This martial saint's health bar is too thick

Chapter 589 Hidden Front
Donghua City.

One of the major cities in the East.

With a million-strong army from the grasslands besieging the city, the defenses along the eastern border were under immense pressure.

However, Donghua City has always suffered the least amount of attack.

Because the White Flame Army was stationed inside the city.

With such a top-tier fighting force at its disposal, the grasslands' strategy towards Donghua City has always been to besiege it without attacking.

The White Flame Army did not remain in the city all the time, but would occasionally leave the city to launch an attack, thus tying down most of the grassland's top combat power and preventing them from letting their guard down.

The great battle between the grasslands and the White Flame Army suddenly broke out when the White Flame Army accidentally left the city.

Bai Yanjun had been looking for a decisive opportunity to break the deadlock, but he never expected Qilian Guanshi to fight so aggressively.

After the battle, the White Flame Army suffered heavy casualties and chose to split into two groups of five thousand men each to guard the two major cities.

Even if the war in the East becomes chaotic, at least we can ensure that the two major cities are still in our hands.

Zuo Jun, the commander of the White Flame Army, stood on the city wall, looking at the grassland army in the distance.

This infamous commander, whose fearsome reputation on the grasslands led the White Flame Army to be regarded as the 'White Devil' by the grassland people, was plotting how to 'devour' the large army outside the city!
He already knew about the battle situation in Cuiqing City and that Qilian Guanshi was already a top-tier expert.

This means that the enemy deliberately held back in that battle; otherwise, the White Flame Army would have suffered even greater losses!

Zuo Jun was neither relieved nor angered by Qilian Guanshi's disdain.

He seized the opportunity simply out of his instinct as a general!
In the battle of Emerald Green City, the grasslands only lost a troop of top-tier Flame Wolf Riders; it was not a serious blow.

But even if Qilian Guanshi wasn't seriously injured in such a top-level battle, he would definitely have suffered a great loss.

The presence of Li Fei, with his top-tier combat power, created a distraction for Zuo Jun, giving him an opportunity to fight.

Just as the commander of the White Flame Army had a tactic in mind, the grassland army in the distance suddenly made a move.

The first line of black tide gradually receded into the distance.

The grassland army has retreated!

Zuo Jun was taken aback; his first reaction was that it was a trap.

But he soon received intelligence from all over the eastern border—the grasslands had indeed withdrawn their troops!

"You're going to quit now?"

Zuo Jun was somewhat surprised.

Launching a major war of this scale would be a waste of resources and manpower.

If we cannot achieve any significant victory and retreat in this way, it will be a major blow to the prestige of Qilian Guanshi!
Especially given that Qilian Guanshi had just announced that he was already a top-tier expert.

Why are you withdrawing your troops at this time?
The soldiers in the various tribes and armies of the grasslands probably harbored great resentment towards him.

In Zuo Jun's view, although the battle of Cuiqing City was lost, Qilian Guanshi was still a top expert, and he was also good at commanding the power of many people to launch a combined attack.

Even if Li Fei possesses top-tier combat power, the grasslands are not entirely invincible.

As a result, Qilian Guanshi chose to withdraw his troops.

Zuo Jun did not believe that the other party was a coward.

On the contrary, the other party's forbearance, shrewdness, wisdom and decisiveness were fully displayed during this period!

Why would such a powerful and ruthless leader suddenly choose to withdraw his troops?

News of the retreat of the grassland troops quickly reached Lanling City.

The whole city rejoiced!
"We won! We won!"

"Qilian Guanshi, the third one!"

"Alright, it's my turn to play the Marquis of Jing'an."

The streets and alleys were filled with laughter and joy, whether from adults or children.

The children heard about the Battle of Cuiqing City from various sources, so some played the role of Marquis Jing'an, and others played the role of Qilian Guanshi, thus launching a 'great battle'.
A luxury bulletproof car of the brand "King Dragon" slowly drove into the Imperial City.

This car was reserved for members of the royal family and other members of the imperial clan.

The car drove all the way to the Yong'an Gate of the Imperial Palace before stopping.

The driver got out of the car and opened the door for the passengers in the back.

A man with an elegant demeanor, wearing a jade crown and a blue silk robe with gold trim, stepped out of the car.

His temples were already showing some gray hair, but he looked to be only in his early forties.

The man stood in front of Yong'an Gate, quietly gazing at the palace before him.

Inside Yong'an Gate, a eunuch dressed in luxurious brocade robes waited quietly.

If anyone from the palace were to pass by and witness this scene, they would surely be horrified!

Because the eunuch waiting here was one of only two imperial eunuchs in the palace.

The imperial eunuch Feng Cheng served the emperor closely, while another imperial eunuch, Ding Rui, was stationed in the inner palace.

