Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife

Chapter 828: Assume the Worst of Your Enemies!

"Crack!"

"Boom boom boom!"

Lightning and thunder completely covered the sky, torrential rain pouring down, everywhere you looked was an unending curtain of rain.

At the post station, Li Qingmu looked at the sudden downpour outside the window, frowning slightly.

The weather this year seemed more peculiar than in previous years; the rain kept coming without end, even preventing them from traveling.

In the convoy traveling with him, the primary cargo was food supplies. If these were tainted by rain or left in the humid air for too long, they would become moldy and spoiled.

We can’t let the people eat spoiled food, can we?

The past few days, the weather had been decent, and the journey smooth, but these recent days they were stuck at this small post station.

"Prince, the disaster is urgent, and disaster relief cannot be delayed!"

An accompanying official stepped forward, bowing in request, urging him to set off quickly.

Li Qingmu gave him a cold look, sneering, "Do you think I don’t know? Do I need you to remind me?"

His voice was icy, causing the official to shudder internally, quickly saying, "Forgive me, Your Highness, that was not my intention..."

"Leave!"

Li Qingmu’s voice grew even colder.

The official hesitated for a moment, then had no choice but to bow and take his leave.

Once he was gone, a dark figure suddenly appeared behind Li Qingmu, yet he showed no panic or action, continuing to stand by the window, his clear eyes watching the endless rain.

"How are the road conditions ahead?"

He was speaking to that shadow.

The shadow was none other than Silver Armor Guard Xuan Xu!

He was different from Yulong Pavilion. Although both Yulong Pavilion and the Silver Armor Guards belonged to Qi Yun, they were hardly the same department. Comparatively, Yulong Pavilion was in the open, while the Silver Armor Guards were in the dark.

If not for the incident involving Pang Wenzheng years ago, the people in the palace would have never known that Qi Yun had such a secret military force.

Speaking of the Silver Armor Guards, Qi Yun had entrusted them to Li Qingmu, but Qi Yun could still manage them, and Xuan Xu preferred to listen to Qi Yun’s orders. Why this was the case, no one knew.

In the court, when Empress Dowager Li mentioned letting Li Qingmu personally go to the Southern Territory for disaster relief, Qi Yun received the news and quickly dispatched Xuan Xu to accompany him as protection.

This Xuan Xu possessed formidable martial arts skills, at least, Li Qingmu had yet to understand his true abilities, always feeling that this person was like a bottomless abyss.

And to compare him with You Su, who had higher martial arts skills? That was hard to judge, for although Li Qingmu had interacted with Xuan Xu several times, he had never seen him actually fight!

The others were simply not up to par!

They had no combat capability at all, so how could they make Xuan Xu show his true skills?

Returning to the topic, upon hearing Li Qingmu’s inquiry, Xuan Xu said, "There are two roads; the left is a mountain path, and the right is through the woods. The mountain path cuts across, shortening the distance, but is prone to accidents. The forest path is winding, increasing the journey, and it’s uncertain if trouble will arise midway."

Li Qingmu pondered, "So, choosing either path is about the same?"

"Yes, but not quite. In terms of risk, the mountain path is higher! Besides..."

Xuan Xu did not finish his sentence, but it was already clear; Li Qingmu was out in this mission partly due to Empress Dowager Li providing the opportunity. Would she not seize this chance to eliminate him?

Therefore, the mountain path was particularly perilous.

"With days of torrential rain, the mountain rocks are loose and prone to landslides and mudflows. Your Highness, the mountain path is inadvisable."

That Xuan Xu called Li Qingmu "Your Highness" indicating he did not truly view him as his master.

Li Qingmu did not mind this; his gaze continued to peer into the mountains outside, saying faintly, "The disaster relief supplies must be delivered, but the path ahead is like a beast’s bloodthirsty maw; one misstep means certain doom!"

"I fear nothing, but the soldiers and officials transporting the supplies would encounter unwarranted disaster?"

Not to mention, if trouble crops up on the road, such valuable supplies would be wasted, the losses immeasurable.

We need a foolproof plan.

"Your Highness, taking the forest path shouldn’t pose much of an issue..."

"But what if they dig tunnels under the forest, planting explosives to create an artificial mudslide?"

While Xuan Xu was speaking, Li Qingmu’s ethereal voice interjected, leaving Xuan Xu dumbfounded.

This...

He had not thought of this at all!

"Your Highness, this... this seems unlikely, doesn’t it?"

"Heh, what is or isn’t possible?"

Li Qingmu sneered, mocking, "For enemies, you must assume the worst intentions. Xuan Xu, wouldn’t you agree?"

Xuan Xu fell silent. Li Qingmu’s words were not wrong; for enemies, you must put yourself in their place and assume the worst.

Only this way can one make the most accurate decision.

"Then, what is Your Highness’ plan?"

"Wait!"

"Wait?"

Xuan Xu was taken aback; disaster waits for no one, and with such a delay, was he not worried a rebellion might break out in the Southern Territory?

"Yes, wait! Wait until this rainy season passes." Li Qingmu showed newfound confidence, saying calmly, "In this season, it rains a lot in the south, yet it has already been raining for over half a month. It likely won’t take many more days for the skies to clear. By then, even if they attempt to collapse the mountain, we will be ready."

Xuan Xu was momentarily puzzled; skilled in martial arts, he lacked knowledge in astrology and geography, leaving him little thought towards when the rains might stop.

Now, upon hearing Li Qingmu’s words, it seemed to make sense?

"If the rain stops, water on the roads will recede, and the rocks won’t be slippery. Traveling then would be more than twice as effective. In this weather, with these road conditions, rushing could lead to us sinking into quagmires, further delaying the journey."

Xuan Xu nodded slightly; it seemed a reasonable proposition.

"So, in Your Highness’ view, how much longer until the rain completely ceases?"

Li Qingmu continued watching the distant expanse, giving the impression he was studying the scenery or landscape, but in reality, he was reading the celestial signs!

The heavens reveal everything, from clear skies to snow; all is predestined, reflecting in the celestial sphere.

Li Qingmu observed the swirling clouds moving northward, saying calmly, "Soon, within three to five days, we should be able to pass through safely."

"Alright, then we’ll do as you say, Your Highness."

Xuan Xu withdrew, while Li Qingmu did not turn around. Xuan Xu was manageable, but what about the others? Particularly the official earlier, who, after only a couple of days’ halt, urged him to hurry on for disaster relief.

Heh! Were they truly about disaster relief? Or causing harm?

Li Qingmu’s face was grim, Empress Dowager Li... this woman was truly no angel!

"Report—"

At that moment, a hurried voice suddenly came from outside, and a man in a straw raincoat rushed in, taking several turns before reaching Li Qingmu’s side.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened. The barbarians in the Southern Territory have revolted, and a fifty-thousand strong army has gathered!"