Chapter 221: Current Lingxiao

The northern frontier.

Hai Xian, a high-ranking eunuch from the palace, led a delegation to extend good wishes.

Ten years ago, in that great decisive battle, the Demon Emperor and Gu Zhanting both suffered severe injuries. Simultaneously, Imperial Advisor Tinglan Zhenren circumnavigated to assault the Demon Clan's holy mountain, slew the Demon Clan's High Priest in battle, and razed their sacred temple to the ground. The Demon Clan suffered a crushing defeat and their vitality was severely depleted.

Gu Zhanting returned with his troops to recuperate from his injuries. Because a renowned general had fallen during the war, Grand Tutor Huo Liancheng was reinstated to preside over the military affairs of Great Qian. His son, Huo Xingyuan, led a large army northward, expanding their territory by hundreds of miles over several years, achieving illustrious military exploits. His own strength also advanced from second-rank to first-rank; he was enfeoffed as Marquis Zhenyuan and returned triumphantly to the capital.

Many people believed that the toughest battles were over, and that subsequent affairs were merely 'easy pickings' for anyone, implying the Huo family's advancements were purely due to undeserved promotion. This wasn't entirely objective, however, as despite the Demon Clan's defeat, there were still many powerful individuals within its various factions. The personal strength and military capabilities of Huo Liancheng and his son were indeed formidable, and it's uncertain whether another commander would have achieved such favorable results.

Overall, both Gu Zhanting and the Huo family made significant contributions to Great Qian in this campaign.

In fact, Gu Zhanting's demeanor began to change after this very war.

Gu Zhanting, whose injuries were difficult to heal, clearly had a different mindset than before...

After Huo Xingyuan returned to the capital, he wished to groom his second son, Huo Zhang, to take over command of the northern frontier. However, Huo Zhang's progress was not as rapid as desired, so affairs in the northern frontier were temporarily overseen by one of his generals. Huo Zhang served as one of the commanders, responsible for a specific defense zone.

The Demon Clan differed from nomadic tribes. In a world where individual strength wielded immense influence, a single high-ranking Greater Demon rampaging could throw an entire frontier city into chaos. Furthermore, preventing the infiltration of demons into the interior was a persistent headache; building a Great Wall would be useless.

At a banquet, Sheng Yuanyao had explicitly stated that the origin of the demons needed to be thoroughly investigated. If they infiltrated from the north, those loopholes must be sealed. In other words, the commander of that defense zone would bear the blame. However, how such loopholes were to be sealed, or whether the commander of that defense zone would resent her for it, the young 'Melon Girl' hadn't considered much.

In any case, there had been no major battles in recent years, but various skirmishes and conflicts were constant. Many people were continually seeking minor military achievements in the northern frontier. This included many sect members who would travel to the border for practical experience. Some bolder ones would even venture deep into demon territory, with no guarantee of return.

However, no cities had been lost in recent years.

Against this backdrop, it was common for the imperial court to periodically send delegations to comfort and inspect the northern frontier. Whether there was a specific reason or not, people would be dispatched. It was difficult to say if it was purely for comfort and rewards or if it also implied inspection. The palace eunuchs also quite liked taking on this task. They could skim off a layer of profit from the comfort items, and upon reaching the frontier, the generals would offer another layer of bribes, allowing them to profit from both ends.

However, this time, someone from a Holy Land was accompanying them... It wasn't impossible to profit, but it depended on the person.

Hai Xian glanced at the Daoist beside him and said with a smile, "Daoist Master Xunzheng, our family doesn't quite understand magical artifacts. Would you mind taking a look at this jade pendant?"

Daoist Master Xunzheng understood the eunuch's intention perfectly and, without hesitation, smiled faintly. "It's rather ordinary. It might not be suitable for the frontier soldiers. Perhaps Eunuch Hai could have it consecrated again."

Hai Xian felt greatly relieved and immediately handed the jade pendant to Daoist Master Xunzheng. "How could anything compare to the consecration by a true master from the Holy Land? I'll trouble you with it then, Master."

Daoist Master Xunzheng subtly accepted the jade pendant. He then quickly steered the conversation, "The Imperial Advisor didn't specify our destination this time, saying we should decide for ourselves. Where does Eunuch Hai intend to go?"

Hai Xian replied, "His Majesty's intention is for us to visit General Pei's side."

Daoist Master Xunzheng sighed. "The Pei family places great importance on their reputation and strictly adheres to rules. This trip might be a wasted effort there."

Hai Xian felt a sense of agreement and said, "We can always go somewhere else, His Majesty didn't say we could only visit one place. Does Master have any suggestions?"

Daoist Master Xunzheng smiled, "I hear Young Master Huo, the second son, is generous and hospitable."

Hai Xian blinked, "Taking this route, Young Master Huo's area seems closer. How about we go there first?"

