Yang Xian is very fond of Yang Qingqing.

But in the face of interests, everything can be sacrificed.

Indeed, with Yang Xian's own strength and his influence in the Shu Residence, no matter whether he chooses to defect to either side before the decisive battle, or defect to either side afterwards, he will be well-treated and there's no need to sacrifice his daughter.

The reason he's doing this is simply to gain more benefits.

In his heart, he hopes not for the Chen Army as his ally to win, but hopes for King Chong's Alliance Army to win.

The Alliance Army has voices from multiple sides, even if they defeat Chen Mo, in the end, they won't come together, and it's very likely they will divide the spoils unequally and fight again.

And he can fish in troubled waters, maybe even take Fengzhou for himself at that time.

As for the Chen Army, it's all decided by Chen Mo alone, too unified, leaving him no way to fish in troubled waters.

…

On the other side.

The Jiang Mansion.

Just returned to the mansion, Jiang Li said to Jiang Yu, "You should stop looking for her from now on."

"Why?" Jiang Yu was puzzled; in his heart, Yang Qingqing was destined to be his wife. Not just him, everyone in Hongdu City thought so too.

"When I was at the Yang Residence just now, the Captain mentioned Tengluo to me," Jiang Li said.

Jiang Yu, being sharp, immediately said, "Does the Captain want to break the engagement?"

"He merely mentioned it, how is that breaking the engagement? Besides, I guess what the Captain is thinking is to marry Tengluo to you, so the engagement isn't broken," Jiang Li said.

"Why, how can people be changed so easily? Does Qingqing really dislike me so much?" Jiang Yu said dejectedly; he really liked Yang Qingqing.

"This has nothing to do with Qingqing. Although the Captain dotes on her, marriage is not within her control."

"Is it the Captain's idea? Why, what have I done to displease him?" Jiang Yu did not understand.

Jiang Li shook his head: "No, it has nothing to do with you either, but with the war in Huai State..."

…

As soon as Chen Mo arrived at Xiongmen County, there were multiple factions' spies watching Huai State, anticipating and nervous about when they would start a big battle.

In the military camp within the city.

Chen Mo did not stay at the Government Office; at this moment, he was repeatedly cultivating the Divine Burning Technique, which was also the advanced version of the Spirit Burning Profound Skill.

At this time, Xia Zhining walked into the tent to report: "The enemy army is sending people to explore the terrain at the Song Family Slope. It looks like they are preparing to confront us."

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Chen Mo slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of extremely high-temperature turbid air, saying, "It seems the other side is indeed hiding something, surely there are more than the two Upper-Grade Martial Artists they show."

After all, to prepare for battle indicates that the opponent surely has the strength to counter.

If they couldn't win, who would fight you, isn't that courting death?

"Do you... have confidence?" Xia Zhining couldn't help but ask with concern.

"It's hard to say now, after all, we haven't met them yet." As Chen Mo spoke, he suddenly thought of something and said, "If the enemy engages in battle, when the fight starts, you need to be more cautious, don't stand at the front, wear armor like the ordinary warriors, I'm worried the enemy might engage in decapitation strikes, if you dress too uniquely and are too forward, it could be very dangerous."

After all, he didn't know how many Upper-Grade Martial Artists the opponent was hiding. If he needed to engage at the front, and an Upper-Grade Martial Artist was hidden shooting dark arrows, there was no way he could take care of others.

In other words, in the chaos of battle, he would find it hard to protect Xia Zhining.

These words made Xia Zhining's heart uneasy, but she wasn't worried about herself, rather she was concerned about Chen Mo's safety at that time.

Because he said he couldn't take care of himself at that time, it indirectly expressed that he couldn't manage the overall situation as before.

And in such a case, there would be too many variables.

Too many variables, more dangers.

She sat next to Chen Mo, took his hand proactively, nodded obediently, and then said, "Promise me."

"What?" Chen Mo was taken aback.

