The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 352: The First Person (Additional chapter for the leader 'Kuang San San'!)

As the night deepened, everything was quiet. Xiao Yan watched Zhong Xiaokui leave, closing his eyes as if he was resting, or perhaps thinking.

"Your Majesty." Yu Youshu whispered beside him, "I think that although Tianyouxing Shiyao has given a way to remove the seal of the Ghost King, even if the Ghost King has been imprisoned for nearly ten years, I am afraid he will not be willing to be controlled by others."

"I know."

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and smiled: "But it is precisely because he is difficult to control that I feel at ease using him."

Yu Youshu was a little confused.

Xiao Yan did not answer for the time being, but just asked: "Can the volume of 'Xuan Tian' found on Zhu Yougui's body be pieced together?"

"I'll go ask tomorrow morning." Yu Youshu smiled awkwardly, "The king's attack was too fierce, even Zhu Yougui's body was badly mutilated. The volume of 'Xuantian' must be carefully examined before it can be pieced together."

Xiao Yan nodded. He had already written out the new version of Xuantian that the surrendered minister had given him two years ago and gave it to Yu Youshu, asking her to have her subordinates piece together Zhu Yougui's half-volume of the old version of Xuantian.

Although the Jiuyou Xuantian technique was jointly created by Jiangchen and Zhu Yougui, it can only be continuously improved in the hands of Jiangchen. Both the upper and lower volumes in the hands of the Ghost King and the Underworld Emperor are incomplete versions with great flaws. Whether one can master it depends entirely on the individual.

But it is said that this real Ghost King is extremely gifted. Since he was able to successfully refine the first half of the volume 'Nine Nethers' to perfection, he must be able to withstand the backlash of the old version of 'Xuantian'.

This man is a martial arts fanatic, and Xiao Yan needs to give him some guidance, such as this half volume of the old edition of Xuantian, and the Longquan treasure that is rumored to have countless martial arts secrets. And what happens is that the Twelve Caves Holy Child who knows the location of the Longquan treasure is also in Xiao Yan's hands.

"We'll discuss this later." Xiao Yan said, "Take Zhong Xiaokui to release the Ghost King tomorrow, but don't remove his seal for the time being. Let Shangguan Yunque bring back the Black and White Impermanence so that the three masters and apprentices can reunite."

Yu Youshu covered her mouth and laughed. Now that the Xuanming Sect had completely fallen into Xiao Yan's hands, she and Li Mang and others already knew some long-forgotten secrets.

It is said that when the Xuanming Sect was first founded, the Ghost King personally selected Black and White Impermanence to teach them martial arts. His original intention was to strengthen his own Ghost King faction. However, he did not expect that Black and White Impermanence would later turn to the Underworld Emperor and become the key to the Underworld Emperor's conspiracy against the Ghost King to seal the latter in the Xuanming Sect's dungeon. Now that the master and apprentices have reunited, I'm afraid that Black and White Impermanence will not have an easy time.

Xiao Yan really just wanted to reunite these three people. Although the Black and White Impermanence were cruel and merciless, and had taken countless lives, it had to be said that they were two geniuses who were extremely suitable for practicing Yin-attributed techniques.

Last year, Black and White Impermanence were assigned by Shi Yao to take people to Qingcheng Mountain to burn down the Sword Lodge and force Li Xingyun to come out of the mountain. However, they were killed by Li Xingyun instead. Xiao Yan then asked Shangguan Yunque to find Li Xingyun and take in the bodies of Black and White Impermanence. Besides the fact that they could be used to blackmail Shi Yao in the future, it was also because the two were extremely talented in practicing the extremely yin skills.

Jiang Chen has always wanted to perfect the Nine Nether Mysterious Heaven Divine Art. Although Xiao Yan doesn't know what her purpose is, he is willing to help her.

It was impossible for Xiao Yan himself to be a test subject for the surrendered minister again. The Black and White Impermanence were his compensation and a way of repaying the kindness of this royal sister.

After giving these trivial instructions, Xiao Yan sent Yu Youshu downstairs to rest. These people had been following him for almost two days and two nights without closing their eyes. Even if he treated them like cattle, he couldn't use them to death.

