Love Lock

Chapter 19 I'll beat you to death, you bastard!

“I’m telling you, you’re stupid. I’m talking about that Miss Han.”

"Dr. Han?"

Han Lei's heart skipped a beat when she heard this. Sure enough, someone still thought of her as a monster.

She tiptoed closer, peeked out from behind the haystack, and secretly watched the two soldiers chatting animatedly.

"Yes! It's her. Look, ever since that Miss Han came, the wounded soldiers who were on the verge of death have suddenly recovered, and after being without food for so many days, she conjured up so much food as soon as she arrived. What else could this be but a demon?"

"I think it's unlikely. If Miss Han were a demon, why wouldn't she harm those wounded soldiers instead of saving them? Aren't demons supposed to harm people?"

“I can’t figure this out either. Anyway, there have never been women in military camps since ancient times. That Miss Han must have used sorcery to bewitch the marshal so that he would bring her in.”

Holy crap, using sorcery to bewitch?

Han Lei grew increasingly angry as she listened, and couldn't help but curse inwardly.

While the two were engrossed in their conversation, he suddenly turned around and appeared in front of them.

Before the two could react, Han Lei had already lifted her cloak and kicked one of them hard in the ankle.

The man let out a cry and squatted down, clutching his ankle.

Han Lei grew angrier the more she thought about it, and she unleashed a flurry of punches at his head with her two small fists.

"I'll teach you to use your sorcery to seduce! I'll teach you to seduce! Show me how you seduce someone!"

The other soldier, upon recognizing the newcomer, gaped in shock and shrank back in fear.

"Dr. Han... Dr. Han."

Han Lei ignored him and proceeded to give the one squatting on the ground a sound beating, her sweet yet furious curses echoing through the sky—

"You bastard! They say a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of gratitude, but not only do you not appreciate it, you ate the food I gave you and even called me a monster. I'll beat you to death, you ungrateful bastard!"

"Miss Han, spare me! Miss Han, spare me..."

Upon hearing Han Lei's voice, the soldier squatting on the ground realized he had caused trouble. Ignoring the pain in his ankle, he quickly covered his head and begged for forgiveness.

"You dare call me a monster? Then don't eat my food! Let me tell you, even if you are a monster, I'm a good one!"

"You do nothing but spread rumors and mislead the public all day long. I'll beat you to death! I'll beat you to death!"

Looking at the adorably fierce yet cunning female creature before him, another soldier swallowed hard and froze in the snowstorm...

Meanwhile, on the other side, in the central command tent.

Zhao Zun sat upright behind his desk, with Pingchuan standing behind him. Across the desk was Xiao Zhengfei, the commander of the personal guards who had been missing for more than ten days. Next to him stood a man dressed in soldier's armor, but with fair skin and an imposing presence.

"Your Highness, the Imperial Guard has been completely purged. Here is the list."

As Xiao Zhengfei spoke, he took out a rough piece of paper from his pocket and presented it to the desk with both hands.

Zhao Zun took it and opened it, staring intently at the two names written on it.

"Only the two of them?" Zhao Zun's face was ashen.

"Yes, Marshal." Xiao Zhengfei clasped his hands and lowered his head.

"What kind of people were recruited?"

"Two days before the second Turkic invasion, the two men took a break and agreed to go out of the camp to drink in the city. Someone found them in a tavern and said that they had captured their wives and children and were holding them hostage. They promised that if the prince would send grain to Yong'an City, they could persuade him to take the iron chain bridge in the mountain pass. If they succeeded, they would not only release their wives and children, but also give them a thousand cattle and sheep."

Xiao Zhengfei lowered his head and truthfully reported the results of the interrogation. He was too ashamed to look at Zhao Zun. As the commander of the personal guard, his master had entrusted his life to him, yet his subordinates had betrayed the military operation. He was to blame.

Fortunately, fate intervened, and the mysteriously appearing Miss Han saved them, indirectly thwarting the Turks' ambush plan. Otherwise, his fate would have been one of two things—

First, they died in an ambush, sacrificing themselves for their lord.

Second, bring me your head. Zhao Zun asked coldly, "Have you all checked each other's testimonies separately?"

"Correct, not a fraction off."

"Ah!"

Zhao Zun sneered, his laughter tinged with mockery, but his mind was lost in thought.

The Turks were indeed planning something.

After failing to raid and plunder after the autumn harvest, and already lacking food and clothing, the second siege in winter was a calculated move, knowing the enemy wouldn't have time to gather supplies. His only option was to send grain from Ling'an City to Yong'an City. That's why he devised the plan to ambush and kill the commander.

Success: Chaos erupts at the northern pass, allowing the Turks to seize it. Failure: The Turks retreat without suffering any losses.

What a great plan!

I wonder who came up with this plan. When did the Turks have such a capable person?

"How did you handle it?" Zhao Zun asked, rubbing his temples with his hand on the desk.

“According to military law, twenty strokes of the cane have already been administered. We need Your Highness’s instructions regarding the remainder.” Since his master was not in Ling’an City, Xiao Zhengfei dared not make any decisions on his own, except for the cane punishment.

Zhao Zun took a deep breath, looked up at Xiao Zhengfei, and spoke after a long while.

"Send someone to check on their wives and children first. If they have indeed been kidnapped, find them and rescue them. As for the rest, we'll deal with them when I return to Lin'an."

"Yes! I will do it immediately..."

Before Xiao Zhengfei could finish speaking, Han Lei's voice came from outside the tent.

"Young man, is the prince in?"

"Yes! His Highness said that Miss Han has arrived and can go in directly."

"Okay, thank you!"

Upon hearing that Han Lei had arrived, Zhao Zun waved his hand slightly, and Xiao Zhengfei and the man dressed as a soldier next to him stepped aside. Zhao Zun then composed himself, his cold expression fading, and sat up straight.

Soon, Han Lei walked in. She had a trendy outdoor karaoke speaker slung over her shoulder and was holding a pair of microphones. The black speaker stood out conspicuously over her snow-white fur-trimmed cloak.

"Huh? Xiao Zhengfei? I haven't seen you for days." As soon as Han Lei entered, she saw Xiao Zhengfei in armor and the man. "Why are you both wearing armor? Are we going to war again?"

"Greetings, Miss Han!" Xiao Zhengfei quickly clasped his hands in greeting. "I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

"Okay! Go ahead!" Han Lei nodded with a smile.

Xiao Zhengfei stepped outside; he still had matters to attend to as instructed by the prince. He was genuinely grateful to Han Lei, which was why he waited for her to come in, exchange greetings, and then leave.

From the moment Han Lei entered, the man dressed as a soldier beside her had his arms crossed, curiously observing her. His eyes sparkled, as if he were searching for some treasure.

Is this the mysterious woman that Commander Xiao mentioned, who single-handedly repelled the ambushing Turks and saved Zhao Zun?

It does look quite unique. Putting everything else aside, just that ear-length short hair alone is a bit unconventional and unorthodox.

Han Lei didn't notice his scrutiny; instead, she looked at Zhao Zun, who was sitting behind the desk.

"Your Highness, I would like to discuss something with you."

Zhao Zun smiled, quite interested. "Oh? Tell me about it."

"Your Highness, actually, I'd like to ask you for another part-time job."

As Han Lei spoke, a fawning smile appeared on her face. The person in front of her was now her big boss; if she wanted a good job, she had to please her superior!

"Part-time job?" Zhao Zun frowned as he looked at her forced smile. "What do you mean?"

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