here, a gift for you.”

Luo Zhen looked at the jade hairpin Chen Mo handed over, and was stunned. Her family was in commerce, involved in dealing with jade, so she naturally knew this hairpin was immensely valuable after just a brief look.

She immediately declined: ”This...this is too precious, I...I can’t accept it.”

”Take it.” Chen Mo used her legs as a pillow, lying down on the bed, gazing at her eyes and continued: ”Consider this my token of affection.”

With these words, Chen Mo’s possessiveness towards Luo Zhen was laid bare.

Luo Zhen was startled, then her face turned red. Even with a layer of mud on her face, the blush was visible.

Hesitating for a long moment, she slowly took it over.

This meant she agreed.

Then Chen Mo said: ”You must take good care of it. It’s a memento my mother left me before she passed, for my future wife.”

”Ah...” Luo Zhen was taken aback.

”What is it?”

”Sir... you are not married?” Luo Zhen summoned the courage to ask.

”No, why?” Chen Mo replied.

”N-nothing.” Luo Zhen suddenly felt a sweet sensation in her heart.

Chen Mo was so young and capable, not yet twenty and already a Camp Commander, such a young talented man; it seemed impossible that he hadn’t married.

Therefore, upon learning that he hadn’t married, Luo Zhen suddenly felt she had found a treasure.

Of course, even if she agreed, she dared not covet the status of his rightful wife, after all, in the Great Song Dynasty, merchants’ status was low, and as a merchant’s daughter, she was of unclear background, ultimately unworthy of Chen Mo.

Even though she didn’t dare.

But Luo Zhen still thought about it.

”Can you sing?” Chen Mo suddenly asked.

”I can.”

”Sing a song for me.”

...

...

Three quarters through the si hour.

Liang City had fallen.

But Huangfu Hao and the others soon discovered that apart from the thousands of rebel troops guarding the city, the entire place was empty.

In other words, the Liang City they captured was merely an illusion.

And the mass of soldiers they saw last night were mostly crafted lifelike dummies.

The faces of all the generals changed.

Only now did they realize they had been deceived.

The main force of the rebel army had already slipped away.

”Report, Commander, large traces of rebel footprints found on the Qianshan mountain.”

”Report, Commander, according to the captives we caught, Liang City’s main force left during the yin hour last night.”

”...”

Several soldiers approached urgently to report.

Hearing these reports, Huangfu Hao’s eyes darkened, and he immediately said: ”Relay the order, gather the troops and make for Duanbei Mountain.”