However, there was a hint of resentment in Yu Youshu's eyes before she left, but Xiao Yan pretended not to see it.

He finished reviewing a pile of documents. He still had a lot of things to arrange for tomorrow, including rewarding the imperial guards, summoning officials, and raising military supplies... Appeasing Yang Shihou and other vassal troops was also a very important matter, and he also needed to discuss it carefully with officials such as Jing Xiang and Zhang Wenwei, as well as staff members such as Han Yanhui.

Xiao Yan touched the sachet with the word "peace" embroidered on his waist, and walked out with one hand behind his back, and then just shook his head at Ye Bushou who was about to greet him. The latter quietly retreated, and he stood at the door alone, looking at the bright full moon in the sky.

Yes, the moon on the 15th is full on the 16th, but although this white jade plate is as bright as day, it seems to lack some artistic conception.

The night wind gradually rose, ruffling Xiao Yan's sleeves. He just stood there with his hands behind his back, alone, staring at the bright moon for a long time.

He thought about his beloved, everything in the world, and the next move of the Marshal.

He thought that the affairs of Bianjing could not be delayed any longer, and whoever stood in his way would die.

------

Weibei, the lower reaches of Wuding River.

Above the Yanshui Fortress, the cold wind was blowing low and the moon was as bright as day.

Ji Ruxue was hugging a thick fox fur coat and walking with a pair of long legs, doing routine inspections in the city. Qian Wu walked quietly beside her, dressed in the same way, but she saw Ji Ruxue in front of her suddenly stop. She looked over and saw this cold girl standing by the city wall, folding her arms and looking at the bright moon in the sky.

Qian Wu also pursed his lips and watched quietly.

To the east of Yanshui, the Wuding River right under their feet seemed to have begun to melt. In the darkness of the night, they could faintly hear the sound of water flowing underneath, which gathered in one place and was very terrifying.

Far away on the east bank, there is a fortress called Yonghe, on which a large banner with the word "Qi" is dancing, echoing with the distant Yanshui River.

Ji Ruxue looked at the bright moon for a long time, her cheeks flushed by the cold wind. Then she lowered her head to look at the river below the city and explained to Qian Wu: "If the ice on the river melts completely, it will be difficult for the empress and her men on the other side to retreat calmly with only the floating bridge."

Qian Wu frowned and said, "Then build a few more?"

"It's not as convenient as the ice after all." Ji Ruxue shook her head and explained: "Xiao Yan said that military spirit and morale are crucial in combat. The Empress's attack on Jin was originally to fulfill Xiao Yan's strategic intention of containing the Jin army, and she will withdraw her troops eventually. If she doesn't withdraw her troops before the ice melts to the point where horses can't cross, the Qi army on the other side will inevitably panic, and then it will be troublesome..."

Qianwu fell into deep thought.

In this world, the only person who can call Xiao Yan by his name is probably Ji Ruxue. But in the past, when the two words "Xiao Yan" came out of Ji Ruxue's mouth, it often had the effect of calming people's hearts, but now it makes people feel heavy.

A few days ago, Ji Ruxue and the others hurriedly arrived in Qi State. After learning that the empress had led her army to threaten the western route of Jin State, they hurried to Yanshui. At that time, the empress had already captured the Yonghe Fortress in Xizhou, Jin State, and used it as a base to threaten Xizhou, an important town in the west of Jin State.

Ji Ruxue naturally used the spirit insect given by Master Li Zhen to remove the poison cast on the empress by Li Maozhen. Fortunately, the spirit insect was as effective as Master Li boasted. The only problem was that after absorbing the poison from the empress, the spirit insect fell into a long sleep.

The empress also met Qian Wu, and Qian Wu had a very good impression of this heroine from the Central Plains. If she brought Luohua Cave to the Central Plains, the women of Luohua Cave would surely be happy to play a role under the command of this heroic empress.

