The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 638 Entering Southwest Xinjiang
Lu Yan'er was indeed never a concubine of Prince Jing, even though she had lived in the world as such for a long time.

Zhao Du'an had gotten used to calling him that, and when reminded, he apologized:
"I misspoke. Miss Lu, please come with me to the yamen for a while. The palace is not really suitable."

Miss Lu... Lu Yan'er, who was actually quite old, found this title somewhat novel, but she was even more surprised by Zhao Du'an's attitude.

Is this gentle, apologetic man really the arrogant and domineering guy who turned the entire Yu Kingdom upside down?

Lu Yan'er's sixth sense, as a woman, made her keenly aware that Zhao Du'an's mood was a bit off today.

Considering that she had heard about the Empress's western expedition after entering the city, she subconsciously connected the two and nodded.

The two took a carriage to the imperial court.

On the road.

Zhao Du'an inquired about Lu Yan'er's journey to the capital and learned that she had come to the capital with the "Three-Person Team of the Celestial Master's Mansion".

Jin Jian and the others returned to the Celestial Master's Mansion. She had no relatives or friends there and didn't know where to look for them, so she simply went straight to the Imperial Palace.

As she spoke, Lu Yan'er maintained the demeanor of a martial arts master, but her frequent glances at Zhao Du'an revealed her unease.

They seemed afraid that Zhao Du'an would change his mind.

"Don't worry, Miss Lu. Although I don't have a good reputation, I've never broken a promise I've made," Zhao Du'an reassured her with a smile.

Lu Yan'er was speechless for a moment.

When the two arrived at Pear Blossom Hall, Zhao Du'an took her to a room alone and then tried to visualize Pei Niannu again.

A few days ago, he had mentioned Lu Yan'er to Pei Niannu.

At this moment, the female sorcerer, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, slowly emerged, her gaze shining through her dark gold mask as she stared at this descendant from six hundred years ago.

Lu Yan'er was so excited that she could hardly contain herself and immediately knelt down and bowed:
"Lu Yan'er, a disciple from a later generation, pays respects to the founder of our sect!"

Pei Niannu, whose temper was usually volatile, softened her gaze for once, glanced at Zhao Du'an, and said:
"get out."

This is a private conversation...

Oh, don't you need me to act as your translator?

Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly remembered that Pei Niannu had spoken directly with the Empress in the secret chamber under the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

At the time, he thought that the Empress's cultivation level was high enough to enable direct communication.

It seems that as his own cultivation level increased, the Pei Niannu he visualized became more and more like a living person.

Now, not only can he force his way in, but he can also cross over him to talk to others.

"I'll be at the door. Call me when you're done."

Zhao Du'an shrugged and walked out, showing no interest in witnessing the heartwarming scene of "grandparents and grandchildren reuniting."

Close the door.

Zhao Du'an walked a little further away and sat down under the big pear tree in the courtyard of Pear Blossom Hall.

After a long time.

The tightly closed door was opened.

Lu Yan'er walked out with red eyes and an excited expression, while Pei Niannu turned into a shadow and disappeared again.

"Is it over?" Zhao Du'an asked with a chuckle.

"You two can talk more."

After using the Dragon Soul that day, he spent the last few days recuperating from his injuries in the capital. Unexpectedly, he discovered that he had quietly reached the Perfect Realm of the World.

One more step forward, and you'll be half a celestial being.

Looking back, it was thanks to the "destruction before construction" principle of that battle.

Therefore, the time that can sustain Pei Niannu's stagnant reality is also increasing.

“No need,” Lu Yan’er took a deep breath, calmed herself, and bowed solemnly.
"Thank you, Lord Zhao, for keeping your promise and helping me to rediscover my family's heritage."

She has extremely high talent for cultivation, but because the lineage she cultivated was interrupted, she has been stuck in the mortal realm for many years, unable to find a way forward.

Having received personal instruction from Pei Niannu today, I have gained a clear understanding and can see the path ahead.

Of course, more important than cultivation level is that this almost extinct lineage has finally reappeared in the world.

"No need for thanks, it was our agreement to begin with."

Zhao Du'an took out another piece of paper and handed it over, saying:
"In addition, there is a woman among the imperial guards who has cultivated your path, codenamed Red Leaf."

She was previously injured and I ordered her to be transferred back to the capital. She's staying here. If you're interested, you can go see her. It's up to her whether she stays or leaves. I was thinking she might be a relative of yours or something.

Lu Yan'er was taken aback, her eyes lighting up with surprise. She quickly accepted the gift, thanked the purse again solemnly, and then smiled:
"Outsiders all speak ill of Lord Zhao, but after spending time with him a few times, I find that it is quite different from the rumors. It is only because Lord Zhao was married to His Majesty long ago, and I am much older than you, that I am afraid I would have to repay you with my own body."

Zhao Du'an chuckled, surprised that this fake princess had such a side to her.

The two had met so many times that you could count them on your fingers, and their first meeting was for an assassination attempt. Yet, they ended up working together to eliminate Xu Wen, which was quite remarkable.

