Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Wang Shu was followed by several guards, all of whom were experts at the Condensation Realm, as well as several civil officials, all with the air of noble families, who were out of place amidst the dust and grime of the camp.

"We have come from Chang'an and have traveled a long way. We are quite tired. Could you allow us to rest for a few days before continuing our journey?"

Wang Shu was respectful.

"In that case, we shall depart in two days."

Li Yuan was too lazy to argue with him and readily agreed.

Back at the camp, they found that the frost was still there.

"Did Senior Sister Leng need to see me about something?"

"Yes." Leng Ning Shuang didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point, "I want to go to the Demon Court with you."

Li Yuan glanced at her: "Your signs of going astray in cultivation are becoming increasingly serious, and it definitely needs to be addressed."

Leng Ning Shuang was surprised that he was so agreeable: "Don't worry, whether we can find a solution or not, I won't cause you any trouble. Just tell me what you need to do."

"Alright, I'll tell Lord Feng that he'll be setting off with me in two days."

The next day, Feng Wuhen summoned Li Yuan to his tent: "Lord Wang has ten men on his side. You can choose which ones to take with you."

The journey to the Demon Court is fraught with peril, so it's natural to need a few capable subordinates to accompany you.

"Yes, I'll go back and draft the list and submit it."

As soon as they returned to their tent, they heard a hearty laugh coming from outside: "Li Yuan, we heard you're going on a mission to the Demon Court. Why didn't you invite us?"

Li Yuan turned his head and saw two figures approaching side by side.

The man on the left is tall and elegant, with a refined demeanor. It is Chu Yunhe. It has been many days since we last met. His cultivation has broken through to the mid-stage of the Condensation Realm.

The young man on the right was calm and stern; it was Shen Lian. He no longer appeared as sharp as before; he was like a blade sheathed in its sheath.

Li Yuan was both surprised and delighted, and hurriedly went over to greet them, opening his arms to embrace them.

"Brother Chu, Brother Shen, what brings you here?"

Chu Yunhe laughed loudly, "I heard you were going to the Demon Court, so I came here specifically. Shen Lian was at headquarters on behalf of his father, and we just happened to run into each other."

He patted Li Yuan on the shoulder and grinned, "Brother, don't forget about us when something like this happens!"

Chu Yunhe has a special status; his father, Chu Jinghong, is now the commander of the Northern Route. If he were to be taken along, even Li Yuan might not be able to make the decision.

As for Shen Lian, he is the only son of the general guarding Yumen Pass. If something happens to him in the Demon Court, how will I explain it?

"This... I'm afraid we'll have to ask for instructions first."

Li Yuan hesitated.

"I already discussed it with my father before I came, and he readily agreed," Chu Yunhe said solemnly. "As for Brother Shen, as long as his father agrees, you'll be fine, right?"

"Going to the Demon Court is a perilous journey, and I do not recommend that Brother Shen go with me..."

Before Li Yuan could finish speaking, Shen Lian interrupted him: "It is precisely because life and death are uncertain that we must go."

"Exactly." Shen Lian wasn't good at talking, so Chu Yunhe picked up the conversation. "We're sworn brothers who fought our way out of Lock Dragon City. Your business is our business, and besides, this is a matter of state."

A warm feeling welled up in Li Yuan's heart. Knowing he couldn't persuade the two of them, he finally nodded.

"Alright, then let's brothers go to the Demon Court together."

"Hahaha!"

Chu Yunhe laughed heartily and slapped Li Yuan on the shoulder forcefully: "That's more like it!"

At this point, the list was roughly finalized, including Wu Yu, Chu Yunhe, Shen Lian, Leng Ningshuang, and several old subordinates such as Shi Yong and Zhao Hu, totaling eleven people, all of whom were experienced and skilled.

After the list was submitted, Feng Wuhen sent Liu Hongyan over.

"The Zhu Yan Demon King will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble during this peace talks. If you are held up, Lord Liu will represent you in full authority."

