novelnext Chapter 706: 689 s King Zhao returns to the capital
Chapter 706: 689 s King Zhao returns to the capital
Chapter 706: 689 chapters King Zhao returns to the capital“You’ve taken his mind off drinking just by what you said.”o cover up his over-time comments and suddenly said, “So you mean the Cao Gang still only wants to be a money-making gang in the Worldly Society and doesn’t want to involve in local governance, even though you have become powerful now, preferring to return to how things were?”
“Exactly,” Wan Dongliu responded indifferently. “It’s not just that we have no interest in it, but more importantly, you wouldn’t want a situation where having finally suppressed the Aristocratic Families, the Wan Family rises up. It’s fine for a gang in the Worldly Society to grow large, but it’s different when it comes to the control of states…”
He paused, then suddenly smiled, “Worldly Society matters remain in the Worldly Society… I prefer it this way, and I believe you do too. When we head back to Yangzhou later, I’ll treat you to a drink in the Xiao Xiang Inn… Oh, Chichi got married.”
Zhao Changhe also laughed, “I used to say that the Worldly Society wasn’t what I wanted… But looking back now, I miss those times the most. Moving from the Worldly Society to ruling the world, from the human realm to the divine, the burden feels too heavy, suffocating.”
“It’s just more work for the capable, that’s all. Before, Xia Longyuan bore the brunt… Now, you are Xia Longyuan.” Wan Dongliu raised his glass in a toast, “I wish you quick success in bringing order to the realm… just don’t also hide and breakthrough in a Secret Realm, starting the cycle all over again.”
Zhao Changhe lifted his glass, his gaze lost in the liquid in the glass, suddenly wondering if Chichi taking over the throne partly served to release him, Zhao Changhe, from his duties. The throne looked appealing but was actually a dragon trap.
Thinking this, Zhao Changhe suddenly knew what he had to do.
He had been considering how to face the upcoming situations, whether to lead his forces to the Central Pass or head north to Yanmen. But now he realized he didn’t need to go anywhere; these were not his tasks to do.
Just like the recent battles in Langya and the Capital City, he hadn’t participated… The specialized tasks should be left to the professionals. He should not entangle himself in military affairs. What he needed to do was more likely…
Kunlun and Ba Shu.
He needed to find out what exactly Yi Shentong and Li Shentong were thinking.
As he was contemplating this, Cui Yuanyong hurried in, seeing Zhao Changhe and Wan Dongliu sneaking drinks here, he was also taken aback, “You’ve come out from the Secret Realm, why not attend the official celebration? And Brother Wan, what are you doing hiding here?”
Zhao Changhe said, “An official celebration has too many rules, annoying, nowhere near as good as having a few private drinks.”
Cui Yuanyong couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re the king, the rules are set by you, what you should be annoyed with is all the insincere flattery.”
“Either way,” Zhao Changhe asked, “You seem to be in a hurry. Is there new information?”
Cui Yuanyong nodded, “Father sent a message by carrier pigeon, saying the Yang Family wants to retreat from worldly affairs. Father thinks Yangyang should visit the Yang Family.”
Inside, Cui Yuanyang was contemplating the profound meanings of the Heavenly Book, particularly about subduing the seas, when he overheard his brother’s words and was momentarily stunned. Zhao Changhe was also planning to let her visit both the Yang Family and the Li Family, so it seemed their father had the same idea. She suddenly recalled her initial visit to the Yang Family to discuss the Lianshan Sword; perhaps it was not solely because of her experience with negotiating in Qinghe that it succeeded, but maybe, it was indeed due to the karma from a past life.
Zhao Changhe was saying, “Is it reliable to just send Yangyang? What if…”
Cui Yuanyong couldn’t help but laugh and cry, “With the current situation, unless the Yang Family wishes for their doom, where would they find the courage? Besides, Yangyang is not that critical; scheming to trick him to offend us severely would be foolish, and Yang Jingxiu is not an idiot.”
Seeing himself considered a mere hostage that nobody wanted, Cui Yuanyang felt quite humiliated and stuck out his head to shout, “Maybe it’s precisely because I go that they won’t face doom! I’ll show you what a key figure is!”
Cui Yuanyong couldn’t help but laugh, “Yes, yes, you are indeed critical.”