Zhao Du'an smiled and said:
"What are your plans next, Miss Lu?"

Lu Yan'er made a startling statement:
"After resting in the capital for a while, I will go to the front line of Xiping Road to fight against the Buddhist masters from the Western Regions."

Zhao Du'an was taken aback: "Why?"

In his view, having obtained the complete inheritance, shouldn't one just live a life of leisure and freedom?
Lu Yan'er smiled gently:
"This is my agreement with the patriarch. The patriarch once participated in the Heavenly Hunt to destroy Buddhism, and he died in that battle under the siege of Buddhist masters."

Now that those bald monks have once again raised the banner of revenge, I, as a disciple, should go to Xiping to join the battle.

Moreover, for me, a practitioner of magic, progress in my cultivation is inseparable from combat and magical battles.

It turned out to be the case.

Considering that Lu Yan'er, a high-ranking sorcerer, would undoubtedly alleviate a significant burden on Zhenbao, Zhao Du'an rose and sincerely clasped his hands in greeting:

"This time, it is my turn to thank the Taoist priest on behalf of the people of Yu."

The difference between "young lady" and "Taoist priest" is just one word, but the connotations are completely different.

Lu Yan'er accepted the offer without hesitation, and then took her leave.

Watching him leave, Zhao Du'an pondered:

Perhaps, besides trying to unravel the mystery of Emperor Taizu as soon as possible in the rear, I could also try to find more scattered masters and invite them to Xiping.

……

The matter of Lu Yan'er has been settled.

Zhao Du'an rushed straight to the Celestial Master's Mansion without stopping.

After entering by facial recognition, I was surprised to find that there were far fewer sorcerers in the Celestial Master's Mansion, making it seem much emptier.

"Many priests have been heading to Xiping Road in recent days."

The priest leading the way explained:

"The feud between Tian Shou and the Buddha is related to all the Taoist sects in the world, and we understand these principles. Even earlier, Zhong Pan, the divine official, went to the west."

Did Zhong Pan also go to fight?

Zhao Du'an nodded, somewhat regretful that he could not go to Xiping.

As the war intensifies, Xiping Road is bound to become a meat grinder.

But that will no longer be a battlefield dominated by mortal armies, but a battlefield for cultivators.

Upon knocking on the door of the residence where the Old Celestial Master lived, Zhao Du'an saw four figures scattered on bamboo benches under the banyan tree.

All eyes turned to them.

"Brother Zhao!"

A smile appeared on Gongshu Tianyuan's chubby face, and next to him was a huge book box containing the Tianyuan Cannon, which was temporarily unusable.

"Mm." Yu Xiu nodded to him as well. The female Taoist was reading Taoist books and eating fruit at the same time, her movements were extremely elegant.

"A yawn...is coming?"

Jin Jian was curled up in the largest chair, dozing off. Hearing the noise, he woke up like a cat, raised his arms, stretched out a big yawn, pushed up his slightly crooked glasses, and casually greeted someone.

Zhao Du'an nodded to each of the three men, then looked at the smiling old Celestial Master standing under the tree:
"Greetings, Celestial Master."

Zhang Yan smiled slightly:
"Have you finished what you were doing?" "Almost. I just finished the last thing. My injuries have also healed considerably, so I can move around anytime," Zhao Du'an said.

Zhang Yan nodded:

"The sooner the better, how about we set off after lunch?"

Gongshu Tianyuan looked completely bewildered and asked in confusion:
"What departure? Where are you going?"

After he returned, he first paid his respects to his master, and then learned that his master was waiting for Zhao Du'an, but he did not know the specifics of what was going on.

Zhang Yan glanced at the three disciples and said indifferently:
"Yu Xiu and Jin Jian, go pack your things and then come with me. Tian Yuanzi, you stay here and guard the Celestial Master's Mansion. The mansion is empty now, as many elders have gone to the front lines. We need someone of sufficient authority to look after it."

The female Taoist priest, with her exquisite and ethereal beauty, possessed the air of a "monk," which surprised him, but he didn't ask any questions and simply agreed.

"Going out? What do you mean by 'going out'?"

Jin Jian was a bit slow to react, and seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she stopped caring.

Zhao Du'an was also somewhat surprised.

He could understand why she brought Yu Xiu along, since she was familiar with the bandits in the southwestern border region, but why did she bring Jin Jian along?

……

Lunch was eaten inside the Celestial Master's Mansion.

After meal.

Zhao Du'an, along with his master Zhang and his two disciples, a group of four, entered the palace again.

They went straight to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

On the way, Yu Xiu and Jin Jian learned that their master had made a deal with the Empress to protect Zhao Du'an and find a way to enter the legendary Mu Bei Forest together.

They were all greatly surprised.

Jin Jian was so excited that she couldn't sleep anymore.

They were even more astonished when they learned that they needed to go to the southwestern frontier to find clues left by the founding emperor.

I don't understand. If you're going to DJI, why go to the Imperial Palace?

However, they soon found out the answer.

