Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 414: Chang En’s Repayment

The next day.

Xiao Quan left Xiangyang City without saying goodbye.

Shortly after he left, Chen Mo received a letter from Geng Songfu.

The letter explained that the spy arranged in Fengzhou had discovered that Prince Huai dispatched Grand General Chu Ce with troops leaving Fengzhou, but the exact number of soldiers and their destination were unknown.

However, Geng Songfu speculated that Prince Huai might have sent troops through the Western River Land to reinforce Longyou, attempting to alleviate his own pressure.

Additionally, there was speculation that it could be a conspiracy by Prince Huai.

It suggested that this was just false intelligence released by Prince Huai, with the aim of luring our troops in Huai State to attack Fengzhou, ultimately encircling and annihilating our forces attacking Fengzhou, and taking the opportunity to seize back Linzhou.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo frowned. Sure enough, Prince Huai was not someone who would sit and wait for doom.

But regardless of his true intentions, Chen Mo had no energy to attack Fengzhou at the moment.

First, he was now in Linzhou, and it was already mid-October. By the time he arrived in Huai State to command, it would be November and winter, not suitable for warfare.

Second, he had promised to let the soldiers under him rotate home for family visits.

Third, he was also worried that this could be Prince Huai’s plot to lure the army.

It’s better to adopt a defensive strategy until the spring of next year.

Having made up his mind, Chen Mo said, "Sun Meng."

"I am here." Sun Meng, who heard Chen Mo’s call, quickly walked in.

"Order Deng Tian to lead five thousand Xianzhen Guards to immediately head to Shuofei County in Yu State to reinforce the defense."

The troops stationed in Huai State were enough, but at the Longyou side in Yu State, the defense appeared inadequate and needed strengthening to prevent any unexpected events.

"Understood."

Just as Sun Meng was about to leave, Chen Mo called him back again, saying, "Our ally Yang Xian should also be put to use. Send someone with this Marquis’s token to the Shu Residence, and have Yang Xian spread the word about our supposed military expedition to Fengzhou to intimidate Prince Huai."

If they were to actually ask Yang Xian for military support, even as allies, Chen Mo would have to spend some resources.

But merely having Yang Xian put on a façade would not require such a cost.

...

In late October.

Chen Mo prepared to set out for an inspection of Linzhou to understand the local people’s livelihood and the situation of the officials, intending to return before the New Year.

Xia Zhiqing was pregnant in March this year, and calculating the time, she was due by the end of the year, just in time.

However, just as he was about to set out with Wei Linchun.

Sun Meng came to report that Chang En had come to see him.

"Marquis, it seems Chang En did not disappoint you; he really came back," Sun Meng said. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Chen Mo smiled and said, "It seems this Marquis did not misjudge, let him come to the study to meet me."

"Understood."

...

Upon seeing Chang En again, Chen Mo could clearly see his lowered spirits.

Chang En was straightforward, and his emotions were easy to read.

Chen Mo pondered for a moment and said, "Chang En, you’re back. Looking at you, did something happen?"

"Mm." Chang En’s eyes dimmed slightly as he lifted his head and said, "Marquis, Master... Master has passed away."

"Ah."

Chen Mo was startled and said, feigning a heavy tone, "How could this happen? It’s unfair that even a master like the old gentleman couldn’t escape the passage of time."

"Marquis..."

Suddenly, Chang En knelt in front of Chen Mo with a bang and kowtowed.

This sudden scene caught Chen Mo off guard.

He quickly stepped forward to help Chang En up, saying, "Chang En, what is the meaning of this?"

"If it wasn’t for the Marquis reminding me to go back in time to tend to Master’s body and prevent it from being consumed by pests, I... I would be inexcusable even in death.

Moreover, I have not achieved any merits, yet the Marquis appointed me as the Minister of the Divine Brave Guard, such graciousness and virtue, I will never forget." At this moment, Chang En genuinely regarded Chen Mo as his benefactor.

"Chang En, no need to be so polite." Chen Mo invited him to sit down and then said, "It is my honor to have a strong person like Chang En come to serve under this Marquis, so don’t let it weigh on your mind."

"Marquis, Master once said, return kindness for kindness, and as for enmities, return enmity in kind. The Marquis has shown me great kindness, so from now on, Chang En will be at your command."

Saying this, Chang En took out a yellowed piece of paper from his bosom, stood up and handed it to Chen Mo, continuing:

"I have nothing of value to repay the Marquis, this is a Secret Technique that can temporarily enhance the power of innate spiritual qi within, making it thicker and more refined, thereby increasing one’s strength for a short time.

I thought it might be of help to the Marquis, but this technique is a relic from my late master, so the original I cannot give you, but I can let you transcribe a copy."

Not only was Chang En straightforward, but also honest, even when presenting the Secret Technique in gratitude, he spoke it as it was.

Chen Mo paused for a moment, instinctively took it, and glanced at it.

And at that moment, a system prompt sounded.

[Detected Martial Arts Spirit Burning Profound Skill, record it?]

Chen Mo was stunned, but mentally said yes.

[Spirit Burning Profound Skill recorded.]

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, opened the system panel.

[Name: Chen Mo.]

[Age: 20.]

[Cultivation Technique: Purple Sun Transformation Skill (Great Success 47621.5/100000).]

[Realm: Divine Power (Third Grade).]

[Power: 2434.]

[Skills: Great Sun Qi Slash (Intermediate 103530/6000000), Sun-Shooting Arrow (Basic 825160/1000000), Cloud Traveling Step (Advanced 2312/10000), Spirit Burning Profound Skill (Basic 0/100).]

Chen Mo’s eyes flickered, and then he promptly returned the yellowed paper containing the Spirit Burning Profound Skill to Chang En, saying righteously, "Since this is your Master’s legacy, how can I take it? Take it back quickly."

Chang En, in his earnestness, replied, "But Master’s last words did not state it couldn’t be passed to outsiders, and I’m only letting the Marquis make a copy, not giving away the heirloom, plus the Marquis has shown me great kindness, Master, if aware, would not mind."

"A gentleman knows what to do and what not to do. This Secret Technique is, after all, your sect’s possession. Despite the old gentleman’s lack of specific instructions, I am not of your sect, so how can I practice it?" Chen Mo refused sincerely.

Upon hearing this, Chang En felt an even more favorable impression of Chen Mo. Characters from heroic tales he read seemed now adequately embodied, making him adamant to give.

Seeing so, Chen Mo no longer refused, saying, "Since it’s from you with pure goodwill, I shall accept it, but there’s no need to transcribe it, I will memorize it. Furthermore, I promise you, Chang En, I will not disclose it to anyone else."

Witnessing such honor and integrity in Chen Mo, Chang En couldn’t help but develop admiration for him, saying, "I trust the Marquis."

"Chang En, it’s been a long journey, take some rest. Sun Meng, take Chang En to rest," Chen Mo said.

Sun Meng soon walked in and said to Chang En, "General Chang En, please follow me."