Ye Qingcheng quickly worked with the artisans to create the improved version of the compass. This time, it closely resembled the legendary Sinan that everyone had heard of, complete with a handle pointing south.
Fearing further mishaps on the journey, Ye Qingcheng volunteered to accompany them to find the missing people.
Her offer was met with collective disapproval.
"This trip is not like staying in the military, Your Highness," a general named Wu said, scratching his head with a simple honesty. "When we go looking for people, it's a forced march. In the past, we'd need to bring more provisions. The reason we're urgently searching for them is that they only have the old type of rations, and not much of it."
A young soldier beside him added earnestly, "With you not here in the camp, it's not just us who are uneasy. I'm sure the Prince is also worried."
They had witnessed Ye Qingcheng's various abilities over the past few days, and they truly admired and respected her from the bottom of their hearts.
Hearing this, Ye Qingcheng felt a complex mix of emotions. She then added, "Then please take some of my special healing medicine. It's more effective than what the army issues."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ye Qingcheng was thriving in the military camp, earning widespread respect. Those unaware of her true identity were impressed by her capabilities and her relationship with the generals. Those who knew her respected her even more.
Furthermore, she carried no airs and mingled freely with the rough-and-tumble soldiers. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Xiao Wangye would often sternly warn her to remember her status and maintain a proper distance between men and women.
Ye Qingcheng found Xiao Wangye a bit boisterous but still maintained a social distance as he advised.
The army occasionally clashed with the enemy. During these battles, the cookhouse staff were always at the rear. Ye Qingcheng would listen to the distant sounds of combat, feeling as though she were snatching lives from the grasp of death.
Today, however, was different.
"The enemy is attacking from the rear!" a messenger shouted. Immediately, a squad of barbarians charged forward. The guards stationed near Ye Qingcheng's immediate vicinity turned pale.
"Your Highness, please come with us!"
Ye Qingcheng knew this was not the time to be brave. She bit through the bandage of the patient she was attending to, tied it securely, and followed them in their retreat.
It wasn't her first time seeing blood; she had seen plenty. She hadn't shied away from killing either; in the post-apocalyptic world, such fragility meant certain death.
However, seeing so many people die nakedly before her, and needing to be protected while escaping, she couldn't help but feel a sting of tears in her eyes.
But this was war, and she understood that.
Just then, she heard another sound—the neighing of horses!
Xiao Wangye, leading a troop of soldiers, had arrived. The barbarians, having taken advantage of the dark and windy night, had approached stealthily without horses. These barbarians were here to—
Ye Qingcheng turned her head. Through the gaps between the military tents, she saw the barbarians splitting up. Their target was the granary!
Ye Qingcheng's pupils contracted. She cried out in a hoarse voice, "Their target is the granary!!" Her desperate cry drew the attention of some barbarians.
They chattered amongst themselves in their native tongue, but before their exchange could conclude, Xiao Wangye appeared before them.
Riding his horse and wielding his spear, Xiao Wangye tugged on the reins and charged directly at them.
His Serpent Spear pierced the sky, his long spear breaking through the firmament.
At this moment, Xiao Wangye exuded an aura of chilling cold. He was like a god of war on the battlefield, drenched in blood, each casual swing bringing death.
Those barbarians quickly met their demise. Xiao Wangye shook the blood from his spear, glanced at the stunned Ye Qingcheng, frowned slightly, pulled on the reins, and turned towards another direction.
"Phew, that scared me. I thought I was almost dead," Ye Qingcheng said blankly.
The person beside her cried, "Your Highness, you scared me to death too! Wuwuwu, it felt like the Prince's eyes were murderous just now."
Wasn't he indeed murderous? Even she had shivered and almost thought she was going to die.
The battle was not yet over. Someone quickly escorted her to a safe place.
After the unexpected ambush, which resulted in more casualties, Ye Qingcheng, without even a moment to rest, got up again to tend to the wounded.
Fortunately, Xiao Wangye had arrived in time, and the casualties were not too severe.
For the first time in a long while, Ye Qingcheng truly thanked Xiao Wangye from the bottom of her heart.
When the situation calmed down, Xiao Wangye summoned her again. She hurried to his tent, assuming he wanted her to treat his leg after riding his horse. A large group of people were already inside. Upon seeing her, they dispersed like a flock of birds.
Xiao Wangye's eyes were closed, his brow furrowed. He had not changed his blood-stained clothes. When he realized Ye Qingcheng had arrived, his cold eyes opened and scanned her—
In that instant, Ye Qingcheng felt a chill run down her spine. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for a scolding.
However, Xiao Wangye did not scold her. His gaze was unfocused. Ye Qingcheng sensed something was amiss and stepped forward to take his pulse.
Her heart ached. She wanted to pull down his trousers to examine his leg, but Xiao Wangye grabbed her hand.
"I am a physician, and I am responsible for treating your leg," Ye Qingcheng said patiently. But Xiao Wangye was being stubborn, gritting his teeth and refusing to let her look.
She had no choice but to call out, "Lin Xiao—" Only then did Xiao Wangye release her hand as if he had been electrocuted. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He said fiercely, "Look!"
When the trousers were pulled down, Xiao Wangye's legs were trembling uncontrollably. Due to previous treatment, his legs had already recovered somewhat, but his injuries today were exacerbated by riding the horse.
In this condition, it was not advisable to administer acupuncture directly. Ye Qingcheng asked for a tub of hot water and some medicinal herbs to be added. As she reached out to help the war-worn Prince Regent, she turned to find him alone, removing his clothes and sitting into the tub himself.
Ye Qingcheng was relieved and could only instruct him helplessly from the side, "Soak for half an hour. It might be painful, bear with it."
As she pulled back the tent flap, Xiao Wangye spoke, "Come here."
"What is it? Do you have any other hidden injuries?"
When he had undressed earlier, she had discreetly taken a careful glance. Apart from a few minor injuries on his hands and back, there was nothing serious.
But now, Xiao Wangye was settling old scores.
"What were you shouting about earlier—" he said, his anger building as he spoke, his hands resting on the sides of the tub, splashing water. "Were you not afraid of dying fast enough? You had to shout to draw them to kill me? How could you—" not consider your own life!
Ye Qingcheng coughed lightly and explained weakly, "It was just a moment of panic. I thought the granary was important, that something terrible had happened, and I was just… in a rush."
"Even so, you weren't needed. You just needed to do your job." Their relationship then plummeted to an absolute zero.
Ye Qingcheng knew it was her fault, but feeling both angry and wronged after Xiao Wangye's reprimand, she could only lift the tent flap and leave to tend to other people's wounds. After all, someone else could help him change the hot water.