Chapter 170 - 137: Advancement
Chapter 170: Chapter 137: Advancement
’To be honest, I don’t have much silver right now either,’ she thought. ’But the jewelry Mother gifted me after I returned to the Northern Barbarians is still worth something. I could sell it for a good price.’
Lu Yuan, however, just smiled. "I’ve already sent word. The Spirit Stones have started selling. No need to scrape anything together. We’ll have more than enough once they’re all sold."
"You... you..." Xiao Hua was momentarily speechless, as if she were the one who had just lost a fortune in Spirit Stones.
"Yuan, you’ve changed. You used to be so sensible with money. Why are you like this now?" Xiao Hua complained.
Lu Yuan tapped her on the head. "I know what I’m doing."
"The court built a lot of houses in South City in the past and lowered the prices to get people to buy them, but no one ever did.
You’re definitely going to lose silver doing this," Xiao Hua said softly.
Still, she sat down next to Lu Yuan.
She said cautiously, "Yuan, next time you do something like this, can you please discuss it with me first?"
"No," Lu Yuan said bluntly.
Then, looking at Xiao Hua, Lu Yuan broke into a smile. "You just said it yourself—the land in South City isn’t worth much. Since I’m buying so much, do you think I could get it a bit cheaper? Or maybe have them throw in some extra land? That way, I can make it look nicer, maybe build a few gardens or something."
Xiao Hua glanced at him, her face a mixture of distress, helplessness, and a hint of indulgence. "Since you’re dead set on buying it, I guess this is the only way. I’ll put in a word and have the Government Office give you a discount. That shouldn’t be a problem."
"My thanks, then," Lu Yuan said, then simply stared at Xiao Hua without another word.
"Fine, fine, I’ll go now." After shooting Lu Yuan a resentful glare, Xiao Hua walked out the door. She gave a few instructions to a handmaiden, who then departed.
However, just as the two were chatting, the handmaiden who had just left returned.
Her face was etched with urgency. "Your Highness, My Lord Prince, someone has come from the palace! His Majesty orders you to the Military Hall at once."
Hearing the voice from outside, Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua exchanged a glance. Without a moment’s hesitation, they immediately stood up to prepare to enter the palace.
Lu Yuan called out, "Dress me!"
The Military Hall was where the high command of Dayong discussed matters of war.
Their being summoned there could only mean one thing: Dayong was going to war.
And the opponent, needless to say, would be the Shengman.
But Lu Yuan wasn’t worried in the slightest. Instead, a flicker of anticipation ignited within him.
At that moment, Xiao Hua glanced at him before stepping out of the room.
A moment later, a handmaiden entered, carrying a Python Robe and Jade Belt.
On the black robe, several ferocious giant pythons were embroidered in gold thread, looking so real they seemed about to come alive.
The robe was tailored to Lu Yuan’s measurements. But most importantly, it wasn’t just for show; it possessed a Defense comparable to heavy armor and could withstand a full-force blow from someone two realms stronger than him.
Moreover, it could also automatically repel dust.
The clasp on the jade belt was a storage space, dozens of times larger than the one in his Storage Ring.
This was the first time Lu Yuan had ever worn it.
After the handmaidens helped him don the Python Robe, an air of nobility and majesty naturally emanated from him.
The robe also came with detachable armor plates, a matching Wujin Chest Guard, and dark-gold Suanni-head pauldrons.
All in all, it was a very fine outfit.
Not only was it beautiful, but its Defense was also excellent.
Although Lu Yuan’s current physical body was incredibly powerful, who would ever complain about having too much defense?
After he secured the jade coronet on his head, the figure of a young Prince appeared before everyone. The sight made the handmaidens’ cheeks flush, and they found it difficult to look away.
Only after a moment did they cautiously lower their heads.
When Lu Yuan stepped outside, Xiao Hua’s eyes lit up. She immediately went forward, linking her arm with his. "You’re as beautiful as ever, Yuan."
"Men shouldn’t be called ’beautiful’," Lu Yuan said softly as they walked on.
"Then what should I say? It’s true, you are beautiful," Xiao Hua muttered.
The two chatted as they walked, leaving the manor and entering the Imperial Palace.
By this time, the sky was already beginning to darken.
In the land of the Northern Barbarians, the winter days were very short.
Although it wasn’t winter yet, it was already late autumn.
For the Northern Barbarians, winter was when they were at their most vulnerable.
Because many of the border people made their living by herding.
The winter days were the hardest to endure.
Upon entering the Military Hall, they saw that the head of the Xiao Clan was already present, seated in the place of honor at the head of the room.
Grand Minister of Rites Xiao Gu, National Preceptor Xiao Mie, Grand Commandant Fu Chuan, and other high-ranking ministers of the court were all present.
Marquis of Tianwu Xiao Lie, Xiao Hua’s second-in-command for the war against the Shengman, was therefore also among those present.
As soon as Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua entered, the head of the Xiao Clan waved a hand. "The two of you, dispense with the formalities. Sit down. The Shengman have already begun to advance.
We’ve now confirmed their numbers: seventy thousand cavalry, one hundred thousand infantry, and a supply train of two hundred thousand.
They’re calling it an army of four hundred thousand, and they’re marching toward Ancient River Pass."
As they spoke, their gaze fell upon Lu Yuan.
They continued, "We originally had a hundred thousand Elite Cavalry mobilized at River Valley Pass, but winter is approaching and rations are scarce. Furthermore, the Mantuo Tribe near the pass has become somewhat unstable.
Xiao He has already dispatched forty thousand cavalry to guard against an uprising from the Mantuo Tribe.
So right now, we can deploy sixty thousand cavalry at most. Are you confident?"
"How do the warriors’ cultivation levels compare?" Lu Yuan asked softly.
"Their Warriors’ cultivation is generally at the Bone Forging Realm," Grand Commandant Fu Chuan said with a frown, speaking before the head of the Xiao Clan could.
He then looked at Lu Yuan and continued, "Just today, I gathered all the generals in the Imperial City to run an Inference of this battle.
Ten battles, ten losses. That was the result of our Inference.