One person ascends to the Pure Huang Court

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Half a month later, in the East City Blacksmith Shop.

The scarlet blade with a burning breath passed across Zhe Luo's forehead, just like a hot knife cutting through butter, easily breaking Zhe Luo's sonic barrier.

Ze Luo dodged backwards, then slashed out a few Shangyin blades, cutting through the dark shadow clone in front of him that looked like Hadili.

The real Hadili jumped out from the shadow behind him. Hadili looked completely different from a few days ago. There were a few more wrinkles on his face and a strand of gray hair in his hair. He looked a lot older.

But the divine light in his eyes was brighter than ever before, like the midday sun, scorching and fierce.

Hadili threw the dagger in his hand and quickly made finger gestures. Three black mists broke out from the ground under his feet and transformed into three black phantoms exactly the same as him. Together with him, they occupied the four sides of Zhe Luo and surrounded Zhe Luo in the center.

One person and three phantoms, like a person and a shadow in a mirror, made the same finger gestures at the same speed. As the finger gestures were completed, a red-black square barrier with four people as nodes unfolded, surrounding Zhe Luo in the center of the four people.

A red lotus with a black background bloomed at Zhe Luo's feet, but what it exuded was not the refreshing fragrance of the lotus, but streams of flames like red lotus, colliding and stirring in the barrier, turning Zhe Luo into a pottery embryo in the furnace.

Crimson Lotus Ninja Technique: Shadow Array.

This is a move in the Red Lotus Ninja Technique that can be compared to Hu Xiuwu's Jade Hook Slash.

The Crimson Lotus Ninja Method also incorporates some shadow clone techniques, which are quite compatible with Hadili and he makes rapid progress.

Looking at Hadili who was fighting with Ze Luo so vividly and evenly, Hu Xiuwu was a little dazed. He helped Hadili fill in the last gap, and Hadili could now even fight with Ze Luo so vividly and evenly.

But the sight of Hadili, wrapped in flames and looking like a fire god, made him think of a word.

Sun God of War,

Hu Xiuwu found it so ironic. He had always controlled himself and dared not take any drastic action to change history, but he never realized that he had already been a part of history.

His and Chen Duo's journey through time was not accidental, but inevitable.

While Hu Xiuwu was thinking about the time paradox and philosophy, Ze Luo and Hadili temporarily stopped fighting. If they continued fighting, the noise would probably not be able to cover up the noise from the blacksmith shop.

Ze Luo said with emotion: "In just a few days, you were able to reach this level. What happened?"

"How on earth did you do that?"

Ze Luo tried to test Hadili. He was also very envious of this method that could improve combat power in a short period of time.

Well, he is interested in anything good. This should be a common problem among emperors.

Mine, mine, all mine.

Hadili had his hair disheveled, with strands of hair hanging down on both sides of his cheeks, hiding the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. He said calmly:

"It's just a small price to pay."

This answer naturally did not satisfy Zeluo's huge appetite. Zeluo wanted to ask more questions, but Hadili changed the subject:

"Speaking of which, is the sage going to come back?"

Now Ze Luo and Hadili are in the same boat. Since he doesn't want to elaborate, Ze Luo didn't continue to ask. He still has some sense of propriety.

Ze Luo continued what Hadili said: "Calculating the time, if there are no accidents, it should be in the next few days."

"In that case, I will go back and prepare. I will take my leave now, King Kucha."

Hadili and Hu Xiuwu were going back to Hadili's house, but Ze Luo had no intention of leaving. The Western Region Fire Dragon Oil had been successfully developed, and these days the craftsmen were carefully packing it bit by bit into extremely thin and fragile pottery jars, and then sealing them with clay.

This process requires extreme caution and no mistakes can be made. During this time, Ze Luo has been using Yuyin to watch the work of the craftsmen to prevent accidents that could cause fires.

Hadili and Hu Xiuwu split up and returned to their home in two groups.

When they returned home, Chen Duo was learning to dance with Zumureti. During the time that Hu Xiuwu taught Hadili the Red Lotus Ninja Technique, her relationship with Zumureti had inexplicably become very close.

