Chapter 238: I Can't Take It [Two-in-One]
The confidant cautiously replied, "I've heard there's been a war going on."
Upon hearing the word "war," Gong Xichou's expression darkened. Despite his recent attempts to avoid the situation, he wasn't completely out of the loop. He had heard that the King of Zhi's envoy had ordered the massacre of almost everyone in Xiaocheng, yet still hadn't obtained the so-called "national seal."
My mental state is somewhat broken, and I'm very irritable.
But the King of Pigs was even more devastated than the King's envoy.
Don't let his title of "King of Pigs" fool you; he's got a perfectly sharp mind. No one knows better than the King of Pigs what will happen if his side doesn't get the Imperial Seal—once Zheng Qiao recovers and suppresses the restless rebels, he'll be the first to deal with him.
The King of Zhi and his other rebellious brother grew increasingly anxious.
Specifically, the old general received increasingly strongly worded secret letters, which even Gongxi Chou, who had been refusing visitors for many days, heard about.
Gong Xichou sneered, "Another war?"
Last time, they did nothing but slaughter a city for the so-called "national seal"... Now that war has broken out again, what kind of trouble are they trying to cause?
The confidant lowered his head and said, "I heard it's to punish the allied forces."
Gong Xichou: "What allied forces? That rabble?"
The confidant said, "It is them."
Gong Xichou pursed his lips and said indifferently, "I understand. Go back and tell my godfather that I'll pack up and head over."
They said they were cleaning up, but they didn't actually do anything.
He simply dislikes being punctual and deliberately makes people wait. Even if others know this, they have no choice but to tolerate it.
The soldiers were enjoying a lavish banquet, with singing, dancing, and music playing throughout the hall.
As soon as Gong Xichou arrived, the old general warmly invited him to sit next to him. Several young, beautiful, and scantily clad dancers came forward to greet him. One of them was particularly striking in appearance and dressed in even more opulent attire than the others.
The woman's waist was as lithe as a water snake; she practically slid into Gong Xi Chou's arms, smiling as she poured him wine. Her eyes were alluring, and her red lips parted slightly.
Its voice is as crisp as a nightingale's, and extremely pleasant to the ear.
"Young General, please."
Gong Xiqiu's fingers accidentally brushed against the woman's mostly bare back, as if touching a delicate, soft, and cool snake, causing him to stiffen instinctively. Just as he was about to raise his hand to push the woman away, he heard the old general ask him with a smile, "A'nian, are you satisfied with this woman?"
Gong Xichou: "..."
He lowered his head slightly, his gaze meeting those eyes brimming with spring water, and frowned as he said, "Not satisfied."
Upon hearing this, the woman's face immediately paled.
He hurriedly climbed down from Gong Xichou's arms.
She seemed to know her fate, shrinking back in fear.
Usually, the beautiful women rejected by Gongxi Chou would be given by the old general to other useful subordinates, or kept by him himself. But this time, the old general was uncharacteristic, advising him in the tone of an old father: "What man doesn't like beautiful women?"
This adopted son is good in every way.
He is obedient, loyal, and has no ambition. He would never covet what doesn't belong to him, making him much better than those unfilial sons in the family.
It's just a pity that he's not her son.
The old general was very satisfied with him, but occasionally he would have many worries. Gong Xichou liked gold and silver jewelry, fine horses and wine, but he was not greedy. He was quite indifferent to beautiful women. He was strong, talented and young, and still had room for improvement.
In some ways, he was almost a perfect man.
But can a tool without flaws truly be used by him forever? After a few rounds of drinks, the old general's cheeks were also slightly flushed.
Fueled by alcohol, he said, half-jokingly, "A-Nian, you really won't accept this woman? In that case, your godfather will bestow her upon you. Those soldiers are following you and me on this expedition, far from their wives at home, and they lack someone to comfort them..."
The dancer's face drained of color upon hearing this.
She lay trembling on the ground, not daring to utter a sound. Judging from the slight trembling of her back as she tried her best to suppress it, she was terrified.
At the banquet, the other generals also laughed and cheered.
"At your age, young general, let alone a wife, even a concubine's child could run away," one man said drunkenly. "Could it be that the young general has never been taught anything about bedroom matters? Women aren't monsters; once you've tasted the sweetness, you'll definitely want more."
The other person laughed and joked, "Such a beautiful woman, if you really give her away, even the best bud will wither in a couple of days. Why don't you just accept her and add someone to your household who cares for you?"
"Such a beautiful woman, what a pity."
The old general raised his hand, preparing to have the woman dragged away.
Gong Xichou said helplessly, "Stay."
Upon hearing this, the woman, who had been filled with despair, looked up at him with wild joy, but Gong Xichou's gaze did not fall on her.