The two women then replaced the empress in the Yanshui Fortress on the west bank. Of course, their role was actually very small. It was said that the friction on the front line was very serious, and there were battles every day. The two women had no authority in the Qi army, and the generals and soldiers did not recognize them. Fortunately, Fanyintian was also in charge.
But a few days ago, Guangmutian and other holy ladies in the south sent urgent news that the Shu army had invaded from Hanzhong and was about to arrive at the city of Fengxiang. Fanyintian hurried back to Fengxiang for assistance.

Ji Ruxue and Qian Wu's current mission is to conceal the news of Shu army's invasion as much as possible and not let the officers and soldiers know about it. Otherwise, morale will be greatly reduced, and this strategic move to contain Jin will not be able to be maintained.

The situation in the Central Plains is complex and treacherous, and the fighting and wars there are far beyond what Raojiang can compare to.

Qian Wu finally understood why Xiao Yan looked so mature and steady at such a young age. Under the current situation in the Central Plains, if it weren't for a man like Xiao Yan, there would have been no chance to get to this point.

A deep feeling of depression enveloped everyone who spent every day here. It was not only the critical situation in Qi State, but also the unknown news from Bian Jing.

Ji Ruxue knew very well that Xiao Yan chose to send her away at this time not only because he wanted to rescue the empress, but also to allow him to have nothing to fear in Bian Jing.

There is no way back for what he has to do, and the road ahead only has a slim chance of success. If the various seemingly coincidental arrangements deviate even slightly, there will be no recovery.

So Xiao Yan cannot have any scruples at all. He will raise the butcher knife and crush everyone who stands in his way, just for his ambition.

Ji Ruxue understood this truth, so when she came here, she didn't worry about why she couldn't help Xiao Yan. She was only concerned about whether that person was safe.

She looked up at the bright moon in the sky, as if she was talking to Qianwu, or mumbling to herself. "You must be safe..."

Qian Wu pursed his lips and said nothing.

------

On the Yonghe Fortress, torches were lit everywhere, making it as bright as day.

With traces of armor on her body, the empress stood beside a section of the eastern city wall. She withdrew her gaze from the moonlight, her beautiful face flushed a little by the north wind, and her cloak fluttered behind her.

The armored soldiers all stood at a distance and did not come forward. The fact that King Qi was a woman was known only by the middle and upper-level military officers. The soldiers below would only be in awe of their King Qi who personally led the charge into battle.

The empress has been in charge of Qi State for many years and has accumulated sufficient power. Although the emergence of Li Maozhen has shaken some of her position, at least in the minds of middle and lower-level generals and soldiers, she still has absolute majesty.

Gazing at the Jin army camp several miles away from the city, the empress had a calm expression, showing no fear at all. She pressed the hilt of the sword at her waist, and suddenly remembered that Xiao Yanyue had used this Qi Wang sword in Fengxiang before.

She couldn't help but smile easily, and then felt the north wind was very strong, so she stood with her back to the wind and rubbed her cheeks with some worry.

In the past, the empress would not care whether her appearance and skin would become rough. She knew that she was beautiful and had a natural beauty, and had never worried about such things. But recently, she inexplicably had more thoughts like a little girl, and she became a little worried.

That little man was nearly eight or nine years younger than me.

Well, thinking about what Xiao Yan is doing now, it is hard for the empress to associate him with the word "little man". And every time she thinks of Xiao Yan recently, she only thinks of what he said that day about his confidante, and it is hard not to think too much.

It was because of this that when the empress faced Ji Ruxue who suddenly came to rescue her, she felt inexplicably nervous, as if she was afraid that Ji Ruxue would discover some secret.

The empress walked around the city holding her sword, and she felt like laughing for some unknown reason. She didn't think about whether Xiao Yan would fail in Bian Jing.

Of course he won't fail.

She just stepped on the city wall below her feet, her boots making a slight creaking sound, and she didn't know who she was thinking of stepping on.

How did that little guy climb so high in one go?

How could she catch up?

------

Mobei.

On the grassland, torches were crackling and the wind was very cold. A maid climbed up to the watchtower holding a cloak, being careful not to make any noise.

"Queen, it's cold, please go back to your tent early."

