Chapter 734
Chapter 734
“Please tell Shen Lang I am leaving to continue my work. While you’re at it, ask him how he knew I had returned. Tell him that next time he wishes to contact me, he should not send the letter to that location, but to this new address I've written down.”
With that, Divine Maiden Xue Yin handed a piece of paper to Zhong Chuke.
“Senior Sister, what if I were to accompany you?”
Xue Yin shook her head at Zhong Chuke's suggestion.
“No. The situation in the State of Yue will become exceedingly complex, so you must remain by their side. Besides, Big Dummy still needs your guidance. He is the very future of our martial arts. Ning Zheng, I will take my leave now.”
Ning Zheng bowed deeply, and Divine Maiden Xue Yin turned west, vanishing in a single leap.
‘I pray I’m not too late.’
This was Divine Maiden Xue Yin’s sole thought.
* * *
After ordering twenty thousand of her cavalry to return to the capital of the Qiang Kingdom, Queen Aruna personally led ten thousand cavalry, continuing to escort Ning Zheng as they marched east. Each of the ten thousand riders had two horses, some even three. They pressed on day and night without rest or sleep.
As they entered the southern part of Tianxi Province from the Qiang Kingdom, the Provincial Commander of Tianxi, Zhang Ziyu, attempted to block their path, but Gou Duhuan immediately roared.
“Zhang Ziyu, if you dare delay our passage for even a moment, Lord Shen Lang has sworn to slaughter your entire family, carry out the nine familial exterminations, and ensure that not a single person or blade of grass from your clan remains!”
Just then, Grand Eunuch Lü Yin made a public appearance and announced in a loud voice.
“Zhang Ziyu, receive the royal edict.
”
The monarchs of the world had agreed to no longer use the phrase “By His Majesty’s command!” when issuing edicts, yet Ning Yuanxian persisted. Lü Yin spoke coldly.
“Zhang Ziyu, do you intend to defy the royal edict?”
As Lü Yin spoke, he gripped the hilt of his sword, and the imperial guards behind him also placed their hands on their hilts, ready to execute Zhang Ziyu on the spot should he defy the edict.
“This subject obeys! Grant them passage!”
With a thunderous rush, Queen Aruna led her ten thousand cavalry into the territory of Tianxi Province. They escorted Ning Zheng, pressing onward toward the capital, Tianyue City.
* * *
Meanwhile, Shen Lang led his army of over four thousand into Tianxi Province. Queen Shaman led the elite marksmen of the Shaman tribe away from Pingnan Pass, returning to their lands via the Qiang Kingdom’s route. On this expedition to the Chu capital, the elite army of the Shaman tribe had paid a heavy price. Of the five thousand, more than half were casualties, with only a little over two thousand returning to the Great Southern Kingdom. Shen Lang paid three hundred thousand gold taels as compensation for the more than two thousand casualties.
With Queen Shaman’s departure, Shen Lang’s First and Second Nirvana Armies combined numbered only a little over four thousand men. How frail and weak this army must have seemed. Nevertheless, Shen Lang swaggered into the northern part of Tianxi Province, entering the Zhong Clan’s territory. He made no attempt to conceal his presence, instead slowing his march to a crawl, parading through the streets to attract attention.
He was like a peerless beauty, dressed in her finest, strolling through a den of ruffians, practically gesturing and cooing, “Come and get me, sirs.” It was a blatant attempt to bait the Zhong Clan.
‘Why don’t you hurry up and attack me? I’m down to just over four thousand men. Your Zhong Clan still has plenty of troops, right? You originally had one hundred and twenty thousand. After the great battle with Chu, you might have lost over half, but you should still have fifty or sixty thousand left. Fifty or sixty thousand against a mere four thousand—isn’t this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Besides, my First and Second Nirvana Armies are exhausted right now. Hurry up and come destroy me! I’ve even come up with an excuse for you. You can say that the defeated Chu army, resentful of their loss, crossed the border to kill my Nirvana Army, and then framed the Zhong Clan to incite a civil war in the State of Yue.’
