In this chaotic world of vying for power, I can become stronger by marrying a wife.

The black-armored cavalry that had left the city earlier returned.

The lead knight held aloft a large banner bearing the character "监" (Jian), looking imposing. Behind the cavalry, a thick, long rope dragged a mangled, bloodied figure, leaving a gruesome trail of blood on the snow.

The man's armor had been stripped off, leaving him in only a tattered undergarment. His hair was disheveled, and his face was covered in blood, making him unrecognizable. But his eyes, filled with resentment and fear, still darted around, and he mumbled incoherently, "Injustice... I'm innocent... Peng Yuan! You bastard, you framed me..."

It's Liu Tao.

The centurion who was so arrogant yesterday, threatening to send Su Ming to the suicide squad, was now being dragged along the long street of Jing'an City like a dead dog, being pointed at and gossiped about by the people.

"Isn't this Commander Liu? How did he end up in this state?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! I heard the supervising officer discovered he embezzled military funds and set up checkpoints to extort money from the people. The evidence is conclusive! They even found several account books in his tent!"

"Serves him right! That beast has bullied us all the time!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd, and some people even picked up stones and rotten vegetable leaves from the ground and threw them at him.

Su Ming stood at the back of the crowd, watching this scene with cold eyes.

Liu Tao seemed to sense something, and with difficulty raised his head, his gaze piercing through the layers of people, meeting Su Ming's eyes.

At that moment, Su Ming's lips curled up slightly as he mouthed a gesture.

"May you rest in peace."

Liu Tao's pupils contracted sharply, as if he had seen a ghost. He made a strange "hoho" sound in his throat and struggled desperately, but the cavalryman yanked the rope hard, and he was thrown heavily onto the snow again and dragged towards the execution ground.

"Evil people will be punished by Heaven." Li Yueru watched this scene, shrinking into Su Ming's arms in fear. "Husband, that's..."

"An unimportant person." Su Ming withdrew his gaze, his expression indifferent. "Let's go, the cloth shop up ahead is open, I'll pick out two good bolts of cloth for you."

Having resolved his biggest worry and now possessing a large sum of money, Su Ming was in an exceptionally good mood.

He started a "shopping spree" in the city.

Five hundred catties of the finest rice and flour were bought and a cart was hired to haul them away; pork, mutton, and cured meat were bought in large quantities; ready-made cotton clothes and trousers were bought for Li Yueru, and several bolts of fine cotton cloth and silk were also purchased; a blacksmith shop was even visited, and a short knife made of refined steel was bought at great expense and hidden in a boot for self-defense.

This whole expenditure only amounted to a few dozen taels of silver. In this chaotic world, the purchasing power of silver was frighteningly strong.

It was already late when we got back to the village.

Su Ming carried his belongings into the house and looked at his newly renovated home, which was now filled with supplies. He finally felt a sense of security.

Li Yueru was like a busy little bee, bustling around organizing things, her face beaming with a long-lost rosy glow and smile. She changed into a newly bought light pink cotton-padded jacket; although the style was simple, it made her skin look as white as snow, making her delicate and charming.

"Husband, you rest first, I'll go make you some braised pork!"

Watching her busy figure in the kitchen, Su Ming sat cross-legged on the bed, and with a thought, opened the system panel.

[Host: Su Ming]

[Realm Level: Half-Step Martial Artist (Beginner Level of Bull Strength)]

[Skills: Herbal Identification, Sharpshooter, Concealment]

[Number of chances to draw prizes based on affinity rating: 0]

[Current wife/concubine: Li Yueru (Affection level: 85)]

[Portable Space: 10 mu (already planted with: Polygonatum, Perilla, Ginseng...)]

"The favorability rating has risen very quickly, it's already at 85." Su Ming stroked his chin. "It seems that 'money power' and 'sense of security' really have a miraculous effect on increasing favorability."

Once the favorability rating reaches 90, new rewards should be unlocked, and new features may even be available.

Just as Su Ming was pondering how to further enhance his favorability tonight, a series of urgent gong sounds suddenly came from outside the door.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Immediately following was the village chief's aged and anxious roar, which echoed throughout the village in the silent night.

"Listen up, everyone! Urgent official document from the government!"

"The northern barbarians are besieging the pass, and the situation at the front is critical! All reserve soldiers are hereby canceled from leave! Tomorrow at dawn, all personnel shall assemble at the village entrance and depart immediately!"

"Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

Su Ming suddenly stood up, the warmth in his eyes vanishing instantly, replaced by a coldness as sharp as a knife.

tomorrow?

The original month-long holiday has been shortened to just two days?!

The sound of a porcelain bowl shattering on the floor echoed from the kitchen. Li Yueru ran out, her face deathly pale. She leaned against the doorframe, swaying precariously, her eyes filled with despair.

"My lord..."

Su Ming strode over, pulled her into his arms, pressed his palm firmly against the back of her head, and spoke in a deep, steady voice.

"Don't be afraid."

"Since this chaotic world makes it impossible for people to live in peace, then I will carve out a path to peace."

"Yueru, don't sleep tonight."

Su Ming looked at the trembling beauty in his arms, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Enter the space, I have something to teach you."

Since he was leaving, he had to leave Li Yueru enough trump cards to protect herself. Even if it meant revealing her biggest secret—her personal space—he was willing to do it!

Inside the space, a warm breeze blows and a clear spring murmurs.

Compared to the freezing winter outside, this place is practically a legendary paradise.

Li Yueru stood on the soft black soil, staring blankly at the few lush green herbs that emitted a faint glow, and then at the spiritual spring in the distance that was emitting wisps of white steam. She felt as if her soul had been taken away.

"My... my husband, this is..." Her voice trembled as she rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

"This is our family's wealth." Su Ming took her hand and walked to the spring, scooped up a handful of water and fed it to her. "It's also the reason why I dare to give my life on the battlefield."

The sweet spring water entered her throat, transforming into a warm current that spread throughout her body. Li Yueru felt that all the long-standing deficiencies in her body and the recent fears were soothed in that instant.

She was a smart woman and instantly understood what this "secret place" meant. In this chaotic world where human life was as worthless as grass, it meant endless food, medicine, and even—life itself.

Su Ming revealed this secret, which was enough to drive the world crazy, to her without reservation.

"Husband..." Li Yueru's eyes reddened, and she turned around to hug Su Ming's waist tightly with astonishing strength. "Why did you tell me? Aren't you afraid of me..."

"You are my wife." Su Ming interrupted her, his fingers running through her cascading hair, his eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the soft light of the room. "If I can't even trust the person beside me in bed, what's the point of me, Su Ming, cultivating my martial arts and vying for this immense wealth?"

These words were like a spark, completely igniting the long-suppressed emotions in Li Yueru's heart.

She raised her head, and in her watery eyes, there was no longer gratitude or dependence, but an intense, unyielding love and resolve.

"My lord, take me."