In the 18th year of Tianqi era, the war between the West-Hill Divine Palace Coalition Army and the Desolate broke out. There was no foreshadowing, no negotiation, and no probing. Hundreds of thousands of troops from both sides began to fight on the Wilderness. Countless people died every moment. Those cultivators, who were usually aloof and arrogant, fought desperately like ordinary soldiers on the storm-like battlefield. Even the strong men in the Seethrough Realm could become nameless corpses in the grass at any time.
The West-Hill Divine Palace, which had been low-key in the past few years, finally showed the demeanor and majesty of ruling the world. The Hierarch Lord of the West-Hill Divine Palace led the two Great Divine Priests of Revelation and Judgment, as well as the powerful cavalrymen of the Divine Halls to the Wilderness. The Emperor of the South Jin Kingdom, Crown Prince Chongming of the Yan Kingdom, and the kings of the Central Plains all came to their senses after the shock. They gathered their troops as quickly as possible and personally led their troops into the Wilderness to fight.
A few days later, another shocking news came from Chang 'an. The Tang Emperor, Li Zhongyi, had led the Tang cavalrymen into the Wilderness more than ten days ago and was about to arrive at Helan City.
It was not until then that the billions of Haotian believers in the world finally realized that the Underworld Invasion was not just a legend. Otherwise, why would the major powers in the world be so nervous and gather such a terrifying army into the Wilderness just because of the Daughter of Yama?
The Tang Empire had more than 100,000 troops in the Wilderness. The Northeast Border Military had all left Tuyang City. Under the leadership of General Xian Zhilang, they went straight to the north along the Yan border. It only took them a short time to reach the main battlefield in the depths of the Wilderness and join the West-Hill Divine Palace Coalition Army.
Although the Tang Empire's most powerful Northern Army was responsible for monitoring and intimidating the Golden Palace, they still sent more than half of their troops to Helan City with the Emperor's entourage.
"I wonder how many soldiers will return to the Tang Empire after this war."
The Tang Emperor, Li Zhongyi, stood on the eastern city wall of Helan City. He looked at the Northern Army cavalrymen at the bottom of the valley who were marching eastward. He looked calm but deeply emotional.
Master Huang Yang stood beside the Emperor, silently chanting with his palms pressed together.
The Helan General, Han Qing, stood behind the Emperor. He thought that he was the Emperor's most loyal servant, so he should say many things that other officials and generals found inconvenient.
"Your Majesty, it is true that you can show the military power by leading the army. But it is too dangerous to go far away from the country. Especially since the Nation Master cannot accompany us and the Academy did not send anyone …"
The Emperor waved his hand and stopped Han Qing's remonstrance. He said, "The memorials in the court came like snowflakes. The four generals, led by Xu Shi, wanted to write a letter in blood. They just didn't want me to leave Chang 'an. If I hadn't seen the opportunity and left a few days earlier, I'm afraid some officials would have hit the palace wall. Now I've listened to your advice and stayed in Helan City instead of advancing eastward. Are you still not satisfied?"
Han Qing was not in the mood to be proud. He thought of the fierce battlefield hundreds of miles away from the east of the valley and the powerful cultivators who were so close to His Majesty. He said in a trembling voice, "I still think that Your Majesty should return to the Northern Military Camp even if you want to take command of the army."
Han Qing was half a barbarian. If he did not have the Emperor's trust, it would be difficult for him to reach such a high position in the Tang army. So he was most afraid of being called a barbarian. But His Majesty was different. He called Han Qing barbarian out of habit. Han Qing only felt close and proud.
The Emperor was slightly annoyed and said, "I have let you guard Helan City for so many years. Do you still think that Helan City cannot be defended?"
Han Qing was shocked and said in a low voice, "Helan City is impregnable … But Your Majesty, there are many powerful cultivators in the Wilderness."
The Emperor said, "The Desolate Man's cultivators have to deal with the bigwigs in the West-Hill Divine Palace. They are all miserable. How can they have the energy to assassinate me?"
There was no one else on the city wall. Han Qing glanced at Master Huang Yang and said in a low voice after a moment of struggle, "Your Majesty, I am worried … about the bigwigs in the Divine Hall."
At this time, the Hierarch Lord of the West-Hill Divine Palace had come to the Eastern Wilderness. There were also the two Great Divine Priests of Revelation and Judgment, as well as the visiting professors hidden by Haotian Taoism in various countries. This lineup was more than luxurious. It was the most magnificent lineup in the past hundred years. No other place could have such a lineup except the Academy.
His Majesty was slightly startled and then laughed out loud. He said, "Haotian Taoism has always disliked the Tang Empire. Now that I rarely leave Chang 'an, it is hard to say whether they will have any ideas. Your worry is reasonable. But I don't believe that the bigwigs in the Divine Hall would really dare to harm me."
Han Qing could not help but feel bitter when he heard the heroic tone in His Majesty's words. He knew that it was hard to persuade the Tangs when it came to courage. But he was still not reconciled. He said, "Half of the Northern Army has been transferred to the Eastern Wilderness. What if the Golden Tribe is not stable? Your Majesty should go to the Northern Military Camp … "
His Majesty slightly frowned and said, "With Xu Chi in the Northern Military Camp, what should I worry about?"
Xu Chi was one of the four Great Generals of the Tang Empire. He had always been calm and low-key. He was not as famous as the Defender-general of the State Xu Shi or the Defender-general Xia Hou. But this general's defense was unparalleled. He had been in charge of the Northern Army because the Tang Empire and the Golden Tribe Royal Court wanted to maintain peace.
