Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

Chapter 197: Chapter 147: Unifying the Buffer Zone

Beneath the mask, his eyes narrowed slightly.

’This Mantuo is indeed strong. With only Fan Chen currently at Celestial King Stronghold, I’m still not at ease, even with the Life-Controlling Talisman. If I can subjugate Mantuo, he can serve as a counterbalance, and with Wu Han overseeing things, there shouldn’t be any problems.’

Although Mantuo was hot-tempered, after hearing Lu Yuan speak, he still recounted the whole story. However, he omitted the details of his time with the Northern Barbarians, saying only that he was being hunted by enemies there, and after being seriously injured, he fled to the buffer zone.

While passing by Tianya Village, he clashed with them. Grievously wounded, he was unable to escape and was captured, then locked in their dungeon to be tortured.

After hearing his explanation, Lu Yuan finally understood why no one had been able to capture Mantuo after the Northern Barbarians issued a warrant for his arrest.

He then stared at the man and said, "I’ll give you two choices. First, join my Celestial King Stronghold. I can give you Cultivation Resources and have people heal your wounds, but you must obey my commands. And I will place a restriction on you.

"The second choice is I kill you, toss you out of the stronghold, and let the wild wolves of the Wasteland pick your bones clean. Choose."

"I choose the first one," Mantuo said with almost no hesitation.

He could sense that Lu Yuan was different from the people of Tianya Village. ’If I don’t agree, he really will kill me.’

’I don’t know why this Village Chief of Celestial King Stronghold exudes such strong killing intent, but I really don’t dare to bet against it. Didn’t I abandon my wife and children and flee just to stay alive?’

’The only reason I was so defiant just now was because I could tell the people from Tianya Village didn’t actually want to kill me. They just wanted to wear me down until I gradually submitted.’

’Now that I see Lu Yuan is playing for keeps, of course I won’t waste his time with words.’

Hearing his agreement, the corners of Lu Yuan’s mouth pulled into a smile.

He then extended a hand toward Fan Chen.

The latter tactfully placed a Life-Controlling Talisman in Lu Yuan’s hand.

After confirming there was no issue with it, the talisman flew to Mantuo’s side. Lu Yuan said flatly, "Drip your blood on it."

Mantuo didn’t dare hesitate and did as he was told.

The next moment, he felt as if his very fate was now in someone else’s hands.

After retrieving the talisman, Lu Yuan waved his hand, signaling for Fan Chen to take Mantuo away and see to it that the wounds of this powerful expert from the Northern Barbarians were healed.

Once there were no outsiders left in the main hall.

His gaze fell on Wu Han. "Have you contacted Zhou He?"

"I contacted him yesterday as soon as I finished my work. He’s contacted the General of the Northern Patrol. They’re meeting in the buffer zone tomorrow morning," Wu Han said quickly.

Lu Yuan let out a breath and nodded. "Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to the appointed place. After that, I’ll leave Celestial King Stronghold and head directly for the lands of the Northern Barbarians. I’m leaving things here to you. If Fan Chen or Mantuo make any unusual moves...

...you must send word to me immediately. Don’t put yourself in danger."

"I know."

Wu Han acknowledged, then added, "I’ll go arrange the meeting now."

With that, he turned and left.

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, rose and walked toward his mother’s courtyard.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Lady Lu already packing. He had clearly notified her in advance.

"Mother, we’re going to the Imperial City. They have everything there. You only need to bring the essentials; there’s no need to pack so much," Lu Yuan said with a light chuckle. But even as he spoke, he couldn’t help but start helping his mother pack.

"Sigh... I can’t bear to part with so many of these things. Once we leave this time, who knows when we’ll be back? We might stay in the lands of the Northern Barbarians forever. It’s best to take what we can, so we’ll have some keepsakes to remember this place by," Lady Lu said softly.

Lu Yuan didn’t try to persuade her further. The mother and son only stopped once everything was packed.

After a simple meal, Lu Yuan left his mother to her peace and departed.

The night passed without event. Early the next morning, a carriage in the stronghold was sealed up tight.