"I'm saying in case, in case you can't defeat them..." Xia Zhining's tone became heavy as she raised her head, her beautiful eyes staring intently at Chen Mo, saying:

"If it really comes to that time, you should run, don't worry about others, and don't worry about me, sister and Nu'Er, Youyou, they're all waiting for you to go back at home, with your strength, if you want to leave alone, they can't stop you."

Chen Mo was startled for a moment, then also took her hand, laughed and said, "It's not that serious."

"I'm serious," Xia Zhining said earnestly.

"I am serious too." Chen Mo's expression turned solemn, looking into Xia Zhining's eyes, he said, "Let's not say it won't come to that, even if it does, I won't abandon you or everyone else to run away alone, I couldn't do such a thing."

Hearing this, Xia Zhining's heart was deeply moved, her eyes, bright like the galaxy, became moist like water, a look of longing appeared, even an iron block could melt away, she said, "Don't be arrogant, with your talent, preserving your life is key, there will always be a chance for revenge."

"Rest assured, if it really comes to that point, I also have confidence in protecting you all to retreat safely." Chen Mo reached out and brushed Xia Zhining's shoulder, his fingers gently tracing her back.

Seeing Xia Zhining like this was rare.

Just as he finished speaking, footsteps sounded outside the tent.

"Marquis, the enemy army has accepted our challenge, and will face us in battle at the Song Family Slope in three days," Sun Meng's voice rang out.

Chen Mo felt Xia Zhining's body tremble slightly in his embrace, and said, "Got it."

After Sun Meng's footsteps receded, Xia Zhining said, "The enemy army is indeed hiding something, maybe Lu Sheng is in He County."

"Whether he is or not, we'll find out in three days." Chen Mo's eyes flickered, he clenched his fist, and he actually hoped he really was.

Having said that, he released Xia Zhining, preparing to continue his cultivation, but unexpectedly, Xia Zhining grabbed his weakness.

Chen Mo took a deep breath and said, "Zhi Ning, what are you doing?"

"I was thinking."

Xia Zhining hugged Chen Mo's neck and proactively kissed him.

You should know, when Chen Mo and Xia Zhining are together, it is usually Chen Mo who takes the initiative, the latter rarely does so.

For such requests, Chen Mo never refuses.

After a deep kiss, Chen Mo was just about to lift a hand to undo Xia Zhining's clothes when he saw her suddenly stand up.

Just as Chen Mo was wondering, Xia Zhining suddenly knelt in front of him, like a pet yearning for its master's affection.

Chen Mo had just reached out to touch her face, only to have her suck his fingers.

Chen Mo: "..."

"Don't move, I'll do it." Xia Zhining said, and her long black hair cascaded down.

…

Planets won't stop turning just because one person leaves.

Similarly, because there's a war in Huai State, the provincial exams won't stop announcing results.

Not only will they announce them, but they will announce them in advance to stabilize the people's hearts.

Linzhou, Xiangyang.

After hundreds of people worked overtime to review and recheck the exams, they finally finished grading the three rounds of exams and set those who passed as either First Class or Second Class.

First Class is for the best, Second Class follows.

First Class is limited to twenty people, while Second Class has over three hundred people.

A total of four hundred spots.

Then notices were posted, announcing the time the rankings would be published.

On the day of the rankings, all the examinees in Xiangyang gathered at the entrance of the examination hall, some with anticipation, some with nervousness, others praying for divine intervention.

It seems the Court's decision to label Chen Mo a rebel and suppress him hasn't caused much of an impact.

"Sun, are you nervous?" Sun Cheng's friend tightly grasped Sun Cheng's arm; he had ultimately not returned to Jiangdong and opted to stay behind as well.

Sun Cheng shook his head and confidently said, "I said it before, I, Sun Cheng, will definitely be on the list, and I'll absolutely rank among the top."

However, his words did not draw ridicule from those around, nor did many respond to him, as all eyes were eagerly fixed on Chen Cultivator and others walking out of the examination hall, filled with anticipation.

ps: Thanks everyone for the monthly passes!!!