I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 286 The Twin Souls of Sword and Blade Slay the Dragon Suppressing Army's Intimidation

Even in the depths of winter, Beijing remains as bustling as ever.

Icicles hung from the red-lacquered buildings and embroidered doors on both sides of the long street, and the wind chimes on the eaves tinkled in the cold wind, as if trying to hold onto something.

The aroma of warm wine wafted from the tavern, mingling with the sweet, caramelized scent of roasted chestnuts from the street vendors.

A horse-drawn carriage with a green canopy rolled slowly through the snow, leaving deep ruts.

The carriage looked quite ordinary, and no one would have guessed that the person sitting inside was the renowned and beautiful Princess Linglong.

The wind was even stronger at the city gate.

The soldiers guarding the city breathed out white vapors, and frost flowers condensed on their armor. The flow of people in and out was like ants; those pushing carts, carrying loads, and leading thin horses all hunched over and hurried through the towering city gate.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves broke out, and seven soldiers in black armor riding tall horses arrived. They dismounted and respectfully bowed to the green-canopied carriage.

The sound of horses' hooves clattering was followed by the sound of snow being crushed.

Wei Liyang, abandoning his previous cold demeanor, arrived on horseback, dressed in general's armor and with a general's sword at his waist.

He did not dismount that day, but instead sat high on his majestic steed and said loudly, "Princess, we are setting off today. I am wearing armor and it is inconvenient for me to perform the proper etiquette."

Inside the carriage, Yu Xunu, who was serving Princess Linglong, couldn't help but turn cold.

The princess resides in Xuantianjing and Yufu Palace, making her of royal blood and of immeasurable nobility.

Every time Wei Liyang came, he never failed to show proper etiquette. Even though they were husband and wife, he still treated Wei Liyang with the respect due to a subject.

Today, at this city gate, Wei Liyang didn't even dismount, let alone bow.

It was as if, having left the Jade Lotus Palace and the Suspended Heaven Capital, he no longer needed to bow to the princess.

Princess Linglong, however, seemed unconcerned about Wei Liyang's rudeness, her eyes appearing somewhat dazed.

A few moments later, she suddenly asked Yu Xunu, "Did you deliver that letter?"

Yu Xunu respectfully replied, "It was delivered to General Chen's courtyard without any error."

The dazed look in Princess Linglong's eyes faded slightly, and she pressed on, "Did he open it and read it?"

"I haven't seen General Chen. According to the people in the general's courtyard, General Chen has been in seclusion these past few days."

Yu Xunu shook her head, but couldn't help but sigh again in her heart.

Even if General Chen had not gone into seclusion, how could he possibly open the letter in front of the messenger?
The princess's mind was in turmoil.

Princess Linglong probably realized that she seemed a little anxious.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the myriad thoughts in her mind.

Only then did she lift the curtain and look at Wei Liyang.

Wei Liyang was smiling as he gazed at Princess Linglong.

Princess Linglong looked behind Wei Liyang and saw three thousand Zhenlong soldiers standing silently at the foot of the distant mountain.

Black armor gleamed in the snow, long halberds pointed to the sky, and the steeds' breath spewed puffs of white mist, yet not a single neigh was heard. Before the army, a crimson dragon banner fluttered in the wind, its imposing power concealed.
With such elite troops standing there, not a single civilian dared to peek.

This Zhenlong Army is probably Wei Liyang's greatest asset.

"If the three thousand Dragon-Suppressing Army has such power, then the Dragon Palace has a total of sixteen thousand Dragon-Suppressing Army, which is enough to rival a true master of destiny."

Yu Xunu murmured to herself.

Princess Linglong looked at the troops and for some reason thought of Chen Zhi'an, so she asked Yu Xunu, "Is General Chen's Duanyu Army this powerful?"

Yu Xunu replied, "The entire Duanyu Army has a total of 80,000 men."