Wei Yong and the others, their faces all hidden by Bronze Masks, followed Lu Yuan out of Celestial King Stronghold in a procession a thousand strong.

These were all veterans of Celestial King Stronghold, and their innate talent was quite good.

Lu Yuan planned to take them back and have them stay at the academy, where they would be responsible for instructing disciples.

Wu Han did not come out to see them off.

Lu Yuan’s identity was a secret, and he didn’t want others to know that it was the Village Chief himself who was departing.

After the procession exited the stronghold, they headed toward the lands of the Northern Barbarians. After traveling less than a few miles, Lu Yuan, riding on his horse, saw two figures waiting for them in the distance.

It was none other than Zhou Hongling and Zhou He.

The moment she saw the procession approach, Zhou Hongling’s eyes reddened slightly, while Zhou He was overcome with excitement.

A smile touched Lu Yuan’s lips as well.

’We finally meet again.’

Once they were closer, he dismounted from his warhorse. Zhou He ran up and gave him a big hug.

As their gazes met, Lu Yuan found himself looking into Zhou Hongling’s bloodshot eyes.

"Didn’t you sleep last night? Your eyes are so red," Lu Yuan said with a light chuckle.

"When did you get back?" Zhou Hongling ignored his question, sniffling.

It seemed she had deliberately dressed up today. She wore a long red dress that hugged her stunning curves, its pattern intricate and beautiful. Over her shoulders was a Great Cloak made of white fox fur, making her look both beautiful and noble.

"I’ve been back for a while, but I had some things to take care of. This is the first chance I’ve had to see you," Lu Yuan answered honestly.

"Will you come back again?" As Zhou Hongling spoke, the hand holding her horsewhip trembled slightly.

"I will. You’re still here, so how could I not come back?"

"When you come back next time, find me first," Zhou Hongling said softly, subtly expressing her feelings.

"I’ll do my best," Lu Yuan replied immediately.

Hearing their conversation, Zhou He and Wei Yong took some men and moved a good distance away to stand guard around the perimeter.

Just then, the carriage curtain was pulled aside.

Lady Lu peeked her head out and said gently, "Hongling."

Zhou Hongling was startled at first, then hurried forward. When she saw Lady Lu, she could no longer hold back her tears, and they began to fall.

Lady Lu caressed her cheek and slid a bracelet from her own wrist. "This bracelet was passed down on Yuan’s father’s side of the family. It’s not anything precious, but it is only given to a daughter-in-law.

"I want to give this bracelet to you. Are you willing to accept it?"

Zhou Hongling glanced at Lu Yuan, then turned back to Lady Lu and nodded emphatically.

A smile spread across Lady Lu’s face. "Good child."

With that, she slipped the bracelet onto Zhou Hongling’s wrist.

At the same time, she looked at Lu Yuan and said, "Bringing Hongling to your side is now your responsibility. Don’t make her wait too long."

Lady Lu knew what was in Hongling’s heart, and seeing her like this, she couldn’t help but want to secure her official status. As for taking Zhou Hongling with them now, that was impossible. After all, the Zhou Family was still in Dayong. If she were to leave...

...the members of the Zhou Family in Yan Province would likely suffer for it.

Lu Yuan nodded.

He looked at Zhou Hongling and said solemnly, "Don’t worry. It won’t be for too long."

Moments of reunion are always fleeting.

Before they knew it, it was time for Lu Yuan and his people to resume their journey, and Zhou Hongling had to return to Sai City.

The two parties bid a reluctant farewell.

After giving Zhou He some instructions, Lu Yuan led his procession onward.

And at that very moment, processions from all over were converging on the lands of the Northern Barbarians, all of them pointing like arrows toward the Imperial City.

These processions all shared a common feature: they contained many young people, and even some children.

They were dressed in lavish clothing and were accompanied by large groups of guards, though their own power levels were not considered very high.

Their equipment, however, was excellent.

These were the groups of disciples heading to the Northern Barbarians’ Imperial City to register.

Their numbers were not huge, but they were by no means small.