Chapter 1289: Little Red Flower [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"My lord, please wait."

Gongyang Yongye turned around and looked at the person who had come.

This place was only a dozen miles from the Kang Kingdom's camp. The other party had chased him all the way; could it be that Shen Youli had sent them as an envoy? Or were they simply trying to silence him? He stared silently at the approaching young man. Gongyang Yongye recognized the young man's face: "What is it?"

Ji Moqiu stopped two zhang away from Gongyang Yongye.

Being too close can easily cause misunderstandings.

"I heard from Anian before that the Marquis seems to be troubled by the matter of having an heir." Gongxi Chou said that if he asked his brother to help add the number, he would definitely be able to add it. Upon hearing this, Ji Moqiu also felt that it was very worthwhile to use this method to win over a nineteenth-rank Marquis within the Pass, with the cost-effectiveness being maximized.

Gongyang Yongye's thought process almost stalled.

He racked his brains for a while before finally remembering that Gong Xichou had mentioned the plus sign twice. Gongyang Yongye simply thought the other party was talking nonsense, deliberately making fun of him and messing with his mind.

Having been a grown man for decades, nearly a hundred years, how could he not know whether he had this function or not? Gongyang Yongye endured the throbbing veins on his forehead, and when he saw Gong Xichou arrive, he silently gave up the idea of ​​secretly beating up Ji Moqiu—this kid's cultivation level was slightly lower than Gong Xichou's, beating him up would be a piece of cake.

"Don't make fun of me, brothers!" He does his research before committing fraud. He's just old, not stupid.

Gongxi Chou said, "There's no benefit in making fun of you."

Ji Moqiu gestured for his younger brother to remain silent, as Gongxi Chou's mouth was too prone to offending people. He took out a dark purple wooden box from his sleeve. The box was about the size of a palm, decorated on eight sides, four representing yin and four representing yang. It felt cool and smooth to the touch, like flawless jade, unlike ordinary wood. Ji Moqiu handed the box and a scroll to Gongyang Yongye: "Whether Your Majesty believes it or not, this is a small comfort. I hope it can alleviate Your Majesty's pain of losing your sight."

The wooden box contained the Gu worms, and the scroll was the instruction manual for the Gu worms.

Gongyang Yongye carried the coffin and looked at the wooden box.

Rejection is not an option, nor is acceptance.

The old man was caught in a dilemma, standing there like a wooden stake. Gong Xichou snatched the wooden box away, his actions so rough that Gongyang Yongye instinctively shouted angrily, "What are you doing, young man!"

He was even a little worried that the worms inside the wooden box might be damaged.

Gong Xichou shoved the wooden box into his arms: "What are you arguing about? Your eyes are practically glued to me, and you're still being stubborn. Once something is given away, there's no going back. Take it if you want, or destroy it on the spot if you don't. The Gu worms must not be leaked."

Gongyang Yongye outwardly resisted, but his actions betrayed him.

He tucked the wooden box into his clothes with one hand, unable to resist making a rude remark. Gongyang Yongye really disliked this young man, Gongxi Chou.

Unable to tolerate the other party's arrogance: "What if we accidentally leak information?"

If the two brothers hadn't tricked him, the Gu worms inside the wooden box did indeed have miraculous reproductive effects, and it would definitely have attracted the covetous eyes of those with ulterior motives. Using this thing to solve infertility? Ha, that's a huge waste of its potential. Powerful families have plenty of land; they even share some with their tenants. If they have a steady stream of domesticated children, they can feed and raise them without worrying about manpower for decades to come. Warlords also don't need to worry about recruiting soldiers; as long as they have grain, they'll have endless resources to spare.

Get the highest return with the lowest cost.

When Gongyang Yongye thought of this, he felt the wooden box in his arms burning hot.

Gong Xichou rolled his eyes: "So what if it's leaked?"

Gongyang Yongye mocked, "He really is just a greenhorn."

They lack any sense of the big picture or foresight in their actions.

Gong Xichou couldn't stand Lao Deng acting like a know-it-all in front of him, so he immediately retorted: "They say the older you get, the more you love to lecture, and it's true. Do you really think you're the only smart person in the world? This thing can indeed easily lead to death, but unfortunately, my clan has been wiped out to the last few. Anyone who dares to forcibly take it should first look at how many people are in their own clan, whether they're enough for my brothers to kill to their heart's content!"

Even without the concept of nine generations of relatives, they are still so arrogant.

Gongyang Yongye: "..."

He didn't want to talk to this young man anymore.

Every time I say it, I get angry. It's the younger brother who understands the etiquette of respecting the elderly and caring for the young, and knows how to use respectful terms: "It's not that I don't understand human relationships. We are not related, yet you give me such an expensive gift. You must want something from me. Tell me, what do you want me to do for you?"

Ji Moqiu: "What Your Highness desires is what I desire."

"Who is Your Highness? Shen Youli?"

Ji Moqiu nodded: "It's her."

Gongyang Yongye was confused and even a little angry: "Since I have accepted her invitation, I will not go back on my word."

Ji Moqiu's actions were an insult to his questioning.