Feng Wuhen's expression was solemn. "As for Lord Wang and the others, you can help them if you can, but if you can't, you can only leave it to fate."

Grand Secretary Wang and the Demon Suppression Division have always been at odds. Generals in the field are not always able to obey the emperor's orders. Feng Wuhen is definitely not the kind of rigid person who would let Li Yuan fall into danger for the sake of others.

"Don't be afraid. If any problems arise, the commander will take responsibility for you. Just do your best."

Feng Wuhen patted Li Yuan on the shoulder, "I have only one request: no matter whether the talks succeed or not, you must come back alive."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Li Yuan bowed solemnly.

Two days later, outside Parthia, banners fluttered in the wind.

The delegation of over a hundred people marched out in formation, with Li Yuan at the very front riding a black horse, dressed in the black official robes of a Tang Dynasty envoy, and wearing a gold fish pouch at his waist.

Feng Wuhen dispatched a troop of elite soldiers from the army, along with several carriages carrying gifts such as silk and porcelain, as well as supplies needed for the journey.

Wang Shu and the others rode in carriages, following in the middle of the procession.

Feng Wuhen personally escorted him to the city gate: "Be careful on your journey to the Demon Court."

Li Yuan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Rest assured, my lord, I will not fail in my mission."

Mr. Mo took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to him: "Keep this talisman. If you encounter danger again, crush it. It will at least give you a chance to survive."

Carving such a lucky charm requires immense cultivation; this gift is a bit too much. Li Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the charm, putting it into his pocket.

"Don't worry, sir."

Mr. Mo smiled slightly: "Go ahead, but remember, the Demon Court is not like a battlefield. Every step is a trap. You need to guard against more than just the enemies on the surface."

Li Yuan nodded solemnly.

Just as the group was about to set off, they suddenly heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats in the distance. Everyone turned around and saw a troop of cavalry galloping towards them, kicking up dust.

The leader, clad in silver armor and with a resolute face, was none other than Chu Jinghong.

He dismounted, strode up to Chu Yunhe, looked him up and down, and then smacked him hard on the head: "You brat, you're going to the Demon Court without a word? You think you've grown wings?"

Chu Yunhe rubbed his head and chuckled, "Dad, didn't I say I was going away for a while?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's eyes widened. This guy said that Lord Chu had agreed, but it turns out he had lied to him.

Chu Jinghong glared at him, but couldn't hide the worry in her eyes. After a moment of silence, she said in a low voice, "The Demon Court is not like the battlefield. Those Demon Emperors are all old foxes who have lived for thousands of years. Remember not to be reckless or impulsive. Listen to Li Yuan in everything."

Chu Yunhe chuckled and said, "Dad, don't worry, I'm not a three-year-old anymore."

"You."

Chu Jinghong sighed, squeezed his arm tightly, and turned to Li Yuan, "If this guy causes you trouble, just deal with him. Don't give me any face."

Li Yuan hurriedly smiled and said, "Don't worry, senior, I will definitely bring him back safely."

Chu Jinghong nodded and stepped aside. Feng Wuhen waved his hand, the horn sounded, and the delegation officially set off.

The group traveled westward along the ancient road, and after leaving Mengchi, the world suddenly opened up.

For the first few days, the caravan moved quickly, and there were towns controlled by the Tang Dynasty along the way where they could rest.

But once you cross the border, the road becomes difficult to travel, the post roads disappear, and the place is desolate.

Because the group included civil officials such as Wang Shu, the journey had to be slowed down, and they complained bitterly about only traveling a hundred or eighty li a day.

Fortunately, Wang Shu did not cause any trouble along the way and traveled obediently without causing any problems.

For Li Yuan and his men, marching at this speed was as easy and pleasant as sightseeing.

He hadn't seen his brothers Chu Yunhe and Shen Lian for many years, so he took this opportunity to chat about what had happened since they last met.

Chu Yunhe was a talkative man, chattering incessantly the whole way. Although Shen Lian was taciturn, he would occasionally chime in with a few words or a knowing smile.