Chen Duo was wearing a fitted Gumo-style dress, painted with all kinds of Gumo-specific exotic flowers and plants. Around her neck she wore a Pisces gold-eyed jade pendant given by Hu Xiuwu, and around her waist she had a belt inlaid with agate jade.

Chen Duo had good flexibility and coordination. After only a few days of learning from Zumureti, she was already quite good at it. She was dancing in the yard. Her light and agile dance moves made Hu Xiuwu feel dizzy, as if she was a colorful butterfly flying out of a cage.

Hadili came back earlier than Hu Xiuwu. At this time, he was helping Chen Duo and Zu Mureti compose music and playing the pipa.

Hu Xiuwu found a place and sat on the ground, watching the graceful dance of Chen Duo and Zu Muretti, quietly enjoying this moment of peace, adjusting his mentality, and preparing to face the next storm.

The leisurely time did not last long.

A few days later,

As Ze Luo said, Gao Gu returned safely from Yanqi. Not only that, he also brought an unexpected person back to Qiuci with him.

The Han envoy,

Zhang Qian.

Chapter 149 Zhang Qian Joins the Game

Although Gao Gu came back with Zhang Qian, he did not travel with Zhang Qian. Instead, he and Gao Yue mixed in the Yanqi caravan and entered Yancheng first in a low-key manner.

Zhang Qian and his men paraded through the streets with great fanfare.

The group of people were wearing Han costumes that were completely different from those in the Western Regions. They had long swords on their waists. There were several carriages in the team, on which were placed all kinds of gifts. There were also many jars of fine wine on the last few carriages.

The leader was handsome and heroic, riding a tall horse, holding in his hand a pole inlaid with various precious furs, with a golden blue bird on the top that seemed to be spreading its wings and flying in all directions.

The team entered Yancheng with great fanfare. The King of Kucha, Zeluo, personally greeted them at the city gate and let the delegation stay in the palace.

Soon, the news spread in Yancheng.

The huge team that entered Yancheng today was an envoy from the east. They were sent by the Han Empire, which was said to be equally powerful as the Huns. It seemed that they were going to the Kingdom of Jingjue to pay a visit to the Queen of Jingjue, present a letter of credence, and establish diplomatic relations.

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Inside the Kucha Palace,

Ze Luo said suspiciously, "You said you are willing to help us conquer the Kingdom of Jingjue?"

Zeluo even knew Chinese and was much more familiar with the Han Dynasty than anyone else in the Western Regions, so he was naturally skeptical about Zhang Qian's words.

For no reason, if the Han Dynasty did not go to war with the Huns, would it help the residents of the Western Regions thousands of miles away?

Zhang Qian said righteously: "Of course!"

"The Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty founded the country by overthrowing the tyrannical Qin Dynasty. The Han Dynasty was also founded on filial piety and righteousness. As an envoy of the Han Dynasty, how could I, Zhang Qian, sit idly by and watch my friendly country suffer from tyranny?"

Zhang Qian held the staff in his hand and shook it to the left, then said the above words in indignation, and then shook his sleeves violently, making a fierce sound:

"If you need anything, I will certainly do my best to help you!"

Tang Yifu stood aside expressionlessly and translated Zhang Qian's words to Ze Luo.

Zhang Qian spoke with such sincerity and earnestness that Zhe Luo Gou was confused. He said he didn't believe that the Han Dynasty would unconditionally help the Western Regions. But he racked his brains but could not figure out what benefits the Han Dynasty, which was thousands of miles away, could gain from this matter.

Could it be that he really misunderstood Zhang Qian? Is there really such a fool who only helps without asking for anything in return?

Gao Gu stood aside smiling without saying a word. Hu Xiuwu watched Zhang Qian's performance quietly. When he couldn't help it, he turned around and rolled his eyes at Chen Duo.

I don't believe you at all. Even though you have thick eyebrows and big eyes, you never tell the truth.

Only Chen Duo really believed that Zhang Qian was telling the truth, and she applauded and cheered for him.

For a moment, the palace was silent, with only Chen Duo's applause echoing.