“It’s not that I’m worried that you might go back on your word,” Ji Moqiu said with a smile, showing no sign of panic. “People often use offspring as a rope to imprison people in a small space. If there were a bloodline that you were born of yourself, I suppose it would have the same effect? ​​It is a gift, but also a shackle.”

Without constraints, it's easy to act recklessly.

Once you have something to worry about, you'll have more concerns.

Ji Moqiu said this to reassure Gongyang Yongye, while also revealing his true intentions—the shackles are there; think carefully before deciding whether to wear them. Even if Gongyang Yongye no longer serves Kangguo, with this burden, he cannot help others.

Gongyang Yongye's face visibly darkened.

Pointing at Gongxi Chou, he said, "You brat!"

Then, pointing at Ji Moqiu, he said, "You too!"

Having said that, he left without looking back, carrying the coffin.

Gong Xichou gazed in the direction he had gone, arms crossed, his bright eyes brimming with barely suppressed curiosity: "Does he know how to use it?"

Come to think of it, he had never seen what it looked like for a Gu worm to give birth.

Ji Moqiu said, "Whether I use it or not, I'll already owe them a favor."

A highly skilled but unaffiliated martial artist is always a potential threat. They can't be killed or subdued; who knows when they might turn against you and cause trouble again? Your Highness doesn't need Gongyang Yongye's service, but it would be a huge loss to have him work for someone else.

Gong Xiqiu was pleased, speaking in a low voice.

"My older brother has become quite cunning."

Hearing him speak in such a strange, melodramatic tone, Ji Moqiu finally couldn't hold back his smile and flicked his finger on the head. Gong Xichou leaned back to dodge, snatched the wooden staff from his elder brother's waist, and dodged far away before the other could hit him.

"Gong! Xi! Chou!"

"Let me borrow it to play with!"

His triumphant laughter almost pierced the sky.

Gongxi Chou, hehe.

The next second—

Gongxi Chou, no laughing.

He was clearly running forward, but a spell was cast and Gongxi Chou walked right into the trap, running for most of the day only to end up back where he started.

The older brother just stood there watching him with a forced, insincere smile.

Gong Xichou chuckled sheepishly and hugged his wooden staff tightly: "Brother~"

Shen Tang knew that the two brothers had chased after Gongyang Yongye and hadn't asked them what they were doing. A short while later, he saw the two of them return one after the other. Gong Xichou looked normal on the surface, but Shen Tang always felt that there was an invisible tail dangling behind him.

She teased, "Did Gongyang Yongye beat you up?"

Gong Xichou said longingly, "My brother beat me up."

"He usually cherishes you so much, how could he bear to beat you up?"

Gong Xichou corrected him, "He treasures his wooden staff the most, and he won't even let you touch it. I was just curious about that flower."

The little red flower growing at the top of the wooden stick.

Gong Xichou often suspected that this flower wasn't a flower at all, but rather like a mischievous child. When he was humiliated by his elder brother, he would always see that little red flower straining its petals, twitching and swaying as if trying to suppress a laugh. Of course, this evidence wasn't enough.

Once, when Gong Xichou was eating beans, he took advantage of his elder brother leaving his wooden staff inside the house and flicked a bean into the stamen of a red flower.

result--

For several days in a row, this flower would take advantage of the eldest brother's inattention to unleash a barrage of breath attacks on Gongxi Chou. It didn't hurt, but it was impossible to defend against. It would poke the eyes, nose, and mouth from the upper body, and strike the waist, legs, and groin from the lower body.

I'll pluck this flower sooner or later and use it to make tea!

Ji Moqiu wanted to get angry but couldn't. He tapped his foot with his wooden staff, giving Gong Xichou a warning look that said, "You'd better watch yourself." The little red flower, relying on its owner's power, stood proudly upright.

Two tiny green shoots proudly pressed against the flower stem.

She was carried away by Ji Moqiu with a sway.

Gong Xichou was furious: "Look at it, it's bullying people!"

Shen Tang was speechless: "You think you can be bullied by flowers?"

Gong Xichou is getting more and more childish as he gets older.

but--

“This flower is quite…unique. Could it be that it has cultivated itself and transformed into a plant spirit?” Shen Tang also noticed the little red flower’s lively and arrogant demeanor, which didn’t seem like something that Ji Moqiu could have raised. “If that’s the case, it’s not surprising.”

Nothing is surprising anymore in this world.

Gong Xichou picked up a few white steamed buns from Shen Tang's table and started eating them: "Plant spirits? They seem more like those from our clan's territory. But my elder brother wouldn't be so heartless as to carry anyone's ashes with him."

Although the proposal sounds very appealing.

He ate seven or eight steamed buns, one after another, his pace slowing down until finally a bun was dangling from his mouth, his eyes vacant, clearly lost in thought. Shen Tang shoved the bun that was about to fall into his mouth, the rough action jolting Gong Xichou awake.

"Cough cough cough—"

Gong Xichou clutched his throat, while Shen Tang frantically tried to help. After all the commotion, the Kangguo general thankfully didn't choke to death on his steamed bun. Shen Tang was still worried for him: "What could have distracted you so much?"

Kang Shi's ill will towards her has even spread to his confidants?

