DDT - Chapter 55
Chapter 55: General × Little Emperor (10)
Around dawn, the sky began to lighten. The general's long-standing biological clock woke Chi Junluo. As her consciousness gradually returned, even before opening her eyes, she felt her hand had gone numb from being pinned down. Just as she was about to move it, she sensed someone in her arms.
Chi Junluo: ???
Opening her eyes, she saw the little emperor in the faint light of the tent, his back to her, curled up and nestled entirely in her embrace, his neck pillowed on her right hand.
So, the hand she had used to collect the power of the Heavenly Dao last night was now being used as a pillow by the little emperor. Listening to his breathing, he seemed to be sleeping quite soundly.
It was just tough on her right hand. Chi Junluo shifted her pinned hand, intending to relieve the pressure, but she suddenly noticed the little emperor's breathing hitch. He seemed to be awake. Chi Junluo quickly shut her eyes, relaxed her hand, and froze.
Yi Han had developed the habit of waking at dawn since childhood, a habit not even his imperial mother knew about. Whenever he woke, he would wash up, light a candle, and read. As he grew older, he also took to stretching and exercising. And now, he was awake.
Perhaps due to a persistent feeling of insecurity, he always slept curled up. As his consciousness returned, he could feel he was still in that position, but his entire body felt wonderfully warm. It didn't take him long to discover the source of that warmth.
He was nestled entirely in the arms of the great General Chi Luo… and his neck was pillowed on one of the general's hands. No wonder he had slept so soundly last night…
Hearing the steady breathing behind him, he assumed General Chi Luo was still asleep. The little emperor, Yi Han, carefully propped himself up with his right hand, turned, and gently moved the general's hand from beneath him, placing it back by her side. Then, Yi Han frowned, looking at General Chi Luo, who blocked his path like a small mountain. How was he supposed to get out?
Step over her? Yi Han propped himself up and studied the general, who was still sleeping soundly. An image flashed through his mind: he tries to step over, his foot slips, and he falls right on top of her…
No, no, no, what kind of nonsense was he thinking?
Crawl over her? That was clearly not an option either. He was the ruler of a nation; an act like crawling over someone was far too damaging to his dignity.
Yi Han racked his brain for a while and ultimately came up with only one solution…
So, Yi Han gently lay back down, pulled the covers up, and pretended to be asleep. He had decided it was best to wait for General Chi to wake up before getting out of bed.
With her eyes closed, Chi Junluo carefully controlled her expression, trying hard not to reveal she was awake. After feeling the little emperor move her arm, she sensed his gaze sweeping over her face and body, lingering for a long time. The feeling of being scrutinized was rather uncomfortable.
Fortunately, she hadn't given anything away. Otherwise, she could only imagine how awkward the situation would have become.
Finally, when Chi Junluo felt the person beside her lie down again and pull up the covers, she let out a small sigh of relief.
Chi Junluo didn't rush to "wake up." After a moment, she stirred, turned over, and stretched lazily. Once she was sure she'd made enough noise, she pushed herself up and got out of bed. Standing up, she saw the little emperor, Yi Han, still feigning sleep on the bed. A hint of tenderness flickered in her eyes, and without even realizing it, the corners of her lips tilted up in a slight smile.
After deftly changing into her battle robes, Chi Junluo turned back to the bed. She approached it and said softly, "Lincang, wake up."
The little emperor, Yi Han, had heard every single movement General Chi made after getting up. For some reason, his heart felt a mix of agitation and excitement. In short, his mood was indescribable.
The brief wait felt agonizing to Yi Han. Finally, just as he could barely contain himself any longer, the voice he had been waiting for sounded from behind him. "Lincang, wake up."
Yi Han turned over and sat up. He saw the great General Chi standing respectfully by the bed, waiting for him. As he'd thought, the general was already dressed. In her fiery red battle robes, she looked incredibly handsome and imposing, radiating a restrained sharpness that marked her as someone extraordinary.
Yi Han averted his gaze and looked no further. He got out of bed and deftly changed into the well-fitting soft armor Chi Junluo had prepared for him, transforming into a dashing young man.
Seeing Yi Han's hair still loose down his back, Chi Junluo took the initiative, picking up a hair ribbon and moving to stand behind him. "Lincang, hold still. I'll tie up your hair for you."
Hearing this, Yi Han didn't fidget. He simply stood still, allowing the general behind him to arrange his hair.
Since Yi Han couldn't see what was happening, the sensations on his head were infinitely magnified. The hands behind him gently brushed through his long hair, fingers sinking between the strands as a comb gently smoothed them out. When her fingertips grazed his scalp, a tingling sensation erupted, spreading a pleasant warmth from the crown of his head through his entire body. At that moment, a phrase popped into Yi Han's mind: a sudden anointment.
Her hands gently combed through his hair again and again, sending waves of that tingling sensation over him. As pleasant as it was, Yi Han couldn't help but wonder: in all the previous years when palace maids had done his hair, why had he never felt anything like this?
Was it because this person was General Chi?