Both of the imperial eunuchs were Grandmasters in cultivation!
Although Ding Rui did not often appear before the emperor, he was in charge of the inner palace and frequently interacted with the empress dowager, the empress, and others, making him a favorite of the empress dowager.

Given his cultivation level and status, there are very few people in the entire Great Blue Dynasty who would make him personally come to the palace gates to greet them.

"Steward Ding, thank you for your trouble."

After getting off the carriage, the man glanced at the palace a few times, then stepped through the gate and bowed to Ding Rui.

"Mr. Xiao, you're too kind. It's just my duty."

Ding Rui said with a smile.

The person before him held no official position or rank, yet he held him in high esteem.

Because this person is Xiao Ruiming, the current head of the Xiao family, the head of the ten major clans!

Although Xiao Ruiming held no official position, his younger sister was the current Empress Dowager, and he was the current emperor's uncle!
Regardless of his identity, he was worthy of being treated with respect by Ding Rui, the imperial eunuch.

"Mr. Xiao, please."

Ding Rui turned to the side to indicate.

He then led Xiao Ruiming deeper into the palace, until they arrived outside the Cining Palace.

This is the current Empress Dowager's bedroom.

Ding Rui led Xiao Ruiming to the outside of the palace and then stopped, gesturing for the other to go in by himself.

Xiao Ruiming stood outside the palace gate and straightened his clothes.

Without him making any move, the palace gate in front of him opened automatically, and he stepped inside. The palace gate behind him slowly closed.

"See the Queen Mother!"

Xiao Ruiming bowed respectfully to those directly in front of him and said in a loud voice.

"There are no outsiders here, brother, no need for formalities, please come and sit down."

A gentle voice came from above the main hall.

Xiao Ruiming then looked up.

A woman who looked to be in her early thirties sat on a rosewood throne. Her black hair was neatly combed and styled into a high bun, with a gold hairpin with nine phoenixes holding pearls inserted diagonally.

Her face was like jade, meticulously sculpted by time, its whiteness subtly revealing a luster. Her phoenix eyes were particularly captivating, like warm jade covered with a thin layer of ice, their coolness concealing an elusive warmth.

The woman was none other than the former Empress Xiao, now Empress Dowager Xiao.

Inside this spacious and magnificent hall, only Empress Dowager Xiao and her brother Xiao Ruiming were present.

There were indeed no outsiders.

Xiao Ruiming stared blankly at the somewhat unfamiliar face.

Since the other party entered the palace, the brother and sister have met no more than ten times in total over the past few decades.

The other person is no longer the one who used to follow me around all day as a child, shouting "brother!"

Dressed in magnificent robes adorned with jewels, his imposing and dignified demeanor was a mark of someone who had long held the pinnacle of power.

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

Xiao Ruiming bowed again before slowly walking forward and sitting down in the prepared seat, below the Empress Dowager.

"I've prepared some snacks for you, brother. Do you like them?"

Empress Dowager Xiao, seated in the main seat, spoke softly.

Xiao Ruiming looked at the pastries on the table; they were all the ones he loved to eat when he was a child.

A hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes as he turned to look at his younger sister and smiled:

"like."

Empress Dowager Xiao also smiled and said, "I'm glad my brother likes it."

The distance between the two has decreased considerably.

After Xiao Ruiming had tasted a few bites of the pastries, Empress Dowager Xiao spoke:

"I heard from home that my elder brother successfully broke through to a higher realm during his seclusion?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ruiming's smile deepened, and he nodded: "Yes."

Empress Dowager Xiao exclaimed with delight, "Congratulations, brother!"

Xiao Ruiming, the head of the Xiao family, displayed extraordinary talent for cultivation from a young age, not in martial arts, but in the art of magic.

The year he broke through to become a True Person, he also took over the position of head of the Xiao family.

Ten powerful families, seven major families.

The Ten Great Clans, residing in the imperial court, wielded greater influence. The Seven Great Families, operating in the martial world, possessed even greater martial prowess.

It may seem that the seven major families are more intimidating, but in reality, it's the opposite.

The Ten Great Clans have more manpower, material resources, and military strength than the Seven Great Families!
The only advantage of the seven major families is that each family has a Grandmaster in charge.

Now, Xiao Ruiming has broken through to become a top-level True Person, making up for the last shortcoming of the Xiao family in terms of martial arts!
With such a top-tier master as the head of the family, the Xiao family's title as the leader of the ten major clans is even more well-deserved.

"Thanks to the resources bestowed by His Majesty."

Xiao Ruiming said.

The Xiao family has a history spanning hundreds of years, even longer than the Great Blue Dynasty, and its foundation is indeed profound, but its accumulation in cultivation is somewhat lacking.