Hu Xiuwu pulled her speechlessly and asked, "What are you doing?"

Chen Duo said: "Uncle Liao said that if someone is giving a speech, we must applaud to show respect."

What a mess? Is this the experience that Uncle Liao has summarized himself?

Hu Xiuwu maliciously speculated: Isn't that a 'non-state-owned enterprise'? Doesn't that mean there are always various large and small meetings every day?

The episode was suppressed by Hu Xiuwu, and Gao Gu then explained to Ze Luo:

"With the addition of Envoy Zhang, the plan can be changed. Envoy Zhang can take Mr. Xiuwu to Jingjue. King Qiuci can just use the excuse of escorting Zhang Qian's delegation and transporting military equipment to stay in Jingjue City and block the Jingjue army coming to support."

"The King of Yanqi has already set out from Yanqi with gold and silver to visit the Kingdom of Jingjue to meet the Queen of Jingjue and apologize to her."

Then Luo Qi asked: "Apologize?"

Gao Gu nodded and said, "That's right. Last year, Yanqi failed to pay the offerings to the Snake God on time and in full, as well as the taxes collected by Jingjue. The Queen of Jingjue once said that if he fails to pay the offerings again this time, she will use half of Yanqi's population to sacrifice to the gods."

"This time, no one in Yanqi is an exception. Even if the King of Yanqi is chosen, he must come!"

Ze Luo snorted coldly: "No wonder that old bastard King Yanqi agreed to send troops."

"In that case, we should set off now. Everything is ready."

Gao Gu said, "Your Majesty, it will take three days for the delegation to be ready."

Ze Luo made a prompt decision: "Then we will set off in three days to avoid any more trouble."

"Your Majesty, that's a good idea."

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Ze Luo went to the blacksmith's workshop and supervised his craftsmen and the soldiers of the delegation to sink the thin pottery jar filled with Western Region Fire Dragon Oil into the wine jar.

Gao Gu returned to Hadili's residence and reunited with the Gao family, apparently wanting to explain some things to them in the end.

Only Hu Xiuwu and Chen Duo stayed with Zhang Qian. This time, Zhang Qian did not pretend to be a cultured person with Hu Xiuwu. He just lay down on the high stool in the Kucha Palace. Tang Yifu was already used to it.

Hu Xiuwu looked at Zhang Qian in the hall speechlessly, and suddenly a curiosity arose in his heart. In real history, if he and Chen Duo had not fought off the Hun cavalry, would Zhang Qian have escaped the pursuit of the Hun cavalry?

If not, what would happen to him? Would he still be able to fulfill his mission?

Hu Xiuwu shook his head, discarded this thought that popped up for no reason, and said to Zhang Qian: "I really can't believe that you would get involved in this mess. What good will it do you?"

"Even if you help the people of the Western Regions overthrow the rule of the Jingjue, the Xiongnu will still occupy the Hexi Corridor. The Western Regions are just an enclave thousands of miles away, and the Han Dynasty is far away from them. The Xiongnu will still take advantage of it."

Zhang Qian laughed: "Brother Xiuwu, although you have inherited Liu Hou's talent for practicing Qi, you still haven't understood Liu Hou's means of strategizing."

Hu Xiuwu cupped his hands and said, "Would you like to hear more details?"

Zhang Qian suppressed his smile and said, "Even if I do nothing, what will happen? Will Qiuci and Gumo stop their actions against Jingjue?"

Hu Xiuwu shook his head. He knew very well the determination of Prince Hadili of Gumo to resist Jingjue. He would never back down. Even if he was not there, Hadili would still find a way to resist Jingjue. Gao Gu would never let go of this useful chess piece.

The arrow is already on the string, how can it be released in vain?

"So, since it is irreversible, I will naturally join in and gain some benefits for the Han people."

Hu Xiuwu still didn't understand: "What benefits can you gain for the Han Dynasty?"

Because Zhang Qian mistakenly believed that Hu Xiuwu was a descendant of Liu Hou, he did not give a direct answer, but instead induced Hu Xiuwu to think for himself:

"What do you think will happen when they succeed?"