Chapter 90: Chapter 86: The Champion Marquis Returns to the Capital, the Holy Emperor Bestows a Marriage

「Half a month later.」

On this day, the gates of the Imperial Capital City swung wide open.

All entry and exit were forbidden, and the streets had been cleared. The notice given to the common folk was that they were to welcome the great army’s return to the Capital City.

The Great Yan Army stretched out like a long dragon, so vast that its end could not be seen.

The Champion Marquis was positioned in the Central Army, seated atop a tall Dragon-Scale Horse. His commander’s banner fluttered in the wind, surrounded by square formations of soldiers.

Returning alongside them were the various Marquises Wu and their sons. However, they had been stripped of their armor, bound securely, and had their Dantians sealed with Forbidden Element Stones.

Each of them looked dejected, unable to raise their heads.

The Third Prince, Lu Guangyao, was also among them. He had removed his upper garment, revealing a brawny physique with muscles rippling like coiled dragons. His back was covered in sharp thorns, an attempt to imitate an ancient figure and offer a sincere apology by presenting brambles for punishment.

An old man with long arms followed by his side, protecting him with his eyes closed in meditation.

“Another rebellious Prince, huh? Doesn’t the Emperor do anything about it?”

“To rebel even with their status… I really can’t figure out what these generals are thinking.”

The commoners, who had opened their doors and windows, pointed at these bound, treasonous generals from time to time.

But their attitude toward the Champion Marquis was excellent. Many voices of praise could be heard, and now and then, young maidens would cast affectionate glances his way.

When the garrison welcoming them from the city walls saw the Champion Marquis’s figure, they all lowered their heads respectfully and saluted. It was a respect that came from the heart.

The Commanders from the major military camps were also responsible for the reception. An Imperial Eunuch stood to the side, holding an imperial edict:

“We are bedridden with illness and regret that We cannot welcome you personally. The Champion Marquis’s merits are extraordinary. The Cabinet will discuss the matter of your reward, so the General need not worry.”

“This humble general obeys the decree! Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

The Champion Marquis performed a deep bow to receive the edict.

This was the Holy Emperor’s affirmation of his monumental achievements, as well as a gesture to inform and appease the armies.

Faced with the cheering crowds lining the streets and the admiration of countless soldiers, he himself couldn’t feel the slightest bit of joy.

’He had already gone through an experience just like this over a decade ago.’

’It was exactly the same.’

’Back then, I was naive enough to think that being made a Marquis was just the beginning.’

’Young, valiant, full of vigor, utterly self-assured, and bursting with pride.’

’And then I was removed from the battlefield for ten long years, my sharp edges worn down by time.’

’For a Martial Artist, for a General, leaving the battlefield is tantamount to having one’s life cut short, one’s wings clipped.’

’I don’t know about others.’

’As the Champion Marquis, I am already distinguished enough. I don’t need to care about any kingly title. I just want to be able to continue galloping across the battlefield, defeating our enemies, and serving the nation for the rest of my life. I take pride in that.’

’So I am truly afraid of leaving the battlefield once more.’

’If the Holy Emperor strips me of my military authority again after I return to the Capital…’

’…then this will have been my last time on the battlefield.’

’That’s why my daughter must marry the Sixth Prince. Only then will I have a chance to remain on the battlefield. And isn’t this also a way to protect my daughter? A tree that stands out from the forest will be destroyed by the wind.’

As the Champion Marquis was lost in thought, the army had already entered the Imperial City without him realizing it.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers had already dispersed. The main culprits were all temporarily imprisoned, awaiting the Cabinet’s judgment. This included the Third Prince; not even the Long-armed Old Monster could defy this decision.

The Long-armed Old Monster and Huo Qing followed the eunuch to Holy Bright Palace to attend the Imperial Council.

The great lords of the Imperial Court had been waiting for a long time. Many pairs of eyes were fixed on the Champion Marquis, filled with appreciation, amusement, pity, indifference…

“Congratulations to the Champion Marquis on his return after quelling the rebellion! It is a great accomplishment!”

“General Huo’s martial skill is unmatched, and his command of troops is god-like. Truly worthy of being the number one Marquis of our Great Yan.”