But in any case, she has escaped a disaster for the time being.
Gong Xichou tapped the food table with his finger: "What are you standing there for?"
The glass of wine was empty.
The woman quickly filled his glass with wine.
Upon seeing this, the old general finally felt relieved.
Gong Xichou downed the wine in his cup in one gulp and asked the old general with a calm expression, "Why did you urgently summon me here, Father?"
The old general said, "For that gang of thieves."
Gong Xichou: "Your son is willing to relieve your godfather's worries."
The old general was secretly pleased, but his face still showed worry.
He sighed and patted his godson on the shoulder.
"As your father, I know you are brave, but the allied forces formed by these bandits are indeed quite capable. Their strength is greater than we expected. The leader of the allied forces is named Wu Xian, and I've heard that he has several highly skilled retainers under his command, all of whom are a major threat!"
Gong Xichou said coldly, "Father, do not worry. That rabble is nothing but weeds in my eyes. If you let me lead an army of ten thousand, I will not only take Wu Xian's retainers, but even Wu Xian himself, I will cut off his head and give it to you as a tiger cub!"
The old general was deeply moved after hearing this.
He patted Gong Xichou on the shoulder in praise.
"My son is brave! You can rest easy now!"
Other generals followed suit, flattering him: "Young General, your bravery surpasses that of the entire army. Those cowards are no match for you. I would like to offer you a toast first."
The others also raised their glasses.
Gong Xichou had already rolled his eyes inwardly.
He still raised his wine glass and drank with his generals.
At this moment, a somewhat unfamiliar bearded military officer emerged from the corner. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and said in a fierce voice, "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? This humble general requests to join the young general in the campaign and slaughter that band of traitors without leaving a single survivor!"
Gong Xichou's eyes twitched.
He wasn't quite sure who his adoptive father's men were.
This clueless young man looks unfamiliar.
Why is he called a hothead?
Didn't you see everyone else was keeping quiet?
They talked a tough game, but no one stepped forward to volunteer. Instead, they just kept stirring up trouble, craning their necks to wait for him to take the lead.
Why?
Because following him around makes it easier to pick up the credits!
On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; who doesn't value their life?
Military achievements bring wealth and honor; who wouldn't be tempted?
It's a win-win situation—only a fool wouldn't do it if it meant saving their life and gaining military merit.
Unexpectedly, a hothead stepped forward.
Judging from the tone, they seem to want to be at the forefront.
Gong Xichou didn't recognize the man's identity, but how could the old general not know? He immediately said "good" three times in a row: "Good, good, good—with a fierce general like you, why should I worry about allying with traitors and letting them grow powerful?"
Without saying a word—
The man was rewarded with two dancers and a box of jewels.
He ordered Gongxi Chou to gather 10,000 elite troops to meet the enemy.
Gong Xiqiu accepted the order in a deep voice.
Although it's called troop deployment, he doesn't really need to worry about it at all.
He can get a good night's sleep and recharge his energy.
Emmm——
Looking at the woman lying on his bed, shy and timid, he instantly lost his sleepiness and stared at her with wide eyes. The woman, clutching the blanket and biting her lip, saw that Gong Xichou remained motionless. Her pretty face turned deathly pale, and she got up and knelt down.
A patch of pure white came into view, and Gong Xichou looked away.
He pointed to the clothes scattered on the bed: "Put them on!"
The woman replied, "Yes!"
Gong Xichou then said, "Go down!"
Women naturally dare not disobey.
Her fingers trembled as she put on the frugal clothes, the same outfit she wore to the banquet. Only the candlelight inside wasn't as bright as in the banquet hall, adding a touch of hazy, ethereal light.
To put it simply, it's like turning on a blurry beauty filter.
Even minor flaws can be concealed.
Honestly, it is indeed very beautiful.
Gong Xichou asked, "Why did my godfather send you here?"
The woman bit her lower lip and truthfully replied, "Serving the young general."
Gong Xichou: "Then just say you've served them."
The woman stared at him in astonishment.
Gongxi Chou asked in return.
"What, will Godfather have someone check whether you've served me? Just tell me, and I'll say yes if he asks later."
The woman's emotions had calmed down considerably, and she said in a low voice, "If there is an investigation, and the young general really admits it, it might damage his reputation..."
Several large question marks appeared on Gong Xichou's forehead.
He asked, "What do you mean?"
The woman, suppressing her shame, said, "I am still a woman."
If someone were to actually examine him, and Gong Xiqiu admitted it, people would inevitably think he was all show and no substance, all bark and no bite. How incompetent could he be to do that? But Gong Xiqiu didn't think that much about it. Instead, he was surprised by the woman's answer: "That's really strange."
