"You..."

Feeling those mischievous fingers gradually climb her ample thigh, even venturing further, Zhi Ning's blushing face seemed like it could drip water.

Especially in this cold situation, Chen Mo's hand was also cold, making her feel a jolt like electricity.

"I haven't... washed up yet." Zhi Ning gently pushed Chen Mo's arm, her rosy lips slightly parted, breathing softly.

"It's cold; wash later when it's warmer. If you wash now, you'll have to wash again after you sweat later."

Chen Mo held the plump, soft-bodied beauty like a silkworm baby, looked down, and saw her smooth, round chin slightly lifted, her neck white as snow, like a swan's.

In this cold, windy night, the two embraced on the bed, as if in a divine place.

Unable to resist, Zhi Ning let the young man do as he wished.

There was one thing she had to admit, apart from his cold hands, his body was warm, like holding a stove.

"Zhi Ning, my hands are cold, let me warm them." Chen Mo gently pinched Zhi Ning's smooth, round chin, looking at that blushing, icy face, he spoke softly.

"Can I refuse?"

"No."

"Then why ask." Zhi Ning rolled her eyes at him.

"Just trying to get you to cooperate."

Chen Mo smiled, and amidst her soft moans, he lowered his head and captured those moist, water-like lips.

Exploring the vastness of the beauty's bosom, he only felt warmth sweeping over him.

Once his hands were warm, Chen Mo captured Zhi Ning's jade-like hand, entwining his fingers with hers, saying, "Zhi Ning, your hands are so cold too."

"Women's bodies are naturally cold, according to martial texts, men are yang, women are yin; it's cold, my hands... is it abnormal to be cold?" Zhi Ning's eyes teasingly flowed, thinking he was complaining, she lightly hummed, shaking off his hand.

Hearing her mention the yin and yang of martial texts, Chen Mo couldn't help but think of certain novels, earnestly looking at the beauty, he said, "Zhi Ning, do you have any cultivation techniques for dual cultivation?"

"I... I don't have such embarrassing things!"

Chen Mo detected another meaning in Zhi Ning's words, implying that this world indeed had dual cultivation techniques.

"Do you know who does?" Chen Mo asked.

If he could acquire such a cultivation technique, wouldn't he be able to cultivate while sleeping?

Seeing Chen Mo's genuine interest in cultivation, Zhi Ning, who was in a daze, sobered up a bit, with slightly furrowed brows, she softly said, "Most of these cultivation techniques are forbidden to practice. When the Great Song Dynasty was founded, many were burned."

"Why are they forbidden?"

"Because these cultivation techniques claim dual cultivation, when in reality, it's about absorbing yin to replenish yang or absorbing yang to replenish yin, where only one benefits, and the other side might drop in realm or, at worst, hurt their essence; if the absorbed side is an ordinary person, their life might even be threatened.

Those who practice such cultivation techniques are often flower thieves or charming demons hidden in brothels who suck the marrow of bones.

If you dare to practice such things, then don't... don't touch me anymore."

Chen Mo: "..."

"Is there... nothing beneficial for both parties?" Chen Mo asked, unwilling to give up.

"There are, but they're rare, usually only those noble families with centuries-old legacies have them. Over a thousand years ago, in the once-flourishing Great Yan Empire, there was a secret technique called the Emperor's Inner Scripture. It's said that this method was effective for both genders during dual cultivation. But with the dynastic changes and various power struggles, it disappeared into the river of history long ago.

Of course, it might also be hidden by some noble family, concealed from outsiders' knowledge." Zhi Ning thought for a moment, then spoke slowly.

Hearing this, Chen Mo sighed, realizing this path might be somewhat distant.

No more talk, let's focus on the pressing matter.

Chen Mo leaned into the beauty's embrace, rolling in the snow like a greedy, playful orange cat.

Zhi Ning's plump and cold, clear face blushed, burning like fire.

Chen Mo released Zhi Ning's jade-like hand and said, "Zhi Ning, let me warm your hands..."

Then, he whispered a few words in Zhi Ning's ear.

Hearing this, Zhi Ning blushed even more, but compared to previous times, this was much better.

People are like this; once the bottom line is lowered, as long as it's not exceeded, they can generally accept it.

"I... I don't know how."

"No worries, I'll teach you." Chen Mo knew Zhi Ning was agreeing, and once again held her soft, bone-like hand.

"Wait."

"What is it?"

"Alright."

Zhi Ning lightly bit her red lips, then took off the gold ring from her finger, afraid it might hurt the young man.

...

The night was clear and cold, silent and soundless.

Outside Celestial Water Town.

Three shadows lay down where the city wall's flames could not reach, observing the silhouettes on the wall, calculating the approximate number using their own method, exhaling white breath.

After scouting for half an hour, and learning the enemy scouts' patrol times on the city walls, two of the shadows remained prone in the frozen earth, unmoving, while the leading shadow whispered to the standing shadow:

"As the Lord said, there are indeed enemy scouts at Celestial Water Town. Quickly report back; these are the scouts' patrol times."

