Kill the enemy and get a wife? I'll single-handedly slaughter my way through the Northern Barba

After a hearty meal, it was already night.

Lin Feng sat under a withered tree, engrossed in reading a book by the light of an oil lamp.

"Shhh..."

The light footsteps grew closer, and Xia Bing walked to his side.

"Sir, it's getting chilly at night, please put on a cloak!"

Xia Bing held up a cloak and gently persuaded her.

Lin Feng raised his head slightly and saw that Xia Bing's bright eyes looked like a pair of gemstones under the moonlight.

The moonlight fell on her face, making Xia Bing look as delicate as a porcelain doll.

"Why are you out so late? What are you doing out here?"

Lin Feng sat up as he spoke and asked a question.

"I am your maid, sir. How can I sleep if you are not asleep?"

Xia Bing stepped forward and draped a cloak over Lin Feng, instantly enveloping him in warmth.

"Why isn't the master reading inside the tent? Why is he reading outside?" Xia Bing asked curiously.

Lin Feng smiled slightly: "It's warm in the tent, but it's easy to feel drowsy. My time is precious, how can I not make the most of my studies?"

Xia Bing draped the cloak over him, then sat down next to Lin Feng and glanced at the books.

"A Study of Ancient and Modern Mechanisms? Why would an adult need to read such a book?"

Lin Feng is a general who leads troops into battle, not a craftsman. How could he possibly be so quick to learn about mechanical devices?

Lin Feng tapped his forehead and said, "As the saying goes, it's always good to have many skills. I borrowed this book from Master Kuai."

"I took a look around in the mountains at night when I had nothing to do, but there were some mechanisms and techniques inside that I didn't quite understand."

Lin Feng studied this book diligently, not for the sake of "it's always good to have more skills."

His visit to Elephant Trunk Mountain was not only to bring the remains back to his hometown, but also for another important reason—to revisit Black Dragon Pool.

Deep within Elephant Trunk Hill lies a mysterious pool, which Lin Feng privately named Black Dragon Pool.

He had subtly inquired with Kuai Xiang whether anyone would carve auspicious beast statues in the pool.

Kuai Xiang, with his extensive experience, analyzed several possibilities for Lin Feng.

Firstly, some people build tombs in the mountains and carve dragon statues to conform to feng shui principles.

Secondly, it is possible that some mysterious religious figures went to great lengths to create spectacular scenery in the mountains to entice believers.

Thirdly, the location of the deep pool holds a hidden secret; the statue is an entrance to a certain place.

Lin Feng felt that the first possibility was unlikely.

Building a tomb in the mountains and carving a black dragon would be far too ostentatious and grand.

Such a grand undertaking could not possibly have gone unnoticed in the history of Youzhou.

He sent someone to check the local gazetteer, but there was no relevant record.

The second possibility is more likely, after all, there are countless heretical religions in the world that originated from Taoism.

There is great potential in using black dragon statues to seduce believers.

The third possibility is also quite plausible, which is why Raymond Lam studied diligently, hoping to achieve some success and then venture into the Dragon's Den again.

Upon hearing this, Xia Bing moved closer to Lin Feng and said, "What don't you understand, sir? I have some knowledge of mechanisms and might be able to help you."

Lin Feng, still somewhat skeptical, turned the pages of the book.

"You also know about mechanisms?"

"Alright! Come and see how to explain this."

Xia Bing stared wide-eyed at him, then whispered an explanation to Lin Feng.

"The so-called 'groove tongue' refers to the extremely complex 'dovetail tenon' and 'hook tenon' joints used by craftsmen at the joints of wooden mechanisms, instead of nails to avoid the rusting of iron nails."

"In the 'Yingzao Fashi' (Building Standards), it is also called 'interlocking'. If it is in a dry and sealed environment, it can keep the mechanism intact for hundreds of years and still function properly."

"My lord, please look here. The method of solving this problem is rather obscure. You might want to try to understand it from a different perspective."

"..."

Xia Bing explained things in a gentle and detailed manner, and could make them clear in just a few words any that were difficult to understand in Lin Feng's book.

It can be described as profound yet easy to understand, demonstrating remarkable skill.

Seeing the chilly night air, Lin Feng gave her half of his cloak.

