Chapter 109: Soul Transmigration to Another World (3)

The veteran patted the young man's sturdy shoulder, casting a sidelong glance at his broad frame, clicking his tongue with a laugh: "You don't get it. That woman might be a two-hundred-pound giantess! Besides, her appetite isn't just my wild guess—you can ask around the kitchen; everyone knows!" The young soldier believed him earnestly, murmuring, "So that's why the general tossed her into the backyard."

No sooner had he spoken than a burst of hearty laughter erupted from the group. The veteran continued teasing, "I bet the emperor, seeing the general refusing to marry, just gifted him a hefty woman to stir him up."

The veteran chuckled merrily to himself but soon noticed few around him were laughing; instead, their faces were pale and their eyes fixed fearfully behind him. After a moment, all bowed their heads in silence. A chill ran down the veteran's spine. Could it be that standing behind him was...?

"Everyone, rise!" A furious roar thundered, and the dozen or so resting under the tree sprang to their feet, standing rigidly without daring a move. Su Yu's cold gaze swept across their tense faces before settling on the veteran. He coldly snarled each word: "Outside under the sun, horse stance, half an hour!"

"Yes, sir." Uniformly, they scrambled to the blazing sunlight, squatting in horse stance, their hearts silently wailing though their faces betrayed no hint of it. Unaware soldiers exchanged puzzled glances at the sight, while the deputy general's face darkened as he strode toward the backyard.

That damned woman, trying to get their attention with such a stunt? Fine. He'd see just how much she could eat. If she couldn't finish, he'd make sure she learned how foolish she was.

In the most secluded corner of the backyard, a sturdy tree branch had been cut down and tied high up on the trunk with two white strips of cloth. A pair of slender hands gripped the branch tightly, veins bulging on the backs of the hands, pulsing rhythmically with each ragged breath.

A petite figure hung suspended in midair, moving up and down solely by the strength of her arms.

"Eighteen... nineteen... twenty!"

Gasping for breath, Gu Yun wiped the sweat from her forehead, which dripped down her hair and cheeks, soaking through her simple white tunic.

Twenty! She had finally managed twenty pull-ups. She never expected to find joy in achieving twenty, a number barely half of what she could once do. Gu Yun chuckled wryly, then suddenly heard faint footsteps outside the door.

Releasing the branch, she leapt down just as a towering figure, seething with anger, appeared in the courtyard.

Su Yu stormed in, intending to chastise the woman named Qing Mo for her tricks, only to freeze instantly upon entering.

The courtyard had been cleared of low shrubs and rampant weeds, leaving a green lawn. Beside the grass lay bags of various sizes, contents unknown. High above, a tree branch swung suspended by cloth strips like a swing—though this woman didn't need to hang so high just for that.

Beneath the "swing," a delicate white figure knelt on one knee, hands resting on the ground. Slowly, she rose, her graceful face and slender frame indistinguishable from any ordinary young lady of privilege—except for the pair of cold, unyielding eyes fixed steadily on him.

Su Yu was momentarily stunned, nearly forgetting his purpose. When she stood fully upright and he took in her attire, he snapped back to reality, roaring: "What nonsense is this? Put on your clothes properly!"

What was this woman trying to do, standing half-dressed in the courtyard in broad daylight? Was she trying to seduce someone? And her hair, unbound except for a white cloth tied at the back, looked neither masculine nor feminine.

Gu Yun lifted a brow and sneered, "Apparently, your esteemed household doesn't provide enough clothing."

They had only given her two outfits; she'd kept the inner tunic and trousers but shredded the outer skirt into bags for sand. After half a month of training, she was already adept at using her body. Next came weighted exercises to build strength, so she needed more sandbags—and this man had arrived just in time.

Her sweat-soaked white tunic clung to her figure, which shimmered faintly under the blazing afternoon sun.

Su Yu growled, "Damn it!" and stormed out as abruptly as he came.

Gu Yun blinked in surprise. What was he doing? Just shouting a few times before leaving? She smiled to herself and lightly leapt up, grabbing the overhead branch again, taking a deep breath to start another set of twenty pull-ups.

After ten, the sound of hurried footsteps returned. Gu Yun frowned impatiently. What was this man's purpose?

She jumped down to witness a nearly comical scene: the same young, tall man, now clutching a pile of colorful garments. The vivid fabrics contrasted humorously with his dark skin and sullen face.