The two immediately agreed, and the delegation swiftly changed direction, heading straight for Huo Zhang's defense zone.

As cultivators, they didn't require a large convoy of carriages; their personal spatial rings sufficed. The group soared away, arriving within a few days.

Even before they arrived, they sensed something was amiss. Why did it feel like a scene of war and chaos?

In the distance, powerful explosions erupted with thunderous roars; it looked undeniably like a battle was underway.

Daoist Master Xunzheng's expression turned serious. "We won't enter the main city. Let's go see what's happening where the commotion is."

Hai Xian had no objections. Their comfort mission inherently carried an element of oversight and inspection. Unexpectedly discovering a situation might even count as a merit.

Upon arriving, they saw it was a siege.

Looking closer, it was Huo Zhang leading his forces to attack his own city.

Hai Xian suspected he was seeing things, rubbing his eyes for a long time. It was indeed Huo Zhang attacking his own city, and the defensive magic arrays in the city were even of the Tianyao Holy Land design.

In the distance, another troop of cavalry galloped closer. The character 'Pei' fluttered on their banner. It was Pei Zhao, a collateral relative of Pei Qingyan and cousin of Pei Yu. He was also the person Hai Xian had originally intended to visit first.

Seeing armies attacking from two sides, those in the city finally gave up defending it. Several greater demons abandoned the city before Pei Zhao could fully encircle it, laughing wildly as they fled. "Hahahahaha, the Huo father and son may dominate the northern frontier, but we thought the Huo family had some extraordinary cultivation! It's nothing special, nothing special at all, hahahahaha!"

Huo Zhang's face turned ashen. He broke into the city and yelled, "Someone in the city colluded with the demons and betrayed the city and the nation! Arrest them all for strict interrogation!"

"Wait!" Pei Zhao flew over, saying coldly, "General Huo, what great authority you wield!"

Huo Zhang sneered, "What, is your Pei clan also colluding with the demons now?"

Pei Zhao replied coldly, "All I know is that someone, facing a mere small group of demons attacking the city, offered no defense, leading to its loss. Are you now attempting to massacre the city's inhabitants to silence witnesses?"

Huo Zhang took a deep breath, frantically searching for a countermeasure in his mind.

Pei Zhao's arrival truly couldn't have been worse timed. If he hadn't come, Huo Zhang could have entered the city, executed a group of people, and thus cemented the narrative that someone had betrayed the city and invited the demons, and that he himself had promptly discovered it and retaken the city. But with Pei Zhao standing here, how could he possibly defame and execute people?

"Brother Pei, since there was no loss in this matter, and it can even be considered a merit, why not simply accept it? Why be so petty about party strife in a matter like this?"

Pei Zhao was practically laughing with rage. "You want to slander innocent people and murder to silence witnesses, and you call that a 'small matter'?"

"For the demons to hold this place for two days and two nights, someone must obviously have assisted them. How is that slandering? It will be clear after an investigation."

"You!"

"This is my defense zone, Brother Pei. Are you attempting to overstep your authority?"

Hai Xian and the others observing from a distance had understood everything. Hai Xian was still weighing the pros and cons of taking a side, but Daoist Master Xunzheng had already flown forth. "Eunuch Hai, the Inspector and Consoler of the Northern Frontier, is here. We are now fully aware of the situation here."

Pei Zhao exhaled a sigh of relief. Huo Zhang's face, however, turned instantly pale.

Retaking the city in merely two days, the situation could have originally been concealed without a trace. It might even have turned a bad situation into a good one, earning a merit. It was one thing for Pei Zhao to hear rumors and rush over to cause trouble, but why would someone from the palace arrive at this precise moment?

This time, he was in deep trouble...

***

The Capital.

Ye Tinglan was giving a lesson to Lu Xingzhou. A paper crane floated into the room and landed in Ye Tinglan's hand.

Ye Tinglan gently incinerated it, revealing a faint smile. "Your strategy of dispatching an envoy to offer comfort has succeeded. The timing was perfect."

Lu Xingzhou replied, "That was still largely luck."

"Putting aside everything else, His Majesty considers his handling of the Demon Clan as his life's greatest achievement, something he often speaks about," Ye Tinglan said. "He won't allow anyone to tarnish his reputation regarding this matter. Therefore, if Huo Zhang's matter is serious, it could lead to him being directly removed from his post and recalled to the capital. Even if minor, it could result in a demotion of several ranks, requiring him to atone for his misdeeds, and creating a thorn in His Majesty's heart. In terms of striking at the Huo family, this is more valuable than your previous actions concerning Huo Jin and Huo Lu, not to mention that beating you gave Huo Heng that day – that was purely venting anger, utterly meaningless."

Lu Xingzhou grinned. "Removing a burden from one's heart is meaning in itself. How can you call it meaningless?"

Ye Tinglan rolled her eyes at him. "So, in your opinion, this matter with Huo Zhang isn't as valuable as the beating you gave Huo Heng, is that right?"

