“Let them in,” said Ling Ziyue, expecting at least ten people sent by the imperial court.

To his surprise, the soldiers brought only three individuals. On the left was a youth of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed as a young boy, clutching a large bundle. Their bright almond eyes darted around nervously like a startled fawn, giving the impression that a loud noise might send them fleeing.

Ling Ziyue immediately recognized this was a girl. Beside her stood an unmistakably male figure with alluring peach blossom eyes that exuded charm. Behind him, a scrawny child with hair in a topknot struggled to carry a large wooden box and a heavy bamboo basket on his back, swaying with each step. This contrasted sharply with the carefree, empty-handed man in front.

Noticing the peach-blossom-eyed man smiling at someone behind him, Ling Ziyue realized he must know the female shadow guard. Having witnessed An Jiu’s incredible archery skills, Ling Ziyue knew not to underestimate the Konghe Army based on appearances, especially considering their disguise skill.

However, Ling Ziyue’s concerns were unfounded. Mo Sigui, prideful of his good looks, would never willingly smear disguises on his face unless necessary.

Still covered in blood-stained armor, Ling Ziyue’s aura of battle had not yet dissipated. Mo Sigui inwardly sighed at the sight of this fierce general, then bowed politely, “I am Mo Sigui, pleased to meet you, General.”

“Welcome, Master Mo. You must be weary from your journey,” Ling Ziyue returned the gesture. “Let’s not delay. Please, come inside to discuss matters further.”

He assumed the two younger individuals were merely attendants.

Realizing the misunderstanding, Mo Sigui stepped aside to present Lou Xiaowu. “This is the weapons expert sent by the imperial court. I am merely a physician.”

This statement surprised even the soldiers who had led them in.

Lou Xiaowu edged closer to Mo Sigui, glancing nervously at Ling Ziyue. “Please don’t look at me like that. I didn’t want to come here either,” she mumbled.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Mo Sigui spoke up, “The child is inexperienced, General. Please forgive her manners.”

Despite her unique upbringing, Lou Xiaowu had lived a sheltered life. Even after returning to the Lou family, she rarely ventured out in daylight, and when she did, it was usually at night with her face covered. This was her first time in an army camp full of rough men in broad daylight.

Ling Ziyue regained his composure and bowed respectfully to Lou Xiaowu. Realizing his tent was occupied, he gestured towards the Supervising Secretary’s tent. “Please, follow me.”

As Mo Sigui was busy exchanging flirtatious glances with An Jiu, Lou Xiaowu tugged at his sleeve. “Brother Mo, let’s go!”

They entered the Supervising Secretary’s tent one after another.

Zhao Ling was listlessly sipping tea when he noticed the dimming light. Looking up, he saw Ling Ziyue enter with several dressed individuals. Without hesitation, he stood up. “Congratulations on your victorious return, General!”

In front of others, Ling Ziyue maintained a respectful facade towards Zhao Ling. “The Supervising Secretary has also worked hard in the rear.”

After a pause, he introduced the newcomers. “This is the weapons expert sent by the imperial court, and this is Divine Physician Mo.”

Having spent years at the border, Ling Ziyue was unfamiliar with Mo Sigui’s reputation. However, since he was a court-appointed physician, Ling Ziyue assumed his skills warranted the title “Divine Physician.”

Zhao Ling’s reaction to Lou Xiaowu was even more exaggerated than Ling Ziyue’s. “This… this…”

Lou Xiaowu’s face clearly expressed her displeasure. Accustomed to the freedom of being the Lou family head, doing as she pleased and spending weeks immersed in weapon research without interruption, she found herself suddenly dispatched here. Everyone stared at her as if she were a curiosity, making her deeply uncomfortable.

“Please, be seated,” Ling Ziyue said.

Zhao Ling, after a moment’s hesitation, remembered to offer his seat to Ling Ziyue. “General, please sit.”

Everyone took their places.

“May I ask how to address you?” Ling Ziyue inquired, looking at Lou Xiaowu.

“My name is—”

Thwack!

Before Lou Xiaowu could finish, Mo Sigui gave her a sharp rap on the head. She pouted, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at him.

Realizing the girl, in her naivety, would likely reveal her full name and background, Mo Sigui intervened. “General, you may call her Xiao Wu.”

“Then I hope you’ll forgive my informality,” Ling Ziyue said politely, mindful of addressing a young woman. He continued, “Xiao Wu, I assume you’re aware of the situation with Liao’s exploding crossbows.”

Lou Xiaowu, her almond eyes brimming with tears, nodded. She placed her large bundle on the table and unwrapped it, revealing a jumble of small parts and tools mixed in a chaotic heap.

Ling Ziyue observed her dejected expression and the disorganized pile of components with growing concern.

As he pondered this, Lou Xiaowu swiftly selected various pieces from the mess and began assembling them without hesitation.

The onlookers watched in amazement as her pale hands fluttered like butterflies. Within moments, a complete crossbow materialized before their eyes. She carefully loaded a specially crafted arrow into it and set it on the table. “I obtained one of these earlier and spent several months taking it apart and studying it. I’ve created a new version, but some of the materials for the arrows are rare medicinal stones. I’ve only been able to make one so far…”

Ling Ziyue’s eagle-like eyes brightened as he stood up to examine the crossbow. “Does this weapon have the same power as those used by the Liao army?”

Lou Xiaowu nodded confidently, her demeanor completely transformed from her earlier timidity. “Of course. It’s even more powerful.”

Her attitude and tone were a stark contrast to her previous shy demeanor, reflecting absolute confidence in her area of expertise.

Ling Ziyue noticed this change, and his earlier concerns began to subside. He lowered his gaze to carefully inspect the crossbow in his hands.

This crossbow wasn’t made of wood, but of a material that seemed neither iron nor copper. It felt cold to the touch. The arrow was made of the same material, with a shaft thicker than ordinary crossbow bolts and a needle-like arrowhead that was extremely sharp rather than broad.

“Why is it designed this way?” Ling Ziyue asked.

“This design allows for easier propulsion from the mechanism and reduces air resistance during flight,” Lou Xiaowu explained. As Ling Ziyue reached to touch the arrowhead, she quickly stopped him. “The arrow doesn’t kill by penetration. When it hits a target at high speed, it explodes.”

“I see,” Ling Ziyue said, examining the crossbow once more before setting it back on the table. “The Liao forces have already used over a dozen of these exploding crossbows. They were all destroyed by a single arrow from one of our shadow guards. However, we’ve learned that just in Yanjing Prefecture alone, they have more than twenty hidden away. We don’t know how many more they might have elsewhere. I requested weapons experts from the imperial court primarily to dismantle and destroy these weapons.”

From Lou Xiaowu’s explanation, Ling Ziyue understood that mass-producing these crossbows wouldn’t be possible in the short term. Moreover, for those accustomed to traditional weapons, the sudden appearance of such destructive arms was deeply unsettling. If both sides were to employ such weapons, casualties would likely increase a hundredfold or even a thousandfold.