Among them were 10,000 earth soldiers and 70,000 black soldiers, who were once under the command of the Buddha-Slaying Marquis Si Yuanzhao!
In terms of overall combat strength, the Duanyu Army might be on par with the Zhenlong Army.

However... General Chen only received 24,000 prison guards, and it is said that these prison guards are not actually convinced of General Chen's loyalty.

General Chen has yet to meet with the two generals of the Judgment Army.

Princess Linglong thought for a moment and nodded gently.

"The Duanyu Army and the Zhenlong Army are both elite forces of our Great Yu. General Chen probably doesn't need to deal with the Zhenlong Army. As long as he doesn't leave Xuantianjing, no one in the world can kill him."

Yu Xunu said, "Moreover, the last time General Chen left Xuantianjing, it is said that he subdued a true dragon and killed several Tianque figures."

For this reason, General Chen personally went to the execution ground in the western suburbs and killed the forty prisoners with a single stroke. Several figures from the Heavenly Palace were also present, but they did not dare to stop him.

Several days passed after this incident, and the three military commands submitted countless memorials impeaching General Chen.

"However... the Emperor seems to be quite fond of General Chen. It is said that these memorials were kept in the palace and not issued, and were not even approved."

Princess Linglong became somewhat worried upon hearing this.

She couldn't see through her father, the emperor, and probably very few people in the world could either.

Chen Zhian now truly holds power and is criticizing the world.

His own father could not truly abandon the powerful families of the land, and still had to rely on their strength.

So one day, the imperial court will reconcile with the many powerful families and clans.

Where will Chen Zhian be then?
Princess Linglong was filled with worry.

Yu Xunu could see that Princess Linglong was still worried. She lowered her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up and said, "Princess, it is still early. Why don't I accompany you to Qinglian County? Perhaps the general has already come out of the pass."

Princess Linglong's eyes were clear and bright, like the moon reflected in a cold pool.

Normally, Princess Linglong would look at people with a mixture of pride and aloofness.

But when she heard Yu Xunu's words, a rare look of panic flashed in her eyes.

She lowered the curtain, shook her head, and said, "Since General Chen is in seclusion, I will not disturb him."

and……"

Princess Linglong stopped abruptly before she could finish speaking. She then lowered her head and muttered to herself, "The seed in my heart has already blossomed and borne fruit. If I were to see him again, it would probably grow into a towering tree."

By then, I will no longer be able to climb the mountain.

Yu Xunu dared not say much, and only said, "Princess, rest assured, I have already sent that letter. If General Chen comes out of the pass, he will still come to see you off."

Princess Linglong nodded slowly.

"Princess, it's time to set off."

Wei Liyang's voice came through.

Princess Linglong seemed not to hear and did not respond.

Princess Linglong unconsciously stroked the white jade hairpin hidden in her sleeve with her fingertips—the very hairpin that Chen Zhian had casually given her at the lantern market during the Lantern Festival.

The cool jade had long been warmed up, but it still couldn't be pinned into that farewell letter.

"Princess, would you like to wait a little longer?" Yu Xunu gazed in the direction of Qinglian County in the distance. "If we change course now..."

"No need."

She interrupted very quickly, as if afraid that if she hesitated even a moment longer, she would waver, "Since he has not yet emerged from seclusion, it is the will of Heaven."

The carriage suddenly jolted, and half of the scroll placed next to her seat rolled off.

In the painting, a young general stands beneath a snow-covered pine tree, sword in hand. The words "May the years pass by, and may we remain friends forever" are inscribed on the fluttering fabric of his robes. The vermilion ink still carries the fragrance of pine resin.

Princess Linglong even painted a portrait of Chen Zhian.

Yu Xunu hurriedly went to pick it up, but saw the princess suddenly reach out and press down on the scroll.

In the instant the cold wind lifted the carriage curtain, she caught a glimpse of a faint blush rising at the corner of the princess's eyes, like a fleeting plum blossom in the snow.

