26: Chapter 0026 My Wife Understands Me

Arriving at the military tent, Lin Xiao saw a middle-aged man in a military officer's uniform.

"This subordinate, Lin Xiao, greets the General!"

General Zhao Kuan stood up and smilingly introduced the man.

"Registrar Luo, this is Lin Xiao, who rendered great service. He is now the Commander of our Border Army."

Although the Baishui City Registrar was only a sixth-rank official, he was, after all, a trusted confidant of the Prefect.

General Zhao Kuan, a fifth-rank Lieutenant General, could only be polite.

"Oh? I truly didn't expect that the one who could slay Bart, the Barbarian Army's great general, would be such a refined young man. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!"

Registrar Luo Shaohong crossed his legs, held a teacup in one hand, and smiled as he scrutinized Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao had already scanned this person's information.

[Luo Shaohong, 37 years old, Baishui City Registrar, Aptitude: yellow grade]

[Cultivation Method 1: White Crane Sword Art (22 years of cultivation), yellow grade]

[Cultivation Method 2: Military Spear Art (17 years of cultivation), mortal grade]

This strength, a few days ago, Lin Xiao would have had to call him "Grandpa."

But now, in Lin Xiao's eyes, it was not enough; at most, it was the level of a Northern Barbarian Army Centurion.

"Registrar Luo praises me too much. I merely relied on brute strength and luckily rendered service."

Lin Xiao showed an honest and humble smile.

"No need to be modest. To be able to kill Bart, you must have extraordinary qualities."

Luo Shaohong said unhurriedly, "The Prefect heard that your Stone Fortress repelled the Northern Barbarian vanguard army, and he is very pleased."

"He heard that the one who rendered great service this time was a young man who had only recently joined the army, and he greatly admires him."

"Therefore, the Prefect specifically ordered me to come. First, to confirm the safety of Stone Fortress, and second, to bring you to Baishui City to personally commend you."

Lin Xiao hurriedly replied, "The Prefect thinks so highly of me, I am flattered, but... the Barbarian Army has just left, and I fear they might return. Could we wait a few more days?"

"Alas, a round trip from here to Baishui City won't take a full day."

Luo Shaohong waved his hand and said, "Don't disappoint the Prefect's good intentions!"

Lin Xiao frowned and asked again, "Registrar, I heard that the gold and silver used to purchase supplies were confiscated? Why is that?"

"Heh," Luo Shaohong sneered, "Isn't it because you didn't report the victory in time?"

"How were we to know if those purchasing grain and supplies were truly from the Great Gan Border Army?"

"Don't worry, once you return to Baishui City with me and explain clearly to the Prefect in person, the supplies will be sold to you."

Lin Xiao couldn't help but sneer inwardly upon hearing this.

So, detaining the supplies was to force him to go there?

If nothing unexpected happened, the officials of Baishui City were already Prince Bai's people.

By defending Stone Fortress, he had disrupted Prince Bai's plan to become the savior of the Northern Territory.

This trip would likely be fraught with peril.

General Zhao Kuan evidently also guessed this, so he cupped his hands and said, "Registrar Luo, I am currently the Commander of Stone Fortress. Wouldn't it be more appropriate for me to report on the battle?"

"General Zhao! The Prefect wants to see Lin Xiao! Moreover, as a Commander, how can you abandon your post!?"

Luo Shaohong's face darkened. "What, are you planning to defy orders? Or are you truly no longer interested in those supplies?"

General Zhao Kuan wanted to say more, but Lin Xiao stopped him.

"General, Stone Fortress cannot be without supplies. The court is in constant turmoil; at this rate, we won't last a month..."

Lin Xiao whispered, "Since the Prefect wants to see me, I'll go."

"Lin Xiao, you must think this through," General Zhao Kuan was anxious, and there were some things he couldn't say in front of Luo Shaohong.

"I understand, but... we have no choice, the soldiers need to eat!"

Lin Xiao smiled, "General, trust me."

General Zhao Kuan's eyelids twitched, but he had no other option and could only nod in agreement.

"Alright then, I'll send a team of men with you."

Upon hearing this, Luo Shaohong said with displeasure, "General Zhao, what do you mean by this? Is Baishui City a den of dragons and tigers or something?"

Lin Xiao quickly smiled and said, "Registrar Luo, the General also has good intentions. How about this, I'll only bring two good brothers. They haven't been to Baishui City either and want to see it."

"Two people is more like it." Luo Shaohong nodded in agreement.

"Also, I just got married and need to go back and inform my wife." Lin Xiao said awkwardly.

"Then hurry up, the Prefect is waiting!"

Luo Shaohong was getting a bit impatient.

Outside the tent, General Zhao Kuan asked with a worried expression, "Lin Xiao, who are you taking with you?"

"One is Yao Gang, and the other, I'd like to take Qin He, but I don't know if he's willing."

Lin Xiao had already thought it through. He would take Yao Gang because he trusted him.

Qin He, because his martial prowess was relatively high, and with his identity as the direct grandson of Blade Mountain's Grand Elder, he might be useful at a crucial moment.

General Zhao Kuan understood and nodded, "Good, I'll have them both prepare!"

After giving instructions, Lin Xiao himself rode his horse quickly back home.

Xiao Qingxuan was waiting with a worried look. Seeing her husband return, she immediately asked how things were.

"My wife, I have to go to Baishui City," Lin Xiao briefly explained the situation.

After listening, a hint of complexity flashed in Xiao Qingxuan's beautiful eyes: "Husband, were you... waiting for this opportunity?"

"You knew all along that the Baishui City Prefect would obstruct Stone Fortress from purchasing supplies, didn't you?"

Lin Xiao smiled playfully, "My wife understands me best..."

"Husband, what exactly do you want to do?" Xiao Qingxuan didn't dare to think too deeply.

Lin Xiao gently held the woman's hand and said softly, "My wife, you will soon know what I want to do, but before that... there's something I need your help with."

"Husband, please say it. Your concubine will do her best to help," Xiao Qingxuan said softly.

"I need your close friend, Miss Leng Yan, to secretly act as my bodyguard!" Lin Xiao said.

Xiao Qingxuan was startled, then nodded: "Alright, I'll go tell her now."

In fact, even if Lin Xiao hadn't asked, she had already thought of sending Leng Bingyan to secretly follow him.

"But, Husband, you must also promise me one thing!" Xiao Qingxuan's tone was firm.

"What?"

"You must take care of yourself! And return safely!" Xiao Qingxuan's beautiful eyes were filled with worry.

Lin Xiao's heart warmed. After a moment of hesitation, he slipped a small black object into Xiao Qingxuan's hand.

"My wife, this is a Western Region garment I captured. If I return safely, would you wear it for me to see?"

"Western Region garment?"

Xiao Qingxuan held the soft cloth in her hand, unable to make out its specific appearance at once.

But it was just clothes, perhaps a bit more alluring. Between husband and wife, they were always open with each other, so what was there to care about?

"Of course, it's a promise!" Xiao Qingxuan readily agreed.

"My wife, you are so good!"

Lin Xiao contentedly kissed the woman's fragrant lips, then turned and left dashingly.

Xiao Qingxuan touched her lips, a trace of sweetness welling up in her watery eyes.