Isn’t that crucial? If it wasn’t for me taking you to Beimang back then, the Cui Family might be considering withdrawing from the world just like the Yang Family…
Cui Yuanyang hesitated and glanced at Zhao Changhe, who had sounded like he was planning to go to Central Pass, and even mentioned going together. Now if he went to the Yang Family, would it be out of the way?… Zhao Changhe, full of responsibilities now, probably didn’t have time to visit the already surrendered Yang Family.
Zhao Changhe said, “Yangyang can go to the Yang Family first. I need to return to the Capital to check on the latest battle situation, especially regarding Ba Tu’s side, I don’t know if there have been any updates… We are currently not in a position to strategize over Central Pass. If the situation with Ba Tu is still manageable, I need to make a trip to Kunlun first.”
Cui Yuanyang was taken aback, “Go to Kunlun for what? To have them attack Central Pass too?”
“I want to ask Yuxu if his talking about cutting the dragon veins for the world is just lip service.”
…
As night fell, Zhao Changhe rushed toward the Capital, moving awkwardly.
Following by his side, Wuzhui twisted his head, utterly puzzled as he watched his master.
He had never seen someone who, having a horse, chose to lead the horse and fly instead—flying awkwardly, tiring, unpleasant to watch, and slow. He couldn’t figure out why.
But what surprised Wuzhui was that his master really managed to fly the whole way without falling.
However, it seemed to take a huge toll, from Langya to the Capital his face was pale, drained of strength. If any divine demon attacked now, this fool would be doomed.
Fortunately, as soon as the news from the Chaotic World Book about his distorted rear came out, his presence was quite deterring in the short term; everyone weighed their actions carefully, and no one dared to provoke trouble easily. He arrived in the Capital smoothly, where the city was brightly lit, with the Light Cavalry patrolling everywhere, a clear state of martial law.
From time to time, people were seen being dragged into the Demon Suppression Department.
Hesitant for a moment, Zhao Changhe still decided to first visit the Imperial Palace.
Leading his horse just above the Palace, the stars suddenly flashed, brilliance fell, and a terrifying power smashed down upon him.
Zhao Changhe: “…”
When did they implement this defense array? It’s getting more and more mystifying. His magical Night Emperor Sword unsheathed, blocking above, and the mighty force from the star fall seemed to falter, gradually dissipating.
Poor King Zhao returned triumphantly to the Capital, almost getting blown to bits by his own defensive array, barely suppressing the Night Emperor Array with the “Night Emperor’s Sword.”
“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!” Guards from all sides rushed out, and upon seeing Zhao Changhe, hastily saluted, “Your Highness.”
Zhao Changhe waved his hand to indicate they could dispense with formalities, curious, “Where did this array come from?”
“It was set up a few days ago, specifically to defend against the Heavenly Vault, in case a divine demon attacks. There’s no such protection on the ground.” The guards, all elite members of the Four Symbols Sect, answered in detail. “Before Ye Leitu led his troops here yesterday, Your Majesty was already worried about a divine demon descending from the sky, but they didn’t come from above.”
Zhao Changhe nodded, Chichi was truly thorough. The barbarians or the Li Family really underestimated this young girl Emperor… He had never even dared to think of such a surprise attack while communicating and strategizing with Chichi. He thought the most likely scenario was a siege, but they really dared to make a light cavalry charge into the city, like marching to their death.
Turning his head, he saw Xia Chichi in a dragon robe standing in front of the hall, clearly extremely surprised by his sudden appearance, “You… how did you come back?”
Zhao Changhe said, “Worried about many things, let’s go inside and talk slowly.”
“Go inside…,” Xia Chichi bit her lower lip. “King Zhao, securing Qinghe single-handedly, retreating divine demons alone, flattening Langya with one arrow, strategizing over thousands of miles, and deciding the fate of the Capital. You’ve worked hard and indeed deserve a reward…”
The surrounding guards and maids all tilted their heads.
It sounded like a script of the Emperor taking off the armor for the general, too intense.
But it had to be admitted, the feats of Zhao Changhe were too legendary… Even now, people found it hard to imagine. He hadn’t taken a single soldier out of the city; upon circling back, the land was nearly transformed.