Patrol Captain

"I see!"

"No wonder the prince is retreating now."

"That's really unfortunate."

Garaja said in a low voice, his expression largely unchanged.

"May I ask how Your Highness intends to resolve this?"

Xiao Zhongtian wanted to hear those words. He rose from his chair, stepped down, and approached Garaja Arhat.
"The world is in chaos now, and a foolish ruler is in power. The holy monk wants to spread Mahayana Buddhism and save all people. I want to restore a clear sky and bright sun. We are both working for the benefit of the people. I ask the holy monk to help me. When the great cause is accomplished, I wish to honor the holy monk as the national teacher."

At this point, he clasped his hands together and bowed deeply. His burly frame, clad in gleaming armor, exuded a wildness. Then, his voice turned harsh.
"How can I allow others to sleep soundly on my own bed? Shu is located in the rear, and that person is like a thorn in my side. My main force of the Northern Liang cavalry is advancing eastward, and it is difficult to take care of the rear. If this man surnamed Chen comes from time to time, it will be difficult for me to take care of both ends, and my great cause will be difficult to achieve."

Xiao Zhongtian's gaze was ruthless. He explained the advantages and disadvantages to Jia Ye Luohan, saying that they were all cunning foxes who had been around for a thousand years and were just trying to get what they wanted.

Garaja Arhat's star-like eyes flickered. He raised his eyelids and met Xiao Zhongtian's gaze. "Your Highness's desire to bring peace to the world is something this humble monk is well aware of. However, after some deduction, I've discovered that there's more to this matter than meets the eye. There seem to be other things I'm unaware of. I know that the man from Shu who led the army to a great victory against Your Highness's 100,000 cavalry did not pursue the victory afterward. Instead, he withdrew his troops back to Shu and is now recruiting soldiers to prepare for a decisive battle against the northern demon race. Logically, he has no intention of provoking conflict with Your Highness. There seems to be something else I'm unaware of. I hope Your Highness can enlighten me."

He spoke these words casually, yet a sharp edge was hidden in the slightest movement of his eyelids.

Xiao Zhongtian's eyes lingered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. Sure enough, they were all seasoned foxes; why were they telling stories from a ghost story? So he put his hands behind his back, turned to the side, and told the truth.
“A few days ago, the tyrannical emperor issued a secret edict to send a ceremonial entourage out of the capital, intending to bestow the title of Marquis of Zhennan upon Chen Wusheng in order to appease him. I received a secret report from the palace. To prevent the two from joining forces, I ordered my men to secretly ambush and kill this group of people from the capital on the Shu Road. In the end, one person escaped and fled into Tianxiong Pass.”

"I just received the news and have some suspicions that it may be related to this matter. However, this person has always been arrogant and at odds with that tyrant. He does not obey orders or summons. Even if I really kill the tyrant's men, the other party should not fight me to the death at this critical juncture and make a fool of himself in front of that tyrant. Therefore, I am not sure whether this person is standing up for this matter."

He said this with a hidden resentment in his heart.

Upon hearing this, Arhat Gaya seemed to have found the answer, and his raised eyelids slowly drooped.

"It seems that Your Highness does not know this person well."

"This man is indeed arrogant, but I have dealt with him before. This famous Martial Saint General is unfathomable and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He must have his own purpose in doing this."

"Therefore, Your Highness, I humbly request that you inform this humble monk of any future actions. Otherwise, if when the time comes, I find Your Highness's sincerity unrecognizable, I can only offer my apologies, for Your Highness is perhaps not destined to be connected with my Mahayana Buddhist teachings."

These words were very direct and pointed, hitting Xiao Zhongtian right in the face.

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room instantly froze. The already unpleasant expressions of the generals standing in the two rows became even more grim, their eyes filled with anger as they stared at the monk from the West.

"chi"

A general raised his hand as if to draw his sword, which was about half a foot long, his face contorted with rage. With a sharp shout, he...
"You monk, how dare you speak so arrogantly to the prince?"

"Is the Mahayana Buddhism you speak of as sharp as the sword in my hand?"

After he finished singing his white-faced song, Xiao Zhongtian immediately frowned and scolded him:
"How dare you! Get out of my sight! Do not be disrespectful to the holy monk!"

After speaking, he turned his gaze to Jia Ye and said bluntly, "I can agree to what the Holy Monk has said, but now that things have come to this point, I need the Holy Monk's help."

"Amitabha, that person who took my Mount Sumeru's things should naturally take them back." Arhat Gaya simply uttered a Buddhist chant, bowed, and then drifted away.

The room fell silent as they watched the Western monk depart and disappear outside the cabin. Then, a surge of anger rose among the crowd, and many stepped forward.

“Your Highness, this man has come to demand an explanation. Why should Your Highness suffer such humiliation? Now that Your Highness has raised an army, a single call to arms will be echoed by heroes across the land. There is no need to humble yourself for this.”

"That's right. This person is using Mahayana Buddhism as a pretext, but he's just trying to take advantage of the prince's influence. The prince has already given him enough face by visiting him three times. This monk hasn't even contributed to the prince's cause yet. His behavior just now is infuriating. I really can't stand it."

