Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 211 - 190: My Truth?_1

Chapter 211: Chapter 190: My Truth?_1

In the grand hall of the Five Armies Command Office in Nanjing City, a set of nobles and officers from the office were engaged in animated discussions before a vast military map.

"We might be able to spare five thousand troops from Guangde."

"That’s too few, what about Jinshan Garrison in Songjiang Prefecture?"

"Only three thousand, they only have a total of over five thousand troops."

"Could we not mobilize some of the salt workers from Yangzhou? Yangzhou Weisuo Institute is a travesty but the salt workers are quite the elites. With a capable military minister sent over there, mobilizing five or six thousand men shouldn’t be an issue."

"Then there are the upstream troops of the Yangtze River, in Luzhou, Anqing, and the armies of multiple prefectures in Jiujiang. We can arrange for our naval forces to transport the troops, they should reach Nanjing in seven days at most."

"Too slow! In seven days I reckon Hangzhou City would have fallen to Lin Ziyang."

Just as they were planning on how to deploy their troops, there was a sudden uproar outside the hall. Everyone in the room exchanged glances, unsure of what had happened.

It wasn’t until a Qiangu, dressed in the attire of the Inner Jishi Bureau, had rushed over to Qin Mingyu that there was any clarity to the situation.

"Master, a flying seal has arrived from Zhenjiang. The Li Xuan brothers have held Beigu Mountain, all the elite forces under Lin Ziyang have perished in combat, and it was a comprehensive rout!"

Upon hearing this, there was a ’hum’ noise within the hall as every person was visibly shaken, with uncertain looks on their faces.

"Lin Ziyang’s army was completely defeated? Is this news confirmed?"

Qin Mingyu asked unbelievingly, "Did the naval forces from Chongming Island make it in time? How did Lin Ziyang lose?"

"It has been confirmed by multiple sources, the news received from the Liudao Division was - the Zhenjiang troops have been completely annihilated, and Lin Ziyang was killed by the ensuing Qiu Qianqiu."

With a somber expression, the Qiangu reported, "The naval forces from Chongming Island indeed arrived, but before they and Qiu Qianqiu could reach, the Zhenjiang army was completely decimated. Apparently, the Li Xuan brothers had set a trap, using flour to cause an explosion, stripping the Zhenjiang army of its elite soldiers."

Perhaps knowing that his last sentence might be hard to believe, he added, "This is what has been reported through every channel, it should not be untrue."

However, the people in the hall still had incredulous looks on their faces.

"Flour? The stuff used for making noodles and dumplings? Is this some kind of jest?"

"How is that possible? That thing can explode too? Is this not an absurd tale?"

"I’ve seen a ghost! I eat dumplings every day, I have never seen them explode!"

"This must be some mistake by those below, right? They must have used some other method?"

"Unbelievable, those two wet behind the ears boys, have truly defeated Lin Ziyang’s army?"

At this point, from a room at the rear of the grand hall of the Five Armies Command Office, Yu Jianji scattered some flour from his hand. With a spellcaster beside him applying wind pressure and lighting it with electricity, the flour dust did indeed explode into a violent flame.

"It can truly explode!"

Yu Jianji murmured, "Such a brilliant scheme, had I not seen it with my own eyes, I could never have believed it. So to say, could the military report from the front be true? Have the Li Xuan brothers truly defeated the Zhenjiang army?"

"Let us offer congratulations to the second prince!"

Jijiu of Guozi Bureau, Quan Dingtian, and Shangshu Wei of the Nanjing Ministry of War, jointly bowed to Yu Jianji, "Lin Ziyang is dead, the Zhenjiang army is in shambles, this great catastrophe has vanished."

"Thanks to the loyalty and valor of Li Yan, and the loyalty and righteousness of Li Xuan." Yu Jianji nodded slightly, "I remember just this dawn when I heard news of the rebellion of the Zhenjiang army, I felt a chill from my front to my rear, sweat soaking through my clothes. I thought that I was to most likely disgrace the trust bestowed upon me by the Emperor, and that Jiangsu and Zhejiang would hardly be spared from a military disaster. I’m glad there were loyal ministers and good generals, that has saved hundreds of millions in Jiangnan from calamity."

"But the aftermath of this needs to be handled properly, or it will have an endless aftermath." Wei Zhirou bowed, "Later, I’ll go to Zhenjiang to sort this out, to relieve Your Highness and His Majesty from worry."

"I am in your debt, the Grand Marshal!" Yu Jianji bowed in return, "The defense troops of Zhenjiang, including those transport workers and displaced civilians, most of them have been forced by Lin Ziyang’s hand, pray the Grand Marshal will deal with them fairly."

At this time, Quan Dingtian frowned, "While the situation in Zhenjiang is indeed crucial, it is not the most pressing matter at hand. Your Highness, I am currently worried both about the supply transport and the defense of the Yangtze River."

"A worthy concern indeed!"

Yu Jianji narrowed his eyes, "In recent days, the actions of the Maitreya Teaching have clearly intended to disrupt the supply transport. Also, the source of Lin Ziyang’s military resources and weapons is unclear. You must remember, he was appointed to Zhenjiang only five years ago, yet in a short time he managed to acquire the financial capacity to arm nearly a hundred thousand men. These circumstances have troubled me so much I can hardly eat or sleep.

"That’s why, even if Jijiu wouldn’t have said anything, I was about to appeal to my father to restore Earl Chengyi, Li Chengji, to his original position. Only he can maintain the river defense of the Yangtze River, deter the wrongdoers, and allow me to rest easy."

Quan Dingtian and Wei Zhirou exchanged glances, and the former bowed and said, "Your Highness’s foresight stretches far and wide, to restore peace to the regions of the Yangtze River, Earl Chengyi, Li Chengji is indeed the prime candidate! I will also write a memorial."

