...

Chapter 71: Seventy-One Treasures ?

The servant countered, "If the master were just ordinary, she couldn't have established herself in Hu."

Xu Zhen replied, "Conquering the world requires three elements: the right timing, geographic advantage, and people's support. I've assisted her with timing and geography. As for people's support, her strength alone is enough to face thousands, so she doesn't rely on it."

A gust of wind blew snowflakes into her mouth, causing her to cough and alerting a patrolling soldier. They quickly resumed shoveling snow.

Despite the camp's sparse population, servants remained busy shoveling snow and mining. As Xu Zhen's cold hands gripped the tools, she felt truly like a slave. She vowed that when the little beggar returned, she'd seize the chance to reform the system into something more humane.

Her hands developed chilblains, and upon returning to the tent, she found the others had lit a fire. The sudden temperature change made her hands itch unbearably.

Sitting on her bed, scratching her hands, Xu Zhen reflected on her journey since transmigration. Until now, she hadn't suffered much. Having endured these hardships all at once, she looked forward to reuniting with the little beggar. Sharing in the little beggar's struggles would make it all worthwhile.

Days passed, and still, the little beggar hadn’t come to the camp. Perhaps she had come, but Xu Zhen hadn’t seen her. Xu Zhen, now accustomed to camp life, wasn’t in a hurry. Once recovered, she resumed keeping watch near the beggar's tent.

This time, fortune didn't favor Xu Zhen. As she crouched down, a group of patrolling soldiers passed by, shouting, "Hey! What are you doing?!"

Startled, Xu Zhen quickly stood up. "Waiting for the Northern Frontier King," she replied.

The soldiers looked incredulous. "Waiting for the master? Why here? Are you planning to assassinate her?!"

"Of course not," Xu Zhen began to explain, but the soldiers immediately accused her of attempting to assassinate the Northern Frontier King.

Xu Zhen was at a loss for words.

Hearing the commotion, the camp executioners rushed over, grabbed Xu Zhen, and pinned her to the snowy ground. Her mouth filled with snow that melted, turning into gritty sand.

Xu Zhen struggled, "Wait, I'm not here to assassinate—"

Before she could finish, the lead soldier shouted, "Flog her!"

Flogging was one of the three punishments in Daqing, and Hu had adopted it, finding it amusing to see others' skin split open. Any ordinary servant who made a mistake would be flogged.

In the freezing cold, Xu Zhen struggled, her body pressed against the icy snow. Finally, exhausted, she gave up.

Think positively, it's just a beating... The body is temporary; after death, it can't be taken, and with rebirth, a new one will be chosen...

The whip landed on Xu Zhen, and she cried out in pain, "Ah!!!"

The Hu people rarely saw someone so sensitive to pain and looked at each other, confirming she wasn’t dead before raising the whip for a second strike.

At that moment, the sound of approaching hooves echoed from afar. A woman with a tall, erect posture, high-tied black hair, and striking blue eyes rode swiftly towards them. Her speed made her appear as a blur, but the soldiers recognized her instantly, kneeling in fear, "Master, master!!"

Though her ears were ringing, Xu Zhen faintly heard the word "master." She wondered if it was the little beggar. Before she could look up, a whirlwind lifted her, enveloping her in warmth. Wrapped in a cloak, heat flooded her body.