Over the years, thanks to the connections with Empress Dowager Xiao and Qin Ziheng, they have obtained a lot of top-tier cultivation resources, which gave Xiao Ruiming the opportunity to break through his cultivation realm.

"Your Majesty has always thought of your elder brother over the years, and you were very happy to learn that he had successfully broken through to the next level."

Empress Dowager Xiao said with a smile.

Xiao Ruiming nodded: "I only wish to share His Majesty's burdens."

Empress Dowager Xiao: "Now that the troops from the grasslands have withdrawn, Your Majesty's worries have been greatly reduced."

Xiao Ruiming's eyes shifted: "Having heard of Marquis Jing'an's achievements in the Eastern Territory, I am also happy for His Majesty, but..."

Empress Dowager Xiao looked at her brother, her smile unchanged: "But what is it? Today, there are only the two of us in this hall. Brother, if you have something to say, please speak frankly."

Xiao Ruiming met the other person's gaze.

He came to the palace today specifically because he had something to say:

"Marquis Jing'an was recently appointed as General-in-Chief, and his army of barbarian killers has already expanded to 30,000 men. Now, he has frightened away the Manchu grasslands in a battle in the eastern border, forcing them to retreat. With such achievements, I wonder how His Majesty plans to reward him?"

Empress Dowager Xiao shook her head: "His Majesty has not told me his plans. What does my brother think?"

Xiao Ruiming stated directly: "Regarding the retreat from the grasslands, firstly, the soldiers of the Eastern Border fought desperately to defend the border, then the White Flame Army inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, and finally, the battle fought by Marquis Jing'an in Cuiqing City. In terms of merit, Marquis Jing'an certainly deserves credit, but I think most of the credit should be attributed to the Eastern Border Army and the White Flame Army."

Empress Dowager Xiao understood what the other party meant and hesitated before saying, "But brother, Marquis Jing'an has already demonstrated his peak combat power in the battle of Cuiqing City, and he and that sword immortal are already sworn brothers."

Xiao Ruiming: "How could I not know how important the Marquis of Jing'an is to the Great Lan Dynasty? But we should take a long-term view. If His Majesty rewards him again for the war in the Eastern Border, does he intend to promote him from the position of General to the position of Deputy Commander?"
The civil officials were 17th-rank cabinet officials, and the military officials were 17th-rank military officers, both wielding real power. What an impressive level of power they held!

"The Marquis of Jing'an is only twenty-two years old this year."

Empress Dowager Xiao remained silent.

How could she not have thought of that?

She already had such concerns when the late emperor was alive.

"But Marquis Jing'an is already comparable to the top even before breaking through to the next realm. Once he breaks through and reaches the top, he will probably be the number one in the world! How can such a person be suppressed at will?"

Empress Dowager Xiao said.

Xiao Ruiming shook his head: "I don't mean for Your Majesty to suppress Marquis Jing'an, but everything has its limits. If a ruler cannot control his ministers, the stronger those ministers become, the more trouble they will cause in the future!"

"I heard that before the battle of Cuiqing City, His Majesty issued a special imperial edict to Marquis Jing'an, advising him not to act impulsively. But in the end? Marquis Jing'an completely disregarded His Majesty's edict and still went his own way!"

"."

Empress Dowager Xiao also knew about this matter, and she also knew that the emperor was clearly somewhat angry after learning that Li Fei had ignored the advice and still went to Cuiqing City!

However, the outcome of the Battle of Cuiqing City was too unexpected, and the grassland troops were so frightened that they withdrew, so the emperor did not pursue the matter further.

“He already disregards His Majesty’s decrees. If he gains more power and cultivation in the future, how will His Majesty conduct himself?”

Xiao Ruiming said in a deep voice.

Empress Dowager Xiao fell silent again; this was also a concern of hers.

"What suggestions do you have, elder brother?"

Xiao Ruiming: "If Your Majesty wishes to reward the Marquis of Jing'an handsomely, it is not impossible. His title can be raised by one rank, and he can be granted the title of Duke of Jing'an!"

Empress Dowager Xiao was taken aback at first, somewhat surprised.

The Great Blue Dynasty has no kings of different surnames. If Li Fei is made a Duke now, then there will truly be no more titles to bestow!

But she quickly realized what Xiao Ruiming meant and understood the brilliance of his suggestion.

"Any more?"

"Now that the Eastern Frontier has withdrawn its troops, we can summon Marquis Jing'an back to the capital."

Li Fei was granted the title of Duke of Jing'an and summoned back to the capital.

These are the two things that Xiao Ruiming specifically came to the palace today to suggest.

It sounds like they're doing this for Li Fei's benefit.

