Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 188 The Country and the Beauty
After returning to his camp, Lu Ming began to arrange for his generals to send out troops.

Wu Han, Zhang Mu, and others led their army, heading towards the twenty-three prefectures.

Lin Hong and other imperial guards followed behind the Southern Frontier army.

The battles to come will still be extremely fierce.

However, as long as the twenty-three states are returned, it will all be worthwhile.

After everything was arranged, it was already afternoon.

The entire camp was now deserted.

It's also much smaller.

He had only a few hundred personal guards around him, and even his retainers had gone on the expedition with the army.

Lu Ming checked the changes in the system shop in his own tent.

A further promotion in official rank.

This resulted in a significant increase in the number of items inside.

He decided to see what was worth exchanging.

[Immortal Martial Secret Realm, 20 billion points (can accommodate experts from the Golden Core Realm to the Divine Power Realm to cultivate within it; time is compressed so that one day of cultivation inside is equivalent to one month outside; after opening, it will cost 10 billion spirit stones annually)]

[Forging method for the replica of the Heavenly Soldier Armor, 10 billion points (Armor, weapon, complete assembly, can reach the level of a low-grade spiritual weapon. It provides 80% immunity to attacks from experts of the same realm, and 50% immunity to attacks from experts one level higher. It also increases the warrior's health and attack power by 30%).]

[Basic Weapon Forging Techniques, 20 billion points (Mastering basic weapon forging techniques allows you to forge most spiritual weapons)]

[The Basic Alchemy Method, with its 20 billion accumulation points (once mastered, all elixirs below the Immortal Realm can be refined)]

[Recipe for the Dharma Aspect Pill, 15 billion points]

Looking at the various items that appeared on it, a hint of joy appeared in Lu Ming's eyes.

With these things, my foundation was further strengthened.

Even if the major sects blockade us, so what? As long as we give him enough time.

It will definitely develop.

At the very least, it can be implemented within one's own territory.

When he left the system store, it was already dark.

Lu Ming slowly headed towards the Imperial Guard camp.

The Heavenly Martial Guard remained to protect the Empress.

However, the experts from the royal family are nowhere to be seen.

Even now, Lu Ming still doesn't know how many powerful figures the Great Yu royal family has.

However, this should be one of the top secrets of the Great Yu Dynasty.

They only saw a constant stream of experts from the royal family appearing, but their exact numbers were never known.

However, Lu Ming also knew in his heart that it wasn't too little, but it certainly wasn't a lot either.

Otherwise, the Great Yu would not be so constrained at every turn.

Upon entering the Imperial Guard camp.

The female official in green robes walked over slowly.

"My lord, His Majesty requests your presence."

Lu Ming nodded, and then followed the other person toward the Empress's tent.

When we arrived outside the camp.

The female official in green showed no intention of entering; she merely gestured for them to enter.

After glancing at her, Lu Ming slowly walked inside.

As soon as he stepped into the tent, the person sitting at the head of the table made him raise an eyebrow.

Suddenly, the curtain in front of the Empress's throne was removed.

The other person's stunning beauty was revealed.

Her radiant skin shimmered slightly in the candlelight.

Her perfect figure was faintly visible beneath the black royal robe.

It exudes a noble air with a touch of rare charm.

"What's wrong? You said you were going to marry me this morning, and now you don't recognize me?" Yu Muyun said with a smile.

Lu Ming never expected that the person who had been with him all along was actually the Empress.

No wonder they disappeared after we returned to camp.

It turned out to be so.

"You're actually His Majesty?"

“Of course it’s me,” Yu Muyun said with a smile as she stepped down.

After arriving at Lu Ming's side, she pulled him to the dragon throne and pressed him down on it.

"From now on, you will be the emperor of Dayu, and I will be your empress."

This news left Lu Ming momentarily speechless.

The Queen then said, "I've come today to discuss things after we return. May I share my thoughts first?"

Before Lu Ming could speak...

The Empress then said again, "I truly want to marry you. The royal family has already agreed. They know that you have deep feelings for Xi Rou and don't want her to suffer. I also like her very much. Therefore, the Great Yu can establish two empresses. I will be the Eastern Empress, and she will be the Western Empress."

Regardless of size.

However, the imperial family's idea is that our two children should become the crown prince. Is that acceptable?

Lu Ming had not expected that the Empress would make such a concession.

I couldn't help but feel a little moved.

He smelled the fragrance emanating from the other person and said, "That's only right."

"Alright, after we get back, we'll get married and hold the abdication ceremony. I'll leave the Great Yu to you."

When it comes to this.

The Empress's body trembled slightly.

Lu Ming hadn't expected things to develop this way.

I was just thinking that I would exchange the items in the system and put them in my own fiefdom.

It now seems they're planning to establish a presence in Dayu.

He raised his head, looked at the Empress, and said, "I will never let you down!"

Inside the tent, the candlelight flickered.

Moments later, the tent was filled with the colors of spring.

The guards around us had disappeared at some point.

Only the female official in blue robes carefully guarded the outside.

In the days that followed, Lu Ming spent every day with the Empress.

Meanwhile, news of battles at the front continued to arrive.

Most of the news was good. Although the elders of the royal family could not gain an overwhelming advantage against the experts of the Great Xia Dynasty, they could still hold off the opponents.

Wu Han and his men led their army, slaughtering in all directions.

In the blink of an eye, half a year has passed.

On this day, Lu Ming had just stepped out of his tent early in the morning.

Zhang Meng was already waiting in the distance.

His face lit up with excitement. "My lord!"

Lu Ming looked at him, raised an eyebrow, and walked over, asking, "Has something happened?"

"My lord, the twenty-three prefectures have been recovered," Zhang Meng said with a smile.

Now, the ninety prefectures of the Great Yu have finally fallen into our hands once again.

Lu Ming smiled and said, "Okay, where are Wu Han and the others?"

"We're on our way back," Zhang Meng said quickly.

At that moment, the Empress also came out from inside.

"Has something happened?" she asked softly.

"The twenty-three prefectures have been recovered; it's time for us to head back," Lu Ming said with a smile.

The empress, who had initially seemed somewhat languid, instantly perked up.

Joy appeared on his face.

"Yes, it's time to go back."

she whispered.

At this moment, Zhang Meng had already carefully retreated.

Lu Ming then turned his head and said, "Let's return in three days. The army can return to the capital on its own."

"I'll listen to you," the Empress said sweetly.

We spent half a year together.

This made her even more attached to Lu Ming.

Naturally, we did not disagree with what the other party said.

Lu Ming nodded and said, "Then I'll go back to camp to make arrangements. We'll set off in three days!"

As he spoke, he walked outside.

Although the war has ended briefly.

But he knew that more things awaited him. In the following days, Dajun began packing his things.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Empress's carriage, under the protection of the Heavenly Martial Guard, headed towards the capital.

At the other party's request, Lu Ming also sat down.

The carriage was enormous, spanning several tens of square meters, like a mobile room.

The outside was resplendent with gold.

Sitting inside, you can't feel any bumps at all.

Lu Ming picked up the tea served by the female official in green and took a sip.

The Empress handed him a memorial, saying, "This is a message that Wei Zhong just sent."

After taking it and reading it, Lu Ming couldn't help but frown.

Then, the Empress said softly, "In the past, the Great Yu always bought all kinds of pills from the Divine Medicine Valley. Now they are unwilling to sell to us anymore, not even at three times the price."

Our reserves are only enough for six months.

If no one is willing to sell to us in six months, our supply of medicinal pills will run out.

At this point, a hint of worry appeared in his eyes.

Then, he took out another memorial: "The Lianbing Peak has also closed all the shops set up in Dayu territory and withdrawn from Dayu territory. Almost all the weapons of our Dayu generals are purchased from them."

If the soldiers' cultivation levels improve in the future...

We also need to upgrade our equipment, but their departure has cut off our access to weapons.

The empress's face showed even greater sorrow.

One thing after another left her completely bewildered.

"Aren't there any alchemists on the royal family's side?"

“Of course we do, but we don’t have the pill formulas. Right now, we can only refine pills below the Golden Core stage ourselves. You’re right, the Great Yu Dynasty relied too much on the sects in the past, which led to the current difficulties we face after being blocked.” Hearing Lu Ming’s question.

The Empress spoke.

Their worries deepened.

There were no more elixirs, no more weapons.

These are fatal blows to the Great Yu.

The army's cultivation level cannot be improved quickly.

It is extremely dangerous in the Seven Star Domain.

Lu Ming patted her shoulder and said softly, "Don't worry, I'll find a way to handle this."

The Empress turned her head and said, "I know you have a way, but this is not a coastal area, but the entire Great Yu, and the cost will be enormous."

“I’ve said it before, Dayu needs reform. After we go back, we’ll develop it slowly. Give me several decades, and I will definitely make Dayu different.”

Lu Ming said slowly.

The Queen nodded.

They traveled in silence, and a month later, Lu Ming and his group returned to the capital.

The Empress went to the palace.

Lu Ming then returned to the Prime Minister's residence.

"My husband is back!"

After paying his respects to Li Yan, Lu Ming had just arrived at the backyard when Li Xirou happily ran over.

Today, she was wearing a light blue dress.

It accentuates her curves beautifully.

As she approached Lu Ming's side, a fragrant breeze wafted by.

"came back."

Looking at his wife in front of him, Lu Ming said softly.

Then, Li Xirou looked behind him.

"Where is Sister Muyun? Didn't she come back with you?"

Clearly, Lu Ming had already told Li Xirou about his affair with the Empress.

“She went to the palace. After the wedding, we’ll go to the palace too, and this time we’ll hold your wedding ceremony together,” Lu Ming said with a smile.

He gently stroked his wife's long hair.

“Okay!” Li Xirou nodded.

Then, he went into the house with Lu Ming.

Various delicacies were already laid out on the table.

Li Xirou knew Lu Ming's habit: every time he came back, he would eat the meals she cooked.

Although the other party's current cultivation level allows them to survive even without food.

But the habit of many years cannot be changed.

Meanwhile, inside the palace...

The Empress sat in her study.

Several patriarchs have already returned.

The Grand Master looked at the rosy-cheeked Empress and said, "How about setting your wedding date for a month from now? It's an auspicious day right now, and the army will be returning in triumph."

"I will follow the Grand Master's orders," the Empress nodded.

She naturally hoped to marry Lu Ming as soon as possible.

Da Zongzheng nodded.

Then he continued, "Then I will notify the forces that are on good terms with my Great Yu tomorrow."

The Empress's face darkened as she said, "Now that the seven major sects have sealed off the area, I'm afraid no one will come."

"We still need to notify them eventually. Whether they come or not is their business, but we have to notify them," the Grand Master said slowly.

A look of worry appeared on his face.

If this continues...

Six months later, the national strength of the Great Yu will begin to decline significantly.

"Your Dharma form is almost complete, isn't it? Although it's being suppressed by a secret technique, you still need to find suitable true blood from a ferocious beast as soon as possible."

"I'll figure it out myself." Before the Grand Master of Ceremonies could finish speaking, the Empress interrupted him.

She didn't want her subordinates to take risks by going outside to buy the true blood of ferocious beasts.

However, at this moment, the female official in green seemed to remember something and stepped forward respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, when you entered the palace, Duke Jiuding gave me a jade box, saying that it was for you to use to condense your Dharma form."

He took it out while he was talking.

The Seventh Ancestor quickly chimed in, “That’s right. Lu Ming’s men have all condensed their Dharma forms, and their levels are all quite high. His Majesty is now one of his men. Since his wife has condensed her Dharma form, he will naturally contribute to the fight against this ferocious beast’s true blood.”

"Let me see what kind of true blood it is!"

The Grand Master of Ceremonies and others standing nearby also looked over.

Even the Empress was filled with curiosity, and a look of happiness appeared on her face.

She hadn't expected Lu Ming to be so thoughtful, always keeping her in mind.

Without hesitation, he immediately opened the box.

"Buzz!"

A surge of intense energy instantly swept through the hall.

Then, they saw a drop of blood engulfed in flames inside the box.

A delicate fragrance permeates the air.

"This is the true blood of a pure-blooded ferocious beast, and its level is definitely top-tier."

"Where did Lu Ming get this? Even the seven major sects don't have true blood of this quality."

The Seventh Patriarch said with some disbelief.

The Grand Master frowned and looked at Yu Sanjian, saying, "Seventh Brother, don't talk too much in the future. Just take the benefits you're given. Asking too many questions is a big no-no."

"Hehe, I know, I just couldn't help myself for a moment," Yu Sanjian chuckled.

After examining it for a moment, the Grand Master said, "It should be the true blood of the ancient divine phoenix, and it's pure blood. Lu Ming really surprised me. Just this drop of blood is probably more valuable than my entire Great Yu. Even if it were placed in the Immortal Realm, it would cause a bloodbath."

Your Majesty, why don't you begin the refining process today?

With Lu Ming's help this time, perhaps our Great Yu can truly rise to power.

He said with a smile.

After the Second Ancestor nodded, he said, "After Lu Ming marries His Majesty, let's discuss how the Great Yu should develop next. We must make changes."

His voice was somewhat low.

I've been under a lot of pressure lately.

After losing the protection of the sect, not only the nearby forces, but also some demon races, began to stir up trouble on the border of Dayu.

The White Bone King of Wanku Mountain stormed into the territory of Dayu a few days ago and devoured the people of an entire town.

However, the Great Yu Dynasty was powerless to pursue and kill them.

If this continues, it will only embolden these nearby monsters.

The other elders nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Lu Ming, after having dinner and spending some time with his wife, was...

Lying in bed, he opened the system shop to check how many points he had earned.

(End of this chapter)