Many children, many blessings; a stunningly beautiful wife is given to you right from the start.

late at night.

Dingbei Prefecture, study.

After calming Su Qingyue down in the afternoon, Lin Mo quietly returned to Black Cloud Village.

At this moment, in the corner of the study, there were three heavy chests filled with gold and silver treasures looted from Black Cloud Village, enough to cover the expenses of Dingbei Prefecture for several years.

However, this windfall did not bring Lin Mo much joy.

The flickering candlelight cast his long shadow on the wall.

During the day, the initial elation of Su Qingyue's pregnancy had subsided.

Instead, there is a cold and heavy pressure.

It was like a huge rock, pressing down hard on Lin Mo's heart.

The stench of blood from Black Cloud Village seemed to linger, and Wang Sanjiao's vicious curse still echoed in their ears.

This time, he was able to arrive in time.

What about next time?

What if one day our enemy abandons all martial ethics and uses a diversionary tactic, then launches a feint attack...

He can protect this, but he can't protect that.

Apart from him, the vast Dingbei Prefecture had almost no other fighting force.

Relying on him alone is like trying to cover a leaky wall with your own two hands; it's simply not enough to protect it.

We must build a force that is entirely our own and absolutely loyal.

Lin Mo's knuckles tapped rhythmically on the cold wooden table.

despair.

despair.

despair.

A dashing figure involuntarily appeared in his mind.

Qin Ruxue.

That woman who always glared at him and was always ready to draw her sword.

That military family's daughter, who could pick out elite veterans from the crowd at a glance in the martial arts market.

In terms of commanding and training troops, no one in the entire Dingbei Prefecture could surpass him.

I wonder how she managed to settle those fifty veterans.

despair.

despair.

despair.

Lin Mo slapped his thigh, jumped up from the chair, and strode out.

Go ask!

……

Meanwhile, in Qin Ruxue's boudoir, mist swirled around.

A bathtub, larger than a regular bathtub, was filled with scalding hot water.

The water was infused with precious medicinal herbs that promote blood circulation and relax muscles, filling the room with a subtle, refreshing herbal fragrance.

Qin Ruxue was leaning against the tub, her beautiful eyes closed, trying to use the scalding water to wash away her fatigue and the strange feeling that she couldn't shake off...

Last night, when she saw Lin Mo carrying Su Qingyue, covered in blood, walking back from the darkness, her usually unwavering heart began to pound uncontrollably.

There was worry about her eldest sister's safety, shock at Lin Mo's strength, and a hint of... a feeling that even she herself was unwilling to admit.

But then, the doctor announced that Su Qingyue was pregnant, which was like a needle pricking her hard.

She was genuinely happy that the Lin family had an heir.

Yet, deep down, a strange sense of bitterness and loss welled up inside me.

This complex and contradictory feeling left her feeling extremely confused.

Hot water washed over her fragrant shoulders, revealing glimpses of her beautiful curves honed through years of martial arts training.

Her skin wasn't as delicate and snow-white as Su Qingyue's, but rather had a vibrant glow.

Her legs were long and strong, while her waist was so slender that it could be encircled by a single hand, creating a perfect curve.

Just as she was feeling troubled—

"Bang!"

A loud bang.

Qin Ruxue's tightly closed door was suddenly kicked open violently from the outside!

"ah--!"

She screamed and, like a startled rabbit, sank down abruptly, instantly disappearing into the water.

Only a flushed, pretty face and rounded shoulders were visible above the water, and a pair of watery eyes glared at the doorway with a mixture of shame and anger.

Lin Mo strode in, his face devoid of the familiar playfulness and amusement, instead displaying a serious and earnest expression.

"Lin Mo! You bastard! Get out!"

Qin Ruxue was so angry that she trembled all over, wishing she could pull a sword out of the water and chop this bastard into eight pieces!

In the dead of night, they broke into her bedroom and even kicked the door!

That's absolutely inhuman!

Lin Mo ignored her roar and walked straight to the bathtub, looking down at her.

His expression was serious, and his tone was heavy.

"I have something extremely important to discuss with you!"

"..."

Qin Ruxue's anger was momentarily extinguished by his sudden seriousness.

Extremely important?

She was a little confused.

What could be so urgent?

But looking at his face, which was filled with urgency, Qin Ruxue's anger inexplicably dissipated a little.

She bit her lower lip, watching him warily.

"What is it?"

Lin Mo said in a deep voice, "Qingyue's abduction taught me a lesson."

"I can't protect all of you by myself."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ruxue's heart sank.

Indeed, Su Qingyue's kidnapping was a huge blow to her as well.

As the daughter of a military family, she felt that her dignity and responsibilities had been challenged.

"How are those fifty veterans you recruited doing now?"

