Chapter 111: True Feelings Revealed in Adversity

Everyone then followed Chu Yun up to the city wall to observe the troops outside and see what their intentions were.

As soon as Chu Yun stepped onto the wall, he heard someone shouting from outside the city, "Quick, inform Count Chu Yun, this is Jiang Lin, I've come to deliver grain to him."

Hearing the voice, Chu Yun looked carefully and indeed saw a figure resembling Jiang Lin, though the darkness made it difficult to see clearly.

He then led everyone down from the wall and said, "Open the city gates and let them in."

Soon after, the gates were opened.

Chu Yun stepped forward first, and several guards quickly flanked him, acting like his personal bodyguards.

Seeing this, Chu Yun felt a surge of emotion. He had never instructed the guards to do this, yet they clearly valued his life highly.

The two groups met quickly at the city gate.

Chu Yun’s people breathed a sigh of relief and were especially pleased to find that the visitor was indeed Jiang Lin—and that he had brought grain.

Jiang Lin spoke, "Count Chu Yun, Lord Luo Feng sent me a message by carrier pigeon, saying there has been upheaval in the royal city. For some unknown reason, King Qi’s temperament has changed drastically; he has become a puppet of the Witch Doctor Sect and has agreed to their order to send troops against you."

"Moreover, the Witch Doctor Sect had planned this well in advance. Ten days ago, their leader Chen Hua arrived at Qingtan Town, north of Chu Family Town, where he gathered an army ready to attack at any moment. Today, upon receiving King Qi’s command, Chen Hua has already begun marching toward Chu Family Town."

"The situation arose so suddenly that I knew it was too late to warn you to flee. Considering that supplies are crucial in warfare, I brought thirty dan of grain to help you. I hope this can support your strategy of defending the city without engaging in battle, holding out until their supplies run dry and they are forced to retreat."

So this was the upheaval in the royal city. King Qi had indeed become a puppet of the Witch Doctor Sect. No wonder the miller had secretly fled.

Yet Chu Yun still found it hard to understand—there was no way Lin Yang didn’t know about this. If Lin Yang knew but didn’t warn him or give him any hint, it showed how utterly ungrateful he was.

After all, Chu Yun had saved his life, and he hadn’t even given him time to escape.

In contrast, Jiang Lin, whom Chu Yun had only helped by curing his chest pains, risked everything to deliver grain and help him through this crisis.

The contrast moved Chu Yun deeply. He embraced Jiang Lin tightly. "Thank you!"

Jiang Lin smiled gently. "Count Chu Yun, you are too kind. If you hadn’t cured my chest pains, I would still be suffering, perhaps not long for this world. Now that you are in trouble, it is only right that I help you."

Chu Yun nodded with a smile. "Even so, I remain deeply grateful. Baron Jiang, if I survive this ordeal, I will not treat you unfairly."

Jiang Lin laughed. "Haha, well then, I look forward to flying alongside you!"

In truth, Jiang Lin’s delivery of grain was not just to repay the medical kindness. After all, he had already paid Chu Yun a generous fee for treatment. More importantly, Jiang Lin had introduced Chu Yun to Luo Feng, who then recommended him to King Qi, giving Chu Yun the chance to treat the prince and earn his countship.

What truly motivated Jiang Lin was his deep understanding of Chu Yun’s past as a street rogue and his sudden rise to power as a descendant of immortals. He believed that such a man was destined to soar and bring him along.

So, when Chu Yun needed help, Jiang Lin boldly stepped forward.

He added, "Count Chu Yun, rest assured, I will continue to find ways to gather grain for you after I return. Once this batch is used up, I will send more immediately."

"You only need to defend the city without engaging in battle. The Witch Doctor Sect will be powerless against you. If you hold out for over forty days, during harvest season, when warfare is prohibited by the code of conduct, they will have no choice but to retreat empty-handed."

Chu Yun was even more touched upon hearing this. Not only had Jiang Lin brought grain, but he had also devised a strategy against the enemy.

He said, "Lord Jiang, don’t worry. I already have an even better countermeasure."

Jiang Lin smiled broadly. "Ha ha ha, I knew it, Count Chu Yun, as a descendant of immortals, surely you have a solution. That reassures me greatly."

Then he excused himself. "Well, no more idle talk—we must hurry back."

Chu Yun replied, "Thank you, Lord Jiang!"

He understood that Jiang Lin was eager to leave to avoid anyone learning about the grain delivery.

Jiang Lin and his men then unloaded the grain, pushed their empty carts, and departed.

After they left, everyone gazed at Chu Yun with immense admiration.

Yang Liuer sighed, "Husband, you are truly amazing. You told us not to worry about supplies because someone would bring grain, and now, so quickly, it has arrived."

Chu Yun smiled faintly. "Heh, just wait. Soon, others will bring grain as well."

Everyone was delighted to hear this.

They all firmly believed that whatever Chu Yun said would come to pass.

Sure enough, in the dead of night, a city guard came to the count’s manor reporting, "Count, another group has arrived outside. It seems—they say they’ve come to deliver grain as well."

The guard spoke excitedly, his heart pounding, hands trembling. Just thinking about how worried they were about supplies during the day and now receiving continuous grain deliveries left them even more in awe of Chu Yun.

Yet Chu Yun remained calm. He knew Lin Yang would never send grain to him.

If not Lin Yang, then who could it be?

He quickly sent for the heads of the three major households and all the guards.

Chen Ping also roused all the city officials.

Before they reached the gate, another guard arrived, "Count, that group claims to be led by Cheng Qiong, here to deliver grain."

Cheng Qiong?

Chu Yun was surprised. Cheng Qiong was supposed to be a man loyal to King Qi.

Yet he had disobeyed the king’s orders to bring grain to Chu Yun.

This man was clever.

Perhaps he thought King Qi was now a puppet of the Witch Doctor Sect or simply favored Chu Yun.

Since they were confirmed friends, not foes, Chu Yun naturally ordered the gates opened.

The two groups met, and Chu Yun’s people saw that it was indeed Baron Cheng Qiong.

Like Baron Jiang Lin, he came with about twenty men and had pushed carts carrying thirty dan of grain.

Thus, the grain continued to arrive, strengthening Chu Yun’s defenses and hope.