Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

In the imperial study, the emperor stared at the memorial before him, remaining silent for a long time.

Eunuch Wang served a cup of tea and said softly, "Your Majesty, are you worried about the choice of envoy?"

"What does Otomo think?"

After thinking for a moment, Eunuch Wang cautiously said, "Li Yuan has grown too fast and is difficult to control, but so far, he has not sided with any faction in the court."

Since the emperor assumed personal rule, he has faced numerous difficulties and has been secretly cultivating his own power. He has always placed high hopes on Li Yuan.

But Li Yuan's growth rate exceeded his expectations, making him vaguely wary.

Just then, a palace attendant outside the door announced, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor requests an audience."

The emperor raised an eyebrow slightly: "Summon them."

The Imperial Preceptor, dressed in a gray-blue Taoist robe and holding a whisk, calmly entered the Imperial Study and bowed to the Emperor.

"What brings the Imperial Advisor here so suddenly?"

In recent years, the Imperial Advisor has been in a semi-retired state, rarely appearing in public except for major events such as the New Year's Day sacrificial ceremony, let alone taking the initiative to seek an audience.

"Does Your Majesty recall that several years ago, I saw a dark star rise, hidden beside the Purple Palace, its fate unknown?"

The Imperial Advisor reported this matter at the time, which attracted the attention of the court, but for several years afterward, this dark star remained silent.

However, since the appearance of the Dark Star, the world's energy has been in chaos, wars have broken out frequently, and there are strange and eerie signs.

"Over the years, this star has grown brighter and brighter, and recently it has shone even brighter, showing signs of rivaling the brilliance of the Heavenly Pivot."

"Competing with Tian Shu in brilliance?" The emperor's gaze sharpened slightly. "What omens does this star signify?"

As the celestial signs become clearer, one can naturally discern good or bad fortune.

"This star is crimson with a hint of purple, a sign of good fortune mixed with misfortune." The Imperial Advisor sighed, "Based on my years of deductions, the person corresponding to this star is none other than Li Yuan."

In an instant, the imperial study became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and the emperor's gaze suddenly deepened.

"Does the Imperial Advisor mean that Li Yuan harbors rebellious intentions?"

"No."

The Imperial Preceptor shook his head. "This star is not in conflict with the Emperor Star, but rather it concerns the well-being of all people. Whether its future trajectory will be auspicious or inauspicious is something I, this humble Taoist, cannot predict."

"I see."

The emperor's eyes darkened: "Since it cannot be determined, that is the biggest variable."

"We beseech Your Majesty for your wise judgment."

The Imperial Advisor lowered his eyes.

"If that's the case, then I'll see just how far he can go."

He picked up his vermilion pen and wrote a single word on the memorial: "Approved".

Huangjue Temple.

The night was deep, and all was quiet.

In the meditation room in the backyard, an oil lamp cast a faint light, and a gaunt old monk sat on a futon, meditating with his eyes closed.

The door opened silently, and a figure entered. It was the Imperial Preceptor, who respectfully bowed and said, "Your Majesty the Retired Emperor."

The old monk gestured for him to sit down: "How is it?"

"It's all taken care of."

The old monk smiled and nodded: "You did very well."

"This Li Yuan... is getting more and more interesting. I hope he is the one who can break the deadlock."

The Imperial Advisor's eyes flickered: "What does the Emperor Emeritus intend to do?"

"Have someone keep an eye on him. I need to know his every move. If he is indeed the chosen one, the opportunity I have been waiting for for hundreds of years will have arrived."

A fervent glint flashed in his eyes.

"Understood."

"The situation isn't chaotic enough yet. You need to find a way to add more fuel to the fire. Only when the energy of heaven and earth is in complete chaos can we break the old and establish the new."

The old monk's words startled the national teacher, who quickly bowed in agreement and turned to leave the meditation room.

The Western Regions, Parthia.

The fighting has temporarily ceased.

Since the two sides reached a preliminary agreement, large-scale offensives have ceased on the front lines, with only occasional sporadic small-scale clashes.

Taking advantage of this rare period of peace, Feng Wuhen ordered the reorganization of the army and the construction of city defenses, not daring to relax for a moment.

During the period of waiting for the imperial order, Li Yuan was not idle. He drilled the soldiers and reorganized military affairs every day.