“The Champion Marquis and Marquis Wuan can be called the twin pillars of our Great Yan.”

The Imperial Court was filled with a chorus of compliments.

Facing the praise, Huo Qing remained neither arrogant nor impatient. He was expressionless when looking down, but when he looked up, he spoke respectfully.

“My Lords, you praise me too much. The reason this humble general was able to defeat the enemy is all thanks to the venerable Sect Master of Chiyang Mountain. If not for him, it would not have been so easy. Furthermore, it seems the Third Prince did not intend to rebel, but was coerced by the various generals.”

From the head seat, Imperial Tutor Yuan Xuangang spoke, “The Cabinet will investigate this matter on its own. General Huo need not worry.”

“However, the Champion Marquis’s toil and great merit… the reward for that is worth discussing.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Imperial Court erupted in a clamor.

“The Champion Marquis was already enfeoffed as a Marquis over a decade ago. For the next step up, why not make him a Titled King?”

“This matter is of great importance! We must request instructions from the Holy Emperor.”

’Someone is trying to set me up for a fall with praise.’ Huo Qing immediately understood the intentions of many of them.

’They’re deliberately bringing up the title of King to put me in a fatal position.’

Imperial Tutor Yuan Xuangang smiled faintly. “General Huo, what reward do you desire? The Holy Emperor has given his golden word; anything is possible.”

Huo Qing announced in a loud voice, “Regarding the reward, this humble general has already given it much thought.”

“This humble general has always wished for my humble daughter to marry into the Royal Family, to add to our fortune and honor. Why not have the Holy Emperor bestow a marriage upon us, so that this humble general’s wish may be fulfilled.”

His words were unexpected to many, yet at the same time, they made perfect sense.

They all felt that the Champion Marquis was very different from the man he was ten years ago.

The sharp edge of his youth was gone, replaced by a much more steady demeanor.

Requesting a marriage, an alliance with the Royal Family.

Prince Zhenbei had done the same thing back then.

Was this not a way of showing weakness, a gesture of goodwill toward the Royal Family? It was also the safest method.

By marrying into the Royal Family, any son born would also be an Imperial Grandson, and his surname would be Lu.

The Champion Marquis’s words also caught the attention of Wang He’fu. He looked toward the Champion Marquis, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Which Prince do you wish your esteemed daughter to marry?” Yuan Xuangang asked curiously.

“The Sixth Prince.”

Huo Qing said without the slightest hesitation, his voice full and resonant.

“The Sixth Prince…”

“It’s actually the Sixth Prince…”

“But isn’t the Huo Family’s daughter unwilling? The rumors are flying everywhere…”

Hearing the voices in the Imperial Court, the Champion Marquis’s expression shifted constantly, as if he had just learned something.

Once the choice of the Sixth Prince was announced.

Some understood it as the Champion Marquis being unwilling to participate in the struggle for succession.

Others were baffled. With his current status as the number one Marquis of Great Yan, why wouldn’t he contend for it?

Imperial Tutor Yuan Xuangang was not surprised to hear this choice. He smiled faintly and said, “The Sixth Prince is confined within the Imperial Palace. If they were to marry, I’m afraid your esteemed daughter would have to run to the Harem every day. Has the Champion Marquis thought this through?”

“I have.”

Huo Qing nodded slowly.

“Good. This Cabinet member will report to the Holy Emperor and draft the edict. But before that, the Champion Marquis must make things clear to his esteemed daughter. It would be unfortunate if the Holy Emperor bestows the marriage only for some complication to arise.”

Yuan Xuangang reminded him.

“This humble general will make her change her mind,” Huo Qing said with a cupped-fist salute.

“In addition, there are many other rewards that will be bestowed at the same time.”

“This humble general understands. Are there any other orders from the Holy Emperor?”

“Not for the moment.”

Upon hearing this, joy finally bloomed in Huo Qing’s heart.

’The Holy Emperor didn’t revoke my military authority!’

’I still have a chance to go to war.’

