Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 484 The Punishment, the Initial Intention of Betrayal
"So, the reason we've been safe all this time is entirely thanks to General Cheng's protection?"

"Otherwise what? Do you really think you can hide for so long under the nose of someone who has almost stepped into the realm of the celestial being?"

Cheng Beier remained noncommittal.

The terrestrial celestial beings can communicate with the heavens and earth, travel a thousand miles in a single thought, and roam beyond the heavens in spirit.

The Mongol capital, Dadu, was naturally vast and magnificent to ordinary people, but to a powerful being of the Celestial Realm level, it was nothing more than a tiny place, and a single Celestial Realm will was enough to cover the entire city.

It might be difficult to find people who are not very capable or are just ordinary people.

The three terrestrial immortals, accompanied by a grandmaster of celestial phenomena, shone like bright lights in the night.

If it weren't for the Heavenly Sword in Zhao Min's hand and the presence of Cheng Beier, the purple-robed man would have already suppressed Zhao Min and her companions and obtained the answers he wanted.

When Cheng Beier's words reached Zhao Min and the others, they inexplicably felt a sense of peace.

You see, they haven't dared to sleep these past few days, fearing that the mysterious expert might come knocking on their door at any moment. Zhao Min, in particular, has been on edge the whole time, not daring to relax.

They initially thought the mysterious person hadn't found their trail, or perhaps they were afraid to act rashly because of the Heavenly Sword in Zhao Min's hands, but Cheng Beier told them the truth.

The truth is, there's another reason why they weren't exposed: Cheng Beier, a terrestrial-level bodyguard, was secretly protecting them.

"Thank you."

Even with Le Bingyun's temperament, she nodded slightly to Cheng Beier in thanks.

Zhao Min, Hua Zheng, and Kalis also quickly expressed their gratitude.

The people's grateful expressions made Cheng Beier feel a little awkward, and she waved her hands repeatedly.

Then, Cheng Beier quickly changed the subject: "Sister Xueyang, what should we do about that purple-robed man?"

Cao Xueyang glanced back in the direction of the Ming Dynasty, a faint smile appearing on his face: "The secret guards sent by His Majesty will probably take over tomorrow. His background and identity will naturally be handled by them; we don't need to do it ourselves."

This can be considered as the way the secret guards handled things later.

No matter what the enemy is, kill them first.

When it's time to revive, there will naturally be dedicated secret guards to handle it.

Interrogations will also be conducted by professional bodyguards.

There is no need for other secret guards or military personnel on missions outside to worry about this.

Cheng Beier was naturally aware of the secret guards' new order and had no objections. She preferred the battlefield to a quiet life, secretly watching over Zhao Min and the others, ostensibly for surveillance and protection, but in reality, it was a vacation.

Their salaries remain the same, or even five or eight times the normal amount.

The secret guards will still receive the same merits and various benefits.

There's simply no better job than this, a bodyguard position that suits Cheng Beier's personality.

Why would she invite trouble upon herself?

At this moment, Cao Xueyang seemed to notice the changing expression on Zhao Min's face and smiled to comfort her, "If you are worried about those experts from Northern Mang, there is no need to worry."

"Ok?"

Zhao Min's eyes lit up, and she subconsciously looked at Cao Xueyang.

"Don't look at me. I'm just here because of my divine will, and I have no intention of interfering in your mission." Cao Xueyang naturally saw the expectation in Zhao Min's eyes and quickly waved his hand, saying, "His Majesty has already sent the secret guards to handle this. It's a terrestrial celestial being."

"It's perfect for dealing with the experts from Northern Mang."

Zhao Min, Le Bingyun, Hua Zheng, and the other women looked at each other, somewhat puzzled.

Fortunately, Cao Xueyang had no intention of keeping him in suspense: "Wang Xianzhi, the number one person in the Jianghu of Liyang and the lord of Wudi City, has now joined the Secret Guard to atone for his crimes."

"He has already arrived at Jiayuguan and will return tomorrow." Lord of Wudi City, Wang Xianzhi?
Zhao Min and the others widened their eyes instantly. Wasn't that the legendary number one expert in Liyang who guarded the Heavenly Gate alone? It was said that he had already reached the peak of the Land Immortal realm, claiming to be second, yet leaving the number one spot in the Liyang martial arts world vacant for sixty years?

I never expected that such a legendary figure would serve the Secret Guard.

