Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 176: 176 Eliminating Remnants

”Sir, what’s wrong?” Luo Zhen looked up at Chen Mo, unsure why, but she felt something unusual happening to Chen Mo.

”Nothing, just reminded of last night’s events.” Chen Mo wiped Luo Zhen’s tear marks, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.

Last night managed to make Luo Zhen cry.

Catching the teasing in Chen Mo’s voice, Luo Zhen’s face blushed, perhaps because she had become Chen Mo’s woman, or maybe she wanted to test her place in Chen Mo’s heart.

Luo Zhen acted coy, patting Chen Mo’s chest, and taunted, ”Last night, I clearly said to be gentle, yet even when I cried out in pain, it’s like you didn’t hear, not a single concern for me...”

”At that moment, I couldn’t pay attention to that.” Chen Mo kissed Luo Zhen’s eyes, then kissed her cheek and said, ”Does it still hurt?”

Luo Zhen nodded lightly, her face still red.

”Should I rub it for you?” Chen Mo chuckled mischievously.

”No way.” Luo Zhen, finding strength from somewhere, pushed Chen Mo away as if afraid he was serious.

Chen Mo smiled slightly, hugged Luo Zhen again, and then said, ”Zhen’Er, do you want to become a martial artist?”

”Martial artist...”

Chen Mo’s words immediately pulled Luo Zhen’s thoughts far away, and a sad expression appeared on her face.

Her father didn’t want her to follow his old path, so he didn’t let her practice.

But when her father left, Luo Zhen felt the helplessness of being a common person, making her yearn to be a powerful martial artist to avenge her father immediately.

So.

”Can I? I heard the earlier you start practicing, the better. I’m already twenty-five now, is it too late?” Luo Zhen turned slightly, her whole body sticking to Chen Mo, her courage tightly squeezing his arm out of shape, her bright eyes showing a hint of doubt.

”Practice relies on talent, although timing has some impact, it’s not significant. If you want to become a martial artist, I can help you achieve Entry Grade today.” Chen Mo stroked Luo Zhen’s jade-like back.

”I listen to Sir.”

”Call me Daddy.”

”What does Daddy mean?” Luo Zhen looked strangely at Chen Mo; he had asked her to call him that all night last night.

”It’s... never mind...”

Chen Mo touched Luo Zhen’s thigh, just as he was about to make a jest, Gao Zheng’s voice came from outside the tent: ”Sir, the general has something to discuss with you.”

After measuring Luo Zhen’s courage again, Chen Mo stood up to dress and said, ”We should be setting off soon, get ready.”

”Okay.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Zhen nodded, watching Chen Mo dressing, she immediately moved closer to help him dress, but as she stood up, her brow furrowed with a painful expression, and she fell back onto the bed.

”Are you alright?” Chen Mo paused his actions and quickly went to check.

Seeing Chen Mo’s eyes glancing below her legs, Luo Zhen shot him a teasing look and pushed his forehead, saying with resentment, ”Where are you looking?”

”I’m just concerned about you.”

”But last night...”

”Ahem.” Chen Mo coughed awkwardly.

Luo Zhen pursed her lips, then said, ”I’m fine, you should go, don’t keep the general waiting.”

Luo Zhen could distinguish between priorities, she didn’t cling to Chen Mo and let him go meet the general.

”Wait for me.” Leaning down, Chen Mo kissed Luo Zhen’s forehead, donned his armor, and headed towards the Central Army’s camp.

...

Inside the Central Army’s tent.

Huangfu Hao mostly in front of all the generals, recited Chen Mo’s achievements first, then said, ”Now, Nanyang County has been recovered, all generals contributed, I have written to Your Majesty, requesting rewards for you all.”

”Thank you, General, this battle depended solely on your command. We dare not claim credit,” the generals said conventionally.

”Haha, you and I are soldiers of Great Song, such flattery I won’t accept; being able to annihilate the rebel army’s main forces in this battle is all due to Chen Hong’s merit. If the rebel army’s main forces had escaped, none of us could shirk responsibility. The generals should remember Chen Hong’s favor, and make sure not to forget gratitude afterward.”

Huangfu Hao glanced at everyone, then looked towards Chen Mo.

”Understood.” The generals nodded.

Only Gao Fen seemed somewhat reluctant.

”Originally, after annihilating the rebel army’s main forces, a celebration banquet should be held for everyone; however, Nanyang is in ruins, there remain rebel remnants in various cities and counties, and the people are still living in dire straits...” Huangfu Hao paused, then bowed to everyone and said:

”Therefore, the celebration banquet can only be held after returning to the capital, we will now divide our forces to eradicate the remaining rebel hideouts in the cities and counties and return peace to the people.”

”Understood,” the generals replied.

Seeing the generals nod, Huangfu Hao continued, saying: ”However, I must say beforehand, if anyone below takes the opportunity of clearing rebels to harass people, plunder women, and act recklessly, if I learn of it, don’t blame me for turning against them.

”We will strictly follow the General’s orders.” The generals responded again.

Huangfu Hao then turned around and looked at the map of Nanyang County hanging behind him, raised his hand to take a piece of cinnabar from the table, and began marking on the map. After a moment, he said:

”Currently known, the rebels in Liuyin County, Liang City, Qingyang Town, Luofeng County, Nanyang City... have been cleared, but there are still twenty-one cities that may have remnants of rebels. Therefore, according to my judgement...”

Huangfu Hao slowly outlined.

Basically, each general leads a camp, starting from Liuyin County, clearing rebel remnants in neighboring cities and counties.

Due to their close proximity, even if attacked, they can aid each other quickly.

Chen Mo received the first credit.

Thus, he had the privilege to choose.

As simulated, Chen Mo selected the counties around Celestial River City for clearing.

...

In the army, the Xiao Family had many spies, last night’s events had not yet reached the Emperor’s ears. At noon, Xiao Yunqi was in the Xiao Mansion looking at a confidential letter, his eyebrows immediately raised with joy.

Laughing heartily, he said, ”Originally thought Yunxi only wanted to train her own person, but unexpectedly gifted me a great talent for the Infantry Department, defeating the rebel main general of Nanyang, an Innate Martial Artist; at the very least, I must secure a Military Commander position for him.”

”Congratulations, Master!” The Xiao Family’s head steward, also Xiao Yunsi’s confidant, flattered from the side, then said softly, ”After all, Chen Hong is on our side, if Your Majesty finds out, will His Majesty agree?”

”Such a major matter is not for His Majesty alone to decide.”

”But what about Cai Si’s side?”

”This time, he will stand on my side.”

”Oh?”

Xiao Yunqi stroked his gray beard and said, ”Someone has leverage against him in my hands.”

”Someone, prepare my clothes, I must personally go to the Grand Commandant’s Mansion.”

...