Chapter 180 - 140: Going Home
Chapter 180: Chapter 140: Going Home
Lu Yuan was unaware of the subsequent impact of this battle.
He had now opened his system panel.
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 19]
[Cultivation Technique: Sixth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Celestial Spirit Fierce Sun Saber* (1827/1000 Minor Achievement, Breakthrough?)]
[Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Mixed Element Qi Skill* (Void Manipulation), (29381/30000 Perfection)]
[Sixth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Formless Golden Bell* (1617/1000 Minor Achievement, Breakthrough?)]
[Fourth-Grade Array, *Shocking God Slaughter Array* (10283/10000 Great Success, Breakthrough?) Additional Effects: Doubles Defense, doubles speed. During large-scale wars, can produce a shock effect, lowering enemy morale.]
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Breaking Gang Arrow Skill* (47182/50000 Entering the Stance)]
[Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Heart Shattering Fist* (48018/50000 Entering the Stance)]
A smile graced Lu Yuan’s lips as he glanced at the system’s data.
Everything had progressed significantly, meaning Lu Yuan’s combat prowess had risen to a new level.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he chose to break through.
A flood of insights into Sword Skill appeared in his mind, and his *Celestial Spirit Fierce Sun Saber* instantly reached a higher level. Things he once found difficult to comprehend, he now felt he could execute flawlessly.
[Cultivation Technique: Sixth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Celestial Spirit Fierce Sun Saber* (827/10000 Great Success)]
At the same time, his physical body began to transform, emitting a torrent of Divine Light. This was the sensation of his Divine Essence manifesting externally.
Even experts who had reached the Divine Essence stage couldn’t achieve this.
This was, arguably, an entirely unknown realm.
It was just that no one had ever managed to reach it before.
[Sixth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Formless Golden Bell* (617/10000 Great Success)]
"Phew!"
Lu Yuan let out a long breath. His cultivation session was over.
When he opened his eyes and looked outside.
He saw that the sky had already darkened.
Turning his head, he found Xiao Hua sitting right next to him.
She was staring at him, and only snapped out of it when he looked back, a blush creeping onto her face.
Then she said softly, "Are you done cultivating?"
"Yeah, more or less. Has Xiao He arrived?"
"He arrived a long time ago. He’s waiting outside the tent. He wouldn’t dare come in without your permission," Xiao Hua said, covering her mouth with a laugh.
After this battle, Lu Yuan’s reputation was now formidable, at least among the Northern Barbarians.
Over the past few days, many people had been inquiring about him.
It was said that many great clans wanted to marry their daughters to Lu Yuan, and they had let it be known they would be content with the position of Consort to the Prince.
After all, many people could see the relationship between Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua.
The position of Principal Consort was something they didn’t even dare to think about.
But being a Consort wasn’t bad either; their status would still be extraordinary in the future.
While Xiao Hua was overjoyed that Lu Yuan had successfully established his authority, this development also put her on high alert.
She had always known that Lu Yuan had a very good relationship with his former superior, Zhou Hongling.
She could reluctantly accept Zhou Hongling, but she was unwilling to let another woman enter the picture.
Of course, she didn’t dare say these things to Lu Yuan.
She didn’t want to give him the impression that she was jealous.
Lu Yuan didn’t know Xiao Hua was thinking so much. After learning that Xiao He had arrived, he said, "Let him in."
As soon as he spoke, Xiao He, who had been waiting outside, quickly walked in.
His armor was dusted with snowflakes; it had clearly started snowing again outside.
The northernmost part of the Northern Barbarians’ territory was always like this. As soon as autumn arrived, it would snow.
It would continue until the beginning of summer the following year before it warmed up.
Therefore, life for the common people here was relatively difficult.
Once winter arrived, even True Essence Realm experts found it difficult to remain outside for long.
Lu Yuan looked at the snow-covered Xiao He and said, "Sit down and talk. What’s the situation with the Shengman?"
Then, he had Xiao Hua spread out a map, preparing to study how to attack.
But Xiao He said hesitantly, "P-Prince, the Shengman army broke camp this afternoon. They left in a great hurry, leaving many things behind.
Our Scouts have been following them. They’ve now retreated another hundred li.
Because you were cultivating, I didn’t dare to mobilize the troops to pursue them on my own authority.
If we were to pursue them now, I’m afraid it would be difficult to track them.
From the looks of it, they’ll be traveling through the night."
After speaking, he carefully looked up at Lu Yuan, worried that he would be angry.
However, to his surprise, a smile appeared on Lu Yuan’s lips. He looked at Xiao He and said, "Since they’ve retreated on their own, it saves us the trouble.