After the group used magic to bypass the Imperial Guards' gaze and enter the core hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Zhao Du'an used magic to open the secret passage, and the two women were completely shocked.

"There's a secret passage beneath the Imperial Ancestral Temple?"

When the group of people went deep into the secret passage and arrived at the innermost secret chamber, they saw three large doors, which even moved Zhang Yanyi.

The old celestial master stroked his beard, gazing in awe at the golden gate, feeling the divine power behind it, and sighed softly:

"Is this the door that the previous Celestial Master prophesied?"

Zhang Yan couldn't help but reach out and gently press his hand on the golden gate, but his palm was bounced back by a gentle force.

"Heh, no need to try, this golden door is impossible to open. We need to find the key, so this is the target of this operation." Zhao Du'an pointed to the green door next to him.

With a serious look, he said:
"Later, I will trouble the Celestial Master to open this door. Behind the door should be the Southwest Frontier. As for what to do after we get there, we can only wait and see."

“Alright.” The tall, narrow-faced old master nodded with pleasure, stepped to the door, and placed his palm on it.

Then, as Zhang Yan's magical power surged, he pressed down on the door, creating ripples of white light.

Throughout the secret room, light and shadow shifted.

"Zha zha zha—"

The stone door slowly opened, revealing a white light and shadow behind it.

"You all go in first. This door must be kept pushed open; it will close once you let go," Zhang Yan said in a deep voice, a slight bulge of veins on his forehead.

Zhao Du'an was somewhat surprised; clearly, this seemingly ordinary door was incredibly heavy.

Without hesitation, he grabbed Jin Jian and Yu Xiu's hands in each, and stepped inside amidst the two women's bewildered gazes.

Wow!
One step in, and two worlds await!

The three of them seemed to pass through a waterfall, and when they opened their eyes again, they were astonished to find that they were no longer in the secret room, but in a vast forest!

Before them lay a dense forest, with ancient trees reaching for the sky. Sunlight streamed in, making the three of them feel as if they had stepped into ancient times. A wild and untamed aura permeated the surroundings, and strange birds circled overhead. In the distance, the roars of unknown beasts could be heard.

"Southwest DJI!"

Yu Xiu blurted out, and the female Taoist priest could not hide her stunned expression:
"They really teleported all the way from the capital?"

Jin Jian was completely stunned.

She already possessed teleportation abilities, and she understood more and more clearly what this kind of ultra-long-distance teleportation meant.

"boom!"

Just then, a voice came from behind the three of them.

Zhao Du'an turned around and saw Zhang Yanyi, dressed in a black priest's robe, emerging from a burst of white light.

Just as the old celestial master stepped into this place, a heavy stone door could be vaguely seen closing shut in the white light.

Then, the light behind the four people collapsed into a small dot and disappeared!
The door disappeared!

Zhao Du'an's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm.

According to Emperor Taizu's cultivation notes, as long as he uses his secret techniques here, he can still find the hidden door.

Of course, even if you can't find it, or if you can't return to this spatial anchor point after leaving, it's not a big problem.

With Zhang Yan by his side, he could fly back to the capital within a day.

and……

Zhao Du'an left his puppet in the capital, as did Zhenbao.

Therefore, he can return to the capital through visualization whenever he wants, without worrying about losing contact with it.

"This is the southwestern frontier? The territory inhabited by the Liao people?"

Zhao Du'an calmly observed his surroundings and asked curiously:

"Didn't they say there was a lot of miasma here? Why don't I see any?"

Yu Xiu calmed down by now.

After all, this was familiar territory for her. As she took out her compass and began to determine her exact location, she explained:

"It's not like there's miasma everywhere. Miasma only exists in certain areas of the Great Plains. Of course, some miasma moves like clouds. As for the most dangerous miasma, it's further south. The fact that we don't have it around here means that we're not particularly deep in the region..."

Jin Jian was a little nervous in the unfamiliar environment. He waved his hand and pulled out his one-eyed staff.

Then she said in horror:
"Ah, Master, something terrible has happened! My magical power has been suppressed."

Reminded, Zhao Du'an carefully sensed his surroundings and discovered that the flow of Qi within his body had slowed down considerably.

This means that his combat power was also suppressed, but it seemed to be much better than that of other warlocks of the same level.

Zhang Yanyi said calmly, his hands clasped behind his back:

"This is no longer the Great Yu, nor is it the territory ruled by the righteous gods."

Above us now is the evil god Da Laba, who has been entrenched here for thousands of years. In the realm of a god of this level, even the power of the Heavenly Dao is severely interfered with.

The moment I stepped into this place, my cultivation level dropped by two minor realms.

If magic is used and the Great Laba is alerted, the targeted suppression will be even greater.

Zhao Du'an was shocked. Old Zhang had been beaten so badly?

But thinking about it, it makes sense. If this place wasn't dangerous, why would Zhenbao need to cooperate?

No wonder cultivators from the Yu Kingdom rarely venture abroad... They come here only to be slashed; who could stand that?

Just about to speak.

suddenly!

All they heard was a series of voices coming from the distant forest!
(End of this chapter)