"Understood."

...

The flag of the Song Army once again stood on the walls of Yangcheng.

Liang Song, leading the main force from Zhuima City and reinforcements from Shiling County, advanced slowly, reaching Yangcheng and setting up camp there.

The night gradually faded away, and dawn finally arrived.

The morning mist, like a gentle veil, permeated the air, lending the earth a mysterious beauty.

Liang Song pushed open the door, immediately feeling a chill rush towards him, prompting him to instinctively mobilize his innate spiritual qi to ward off the cold.

"This winter is even colder than last year's. I wonder how many will freeze to death."

Feeling the soft sunlight on his face, yet without warmth, Liang Song sighed.

At that moment, Shi Meng hurriedly approached and, seeing Liang Song already up, cupped his hands and said, "Sir, the scouts reported, just as you expected, the Rebel Army is still stationed in Celestial Water Town."

After speaking, he handed the report from the scouts to Liang Song.

After reading it, Liang Song sighed again, "What exactly are these rebels up to? It's already winter, yet they haven't withdrawn from Yu State."

"Sir, could it be that Luo Guang is sending more rebels, and the ones in Celestial Water Town are waiting for reinforcements?" Shi Meng suggested.

"It's a possibility. The war between Prince Huai and Xu Guozhong is nearing its end, and the rebels are surely eager to cross the river. Fengzhou and Yu State are strategic territories the rebels are unwilling to easily give up."

"Shouldn't we take Celestial Water Town while their reinforcements haven't arrived?" Shi Meng's eyes sparkled as he spoke.

"I know you wish to avenge your loss, but Chen Mo is no ordinary opponent. General Guan and General Xu both fell at his hands, he saw through our plans and broke free from the encirclement. During the battle of Zhuima City, he foiled our plans again, clearly showing his prowess and cunning. He abandoned several thousand rebels without hesitation; we must not underestimate him." Liang Song understood Shi Meng's thoughts.

Shi Meng showed a trace of panic in his eyes and was about to explain when Liang Song continued, "It's nothing. It's only human nature. Keep a close watch on him and see what he intends to do."

"Understood."

...

Celestial Water Town.

On the training ground.

Chen Mo had restructured the military system, dividing the more than eight thousand Celestial Master Army soldiers into eight battalions, each with a thousand men, standing in fifty columns.

According to his plan, when the orders from above were issued, if he was appointed as commander, he would incorporate the former Xianzhen Guard into the Divine Brave Guard.

These individuals were originally Yu State Army soldiers; in terms of military training and physical fitness, they were superior to the Divine Brave Guard. Incorporating them into the Divine Brave Guard would meet the requirements.

Next, he would select those who were robust and met the standards from the eight battalions and incorporate them into the Divine Martial Guard.

The remaining "dregs" would be incorporated into the Xianzhen Guard.

What is the Xianzhen Guard? It charges into battle, with death as the only outcome, used as the vanguard.

Those who survived multiple battles could be considered tempered through countless trials and reintegrated into the Divine Brave or Divine Martial Guard.

In Chen Mo's plan, the Divine Brave Guard was his elite force, followed by the Divine Martial Guard.

The Xianzhen Guard was to be used as a holding place for prisoners.

Standing on the high platform, Chen Mo observed the crooked and varied postures of the queues before him, his brows furrowing tightly.

Most crucially, there was a buzz of discussions within the ranks.

At present, Chen Mo didn't have enough time for extensive training, so he decided to begin with rudimentary drills based on the military training methods he learned before his time travel. First, ensuring they could stand straight, maintain formation during charges, and have basic familiarity with military formations was sufficient for now.

More rigorous standards would have to wait until a truly secure time.

"Silence!"

Chen Mo shouted at the chaotic ranks. Supported by the echoed responses of the Personal Guard Team, the commotion rapidly ceased.

Though their stances varied, and the formation was somewhat uneven, at least it was quietened down.

"Stand straight, all of you," commanded Chen Mo, wielding his Tang Blade. With eighty elite soldiers selected from the Divine Brave Guard, he inspected the expressions and postures of those in the ranks.

These eighty elites were assigned as instructors, each responsible for about a hundred men.

He instructed them to note the names of those who performed well during multiple training sessions.

"Snap!"

As he walked, Chen Mo's scabbard struck the leg of a tall, slender man, producing a dull thud. Although Chen Mo had held back much of his strength, the man still cried out in pain and fell to the ground.

"Is one of your legs longer than the other? Can't stand straight, can't hold your waist straight?"

Chen Mo singled this man out, brought him to the front, and placed the scabbard on his shoulder, sternly commanding, "Stand up."

Startled, the tall, slender man quickly stood up, enduring the pain, as his leg was not broken.

"Straighten your back," Chen Mo barked once more.

The tall, slender man quickly straightened his slightly hunched back.

"Tighten your abdomen."

"Lift your head."

"Chest out."

"Yes, just like that."

Turning to the others, Chen Mo said, "Pay attention and stand according to this standard."

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