What does "offsetting one's crimes with merits" mean?

"Well, if you're curious, go back and ask His Majesty yourselves." Cao Xueyang clearly had no intention of answering Zhao Min and the others' questions. He then gave Cheng Beier a few more instructions, such as to ask for help when encountering a powerful opponent she couldn't defeat, and not to stubbornly resist. She had the entire Tian Ce Mansion and His Majesty standing behind her.

There hasn't been a time when she needs to face a powerful enemy alone and fight to the death.

Cheng Beier lowered her head in embarrassment after being scolded. She knew that Cao Xueyang was doing it for her own good, so she could only listen obediently. She was completely different from the powerful female war goddess she had just been, who had fought fiercely with a being above the terrestrial celestial realm, battling from the heavens to the earth.

This contrast made Zhao Min and Le Bingyun and the others feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Because, at this moment, Cheng Beier, who was obediently being scolded, looked just like a girl next door. If no one had seen her go all out, no one would have been able to connect the Cheng Beier at this moment with the powerful, god-like celestial being from just now.

After Cao Xueyang left, Cheng Beier seemed a little ashamed that Zhao Min and the others had seen her being scolded. She left behind a message that if she encountered any danger, she only needed to call her name and she would come to her aid before quickly disappearing.

"Is this... the end?"

"The terrifying entity that has plagued us for days and left us helpless has been dealt with so easily?"

Hua Zheng and Kasili seemed to have just woken up from a dream.

Even now, they still felt a sense of unreality.

"Not yet..." Zhao Min shook her head, her gaze drifting towards the palace and then towards a place beyond the grassland: "That enemy has been dealt with, but the real trouble is about to begin!"

"A coalition of nations?" Le Bingyun asked.

"Correct."

Zhao Min nodded solemnly and said, "You all know the news that has been sent back. All countries are fighting for survival and forming an alliance against the Ming Dynasty. The Sui Dynasty has directly conscripted three million young men. For the first time, the four major clans and families of the Sui Dynasty have cooperated wholeheartedly. The two sects and six paths of the Demonic Sect have all received invitations, as have the righteous sects such as Cihang Jingzhai, which are also cooperating sincerely."

"The target is the Ming Dynasty."

"The Northern Barbarians have once again gotten involved at this time, clearly with the same intention of targeting the Central Plains."

"I even suspect that the Li Yang Dynasty and the Bei Li Dynasty will get involved in this war."

Zhao Min's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing Le Bingyun, Hua Zheng, and Kasili, who had not yet recovered from their ordeal, to immediately frown with worry.

Are you worried that they'll take advantage of your misfortune?

“This is inevitable.” Zhao Min gave a bitter smile and said in a heavy tone, “I think Emperor Li Yang and Emperor Tai An of Bei Li understand the principle of ‘if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.’ When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. This is their only chance.”

"If they defeat the Ming Dynasty, they can rest easy for the time being."

"On the contrary, if they do nothing, and His Majesty leads his army to conquer all the countries and unify the Central Plains, do you think our Emperor will set his sights on overseas countries next?"

"Can Liyang and Beili still remain isolated overseas?"

Upon hearing this, both Le Bingyun and Hua Zheng fell silent.

Hua Zheng, in particular, shook her head fiercely: "No, I know him. He will not stop his wars and expansion. Wherever the sun and moon shine and wherever rivers flow, that is Han territory. That is his long-cherished wish."

"He once said that the world has been in war for too long. Rather than fighting every year, for hundreds of years, it would be better to end the war in our generation and finish the wars that we will have to fight sooner or later in this generation."

"So that the people of the world will no longer suffer from displacement and the pain of war."

Kasli, standing beside him, nodded emphatically, her face showing longing for the future: "He once said that even if he were to bear the infamy of being a tyrant for all time, even if this battle would cause the world to be in mourning and make millions of people hate him to the bone, he would never back down and would make sure that his descendants would enjoy happiness for generations to come."

"Instead of letting the wars between the seven Warring States period repeat themselves."

Zhao Min's pupils dilated, and she subconsciously murmured, "A crime committed in this era, but a meritorious deed for posterity?"

Hua Zheng and Kasili remained silent. If it weren't for Zhu Jinzhen's ideals and unwavering faith, how could they, as a princess and a Mongol princess respectively, have betrayed the Mongol royal family, the grasslands, and joined the Secret Guard?
(End of this chapter)