"."

Everyone voiced their dissatisfaction.

Xiao Zhongtian raised his hand, silencing all the discontented voices. "Alright." His gaze was deep, filled with burning ambition. "Those who achieve great things throughout history can use all the heroes of the world for their own purposes. As long as we can succeed, what does it matter if I have to eat my fill and hold my hair in my hands?"

The following afternoon, the wind from Tianxiong Pass blew south to Chengdu.

The news that the Lazikou Pass, located at the border of Northern Liang and Shu, had been breached by the Ninth Mountain's surprise attack with his elite troops finally reached Chengdu.

Jiang Yi, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who had been suffering greatly on Yunding Mountain, was greatly encouraged upon hearing the news. As soon as he received the message, he rushed to the Zhonglang Hall of the Ninth Mountain to request an audience with Chen Yuan.

At this moment, the sun was hanging low over the western mountains. He had just reached the top of the ninth mountain when the guards came over and clasped their hands in greeting to this imperial envoy, one of the six ministers.

"Lord Jiang, the general is already waiting for you in the backyard!"

"Please follow me!"

Jiang Yi thought to himself, "So this Marquis of Zhennan already knew I was coming."

He didn't say much and followed the armored soldier leading the way to the backyard.

After passing through several corridors and alleys, Jiang Yi was led to an octagonal pavilion. Under the pavilion, there was a stone table and chairs, on which were placed several delicacies and fine wines. Several landscape paintings hung around the table. Chen Yuan was sitting in the middle, wearing a light blue robe with a dragon pattern. The colorful embroidered single-legged dragon was winding and coiling, with a strong body and distinct scales and claws. The hem was decorated with sea and cliff patterns, and colorful cloud patterns lingered around the sleeves. It was full of majesty and nobility, but lacked some of the solemnity of a military strategist.

"Greetings, Marquis of Zhennan!" Jiang Yi bowed upon seeing him.

At the foot of the pavilion, Chen Yuan's eyes flickered. He dismissed the others and then said, "Lord Jiang, please sit down."

Jiang Yi entered the pavilion and sat down opposite Chen Yuan. He recognized the dragon robe Chen Yuan was wearing, which was bestowed by His Majesty and represented a high rank.

Chen Yuan noticed the other man's gaze, and glanced upwards with the corner of his eye, "Lord Jiang, what do you think of my Kui dragon robe?"

Upon hearing this man refer to himself as "this Marquis" and that he was wearing a dragon robe bestowed by His Majesty, Jiang Yi felt reassured. "The silk and satin accentuate his noble bearing, and the embroidered patterns display his majesty. Marquis Chen looks excellent in this."

At this moment, Chen Yuan pointed his finger at the wine pot on the table. The wine pot seemed to be lifted by an invisible hand, and the wine fell into the wine cup. Chen Yuan pushed it with two fingers to the opposite side, and spoke at the right time, his tone as if he were having a casual conversation.

"Has Lord Jiang received the message?"

Jiang Yizheng took the wine cup that Chen Yuan pushed over, and upon hearing this, his expression turned serious. He put down the wine cup and said, "I was still thinking about the Marquis's intentions yesterday, but I only understood them today after receiving the news. The Marquis sent troops to crush the rebels' morale, which greatly vented our anger and relieved His Majesty's worries. When I return to the capital, I will report the Marquis's achievements."

As he spoke, Lord Jiang bowed towards the direction of the Central Plains Dragon Court.

Chen Yuan looked at the serious "official air" of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and a hint of amusement in his eyes.

It's just a tacit understanding.

"As Lord Jiang said, since I have been rewarded by His Majesty, and that rebel king sent people to kill your envoys and seize the rewards meant to reward my army, I should take action. Otherwise, how can I face His Majesty? Lord Jiang, is that right?" Chen Yuan said with a "righteous and awe-inspiring" air.

Jiang Yi's eyes flashed, and he quickly said, "What you say is absolutely right, Lord Marquis!"

At this point, Chen Yuan revealed his true intentions: "Your Excellency has vented your anger, His Majesty's face has been saved, and the rebels' morale has been dampened. My Jiannan Circuit has done everything perfectly, giving my all. Therefore, I urge you, Lord Jiang, to speak to His Majesty after you return to the capital. We must not let our soldiers of the Fashan Army lose heart. The rewards that should be made up must be made up, and the losses incurred by my surprise attack on the rebels should also be fully compensated. Otherwise, my soldiers will find it difficult to fight."

"Afterwards, I will have my soldiers deliver these lists to Lord Jiang, and I hope that Lord Jiang will take them back to the capital."

"Moreover, time is of the essence, and the demon race is stirring. I'm afraid I cannot keep Lord Jiang for a few more days."

"I'll have to trouble you, Lord Jiang!"

Chen Yuan said this with a smile on his lips.

Seeing the smile on the Marquis of Zhennan's face, Jiang Yi's hand holding the wine cup froze, and he almost spilled the wine. (End of Chapter)