CHAPTER 510: CHAPTER 434 WHY DID I GET SICK?_2

For a moment, the two people so intimately facing each other were both somewhat at a loss for words, overwhelmed by emotion.

Yet, neither of them moved.

It was as if they were afraid that at this moment, a touch might lead to something beyond recovery.

After a long silence, Shang Ruyi pressed her forehead against his, their eyes meeting closely. She whispered, "Can you please take good care of yourself?"

"..."

"The people of this city rely on you... and so do I."

"..."

"If you don’t get better, I’m more worried than anyone else."

Yu Wenye’s originally weak breath suddenly became heavier.

Even his breath felt several degrees warmer than before, blowing across Shang Ruyi’s cheek, almost making her face flush red.

He slowly raised his hand.

It seemed he was going to embrace the slender waist of the small woman beside him, but hesitated for a moment, and instead placed his hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her away.

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was startled, widening her eyes to look at him.

Yu Wenye’s face seemed to be slightly flushed as well, but he turned his face to one side, his gaze flickering: "Don’t let yourself get too caught up."

"..."

Seeing him like this again, Shang Ruyi felt her face grow even hotter.

She silently sat back down at the bedside, picked up a towel and soaked it in water, and continued to wipe the sweat from his body, while Yu Wenye no longer struggled, quietly allowing her to care for him.

Night gradually passed.

In the early morning, as dawn broke, the Little Forest River, which had quietly flowed all night, finally washed away the blood red of the previous day, restoring its clear original appearance, with a gentle breeze rippling across the surface, the sparkling waves glistening under the sunlight.

But in the next moment, this tranquility was broken.

A rider and horse galloped swiftly from a distant quiet place, soon arriving under the city tower. The person on horseback took out a token before the tower, and the city gate immediately opened wide, greeted by a troop of men from inside, led by Mu Xian.

And the one returning from outside the city was indeed the soldier he had stationed along the upper reaches of the Little Forest River, monitoring every movement across the river. Upon seeing Mu Xian, the man immediately dismounted, cupped his hands in greeting: "Elder brother."

"Why have you returned?"

Mu Xian frowned, vaguely sensing something: "Could it be——"

The man said breathlessly, "Xue Xian is leading tens of thousands of troops again, preparing to cross the river."

"What?!"

Mu Xian’s face immediately showed surprise, his brow furrowed into a knot——Xue Xian planning another river crossing, intending to attack Fufeng?

But only yesterday they suffered a defeat. Although it wasn’t total collapse, at the very least morale should have taken a hit, coupled with certain losses. Normally, at least some rest and consolidation is required before continuing operations.

Why, after fighting just last night, would they come again early this morning?

The man was evidently breathless from galloping back hurriedly, saying intermittently: "I’ve left several brothers at the riverbank to continue monitoring their actions, but they don’t have enough men to destroy their pontoon bridge, and the Little Forest River’s surface isn’t wide, constructing the pontoon bridge isn’t difficult, and they should come over soon."

"..."

"Elder brother, what should we do now——"

"The Great General clearly said yesterday, confronting Xue Xian this time, the most important thing is to hold firm, deplete their provisions, wear down their will..."

Mu Xian muttered this phrase again, then promptly said: "Quickly notify your men, tell them not to act recklessly, all withdraw, and make sure not to confront Xue Xian’s troops directly."

"Yes!"

Only catching his breath, the man immediately mounted his horse again, turned and galloped out of the city.

Mu Xian had already turned to give orders: "Close the city gates immediately, I’m going to inform the Great General now!"

Upon hearing this, the city guards hurriedly responded, several among them had already reached the huge city gates, immediately moving to close the massive gates.

But just as Mu Xian was about to head to the official office, a troop blocked his path.

Leading the front was the Marching Commander of this military expedition—Song Yu.

This man, clad in armor and bearing a long sword, strode imposingly from within the city, abruptly blocking Mu Xian, coldly asking: "What’s going on?"

Recalling his dispute with him last night, though his expression wasn’t pleasant, Mu Xian, being merely Yu Wenye’s Deputy General, had no choice but to salute this Marching Commander, and said: "Lord Song, a military report just arrived, I need to immediately report to the Great General."