Chapter 39: Shinpaku

  Qian's face was icy cold as he quietly stared at Ren Shuai, while Ren Shuai's face was bright red. His infantry had not killed a single enemy in this battle, but instead lost more than 40 men. Just thinking about it made Ren Shuai feel ashamed and humiliated.

  To punish or not to punish? Qian was hesitant, as the defeat of the infantry was also partly his responsibility. He had withdrawn all the archers, leaving the infantry completely unable to counterattack from a distance, which gave Zhamuhe the opportunity to easily shoot and kill them! However, he couldn't not withdraw the archers either, for as long-range troops, they could only exert their greatest power when organized independently.

  "Sir, this time we missed a good opportunity mainly because my cavalry was not strong enough, General Wang was also impulsive for a moment, you see..." Just then, Du Bing hurriedly stood up to mediate after catching Commander Ren's pleading gaze.

  "A moment of impulse? If such a thing happened to an ordinary person, I wouldn't blame them. But as a commander who leads troops, being impulsive and weak in battle is equally unforgivable!"

  Du Bing lowered his head and retreated, while Ren Shuai became even more anxious, glancing at Wang Rui with his eyes.

  "What are you looking at!" Qian Buli angrily shouted.

  Ren Shuai hastily lowered his head, but his mood had lightened up a lot. As a lower-ranking general, he had some experience in guessing the intentions of his superiors. Judging from General's attitude, he was still inclined to protect himself.

  Qian did not leave, thinking for a long time. Finally, he sighed and said: "General Ren, this is the last chance I'm giving you! If you make similar mistakes again, you'd better find another job, because I don't need a general like you here!"

  "I've taken note." Ren Shuai bowed his head respectfully, but the words that followed were not as respectful: "Sir, if I make another mistake, let me come to your side and be a personal guard! You can rest assured of my martial arts skills, I definitely won't..."

  "Cut the crap! Get out!" Qian Buli was both angry and amused at the same time.

  Ren Shuai hastily turned around and walked out of the commander's tent.

  "Halt!" Du Bing put on a fierce expression: "You're really bold! Didn't you hear what the adults said? The adults told you to get out, not walk out!"

  "Really?..." Ren Shuai turned around, showing a silly smile to Du Bing: "General Du, I'm really sorry, I've never rolled before. Can you give me a demonstration so I can learn?"

  "Alright... You get down on the ground first, and I'll teach you."

  Ren Shuai's silly smile remained: "What are you talking about? I didn't quite catch that."

  She burst out laughing and swept into the room, first casting a playful glance at Du Bing and Ren Shuai before turning to Qian Buli: "Buli, I've come here... is it convenient?" Ji Shengqing was making every effort to show her attitude, she would not interfere with Qian Buli's military affairs.

  "Your Highness, please sit." Qian Buli hastily stood up, and immediately his face changed: "All of you get out!"

  Who dares to stay here and feel uneasy? Du Bing and Wang Rui walked towards the outside of the tent together, but were pulled back by Ren Shuai: "General Du, this is not right, the adults let you roll first."

  "I...!" Du Bing struggled with all his might: "You little scoundrel! Have you forgotten that I just pleaded for leniency on your behalf?"

  "When?" Ren Shuai's expression was both silly and surprised.

  "Damn it..." Du Bing was about to go crazy, he struggled free from Ren Shuai and rushed out of the tent in large strides.

  Ren Shuai hastily chased after him: "General Du.................."

  Ji Shengqin smiled and shook her head: "I used to think that General Ren was just a simple man, but I really didn't expect it."

  "How many people in this world can be themselves without wearing a mask?" Qian Buli thought of his own world and said with deep feeling, "Moreover, how do you know that this is his true nature, rather than another one of his masks?"

  "Wow, you're absolutely right!" Ji Sheng's eyes lit up: "So... what about you? What does your mask look like?"

  "Me?" Qian Buli walked up to Ji Shengqing, slowly stretched out his hand and lifted Ji Shengqing's chin: "If you have to wear a mask in front of the woman you like, isn't that a kind of deception? Of course, if you like it, I can put one on for you!" As early as when they were marching together, Qian Buli had already upgraded their relationship to the point where they could be physically intimate.

  "I... I don't like it!" Ji Sheng's face flushed with embarrassment as she dodged Qian Buli's piercing gaze.

  "You don't like it? So you don't like me?" Qian Buli put on a 'very hurt' look.

  "No, I like it!" Ji Shengqin blurted out.

  "Do you like me with or without the mask?"

  "I... you..." Ji Sheng's heart was in turmoil again, but he could understand that Qian Bu Li was teasing him: "How can you... be like this!"

  "Is this good or bad?" One was a seasoned veteran who had been through the ups and downs of life, while the other was a newcomer to the world of romance. The difference in their experience was too great, making it impossible for them to connect.

  She felt very conflicted in her heart, saying it's okay would be encouraging the other person to tease her, wouldn't it? Too embarrassing, she couldn't say that; saying it's not okay would make her feel even more awkward, and besides, what she feared most was disappointing Qian Bu Lei, so she couldn't utter those two words "not good".

  "If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your default." Qian Buli knew that he couldn't push too hard, or it would have the opposite effect.

  "Hmph!" Ji Shengqin retorted with a nasal tone, counterattacking Qian Budeli while also covering up her own shyness.

  "One word? Then you think I'm great and really like me!"

  "Hmm!" Ji Shengqin hastily hummed twice.

  "What's that sound? Did you hear it?" Qian Buli looked around in surprise: "Is anyone else raising pigs here?"

  Every time she saw Qian Buli, Ji Shengqin would remind herself several times to be a dignified young lady! Unfortunately, this expectation was finally shattered under Qian Buli's provocation. Ji Shengqin couldn't help but jump up: "Who are you calling a pig? You're the one who's a pig!"

  Are you a bit angry? Never mind, can we change the subject? Qian Bu Li stared straight at Ji Sheng Qing's neck: "Your skin... is really white!"