With the three tribes providing support and the Border Army’s garrisoned troops, the Shengman shouldn’t dare to make a move this winter.
In that case, I’ll be heading back tomorrow. You’ll be in charge here for now.
The imperial decree from the court should arrive in a few days."
"As you command!" Xiao He said hurriedly.
In fact, facing the Shengman army this time, he had already resigned himself to dying in battle. Now, Lu Yuan had completely turned the tide. Not only was he safe...
From the Prince’s tone, he might even have a chance to rise higher in rank.
How could his heart not be filled with joy?
Lu Yuan was also smiling broadly. "Come, sit down and talk. Let’s have a drink today."
He had a rather good impression of Xiao He.
Setting aside his abilities, he was at least loyal.
During this time, he could feel that Xiao He was completely loyal to the Northern Barbarians.
In that case, he was usable.
After all, for those in power, when deciding to use someone, the first choice is loyalty, followed by other qualities.
Hearing the command, Xiao He naturally didn’t dare to say more. After sitting down, he took the initiative to pick up a jar of wine, filled Lu Yuan’s cup, and then filled his own.
Xiao Hua just listened quietly to the two men chat, silently picking up food and placing it in Lu Yuan’s bowl.
This scene made Xiao He break out in a cold sweat.
He became more and more nervous. Mainly because Xiao Hua’s status was too high; it was his first time eating at the same table with such a figure.
The meal didn’t last long. Xiao He was already a little drunk, mainly because he was so excited tonight.
So, the meal ended rather quickly.
Then they each went back to rest.
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua left the camp with their Personal Guards.
Xiao He stood to the side, respectfully seeing them off.
Only after Lu Yuan’s group had left did he let out a sigh of relief.
Now, in front of Lu Yuan, he felt like a junior, timid and cautious.
On the road, Xiao Hua turned to look at Lu Yuan and said, "I didn’t expect this to be resolved so quickly. Yuan, you’re amazing! And you captured so much loot.
This time, even if you lose money in South City, it won’t be enough to bankrupt the Prince’s Mansion."
As she spoke, she seemed to let out a sigh of relief.
During this time, she had actually been constantly worried about Lu Yuan.
She had even thought about borrowing silver from the imperial clan.
If it were the Northern Barbarians in their prime, they could naturally afford tens of millions of taels of silver, but now they were truly stretched thin.
Lu Yuan turned to look at her and said, "You’re that sure I’m going to lose money?"
"Even the Prime Minister can’t do anything about South City. It would be a miracle if you could make money there. I admit you’re very talented in cultivation and Battle Arrays.
But making money isn’t like other things. Even the imperial court is helpless, let alone just you by yourself," Xiao Hua said softly.
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said, "How about we make a bet?"
"Fine, a bet it is. If you can sell those houses, I’ll agree to one condition of yours," Xiao Hua said softly.
"Anything at all?" As Lu Yuan spoke, his eyes were fixed on her.
This girl had really grown up.
Not just her face, but her figure was also first-class.
Xiao Hua met Lu Yuan’s gaze, and as if she’d thought of something, a blush rose on her face.
But then she surprisingly raised her head, revealing her snow-white neck. "Of course. I keep my word. I’ll agree to any condition. But the same goes for you if you lose."
"Deal. I’ll order people to start the sales as soon as we get back. Just you wait."
"I don’t believe it. Even finished houses are hard to sell, let alone ones that probably aren’t even built yet," Xiao Hua’s crisp voice rang out.
"Haha, we’ll just have to wait and see then." As Lu Yuan spoke, he sped up a little more.
Xiao Hua followed closely behind.
「More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.」
On this day, Lu Yuan and his group finally returned to the Imperial City.
By now, winter had fully set in.
Inside the Dayong Imperial Palace, the Yong Emperor had invited Grand Commandant Chang Dao for a chat. Gazing at the snowy scenery outside the hall, he asked, "My dear Grand Commandant, tell me, how should we go about starting a war, and who would be our most suitable opponent?"
"The Northern Barbarians. Their thirteen Vassal Towns are disobedient. With a recent change in their court and their new ruler’s unstable foundation, annihilating them might be difficult. However, plundering their pasturelands should not be an issue," Chang Dao said softly.
"Then, my dear Grand Commandant, when do you think would be the best time to strike?"
"In two years, perhaps. The agreement we signed back then will have expired by that time. We should try our best to stabilize the Xirong in the meantime.
Frankly, now would be the most suitable time, but the situation with the Xirong is unstable, so we can only delay," Chang Dao said softly.
The Yong Emperor nodded. "Good. Two years it is. Starting tomorrow, we will slowly begin our war preparations."