Gong Xiqiu gulped down several large mouthfuls of the cool water, which made him feel much better as it slid down his throat. "That flower, that flower, I was wondering why its scent was so strange, my goodness..."

Shen Tang: "???"

Gong Xiqiu murmured, "It's a Gu worm."

The flower's scent wasn't the same type as the Gu worm his elder brother had given to Gongyang Yongye, but its primal aura was similar. Gong Xichou initially thought it was just the life force of an ordinary plant spirit, but he had only just noticed the subtle difference. Gong Xichou was practically petrified.

Shen Tang slid her hand in front of his eyes: "What kind of Gu worm?"

Gong Xichou clutched his head, his thoughts in disarray.

His older brother had told him about the origin of the wooden staff.

The staffs of the high priests throughout history were all formed from their own divine power, but his was different; it was formed from the roots of a divine tree. Gongxi Chou naturally assumed that the flower was from this section of the divine tree, nurtured day and night by divine power, awakening its vitality and causing it to sprout and grow. Ji Moqiu, worried that Gongxi Chou might be careless, specifically stated that the flower was a gift from the gods.

Things given by the gods should not be taken lightly.

Gongxi Chou remarked at the time: "Isn't this just like a student at the academy getting a paper flower as a reward for doing well in their studies?"

Ji Moqiu smiled but remained silent.

Gong Xichou wanted to slap himself for thinking about it. The flower seed bestowed by the gods was able to grow and develop only thanks to his elder brother's divine power... Gong Xichou swallowed hard, and under Shen Tang's horrified gaze, said, "My elder brother is about to give birth!"

Shen Tang: "..."

In just two days, Ji Moqiu heard that she was in postpartum confinement.

Ji Moqiu: "???"

He forced a smile and refused Fang Yan's offer.

Fang Yan's gaze kept drifting to his lower abdomen as he asked worriedly, "The wounded in the camp are all out of danger. They only need to rest for a few days to recover their strength. You don't need to work so hard anymore... That kind of thing is too taxing on your energy. Are you sure you can handle it?"

Although Ji Moqiu was not a military doctor accompanying the army, he never missed a day of his post.

As long as they can keep the person alive and buy enough time, the medical professionals are confident they can snatch them back from the jaws of death.

Jimo Qiu kept the casualty rate extremely low.

Fang Yan had fought in numerous battles over the years and had never seen a situation where less than 20% of the troops were killed in a day and night of hand-to-hand combat, while the enemy suffered over 60% casualties. Keep in mind that the Allied main force was far larger than theirs. As long as a soldier carried off the battlefield still had a breath left and a beating heart, they could generally be saved. As for injuries or disabilities, they could recover slowly after the battle.

As long as you're alive, nothing else matters.

Ji Moqiu took a deep breath.

"Sixth Brother Fang, I really didn't give birth. If I really... really did give birth, how could my figure have fooled you?" He was still an innocent and respectable man! Ji Moqiu wanted to know where these outrageous rumors came from! Why were they trying to ruin his reputation?

Fang Yan said regretfully, "Really not? Thirteen Bai was just having a good time."

Despite his injuries, he couldn't stop himself from jumping out of bed. If Fang Yan hadn't stopped him, Shao Chong would have hopped off to find Ji Moqiu to congratulate him on the birth of his son... no, his daughter.

Ji Moqiu's face darkened: "No."

It's still a long way from ripening.

Fang Yan said, "Since it's a rumor, we need to send someone to investigate who spread it. We can't let it ruin your reputation."

Although anything can happen in this world, nobody wants to be the first to become the subject of gossip.

It wasn't difficult to find out the truth; the investigation led back to Gong Xichou.

Fang Yan: "..."

Ji Moqiu: "...I'll go and have a heart-to-heart talk with him."

Shen Tang hadn't seen Gong Xi Chou for two days. While they were encircling the Southwest Allied forces and tightening the encirclement, she found time to visit the wounded soldiers' camp. Military doctors could heal the soldiers' physical wounds, and as their lord, she could soothe their souls, providing spiritual healing and a comprehensive care and support. She knew the process by heart.

"Pfft—you're here?"

Gong Xichou was lying on the makeshift bed next to Shao Chong.

There are no external injuries, but it hurts all over.

Gong Xichou silently pulled up the cloak covering his belly, covering his head, while his mother continued to chatter beside him.

"Your brother hit him?"

Gong Xiqiu said in a muffled voice, "It's divine punishment."

"How long will it take you to finish the punishment?"

First of all, she felt sorry for her friend.

Secondly, she needs her partners to do the work.

After the initial battle, simply distinguishing friend from foe can greatly reduce the mobility of high-level martial artists. However, in the initial stages of the battle, Gong Xichou can still boost the morale of his own troops. He has many fans, and his presence on the front lines creates a completely different atmosphere.

"Watch out, or I'll count it as an absence."

Gongxi Chou chose to coil himself into a snake.

Its tail was curled up with a tattered cloth bearing the words "Do Not Disturb During Hibernation" written on it.

|ω`)

Quickly, I changed the title (actually, I didn't want to at all; coming up with a title is such a hassle).

(End of this chapter)