Yes, Chi Luo.
Yi Han silently repeated the general's name in his mind, suddenly thinking how beautiful it sounded. The name Chi Luo suited General Chi perfectly. Although she was a seven-chi-tall military officer, she wasn't burly and coarse like so many others, her face covered in a thick beard. On the contrary, General Chi had refined features and a chiseled jaw, truly deserving of the word handsome. Despite her height, she wasn't built like a bear; her figure was tall and slender, and her movements were cultured and graceful, completely lacking the boisterous arrogance of other officers. In battle, however, her every move was deadly, forcing opponents back, cutting off their escape, and delivering the final blow. Most importantly, General Chi lacked the musky, sweaty odor common among men, especially military men. The few times they had shared a horse, and last night when they had shared a bed, he had never detected any unpleasant scent. Yi Han was very pleased.
The general's refined temperament and handsome face, combined with the unbridled, murderous aura she projected on the battlefield, merged perfectly within her body, creating a powerful attraction for the young emperor, Yi Han.
Yi Han had never realized the great General Chi could be so devilishly charming, almost… soul-snatching.
"Lincang, it's done." At some point, the movements behind him had ceased. A low voice spoke near his ear, pulling Yi Han back from his wandering thoughts.
Yi Han reached up to gently touch his hair. It was tied up high, every strand lying smoothly in place without a hint of messiness. Mm, General Chi is quite skilled, he thought.
Seeing the little emperor's satisfied expression, Chi Junluo mentally rubbed her hands together. After all, she had been doing her own hair for many years; all kinds of hairstyles were a piece of cake!
Chi Junluo lifted the tent flap and led Yi Han outside. The sky was beginning to pale as the darkness receded. She took the young emperor to a small river in the woods for a quick wash, then led him to the training grounds.
"Lincang, starting today, a captain from the training grounds will instruct you in martial arts. I need to attend to some camp matters, but I will personally teach you once I'm finished." Chi Junluo felt this matter had to be addressed as soon as possible. The sooner the little emperor learned to fight, the more at ease she would feel when she eventually left.
Yi Han was still a bit stunned, but he quickly understood that the great General Chi Luo was doing this for his own good. With martial skills, he wouldn't be helpless during an assassination attempt, forced to flee in disgrace. It reminded him of when the Fourth Prince had usurped the throne, forcing him to escape wretchedly through the forest. If General Chi hadn't come to his rescue, he would likely be dead by now.
Yi Han nodded to show he understood and accepted the training. After entrusting him to a captain, Chi Junluo turned and hurried from the training grounds. She needed to see Vice General Wei Long.
After a full night of personal interrogations, Vice General Wei Long had finally rooted out twenty-two spies planted within the Zhenbei Army by various princes and powerful factions from the Imperial City. There might be others hidden deeper, but that was no longer important. What they needed to do now was make an example of these few to warn the rest and give the soldiers a show of force.
After a morning of grueling training, even Yi Han, who exercised daily, found it difficult to endure. But the captain told him that the harder he trained, the greater his chances of survival on the battlefield. Finding logic in this, Yi Han persevered.
Soon, it was noon. The general sent word for all soldiers to assemble at the camp's small execution ground.
The small execution ground was typically deserted, used only for prisoners of war or captured spies.
The soldiers quickly surrounded the small execution ground until it was packed tight.
Some twenty-odd men were kneeling on the execution ground, each with a soldier holding a broadsword standing beside them.
General Chi stood beside the condemned men, her face grim. Once nearly everyone had gathered, Chi Junluo spoke. "The border is where we defend our homes and our country! Here, our only duty is to protect the nation and ensure the homes of the common people are not violated! The battlefield is not a place for you to form factions and engage in deceit!"
"These twenty-two men leaked military intelligence, exposing our movements! As a result, the Zhenbei Army has suffered multiple attacks over the past few days. Today at noon, in accordance with military law, they shall be executed by beheading!"
Her words sent a shockwave of awe and fear through the assembled soldiers.
High noon arrived. The executioners' swords rose and fell, and heads rolled onto the ground.
Chi Junluo added, "In life, you are men of the Zhenbei Army! In death, you are ghosts of the Zhenbei Army! Your loyalty belongs only to the Zhenbei Army! It belongs only to this general!"
"If any other soldier is found to be privately consorting with some damn prince or some damn noble family from the Imperial City, they will be sentenced to death!"
Finally, at the general's command, the soldiers dispersed to rest, leaving only a few behind to clean the execution ground.
Chi Junluo led Yi Han back to the general's tent. The moment they were inside and the flap was down, she dropped to her knees and kowtowed. "Your Majesty," she said, "this subject has something to explain."
Yi Han was still feeling unsettled by Chi Junluo's earlier declaration. His tone was cool as he replied, "Speak, General."
"This subject hereby swears an oath! I, Chi Luo, will be loyal only to Your Majesty in this life! This subject is yours, and the Zhenbei Army will only ever be yours! If I break this vow, may I be struck by lightning from the heavens and die without a complete corpse!"
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