Chapter 1044: Rumors Spread, Shaking Morale
Editor: Henyee Translations

In the camp, Xia Qi was silent, acknowledging Tang Jinghong’s ruthlessness, which explained his unyielding success on the battlefield.

Xia Yunjian slammed the table, “Xia Qi, did you do this on purpose?”

Xia Qi bowed, “Your Highness, I didn’t anticipate Tang Jinghong would send troops to flank us from the rear. It won’t happen again. Please, calm your anger.”

This incident thoroughly ignited Xia Qi’s fighting spirit.

At this moment, news came through, “Daling has dispatched an additional 100,000 troops for reinforcement.”

Xia Sang Kingdom’s scouts went to investigate and indeed saw a long procession of soldiers heading toward the border. They hurried back to report to Xia Qi.

With the enemy increasing their forces, Xia Qi had to revise his strategy.

Initially, he planned to send 50,000 troops to spearhead an attack on Tang’s camp. Now, he decided to dispatch 100,000 troops, leaving his rear defenses weaker.

This change led to a sudden assault on their rear guard.

The 50,000 soldiers guarding the rear were caught off guard by Tang Jinghong’s 50,000 troops. By the time Xia Qi returned to aid them, Tang Jinghong had sent reinforcements to pursue his troops.

This deceptive tactic resulted in a loss of 50,000 soldiers for Xia Sang Kingdom, while Tang’s camp only lost 10,000.

Thus, Xia Sang Kingdom’s 500,000-strong army was reduced to 350,000.

Tang’s 200,000 troops were down to 170,000.

The gap was narrowing.

Chu Qingzhi came up with a new strategy, “Jinghong, you challenge them to a battle, and I’ll take your place, disguised as you. If I can kill their commander, their morale will plummet, and we can achieve a decisive victory.”

Tang Jinghong held her hand, “Be careful.”

Chu Qingzhi was confident in her abilities, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

Tang Jinghong went to the front lines and issued a challenge to Xia Qi.

Xia Qi accepted.

Before long, the two armies clashed on the battlefield.

Chu Qingzhi, disguised as Tang Jinghong, wielded a long spear and engaged Xia Qi. With a single strike, she knocked Xia Qi off his horse.

Xia Qi’s strength was on par with Tang Jinghong’s, so how could he be defeated so easily?

While Chu Qingzhi was puzzled, two units of soldiers charged out of the camp and surrounded her, launching an attack.

Tang Jinghong immediately sent troops to rescue her, blending in with the soldiers.

They couldn’t let their troops see two commanders, or it would sow doubt and mistrust.

Chu Qingzhi leaped off her horse, fighting valiantly, killing an enemy with each strike.

The Xia camp sounded the retreat.

Chu Qingzhi and her troops also withdrew.

Back at the camp, Chu Qingzhi removed Tang Jinghong’s armor and reverted to her own form, “Jinghong, the one who accepted the challenge wasn’t Xia Qi.”

“I noticed that too,” Tang Jinghong replied. “Xia Qi might be injured and had someone impersonate him.”

Chu Qingzhi had another theory, “What if he’s not in the camp at all?”

Tang Jinghong’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately called for scouts, “Go investigate whether Xia Qi is in the camp. If not, report back immediately.”

“Yes, General.”

Chu Qingzhi suggested, “Jinghong, how about I infiltrate the Xia camp as a spy?”

Tang Jinghong opposed, “That’s too dangerous.”

Chu Qingzhi insisted, “No risk, no reward. We’ve been at war for seven or eight months. People are on edge, and our own lives are disrupted.”

Tang Jinghong relented, “If there’s any danger, leave immediately.”

Chu Qingzhi was confident, “I know. Don’t worry, they won’t be able to touch me.”

Tang Jinghong pulled her into his arms, filled with both reluctance and concern, “Be careful.”

“Mm.” Chu Qingzhi prepared and left the camp. Before leaving, she sought out Chu Qingning, “Fourth Sister, you must protect yourself. If anything goes wrong, hide immediately. I’ll come find you.”

Chu Qingning held her hand, worried, “What’s happening?”

“I have to leave the camp for a secret mission,” Chu Qingzhi whispered, cautious of spies within the camp.

Chu Qingning understood the gravity and didn’t try to stop her, “Your martial arts are excellent, but don’t underestimate the enemy. Protect yourself.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “I will.”

Chu Qingning let her go, “Then you should go.”

Chu Qingzhi left the camp and headed toward the Xia camp. She found an opportunity to infiltrate it.

Within the camp, Chu Qingzhi changed identities several times, eventually becoming an aide to Xia Qi’s servant—Wang Er.

Xia Qi was meticulous. Chu Qingzhi didn’t know this aide well, and taking over suddenly would arouse suspicion. She chose Wang Er’s identity after observing him for several days to learn his habits, allowing her to fit in seamlessly.

Wang Er was responsible for handling Xia Qi’s clothing.

The aide handed Xia Qi’s clothes to Chu Qingzhi, “Take these to the general for washing. Do it yourself, don’t delegate.”

“Yes.” Wang Er took the basin and went to the logistics area, finding a soldier to wash the clothes.

The soldier was delighted to wash Xia Qi’s clothes.

Wang Er casually wandered into the tent where the grain was stored.

Instead of burning the grain, Chu Qingzhi used a spell to sink it underground. This way, it could be dug up and used later.

After completing her task, Wang Er returned to the soldier washing the clothes.

News of the missing grain quickly reached Xia Yunjian. He didn’t believe it and went to inspect the tent himself, finding it empty.

“Where’s the grain?”

“Weren’t you guarding it day and night? Where’s the grain?”

The guards swore, “Your Highness, we swear on our lives we’ve been here the whole time.”

Xia Yunjian was furious, “Then where’s the grain?”

The guards hesitated, “It seems to have vanished into thin air.”

Xia Yunjian drew his sword, placing it against the guard’s neck, “If you keep talking nonsense, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

The guards fell silent.

Xia Yunjian commanded, “Search everywhere, dig if you must, find it!”

The ground showed no signs of disturbance, so no one suspected the grain was buried beneath their feet.

News of the missing grain reached Tang Jinghong, who chuckled. He could guarantee they wouldn’t find it.

The missing grain became a mystery.

But Xia Yunjian had more supplies, so it didn’t disrupt the war.

In the following battles, Xia Qi was vigilant, and Tang Jinghong’s strategies didn’t work. Both sides entered a stalemate.

However, amidst the uneasy calm, more grain disappeared from the Xia camp, this time from two tents.

Rumors spread quickly, shaking morale.

Xia Yunjian, enraged, ordered a thorough investigation.