While Ning Zheng’s party advanced at a frantic pace, racing back to Tianyue City, Shen Lang deliberately moved at a snail’s pace, practically preening with every slow, ostentatious step.
‘Zhong Yao, hurry and lead your grand army to attack me! I’m telling you to come attack me!’
Finally, Shen Lang took it even further. He halted his army completely, making no more forward progress. He set up camp about a hundred miles from Zhenxi City to reorganize his troops—an act of extreme provocation toward the Zhong Clan.
* * *
The Grand Rite of Heavenly Worship was to be held on the ninth day of the seventh month. From the evening of the eighth day, a curfew was imposed on the capital, Tianyue City, yet Ning Zheng had still not returned. The civil and military officials remained silent on the matter, but the common people were abuzz with discussion. The King’s edict clearly stated that Ning Zheng was to read the Heavenly Proclamation at the Grand Rite, but if he did not arrive in time, Ning Qi would read it instead. The people of the capital felt a pang of regret.
‘It seems His Highness Ning Zheng will not make it in time.’
If so, he would be at a disadvantage at this crucial moment in the struggle for the throne. Everyone knew that whoever read the Heavenly Proclamation would become the junior sovereign. Though they felt sorry for Ning Zheng, the people also thought that perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if Prince Ning Qi took his place.
* * *
At dawn the next day, the King led the civil and military officials from the royal palace, heading on foot to the Altar of Antiquity. He had departed a full two hours earlier than usual, moving before the sun had even risen. The tremors wracking his body were more pronounced now, and though walking appeared difficult, he insisted on proceeding on foot.
In the pre-dawn darkness, countless lanterns hung like stars in the sky. Ning Qi, dressed in golden robes, walked beside Ning Yuanxian. The civil and military officials followed in an orderly procession, their silence creating a somber, almost suffocating, atmosphere.
*Clank, clank.*
The sound of three thousand imperial guards’ armor clashing was particularly distinct as they marched. Soon, many realized that King Ning Yuanxian was not heading toward the Altar of Antiquity but toward the Vermilion Bird Gate. No one dared to ask why. And so, the King, leading his officials and three thousand imperial guards, walked all the way to the outer gate of the Vermilion Bird Gate and waited in silence.
‘Who could he be waiting for? Surely not His Highness Ning Zheng? Your Majesty, you must give up. His Highness Ning Zheng will not make it back in time. Besides, we cannot miss the auspicious hour. If we miss the optimal time to conduct the Grand Rite, the heavens will be wroth.’
However, contrary to everyone’s concerns, they did not have to wait long.
*Thump, thump, thump.*
The ground began to tremble as if from an earthquake, the sound growing steadily louder. It was the sound of cavalry—the sound of ten thousand warhorses pounding the earth. A moment later, a black line appeared on the western horizon, two banners fluttering above it: ‘Ning’ and ‘Qiang’! Soon, the Qiang cavalry surged into view before the civil and military officials like a tidal wave. The sound grew deafening, and the vibrations in the ground intensified. The Qiang cavalry did not slow down; instead, they accelerated, charging toward the assembled court of Yue.
Was this a demonstration of power? Yes, it was. They were making a show of force for the civil and military ministers of the Yue court. Only when they were a hundred meters away did the ten thousand Qiang cavalry finally halt. Not only were they numerous, but each rider had brought two horses. The ten thousand cavalry seemed to stretch endlessly before them.
Two riders came forward. Queen Aruna led, with Ning Zheng following close behind, and they advanced before King Ning Yuanxian. Queen Aruna dismounted her warhorse and bowed.
“Aruna of the Qiang Kingdom greets the King of Yue.”
Ning Yuanxian returned the courtesy without the slightest negligence.
“Ning Yuanxian of Yue greets the Queen of Qiang.”
Ning Zheng stepped forward and prostrated himself before the King.
“Your subject, Ning Zheng, greets his Royal Father.”
His voice trembled slightly at the end. At this moment, Ning Zheng found it incredibly difficult to suppress the surging emotions within him. Ning Yuanxian stepped forward, took Ning Zheng by the arm, and lifted him forcefully.