Wei Zhirou added, "Earl Chengyi has an excellent knowledge of military tactics, he is unparalleled in naval battles, and he is also very modest and loyal, quite the upright minister. Leaving such a person idle is plainly a loss for the Court. I will get in touch with my friends and colleagues to speak out for Earl Chengyi."

"In my opinion, after the chaos in Zhenjiang, Your Majesty and Shaobao Yu will certainly not tolerate troubles in South Zhili again. Now, only someone like Earl Chengyi, a prominent figure in the southeast, can manage the naval forces and maintain order along the Yangtze River."

"The Grand Marshal speaks the truth--"

Yu Jianji was in mid-sentence when he suddenly broke into a fit of severe coughing.

Quan Dingtian and Wei Zhuli exchanged glances filled with worry as they watched him cough.

After struggling to suppress his coughing fit, Yu Jianji said with a bitter smile, "It’s an old injury from when I crossed the river. There’s no need for alarm. I have invited Master Zhenru from the Baosheng Temple. He is the reincarnation of the Medicine Guru Buddha. His knowledge of both Buddhism and medicine is boundless. Last year, when I fell seriously ill, it was Master Zhenru who restored me to health within just a few days."

Quan Dingtian and Wei Zhuli finally relaxed, as they had heard of Master Zhenru. He was a highly reputable physician, well-versed in Buddhism. Despite his youth, he was worshipped by numerous believers who recognized him as the reincarnation of the Medicine Guru Buddha.

※※※※

When Xue Yunrou woke up from her meditation on the tower ship sailing upstream on the Yangtze River, her eyes involuntarily gleamed with delight.

Even though she was severely injured and wasn’t sure whether her internal organs and Primordial Spirit had been shattered by Lin Ziyang’s finger, she felt her Primordial Spirit was transforming. Inside her spiritual platform, she could feel it gradually forming into a curled up figure of a baby, much like a fetus in the womb of a pregnant woman.

This was a sign that the third gate, the ’Earth Gate’, had been opened. In spell cultivation, this realm is also known as the ’Primordial Spirit’, with three stages: the ’Primordial Embryo’, the ’Infant’, and the ’Yin God’.

Once overcoming this threshold, a spellcaster’s strength would undergo a monumental transformation, enabling them to truly communicate with the heavens and earth and use the power of all things for themselves.

For Xue Yunrou herself, it meant her strength would increase ten or twenty-fold. Her collection of top-grade magical implements would truly shine in her hands.

As Xue Yunrou happily got up from her bed, she couldn’t help but wonder what Li Xuan was doing. Would he be happy to know she had made a breakthrough?

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Li Xuan and Luo Yan passing by the window outside. Luo Yan was following behind with a lazy and bored look, while Li Xuan was walking ahead with his hands clasped behind his back, a serious look on his face.

Question marks popped up in Xue Yunrou’s mind. What could Xuan be planning so solemnly?

Without giving it much thought, she directly went out to find Li Xuan, excited to share her joy with him. Judging by their direction, they were heading towards the stern of the ship.

However, the moment she opened the door, she saw Jiang Hanyun also headed her way.

Upon seeing Xue Yunrou, Jiang Hanyun was immediately filled with joy, "Yunrou, how are your injuries?"

Meanwhile, as Xue Yunrou and Jiang Hanyun were conversing, Li Xuan was at the stern of the ship, presenting Luo Yan with a cloth bag, "I asked Peng Fulai to appraise it. Including the Sumi Ring and its contents, the total value is 420,000 teals. Adding the items from Shopkeeper Han in this bag, worth 70,000 silver coins, you shouldn’t be at a loss."

"You’ve calculated the price already? That’s great!" Luo Yan cheerfully took the bag, "Thank you, sir! I’ve realized I’ve followed the right person. Only after a few days, I’ve accumulated a large fortune."

Li Xuan, however, coldly stared at Luo Yan, "Take your things and leave while nobody has figured out your true identity yet."

"Leave? Li Xuan, where should I go? And what identity?" Luo Yan blinked her eyes, looking at Li Xuan with an innocent and confused expression, "I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan let out a cold laugh, "Why are you doing this? Do you need me to expose you before you’ll admit it?"

Luo Yan was at a loss of words, "What are you talking about?"

Li Xuan thought to himself that it seems he must use force. He couldn’t employ the Great Rectitude as it would have a limited effect on Zidie who was prepared, plus, he bore no ill feelings towards the enchantress and even felt a connection with her after interacting for a few days. He had no desire to witness her jailed.

However, that didn’t mean he was powerless against her--

Without any hesitation, Li Xuan stretched out a hand and reached for Luo Yan’s chest.

He fully anticipated that she would dodge, so he used a lot of force. But Luo Yan just stood there as though she hadn’t reacted in time and was abruptly caught in the chest by Li Xuan.

The next instant, Luo Yan’s complexion alternated between pale and furious, "Li Xuan, what are you doing?"

Li Xuan was bewildered. Where did Zidie’s extravagant chest go? Why had it disappeared?

How did this flesh mound turn into a cake?

He incredulously felt around again and found it still flat. Unsatisfied, he groped the center of the pancake, then frowned when he found that it felt no different from touching his own flat chest.

At this moment, he saw Xue Yunrou and Jiang Hanyun emerging from the corridor, both staring at him, their faces frozen as if they had turned to stone.

Just as Li Xuan was about to explain the misunderstanding, Luo Yan looked out towards the railing with blushing cheeks and said, "Xuan, don’t hold me so tightly. If you really like me and want to enter into a homosexual relationship, we can go inside."

At that moment, Li Xuan himself turned into a stone statue.