Chapter 423 Emperor Wusu Returns to Camp? Heaven Blesses the Northern Li!

Her knees slammed heavily onto the gravel, and a burning pain instantly spread.

Ji Qingwu propped himself up, his palms bleeding from the rough gravel, but he didn't even have time to cry out in pain.

Because the sound of horses' hooves was getting closer.

She didn't even have time to straighten her skirt before she stumbled and ran to the wooden fence at the entrance of the military camp.

Has Emperor Wusu returned to camp? Ji Qingwu's heart pounded.

Suddenly, the watchtower's horn sounded a long blast.

A man reined in his horse at the gate. His silver armor was covered in yellow sand. As he dismounted, the gilded scabbard at his waist made a crisp sound as it struck the saddle.

Through the fence, Ji Qingwu could see who had returned.

She took a half-step back in disappointment, hurriedly pulling the headscarf around her neck over her head.

Wei Ting returned, along with several of his personal guards.

The guard clasped his hands in salute: "General!"

Li Chengxun also rushed to the door and said, "General Wei."

Wei Ting nodded, not having time for idle chatter, and asked the guards.

When did the army set off?

The guard replied, "General, last night the sandstorm was so fierce that the sentries' vision was obstructed. At midnight, Xijin launched a surprise attack, gathering all its forces and pressing towards the border. His Majesty has already taken command and set out on the expedition."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ting's expression turned solemn. Neither the timing nor the location was on Bei Li's side.

The Western Jin forces had more troops, and their soldiers were more accustomed to launching attacks in the sandstorms. They could also use the terrain, such as sand dunes and ravines, for cover, giving them a greater chance of victory.

Ji Qingwu hid behind the fence, biting her lip tightly.

She was indeed too late. If this battle starts, who knows when it will end, or when Emperor Wusu will return...

At that moment, another sharp whistle rang out.

Ji Qingwu recognized the sound of the whistle. Her eyes widened in alarm, and she turned and ran, biting her lower lip until it bled.

These wolves and tigers of Xijin never stop for a moment!

Wei Ting froze, then mounted his horse and galloped towards the barracks where provisions were stored.

Unfamiliar with the signals coming from the army, Li Chengxun asked suspiciously, "May I ask what has happened?"

The guard said stiffly, "...The fire has started."

Ji Qingwu ran towards the direction of the kitchen as he remembered it, temporarily forgetting the pain in his knees.

The kitchen contained over a hundred large water tanks, all of which were filled with water.

Fortunately, the Northern Army is well-disciplined, and these habits have never changed. In order to cope with the dry autumn and winter, they will increase the amount of water stored.

But then, an even more urgent whistle blew.

Ji Qingwu's heart skipped a beat, and he looked eastward.

Several rockets were fired simultaneously toward the camp. The weather was dry, and the rockets caught fire as soon as they touched anything, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

The north wind howled, and thick smoke billowed.

Ji Qingwu frowned. Even with all this water, it probably wouldn't be enough to stop the fire that was spreading with the strong wind.

Even Heaven isn't on Beili's side.

The soldiers guarding the entrances to each tent were busy putting out the fire.

Li Chengxun also rushed over, grabbed a fleeing soldier, and asked, "Weren't the granaries in the northern border built with bluestone? Why did they catch fire?"

"Sir, bluestone cannot protect against kerosene!"

The soldier broke free of his hand, and water splashed from the bucket at his feet.

"The Xijin people not only shoot rockets! They also use falcons to drop fire!"

Xi Jin came prepared, and even specially trained eagles and peregrine falcons to do this.

Li Chengxun looked eastward, where ten granaries were engulfed in flames, the bluestone cracking and popping under the intense heat. He wondered how much longer they could hold out.

Seeing that the flames had already licked into the outermost granary, Ji Qingwu casually lifted the door of a military tent and hid inside.

She called out anxiously, "Peanuts!"

The electronic brain emitted a buzzing sound as it was powered on.

Yes, host.

Ji Qingwu said quickly, "Hurry up and release the national fortune you owe me last time, or I'll take you down with me!"

The system knew the situation was urgent, so this time it didn't waste any time or words.

[Okay, host, where do you intend to use it? On the battlefield or in the military camp?]

Ji Qingwu hesitated for a moment.

In battle, swords and spears have no eyes. The Western Jin army is most adept at using underhanded tactics, and the situation faced by the army at the front is even more dangerous than theirs.

If the nation's destiny were unleashed on the battlefield, it could protect Emperor Wusu from injury.

But provisions are essential for marching and are a necessity for soldiers.

As Ji Qingwu closed his eyes, the image of Zhao Mingyan's pale face after being shot by an arrow appeared in his mind.

The bite mark on her lower lip deepened, and the taste of rust filled her mouth. She opened her eyes again, her expression resolute as she opened her lips.

Not long after.

Ji Qingwu lifted the curtain and came out, where he was noticed by a soldier who was carrying water to put out a fire.

The man's face was covered in charcoal ash, with only the whites of his eyes and teeth remaining white. He asked suspiciously, "Who are you? Why did you come out of the general's tent?"

In his haste, Ji Qingwu hadn't had time to check whose tent it was. Now, looking up, he saw a large "Wei" character on the top of the tent.

Seeing that the woman had covered most of her face with a headscarf, the soldier flew into a rage and said, "Fine! You're a spy from Xijin!"

Ji Qingwu frowned and said, "Putting out the fire is the priority; don't waste time."

The soldier didn't trust her. After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and carried the bucket to the east side where the grain was stored, not forgetting to turn back and warn her.

"Don't move, I'll settle this score with you when I get back!"

Li Chengxun appeared beside her and said in an unfriendly tone, "This is a critical moment. You were sent by Qingyun, so don't run around. Otherwise, if something happens, I can't protect you."

Ji Qingwu, still wearing Chunhua's face, remained silent and looked up at the sky.

The morning sunlight was not yet harsh, but bright and energetic, as if foreshadowing a bright and sunny day.

But in an instant, several large dark clouds drifted over, covering the sun and making a rumbling noise in the sky.

Ji Qingwu breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes welling up with tears, which she quickly suppressed.

What she needs to do now is to safeguard the military camp, her important rear area.

Ji Qingwu ran towards the east.

Li Chengxun frowned, wanting to call out to her, but the sky suddenly darkened, and thick, inky black clouds appeared overhead. In the time it took him to look up in a daze, the maid had vanished.

A stunning bolt of lightning cleaved through the billowing smoke.

Large raindrops pelted the red-hot granary roof, sending up plumes of white steam.

The northern border was dry, and there was little rain this season. The soldiers fighting the fire were stunned by the torrential rain.

"Heaven has sent down timely rain! Heaven blesses the Northern Li!"

Someone shouted out first, and the soldiers all knelt down, thanking the heavens for this auspicious sign.

Not far away, only Wei Ting's roar could be heard.

"Why are you kneeling? It's not the right time yet. Instead of praying for rain, pray for your own. Keep forming a human wall to pass the water!"

The soldiers snapped out of their daze and quickly began to put out the fire. Wei Ting directed the men to use spears to pry open the burning beams and pillars.

Despite the heavy rain, Ji Qingwu also helped carry several buckets of water.

Heavy rain and buckets of water washed away the embers, gradually extinguishing the fire.

Ji Qingwu bent over, leaning on her thighs and panting. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. The wounds on her palms and knees were soaked in rainwater and no longer hurt; instead, they felt hot and swollen.