Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. Lin Muyu knew that with Qin Jin's shrewdness, there was no way she could deceive him. Thus, she could only tell the truth. "Yes, Longdan Army Camp was indeed single-handedly nurtured by me."
Qin Jin sat down and slowly pushed a cup of tea in front of Lin Muyu. "Then, what was Yu's original intention in founding Longdan Army Camp? Can you tell Imperial Father?"
"Original intention …"
Lin Muyu was silent for a moment. "Perhaps it was to protect the empire's territory."
"Speak the truth." Qin Jin's voice was a little more forceful, and his eyes were filled with an irresistible sharpness.
At the side, Qin Yin said, "Imperial Father, why are you questioning Yu like this …"
"Xiao Yin, don't say anything first. Let me finish speaking with your brother first."
"Yes …"
Qin Jin continued to look at Lin Muyu. "Yu, although you are my adopted son, I, Qin Jin, truly regard you as my own son. I hope that you can be honest with Imperial Father, is that alright? Tell me, what was your original intention in founding Longdan Army Camp? Answer me truthfully. No matter what you say, Imperial Father will not blame you. "
Lin Muyu's brows furrowed tightly. After a few seconds of silence, she raised her head to look at Qin Jin. "I founded Longdan Army Camp so that I would no longer be bullied and humiliated, so that I would no longer be at the mercy of others! I founded Longdan Army Camp so that I could have an army of my own, so that I could protect the people I care about. If one day, my ability is no longer enough to protect Xiao Yin, there is still Longdan Army Camp to protect her. It's that simple. Whoever dares to bully me, Lin Muyu, or the people I care about, Longdan Army Camp will annihilate them! Imperial Father, are you satisfied with this answer? "
Qin Jin stared at him in shock. After a full half a minute, he suddenly laughed and said, "Yu, ah, Yu, Imperial Father really can't see through you. However, this answer … Imperial Father likes it very much. It's straightforward and responsible!"
As he spoke, Qin Jin stood up and gently pressed his hand on Lin Muyu's shoulder. He said, "This is how the son of the King of Light should be. Whoever dares to bully you and Xiao Yin, use the Longdan Army Camp to exterminate them!"
Lin Muyu's bellyful of worry could finally be put down. She nodded and said, "Imperial Father is wise."
Qin Yin finally smiled and patted her chest. "I was scared to death … I thought Imperial Father and Yu would … would fight!"
Qin Jin laughed heartily. "How could that be possible? Yu is my son. Besides, Imperial Father has almost no cultivation at all, while Yu is well-versed in ultimate techniques. How could Imperial Father possibly be a match for him?"
Lin Muyu smiled and said, "You're joking, Imperial Father!"
However, he knew that there were at least 50 Imperial Forest Guards protecting the rear hall. As long as Qin Jin gave the order, even if he was at the second level of the Heaven Realm, he would probably die here. The absolute advantage in numbers was not something that could be resolved with simple strength.
At this time, Qin Jin asked again, "Yu, if the empire really needs the Longdan Army Camp one day, will you sacrifice yourself for it?"
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and said, "The Longdan Army Camp is filled with the courage of the dragon. For the sake of the world and righteousness, what harm is there in sacrificing myself for a battle?"
"Good!"
Qin Jin nodded and smiled. "Good, well said …"
In fact, he was somewhat displeased because Lin Muyu deliberately avoided the topic and only said that the Longdan Army Camp was willing to fight for the sake of the world and righteousness. She did not say that the Longdan Army Camp was willing to fight for the Empire. This also meant that Lin Muyu was not truly loyal to the Empire, but to the justice in her heart. However, Qin Jin did not point it out. After all, he could see that Lin Muyu was attached to Qin Yin. The deep love in her eyes could not lie, and that was enough. Being loyal to Qin Yin was equivalent to being loyal to the Empire.
…
Not long after, they returned to the main hall. The Spring Plowing Ceremony was about to begin.
Lin Muyu remained by Qin Yin's side as a member of the Imperial Guard. She closely protected her and Qin Jin as they walked out of the Ze Tian Palace. It was noon, and a hundred war drums thundered in the square of the Ze Tian Palace. The moment they saw the Emperor and the Princess walk out of the palace, the citizens raised their arms and cheered excitedly.
Qin Jin slowly walked up to the high platform and gestured with his eyes. "That's enough."
Feng Jixing held a scroll in his hand and walked in front of the Emperor. He imbued his battle aura in his voice and read out loud, "The Qin Empire's Radiant Emperor pays his respects. For the past year, the Empire has enjoyed a bountiful harvest, the weather has been favorable, the seas have been at peace, and the people have been at peace. Now, the people are praying for the blessings of the Spring Plowing Season …"
As he read, he proudly brushed his cloak with the air of a general.
Chu Huaiyin, who was beside Lin Muyu, smiled and said, "Feng Jixing has such a loud voice … His Majesty has chosen the right person to read out the imperial edict. There are tens of thousands of people in the square, and Feng Jixing's voice stands out from the rest …
Lin Muyu nodded. "Yes, not only is his voice loud, but he also eats a lot. The last time I treated him to a meal, he ate eight bowls of rice. I suspect that he had been starving for three or four days before I treated him."
"That must be the case. He's that kind of person!" Chu Huaiyin chuckled.
At this moment, Feng Jixing paused in his reading. He lowered his voice and said, "If you two rascals continue to slander me like this, I will ask His Majesty to make a decision and confiscate your salary for a year."
Qin Jin coughed. "General Feng, please continue reading. Be more serious …"
Qin Yin burst into laughter. Tang Xiaoxi couldn't help but smile as well.