"I wonder when we'll meet again."

Princess Linglong sighed and said, "If he had come to see me off before leaving the pass, I would have wanted to give him this painting in person. Since he missed it and is about to set off again... you should go to Qinglian County again and deliver this painting there."

Yu Xunu took the painting, her heart filled with heartache for the princess who had accompanied her for over twenty years.

That's just how things are in this world; there are always regrets, big and small.

Marrying Wei Liyang was perhaps Princess Linglong's greatest regret.

Princess Linglong is leaving the capital today, but General Chen is currently in seclusion and has not had the chance to see her off, which is a small regret.

Yu Xunu felt sorrow for the princess.

Princess Linglong took a deep breath, sat upright in the carriage, and said softly, "Then let's set off."

Wei Liyang did not respond, but the carriage slowly started moving again.

The wheels rolled along, with Wei Liyang leading the way, surrounded by seven or eight centurions and captains.

Three thousand Zhenlong soldiers are waiting.

Yu Xunu had already alighted from the carriage, holding the painting in her hand, watching Princess Linglong depart.

Princess Linglong sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, looked up at the sky in a daze, seemingly lost in thought.

A few breaths later, Princess Linglong suddenly saw a light shining in the clouds in the sky, as if a very bright star was being obscured by the clouds.

As many clouds and mists quickly dispersed, a magnificent chariot broke through the clouds and arrived!

Suddenly, a sword rang out from the sky like the cry of a phoenix, and a figure in a black robe stepped out from the clouds crushed by the Jade-like chariot.

His eyebrows resembled distant mountains shrouded in mist, his eyes were like cold pools reflecting stars, and his jade-like face was gilded with a porcelain-like cold luster by the sunlight filtering through the clouds, making him incomparably handsome.

Moreover... perhaps because of the many lives Chen Zhian has taken, the naivety he once had has long since faded, and his eyes now exude a certain majesty that inspires fear.

Yu Xunu also saw Chen Zhian on the Bi Ning carriage. In her surprise, she suddenly remembered a sentence.

Lang Yan is exceptionally beautiful, unmatched by any other.

That once young and inexperienced court painter has grown to his current level in just one year.

"Yuxu slave!"

She was lost in thought when she suddenly heard her princess calling her name.

Yu Xunu suddenly came to her senses and rushed off with the painting in her hands.

He passed several tall horses until his hand felt light.

Princess Linglong leaned out of the carriage window, her long, flowing sleeves billowing in the breeze.

He held the painting of pine trees in his hand, then tossed it into the air.

The scroll, untied by its golden cord, unfurled in an instant into a three-zhang-long snow-white ribbon. The vermilion characters inscribed with "May the year pass and the sun shine through" reflected in the wind, creating a unique and beautiful effect!

Wei Liyang's face was gloomy, and his eyes were extremely cold.

His divine essence ascended into the sky, and he saw that Chen Zhian also had a divine essence flowing towards him, so he wanted to catch the Pine and Snow Painting.

"presumptuous!"

Seven black-armored captains drew their swords and halberds, causing the three thousand Zhenlong Army soldiers in black armor to tremble.

An unimaginable aura suddenly erupted.

That's an incredibly powerful spirit!

Its indomitable spirit soared into the sky, eventually condensing into a phantom image of a crimson-scaled evil dragon in mid-air.

The dragon's eyes were scarlet, its fangs menacing, and its shadow, perched in the clouds, shrouded the entire city gate in darkness.

The swords and halberds of the seven black-armored captains flashed with cold light, and the military formation's energy intertwined with Wei Liyang's divine essence from the Heavenly Realm, causing the bluestone floor tiles to crack inch by inch!
"Get out!" Wei Liyang roared, his fingertips brushing against the scabbard at his waist.

The sound waves shook the void.

