Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

Chapter 156: Chapter 131: The Coming Storm

"But if I were to defect from Dayong, they would never gamble with their families’ lives.

Besides, if the Imperial Court truly had that in mind, do you think they would let me leave so easily?"

Actually, on his way back, Lu Yuan had felt the faint aura of a powerful expert locking onto him.

’He had already guessed that these nobles must have known he was about to be abandoned, so they had sent someone.’

’And what’s more, the Emperor clearly wanted him to be the scapegoat. Would he let such a useful tool just walk away?’

No one should ever underestimate how precise the machinery of an imperial court can be once it’s set in motion.

Lu Yuan originally thought he had made excellent arrangements.

But he discovered he had still underestimated Dayong.

He’d felt someone lock onto him the moment he finished quelling the last of the Village Soldiers from Beyond the Passes and arrested a Captain connected to the Imperial City nobility.

This person was extremely powerful.

That was why he had secretly sent word to have his mother taken away quietly.

Fortunately, the Imperial Court’s attention was currently focused entirely on him and hadn’t yet extended to his mother. Otherwise, the situation would be even worse.

"Then what should we do?" Zhou He hissed, desperately trying to keep his voice down.

After risking our lives for the Imperial Court for so long, are we just going to be cast aside like pawns in the end?

"What can we do? Wait for my word. I’ll do my best to find a way to get Beyond the Passes. What about you?"

"I’m going with you, of course! Wei Yong and Old Huang have already escorted your mother out. You can’t just leave me behind," Zhou He said immediately.

"You should stay here for now. You can’t leave," Lu Yuan said, patting his shoulder. "Wei Yong and the others don’t have families to worry about, but your parents are still in Dayong. We can’t take that risk."

For a moment, Zhou He’s eyes reddened.

"Is the Imperial Court really not going to give us a way out?"

"We’ll have to wait and see. Whether they give us one isn’t up to you or me. The most important thing right now is whether I can get Beyond the Passes. As far as I know, every Sai City now has a Hundred-Man Squad of the Imperial Guard stationed inside, responsible for guarding the city gates.

This system was gradually implemented in the Sai Cities starting a month ago," Lu Yuan said softly.

Every Sai City is protected by an Array; flying over is impossible.

Three days ago, when Lu Yuan was returning to Icefield Pass, he tried to head out Beyond the Passes with a few of his Personal Guards, but he was stopped.

The reason was an order from Xiao Heng: Border Army Generals were forbidden from going Beyond the Passes without a direct command.

It might not have been targeted at him specifically, but it had cut off his escape route. Lu Yuan had expected the Dayong Imperial Court to act fast, but he never thought it would be this fast.

Zhou He’s voice shifted from anger to anxiety. "Then what do we do?"

"You should go back for now. Don’t come here again, starting today."

"I..."

Lu Yuan waved his hand, cutting him off. "This isn’t about drawing a line between us. I hope you’ll focus on your own development from now on. If I make it through this, I’ll support you from the shadows with all my strength. Take good care of the ten thousand brothers we’re leaving behind. I hope that one day, you can reach the high ranks of Dayong.

With the Zhou Family’s support and the military merits you’ve already earned, your path forward should be much smoother."

His words made Zhou He tremble.

’He had never imagined that he and Lu Yuan would ever come to this.’

"Alright, you should go. I’m going to spend some time with the General tonight," Lu Yuan said softly.

Zhou He nodded without another word and turned to leave.

In the empty residence, Lu Yuan drank a cup of tea before heading to his own courtyard.

Then, he opened his system panel.

On the way back, several of his Cultivation Techniques had been on the verge of a breakthrough. However, with the army on the move, he hadn’t stopped to advance. Now that he was back,

it was naturally time to raise his realm.

Doing so would increase his chances of escape.

Meanwhile, in Duke Zhenyuan’s residence in the Imperial City, Xiao Heng sat in the seat of honor while the Marquis of Mucheng sipped his tea, head lowered and face expressionless.

The former said lightly, "Before you came to the Imperial City, did you dispatch the men I told you to send to Icefield Fortress? That boy Lu Yuan is quite strong. If a real conflict breaks out, he’ll be difficult to deal with."

"Didn’t you already request help from the Brocade Robe Envoys? They dispatched a Vice Director who oversees the Northern Lands, a Divine Origin Realm expert. How could he not handle a mere Innate cultivator?" The Marquis of Mucheng’s voice was tinged with resentment.

’In his heart, Xiao Heng had always been an upright man; he had even promoted him back in the day. He never expected him to be so ruthless when it came to Lu Yuan’s matter.’

"What? Resentful?" Xiao Heng asked. "Someone has to take care of matters in the Northern Border. If it weren’t him, it would have been someone else. Besides, I truly couldn’t find anyone to replace him.

Those with real power all have family backing and would never agree to let their heirs be used as this blade.

And within the Border Army, there’s fundamentally no one else qualified for the job.

I’ve received news that the nobles will launch a collective attack in the Imperial Court tomorrow, demanding Lu Yuan’s execution. That’s why I requested to return specifically for this. I will do my best to mediate.

And save his life."

"He’s risked his life for Dayong time and time again! I’ve seen his record of military merits—every single achievement was earned with his life on the line.

The Northern Border, the Xirong, and now clipping the claws of the nobles reaching into the frontier.

Setting rules for them.

Not a single one of those deeds can be ignored!" the Marquis of Mucheng said, his eyes wide.

"You’re too emotional. Don’t attend court tomorrow," Xiao Heng said, looking at him.

"Fine by me! I’m going back to the Northern Border." The Marquis of Mucheng stood up and strode outside.

"Sigh." After his figure disappeared, Xiao Heng let out a sigh. ’He didn’t want it to be this way either.’