Chapter 12: Luring the Rogue into the Grove

Behind Chu Chen’s house, atop a small hill, a pair of eyes fixated fiercely on the cottage below.

Chu Chen brought Li Qinglian inside. “I’m sorry, my dear. You’ve suffered unfairly. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.”

Feeling the warmth of Chu Chen’s hand, a profound sense of happiness blossomed deep within Li Qinglian’s heart.

“Husband, I’m fine, but this morning I offended Long Ge and Ma San, and just now I upset the village chief. If they retaliate against you, what then?” Li Qinglian said anxiously.

Chu Chen took out a crossbow from beside him, loaded an arrow, and with a click of the trigger, shot it straight at the door.

The arrow lodged firmly into the camellia tree by the entrance, penetrating deeply, its tail still trembling slightly.

“Don’t worry, my dear. I am no ordinary man. I wield a divine weapon bestowed by the Immortal Grandfather. I’m not afraid of their revenge.”

Li Qinglian stared in disbelief at the crossbow. Such power! The camellia tree was famed for its hardness.

Chu Chen handed the crossbow to Li Qinglian. “I’m heading to town tomorrow. For safety, don’t leave the house these days, and don’t tell anyone I’m going to town.”

“If anyone dares cross the threshold, shoot them. The laws of the Great Xia dynasty state that anyone committing violence in a residence can be killed without guilt.”

“Ah, you mean you want me to take this? No, husband, you should keep it for protection. I’ll be fine at home,” Li Qinglian hurriedly protested.

“It’s fine. The Immortal Grandfather has gifted me many divine weapons. I have others, so don’t worry.”

After the disturbance caused by the “Ma Mountain Flower” gang, Chu Chen had been thinking about this. Tomorrow, when he went to town, Li Qinglian would be alone at home. If any scoundrel broke in, at least she would have a weapon to defend herself.

He expected to be intercepted on the road once he left the village.

Hearing that Chu Chen had the weapon, Li Qinglian no longer refused.

“Now, I’ll teach you how to use this divine weapon.” Chu Chen said, taking Li Qinglian’s hand and leading her to the door.

After shooting a few times, Li Qinglian gradually grasped the technique.

As night fell, the couple finished their meal and climbed into bed.

“Husband, can you not go tomorrow? I’m very worried.”

Li Qinglian, clever as she was, understood Chu Chen’s intentions when he mentioned going to town. That was why she pleaded with him at night.

“No, Qinglian. In this world, only by diving into trouble can you solve it. Sleep now; my mind is made up,” Chu Chen said calmly.

If he didn’t resolve this matter tomorrow, endless trouble would surely follow.

---

They embraced as they slept beneath the warm down quilt, but Li Qinglian tossed and turned, restless and uneasy.

At daybreak, stirred by the loud crowing of the village roosters, Chu Chen slowly opened his eyes, feeling his wounds had almost healed.

Reaching out, he found Li Qinglian already up, busy cooking breakfast in the kitchen.

After washing up, she brought out theI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.