The woman thought Gong Xichou was mocking her, and was filled with shame and indignation. But then she heard him say, "I know what kind of people my godfather's men are. Someone as beautiful as you, who could stand guard and not take advantage of you during a time of war and chaos, have those scumbags changed their ways?"
The woman guessed, "Is it perhaps to curry favor with the emperor?"
Gong Xichou was too lazy to guess.
"You can stay here in peace. If you have nothing to do, warm your bedding every night before you leave. We'll let you out again when we have the chance."
Woman: "...The young general no longer wants me?"
Gong Xichou spread his hands and said, "I can't take it."
woman:"……???"
Did she hear some terrible gossip?
Is this just a showy facade?
For a moment, death seemed imminent. Knowing Gong Xichou's secret, would she be silenced by him?
That's unlikely.
“Martial arts practitioners should stay away from women! Indulging in women will hinder cultivation!” Gong Xichou was not so petty and did not intend to take the woman’s life. He said, “I still practice the virginity-training technique.”
Upon hearing this, the woman realized she had misunderstood.
But at the same time, I breathed a long sigh of relief—
Who would be willing to sacrifice their body in exchange for a mere existence?
That would be excellent.
Gong Xichou didn't care what the woman was thinking. He told her to leave after warming the bed, and he really meant it. The woman was initially apprehensive, but seeing that Gong Xichou didn't even give her a second glance, she finally believed him and lay down to sleep in the side room with the thin blanket.
Before dawn, I heard a series of footsteps.
She got up and saw a set of fully covered women's clothes on the previously empty table. She quickly changed into them.
As soon as the door opened, Gong Xichou transformed into his martial armor.
He then blew his whistle to summon his warhorse and left without looking back.
Subordinate officials followed closely behind.
Looking at the closed door again, and then at the gray sky outside the window, where the sun had not yet fully risen, just like her bleak future, an endless sorrow welled up in the woman's heart.
But she quickly calmed down and laughed self-deprecatingly.
Compared to the other women who were arrested, she's already doing very well.
At least Gongxi Chou had the strength and wasn't cruel.
As for his suggestion to find an opportunity to get rid of him?
The woman was unwilling. Staying by Gong Xichou's side meant she would have a safe haven as long as he didn't fall. But if she ran away, not only would her face and body be in danger, but her identity as a woman would also bring her immense trouble.
Because she lacked the ability to survive in chaotic times.
Even though she had a family background that ordinary people envied before her downfall.
"A rootless duckweed..."
The woman looked at the sky and sighed softly.
The sound was extremely faint, dissipating as soon as it was uttered.
at the same time--
Gong Xichou ran into his sworn brother again.
His sworn brother asked him, "How was your night?"
Gong Xiqiu: "A moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold, very good."
The sworn brother said sarcastically, "Father bestowed so many beautiful women upon you before, but you didn't want any of them. It turns out they weren't pretty enough."
Gong Xiqiu said, "Better to have none than to have something of poor quality."
Before his sworn brother could say anything more, Gong Xichou frankly laughed and said, "Brother, I've been wild and unruly since I was a child. I like what I like very much and hate what I hate very much. I won't covet what belongs to others, but I also don't like others reaching their claws into my territory."
His sworn brother felt a little uneasy under his gaze.
What do you mean?
Gong Xichou said, "It means whoever sticks out their claws, I'll chop them off! I'll fry them in oil and eat them as a snack with my drinks!"
Having said that, he rode his horse past him.
He knew this eccentric sworn brother very well.
If they weren't warned, the other party was capable of anything. Even if Gongxi Chou held a grudge afterward, the old general would side with his own son. He might even feel disappointed and think that a woman had deliberately seduced him and ruined their brotherly relationship...
If you're framed for a crime, even if you die, it's all for nothing.
The sworn brother watched Gong Xichou's departing figure.
He snorted heavily, turned his horse around, and rode away.
Banners fluttered in the wind, and the 10,000-strong army had been fully organized.
At the banquet, a hotheaded young man who had volunteered for the battle rode forward and said in a strong voice, "Young General, the army is ready."
Gong Xichou didn't say a word, he just nodded.
He glanced around casually.
These soldiers were mostly young and strong men.
I wonder how many of them will survive this time on the battlefield.
After glancing at the time, Gongxi Chou dismissed his unnecessary thoughts, raised his hand, and said calmly, "The army—set off!"
No one expected that the two sides would be so in sync.
They deployed troops at the same time, and even took the same route.
Scouts from both sides quickly discovered the enemy's tracks.
The Allied forces were greatly alarmed.
Alliance Leader Wu Xian asked, "Who is in command of the troops?"
The soldier said, "The flag has the words 'Gongxi' written on it."
Gongxi?
Gongxi Chou?
(End of this chapter)
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