I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1093 I’m back
The following morning, Su Yao, along with Safia and King Vologasis V of Parthia, set off again aboard the Griffin.

Hou Cheng led all the soldiers of Yumen Pass to see them off outside the city. They watched the golden light pierce through the clouds until it disappeared into the eastern horizon before reluctantly returning to the pass.

Heading east, the sandstorms gradually subsided, and the greenery grew richer. Griffin flew over the Hexi Corridor and the Qilian Mountains, the landscape below transforming from barren Gobi desert to fertile plains. In the fields, farmers were busy with spring planting, while children on the ridges clapped and cheered upon seeing the giant bird in the sky. On the official roads, the camel bells of caravans rang out, and merchants from the Western Regions and peddlers from the Central Plains chatted and laughed, a scene of peace and prosperity.

"Is this the Great Han?" Safia, perched on Griffin's back, gazed at the orderly villages and towns below, her eyes filled with astonishment. She had never seen such vast farmlands, nor such a dense population. The neat houses and straight roads all testified to the empire's strength.

Su Yao pointed to a bustling city below: "That is Chang'an, the former capital of the Han Dynasty, just like your Nisa City."

Safia looked in the direction he pointed and saw the sprawling city walls of Chang'an, with bustling streets and the faint, solemn sound of bells from the Bell and Drum Towers. She suddenly understood why her father and the Parthian nobles held the Han Dynasty in such awe—not just because of its great and holy ruler, but because such an empire truly possessed the confidence to crush everything.

The further east you go, the more vibrant the spring becomes. When Griffin flew over Hangu Pass, the peach blossoms were in full bloom all over the mountains, their pink and white petals falling in the wind like rosy clouds.

Su Yao deliberately made the griffin fly low, passing through the sea of ​​peach blossoms. Safia reached out and caught the petals. The soft touch on her fingertips made her laugh out loud.

And so, amidst the girl's silvery laughter, Luoyang City finally revealed its true form.
Beyond the horizon, a magnificent city comes into view.

It was a colossal city even more magnificent than Chang'an, with the Luo River flowing like a ribbon around its towering palaces. The city walls were five zhang high, inspiring awe in all who beheld them.

At the city gate, armored soldiers stood in rows, banners fluttered, and the large banner with the character "Han" fluttered in the wind, looking from afar like a sleeping dragon.

We've arrived.

Su Yao stared at the rapidly approaching city wall and excitedly shouted, "Luoyang City, I'm back!"

The morning court session had just ended at the Luoyang Palace.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the sky.

"what?!"

"Did you hear that? What was that?"

Su Yao's long roar, imbued with inner strength, was like a dragon's cry echoing through the heavens, instantly piercing through the clamor of Luoyang City and clearly reverberating among the majestic palaces.

"Luoyang City, I'm back!"

The voice was so familiar, yet it carried an indescribable majesty and power, causing the civil and military officials who had just finished court and were walking out of the main hall to tremble and look up in astonishment.

"What...what was that sound just now?"

"It sounds like someone is calling... Is he back?"

"This...this can't be His Highness the Prince of Tang's voice, can it?!"

Lu Zhi stared blankly at the sky, his usually calm voice changing tone.

"Impossible!" Wang Yun exclaimed. "Isn't the Tang Emperor far away in Kushan? No military report has been delivered by express courier!"

"No!"

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze wafted from behind the officials:

"It's the Tang Emperor! I could never have mistaken his voice!"

The Empress's voice trembled with barely suppressed excitement. Ignoring her imperial dignity, she lifted the hem of her dragon robe and rushed out of the hall, looking up at the clear sky. The officials followed closely behind, their faces filled with tension and astonishment.

"Your Majesty, be careful!" The guards hurriedly followed, protecting the Empress, but everyone was on edge, frequently looking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of that familiar figure.

The thunderous shouts had gradually faded into the distance. The civil and military officials before the hall looked at each other, unsure of what to do. If they weren't all there, they would almost have doubted whether it was all a dream. How could such an absurd thing happen?

Where exactly is His Highness the Tang Emperor?

"Is someone up to something?"

"Or did we mishear?"

"Your Majesty!" Wang Yun stepped forward and said, "Go back first, taking care of your health is the most important thing."

The empress ignored her, only clenching her small hands and looking around.

"He's back, he must be back."

Liu Yu advised, "Your Majesty, please don't be hasty; it's still uncertain."

Before he could finish speaking, shouts suddenly came from all around: "Look up in the sky! Look in the northwest sky!"

A golden light streaked across the sky, cutting through the clouds and drawing ever closer. The people of Luoyang stopped to watch, exclaiming in astonishment.

"It's the Golden Crow! The Golden Crow has appeared!"

"Nonsense! That's clearly a phoenix!"

As the golden light gradually faded, people finally saw clearly—it was a gigantic golden griffin, with a wingspan of over ten zhang (approximately 33 meters), shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight. Even more astonishingly, three figures were perched on the griffin's back!

"It's His Highness the Tang King! It really is His Highness the Tang King!" Yan Liang, who was on duty on the city wall, was the first to recognize Su Yao, and his voice changed with excitement. "His Highness the Tang King has returned riding his divine beast!"

As they approached the city walls, Su Yao gradually slowed down. He controlled Griffin, flying at almost the same speed as his warhorse, over the Xiyang Gate and officially entering the city. The entire city of Luoyang instantly erupted in jubilation. People who recognized him knelt down and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Tang Emperor!" The cries of "Long live the Tang Emperor!" echoed throughout the city. Some even went so far as to bow directly to the sky, regarding this as a sign of good fortune.

Su Yao rode the griffin, slowly approaching the palace, giving them some time to prepare.

However, his thoughtfulness was of no use at all, and things were now in complete chaos.

"What did you say?!"

"The Tang Emperor flew in riding a divine bird?!"

"presumptuous!"

"rude!"

"He entered the city without His Majesty's decree; what is he trying to do?!"

"Quickly, someone go and stop him first!"

The veteran officials, led by Wang Yun and Liu Yu, shouted in unison.

This wasn't directed at Su Yao, but the Han Dynasty governed the country with propriety, and there were strict procedures and systems for going to the capital to meet the emperor. Not to mention that a general leading troops in the field would suddenly return without notice and fly directly into the capital. It was simply unheard of! It was appalling!
However, the Empress Wu Zetian disregarded these rules. The usually composed and dignified woman lifted the hem of her dragon robe and ran towards the palace gate amidst the gasps of the crowd, shouting as she ran: "Quickly, come with me to greet the Emperor! Also, have the Imperial Kitchen prepare the Tang Emperor's favorite braised pork! And bring the Crown Prince and Princess to me!"

"Slow down! Your Majesty, slow down!"

Helpless, everyone followed suit and ran towards the main gate of the palace.

When Su Yao arrived at the gate of the Forbidden City, he saw a large group of civil and military officials, all panting heavily.
(End of this chapter)