Chapter 75: Chapter 61: Noble Consort Drunk on Fragrance

A hundred and sixty years old—a true recluse of the world.

Even in the previous life with such good medical and living conditions, no one could live to a hundred and sixty.

Not to mention this ancient feudal society.

Unless… this person truly possesses cultivation secret techniques!

Zheng Yi directly asked, “Celestial Master Zhao, do you know whether this Elder Celestial Master truly possesses cultivation secret techniques?”

Zhao Suling shook her head, “Your Majesty, I truly do not know.”

“Our Taiyii Dao indeed has methods for prolonging life, but they mostly involve drinking morning dew and cultivating one’s body and mind.”

“As for the so-called cultivation secret techniques, I have not come into contact with them.”

“However, when I was young, I did hear my fellow disciples mention that at Master’s residence on Jinghuang Peak, immortals danced, and immortal cranes fluttered.”

“As for the truth of it, I have not verified it even now.”

“Immortals, huh…”

Zheng Yi closed his eyes in thought. Regardless of whether Zhao Xizheng truly had cultivation secret techniques, he had nothing to lose by going to Jinghuang Peak.

To meet a hundred and sixty-year-old Innate Realm martial artist would make the trip worthwhile.

As for whether Zhao Xizheng would discover his true identity, Zheng Yi was not worried at all.

The reason was simple: the previous Emperor Zhengyong had never met Zhao Xizheng either.

As the procession moved forward, Zheng Yi occasionally stayed in the carriage to rest, or to cultivate the Blood Moon Gu.

Now, all ten Blood Moon Gu have been fully cultivated. Like the mother insect, they are fierce and vicious, capable of rivaling Innate Realm martial artists!

When in high spirits, he galloped on horseback, fully appreciating the magnificent rivers and mountains, and splendid landscapes of ancient times.

Day by day passed, and Zheng Yi’s main force soon entered Jizhou, nearing Taizhong Mountain.

Taizhong Mountain, one of the Five Great Mountains of Great Yu.

Its scenery is majestic and peculiar, mysterious and elegant, incomparably grand.

Seeing this high mountain, Zheng Yi ordered the numerous Imperial Guard to guard various entrances, personally leading people up the Taiyii Dao on Taizhong Mountain, heading towards Jinghuang Peak!

Meanwhile,

in Nanyue County,

at the Dragon-soaring Army camp, Xu Xuanwu looked at the military order in his hand, full of doubt.

In the tent, there were also seven or eight advisors and officers seated, and someone asked, “Junior General, what orders are there from the Imperial Court?”

“See for yourselves~”

Xu Xuanwu casually handed the military order in his hand to the advisor next to him, and the others took turns reading it.

“Form a military district? What is a military district?”

“Are we to recruit soldiers ourselves?”

“What about provisions and military equipment?”

“And the County Soldiers of the surrounding counties, how much combat strength do they possess?”

They discussed it fervently, and finally, a bespectacled scholar-like man stood up and said, “Congratulations, Junior General, congratulations!”

“Oh? What is the reason for the congratulations?”

Xu Xuanwu looked at this person and quickly remembered his identity.

Li Wenyou.

Originally an advisor in King Tang’s Mansion, after King Tang’s rebellion, while his remaining families and relatives were sentenced to extermination of nine clans, this person somehow escaped to Nanyue County.

During a conflict with the Baiyue Tribe, he was rescued by the Dragon-soaring Army and came under its banner.

With his clever and ruthless strategies, he quickly gained Xu Xuanwu’s appreciation and was added as Xu Xuanwu’s advisor.

Li Wenyou said, “This move by the Imperial Court is to imitate the system of the Binzhou Border Army, however, it gives the power mainly to the military, with the Junior General leading, to form a protective military organization within the Nanyue County territory.”

“Moreover, the order states that the Junior General can recruit soldiers on his own, which means, we can recruit as many soldiers as we have supplies!”

“With this, the military strength of the Dragon-soaring Army will greatly increase, and the Junior General will become an important minister of the Imperial Court, at the very least a governor like a state governor of the previous dynasty!”

“I believe this also has something to do with Consort Shuu. His Majesty favors Consort Shuu, which is why he trusts you, Junior General, so much…”

Xu Xuanwu’s eyes brightened but then frowned and said, “The order states that the Imperial Court will send an Imperial Envoy for supervision, and that…”

“Hehehe…”

Li Wenyou sneered, “What of the Imperial Envoy? Nanyue County is very far from the Capital City, even riding fast horses may take over two months. The sky is high, and the Emperor is far, we…”

As he spoke, he suddenly stopped, glanced around, and fell silent.