The phantom of the evil dragon suddenly extended its claws, pressing down on the Bi Ning chariot with the force to crush mountains!
"Why should General Wei need to stage a dragon-slaying spectacle when Mr. Chen is only accepting a painting?"

Chen Zhian's divine aura emanated from him.

Wei Liyang smiled casually: "Without your true dragon appearing, you're not worthy of the Nine Palaces Formation of my Dragon Suppression Army operating its divine power... Chen Zhian, can you bear the spirit of my Dragon Suppression Army?"

Chen Zhian's black robe fluttered in the wind, his left hand already resting on the jade sword at his waist.

Before the sword was drawn, a clear and melodious sword sound resounded from the void—the Azure Emperor's sword spirit connected with the nine patrolling swords, their light illuminating the void.

With his right hand clenched loosely, the true essence of the purple-yellow-green sheep surged into the shape of a sword, merging with the Jade Token Sword. At the same time, the Sword Soul Beacon Tower appeared faintly around Chen Zhian's body.

Wei Liyang's expression changed instantly!
"Sword Soul?"

Before his thoughts had even settled, Chen Zhian's dual sword and saber spirits had already transformed into a blue and white rainbow piercing the sky.

When the blade flashed past the claws of the evil dragon formed from the spirit of the Zhenlong Army, a clanging sound of metal clashing rang out incessantly, and a blood mist-like murderous aura splattered from the broken surface of the crimson scale phantom.

"boom--!"

The aftershocks of the clash of their spirits stirred up thousands of piles of snow, and even the soldiers guarding the city, hundreds of feet apart, staggered and fell.

The snow-covered pine tree fluttered wildly in the eye of the storm, but was protected by a sword intent.

Chen Zhian stepped out of the carriage, his toes touching the air and creating ripple-like patterns.

At this moment, the sword spirit of the beacon tower was like a dragon entering the sea, piercing straight into the void, soaring into the distance, landing on the pine and snow painting, then rolling up the painting and being held in Chen Zhian's hand.

"You think you can suppress me with just your arrogance?"

Chen Zhian held the scroll in his hand and gently shook his head: "General Jianlong, have you forgotten that you once came to kill me in your blood essence form, only to be killed by my punch?"

Wei Liyang's eyes flashed with killing intent, and his aura was no longer as tough as that of a general in command of troops; instead, it had become more effeminate.

The three thousand Zhenlong Army soldiers behind him seemed to sense their commander's anger, and the Earth Army Nine Palaces Zhenlong Formation suddenly activated!

The longswords in their hands hummed! Unimaginable true energy began to condense!
Wei Liyang narrowed his eyes and stared coldly at Chen Zhian.

Chen Zhian remained standing on the carriage, then suddenly smiled, turned his head to look at Xuantianjing, and said, "What? Does the general intend to activate the military formation here and kill me?"

Wei Liyang's breath hitched, and then he sensed a gaze directed at him.

He followed that gaze and saw Duke Anguo standing on the Chitian Tower of the Duke Anguo's mansion, with his hands behind his back and his head bowed, looking down at him.

Wei Liyang took a deep breath, and the Nine Palaces Army Formation dissipated.

Chen Zhian didn't look at him again, but gazed at Princess Linglong from afar and smiled, "Thank you for the painting, Princess."

He flicked his finger lightly, and a paper crane floated gently down in front of the princess.

"Princess, my previous promise still stands."

If you need anything, simply write my name on the paper crane.

"I... will come myself."

His voice was gentle, yet it felt like a sharp sword piercing Wei Liyang's heart.

Wei Liyang licked his lips with his bright red tongue and grinned at Chen Zhian.

Princess Linglong was also smiling, her eyes reflecting the surrounding wind and snow. She raised her hand to wave goodbye to Chen Zhian.

"I wonder when we will meet again."

"I don't know if we'll ever see each other again."

"General Chen... thank you for that one sentence."

"I have struggled with myself for a long time, and I would rather be myself."

(End of this chapter)