Xia Bing was initially a little shy and resistant, but seeing Lin Feng's insistence, she went along with him.

Half an hour later, Lin Feng closed the book.

"I have benefited greatly from Miss Xia's words tonight."

His eyes darted around, looking at Xia Bing, and he suddenly asked, "But I'm very curious, Miss Xia, you come from a merchant family, how do you know these strange and ingenious skills?"

Xia Bing felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Lin Feng.

"I...I was sent by my father to learn martial arts from a wandering martial artist when I was young, and I was away from home for most of the year to learn my skills."

"I learned some martial arts and miscellaneous skills, including mechanical engineering."

"It's not strange that people in the martial arts world know some unusual skills and tricks."

Lin Feng noticed Xia Bing's expression; her explanation seemed rather weak.

Lin Feng was certain that Xia Bing was hiding something from him.

"In any case, Miss Xia has done me a great favor."

"If you have any difficulties, you can tell me."

Xia Bing's lips twitched; she could sense Lin Feng's kindness and sincerity.

When Lin Feng goes to Ruzhou in the future, there are some things he will have to know sooner or later.

Perhaps...we should tell him in advance?

As Xia Bing hesitated, she suddenly felt something press against her slender waist, gently rubbing against it.

Xia Bing tensed up, and a blush rose on her fair and clean face.

"My lord, you..."

Xia Bing couldn't help but look at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng clearly said he wouldn't marry her, so why is he suddenly being so indecent towards her tonight?

"What's wrong?"

Lin Feng noticed Xia Bing's unusual expression and asked her a question.

Xia Bing bit her lip lightly and said shyly, "If you, my lord, avenge Xia Bing in the future, Xia Bing will naturally be willing to give everything to you."

what?

Lin Feng was slightly taken aback, then smiled.

"Miss Xia, I've accepted your amber. I've sent all the materials to Master Kuai to smelt and forge weapons."

"Therefore, I will do my best to help you with your business in Ruzhou. Please don't be shy."

A look of surprise and confusion appeared on Xia Bing's shy face.

The sensation on her waist grew stronger, and Lin Feng seemed to increase the force of his caresses.

He was groping her while pretending to be a virtuous gentleman...

Xia Bing stared at Lin Feng for a moment, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Lord Lin, what do you take me for?"

"A plaything for you to defile at any time? A tool to relieve your distress?"

Lin Feng was completely bewildered when he saw Xia Bing looking like she was about to cry.

Is this girl out of her mind?

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Miss Xia, are you alright? Were you too tired just now? Have some water."

Xia Bing had no appetite for water; she clenched her teeth.

"Lin Feng, you are frivolous and shameless—"

Xia Bing's words came to an abrupt halt as Lin Feng handed her the water bag with both hands.

Lin Feng's hands were still there, but the sensation around his waist hadn't disappeared.

Wasn't Raymond Lam touching her?

Xia Bing's shyness and anger were instantly replaced by fear, and she almost jumped up from the spot.

As Xia Bing stood up, her cloak was pulled open, revealing a grass snake that was startled and hurriedly fled.

"Snake...snake!"

Xia Bing pointed at the grass snake and screamed. Without thinking, Lin Feng drew his dagger and slashed.

"Whoosh!"

The dagger struck the snake precisely at its vital spot, pinning it to the ground.

"Don't be afraid, it's just an ordinary grass snake from the mountains, it's not poisonous."

Lin Feng strolled over leisurely and picked up the grass snake.

"Perfect, I'll make snake soup for a treat tomorrow morning."

Lin Feng remained calm, but Xia Bing's face was practically bleeding.

"Lord Lin... just now... you didn't touch me?"

Xia Bing had already realized where the sensation of touching her came from.

She also realized that she had misunderstood Lin Feng, and became stuttering, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Lin Feng glanced at the grass snake in his hand, then at Xia Bing, and couldn't help but laugh.

"No wonder you looked like that just now, it was all because of that grass snake."

"You kindly helped me decipher the mechanisms, would I, Raymond Lam, possibly lay a hand on you? Hahahaha!"

Raymond Lam was amused by this little incident.

"Miss Xia, as I said, your payment has already been made."

"You just need to be a good maid and don't have any other concerns. I, Lin Feng, am not the kind of person who takes advantage of others or exploits their vulnerability."