Han Qing could not slander General Xu Chi's ability. He could not help sweating anxiously.
The Emperor looked at his dispirited expression and could not help laughing. He waved his hand to dismiss him.
…
…
The sun was setting in the west, shining on Helan City. The eastern city wall was slightly dark. The Tang cavalry had all passed through the gorge to the Eastern Wilderness. But His Majesty was still standing on the city wall. He held the railing and looked into the distance thoughtfully. His hair had turned white, but his face did not show any signs of aging. He was just much thinner than before.
The Wilderness was much colder than Chang 'an. There was no sunlight at this time. The wild wind blew through the gorge. His Majesty slightly frowned and raised his fist to his lips to suppress his coughing. Then he took out a bottle of elixir and swallowed one.
"Cough suppressant can only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. It is not good for your body if you take too much."
Master Huang Yang looked at him and said worriedly. He and His Majesty had known each other for many years. After returning from Xuankong Temple, they became sworn brothers. So he spoke and acted very directly, unlike ordinary officials.
His Majesty smiled and said, "After so many years, I still can't cure the root cause. Then I will make myself comfortable."
Huang Yang asked, "Your Majesty, are you really not worried?"
His Majesty slightly frowned and said, "Worried about what? That Chanyu of the Golden Tribe Royal Court or those charlatans of the West-Hill Divine Palace? I have more than 100,000 cavalrymen outside. I don't believe that the Golden Palace dares to come. "
Huang Yang looked at His Majesty's calm and confident expression and could not help smiling. He thought that he had forgotten that His Majesty was once an invincible general in the Northern Borderline when he was the Crown Prince. The Golden Palace had suffered a lot in his hands and would not dare to challenge him. But …
The Emperor guessed that he was worried about the same as Han Qing. He shook his head and said, "If the West-Hill Divine Palace wants me dead, they must attack with all their strength. But now their target is the Desolate Man and the Daughter of Yama."
"Moreover, they would not dare to assassinate me."
After a moment of silence, Huang Yang said, "In fact, I am more worried about Chang 'an."
His Majesty slightly frowned and asked, "Do you think it is inappropriate for the Princess to supervise the country?"
Huang Yang thought that it was not only him who thought it was inappropriate for the Princess to supervise the country. Countless officials of the Tang Empire and even the people on the streets thought it was inappropriate. His Majesty had traveled to the Wilderness and brought those two with him. If anything happened, Chang 'an would be in turmoil.
Without waiting for his reply, His Majesty said indifferently, "I know what you are worried about. Those worries are meaningless. Even if something really happened to me, who would dare to disobey the edict?"
Master Huang Yang calmly said, "The edict is only effective if it is seen by people."
His Majesty said, "If I die first, who would dare to do such a rebellious thing as the Headmaster of the Academy and the Headmaster of the Academy? Han Qing is worried about my safety, and you are worried about the safety of the country. That is because you have not figured out one thing. "
"If you want to destroy the Tang Empire, you must first kill the Headmaster of the Academy, then kill me, and then destroy the entire Academy. But in this world, who can do that?"
Huang Yang slowly shook his head and said, "But the Headmaster of the Academy is old after all."
"The Headmaster of the Academy will never be old …"
His Majesty obviously had the second half of his sentence. But for some reason, perhaps because he was touched, he slowly said after a moment of silence, "In fact, I am really old."
Huang Yang knew that His Majesty had always been in poor health. He understood that what he meant by old was actually an illness. He could not help but feel a little depressed. But then he thought that life and death were common things and there was no need to worry about it.
Knowing that Huang Yang had thought it through, His Majesty laughed and reached out to touch his bald head.
This was something he was used to doing many years ago. But Master Huang Yang had not been touched so disrespectfully for many years, so he could not get used to it. His appearance of a high monk suddenly disappeared and he angrily stared at the Emperor.
The Emperor's smile gradually disappeared. He looked at him and calmly said, "Worrying about life and death is futile. But the affairs after death need to be arranged in advance. I have already thought about it. I will pass the throne to Xiaoliu."
The angry expression on Huang Yang's face suddenly froze. After a long time, he came to his senses and said in surprise, "How can such an important matter be decided so casually? And why did Your Majesty let me know first?"
The Emperor said, "Weren't you worried about the effect of the edict? You are the executor of the edict. "
Huang Yang said bitterly, "I don't have this ability. This should be the Academy's business."
The Emperor shook his head and said, "The Academy is not allowed to interfere in the court affairs. This is the iron rule set by the Headmaster of the Academy. There was Ning Que originally. I wanted him to carry out my edict. But now he is fighting against the whole world and even me for his wife. How can I still use him?"
Huang Yang thought of that rumor and frowned even more. He looked at the back of the tower.
The Emperor knew what he was thinking and calmly said, "I heard that Professor Yu Lian of the Academy took in a female disciple the year before last."
Huang Yang said, "Yes. It is said that she is the younger sister of Wayfarer Tang of the Devil's Doctrine."
The Emperor looked at him and said, "The Academy does not care about it. I do not care. The Tang Empire does not need to care either. As for your and Qingshan's worries … I will let Xiaoliu become Mr. First's disciple after returning to Chang 'an."
Huang Yang put his palms together and sincerely praised, "Then there will be no problem."
…
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