I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 608 What if Supervisor Wang launches a surprise attack? I'll be helpless! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Feng Shuo's observation skills are still relatively shallow, while Batu is a seasoned veteran.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to get closer to Li Chen, Batu patted Li Chen on the shoulder and found that Li Chen had a tall and well-proportioned figure. Even through his military uniform, he could feel the vigorous power contained within him. This was definitely not the physique of someone who spent his days indulging in pleasure and debauchery.

He must have undergone rigorous training, but his overly handsome face easily leads people to prejudge him as a pretty boy who makes a living off his looks.

However, the crisp military uniform he wore exuded an aura of unassailable authority, so no one dared to discuss it so openly.

Those drinking at the scene each had their own thoughts.

Through this welcoming banquet, Li Chen gained a deeper understanding of the small Han Tie Guan garrison.

This place is by no means monolithic; the open and covert struggles between the captains and the supervisors, and the hidden factional divisions among the various garrison battalions, all foreshadow the undercurrents beneath the calm surface.

This small military camp is like a miniature martial arts world.

When the banquet ended, Li Chen easily helped Batu and Feng Shuo, who could barely walk, up with one hand each, and sent them home. This made the two men, in their drunken haze, think even more highly of him.

When I returned to the secluded courtyard in Anning Lane, night had fallen and a cold wind was howling.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, the warm light and enticing aroma of food wafted out from inside the house.

Tuoba Anyu had been waiting for a long time. Upon hearing the noise, she immediately came to greet him. Like a truly virtuous wife, she skillfully helped Li Chen take off his cold outer robe and handed him a warm towel.

The fire in the stove inside was burning brightly, dispelling the severe cold of the north.

Several delicate dishes were laid out on the table, along with a pot of warm wine, all of which were clearly carefully prepared by Tuoba Anyu.

The northern nights are bitterly cold, but she had already warmed the bed to a cozy temperature.

"Warming the bed" means that she crawled in first and warmed the bed for Li Chen with her body heat.

So if Li Chen wants to sleep when he gets back, he can rest directly without his mind being kept awake by the coldness of the bed.

Seeing Li Chen return, she got out of bed with a relieved yet slightly shy smile on her face and said softly, "Your Majesty, my husband, you're back? The wine and dishes are still warm. Have you had dinner yet? Hot water for a bath has been prepared."

This ordinary yet cozy feeling of home was a novel experience for Li Chen, who had long lived in the palace and was used to being served and worshipped.

He looked at Tuoba Anyun's face, which appeared exceptionally beautiful under the lamplight, and the genuine concern in her eyes, and his heart stirred slightly.

"I ate out, but I'm still not full. I can still eat. Thank you for your hard work." Li Chen's tone softened a bit. He walked to the bedside and reached out to touch the quilt that she had warmed up. He could indeed feel his wife's tenderness.

Tuoba Anyu shook her head and said gently, "This is what I should do. It's cold in the north, and I'm happy to do these things for you."

Her voice grew softer and softer, and a blush rose on her cheeks, making her look especially beautiful under the warm yellow light.

At this moment, she seemed to have temporarily forgotten her former noble status as Empress Dowager, as well as the intrigues and power struggles in the imperial palace. She was completely immersed in the role of "Cheng Li's wife," enjoying this stolen, simple, and genuine warmth.

Compared to his gentle demeanor inside the house, Li Chen unleashed his fury once he got into bed. The next day, Li Chen's long-standing habit of sleeping until he naturally woke up was not so easily changed. He was often lazy even at the morning court in the capital, and unsurprisingly, he was late again at the Northern Army camp.

He was caught red-handed by Supervisor Wang, who was on patrol, at the gate.

Wang Jianjun's face was gloomy. Looking at Li Chen, who arrived late and even had a somewhat lazy air about him, he questioned him sternly: "Commander Cheng! The military camp has strict rules. We must be on duty at dawn and lights out at dusk. These are ironclad rules! You are an hour late on your first day of duty. What is your punishment?"

Li Chen rubbed his still sleepy eyes, just about to make up an excuse, when his superior, Captain Batu, rushed over from somewhere.

He bowed respectfully to Supervisor Wang and quickly explained, "Supervisor, please calm your anger! It was my oversight! I received intelligence late last night that there seemed to be unusual activity in the Yunxi Ridge area, possibly indicating the presence of spies from the Great Luo."

Due to the urgency of the situation, there was no time to report to higher authorities, so Commandant Cheng was temporarily dispatched to investigate early this morning. This caused the delay in the roll call. Please forgive the oversight, Your Excellency!

Wang Jianjun's sharp gaze turned to Li Chen: "Oh? Commandant Cheng, is what Captain Ba said true? Did you discover anything on this trip?"

Li Chen immediately followed up on Batu's words, shaking his head with a "solemn" expression: "Reporting to the supervising officer, I was ordered to conduct a thorough inspection of Yunxi Ridge several times, but I did not find any suspicious traces. Everything is normal. Perhaps the intelligence was wrong."

Wang, the military supervisor, glanced at the two of them suspiciously, seemingly not quite believing them, but unable to find any fault with them, he could only snort coldly: "Since that's the case, let it go this time. But don't let it happen again!" With that, he turned and left.

Seeing that Supervisor Wang had walked away, Feng Shuo, who had been watching the commotion from the sidelines, came over and grinned, "Brother Cheng, you're really daring! You were late on the first day and just happened to run into the line of fire! If it weren't for Brother Batu's quick thinking, you would have gotten a good beating today!"

Li Chen smiled mysteriously and said in a low voice, "What if I deliberately test whether this Supervisor Wang is really as disciplined and impartial as rumored?"

Feng Shuo laughed heartily and patted Li Chen's shoulder forcefully: "Come on! I know you too well. Look at your sleepy face, you must have been 'busy' with your beautiful wife at home until late last night, right? Young man, you need to know how to be moderate!"

During their casual conversation yesterday, Feng Shuo and Batu both knew that Li Chen had brought female relatives with him, so it wasn't surprising that he would say that.

Batu interrupted their banter, urging, "Alright, alright, gentlemen, hurry up and get to your positions! If Supervisor Wang suddenly turns around and attacks, I'll be helpless!"

He turned to Li Chen, his tone softening: "Captain Cheng, I was quite rude in the heat of the moment. But in this military camp, rules must be followed. Please be careful next time."

Li Chen nodded: "Understood, thank you for helping me out, Lord Batu."

His opinion of Batu improved even more. This man was indeed a good friend, quick-witted, and willing to take responsibility. He not only helped his subordinates get away with things but also reminded and admonished them. He used both kindness and strictness, and was a good leader.

Li Chen's assigned task today is to assist with the check at the South Gate.

The North Gate of Hantie Pass faces the Great Luo Dynasty directly. It is heavily guarded and the atmosphere is tense. It is usually not opened.

The south gate faces the Tian Ce territory and is the main passage for people and goods to enter and exit, with merchants, tourists and adventurers coming and going in an endless stream.

The area around the pass is rich in resources, including medicinal herbs and materials from monsters, attracting many sect disciples and aristocratic families to come and train and seek their fortune.

(End of this chapter)