I am the snake demon!

"Snap!"

A piece landed on the chessboard, making a crisp sound.

Before Bai Xuan's eyes, a majestic and sacred white dragon descended from the sky, carrying with it a fierce and murderous aura. Bai Xuan's spirits lifted, but he quickly returned to reality. A chessboard appeared before him, and he reluctantly put down the chess piece in his hand, saying, "Uncle Zhong's chess skills are superb. Shi An concedes defeat."

"Young master, you've only just learned formations, and you've already managed to get this far with me; that's quite an achievement."

Across from Bai Xuan, Li Daoyan smiled warmly.

"It's not easy for anyone. You never know how to let him win a little. If you lose once or twice and keep winning, you'll wear down the young prince's confidence."

Lu Zhanqiu, who was sitting to the side watching the show, casually picked up a piece of pastry, stuffed it into his mouth, and didn't forget to make fun of Li Daoyan.

After Bai Xuan moved into the library, he became his roommate.

He was extremely curious about Bai Xuan's ability to comprehend the essence of Tai Chi, despite not knowing any true qi, and took the initiative to approach him.

Bai Xuan didn't object, after all, this was the strongest fighting force of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion on the surface.

The two had been together for a month and had a good relationship.

Hongxiu, who was serving nearby, nodded repeatedly as she listened to Lu Zhanqiu's words.

"You old killer, all you do is talk nonsense. The young prince is the future king who will rule the northern border. If I can go easy on him, can anyone else do the same? Besides, if you want to feel a sense of accomplishment, why don't you, a killer, be better than the young prince?" Li Daoyan said with a laugh.

"I'm not going to seek out torture," Lu Zhanqiu said immediately.

That chessboard is called the Soldier Spirit Chessboard, and it is engraved with the intermediate-level spirit array, the Soldier Spirit Array. It is a treasure.

It appears to be a game of chess, but in reality, it involves bringing the player's mind into the chessboard, commanding troops, and attacking each other.

It is preparation for training soldiers to enter battle.

He only knows how to practice with a sword; whether it's a formation like this or ordinary chess, he's just average.

He doesn't want to be tortured.

"Then shut up," Li Daoyan said, then looked at Bai Xuan and said, "Young Master, why don't you rest for a while?"

"No, let's continue. Discussing strategy while playing chess is interesting." Bai Xuan was full of curiosity, and there was no sign of discouragement in his eyes, only novelty.

The world truly has very little entertainment.

The entertainment of the sons of the powerful and wealthy was nothing more than hunting, women, and music.

But Bai Xuan wasn't interested at all.

On the contrary, this chessboard game is really interesting.

Incorporating the spirit of a chess player, commanding troops, arranging formations, and having troops obey orders as easily as an extension of one's own limb.

Battlefield clashes, thousands of troops and horses

In Bai Xuan's view, isn't this just a war simulation game?

Moreover, it's a virtual online game version.

It has a realistic feel of being in someone else's shoes.

However, there is no pain.

Shouldn't we have some fun with this?

Seeing Bai Xuan's high spirits, Li Daoyan smiled helplessly. He was actually a little reluctant to quit. Although he kept winning, it wasn't fun to keep crushing noobs.

The old man wants to rest after being down for a long time.

However, Li Daoyan was all alone and had no children. He hadn't seen Bai Xuan much before, so it wasn't a big deal. But now that they were together every day, and Bai Xuan kept calling him "Uncle," he got used to it and naturally adopted that identity, developing a bit more paternal affection for him.

What's wrong with a child wanting to improve themselves?

It's not like they've gone mad or become obsessed with heretical practices.

Moreover, the child is talented, so shouldn't the elders lend a hand?

Li Daoyan comforted himself and was about to start a new game when a black dot sped towards him from afar. As it drew closer, he realized it was a strange, jet-black bird.

Upon seeing the bird, Li Daoyan's expression immediately turned serious. He reached out his hand, and the bird automatically landed on his left forearm.

Li Daoyan took a slip of paper from the bird, glanced at it, and handed it to Bai Xuan, saying, "Young Master, Imperial Envoy Wei Xuanli has arrived at the post station and will be entering Xuanwu in half an hour."

"These officials from the capital have finally arrived." Bai Xuan took the letter and sneered. "Then we can't play chess today. Let's see what kind of trouble these guys can cause."

Having said that, Bai Xuan stood up, ready to receive the imperial decree.

The main gate of the Prince's Mansion was wide open to welcome distinguished guests.

At the same time, they invited Huangfu Xiongwen, the only respectable Confucian scholar in the northern border, to lend his influence.

However, to Bai Xuan's surprise, not only did Huangfu Xiongwen arrive, but Leng Shih-hu and Xu Wen-zheng also came.

Clearly, those who were well-informed knew that the imperial court had issued four imperial edicts this time.

Two normal imperial edicts are not surprising; the two abnormal ones are the key.

When it comes to the North, no one can remain uninvolved.

Moreover, the arrival of Leng Shih-hu and Xu Wen-zheng signifies that the Northern Border is united as one.

As long as these two pillars remain standing, the imperial court will not dare to launch a military operation without authorization.

To put it bluntly, there wasn't a single soldier or general in the imperial court who could defeat the two of them.

After a long wait, the imperial envoy finally arrived.

Minister of Rites Wei Xuanli led the way, followed by Prince Wei's heir Guo Mingcheng and his deputy Tian Mingjing on either side. They marched in with great fanfare, and the entire Prince's residence held its breath, not daring to make a sound.

Bai Xuan led everyone in bowing to receive the imperial decree.