「After the Imperial Council ended.」

Before leaving, many ministers looked at Wang He’fu with broad smiles. “Lord Wang, you are truly fortunate to be forming a marriage alliance with the most dazzling star general of the court, the Champion Marquis. Congratulations in advance! Don’t forget to invite us when you host the celebratory banquet.”

“Of course, of course.”

Wang He’fu smiled faintly.

…

「South Government Training Ground.」

Huo Hongling was training in the practice yard as usual, until a tall figure appeared outside the gate.

“Greetings, Champion Marquis.”

“Greetings, Champion Marquis.”

The soldiers at the gate all saluted respectfully.

Hearing this, Huo Hongling’s expression brightened with joy. Her father was back, and she hadn’t expected him to come looking for her at the training ground.

But as soon as she turned around, she saw that her father’s expression was not good, causing her smile to freeze.

“Come here.”

Seeing his daughter, Huo Qing showed no pleasant expression. Instead, he commanded her blankly.

“Father…”

Huo Hongling’s face changed. She immediately guessed the reason for her father’s anger.

’It must be because I refused the marriage he arranged.’

’The wedding that was supposed to happen never did, and the rumors have been flying all over the Imperial City.’

The father and daughter went to a tent used for Saber Technique training.

The atmosphere was terrifyingly oppressive.

Huo Hongling swore she had never seen such an expression on her father’s face in her entire life.

“Why won’t you marry him?”

Huo Qing said flatly.

“I feel that the Sixth Prince is not suitable,”

Huo Hongling said, biting her lip.

“I know you’re afraid your great accomplishments will intimidate the Holy Emperor and arouse his suspicion. But why must you choose Lu Mingyuan? There are many Princes more outstanding than him. Any one of them would be better, wouldn’t they? If you chose the Second Prince or the Eighth Prince, couldn’t you achieve the same goal? Besides, their Cultivation levels are not low.”

“Why would you give up on the struggle for succession to choose the Sixth Prince, who has no right to the throne? The Eighth Prince is a student of the Confucian Temple; he has no military power or support from a Military General Family behind him. Isn’t our Huo Family the perfect choice to back him? If we sent people to persuade him, wouldn’t it allow the Huo Family to advance even further in the future?”

Huo Qing’s gaze was deep. In Huo Hongling, he saw the shadow of his younger self.

’Just as competitive, just as outwardly arrogant.’

’She’s only eighteen. She still has so much to experience.’

Huo Qing said, “You think highly of the Eighth Prince?”

Huo Hongling shook her head. “I just think the Eighth Prince is better than the Sixth Prince. The Huo Family shouldn’t give up this opportunity. The reason you were shelved over a decade ago was precisely because you had no backer. The Eighth Prince is an excellent candidate. He is a Disciple of the Saint of Reason. If I marry the Sixth Prince and your situation doesn’t change, you won’t be able to save the Huo Family. How could that possibly work?”

’Even if it’s a last resort, we have to think of other ways.’

’For the sake of the Huo Family, when a crisis comes, it’s not that I can’t enter a marriage alliance. It’s that the alliance must have value.’

’After aligning with the Royal Family, I want to help the Huo Family advance even further.’

“What makes you so sure you won’t lose? Even with the Eighth Prince, victory is not guaranteed,” Huo Qing questioned.

“That’s still better than the Sixth Prince.”

Huo Qing sighed. “The best way to not lose is to not gamble at all. That’s a lesson your father learned ten years ago. I gambled that the Holy Emperor would not use those he distrusted, and would trust those he used. That’s why I felt at ease killing enemies and expanding our territory. And what was the final result?”

At this moment, Huo Hongling finally understood her father’s true thoughts. “So this is your reason for giving up on the struggle for succession?”

“But if you give up, won’t the Huo Family quickly fall into decline?”

Huo Qing patiently admonished, “Stability is what’s most important. Your father’s only wish now is to be on the battlefield for just one more day. It’s not about the Huo Family advancing further. The fortune and honor of the Huo Family should be earned by future descendants of the Huo Clan through their own strength. It should not rely on the grace of a kingly title.”

“Ever since you were little, I taught you martial arts and the principle of not revealing your sharp edge. It seems now that you haven’t taken much of it to heart.”

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