Empress Dowager Xiao pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"I understand your suggestion, brother, and I will pass it on to His Majesty."

A dozen minutes later, Xiao Ruiming left Cining Palace, accompanied by Ding Rui.

That afternoon, the emperor arrived at Cining Palace.

"I heard that the Empress Dowager is unwell. Is she feeling better now?"

Qin Ziheng entered the palace and asked with concern.

Empress Dowager Xiao waved her hand, signaling all the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall to leave, and said:

"It's just a bit of a headache, why did Your Majesty have to come in person?"

Qin Ziheng walked to the head seat and sat down next to the other person:
"The Empress Dowager's health is of utmost importance; how could I not come to see her in person?"

"."

That afternoon, the emperor stayed in the Cining Palace for more than an hour before leaving.

Late at night, the lights in the Imperial Study were bright.

Qin Ziheng sat at his desk, lost in thought.

He naturally knew about Xiao Ruiming's visit to the Empress Dowager today.

In the afternoon, Empress Dowager Xiao relayed the other party's suggestion to him truthfully.

The emperor bestowed upon Li Fei the title of Duke of Jing'an, making a twenty-two-year-old a duke—this was undoubtedly a great act of imperial grace!
Such an honor would both demonstrate the author's deep affection for Li Fei and prevent him from gaining further real power.

Moreover, after Li Fei was granted the title of Duke, logically speaking, there was indeed no higher title to bestow, so it was only natural to let Li Fei "hide his talents".

At the same time, it also allows us to see what Li Fei is thinking.

Any minister who is granted such a high position, especially at such a young age, should, if he still has any respect for the monarch, voluntarily conceal his brilliance and learn to bide his time.

Previously, the Great Blue Dynasty was surrounded by enemies and in a difficult situation, so Li Fei needed to show his talent.

But now that the crisis in the north has been resolved and the eastern border has withdrawn its troops, the two remaining desert kingdoms in the south should be dealt with soon.

As for the Western Kingdom, we can wait for Wenren Zheng to recover from his injuries before trying to resolve the issue.

In short, the Great Blue Dynasty now has a lot of room to maneuver and is no longer standing on the edge of a cliff.

There's no need for Li Fei to go on a rampage anymore.

Xiao Ruiming's suggestion to summon Li Fei back to the capital was in line with the first suggestion.

In summary, the key point is to keep Li Fei's strength hidden!

There's no need to build any more merits.

They can generously offer all kinds of benefits and honors, allowing Li Fei to stay in the capital to cultivate their relationship and observe him closely.

"Such a divine sword should only be used if Your Majesty is quite confident in your ability to wield it. Otherwise, it may easily injure others or yourself."

These were the last words Empress Dowager Xiao said to Qin Ziheng before he left Cining Palace.

Both Xiao Ruiming and Empress Dowager Xiao's suggestions were indeed for the sake of Qin Ziheng's country and its people.

Qin Ziheng had no choice but to treat this matter with caution.

But at the same time, telegrams also arrived from the East.

Qin Ziheng picked up the telegram on the table and read it again:
"Your Majesty, although the grasslands have retreated, they have not lost their overall momentum. Qilian Guanshi is a man of great cunning and skill in forbearance, and should not be underestimated! I believe that their sudden retreat is not out of fear of battle, but rather a plan for the long term."

If you don't kill the snake, it will cause trouble later!
Your Majesty, I request that you issue an edict ordering the White Flame Army to send troops. I am willing to join the White Flame Army to venture deep into the grasslands.

Now the roles of offense and defense have reversed; the enemy can go, and so can we!

This telegram was sent to him by Li Fei in his personal capacity.

"The balance of power shifts; if the enemy can go, so can we!"

Even just looking at it made Qin Ziheng's blood boil.

He also increasingly understood why emperors throughout history had been so fond of and indulgent towards those famous generals!

With such a fierce general under his command, how exhilarating it would be to wield his whip across the grasslands, gallop across the desert, and expand his territory!

But if Li Fei continues to achieve great things, how should I handle things in the future?

Xiao Ruiming and Empress Dowager Xiao's suggestions truly resonated with Qin Ziheng.

Only after he sat on the dragon throne did he realize just how precious trust is to a monarch!
Qin Ziheng knew that he had reached another critical moment where he needed to make a decision.

He remained silent in the imperial study for a long time, then suddenly stood up, turned around, walked to the bookshelf, opened a wooden box, and took out a letter.

This is the letter the late emperor left for him.

Whenever he hesitated and didn't know how to make a decision, he would take out this letter and read it repeatedly.

The night was as still as water, and the stars shone brightly.

That night, the new emperor stayed in his study reading letters until dawn.

(End of this chapter)