The imperial power in this world has not yet reached its peak.

Lower-ranking officials were required to kneel when receiving imperial decrees.

However, officials of the third rank and above only need to bow.

Now, everyone who can stand in the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion is of the third rank or above.

The highest rank was that of the Princess Consort of Zhenbei, a first-rank official.

Bai Xuan bowed, but Wei Xuanli did not immediately announce the imperial decree. Tian Mingjing said coldly, "Xu Shi'an, the imperial decree is before you; why are you not kneeling to receive it!"

Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort of Zhenbei immediately said, "Your Excellency, An'er is the future Prince of Zhenbei, and according to the law, he does not need to kneel."

"Your Highness is mistaken. There is no such law in this dynasty. The reason why you did not need to kneel before was simply because the princes' sons held official positions higher than the third rank. However, apart from being granted the title of Fourth-Rank Dragon General at birth, Xu Shi'an has no other official position. According to the law, he should kneel!" Tian Mingjing's face was cold, and he even glanced at the people in the palace with a hint of contempt.

Northern warriors are just that—Northern warriors. Even those from so-called noble families remain ignorant.

Everyone present at the Prince of Zhenbei's residence paled in shock; it was a true show of force.

According to the law, one must kneel.

Everyone else in the hall was exempt from kneeling except for Bai Xuan, the future ruler of the Northern Territory.

Isn't that absurd?

If this matter gets out, Bai Xuan will surely lose a lot of prestige, and if he loses prestige, how can he command the troops in the northern border?

"According to the laws of this dynasty, princes and their heirs are of the same rank and only need to bow when receiving imperial decrees, without needing to kneel. Now that the young prince is the future Prince of Zhenbei, he naturally does not need to kneel," Huangfu Xiongwen stepped forward and said.

When it comes to etiquette and law, he is the only one in the entire Northern Territory who can discuss these matters with the people of the imperial court.

"That's because you only know one side of the story. The heir of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion was Xu Zhenlan, who has now passed away, while Xu Shi'an has not yet been officially appointed as the heir." Tian Mingjing sneered. Before his death, the Zhenbei Prince directly designated Xu Shi'an as the successor to the throne, so Xu Shi'an had not been officially appointed as the heir.

A great Confucian scholar?

It's just a case of a short person trying to make a tall person appear taller.

He's just an old man trying to attract attention.

Today, it is fitting that Tian Mingjing becomes a role model for scholars.

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Xiongwen raised an eyebrow. It had been a long time since anyone had been so arrogant in front of him. He was about to speak, adopting the same debating style he had displayed in his past debates with the Confucian scholars, to discuss etiquette with Tian Mingjing and properly teach the younger generation a lesson.

However, before he could speak, Bai Xuan spoke first: "Tian Mingjing comes from the Tian family of Hebei, the Danfang lineage. His parents are still alive, and he has a wife, six concubines, and a total of three sons and five daughters."

"So what if it is?" Tian Mingjing looked at Bai Xuan arrogantly. Did Bai Xuan dare to lay a hand on him?

Putting aside the fact that he was an imperial envoy, even disregarding that identity, the Tian family of Hebei was a prominent clan in the country. As a direct descendant of the Tian family, who would dare to touch him?

Without Xu Zhongwen, the northern border is doomed to decline.

These powerful families are going to get revenge for all the humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Prince of Zhenbei over the years!

"Cough cough... It's nothing, I'm just unwell and afraid I can't receive the imperial decree." Bai Xuan suddenly coughed, his face turning an unnatural pale. He then turned to Leng Shih-hu beside him and said, "Uncle Leng, I remember there's been a group of bandits in Liangzhou who's been extremely arrogant lately, burning, killing, and looting all the way. They seem to have fled to Hebei. Do you think they might have just killed Imperial Censor Tian's family?"

What's the point of reasoning? Why do we need to reason with others in the North? What's the point of being the Prince of Zhenbei?

"Probably. Everyone, from top to bottom, men and women, young and old, chickens and dogs, will be spared." Upon hearing this, Leng Shih-hu immediately grinned maliciously, as if looking at a chick.

Tian Mingjing felt a chill run down his spine. He dared not look Leng Shihhu in the eye, and his face flushed as he looked at Bai Xuan, saying, "Xu Shian, how dare you?"

"I don't understand what Imperial Censor Tian means. Perhaps I'm not well-read enough. I'll ask Imperial Censor Tian for clarification in the future, and I hope he won't hesitate to enlighten me. However, if Imperial Censor Tian's entire family is killed and his parents are both dead, he will have to observe three years of mourning at home, so we won't be able to see each other for at least three years," Bai Xuan said.

"Young Prince, these bandits from Liangzhou are extremely arrogant. They like to eliminate any threat completely. If they really kill Imperial Censor Tian's entire family, they probably won't let Imperial Censor Tian go either. You may never see Imperial Censor Tian again in this lifetime," Leng Shih-hu added from the side.

"What a pity. Alas, the ways of heaven are merciless." Bai Xuan shook his head and sighed.

Tian Mingjing's body trembled slightly, his face deathly pale. These two madmen in front of him were not joking, but serious.

Uneducated and barbaric soldiers!

"In accordance with Heaven's will and the times, we have received this clear mandate..."

While Tian Mingjing was filled with fear, Wei Xuanli, as the imperial envoy, had already opened the imperial edict and begun to read it aloud.

Bai Xuan smiled slightly and bowed to receive the imperial decree.

Xu Wenzheng glanced at Bai Xuan, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes.

Li Daoyan's eyes were full of praise. Very good, he had given the court a warning.