“My son, Ning Zheng, has returned in triumph! The State of Yue is victorious! Long live Yue!”
Hadn’t the empire tacitly discouraged the use of the phrase “long live”? Yet, as Ning Yuanxian shouted it, the imperial guards behind him echoed the cry, and the countless citizens watching from within the city walls joined in.
“The State of Yue is victorious! Long live Yue! All hail His Highness Ning Zheng!”
“All hail His Highness Ning Zheng! Long live Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!”
What started with a few thousand voices soon swelled to tens of thousands. Ning Qi had received a similar welcome from the people upon his return to the capital, and now Ning Zheng was receiving the same. This alone proved that the people only cared for victory. Ning Yuanxian savored the moment, his eyes sweeping over his ministers. Some appeared indifferent, others lost in thought. The situation before them made it abundantly clear: Ning Yuanxian was laying the groundwork for Ning Zheng’s investiture.
Shen Lang’s Nirvana Army had not returned to the capital but remained stationed in Tianxi Province. What did this prove? It meant His Highness was guarding against the Zhong Clan. He was worried that once Ning Zheng was named crown prince, the Zhong Clan might act rashly. However, without Shen Lang’s army in the capital, Tianyue City was left vulnerable. One had to remember that when Ning Qi returned triumphant, he had brought several thousand cavalry into the capital with him.
Furthermore, Xue Che was the Grand Commander of Tianyue City. While Yan Ye of the Blackwater Terrace was loyal to the King, his heart also leaned toward Ning Qi. Within the capital, the only forces loyal to Ning Zheng were the less than ten thousand city guards. Thus, the King’s invitation for Queen Aruna of the Qiang Kingdom to enter Tianyue City was, on the surface, to welcome an ally as a guest for the Grand Rite of Heavenly Worship. In reality, it was to borrow troops—ten thousand of the Qiang Kingdom’s cavalry.
This was, of course, a breach of protocol. Bringing a large foreign army into the capital was a shocking move. Throughout history, monarchs who invited foreign armies into their capitals rarely met a favorable end. But in this situation, a certain saying came to mind: there is no truth that applies perfectly to every circumstance. To ensure Ning Zheng’s smooth ascension to the position of crown prince, Ning Yuanxian had made this choice. This act would surely bring him infamy for years to come, but being reviled was a small price to pay. If he could secure the crown prince position for Ning Zheng, he was willing to be branded a foolish king.
Since contracting the Broken Gold Three disease, Ning Yuanxian knew his time was short, which had broadened his perspective on many things. His preparations did not stop there; he had also sent secret decrees to Bian Wu and Zhang Chong.
Zhang Chong, in particular, had previously led thirty thousand troops into Tianbei Province to help Ning Qi defend against the King of Wu’s southern expeditionary force. Afterward, Ning Qi had departed for the battlefields of Tianxi Province, but Zhang Chong had remained in Tianbei. The King had issued an edict appointing Zhang Chong as the concurrent Military Governor of Tianbei Province, allowing him to take control of the province at a critical moment. Ning Qi had served as the Grand Commander of Tianbei Province for over a year, but now, in an emergency, Zhang Chong would be the first to seize military authority there.
He had also made arrangements in Tiannan Province. While Zhu Rong was still the Grand Commander of Tiannan, the King had issued an edict appointing Jin Zhuo as the Grand General of Pacifying the South. Should anything happen in Tiannan Province, the Jin Clan’s private army could, based on a secret decree, take control of the province and immediately assume command of the Grand Commander’s headquarters. King Ning Yuanxian had even sent a secret envoy to negotiate with the Keung army, requesting their support from the south if the Jin Clan failed to control the situation in Tiannan.
During Ning Zheng’s absence, King Ning Yuanxian had laid groundwork in all directions—east, west, south, and north—making several decisions that bent the kingdom’s rules. His goal was singular: to ensure Ning Zheng’s smooth ascension to the throne. To achieve this goal, Ning Yuanxian had taken several audacious steps, actions that would undoubtedly tarnish his name in the annals of history.