Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 127 Mysterious Force Appears

As night fell, Lin Chen was handling business in his study.

Yuan Tiangang appeared quietly and handed over a secret report.

"My lord, the Bad People have sent back a message."

Lin Chen took the secret report, unfolded it, and frowned slightly.

The secret report read:

"The Northern Army of 250,000 has all arrived at the border, with Wanyan Honglie as the commander-in-chief and Tuoba Lie as the deputy commander-in-chief."

There are at least three Celestial Realm retainers and more than twenty Grandmasters in the army.

Another suspicious individual was discovered, who did not appear to be from a local force. Their cultivation level was unknown, but they were at least at the Celestial Realm.

"Wanyan Honglie has been meeting frequently with a man in black robes recently. The man's identity is unknown, but he has a cold aura and is suspected of practicing evil arts."

"A kind of 'War God Pill' is circulating in the Northern Shuo Army. It can temporarily enhance combat power after consumption, but the side effects are extremely severe. At best, it can cause a decline in cultivation level, and at worst, it can cause the body to explode and die."

The origin of this elixir is unknown; it is suspected to have been given to us by the man in black robes.

Lin Chen put down the secret report and pondered for a moment:

"The man in black robes... doesn't seem to be from a local force... the War God Pill... it seems the Empress was right, there really is a Central Plains force behind Northern Shuo."

"My lord, this matter requires utmost care," Yuan Tiangang said in a deep voice.

"If it is indeed the forces of Zhongzhou who are involved, the war in the Northern Territory will probably not be so simple."

"I know," Lin Chen nodded.

"So this trip to the Northern Border is not only to deal with Wanyan Honglie, but also to find out the identity and purpose of the man in black robes."

He paused, then asked, "Where are the Thirteen Protectors now?"

"We have infiltrated the territory of Beishuo," Yuan Tiangang said.

"Rest assured, my lord, the Thirteen Protectors are all experts in stealth and tracking. As long as we are careful, we should not be discovered."

"Tell them to be careful," Lin Chen said. "It's okay if we can't find anything, just don't alert them."

"Yes."

After Yuan Tiangang left, Lin Chen sat alone in the study, looking at the night view outside the window.

The man in black robes, the forces of Central Plains, the God of War Pill...

All of this points to one possibility—behind Beishuo stands a powerful force from Zhongzhou.

What is the purpose of this force? Is it merely to support the unification of the Eastern Regions by the Northern Shuo, or does it harbor a greater ambition?

Lin Chen didn't know, but he had a premonition that this trip to the Northern Territory would probably uncover a shocking secret.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the twinkling stars in the night sky.

"Beishuo... Wanyan Honglie... the man in black robes..." A hint of amusement flashed in Lin Chen's eyes.

"Just wait, I'm coming."

……

night.

Lin Chen lay on the large bed in the West Garden, looking around.

On the left is Su Xiaoxiao, who is already asleep and breathing evenly.

On his right was Murong Xue, also asleep, with one hand resting on his chest.

He gently moved Murong Xue's hand away, carefully got out of bed, put on his outer robe, and walked out of the room.

In the courtyard, the moonlight was like water.

Lin Chen sat down on the stone bench, looking at the night sky, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

In ten days, we will be heading to the North, a trip that will last anywhere from three months to half a year.

The mansion was overseen by the matriarch and the mother, managed by several ladies, secretly protected by Guan Yu and Dugu Qiubai, and protected by a clan-protecting formation.

Safety is not a concern, but there's still something I miss.

He had already ordered Dugu Qiubai to lead Jing Ke and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Guards to eliminate the remaining forces of the Purple Robe Tower and the Yama Palace.

I don't know if I'll be able to return before I go to the North.

"What are you thinking about?"

A gentle voice came from behind.

Lin Chen turned around and saw Qin Shuyan walking over wearing a thin shirt and sitting down next to him.

"Is Third Sister-in-law still awake?"

"I can't sleep," Qin Shuyan said softly.

"I'm both excited and worried about going to the North with you in seven days."

"What are you worried about?"

"I was worried about you." Qin Shuyan looked at him.

"Eighth Brother, I know you are powerful, with many strong men under your command."

But the battlefield is not like the martial world. Amidst thousands of troops, even the strongest individual will eventually tire. I'm afraid of you…”

"Afraid I'll be in danger?" Lin Chen laughed.

"Don't worry, Third Sister-in-law, I value my life very much and won't take risks easily."

"I know." Qin Shuyan leaned on Lin Chen's shoulder.

"But I can't help worrying, Eighth Brother, promise me you'll come back safely."

"I promise you." Lin Chen held her hand, "I will not only come back safely, but I will also come back victorious."

The two sat quietly, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

After a while, Qin Shuyan suddenly said, "Eighth Brother, there's something I want to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Do you... really like us?" Qin Shuyan's voice was very soft.

"Or was it just because of Grandmother's suggestion, to continue the Lin family bloodline, that she married us?"

Lin Chen was taken aback, then laughed: "Why would Third Sister-in-law think that way?"

"Because I feel... all of this is happening too fast." Qin Shuyan looked up at him.

"From the time my grandmother proposed to take on eight wives to the time of the wedding, it has only been a little over half a year."

Do you really understand us? Do you really like us? Or is it just out of a sense of responsibility?

Lin Chen was silent for a moment, then said seriously:

"Third sister-in-law, I admit that at first I did agree to marry you because of my grandmother's suggestion and because of a sense of responsibility."

But after spending time with you all, I've found that each of you is wonderful and deserves to be cherished.

He paused, then continued:

"Eldest sister-in-law is gentle and strong, second sister-in-law is kind and thoughtful, third sister-in-law is smart and capable, fourth sister-in-law is heroic and spirited, fifth sister-in-law is shrewd and capable, sixth sister-in-law is mysterious and aloof, seventh sister-in-law is gentle and sensible, and Xiao Xiao is innocent and cute... Each of you has your own shining points, and each of you touches my heart."

"So..." Qin Shuyan's eyes gleamed.

"So I really like you guys," Lin Chen said with a smile.

"It may sound a bit greedy, but it's the truth."

I want you not only to continue my bloodline, but also because I want to be with you and spend the rest of my life with you.

Qin Shuyan's eyes reddened, and she leaned against Lin Chen's chest, saying, "Eighth Brother..."

"Okay, stop crying." Lin Chen patted her back.

"If you cry again, your eyes will be swollen tomorrow, and you won't be pretty anymore."

"You're so annoying," Qin Shuyan said playfully, but hugged her even tighter.

The two sat embracing each other until late at night.

Finally, Lin Chen escorted Qin Shuyan back to Shuxiang Garden and let her stay overnight there.

That night, Qin Shuyan agreed to many of Lin Chen's unreasonable demands.

The candlelight burned until dawn.

……

Meanwhile, in the northern camp five thousand miles away, Wanyan Honglie was looking at the secret report in his hand, his face gloomy.

"Lin Chen will depart in ten days... Good, very good." He sneered.

"I'd like to see what abilities you, the Duke of Zhenguo, have to stop my Northern Shuo Iron Cavalry."

Beside him, a person shrouded in a black robe spoke slowly, their voice hoarse:

"Marshal Wanyan, rest assured, with the War God Pill bestowed by the Lord, your army will be invincible."

As for Lin Chen… if he dares to come, I will personally take his life.”

A fervent glint flashed in Wanyan Honglie's eyes: "Then thank you very much, Venerable One."

The man in black robes said nothing more, but stood silently, disappearing into the darkness like a ghost.

The nights in the North are exceptionally long.

But a storm is coming.