Chapter 1080

Outside Shenxian Ling, Chen Wuji finally shook off the nickname of the air force old-timer for the first time, achieving a very rare breakthrough in life.

When the fish bit the hook, it was exciting; watching the bamboo basket fill up more and more, Chen Wuji was also excited.

But after reeling in the line, he suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.

"Shi Yi Shu!" Chen Wuji crouched on the ground, staring at the fish in the basket, and suddenly let out a low call.

Seeing Chen Wuji's expression, Chen Li felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest: "Family Head, what's wrong?"

"Shi Yi Shu, do you think this omen isn't very good?" Chen Wuji murmured.

Chen Li smiled slightly: "This is clearly the best omen. Family Head, you're overthinking. Those who love fishing wouldn't consider this a bad omen."

Chen Wuji drifted off: "But I feel this isn't a good omen. Since leaving Shenxian Ling, whether hunting or fishing, I've never had a moment of ease—I usually come back empty-handed."

"But this time, I broke the routine—I won't return empty-handed anymore."

Saying this, Chen Li couldn't make sense of it.

He suddenly didn't know from which angle to explain this to Chen Wuji.

After a brief silence of a few moments, Chen Li decided to speak plainly: "Family Head, you might need to rest properly lately. You're wound too tight, and that easily leads to problems."

"No matter what omen this matter might have, it's ultimately just a fish, and moreover, only a fish I can eat for one or two meals. Whether or not I catch a fish, this won't decide the Family Head's future, nor can it affect whether our army wins the next battle."

"The Family Head may doubt everything worth doubting, but should not aim suspicion at these illusory and vague matters. Ancient wise rulers turned these things into their own tools; only those muddled emperors would take such revelations as doctrine, thereby causing the state to perish."

Chen Wuji was stunned.

He raised his head, staring blankly at Chen Li.

By nature cautious, he often couldn't help but repeatedly weigh things in many matters, but now this habit seemed to have risen to the level of innate suspicion.

This is what he has repeatedly warned himself: he must be cautious.

He is the master of the twenty-thousand-strong army, bearing the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of commoners behind him.

Now he has fallen ill with the disease of innate suspicion—how will he manage in the future?

That certainly will be ruined!

"It's just that I thought too much—only occasionally getting a richer harvest, yet I'm making such a fuss!" Chen Wuji lost laughter: "Really, it seems I've returned empty-handed too many times; people have been driven mad by it, even crazy seeking all day!"

After self-mocking two sentences, he seriously said to Chen Li: "Shi Yi Shu, I now seem to need to hear more of such words—no pleasantries, just get to the essence."

Chen Li said: "Family Head, you've thought too much again. Actually, your ideas are usually more balanced than anyone's; it's just that today you thought a bit too extreme. I hesitated for a long time before deciding to speak frankly."

"Shi Yi Shu, when I say this, I don't mean how I was before or how I will be later—I just want you to remind me when you're in a situation like today." Chen Wuji spoke solemnly.

"I can no longer afford to make mistakes—not even a small one."

"Now, any casual decision of mine involves the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of commoners, the life and death and future of hundreds of thousands of troops—I can no longer tolerate even the slightest error."

Chen Li smiled kindly and joked: "Family Head, historically, loyal ministers seem to have never had a good ending."

"You say this, and I shouldn't be this ungrateful!" Chen Wuji looked up at the azure sky: "Shi Yi Shu, otherwise I'll swear by the Heavenly Harmony of Yǐnmǎchuān—you really shouldn't say this; I now say this, and even I don't quite believe myself."

Chen Li immediately interrupted Chen Wuji: "Family Head, I was just making a casual remark—don't take it seriously."

"The ancestors of the Chen Clan sacrificed too many, too many people for the world and the rise of the Chen Clan. If I were to become one of them for the world, that would also be a blessing."

"What I've always worried about is achieving nothing—not when I will die."

Chen Wuji fell silent.

He turned, picked up the fish basket, and strode toward where Qin Zhanhong and the three women were picnicking: "Shi Yi Shu, I really seem to need to rest for a few days. The year's end is approaching—I won't compete with outsiders anymore. You and Mr. Xu discuss a route; we'll inspect the lands we've taken, then return to West Mountain Village!"

"Here!"

Chen Li responded with a sound, stationed himself at the foot of the slope, and did not follow Chen Wuji up the mountain.

On the grassy slope still green with leaves, the laughter of the three women rang out like silver bells, carried far by the wind. They spoke of what they had seen, chatted about different local customs, and every word carried freshness.

This, Chen Wuji had never noticed before.

In his eyes, any place he looked at always first needed to consider strategic value—how to rectify it, how to develop it, and who to assign to lay the first foundation.

"This time, running away from home—looks like you've all grown up?" Chen Wuji waved to stop Qin Zhanhong and the women from preparing to rise, sat down on the edge of the mat, and casually grabbed a piece of salted fish.

This is a tasty side dish for alcohol—not much meat, but winning in flavor.

Seeing Chen Wuji's action, Qin Zhanhong raised her hand and passed over a bowl of wine: "Husband, your words sound like they're wronging me—it's not that we've grown up, but that you're now different from before."

"Husband's majesty day by day manifest—we, as concubines, should set an example; we can no longer be as free-spirited as before. This isn't us changing, nor is it you changing—it's the great trend."

Chen Wuji gave Qin Zhanhong an annoyed glance: "Where does this 'majesty day by day' come from? You're going out this trip, and you've got quite a few little sayings—where did you learn this lot?"

Qin Zhanhong raised her hand and pointed toward the slope below: "There—that is your majesty day by day."

In the direction Qin Zhanhong pointed, the soldiers of the Imperial Guard stood like wooden and clay statues, motionless as a thread, even the warhorses holding their positions without movement—only the banners swaying slowly in the wind, and occasionally the sound of a warhorse flicking its nose.

This has long been Chen Wuji's standard wherever he goes: the Three Thousand Imperial Guard follows like a shadow, and secretly, there are countless with Chen Clan clan experts as core force, later absorbing not a few experts from the Ciji Zhai and Lu Clan—bright and dark posts.

It can be said that wherever he now goes, it is comparable to a copper wall and iron barrier.

"This matter was still reminded to us by San Niang—I too feel ashamed, born into a noble family, yet we never even thought of these." Qin Zhanhong sighed with shame.

Chen Wuji frowned: "San Niang?"

"Yes, San Niang often writes us letters—she said this some days ago. At that time, I was in Yan Zhou." Qin Zhanhong said.

Chen Wuji suddenly felt a bit jealous.