Lin Mo cut straight to the point.

When it came to serious matters, Qin Ruxue immediately got into the zone.

Although she was still soaking in the water, her tone had returned to its usual capable and efficient manner.

"When you were with my eldest sister this afternoon, I did some thinking. Relying on those fifty veterans to guard Dingbei Prefecture is still a bit of a stretch."

"So I recruited another fifty people, all of whom have been on the battlefield and seen blood. They have a good foundation, but... since they just arrived, they are still a bit unsettled and are all observing."

"Um."

Lin Mo nodded.

"Gather them all together tomorrow morning."

"I plan to double their monthly pay. Their food allowance will also be increased, and they'll have meat at every meal."

Qin Ruxue was taken aback.

Double it?

Do they expect meat to be included in every meal?

For guards in ordinary mansions, being able to get enough to eat is already a blessing.

Is Lin Mo trying to bribe people with money?

"Is...is this really necessary?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes!" Lin Mo said decisively.

"We have just taken over Dingbei Prefecture, our foundation is not stable, and there are countless eyes watching us from the outside."

"We absolutely cannot afford any problems with the security detail now."

He looked at Qin Ruxue with an unprecedented seriousness in his eyes.

"Therefore, I want to entrust you with full responsibility for the defense of Dingbei Prefecture."

"You decide everything: personnel recruitment, daily training, patrol deployment."

"I have only one request: to make Dingbei Prefecture an impregnable fortress, so that not even a mosquito can fly in."

Qin Ruxue was completely stunned.

She sat motionless in the water, forgetting both her shyness and her anger.

Full responsibility?

Does it mean I'm in charge?

From a young age, she studied military strategy and practiced martial arts diligently. Her biggest dream was to be able to lead troops and fight like her father and brother to protect her country.

But she was, after all, a woman.

Although her father loved her dearly, he never truly allowed her to get involved in military affairs.

Her ambitions had nowhere to be realized.

But now, this man, whom she had always regarded as a scoundrel and lecher, had unhesitatingly entrusted her with the safety of the entire family and this heavy trust.

At that moment, Qin Ruxue's heart was deeply touched.

She looked at Lin Mo, at his serious and earnest face, and felt a mix of emotions.

I was moved, shocked, and felt a great sense of satisfaction from being recognized and trusted.

For the first time, Lin Mo's image in her mind began to change from a "rogue scoundrel" to a "trustworthy head of the family".

This guy... doesn't seem so annoying after all.

"What's wrong? Lack of confidence?"

Seeing that she didn't speak, Lin Mo deliberately provoked her with a question.

"Who said that!"

Qin Ruxue immediately retorted, the water on her chest rippling as she moved.

She puffed out her chest, and an air of arrogance emanated from her.

"The defense of this mere mansion is a trivial matter!"

"Don't worry, within half a month, I guarantee Dingbei Prefecture will be impregnable!"

"Good! That's spirited!"

Lin Mo praised him, then added, "Go ahead and do it. If a hundred people aren't enough, just keep recruiting."

"Money is not an issue, but character and skills must be impeccable!"

"understood."

Qin Ruxue nodded in agreement, already starting to plan her recruitment strategy.

The atmosphere instantly became incredibly harmonious and filled with trust.

Qin Ruxue even forgot that she was still naked and soaking in the water.

His mind was filled with how to deploy troops and build Dingbei Prefecture into an impregnable fortress.

however.

Just then.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Lin Mo's hand.

Lin Mo was slowly and deliberately untying his belt right in front of her.

With a "whoosh," the belt was untied.

Qin Ruxue: "?"

All the defense plans and training programs in her mind were instantly wiped out, leaving a blank.

"What...what are you doing?!"

She looked at Lin Mo in horror, and the goodwill and respect she had just felt vanished instantly.

Instead, there was endless vigilance and shame!

That bastard!

A leopard can't change its spots!

He only said a few serious words before his true colors were revealed!

As Lin Mo took off his outer robe, he spoke with a self-righteous air, his face still bearing that serious expression of "I'm thinking of you."

"Giving you power is not enough; you also need to have the ability to keep up."

"What if a master infiltrates? How embarrassing would it be if you, the head coach, were to be taken down in one move?"

"So, in order for you to improve your strength as quickly as possible and catch up with me, I have no choice but to... sacrifice myself and personally train you!"

Before he could finish speaking...

Qin Ruxue's expression was as if she had seen a ghost.

Lin Mo jumped into the bathtub with a "plop"!

"Splash—!"

Splashes of water!

The warm bathwater instantly turned into a raging torrent!

"Ahhhhh! Lin Mo! You shameless bastard! Get out of here!"

Qin Ruxue's screams almost lifted the entire roof off!