That day, he was processing documents in his tent when someone suddenly lifted the curtain and strode in.

"Senior brother."

Li Yuan looked up and saw Ji Fanghua in full military uniform. She was now in the mid-stage of the Condensation Realm. After being tempered by war, her previously gloomy temperament had turned into composure.

"I heard you were being transferred here, why are you only arriving today?"

"The handover of military affairs caused some delays."

The two, who had been separated for a long time, walked side by side in the military camp, chatting as they went, and talked about what had happened since they last met.

"By the way, I heard that Senior Brother wants to go on a mission to the Demon Court. Is that true?"

"That is indeed the case. I have some matters to attend to at the Demon Court. Moreover, I have received reliable information that Yu Ling'er is currently in the Demon Emperor Mo Lin's mansion."

"real?"

Ji Fanghua was pleasantly surprised. Back in Shenwu Academy, she was a loner, and Yu Ling'er was her first friend.

"Yes, I will bring him back no matter what."

As they were talking, a figure walked towards them from the front. The figure had a cold and aloof expression, and long, ink-black hair was simply tied up, giving the impression of a celestial being.

"Senior Sister Leng."

The two looked at each other and greeted each other.

Leng Ningshuang was previously stationed on the northern front and was only recently transferred to the central army. Li Yuan had heard about her before, but this was the first time he had encountered her.

Upon seeing Li Yuan, she paused slightly, then continued walking towards him as if nothing had happened: "Junior Brother Li, it's been a long time."

As they got closer, Li Yuan keenly sensed that Leng Ning Shuang's internal energy was chaotic, as if a ferocious beast was lurking within her. The demonic energy within her body appeared and disappeared intermittently, and even with the breath-concealing technique he had taught her, it was difficult to hide.

"Senior Sister Leng," Li Yuan carefully chose his words, "Are you alright?"

Leng Ningshuang glanced at Ji Fanghua, then lowered her eyes: "It's nothing, just some old injuries that haven't healed yet."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from behind, and a soldier rushed over.

"Lord Li, Lord Feng requests your presence."

Not far from the central command tent, Li Yuan arrived to find out that an imperial edict had arrived. He hurriedly knelt down with Feng Wuhen to receive the edict.

A palace attendant announced loudly: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: the war in the Western Regions is temporarily suspended, and the Demon Court seeks peace. Therefore, Inspector Li Yuan is hereby appointed as the Great Tang's Imperial Envoy to the Demon Court to preside over the peace talks..."

As expected, it was approved. Li Yuan felt relieved and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject accepts the decree."

Only then did he notice that there was a middle-aged man in the room, dressed in a crimson official robe, with an extraordinary air about him.

Just as he felt that the face looked somewhat familiar, the man stepped forward with a knowing smile and laughed heartily.

"Haha, Nephew Li, how have you been? I hope you've taken good care of me on this journey."

Feng Wuhen introduced without expression, "This is Minister of Rites Wang Shu. His Majesty has appointed him as your deputy envoy to accompany you on this mission to the Demon Court."

Wang Shu?

Li Yuan suddenly realized, wasn't this Grand Secretary Wang's son? That is, the elder brother of the original owner's wicked stepmother, who had at least been his uncle for a few days.

However, the Wang family did not treat him well at that time, so he had only seen him from afar twice, which is why he did not remember him for a while.

Later, he was found to have a level nine talent. Grand Secretary Wang even sent his grandson Wang Shixuan to try and win him over, but he refused.

Li Yuan strongly suspected that the Wang family was also involved in the assassination attempt at the Three Gorges.

Knowing full well the relationship between the Wang family and him, His Majesty still appointed Wang Shu as deputy envoy, clearly to check and balance him.

However, Wang Shu's talent is mediocre and his cultivation is not high. Once he arrives at the Demon Court, far from the emperor's reach, it will probably not be so easy to control him.

"So it's Lord Wang. We're in the same boat."

Li Yuan replied indifferently.

"When does Nephew Li intend to depart?"

Wang Shu seemed oblivious to his coldness and asked with a smile.

Li Yuan glanced at him: "If Lord Wang has no problem, then the sooner the better."

Then he nodded again, "You're too kind, Lord Wang."