"No problem." Shuliduo wrapped her cloak around her, withdrew her gaze from the bright moonlight, and looked far to the south. At the same time, she raised her hand without turning her head, refusing the cloak that the waitress wanted to put on her, and asked, "Shili Qixiang and the others haven't come back yet?"

"Since the three commanders of Shili were summoned to the south by Great Khan Xiao, they have not returned yet." The waitress whispered, "A letter came in saying that they were ordered by Great Khan Xiao to hunt down a Jin man."

"The queen knows." Shuliduo nodded. She also knew that the man from Jin who was being hunted was called Li Siyuan. He was a very famous person, but she didn't know why he had offended Xiao Yan.

She fell silent, thinking about some trivial matters about Xiao Yan, and also wondering why Xiao Yan wanted to launch a large-scale action in Mobei this time and launch a massive attack on the Shatuo, Tatar and other Yinshan tribes.

She could not refuse Xiao Yan. The whole of Hebei was in Xiao Yan's hands. Most of the necessities such as tea that Mobei could obtain could only be transported through Hebei. Not to mention that Xiao Yan also had two thousand elite troops stationed by Yuan Xingqin in Dading Prefecture. This was the garrison that Xiao Yan was wary of her, and it was also the garrison that she, Shulido, used to intimidate the various tribes.

Who told him that he didn't escape from the palm of Li Jiulang's hand back then? Now the two are one, and the eight tribes of the grassland each have their own ulterior motives. Shulido can only rely on Xiao Yan to intimidate the grassland, so that he can slowly make his plans.

She sighed.

The maid from her mother's clan took the opportunity to cautiously say, "Queen Mother, it is said that the commander of the Jin people this time is that Li Yazi from the Central Plains. The generals below are arguing a lot, and General Xiao Dilu can't stand the pressure..."

Shuliduo frowned, and the maid quickly stopped talking and lowered her head: "This servant deserves death."

Shuliduo ignored the waitress, waved his hand, sent her away, and stood alone on the watchtower with his hands behind his back, gazing at the mountains and rivers to the south.

She was also under great pressure. The gathering of a large army to conquer Yinshan was like touching Li Keyong's sore spot. The State of Jin actually directly appointed the Crown Prince Li Cunxu as the commander and sent troops from Datong to attack. If she had not had some dignity, the tribes below would have looted some property and withdrawn. It was not easy for them to hold on until this time.

The name of Li Cunxu is too terrifying for the grassland, and his deterrent power is no less than that of Khan Xiao.

Shuliduo frowned and also blamed Xiao Yan a lot, but she was still hesitant about whether to withdraw the troops or not. She thought she could hold on for a few more days.

The sound of horse hooves was heard downstairs, causing a commotion. Shuliduo frowned and looked down, only to see three figures rushing here in a dusty manner.

Shuliduo stood with his hands behind his back and did not go down, but just looked down at Shili Qixiang and the other two.

However, Shili Qixiang was so excited that he jumped off his horse before it had even stopped, and climbed up the watchtower in the astonished eyes of the maids on both sides. Then, without even having time to salute, he took out a letter from his arms and hurriedly handed it to Shuliduo.

"Empress Dowager, great changes have taken place in the Central Plains!!"

Shuliduo raised her eyebrows. She always knew that Shili Qixiang was not very stable, so she just calmly took the letter and slowly opened it.

But when she saw the first sentence, her pupils shrank and her fingers quickened. She quickly took out the letter and quickly scanned the few words on it.

The most honorable queen mother on the grassland, the queen mother above everyone else, stood there in a daze.

Shili Qixiang was also trembling a little, not knowing whether it was because of the cold or excitement, but she just sighed: "Khan Xiao, support the new emperor of Central Plains to ascend the throne... In terms of power in Central Plains, Khan Xiao is probably only ranked second..."

Shulido held the letter in his hand, brushed aside his cloak, and looked towards the south again, towards the extremely dark south.

The corner of her mouth curled up into a smile, a smile of relief, but also a bit of resentment.

"Do not."

"He is the number one person in the Central Plains."

Having said that, she recited it to herself again, this time, looking a little dazed.

"The only one."

(End of this chapter)