"Of course not." Lu Xingzhou rose and bowed. "Only at this moment have I seen the true hope of shaking the Huo family. Before this, while it seemed I was gaining advantages everywhere, in reality, I had no effective way to act... Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Ye Tinglan said calmly, "You don't need to thank me. This matter concerns the nation and the imperial family... Was it you who summoned the Pei family's interference?"

"Yes."

Ye Tinglan looked at him meaningfully for a long time. Finally, she smiled. "You... are very good."

Although her face was obscured by a veil, preventing a full view, that smile still made Lu Xingzhou momentarily lost in thought. The eyes visible above the veil were crescent-shaped, like a pair of moons, suggesting a hint of playfulness.

Suddenly, he felt those playful eyes seemed a little familiar... somewhat like Yuan Muyu's...

As he was lost in thought, Ye Tinglan quickly stopped smiling and said with a stern face, "What are you looking at?"

"Uh... nothing." Lu Xingzhou snapped out of it, lowering his gaze as he spoke. "I just feel that Master rarely seems cheerful, always seeming burdened by worries."

"What of it?"

"You should smile more; it's beautiful."

A phantom palm appeared behind his head, almost striking him. Ye Tinglan restrained herself and ultimately didn't strike, merely huffed coldly. "I am your mentor. If you speak to me again with that glib, flattering tone you use to deceive Pei Chuyun and Sheng Yuanyao, you'll see how I'll punish you!"

Lu Xingzhou sighed. "That was the truth. You worry about the Underworld Temple, you worry about the Demon Clan, and you worry about this rotten state of affairs among the civil and military officials... Although it's said that with great power comes great responsibility, and as a first-rank cultivator, it's understandable for you to worry before the world does... But you are not in that position, and there are even transcendent-rank cultivators above you. These are matters that the Emperor and the Imperial Advisor should be considering."

Ye Tinglan's eyes shifted. "Then what do you think of the Imperial Advisor? Do you believe she doesn't care?"

"Of course she cares. You can tell from how she sent Qingli to protect Shen Tang. And Master is also a friend of the Imperial Advisor; one can tell her character from her circle of acquaintances. However..."

"What is it?"

"Her methods are too gentle. She lacks the 'burning bridges' resolve, so many things cannot be accomplished. If I were a transcendent-rank cultivator, hah..."

Ye Tinglan gave a cold laugh. "Indeed worthy of a Hell Judge. Your mouth is full of the King of Hell's pronouncements, hah."

Lu Xingzhou: "..."

"Let's go." Ye Tinglan stood up. "Have you finished saying goodbye to the women you need to bid farewell to?"

Lu Xingzhou was startled. "Leaving the capital now?"

"For cultivators like us, going or staying is but a single thought. Wherever our inspiration takes us, we can travel thousands of miles. What is there to cling to, to delay and yearn for?"

Lu Xingzhou was silent for a moment, then bowed again. "Master is right."

"So, have you finished saying all your farewells?"

"Yes, they already know I'm leaving."

"Then there's no need to say it again, merely adding to the sadness of parting. Let's go."

Almost at the same moment these words were spoken, Pei Chuyun suddenly had a feeling. The brush she was using to take notes during a lecture at the Imperial Academy paused slightly, leaving a large blot of ink on the paper.

Then she smiled faintly and murmured to herself, "Farewell, my lord."

Sheng Yuanyao limped out of the ancestral hall, clutching her severely beaten buttocks. She suddenly paused and looked up at the sky.

Sheng Qingfeng said with a stern face, "What, are you wishing illness upon someone again?"

Sheng Yuanyao stared blankly at the daylight, thought for a long time, and then suddenly said, "You said our Sheng family's ancestral tradition is the way of the battlefield."

"Yes, why?"

"Lu Xingzhou and the Pei family were secretly plotting against Huo Zhang earlier... If he gets dismissed or something, can I take his place?"

Sheng Qingfeng didn't know whether to be surprised or pleased. "You're not playing around anymore?"

"I have to catch up; otherwise, I won't even qualify as a brother to them... Right now, in their eyes, I'm like a simpleton."

"..." Sheng Qingfeng considered for a moment, then sighed softly. "If you truly have the ambition to strive forward, regardless of whether Huo Zhang runs into trouble, I can still send you to join the army. But Ya'er..."

"Hmm?"

"Joining the army is not like the Demon Suppressing Bureau; you'll be putting your life on the line. If you only want to muddle through for achievements like Huo Zhang, then it's better not to go. Your father can always ensure you live a life of leisure in the capital."

Sheng Yuanyao clasped her hands and bowed in a subordinate's salute. "My goal, father, is the Heroes' Roll."

"Lu Xingzhou himself isn't even on the Heroes' Roll."

"...What does that have to do with him? This is my own climb."

End of Volume Two