Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 174: Unexpected

She didn’t argue anymore. Instead, she nodded earnestly, the corners of her lips turning up in a gentle smile. "Alright, I promise you. I’ll report all of my movements in advance and will absolutely not act on my own."

Outside the camp, the night air was cool. Torches at the entrance swayed in the wind, casting dappled shadows.

Cheng Peng stood at the entrance, his expression stern as he selected skilled and agile soldiers from the patrol.

He finally picked three men, all of them veterans with precise spearmanship, quick reflexes, and extensive experience.

"Prepare to escort Song Chenglu back,"

he ordered, his voice crisp and decisive.

Song Chenglu’s hands were cuffed in front of her. Her face was pale, yet she wore a cold sneer.

Just as she was about to walk, she stopped abruptly, raising her hands to block the soldier leading the way.

Her movement was sharp, carrying an air of authority that could not be ignored.

"Wait."

Cheng Peng’s brow furrowed, his tone instantly becoming impatient. "What is it now? Stop playing games and get a move on."

She turned around slowly, her gaze locked on Cheng Peng. Her voice was light, yet sharp as a knife. "Cheng Peng, I hear... Guo Ying isn’t doing so well lately? Coughing up blood in the middle of the night, needs someone to help her walk... is that true?"

The expression on Cheng Peng’s face changed instantly.

His previously composed expression cracked. His eyes flashed cold, and he stared at Song Chenglu like a hawk. He spoke, enunciating every word, "Song Chenglu, I suggest you watch yourself. Reflect on your mistakes. Everything your sister has done was for your own good."

Guo Ying was the most important person in his life, the one he cared for most. He would not tolerate anyone besmirching her name with slander.

’And Song Chenglu dared to bring her up to his face.’

Song Chenglu coldly watched his face darken, a sneer forming in her heart.

’She had anticipated this reaction and was waiting for him to explode.’

"Hah, for my own good?"

She let out a sharp, grating laugh. "Every last one of you has been fooled by her! She acts all virtuous and kind, but it’s a complete act! She’s not innocent at all. She’s hiding ulterior motives, you’re all just too blind to see it!"

"Shut up!"

Cheng Peng roared, his voice booming like thunder.

"I don’t want to hear another word from you! Shut your mouth! Now, get going!"

"From now on, you are forbidden from setting foot in this camp ever again! Don’t let me see you again! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

Song Chenglu glared at him, her lips trembling slightly.

"Cheng Peng..." She spat out his name through gritted teeth. "And Guo Ying... The two of you, just you wait. I’ll settle this score with you, sooner or later, piece by piece."

She then spun around and stalked toward the camp entrance without a backward glance.

The soldiers who had been waiting outside saw this and immediately fell in behind her.

Cheng Peng remained where he stood, his gaze fixed on the direction she had gone, his brow tightly furrowed.

’He knew he couldn’t let such a malicious woman get anywhere near Song Qingya ever again.’

’Especially with the situation still so unstable, the slightest disturbance could trigger a chain reaction.’

"You few!"

He suddenly turned, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers on standby. "Listen up! I want a tail on Song Chenglu! From now on, you will track her every move. Don’t let her pull any stunts, don’t let her spread rumors, and most importantly, do not let her get anywhere near the core of the camp! Report any suspicious activity immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

The soldiers acknowledged their orders, turned, and left.

Inside the tent, the light was dim and yellow.

Fei Jin and Song Qingya were seated at a wooden table. Spread across it were several pages covered in writing; they were discussing their next plan of action.

"Wang Kang has been subdued and locked in the dungeon. He won’t be causing any trouble for the time being."

Fei Jin began to speak, his brow still furrowed. "The people of Jing City are relatively calm for now, no riots have broken out yet. But I’m still worried... Could he have someone backing him in secret? Are there others involved? None of that has been investigated yet."

"I..." Song Qingya had just opened her mouth to speak when two clear knocks sounded from outside the tent flap.

"Come in."

Fei Jin immediately composed himself and called toward the entrance.

The tent flap was pushed aside, and Cheng Peng strode in. His expression was grim, as if he had just been through a nasty confrontation.

He stood before the table, his tone direct. "Village Chief, Qingya, that punk Wang Kang is raising hell in the dungeon. He’s demanding to see you both, says he has ’important intelligence,’ and he’s being very insistent."

He paused, then lowered his voice slightly and added, "Also, one more thing—that fellow from the city, Yang Kai, just arrived."

"Yang Kai?"

Fei Jin and Song Qingya exchanged a look, surprise flickering in their eyes.

The name was not unfamiliar, but his appearance right now was entirely unexpected.

"That’s right."

Cheng Peng nodded and gestured with his chin toward the entrance, indicating the person was just outside. "He brought gifts, said they’re a welcoming present for the village chief and you, Qingya. Delivered them himself."

Song Qingya raised an eyebrow slightly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

She turned her head to look at Fei Jin, her eyes crinkling with a teasing, playful smile. "Well now, looks like your star is on the rise. No sooner is Wang Kang arrested than someone else shows up bearing gifts to curry favor? This Yang Kai never showed his face before, and now he’s delivering them himself. He certainly knows how to read the room."

Fei Jin smiled, but his eyes held a hint of helplessness and complex emotion. "I was just thinking that we have a long road ahead of us. We’ll be seeing each other all the time and have to work together, so it’s always good to stay on amicable terms. Besides..."

He paused, as if weighing whether he should say what was on his mind.

He lowered his voice. "The man came knowing the proper etiquette. He speaks and acts with decorum, and his attitude is sincere. That’s not something you can fake; it’s a matter of breeding. Compared to a brute like Wang Kang, they’re like night and day."

Cheng Peng quickly added, "Everything’s covered with red cloth. You can tell he’s meticulous, didn’t want the gifts to be seen at a glance. But from what I could tell, some of it is shaped like food, and there are several bolts of fabric in colors so bright you’d never see them in a remote place like this. There’s also a chest. It’s incredibly heavy—it took two strong men to carry it in. No idea what kind of valuables are inside."

Just from the selection and presentation of the gifts, it was clear the man had put a lot of thought into it.

Fei Jin thought for a moment before speaking to Cheng Peng in a steady voice. "Keep Wang Kang locked in the cell for now. Post a tight guard and don’t let him have any contact with outsiders. Once we’ve handled things here, we’ll give him a proper interrogation and see what other trouble he’s gotten himself into. As for Yang Kai, let him come in. The gifts can be left by the entrance. Let’s hear what he has to say first."

"Understood!"

Cheng Peng’s voice was crisp, and he asked no further questions.

A moment later, Yang Kai walked in.