Su Yu strode up to Gu Yun, flinging the clothes at her feet with a cold snort: "Is this enough?"

So he'd gone to fetch clothes for her. Interesting.

Gu Yun looked again at the young man's handsome, sunny face—perhaps in his early twenties—exuding a hint of domineering arrogance.

His features bore a slight resemblance to the "Ice Cube" man she'd met before, but this youth was too young, his emotions plain on his face. Detecting microexpressions was one of her investigative skills.

These clothes would make plenty of fitness equipment. In good spirits, Gu Yun teased, "I prefer solid colors—remember that next time."

"You think this is anywhere you like? The General's residence isn't a place for your insolence!"

Gu Yun's arrogance riled the hot-tempered Su Yu. He stepped forward swiftly, reaching for her right shoulder.

Gu Yun's cold eyes flickered; she spun and crouched swiftly, grabbing a dark purple outer robe, deliberately remarking, "This one's not bad."

Su Yu was taken aback—she'd dodged him! Watching the slender figure with her back turned as she selected clothing, Su Yu curled his lips, retracting his hand. Fighting a fragile woman was no great feat!

What he didn't know was that the so-called fragile woman was twisting the robe into a long rope in her hands, ready to strike back if he tried again.

Feeling the man step back, Gu Yun relaxed her grip on the makeshift rope and turned, smiling nonchalantly: "Who are you?"

"Su Yu."

He stood proudly, as if everyone should know his name.

Gu Yun nodded, replying, "I have your name. Continue."

She truly didn't know him? Su Yu, embarrassed and annoyed, said, "I am the master of the General's residence."

Raising an eyebrow, Gu Yun smiled, "You're the master here—then who was that Ice Cube man last time? Probably your brother?"

Ice Cube? Su Yu paused, then laughed heartily. That nickname suited his elder brother perfectly; no one dared say it to his face. Feeling better, Su Yu said, "He's my elder brother, Su Ling."

Indeed, the young man wore his emotions on his sleeve, a far cry from his older brother's restraint.

Stretching, he glanced at the sky. Nearly noon—no time for idle chatter. Gu Yun asked directly, "Why have you come to my courtyard?"

Su Yu suddenly remembered he was here to question her. At that moment, a fifty-something kitchen servant appeared at the gate, carrying a large tray.

Seeing Su Yu, the servant bowed respectfully, "Deputy General."

Su Yu glanced at three large bowls on the tray: one overflowing with rice, another piled with eggs, and a third heaped with beef, alongside five fresh cucumbers.

Such a meal could feed two young soldiers, but for her—barely reaching his chest and as frail as a breeze might topple her—the bowl of eggs alone could choke her!

Su Yu was convinced Gu Yun was using this ruse to attract attention. He despised scheming women, his tone growing colder: "I hear you eat a lot. I came to check. The General's household may house hearty eaters, but wasting military provisions is forbidden. If you can't finish this, starting today, you'll be cut off from food and water for three days!"

Starve her for three days and nights, and see if she still dares pull tricks.

Now he revealed his true intent. His disdain roused Gu Yun's ire. She replied coldly, "And if I can finish it?"

"Impossible."

Still trying to argue! A glint of cunning sparked in Gu Yun's eyes as she lifted her chin defiantly: "Interested in a wager?"

Su Yu sneered, "A bet?"

"If I lose, I'll do whatever you command, no questions asked, absolutely obedient."

She spoke casually because losing was impossible—she didn't even know what "obedient" meant, and she certainly wouldn't lose.

Looking at Su Yu, she smiled slyly: "If you lose, I want freedom to move about the General's residence."

"Never."

Su Yu refused outright. A woman roaming freely here? Impossible! He wouldn't fall for it.

Seeing the arrogance in his eyes, Gu Yun feigned a frown and sighed: "You don't dare? Understandable—you're not the decision-maker. I won't trouble you then."

Sure enough, Su Yu shouted indignantly, "I'm not the decision-maker! What a joke!"

The veteran muttered despairingly—third young master's stubbornness was flaring again. Hopefully, he wouldn't fall for it.

"Bring her the food!"

Unbeknownst to the veteran, Su Yu didn't hear his plea. Glancing at Gu Yun

, Su Yu scowled, "Bring it here. You'll eat it all. No excuses!"

Gu Yun's eyes gleamed with challenge. She bent and picked up the tray with ease.

"Alright, then," Su Yu said. "Let's see what you've got."

The courtyard fell silent except for the faint rustle of leaves.