Feng Jixing continued to read out the imperial edict. It took him nearly ten minutes to finish reading. Then, he handed the imperial edict to an official and led a cow over. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the ceremony can begin."
"Yes."
Qin Jin held Qin Yin's hand as they walked down the high platform. Below the platform was a patch of green land. Qin Jin held onto the iron plow while Qin Yin walked in front, ignoring the mud on her little white boots as she led the oxen. Just like that, the father and daughter imitated the farmers as they plowed the land. Tang Xiaoxi, on the other hand, carried some Purple Yin Flower seeds and followed behind them, scattering them into the soil.
Lin Muyu and Chu Huaiyin stood guard on both sides of the small patch of green land. There were also a dozen or so Dragon Guards standing guard with cold gazes. This place was very close to the crowd of commoners, less than a hundred meters away. It was already within the shooting range of some godly archers. They could be attacked at any time by people with ill intentions.
"Buzz buzz …"
Lin Muyu placed her right hand on the hilt of her sword while her left hand was hidden in her cloak. The energy of the golden gourd circulated rapidly. She was ready to summon the walls of the gourd to protect Qin Jin, Qin Yin, and Tang Xiaoxi at any time.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly. The Spring Plowing Ceremony ended after an hour. The Emperor and Princess had already rejoiced with the people and returned to Ze Tian Palace for a banquet!
…
"It's finally time to eat." Feng Jixing smiled at Lin Muyu.
Lin Muyu held back her laughter. "You didn't eat breakfast just to eat more?"
"Yes. What about you?"
"I didn't eat either!"
"Then eat more later. The food for the Spring Plowing Festival is very sumptuous."
"Yes, I know that." Lin Muyu pursed her lips and said, "In order to prepare this meal, the Eagle Nest Camp has entered the Dragon Forest to hunt more than once. Two of them were even injured."
Feng Jixing couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, since when did Commander Lin care so much about the work of his subordinates?"
"Isn't it because I have to go through the files every day …"
"Hahaha!"
Feng Jixing rubbed his nose and said, "Yu, you need a secretary. Otherwise, if you do everything yourself, you won't have time to cultivate. I have a total of four secretaries in the Imperial Army's tent. Do you want to lend two of them to you? The monthly commission is fifty thousand Jinyin coins."
"You're robbing me. I'll go through the files myself!"
"Tsk, so petty."
"…"
At this moment, a messenger bird suddenly flapped its wings and landed on Lin Muyu's shoulder. It was a messenger bird domesticated by the Longdan Army Camp. She took out the letter from the bamboo tube and glanced at it. As expected, it was Luo Yu's report of victory. "Milord, in the battle from yesterday to this morning, the Longdan Army Camp has achieved a great victory. We successfully defeated the Tyrant Blade Mercenary Group and the Sacred Flame Mercenary Group, captured more than eight thousand people, and killed more than four thousand people. We ourselves lost more than two thousand people, but the losses will be replenished with captives. At this point, the Longdan Army Camp is the strongest mercenary group in the Empire!"
Lin Muyu was overjoyed. She took out the pen she used to go through the files and replied, "Well done. Immediately rest and adjust the troops."
The messenger bird flew away.
Not far away, Divine Marquis Zeng Yifan and Minister Luo Xing were walking together. When Zeng Yifan saw Lin Muyu, his expression clearly didn't look too good. He faintly said, "Milord Lin Muyu is riding on the crest of success. I heard that your private army, the Longdan Army Camp, defeated two large mercenary groups in the North Ridge Province in the morning battle. Congratulations!"
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and smiled. "Marquis must be joking. I don't even know what the Longdan Army Camp is. Moreover, I'm an upright person and have never had a private army. In the entire Qin Empire, only the Marquis has the right to raise a private army. This is something that everyone knows. As a general of the Empire, Lin Muyu naturally wouldn't break the law."
Zeng Yifan raised his eyebrows and smiled. "That's good."
On the other hand, Zeng Fang, who was standing beside Zeng Yifan, looked at Chu Huaiyin angrily and sneered. "Congratulations to Milord Chu for being promoted to the commander of the Flying Mount Camp. I've been too busy these days and didn't have the time to congratulate you! Oh right, my sister, Zeng Xiang, also heard about your promotion to commander. She asked me, as her younger brother, to congratulate you on her behalf! "
Chu Huaiyin's face turned pale. He suddenly stepped forward and blocked Zeng Yifan's path. He cupped his fists and said respectfully, "Marquis, although the matter between me and Miss Zeng Xiang has angered Marquis, the fault does not lie with Miss Zeng Xiang. I, Chu Huaiyin, had too much hope. Now that Miss Zeng Xiang is under house arrest, it's all my fault. I hope Marquis can forgive Miss Zeng Xiang."
Zeng Yifan faintly smiled. "Commander Chu, you're flattering me. Zeng Xiang has been spoiled by me since she was young. I'm afraid she won't be able to enter Commander Chu's residence. Just give up, Commander."
Chu Huaiyin frowned and cupped his fists. "Yes, as long as Marquis releases Miss Zeng Xiang, I, Chu Huaiyin, am willing to give up. I'd rather forget about Miss Zeng Xiang and never see each other again."
"Remember what you said!"
Zeng Yifan cupped his fists and said, "Then this old man thanks Commander Chu for your good intentions."
…
Chu Huaiyin stood blankly on the spot. His extraordinarily handsome yet disappointed look made countless noble ladies' hearts ache. One by one, they crowded around him as if they wanted to comfort him. However, they didn't expect Chu Huaiyin to turn around and leave without even looking at them.
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