Chapter 569: with translation of chapter title

At midnight in the Zhongjun Camp, meat fragrance overflowed; Chen Wuji personally rolled up his sleeves and, using that tea stove, began grilling meat skewers.

Fresh venison was cut into big chunks, skewered on bamboo sticks, with a tendonous piece slipped into the lean meat and a fatty piece added, then dusted with ground spices; the aroma instantly filled the entire camp tent.

Lu Ping'an looked on beside him, clicking his tongue in amazement: "General Chen's way of grilling meat is really rare."

"Lu Jinglve perhaps doesn't know, but actually my cooking skills are not bad; I opened a tavern at home, business is good." Chen Wuji handed a grilled meat skewer to Lu Ping'an, "Try it, how does it taste?"

"I don't even need to taste it; the aroma has already fully entered my nose." Lu Ping'an laughed, "But given General Chen's status, does your family really need to run a tavern?"

"Needed, how could it not be? I have a family to support too! Lu Jinglve, as the First of Nan Jun, your family also runs many businesses, right." Chen Wuji said, "Speaking of which, there's something perhaps Lu Jinglve doesn't know: when I first heard his great name, it was because of the Shi Family's business name."

"I know, back then General Chen was no ordinary figure; how could I not know? General Chen, don't doubt your reputation across the entire Lingnan Six Commanderies—after that battle at Shenxian Ling, anyone in the Lingnan Six Commanderies with a pair of ears should have heard of your fame." Lu Ping'an sighed, but he didn't expand on the topic; bringing it up now would be somewhat untimely.

He took a bite of the meat skewer; the tender venison retained some chewiness, and the meat's own flavor, boosted by the spices, doubled in intensity, filling his mouth instantly and instantly tingling his taste buds and heart.

Lu Ping'an's eyes lit up instantly; he quickly took several bites, stuffing the entire skewer into his mouth, and only then began to chew satisfactorily.

"Oh, satisfying!" Lu Ping'an exclaimed contentedly, glanced around, spotted Chen Wuji's wine jar in the corner, ran over and hugged it, slapped open the mud seal, and poured two bowls, placing them at his and Chen Wuji's feet.

Chen Wuji laughed: "You're really not standing on ceremony."

"General Chen doesn't even want my life, so he surely wouldn't mind me drinking two jars of your wine." Lu Ping'an rubbed his beard and laughed, "General Chen's cooking skills are indeed good; if the tavern's chef picked up even a fraction of his true transmission, this tavern would surely be swamped with customers."

"About the same."

Chen Wuji gave a vague reply, picked up his wine bowl, and said, "I'll keep you company, Lu Jinglve."

"To General Chen, and to his grilled meat." Lu Ping'an said sincerely.

His upbringing and later status meant he never learned how to praise others; he was very good at finding fault instead.

But today he couldn't help wanting to say that Chen Wuji's grilled meat was the best he had ever eaten in his life.

But he had never cultivated the habit of flattering people; these words hovered on Lu Ping'an's lips, he tried several times to say them, but couldn't get them out.

In the end, after rounding up, it boiled down to just two words: 'delicious.'

"Delicious, delicious!" he said while picking up the skewer and devouring it in a gust.

He loved pulling all the meat chunks off the bamboo skewer into his mouth, then chewing them in big bites before finally swallowing.

After swallowing, he would savor it properly, then take another sip of wine.

His mouth for drinking is also big; one gulp and a bowl of wine is basically empty.

Watching him eat with such gusto, Chen Wuji also imitated him a bit.

"Let alone, this way of eating is really satisfying."

Indeed, those born with a silver spoon in their mouth just know how to enjoy life more.

It's all about eating meat and drinking wine, but they pay a bit more attention to detail.

"Shi Yi Shu, without a doubt, you guys come and have some too!" Chen Wuji called out.

"Like this, we'll make another fire outside, roast meat for everyone—enough to fill them up, but only one bowl of wine each, no more."

"Okay!"

Accompanied by the aroma of grilled meat, the east gradually grew a bit brighter.

Silken whites, like spirits drifting between heaven and earth, slowly welled up in the bridal chamber, then gradually turned orange‑yellow.

Chen Wuji, full of wine and food, with Chen Wuyi's help, donned his armor and picked up his family heirloom horizontal blade.

Lu Ping'an was curled up on a small cot, rubbing his round belly, seeing this scene he asked: "General, aren't you going to rest a bit before moving troops?"

"Time waits for no one." Chen Wuji said, "Lu Jinglve, would you like to come take a look?"

"No thanks, after all these are the troops I brought out; seeing me enjoy this feast would spoil the taste." Lu Ping'an waved his hand.

Chen Wuji thought for a moment, then said, "But I still want Lu Jinglve to go see; if you don't go, I'm afraid Lü Ji will see me and refuse to submit."

"That's also true." Lu Ping'an stood up, tugged at his loose waistband, and said, "But could I stay behind the battle lines? If Chen Wuji has any use for me, you can send someone to call me."

"Sure."

Chen Wuji had no reason to refuse such a small request.

At the tail end of the Yin hour, the army set out, heading toward Wenkou Town in the morning light.

Thirty li is not far by any means, but it's not exactly short either.

If the whole army were cavalry, they'd reach it in about half an hour.

But more than half of Chen Wuji's forces were infantry; to accommodate their pace and to preserve the cavalry's combat strength for a later charge, Chen Wuji deliberately slowed the march, taking a little over an hour to reach Wenkou Town.

Wenkou Town in the morning mist exuded ease and tranquility, with mountains and waters faintly visible through the fog.

Thick white rolling mist, green trees, various flowers and grasses, gray‑white interlaced houses, and a clear river flowing in from one side of the town, plus a few ducks unafraid of the cold, freely paddling on the small river.

Such a southern small town fits Chen Wuji's tastes perfectly—seeing it brings joy; really, however you look at it, you like it.

But when it comes to wartime, Chen Wuji finds no pleasure in such a scene.

Thick fog obscures vision, adding many variables to the battle situation.

A few scout cavalry broke through the morning mist, riding hard from afar.

"Reporting to the Commander, Lü Ji mustered all his forces half an hour ago and stormed into another enemy camp; the two sides are now locked in melee, with no clear victor yet." The scout reported urgently.

Chen Wuji reined in his warhorse, "Then let's wait; order the whole army to rest in place—it looks like Lü Ji's speed isn't that fast,"

"Okay!"

Chen Li chuckled lowly: "Upon receiving such an order, Lü Ji will surely suspect something; I bet he didn't sleep well last night."

"Being torn is human nature, but as long as he moves his troops, that's fine." Chen Wuji said.

"I too will play the part of a fisherman today, to see just what caliber Lu Jinglve's troops are."