Xu Xuanwu immediately said, “Feel free to speak; those present are my trusted aides, and no one will spread this information.”

“May I ask, Junior General, what are your ambitions?”

“Oh?”

Xu Xuanwu’s eyes shifted, and he said, “What do you mean, Sir?”

“If the Junior General only wishes to become a governor and defend the borders for the Imperial Court, then follow the order, recruit soldiers and civilians using the Dragon-soaring Army as a base, form a military district, eliminate the Heiyue Tribe, and repel Nanzhao Country’s invasion.”

“In about a decade, the Junior General will be as famed as Grand General Xu Mujun, achieving immense merits for Great Yu.”

“And then…”

As he spoke, Li Wenyou sneered, “When the birds are gone, the bow is put away; when the crafty rabbit dies, the hunting dog is boiled!”

As soon as he said this, the faces of the surrounding officers all changed slightly.

Xu Xuanwu also frowned and asked, “What else?”

Li Wenyou said, “If the Junior General wishes to go further, to the peak of power, or even to vie for the Central Plains…”

“Audacious!”

Before he finished speaking, someone stood up and drew a long knife, pointing it directly at Li Wenyou.

“Junior General, this man’s demagogic words disturb the Juniour General’s harmony with the Imperial Court, I will execute him immediately…”

“Poof!”

Before the words were finished, an officer beside him drew a knife and stabbed it into his belly from behind.

“Old Wang, I’m sorry! I really can’t stay in this godforsaken place of Nanyue County, the magnificent rivers and mountains, I also want to split the land and become a prince!”

“Hahaha…”

“Poof… gurgle…”

Blood spurted out, and this officer looked incredulously at his colleagues around him, then glaring angrily at Xu Xuanwu, gritting his teeth, he said:

“Xu Xuanwu! Your Xu Family has always been loyal and righteous, how could you commit such a treasonous act!”

“Ha…”

Xu Xuanwu sneered, “Loyal and righteous?”

“Loyal and righteous, and we have to stay in this barren place of Nanyue, unable to move for years?”

“Loyal and righteous, and wait obediently to be falsely accused and executed by the Emperor in over ten years?”

“Loyal and righteous, and watch our beloved women enter the palace as concubine candidates?”

“Such loyal and righteous, we might as well not have it!”

“The world is in chaos now, it’s our golden opportunity!”

“Rebel… I’ll kill you!”

He staggered a couple of steps before ultimately collapsing to the ground, dead.

The surrounding officers and advisors watched him, their gazes turning cold, and none pleaded for him.

Xu Xuanwu said coldly, “Ladies and gentlemen, this man was a spy planted by the Imperial Court in our Dragon-soaring Army, now executed, it is truly his own fault!”

“Great Yu is unjust! The Imperial Court is unfair! Natural disasters and man-made calamities continue; this is the heaven forsaking Great Yu!”

“The deer in Yu is lost; all under heaven chase it!”

“Gentlemen! Given time, Xuanwu can stabilize the world, and as the ruler of the world, all of you can be appointed princes and nobles!”

As soon as he finished speaking, those who were Xu Xuanwu’s confidants all knelt down.

“We accept the order!”

“The mighty Junior General!”

Xu Xuanwu said with satisfaction, “Mr. Li, you may continue.”

“If one wishes to compete for supremacy, what then?”

“Very simple.”

Li Wenyou said in a calm voice, “Nurturing bandits for self-use, we cannot not attack the Heiyue Tribe and Nanzhao Country, but we also cannot completely wipe them out. Fight and negotiate at the same time, take all benefits possible from the Imperial Court!”

“Then have someone contact Consort Duann, and through her enhance the Emperor’s trust in us, then quietly wait for an opportunity!”

Li Wenyou’s eyes were sinister, his tone gradually changed, “I have been gathering insights on the world situation in recent years. Today, natural disasters and man-made calamities continue, and the Imperial Court imposes numerous harsh taxes.”

“Even though the Imperial Court gained substantial wealth through the eradication of Yang Xuansu and began reducing taxes, the Imperial Court reduces its taxes, while the lower levels collect their own, and the people remain in great distress.”

“In no more than three years, the world will inevitably fall into chaos!”

“When that time comes, it will be our opportunity!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep