Yamafu Military Affairs

Chapter 687 Deep Meaning
The next day, noon.

In the training ground of the Chen family mansion, tall, armored warriors with metallic sheen stood in a row, and long black banners stood all around the buildings, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Chen Yun, dressed in a black military uniform, changed his usual attire and sat in the hall with Chen Jing, who had hurriedly returned to the capital. Chen Shuda was also there, and the three of them were chatting.

“Yun Cong, these are the mechanical soldiers that your Uncle Shi specially sent after he learned that you were going to Songjiang. They are all mechanical soldiers made of steel, with thick skin and flesh, impervious to water and fire, with great strength in their arms, and most importantly, they are not afraid of being corrupted by demons. If you encounter any deep pools or dark caves, you may wish to use them to explore the way.”

Listening to Uncle Chen's introduction, Chen Yun also turned his attention to these so-called puppet soldiers. They were all dressed in armor, with broad backs and narrow waists, and were as imposing as the elite cavalry that Chen Jing had brought back from the southwest.

However, none of these soldiers had facial features; their faces were replaced by smooth, curved metal surfaces, making them look quite strange.

"Father, has Uncle Shi changed his ways? He used to treasure these mechanical puppets the most. The Governor's Office asked him for the secret mechanisms several times, but the Ministry of Works always brushed him off with excuses that the required materials were too rare and the craftsmen were too incompetent. Why is it that this time, my brother, the miser, has actually plucked some feathers?"

Having traveled day and night all the way from Haining back to Jinling, Chen Jing showed little sign of fatigue, gazing at the mechanical puppet with considerable curiosity.

“We have no choice but to pull it out. Yesterday, the Emperor was furious and questioned the Ministry of Works about the strange occurrences that had occurred in the section of the Han Canal under the jurisdiction of the Water Conservancy Bureau, which led to the capsizing of the Lianghuai tribute silver being escorted by the Ministry of Revenue, and the disappearance of over a million taels of silver from both countries. If it weren’t for your third sister’s connections, I would probably be in trouble too. Fortunately, Shenbo and I managed to persuade the Emperor and save Longjiang’s life. However, he will still be punished accordingly. He and I will be leading men north to Huai’an immediately to investigate this case and garrison the Huai River.”

Uncle Chen turned to look at his eldest son, Chen Jing, and as if he had thought of something, added, "Mingyuan, remember, after helping Yun Cong slay the snake, take the Tiger Guards and rush to Hangou immediately to act as you see fit. Although the Emperor has already sent the entire Shenzha Division to Shanyang, this case is no small matter. Since the villains dared to target the national treasury, they must have something to rely on. Now that the Emperor has ascended to the True Realm and is in a state of utter silence, you must be especially careful."

“I understand, son. When I took Huben through Haining earlier, I was thinking of returning to our ancestral home to pay respects to our ancestors when I had the chance, but I never expected such a change to occur in the court, that even the Dengzhen Pagoda would be closed to the public?!”

Upon hearing of such a major case, Chen Jing showed surprise but was not particularly astonished. However, when he learned that Dengzhen Tower was closed, he immediately asked questions in detail.

"There is no need to panic. The closure of the Dengzhen Tower has nothing to do with Gang Yin's disappearance. The matter was discussed in the pavilion yesterday. According to what the old master learned from Zhu Weng, it is because the universe has been affected by slaughter, pain and death, and needs some time to recuperate, refine the ten emotions, and eliminate the eight sufferings. That is why the Primordial Venerable issued such a decree."

Uncle Chen pressed his hand down, revealing the secrets of the Sichen Chamber in a rather veiled manner.

"What about the Wuliang Taoist priests sent out by Dengzhen Pagoda? Has the emperor invited them to investigate this case? I heard from my younger brother that a female Taoist priest from Suxuan Temple has come to our house and will be traveling with us."

Chen Jingdian nodded, breathed a sigh of relief, and then asked.

"Those Taoist priests all have important matters to attend to and cannot concern themselves with the court. Otherwise, the emperor would not have been so anxious as to send out all the constables of the Divine Chariot Division to retrieve his silver. As for Master Miaoxuan, she is a member of a side branch from out of town. She volunteered this time in order to obtain a certificate of merit for entering the Tower of Ascension to Immortality, which aligns with our goal. This trip is a win-win situation and should not delay the overall situation."

Speaking of Qin Wen, Uncle Chen hesitated for a moment, but he still trusted his father's judgment. Although he didn't know how Chen Guangye had determined that Qin Wen's background was impeccable, he was certain that without the infallible judgment of this Jade Yang Immortal Historian, the Haining Chen family would never have become the top powerful clan in the world today. "However, this time, there are quite a few rogue cultivators who have a grudge against the Dengzhen Tower. Yun Cong, as the person in charge of this trip, you must be careful."

As they spoke, one after another, people from all walks of life, dressed in unusual ways, with strange appearances and some inhuman features, walked in from outside the garden. When they saw the mechanical soldiers in the training ground and the rows of seats behind them, they found seats and sat down without being told.

Looking at this group of people who could be described as a free-spirited and undisciplined mob, Chen Jing, who was already used to military camps and battle formations, frowned and was somewhat displeased.

As the sun rose high in the sky, Chen Jing noticed that almost all the seats in the arena were occupied, but the mysterious female Taoist priestess, whom Chen Yun had described as breathtaking, had not yet arrived. A hint of anger rose between his brows.

“Brother, it’s almost noon, why hasn’t Miaoxuan arrived yet? I thought the Wudang Hidden Immortal’s cultivation was more profound, but I didn’t expect she still couldn’t escape her primal nature! Well, Jinling is so prosperous, and all sorts of things can be dazzling. This Daoist nun probably lingered in brothels last night and hasn’t woken up yet. In that case, we don’t need to wait for her, let’s just keep going!”

Before the words were finished, Qin Wen, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation between the Chen father and son and pondering its deeper meaning, straightened his clothes and walked leisurely from outside the garden. As if he had not heard what Chen Jing had just said, he ignored the murderous gazes of the various shady characters and rogue cultivators and came to Uncle Chen alone, where he bowed.

"The Chen family's collection is vast. Even after reading it all night, Miaoxuan has only read a small part of it. It was only when the sky was bright that he remembered today's appointment and came in a hurry. He has not yet been familiar with it. I hope the Minister will not be offended."

"It's alright. This morning, the old man specifically told me that Mr. Miaoxuan enjoys reading. As long as it doesn't interfere with your cultivation and only delays a little time, it's nothing to worry about."

After receiving Qin Wen's greeting, Uncle Chen glanced at Chen Jing and hurriedly returned the greeting, saying kindly.

"This must be your eldest son, Chen Jing, Chen Mingyuan, right? Yun Cong mentioned him to me last night, and seeing him today, he is indeed radiant and handsome. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he is a reincarnation of the Martial Star or a Star Lord descended to earth!"

"Haha, sir, you flatter me. My son may have some strength, but he is still just a mortal. Compared to a true cultivator like you, he is far inferior."

Hearing Uncle Chen's flattering words, Qin Wen didn't take them to heart. Instead, he slightly curled the corners of his mouth and looked up at Chen Jing, whose face had turned slightly red from misunderstanding him: "Whether it's good or bad, and by what extent, we'll only know after we've competed. I've been sitting here all night studying Taoist books, and my back and waist are already aching. I wonder if Young Master would be willing to spar with Miao Xuan for a bit and stretch my muscles?"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Uncle Chen frowned, somewhat hesitant: "It's getting late, and the space here is cramped and small. Why don't you two wait until you've finished your important business before you spar?"

(End of this chapter)